Lionel Messi
Argentina beat Brazil 1-0; Messi bags his first major title
Sunday's 2021 Copa America final, in which he led Albiceleste to a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Brazil, ensured he was fifth-time lucky in the final of a major international tournament and he will have something to show to those who questioned his commitment to the national team. Angel Di Maria struck in the 22nd minute, off a long ball by Rodrigo De Paul, as he lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Ederson to score the winning goal.
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman 'confident' of Lionel Messi signing new contract
The Argentinean is technically no longer a Barcelona player after his last contract expired at the end of June and, so far, he has not put pen to paper on a new deal and is free to accept offers from elsewhere. Barca president, Joan Laporta is continuing to negotiate with the player and his representatives, but the club also has to ensure Messi's wages don't breach the salary cap imposed by La Liga.
Messi thrilled as Copa America glory draws nearer
Messi set up Lautaro Martinez for Argentina's only goal in the allotted 90 minutes before converting the first penalty of the shootout. The 34-year-old has been in unstoppable form in Brazil, racking up four goals and five assists in the tournament so far. "Many times it's easier to play against European teams than this type of game because there are more spaces," he said. "We tried our best and luckily we were able to win."
Messi 'one step ahead of all of us'
Messi has been the tournament's outstanding player, scoring four goals and providing four assists in Argentina's march to the semifinals. Victory against Colombia at Brasilia's Mane Garrincha stadium would set up a tantalising final against hosts Brazil at the Maracana Stadium on July 10, reports Xinhua.
Inspired Messi sends Argentina into Copa America semifinals
The new free agent set up Rodrigo de Paul and Lautaro Martinez before scoring with a sublime free-kick in stoppage time on Saturday, reports Xinhua. The result at Estadio Olimpico in Goiania means Argentina will face Colombia in Brasilia on July 6, with the winner earning a place in the final at the Maracana stadium on July 10. Defending champions and tournament hosts Brazil will meet Peru in the other semifinal.
Lionel Messi not FC Barcelona player for 1st time in over 20 years
Messi could still return to Barcelona but him not signing a contract before the deadline means that this is the first time in 7,504 days that he is not with the club on paper. The 34-year-old wanted to leave Barcelona last year and had even handed a transfer request but the club wasn't willing to let him go. Barca management, in fact, had pointed out a 700 million euro release to the clubs interested in buying the Argentina player.
Copa America: Messi leads Argentina to 4-1 rout of Bolivia
Alejandro Gomez was also on target for the second successive match before Erwin Saavedra pulled a goal back for La Verde early in the second half. Lautaro Martinez put the result beyond doubt by coming off the bench to score his first goal of the tournament on Monday, reports Xinhua.
Gomez sends Argentina into Copa America quarterfinals
Gomez gave his side the lead in the 10th minute on Monday by delicately chipping a shot over goalkeeper Antony Silva after Angel Di Maria's defence-splitting through ball, reports Xinhua. Paraguay appeared to gift Argentina their second goal in first-half stoppage time when Gomez's cross from the left flank rebounded into the net off Junior Alonso. However, the goal was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
Messi, Vargas on target in Argentina-Chile stalemate
Lionel Messi gave Argentina the lead at Rio de Janeiro's Olympic Stadium on Monday by curling a free-kick over the wall and into the top right corner just after the half-hour mark. Argentina threatened to score again, laying siege to Claudio Bravo's goal, but the two-time world champions were unable to capitalise on their superiority, reports Xinhua.
Messi, Barca team-mates in trouble for major Covid breach
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi could be in trouble after he hosted a meal for his team-mates at his house ahead of the La Liga match against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.Although the Barcelona players and coaching staff are in a 'work bubble' and club sources consider the meal to have been work related, the fact that the players' partners also attended the meal means the bubble was not respected, reports Xinhua.
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