Three Records, One Night: Messi’s Hat-Trick Powers Argentina Past Algeria

Argentina captain Lionel Messi delivered another unforgettable performance on the grandest stage of world football, scoring a stunning hat-trick to lead Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria and etch his name even deeper into FIFA World Cup history.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner struck once in the first half before adding two more goals after the break at the Kansas City Stadium, ensuring the reigning world champions secured all three points in emphatic fashion.

Beyond the victory, the match became a landmark occasion for Messi, who shattered multiple World Cup records in a single night.

The 38-year-old Inter Miami star became the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score against 11 different national teams. In doing so, he moved past former Brazil great Ronaldo Nazário and Germany legend Jürgen Klinsmann, who previously shared the record with goals against 10 different countries.

Messi also set a new age-related milestone. At 38 years and 357 days, he became the oldest player ever to score multiple goals — and a hat-trick — in a World Cup match. The achievement eclipsed the long-standing record held by Cameroon icon Roger Milla, whose exploits at the 1990 tournament had stood as a benchmark for more than three decades.

The historic evening carried even greater significance as it marked Messi’s 200th appearance for Argentina, extending his record as the most-capped player in the nation’s history. No other footballer has represented the South American giants as many times as the veteran playmaker.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to grace the game, Messi continues to defy age and expectations, adding new chapters to a career already packed with records, trophies and individual honours.

Having inspired Argentina to victory over Algeria, the legendary forward will now turn his attention to the team’s next World Cup assignment against Austria on Monday, where he will seek to continue his remarkable run and guide the Albiceleste closer to another successful campaign.

Rape: Rapper Mystikal jailed 20 Years After Pleading Guilty 

Grammy-nominated American rapper Mystikal, whose legal name is Michael Lawrence Tyler, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to a rape charge stemming from a violent incident at his Louisiana home in 2022. The 55-year-old rapper received the sentence on Tuesday, June 16, after previously entering a guilty plea to third-degree rape in March. The plea agreement reduced the original charge from first-degree rape, which carries a mandatory life sentence under Louisiana law, to third-degree rape, which carries a maximum of 25 years. Under Louisiana law, third-degree rape carries no chance for early release or probation, meaning Mystikal will likely serve the full term and be 75 years old upon release. The sentencing took place in the Ascension Parish courtroom, where the victim appeared and urged the court to impose the maximum sentence. She detailed the brutal attack that occurred at Mystikal’s home in Prairieville, about 18 miles from Baton Rouge, stating that he had punched her, choked her, pulled out her braids, and forcibly raped her. In a remarkable moment, Mystikal addressed the courtroom after the victim’s testimony, reportedly telling the court: “If I did that to you, I deserve the max sentence.” The judge ultimately sentenced him to 20 years, five years less than the maximum of 25 for third-degree rape.

Days before his sentencing hearing, Mystikal filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, arguing that he “did not have sufficient opportunity to fully consider the consequences” before admitting guilt. The motion also stated that he was “under significant emotional distress and felt substantial pressure to make an immediate decision.” According to court documents obtained by WBRZ, Mystikal claimed he had not been given adequate time to consult with his legal team before accepting the plea deal. The request was ultimately dismissed by the court, and the sentencing proceeded as scheduled. He had also filed an additional motion to withdraw his motion to withdraw the guilty plea, which further complicated the legal proceedings. The court’s decision to reject the withdrawal attempt cleared the way for the sentencing to move forward.

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The incident occurred in July 2022 when a female business associate accused Mystikal of sexually assaulting and holding her against her will at his Prairieville home. Investigators responded to a hospital after receiving a report of a sexual assault, where the victim had visible injuries and identified Mystikal as her attacker. According to reports, Mystikal allegedly accused the woman of stealing cash from him before the attack, then confiscated her keys and phone to prevent her from leaving, and forced her to send him money via CashApp after the assault. He was arrested on July 30, 2022, and initially charged with first-degree rape, simple robbery, domestic abuse battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and simple criminal damage to property—charges that would have resulted in a life sentence if convicted. Mystikal has been held without bond at the Ascension Parish Jail since his arrest in 2022, where he has remained in custody awaiting the resolution of his case.

This is not the first time Mystikal has faced prison time for sexual offenses. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to sexual battery and extortion of his hairstylist and served six years in prison. In that case, he and two bodyguards videotaped themselves in sex acts with the woman after accusing her of stealing $80,000 worth of his checks, telling her she would not go to police if she did something “degrading.” He was released in 2010 and, as a result of this conviction, is a **lifetime registered sex offender**. In 2017, he was indicted on rape and kidnapping charges stemming from a 2016 incident and spent 18 months in jail before being released on a **$3 million bond**. Those charges were ultimately dropped in 2020 after a second grand jury declined to bring an indictment. He has also served time for misdemeanor domestic abuse battery in 2012. In a 2021 interview with the AP, Mystikal described his repeated legal issues as “like a reoccurring bad dream,” acknowledging the pattern of legal troubles that have haunted him throughout his career.

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Mystikal rose to national recognition in the 1990s and is best known for his 2000 hit “Shake Ya Ass,” which featured Pharrell Williams and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. He received multiple Grammy nominations that year, including Best Rap Album for “Tarantula” and a nomination for “Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin’ Me Against The Wall).” The rapper was once among the most recognizable names in Southern hip-hop, with a distinctive, high-energy delivery that set him apart from his contemporaries. His debut album, “Mystikal,” was released in 1994, and he went on to release several successful albums throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, becoming a major figure in the No Limit Records roster alongside artists like Master P and Silkk the Shocker. His career, however, has been repeatedly derailed by legal troubles spanning more than two decades, and this latest conviction marks what is likely the final chapter of his music career.

With the sentencing now complete, Mystikal will remain in custody at the Ascension Parish Jail before being transferred to a Louisiana State Penitentiary facility to serve his 20-year sentence. Under Louisiana law, third-degree rape carries no possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, meaning he will serve the full term without the possibility of early release. His status as a lifetime registered sex offender will also remain in place upon his eventual release, and he will be required to comply with all sex offender registration requirements for the rest of his life. The case has drawn significant attention due to Mystikal’s celebrity status and his history of legal troubles, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of sexual violence and the accountability that even celebrities must face in the criminal justice system. The victim’s courage in coming forward and testifying about the brutal attack has been praised by advocates for survivors of sexual assault.

Rape: Rapper Mystikal jailed 20 Years After Pleading Guilty

Floyd Mayweather Faces Felony Charges Over Alleged $200,000 Watch Theft

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather is facing serious legal trouble in Las Vegas, where prosecutors have filed two felony charges against him over allegations that he used a bad check to buy a high-end watch. The 49-year-old former five-division world champion, who retired with an undefeated 50-0 record, was charged in April with theft as well as drawing and passing a check without sufficient funds with the intent to defraud. Court records show that Clark County prosecutors filed a criminal complaint against Mayweather on April 27, with a court order issued three days later requiring him to appear before a judge. Mayweather was scheduled for an initial appearance on Monday in Las Vegas Justice Court, but he did not attend in person. Instead, an attorney represented him at the hearing, and his case has been scheduled for a subsequent hearing in September. Neither Mayweather’s attorney nor the Clark County District Attorney’s office immediately commented on the case.

Prosecutors allege that on December 31, 2024, Mayweather wrote a $200,000 check through Wells Fargo Bank to Gold and Beyond, a luxury designer resale boutique in Las Vegas, to purchase an Audemars Piguet watch. The criminal complaint claims that Mayweather‘s account did not contain enough money, property, or credit to cover the payment, and that he acted “knowingly, feloniously, and without lawful authority.” According to court documents, authorities stated that “the check was deposited and returned unpaid as the defendant well knew.” A certified letter was mailed to Mayweather notifying him of the returned check and demanding full payment, but the amount was never paid, according to prosecutors. The complaint specifically states that Mayweather had “insufficient money, property, or credit” in the account to honor the check, and that he obtained property while “knowing that the check would not be paid” when presented for payment.

The store’s attorney, Marc Cook of Cook & Kelesis, which represents Gold and Beyond, explained that the business deliberately delayed filing the complaint to give Mayweather an opportunity to resolve the matter privately. According to Cook, the store first filed a complaint with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office in February. Cook stated, “The reason for the delay is that my guy trusted Mayweather and was trying to give him every opportunity to make good on that. And it got to the point where he wasn’t getting responses and wasn’t getting money for a watch that Mayweather had for well over a year.” Cook added that the business initially hoped to settle the matter without criminal charges, but several attempts to recover the money failed before turning to prosecutors. A source close to the store indicated that they even sent a certified demand letter to avoid a public scandal, but Mayweather allegedly ghosted them, forcing the store to pursue criminal charges. Mayweather’s attorney, Adrian Lobo, has argued that her client had no intention of defrauding Gold and Beyond, and that the complaint should have been filed in civil court instead.

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If convicted, Mayweather faces significant penalties under Nevada law. The felony theft charge, which involves property valued at $100,000 or more, carries a potential prison sentence of **one to 20 years** and fines of up to $15,000. The fraud-related charge for drawing a check with intent to defraud carries a possible sentence of one to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Combined, Mayweather could face a maximum of 24 years behind bars if convicted on both felony counts. Neither Mayweather’s attorney nor the Clark County District Attorney’s office immediately commented on the case, and a source close to Mayweather’s legal team indicated they are preparing a vigorous defense.

The watch theft charges are just the latest in a series of financial and legal challenges for Mayweather, who reportedly earned over $1 billion** during his boxing career. Plaintiffs in at least four states claim Mayweather owes them money, with legal battles spanning from Nevada to New York and beyond. Mayweather is facing a federal tax lien of over **$7.2 million filed by the IRS, covering two prior tax periods. The IRS filed a notice of federal tax lien with the Clark County recorder’s office against Floyd J. Mayweather, showing an unpaid balance of $7,279,664.45. The lien lists Mayweather’s “residence” as an office suite in Boca Raton, Florida. According to a source close to Mayweather’s former associate, the boxer’s financial, tax levy, and lien issues date back to at least 2018, years before certain business relationships began. There are also reports that the IRS has notified Mayweather of its intention to revoke his passport over an unresolved seriously delinquent tax debt, with the IRS reportedly informing him of its intention to notify the Department of State in late March.

Earlier this year, Mayweather was sued in New York over his alleged failure to pay rent at a Manhattan apartment. The lawsuit claimed he stopped paying rent on a leased apartment in July 2025, owing $330,000, despite continuing to post pictures of himself on private jets surrounded by stacks of cash. A judge also recently ordered him to pay **$1 million in back child support** to a former dancer, adding to his mounting financial obligations. Mayweather has also been involved in financial disagreements with multiple jewelers, with sources indicating he has a history of disputes over unpaid bills in the luxury goods sector. He filed a separate lawsuit in New York against his former business manager, Jona Rechnitz, alleging a yearslong fraud scheme that allegedly drained his bank accounts and hijacked real estate deals. According to TMZ, Mayweather is seeking at least $175 million** in that lawsuit, claiming that roughly $100 million worth of jewelry was handed over to Miami jewelers for only about $13 million in return, and that a huge chunk of the collection is still sitting with the dealers. The defendants have called the claims “utterly baseless” and plan to vigorously defend against them, with their attorney stating that Mayweather’s “gambling issues, prolific spending habits, monies owed to third party creditors and IRS tax liens and levys, as well as other unseemly behavior will be exposed.” Additionally, Mayweather is facing a lawsuit with Showtime Networks for over **$340 million, accusing the network and longtime advisor Al Haymon of stealing from him.

Despite the legal challenges, Mayweather recently announced plans to return to competitive boxing. He is scheduled to participate in the “Battle of the Legends” event in Athens, Greece, on June 27 against kickboxer Mike Zambidis. A source close to Mayweather told ESPN that he still plans to travel to Greece this week for the scheduled bout, despite the passport concerns. The case is scheduled for a hearing in September, where Mayweather’s legal team will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations. Mayweather remains one of boxing’s most recognisable figures, having retired with an unbeaten professional record and world titles across five weight divisions. The outcome of the Nevada case could have significant legal and financial implications for the boxing star if prosecutors secure a conviction, potentially derailing his planned exhibition bouts and further tarnishing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest and wealthiest champions.

Floyd Mayweather Faces Felony Charges Over Alleged $200,000 Watch Theft