Messi beat seven players, covering 48 metres in 12 seconds, taking 10 touches with his left foot and three with his right before finding the net.
Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first footballer to reach billionaire status, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which has valued the Portugal great's net worth at an estimated $1.4 billion.
A sea of blue-and-white had greeted the teams as they stepped out onto the pitch with an overwhelming majority of the 68,000 capacity crowd sporting Argentina jerseys.
From Royal Challengers Bengaluru's historic first IPL title to star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finally breaking the iconic 90-meter mark to India women winning their first cricket World Cup, this was the year of long-awaited victories and record-breaking feats.
As members of the Argentina team and support squad took turns to hug Lionel Messi, his eyes were fixed on the stands.
Thrilled at finally seeing his dream come true, Lionel Messi took the World Cup to bed the night Argentina won the final at the Lusail stadium on Sunday night to highlight that sometimes dreams do come true.
Cristiano Ronaldo birthday special coverage: Check Cristiano Ronaldo age, stats, total goals, career records, trophies and net worth details.
High school students in Grand Bourg, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, pay tribute to Argentina's soccer superstar Lionel Messi by creating a giant portrait made of recycled bottle caps.
'I don't like people talking before matches. That's not part of football. I always respect everyone, but I like to be respected too.'
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
The Portuguese superstar now has scored the most first-division goals in football history, he has 527 career league goals with 61 goals alone in 2023.
Indian football remained in a state of terminal decline after experiencing arguably its darkest phase in a year marked by severe administrative crisis, court hearings, financial issues, absence of domestic leagues, and a steep decline in performance of the senior men's team.
The collection included the shirt Messi wore during the first half of the final against France in Qatar.
A young fan named Antonella Siegert stole the show with a daring pitch invasion, fulfilling her 'lifelong dream' of a selfie with the legendary footballer.
Messi mania engulfs Miami over the Argentine soccer superstar's arrival.
Argentina will face Columbia in their Copa America title defence on Sunday, July 14.
Stars Watch As Eagles Win Super Bowl; Serena steals show at half-time
After leaving fans guessing about whether or not he would take to the pitch, Lionel Messi came on in the 60th minute in Inter Miami's friendly match against J-League side Vissel Kobe in Tokyo on Wednesday.
The couple wore their biggest smiles as they sat against the backdrop of the Parisian symbol of love.
Messi and Iniesta shared the Barca dressing between 2005 and 2018, together winning nine La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns and won two trebles in 2009 and 2015.
Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano said on Thursday it was "impossible" to even consider bringing Neymar to the club
Spectators chanted "refund" after Messi stayed on the bench during the match.
Word spread that Leo was in the vicinity and hundreds of fans gathered outside the Don Julio restaurant for a glimpse of the man who brought the World Cup to Argentina in December.
World Cup-winning Captain Lionel Messi received a king's welcome in Paris on Wednesday.
After scoring, Messi stopped and pointed from the field at the team co-owner David Beckham, who was watching the game. The gesture was met with a wide smile from the former Manchester United great who helped lure Messi to the MLS despite a massive counter offer from Saudi Arabia.
'An evening in Riyadh... what an evening... Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Mbappe, Neymar all playing together... and yours truly invited guest to inaugurate the game .. PSG vs Riyadh Seasons... Incredible!!!'
Captain Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to an emphatic 3-0 victory against Italy in a heavyweight clash billed as the 'Finalissima' in London on Wednesday.
Messi played a key role in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years when they beat defending champions France in the final in December last year.
Miami are set to take on Al-Hilal at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on January 29 before facing Al-Nassr at the same venue on February 1.
Brazil were humiliated 4-1 by bitter rivals Argentina in South American World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday as the pressure mounted on manager Dorival Jr after his side were comprehensively outplayed and fortunate not to lose by more.
Lionel Messi will play his last game for Paris St Germain against Clermont on Saturday
Cirque du Soleil first premiered the show in 2019 in Barcelona, where Messi was playing at the time. In recent years the company has tried to broaden its appeal, moving outside circus acts to performances celebrating music icons and creating immersive experiences with video game partners.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, did not receive a nomination for the first time in 20 years.
A source close to Argentina's captain told Reuters that he received a formal offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season, with a contract renewal at PSG not on the cards for the World Cup winner who turns 36 next month.
Messi hopes to play in Tokyo friendly after Hong Kong letdown
Google CEO Sundar Pichai hailed Lionel Messi as the 'best ever'
'Trust me, the comeback of Leo Messi only depends on him.'
Messi announced to take his talents to South Beach after his contract with PSG expires at the end of this month.
A threatening message was left for Lionel Messi at a supermarket belonging to the family of Antonela Roccuzzo, the Argentine captain's wife.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal in Portugal's home Nations League game against Croatia on Thursday.
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