David Beckham’s arrival in Major League Soccer helped revive a dying league but Messi joining will increase its popularity in preparation for the World Cup in 2026
Our reporters choose their favourite memories from a frenetic few days in Qatar
When all is said and done, how many indelible memories will the desert cough up?
A few upsets and some Messi magic aside, the showcase has struggled to dazzle
The first round of games are done. Who stood out, who flopped and what to watch out for
Argentina, one of the tournament’s favourites, have been dealt a kind draw, but they cannot allow their 2018 dressing room politics to resurface
Longer-term effects of the virus are now being seen in the game, with one study suggesting even players’ passing quality can suffer.
A French defender’s rape allegations raise difficult ethical questions about whether and when clubs should suspend players
From Leo to Rassie to Mourinho, the art of the endorsement commercial is in laughably bad shape
The life of Diego Armando Maradona, who died this week, will always remind us that the smell of shit is as important as the perfume of flowers, writes Niren Tolsi
An untidy board room has prompted a transfer request from the little man
The Argentine legend has fallen out with the Catalan club’s hierarchy, which has alerted a number of sides in world football
The kingdom seeks to boost its economy – and reputation – by offering high rewards’ events
Cape Town-based radio technical producer Brett Kannemeyer only ever idolised one kind of motor vehicle — Ford
Messi will get another chance to break his tournament duck next year when the Copa America takes place in Argentina and Colombia
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will look to win his first piece of silverware with his country
The club could become the first in history to win the men’s and women’s highest European honours
Messi has shown many facets during his spell-binding career but in Barcelona’s win over Liverpool on Wednesday, the dominant one was of a leader
Van Dijk will come up against the five-time Ballon d’Or winner when Liverpool travel to Barcelona for their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday
The Argentine struck twice as the Blaugrana beat Man United 3-0 to end their quarterfinal drought
