EXPLAINER: What's at stake as World Cup qualifying resumes
The eight stadiums are ready in Qatar and World Cup tickets have been on sale for a weekJANUARY 26, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LIONEL MESSI #10 - FORWARD - INTER MIAMI CF
20 G •
11 A •
4.0 SPG
20 G
11 A
4.0 SPG
Focus on Brazil's Vinícius Júnior, Argentina's Dybala
With World Cup spots secured, Brazil and Argentina appear set to test players in qualifying who are beloved by fans while trying to prove themselves with national teamsJANUARY 26, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Assists off bench in return Messi tallied one assist on two chances created and took one shot (off target) in 27 minutes off the bench in Sunday's 4-0 win over Reims.
Impact Messi didn't need much time in his return to make a mark and get his 2022 off finally. The maestro needed some time to fully recover from COVID-19 but the break should give him time to work on his fitness even more and he should be full go in February. He's had two goals and two assists over his past four appearances (three starts).
JANUARY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
PSG vs. Stade de Reims live score, updates, highlights as Messi returns to Ligue 1 PSG finally welcomes Lionel Messi back to action after his bout with COVID-19, but Kylian Mbappe is questionable with a groin injury as PSG...
JANUARY 23, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
On bench against Reims Messi (illness) is in PSG's match day squad for Sunday's clash against Reims.
Impact Messi has missed PSG's last two games with COVID-19, but he's back on the bench on Sunday, as Kylian Mbappe, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria line up in the front three.
JANUARY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
MATCHDAY: Chelsea faces Spurs again; Mbappe, Messi available
Chelsea plays London rival Tottenham in the Premier League in what appears a forlorn attempt to chase down leader Manchester CityJANUARY 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Probable for Reims match Messi (COVID-19) has trained well all week and will be available for Sunday's match versus Reims, according to coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Impact "Things have gone very well throughout the week. He trained well, he feels good, and we are very happy to have him back with us. But there was a period of inactivity, and we will need to be vigilant because of that", said Pochettino. The playmaker seems to be ready for a start here but won't likely finish the full 90. With Kylian Mbappe also struggling with a problem the two could just split 90 minutes with Messi likelier to start and go for about 60 minutes and Mbappe coming in for the remainder of the match.
JANUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to full training Tuesday Messi (COVID-19) has returned to full training Tuesday and could be available for Sunday's match versus Reims, according to the team's medical report.
Impact Messi finally seems to have fully shaken off the virus and his return to group practice several days ahead of the game means he should be full go Sunday barring any setbacks of course. The maestro hasn't played in a month but had two goals on 13 shots and one assist on seven chances created from his last three starts.
JANUARY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Copa exit becomes Barcelona's latest setback; Madrid rallies
Barcelona’s list of disappointments this season got longer with a loss to Athletic Bilbao in the round of 16 of the Copa del ReyJANUARY 20, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
TOTY FIFA 22 released: Mbappe, Messi & others on FUT Team of the Year, plus upgrade and SBC info Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Robert Lewandowski headline the 2022 FIFA Ultimate Team of the Year, whittled down from 80 nominees to just...
JANUARY 20, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Simeone losing magic touch in his 10th year at Atlético
This season was supposed to be Diego Simeone’s chance to firmly establish Atlético Madrid as Spain’s top team and cap his incredibly successful decade as its coachJANUARY 20, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
FIFA Players of the Year Winners of the FIFA player of the year award (merged with the magazine France Football's Golden Ball award for European player of the year f...
JANUARY 17, 2022 • WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM
Lewandowski wins FIFA best player vote ahead of Messi, Salah
Robert Lewandowski has been voted the best men’s player in the world at FIFA's annual awards ceremonyJANUARY 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tottenham irked as Arsenal gets EPL derby match called off
Tottenham has called for “clarity and consistency” from the Premier League after Arsenal’s request to call off the north London derby because of a lack of senior players available...JANUARY 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Messi to miss another PSG game, says COVID recovery slow
Lionel Messi will miss another game for Paris Saint-Germain after acknowledging that his recovery from COVID-19 has been slower than expectedJANUARY 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ruled out versus Brest Messi (COVID-19) returned to partial training Thursday but is ruled out for Saturday's match versus Brest, L'Equipe reports.
Impact Messi's recovery from COVID-19 has been lingering a bit longer than initially expected. The player finally joined his teammates for some of the team's training Thursday and slowly progressing to full recovery but won't quite make it for this weekend. Ander Herrera and Mauro Icardi should remain heavily involved offensively.
JANUARY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Madrid beats Barcelona for 100th time, reaches Cup final
Federico Valverde has scored in extra time as Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 3-2 in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi ArabiaJANUARY 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Improved Barcelona takes on Real Madrid in Super Cup clásico
Things have changed for Barcelona since it last faced Real MadridJANUARY 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Umtiti takes salary cut, allows Barcelona to register Torres
Barcelona says it will register new signing Ferran Torres after defender Samuel Umtiti agreed to take a salary cutJANUARY 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
PSG grabs late 1-1 draw at Lyon, second-place Nice wins 3-0
French league leader Paris Saint-Germain needed a late equalizer from substitute Thilo Kehrer to grab a 1-1 draw at an inspired Lyon in the French leagueJANUARY 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Misses Lyon clash Messi (fitness) has been ruled out for Sunday's match versus Lyon.
Impact Messi is still on individual regimen after only recently recovering from COVID-19 and will miss the big clash. Ander Herrera and Georginio Wijnaldum will likely have more offensive role while Mauro Icardi should lead the line given Angel Di Maria and Neymar are also out.
JANUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
MATCHDAY: PSG without Messi, Klopp back in Liverpool dugout
Runaway French league leader Paris Saint-Germain will be without Lionel Messi and several other players who had the coronavirus for the trip to face LyonJANUARY 8, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lionel Messi to miss PSG vs Lyon as he continues COVID-19 recovery Lionel Messi will miss Paris Saint-Germain's trip to Lyon as he continues his recovery from COVID-19.Messi has returned to Paris from Argent...
JANUARY 8, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Misses training Friday Messi (COVID-19) has missed training Friday and is very doubtful for Sunday's match versus Lyon, L'Equipe reports.
Impact Messi returned Wednesday from Argentina after finally testing negative for COVID-19 but he's still on individual regimen missing second straight training session. The maestro was actually slightly symptomatic of the virus and couldn't stay active during the break and needs some time to regain his full fitness before stepping back to the pitch. With Angel Di Maria and Neymar also missing Mauro Icardi, Georginio Wijnaldum and Ander Herrera will likely take on offensive roles and take over set pieces.
JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
No Ronaldo as Salah joins Messi, Lewandowski for FIFA award
Cristiano Ronaldo has been left off the three-man shortlist for FIFA’s best player award for only the second time in 15 yearsJANUARY 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
