Lionel Messi – Page 2 – Football Flame

12Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Modric and Croatia stand between Argentina and World Cup final

Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric (L) in Doha on December 9, 2022 and Argentina's forward Lionel Messi in Doha on December 3, 2022. - Argentina will play Croatia in the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match in Doha on December 13, 2022.Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup dream remains alive but an indefatigable Croatia side inspired by the enduring brilliance of Luka Modric stands in their way in Tuesday’s semi-final in Doha.Argentina have recovered from the shock of losing their opening game in Qatar to Saudi Arabia and made the last four with an exhausting win on penalties against the Netherlands at the end of a fractious quarter-final on Friday. Having been 2-0 up and cruising after 83 minutes, with Messi setting up one goal in sublime fashion and netting a penalty, they conc...

10Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Argentina, Lionel Messi, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni – Lionel Messi has proven he is the best of all time

Lionel Scaloni head coach of Argentina and Lionel Messi right winger of Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain celebrate victory after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 9, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has labelled Lionel Messi “the best of all time” following his performance in their World Cup 2022 victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Friday. The 35-year-old contributed to both of La Albiceleste’s two goals in normal time, firstly producing an exquisite assist for Nahuel Molina before scoring from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. The Netherlands rarely threated Argentina’s backline, but they fought back late on to restore parity and send the fiery contest into e...

7Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Lionel Messi, NEWS, Virgil van Dijk, World Cup 2022

Virgil van Dijk speaks out on facing Lionel Messi in World Cup quarter-final

Virgil van Dijk of Holland during a training session of the Dutch national team at the Qatar University training complex on December 4, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Virgil van Dijk has insisted that the 2022 World Cup quarter-final between the Netherlands and Argentina won’t be decided by the personal battle between himself and Lionel Messi. The two nations meet on Friday in Qatar, both aiming to reach the semi-final stage for the first time since 2014. In what will be one of the most intriguing battles of the tournament so far, Holland captain Van Dijk, arguably the best centre-back in the game right now, will come up against Argentina skipper Messi, perhaps the greatest forward of all-time. For many, that will be where the game is won or lost, but Van Dijk disagrees, repeatedly telling repo...

4Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Lionel Messi, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Messi scores in 1,000th game as Argentina progress

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (R) and Argentina's midfielder #07 Rodrigo De Paul celebrate with supporters after they won the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Argentina and Australia at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 3, 2022. Lionel Messi produced a moment of magic on his 1,000th career appearance as two-time champions Argentina beat Australia to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.Messi, 35, was winning his 169th cap for his country and they needed his brilliance to take them through to the next round and a tantalising tie against the Netherlands on Friday. Argentina had barely threatened in the first half but Paris St-Germain’s Messi stroked in a delightful low finish to spark wild celebrations from their fans. It was hi...

1Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Argentina, Lionel Messi, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Argentina top group as Poland through on goal difference

Jakub Kiwior of Poland Krystian Bielik of Poland and Lionel Messi of Argentina and Kamil Glik of Poland during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 on November 30, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Argentina completed the turnaround from the shock opening World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia by qualifying for the last 16 in impressive style against Poland – who went through on goal difference having finished level on points with Mexico. Lionel Messi was the catalyst for the crucial win against Mexico that got Argentina’s campaign back on track, and he was instrumental again as they illustrated why they were regarded as one of the tournament favourites to set up a second-round match against Australia. Poland were set to progress by virtue of the Fifa Fair Play...

27Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Lionel Messi, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Messi scores in vital Argentina win over Mexico

Lionel Messi (10) of Argentina celebrates scoring a goal during a friendly football game against Jamaica at Red Bull Arena. Argentina won 3 - 0. Friendly game played in preparation for the World Cup to be held in Qatar in November 2022. Lionel Messi produced a moment of trademark magic to help keep Argentina’s World Cup hopes alive with victory in a tense encounter against Mexico. In a cauldron of noise at Lusail Stadium, Messi and Argentina knew defeat would end their hopes of reaching the last 16 after only two games following the stunning loss to Saudi Arabia in their opener. The tension was mounting as Mexico frustrated Messi in an attritional game, especially in a first half littered with fouls and stoppages that never allowed Argentina to gain any momentum. Messi changed all th...

22Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Argentina, Lionel Messi, World Cup 2022

Messi becomes fifth player to score in four World Cups

Lionel Messi of Argentina in celebrates after the first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on November 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Argentina great Lionel Messi on Tuesday became the fifth player to score at four different World Cups. Messi opened his fifth World Cup tournament by way of a penalty in the 10th minute. The Paris Saint-Germain star scored Argentina’s lone goal of the match. However, the Argentines suffered a shock 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has also scored in three previous World Cups tournaments, in Germany (2006), Brazil (2014) and Russia (2018). He joins an elite club of footballers who have achieved the feat, following Brazil’s Pelé, the German pair of Uwe Steeler ...

11Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Argentina, Lionel Messi, World Cup

Premier League stars join Messi in Argentina squad

Argentina's Lionel Messi controls the ball during the closed-door 2022 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Paraguay at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires on November 12, 2020.Paris St-Germain's Lionel Messi will play in his fifth World Cup finals as part of an Argentina squad that includes five Premier League players. Head coach Lionel Scaloni has combined veterans like Messi, 35, and Angel di Maria, 34, with younger players such as Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez. Injured Roma striker Paulo Dybala, 28, also gets the nod despite not playing since 9 October. Argentina's first game in Group C is against Saudi Arabia on 22 November. They will also face Poland and Mexico. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Tottenham's Christian Romero, Manchester...

30Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, PSG

Paris Saint-Germain wins Ligue 1 duel 4-3 against Troyes

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint Germain (R) celebrating his goal with his teammate Lionel Messi of Paris Saint Germain (L) during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and ESTAC Troyes at Parc des Princes on October 29, 2022 in Paris, France. Paris Saint-Germain won a French Ligue 1 week 13 duel Saturday 4-3 against Troyes. Troyes’ Mama Balde gave his team an early lead in the third minute before Carlos Soler leveled in the 24th minute at Parc des Princes in Paris.Balde netted another in the 52nd minute but just three minutes later, Argentine star Lionel Messi took the stage. He sparked the comeback with a screamer, then, his partners in crime, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, scored in the 62nd and 77th minutes, respectively. A goal in the 88th minute by Ante Palaversa was not e...