Tag: Lionel Messi

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Olympics 2024: Messi Reacts As Morocco Beat Argentina 2-1

Argentina captain Lionel Messi expressed shock on social media following his country’s dramatic 2-1 defeat against Morocco in their opening clash at the 2024 Paris Olympics yesterday.

Argentina were down 2-1 when a massive 15-minute injury time was added at the end of 90 minutes.

Cristian Medina looked to have scored a late equalizer to secure a 2-2 draw for La Albiceleste.

The match was temporarily suspended and after almost two hours, a VAR check confirmed that the goal was ruled out because of offside.

The remaining three-plus minutes were played as players re-emerged in an empty stadium.

The match ended 2-1 win in favour of Morocco, sparking a reaction from Messi on social media.

The Inter Miami captain wrote on his Instagram story:

“Insolito (Spanish).” “Unbelievable (English).”

Messi is currently recovering from an ankle injury he sustained during Argentina’s Copa America triumph over Colombia.

The former Barcelona captain is not part of Argentina’s squad at Olympics.

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I Did Nothing to Become World’s Best Player, It’s a Gift From God – Lionel Messi

Football star, Lionel Messi has revealed that God is the one behind his success and talent.
The Inter Miami and the Argentine national team, spoke when he was asked the reason behind his successful football career.

The 37-year-old football legend, currently with Argentina at the Copa América in the United States, shared his perspective on the origins of his exceptional talent.

Reflecting on his journey during an interview with podcaster Juan Pablo Varsky, Messi shared that he believes his extraordinary talent is a gift bestowed upon him by God.
 
“It’s very clear to me that I was born like this because God chose me. It was a gift he gave me.” he told podcaster Juan Pablo Varsky
“I was always different. People came to watch me. I didn’t realize it, but I only began to understand that as I grew older.
 
“Of course, I tried to take advantage of it [talent], I tried to squeeze the most out of it, but the truth is, I did nothing to become the player that I already was when I was little.”
 
Yes, Leo’s got a gift—one in a billion, no doubt. But he’s not giving himself enough credit because he worked just as hard as any other footballer to become what he is today—the best player in the world.
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Transfer: It Will Be Difficult For Me To Play With Neymar Again – Messi Says

Lionel Messi, the world-famous Inter Miami superstar, has admitted that it will be “difficult” for him to line up alongside Neymar Jr again.

The two footballers first played together at Barcelona, before Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

Messi and Neymar were then reunited at PSG, before the Brazilian left for Al-Hilal.

There have been recent speculations claiming they could play together again in the MLS, especially after Luis Saurez signed for Inter Miami.

But Messi said: “We talk often. We even have a group chat with the three of us, including Luis. Ney speaks perfect Spanish.

“A little message to recruit him? No, I don’t know. The truth is, it’s difficult now”.

“He’s in Saudi Arabia, and I think he has a year left on his contract. He had a tough year, where he was injured for a long time. So, it’s difficult now”.

“After that, I don’t know. Life takes so many turns that anything can happen, but I think, for now, no.”

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You Didn’t Deserve FIFA Best Award – Ex-Ballon d’Or Winner Tells Messi

Lothar Matthäus, a former Ballon d’Or winner, has criticized Lionel Messi, stating that the Argentina captain did not merit the Best FIFA Award for 2023.

Speaking on Sky Deutschland, Matthaus insisted that Messi did not deserve the FIFA award, adding that Manchester City’s Erling Haaland should have won the prize.

Messi recently won the FIFA Best Award ahead of Haaland.

“He can’t be the winner this time. I think he was the best footballer of the last 20 years, but he has been in Paris and Miami, where he is now creating hype, and not won any major titles,” Matthaus said.

“If you look at the great successes, there is no way past Manchester City and – when choosing the best player – Erling Haaland. He won the most important titles with Man City. His strike rate was impressive.

“That should be decisive when you choose the best and most important player – and that was Haaland.”

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The Best: FIFA Told To Bar Every Captain Who Voted For Messi

Janusz Michallik, the former United States international, has urged FIFA to bar every captain who voted for Lionel Messi to win the 2023 FIFA The Best Men’s Player award.

Messi recently took home his second consecutive and third overall prestigious trophy.

The Argentina World Cup winner closely beat Manchester City’s Erling Haaland to the award.

However, Michallik wants national team captains who voted for the Inter Miami forward to be stripped of their voting rights, including the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric, and Mohamed Salah.

“Last season was based on the entire year because he played such a vital role for Argentina, not just in winning it but obviously his play alone, we gave it to him. This year, I mean this is just crazy. I mean I couldn’t believe it in a way and I think we are used to this right,” Michallik said (via ESPN FC).

“I didn’t lose any sleep over it but I will tell you what. Everyone that voted for Messi to win it should be barred from voting ever again really because that is just nonsense.”

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EPL: No One Can Play Like Him – Man Utd Winger Reacts To Comparisons With Lionel Messi

Amad Diallo, the Manchester United winger, has said “no-one plays like Lionel Messi”.

Diallo was reacting to comparisons with the Inter Miami superstar.

The 21-year-old’s technical ability has won plenty of admirers, with the fleet-footed youngster able to leave teammates bamboozled in training.

But Amad is eager to avoid being likened to one of the greatest players of all time.

He told United’s official website: “I know they said this [that I was like Lionel Messi in training] but no one plays like Messi.

“I am proud he [Gomez] says I play like Messi but I say no one plays like Messi! In training, I was like the same here, with a little bit of dribbling and scoring, so they say my football is more like Messi but, today, I say no one can play like Messi.”

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Lionel Messi Names The Four Players He Thinks Will Win The Ballon d’Or in Future

Argentine international, Lionel Messi has named four players he thinks will win the Ballon d’Or in the coming years.
Recall that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo fought for the award for 15 years.
The Inter Miami player recently set a new record by winning his eighth award last night in Paris, extending his number of trophies over his Portuguese rival.
He saw off competition from Manchester City, Erling Haaland and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe to win the award.
Asked who he thinks could be the next to win the award, Messi told L’Equipe ‘For a few years, we have seen players that can win it coming through.
 
‘It could be hotly contested in the coming years with players like Haaland, Mbappé and Vinicíus Juinor. 
 
‘There are lots of young players that will fight for the Ballon d’Or. I also think that Lamine Yamal, who is still very young but who has already played very well with Barcelona and has become an important player [could compete]. 
 
‘There will certainly be others who will fight for it as well with other players yet to appear. It will be a new era.’
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It’s A Shame – Messi Clears Air On Leaving Inter Miami Back To Europe

The world-famous footballer, Lionel Messi has refuted the claims that he is set to leave Inter Miami on loan to play for another club once the MLS season ends.

Inter Miami failed to qualify for the MLS playoffs and will take on Charlotte FC in their last game on Saturday.

There have been speculations that Messi could return to Europe on loan during the MLS post-season break to keep up his match fitness.

However, when asked whether he was considering playing for another club in December, Messi said: “No.

“It’s a shame [we didn’t qualify]. We came very close. I missed the last few games, we had several injuries. The month of July was very hard for us, we played every three days, we travelled. But we won a tournament which is important for the club and for what is coming next year.

“I will train, I will play our upcoming match [against Charlotte FC] and I will try to get here [to the national team] in the best possible way for November. After that, I will enjoy the holidays in Argentina. It’s the first time that I am going to have more days off in December, with the holidays, with peace of mind, with my people. In January, I will return again to do preseason. Start from scratch and prepare as best as possible as always.”

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Inter Miami Suffer First Defeat Since Messi’s Arrival

Major League Soccer club, Inter Miami have suffered a defeat for the first time since Lionel Messi arrived, losing 5-2 at Atlanta United on Saturday.

Messi himself did not feature in the game as he was left out of the matchday squad.

Tristan Muyumba, Brooks Lennon and a Kamal Miller own goal gave the hosts a comfortable lead in the first half.

Georgios Giakoumakis and Tyler Wolff each scored in the second as Atlanta sealed victory. They now sit sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference after the victory.

Leonardo Campana scored twice for Miami, who saw their 12-game unbeaten streak across all competitions come to an end.

Miami manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino explained that Messi and Jordi Alba missed the game due to “muscular fatigue.”

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G.O.A.T Debate: Why I Prefer Ronaldo To Messi – Davido Speaks

David Adeleke, the world-renowned Nigerian afrobeats singer, who is professionally known as Davido has cited ‘discipline’ as the reason he prefers Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi in the G.O.A.T debate.

The 30-year-old musician made this known on the sidelines of the Professional Footballers Association awards.

Recall Davido thrilled the audience at the ceremony to a medley of his songs when the awards marked its 50th anniversary.

Asked by GOAL about his thoughts on the greatest footballer of all time debate between Ronaldo and Messi, the singer said, “Cristiano for me, he is very, very disciplined.

“You know, and to have that kind of success and to be so disciplined at the same time is something I’ve always admired about him.

“I like both of them. But, I personally, I’m a Ronaldo guy.”

Ronaldo recently stated that the rivalry with Messi is over despite the rave it enjoyed among football fans.

He said, “I don’t see things like that; the rivalry is over. It was a healthy rivalry, and the spectators liked it a lot.

He said, “Whoever likes Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have to hate Messi and vice versa, because they are both very good. We’ve done well; we have changed the history of football, and we’ll keep on doing it. We are respected all over the world; that’s the most important thing.

“He makes his way; I make mine, even if we’re playing outside Europe. From what I’ve seen, he has done well, and so have I. It’s about continuing; the legacy continues.

“I’ve said there’s no rivalry. We’ve shared the stage for 15 years, and we ended up being—I wouldn’t say friends—because I never dined with him. We are professional colleagues, and we respect each other.”