Latest Lionel Messi News

Argentina beats Peru to close in on World Cup spot; Brazil and Uruguay draw

Nov. 19, 2024 22:32 PM EST

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Lautaro Martínez's goal gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday in a South American qualifying match in Buenos Aires and left the hosts close to a spot in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Its main continental rivals Brazil drew...

Gerardo 'Tata' Martino stepping down as coach of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, AP source says

Nov. 19, 2024 15:26 PM EST

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who guided Inter Miami to the best regular season record in Major League Soccer history this season, is resigning as coach of the club, a person with knowledge of the decision said Tuesday. Martino — who was hired in July...

Messi, Vinicius have frustrating nights as Argentina loses and Brazil draws in World Cup qualifying

Nov. 14, 2024 22:55 PM EST

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Vinicius Júnior had frustrating nights in South American World Cup qualifying. While Messi could not help his team avoid a 2-1 defeat at Paraguay, Vinicius Junior missed a second-half penalty as Brazil was held to a...

Messi and Inter Miami ousted from MLS playoffs. Atlanta United upsets top seeds 3-2 in Game 3

Nov. 09, 2024 22:54 PM EST

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi walked off the field and into the tunnel leading to the Inter Miami locker room a few seconds after the final whistle blew, hardly any emotion on his face. He didn't want to see the celebration. Atlanta United ousted Messi...

Sergio Busquets, once ruled out, now may play alongside Messi for Inter Miami against Atlanta United

Nov. 08, 2024 16:21 PM EST

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Inter Miami practiced on Friday thinking there was no way Sergio Busquets was going to play in its win-or-else playoff match against Atlanta United. A few hours later, the team got quite the surprise. Busquets — who coach Gerardo...

Silva scores in stoppage time, Atlanta rallies to beat Messi's Miami 2-1 to even playoff series

Nov. 03, 2024 00:12 AM EDT

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta United finished a whopping 34 points behind Lionel Messi and star-studded Inter Miami during the regular season. Now, the Five Stripes have a shot at pulling off a stunning upset of the best team in Major League Soccer. Xande Silva scored with...

Spaniards Rodri and Bonmatí win Ballon d'Or award as Real Madrid snubs ceremony

Oct. 28, 2024 18:57 PM EDT

PARIS (AP) — Spanish midfielders Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí won the men's and women's Ballon d'Or award on Monday as the world's best soccer players, while Real Madrid snubbed the star-studded ceremony in Paris in apparent protest. The 28-year-old Rodri won the prestigious award...

Move over Messi and Ronaldo. A new generation of soccer stars is lining up to win the Ballon d'Or

Oct. 27, 2024 05:48 AM EDT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — No Lionel Messi. No Cristiano Ronaldo. When the Ballon d'Or is presented at a gala ceremony in Paris on Monday, it will feel like the start of a new era in soccer. There is also a sense of void now that one of sport's most engrossing rivalries is likely...

Lionel Messi's every move shown on TikTok during his winning Inter Miami playoff debut

Oct. 25, 2024 23:30 PM EDT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi's every move was on display in his Major League Soccer playoff debut. Every touch. Every shot attempt. Even when he wasn't doing anything at all, it was shown. There was a “Messi-cam” focused on the Inter Miami superstar...

Inter Miami gets a win in Messi's MLS playoff opener, tops Atlanta United 2-1

Oct. 25, 2024 23:24 PM EDT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi had chances at goals time and time again, only to keep being denied. Turns out, all he needed to do was deliver the right pass at the right time. Jordi Alba turned a pass from Messi into the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute, Luis Suarez...