Messi completes his perfect set as Argentina resist the eventual Mbappe masterclass
Despite a record-equalling hat-trick from Kylian Mappe, Argentina are the new world champions at the end of a tumultuous World Cup final.
Lionel Messi
Argentina 3-3 France (4-2 on pens): Messi nets brace to complete the set as Argentina win the World Cup
Lionel Messi: World Cup winner. The legendary magician has finally got his hands on that beautiful trophy after Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties.
Lineker explains what separates Messi and Ronaldo in GOAT debate; makes Maradona admission
Ex-England striker Gary Lineker has praised Cristiano Ronaldo, but admits Lionel Messi is a level above the Man United and Real Madrid legend.
Messi next: Five best players to lose their first World Cup final and get another chance
Some of the greatest ever tasted defeat in their first World Cup final. Others, like Neeskens and Rummenigge, fared no better second time around…
Gary Neville claims Cristiano Ronaldo ‘overachieved’ just by being at World Cup
Underachieved? Gary Neville says that Cristiano Ronaldo ‘overachieved’ just by being at a World Cup at the age of 37.
The secret behind how to stop Lionel Messi revealed as Maguire is given Man Utd ‘lifeline’
Harry Maguire has an unexpected Man Utd lifeline, Lionel Messi is revealed to be a bulliable fraud and the single worst silence ever has been broken.
Lineker won’t ‘apologise’ for ‘staggering’ Messi praise as MOTD host previews World Cup final
Match of the Day presenter Lineker has once again heaped praise on Lionel Messi ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and France.
Farewell to the best midfielder of the last decade. De Bruyne isn’t even close…
The Mailbox lauds Luka Modric for setting the standard Kevin De Bruyne and co are struggling to match. Also: can someone please explain Declan Rice…
Keane names ‘favourites’ for World Cup final as France star clams Mbappe is better than Messi
Roy Keane thinks Argentina are “slight favourites” to beat France in the World Cup final on Sunday because of their support and Lionel Messi.
England can’t toss Southgate aside. But they could ease him out and bring Eddie Howe in…
The Mailbox suggests a way for England to replace Gareth Southgate without parting ways. Also: Chelsea omens; and all the reasons to dislike Lionel Messi…
Shocking truth behind Messi v Mbappe as Giroud makes surprise revelation before being dropped
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are ‘enemies’ and there is indisputable proof. But poor Olivier Giroud will definitely be dropped for their showdown.
Lionel Messi recalls ‘acid test’ for Argentina after inspiring them to the World Cup final
Lionel Messi beamed with pride after he inspired Argentina to a resounding victory against Croatia and secured their place in the World Cup final.
Argentina now have a foil for Lionel Messi in the finisher Julian Alvarez as the final awaits
Made by Messi, finished by Alvarez. Argentina coasted past Croatia to the World Cup final with considerably less fuss than many were expecting.
Lionel Messi calls Netherlands hero a ‘fool’ after argument with Van Gaal and Davids
Messi was pictured cupping his ears at Van Gaal and his assistant Edgar Davids before engaging in a tense discussion with the pair.
Argentina get there in the end after the Netherlands give them a huge fright
Argentina managed to avoid repeating Brazil’s mistakes in beating the Netherlands, but they did so narrowest means manageable when they didn’t need to.
‘He’s very happy’ – PSG confident of extending Messi contract after World Cup
Paris Saint-Germain chief executive Nasser Al-Khelaifi remains confident that the club will be able to tie Lionel Messi down to a new contract.
Neville believes Netherlands will beat ‘really average’ Argentina and keep Messi quiet
Gary Neville thinks that the Netherlands have what it takes to take down an Argentina side who he has not been impressed by so far.
Virgil van Dijk on Argentina clash: Netherlands are preparing for a lot more than Lionel Messi
Virgil van Dijk insists the Netherlands are focusing on a lot more than Lionel Messi alone ahead of Friday’s World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.
Netherlands coach Van Gaal dismisses Brazil as a ‘counter team’ and spots Messi flaw
Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal claims media reaction to Brazil’s win has been over the top, while he has highlighted Lionel Messi’s main flaw.
Lionel Messi does not need BBC adulation and nor do those of us watching at home
Lionel Messi scored for Argentina to help their win against Australia, but from the BBC’s coverage of the game you’d have thought he was their only player.
Messi love and Ronaldo hate intertwined as genius of one overstated to stick knife into the other
Are people actually that impressed with Messi or do they just hate Ronaldo? The GOAT rivalry has us questioning whether the reverence is genuine.
Lionel Messi worship after miskick for Argentina puts pressure on the ‘BBC jizz launderette’
The Mailbox is baffled by the Lionel Messi adulation, as Louis van Gaal is praised and Southgate just needs to avoid the brain farts.
Lineker welcomes Piers Morgan from ‘bowels of Ronaldo’ to slam BBC team ‘fan-girling’ Messi
Messi was praised to the hilt by Lineker, Shearer, Ferdinand and Zabaleta on punditry duty and Morgan predictably took issue with their admiration.
Argentina finally see off Australia in a World Cup game of very fine margins
Argentina were the better team against Australia, but they cut it finer than they’d have liked after it looked like they were cruising through with ease.
Argentina 2-1 Australia: Messi marks 1000th game with goal and World Cup quarter-final place
Lionel Messi marked his 1,000th senior appearance with a goal as Argentina booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals by beating Australia.
World Cup: The 20 best stats, facts and records broken in the 2022 group stage
The World Cup group stage has come to an end after plenty of shocks and some big nations flopping. Here are some of the greatest stats from the 48 matches.
Lewandowski explains what he whispered to Messi after ‘strange’ World Cup moment
Things got heated after Lewandowski pulled Messi’s shirt but the Poland star has revealed the bit of “fun” they had at the final whistle.
Szczesny reveals he ‘lost a bet’ to Messi over controversial decision in Poland vs Argentina
Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed he “lost a bet” to Lionel Messi during Argentina’s 2-0 win over Poland at the World Cup.
Canelo apologises after threatening Argentina superstar Messi and calling Aguero a ‘b*stard’
Boxing champion Canelo Alvarez has apologised to Lionel Messi after threatening to “find” him in the aftermath of Argentina’s win over Mexico last week.
Lionel Messi’s agent slams ‘fake news’ about Inter Miami transfer; reports are ‘wide of the mark’
Lionel Messi’s agent – Marcelo Mendez – has hit back at reports linking the PSG and Argentina star with a move to MLS outfit Inter Miami.