Sports Desk: Lionel Messi has dazzled the football world countless times with the magic of his feet. But on a memorable final night at Inter Miami’s home ground, fans witnessed a different side of the Argentine superstar. This time, Messi found the net with a header, reaching his 100th goal in an Inter Miami shirt. Casemiro later doubled the lead with another header as Miami defeated Mexico’s Cruz Azul 2-0 to lift the Campeones Cup.

Inter Miami started the match on the front foot in front of their home fans. In the 24th minute, Messi headed home a superb cross from Luis Suárez. The goal not only put Miami ahead but also marked a significant personal milestone for the Argentine. It was his 100th goal for the club. The 39-year-old reached the century mark in just 114 appearances for Inter Miami. It is the fastest 100-goal milestone of his career for any club.

Messi appeared to have scored again in the final. In the 55th minute, he sent the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net from a Suárez pass. However, the goal was ruled out for offside. Miami’s momentum did not suffer, and in the 81st minute, Casemiro headed home from Messi’s corner. The former Brazil captain produced a precise finish to make it 2-0, and that scoreline ultimately secured the trophy for Miami.

The understanding between Messi and Casemiro has become increasingly familiar at Inter Miami. Messi has provided three of Casemiro’s four goals for the club, and their combination once again produced a crucial goal in the final.

Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair also played a major role in the victory. He made four crucial saves to deny Cruz Azul and keep a clean sheet. As a result, the night of Messi’s 100th goal ended with Inter Miami celebrating another international trophy. The Campeones Cup has been held since 2018, bringing together the champions of Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX. This time, Inter Miami lifted the trophy on home soil.

Sports Desk: Football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the announcement of this year’s Ballon d’Or winner, with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal among the names being widely discussed as favorites. However, former England football legend David Beckham believes the prestigious award should go to Lionel Messi.

On Thursday (September 17), Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul in the final of the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup to lift the trophy. Messi played a direct role in both of Inter Miami’s goals. He scored the opening goal himself before setting up the second, which Casemiro headed into the net.

Speaking to Apple TV, Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said, “After seeing his performance tonight and the way he played at the World Cup, it’s fair to say that being in the Ballon d’Or conversation again is no fluke. He was one of the best players in the tournament, and he has had an incredible year.”

Beckham added, “To go to a World Cup at 39 and have such an impact in every game is something special. Nobody else is playing football at this level at that age. So I think it’s absolutely reasonable to consider him for the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he should win it. There are great players on the list, like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, but when it comes to Leo, I will always be one of his biggest supporters.”

Messi’s influence at Inter Miami has also been significant over the past year. Last season, he played a key role in helping the club win its first MLS Cup. He also helped Argentina reach the World Cup final for a second consecutive time. Messi became the first player in history to start in three World Cup finals. He also produced an impressive campaign at the World Cup, scoring eight goals and providing four assists

BUENOS AIRES — Argentina captain Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing a definitive close to a legendary 21-year career with La Albiceleste. The 39-year-old icon shared the emotional news via social media, revealing that he originally penned his farewell letter on July 21—just two days after Argentina’s heartbreaking 1–0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. While he initially contemplated making the announcement then, he delayed the public statement following the passing of his father, Jorge Messi, in August.

“After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team,” Messi wrote. “It was a decision that hurt—and still hurts deep down—but I understand that the time has come. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”

A Storied Legacy of Redemption and Glory

Messi walks away as a national hero and the heartbeat of modern Argentine football. After years of near-misses and heavy scrutiny early in his career—which famously included a brief, short-lived international retirement in 2016—Messi authored one of the greatest redemption arcs in sports history.

He finishes his international career holding virtually every major record for his country, racking up 125 goals in 207 record-breaking appearances. His major trophy haul includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup, back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and an Olympic gold medal in 2008.

His crowning achievement came in Qatar in 2022, when he dragged Argentina to global glory, cementing his status alongside Diego Maradona. Even in his final international tournament this past summer, Messi dazzled with eight goals and four assists, guiding the defending champions all the way to the World Cup final before falling narrowly to Spain.

“Now I’ll Be One of You”

In his farewell message, Messi expressed profound gratitude to the fans, his family, and his teammates who shared the journey with him.

“Thank you for all the love during these 20 years. I’m going to miss hearing you from the inside,” Messi said. “Now I’ll be one of you, always supporting from the outside, in the good times and even more in the bad ones. … Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. Vamos Argentina!”

With his international chapter officially closed, Messi will turn his full focus toward his club career with Inter Miami in MLS, leaving the football world to reflect on the departure of one of the greatest artists the sport has ever seen.

News Desk: Time seems to stand still on the football pitch whenever Lionel Messi touches the ball. On April 1, 2026, while playing for the Argentina national team in a 5–0 victory over Zambia, Messi scored a goal that was far more than just a point on the scoreboard. It was his 902nd official career goal — counting his achievements for both club and country — a milestone that marks the journey of a true legend.

This goal reflects the entirety of his remarkable career. From lighting up stadiums with FC Barcelona, creating new history with Paris Saint-Germain, to writing fresh chapters at Inter Miami, Messi’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary. With 116 goals for Argentina and countless more for his clubs, each goal represents his relentless hard work, unwavering determination, and pure love for football.

Messi’s 902nd goal is not just a number; it is a timeless mark in football history. Every shot, every pass, every finish showcases his flawless skill and strategic genius. For millions of football fans worldwide, this moment is a source of inspiration — proof that passion and perseverance create the extraordinary.

With this achievement, Messi joins the elite 900+ goals club, cementing his place among football’s all-time greats. Every goal carries his dreams, every victory carries the fire in his heart. Messi isn’t just scoring; he is weaving magic across the pitch, leaving an indelible legacy and inspiring generations of players to come.

Desk Report: Four-time world champions Italy have failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, crashing out after a defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoff final. Italy made a strong start to the match, taking the lead through Moise Kean. However, their momentum was disrupted when defender Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the first half, reducing the team to 10 men. Bosnia equalized later through Haris Tabaković, bringing the game level.

With the match ending 1–1 after regulation and extra time, the outcome was decided by a penalty shootout. Italy suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat, missing two of their penalties, while Bosnia converted all of theirs.

This loss marks Italy’s third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup (2018, 2022, and 2026), a significant setback for one of football’s most historic teams. Head coach Gennaro Gattuso expressed regret over the result and apologized to fans, stating that although the team gave their best effort, they ultimately fell short.Once a dominant force in world football, Italy has now endured a prolonged period of decline, having not appeared in a World Cup since 2014.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called on athletes not to be affiliated with any political party or group during professional sports tenure, saying rather they should represent the country through sporting excellence. “In your (sports persons) professional sports career, you should not get involved with any political party or group, rather represent the country through your sporting excellence,” he said.

The prime minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the sports card and allowance distribution programme at his office here this morning. Tarique Rahman also urged the sports persons to lead Bangladesh to a higher position in the global sports arena by winning games at home and abroad. “I believe that if you have patriotism, a strong will, and team spirit, no one can stand in your way of successful progress,” he said.

The premier said that sports is no longer just a matter of hobby, entertainment, or physical exercise, but is now recognized as a profession worldwide. “Bangladesh will also not lag behind. Before the 2026 national election, we pledged in our party manifesto that if the BNP gets the opportunity to run the state through people’s mandate, we would establish sports as a profession. The implementation phase of that promise formally began today,” he added.

Noting that defeat does not mean losing, but is part of victory, Tarique Rahman quoted Albert Einstein as saying: “A person who has never been defeated has never done anything”.

He said the government has started implementing a plan to bring sportspersons under a structured salary framework based on a specific policy so that they can pursue sports professionally without financial uncertainty for themselves and their families.

“For the first time in the country’s history, athletes are being brought under a salary structure and provided with sports allowances,” the premier said.

Highlighting the government’s other initiatives to improve the living standards of the countrymen, he said his government has already introduced Family Card, honorarium allowances for imams, khatibs and religious leaders of other faiths, and a nationwide canal excavation programme.

The prime minister also said that the government is set to launch the ‘Farmers Card’ programme on April 14 from Tangail district. Stating that the government is implementing its commitments step by step, he said, “As part of that continuity, the ‘Sports Card’ has been launched today”.

Tarique Rahman said physically challenged individuals who are capable of contributing to sports will also receive sports cards. Under the theme “Sports for All”, he said the government has taken all initiatives to ensure facilities for underprivileged groups and persons with special needs, who want to participate in sports, both at home and abroad.

Highlighting the government’s plans, the premier said a wide range of programmes has been undertaken to establish sports as a profession. Noting that cricket and football are currently the most popular sports in the country, he said apart from these, there are many other sports like archery, boxing, yoga, gymnastics, carrom, weightlifting, wushu, swimming, para swimming, athletics, para athletics, karate, sepak takraw, table tennis, kabaddi, volleyball, wheelchair basketball, bridge, futsal and badminton.

“If these sports are supported by the government and private sector, those also can bring honor to the country,” he said. Tarique Rahman also mentioned that Bangladesh recently became champions in SAFF women’s futsal for the first time. He said the government has started implementing short, medium, and long-term plans to develop sports as profession. A plan has been taken to make sports compulsory from grade four in the education curriculum to ensure involvement of interested students in sports along with their studies, the premier added.

“We want our children to become interested and skilled in sports alongside their studies,” he said, adding that the Education Ministry has already begun revising the curriculum accordingly. Stating that ‘Notun Kuri Sports’, a talent hunt programme, is going to be launched nationwide in a new format, the prime minister said, “In independent Bangladesh, ‘Notun Kuri’ was initiated in 1976 to find out talented children and adolescents in different fields,”.

Although this popular programme of Bangladesh Television (BTV) was closed for many years at one point, the programme has now been re-launched on BTV, he said. ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ is going to be launched nationwide from Sylhet on April 30 to find sports talent among children and adolescents in a different way, he added.

Earlier, the premier inaugurated the sports card and allowance programmes around 10:30am. He launched the allowance programme by pressing a button on a laptop when an amount of Taka 100,000 was instantly transferred to each athlete’s accounts through Sonali Bank’s online system.

On the occasion, Tarique Rahman handed over sports cards to 129 athletes and honoured athletes who achieved success at the international level. LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir spoke at the function as the guest of honour with State Minister for Sports and Youth Md Aminul Haque in the chair. Sports and Youth Secretary Md Mahbub-Ul-Alam delivered the welcome address.

Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, Land Minister Md Mizanur Rahman Minu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Adviser Md Ismail Zabiullah, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Abdus Salam and BNP Vice Chairman Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon were present on the occasion, among others. After the inaugural ceremony, the prime minister took part in a photo session with the athletes outside the Shapla Hall.

New York: The 2026 FIFA World Cup, widely regarded as the largest sporting event in human history, is set to kick off on June 11, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking a historic expansion of the global football spectacle. The tournament will run through July 19 and, for the first time, will feature 48 teams instead of the traditional 32, ushering in a new era for international football.

Under the revamped format, the 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to a newly introduced Round of 32. As a result, the total number of matches will rise from 64 to 104, played over a span of 39 days, making this the longest and most extensive World Cup ever.

The opening match will take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where hosts Mexico will face South Africa. Canada will begin its campaign on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto, while the United States will also play its opening match the same day at SoFi Stadium in California. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will be temporarily branded as the “New York/New Jersey Stadium” for the duration of the tournament.

A total of 16 host cities have been selected and divided into three geographic regions across North America. Matches in the western region will take place in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, while the central region includes Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, and Kansas City. The eastern region will host games in Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, and the New York/New Jersey area. Among the venues, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will host the most matches, with nine games scheduled, while MetLife Stadium will host eight matches, including the final.

The United States will host the majority of the tournament, with 78 matches, including all games from the quarterfinal stage onward. Canada and Mexico will each host 13 matches. The knockout phase will begin with the Round of 32 on June 28, followed by the Round of 16 from July 4–6, quarterfinals from July 9–11, semifinals on July 14–15, the third-place match on July 18, and the final on July 19.

The group stage draw for the tournament took place on December 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C., setting the stage for several high-profile matchups. Among the notable fixtures, Spain will face Cape Verde on June 15, Argentina will begin its campaign against Algeria on June 16, and England will take on Croatia on June 17. Other anticipated clashes include Belgium versus Iran on June 21 and Brazil against Scotland on June 24 in Miami. The United States will open its tournament against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium.

As host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico automatically qualify for the tournament. They will be joined by a diverse lineup of teams from across the globe, including leading football nations from Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, making it one of the most internationally representative tournaments ever.

This edition will be historic not only for its expanded format but also for being the first World Cup jointly hosted by three countries and the first ever to take place in Canada. North America has previously hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986 in Mexico and in 1994 in the United States, but never on this scale.

With 16 cities, 104 matches, and some of the world’s most advanced stadiums, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the most ambitious and spectacular edition in the tournament’s 96-year history. For football fans in the New York region and beyond, the chance to witness the final at MetLife Stadium, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, represents a rare and historic opportunity. The countdown to kickoff has officially begun.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said that alongside the iconic children’s talent hunt programme ‘Notun Kuri’, his government is now planning to introduce another nationwide programme named ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ aimed at hunting new talents in the sports arena.

“As you know, we pledged in our party’s election manifesto that we want to create new players for various sports in Bangladesh’s sports arena and to give the sports a professional shape,” he said.

“Therefore, alongside the “Notun Kuri” programme, we have decided to introduce ‘Notun Kuri Sports’. We have a plan to introduce interclass sports competition in every school in every district, upazila, and union level,” the premier added.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, made the remarks while distributing prize of a friendly football match at the national stadium here this afternoon. Bangladesh Football Federation organized the match on the occasion of the Independence and National Day. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the match and along with his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman enjoyed the game.

The premier greeted everyone on the occasion of Independence and National Day. Noting that the government has a goal to ensure that Bangladesh can bring more honor in international sports forums, he said his government has a plan and effort to develop skilled players so that the country can achieve better results in international competitions.

On the occasion of Independence Day, Tarique Rahman called upon everyone, especially those who are directly or indirectly involved in sports, to take a collective decision and work together to develop the sports sector.

He said that efforts should be made to build the sports sector of Bangladesh in a beautiful and inclusive manner, beyond difference of party or opinion. “I believe that sports have the ability to create bonds of friendship and brotherhood among us, just as it can bring honour for the country,” the Prime Minister said.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku, State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division and Railways Ministry Habibur Rashid, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque, Dhaka City South BNP Convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman were present at the function.

YouTube has signed a new global partnership with FIFA that will position the platform as a preferred digital destination for content tied to the upcoming World Cup. The agreement is designed to expand how fans access tournament content across TV, mobile devices and social video formats, bringing official footage, archival material and creator-led coverage together on the platform.

“By spotlighting FIFA’s premium content and unlocking new opportunities for media partners and creators, this agreement will engage global fans in ways never seen before,” said FIFA secretary general, Mattias Grafström.

Under the deal, FIFA will release portions of its digital archive on its official YouTube channel, including full-length matches and historic moments from previous World Cups. The move is intended to build anticipation ahead of the event while giving fans access to decades of tournament footage.

The partnership also introduces new distribution opportunities for official broadcast rights holders. Media partners—including Bell Media in Canada—will be able to publish extended highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, Shorts and on-demand video on their own YouTube channels, with monetization options tied to the platform’s advertising ecosystem.

Live sports has traditionally been a safeguard against the steady flow of advertising dollars from traditional broadcasters to the digital giants, but short-form sports content on channels like YouTube and Tiktok is gaining in popularity, with fans, particularly Gen Z, increasingly consuming highlight clips online rather than watching full matches. FIFA’s official YouTube channel has 24.7 million subscribers and more than 12,000 videos.

For the first time in the competition’s history, participating broadcasters will also have the option to live stream the opening 10 minutes of every match on YouTube, offering fans a preview of the action while directing viewers to full broadcasts on their primary platforms. A limited number of full matches may also be streamed directly on YouTube as part of the agreement.

The initiative also places creators at the centre of tournament coverage. A global group of yet-to-be-announced YouTube creators will receive access to matches, players and other behind-the-scenes moments, producing commentary, tactical analysis and storytelling content designed for digital audiences.

“As the world’s attention turns to the action in Canada, Mexico and the United States, this collaboration with YouTube reinforces our ambition to maximize the tournament’s impact across the ever-evolving media landscape, offering fans everywhere easy access to an immersive view of the biggest single-sport event in history,” Grafström said.

The YouTube partnership follows FIFA’s partnership with TikTok, also as a preferred platform. TikTok will have access to new original content that will bring the World Cup to life beyond90-minute matches, including curated clips, and special World Cup content. A creator program will give “a select group of global TikTok creators” access to behind-the-scenes moments like press conferences and training sessions, while a larger group will be given new access to FIFA archival footage.

The collaboration signals FIFA’s broader strategy to extend the tournament’s footprint beyond traditional broadcast. For YouTube, the deal reinforces the platform’s growing role as a distribution hub for live sports and sports-adjacent content, particularly around major global events.

“Whether you’re a hardcore or a casual fan, this partnership will help usher in the next generation of fans while showcasing that no other platform unites the world around major moments like YouTube,” said Justin Connolly, vice-president and global head of media and sports at YouTube.

Sri Lanka chased down a daunting target of 170 with six wickets in hand to knock Afghanistan out of the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Sri Lanka wrapped up their Group B fixtures unbeaten, with the former champions getting home with eight deliveries to spare. Having topped the group, Sri Lanka marched into the second round, with Bangladesh joining them as the other qualifier.

It was quick Nuwan Thushara who set the tone, rattling through the Afghan top order with four wickets. Then it was wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis who stole the limelight in the chase, crafting an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls with 10 boundaries.

Opening the innings, Mendis dropped anchor against Afghanistan’s much-vaunted four-pronged spin attack. He later shifted gears in a blistering 52-run stand off just 23 balls for the fifth wicket with his namesake Kamindu Mendis. Sri Lanka had their noses in front from the moment Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Thushara struck twice in his second over, eventually finishing with four for 18.

At 137 for seven heading into the final over, Afghanistan looked dead and buried, but veteran Mohammad Nabi turned the script on its head. The all-rounder bludgeoned 32 runs off the last over, lifting his side to a fighting 169 for eight.

Dunith Wellalage, playing his first T20 since November 2024, dropped Nabi on five, a mistake that cost dearly. Thrown the ball for the final over, the left-arm spinner was carted for five sixes, conceding the second-most expensive over by a Sri Lankan in T20 history. Nabi finished with a whirlwind 60 off 22 balls, peppered with three fours and six sixes, his half-century equalling the record for the quickest by an Afghan batter.