Lionel Messi walked up the steps at the Maracana. It was at the end of 120 minutes of Sunday's gripping World Cup final and the Argentine was collecting a revered golden trophy, one befitting his status as the greatest player of his generation.
Lionel Messi fired Barcelona into the last 16 of the Champions League with two goals in their 3-0 victory at Spartak Moscow on Tuesday but holders Chelsea are walking a tightrope after a crushing defeat by Juventus.
Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is in line to become the first man to win the World Player of the Year award for the fourth time in a row after the shortlist for FIFA's Ballon d'Or was published on Monday.
Celtic's hopes of beating Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday could be decided at a maternity ward rather than in the intimidating atmosphere of Camp Nou, the home of the Catalan giants.
Barcelona and Real Madrid battle to a wild 2-2 draw - as do Messi and Ronaldo, who score the only goals in El Clasico.
Messi was elected "Champion of the Champions 2011" by French daily sports newspaper L'Equipe.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi took their La Liga goals tally this season to a record-breaking 41 each on Saturday.
MADRID - Cristiano Ronaldo scored a wonderful, backheeled goal while Lionel Messi hit the target with a deadly accurate freekick as Real Madrid and Barcelona emerged victorious from testing La Liga trips on Sunday.
Portugal superstar and captain Cristiano Ronaldo hit back at his critics on Wednesday after some fans chanted "Messi, Messi" in allusion to his being outscored in La Liga by Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
MADRID - Cristiano Ronaldo scored a wonderful, backheeled goal while Lionel Messi hit the target with a deadly accurate freekick as Real Madrid and Barcelona emerged victorious from testing La Liga trips on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Xavi are in the three-contender shortlist for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or Award, FIFA announced Monday at a press conference held at the headquarters of France Football magazine in Paris.
Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho would rather have team mate Cristiano Ronaldo in his side than Argentine great Lionel Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo at his thrilling best scored twice for Portugal as they reached the last eight with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands.
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