Lionel Messi has long been considered the greatest soccer player ever, but he's so much more than that. He's the best male athlete, in any sport, in history.

Lionel Messi named best player of the 2026 World Cup by IFFHS, showcasing eight goals and four assists, despite FIFA awarding ...

He knew what Lionel Messi was going to do and had a plan to stop it -- and then the Argentina captain struck twice anyway in becoming the leading scorer in World Cup history. Austria coach Ralf ...

It’s a question that almost every footballer would love to be in a position to answer when they sit down with their grandchildren one day. ‘What’s it like to play against Lionel Messi?’ Sharing the ...

(Illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; Getty Images/ Juan Mabromata / AFP) Lionel Scaloni did not know where to look. In the dugout at Arrowhead, Argentina’s coach was caught in the emotion of ...

Guillem Balague examines how the Argentina squad is built around Lionel Messi as they prepare to play against England in the World Cup semi-finals.

Last year, when Lionel Messi was asked about his participation in the 2026 World Cup he demurred: “Because of my age, the most logical thing is I won’t make it.” The greatest player of all time had, ...

ARLINGTON, Texas -- If Texas is the buckle of the Bible Belt, the state was introduced to the Church of Messi this week. Lionel Messi came off the bench and scored his sixth goal of the 2026 FIFA ...

Lionel Messi on the soccer field takes the short, trotty steps of a dachshund in the park. Such diminutive, mincy movements are part of his mystique: He gives opponents absolutely no reason whatsoever ...

Lionel Messi, by most estimates the greatest soccer player ever, celebrated his 39th birthday a little early this week at a World Cup that already has his name all over it. He did so in typical Messi ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Chris Evans is a World Cup football writer based in England This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. This voice ...