Al Hilal also sought to sign Lionel Messi, with the Argentine great ultimately deciding to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/saudi-arabias-al-hilal-sign-portugal-midfielder-neves-wolves-3583641?cid=cna_flip_070214

All eyes were on Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest footballer of all time and who lifted the World Cup for Argentina in December.

Source: https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/world-soccer/messi-mania-reaches-fever-pitch-ahead-of-beijing-friendly/

And it arguably won the biggest victory in the sports streaming wars with its $2.5 billion MLS deal after Lionel Messi jumped to Inter Miami.

Source: https://fortune.com/2023/10/20/apple-reportedly-cancels-jon-stewart-apple-tv-show-the-problem/

Argentina legend Lionel Messi has had his statue unveiled by the South American Football Federation (CONMEBOL) following his remarkable achievements.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/messi-statue-to-stand-with-maradona-peles-at-conmebol-museum/

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy in front of fans after winning the World Cup final.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/messi-chosen-as-best-footballer-of-2022-by-international-football-federation-history-and-statistics-mbappe-second-in-the-count-8361642/

Argentine legend, Lionel Messi has been shortlisted in the top three of the FIFA Best Player Award for the year…

Source: https://onlinenigeria.com/sports/309265-arsenal-vs-brentford-predictions-and-match-preview.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=arsenal-vs-brentford-predictions-and-match-preview

Argentinian soccer player Lionel Messi smiles during a match at Marcelo Bielsa stadium in Rosario, Argentina, Saturday, June 24, 2023.

Source: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230625-messi-recalls-massive-disappointment-of-psg-champions-league-woes

Ask Americans who the most notable MLS players of the last two decades have been, and you’ll get responses including Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thierry Henry, David Beckham and now Lionel Messi.

Source: https://thehoya.com/reid-lionel-messi-represents-the-pattern-not-the-exception-the-problem-with-the-mls/

As many young footballers do, Minteh idolises Lionel Messi in trying to emulate his style of play on the pitch.

Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-summer-signing-hoping-emulate-28166805

Echeverri, who has been linked with Barcelona and has been compared to Lionel Messi, reportedly has a release clause of €25m.

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/man-city-claudio-echeverri-river-plate-transfer-news-b2469494.html

Erling Haaland has won the UEFA Player of the Year award presented on Thursday ahead of Kevin de Bruyne, and Lionel Messi.

Source: https://punchng.com/just-in-haaland-beats-messi-de-bruyne-to-win-uefa-mens-player-of-the-year/

Everything goes in the land of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi if you’ve won the World Cup and the Summer Doldrums have everyone vacationing on the beach, be it Mar del Plata or Punta del Este.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/afontevecchia/2023/02/27/argentinas-unexpected-bond-repurchase-generates-suspicions-of-insider-trading-as-economy-minister-massa-seeks-to-prop-up-the-market/

France is coached by Herve Renard, who led Saudi Arabia to a shocking upset of eventual champion Argentina and Lionel Messi at least year's men's World Cup.

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/sports/round-of-8-women%27s-world-cup-is-wide-open-after-so-many-heavyweights-eliminated

I am genuinely feeling transported to the other side of the world and with Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi looking over the restaurant on the prized corner table, it very much feels like I could be in Buenos Aires.

Source: https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/it-s-travelled-4-500-miles-but-is-the-steak-all-it-cracks-up-288786/

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball during the second half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Cruz Azul on Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Source: https://www.timesleader.com/sports/1614961/lionel-messi-makes-his-inter-miami-debut-checks-in-during-2nd-half-against-cruz-azul

It's this lavish lifestyle that is tempting the likes of Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante to join him in Saudi this summer - and almost convinced Inter Miami-bound Lionel Messi to join.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12299155/As-players-follow-Ronaldo-Saudi-Femail-delves-lavish-lives-WAGs.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi remain, for now, the centerpieces of an imperfect team.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/10/sports/soccer/psg-messi-mbappe.html

Kylian Mbappe told Paris Saint-Germain on Monday that he would not be taking up an option to extend his contract until 2025, raising the spectre of him following Lionel Messi out of the club this summer.

Source: https://ogtv.com.ng/2023/06/13/mbappe-fails-to-extend-psg-contract-after-messis-exit/

Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland are among the leading contenders to win this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or, while Spain World Cup star Aitana Bonmati leads the nominees announced on Wednesday for the women’s prize.

Source: https://newsday.com.ng/lionel-messi-erling-haaland-lead-ballon-dor-2023-shortlist-see-full-list/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lionel-messi-erling-haaland-lead-ballon-dor-2023-shortlist-see-full-list

Lionel Messi celebrates Argentina's World Cup victory alongside teammates Rodrigo de Paul (left) and Cristian Romero (right) in Buenos Aires before Christmas.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/lionel-messi-leaves-argentina-return-psg-3180721?cid=cna_flip_070214