Lionel Messi

Onana: Amorim still confident in Cameroonian despite error in Lyon draw

Ex-Arsenal full-back Sagna calls Messi his biggest ‘nightmare’

Former Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna has called Lionel Messi the biggest "nightmare" of his football career, Afrosport reports. The retired France international, of Senegalese heritage, played against Messi in the UEFA Champions League while playing for Arsenal and later Manchester City between 2007 and 2017. Barcelona had most of the edge over the Gunners and Citizens with Messi making a meal of the opposition defence which...

2026 WCQ: Lionel Messi out of Argentina squad to face Uruguay, Brazil

2026 WCQ: Lionel Messi out of Argentina squad to face Uruguay, Brazil

Lionel Messi has been left out of Argentina’s squad by head coach Lionel Scaloni for this month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil, Afrosport reports. Messi reportedly suffered a muscle strain in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win at Atlanta United in the Major League Soccer (MLS) on Sunday. He scored the equaliser for the Herons at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, having missed three of their previous...

Messi fined by MLS for grabbing opposition coach by the neck

Messi fined by MLS for grabbing opposition coach by the neck

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been handed an undisclosed fine by Major League Soccer (MLS) for grabbing the neck of a New York City (NYFC) assistant coach after their match last weekend, Afrosport reports. The MLS Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Messi for violating the league’s policy relating to raising hands to the face, head, or neck of an opponent. The 37-year-old was pictured grabbing the neck...

Mexican referee gets six months ban for Messi’s autograph request

Mexican referee gets six months ban for Messi’s autograph request

Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava has been handed a six-month ban from officiating in CONCACAF competitions after asking for Lionel Messi's autograph, Afrosport reports. Ortiz reportedly asked Messi for his autograph for a family member with special needs at the end of Inter Miami’s 1-0 win at Sporting Kansas City in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on 19 February. CONCACAF opened disciplinary proceedings against the 36-year-old,...

Yamal overlooks Messi, names Neymar as his football Idol

Yamal overlooks Messi, names Neymar as his football Idol

Lamine Yamal, the rising star of FC Barcelona, has made headlines by choosing Neymar Jr. as his biggest footballing idol, surprisingly overlooking Lionel Messi, Afrosport reports. The 17-year-old has been a revelation since making his debut last season, going on to represent Spain and win the Euro 2024 championship in Germany. The rise of Yamal has been compared with Messi who is regarded as arguably the...