… Sixteen years later, Beckham helped persuade Argentina icon Messi to choose Inter Miami over rival offers globally – another moment that transformed MLS, according to Courtemanche. …
… There were great celebrations at full-time, but the Inter Miami’s forward had a terrible start to the game, missing a penalty inside 10 minutes, skewing his attempt wide of the right-hand post. …
… The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had faced fitness concerns before the tournament after suffering muscle fatigue while playing for Inter Miami, but he quickly silenced any doubts with a masterclass performance. …
… Messi scored his first goal in the opening minutes on a nice feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the second on a rebound early in the second half. …
… The 38-year-old collected the ball from Inter Miami team-mate Rodrigo De Paul before bending a strike past Luca Zidane – the son of France legend Zinedine Zidane – on his 27th World Cup appearance. …
… The Inter Miami forward, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, retired from international football in September 2024, but recently indicated he would be willing to return if selected. …
Argentina star Lionel Messi suffered an injury scare before the World Cup, requesting a substitution during Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer game on Sunday. …
… Figures released by the MLS Players Association reflect the contract extension that Messi, who turns 39 next month, signed with Inter Miami in October. …
During the World Cup in the US, former England captain David Beckham has dominated off-the-pitch marketing, fronting advertising campaigns for 11 brands including McDonald's, Major League Soccer, and Bank of America. Marketing experts attribute his prominence to his broad appeal across demographics and his authentic, down-to-earth persona that translates across football, fashion, entertainment, and business.
During the World Cup in the US, former England captain David Beckham has dominated off-the-pitch marketing, fronting advertising campaigns for 11 brands including McDonald's, Major League Soccer, and Bank of America. Marketing experts attribute his prominence to his broad appeal across demographics and his authentic, down-to-earth persona that translates across football, fashion, entertainment, and business.
Argentina recovered from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2 and advance to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals. Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernandez scored the comeback goals, with Fernandez's injury-time header sealing the win.
As of 2 July, 14 players still active at the World Cup are technically without clubs to return to after the tournament ends. Notable free agents include Casemiro, James Rodriguez, Mo Salah, John Stones, and others, some of whom are using the competition to impress potential suitors despite their employment situations.
Lionel Messi broke Miroslav Klose's World Cup scoring record after scoring two goals against Austria, taking him to 18 goals across his sixth World Cup appearance. Argentina, the defending champions, qualified for the round of 32 with the victory.
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in his 200th international appearance as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The emotional performance was Messi's first World Cup hat-trick, drawing him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 all-time competition goals, and made him the first player to appear at six FIFA World Cups.
Lionel Messi scored three goals in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria, reaching 16 World Cup goals to tie Germany's Miroslav Klose for the tournament's career scoring record.
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to move level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup finals goals, the all-time record, as Argentina defeated Algeria in their opening World Cup match. The 38-year-old also became the first player to appear in six World Cups.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa omitted 39-year-old striker Luis Suarez from his 26-man World Cup squad, citing preference for other attacking options including Darwin Nunez, but said Suarez "does not owe me an apology" and has no differences with him. Suarez had retired from international football in September 2024 but recently signalled willingness to return.
Argentina star Lionel Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami's game on Sunday after clutching his left leg, though coach Guillermo Hoyos said the move was precautionary due to wet pitch conditions and fatigue rather than a confirmed injury. Messi, who has not formally confirmed his participation, is widely expected to play in his record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance, with Argentina's squad due to be named next week.
Lionel Messi remains the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer with an annual base salary of $25m following a contract extension with Inter Miami signed in October, more than double that of the league's next-highest earner.