World Cup 2022

WALES have sent medical staff to Los Angeles and Nice to ensure Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are in top shape for the World Cup.The Dragons’ star duo have had injury-hit seasons at their respective new clubs in the countdown to Qatar.
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, pictured here in Wales trainingCredit: Getty
But the Football Association of Wales have done everything in their powers to get the best out of captain Bale and midfield ace Ramsey ahead of their first finals since 1958.
SunSport understands medical services manager and lead physiotherapist Sean Connelly has been out to America to work with Bale and see LAFC’s facilities following his switch Stateside.
Five-time Champions League winner Bale, 33, left Real Madrid on a free transfer when his contract expired at the end of June for a new life in California.
The same tactic has applied to Ramsey, who moved to Nice from Juventus last summer with FAW staff – such as the use of a masseur or physio over a short period – visiting him in the south of France.
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It is believed the connection and trust between staff and players has been vital in building relationships with both clubs excellent in their co-operation.
Former Arsenal star Ramsey, 31, also uses his own fitness staff from a number of countries, including Holland, to keep in top condition.
Dietitians have also been used by the players in recent times in a bid to make sure they are looked after.
The FAW have backed manager Robert Page with the resources to ensure his senior players are in peak condition with the World Cup opener against the USA in Doha on November 21 fast approaching.
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England begin their World Cup campaign in under two weeks

Bale was an unused substitute in LAFC’s Western Conference final triumph last Sunday and hopes to be involved in Saturday’s MLS Cup showpiece against Philadelphia Union.
Wales’ talisman handed his country a scare when he missed the semi-final with a leg injury and has only played five minutes for his club since completing 90 minutes in the Nations League defeat by Poland in September.
Ramsey sat out the last international break with a hamstring injury but returned to action for Nice against Paris Saint-Germain last month.
Page hailed Bale and Ramsey last week during a Q&A session at Cardiff’s Senedd building.
Page said: “I spoke to both players on the phone recently. They are both okay. They are both experienced enough now to understand what their body needs to get them in the right place.
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“They are the ultimate professionals. They go to the nth degree to recover after games and the preparation starts when the final whistle goes.
“I trust in what they are doing to make sure they are in the best place possible to get on the plane.” More

TIMO WERNER has been ruled out of the World Cup with an ankle injury, RB Leipzig have confirmed.The ex-Chelsea ace limped off injured in Wednesday night’s 4-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Timo Werner has been ruled out of the World CupCredit: Reuters
Werner came off injured in RB Leipzig’s game against Shakhtar Donetsk on WednesdayCredit: Getty
In a huge blow for Germany first-choice striker Werner, 26, has been diagnosed with torn ligaments after a scan on his left ankle.
The former Stamford Bridge flop has been ruled out for the rest of 2022.
An RB Leipzig statement said: “Timo Werner suffered an ankle injury last night in the win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
“Scans today in Leipzig showed that he has unfortunately torn the syndesmosis ligament in his left ankle and will therefore be out for the rest of 2022.”
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Werner lasted just 17 minutes of Leipzig’s win over Shakhtar before limping off injured.
He fell to the ground after an innocuous pass but managed to walk off the pitch unaided.
Scans have now confirmed four-time world champions Germany will be without the striker in Qatar.
Hansi Flick’s side kick off their campaign in just 20 days against Japan.
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And Werner was well-placed to lead the line for his country after an impressive nine goals in 15 games since ending his Chelsea hell and rejoining Leipzig.
The forward has started Germany’s last eight games.
In total Werner has been capped 55 times by the national team, scoring 24 goals.
His old Chelsea pal Ben Chilwell is also out of the World Cup, as exclusively revealed today by SunSport.
Blues left-back Chilwell will not play for England in Qatar after leaving Stamford Bridge on crutches last night.
The Three Lions star is being sent for scans on his left leg but there is a suspicion he may have torn his hamstring.
Chilwell is out of the World Cup after injuring his left leg on Wednesday nightCredit: Getty More

FIFA have introduced a new concussion protocol ahead of the 2022 World Cup – to avoid a repeat of the horror in 2014. Should a concussion occur, protocol now allows for a single additional permanent concussion substitution (APCS).
Christoph Kramer receives a medical treatment during the 2014 World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
This sub allows a team to withdraw a player who has suffered a head injury but does not impact the five permitted substitutions.
The opposing team is granted an additional substitution with each APCS to avoid any advantage.
Two additional permanent concussion substitutions (APCS) have been allowed in the Premier League since February 2021, after a trial period.
The Premier League, FA and EFL have since adopted the rule permanently.
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But it will be the first time featuring at a World Cup.
In 2014, Christoph Kramer suffered a horror clash with Argentina’s Ezequiel Garay.
It was later revealed Kramer suffered a concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury that affects the brain’s function.
Recently, Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez suffered a head injury against Newcastle.
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But the Argentine stopper remained on the pitch, causing Villa to come under scrutiny.
Villa’s caretaker boss Aaron Danks said after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat: “We’ve got a very professional medical staff who assessed him and he was OK to continue.
“Obviously things changed and there was a delayed onset of something that meant he had to come off.”
Emi Martinez of Aston Villa goes down with an injuryCredit: Getty More

LIONEL MESSI “lost his mind” in a passionate speech before Argentina’s Copa America final win over Brazil last year.The legendary Argentine, 35, hadn’t had the best of luck on the international stage until then.
Messi ‘lost his mind’ in a pre-game speech, Di Maria said
Di Maria scored the winnerCredit: Getty
Messi won his first international trophy with ArgentinaCredit: AFP
He racked up a World Cup final loss to Germany in 2014 and finished runner-up on three different occasions in the Copa America.
But ahead of playing Brazil in their own back yard at the Maracana in the final of the 2021 Copa America, Messi “lost his mind” in a passionate speech.
Ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain ace Angel Di Maria said of the moment: “Before the start of each game, he (Messi) spoke.
“But this last speech was different, he lost his mind.”
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Messi said as the group huddled together: “We already know what Argentina and Brazil mean.
“I don’t want to say anything today, just thank you guys.
“Thank you very much for these 45 days.
“I told you on my birthday, we have made a beautiful group, and I enjoyed it very much.
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“Forty-five days where we traveled, ate, were locked up in hotels.
“Forty-five days without seeing our families guys.
“Dibu (Emiliano Martinez) had a daughter and he couldn’t even see her, he couldn’t hold her in his arms.
“Chino also had a son, and he only got to see him for a little while.
“All for what? For this moment. Because we had a goal, and we are very close to achieving that.
“And you know what the best of all is? That this depends on us.
“That’s why we’re going out on the pitch, and we’re going to raise the cup.
“We’re going to take it to Argentina to enjoy it with our family and friends, and with those who have always supported us.
“The last thing, with this I finish. There are no coincidences guys.
“This cup was going to be played in Argentina, but God wanted it to be played in Brazil, so that we can win it at the Maracana, and make it more beautiful for all of us.
“So go out to the pitch confident and calm, we’ll take this cup home.”
FINALLY MESSI WINS
And take it home they did, winning 1-0 with a Messi-inspired Di Maria getting the goal, inside the ground where they lost the 2014 World Cup final.
Argentina carried that momentum on, beating Euro 2020 winners Italy in the Finalissima.
The South American champs won 3-0 at Wembley.
Messi and Co are on a 35-game unbeaten run heading into next month’s winter World Cup, which will be the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s last.
He has also returned to form at club level after a poor first season at PSG.
Messi has 12 goals and 14 assists in 18 games played this season for PSG, heading into Qatar in frightening form.
Argentina will fancy their chances, with European champions Italy not at the tournament.
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France, Germany and England aren’t having the best of times either.
Their main rivals could be Brazil, who are looking for their sixth world crown.
Messi and Argentina are in frightening form heading into the World CupCredit: AFP More

SERGIO RAMOS has broken his silence on his shock inclusion in Spain’s initial World Cup squad. The 36-year-old defender made it into Luis Enrique’s 55 man list of players, which he will need to break down into 26 in the coming weeks.
Ramos is Spain’s most-capped player and is hoping for a sensational turnaround to his international careerCredit: Getty
Ramos will hope to make the cut again but some fans were stunned he even made it into the initial squad, given he has not appeared for Spain for 18 months.
The PSG defender last won an international cap against Kosovo in March 2021.
He even missed Euro 2020 as Enrique turned to younger alternatives to man the Spanish defence.
But after an injury hit spell, the legendary centre-back is hoping to fight his way all the way to Qatar.
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He told Mundo Deportivo: “Everyone knows what it means to defend those colours. I feel good again, I feel prepared, but ultimately it doesn’t depend on me but on Luis Enrique, whom I respect a lot. 
“I still have a lot of excitement to return and play this World Cup. I hope I can be in Qatar.”

The star also discussed the injury issues which held him back after leaving Real Madrid, seeing him only make 12 league appearances in his debut season at the Parc des Princes.
He added: “Last year was tough because I had a lot of problems, as well as having to adapt to another club after almost a lifetime at Real Madrid.
England begin their World Cup campaign in under two weeks

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“Throughout my career I have been injured very little. At no time did I think it was the end. 
“They are challenges that life presents to us, and if there is something that gives meaning to my way of being, it is effort, personality and perseverance.
“I think I have years left at the highest level, I love this sport. When you dedicate so much to it, in the end you reap the rewards.”
Ramos is Spain’s most capped player in their history with 180 international appearances between 2005 and 2021.
That is 13 more than second-place Iker Casillas and well ahead of Sergio Busquets, who is third with 139 caps.
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Ramos was also part of the golden era who won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010.
With his injuries behind him, Ramos has become a regular at PSG this season as the club look to win their first ever Champions League. More

WALES have not filled their full allocation of 55 players for their provisional World Cup squad.Unlike Group B rivals England, Robert Page’s Dragons opted to name 40-odd players on their preliminary list for Qatar.
Bale will lead Wales into the World CupCredit: Getty
Page has selected 40-odd players instead of 55 for the provisional squadCredit: Reuters
The first draft of names are given to Fifa for logistical reasons ahead of the tournament.
Page will name his final 26-man squad in his hometown of Tylorstown in the Rhondda valley next Wednesday night with few surprises expected.
Captain Gareth Bale will lead Wales with stars Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen also included despite recent injuries as Page remains loyal to his long-serving stalwarts.
Wales, who have used 30 players during 2022, do not plan to release their provisional list – just like Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.
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The Dragons – making their first finals appearance since 1958 – are similar to European rivals Holland, 2018 finalists Croatia and Poland, who also did not use their full allocation.
Luka Modric leads 34 Croatian players while Virgil van Dijk spearheads a 39-player Dutch party and Poland also picked 47 players.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Uruguay, featuring Luis Suarez, Rodrigo Bentancur and Edinson Cavani, have gone for full allocations.
The 32 competing nations have different plans in naming their squads.
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Japan were the first country to finalise their 26-man World Cup squad on Tuesday.
Fifa have set a deadline of November 14 for nations to submit their final squads.
England boss Southgate will announce his squad four days prior. More