In 2007, Lionel Messi was on the podium for the best player in the world. Those he stood with are either retired or being begged to let it go.
In 2026, he is the best performing player at the World Cup at the age of 39.
Two decades of dominance, winning the Ballon d'or almost every other year in that run. There will never be another player this good for this long. Ever.
🚨Pep Guardiola on Lionel Messi becoming the FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer with 17 goals after scoring Argentina first goal against Austria:
🗣️ “Seventeen goals at the FIFA World Cup… people need to really stop and understand what that means. This is not normal football. This is the highest stage in the game, where every action is under pressure and every mistake can define a nation’s history.”
“When you watch Lionel Messi over the years, you realize you are not just seeing a player who scores goals, but someone who continuously reshapes what football at the elite level looks like. The World Cup is where legends are tested, and he has not only passed that test — he has rewritten it.”
“What makes it incredible is not only the number, but the repetition of greatness. Across different tournaments, different teammates, different tactical eras, he has remained the one constant force Argentina could rely on when everything becomes difficult.”
“In football, you can prepare for many things. You can study systems, movements, patterns. But some players operate beyond that level of preparation. Even when you know exactly what Messi wants to do, stopping it is another matter entirely.”
“Seventeen moments where he found a way through the strongest defensive structures in international football. Seventeen moments where tension, expectation, and history all met at the same point — and he still delivered.”
“And it’s important to understand the context of those goals at the FIFA World Cup. These are not casual goals. These are goals that come in decisive matches, in knockout pressure, in moments where everything slows down except his decision-making.”
“What he has done is not just extend a record. He has changed the standard of what people will now expect from greatness on this stage. Future generations will not just aim to be good at the World Cup — they will be measured against this level.”
“Some players win trophies, some define eras at club level, but very few redefine what is possible at international level. Lionel Messi has done that on the biggest stage of all — the FIFA World Cup.”
{@sports}
In 2016, Messi retired from the Argentina national team after heartbreakingly losing the Copa América final, his fourth major final loss with his country.
10 years later, he’s a 2x Copa América champion, a World Cup champion and now the all-time men’s top World Cup scorer.
What a turn around in his international career 🐐
This is the son of former lawmaker Tijjani OD, a Nigerian politician, taking time on his Instagram page to explain how his family fled Zamfara at night under heavy escort from the Army, Police, and NSCDC after kidnappers reportedly attacked nearby and threatened to return.
They had security.
They had protection.
They had somewhere safe to go.
But what about ordinary families in Zamfara who have no armed escorts, no police backup, and no resources to relocate overnight?
This is the reality many residents face daily, with nowhere to run and no one to protect them when danger strikes.
In the name of Allah SWT, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful. If running again will not be in the interest of the excellent people of Kaduna North and Nigerians as whole. Then may God give it to another. In the coming weeks, I will be going around by the grace of God to engage the people of Kaduna North in their homes and streets, as well as the stakeholders of our party, the African Democratic Congress, (ADC). I am not entitled to anything and I will work as hard as I can and always do to state our record and convince the public. We will do this while willing to support whoever emerges in the primary election. Regardless of the outcome we will campaign for the candidates in our party with the precision, honesty and transparency we are known for. My focus is still ensuring justice for our dear father, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai but we will be testing this mic from this week Insha Allah. See you soon.
Signed: Jika Hanta
Mallam’s proud son.
After months of wide consultations, sincere reflections, and encouragement from constituents, stakeholders, supporters, and well meaning citizens across Adamawa South, I have decided to answer the call to serve and formally join the race for the Adamawa South Senatorial seat.
This decision did not come lightly. I chose to remain silent in the face of the growing calls and appeals from constituents and supporters across Adamawa South, while I devoted time to consultations and careful reflection. The overwhelming confidence reposed in me and the consistent demand for purposeful, experienced, and people oriented representation have been truly humbling.
Yesterday, I officially acquired my nomination form, marking the formal beginning of this journey and my commitment to offering myself for service to the good people of Adamawa South.
This movement belongs to the people and is driven by our shared desire for purposeful representation, unity, and progress across Adamawa South.
The journey has begun, and with the support of our people, we shall move forward together with unity, purpose, and determination.
Chris Brown has claimed that the Illuminati is real, alleging they control the world and are behind certain mysteries in the music industry.
He said they offer wealth, power, and influence in exchange for your soul, but when it’s time to pay the price, you either lose your life or spiral downward with no chance of recovery.
🚨🚨🎙️| Hollywood actor Damson Idris:
"I wanted to be a footballer. I played up until the age of 18, and then I remember seeing Lionel Messi play. He was around 23 years old. And I was like, 'I'm never going to be as good as this guy.' So Lionel Messi is the reason for my retirement in football.
"When I see him one day, hopefully I’m blessed to meet him, I’m going to tell him that he’s the reason why I quit football, because he was so good."
BREAKING NEWS: The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mani Malam Mummuni, on behalf of Governor Dauda Lawal, announced their defection from the PDP to the APC.
Happy 66th Birthday to our dear father, His Excellency, Mallam Nasir @elrufai. I have said this before and I will say it again. I also love to proudly say it. One of the greatest honours of my life is being called your son. You are an impeccable administrator, a courageous leader, a bold reformer and a fantastic father. No son could have asked for a better father. As you turn 66, I pray that Allah SWT continues to guide, protect and bless you. Our love and loyalty to you is permanent and pensionable. And here’s a timely reminder you always told us, Quranic verse, (Surah Al-Anfal 8: 30). ‘They plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.’ On behalf of the excellent people of Kaduna North that I proudly represent based on the good traits you taught me. We celebrate the father of Modern Kaduna and the original restorer of the Abuja Master Plan, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. I hope you are appreciating all the natural love from people that you have never even met. You truly deserve it after years of excellent service to our nation.
Signed
Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai
Member. Your beloved son.
Kaduna North Federal Constituency
Chairman, Committee on Banking Regulations.
February 16, 2026.