Also known as: Argentine superstar
Retired Argentine footballer who set up both goals in Argentina's 2-1 World Cup semifinal win over England and appeared in the 2026 World Cup final at age 39.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Lionel Messi won the Golden Shoe six times, all with Barcelona
“Messi won the award six times, all with Barcelona, while Ronaldo won it three times at Real Madrid and once at Manchester United.”
Golden Shoe winner Kane hopes for Ballon d’Or after ‘best season ever’The Namibian
Lionel Messi is beloved around the world
“While star Lionel Messi is beloved around the world, anti-Argentina sentiment grew as critics argued they were Fifa's darling and received favorable referee calls such as penalties and cards shown to opponents.”
Arrogance or pride? Argentina grapples with World Cup villain labelThe Namibian
Lionel Messi was reduced to irrelevance as Spain took control in the World Cup final
“But the 39-year-old maestro — almost certainly playing in his final World Cup game — was reduced to irrelevance as Spain took control early on against an Argentina team who committed a catalogue of cynical fouls throughout.”
Spain down Argentina to win World Cup, shatter Messi dreamThe Namibian
Messi announced his entrance with a dazzling hat-trick against Algeria
“Messi, playing in his record sixth World Cup, announced his entrance with a dazzling hat-trick to open Argentina's campaign against Algeria.”
Fifa toasts World Cup triumph as tournament draws to closeThe Namibian
Lionel Messi posed together in a photo organised by Unicef with Lamine Yamal in 2007
“In 2007, a 20-year-old Messi and Yamal, born in July of that year, posed together in a photo organised by Unicef (United Nations Children's Fund), the global agency which provides humanitarian and development to children and mothers worldwide.”
Messi, Yamal come full circle in World Cup showdownThe Namibian
Lionel Messi won the World Cup on penalties in 2022
“But Randal Kolo Muani missed a glorious chance in the final moments and Argentina won on penalties as Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup.”
Back to back World Cup winners: Argentina seek to join elite groupThe Namibian
Lionel Messi is playing in what is almost certainly his final World Cup match
“Holders Argentina are bidding to become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the title, in what is almost certainly the final World Cup match of captain Lionel Messi's career.”
Messi eyes glorious farewell as Spain, Argentina clash in World Cup finalThe Namibian
Messi scored eight goals in Argentina's journey to the final
“Messi has enjoyed a vintage World Cup campaign and is on course for the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals in Argentina's journey to the final.”
Messi eyes glorious farewell as Spain, Argentina clash in World Cup finalNew Era
Lionel Messi played influential roles as Argentina fought back to secure a 3-2 win
“Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández played influential roles as Argentina fought back to secure a 3-2 win.”
Clash of the titans: Spain vs ArgentinaThe Namibian
Lionel Messi inspired a dramatic turnaround for Argentina after England went 1-0 up
“Anthony Gordon's strike had put the Three Lions on the cusp of a first men's World Cup final since they lifted the 1966 trophy but Lionel Messi inspired a dramatic turnaround in Atlanta.”
Kane ‘gutted’ after England crash out of World CupBayern Munich striker Harry Kane received his second European Golden Shoe after scoring the most goals in Europe's top divisions last season, with 36 in 31 Bundesliga games. Kane said his "best season ever" — during which he scored 73 goals for club and country — positions him to compete for the Ballon d'Or.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane received his second European Golden Shoe after scoring the most goals in Europe's top divisions last season, with 36 in 31 Bundesliga games. Kane said his "best season ever" — during which he scored 73 goals for club and country — positions him to compete for the Ballon d'Or.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri has completed his move to La Liga champions Barcelona from Manchester City on a deal running until 2030, with the transfer value reaching 76.5 million euros including bonuses after two failed bids.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Tadej Pogacar, 27, became the fifth cyclist to win the Tour de France five times, joining Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain. His rivals Vingegaard and Evenepoel have called him the greatest cyclist of all time, though debate remains over how he compares to predecessors like Merckx.
26 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina faced widespread criticism for dirty tactics and poor sportsmanship during their 1-0 loss to Spain, with commentators describing their performance as "petty, petulant and distasteful." Argentines counter that they are passionate rather than arrogant, and say they are accustomed to being criticized.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain won the 48-team World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Spain's defensive strength—conceding only once in the tournament—and captain Rodri's play earned him player of the tournament honours over attacking superstars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
About 30 teenage boys in Gobabis train informally after school without kit or coach, inspired by international footballers like Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland, hoping to build professional soccer careers locally and abroad.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday, with Ferran Torres scoring an extra-time winner in the 106th minute. The victory ended Lionel Messi's hopes for a triumphant farewell to international football.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa declares the expanded 48-team World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada a triumph, marked by thrilling football and strong performances from smaller nations including Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Egypt, who reached knockout rounds in record numbers.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England beat France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff as Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. Both teams had reached the semi-finals but suffered exits — France were outplayed by Spain while England suffered a late collapse against Argentina.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will face each other in the World Cup final on Sunday, completing a remarkable two-decade arc: in 2007, a 20-year-old Messi posed with five-month-old Yamal for a Unicef calendar photo while both were at Barcelona, and both now appear in what is likely Messi's final World Cup.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina are one game away from becoming just the third team to successfully defend the World Cup, with European champions Spain standing in their way. The article examines how previous World Cup winners fared when they reached the final in the following tournament, including Italy (1938), Brazil (1962), and Argentina (1990).
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain and Argentina face off in a World Cup final on Sunday, with reigning champions Argentina seeking to become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the title, while Messi, aged 39, is likely playing his final World Cup match.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain and Argentina will contest the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at New Jersey Stadium, with Spain having defeated France 2-0 in the semi-finals and Argentina seeking to defend their 2022 title. The match will be the first time the two nations have met at a FIFA World Cup since 1966.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Spain and Argentina will face off in the FIFA World Cup final this weekend at New Jersey Stadium. The final will be the first meeting between the two nations at a World Cup since 1966, with Spain aiming to add to their World Cup titles and Argentina defending their 2022 triumph.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
England were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, with Lionel Messi setting up both Argentina goals in a second-half turnaround after Anthony Gordon had put England ahead. Captain Harry Kane said the team were "gutted" after working hard to reach the semi-finals.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Lautaro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute as Argentina came from behind to defeat England 2-1 in a World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi setting up both goals to send Argentina to the final against Spain.
15 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Lamine Yamal hopes to emulate Kylian Mbappe by winning the World Cup as a teenager, with Spain facing France in Tuesday's semi-final in Arlington. The 16-year-old Yamal, who scored in Euro 2024's semi-final against France four days before his 17th birthday, will celebrate his 19th birthday on the eve of this World Cup semi-final.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England and Argentina will meet in a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the final on July 19. The match carries decades of rivalry, including a 1986 quarter-final encounter won by Argentina on goals from Diego Maradona, and takes place amid a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time in the World Cup quarter-final, with Julian Alvarez scoring a crucial goal in the 112th minute. The victory sets up a semi-final against England and keeps Argentina unbeaten in their past 12 World Cup matches.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England play Norway in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Friday with Kane and Haaland as their leading scorers; the winners will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Kylian Mbappé scored a brilliant curling finish after a missed penalty, and set up Ousmane Dembele's goal as France defeated Morocco 2-0 to advance to the World Cup semi-finals, moving Mbappé level with Lionel Messi with eight tournament goals.
10 July 2026 · The Namibian →
France begin their push for a third World Cup title Thursday against African champions Morocco in a blockbuster quarter-final at Gillette Stadium. France have scored 14 goals in five games, with captain Kylian Mbappe accounting for seven of them, while Morocco advanced through the group phase and eliminated the Netherlands and Canada.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Egyptian Football Federation filed a complaint with FIFA after Egypt's 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup last 16, demanding an investigation into French referee Francois Letexier and his team over what it claims were serious refereeing mistakes, including a disallowed goal and a missed penalty decision.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The FIFA World Cup has reached the quarter-final stage with eight teams remaining, including France, Morocco, Spain, and Belgium. Matches are taking place in the United States beginning Thursday.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Switzerland defeated Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in the final Round of 16 match of the 2026 World Cup outside the United States, setting up a quarter-final against defending champions Argentina.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina staged a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 and reach the World Cup quarter-finals, scoring three goals in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time. Lionel Messi scored the equaliser to extend his record to nine consecutive World Cup games with a goal.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Jude Bellingham scored twice as 10-man England defeated Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, with Harry Kane also scoring from the penalty spot. England will face Norway in the last eight.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
France defeated Paraguay 1-0 in a World Cup last-16 match on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a second-half penalty on 70 minutes. France will face Morocco in the quarter-finals after Morocco beat Canada 3-0.
5 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina survived an improbable challenge from Cape Verde, defeating the African team 3-2 after extra time in a World Cup match on Friday, with a Diney Borges own goal in the 111th minute breaking Cape Verde's resistance. Argentina will face Egypt on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.
4 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to advance to the World Cup last 16, marking Egypt's first time reaching this stage. Egypt will next face Argentina.
3 July 2026 · The Namibian →