Lionel Messi
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Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
The latest stories and features on footballer Lionel Messi, including professional football news and updates.
Born
24 Jun 1987
Industry
Sport
Job Title
Athlete
A man ducks to avoid chairs being thrown by fans after Argentine football star Lionel Messi leaves the Salt Lake Stadium during his tour in Kolkata on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
India

Kick-off in Kolkata: how Lionel Messi was dragged into an Indian election battle

The BJP has latched on to the crowd chaos during Messi’s visit to West Bengal to demand the resignation of the state’s chief minister.

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India

Video | Indian fans storm stadium after Messi exit

Fifa World Cup 2026

Another Lionel Messi farce as angry Indian fans riot, vandalise stadium

Fifa

Fifa World Cup draw: who Asian teams will play, how Ronaldo v Messi could happen

Son Heung-min’s South Korea among seven Asian nations who learn their opponents in the draw in Washington.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (right) could face Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2026 World Cup. Photo: TNS
Fifa

Fifa World Cup draw repeats past as France face Senegal, England play Croatia

Argentina drawn to start against Algeria after a show that lasts almost as long as a football match.

Fifa

Trump looms over Fifa World Cup draw as it starts countdown to 2026 finals

US president expected to play prominent role as Washington stages draw for the tournament, to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico.

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Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo makes history as first billionaire footballer after hefty Saudi payday

Portuguese star joins ‘three comma club’ after signing new two-year deal with Al-Nassr worth almost £500 million.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth has exploded after signing a second deal with Al-Nassr. Photo: Reuters
Timepieces

Lionel Messi’s colourful watches – from a ‘Barbie’ Rolex to Flamingo Blue Tudor

The Inter Miami football player rocks a Patek Philippe Cubitus, Rolex Daytonas, and unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks.

Kitchee SC

Lionel Messi’s former Barcelona colleague bringing winning mentality to Kitchee

Roger Riera eager to tackle first Asian challenge following spells in Spain, the Netherlands and with Nottingham Forest.

Italian Serie A

Could Messi finish career in Italy? Indonesian billionaires eye ‘dream’ transfer

Serie A club Como have richest owners in the Italian league in brothers Robert and Michael Hartono, who have ambitious plans for the club.

Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2025 MLS season and he is in talks over an extension. Photo: Reuters
Fifa

Club World Cup: Fifa head’s baby up and running – football may never be the same

Gianni Infantino says event, which opened with draw between Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al-Ahly, ‘will change our sport for the better’.

Players walk onto the pitch before the opening match of the Club World Cup between Inter Miami of the US and Al Ahly of Egypt in Miami on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua
Fifa

Lionel Messi denied by woodwork as Inter Miami draw Club World Cup opener

Almost 61,000 fans attend at Hard Rock Stadium as Miami share goalless draw with Egypt’s Al-Ahly in Florida.

Fifa

Fifa Club World Cup: when it starts, which teams are playing in new-look event

US-hosted tournament features 32 teams and some of the world’s best players, but question marks remain over how it will received.

Hong Kong society

My Take | Top football clubs need to repay Asian fans with value for money

The visiting teams have a duty to respect and not take for granted their supporters who welcome any opportunity to see them play in the flesh.

Hong Kong fans cheer for Manchester United at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Elson Li
Fifa

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami risk Club World Cup humiliation after latest failure

A 5-1 aggregate defeat in the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final comes after a shock failure to win main domestic title.

Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were well beaten in their Concacaf semi-final tie against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Photo: AFP
AFC Champions League

Ronaldo, Messi knocked out in Asian and Concacaf Champions League semis

Al-Nassr stunned by Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in AFC version while Inter Miami lose to Vancouver Whitecaps in Concacaf competition.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis was the pontiff with ‘2 left feet’ who loved the ‘beautiful game’

From Argentine compatriots Messi and the late Maradona to Ibrahimovic and Buffon, Francis received greatest stars of football at the Vatican.

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Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong cannot afford another own goal

With five top teams on their way to Hong Kong for a ‘festival of football’, fans must manage their expectations following the Messi farce.

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (centre, in pink) and teammates sit on the substitute bench during a friendly match in February 2024. Messi had to sit the game out due to an injury, disappointing many of Hong Kong’s football fans. Photo: Reuters
ATP

Messi watching Djokovic reach Miami Open final made Serb feel ‘pressure’

The former world No 1 beats 14th-seed Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-final and will meet 19-year-old Jakub Mensik in Sunday’s showpiece.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo v Lionel Messi: sons’ fake record goal hauls fool social media

Reports that a new battle between the legends’ children was emerging turned out to be fake news.

Neymar

Neymar says former teammate Mbappe ‘jealous’ over Messi during trio’s PSG spell

Brazilian striker blames clash of egos for the failure of the three superstars to gel when they played together at the French club.

From left, Paris Saint-Germain superstars Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar winning the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia in January 2023. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

Who is Sofi Martínez – and is she secretly dating footballer Lionel Messi?

Argentine sports journalist Sofi Martínez has decided to speak publicly about the rumour there’s something between her and footballer Lionel Messi – so what did she say and who is she exactly?

Who is ESPN journalist Sofi Martínez – and is she secretly dating Lionel Messi? Photo: @sofimmartinez/Instagram
Fifa

Chinese electronics firm Hisense becomes first sponsor for Fifa’s Club World Cup

Hisense will receive Video Assistant Referee branding during expanded 32-team competition set to take place in the US from June 15 to July 13.

Fifa

Move over, Messi and Ronaldo – a new generation is lining up to win Ballon d’Or

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior is favourite to be crowned world’s best player on Monday, while Mbappe and Haaland lead field of contenders.

Fame and celebrity

Meet football megastar-to-be Lamine Yamal, who’s been dubbed a ‘mini Messi’

For a Lionel Messi fan, nothing could be better than playing against him – which Lamine Yamal now gets to do thanks to Spain’s Euros victory, but some think he could be even more talented than his idol

Who is football star Lamine Yamal, who’s 17 and already breaking records? Photo: @lamineyamal/Instagram
Colombia

Messi enjoying “last battles” for Argentina as Copa America final beckons

Argentina star looks back to his old self in 2-0 win over Canada at MetLife Stadium, but has yet to commit to playing beyond tournament.

Lionel Messi scored as Argentina reached the final of the Copa America. Photo: DPA
Hong Kong sports

Messi fans can seek refunds without dropping complaints to Hong Kong watchdog

But Consumer Council says those who bought tickets for February friendly match using e-payment systems may need to drop complaints to banks to collect cash.

ESG investing

Omega raises US$600,000 for eye charity Orbis through watch auction

The Swiss luxury brand recently auctioned 11 suitcases, each containing 11 MoonSwatch Moonshine Gold Hong Kong edition watches via Sotheby’s as part of its CSR efforts to support Orbis.

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