Soccer

Lionel Messi is hanging up his Argentina jersey for good ... announcing his retirement from international soccer in an emotional message to fans.

Messi said Monday he'd spent weeks thinking about his future following Argentina's loss to Spain in the World Cup final, ultimately deciding it was time to walk away from the national team.

The 39-year-old said the decision "hurts me a lot," but explained he's proud of everything he experienced and accomplished with Argentina ... and thanked his family, teammates, coaches and fans who supported him throughout the ride.

Cristiano Ronaldo is rocking a new look ... and he totally looks like he could join a boy band if the whole soccer thing didn't pan out.

Check out the snaps ... the international superstar just got hitched to model Georgina Rodríguez ... and clearly decided it was time for a new blonde 'do with his "I do."

Cristiano's natural hair color is jet black -- and usually styled with a classic fade that's longer on top ... but now it's blonde and buzzed.

Erling Haaland has unveiled a dramatic new look ... buzzing off the long, blonde hair that became one of the most recognizable features of the Manchester City superstar.

The World Cup icon has shocked soccer fans by chopping off the long, flowing blonde hair -- posting the process early Sunday with the caption "New season, new trim" ... shocking fans around the globe.

For years, Haaland's Viking-like hairstyle has been part of his identity as one of soccer's biggest stars. The Norwegian striker first became famous with Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund before joining Manchester City in 2022, where he immediately established himself as one of the world's most prolific goalscorers.

Shane Gillis' beer preference is quite the hot-button issue, it seems ... he was caught on camera sitting awfully close to a Dos Equis can ... but it sounds like his allegiances still lie with the brand that's paying him to promote their brew.

When cameras cut to Shane and Matthew McConaughey at the Austin FC game against Dallas on Sunday, someone off-screen passed the comedian a Bud Light ... even though a Dos Equis was sitting right next to Shane.

Here's why it's a big deal ... Shane is a Bud Light spokesperson ... and some folks thought he was cheating on Bud Light with Dos Equis.

A source close to Shane tells TMZ ... the comedian wasn't committing brand betrayal.

Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing to hang up his cleats ... revealing this will probably be his final year of soccer after a quarter-century on the pitch.

The bombshell came almost as an aside during a joint Vogue interview with his new wife, Georgina Rodríguez. When the newlyweds were asked whether marriage would change anything, Ronaldo announced ... "This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy."

The 41-year-old superstar says he already has his post-soccer future mapped out ... acknowledging the game could leave a major hole in his life, but saying he plans to fill his time with family, travel, padel and simply enjoying everything he and Georgina have earned.

Lionel Messi is heartbroken over his father's death ... admitting he has no idea how to move forward without him -- on and off the pitch.

Jorge Messi -- who also served as Lionel's agent -- passed away in Argentina last weekend after battling an illness ... and the soccer superstar shared a heartfelt goodbye on social media.

"Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone," Lionel said. "It hasn’t sunk in, or rather, I don’t want it to. It’s very difficult for me to imagine that I won’t see you anymore, that we won’t talk anymore. I know you were suffering and that it’s for the best, but you left too soon. We still had so much to enjoy together."

Cristiano Ronaldo is a married man -- the soccer superstar just confirmed he got hitched to his longtime partner, Georgina Rodriguez!!

The 41-year-old Portugal striker shared the news via Instagram minutes ago ... showing off their hands on top of each other -- and rings on the appropriate fingers.

It's unclear when Cristiano and Georgina exchanged vows ... but the belief is it was recent.

The two met back in June 2016 and started dating months later ... and a lot of fans were wondering when they would finally become Mr. and Mrs. after CR7 proposed in 2025.

Soccer icon Hope Solo is putting some of her most legendary gear on the block!

The former longtime U.S. Women’s National Team star -- widely considered the greatest goalkeeper the game has ever seen -- is auctioning off more than 45 pieces from her personal collection at Lelands.

The big-ticket items include her match-worn, signed, photo-matched jersey and shorts from the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final victory over Japan ... her championship ring from that title run. The auction house says it's the most significant women's soccer memorabilia ever made available to the public.

Also up for grabs -- the Golden Glove award Solo earned as the tournament’s top keeper (she allowed just three goals in seven matches), along with her match-worn jerseys from the quarterfinal win over China and the semifinal triumph against Germany.

Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi's dad, Jorge Messi, has died.

The famous sports club from Rosario, Argentina -- Newell's Old Boys -- announced the sad news on social media Saturday, and celebrated him as a "pillar" who vigorously supported one of the best soccer players of all time with his wife, Celia Cuccittini, who survives him.

The club's translated message continued, "His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory."

Jorge was not only Lionel's loving father, but also his agent who helped him create a celebrated career from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and to his current home of Inter Miami.

Georgina Rodriguez is firing back at trolls criticizing her bikini body in recent yacht photos ... she says her curves don't determine her worth.

Cristiano Ronaldo's fiancée addressed the online chatter Tuesday in a lengthy Instagram post ... revealing some people have been calling her "fat" over pictures from the couple's Mallorca getaway.

Georgina said the criticism worried her at first because she makes a living from her image ... but Cristiano quickly reminded her she's much more than her appearance.

According to Georgina, the soccer superstar told her ... "You don't live off your image. You live off who you are," before praising her as a mother, a good person and a successful woman with a "killer body."

Just when you thought this summer couldn't get hotter ... here comes Cristiano Ronaldo, stripping down to his undies and flaunting his fit figure -- plus the bulge in his pants.

The soccer star was soaking up the sun Thursday on a yacht off the coast of Mallorca, wearing nothing but a pair of his CR7 briefs ... which did little to shield the outline of his penis, especially after he took a dip in the sea.

The famed footballer enjoyed the outing alongside his son, Cristiano Jr., and his smoking hot fiancée Georgina Rodriguez.

Italian soccer icon Franco Baresi -- the former AC Milan defender who helped define Italian soccer's golden era in the 1980s and 1990s -- has died.

AC Milan -- where he served as honorary vice president -- announced his death Thursday, writing ... "The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is."

A cause of death has not been released.

AC Milan announced last year Baresi had undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule that was discovered during routine medical tests. It was never confirmed whether or not the mass was cancerous.

The Union of European Football Associations is drawing a line in the sand ... with all 55 of its members agreeing to boycott FIFA over a proposal to put the World Cup in the hands of private investors.

UEFA shared a strong statement on Thursday ... saying, "The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino detailed the plan to raise $20 billion through the sale of a stake in the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprises, which would essentially operate the World Cup and influence future tournament plans.

Bruce Buffer has announced some of the biggest events on the planet -- from The White House to the World Cup (and that's just this summer) -- but there’s still one missing from his résumé.

The legendary "Veteran Voice of the Octagon" stopped by TMZ on Wednesday ... and told Michael J. Babcock the one gig he's still dying to land.

"I think the bucket list now is, I've had the Super Bowl commercial. I did the Budweiser Super Bowl commercial. I did Super Bowl week introducing the 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs a couple years ago in Vegas at the big event they had at Allegiant [Stadium], but I haven't been on the field for the Super Bowl yet."

Everyone's favorite World Cup superstar is celebrating his 26th trip around the sun ... and Erling Haaland says he's feeling a ton of love on his birthday -- 'cause his life has changed forever!!

The Norwegian striker hopped on a yacht with his girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, and friends this week ... and it was all in honor of the birthday boy.

There was plenty of good food, vibes, and some golf ... and Haaland even rocked a viking hat at one point. They then wound up at a day club, where the athlete was spotted jamming out at the DJ booth.