News of messi

Messi steps off-stage with a show to remember

09-10-2026 10:41 What a privilege to have seen the greatest player ever to practice this sport do what he loves so well, for so long.

by Dan Edwards

BUSINESS OF SPORT

Argentina friendlies prove to be no fairy tale for African footballers

08-10-2026 13:55 When Benin and Burkina Faso flew to Buenos Aires for friendlies against Argentina, both sides expected a trip to remember. But unfortunately, it didn't quite work out like that.

CAPTAIN SPEAKS

Messi says he already misses playing for Argentina

08-10-2026 00:08 Less than 24 hours after calling time on his international career, skipper says he is already missing wearing Argentina’s shirt.

FINAL FAREWELL

Benin full of pride at role in Messi's last dance

07-10-2026 12:14 Football fans in Benin say it was "an honour" to provide the opposition for Lionel Messi's final international appearance; Screens had sprung up in restaurants and bars in the capital Cotonou showing historic occasion.

END OF AN ERA

Emotion, tears as Messi retires from international football

07-10-2026 00:21 Lionel Messi shares his emotions and skills as he bids farewell to Argentina's national team; Star scores and assists two in 3-0 win over Benin at the Monumental.

GRACIAS LEO!

'I'm going to miss you' – Messi thanks fans after 'painful' retirement

06-10-2026 23:52 Messi bids emotional farewell after final match with Albiceleste; "Playing for Argentina is the greatest thing that can happen to you," he tells fans.

GRACIAS POR TODO LEO!

As Messi bows out, Argentines say 'thank you'

06-10-2026 18:27 Millions set to watch the 39-year-old bid an emotional farewell to international football at the Monumental tonight.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Messi readies for final farewell in Argentina send-off

05-10-2026 13:13 Argentina's skipper will bring the curtain down on his glittering Argentina career on Tuesday with a farewell friendly against Benin.

NATIONAL TEAM

‘Cuti’ Romero handed unenviable task of following Messi as captain

03-10-2026 16:31 Twenty-eight-year-old Atlético Madrid defender handed the armband by Lionel Scaloni; Romero the heir to Messi's captaincy.

ANOTHER CLUB FOR LEO

Messi finalises acquisition of second Spanish football club

01-10-2026 19:33 Eldense, based just in-land from Alicante, becomes Argentine star’s second venture into Spanish football ownership.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Argentina run riot against Bolivia in first post-World Cup friendly

01-10-2026 00:13 National team takes its first steps without Lionel Messi; Albiceleste ease to a 4-0 victory in Córdoba as a new generation begins to emerge

STAR HONOURED

Messi to receive honorary doctorate from UBA

30-09-2026 22:31 UBA will honour Argentina’s captain for his sporting achievements and role as an "ambassador of national identity."

NATIONAL TEAM

Scaloni: ‘Willingness on both sides’ to extend Argentina contract

29-09-2026 16:46 National team coach says he wants to continue in charge and that initial talks with AFA are underway over the renewal of his contract.

Football in Argentina

AFA makes sure to cash in on Messi’s final farewell

25-09-2026 10:37 Those in charge at AFA are keen to take full of advantage of Lionel Messi’s farewell to the fans. Nevertheless, it promises to be a stunning send-off against Benin.

NATIONAL TEAM

Scaloni 2028: Tapia's plan to safeguard the national team project

23-09-2026 11:47 Talks between Lionel Scaloni and Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia have entered a decisive phase; Two-year extension on the table, with an option for two more.

by Nicolás Ziccardi

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Messi set for 'one last dance' with Argentina in international friendly

15-09-2026 18:12 AFA chief Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia says 39-year-old Lionel Messi has been called up for match against Benin next month "so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves... here in Argentina."

FOOTBALL

AFA hopes Benin and Burkina Faso can tempt Messi to one last dance

09-09-2026 17:34 Lionel Messi has retired from international football – but Argentina’s football authorities still have a couple more games in mind…

FOOTBALL

Messi's epic journey comes to an end – and what a ride it was

04-09-2026 00:35 It’s testament to everything Messi achieved with Argentina that even after two decades of dominance, he still leaves us wanting more.

by Dan Edwards

INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT

AFA orders tribute to Messi, with applause in the 10th minute of matches

03-09-2026 10:55 One-minute pause at matches across all levels is "recognition of Lionel Messi's career with the Argentina National Team," declares AFA.

WHAT NEXT FOR ALBICELESTE?

Messi departure leaves Argentina facing rebuild after golden era

02-09-2026 15:37 Testing transition period ahead as national team attempts to move on from Lionel Messi's international retirement; Question marks also hanging over futures of coach Lionel Scaloni and several other players.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Questions mount for Argentina's national team after Messi retirement

01-09-2026 15:10 With skipper Lionel Messi's retirement, coach Lionel Scaloni's future still unresolved and several key players hinting that their cycles with the national team are over, what next for the Albiceleste?

TRIBUTES FLOOD IN

'Eternal': World mourns Messi's Argentina retirement

31-08-2026 17:42 Team-mates, football authorities and public figures paid tribute to the player many consider the greatest of all time.

SKIPPER RETIRES

Lionel Messi: Architect of Argentina’s greatest joys

31-08-2026 16:33 From painful defeats to World Cup glory, Argentina's captain leaves behind an enduring legacy.

SAY IT AIN'T SO, LEO!

Six defining moments of Lionel Messi's Argentina career

31-08-2026 15:26 A look back at some of the moments that defined Messi's career with his country.

SPORT

Messi era ends in Argentina as star retires after World Cup final loss

31-08-2026 15:17 Superstar confirms his retirement from Argentina’s national team after more than two decades, marking the end of an era.

GRACIAS LEO! THANK YOU!

Messi announces retirement from international football

31-08-2026 12:30 National team skipper announces he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final; "It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time," he reveals in post on Instagram.

by James Grainger

SAY IT AIN’T SO, LEO

Messi hints playing career is nearing end with emotional tribute to father

12-08-2026 12:25 Grieving superstar says he is unsure about playing on “much longer” after death of his father; Emotional tribute reveals depth of their relationship, with skipper saying he doesn’t know “how to go on.”

DEATH OF JORGE MESSI

Messi bids farewell to father who guided his glittering career

09-08-2026 16:43 Private ceremony with close family and a few teammates takes place at a cemetery in the town of Pérez.

Death of footballer's father

Argentina skipper arrives in Rosario to mourn his late father

09-08-2026 05:57 Footballer lands in Rosario late Saturday night following the death of father; Funeral to take place on Sunday at cemetery in nearby Pérez.

FOOTBALLER'S FATHER PASSES AWAY

Lionel Messi's father Jorge Messi dies aged 68 after illness

08-08-2026 13:33 Death of Argentina captain's father comes just weeks after Lionel Messi led Albiceleste into 2026 World Cup, ending a lifelong partnership that shaped one of football's greatest careers.

Analysis: Disinformation

In defence of Argentine culture and football

25-07-2026 04:54 z

by Agustino Fontevecchia

As I see it

The return of the ugly Argentine

25-07-2026 04:34 Does the abuse being hurled against the country’s footballers by aggrieved foreigners whose national teams got knocked out early matter very much? It clearly does.

by James Neilson

WORLD CUP 2026

Otamendi retires from Argentina's national team after World Cup

24-07-2026 05:03 Veteran defender ends an international career spanning 17 years and 139 appearances after helping the Albiceleste win the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles.

STAR IN HOT WATER

Rosalía's Argentine fans up in arms over alleged World Cup snub

24-07-2026 04:49 Fans try to flog their tickets for Spanish star's run of shows at Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires after musician shared social media post that was critical of Argentina's national football team.

WORLD CUP 2026

Enzo: Argentina represented themselves in 'best possible way'

22-07-2026 18:10 Chelsea midfielder takes to Instagram to defend his country for their World Cup performance.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

'Dibu' Martínez hints at Argentina retirement after World Cup final defeat

22-07-2026 13:22 Goalkeeper says he will reflect on his international future after defeat to Spain, asking whether it is time to "step aside."

WORLD CUP 2026

Selección given warm welcome home as thousands line streets in thanks

21-07-2026 07:05 Thousands of fans brave cold and rain to give a rapturous welcome to Argentina's World Cup squad.

WORLD CUP 2026

Selección set for Messi-less low-key homecoming

20-07-2026 16:28 Argentina's return home was expected to be subdued Monday, with local media reporting that some players, including Messi, would not be returning to Argentina.

WORLD CUP 2026

'The pain is immense' – Messi's message after World Cup final defeat

20-07-2026 16:20 Messi came within one match of leading Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup title.

WORLD CUP 2026

What's next for the Albiceleste after World Cup final defeat?

20-07-2026 09:29 Argentina fell agonisingly short of winning a second consecutive World Cup title. As the team reaches the end of an era, speculation begins over what comes next.

WORLD CUP 2026

'The last of Messi': Argentines mourn final loss and end of an era

19-07-2026 23:13 The nation's hope of yet another epic comeback led by Lionel Messi in the World Cup fizzled out against Spain.

WORLD CUP 2026

Argentines flood onto streets to salute team despite World Cup final defeat

19-07-2026 23:01 Fans across the country applaud the Albiceleste after the World Cup final loss to Spain, as tributes pour in for Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni.

WORLD CUP 2026

Domestic press laments Albiceleste defeat, hails end of an era

19-07-2026 22:35 Press reflects on Messi's emotional farewell and an uncertain future; Headlines focus on tears, farewell fears and the end of an era.

WORLD CUP 2026

Messi denied dream farewell as Argentina disappoint in World Cup final

19-07-2026 20:23 Skipper's dream of lifting the trophy again, four years after he inspired Argentina to victory in Qatar, ultimately proved too good to be true.

WORLD CUP 2026

Spain shatters Argentina's dream with 1-0 win in World Cup final

19-07-2026 20:19 Disappointment for Argentina and skipper Lionel Messi in World Cup final; Barcelona striker Ferran Torres lashes home a thumping finish in the 106th minute to reward a dominant display and win Spain the World Cup.

WORLD CUP 2026

Lionel Scaloni on final defeat: Spain deserved to win World Cup

19-07-2026 20:11 Argentina coach casts doubt over his future after World Cup final loss, says his team must accept defeat with the same grace they showed when celebrating recent successes.

WORLD CUP 2026

Messi on eve of final: Argentina has already written history 'no-one can erase'

19-07-2026 09:32 Argentina captain says the team's greatest achievement has been the journey rather than the trophies as he delivers an emotional message to fans before Sunday's World Cup final.

WORLD CUP 2026

From Maradona to Messi: Bangladesh's enduring love for Argentina

19-07-2026 09:04 The craze for Argentina has endured for decades in Bangladesh, a country of 170 million people who have never qualified for the World Cup.

WORLD CUP 2026

Latin America's unlikely football unity: cheering against Argentina

18-07-2026 09:44 While Latin Americans have traditionally rallied behind football teams from the region who advance deep into the World Cup tournament, a flood of memes, jokes and criticism has made it clear there is one exception: Argentina.