Lionel Messi

Algeria and Austria likely to battle it out for progress

There is a host of football-themed programming airing at sensible times, just to get you in the mood

Parents of most youngsters taking up soccer in the US are well placed to afford the high sums it takes to put them in competitive arenas

June 7th to 12th highlights, including Backstory, Britney: In Ten Pictures, Total Football and Queen James

Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Cristiano Ronaldo wisely hinted at what was to come this year

Never a lethal finisher like Messi, Son or Kane, but he was the best at getting chances to score

Scorer in 1976 Euro final has seen penalty technique copied worldwide, and Czechs have shootout record

His protege, Mikel Arteta, is reaping rewards after turning away from methods he learned from the master

Roy Keane makes a dig, Liam Rosenior practices his clapping, Lisandro Martínez gets the last laugh

Lionel Messi on home (dis)comforts, Antonio Cassano on ‘duds’

Jet lag anticipated as lucky winner set for 34-hour round trip to watch match on telly

Young Spanish winger has attracted attention of tabloids for his antics off the pitch

Annoying, vain and with an ego the size of Jupiter - but there’s no arguing with the numbers he has put up for Portugal

Panini gold; Amorim not for turning; Republic’s decline continues apace; Sugar not so sweet on Rednapp; Arteta a gift for cabbies; and versatile managers

MLS now only seen by the masses when a brief moment of Messi magic goes viral on social media

European champions expose gulf in quality in last 16

Brazilian side Botafogo beat the European champions

Inter Miami were held to a scoreless draw by Al Ahly as the opening ceremony outshined the football on the pitch

For five decades Massapequa Soccer Shop in New York fanned a passion that has spread to a level that few foresaw

Midfield fulcrum was not rated by the Argentinian maestro or Wolves but was central to Champions League triumph

The two best players of their generation suffered same-day disappointments that show the game is starting to move on

I was one of the people paying way over the odds to see Messi play for Inter Miami against New York City

Ticket prices sky-rocket for Inter Miami’s game against Houston Dynamo, only for the Argentine to be rested

Joe Biden choosing to give the Argentinian soccer genius this accolade shouldn’t be such a big deal. That doesn’t make it any less odd and inexplicable

Astronomical gap between what Designated Players (high-profile imports) and ordinary pros take home is a troubling issue since the Beckham years in Los Angeles

Plus: Messi and Ronaldo battle it out at the perfume counter; Ireland rack up the z’s; Ronaldo’s sister rushes to his defence

It was the first time since 2003 that neither player was nominated for the award

Set to feature in a new Sally Rooney novel, the game is officially having a moment. But what makes it so appealing to young players?

Lionel Messi wins third major tournament in a row as his career nears an end

Inspiration from Damien Duff’s wife; a heartfelt tribute to Jürgen Klopp; and pillow talk from John Terry

All in the Game: Pep Guardiola makes Margaret Thatcher admission; Thomas Tuchel puts his foot in it; and Damien Duff gives hugs, kisses and kicks

Intense and sometimes destructive social media storms have been a regular occurrence for more than a decade

Manchester United’s ultra-expensive team; Damien Duff quotes; Henderson the ‘water carrier’

Atletico Madrid president gets history listen on club’s past after Bilbao blunder

Argentinian forward was not present at the awards as he beat Haaland and Mbappé

Andy Cole not impressed with Antony; Mourinho explains Roma’s bad away form; a young debutant for Milan

The World Champions hand Brazil third straight loss after crowd violence delay in Rio

All in the game: Wrexham fans lay all their love on James McClean; and Liverpool player discusses ‘sick’ Erling Haaland

Aitana Bonmatí keeps the Ballon d’Or Féminin trophy in Barcelona and Spain for a third consecutive year

All in the Game: Pochettino not happy with Christmas fixtures; McCabe’s impressive record, Messi’s jetsetting