Tag: Lionel Messi

LUSAIL: Lionel Messi’s dream of winning the FIFA World Cup has been fulfilled with a dramatic victory over the defending champions France after the penalty shoot-out here at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.

The nail-biting final of the world cup had a dream ending for Argentina’s star Messi, who stood up at the most crucial moment of his career with two timely strikes before opening the scoring for his team in the penalty shoot-out.

Messi had given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in the first half before Angel Di Maria made it 2-0.

It appeared to be a straightforward win for Argentina until Kylian Mbappe struck twice in just 97 seconds to force the match into extra time.

Messi then appeared to have done it once and for all when he converted a rebound in the 109th minute, only for Mbappe to score from another spot-kick to tie the game at 3-3 and force a shoot-out.

With his third goal of the night, Mbappe became the first player since England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966 to net a World Cup final hat-trick.

Messi and Mbappe both kept fighting for their teams in the penalty shoot-out as they opened the scoring with precisely placed strikes.

The defending champions, however, lost the plot as Kingsley Coman’s next kick for France was saved and Aurelien Tchouameni then crucially missed the target and the final diverted into Argentina’s favour.

Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes successfully netted the ball from the spot before Gonzalo Montiel fired the world cup winning penalty for Messi’s Argentina.

It is pertinent to mention that Argentina were crowned world champions for the first time after 1986 and this is their third world title overall.

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DOHA: Thirty-seven club trophies, seven Ballon D’Or awards and six European Golden Boots.A Copa America title, an Olympic gold medal and a list of scoring and statistical records that may never be beaten.

Over the course of an 18-year career Lionel Messi has, with one obvious exception, won the lot. And won it again and again.

On Sunday, the 35-year-old Argentina captain has the chance to fill the last remaining hole on his CV: a World Cup winners’ medal.

For Messi’s most ardent admirers, victory over France at Doha’s Lusail Stadium will settle the debate over where he ranks in the most exclusive inner sanctum of football’s pantheon.

Messi’s career achievements to date have already earned him the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Pele, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di Stefano and Johan Cruyff.

Does a World Cup win on Sunday nudge him ahead of that exalted company? Some think it does. Others think he already stands alone.

“I don’t have any doubt saying that: he is the best in history,” was the verdict of Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after Messi’s virtuoso display in the 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia.

Former England captain Alan Shearer says he has long regarded Messi’s compatriot Maradona as the greatest player of all time on the basis of his 1986 World Cup triumph in Mexico.

“If Messi were to win it here, my view would change,” Shearer told the BBC.

A more nuanced view came from former Argentina striker Jorge Burruchaga, scorer of the winning goal — set up by Maradona — in the 1986 World Cup final victory over West Germany.

For Burruchaga, Messi has been the greatest player of an era where only Cristiano Ronaldo can rival his achievements. But the 60-year-old says comparisons with previous generations are futile.

“Win or lose, Messi is not more or less than Maradona,” Burruchaga told AFP. “Messi is going to be in history whatever happens.

“There are five players in the past 70 years who can be considered the best in the world — Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Pele, Maradona and Messi.

“Messi is in that list, whether he wins the World Cup or not. But I hope he does.”

Weight of History

While the debate over Messi’s place in history rumbles on, the man himself remains focused on what he has said will be his final appearance on the World Cup stage.

Messi’s fifth World Cup campaign has arguably been his best, thriving as the attacking fulcrum of a balanced Argentina starting line-up assembled by Scaloni.

In previous World Cup appearances, Messi has appeared weighed down by history, struggling to shoulder the hopes and dreams of millions of Argentines desperate for international glory.

For much of the past decade it seemed as if he was destined to fall short in his quest to land a major title with Argentina.

The soul-destroying extra-time defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup started a run of three consecutive major final losses.

In 2015, a star-studded Argentina side lost the Copa America final to Chile in a penalty shootout. A year later, the Albiceleste were beaten again by Chile in the final of the Copa America Centenario, Messi missing a penalty in yet another shootout defeat.

In the immediate aftermath of that loss, a shattered Messi announced his retirement from international football, in what turned out to be a short-lived exile from the national team.

He returned months later and was back to lead Argentina at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. But a mostly shambolic tournament ended in the last 16 with a 4-3 defeat to eventual champions France.

The tide turned though with the appointment of Scaloni at the end of 2018.

After a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa America, Argentina finally ended their wait for a major title with victory at the 2021 tournament, beating arch-rivals Brazil in the final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

According to Burruchaga, the 2021 Copa America title liberated Argentina’s captain.

“The weight is off his shoulders now, and we are seeing another Messi,” Burruchaga said.

With five goals already in Qatar, this is already Messi’s most successful in terms of goals scored.

Playing in bursts, he has mastered the ability to produce devastating moments of magic at key times — most recently in setting up Argentina’s third goal against Croatia on Wednesday, when he left the talented 20-year-old Josko Gvardiol for dead with a scintillating run.

“I don’t know if it’s my best World Cup or not,” Messi said after the Croatia win.

“I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final…. To finish this way is brilliant.”

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DUBAI: Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes the stars are aligned for Lionel Messi to finally capture that elusive World Cup trophy, the AC Milan forward told reporters in Dubai on Monday.

Contesting a record-equalling fifth World Cup, Messi will be looking to reach the second final of his career in the competition when Argentina take on Croatia in the last-four stage on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old Messi is very likely making his final World Cup appearance and with the likes of Brazil, Portugal, Germany and Spain all knocked out in Qatar, the Argentines look primed to clinch football’s most prestigious title for the first time since 1986.

Ibrahimovic, who continues to rehabilitate his knee while joining his AC Milan team-mates for a winter training camp in Dubai, heaped praise on the other three semi-finalists in Doha but assured he only sees one team walking away with the trophy.

“I think it’s already written who will win, and you know who I mean. I think Messi will lift the trophy, it’s already written,” said Ibrahimovic, who represented Sweden in two World Cups in 2002 and 2006.

Argentina and surprise semi-finalists Morocco will try to stop France and Croatia from setting up a rematch of the title decider from Russia 2018, with the Atlas Lions taking on the reigning champions on Wednesday.

Ibrahimovic described France and Croatia as “strong nations” but believes a Messi triumph is inevitable.

Asked about Morocco, who became the first ever African or Arab team to make the final four at a World Cup, Ibrahimovic said: “I don’t think it’s a surprise because I knew they were good before the World Cup. Then obviously in the World Cup everything can happen.

“That they reached the semi-final, maybe a little surprised, but remember it’s a good team, a good nation. And these surprises I think the people like; they enjoy because they want these things to happen so they get some kind of extra adrenaline.”

Emotional Ronaldo

The Moroccans punched their ticket to a historic semi-final by stunning Spain and Portugal back-to-back.

Scenes of a tearful Cristiano Ronaldo making his way to the dressing room following Portugal’s elimination have been replayed on TV screens across the globe, marking a difficult ending to the 37-year-old’s quest for World Cup glory.

Pressed to send a message to Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic said: “I think it’s not important what I can say. I mean everybody wants to win the World Cup; not everybody gets to win the World Cup.

“Everybody is trying and if you don’t win it obviously you’ll get emotional, if you win it, you get also emotional in a different way.”

Ibrahimovic added that the real story behind Ronaldo’s unceremonious exit from Manchester United will never be revealed, making it tough for him to weigh in on the matter.

“His exiting United, I think when things happen, we will never know the true story. They say what they want to say, he says what he needs to say to protect himself, then you have the coach that says these things to protect himself,” said Ibrahimovic, who spent two seasons at Manchester United from 2016 to 2018.

“Then the club says things – not like me, I will tell you how it really happened. But we are all different. Everybody is careful about their image.

“For me the perfect image is being yourself. The true story we will not know my friend.”

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DOHA: Lionel Messi believes Diego Maradona would be “super happy” after he led Argentina into the World Cup last 16 on Wednesday thanks to a 2-0 win over Poland.

Messi became his country’s most capped player at the tournament with a 22nd appearance surpassing his legendary compatriot who died just over two years ago.

“I learned it recently, I didn’t know it. It’s a pleasure to be able to continue to achieve these kinds of records. I think Diego would be super happy for me, because he always showed me a lot of affection, he was always happy when things went well for me,” said Messi.

Despite missing a penalty — his 39th career failure from the spot — the Argentina captain said he was “happy” with this “big match”.

“We achieved our first objective, which was to get out of the group after starting the way we did (a shock 2-1 loss against Saudi Arabia),” said Messi.

“I was really frustrated to have missed the penalty, because I knew that a goal could change the whole match, that it makes you play in a different way. But I think that from the penalty I missed, the team came out stronger.”

Messi, who still needs a World Cup winner’s medal to cement his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest players, believes Argentina are moving up through the gears at precisely the right time.

“After the first goal, everything went our way. We started doing again what we had been trying to do since the start of the World Cup, but which we hadn’t been able to achieve for various reasons.

“Having been able to do it today, it gives us confidence for the future.”

Next up for Argentina is a last-16 clash against Australia on Saturday.

“We know that now everything will be very difficult. That whoever the opponent, it will be complicated. We have seen recently, at our own expense, that any opponent can play a good game and win.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo opened up on his relationship with long-term rival Lionel Messi, insisting that the two superstars shared a great amount of respect towards each other and hailed the Argentina star an amazing player. 

The two have been regarded as the greatest footballers of their generation and shared one of the most enthralling rivalries on the pitch for almost two decades.

Both Ronaldo and Messi have won countless trophies during their illustrious careers and won the Ballon d’Or 12 times out of 13 times between 2008 to 2021, with the former Barcelona star claiming the award seven times compared to Ronaldo’s five.

In the latest part of his explosive interview with Piers Morgan on Talk TV, the ex-Real Madrid superstar has heaped praises on Messi.

“Amazing player is magic, top..” he said. “As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years we share. So, I have great relationship with him.”

“I’m not a friend of him in terms of, what I mean friend is the guy who was with you in your house, speaking on the phone, no, but it’s like a teammate.” he added.

Portugal forward further said: He (Messi) is a guy that I really respect the way he always speaks about me. Even his wife or and my girlfriend, they always respect and they’re from Argentina.

“My girlfriend is from Argentina. So good. What I am going to say about Messi? A great guy who does great things for football.”

Despite their iconic footballing careers, neither of the two legends has won the World Cup. Although the two have not announced their retirement yet, the showpiece event in Qatar is said to be their last shot to win glory for their national sides.

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MADRID: LaLiga President Javier Tebas has expressed his wish to see Lionel Messi back to Barcelona as he took a dig at Ligue 1, claiming that the Argentinian superstar is not getting the same exposure at Paris Saint Germain that he used to get at Barcelona. 

Speaking in an interview with the Argentine publication Ole, Tebas said that the former Barcelona star was not only missed by his previous club but the whole football world was feeling his absence from the forefront.

After spending his entire career at Camp Nou, the 35-year-old left Barca last year as the club was unable to renew his contract due to financial constraints.

Messi joined PSG following his departure from the Spanish League, signing a two-year contract, which will terminate at the end of the ongoing campaign.

With Argentina’s captain poised to become a free agent this summer, a possible return to Barcelona has been hotly discussed. Tebas, however, did not shy away from admitting that he wanted to see Messi return to Spanish football.

“I hope he comes back. Above all, it would also be good for him to return to Spanish football, especially to the team that saw him born.” he expressed during the Ole Sports Summit. 

Meanwhile, La Liga president took a swipe at PSG and Ligue 1, asserting that the number of fans tuning in to watch Messi play in the French top league is considerably lower than what it used to be when he was at Barcelona.

“I think that Messi is not only missed in La Liga, but he is also missed in football, because the French league is what it is, right?” he said. “I think that no matter how much he is at PSG, he is followed much less than when he was at Futbol Club Barcelona.”

“Therefore, football misses Lionel Messi and we hope he has a great World Cup, because there we will all be able to see him again. I don’t see all the fans watching PSG against Nantes, I don’t see it. With Barça, within a league, I did see him much more often,” he added.

Furthermore, Tebas claimed that Messi’s decision to part ways with Barcelona was a misstep. He said, “I think it was a mistake even for him, in my opinion, to break that marriage, that alliance since he was born in football, because it would have helped him a lot with continuity, like the Messi-Barca brand, which is very important for a player.”

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ROME: Lionel Messi will headline a star-studded lineup for a ‘match for peace’ in tribute to fellow Argentina soccer great Diego Maradona on November 14 in Rome, organisers announced on Monday. 

In addition to Messi, former Brazilian star Ronaldinho, Italian World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon and Roma’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho confirmed their presence in a video published by the WEPLAYFORPEACE platform for the third edition of the “match for peace” organised by a Foundation created by Pope Francis.

The video was uploaded on October 10, to signify 10/10, in tribute to the number 10 jersey worn by Maradona during his career. His nickname was ‘el ultimo Diez’ (the last 10).

Former World Cup winner Maradona died aged 60 of heart failure in November 2020.

The match will take place on November 14 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, less than a week before the start of the World Cup in Qatar.

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LISBON: Paris Saint-Germain were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday despite Lionel Messi’s brilliant curling strike.

The Argentina star scored midway through the first half in Lisbon but Danilo Pereira’s own goal before the break ensured PSG and Benfica remain level at the top of Group H on seven points.

Both clubs failed to win for just the second time this season in all competitions but are four points clear of Juventus, who bounced back from successive defeats to beat Maccabi Haifa 3-1 at home.

“We know it’s difficult to play at this ground, with this atmosphere. Benfica are a team in form,” PSG captain Marquinhos told Canal Plus.

Messi only scored 11 goals in 34 games in his first season for PSG last term, but already has eight in 13 this time around.

“It’s normal, it takes a little time,” said Marquinhos. “Now he feels a little more comfortable… I hope Leo Messi has a great season until the end to win this title.”

Sitting top of the Portuguese league despite dropping their first points at the weekend, Benfica’s high pressing rattled PSG as the hosts made a bright start.

Goncalo Ramos, who drew interest in the summer from PSG, saw his effort blocked by Gianluigi Donnarumma’s leg after he raced onto a long ball in behind the defence.

Ramos then stung the palms of Donnarumma from distance before the Italy goalkeeper produced a terrific save to deflect David Neres’ shot wide.

But PSG’s vaunted three-man attack of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe suddenly sparked into life and the visitors surged ahead as the Argentine finished the move he started in style.

Messi’s pass to Mbappe was helped on to Neymar, whose smart lay-off was whipped into the far top corner first-time by Messi for his 127th Champions League goal.

Donnarumma again intervened to deny Benfica by parrying Antonio Silva’s strike to safety, but the hosts got the equaliser their play deserved just before half-time.

Enzo Fernandez was afforded far too much space to swing in a teasing cross from the left that Danilo inadvertently glanced in as he tried to track Ramos.

Neymar twice went close to restoring PSG’s lead early in the second half, clipping the bar with an inventive overhead kick and forcing Odysseas Vlachodimos to punch away his free-kick.

Achraf Hakimi could only drill straight at the Benfica ‘keeper after being played in by Messi, while Benfica defender Nicolas Otamendi glanced a free-kick just past the post at the other end.

Both sides continued to create chances. Mbappe’s curling shot was turned behind by a sprawling Vlachodimos, with Donnarumma spreading himself to thwart Rafa Silva after a marauding run.

But there was ultimately nothing to separate two sides who are unbeaten this season, and will meet again in six days’ time at the Parc des Princes.

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HARRISON: Lionel Messi marked his 100th international victory with two goals as Argentina edged closer to Italy’s world record unbeaten streak with a 3-0 defeat of Jamaica in a World Cup warm-up friendly in New Jersey on Tuesday.

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi took his international goals tally to 90 in 164 appearances after coming on as a second-half substitute at the Red Bull Arena.

Messi’s goals capped an emphatic win for the South Americans, who have now gone 35 games unbeaten in a streak stretching back to 2019 – just two shy of Italy’s world record unbeaten run of 37 set between 2018 and 2021.

Messi, who also scored twice during a friendly win over Honduras in Miami on Friday, delighted the crowd with an electrifying cameo after coming on in the 56th minute for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.

He bagged his first of the night in the 86th minute, darting forward before caressing a shot into the bottom corner past Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake.

The 35-year-old seven-time Ballon D’Or winner then produced an impish second goal, craftily curling a low shot underneath the Jamaican wall into the bottom corner from a free-kick.

Messi’s presence left the crowd in a frenzy. On three different occasions spectators sprinted onto the pitch in an effort to get close to the Argentinian icon.

One shirtless fan attempted to get Messi to autograph his back before he was bundled to the floor by security staff.

Messi’s late double crowned another assured performance from Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina, who are rapidly emerging as one of the favourites for the World Cup in Qatar in November.

The Argentinians had dominated throughout a one-sided first half, and took the lead on 13 minutes when Martinez jinked past Jamaica’s Damion Lowe and cut back for Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, who tucked away a low finish from close range.

Alvarez almost had a second soon afterwards but curled his shot just wide.

Midfielder Guido Rodriguez also went close, but was unable to direct his volley at the back post on target, instead shooting over the bar.

Giovani Lo Celso also threatened with a long-range effort that flew just wide of the top corner in the 33rd minute.

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PAMPLONA: Lionel Messi scored five goals as Argentina completely thrashed out European opponents Estonia with an unbeaten 5-0 in an international friendly match, here on Sunday.

The inspirational feat by the Argentinian captain, who has scored 86 goals in 162 international appearances, enabled his country to remain undefeated in 33 international games after an easy win over Estonia.

Messi completely dominated the opponents as he scored two goals in the first half with an opening goal in the 8th minute and the second one in the last minute before halftime.

The 34-year-old Messi waited for the break to complete his hat-trick two minutes after the game resumed in the second half. Messi continued with his exceptional form and made two more strikes in the 71st and 76th minutes.

Last week Argentina defeated Italy 3-0 in the first Finalissima encounter between the South American and European champions, with Messi contributing two assists. He helped Argentina win the Copa America last year, which was his first major achievement for the national team.

The international friendlies are part of Argentina’s preparation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 which will be held in November. Argentina are in Group C along with Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Poland.

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