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Tag: Lionel Messi

  • 2026 WCQ: Injured Messi ruled out against Brazil, Uruguay

    2026 WCQ: Injured Messi ruled out against Brazil, Uruguay

    Lionel Messi was not included in Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil, with the forward missing out due to a muscle strain.

    Messi scored a stunning goal in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win at Atlanta United in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Sunday but felt a muscle discomfort, local media reported.

    As a consequence, the 37-year-old was left out of the Argentina squad , and will remain in the United States to recover.

    Argentina, who lead the CONMEBOL qualifying standings with 25 points after 12 games, travel to second-placed Uruguay on Friday.

    They then host a Brazil side, on March 25, without forward Neymar, who was set to make his return to the national team after more than a year but has been ruled out after sustaining a muscle injury.

    Steve Cole: Okowa sad over  death of astute  sports administrator

    The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa is pained  over the death of former Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on sports, Steve Cole.

    Cole, who was also the immediate past Vice Chairman Delta State Football Association, died in the early hours of Sunday in Benin City during a brief illness.

    Read Also: Ex-NFF boss Pinnick loses seat on  FIFA Council seat

     Okowa, who worked with the late sports personality , was close to tears when  he got the sad news of Cole’s death.

    “It came as a rude shock to me. I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the death of Mr Steve Cole, I’m short of words, a very sad day and reality for me and myriads from the football and sports family who came across this late consummate sports administrator.

     “Steve was a complete and passionate sports personality, he gave his all in any capacity he was privileged to serve Delta State and the nation, we will surely miss dearly,” Okowa , the former Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, lamented.

    Over the past decades,  Cole who has served in various capacity including the National Youth Games, has been an advisor to many sports Associations.

    Okowa added:  “We shall always remember Mr Steve Cole as a humble, patriotic, wise and passionate football enthusiast and media professional who dedicated his life to raising the standards of football in Delta State and sports in general across the country.

    “May God Almighty touch and sustain the bereaved family, friends and associates during this period of grief and may the soul of the one we affectionately called ‘Colinko’ —Mr Steve Cole, rest in eternal peace.”

  • Messi’s  $232 worth real estate trust debuts in Spain 

    Messi’s  $232 worth real estate trust debuts in Spain 

    A real estate investment trust owned by Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi made its Spanish market debut at 57.4 euros per share, giving it a market capitalisation of 223 million euros ($232.12 million).

    Messi, the Inter Miami player and former FC Barcelona forward, is named as chairman of Edificio Rostower Socimi’s board in documents published by the Portfolio Stock Exchange, a small European alternative market.

    Edificio Rostower’s only shareholder is Messi’s family investment vehicle, Limecu Espana 2010, the documents showed.

    But the trust has told the exchange it plans to open up to new investors, the chief executive of Portfolio Stock Exchange, Santiago Navarro, told Reuters without elaborating.

    The exchange, launched in 2023 and supervised by the Bank of Spain, only allows trading when a company seeks to sell shares or increase its capital, Navarro said.

    Read Also: GTI salutes  NFF, Lookman, others on CAF Awards

    The approach allows greater flexibility and control as well as lower costs compared to traditional initial public offerings, he said, adding any purchase request order must first be approved by shareholders.

    Edificio Rostower did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its stock market debut, which took place on Monday.

    The company owns seven hotels in Spain and Andorra, three office spaces and five apartments in Spain, as well as apartments in London and Paris, the documents said.

    Founded in 2013, the company posted a 1.7 million euro loss in 2023, according to records the Portfolio Stock Exchange published.

    Most of the company’s investments are in the Spanish region of Catalonia, where Messi, 37, moved in 2000 when he was 13 years old to join FC Barcelona’s youth teams.

    He lived there until 2021 when he unexpectedly left FC Barcelona to sign for Paris St Germain after the indebted Catalan club said it could not afford to keep him because of La Liga’s financial fair play rules.

    The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has long said he plans to return to live in Barcelona with his wife and three children after he retires from soccer.

    Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, is the board’s vice-president. The other members of the board are Alfonso Nebot, who runs Messi’s family office, and Ramon Adell, who is a board member of Spanish energy company Naturgy (NTGY.MC), opens new tab.

    Spain’s government last month said it planned to increase the corporate tax rate paid by real estate investment trusts, which is lower than for other companies.

    But it has failed so far to garner support in parliament for its approval.

  • Five highest paid footballers in 2024

    Five highest paid footballers in 2024

    The title of the highest-paid soccer player goes to stars who not only shine on the field but also know how to market themselves. Big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé have recently led the pack in earnings. 

    Their huge contracts with clubs, including moves to leagues like the Saudi Pro League, and major endorsement deals with top brands, have made them some of the wealthiest athletes in the world. These players’ success comes from both their incredible soccer skills and their ability to attract sponsorships, showing how sports and business can come together in modern football.

    Here are five world highest-paid footballer in 2024 according to Forbes news you should know:

    1. $285 million – Cristiano Ronaldo

    Cristiano Ronaldo, the famous Portuguese soccer star, is once again the highest-paid player in the world. His huge income comes from his salary and big endorsement deals. In 2023, Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr gave him a major pay boost, with reports saying his contract is worth hundreds of millions per year. Besides his success on the field, Ronaldo’s global brand, including deals with Nike and his own CR7 products, adds to his massive earnings. His ability to stay at the top shows both his talent and his strong appeal to fans and companies alike.

    Read Also: Messi’s  Inter Miami picked for  2025 Club World Cup

    2. $135 million – Lionel Messi

    Lionel Messi, one of the best soccer players in the world, is always among the highest-paid athletes. After leaving Barcelona in 2021, Messi signed a big contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His earnings are also boosted by endorsements with major brands like Adidas and Pepsi, along with his business ventures, like the Messi Store. In 2023, Messi made a big move to Inter Miami in the MLS, increasing his income even more with a special deal that includes sharing revenue with Apple and Adidas. This move helped cement Messi as one of the top earners in sports.

    3. $110 million – Neymar Jr.

    Neymar Jr., the Brazilian soccer star, is still one of the highest-paid players in the world. His 2017 transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was the most expensive in soccer history, and it came with a huge salary that kept him among the top earners. In 2023, Neymar made another big move, joining the Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal with a contract that greatly increased his income. Besides his club earnings, Neymar has major endorsements with brands like Puma and Red Bull, making him a global soccer icon and one of the richest athletes in the world.

    4. $104 million – Karim Benzema

    Karim Benzema, the French football star and former Real Madrid captain, became one of the highest-paid soccer players in the world following his 2023 move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. His contract with the Saudi Pro League club includes a significant financial package, placing him among the top earners in football. Prior to this, Benzema enjoyed a successful career at Real Madrid, where he earned multiple titles, including the Ballon d’Or in 2022. In addition to his salary, Benzema’s earnings are supplemented by endorsement deals, making him a prominent figure in the global football landscape.

    5. $90 million – Kylian Mbappé

    Kylian Mbappé, the French soccer star, is one of the highest-paid players in the world, thanks to his huge contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and valuable endorsement deals. In 2022, Mbappé signed a record-breaking contract extension with PSG, giving him a large salary and big bonuses. His earnings are also boosted by partnerships with well-known brands like Nike and Hublot. Known for his incredible speed and goal-scoring skills, Mbappé is one of the most marketable athletes globally. His financial success matches his quick rise to fame, making him a major figure in both soccer and business.

  • Messi’s  Inter Miami picked for  2025 Club World Cup

    Messi’s  Inter Miami picked for  2025 Club World Cup

    Lionel Messi and Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami were awarded a spot in next year’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday and will host the opening game of the 32-team tournament featuring top clubs from around the world.

    Miami, who won their first MLS Supporters’ Shield this month as the club with the most points in the regular season, are the penultimate team added to the June 15-July 13 tournament being held around the United States.

    “Congratulations on your wonderful 2024 Supporters’ Shield success. You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a news release.

    “Therefore, I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States.”

    The United States were always set to have a host club in the tournament, but rather than award the spot to the winner of the Dec. 7 MLS Cup final, FIFA determined the Supporters’ Shield winner recognises consistent performance over a 34-game season.

    Read Also: AFCONQ: NFF beat CAF deadline, push for Libya’s punishment

    FIFA announced Miami’s addition to the Club World Cup after they broke MLS’s regular-season points record with a 6-2 win over New England Revolution to reach 74 points. New England had set the previous record in 2021 with 73 points.

    Messi made an instant impact when he joined Miami midseason last year, leading them to a Leagues Cup title, yet was unable to deliver enough magic to help his new club overcome their early season results and make the playoffs.

    But in Messi’s first full MLS season, Miami wrapped up the Supporters’ Shield and top playoff seed in early October with two regular season matches remaining.

    The Argentine great missed nearly half the 2024 season due to injuries and national team duties but made the most of his playing time with 20 goals in 19 games, including a hat trick during an 11-minute span late in the second half on Saturday.

    The final Club World Cup team will be given to the winner of the Nov. 30 CONMEBOL Libertadores final in Buenos Aires.

    Seattle Sounders are the only other MLS side in the Club World Cup after having earned their place by beating Mexican side Pumas in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final.

  • Lionel Messi: God chose me, gave me this gift

    Lionel Messi: God chose me, gave me this gift

    Football superstar, Lionel Messi, has humbly attributed his extraordinary talent to a divine gift.

    He stated this in a recent interview with Argentine podcaster, Juan Pablo Varsky.

    Messi believes his abilities are a natural endowment, a gift from a higher power that he has nurtured and honed through dedication and hard work.

    Read Also: Lionel Messi’s historic Napkin to be auctioned for £300,000

    By acknowledging the divine origin of his talent, Messi demonstrates his gratitude and humility, recognising that his success is not solely the result of his own efforts, but also a blessing from above.

    “It’s very clear to me that I was born like this because God chose me. It was a gift he gave me. I tried to take advantage of it, I did everything possible to squeeze the most out of it.

    “The truth is, although I did many things, I did nothing to become the player that I already was when I was little”, he said.

    The 37-year-old football legend is currently with Argentina at the Copa América in the United States.

  • Lionel Messi’s historic Napkin to be auctioned for £300,000

    Lionel Messi’s historic Napkin to be auctioned for £300,000

    The napkin on which 13-year-old Lionel Messi’s first Barcelona contract was signed is to be auctioned – with a starting price of £300,000.

    The napkin, signed in December 2000, carries a commitment from then Barca director Carles Rexach to sign Messi.

    It was also signed by Josep Minguella, a transfer advisor to the Spanish club, and agent Horacio Gaggioli, who recommended the Argentine.

    Messi joined Barca a month later and went on to be their record goalscorer.

    He made his debut aged 16 and scored 672 goals in 778 games for the Catalan club.

    Now 36, Messi won 10 La Liga and four Champions League titles at Barcelona before leaving for Paris St-Germain in 2021.

    The napkin was signed at a meeting arranged by Rexach, who invited Messi’s father Jorge to lunch after concerns from the Messi family about a lack of response from Barcelona following the teenager’s initial trial.

    Written in blue ink, the agreement on the napkin reads: “In Barcelona, on 14 December 2000 and the presence of Messrs Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.”

    Read Also: Popular people at Inter Miami games since Lionel Messi joined

    The napkin will go under the hammer via British auction house Bonhams in March.

    Head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams Ian Ehling said: “This is one of the most thrilling items I have ever handled.

    “Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career.

    “It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”

  • Fabregas’ wife dismisses crisis in Messi’s marriage 

    Fabregas’ wife dismisses crisis in Messi’s marriage 

    Cesc Fabregas’ wife has furiously shut down a report that alleged Lionel Messi had cheated on wife Antonela Roccuzzo.

    The football icon has been with Roccuzzo ever since 2008, with the pair marrying in 2017.

    The couple share three children together, named Thiago, Mateo and Circo.

    And there has never been any negative publicity surrounding the pair, who currently reside in America following Messi’s move to Inter Miami earlier in the year.

    A report in Brazil has, however, claimed that Messi cheated on his partner with an Argentine journalist.

    Brazilian outlet Direto Do Miolo posted to X on Friday that Messi and Roccuzzo’s relationship was facing its ‘biggest crisis’ to date.

    They said Messi had had an affair, while also saying their marriage was close to being over.

    Read Also; Follow the law

    However, they seemed to quote mystery sources which has led to many to believe the story isn’t true.

    And Fabregas’ wife, Daniella Semaan, has now clarified the story by suggesting it’s completely made up.

    “What publication is this that has no meaning.. and has nothing right,” she said while replying to a post on Instagram.

    Messi and Fabregas have known each other for years, with the duo once part of Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy.

    With Fabregas moving back to Barcelona from Arsenal in 2011, the pair were reunited.

    They won La Liga together in 2013, while also helping Barcelona win trophies such as the Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup as well.

    Semaan and Roccuzzo know each other well, with the pair often holidaying together with their husbands.

  • Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup jerseys estimated to go for above $10m at auction

    Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup jerseys estimated to go for above $10m at auction

    The six jerseys worn by Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory run will go up for auction in December.

    Art brokers Sotheby’s announced this on Monday, November 20, that they also predicted that the jersey could sell for more than $10 million.

    In addition to games against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France in the final, the football player wore these shirts throughout the first half of the group stage matches against Saudi Arabia and Mexico.

    Argentina’s winning run in Qatar last year was the final feather in Messi’s cap, as some argued that winning the trophy made him arguably the greatest footballer ever.

    Read Also: Popular people at Inter Miami games since Lionel Messi joined

    According to Sotheby’s, if the jerseys do end up selling for more than $10 million, this may be the most lucrative sports memorabilia auction ever.

    The most expensive individual jersey ever sold at auction to date is the one that basketball legend Michael Jordan wore during his NBA finals run with the Chicago Bulls in 1998.

  • Popular people at Inter Miami games since Lionel Messi joined

    Popular people at Inter Miami games since Lionel Messi joined

    Inter Miami has been unbeaten since Lionel Messi made his first appearance on July 21. Miami has won nine of its last 10 games with Messi’s help.

    No athlete attracts an A-list crowd like Lionel Messi, as demonstrated by Sunday’s Major League Soccer game between Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC, with celebrities in attendance like Prince Harry, LAFC co-owner Will Ferrell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Selena Gomez, Owen Wilson, Mario Lopez and Edward Norton.

    Here are celebrities who have been seen at Inter Miami games after Messi’s arrival:

    1. Kim Kardashian

    2. Joe Biden

    3. Lebron James

    4. Serena Williams

    5. Diddy

    6. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

    7. Selena Gomez

    8. Leonardo DiCaprio

    9. DJ Khaled

    Read Also: Seven things to know about Lionel Messi’s transfer to Inter Miami

    10. Camila Cabello

    11. Rick Ross

    12. David Beckham

    13. Ray Allen, former NBA player

    14. Tom Brady

    15. Marc Anthony

    16. Owen Wilson

    17. Tyga

  • Ronaldo floors Messi as highest earner on Instagram

     

    Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as the highest paid celebrity on Instagram beating perennial rival Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Ronaldinho.

    The 34-year-old earned a staggering £38million on the social media platform last year which doubled that of his long time rival Messi.

    A recent study shows that out of the major celebrities around paid to promote products on Instagram, Ronaldo has been the highest earner by far.

    A number of posts from last year were looked at by the authors of the study Buzz Bingo, and it proved that Ronaldo’s 34 sponsored posts earned £38.2m making it £780,000 per post.

    Ronaldo and Messi: Rivalry continues even on Instagram

    While Messi’s 36 posts on the social media platform earned him £18.7m in total resulting to £518,000 in every posts made.

    Reality TV star Kendall Jenner is the third with £12.7m at £489,000 per post while retired footballer David Beckaham is ranked fourth.

    Ronaldo only few hours back scored his 700th career goal when he converted a 72nd-minute penalty in Portugal’s Euro 2020 qualifier defeat by Ukraine.

    He has now scored 95 for his country, 450 for Real Madrid, 118 for Manchester United, 32 for Juventus and five for Sporting.

    Portugal were beaten 2-1 in Group B, a result which meant Ukraine qualified for next summer’s finals. They are top on 19 points from seven games, eight more than the second-placed European champions Portugal, who have a game in hand and should qualify given their remaining two games are against Lithuania and Luxembourg.