Lamine Yamal on Lionel Messi missing out on the Best Player of the Tournament award to Rodri.
🗣️ “Congratulations to Rodri because he’s an unbelievable player. But my heart tells me something different. For me, Lionel Messi deserved that award. What he did at 39 years old wasn’t normal it was something football may never witness again.”
“I’ve spent my whole life hearing people say Messi’s time was over. Yet every time the biggest stage called his name, he answered. He carried Argentina again, decided matches again, and made millions of people believe again. How can someone produce a tournament like that and not be named its best player?”
“I looked across the pitch in the final and I wasn’t just facing an opponent. I was facing the player who inspired my entire generation to fall in love with football. The same man whose videos I watched every day, whose movements every young player tried to copy, was still producing magic against the best teams in the world.”
“For me, this wasn’t just another great World Cup. It was one of the greatest individual tournaments I’ve ever seen. At an age when most legends are remembered for what they used to be, Messi was still showing everyone what greatness looks like in the present.”
“People will celebrate the winner of the award, and they have every right to. But years from now, children won’t be searching for the voting results they’ll be searching for Messi’s highlights, his passes, his goals, his dribbles and the moments that made the world stop and applaud.”
“I was lucky enough to share a World Cup with my idol. If there’s one thing I’ll always say, it’s this: Lionel Messi didn’t need that trophy to prove he was the best player at this tournament. In my eyes, and in the eyes of millions around the world, he had already won it with his football. Some legacies are simply too big for any vote to define.
Happy 33rd birthday to SHINee's Taemin.
Widely known as the "Idol of Idols," Taemin is considered one of K-pop's greatest dancers and performers.
Since debuting in 2008 as SHINee's main dancer, vocalist and maknae, he has built an acclaimed solo career with iconic releases like Danger, Move, Criminal, Advice, and Guilty, while continuing to inspire generations of artists with his artistry and influence.
Happy 33rd birthday to the extremely talented, gifted, mesmerizing, sweet, kind, graceful, charming, one-of-a-kind performance genius and master of the stage — Taemin of SHINee.
Happy 33rd birthday to the gorgeous, hugely talented chart-topping, award-winning Singer, Songwriter, Actor & Fashion & K-Pop Global Icon, the One & Only #TAEMIN! 💪🎂🥳🎉🌟🐐👑💚🎆
Taemin found fame as the Main Dancer and vocalist of the hugely popular Korean Band #SHINee, and is also one of the star members of #SuperM! He is a globally respected K-pop Icon and solo powerhouse at the peak of his artistry! Taemin became known as the "Idol's Idol" after numerous idols named him as their inspiration. He's a powerhouse vocalist, boosting the group’s reputation and cementing their influence in K-pop! As SHINee’s main dancer, he elevated the group’s performances with his intricate choreography and captivating stage presence, helping them stand out with experimental concepts and visuals. He has evolved into a boundary-pushing soloist, famous for his gender-fluid performances, emotional depth, and constant reinvention and is now one of K-pop's most extraordinary and influential artists, whose talent, artistry, and dedication have earned admiration from peers and fans across generations. Taemin has won multiple Golden Disc Awards and MAMA prizes, including Best Dance Performance! He is also a powerhouse touring Act, and sold out his latest world tour, 'Ephemeral Gaze', in minutes! He's the first male K-pop soloist to perform at Coachella, and continues to inspire countless idols with his innovative concepts, androgynous elegance and unwavering artistic integrity. Even after nearly two decades, he continues to evolve with creative freedom, proving he's not just a performer but a visionary who redefines what's possible in K-pop. Taemin's legacy is one of grace, power, and endless reinvention, a real ace who lights up every stage he graces.
Debuting as SHINee's youngest member and main dancer in 2008, Taemin quickly became known as the group's "dance machine," delivering precise, expressive choreography that elevated the group's performances to another level! Taemin is one of those rare Acts who became an even bigger star as a Soloist. After a hugely successful career as a member of SHINee, he released his 1st EP 'ACE' in 2014 followed by his 1st Studio Album 'Press It' in 2016. Both debuted at #1 on the Gaon chart in Korea. Since then, Taemin has consistently pushed boundaries with releases like the cultural phenomenon "Move" which sparked the "Move Disease" dance trend and has pioneered fluid, genderless concepts in K-pop with "Want," "Criminal," and "Guilty." His 3rd album, 'Never Gonna Dance Again' was widely recognized by critics as one of the best K-pop releases of 2020! His intricate blend of contemporary dance, popping, and emotive storytelling, paired with his powerful voice, creates mesmerizing, theatrical stages that feel both intimate and larger-than-life!
Taemin is also a very talented actor, and made his acting debut in 2009 with a supporting role in the MBC comedy Tae Hee, Hye Kyo, Ji Hyun, followed by various cameos and guest spots in dramas like 'Dating Agency: Cyrano' (2013) and voice work in the animated film 'The Outback' (2012). His most notable lead role came in the 2017 Japanese Amazon Prime drama 'Final Life: Even If You Disappear Tomorrow', where he played Song Si-on.
Taemin's ambassador roles highlight his status as a sophisticated global icon who bridges artistry, fashion, and cultural diplomacy. Taemin has built a selective and prestigious portfolio of endorsements that perfectly align with his refined, artistic image and global appeal. He has served as a brand ambassador for Reebok and premium skincare brands AHC & Mernel as its Japan ambassador in 2025, where he helped drive K-beauty expansion through localized campaigns and events. In 2025, he was appointed as an official ambassador for the New York Korea Brand & Entertainment Expo (KBEE) alongside Hwasa and Ha Ji-won, promoting Korean culture, products, and Hallyu in the U.S.
Taemin has quietly contributed to meaningful causes throughout his career, using his platform to support children, mental health awareness, and humanitarian efforts in line with his thoughtful and compassionate image. In 2016, he joined fellow SM Entertainment artists, including groupmate Key, in the UNICEF "Make a Promise" campaign with Louis Vuitton, with proceeds going to aid children in need worldwide. In 2018, Taemin participated in the "Drama Concert: Bright Road" series with artists like Kangta and Sooyoung (Girls' Generation). The event raised awareness for youth suicide prevention, with all proceeds donated to relevant charities. Guests shared personal stories of hardship without receiving appearance fees, creating a space for hope and open dialogue. Taemin's fans often organize charity projects in his name, turning admiration into real-world good. These acts complement Taemin's artistic legacy, proving he's a Star who cares.
After leaving SM Entertainment, he gained creative freedom under Galaxy Corporation alongside G-Dragon, where he continues blending contemporary dance, R&B, and theatrical concepts in hits like "Move," "Guilty," and beyond! With multiple awards, luxury beauty ambassadorships, cultural diplomacy roles including KBEE New York, and unwavering influence on younger idols, Taemin stands as a mature, liberated artist who commands stages worldwide while remaining a beloved, elegant force in the K-Pop industry!
#HAPPY_TAEMINBDAY
#여름에피어난_태민이의계절
@SHINee@superm
생일 축하해🍒🎂태어나줘서 고마워♡
앞으로도 함께 시간을 쌓아가며 예쁜 추억 많이 만들자🍀우리의 사랑과 감사를 담은 말의 꽃다발이 너에게 닿기를💐
도전하는 매일매일이 행복으로 가득 차길 바랄게
언제나 태민이의 곁에 있을게
사랑해❤️だいすき
#여름에피어난_태민이의계절#HAPPY_TAEMINBDAY
#TAEMIN has officially entered "Christ age." He begins his 33rd year on the heels of massive solo milestones, including a historic performance as the first K-pop male solo artist at Coachella.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAEMIN
#HAPPYTAEMINDAY#여름에피어난_태민이의계절#HAPPY_TAEMINBDAY