Messi returns home for Argentina farewell

Manila Times - Oct 3, 2026

BUENOS AIRES — Lionel Messi arrived in Argentina on Friday (Saturday in Manila) ahead of his farewell game with the national team. Messi is set to play in a friendly match against Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday in a final appearance for the team he led to a World Cup title in 2022. The Argentine Football Association said the goal of the match is to ensure “the best player in the world gets the home send-off he truly deserves.” Messi, who announced his international retirement on Aug. 31, flew in from Miami on a private jet with his family, landing in his hometown of Rosario, 300 kilometers (about 190 miles) north of Buenos Aires. Several fellow 2022 World Cup champions will join the celebrations. However, Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina were unable to attend after Roma declined to release them. Messi’s decision brings the curtain down on a historic 21-year international career in the Albiceleste jersey, leaving behind a legacy that includes 125 goals and reaching two more World Cup finals — losing to Spain this year and Germany in 2014. Messi is not taking part in any of Argentina’s other games in this international window. The team beat Bolivia 4-0 on Wednesday and will...

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Dennis Trillo amid family controversy: 'Gagawin [ko] lahat para protektahan sila'

Oct 4, 2026

Dennis Trillo amid family controversy: 'Gagawin [ko] lahat para protektahan sila'

Dennis Trillo wholeheartedly dedicated the two Best Actor awards he received from the Multi-Media Press Society of the Philippines at the Golden Screen Dekada Awards last night, October 4. In his acceptance speech, Dennis said, “Gusto kong i-special mention ang aking number one supporter sa buhay, sa bahay, at sa lahat ng kaganapan sa mundo ko. Kay Jennylyn Mercado, maraming salamat sa 'yo. Sobrang proud ako sa 'yo. Kung proud ka sa akin, mas proud ako sa 'yo.” In a separate interview with GMANetwork.com and other entertainment media, the Kapuso actor expressed how grateful he is to his wife. “Hindi ko mararating ito kung hindi dahil sa kanya, kung hindi dahil sa ginawa niya sa akin, ginawa niyang pagbabago sa buhay ko. Siya yung nag-lead sa akin para mapunta dito sa maganda.” The media then asked about their family, which is currently embroiled in controversy following Patrick Garcia's statements about his past relationship with Jennylyn and their son, Alex Jazz. READ: Patrick Garcia, nilinaw na hindi iniwan si Jennylyn Mercado at ang kanilang anak “Well, kailangan mo lang maging matibay, siyempre. Isipin mo palagi yung pamilya. Sila naman yung pinakaimportante talaga. And, ayun, harapin nang matapang dahil, siyempre, kapag pamilya yung pinag-usapan, ibang usapan na 'yon.” On the issue, the actress has chosen not to make any statement. However, Dennis has been noticeably responding to and making remarks about comments regarding the controversy. READ: Jennylyn Mercado's agency issues official statement on Patrick Garcia's interview According to the actor, he and Jennylyn did not discuss his decision to defend their family. He explained, “Ako na lang talaga dahil, siyempre, pamilya ko 'yan. Walang ibang magtatanggol dahil ako yung padre de pamilya. Yun 'yong talagang pangunahing responsibilidad ng ama. Bilang tumatayong tatay ng pamilya, gagawin mo ang lahat para protektahan sila at to all costs.” Dennis admitted that they were surprised by Patrick's statements in his interview with Ogie Diaz. “Siyempre, nagulat, di ba?” he said. “Dahil, more than 20 years na, after 18 years, bago napagdesisyunang magsalita, bago magkuwento. Nakakagulat lang dahil tahimik na yung lahat. Siyempre, ayaw naman nating maungkat pa yung mga dating pinagtatalunan.” He said the situation could have been avoided if Patrick had spoken to them directly instead of going through other people. “Sa totoo lang, wala namang problema dun. Ngayon, siyempre, mas mahirap lang kasi nagkaroon ng ganyan. Pero lahat naman ito, madadaan sa mabuting usapan. Kung, alam nyo, siguro dumiretso siya sa amin, hindi na dumaan sa ibang tao, hindi na siguro nagkaroon ng ganitong klaseng pag-uusap.” Despite the controversy, Dennis said his support for his wife and family remains unwavering. His advice to Jennylyn was, “Maging masaya pa rin. Kahit na, ano yan, hindi maiiwasan ng mga itong kasi problema at mga pinagdadaanan sa buhay. So, ayun, maging masaya, maging thankful pa rin sa lahat ng blessings, siyempre. Thankful dahil maraming nagtatanggol sa amin, nagmamahal, at sumusuporta.” In the end, Dennis once again appealed for the issue to come to an end as their respective children have already been affected. “Hiling namin, matapos na lahat ng pamba-bash, ayaw na natin nangyari yun dahil mga magulang involved dito. Huwag na natin idamay ang mga bata dahil, at the end of the day, sila yung buhay natin, sila yung pinoprotektahan natin, sila yung mga mahal natin. “At ayaw nating masangkot sila sa ganitong klaseng at ayaw natin, alam ninyo, masangkot sila sa ganitong klaseng kaguluhan pa,” he concluded. Meanwhile, here are photos that show why Dennis Trillo stands out as the best dad ever: