Fans and players react online to Arsene Wegner’s club departure

Barcelona fans react to the news that legend Lionel Messi is leaving the club. "We're sad and resigned to the fact that the era of Messi and Barca is over," says one fan.

Red flares, flags and loud chants welcome Lionel Messi as he comes out of the Parc des Princes to greet fans after his first press conference under Paris Saint-Germain colours.

Lionel Messi gets a first proper taste of his new home as he is presented to a full stadium of Paris Saint-Germain fans before watching his team-mates beat Strasbourg 4-2 in Ligue 1 with Kylian Mbappe playing a starring role.

Venezuelan football fans in Caracas are excited for the unique opportunity to see Lionel Messi play against their national team, which is his first game for his country since moving to Paris Saint-Germain. Argentina won 3-1 in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Fans of ABBA in Stockholm outside a museum dedicated to the group say they are thrilled after the Swedish superstars announced a musical comeback with a new album and a London show featuring their performances captured by digital avatars.

Manchester United fans rush to snap up shirts with Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic number seven, that he will wear again after Edinson Cavani agreed to give it up. The Portuguese player rejoined United from Juventus last week, and is set to make his second debut in the Premier League match against Newcastle on September 11.

Argentina football fans share their excitement over watching their national team and star Lionel Messi play against Bolivia in the World Cup qualifiers. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to overtake Pele as the top international goalscorer in South American football history on Thursday as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Bolivia in their 2022 World Cup qualifier.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Thursday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Thursday.⁣

Paris Saint-Germain fans say he 'waited a long time' to witness football star Lionel Messi's home debut on Sunday's Ligue 1 game, played against Lyon. Messi was taken off part way through the match and substitute Icardi headed in a cross at the death to secure a win that looked unlikely for long spells.

Paris Saint-Germain fans hail Lionel Messi's first goal since joining the club, as the French side beat Manchester City 2-0 at the Parc des Princes stadium.

People in Beijing share their views after a decision announced by the International Olympic Committee that next year's Winter Olympics in the city will be held without fans from overseas. "I think this measure is for the safety concerns and is acceptable," says a pedestrian at Beijing Olympic Park.

Britney Spears fans celebrate outside a court in Los Angeles after a judge ordered the singer’s father be removed as her guardian. Spears’ father had controlled her life for the past 13 years, under a legal arrangement the 39-year-old singer has slammed as “abusive”.