Latest news with #Messi
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Lionel Messi Called Up to Argentina Squad Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
Print Close Published August 18, 2025 No surprise here. Lionel Messi will be back in action for Argentina for two matches in September. Led by 38-year-old captain Messi, the team also includes young talents like Real Madrid's recent signing Franco Mastantuono and Manchester City's Claudio Echeverri. Palmeiras striker Jose Manuel Lopez also received his first Argentina callup on Monday for World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador. Lopez caught the eye of coach Lionel Scaloni for his goal-scoring output at Palmeiras, where he joined in 2022 from Lanús. The center forward has 15 goals in 42 matches this year. Argentina will host Venezuela on Sept. 4 at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires and visit Ecuador on Sept. 9 in Guayaquil for the final doubleheader of the competition. World champion Argentina has already secured a spot for the 2026 World Cup and leads South American qualifying. Messi returned to action for his club Inter Miami over the weekend following two weeks out with a muscle injury in his right leg. The Albiceleste will be without Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, who received a two-match suspension for his sending off against Colombia in June. Instead, Alan Varela, a star of Porto in Portugal, was chosen. The Associated Press recently contributed to this report. Print Close URL
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso praises Mastantuono and downplays player's choice of Messi as world's best
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has praised the maturity of teenager newcomer Franco Mastantuono and downplayed the player's choice of former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as the world's best player. The 18-year-old Mastantuono signed a six-year deal with Madrid and said during his introduction last week that he considers his countryman Messi the best in the world. 'It's logical for Messi to be his favorite player,' Alonso said on Monday. 'He's from Argentina and he's left-footed, so it's no surprise to me.' Mastantuono's praise of a player from Madrid's archrival surprised many in Spain and attracted most of the headlines after his introductory news conference. Some Madrid fans were not happy with the teenager's comments. Messi dueled with Cristiano Ronaldo for years when he played for Barcelona and Ronaldo — also considered by many the best in the world — played for Madrid. Now, Ronaldo is playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia while Messi is with Inter Miami in the United States. Madrid already reached a deal to sign Mastantuono but had to wait until the former River Plate player turned 18. The club reportedly paid 45 million euros ($52.5 million) in the transfer. 'The first time I spoke to Mastantuono, I was struck by his personality,' the new Madrid coach said. 'He was 17 then, and he was very sure of himself. He didn't seem at all concerned about making the jump to Real Madrid. That maturity and quality has been evident since he arrived. I know he'll settle in quickly, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.' ALSO READ | Lionel Messi included in Argentina squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL qualifiers Alonso added Mastantuono could see playing time in the team's opening La Liga match on Tuesday against Osasuna. 'He'll bring us quality and energy, he's highly committed,' the coach said. 'He's got great drive from a defensive perspective. In the little time I've spent with him I can see that Argentine spirit, he's a warrior, but he's got quality, too. He's a combative player and he's got a beautiful left foot, both from set-pieces and in the final pass. He's got lovely technique and he's very young. We have to guide him, but he's already playing at a very decent level.'
India Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
Barcelona, Argentina and now Inter Miami: Lionel Messi's record-breaking spree continues
Legendary Lionel Messi became the central figure in Inter Miami's sensational 3-1 win over LA Galaxy. Messi scored a goal and provided a lovely assist, continuing his stunning form in the a goal and an assist, Messi became the leading goal scorer and assist provider in Inter Miami history. He etched a unique record of becoming the leading scorer and provider for three different teams for the first time in football Messi is both the all-time top scorer and top assist provider for Barcelona, the Argentina national team, and Inter Miami. No other player has reached this level of dominance across both goals and assists, at both club and international level, further cementing the unmatched breadth of his legacy. With Barcelona, where Messi played from 2004 to 2021, he posted staggering numbers: 672 goals and 269 assists in 778 official is also one of the leading goalscorers in international football history with 112 goals and 58 at Inter Miami, where he arrived in 2023, Messi has already registered 59 goals and 28 assists, continuing to build on his remarkable Returns in Argentina SquadArgentina's national team unveiled a revamped 31-man squad on Monday, led by Lionel Messi, for the South American qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador for the 2026 World captain Messi, the squad features several young Argentine talents, including Manchester City striker Claudio Echeverri, Porto midfielder Alan Varela, and recent Real Madrid signing Franco Lionel Scaloni also called up striker Jose Manuel Lopez from Brazilian club Palmeiras for the first will play Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4, before traveling to Guayaquil to play Ecuador five days already qualified for the World Cup, the "Albiceleste" lead the qualifiers with 35 points, 10 points ahead of Ecuador in second place and Brazil in SquadGoalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Walter Benitez and Geronimo RulliDefenders: Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Juan Foyth, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna, Julio Soler and Facundo MedinaMidfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Alan Varela, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, and Valentin CarboniForwards: Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone, Angel Correa, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Jose Manuel Lopez- EndsTrending Reel
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Business Standard
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Real Madrid coach lauds Mastantuono, shrugs off Messi pick as world's best
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has praised the maturity of teenager newcomer Franco Mastantuono and downplayed the player's choice of former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as the world's best player. The 18-year-old Mastantuono signed a six-year deal with Madrid and said during his introduction last week that he considers his countryman Messi the best in the world. It's logical for Messi to be his favorite player," Alonso said on Monday. "He's from Argentina and he's left-footed, so it's no surprise to me. Messi dueled with Cristiano Ronaldo for years when he played for Barcelona and Ronaldo also considered by many the best in the world played for Madrid. Now, Ronaldo is playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia while Messi is with Inter Miami in the United States. Madrid already reached a deal to sign Mastantuono but had to wait until the former River Plate player turned 18. The club reportedly paid 45 million euros ($52.5 million) in the transfer. The first time I spoke to Mastantuono, I was struck by his personality," the new Madrid coach said. "He was 17 then, and he was very sure of himself. He didn't seem at all concerned about making the jump to Real Madrid. That maturity and quality has been evident since he arrived. I know he'll settle in quickly, both on the pitch and in the dressing room. Alonso added Mastantuono could see playing time in the team's opening La Liga match on Tuesday against Osasuna. He'll bring us quality and energy, he's highly committed, the coach said. "He's got great drive from a defensive perspective. In the little time I've spent with him I can see that Argentine spirit, he's a warrior, but he's got quality, too. He's a combative player and he's got a beautiful left foot, both from set-pieces and in the final pass. He's got lovely technique and he's very young. We have to guide him, but he's already playing at a very decent level. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
News18
8 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
Lionel Messi Included As Argentina Revamp Squad For 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Last Updated: Argentina will face Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4, followed by a match against Ecuador in Guayaquil five days later. Argentina's national team revealed a refreshed 31-man squad on Monday, led by Lionel Messi, for the South American qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador for the 2026 World Cup. In addition to captain Messi, the squad includes several young Argentine talents, such as Manchester City striker Claudio Echeverri, Porto midfielder Alan Varela, and recent Real Madrid signing Franco Mastantuono. Coach Lionel Scaloni has also called up striker Jose Manuel Lopez from Brazilian club Palmeiras for the first time. Argentina will face Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4, followed by a match against Ecuador in Guayaquil five days later. Having already secured a place in the World Cup, the 'Albiceleste" lead the qualifiers with 35 points, 10 points ahead of second-place Ecuador and third-place Brazil. Argentina squad view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
