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Defector

Billy Haisley

Lionel Messi watches players of Spain receiving the medals following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina

Soccer

What Messi Means

Lionel Messi of Argentina weaves around Elliot Anderson, Anthony Gordon and Jude Bellingham of England during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina

The World Cup Is About Great Players And Nothing Else

Luis Paez-Pumar

Lautaro Martinez #22 of Argentina celebrates with Lionel Messi #10 after scoring the team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

You Have To Kill Argentina Dead

Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after the 3-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Lionel Messi Refuses To Let Time Win

Norway's forward #09 Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between Norway and Senegal at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 22, 2026.

The Golden Boot Race Has Already Gotten Ridiculous

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria.

Lionel Messi Falls To Earth, Ascends Right Back Into The Sky

Lionel Messi (right, Argentina) is embraced by Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) after scoring his second goal to make it 2-0.

Even At The End, Lionel Messi Is Just Getting Started

Lionel Messi of Argentina shows off the FIFA World Cup Trophy to fans while he is carried around the pitch on the shoulders of former teammate Sergio Aguero after the team's victory during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Argentina Is Cool, Calm, Collected, And Ready To Repeat As World Champs

Tom Ley

Chicago Fire fans celebrate from the stands at SeatGeek Stadium on June 6, 2023 in Bridgeview, Illinois.

Chicago Fire Tries Bribing Fans To Attend Game Messi Might Not Play In

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi and NY Red Bulls' Colombian defender #04 Andres Reyes (R) vie for the ball during the Major League Soccer 2023 match between Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls at the Red Bull arena in Harrison, New Jersey, August 26, 2023.

Everyone Wants To Watch Lionel Messi


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: A fan holds a sign in the stands during the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August 15, 2023 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Messi Was The Attraction, But The Philadelphia Union Were The Story

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami hoist the trophy with his teammates after defeating the Nashville SC to win the Leagues Cup 2023 final match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on August 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Lionel Messi Shared The Spotlight

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half during the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August 15, 2023 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

A Little Messi Goes A Long Way

Leo Messi control ball in the first half time at Toyota Stadium on August 6, 2023 in Frisco, Texas.

Lionel Messi Has Earned His American Victory Lap

Samer Kalaf

Karim Benzema at his signing with Al Ittihad

Saudi Arabia’s Plan Is To Make A Better Version Of MLS

Albert Burneko

Lionel Messi Chooses Inter Miami

La Liga

Barcelona’s Pursuit Of Lionel Messi Is A Degrading Farce

Leo Messi of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Lorient at Parc des Princes on April 30, 2023 in Paris, France.

Lionel Messi’s PSG Vacation Has Fallen Apart

Ray Ratto

To Think Of Soccer Is To Think Of Pelé

Lionel Messi right winger of Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain with the World Cup trophy after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

The World Cup Belongs To The Dreamers

Lionel Messi of Argentina poses with his Golden ball award following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Lionel Messi Is Done Chasing Ghosts

Lionel Messi, Captain of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Trophy following his team's victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Argentina Went To Hell And Back To Win The World Cup

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi outpasses Croatia's defender #20 Josko Gvardiol during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022.

Lionel Messi Makes The Difference

09 December 2022, Qatar, Lusail: Soccer, World Cup, Netherlands - Argentina, final round, quarterfinal, Lusail Stadium, Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez cheers with teammates after winning the penalty shootout.

Emi Martínez Saved Argentina From Itself

Julian Alvarez of Argentina celebrates with Enzo Fernandez after scoring their team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 on November 30, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Lionel Messi