Latest news with #Messi
The Independent
29 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Independent
‘Touched by God' – how the world reacted to Lionel Messi's brilliance at Club World Cup
Another football tournament arrives, and yet again it's Lionel Messi grabbing headlines. Inter Miami 's 2-1 win over Porto in the Club World Cup is the first time that an MLS team has beaten a European side in official competition, but that is a mere subplot after Messi produced yet another magic moment to remind the world that he is more than capable of deciding a game even at the age of 37. In the 54th minute of the match, with the scores at 1-1, Miami won a free-kick around 20 yards out, right on the edge of the 'D' in a central position. Trademark goalscoring territory for a man of Messi's talents – though it was still impressive how he curled the ball over the wall, on the keeper's side, crashing it into the side-netting. It marks a 68th free-kick goal of Messi's career, meaning he is second only to Pele (70) and Lyon legend Juninho Pernambucano (77) in goal scored from direct free-kicks. When the Argentinian superstar led his nation to a third World Cup in Qatar in 2022, many assumed he would not be featuring in the next edition, whether due to age or a supposed loss of form. But with the World Cup looming large as the USA warms up by hosting the Club World Cup, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner showed that he may still be one of his nation's star players come June 2026. And the world was quick to react to yet another moment of Messi magic, with former Portugal defender Jose Fonte saying that the Argentinian is 'touched by God'. Speaking on Dazn, Fonte labelled Messi as 'incredible', with Shay Given adding that 'he is a genius'. 'If you get a chance to go see this guy live - you go and see him. This is what he does,' added Given. 'You call him maestro, magician, the words run out.' 'He is affecting the game, he is controlling the game. He is controlling his team-mates, he never gives the ball away,' said former Scotland midfielder Don Hutchinson. "Lionel Messi has still got those amazing feet. At his age, 37, [he's ]still dancing through,' he added. Inter Miami teammate Fafa Picault went even further, suggest that Messi is still 'the greatest player in the world'. Social media clearly remains enchanted by the Argentinian too, with a simple Fabrizio Romano post on X regarding Messi's free-kick goals tally garnering almost 100,000 likes. Another post outlined that Messi now has 1250 goal contributions across his career, with 866 goals and 384 assists. The goal marked Messi's 50th for Miami since joining in 2023, and it takes his overall tally at club level to 754. He sits second in the all-time scorers list at the Club World Cup too, with six goals – one behind Cristiano Ronaldo – having scored his first in the old format in 2009 with Barcelona. The victory marked the first time Inter Miami have won a match in this competition, having only been formed in 2018. And a draw against Brazilian giants Palmeiras on Monday evening would be enough for both sides to advance to the round of 16 in the first edition of the new format.
The Irish Sun
31 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Why does Damien Duff annoy the celebration police so much? People need to relax – unless he goes full Alan Pardew
THE celebration police have been out in force. Advertisement 3 Non Shelbourne fans are growing increasingly fed up of his behaviour 3 He manages to irk people in victory as well as defeat 3 Once the Ireland legend doesn't get to this level we can live with his eccentricities Credit: BBC But social media was quick to pass comment at Duff dropping to his knees to bow to Shels fans after Seriously, who cares? If other people celebrating is all you have to worry about, you cannot complain — as long as no manager crosses the line and does The coefficient nerds — guilty, your Honour — will be busy with the League of Ireland clubs in Europe as Advertisement Read More On Irish Football Rankings are worked out when all the clubs' wins and draws are totted up and then divided by the number of teams in Europe. But, even though there are only three Irish clubs in European competition now, the total will still be divided by four. It means Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Rival clubs may not care but it does matter as the League of Ireland is currently ranked 32nd in Europe. Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Top-32 sides see their Cup winners go into the Europa League with a parachute into the Conference League. But slip lower and it is Conference League only. Watch Messi score stunning free-kick as Inter Miami stun Porto 2-1m In layman terms, it probably means getting better results than Iceland but expect the stattos to mention Kazakhstan, Bosnia, Finland et al as July becomes August.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Friday's briefing: Lionel Messi free-kick lights up Atlanta and PSG shocked
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. 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. 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 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.' 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.' 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.
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Friday's briefing: Lionel Messi free-kick lights up Atlanta and PSG shocked
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. 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. 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 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.' 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.' 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.
India Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- India Today
Club World Cup: Vintage Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami's win vs Porto, Botafogo stuns PSG
Lionel Messi rolled back the years as he helped guide Inter Miami to a historic win over FC Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup clash on Friday, June 20. The footballing icon produced yet another magical free-kick to give his side a 2-1 victory over the Portuguese from a goalless draw in their opening fixture against Al Ahly, Inter Miami came out with a point to prove and toppled the Portuguese giants in what was a landmark win. It marked the first time a CONCACAF team had defeated a European side in an official took an early lead after earning a penalty, which Samuel Aghehowa converted. However, Miami's Venezuelan winger, Telasco Segovia, levelled the scores early in the second half, latching onto a cross from Marcelo Weigandt and finishing confidently. But it was Messi who ultimately stole the spotlight, delivering a trademark free-kick from just outside the penalty area to put his team ahead-an advantage they held onto until the final to the media post-match, Messi revealed the team was determined to bounce back from their opening draw and make a statement."It's a great joy. A lot of effort went into it, and we worked very well. I'm very happy. We were left with a bitter taste after the first match. We thought we could have won it," Messi his stunning set-piece, Messi kept his explanation simple, attributing the goal to noticing a gap left by the took advantage of the space left by the goalkeeper, who was standing still and not covering his post. I tried to score there,' he UPSET OF THE SEASON?The reigning UEFA Champions League winners, Paris Saint-Germain, were left stunned after suffering a shock defeat to Brazilian top-flight champions though PSG rotated their squad slightly, the side still featured the likes of Dsir Dou, Gonalo Ramos, and Warren Zare-Emery. Yet the French giants failed to find their rhythm and ultimately paid the Jesus scored the only goal of the match in the 36th minute. A well-timed through ball from Jefferson Savarino split the defence, allowing Jesus to cut past the final defenders and squeeze a shot past the keeper. Though the ball took a deflection, it managed to roll over the held on to their lead for the remainder of the game. PSG had their chances, including a 79th-minute goal that was ruled out for MADRID BACK TO WINNING WAYSAfter being outclassed by PSG in their opener, Atltico Madrid roared back into form. Pablo Barrios scored a brace and Axel Witsel added another in a commanding 3-1 win over MLS side Seattle opened the scoring in the 11th minute, smashing the ball in from the box after being set up by Giovanni who came on at halftime, scored shortly after. A long-range effort from Marcos Llorente struck the crossbar, and the Belgian international was on hand to tap in the conceding a goal to the Sounders, Barrios struck again to put the result beyond doubt and ensure Atltico returned to winning Reel
