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Lionel Messi

Spain’s team captain Rodri lifts the trophy after Spain won the World Cup final against Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
July 20, 2026, 3:52 am
Spain beats defending champion Argentina 1-0 to win the 2026 World Cup
Spanish national squad wins global tournament for a second time, with Argentine soccer legend Messi leaving the field in tears as he likely plays his last ever World Cup game
By Tim Reynolds
This combination of file photos created on July 16, 2026, shows Spain’s forward #19 Lamine Yamal in Arlington on July 14, 2026 (L); and Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi in Atlanta on July 15, 2026. (Charly Triballeau and Roberto Schmidt/AFP)
July 18, 2026, 1:54 am
Argentina vs Spain World Cup final becomes a proxy for the Israel-Palestinian conflict
Online fans cast Sunday’s match as a highly symbolic contest due to the opposing views on Israel in Madrid and Buenos Aires; some posts criticizing Messi ‘invoke antisemitic conspiracy theories’
By Juan Melamed and Joseph Strauss
Lionel Messi at the Western Wall with the FC Barcelona team in Jerusalem's Old City, August 04, 2013. (Alex Kolomoisky/ FLASH90)
July 11, 2026, 1:20 pm
Lionel Messi’s ostensibly controversial history with Jewish and Israeli life. Spoiler: He’s Catholic
Many anti-Zionists are rooting against Argentina as the team plays Switzerland in the World Cup quarterfinals because of its star No. 10’s purported Zionism and Judaism, while Israelis cheer him on
By Juan Melamed
Argentina players toss teammate Lionel Messi into the air as they celebrate after winning the World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Egypt in Atlanta, Georgia, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
July 7, 2026, 11:57 pm
Messi leads Argentina in stunning late 3-2 comeback to oust Egypt from World Cup
Defending champions trailed 2-0 before turning tide in last 11 minutes to claim spot in quarterfinals; Egypt’s coach accuses referee of ‘injustice,’ blasts noon start time
By Agencies
Former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative, on Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
January 4, 2025, 2:58 pm
Hillary Clinton, Soros, WCK’s Andres to be awarded US Presidential Medal of Freedom
Biden also to confer highest civilian honor on Denzel Washington, Lionel Messi, Michael J. Fox, Ralph Lauren, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, David Rubenstein, Bono
By AP and ToI Staff
Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season football match between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, September 14, 2024. (Chris ARJOON / AFP)
September 15, 2024, 9:01 pm
Lionel Messi’s yellow ribbon mistaken as hostage solidarity symbol
Soccer player’s tribute to childhood cancer awareness initially thought by some to be for Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas
By ToI Staff
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (back) wraps an abaya around Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi on stage next to the FIFA World Cup Trophy after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
December 21, 2022, 8:35 pm
Analysts: Qatar managed to fend off World Cup criticism to score diplomatic victory
Sports sociology specialist says people will remember emir putting traditional Arab cloak on Messi more than country’s treatment of foreign workers and LGBTQ people
By Raphaelle PELTIER
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, left, helps Argentina's forward Lionel Messi put on an bisht, a traditional Arab robe, as FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, watches after the Qatar 2022 World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
December 21, 2022, 3:51 am
Qatari manufacturer of cloak gifted to Messi enjoys boom after World Cup
Ahmed al-Salem says he didn’t know who the $2,200 bisht ordered by tournmanet officials was for, was ‘stunned’ to see Qatar’s emir put the robe on the Argentine soccer star
By AFP
The Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup title ride on an open bus during their homecoming parade in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
December 21, 2022, 3:18 am
Argentina’s World Cup parade abandoned after millions jam streets to celebrate win
National soccer team ditches bus for helicopters due to what president’s spokesman calls ‘explosion of people’s happiness,’ as fans try to catch glimpse of Messi, rest of squad
By DANIEL POLITI and Almudena Calatrava
Argentina's national soccer team captain Lionel Messi (L) holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy alongside Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni as they step off a plane upon arrival at Ezeiza International Airport after winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup tournament, in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires province, Argentina on December 20, 2022. (Luis ROBAYO / AFP)
December 20, 2022, 5:01 pm
Huge crowds welcome home Messi, Argentina squad as heroes after World Cup victory
Fans swamp highway as victorious players clutching cherished trophy make their way to Buenos Aires; president declares national holiday
By AP and ToI Staff
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, December 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
December 19, 2022, 1:03 pm
Daily Briefing Dec. 19: Hanukkah ‘miracle’ at World Cup; hands off the Law of Return
Editor David Horovitz on how Qatar allowed Israelis to fulfill soccer dreams; health reporter Nathan Jeffay brings a blitz of optimistic Israeli research
By ToI Staff
Israeli fans in Ramat Gan watch the 2022 World Cup final match between Argentina and France in Qatar, on December 18, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
December 19, 2022, 4:56 am
Israeli soccer fans rejoice over long-awaited World Cup win for Messi, Argentina
Fans wave flags, blue-and-white Argentine shirts to celebrate stunning victory over France in unforgettable finale game
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Argentina's Lionel Messi, draped in an Arab cloak, holds the trophy as he celebrates with his team at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
December 19, 2022, 2:59 am
Messi’s black Qatari robe at World Cup trophy lift draws mixed reactions from fans
Qatari emir drapes traditional Arab cloak, a bisht, over Argentine captain in what some see as sign of respect; others complain it obscured the team shirt in an iconic moment
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy in front of the fans after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
December 18, 2022, 9:54 pm
Messi leads Argentina to win over France on penalties in stunning World Cup final
Argentine captain crowns his glittering career with victory in Qatar, as Argentina beats France in shootout, after match that saw South Americans blow two leads
By Agencies
France's Theo Hernandez, right, and Argentina's Lionel Messi vie for the ball during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, December 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
December 18, 2022, 6:30 pm
Messi’s Argentina takes on defending champion France in World Cup final showdown
France and its forward Mbappe seek first back-to-back victory since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, with top-ranked Argentine looking for his first trophy and his country’s 3rd
By Martyn WOOD
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