Also known as: Argentine superstar
Lionel Messi — Argentine footballer who became World Cup all-time leading scorer with 18 goals, scoring a hat-trick against Algeria and two against Austria in 2026 tournament.
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The Namibian
Messi has scored 13 goals in 16 games in 2026 for Inter Miami
“However, he is in fine form in Major League Soccer for Inter Miami, for whom he has 13 goals in 16 games in 2026 after helping them win the MLS Cup last year.”
Can Messi deliver again for Argentina at his final World Cup?The Namibian
Lionel Messi was diagnosed with muscle fatigue in left hamstring
“Lionel Messi remained at the heart of an injury scare only weeks before the World Cup after medical tests diagnosed him with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring, Inter Miami announced on Monday.”
Messi diagnosed with left hamstring fatigue, return plan uncertainThe Namibian
Lionel Messi exited from Miami's 6-4 victory over Philadelphia in 73rd minute
“The Major League Soccer club's update provided no clear timetable for the Argentine superstar's return after his abrupt exit from Miami's 6-4 victory over Philadelphia in the 73rd minute on Sunday.”
Messi diagnosed with left hamstring fatigue, return plan uncertainThe Namibian
Lionel Messi led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup
“Lionel Messi's career seemed complete after he led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to keep playing is still there for him and his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo prepare to make history at this year's tournament in North America.”
The last dance: Messi and Ronaldo get ready for sixth and final World CupThe Namibian
Messi is excelling with Inter Miami, with whom he won the MLS Cup last year
“There he is excelling with Inter Miami, with whom he won the MLS Cup last year.”
The last dance: Messi and Ronaldo get ready for sixth and final World CupThe Namibian
Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another in Argentina's 5-0 win over Zambia
“Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another as Argentina thrashed Zambia 5-0 on Tuesday in the South Americans' final game on home soil before launching the defense of their World Cup crown.”
Messi on target as Argentina down Zambia in World Cup send offThe Namibian
Lionel Messi became one of the best footballers in the world through work, not passively
“I don't imagine Lionel Messi became one of the best footballers in the world from the comfort of his couch, sighing and wishing for what he wanted to achieve.”
Home-Cooking HeroJude 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.
17 hours ago · 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.
17 hours ago · 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 →
Humanoid robots played autonomous football matches at RoboCup in Incheon, South Korea, where engineers aim to build a fully autonomous robot team capable of defeating FIFA World Cup champions by 2050. The robots make their own decisions during play, showcasing advances in artificial intelligence.
3 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Harry Kane says he feels "as good as ever" as he pursues more World Cup goals for England; the captain has scored 72 goals for club and country in the 2025/26 campaign, second only to Lionel Messi's 82-goal haul in 2011/12, and has five goals at the World Cup so far.
3 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Harry Kane scored two goals in England's 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in the World Cup round of 32, bringing his tournament total to five goals and moving him to sixth on the all-time World Cup goal-scoring list.
2 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Michael Olise was in scintillating form as France beat Sweden 3-0 at the World Cup and set up a last-16 clash with Paraguay. Mbappe moved level with Lionel Messi on six goals in the golden boot race and now has 18 World Cup goals in total, one behind Messi's record of 19.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Uruguay exited the World Cup after losing 1-0 to Spain in Guadalajara, with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's error allowing Alex Baena's weak shot to decide the match. Spain secured top spot in Group H and avoided a knockout round against Argentina, while Uruguay became the highest ranked side to crash out in the group stages.
27 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Ousmane Dembele scored a hat-trick as France defeated Norway 4-1, with Dembele opening in the seventh minute, scoring again on 20 minutes, and completing the hat-trick in the 32nd—one of the earliest in World Cup history. France advanced as Group I winners with nine points and 10 goals in three matches.
26 June 2026 · The Namibian →
France and Norway meet in a crucial World Cup group-stage match on Friday, with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland — both on four goals — set to feature prominently. France need only a draw to clinch first place in the group owing to superior goal difference.
26 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Vinicius Junior scored twice as Brazil defeated Scotland 3-0 on Wednesday, securing top spot in Group C and progression to the last 32. Brazil will face the runners-up in Group F on June 29 in Houston.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score at six World Cup tournaments, netting twice as Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0. The 41-year-old captain said it was "a difficult week, a dark week" but that he remained committed to helping his country achieve its objectives.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer with two goals in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria, breaking Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals. Messi's tournament tally now stands at 18 goals.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 on Monday to advance to the World Cup last 32, securing their progression with a game to spare.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi scored twice to guide Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria, becoming the leading scorer in World Cup history with 17 goals total. The 38-year-old captain's performance sent Argentina into the last 32.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Cristiano Ronaldo had his fewest touches (25) in a full match at a major tournament for Portugal in a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo, with coach Roberto Martinez defending his decision to keep the 41-year-old on the field despite Portugal searching for a winner.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first ever point at the World Cup finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in Group K on Wednesday. Yoane Wissa's header equalized Joao Neves's early goal, with the African side appearing in their first World Cup since 1974 and more than holding their own despite disrupted preparations due to an Ebola outbreak.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
England begin their World Cup bid against Croatia on Wednesday, seeking to end a 60-year wait for a trophy, while Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in a record-equalling sixth World Cup tournament for Portugal against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria to become the joint all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals, equalling Miroslav Klose's record.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Across South America, football-inspired baby names are booming, with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe among the most popular in Ecuador and Colombia. In Ecuador, 3,847 children are named Neymar and over 2,800 are named Kylian, according to the country's civil registry.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday with the first tournament co-hosted by three nations (United States, Canada, and Mexico) featuring a record 48 teams. The opening match pits co-host Mexico against South Africa in Mexico City, while the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The 2026 FIFA World Cup comes with a new musical collection including the official tournament anthem 'Dai Dai' by Shakira and Burna Boy, co-written by Ed Sheeran, alongside tracks like 'Goals' by Lisa, Anitta and Rema that blend multiple genres and languages.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay have secured direct places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held jointly in Canada, Mexico and the United States from 11 June to 19 July 2026 and will feature an expanded 48-team format for the first time.
5 June 2026 · Informanté →
Mexico defeated Australia 1-0 in a friendly at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles on Saturday, with defender Johan Vasquez scoring from a corner in the first half. Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside the US and Canada.
31 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Cristiano Ronaldo is making a record sixth World Cup appearance with Portugal, who face DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia in Group K. At 41, Ronaldo has not scored in his last nine World Cup and Euro matches combined, though manager Roberto Martinez has kept faith in him after his recent success in the Nations League.
30 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will compete in his sixth World Cup during the upcoming tournament in North America at age 39, despite having seemingly retired from international football after winning the trophy.
29 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Arsenal are attempting to win their first Champions League trophy by facing defending champion Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on Saturday. PSG, who won the trophy 14 years after Qatar Sports Investments took over the club, are favourites to defend after Luis Enrique rebuilt the side following the departures of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe, while Arsenal are returning to Europe's biggest stage for the first time since their 2006 final loss to Barcelona.
29 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Paris Saint-Germain, after winning their maiden Champions League title last year by defeating Inter Milan 5-0, face Arsenal in Budapest aiming to retain the trophy. Manager Luis Enrique's side are favourites and have proven difficult to stop, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia describing the team as capable of beating any opponent when they play their way.
27 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi was diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring after leaving Inter Miami's match on Sunday, with no clear return date announced. The injury comes weeks before the World Cup, which kicks off June 11 with Argentina's first match scheduled five days later against Algeria.
26 May 2026 · The Namibian →