France Ligue 1

LYON fans went crazy in the streets after Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or on Monday night.The 34-year-old Frenchman beat Sadio Mane and Kevin de Bruyne to claim the award after nine previous nominations.
Benzema collected the Ballon d’Or on Monday nightCredit: Rex
Lyon fans swarmed the streets as they sung songs in honour of BenzemaCredit: Reddit
The supporters also lit flares to celebrate the French striker’s successCredit: Twitter
There was a party atmosphere in Lyon on Monday nightCredit: Reddit
And supporters of his former club Lyon were ecstatic for their fellow countryman.
Benzema came through the Ligue 1 outfit’s youth set-up and then scored 66 goals in 148 appearances for the first team.
He won four successive French titles between 2005 and 2008, before leaving to join Real Madrid in 2009 for £35.2million.
But, 13 years on from his departure, he has by no means been forgotten – with Lyon fans still loving him more than a decade on.
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And they showcased their love for the striker by flooding the streets in celebration of his Ballon d’Or success.
Flares were lit and songs were sung as they paraded Benzema’s glory at the Place des Terreaux, a square located in the south-east city of Lyon.
And the scenes come just one month out from the World Cup – with French fans hoping the Real Madrid forward can fire them to a second successive trophy.
Benzema was not part of France’s World Cup-winning squad in 2018.
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He returned to the national team for last year’s European Championships, but Didier Deschamps’ men were eliminated by Switzerland in the last 16.
Yet despite Benzema’s stunning 12 months, France are not in good form heading to Qatar.
The world champions have won just one of their last six matches, losing to Croatia and Denmark twice.
And Deschamps’ side were decimated by injuries during last month’s international break.
Benzema, Adrien Rabiot, Kingsley Coman, N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Boubacar Kamara, Ibrahima Konate, Lucas Digne, Presnel Kimpembe, Theo Hernandez and Hugo Lloris were all unavailable for selection.
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It leaves France with no time to formulate a coherent team, with an absence of warm-up matches before their first Group D game at the World Cup against Australia on November 22.
They have also been drawn in a group alongside Denmark and Tunisia – who they face on November 26 and November 30. More

SAMUEL GIGOT was sent off for a late tackle on Neymar last night… but his boss Igor Tudor claims he didn’t even touch him.Paris Saint-Germain hosted rivals Marseille in a feisty Classique at Parc des Princes.
Samuel Gigot’s challenge left Neymar curled up in a ballCredit: AFP
Gigot was shown a red card by Clement TurpinCredit: Rex
The incident sparked a furious meleeCredit: Reuters
The visitors went into the match reeling from last week’s shock home loss to Ajaccio which put a dent in their good start to the season.
Tudor’s side were a tough match for PSG, however, getting in their faces and looking to dominate possession.
But a cheap turnover by the under-par Amine Harit gifted PSG a golden opportunity to counter-attack on the stroke of half-time, with Neymar finishing off Kylian Mbappe’s pass to sweep the champions into the lead.
Marseille remained a threat in the second-half, but shot themselves in the foot with 20 minutes remaining.
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Gigot, who had replaced the injured Eric Bailly earlier in the second-half, absolutely flew into a challenge on Neymar in a position of little danger.
The Brazilian yelped in pain and curled up into a ball on the ground, with his pal Marquinhos subsequently booked for his role in the resulting 19-man melee between opposition players.
Referee Clement Turpin did not hesitate in flashing a red card at Gigot, with BT Sport analyst Clive Allen describing the challenge as “totally indisciplined” and “horrendous”.
While Gigot’s tackle was high and late, replays suggested that contact was actually minimal.
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After the match, Tudor said: “I didn’t see it, but I was told that he didn’t touch the player.
“I have to look at the pictures. If you give a red card because he touched him, that’s normal.
“But if it’s just to punish the intention, it’s a mistake.”
Marseille, featuring former Arsenal aces Matteo Guendouzi and Nuno Tavares, still tried to push for an equaliser with ten men, but were unable to break down PSG’s stubborn resistance.
The win saw Christophe Galtier’s side climb three points clear of surprise packages Lorient at the top of the table, and six ahead of fourth-placed Marseille.
After the match, Mbappe denied widespread reports that is unhappy and wants to leave in the winter transfer window.
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He said: “I have not asked to leave Paris Saint-Germain in January. I’m not furious with the club, it’s not true.”
Neymar, meanwhile, turned up to court in Barcelona this morning to stand trial on fraud and corruption charges.
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe celebrate linking up for PSG’s goalCredit: AFP More

WANTAWAY Kylian Mbappe teed up Neymar’s winner as PSG edged out 10-man Marseille in Le Classique to go 20 games unbeaten.Sub Samuel Gigot’s red card for a terrible two-footed challenge on Neymar ended Marseille’s fightback.
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi help Neymar celebrate his PSG winnerCredit: Getty
PSG frontman Neymar slides the only goal past Marseille keeper Pau LopezCredit: AFP
Marseille’s early sub Samuel Gigot sparked fury with a challenge on Neymar that earned him a straight red card in PSG’s 1-0 triumphCredit: Reuters
PSG are now three points clear in Ligue 1 and undefeated all season.
Neymar steered strikepartner Mbappe’s low cross home on the brink of half-time after Marseille keeper Pau Lopez had regularly thwarted Christophe Galtier’s men.
PSG were often forced on the backfoot after that – until Gigot’s shameful exit on 72 minutes.
The home side bombarded the Marseille goal early on.
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Fit-again Lionel Messi forced Lopez into two low saves inside the first five minutes and Achraf Hakimi was also denied by the Spanish stopper.
Marseille regained their composure, but Lopez was again their hero when he blocked from Mbappe following Neymar’s quick break.
And finally Marco Verratti nipped in following sloppy Marseille play to reelase Mbappe, who fed Mbappe for a calm low opener
The visitors, though, dominated the early stages of the second period, led by Chancel Mbemba’s forward bursts.
But Marseille failed to create clear chances as they lacked a sharp edge up front.
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And PSG were already beginning to look more comfortable at the back by the time defender Gigot pointlessly and brutally felled Neymar, earning a straight red card.
A tired Marseille faded after that as PSG made it nine wins in 11 unbeaten Ligue 1 matches this season.
Neymar roars his approval as victory over Marseille put PSG three points clear of Lorient at the top of Ligue 1Credit: Reuters More

KYLIAN MBAPPE has just FOUR allies left in the Paris Saint-Germain squad, according to reports.The French champions are in crisis mode after it emerged this week that Mbappe wants to LEAVE in January.
Kylian Mbappe is running out of allies at PSG amid his transfer bombshellCredit: AFP
Neymar has the backing of most of his team-matesCredit: Rex
Just five months after penning a £650,000-a-week contract extension, the 23-year-old has asked out as he feels “betrayed” by the club’s hierarchy.
This has reportedly gone down badly with the majority of the squad, who are tired of Mbappe’s antics and feel that he has been given everything he could have wanted.
The Frenchman’s relationship with Neymar has come under the microscope, with the two having repeatedly clashed.
Mbappe reportedly wanted PSG transfer chief Luis Campos, with whom he is close, to get rid of the Brazilian in the summer.
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The two were involved in an on-pitch argument in August, when Neymar demanded to take a penalty during a clash with Montpellier, after Mbappe had missed one earlier in the 5-2 win.
Unfortunately for Mbappe, far more of the squad appear to be on the Brazilian’s side.
According to L’Equipe, PSG’s sizeable South American and Spanish-speaking contingent are fed up with him, and are backing Neymar in the dispute.
Brazilian centre-back Marquinhos is a key ally of his compatriot, who has been in blistering form this season.
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Of the remaining members of the squad, only Presnel Kimpembe, Nordi Mukiele, Hugo Ekitike and Achraf Hakimi are backing Mbappe.
It’s claimed the 2018 World Cup winner was left livid with PSG’s summer transfer business.
Campos and Co recruited seven new stars; Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Ekitike, Mukiele, Renato Sanches, Fabian Ruiz and Carlos Soler.
But it’s claimed Mbappe was desperate for them to sign Robert Lewandowski, Bernardo Silva and Milan Skriniar.
Mbappe is also said to be unhappy with how he has been deployed by boss Christophe Galtier.
After PSG’s 0-0 draw with Reims last week, he wrote on Instagram: “Match drawn, back on Tuesday. #icicestparis #pivotgang.”
Mbappe’s use of #pivotgang caused a stir – suggesting he is unhappy at leading the line on his own, and would rather play alongside another striker.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Benfica, Campos attempted to calm the situation.
He told French broadcaster Canal Plus: “Mbappe has never told me about his intention to leave in January. We speak with him, Messi, Ney… we’re very happy to be here.
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“We have to be very clear that this isn’t a declaration – it is news that has come out a few hours before a very important match against Benfica.”
Mbappe scored from the penalty spot in the draw, although Lionel Messi’s stony-faced reaction to the goal was captured by TV cameras.
Marquinhos is a key ally of NeymarCredit: Getty
Nemar, 30, has the backing of the South Americans and Spanish speakers in the PSG squadCredit: AP More