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Every National teams story we publish, newest first.
Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires. He leaves with 208 international appearances, 125 goals and the 2022 World Cup that once seemed out of reach. Argentina now faces the challenge of building a new era without its greatest player.
Matt
·5 min read
South Korea captain Lee Gi-hyuk has apologised after celebrating too loudly that winning gold at the Asian Games frees him from mandatory military service. The Gangwon FC player held up his medal after beating Japan and told cameras he would not be going to the army. His comments upset fans who are serving or have served, and he later walked them back on social media.
InfoBlaugrana·5 min read
Benin visit Argentina in Buenos Aires on Tuesday for what will be Lionel Messi's final international match. The Cheetahs, used to living in the football shadow of neighbours Nigeria, step into the global spotlight at the Estadio Monumental. A young, disciplined squad faces the world champions with a chance to raise the profile of Beninese football.
InfoBlaugrana·6 min read
Belgium fell 4-1 to France in the Nations League and head coach Mark van Bommel admitted his side still needs time to compete on equal terms with Europe's elite. The Dutchman pointed to their progress and set the European Championship in two years as the real target for his team.
Javi·5 min read
France came from behind to thrash Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France and hand Zinedine Zidane his first home victory since taking charge. Michael Olise came off the bench to claim two goals and an assist in a stunning late surge. The win puts France three points clear at the top of Group A1.
varela·5 min read
England thrashed Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka with Jude Bellingham shining in a free role behind the striker. Assistant coach Anthony Barry says the new structure lets the team's best attackers play from intuition rather than being caged in fixed positions. England now face Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday.
Matt·6 min read
Harry Kane will match Peter Shilton's all-time England record of 125 caps if he features against the Czech Republic at Wembley in the Nations League. The captain already stands as his country's record scorer with 89 goals in 124 appearances and remains indispensable at 33. The milestone reignites the debate about his place alongside Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton among England's all-time greats.
Natilla·7 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Portugal's camp after being left out against Norway pushes his international career closer to the end. The rift with Jorge Jesus exposes an uncomfortable truth: the forward had been holding back a gifted generation that, without him, has now won every match in this window.
Javi·6 min read
Lionel Messi will play his last match for Argentina against Benin on October 6. The farewell comes after a golden era that included the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America. His legacy is no longer measured against Maradona: he built his own through titles and silence.
Matt·6 min read
Erling Haaland left the pitch in the 67th minute of Norway's defeat to Portugal after signalling that he needed to be replaced. Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said he had a heart-to-heart conversation with the forward about his workload before the match. The situation puts Manchester City on alert days before their visit to Anfield.
Javi·4 min read