messi Archives - Wontumi Online

20 Nov

Messi to work under new manager as Tata Martino quits Inter Miami

Evans ManassehSportsInter Miami, manager, messi, Tata Martino

Lionel Messi will work under a new manager next year, after Gerardo “Tata” Martino left his post as head coach of Inter Miami CF. ESPN reports that Martino quit for personal reasons, with one year left on his contract. The former Barcelona and Mexico coach is expected to speak with the media on Friday. The press conference will also be attended by co-owner Jorge Mas and president of football operations Raúl Sanllehi. Martino leaves just weeks after Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated from the first round of the MLS playoffs, following a defeat to No. 9 seed Atlanta United…

01 Nov

Maradona or Messi: Francesco Totti picks best player

Evans ManassehSportsFrancesco Totti, Maradona, messi

AS Roma legend, Francesco Totti has chosen late Diego Maradona ahead of Lionel Messi. The former Italy international also chose Maradona ahead of himself. Maradona is widely considered by many as the greatest footballer of all-time. The Napoli legend helped Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup. However, when Messi first broke into the Argentina team, he was hailed as the heir to Maradona’s throne in world football. The Inter Miami forward fulfilled that prophecy in December 2022 as he also helped La Albiceleste to win another FIFA World Cup. However, when recently asked to choose between Maradona and Messi,…

01 Nov

Iker Casillas chooses best player between Messi, Ronaldo

Evans ManassehSportsIker Casillas, messi, Ronaldo

Real Madrid legend, Iker Casillas has made known his choice of those he believes are better footballers. The legendary goalkeeper had to choose between Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and other superstars to pick his combined El Clasico XI. Casillas himself is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Real Madrid’s history. Casillas made his debut for Real Madrid in 1999 and went on to play a whopping 725 games for Los Blancos, keeping 264 clean sheets across competitions. He won three Champions Leagues, five LaLigas, one FIFA Club World Cup, two UEFA Super Cups, and many other accolades…

14 Aug

‘You Stole It From Me’ – Mikel Obi On What He Told Messi After Losing U-20 World Cup

Wontumi1Sportsmessi, Mikel Obi, U-20 World Cup

Former Nigerian footballer Mikel Obi has shared a conversation he had with Lionel Messi after losing the U-20 World Cup in 2005. Obi mentioned that he performed excellently throughout the tournament and was hopeful of winning an individual award despite losing the final to Argentina. After Messi was awarded the Golden Ball, Obi felt disappointed and approached him to question the accolade. The former Chelsea midfielder recounted accusing Messi of stealing the award, believing he deserved it more. “When we lost against Argentina in the U-20 World Cup, Messi won the Golden Ball and I won the Silver Ball. At…

26 Feb

Joseph Paintsil’s MLS Debut Eclipsed By Messi’s Late Goal

Wontumi1SportsJoseph Paintsil, messi

Joseph Paintsil, a Ghanaian football winger who recently joined Los Angeles Galaxy from KRC Genk in Belgium, made his debut for the team in the opening game of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season against Inter Miami. Although the game ended in a 1-1 draw, Paintsil's performance was impressive. He played for 86 minutes, completing 19 of 21 passes, including two key passes, and creating a big chance in the match. Paintsil attempted seven shots, with two on target, four off target, and one blocked. In addition, he won nine of 15 ground duels and successfully completed three of eight…

05 Feb

Eden Hazard Says Messi Is The Best But Belgian Insists He Was Better Than Ronaldo

Wontumi1SportsCHRISTIANO RONALDO, messi

Former Chelsea legend Eden Hazard, who retired from professional football in October 2023, shared his thoughts on the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, asserting his superiority to Ronaldo in 'pure football' terms. In an interview with L'Equipe, Hazard acknowledged Messi as potentially the only player better than himself, praising the Argentine's unparalleled ball control. When it came to Ronaldo, Hazard conceded that while the Portuguese star may be a 'bigger' player, he believes he surpasses Ronaldo in terms of pure football. Hazard also mentioned Neymar as a player on par with him. While recognizing Ronaldo's stature, Hazard emphasized…

30 Nov

Stop making stuff up – Garnacho’s brother slams Ferdinand over comment on Man Utd forward, Messi

Evans ManassehSportsFerdinand, Garnacho, Man Utd forward, messi

Roberto, the brother of Alejandro Garnacho, has hit out at Rio Ferdinand’s claim that Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi unfollowed the Manchester United forward because of his admiration of Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Ferdinand had recently claimed that Messi unfollowed Garnacho on Instagram once he learned he was a Ronaldo fan. The former England international had said this on his Vibe with FIVE podcast . However, Roberto has now rubbished Ferdinand’s claim, insisting that Messi never followed Garnacho. He said that Ferdinand should stop making stuff up. He wrote on X: “Fake , Messi never followed him, stop making stuff up just…

22 Nov

South America WC Qualifiers: “It Could Have Been A Tragedy” – Messi On Police-Fans Clash

Wontumi1Sports2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, messi, south America

Argentina’s Lionel Messi believes there “could have been a tragedy” during the crowd trouble that delayed Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Brazil. Police charged away fans after scuffles before kick-off in a section of the Maracana Stadium Messi says contained players’ friends and family. Messi and the Argentina players went over to try and calm the situation before returning to the dressing room. “It was bad because we saw how they were beating people,” said Messi, 36. “The police, as happened in the Libertadores final, were once again repressing the people with nightsticks. “We went to the locker room because…

19 Oct

Rodri names favourite to win Ballon d’Or this year

Evans ManassehSportsmessi

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has named Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi as the frontrunner for this year’s Ballon d’Or award. Messi, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe are among the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or this year. The winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or will be announced later this month. “Who’s going to win the Ballon d’Or? For me, I think Lionel Messi is going to win it,” Rodri said (as per El Partidazo de COPE vía AlbicelesteTalk). Messi emerged as a strong contender for a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or this year after leading Argentina to the…

18 Oct

Lionel Messi Becomes Conmebol WC Qualifiers All-Time Leading Scorer

Wontumi1SportsHighest scorer, messi

Lionel Messi proved to be back to his old self with two first-half goals that have Argentina up 2-0 against Peru in the Conmebol 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Inter Miami striker also passed his fellow countryman, Luis Suarez, as the all-time leading scorer in Conmebol WC qualifiers with 30 goals. While there was doubt that the Inter Miami striker would be featured in the starting lineup, Messi confirmed he is healthy and up to old tricks by scoring two amazing goals against Peru. Messi’s first goal arrived in the 32nd minute via a shot to the right-hand corner of…