Within this Argentina side, Rodrigo de Paul has grown into a figure similar to what José Manuel Pinto represented at Barcelona, or what Luis Suárez would later become: the companion who makes Messi feel instantly at ease. Their bond was built during time with the national team. Before that, the midfielder’s only link to Messi […]
Continue ReadingIt was 2 May 2009, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, during a La Liga fixture. Guardiola made a tactical choice. He shifted Messi away from the right flank and positioned him at the spearhead of the attack — but without the duties of a conventional centre-forward. Samuel Eto’o moved to the right, Thierry […]
Continue ReadingOnly four remain — and what a stellar final four it is. Spain, the second-ranked side in the world, will face third-ranked France, while top-ranked Argentina take on fourth-placed England. These sides are absolutely loaded with talent in every area — Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane… If you had to build a […]
Continue ReadingThroughout his career, Messi has stepped up for penalties in World Cup finals, Copa America finals and Champions League knockout matches. He has taken Argentina’s first kick in nine shootouts, finding the net seven times. His only unsuccessful attempts came against Chile in the 2016 Copa America final and against Ecuador in the 2024 Copa […]
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