Is Lionel Messi playing today? The Inter Miami star returns with Argentina for a record sixth World Cup appearance at the 2026 tournament in North America.

Match report as Lionel Messi registered his first World Cup hat-trick while moving level in the tournaments all-time scoring charts with Germanys Miroslav Klose; it meant defending champions Argentina got off to a dominant defence of their title,

Lionel Messi has a former Major League Soccer standout to thank for saving his return to Argentina on Thursday night. Now, Messi can focus on leading Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup later this week. Argentina’s Thiago Almada, who played with ...

FORT WORTH - As soon as he learned Lionel Messi's Argentina had been placed in Group J of the 2026 World Cup, Esteban Arce erupted in joy and leaped nearly to the ceiling. "Watching Messi and the reigning world champions play in a World Cup is a dream.

The round 32 knockout match, expected to include Lionel Messi playing for Argentina in his last World Cup appearance before he retires, is likely to happen in the Bay Area. Round 1 puts Team USA starting against Paraguay, which hasn’t played in the World ...

And we'll see if Messi can do it again. Lionel Messi tries to repeat as World Cup Champion already knows. I mean, this is ridiculous for anyone. Anybody who's new here: If you're new to the World Cup, If you're new to the sport, this is your homework.

FORT LAUDERDALE — Inter Miami played FC Cincinnati to a 0-0 draw without the suspended Lionel Messi on Saturday night. Messi was not available after he and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended one match by Major League Soccer for skipping the All-Star game.

Messi and Inter Miami team-mates celebrate in front of the crowd after beating NYCFC Carmen Mandato/Getty Images The Athletic FC ⚽ is The Athletic’s daily football (or soccer, if you prefer) newsletter. Sign up to receive it directly to your inbox.

Substitute Luis Suarez scored his first goal of the season in the 82nd minute after Lionel Messi scored his fifth, and Inter Miami salvaged a 2-2 draw against visiting Austin FC to officially open their new permanent stadium on Saturday night. Both goals ...