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Tag: Lionel Messi

Politics

‘I’ll Hang My Boots When It’s Time’: Lionel Messi Makes Huge Revelation On Retirement Plan

Argentina legend Lionel Messi has made a huge revelation about his retirement plans, as the Inter Miami superstar is seeking to retire when he feels like "It's Time". The reigning Ballon d'Or winner made the exclusive revelation in a podcast with Big Time, which was released on March 27, Wednesday.  “I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer performing, that I am no longer enjoying it or helping my teammates. I am very self-critical. I know when I am doing well, when I am not, when I play well and when I play poorly. When I feel it’s time to take that step, I will do it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I will try to continue competing because it’s what I like and what I know how to do,” said Lionel Messi. Speaking ahead of his retirement plans, few q...
Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo in trouble for obscene gesture in response to Messi chants

Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo had a near perfect night out on Sunday. The club beat Al Shabab 3-2 to maintain a one-arm distance with Saudi Pro League table toppers Al Hilal, and its captain scored from the spot to lead from the front. The goal marked a 34th for the Portuguese in the ongoing season. A gesture from the winning captain after the game ended however, may have led to the jovial mood being subdued. Leading his teammates after an away win, Ronaldo responded to the home fans chanting the name of his arch nemesis Lionel Messi by directing an obscene gesture at them which is currently being investigated by Saudi football federation’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. Here’s a video of the said incident: pic.twitter.com/WKj2jIrTk4 — @TrollFootball Videos (@TF_Video) February 25...
Sports

Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, here’s how brand David Beckham made MLS go big on Lionel Messi

“All petulant in pink like some thuggish flamingo,” read the pages of South China Morning Post. There was no hiding it: China was fuming at Lionel Messi.Nearly 40,000 had thronged to the Hong Kong Stadium to watch him play, how could he ditch them at the last second? Speculation ran amok. ‘Was it a snub to mainland China from the world’s most popular footballer?’ Regina Ip, member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, went as far as suggesting, “Messi should never be allowed to return to Hong Kong”, calling the Argentine a ‘hypocrite’. An attempt was made to douse the political flames as Messi took to China’s biggest social media app to address the aforementioned claims as ‘false’. But the damage was done and strange as it may sound, for his club – Inter Miami – it was one of the man...
Sports

Why are Chinese fans angry with Lionel Messi and don’t want him to return to Hong Kong again?

The universally adored Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has always stayed away from controversy for most of his glittering career. Until Sunday when Messi, Inter Miami and owner David Beckham was booed mercilessly in Hong Kong when the Argentine World Cup winner did not come off the bench due to an injury in a match against a local side. The anger turned into vitriol when a few days later Messi played 30 minutes in a match in Japan against Vissel Kobe. Why did Lionel Messi opt to sit out the match in Hong Kong? According to Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, Messi was deemed unfit to play in Sunday’s match in the Hong Kong friendly. This was the second match Messi missed after he pulled out of playing against Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia which Miami lost 6-0. What was Messi’s re...
Sports

Lionel Messi hopes to play in Inter Miami’s pre-season friendly in Japan | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi expressed uncertainty about his participation in Inter Miami's pre-season friendly in Japan due to a lingering leg injury. Two days ago, furious fans in Hong Kong voiced their disappointment as Messi remained on the bench during a sold-out friendly, prompting calls for refunds.Messi addressed the media ahead of Inter Miami's match against Japanese champions Vissel Kobe on Wednesday, stating, "I don't know if I can (play) or not, but I feel a lot better and really want to do it." The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner acknowledged that his leg injury is "getting better," and he expressed eagerness to contribute on the field.Despite the excitement building for the friendly at Tokyo's National Stadium, Messi's availability remains uncertain. He mentioned, "This afternoon...
Sports

Messi, Beckham booed after superstar sits out Hong Kong friendly | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi and David Beckham faced jeers on Sunday when the Argentine superstar opted not to play in Inter Miami's pre-season friendly in Hong Kong.The World Cup-winning captain, dealing with a hamstring strain, remained on the bench throughout the 4-1 friendly victory against a Hong Kong select XI.The near-capacity crowd of 38,323, who had invested upwards of 1,000 Hong Kong dollars ($125) and often more to witness their hero in action, expressed their frustration with the absence of Messi on the field.(AFP Photo)In the midst of the second half, chants of "We want Messi" echoed through the Hong Kong Stadium as fans eagerly anticipated the appearance of the greatest footballer of his generation in the highly anticipated exhibition game.The intensity of the booing escalated ...
Sports

Watch: Lionel Messi shocked as Cristiano Ronaldo-less Al Nassr thrash Inter Miami 6-0 | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a much-anticipated friendly between Al Nassr and Inter Miami, the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi due to injury and limited playing time, respectively, did not deter Al Nassr from securing a commanding 6-0 victory over the Major League Soccer (MLS) side.Ronaldo's calf injury led to the cancellation of Al Nassr's two-game China tour last week, denying fans the prospect of witnessing a potentially final showdown between the long-time rivals. Instead, Brazilian player Talisca stole the spotlight with a remarkable hat-trick, contributing to Al Nassr's impressive performance.The Saudi Pro League side dominated from the start, with Talisca scoring three goals in the first 12 minutes. Otavio drilled in the opening goal after Miami lost possession while attempting to...
Sports

Lionel Messi signed napkin which started his career at FC Barcelona to be auctioned in March starting £300,000

FC Barcelona’s director of football, Carles Rexach didn’t have the paperwork ready in December 2000. In a haste to get the signature of a certain Argentine teenage footballer, Rexach used a napkin to get the deal done. On it was written, “In Barcelona, on 14 December 2000 and in the presence of Messrs Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.” The napkin has since been secured in a vault in Andorra and has been part of the club’s rich memorabilia as Messi went on to become the most successful and celebrated player in the club’s history. Come March though, the fabled piece of paper shall be for ...
Sports

Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out of blockbuster clash with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami

Cristiano Ronaldo will not be playing the highly anticipated Riyadh Season Cup match against Lionel Messi on Thursday, Al Nassr coach Luis Castro said on Wednesday putting an end to the speculations of a final dance between the two rivals. “We will not see [Messi vs Ronaldo], Ronaldo is in the final part of his recovery to join the group. We hope that in the next few days you can start working with the team. He will be absent from the game,” Castro said. The anticipation of the clash had reached fever pitch but Castro’s words poured water on all the hopes that the supporters had of witnessing the two greats share a pitch once again after one year. Breaking: Al Nassr manager Luis Castro announced that Cristiano Ronaldo is in the final part of his recovery and will not play in the club's...
Sports

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on scoresheet but Inter Miami fall 4-3 to Saudi club Al Hilal | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Inter Miami showcased their prowess as Luis Suarez netted his first goal for the Major League Soccer side at Riyadh's Kingdom Arena on Monday, and Lionel Messi converted a penalty. However, the efforts fell short, with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal securing a 4-3 victory.The match's climax came with an 88th-minute header from Brazilian forward Malcom, ultimately settling the score after Miami fought back to level at 3-3 from a 3-1 deficit early in the second half.Former Fulham striker and Serbian international Aleksandar Mitrovic initiated the scoring for Al Hilal in the 10th minute, skillfully side-footing a finish past Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender following a well-executed offensive sequence.Saudi international forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan extended Al Hilal's lead to 2-0...
Sports

Al Nassr postpone China friendlies as Cristiano Ronaldo gets injured before Inter Miami clash

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have cancelled their two-game China tour after the forward suffered an injury, the Saudi club said on Tuesday, sparking concern over the Portuguese’s participation in their upcoming encounter against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Al-Nassr were scheduled to play Shanghai Shenhua on Jan. 24 and Zhejiang four days later, with both games now postponed. “We are willing to complete our training camp as planned in Shenzhen, a city that has warmly welcomed us and shown so much love for us and our Captain,” Al-Nassr said in a statement. “Furthermore, we have agreed with the organizer to schedule a new match as soon as possible.” The 38-year-old Ronaldo apologised to fans as he confirmed he was struggling with a fitness issue. “I have played for 22 years and I am a play...
Sports

I think that, in a way these awards are losing credibility: Cristiano Ronaldo on Ballon D’Or and The Best

After controversially claiming that the Saudi Pro League was better than the French Ligue, Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo said on Sunday that the Ballon D’Or and The Best awards were losing their credibility. Interestingly, both the awards were won by Ronaldo’s rival Lionel Messi this time around. “I think that, in a way these awards are losing credibility. It’s not to say that Messi didn’t deserve it, or Haaland or even Mbappe… but the numbers are there and the numbers don’t deceive. You have to consider the entire season,” Ronaldo said to Record. “The numbers are facts. If you go back and see what happened at Manchester United and the national team, people actually considered me lost… But the truth is that I focused and had a great period at Al Nassr, that’s why I scored 54 goals,” h...
Sports

2024 promises more of 2023: Ronaldo-Messi’s rivalry, Guardiola’s evolution, Saudi’s Europe assault

Some footballing inevitabilities of the New Year: The two ageless emperors of our times, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, would continue their journey into timelessness. Pep Guardiola would continue his maniacal obsession to evolve, to enrich the game with more than just trophies and medals, but embellish the game with something truly immortal; Manchester United would envisage new ways to flounder their glorious heritage; Saudi would keep shelling out incredible sums to lure the best of Europe. Messi turns 37 in June. Cristiano Ronaldo becomes 39 at the stroke of February. Both have achieved so much that you wonder what more they could achieve in football, or what more they need to achieve in the game. The World Cup dream fuels Ronaldo. It’s the only vacuum in his trophy-chest. He wo...
Sports

Argentina set to retire Lionel Messi’s No.10 jersey once he hangs up boots: Reports

Argentina will retire the iconic No.10 jersey worn by Lionel Messi after he hangs up his boots, according to reports. “When Messi retires from the national team, we will not allow anyone else to wear the number 10 after him. This number ’10’ will be retired for life in his honour. It’s the least we can do for him,” Argentina Football Federation president Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia told an Argentine newspaper as quoted by Marca. Incidentally, this is not the first time that the Argentine body has tried to retire the iconic No.10 jersey which was also worn by the legendary Diego Maradona. Before World Cup 2002, Julio Grondona, who was the president of the AFA at that time along with some and some officials wanted to retire the jersey, but that did not end up happening due to a FIFA rule, whic...
Sports

Lionel Messi set to reunite with Luis Suarez as Inter Miami sign Uruguayan star

Lionel Messi will soon be joined by his good friend and one part of the iconic MSN trio Luis Suarez who was signed by Inter Miami on Friday. Suarez and Messi were part of Barcelona’s devastating attacking trio which also included Neymar, who helped the Catalan giants win the historic treble in the 2014-15 season. “We are delighted to have a player of Luis’ quality and passion for the game join our Club. He joins a squad that is inspiring the next generation and we look forward to seeing him take to the field with both former teammates and young players from our Academy,” said Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. Oficial: Bienvenido a casa, @LuisSuarez9🏠 We have signed Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez to a contract running through the 2024 Major League Soccer season! Details: https://t.co/S...
Sports

2022 FIFA WC final rewind: One year since Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup and completed football

The cameras panned on Lionel Messi. This was supposed to be his night, wasn’t it? The night he completed football. The fulfillment of a career that had until then possessed every trophy – team and individual – except one. But in the 81st minute the smile on Messi’s face was one of embracing the harsh reality. Was this to be another 2014? After all the dazzling showmanship he’d put up on the pitch for the entirety of the tournament, was it all going to end in vain? Had the World Cup just been snatched away from his grasps, again? Was this another harsh reality check of sport not giving two hoots about a happy ending. A few yards from him, the French players were wheeling away in celebration. Kylian Mbappe had equalized for France after Argentina had dominated the entirety of the final. ...
Sports

‘I hate him’: With clutch extra time save and shootout antics, Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez makes France hate him for eternity

Imagine being Kolo Muani. 24 years of age, less than a dozen outings for the national team under the belt, and there you are, right in the thick of the action in a World Cup final. Seconds left until the stoppage time in extra time runs out. The score, 3-3. And then it comes, one lofted ball over the top of the defence, which sets you free with just the keeper to beat. One kick away from lifting the World Cup. Your first ever, France’s third. Most who take up to the sport crave for a moment of this magnitude to come their way. It eludes most. In the fraction of a second he had before executing the decisive kick, maybe Muani thought he wasn’t among them. To his left, stood the goal wide open. But for some reason, Muani couldn’t resist the tiny outlet open to his right. A narrower one for...
Sports

Six jerseys worn by Lionel Messi during 2022 FIFA World Cup sold for $7.8 million

Six of the iconic jerseys worn by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi during the 2022 World Cup were sold for $7.8 million at an auction. “These historic shirts are not only a tangible reminder of one of the most important moments in the history of sports but are principally connected to the pinnacle moment in the career of the most decorated football player in history,” auction house Sotheby’s head of modern collectables Brahm Wachter said. The collection included the famed No.10 jersey worn by Messi during the World Cup final where Argentina defeated France on penalties to win the title for the third time. This makes it the third most valuable jersey sold at an auction behind Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey, which sold for a record $10.1 million in 2022 and Diego Maradona’s legen...
Sports

Watch: Gautam Gambhir chooses this footballer over Ronaldo and Messi in viral video | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a recent viral video that has added fuel to the buzz surrounding former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir, the cricketer was posed with a choice between two football legends—Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi. However, Gambhir surprised many by responding, "none." "Because I think I would go with Marcus Rashford," Gambhir said.Gambhir's candid remarks and unexpected choice ignited discussions on social media, garnering attention beyond the cricketing realm.Recently Gambhir finds himself in the midst of another controversy, this time stemming from an explosive exchange with former pacer S Sreesanth during a Legends League Cricket match between India Capitals and Gujarat Giants. The heated on-field dispute spilled onto social media, with Sreesanth allegin...
Sports

Lionel Messi named Time’s Athlete of the Year for 2023 | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, has been named Time magazine's Athlete of the Year for 2023. Messi won the Ballon d'Or for a record-breaking eighth time and, by moving to Inter Miami, raised awareness of the sport in the US.When Argentina defeated the reigning champions France in the World Cup final in December of last year, Messi was a major factor in leading his country to its first victory in 36 years.The 36-year-old was linked to both his former team, Barcelona, and a high-profile move to Saudi side Al-Hilal, but he turned down both offers when he left Paris St. Germain earlier this year in favor of signing for Major League Soccer's Inter Miami."The truth is that fortunately, I had several options on the table that were interesting, and I had to analyse them and t...