Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has been convicted of drink-driving in Gran Canaria, Spain, after a court found him to have been driving with an alcohol level more than three times above the legal limit.

A court source confirmed the conviction to AFP on Wednesday, stating that the 23-year-old centre-back was fined €14,400 ($16,700) and had his driving licence suspended for eight months.

The case followed an incident on August 16 and was heard at a trial in San Bartolome de Tirajana, a village in Gran Canaria.

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Asencio, who is from the Canary Islands, was not with Real Madrid’s squad at the time of the incident as he was recovering from a hamstring injury suffered at the end of July.

The conviction comes amid another legal case involving the defender. Asencio is due to face a separate court hearing in Gran Canaria over the alleged non-consensual sharing of a sexual video dating back to 2023.

Spanish media reports say Asencio expects to be cleared in that case if the two women filmed in the video formally forgive him.

Three former Real Madrid reserve players are also on trial over allegations that they recorded and distributed the video. The trial is scheduled for September 3, 4 and 7.

The latest conviction adds to a difficult period for the young Real Madrid defender, who has been dealing with both injury and legal issues off the pitch.

Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in the history of the national team.

The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, confirmed his decision in an emotional statement, saying the time had come to step away from international football.

Messi said the decision was painful but maintained that he had given everything to the national team and now had “nothing left to give.”

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“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” Messi said.

“I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team.

“I’ve given it my all, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance.”

Messi retires as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances for the country.

His announcement comes after Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Messi revealed that he had written his retirement message on 21 July, two days after the final defeat.

The decision also follows the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who died aged 68 after a long illness.

Messi said the loss had made him even more certain about ending his international career.

“Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before,” he said in a message posted on Instagram.
Despite leaving international football, Messi’s club career will continue with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner made his Argentina debut in 2005 as a substitute in a friendly against Hungary.

His first appearance lasted less than a minute before he was sent off after his arm and elbow connected with Hungary defender Vilmos Vanczak.

He would go on to establish himself as one of the greatest footballers of all time, winning two Copa America titles and finally lifting the World Cup with Argentina in 2022.

Messi also finished the 2026 World Cup with eight goals and four assists. His 12 World Cup assists are the most recorded by any player, with 10 coming in knockout-stage matches.

He is the second-highest scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals, behind France’s Kylian Mbappe, who has 22.

In international football overall, Messi’s 125 goals put him second behind his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 146 for Portugal.

Messi previously retired from international football in 2016 after Argentina lost to Chile in the Copa America final, but later reversed his decision.

This time, however, the Argentine icon appears ready to close the international chapter of his career for good.

“Thank you for all the love over the past 20 years,” Messi told Argentina supporters.
“I’m going to miss hearing you from the pitch so much.

“Now I’ll be just one of you, always cheering and supporting from the sidelines.

“I’m leaving with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my team-mates, moments we’d only dreamed of.

“It was incredible to have experienced this with you all. I love you!”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Congress has summoned an emergency meeting of its members to deliberate on recent developments within the football governing body.

The meeting is scheduled to hold on September 26, 2026, at 12 noon in Abuja.

Those expected to attend include chairmen of State Football Associations, club representatives, members of the Referees Association, Coaches Association, Players Union and the Nigeria Referees Association.

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According to an invitation signed by Yakubu Sarma on behalf of the Congress members, the meeting will focus on the “current developments” within the NFF, as well as the status and functioning of the federation’s Executive Committee and secretariat.

The Congress is also expected to examine the implications of the developments for the governance, stability and independence of the NFF.

Another major item on the agenda is the consideration of “appropriate measures” under the statutes of the NFF, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

The Congress will also deliberate on the way forward following the recent developments within the federation.

“All members are expected to attend,” the invitation stated, urging members of the Congress to confirm their attendance.

The Congress added that details regarding travel and accommodation arrangements would be communicated to members.

The emergency meeting comes amid growing attention to the administration and governance of Nigerian football, with the Congress expected to review the situation and determine its next steps.