As the world locked down in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, heads of state globally took to television in sombre suits and ties to deliver grave news. Maduro, on the other hand, appeared on Venezuelan state television wearing a full, bright blue FC Barcelona tracksuit. In a video released shortly after, he jokingly pointed to the club crest on his chest, claiming he had been "signed" by the club as a "refuerzo" (reinforcement) for the squad.
Football's next global showcase now has a date and venue. The Finalissima between Spain and Argentina will take place on March 27, 2026, in Doha, Qatar, setting up a highly anticipated meeting between Barcelona rising star Lamine Yamal and legend Lionel Messi. The match will bring together the reigning European champions and Copa America holders, continuing the tradition revived in 2022 when Argentina defeated Italy at Wembley. This edition, however, carries a generational storyline that has captured Barcelona fans' attention worldwide.
"We want our legends to be able to come back to the club and not have to do it in the middle of the night and hidden. We will do everything possible to achieve it. [Messi] is an indispensable figure for this club. He must come back with a solid support system and a good structure in place. The Messi-Barca relationship has to be like the Michael Jordan-Nike one. It must go above and beyond, from the commercial and institutional areas of the club to the sponsors and development of players at La Masia."
Lionel Messi voted for former Barcelona teammate Ousmane Dembelé as The Best FIFA Men's Player of 2025. Paris Saint-Germain winger Dembelé received the award on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar, after edging out Barcelona teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Dembelé's France teammate Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid was the other finalist. Previous winner Messi selected his ex-PSG teammate Mbappé as his second choice. Yamal, who inherited Messi's iconic Barcelona No. 10 jersey, was the Argentinian's third pick.
If your success in The Pre-Match Poser was a fantastic start to the day, we have more for those whose stamina for trivia persists,with a brilliant collection of challenges covering the biggest financial deals, the greatest player in history, and the cult heroes who make the Premier League what it is, thanks to Kwizly. We begin by looking at the financial firepower of the last half-decade. Can you name the biggest signings of the 2020s so far?
Heavy security and limited access left many waiting for hours without seeing him. After he left early, some fans reacted angrily, citing ticket price. Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata after football star Lionel Messi left the arena earlier than expected. Messi, who is on a three-day visit billed as a "GOAT Tour," arrived in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday.
Of course. I think for every single football player on this planet, both Cristiano and Messi are an example of what you should do, how you should do to be able to perform at the highest level for 15 years in the greatest leagues.
I don't know if there is a wound or not. I can't say anything beyond what Leo means to Barça. That will never change, no matter who is there, no matter when. I don't know if he will return at some point and in what capacity, but the most important thing is what Leo means to Barça.
FC Barcelona's under-16s opened their Messi Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against River Plate in Miami, battling back late on a humid first day that delivered goals, big storylines, and a strong dose of spotlight thanks to the presence of Lionel Messi himself. The inaugural edition of the youth tournament, created by Messi's production company and unveiled back in October, brings together eight of the world's top academies for a week of competition at Inter Miami's Chase Stadium and the Florida Blue Training Center.
It was Tadeo Allende, the 26-year-old Argentine only at Inter Miami for one year, on a loan from Spanish club Celta de Vigo, who scored a hat trick in the 5-1 win over New York City FC to send Inter Miami to its first MLS Cup Final. In 31 games during the regular season, Allende scored 11 goals. In the playoffs, he has scored eight.
