Lionel Messi stepped onto the stage. The Golden Ball was placed in his hands -- the award for the tournament’s best player. He had received it before, in 2014. But this was different.

Messi started on the bench as the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is eased back to fitness after exiting Inter Miami's 6-4 win over Philadelphia with muscle fatigue on May 24.

The World Cup 2022 story of Argentina and Bangladesh exemplified the spirit of football. Covering it as a writer and presenting it in front of people was a privilege.

The 2026 World Cup will showcase more than star power. It will stand as a testament to resilience, adaptation, and careers built to last--proof that in modern football, greatness can endure longer than ever before.

Lionel Messi has taken a step forward in his injury recovery and could play a few minutes in Argentina's upcoming friendlies before their World Cup opener, coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday.

A trophy was in his hands. Golden, heavy, gleaming. But his eyes were not on that trophy; they were on the thing that, in just a few moments, would be handed to Germany. The World Cup. So close. Close enough to touch, yet untouchable.

The moment a FIFA World Cup approaches, something changes in Bangladesh.

Lionel Messi's showstopping talent brought a premature end to the career of his childhood football coach, who decided to bow out after training "the best player in the world."

The flight carried the number 1978 -- a tribute to Argentina's first World Cup triumph.

A giant statue of football superstar Lionel Messi was taken down in India on Monday after it was spotted swaying dangerously in the wind, authorities said.

Lionel Messi will turn 39 during the upcoming World Cup and could have been forgiven for quitting international football after leading Argentina to glory in Qatar in 2022, but he remains his country's talisman as they aim to retain the trophy in North America.

Coach Lionel Scaloni retained the core of the side that won Argentina's third world title, although veteran winger Angel Di Maria was not considered after retiring from international football following the 2024 Copa America.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the initial news regarding superstar Lionel Messi's fitness "is not that bad" and hopes further examinations will confirm that diagnosis with the World Cup just a fortnight away.

A giant statue of football superstar Lionel Messi erected in India to mark his visit last year is "swaying in the wind" and will be removed, a lawmaker told AFP on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi remained at the heart of an injury scare only weeks before the World Cup after medical tests diagnosed him with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring, Inter Miami announced on Monday.

Argentina superstar Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute at a rain-soaked Nu Stadium in Miami after clutching the back of his left leg and requesting to come off.

Three goals. Three. In a World Cup final. And still, a defeat.

Until now, the 27,000-capacity arena had witnessed three frustrating draws and a humiliating Miami collapse from 3-0 up to lose 4-3 to Orlando City.

Dangling above field level at the biggest stadium of the 2026 World Cup, eighteen giant metal arms flood a newly laid grass pitch in an eerie pink glow.

Lionel Messi's career seemed complete after he led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to keep playing is still there for him and his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo prepare to make history at this year's tournament in North America.