Also known as: Argentina star Lionel Messi · the Argentine star · Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi · Messis · Argentina's miracle man · Argentina skipper Messi · Argentine star · superstar Lionel Messi · Argentina's football star · Argentina superstar · Argentina icon · Lionel Andres Messi
Lionel Messi — footballer who retired from Argentina after 21 years and 126 international goals, now plays for Inter Miami in MLS.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Citizen Digital
End of an era as Messi prepares to hang up Argentina boots By AFP October 06, 2026 12:32 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter A file photo shosw Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrating after winning the FIFA World …
End of an era as Messi prepares to hang up Argentina bootsThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeA defining era in modern sports reaches its curtain call tonight at the Estadio Mâs Monumental, as 39-year-old captain Lionel Messi leads Argentina out one final time in an international friendly against Benin. …
The Last Dance: Football prepares for emotional farewell as Lionel Messi plays final Argentina gameCitizen Digital
… Ronaldo's long-time rival for the title of the world's best player, Lionel Messi, will play his final match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
Ronaldo can return to Portugal team if he wants: coach JesusCitizen Digital
Messi finalises acquisition of second Spanish lower league club By AFP October 02, 2026 07:50 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Aug 17, 2023; Ft. …
Messi finalises acquisition of second Spanish lower league clubCitizen Digital
… ankings. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); Cape Verde held eventual champions Spain in their World Cup debut and took Lionel Messi …
Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde crash in AFCON qualifyingCitizen Digital
… ankings. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); Cape Verde held eventual champions Spain in their World Cup debut and took Lionel Messi …
Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde crash in AFCON qualifyingThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeLionel Messi scored a brilliant equaliser but could not prevent Inter Miami from suffering a costly 2-1 defeat to Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer on Sunday. …
Messi on target again as Inter Miami downed by Columbus CrewCitizen Digital
Argentina coach says Messi deserves to go out on own terms By AFP September 25, 2026 03:01 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni gives instructions to Argentina's forward Lio …
Argentina coach says Messi deserves to go out on own termsCitizen Digital
… By contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo has represented Portugal a world-leading 233 times, with contemporaries Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Luka Modric (Croatia) also having passed 200 caps for their respective countries. …
Kane relishing chance to become England's most-capped playerCitizen Digital
… England begin their Nations League campaign against world champions Spain at Wembley on September 26 just nine weeks after they conceded two late goals in a painful last-four loss to Lionel Messi's Argentina in Atlanta. …
Saka says England still have 'scar' from World Cup semi-final lossLionel Messi set up a goal and contributed to both first-half strikes as Inter Miami defeated New York City FC 2-0 on Wednesday, securing their place in the MLS playoffs with five games remaining.
15 October 2026 · The Standard →
Lionel Messi set up a goal and contributed to both first-half strikes as Inter Miami defeated New York City FC 2-0 on Wednesday, securing their place in the MLS playoffs with five games remaining.
15 October 2026 · The Standard →
Lionel Messi scored two goals to help Inter Miami defeat DC United 4-0 on Saturday in his first match after saying farewell to the Argentina national team. With a brace from Luis Suarez and Messi's two goals, Miami improved to 13-5 with 10 draws, jumping to second in the Eastern Conference.
11 October 2026 · The Standard →
Benin and Burkina Faso delegations complained of disorganized conditions during recent friendlies against Argentina in Buenos Aires, including lengthy travel, inadequate hotel facilities, substandard training grounds, and no revenue share from matches that generated significant income.
9 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Harry Kane scored twice as England defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 at Wembley on Tuesday, extending their Nations League scoring tally to 14 goals in four matches. The victory comes under new manager Thomas Tuchel after England's painful World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina.
7 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Benin provided the opposition for Lionel Messi's farewell international appearance in Buenos Aires on October 6, 2026, with the match drawing more than 80,000 spectators. Despite losing 3-0, Beninese fans celebrated the honour of participating in what they viewed as a historic occasion.
7 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi played his final game for Argentina in a 3-0 victory over Benin, scoring a goal and providing two assists. The forward called his retirement from international football "the saddest day of my career" and reflected on his more than 20 years defending the Argentina jersey.
7 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi ended his 21-year international career for Argentina on Tuesday in an emotional final appearance, playing his 208th match and scoring his 126th international goal in a 3-0 victory over Benin in Buenos Aires before 85,000 supporters.
7 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi described his retirement from international football as the "saddest day of my career" after playing his final game for Argentina in a 3-0 victory over Benin at the Monumental Stadium. Messi, who scored and provided two assists in the match, said he had no regrets about the timing despite the emotional weight of leaving the team after more than 20 years.
7 October 2026 · The Standard →
Lionel Messi ended his 21-year international career on Tuesday with a 3-0 victory for Argentina over Benin in Buenos Aires, scoring his 126th international goal in his 208th appearance. The 39-year-old, widely regarded as the greatest footballer in history, cited Argentina's grueling World Cup campaign and personal hardship as factors in his decision to retire, telling fans: "Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful."
7 October 2026 · The Standard →
Benin lost 3-0 to Argentina in Buenos Aires in front of more than 80,000 spectators in Lionel Messi's final international appearance. Football fans in Benin described it as "an honour" to provide the opposition for the 39-year-old superstar's farewell match.
7 October 2026 · The Standard →
Lionel Messi will play his last match for Argentina on Tuesday in a friendly against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, ending his 21-year international career. The 39-year-old announced his retirement on Instagram in August 2026.
6 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi, 39, leads Argentina in an international friendly against Benin at Estadio Más Monumental, marking the end of his 21-year international career. Over 80,000 supporters attended the match, dubbed "The Last Tango," following Argentina's loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and his father's passing.
6 October 2026 · The Standard →
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus said Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he wants, after the 41-year-old walked out on the squad when left on the bench for matches against Norway and Denmark in the Nations League.
5 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi has officially acquired Eldense, a Spanish second-division club based inland from Alicante, marking his second venture into Spanish football ownership after purchasing Cornella near Barcelona in April.
2 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ghana lost 4-2 to Gambia in Accra, Nigeria lost 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau away, and Cape Verde lost 2-1 to Rwanda at home in shock results during the second matchday of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Tuesday. Algeria drew 2-2 with Burundi after trailing by two goals.
30 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ghana lost 4-2 to Gambia in Accra after leading by two goals, Nigeria suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, and Cape Verde lost 2-1 to Rwanda at home in shock results during 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches on Tuesday.
30 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi scored his 21st goal of the regular season with a free-kick to equalize for Inter Miami, but Columbus Crew won 2-1 in Major League Soccer on Sunday, with Jamal Thiare grabbing the winner in stoppage time.
28 September 2026 · The Standard →
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said an upcoming friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires will allow Lionel Messi to retire from international football on his own terms. Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, announced his retirement at age 39 and was included in the squad by Scaloni for the farewell match.
25 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Harry Kane is four caps short of Peter Shilton's England record of 125 appearances. Kane could equal the record in upcoming Nations League fixtures against Spain, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.
24 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Bukayo Saka said the England team still have a "scar" from their World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina nine weeks ago, where they conceded two late goals. England will begin their Nations League campaign against world champions Spain at Wembley on September 26.
23 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
England manager Thomas Tuchel said the team can build on the "fantastic spirit" of their World Cup campaign as he named a 27-man group for Nations League fixtures, including previously overlooked Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea forward Cole Palmer. The squad begins play against world champions Spain on September 26.
18 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina's squad for a friendly against Benin on October 6, which will serve as his farewell appearance after announcing his international retirement last month. The 39-year-old will make his 208th and final appearance for Argentina at River Plate's Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
17 September 2026 · The Standard →
Arsenal defeated Ipswich 4-2 in the League Cup third round, with 16-year-old midfielder Max Dowman scoring two goals and providing an assist in his first appearance of the season, prompting manager Mikel Arteta to praise his performance as "unbelievable."
16 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi was called up by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni for a friendly against Benin on October 6, which will serve as his farewell appearance after announcing his international retirement in August. The 39-year-old's international career included winning the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
16 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to acquire majority shares in Spanish second-division club Eldense, pending completion of legal procedures and Spanish Sports Council authorization. This is Messi's second ownership venture in Spanish football, following his purchase of fourth-tier Cornella in April.
10 September 2026 · The Standard →
Argentine footballer Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to become the owner of Spanish second-division side C.D. Eldense, with the deal expected to be completed in the coming days pending final legal and contractual procedures.
9 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal said Tuesday he will not beg for the Ballon d'Or trophy after winning the World Cup with Spain and La Liga with Barcelona, telling reporters he is content to let others decide whether he deserves the prize.
8 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
xAI's Grok chatbot went viral on X after responding to a user's profile analysis request with direct, unfiltered commentary that drew widespread reactions. The AI paired the user with figures including Kenyan President William Ruto and Spanish dictator Francisco Franco based on their posts and retweets.
4 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, 2026, ending a 21-year career with Argentina during which the team won three major titles including the 2022 World Cup. Argentina now faces a transition period with questions surrounding coach Lionel Scaloni and other ageing players.
2 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The FIFA national team ranking indicates each country's standing in world football and influences World Cup draw seeding and competition structures. Spain leads the ranking after winning the World Cup, and FIFA now provides live provisional ranking updates during matches.
2 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →