Lionel Messi Archives - The Cult of Calcio

Nesta Promises Dinner if Reggiana Meet Lazio in Coppa Italia

October 31, 2023 Akhil Fisher Coppa Italia, Genoa, Italian Football, Lazio, Reggina, Serie A

As Alberto Gilardino prepares to welcome Reggiana to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in the Coppa Italia Second Round, ex-Azzurri teammate Alessandro Nesta is excited about the prospect of qualifying through, since it will pitch his side against former club Lazio in the last 16.

Lautaro Martinez probably won’t pen his new Inter contract before Christmas, but it could happen shortly thereafter, by January 6th.

Inter Stalwart Lautaro Martinez Dismisses Real Madrid Links

October 31, 2023 Akhil Fisher Calciomercato, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Real Madrid, Serie A, Transfer Market

Lautaro Martinez has dismissed any notion of an exit from Inter, with Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid being heavily linked with the Nerazzurri striker. The 2022 World Cup winner was one of the attendees at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris for the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony, in which he finished in 20th position.

The MLS Players’ Association has released its salary guide, with Messi the top earner in the North American league. The top five includes two Italians.

Messi Highest MLS Earner, Two Italians in Top Five

October 19, 2023 Akhil Fisher Calciomercato, Italian Football, Italy, MLS, Serie A, Transfer Market

The Major League Soccer Players’ Association (MLSPA) has released its 2023 salary guide, with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi undoubtedly the top earner in the North American league, following his move from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. While the 2022 World Cup winner takes the top spot, the top five also includes two Italians.

Lazio winger Pedro has admitted that he’d like to finish his career at Barcelona, where he previously spent seven years and won every trophy.

Pedro Would Have Liked Barcelona Reunion, Talks Messi

September 18, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Champions League, Italian Football, La Liga, Lazio, MLS, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Pedro discussed the upcoming Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid and took stock of the Barcelona season in an interview: “I’m happy to face a Spanish team like Atletico Madrid. However, I would have preferred to take on the Blaugrana. It would have been very nice."

Cristiano Ronaldo revisited his transfer to Juventus and his impact on Serie A with his usual style while talking to the press.

Ronaldo: “Serie A Was Dead Before I Joined Juventus”

July 18, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, MLS, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Transfer Market

Cristiano Ronaldo revisited his transfer to Juventus and his impact on Serie A with his usual style while talking to the press following a large defeat against Celta Vigo in a friendly. He addressed his future and took a jab at Lionel Messi, who didn't move to Saudi Arabia.

Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti updated his take on the comparison between Lionel Messi and Diego Armando Maradona after the World Cup victory.

Zanetti on Lautaro Links with Real Madrid and Messi

June 1, 2023 Akhil Fisher Calciomercato, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Real Madrid, Serie A, Transfer Market

Inter will play Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League final on June 10 in Istanbul, as Zanetti aims to see his club lift the continental championship for the first time since he captained Jose Mourinho’s side to victory in the historic treble-winning season.

Earlier in the year, Materazzi echoed how difficult it will be in Paris for Skriniar to feel the same affection and passion the Interista show him.

Inter Icon Materazzi Echoes Messi Example to Skriniar

April 18, 2023 Akhil Fisher Calciomercato, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Paris Saint Germain, PSG, Serie A, Transfer Market

Inter icon Marco Materazzi has once again commented on the free transfer of Milan Skriniar to Paris Saint-Germain. Earlier in the year, Materazzi echoed how difficult it would be in Paris for the Slovak stopper to feel the same affection and passion the Interisti show him.

There is no player in this Milan squad who can assume responsibility and lead from the front. With this 'I' aspect, missing Milan are in a ‘Mess’

How the Lack of an ‘I’ Factor Has Put Milan in Such a Mess

February 8, 2023 Bikash Mohapatra AC Milan, Champions League, Coppa Italia, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Tactical Trends

As things stand, the Rossoneri lack owners who can run the club putting passion ahead of profit, players who can feel the real pride in wearing a Milan shirt and a leader that can take up responsibility and single-handedly inspire the team. Till these issues are addressed, Milan will continue to be in a mess, irrespective of one good performance or two.

Inter Exec Zanetti Reveals Background Behind Messi Links

February 7, 2023 Akhil Fisher Barcelona, Calciomercato, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Paris Saint Germain, PSG, Serie A, Transfer Market

Lionel Messi was linked to a number of clubs in 2021 following the breakdown of negotiations with Barcelona due to financial implications, and Inter were one of those.

We take you through the best Serie A XI from the 2022 World Cup, including Angel Di Maria, Marcelo Brozovic and Olivier Giroud

2022 World Cup Serie A Best XI: Di Maria, Brozovic, Giroud

December 21, 2022 Ashlee Kiddell AC Milan, Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Fiorentina, France, Inter, Juventus, Morocco, Napoli, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serie A, South Korea, Spezia, World Cup, World Cup 2022

The dust has settled after a glorious month of action-packed drama in the Middle East as Argentina secured their third World Cup triumph. However, we are all already looking forward to the return of Serie A which will restart on January 4, including a mouth-watering clash between Inter and Napoli to kick things off in the new year. Nonetheless, that is still some time away so for now, we take you through the best Serie A XI from the 2022 World Cup, including Angel Di Maria, Marcelo Brozovic and Olivier Giroud.

Zanetti Shrugs Off Messi-Maradona Debate: “We Must Be Thankful”

December 19, 2022 Akhil Fisher Argentina, France, Serie A, World Cup, World Cup 2022

Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti had already spoken out before the World Cup final, declaring that his opinion of Lionel Messi wouldn’t change irrespective of the outcome of the showdown clash against France. Having been crowned world champions, Argentina lifted their third world title – a first since the days of Diego Maradona in 1986.

The 2022 World Cup has taken its final curtain and below we take a look at the Best XI, including the likes of Messi, Mbappe and Bellingham.

2022 World Cup Best XI: Messi, Mbappe, Bellingham

December 19, 2022 Ashlee Kiddell Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, England, France, Japan, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serie A, U.S.A., World Cup, World Cup 2022

The 2022 World Cup has taken its final curtain call as Argentina and Lionel Messi were crowned world champions after one of the best finals of all-time. Below, we take a look at the World Cup Best XI but with the caveat of allowing just one player per nation.

Tag: Lionel Messi