FIFA World Cup #On This Day in 2006, Leo Messi set up a goal and scored another on his FIFA World Cup debut. Messi's goal against Serbia and Montenegro, on 16 June 2006, at the age of 18 years and 358 days, made him the youngest-ever scorer for Argentina at a FIFA World Cup.
Messi's World Cup odyssey began at Germany 2006, when he made his debut aged 18 and 358 days as a substitute during Argentina's 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro.
The "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) in football is a subjective debate, but Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are overwhelmingly considered the top contenders, with Messi often edging out due with recent major wins like the 2022 World Cup, though Ronaldo's longevity and dominance in multiple leagues also make a strong case, with many legends and publications naming Messi as #1. Other historical greats like Pelé and Maradona are also part of the conversation.
Messi made his World Cup debut in 2006 at the age of 18 and experienced heartbreak after heartbreak, most notably in 2014, when Argentina lost in the final to Germany 1-0.
🗣️ "In fact, we contacted Messi at the end of his contract in Paris." "We presented him with an offer of 💲1.5 million euros, but the player rejected it because his family wanted to live in Miami." 🗣️ "It's surprising that a player could decline an offer for the sake of his family." He managed to convince his family, ...
Lionel Messi is significantly richer than Virat Kohli, with estimated net worths in late 2025 ranging from $650 million to $850 million compared to Kohli's roughly $127 million (₹1050 crore). Messi's wealth stems from massive football contracts, lucrative deals with brands like Adidas, and investments, while Kohli earns primarily from his BCCI/IPL contracts and major endorsements in India, but Messi's overall fortune dwarfs Kohli's.
While Lionel Messi hasn't made extensive public declarations specifically about LGBTQ+ rights, his actions and associations, like supporting inclusivity through his foundation and playing in leagues with anti-discrimination policies, suggest a general alignment with inclusive values, though some social media rumors about him refusing pro-LGBTQ+ ads are likely exaggerated or false, as he focuses on football, not being a symbol, according to a Facebook post.
Messi will score 900th goal in 2026. Can he reach 1,000? Can he pass Ronaldo? Lionel Messi is never far from breaking his next record or hitting his next landmark, and he enters 2026 on the verge of yet another massive milestone in his incredible career: his 900th goal.
At age 10–11, Messi was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD). According to his biographers (Guillem Balagué, Luca Caioli), at age 13, when he joined Barcelona, he was around 1.40m.
After an illustrious 23-year soccer career, Cristiano Ronaldo has cemented his legacy in the annals of the sport, etching his name alongside legendary clubs such as Manchester United and Real Madrid. He has achieved the status of one of the greatest scorers in history, prompting him to refer to himself as the GOAT.
15 Best Dribblers in World Soccer—Ranked
It's unlikely but possible for Lionel Messi to score 1000 career goals, requiring him to maintain a high scoring rate (around 36-37 goals/season) for his remaining years at Inter Miami, potentially until 2028, despite slowing down and focusing more on playmaking; factors like injury and focus shift towards life after football make it a challenging milestone to reach. He needs about 110-116 more goals, and while he's in good form, maintaining it past age 40 is a big ask, with some projections placing him in the 960-980 goal range by retirement.
In football (soccer), the 🐐 emoji stands for the "Greatest Of All Time," a term used to praise legendary players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, among others, for their unparalleled skill and impact on the sport, sparking ongoing debates about who truly deserves the title.
Ten years ago today, Lionel Messi helped himself to four goals against Espanyol, taking his league tally past 50. He would finish the domestic and European season with a combined 73. We relive the season he broke all records.
Lionel Messi: “Sometimes, I wish I was still 25 or 26, with my whole career ahead of me… But other times, I accept that it's over, it's in the past.” 💔⚽️ If Messi had retired at 25, he would still have: - 4 Ballon d'Ors - 2 Golden Boots - 3 Champions League titles - The most goals in a calendar year - The most assists ...
Ronaldo needs 47 to reach 1,000 career goals. With a recent average of around 45 goals a year and a role built for finishing, he is statistically well-placed to cross the mark if he stays on the pitch until 2027.
🐐 — 91 goals: Leo Messi alone in 2012 ✅ — 92 goals: Mbappe + Haaland in 2025 Despite their incredible form, Erling Haaland & Kylian Mbappé have combined for only one more goal in 2025 than Lionel Messi scored alone in 2012! 🥶 A reminder of how historic Messi's record breaking year truly was!
Cristiano Ronaldo after becoming the first player in history to score 800 club goals 🐐🥶
Cristiano Ronaldo has shared that he's been going to church, and it's amazing to witness. We're praying he truly encounters Jesus and chooses to walk with Him. There's a real shift happening right now, especially in football.
In October 2021, A-League Men player Josh Cavallo became the first openly gay active top flight footballer in the world. As of October 2025, Cavallo said that football remained "toxic" for gay players.
Societal acceptance is also very high. In a 2020 Pew Research Center poll, Argentina was ranked the South American country with the most positive societal attitudes towards homosexuality, with about three-quarters (76%) of those surveyed saying it should be accepted.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the first billionaire footballer. The valuation takes into account his career earnings, investments and endorsements - BBC.
The number 269 referred to Virat's cap number as he was the 269th player to represent India in Tests. Kohli, who admitted that it wasn't an easy call to make, turned up in 123 Tests for India, scoring 9230 runs with 30 hundreds at an average of 46.85.
1. Sachin Tendulkar net worth – richest cricketer in the world. Career summary: Known as the “God of Cricket,” Sachin Tendulkar remains the richest cricketer in the world in 2025. His estimated net worth is around $170 million (₹1,415 crore), built through decades of brand partnerships and investments.