Lionel Messi picked up a groin injury in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Brazil on Tuesday evening in what was his final match of the 2023 calendar year. The Argentina captain was substituted in the 78th minute of play as a result.

“I felt discomfort in my adductor,” Messi explained. “It was my last game of the year, so I have time to get well to start 2024 giving everything.” According to the forward, the delay at the start of the match due to clashes between fans and police had a detrimental effect on his groin as it gave his body time to cool down in the locker room.

Messi has struggled with injuries throughout the past season, missing five MLS matches due to a hamstring injury. Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Peru last Thursday was his first full match since returning from injury on October 7. With their victory over Brazil, Argentina remains on top of the COMNEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier standings.

The post Messi Suffers Groin Injury in World Cup Qualifier appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties following a tense 3-3 draw to lift the 2022 World Cup trophy at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Sunday night. This marks the South American nation’s first World Cup triumph since 1986 and their third win in total.

“I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game. Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything,” Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni remarked on his team’s performance. “I am proud of the work they did. It is an exciting group. With the blows we received today, with the draws, this makes you emotional. I want to tell people to enjoy, it’s a historic moment for our country.”

While Argentina raced to a 2-0 lead in the first half courtesy of a Lionel Messi penalty and an Angel Di Maria strike, the reigning champions clawed their way back as Kylian Mbappe scored twice during the final 10 minutes of regular time. Argentina looked to have grabbed the winner when Messi doubled his goal tally in the 108th minute, however, Mbappe converted a second penalty for France with just two minutes to play of extra time, thereby sending the game to a penalty shootout.

By lifting the World Cup trophy, captain Lionel Messi has finally won the trophy that had eluded him throughout his career.

The post Argentina Crowned World Cup Champions Following Triumph Over France appeared first on SportzBonanza.

One of the most decorated soccer players of the past two decades announced his retirement on Sunday, ending a career which saw him win 21 major trophies.

Javier Mascherano, who is best known for his performances on the international stage with Argentina and his club stints with FC Barcelona and Liverpool, announced his decision at the conclusion of Sunday’s game for his most recent club, Estudiantes LP in Argentina.

The 36-year-old player, who played as both a defensive midfielder and a center-back, explained that he simply didn’t feel capable of giving 100% due to physical limitations. “I lived my profession 100%, to the maximum that I possibly can, and for a while now that has been getting harder,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t choose the end, it happens all by itself.”

Mascherano, who spent the majority of his career with FC Barcelona where he was a key part of the teams which won five La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns during his tenure, was known for his toughness and technical ability.

He also made 147 caps for the Argentinian national team from 2003 to 2018, where he won 2 Olympic gold medals.

His legacy is one that places him in the upper echelon of South American soccer players to ever play the game.

The post Javier Mascherano Announces Retirement appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Lionel Messi picked up a groin injury in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Brazil on Tuesday evening in what was his final match of the 2023 calendar year. The Argentina captain was substituted in the 78th minute of play as a result.

“I felt discomfort in my adductor,” Messi explained. “It was my last game of the year, so I have time to get well to start 2024 giving everything.” According to the forward, the delay at the start of the match due to clashes between fans and police had a detrimental effect on his groin as it gave his body time to cool down in the locker room.

Messi has struggled with injuries throughout the past season, missing five MLS matches due to a hamstring injury. Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Peru last Thursday was his first full match since returning from injury on October 7. With their victory over Brazil, Argentina remains on top of the COMNEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier standings.

The post Messi Suffers Groin Injury in World Cup Qualifier appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties following a tense 3-3 draw to lift the 2022 World Cup trophy at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Sunday night. This marks the South American nation’s first World Cup triumph since 1986 and their third win in total.

“I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game. Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything,” Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni remarked on his team’s performance. “I am proud of the work they did. It is an exciting group. With the blows we received today, with the draws, this makes you emotional. I want to tell people to enjoy, it’s a historic moment for our country.”

While Argentina raced to a 2-0 lead in the first half courtesy of a Lionel Messi penalty and an Angel Di Maria strike, the reigning champions clawed their way back as Kylian Mbappe scored twice during the final 10 minutes of regular time. Argentina looked to have grabbed the winner when Messi doubled his goal tally in the 108th minute, however, Mbappe converted a second penalty for France with just two minutes to play of extra time, thereby sending the game to a penalty shootout.

By lifting the World Cup trophy, captain Lionel Messi has finally won the trophy that had eluded him throughout his career.

The post Argentina Crowned World Cup Champions Following Triumph Over France appeared first on SportzBonanza.

One of the most decorated soccer players of the past two decades announced his retirement on Sunday, ending a career which saw him win 21 major trophies.

Javier Mascherano, who is best known for his performances on the international stage with Argentina and his club stints with FC Barcelona and Liverpool, announced his decision at the conclusion of Sunday’s game for his most recent club, Estudiantes LP in Argentina.

The 36-year-old player, who played as both a defensive midfielder and a center-back, explained that he simply didn’t feel capable of giving 100% due to physical limitations. “I lived my profession 100%, to the maximum that I possibly can, and for a while now that has been getting harder,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t choose the end, it happens all by itself.”

Mascherano, who spent the majority of his career with FC Barcelona where he was a key part of the teams which won five La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns during his tenure, was known for his toughness and technical ability.

He also made 147 caps for the Argentinian national team from 2003 to 2018, where he won 2 Olympic gold medals.

His legacy is one that places him in the upper echelon of South American soccer players to ever play the game.

The post Javier Mascherano Announces Retirement appeared first on SportzBonanza.