Lionel Messi became the leading scorer in World Cup history when the Argentina captain netted against Austria on Monday to take his total to 17 goals. Messi had equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time mark of 16 World Cup goals when hitting a hat trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria to open his country’s title defence […]
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Posted inSoccer America Daily
Timeless Messi eyes World Cup record as Argentina face Austria
The Lionel Messi show rolls into Dallas with the Argentine maestro on the cusp of more footballing history when the World Cup holders face Austria on Monday. Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria to pull level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record of 16 goals. […]
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Messi salutes ‘beautiful moment’ after tying World Cup goals record
Lionel Messi saluted a “beautiful moment” after becoming the World Cup’s joint all-time leading goalscorer in his record-breaking sixth finals appearance on Tuesday. The 38-year-old Argentina captain etched another memorable chapter in his glittering career with a brilliant hat-trick in the South Americans’ 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. Messi’s hat-trick — […]
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‘Competitive animal’ Messi set for sixth World Cup
The whole world is waiting to see Lionel Messi, said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, when the defending champions begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria on Tuesday. Messi is set to take part in a record sixth World Cup, four years after leading his country to glory in Qatar. The 38-year-old suffered an injury scare […]
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MLS’s most important World Cup 2026 players
The 2026 World Cup kicks off today! A record 45 Major League Soccer players have made the squads and will represent their nations at this summer’s tournament, the biggest event in sports. Here at SoccerAmerica, we’re breaking down the ones who are most crucial to their squads. Lionel Messi (Argentina) Obviously. The 2022 World Cup […]
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Scaloni gives encouraging update on Messi fitness
Lionel Messi has taken a step forward in his injury recovery and could play a few minutes in Argentina’s upcoming friendlies before their World Cup opener, coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday. “Leo is doing well, he has already trained partly with the group, he’s no longer completely separated,” Scaloni said. “It’s possible he’ll play a […]
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Messi among first 11 named to MLS All-Star squad
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi of Argentina was among the first 11 players named on Friday to the MLS squad for next month’s MLS All-Star Game at Charlotte, North Carolina. The MLS lineup, including at least five players competing in the World Cup, will face an all-star squad from the Mexican league on July 29. […]
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‘He knew everything already’: why Messi’s childhood coach threw in the towel
Lionel Messi’s showstopping talent brought a premature end to the career of his childhood football coach, who decided to bow out after training “the best player in the world.” Coach Enrique Dominguez was just 45 when Barcelona legend Messi was blazing a trial as a pre-teen in his hometown of Rosario. Messi, who is limbering […]
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Argentina eye World Cup double ahead of Group J opener
Holders Argentina arrive at the World Cup aiming to become the first team in more than half a century to successfully defend their title. Only two teams – Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962 – have won back-to-back World Cup crowns, underscoring the difficulty of the task facing Lionel Messi […]
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Messi to captain Argentina at the World Cup
Lionel Messi will captain Argentina at the World Cup, national coach Lionel Scaloni announced Thursday as he unveiled his 26-man squad. Messi, 38, had not previously confirmed he would play in what will be a record-breaking sixth tournament for the Argentine superstar. But it had been widely assumed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner would again […]