Lionel Messi

Innings for the ages: Craig Overton leaves the field after his match-winning performance against Yorkshire in the Vitality Blast. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Plenty of progress for Yorkshire, but the hard part remains
LIKE the mosquito in the nudist colony, where do you start?

WORTHY WINNERS: Spain's Ferran Torres celebrates scoring the only goal of the 2026 World Cup final (Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)

World Cup final summed up the mix of good and bad at a memorable tournament

FOLLOW ME: Spain’s Ferran Torres celebrates scoring what proved to be the winning goal against Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. Picture: Nick Potts/PA.

Spain rewarded for 'going for it' as Argentina hit ground zero

FRUSTRATIONS: But too many of Thomas Tuchel's problems were of his own making (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

England World Cup comment: Difference-maker Tuchel delivers more of the same

TOUGH TO TAKE: England's Harry Kane shows his dejection following his team's 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta. Picture: Bradley Collyer/PA

England captain Kane admits tactics backfired

THE GREAT LEVELLER: England's Jude Bellingham (right) reacts after Argentina's Enzo Fernandez (not pictured) scored his side's equalising goal at the Atlanta Stadium. Picture: Bradley Collyer/PA

England's World Cup hopes over after Argentina comeback

CENTRE OF ATTENTION: Argentina's Lionel Messi (Image: Luke Hales/Getty Images)

World Cup: Stopping things getting Messi is a complicated task for England

LEGEND: Lionel Messi has eight goals at the World Cup (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The egos have landed – and the 2026 World Cup is better for it

GOOD START: But only in the knockout stages will Spain be put to some proper tests (Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)

Comment: World Cup ready to go up a gear now the best will face each other

Cape Verde's goalkeeper #01 Vozinha celebrates with his national flag at the end of the 2026 World Cup Group H football match between Spain and Cape Verde at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images)

World Cup: Superstars and shocks provide beguiling start to 48-team competition

Raphinha #11 of Brazil gives a thumbs up to fans after the training at Columbia Park Training Facility on June 3, 2026 in Morristown, New Jersey. (Picture: Ira L. Black/Getty Images)

World Cup: FIFA's greed should at least result in new heroes - Stuart Rayner

Messi 1v1 World Crown tournament arrived in the capital last weekend

Ellen White tips Michelle Agyemang to lead Lionesses to glory

Rodrigo Messi (top left) with Lionel Messi. Photo: Getty Images

I went to see Messi’s brother give a tech talk - and things got weird

Jay with his parents, Leigha and James Cartmell, on their wedding day.

Family pays tribute to boy who died after being shot in the head

The Penistone Agricultural Show 2024 hosted a huge array of livestock competitions, farm machinery, food demonstrations, handicraft, homecraft and horticulture competitions, craft stalls, music, bars, vintage vehicles, rural crafts, dog show, food stalls and trade stands.

The best pictures from Penistone Agricultural Show 2024

Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni (L) greets Canada's US coach Jesse Marsch (Picture: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Leeds United boss sees Copa America dream ended by Lionel Messi

Here are the world's richest footballers based on reported net worth.

The world's richest footballers and where Ronaldo, Salah and more rank

VAR VILLAIN: Darren England was in Stockley Park for the controversial Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool game the day after flying back from refereeing in the United Arab Emirates

Football obsessed with chasing more when it should be aiming for better

Leaked database reveals EA FC 24 player ratings

Leif Davis trained as part of the Leeds squad ahead of the 2022/23 season and even featured on the pre-season tour in Australia. Image: Bruce Rollinson

Ex-Leeds defender now in company of Lionel Messi and Kevin de Bruyne

35 points

How to watch Premier League football on Amazon Prime
All Premier League games across Boxing Day, December 27 and December 28 will be available to watch on Amazon Prime
Daniel Mcneil

The BBC SPOTY shortlist of six

Sports Personality of the Year 2022: This year's Spoty winners

EFFECTIVE: France looked much better for having old-fashioned No 9 Olivier Giroud leading their line in Qatar

What we learnt in Qatar: 'Tiki-taka' dying out but old-school No 9s are back

STARTING OUT: Emiliano Martinez - then known as Damian - playing for Sheffield Wednesday against Rochdale in 2014

From Millers to Messi: South Yorkshire's small parts in Emiliano Martinez's rise

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates in the penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Was Argentina v France the best World Cup final ever?

The Argentina goalkeeper will be remembered for his penalty heroics during the tournament but a vital save in the last minute of extra time ensured the game went to penalties. The former Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United goalkeeper also provided a key save in the last-16 tie against Argentina.

World Cup Team of the Tournament: England man makes the cut

Lionel Messi of Argentina is presented with a traditional robe by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, while Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, looks on during the awards ceremony after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France (Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

What was Lionel Messi wearing when he held aloft World Cup trophy for Argentina

CROWNING GLORY: Lionel Messi celebrates Argentina's World Cup win

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and 33 extras - Stuart Rayner World Cup comment

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates in the penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Messi's Argentina win epic World Cup final with France despite Mbappe hat-trick

Lionel Messi celebrates after their sides third goal by Julian Alvarez of Argentina helped knock out Croatia. (Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi v Kylian Mbappe - a World Cup final to relish - Stuart Rayner

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 13: Emiliano Martinez of Argentina celebrates the team's first goal scored by Lionel Messi during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Emi Martinez details 'hard road' to World Cup final

TEAM-MATES AND RIVALS: Paris Saint-Germain colleagues Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe go head to head when Argentina meet France in the World Cup final

Count your blessings as Messi and Mbappe go head to head - Stuart Rayner comment
No matter how it ends, seeing Lionel Messi play at a World Cup for the final time will bring more than a twinge of sadness. Really, the over-riding feeling should be gratitude.
Stuart Rayner

FIFA President Gianni Infantino gives a press conference Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha on December 16, 2022 (Picture: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Gianni Infantino's 'best ever World Cup boast' met with criticism

France's Antoine Griezmann (left) during a training session at Al Sadd SC Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Sickness bug spreads through France squad just days before World Cup final

TOGETHERNESS: Michael Duff has built a team spirit at Barnsley

Michael Duff puts Barnsley's consistency down to 'dirty work' and togetherness

France's forward #07 Antoine Griezmann gestures during the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco (Picture: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Who was the last team to win back-to-back World Cups

France's forward #12 Randal Kolo Muani (C) celebrates with teammates after he scored his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco (Picture: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Mbappe v Messi - France set up World Cup final with Argentina

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 08: Close up view of the World Cup 2018 Golden Boot awarded to Harry Kane of England before the UEFA Nations League A group four match between England and Spain at Wembley Stadium on September 8, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Golden Boot: How the award is decided if players finish level on goals

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi and Argentina's goalkeeper #23 Emiliano Martinez celebrate with the crowd after qualifying to the next round after defeating Netherlands in the penalty shoot-out of the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium, north of Doha, on December 9, 2022. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Is this Lionel Messi's last World Cup? When did Argentina last win it?

Argentina players including Nicolas Otamendi celebrate in front of the Netherlands players after winning the penalty shootout against the Netherlands in the World Cup quarter-final (Picture: Elsa/Getty Images)

Argentina - you either love them for Messi or loathe them for their nasty antics

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 09: Emiliano Martinez of Argentina celebrates after the win in the penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 09, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United man is the hero for Argentina

Who is playing at the World Cup today and how to watch

Richarlison celebrates after Lucas Paqueta of Brazil (not pictured) scored their sides fourth goal against South Korea. (Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

World Cup Power Rankings - Where do England sit alongside last eight rivals

AL KHOR, QATAR - DECEMBER 04: Harry Maguire of England thanks the support after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between England and Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Ranked! The best 19 players at the 2022 World Cup so far

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 04: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates after scoring the team's third goal in the second half against Poland during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between France and Poland at Al Thumama Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

World Cup Golden Ball: Who is leading race to be crowned best player in Qatar

Who is playing at the World Cup today?

Middlesbrough and Australia midfielder Riley McGree. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

World Cup: Middlesbrough FC midfielder's message to Lionel Messi's Argentina

FADING FORCE: Gareth Bale (left, with Aaron Ramsey) after failing to lead Wales into the World Cup group stages

Bale, Ronaldo, Messi and co have earned right to play as long as they want

England boss Gareth Southgate has not ruled out his team making a gesture ahead of their game with the US to highlight human rights concerns, but said they will not be pressured into doing so.

FIFA World Cup 2022: Qatar schedule for Friday including England

Bruno Guimarães will feature for Brazil in Qatar (Photo by Javier Mamani/Getty Images)

FIFA World Cup 2022: Qatar schedule for Thursday including Brazil

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - NOVEMBER 22: Lionel Messi of Argentina looks dejected following their side's defeat in 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. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

World Cup: Lionel Messi's Argentina story means that Saturday is box-office

The perfect World Cup player including Pele, Messi, Ronaldo and Zidane

WINNERS: France celebrate with the trophy after winning the FIFA World Cup Final in 2018. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Sunday, almost 12 years after the Gulf state was chosen to host the tournament. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA.

World Cup Qatar 2022: The numbers game

DON'T PANIC: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is urging his players not to worry about occasional dips in form, saying it happens to the best around, too. Picture: Nick Potts/PA

Champions League: How Liverpool and Spurs hope to turn form around in Europe

Top 15 fastest players on FIFA 23 revealed

Cristiano Ronaldo’s FIFA 23 Ultimate Team rating has been announced

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ratings revealed on FIFA 23

World Cup 2022: completing sticker album could cost more than £850

NOMINEE: Beth Mead is on the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or Feminin. Picture: PA Wire.

Ballon d’Or: Beth Mead and Millie Bright nominated as Lionel Messi misses out

Stuart Rayner on Football.

Vigilance needed to ensure that we keep football drugs-free - Stuart Rayner

Former Australia cricketer Shane Warne has died at the age of 52, his management company MPC Entertainment has announced in a statement (Picture: David Jones/PA Wire)

Shane Warne dies: Brilliant genius who changed cricket forever

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