Lionel Messi's record $20.45 million annual salary from Inter Miami makes him by far the best paid player in Major League Soccer but also puts him ahead of the entire squads of 25 of the league's clubs, according to data released by the MLS Players Association on Thursday.

World champions Argentina maintained their position at the top of FIFA rankings, while arch-rivals Brazil were stationed at fifth and Belgium displacing England to occupy third place, as per the rankings updated on Thursday.

Al-Hilal president Fahd Bin Nafel refused to comment on the possibility of signing Lionel Messi, insisting his Saudi Arabian side is "more important than just one player", as fans clamour for the World Cup winner.

Two people on motorcycles shot at a supermarket belonging to the family of Antonela Roccuzzo, wife of Lionel Messi, in Rosario, in Argentina's Santa Fe province early on Thursday morning, local media and the city's mayor reported.

The 35-year-old forward scored two goals in the final against France, with the South Americans emerging triumphant on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra time in Qatar

Argentina featured heavily in shortlists for FIFA's Best awards following their World Cup triumph, with forwards Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and coach Lionel Scaloni receiving nominations in their categories.

Lionel Messi flaunted the World Cup trophy to former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez after Argentina's triumph over France in the final.

Argentina star Lionel Messi on Sunday vowed to continue playing for his country despite realising his lifetime ambition of winning the World Cup.

Finally, Leo Messi, and how you deserved it. From all the way back in 2006, when you made your World Cup debut, until now.

Arsene Wenger has praised "leader of the orchestra" Lionel Messi as the Argentine great bids to inspire his team to glory in Sunday's World Cup final against defending champions France.

Lionel Messi, playing his last ever World Cup match is an everlasting inspiration with how he overcame repeated heartbreaks and obstacles to take the Argentine team to the path of their recent success. If there is one thing that we can learn from Messi, it is to tackle challenges head-on and come out as victors. His redemption story with the national team is a basis of how there is always a stage for a resurgence after you have been down with failures.

Sergio Aguero will lodge with Argentina captain Lionel Messi ahead of their World Cup final against France on Sunday.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was guarded about whether Angel di Maria would be available for Friday's World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands but said on Thrusday that every player who took the field would be fit.

Lionel Messi’s life and career have an array of valuable lessons for all of us. His quotes reflect being humble, being unfazed by failure, and above all, knowing the true values of humanity. These beliefs are not unique to a sport but to life. Some people believe Lionel Messi, the Argentine footballer, is one of the greatest players of all time, if not the greatest player ever to grace the football field. The Argentine footballer did not come to his stardom easily. He started from a place of poverty and worked his way up using every opportunity that came his way.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni promised his team would play out of their skins in thier last-16 clash against Australia to ensure there are no more surprises at the tournament.

Argentina star Lionel Messi is football's answer to skiing great Alberto Tomba, Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz said on Tuesday.

Failing the expectations of the fans, World Cup favourites Argentina lost the first match of their World Cup campaign, being beaten by Saudi Arabia 2-1. This loss has caused fans of the team to worry, with many questioning the performance of the team captain, Lionel Messi, on social media.