World Cup 2022

EMILIANO MARTINEZ taunted Kylian Mbappe once again by clutching a baby doll with his face on it during Argentina’s World Cup celebrations. The Argentines beat France on penalties after a thrilling match in Qatar – which saw the Frenchman become the first player since Sir Geoff Hurst to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
Emiliano Martinez held a toy baby with Kylian Mbappe’s face on itCredit: @ESPNFC
Martinez helped Argentina overcome Mbappe’s France in the finalCredit: Getty
Martinez, labelled a “s***house” for his antics during the final, aimed a dig at Mbappe in the dressing room after the game.
The Aston Villa stopper demanded a minute’s silence for the “dead” Mbappe.

And he has continued his bizarre beef with the 24-year-old during Argentina’s celebrations back home in Buenos Aires.
The goalkeeper, who donned nothing but shorts, a hat and sunglasses while on the bus parade, was pictured cradling a toy baby with Mbappe’s face stuck on.
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This whole ordeal happened next to Lionel Messi, who scored twice and was crucial in the build-up to his side’s other goal.
While Messi did not appear to react to the dig, Mbappe may end up raising the issue when they meet up next at club level.
The pair have been in terrific form for Paris Saint-Germain this season, with Mbappe contributing 24 goals and Messi 26.
Messi was thrown a toy turtle during one stage of the celebrations, prompting a laugh from the former Barcelona star.
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This is in reference to Mbappe’s nickname in the PSG dressing room, Donatello, one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The celebrations in Buenos Aires have seen MILLIONS of people line the streets in order to celebrate the South American nation’s third World Cup victory – and first since 1986.
However, it has not all been fun and games, with the party descending into chaos and tragically leaving one fan dead and a young boy in a coma. More

LIONEL MESSI was given a hero’s welcome as he returned to his boyhood town following his nation’s World Cup win.The 35-year-old fired Argentina to glory in Qatar and finally managed to get his hands on the one trophy to elude him in his illustrious career.
Lionel Messi went back to his home town of RosarioCredit: TWITTER@TomasDvoretzky
Messi was driven through the crowds by wife Antonela RoccuzzoCredit: TWITTER@TomasDvoretzky
Messi was greeted by hundreds of fans on his doorstepCredit: TWITTER@TomasDvoretzky
The crazy scenes cap another day of celebrations in ArgentinaCredit: TWITTER@TomasDvoretzky
Lionel Messi scored seven goals in this year’s World CupCredit: Reuters
Following the dramatic final victory over France, the Argentina squad flew back to Buenos Aires to celebrate.
While in his homeland, Messi decided to visit his home in nearby city Rosario.
The World Cup hero arrived in a car driven by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo.
Hundreds of fans surrounded the car, with many flocking to his doorstep trying to get a glimpse – and a photo – of the legend as he pulled into his garage.
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Security walked alongside the vehicle preventing any fans blocking his entrance.
Messi could be seen in the passenger seat of the Audi, smiling at the supporters chanting “champion” at him.
The wild scenes continue in Argentina after their World Cup success.
Yesterday, Messi and Co went on a bus parade around the capital city.
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Thousands gathered around the Obelisk monument in Buenos Aires lining the bus route hoping to see the nation’s new legends.
Fans were seen climbing onto street lights, bridges, cars and tall buildings hoping to get a better view of the mass party.
The players’ time on the open-top bus was cut short due to there being too many people on the streets for them to drive through.
They were then taken by helicopter above the city as it circled low so all could see.
And they could do it all again in 2026 with Messi NOT planning to retire from international duty after all. More

KYLIAN MBAPPE performed a rousing half-time team talk that helped inspire France’s remarkable fight back against Argentina on Sunday.Les Bleus went into the break 2-0 down after a meek first half showing in the World Cup final.
Kylian Mbappe delivers a rousing speech to his team-mates
Boss Didier Deschamps stepped aside as Mbappe proved his leadership nous
They had gone into the match with health concerns after a virus swept through their camp last week.
But they refused to give up, with Mbappe’s personality and force of will enabling him to put the team on his shoulders.
Despite being just 23, the forward has taken on a leadership role in the dressing room.
At half-time, a camera picked up Mbappe giving an off-the-cuff speech to try to inspire one last huge effort from his team-mates.
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Speaking in French in footage that emerged after the match, he said: “We can’t do worse than what we did.
“We go back on the field, either we let them play or we go in.. put some intensity in the duel and do something else guys.
“It’s a World Cup final. It’s done. They scored two goals, we are down two goals.
“We can come back. Guys it’s every four years!”
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Mbappe, 23, produced a sensational World Cup final performanceCredit: Rex
During the speech, Raphael Varane looked weary but determined – ready to give his all.
One fan joked on social media: “Varane looking like he’s getting a pat down for round 6 vs Tyson Fury.”

Boss Didier Deschamps had already made a double substitution on 41 minutes, hooking Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud for Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani.
France still took a while to get into gear, but the introductions of Kingsley Coman and Eduardo Camavinga on 71 minutes helped them roar into life.
However, the French comeback was almost entirely down to Mbappe.
He coolly stepped up to convert from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining, after Nicolas Otamendi had clumsily fouled Kolo Muani.
Then he finished a neat move with a stunning finish just a minute later.
He would go on to complete his hat-trick late in extra time AND convert his spot kick in the penalty shoot-out, only to still come out on the losing side.
Since the match, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has repeatedly mocked his beaten opponent.
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The Aston Villa stopper jokingly called for a minute’s silence for Mbappe in the dressing room immediately after the match.
And after arriving in Buenos Aires for the celebrations, he held a doll aloft with Mbappe’s face on it.
Raphael Varane looked determined as Mbappe gave his speech More

ARGENTINA’S World Cup winners were evacuated by HELICOPTER as a victory parade was abandoned when fans leapt off a bridge onto the team bus.At least one supporter in the massive crowd was carried away on a stretcher as Lionel Messi and Co were escorted away overhead.
Incredibly this Argentina fan was thought to have escaped without serious injury from this leap onto the team bus
Huge throngs in Buenos Aires sparked safety problems
The players had crawled through the crowd before problems hitCredit: AP
Fans clambered down from a bridge in Buenos Aires onto the vehicle when it passed underneath but one MISSED it as he plunged head first onto the side of the bus.
Chaotic scenes suddenly became distressing ones.
But, incredibly, it’s understood he was able to walk away from his shocking fall.
The squad’s trip was due to cover 50 miles after departing from the Argentinian Football Association grounds.
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But it was stopped early on security advice.
Some reports suggested up to four million people had gathered to hail their heroes.
And from the start a joyous, raucous atmosphere was mixed with fans jostling for space.
But all seemed peaceful, if not calm, until the bridge incident.
Fans gathered at the famous Obelisk ahead of the players’ arrival by busCredit: Getty
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And Argentine football chiefs admitted their disappointment at ending the tour early – with the players instead completing their journey by helicopter.
A spokesman for the Argentina FA said: “The players of the Argentine soccer team ended the festivities by flying over in a helicopter over the crowd of fans who gathered in the city.
“They made that decision after verifying that they could not continue advancing by bus in the middle of the crowd.”
And AFA president Claudio Tapia said: “They don’t let us get to greet all the people who were at the Obelisk.
“The same security agencies that escorted us don’t allow us to move forward.”
Supporters had little space to move as the capital city came out in force
Argentinians came from all angles to greet the homecoming heroesCredit: AP
Lionel Messi waved to fans from the bus before the parade was haltedCredit: AP More

FRANCE defender Benjamin Pavard “leaked dressing room secrets” and created a “toxic” atmosphere during the World Cup, sensational reports have claimed.Pavard, 26, started France’s opening game as they thrashed Australia 4-1, but was replaced by Jules Kounde late on and did not play again in Qatar.
Benjamin Pavard did not play after France’s first game at the World CupCredit: Getty
Didier Deschamps is thought to have had some strong words for PavardCredit: Getty
Didier Deschamps’ men went on to reach the final but lost on penalties to Argentina in one of the most dramatic games in World Cup history.
Now a L’Equipe report, translated by French journalist Romain Molina, has alleged that Pavard made “inappropriate comments” about his own team-mates from the bench during the loss.
Deschamps reportedly had “big words” with the player in response to his behaviour.
It comes after claims earlier on in the tournament that the French squad had become divided over Pavard’s inconsistent performances.
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Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele was reportedly among those who were “railing against” him.
However, the full-back received the backing of some of his veteran colleagues, such as captain Hugo Lloris and France’s all-time top scorer Olivier Giroud.
But now allegations of leaking team details to the media are said to have left Deschamps and his coaching staff “very disappointed”.
Speaking about Pavard’s omission from the team after the group stage, the France head coach said: “I took the decision not to play him, I won’t go into the details.”
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Pavard played an integral role in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph – scoring one of the goals of the tournament in their last-16 4-3 victory over Argentina.
But he has struggled for form at club level in recent times, going through some difficult periods at Bayern Munich.
Pavard joined Bayern from Stuttgart in 2019 and has racked up 140 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing 11 assists. More

THE bisht that Lionel Messi wore to lift the World Cup reportedly cost £1,650.Argentina triumphed in an all-time classic on Sunday as they beat France on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in Qatar.
The bisht was put on by Lionel Messi moments before the trophy liftCredit: Rex
He the lifted the trophy alongside his team-mates while wearing the bishtCredit: Getty
Captain Messi then had the responsibility of lifting the trophy for his country in his fifth and final World Cup.
But seconds before he did so, Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani placed a bisht – which is a a traditional men’s cloak popular in the Arab world – over his shoulders.
Messi then joined the rest of his team-mates and proceeded to celebrate with the iconic gold trophy.
It has now been revealed that the two bishts – each worth £1,650 – were custom-made for the respective captains, Messi and France skipper Hugo Lloris.
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Qatar-based tailor Muhammad Abdullah Al-Salem was responsible for making the items of clothing.
He told Esquire Middle East Arabic: “At first, we were not aware when we were asked to design this bisht that it was for the World Cup champion.
“We were surprised that the bisht that Messi wore was from our store, and I felt proud when my knowledge is that our store was the first choice of officials to manufacture this bisht.”
Speaking specifically about what the design had to be, he then added: “The required specifications were for the bisht to be light, which we understood later and seemed logical to us, and its purpose is for the winning team’s uniform to appear clearly from behind the bisht.”
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Messi won the Golden Ball for his sensational performances at the World Cup – which included seven goals and three assists.
But he narrowly missed out on the Golden Boot as Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick saw him rack up eight goals in Qatar.
Argentina’s triumph is their first since 1986 when Diego Maradona inspired them to glory.
And their fans celebrated in their thousands on Tuesday as they flocked to the centre of Buenos Aires for the open top bus parade. More