LIONEL MESSI and Argentina have returned home to Buenos Aires with the World Cup trophy to wild celebrations.
The thrilling final went down to pure shoot-out drama with both Kylian Mbappe and Messi scoring.
Kylian Mbappe had completed his hat-trick in extra-time to send a sensational final into penalties after Messi had put Argentina back in front.
An injury saw Karim Benzema miss out on the entire competition and he has since confirmed his retirement from international football.
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Not over yet
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi is not retiring from international football and he will play at the next World Cup, claims former Argentina star Jorge Valdano.
Valdano told Cadena Cope: “When I interviewed him before the World Cup, off camera he told me that he was going to play in his fifth World Cup and that no footballer had played six.
“He told me that it was impossible, and he told me ‘if I’m a world champion I’ll keep my shirt on until the next World Cup.’
“We will see if Messi is capable. Football has shown that it is practically impossible to play in six World Cups”
Argentina triumph recap
Argentina captain Lionel Messi finally won his first ever World Cup – the only trophy that has eluded his stunning 18-year career.
The Albiceleste won their third overall trophy in the competition – their first since 1986 – after beating France on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Messi opened the scoring from the spot before Angel Di Maria doubled the Copa America champions’ lead.
But then the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe took over and scored twice to equalise for Les Bleus.
Messi put the Argentines ahead during extra-time before Mbappe equalised again.
Argentina then won on penalties when Emiliano Martinez denied Kingsley Coman, Aurelien Tchouameni missed and Gonzalo Montiel beat Hugo Lloris
Bayern line up Martinez move
Bayern Munich are looking to sign Argentina World Cup hero Emi Martinez from Aston Villa as a replacement for Manuel Neuer.
And the ex-Arsenal star’s agent admits a deal abroad could be close, saying: “Today there are few teams that can afford a goalkeeper like him.
“But Serie A, well, why not?
“Clearly aiming high, for the Champions League.”
Ronaldo makes Worst Team XI
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in a World Cup Worst XI.
The team was put together by data gathers Sofascore.
Ronnie leads the way up top with Lautaro Martinez.
Meanwhile, Edouard Mendy and Sergino Dest are also included.
Petit slams France final effort
Emmanuel Petit has criticised France for their dull opening 70 minutes against Argentina in the World Cup final.
He told Mega Casino: “Even before we lost the match on penalties, I’m thinking ‘what the hell is wrong with us?’ Why did we wait 70 minutes to play the final?
“I can guarantee you that those French players, who were so close to touching the World Cup and had that taken away from them, when they take time to think about the game, they will tell you that what happened during the first half, that can’t happen in a World Cup final.
“It’s impossible. It takes a lot to get to the final and you need to be ready. They were not ready in the first half, that is a big regret. We only played for twenty minutes in the entire match.”
Salt Bae in Cup trouble
Salt Bae has been criticised for joining in Argentina’s World Cup celebrations.
The celebrity chef was seen muscling in on Lionel Messi and Co’s party after their win against France on Sunday.
And Salt Bae even appeared to snatch the World Cup trophy from a BABY before posing for snaps.
Salt Bae slammed for touching £17m 18-carat World Cup trophy breaking FIFA etiquette while posing with Argentina starsMessi upstages Ronaldo once again
Lionel Messi has got one over Cristiano Ronaldo again… this time for the most-liked Instagram post in history.
The Argentina star shared photos of himself with the World Cup after beating France on Sunday.
And it has now garnered more likes than Ronaldo’s post of himself playing chess against Messi.
Not only that, Messi’s latest post has now overtaken the previous record holder for likes, set by a picture of an EGG.
Messi in near-miss shocker
World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi came close to being knocked off the back of an open top bus moments after returning to Argentina.
Messi and team-mates ducked under an overhead power cable with seconds to spare as they headed to the Argentine Football Association’s training ground.
Leandro Paredes was perched on the edge of the top deck of the bus but managed to keep his balance despite having to squirm away as it was almost on top of him.
He ducked down just in time but lost his baseball cap when the cable hit the top of his head and knocked it off.
SEE THE VIDEO HERE
Benzema set for Zidane U-turn
Karim Benzema could come out of international retirement for France.
That’s only if Zinedine Zidane replaces Didier Deschamps.
Benzema quit the international scene just one day after France’s World Cup final defeat to Argentina, with reports claiming he was unhappy not have been included in the squad despite carrying an injury.
But Foot Mercato claims the Real Madrid man will make himself available should Zidane, as expected, replace Deschamps at the helm.
Tops off for Argentina fan
The Argentina fan who risked jail by getting her kit off at the World Cup final has broken her silence by posting more topless videos.
It appeared Noe – who has named herself “The Topless Girl” on social media – and her friend escaped punishment in Qatar.
Noe shared more topless clips from Sunday’s celebrations.
And she even appeared to post a picture of her boarding a plane out of the country.
SEE MORE OF TOPLESS FAN HERE
Messi gets top BBC prize
Lionel Messi has been named BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year.
The Argentina captain scored twice on Sunday as he finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy.
The prize is awarded by a panel to the athlete who has “achieved the most notable sporting success” on the globe during that calendar year.
The 2021 winner was Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore.
Martinez shares brilliant throwback snap
Argentina World Cup hero Emiliano Martinez has posted an incredible throwback photo as a kid from his Independiente days.
The Aston Villa man looks unrecognisable as a youngster.
And he’d never have known the huge role he was set to play in his country’s World Cup triumph in 2022.
SEE MARTINEZ’S PHOTO HERE
Party declared to celebrate win
Argentina has declared a national holiday on Tuesday to celebrate Lionel Messi and Co’s stunning World Cup triumph over France.
Argentina’s heroes returned to Buenos Aires this morning.
And it has been announced there will be a national holiday to toast the triumph.
The celebrations are expected to start at around 3pm UK time.
World Cup transfers – Best XI
The World Cup has thrown up some exciting new stars.
And some could be heading to the Premier League in big-money moves this winter.
The likes of Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with some of these big names…
Argentina party on but France get heroes’ welcome
Argentina’s World Cup winners are waking up with sore heads after persistent partying.
And France’s losing finalists raised their arms but barely a smile as they acknowledged a heroes’ welcome back from thousands of fans outside their Paris hotel.
Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick couldn’t prevent Argentina’s victory but did help him beat Lionel Messi to he highest individual rating for the tournament from France’s L’Equipe.
Messi, meanwhile, restated his desire at the age of 35 to continue playing international football following his two-goal masterclass in the final.
And PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi confirmed he will start talking to the legend about a contract extension.
Bukayo Saka was the only Englishmen to make the best World Cup XI.
Lastly, Argentina’s triumph robbed France of successive World Cup crowns but has so far sparked little transfer interest.
Instead, French replacement striker Marcus Thuram is the finalist at the centre of most of the speculation.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are being linked with the Borussia Monchengladbach ace, 25.
Punter wins £240k after cashing out on France
A gambling genius has won £240,000 – after cashing out his seven-team accumulator moments before France’s World Cup final defeat.
American Daniel Forte had backed Les Bleus to lift the trophy as part of a £21 bet he placed in March.
Forte correctly forecast Manchester City would win the Premier League.
He also tipped AC Milan to win Serie A, and Los Angeles FC to lift the MLS Cup.
Other spot-on selections included Golden State Warriors to win the NBA finals, Colorado Avalanche to win Ice Hockey’s Stanley Cup and Kansas to win the NCAA basketball tournament.
Forte stood to win 557,770 dollars – £457,738 – if France completed the final leg of his acca with odds of 21,453-1.
But in an inspired decision, he opted to cash out for $283,583 – £240,000 – just hours before Didier Deschamps’ men lost on penalties to Argentina.
Which is a result that would have left the Nevada-based punter with nothing.
Forte said: “Thank God I cashed out. I’d be leaving on a stretcher with a heart attack otherwise.
“There was a lot of thought and a lot of talking to my family.
“We decided to take the £283K cashout, and change my life.”
Goodbye smallest World Cup, hello the biggest…
So that’s a wrap on the smallest World Cup in living memory — now we can get ready for the biggest, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
For all the talk of new frontiers and “bringing people together”, Fifa are delighted to say goodbye to Qatar, the controversy and criticism.
Next comes a World Cup in three countries, not one city. In 16 venues, split across four time zones and thousands of miles — rather than the distance between Selhurst Park and Kenilworth Road.
With 48 teams, as opposed to the 32 that has been the norm since 1998. More from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Even, for the first time, a guaranteed slot for Oceania.
And, almost certainly, a record 104 MATCHES and 33 days as well. It will be 12 groups of four but the real issues are over the next stage.
Qatar was condensed to 29 days, with four matches each day in the opening stage.
But the big European clubs will put huge pressure on Fifa to prevent an expanding tournament lasting any longer than 33 days maximum.
The solution is obvious — up to six games each day in the opening round although that is more possible in 2026 than in any other potential venue for the future.
FULL LOWDOWN ON 2026 HERE
Messi wins Beeb award
Lionel Messi has been named BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year.
The Argentina captain scored twice on Sunday as he finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy.
The 35-year-old superstar helped guide his national team past France on penalties.
And the BBC announced they have dedicated the win by naming the diminutive genius as the world star of the year.
The prize is awarded by a panel to the athlete who has “achieved the most notable sporting success” on the globe during that calendar year.
The 2021 winner was Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore.
It is yet another trophy for Messi, who spoke about winning the World Cup after lifting it in Qatar.
He said: “It’s everyone’s dream when they’re little.
“I’ve been lucky enough to achieve everything and what I was missing, I found here.”
Fans hail France stars at Paris hotel
France stars put a brave face on their World Cup final pain as they went on their hotel balcony in Paris to acknowledge a heroes’ welcome home by thousands of fans.
But Kylian Mbappe still couldn’t raise a smile as he waved to flag-waving supporters following an historic hat-trick that couldn’t prevent Argentina lifting the trophy.
Credit: AFP Antoine Griezmann, one of the players of the tournament, managed a beaming grin.
And boss Didier Deschamps also produced a rueful half-smile.
Olivier Giroud, who was was subbed before half-time, and Aurelien Tchouameni were also snapped on the balcony applauding fans.
Argentina’s 4-2 victory on penalties after a 3-3 draw denied France and Deschamps two successive World Cup triumphs.
Credit: Getty Bukayo only England player in best XI
Notoriously harsh football critics L’Equipe have named England star Bukayo Saka in the World Cup Team of the Tournament… and only gave one player above a SEVEN.
Arsenal ace Saka was one of England‘s shining lights in their World Cup campaign, scoring three goals in their run to the quarter-finals.
Only one player was given above a SEVEN and it wasn’t World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi, instead Kylian Mbappe.
Saka rated at 6.5.
Kyl the mood
Kylian Mbappe and Co returned to France following their World Cup final defeat to Argentina.
And the squad understandably appeared to be in glum spirits after their efforts in a heroic comeback were undone in a dramatic shootout.
The French had found themselves 2-0 down until a late penalty boosted them into life.
Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe netted a three-minute brace to drag the game into extra-time before becoming just the second player to ever score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
However, he was unable to do anymore as his nation lost out on penalties to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
And a day later Didier Deschamps’ unlucky Les Bleus arrived back home to a hero’s welcome. Thousands gathered at Place de la Concorde in Paris to give well wishes to the beaten finalists.
Had France won the Jules Rimet they would have become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
France boss Deschamps would have also become the first manager ever to win it back-to-back. He appeared to be in a better mood than his compatriots as he was spotted smiling on the runway.
Utd and Arsenal gear up for Thur de France
Manchester United have reportedly joined Arsenal and Tottenham in eyeing France striker Marcus Thuram.
Bild even say Borussia Moenchengladbach are looking at potential replacements for the 25-year-old, who came on late in the first half during Argentina’s World Cup final triumph on Sunday.
It’s thought United are unsure whether spend big on a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo in January – with a loan signing regarded as a strong possibility.
That might be a boost for the Gunners if they decide to bid for Thuram.
Punter wins £240k after cashing out on France
A gambling genius has won £240,000 – after cashing out his seven-team accumulator moments before France’s World Cup final defeat.
American Daniel Forte had backed Les Bleus to lift the trophy as part of a £21 bet he placed in March.
Forte correctly forecast Manchester City would win the Premier League.
He also tipped AC Milan to win Serie A, and Los Angeles FC to lift the MLS Cup.
Other spot-on selections included Golden State Warriors to win the NBA finals, Colorado Avalanche to win Ice Hockey’s Stanley Cup and Kansas to win the NCAA basketball tournament.
Forte stood to win 557,770 dollars – £457,738 – if France completed the final leg of his acca with odds of 21,453-1.
But in an inspired decision, he opted to cash out for $283,583 – £240,000 – just hours before Didier Deschamps’ men lost on penalties to Argentina.
Which is a result that would have left the Nevada-based punter with nothing.
Forte said: “Thank God I cashed out. I’d be leaving on a stretcher with a heart attack otherwise.
“There was a lot of thought and a lot of talking to my family.
“We decided to take the £283K cashout, and change my life.”
Fans puzzled by Aguero’s smoke and winners
Sergio Aguero joined in the jubilant celebrations as Argentina lifted the World Cup, but fans spotted something rather peculiar.
The former Manchester City ace posted a photo in the dressing room with the World Cup trophy in hand while smoking a cigar.
However, fans noticed he had turned around his ID badge and they were left convinced he did so in order to claim it as a World Cup medal.
One user said: “Can’t stop laughing at how he turned his ID badge around so it looks like a medal 😭”
A second user said: “Aguero turned his ID badge around so it looks like a medal. He thinks we can’t see him 😭.”
A third said: “Aguero turnt over his id badge so it looks like a medal☠️”
“Shameless 😭😭,” said another.
Aguero was not in the Argentina squad after retiring from football in late 2021.
It came after he was diagnosed with heart condition cardiac arrhythmia.
Despite this, it did not stop the 34-year-old from donning a full Argentina kit as he joined the on-pitch celebrations.
Messi gains 21m more Instagram followers
World Cup winner Lionel Messi’s Instagram following soared 20million as stars in Qatar picked up an extra 210m in total.
But despite his problems at club and international level, Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo remains the king online, boosted by a near 19m rise to 519m.
Kylian Mbappe’s final hat-trick for beaten France against Argentina helped his following rise from 73.5m to 83m.
And Richarlison led a string of big increases for Premier League players.
Brazil’s Tottenham striker saw his backing swell from 17.3m to 19.6m. And Manchester United’s Brazilian winger Antony went from 6.2m to 9.3m.
But as a World Cup winner, Aston Villa’s Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez might be disappointed to ‘only’ jump from 4.3m to 7.5m
AceOdds compiled the list, with spectacular percentage leaps coming from South Korea’s Cho Gue-Sung (8773%), Richarlison (167%) and Argentina duo Julian Alvarez (136%) and Enzo Fernandez (353%)
An extra million followers pulls in £3,000 in social media post sponsorships, so Messi’s heroics earned him an additional £63,000 from the tournament. The PSG attacker, 35, can now demand £1,194,707 in fees for just one Instagram post.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
