Story · Lionel Messi
What next for 10 of the World Cup's biggest stars? This is how to follow them on The Athletic
Following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, The Athletic provides a guide for fans to follow 10 of the tournament's biggest stars as they return to club football. The article highlights Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), and Erling Haaland (Manchester City), detailing their World Cup performances and upcoming seasons. Messi, aged 39, led Argentina to the final with 8 goals but lost to Spain. Mbappe scored 10 goals for France, equaling a historic record. Haaland helped Norway reach the quarter-finals. The piece includes links to team and player pages on The Athletic for continued coverage.
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