Latest news with #LionelMessi
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Lionel Messi lifts lid on his relationship with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo by offering rare glimpse into how the world superstars interact off the pitch
Lionel Messi has provided a rare glimpse into his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo but frankly admitted he is not friends with his superstar rival. The legendary duo remain two of the sport's most decorated players in history and have scored almost 2,000 goals for club and country between them. Collecting a myriad of individual titles, Messi has been crowned the winner of the coveted Ballon d'Or eight times, with Ronaldo his closest challenger with five. It is no surprise, therefore, that they are both often named as the GOAT and supporters fervently compare their statistics even as they approach the end of their careers, with Ronaldo now 40 and Messi turning 38 next week. Ronaldo is currently plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr while Messi is on the books at MLS outfit Inter Miami. Their paths briefly looked set to cross at the Club World Cup this month, but Ronaldo snubbed opportunities to join clubs taking part in the new-look competition. Indeed, when the two greats have collided, it has always been for rival clubs or countries. As a result, Messi has conceded he is unlikely to ever share a close friendship with CR7, if only because they rarely get the chance to speak. Opening up on his connection with Ronaldo, Messi told DSports: 'I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and for the career he's had and continues to have, because he's still competing at the highest level. 'The competition with him was on the pitch. Each of us wanted to do the best for our team. Obviously, as always, everything stayed on the field. 'Off the pitch, we are two normal people. We're not friends obviously because we don't spend time together, but we've always treated each other with a lot of respect.' These thoughts echo his previous comments on the distance between them. Back in 2017, Messi told Marca: 'I don't know if we will be [friends]. Friendship is built through spending time together and getting to know each other. 'We have no relationship, mainly because we only see each other at awards ceremonies and that's the only time we speak. 'Everything is fine, but our lives don't cross over very often.' Meanwhile, in an interview with Spanish outlet El Chiringuito earlier this year, Ronaldo said he is on good terms with Messi because of their 'healthy' rivalry. 'I have a good relationship with Leo Messi,' said Ronaldo. 'I was translating him in English at an award ceremony too! It was funny. 'It was a healthy rivalry, we got along.'
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Lionel Messi free-kick lights up Club World Cup, Atlanta and PSG shocked
Lionel Messi lit up the Club World Cup with a fine free-kick as Inter Milan came from behind to beat Porto in Atlanta. Champions League winners Paris St Germain were stunned by South American champions Botafogo in Group B, while Atletico Madrid proved too strong for the Seattle Sounders. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca faced questions over Mykhailo Mudryk, while Real Madrid revealed star man Kylian Mbappe had been discharged from hospital. Closer to home, Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson scaled new heights to announce her Euro 2025 squad. Lionel Messi magic for Miami Messi doing Messi things - unreal free-kick! ⚽️ Enjoy it from every angle 👏👀 Watch the @fifacwc | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MIAFCP — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 19, 2025 Lionel Messi scored a trademark free-kick as Inter Miami beat Porto 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to move a step closer to the last 16 of the Club World Cup. Porto took the lead in the eighth minute from the penalty spot but Miami equalised just after half-time through a thumping finish from Telasco Segovia. Messi then gave the Atlanta crowd what they came for when he clipped home a fine 20-yard free-kick in the 54th minute. Igor Jesus scored the only goal of the game as Botafogo stunned Paris St Germain in Pasadena, with Atletico Madrid beating the Seattle Sounders 3-1 in Group B's other game. Elsewhere in Group A, Palmeiras beat Egyptian side Al Ahly 2-0 at the MetLife Stadium – with the match interrupted during the second half because of the threat of lightning in East Rutherford. Enzo Maresca – I'll talk to 'Misha' soon Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed he has not yet spoken to winger Mykhailo Mudryk since the Ukrainian was charged with violating anti-doping rules. The 24-year-old has not played since being suspended last December after testing positive for a prohibited substance, and is facing a lengthy ban after being charged by the Football Association. Blues boss Maresca fronted questions on Mudryk as he prepared the team for their second Group D match against Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday. 'The last time I spoke with Misha, he was quite good. I didn't see him worried, or at least I didn't see him not good. It was OK,' Maresca said. 'I don't know how he is now, but for sure in the next days, weeks, we're going to have a talk.' Rhian Wilkinson has high hopes for Wales Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson is ready for her side to climb their own Everest at Euro 2025 (Nick Potts/PA) Rhian Wilkinson hiked up Wales' highest peak at Yr Wyddfa before delivering the names of 23 players determined to scale their own summit at Euro 2025. 'It (qualifying) was always going to be an uphill battle with little setbacks,' said former Canada international Wilkinson. 'As we have moved towards the Euros we have talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.' Kylian Mbappe in and then out of hospital Mbappé medical update. — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 19, 2025 Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been discharged from hospital after being admitted with 'acute gastroenteritis'. The 26-year-old France international missed Wednesday night's 1-1 Club World Cup draw with Al Hilal through illness, with head coach Xabi Alonso revealing he had a fever. Real Madrid subsequently confirmed Mbappe was suffering from 'an acute case of gastroenteritis' and had been admitted to hospital for further tests and treatment, before later being cleared to return to the team's base. 'Our player Kylian Mbappe was discharged from the hospital this afternoon and has returned to the Real Madrid training camp,' a club statement read. 'Mbappe will continue receiving specific medical treatment and will gradually return to team activity.' What's on today? MD2 vs the Brazilian giants. 🇧🇷🔜 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 19, 2025 The Club World Cup continues with Chelsea facing Flamengo in Philadelphia. The Blues will be looking to build on their opening Group D win over LAFC, who play ES Tunis in Nashville.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Botafogo and Inter Miami end European dominance at Club World Cup
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group B - Paris St Germain v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California, U.S. - June 19, 2025 Botafogo's Igor Jesus celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates and fans REUTERS/Daniel Cole Jun 19, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks the ball during the second half during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images REUTERS PHILADELPHIA - Thirteen years of European dominance in intercontinental club football came to an end on Thursday as U.S. side Inter Miami defeated Porto 2-1 and Brazilians Botafogo beat Champions League winners Paris St Germain 1-0 at the revamped Club World Cup. Lionel Messi's stunning free kick secured victory for Inter Miami after they came back from a goal down against the Portuguese side, while South American champions Botafogo delivered a disciplined display to outmanoeuvre PSG. The results marked a seismic shift in a competition historically dominated by European sides, with the last non-European victory coming in 2012 when Brazil's Corinthians defeated Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. Botafogo's triumph was particularly striking. The Brazilian champions entered the tournament with ample preparation time, arriving in the United States weeks in advance and conducting an intensive training camp in Los Angeles. This stood in stark contrast to their gruelling schedule in December, when they had to play the final round of the Brazilian league before travelling to Qatar at the Intercontinental Cup with less than 72 hours to recover. Against PSG, Botafogo delivered a tactical masterclass. Their compact defensive formation frustrated the French champions, who enjoyed the lion's share of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances. "The football graveyard is full of so-called favourites," said Botafogo's Portuguese coach Renato Paiva. His side's discipline and composure were evident throughout as they nullified PSG's attacking threats and capitalised on a rare opportunity to secure the win, netting the winner in a quick counter led by forward Igor Jesus in the first half. Earlier in the day, Inter Miami showcased resilience against Porto. After falling behind they rallied through Messi's brilliance, with the Argentinian forward curling a sensational free kick into the top corner to seal the comeback. Despite Porto enduring one of their poorest seasons in years, the victory was a significant statement by the MLS side on the global stage. The results appear to underline a shift in the competitive balance at the Club World Cup, with non-European teams benefiting from improved preparation and better scheduling. Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Boca Juniors will get the next chance to inflict defeats on European opposition on Friday when they face Chelsea and Bayern Munich. A victory for either of the South American clubs would further weaken Europe's grip on the tournament and show other teams from around the world they have nothing to fear from UEFA's elite. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
an hour ago
- Sport
- CNA
Botafogo and Inter Miami end European dominance at Club World Cup
PHILADELPHIA :Thirteen years of European dominance in intercontinental club football came to an end on Thursday as U.S. side Inter Miami defeated Porto 2-1 and Brazilians Botafogo beat Champions League winners Paris St Germain 1-0 at the revamped Club World Cup. Lionel Messi's stunning free kick secured victory for Inter Miami after they came back from a goal down against the Portuguese side, while South American champions Botafogo delivered a disciplined display to outmanoeuvre PSG. The results marked a seismic shift in a competition historically dominated by European sides, with the last non-European victory coming in 2012 when Brazil's Corinthians defeated Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. Botafogo's triumph was particularly striking. The Brazilian champions entered the tournament with ample preparation time, arriving in the United States weeks in advance and conducting an intensive training camp in Los Angeles. This stood in stark contrast to their gruelling schedule in December, when they had to play the final round of the Brazilian league before travelling to Qatar at the Intercontinental Cup with less than 72 hours to recover. Against PSG, Botafogo delivered a tactical masterclass. Their compact defensive formation frustrated the French champions, who enjoyed the lion's share of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances. "The football graveyard is full of so-called favourites," said Botafogo's Portuguese coach Renato Paiva. His side's discipline and composure were evident throughout as they nullified PSG's attacking threats and capitalised on a rare opportunity to secure the win, netting the winner in a quick counter led by forward Igor Jesus in the first half. Earlier in the day, Inter Miami showcased resilience against Porto. After falling behind they rallied through Messi's brilliance, with the Argentinian forward curling a sensational free kick into the top corner to seal the comeback. Despite Porto enduring one of their poorest seasons in years, the victory was a significant statement by the MLS side on the global stage. The results appear to underline a shift in the competitive balance at the Club World Cup, with non-European teams benefiting from improved preparation and better scheduling. Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Boca Juniors will get the next chance to inflict defeats on European opposition on Friday when they face Chelsea and Bayern Munich. A victory for either of the South American clubs would further weaken Europe's grip on the tournament and show other teams from around the world they have nothing to fear from UEFA's elite.
The Star
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Botafogo and Inter Miami end European dominance at Club World Cup
Jun 19, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks the ball during the second half during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) -Thirteen years of European dominance in intercontinental club football came to an end on Thursday as U.S. side Inter Miami defeated Porto 2-1 and Brazilians Botafogo beat Champions League winners Paris St Germain 1-0 at the revamped Club World Cup. Lionel Messi's stunning free kick secured victory for Inter Miami after they came back from a goal down against the Portuguese side, while South American champions Botafogo delivered a disciplined display to outmanoeuvre PSG. The results marked a seismic shift in a competition historically dominated by European sides, with the last non-European victory coming in 2012 when Brazil's Corinthians defeated Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. Botafogo's triumph was particularly striking. The Brazilian champions entered the tournament with ample preparation time, arriving in the United States weeks in advance and conducting an intensive training camp in Los Angeles. This stood in stark contrast to their gruelling schedule in December, when they had to play the final round of the Brazilian league before travelling to Qatar at the Intercontinental Cup with less than 72 hours to recover. Against PSG, Botafogo delivered a tactical masterclass. Their compact defensive formation frustrated the French champions, who enjoyed the lion's share of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances. "The football graveyard is full of so-called favourites," said Botafogo's Portuguese coach Renato Paiva. His side's discipline and composure were evident throughout as they nullified PSG's attacking threats and capitalised on a rare opportunity to secure the win, netting the winner in a quick counter led by forward Igor Jesus in the first half. Earlier in the day, Inter Miami showcased resilience against Porto. After falling behind they rallied through Messi's brilliance, with the Argentinian forward curling a sensational free kick into the top corner to seal the comeback. Despite Porto enduring one of their poorest seasons in years, the victory was a significant statement by the MLS side on the global stage. The results appear to underline a shift in the competitive balance at the Club World Cup, with non-European teams benefiting from improved preparation and better scheduling. Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Boca Juniors will get the next chance to inflict defeats on European opposition on Friday when they face Chelsea and Bayern Munich. A victory for either of the South American clubs would further weaken Europe's grip on the tournament and show other teams from around the world they have nothing to fear from UEFA's elite. (Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
