Reunion in Atlanta: Messi & Co. set for PSG showdown at Club World Cup
Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez all played under Luis Enrique in Spain, and were in the side who knocked PSG out of the Champions League last 16 in the 2016-17 season.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Club World Cup: Lee Kang-in's goal blurred in North Korea, here's why
Lee Kang-in of PSG was blurred out from a broadcast in North Korea (Image via X/@RPolotikFC & Ligue1_ENG) Pyongyang's Korean Central Television (KCTV) has once again demonstrated its strict media censorship by blurring South Korean footballer Lee Kang-in's moment of glory during a delayed broadcast of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The North Korean state broadcaster aired the match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Atlético Madrid five days after it was played at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles last Sunday. With PSG leading 3–0 deep into stoppage time, Atlético conceded a handball, handing Lee a penalty in the 97th minute, which he converted for his first goal in the tournament. But North Korean viewers could only see an 'altered' version of the same. KCTV pixelated Lee's face and number during the penalty and merely stated that PSG defeated Atlético Madrid, avoiding any mention of the South Korean midfielder's name. This selective editing aligns with Pyongyang's long-running practice of erasing South Korean sporting achievements from broadcasts. KCTV typically airs sports matches an hour or two before its evening news at 5 p.m., frequently showing Premier League and Champions League games involving top European clubs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo But matches featuring South Korean stars like Tottenham's Son Heung-min, Wolverhampton's Hwang Hee-chan, or Lee Kang-in himself are either heavily censored or omitted altogether. The regime's ruling Workers' Party dictates all televised content, and football is no exception. The authorities have consistently refused to show South Korean flags and have gone so far as to refer to the national team as a 'puppet South Korean team.' KCTV even pixelated the flag during broadcasts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup last year. Poll Do you think North Korea's censorship of sports broadcasts is justified? Yes, it's their media No, it's unfair to athletes Six months into the 2024/25 Premier League season, KCTV began airing matches in January — but with what US-based website 38 North described as 'heavy-handed intervention' from Pyongyang's censors. This means any clubs with prominent South Korean players are practically off-limits for broadcast, a source of frustration for North Korean football fans who might secretly admire players like Son or Hwang. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Will Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play together? Portuguese striker answers with a smile
Aged 40 and 38 respectively, will Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ever play for the same side? (Image by) Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have defined an entire generation of football, sharing the spotlight for nearly 15 years in what has arguably been the sport's greatest rivalry. From El Clásicos to Ballon d'Or galas, the Messi vs Ronaldo debate has split fans and pundits alike into fiercely loyal camps. But could football's biggest icons ever line up on the same side before they call time on their iconic careers? At 40, Ronaldo remains the point of difference wherever he plays, while Messi just turned 38 on June 24. With both superstars nearing the twilight of their playing days, Ronaldo was recently quizzed on whether the world might still witness the two legends sharing a dressing room. "Well mate, you never know," Ronaldo said with a hearty laugh. He then added a personal touch: "My partner Georgina is from Argentina, so it's impossible not to have affection for the country." The Portuguese icon revealed that Argentine clubs had indeed tried to lure him for the FIFA Club World Cup. "I've had invitations to play at the Club World Cup from clubs in Argentina. The time has maybe run out. I'm already 40 years old. I think it would be difficult. But I will say, I like it a lot," he admitted. Interestingly, Ronaldo has never visited Argentina—a trip he hopes to make someday. He stressed he holds no club preferences and has deep respect for Messi, even recalling how he has acted as a 'translator' for him during award ceremony appearances and other galas. While age seems to be the main barrier, Ronaldo left the door open, saying "I think it'll be difficult now, but, you never know!" Poll Do you think Ronaldo and Messi will ever play on the same team? Yes, it's possible! No, it's unlikely. While age has truly caught up with both the Argentine and the Portuguese, the latter's words serve as a flickering ray of hope for those who want to see the duo play for the same side, no matter how unlikely it is. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Lionel Messi turns 38 - A look at the legendary No 10's biggest career achievements
Lionel Messi and teammates celebrate with the FIFA World Cup trophy during the World Champions' celebrations after an international friendly match between Argentina and Curaçao (Image by) Lionel Messi , arguably one of the best players of all-time, turns 38. The Argentine great has had an inimitable career that has spanned over two decades. His professional career started in 2004 with FC Barcelona, for which he dedicated 17 years of his career. He then went on to play for Paris-Sanit Germain for two years, from 2021 to 2023. Afterwards, Messi parted ways with the French side and signed for David Beckham's Inter Miami, where he plies his trade. Most recently, he played in a 2-2 draw against Brazilian side Palmeiras, which means that Inter Miami will play PSG in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup. This also meant that Messi maintained his record of never being eliminated in the group stage of a tournament in his career, neither for club or country. In a career littered with trophies and individual accolades, his numbers are almost mythical. With 672 goals for Barcelona, Messi holds the record for the most goals scored by a player for a single club—an achievement unlikely to be matched in modern football, where players rarely stay put at a single club. His 474 La Liga goals and 192 assists stand as all-time league records, testament to his unmatched consistency and creativity over nearly two decades in Spain. Beyond club level, Messi's trophy cabinet gleams with personal accolades. He's won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, each cementing his dominance through eras and rivals. On the international stage, the narrative arc came full circle when he lifted the Copa América twice—first in 2021 and then in 2024 - breaking Argentina's drought. Poll Who do you think is the greatest of all-time? Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo Pele Diego Maradona In between the two came the crowning jewel, in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. At 35, Messi orchestrated a campaign delivering performances that deserved to win any tournament. His World Cup triumph not only fulfilled a personal dream but also etched his name alongside the greatest moments in Argentina's sporting history, right next to Diego Maradona's 1986 heroics. Today, at 38, Messi continues to defy age. His most recent free-kick goal against Porto in the group stage a few days is testament to his timelessness. Lionel Messi's major records and milestones 672 goals for Barcelona (all-time record) 474 LaLiga goals scored (all-time record) 192 LaLiga assists (all-time record) 8 Ballon d'Or awards (most all-time) 10 La Liga titles (second-most all-time) 46 career trophies (most decorated player of all-time) 866 career goals 384 career assists For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
