# Lionel Messi

Last month

February 2023

# recognition

Messi beats Mbappe to Fifa Best prize, Putellas claims women's award

The award is voted for by national team coaches and captains, journalists, and also fans

5.3k

Feb 27th 2023, 10:28 PM

# Take a Bow

Messi snatches extraordinary win, Neymar stretchered off

Paris Saint-Germain secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Lille today.

13.0k

Feb 19th 2023, 10:14 PM

# Unhappy

Bayern Munich star Neuer under fire after tell-all interview

Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said on Sunday he was ‘disappointed’ with injured captain.

14.6k

Feb 5th 2023, 5:20 PM

This year

2023

# Riyadh

Ronaldo punched but scores twice in Saudi reunion with Messi

For Qatar-owned PSG, Messi and Kylian Mbappe both scored and Neymar missed a penalty

19.7k

Updated

Jan 19th 2023, 8:11 PM

# action

FIFA investigate Argentina's "offensive behaviour" at World Cup final

Emiliano Martinez made a lewd gesture with his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy, before being filmed mocking French star Kylian Mbappe.

7.7k

Jan 13th 2023, 7:42 PM

# Wrap

Messi scores for PSG on first appearance since World Cup, Real Madrid reach Super Cup final

PSG’s win saw the Parisian side move six points clear at the top of the French table.

4.4k

Jan 11th 2023, 10:45 PM

# on the continent

Messi rested for PSG cup tie, Bayern Munich sign Daley Blind

Argentina’s World Cup star restarted training in France on Wednesday.

5.6k

Jan 5th 2023, 9:53 PM

Last year

2022

# Looking Back

Biggest disappointment? Standout Irish athlete? We review 2022

The42′s writers reflect on a memorable 12 months.

19.8k

Dec 31st 2022, 10:00 AM

# Staying Put

Messi set for new PSG deal as he bids for Champions League glory

Reports suggest the World Cup winner is now open to staying in the French capital for a further season.

6.7k

Dec 21st 2022, 10:31 PM

# Goat

Pep Guardiola hails Messi as greatest footballer ever

City manager describes World Cup win as ‘final achievement of an incredible career’ for Messi.

5.7k

Dec 21st 2022, 3:57 PM

# Analysis

Thrilling World Cup highlights the biggest difference between club and international football

The many surprise results in Qatar 2022 are in stark contrast to the consistently predictable outcomes elsewhere.

17.8k

Dec 20th 2022, 8:30 AM

# Podcast

Football Family: Aftermath to the greatest of finals

Gavin Cooney describes the scene in the joyful moments after the final whistle.

1.8k

Dec 19th 2022, 9:48 AM

# talking point

The bittersweet feeling of watching Lionel Messi

The 35-year-old fulfilled a lifelong ambition by winning the World Cup on Sunday, but some will have felt conflicted when observing the star in action.

53.3k

Dec 19th 2022, 8:30 AM

Scaloni savours 'insane' final as he promises to 'save a spot' for Messi at 2026 World Cup

The Argentina head coach has not given up on his captain featuring in four years’ time.

7.8k

Dec 18th 2022, 11:14 PM

# thrilling

A moment in football history that delivered the emotions that make life worth living

This was a World Cup final that will go down in lore, the nature of Argentina’s triumph only adding to allure of Lionel Messi’s legacy.

38.0k

Dec 18th 2022, 9:37 PM

# Superstar

Lionel Messi says he will continue Argentina career

The Paris Saint-Germain forward scored two goals in the stunning and chaotic final.

21.4k

Dec 18th 2022, 8:53 PM

# Disappointment

France coach Deschamps rues 'cruel' World Cup final defeat

Kylian Mbappe scored twice in two minutes late on in Doha as France almost earned an improbable win.

9.2k

Dec 18th 2022, 8:35 PM

# record books

Kylian Mbappe wins World Cup Golden Boot after historic final hat-trick

The individual awards were confirmed by Fifa’s Technical Study Group (TSG).

12.8k

Dec 18th 2022, 7:44 PM

# Stars

Do you agree with our team of the World Cup?

Antoine Griezmann and others who made the cut.

33.4k

Updated

Dec 15th 2022, 3:01 PM

# Unpopular

'Everyone wanted us to lose,' claims Argentina goalkeeper

Emiliano Martinez has backed his country’s ‘fighters’.

8.7k

Dec 14th 2022, 5:00 PM

# Analysis

Cooney on Soccer: How Lionel Scaloni salvaged Messi's dream

Our latest members newsletter looks at how Argentina have turned their World Cup around.

5.0k

Dec 14th 2022, 10:07 AM

# main man

Lionel Messi revels in 'crazy' Argentina success

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner set his team on their way to the World Cup final.

8.6k

Dec 13th 2022, 10:07 PM

# flaw

Croatia boss laments lack of goalscorer at World Cup

Zlatko Dalic spoke about his team’s shortcomings after the 2018 runners-up were beaten 3-0 by Argentina.

5.2k

Dec 13th 2022, 9:52 PM

AS IT HAPPENED

Argentina v Croatia, World Cup semi-final

Argentina faced Croatia, as Lionel Messi and Luka Modric were among those vying for a spot in the final.

34.4k

Dec 13th 2022, 7:11 PM

# Unhappy

Lionel Messi slams referee after Argentina win

Antonio Mateu Lahoz has come under fire for his handling of the World Cup quarter-final.

9.9k

Dec 10th 2022, 3:27 PM

# Showstopper

Cooney on soccer: The majesty of Lionel Messi

Our correspondent finally gets to witness the extraordinary player and the fervour he inspires.

9.6k

Dec 1st 2022, 2:20 PM

# Evolution

Messi's mixed night a good sign for Argentina in win over dismal Poland

Messi missed a penalty but his side topped their World Cup group with a 2-0 win.

28.4k

Nov 30th 2022, 9:30 PM

# Messi Magic

'Weight off our shoulders,' says Messi as Argentina boss calls for calm

Lionel Scaloni: ‘You have to have some common sense, it’s just a football match.’

8.6k

Nov 26th 2022, 11:30 PM

# messi win

Messi magic helps keep Argentina's World Cup hopes alive

Messi’s goal meant he tied fellow Argentine icon, the late Diego Maradona, on eight goals and 21 appearances at the World Cup for Argentina.

7.9k

Nov 26th 2022, 9:14 PM

# 2022 World Cup

Messi and Ronaldo's silent World Cup swansong is a sad end for two icons

No matter what either of the game’s greats achieve in Qatar, their football will no longer do the talking.

50.8k

Nov 20th 2022, 10:00 AM

# preparation

Lionel Messi scores 91st goal as Argentina go 36 games unbeaten

The South American side were too good for the United Arab Emirates.

10.3k

Nov 16th 2022, 6:11 PM

# Wrap

Messi stars as PSG hit 7, Man City kept scoreless on Haaland's return

A draw with Pep Guardiola’s side was enough to see Dortmund progress to the knockout stages.

7.9k

Oct 25th 2022, 10:17 PM

# Big Money

Kylian Mbappe tops highest-paid footballer list at €131 million

The player signed a three-year contract extension in May to remain with dominant Ligue 1 side Paris-Saint Germain.

5.5k

Oct 8th 2022, 10:43 AM

# don't cry for me

Qatar World Cup will 'surely' be my last - Messi

Messi is due to appear in his fifth World Cup.

4.0k

Oct 6th 2022, 9:13 PM

# Going Well

Messi scores twice as Argentina extend impressive unbeaten run

Argentina, who haven’t lost in 34 matches, were 3-0 winners over Honduras.

6.7k

Sep 24th 2022, 10:03 AM

# Trés Bien

Messi scores PSG winner after five minutes to regain top spot in Ligue 1

Neymar set up the Argentinian with his seventh assist in eight Ligue 1 games.

5.5k

Sep 18th 2022, 11:02 PM

# Fast Show

Mbappe matches Ligue 1 record with goal after just eight seconds

Mbappe scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain beat Lille 7-1.

5.9k

Aug 21st 2022, 11:01 PM

# Snub

7-time winner Lionel Messi misses out on 30-strong list for Ballon d'Or

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s Ronaldo is nominated again this year.

8.1k

Aug 12th 2022, 8:32 PM

# Class Act

Lionel Messi turns on the style as PSG begin Ligue 1 title defence

Christophe Galtier’s first league game at the helm was achieved without Kylian Mbappe.

9.3k

Aug 6th 2022, 10:08 PM

# Unfinished Business

Barcelona have 'a moral debt' to Lionel Messi

Joan Laporta hopes the star will end his career at the club.

13.3k

Jul 29th 2022, 1:11 PM