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Thursday, 18 June 2026
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Thursday, 18 June 2026
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Ghanaian press · Person

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi — Argentine footballer appearing in his sixth World Cup, tied the all-time record of 16 World Cup goals with a hat-trick against Algeria in 2026.

2026-04-292026-06-18

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026
  2. Joy Online

    Kane joined Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in making an early pitch for the Golden Boot, while Bellingham gave a powerhouse display he embellished with a fine goal.

    Kane and Bellingham shine as England outshine Croatia in thriller
  3. Joy Online

    Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo matched Argentina’s Lionel Messi by playing in a sixth finals, but the 41-year-old was made to wait as he bids to become the first player to score in six different World Cups.

    2026 World Cup: DR Congo stun Portugal to claim point in opening game
  4. Joy Online

    Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s joint-top all-time scorer with a hat-trick as reigning champions Argentina began their defence with a statement victory over Algeria.

    Messi equals World Cup goals record with hat-trick in Argentina win
  5. Joy Online

    Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, Neymar. Say those names slowly.

    Football’s greatest legends prepare for their final World Cup
  6. The Ghanaian Times

    Other items up for auction in Sotheby’s special “The Beautiful Game” sale include an armband worn by Maradona during the 1986 “Hand of God” match and gear worn by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.

    Pele’s World Cup jersey to be auctioned
  7. May 2026
  8. Joy Online

    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.

    Messi suffers injury scare before World Cup
  9. Joy Online

    But, with Argentina scheduled to play in the city next month, Jenkins said superstar Lionel Messi has not yet had the star pull of pop giant Taylor Swift, whose Eras tour came to the city in 2023.

    US hotel owners expected a World Cup boom – so far it hasn’t happened
  10. The Ghanaian Times

    If you call on Neymar, you won’t be causing a stir in the dressing room, because he’s so well-liked, loved so much.” Lionel Messi was the latest star to speak admirably of his former Barcelona and Paris-Saint Germain teammate Neymar playing for Brazil in this summer’s top tournam

    ‘Improving’ Neymar could play at WC -Ancelotti
  11. The Ghanaian Times

    With a fuller heart, more scars, more memories, and the same excitement as the child who once dreamed of defending this badge.” Ochoa is set to become one of the few players to appear at six World Cups, alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, having previously represented M

    Veteran Ochoa joins Mexico camp with sixth World Cup in sight
  12. Joy Online

    Lionel Messi remains the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer with an annual base salary of $25m (£18.5m) – more than double that of the North American league’s next-highest earner.

    Messi remains top MLS earner with salary of £18.5m
Sport

England defeats Croatia in World Cup group stage opener

The News

England beat Croatia in a high-scoring match in Dallas, with Harry Kane scoring twice and Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford adding goals. The match was decided after England came from behind multiple times and ultimately secured a comfortable victory, though England showed defensive vulnerabilities throughout the match.

12 hours ago · Joy Online

Yesterday

  1. England defeats Croatia in World Cup group stage opener

    England beat Croatia in a high-scoring match in Dallas, with Harry Kane scoring twice and Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford adding goals. The match was decided after England came from behind multiple times and ultimately secured a comfortable victory, though England showed defensive vulnerabilities throughout the match.

    12 hours ago · Joy Online

  2. DR Congo holds Portugal 1-1 in World Cup opener

    Portugal took a sixth-minute lead through Joao Neves but DR Congo equalized in first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa headed home, claiming a draw despite Portugal's dominance of possession.

    13 hours ago · Joy Online

  3. Messi ties World Cup goals record with hat-trick for Argentina

    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.

    17 June 2026 · Joy Online

Sunday 14 June

  1. Football legends prepare for final World Cup in 2026

    As the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, and Neymar are stepping onto that stage for what is understood to be the very last time in their careers.

    14 June 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 4 June

  1. Pele's 1958 World Cup jersey estimated at over $6 million

    Sotheby's will auction the jersey worn by Pele during Brazil's 1958 World Cup victory, estimated to sell for over $6 million. The auction runs from 29 June to 16 July alongside this year's World Cup tournament.

    4 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Monday 25 May

  1. Messi substituted in Inter Miami game before World Cup

    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.

    25 May 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 15 May

  1. US hotel bookings lag despite World Cup promotion

    US hotel owners in World Cup host cities are reporting lower bookings than the same period last year, with one Houston hotelier attributing sluggish demand to the political climate under President Trump's administration, including ICE immigration raids.

    15 May 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 14 May

  1. Neymar improved recently but World Cup selection undecided

    Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar has "improved a lot" in recent weeks and remains hopeful of playing in his fourth World Cup after being included in the preliminary squad, though Ancelotti has not yet confirmed his selection for the 26-man roster due May 18.

    14 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Mexico's Ochoa, 40, joins camp for likely sixth World Cup

    Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa joined Mexico's final training camp ahead of the World Cup (June–July), expected to become only the sixth player to appear at six World Cups. Ochoa, who has earned more than 150 caps, suggested the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico could mark the end of his career.

    13 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Messi's MLS salary doubles to $25m annually

    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.

    12 May 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 29 April

  1. World Cup Soccer Fiesta documentary series debuts today on GTV Sports+

    MOFA Productions' 'World Cup Soccer Fiesta', a 15-part sports documentary series featuring archival footage from World Cup tournaments from 1930 to 2026, airs today on GTV Sports+ with subsequent episodes on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:30pm. The show will cover legendary players and include fact segments, team updates, and a compilation of top 200 World Cup goals.

    29 April 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Lionel Messi — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute