Explainers

LIONEL MESSI has had an astounding career as one of football’s greatest ever players.He’s now also trying lead Argentina to their first World Cup in 36 years.
Argentina won a historic Copa America title last yearCredit: Reuters
Messi started his career with Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina as a youngster before moving to Barcelona.
And it was with the Catalan Giants where the superstar really made his name, winning an abundance of trophies in legendary fashion.
Since then, Messi has moved to PSG, where more silverware has followed.
The 35-year-old has also won silverware for his national side before 2022, namely the Copa America title last year.
How many trophies has Lionel Messi won?
In total, Messi has won 39 trophies as a first-team player.
As a player for Barcelona, Messi won a whopping 35 trophies during his 17-year run with the first team.
The 5ft 7in magician picked up 10 La Liga titles in Spain, as well as seven Copa Del Rey trophies.
Messi also won four Champions Leagues, eight Spanish Super Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and three Club World Cups.
Most read in Sport
Since Messi moved to PSG in 2021, he’s won two more trophies, a Ligue 1 title and a Trophees des Champions.
His wait for a trophy as Argentina’s captain took a little longer, howeber.
It wasn’t until last year that he led his side to a huge Copa America win over Brazil in the final.
Argentina then went on to beat Italy in the UEFA Cup of Champions final at Wembley Stadium.
And if Messi wins the World Cup today, he’ll bag his 40th trophy. More

LIONEL MESSI is aiming to cement his place as the world’s greatest footballer by winning the World Cup in Qatar.The PSG star has been at the final once before, losing to Germany in 2014.
Lionel Messi has been in sensational form in QatarCredit: Getty
And the Argentine captain has said that the final against France will be his last international game.
Messi said: “I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final.
“It’s many years for the next one and I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it’s the best.”
How much does Lionel Messi earn per week?
Messi, 35, joined PSG on a two-year deal worth £52m a season last year, putting him on £1MILLION per week.
However, this is a pay CUT from the £108m he was on at Barcelona.
Lionel Messi signed for French giants PSG in August 2021Credit: EPA
And in a list of pay compiled by French newspaper L’Equipe the Argentina superstar was well clear of fellow PSG frontman and ex-Barca team-mate Neymar – on £31m a year.
Brazil main man Neymar earns £606,000 per week.
What is Lionel Messi’s net worth in 2022?
The Argentina ace has a net worth of $130million or £107m.
Most read in Football
His staggering earnings make him the highest-paid athlete in the world, higher than that of Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently surrendered £25m in wages after quitting Manchester United.

World Cup 2022Everything you need to know about the World Cup More

ARGENTINA have been fantastic throughout the World Cup in Qatar so far.Lionel Messi and Co are 2-0 up against France in the final, with the little magician scoring the opener from the penalty spot.
Lionel Messi put Argentina 1-0 up in the World Cup final against FranceCredit: Getty
Angel Di Maria doubled the lead soon after.
If the game finishes in an Argentina win, they’ll be partying all through the night.
And the one song they might be singing is the one they bellowed after their win over Croatia in the semi-finals.
The song features a line which references England’s role in the Falklands War.
What are the lyrics to Argentina’s Falklands War song?
A video emerged of Argentina players singing it earlier this week following their win over Croatia.
The song has also skyrocketed to the top of Spotify in Argentina.
The full chant is: “Brazilian, what happened, the five-time champions screwed up. Messi went to Rio and he left with the cup.
“We are the Argentine band and we will always cheer them on, because we have the dream of being the world champion.
Most read in Sport
“I’m like that, I am Argentinian, f***ing English in the Falklands, I don’t forget. I’m like that, I encourage you, I follow Argentina everywhere.”
Argentina also have another chant which references England, though they haven’t sung it at the World Cup.
The lyrics for that song are: “We chased the English everywhere, the Germans are afraid to cross us, oh Brazilian, you don’t know what awaits you when you come to play La Bombonera.
“For the colours of my country I give my life, as the soldiers did in the Falklands, when I die I don’t want any flowers, I want a cloth that has these colours.” More

THE World Cup is sadly coming to a close but the race for the Golden Boot is still well and truly on.Lionel Messi is not only chasing the one trophy which has eluded him in his illustrious career.
Harry Kane won the World Cup 2018 Golden BootCredit: Getty – Contributor
Lionel Messi is the front-runner for top scorer at the 2022 World CupCredit: Reuters
But the Argentine legend now has one eye on the golden boot having worked his way to the top.
His PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe is also battling with him.
And the pair are set to go up against one another in Sunday’s mouth-watering World Cup final.
England’s Harry Kane won it in 2018 but find out how the chart is looking for the Qatar edition.
Read more on World Cup
Most read in Football
World Cup Golden Boot standings

Lionel Messi – Argentina – 6
Kylian Mbappe – France – 5
Olivier Giroud – France – 4
Julian Alvarez – Argentina – 4
Marcus Rashford – England – 3
Bukayo Saka – England – 3
Goncalo Ramos – Portugal – 3
Alvaro Morata – Spain – 3
Richarlison – Brazil – 3
Cody Gakpo – Netherlands – 3
Enner Valencia – Ecuador – 3
Robert Lewandowski – Poland – 2
Mehdi Taremi – Iran – 2
Andrej Kramaric – Croatia – 2
Breel Embolo – Switzerland – 2
Kai Havertz – Germany – 2
Aleksandar Mitrovic – Serbia – 2
Ferran Torres – Spain – 2
Mohammed Kudus – Ghana – 2
Bruno Fernandes – Portugal – 2 More

ARGENTINA or France will be leave Qatar with the World Cup trophy after tonight’s epic final.And Messi can have a fairy-tale ending to his international career as the Argentine legend is set to call it quits once the tournament is over.
Lionel Messi is hoping to bow out of international football with a World Cup winners medalCredit: PA
But no matter who wins the title, FIFA is set to enforce some strict rules that only allow a select few to hand over the trophy.
Find out who that is below…
Who is giving out the World Cup trophy?
The entire FIFA committee is involved when it comes to awards ceremonies after the match.
This year, the emir of Qatar, Tanim bin Hamad Al Thani will give out the medals along with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and CONEMBOL boss Alejandro Dominguez.
Read more on World Cup 2022
However, only FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino can deliver the World Cup trophy to the winners.
England legend David Beckham is the official World Cup ambassador and will also give out the medals.
Why can nobody else touch the trophy?
The trophy is under 24-hour water-tight security and only people present on a specific list are allowed to handle it.
This is due to the Jules Rimet being stolen at the 1966 World Cup before being found by Pickles the dog.
Most read in Football
And it was stolen again by thieves in 1983. More

THE World Cup in Qatar is drawing to its close.Argentina and France will contest the huge final, which means that soon all eyes will turn to Euro 2024 in just EIGHTEEN months.
Italy are the current European champsCredit: AP
And this time round the big tournament will be back to getting underway in the summer months.
Get £40 in free bets & bonuses when staking £10 with 888Sport
When is Euro 2024, and where is it being held?
Euro 2024 will be taking place in Germany.
The tournament will start on June 14, 2024 and run until the final on July 14.
The final will be held in Berlin.
The Euro 2024 qualifying draw
What is happening in qualifying?
England will battle Euro 2020 nemeses Italy to qualify for Euro 2024.
The Three Lions, who were in Pot 2 following their Nations League relegation, were pitted in Group C.
That sees them go up against Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri as their toughest opponent in a repeat of last year’s final which England lost on penalties.
Most read in Football
England will also face Ukraine, arguably the strongest team from Pot 3.
And their group was completed by Malta and North Macedonia, who famously ended Italy’s bid to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
Gareth Southgate’s side know if they finish in the top two of their group, they will guarantee their spot at the 24-team Euro 2024.
Elsewhere, Scotland were put into Group A with Spain, Georgia and Cyprus but will surely be tussling with Erling Haaland’s Norway to qualify.

World Cup 2022Everything you need to know about the World Cup More