Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi may have gotten knocked out of the Champions League this year, but he earned a different kind of title that is sure to make him happy. Lionel Messi is the highest paid footballer in soccer – which makes him one of the highest paid athletes in the world.

Lionel Messi reportedly earned $83.4 million (€74 million, or £59.3 million) in 2015, which placed him higher than Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, the #2 and #3 highest earning footballers, respectively. Neymar earned $49 million in 2015, while Ronaldo earned $76 million.

The final day of the Champions League quarterfinals kicked off today with Barcelona playing away at Atletico Madrid and Benfica hosting Bayern Munich. Barcelona were ahead 2-1 on aggregate heading into the match, but Madrid scored in the 36th minute to go ahead on aggregate due to the away goal tie-breaker.

Griezmann headed home a cross after Jordi Alba could not fully clear the ball. The Frenchman would add a penalty to take a 3-2 aggregate lead in the 88th minute after a handball by Andres Iniesta. The final score was 2-0. 

Messi posted a message to his facebook followers in the lead up to FC Barcelona’s second leg against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Messi’s Barcelona lead the match-up by 2-1, but have not won in La Liga in their last three matches, the longest such streak in the era of current manager Luis Enrique. Barcelona look mortal, or as mortal as possible, for the first time a a while, but Messi’s message gives Barcelona fans reason to remain confident. 

Spanish outlet El Mundo reported on Tuesday that Lionel Messi's trial has been rescheduled from May 31 to June 7. Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge, have been charged with three counts of tax fraud, that totalled $4.4 million in unpaid taxes between the years of 2007 and 2009. 

When you hear Lionel Messi speak about Wayne Rooney, sometimes it’s like he is talking about himself. Of course, Messi is too humble to ever talk about himself in as glowing terms as you are about to read, but it is easy to see how his words could be founded in an appreciation of a kindred spirit.

In case you missed it, last week Barack Obama's daughters were not able to meet Lionel Messi because their father, who is the President of the United States and possibly the most powerful man in the world, couldn't swing it. Apparently Messi felt bad about this, because he sent Sasha and Malia Obama some pretty cool gifts: signed, personalized Argentina jerseys.

The Barcelona trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar – or MSN – is probably the best attacking force in soccer history. The unbelievable chemistry of the trio combined with the outrageous individual skills they all possess makes MSN unstoppable. Yet, for all their unbelievable achievements with Barcelona, success at the national level has evaded all of them. Sure, Suarez has a Copa America under his belt, and Neymar won the Confederation's Cup, but these are small potatoes compared to the ultimate prize: the World Cup.

Is Lionel Messi simply too good at soccer? Carlos Tevez believes that Messi’s ability makes him difficult to partner with, because his skill level is so much greater than that of his teammates.

Lionel Messi has a chance to score the 500th goal of his career when he lines up against Real Madrid this Saturday in what is likely the final Clasico of the year.

It would be a stunning accomplishment made all the more so because it would come against his club’s arch rival, and against the only other player in Messi’s league, Cristiano Ronaldo.