Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly declared his support for Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final against Spain. During a meeting with Argentina's ambassador to Israel, Netanyahu received an official Argentina football jersey along with a message from Argentine President Javier Milei reaffirming his support for the national team. Netanyahu praised Milei for strengthening relations between Israel and Argentina, calling the South American nation one of Israel's closest friends. His endorsement adds a political dimension to the highly anticipated World Cup final, where Lionel Messi will lead Argentina in pursuit of another historic title.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu supports Argentina before the FIFA World Cup final against Spain

Messi was recently suspended from PSG on the grounds of disciplinary action. With his contract nearing an end and his family re-locating to Barcelona, has he already engineered his exist from PSG? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Messi suspended from PSG

Angry Barcelona fans chanted for the resignation of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu after captain Lionel Messi announced on Tuesday that he wished to leave the Catalan side.

“We love you, Messi stay, Messi stay!” and “Bartomeu resign!” chanted several hundred fans outside Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium on Tuesday night.

“I am very upset, for me Barca is Messi and Messi is Barca. They are the same, he is the symbol of Barca ... They should erect a monument in Camp Nou. I don’t think this (departure) should be allowed to happen,” 80-year-old Joana Polo, wearing a Barcelona face mask, told Reuters on Wednesday outside Camp Nou.

The decision by the Argentine forward has thrown the club into turmoil less than two weeks after their humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich.

“It’s a huge outrage. I never thought this would ever happen ... you can take defeats in sports but I can’t handle Messi leaving,” said Oriol, 40. “We will defend him until death. He is not the one to blame. The blame is on (Barcelona’s) board.”

“Total War!” daily newspaper Sport declared on its front page referring to the situation.

Messi, who has been named world’s best player of the year a record six times, has grown increasingly unhappy over the last 12 months on how the club is being run under Bartomeu. He criticised club officials for forcing players to take a pay cut to cope with the financial hit of the coronavirus pandemic.

Albert, 28, another disgruntled Barca fan, told Reuters: “They have been doing things badly for a long time and this guy (Messi) has got tired of not having a project, of not keeping the philosophy we used to have ... and he said enough is enough.”

“The only situation available right now is for him (Bartomeu) to resign.”

After Barca surrendered the Spanish La Liga title to Real Madrid in July, Messi slammed the team as “weak” and “vulnerable” during an uncharacteristically fiery post-match interview.

Barca are in the midst of overhauling their squad following the Champions League defeat, and some Spanish media have reported that new coach Ronald Koeman told Messi’s close friend and strike partner, Luis Suarez, that he does not wish the Uruguayan to stay at the club.

Angry Barcelona fans chanted for the resignation of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu after captain Lionel Messi announced on Tuesday that he wished to leave the Catalan side.

Angry Barcelona fans chanted for the resignation of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu after captain Lionel Messi announced on Tuesday that he wished to leave the Catalan side. “We love you, Messi stay, Messi stay!” and “Bartomeu resign!” chanted several hundred fans outside Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium on Tuesday night. “I am very upset, for me Barca is Messi and Messi is Barca. They are the same, he is the symbol of Barca ... They should erect a monument in Camp Nou. I don’t think this (departure) should be allowed to happen,” 80-year-old Joana Polo, wearing a Barcelona face mask, told Reuters on Wednesday outside Camp Nou. The decision by the Argentine forward has thrown the club into turmoil less than two weeks after their humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich. “It’s a huge outrage. I never thought this would ever happen ... you can take defeats in sports but I can’t handle Messi leaving,” said Oriol, 40. “We will defend him until death. He is not the one to blame. The blame is on (Barcelona’s) board.” “Total War!” daily newspaper Sport declared on its front page referring to the situation. Messi, who has been named world’s best player of the year a record six times, has grown increasingly unhappy over the last 12 months on how the club is being run under Bartomeu. He criticised club officials for forcing players to take a pay cut to cope with the financial hit of the coronavirus pandemic. Albert, 28, another disgruntled Barca fan, told Reuters: “They have been doing things badly for a long time and this guy (Messi) has got tired of not having a project, of not keeping the philosophy we used to have ... and he said enough is enough.” “The only situation available right now is for him (Bartomeu) to resign.” After Barca surrendered the Spanish La Liga title to Real Madrid in July, Messi slammed the team as “weak” and “vulnerable” during an uncharacteristically fiery post-match interview. Barca are in the midst of overhauling their squad following the Champions League defeat, and some Spanish media have reported that new coach Ronald Koeman told Messi’s close friend and strike partner, Luis Suarez, that he does not wish the Uruguayan to stay at the club.

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Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu supports Argentina before the FIFA World Cup final against Spain

Gravitas: Messi suspended from PSG

Barcelona fans chant for Messi to stay, want management out

What's next for Lionel Messi? A record breaking career in pictures