Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Xinhua | Pele has paid tribute to Lionel Messi after the Barcelona forward equaled the Brazilian legend’s record for the most goals with a single club. Messi drew level with Pele’s tally of 643 goals for Santos with a lunging header on the stroke of halftime …
Read More »Lewandowski wins FIFA best player award
London, England | THE INDEPENDENT | Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski won the best FIFA men’s player award on Thursday, beating the other two finalists Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony was held as a virtual event at the …
Read More »Messi grateful for Ballon d’Or Dream Team spot
Buenos Aires, Argentina | THE INDEPENDENT | Lionel Messi, Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo said Monday they felt honored to be named in the greatest team of all time by France Football. Having cancelled its annual Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best footballer because of the coronavirus pandemic, the weekly …
Read More »Lewandowski on FIFA Best Player shortlist alongside Messi, C. Ronaldo
Berlin, Germany | THE INDEPENDENT | Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski is included in a three-man shortlist on Friday for FIFA’s Best Men’s Player award alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. This year’s winner will be announced next Thursday in a virtual ceremony. Lewandowski is considered the favorite to win …
Read More »Koeman gives Messi another rest while Sevilla and Chelsea look to top their group
Madrid, Spain | THE INDEPENDENT | FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has once again decided to rest Lionel Messi in the Champions League and left the Argentinian out of his squad for Wednesday’s game away to Hungarian side Ferencvaros on Wednesday. Barcelona are already assured of qualification from the group …
Read More »Maradona “eternal,” says Messi
Buenos Aires, Argentina | XINHUA | Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi on Wednesday paid tribute to Diego Armando Maradona, saying the late player and coach will never be forgotten. In a message posted on social media, the Barcelona player wrote: “A very sad day for all Argentines and for football. …
Read More »Messi denied by VAR as Paraguay holds Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina| XINHUA | Lionel Messi had a goal ruled out by the video assistant referee as Argentina were held to 1-1 draw by Paraguay in their World Cup qualifier here on Thursday. Paraguay took an early lead at La Bombonera through an Angel Romero penalty after Lucas Martinez …
Read More »Messi fit for World Cup qualifiers, says Argentina boss
Buenos Aires, Argentina| XINHUA | Lionel Messi is available for both of Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru despite a recent ankle problem, head coach Lionel Scaloni said on Wednesday. Earlier, the Barcelona forward trained freely with Argentina’s squad ahead of the team’s clash with Paraguay …
Read More »Messi leads Argentina to victory over Ecuador
Buenos Aires, Argentina | XINHUA | Lionel Messi converted a first-half penalty as Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 in their opening South American zone World Cup qualifier on Thursday. Messi put the hosts ahead in the 13th minute at La Bombonera after Lucas Ocampos was scythed down by Pervis Estupinan after …
Read More »Argentina boss Scaloni says Messi ‘happy’ ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Buenos Aires, Argentina | XINHUA | Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said Wednesday that Lionel Messi’s decision to stay at Barcelona is good news for the Albiceleste as they prepare for their opening 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia. Messi told Barcelona officials that he wanted to leave in …
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