World Cup 2022

STRUGGLING Harry Maguire should visit a psychologist to boost his confidence, according to Gary Neville.But the former Manchester United right-back insists the centre-half should still be on England’s plane to the World Cup.
Harry Maguire endured a difficult 90 minutes against Germany on Monday nightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Gary Neville threw his support behind the under-pressure Manchester United defenderCredit: EPA
Club captain Maguire, 29, is unable to get into the Red Devils side due to his poor form.
But Gareth Southgate ignored the calls for the £85million defender to be left out and started him against Germany at Wembley.

Maguire was booed by sections of the home crowd then gifted the away side their opening goal by passing the ball to Jamal Musiala and then chopping him down in the box.
The ex-Leicester man was also at fault for the second as he was caught out of possession and position high up the pitch as Germany countered.
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Maguire, who was spotted limping after the 3-3 Nations League draw, took to social media to apologise for his “mistakes”.
Despite his error-strewn performance, Maguire still has the backing of Neville – but was encouraged to get external professional help like he did.
The Manchester United legend told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’ve been there myself.
“I gave away two really bad goals against Vasco de Gama in a World Club Championships in 2000, then six months later went on to have a horrible Euros tournament for England in Belgium and Holland.
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“My pain lasted for about eight months in football terms. I was poor, lost my confidence, didn’t want the ball and didn’t show for things.
“When I lost my confidence, I went and saw a psychologist to help me through those moments.
“I did go and see my doctor at Manchester United. I did go and get a psychologist and get help. You do need external help at times.”
Neville is also backing Maguire to turn up and deliver when it matters most in Qatar.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21 and the Sky Sports pundit wants Maguire in the starting XI.
He added: “Harry is going through a difficult moment. I felt for him.
“But he’s a good solid character, he’s got a good family and people around him at Manchester United who will try and help him.
“It’s a tough period for Harry, there’s no getting away from that. But there’s nothing you can do other than show up, try your best and not give in.
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“At some point, his form will return because he has been an excellent player for United at times and England.
“He has to go to the World Cup. England haven’t got a massive pool of centre-backs for a start. Harry’s done very well for England and Gareth Southgate.” More

A STARSTRUCK Inter Miami footballer got a tattoo of Lionel Messi’s autograph just hours after meeting his idol on the “best day ever”. Argentine goalkeeper Francisco Ranieri had the dream encounter with Messi this week.
Francisco Ranieri met his idol Lionel Messi this week and asked him to sign his armCredit: SPORTCENTER
The superstar duly obliged and Ranieri got the autograph tattooed permanentlyCredit: Instagram @franranieri04
The national team set up camp in Miami where they played Honduras at the weekend – with record appearance-maker Messi scoring twice including a superb chip.
And this week Lionel Scaloni’s squad met up with the Inter Miami players – including stunned Ranieri – as they used their Florida training ground.
The shot-stopper, who also got a photo with Argentina’s No1 Emi Martinez, handed over a marker pen for Messi and the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner inked his signature on Ranieri’s left forearm.
The Argentine pair posed for a photo – with Ranieri displaying the autograph and Messi revealing his famous sleeve of artwork.
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And not wanting to ever lose the priceless marking, Ranieri decided to head straight to the tattoo parlour to get it as a permanent reminder.
The goalkeeper – part of the youth set-up at Inter Miami – shared the highlights from an unforgettable experience on Instagram.

Ranieri wrote: “The best day ever. I fulfilled a dream yesterday.
“Shared the pitch with the players I admire, with my national team.
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“Met my idol, the best player ever, an incredible person on and off the pitch, my role model!
“The excitement to see you and see that you agreed to sign my arm is indescribable.
“Leo you fulfilled a dream and every day I look at my arm I will remember the excitement I felt when I met you.
“I can’t put into words how great you are!
“So much sacrifice and so many things left aside, to live dreams like the one I got to live yesterday.”
But while Messi put his autograph on Ranieri’s arm, he is yet to sign a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain.
His current deal expires at the end of the season and, as revealed by SunSport, he is yet to receive an extension offer nor any proposals from elsewhere.
The superstar forward will decide his transfer future after the World Cup as he aims to lead Argentina to glory in Qatar.
Messi used a pen to sign the arm – but is yet to sign his new contract at PSGCredit: Instagram @franranieri04
Ranieri’s Inter Miami team-mates watched on in aweCredit: INSTAGRAM More

JOB-HUNTING Mauricio Pochettino watched England take on Germany at Wembley as he targets a managerial return.The former Tottenham boss has been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain on July 5.
Mauricio Pochettino was at Wembley to watch England take on GermanyCredit: AFP
He was linked with the vacancies at Manchester United and Chelsea in recent months but remains unemployed.
And now the 50-year-old is the third-favourite to take over from Gareth Southgate as the next England boss.
So it certainly raised eyebrows when news broke the Argentine was in attendance at Wembley on Monday.
The Telegraph report Poch was not invited by the FA but decided to go to the thrilling Nations League draw with assistant Jesus Perez and a friend because he is currently in London.
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It is said Pochettino kept a low profile at the game – as he has done at Premier League and other live matches abroad this season during his free time.
Pressure is mounting on current England manager Southgate.
His side failed to win any of their six Nations League matches and there is growing suggestion he could walk away from the job after the World Cup in Qatar – regardless of how far the Three Lions go.
Should he do so, the FA would be keen to find a successful replacement as soon as possible.
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The Argentine would be reunited with goalscoring hero Harry Kane with England while his former Spurs stars Eric Dier, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker-Peters could be part of his squad.
Graham Potter, though, remains the favourite at 5/2 dispute taking the Chelsea job this month on a five-year contract worth £10million per year.
Newcastle’s Eddie Howe is second at 4/1 with Poch third on 5/1.
He is followed in the odds by Steve Cooper, Thomas Tuchel, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Arsene Wenger and under-pressure Leicester gaffer Brendan Rodgers.
Pochettino has even been linked with a shock switch to the King Power should Rodgers get the sack – although Nice and Juventus are more likely club destinations at this stage. More

GARETH SOUTHGATE has travelled to Vienna to watch Iran play Senegal in a friendly.The England manager is busy preparing for the Qatar World Cup after the Three Lions’ Nations League campaign concluded with a 3-3 draw against Germany.
Gareth Southgate travelled to Vienna to watch Iran vs SenegalCredit: Sky Sports News
The England boss was accompanied by his assistant Steve HollandCredit: Sky Sports News
And with England set to take on Iran in their opening World Cup fixture, Southgate is doing his homework in person.
He was joined by his assistant manager Steve Holland at the behind closed doors match.
Southgate, 52, was likely casting an eye over Iran’s dangermen to work out how to nullify Carlos Queiroz’s side.
The England boss looked in good spirits despite mounting pressure on his team, and took time to pose for photos with fans ahead of kick-off.
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Despite a run of six matches without a win Southgate has belief in his squad and is re-assured by the leadership qualities some players have shown in recent days.
He said after the Germany match: “Some of the more senior players have been outstanding.
“They asked for a meeting on their own to talk things through. For me that was such a positive sign. The best football teams have a real core of players that drive things.
“To have the right sort of messages filtering through to the group to keep people on track is crucial. We need to stay calm.
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“We have been through times like this before but they are all learning together. The message is we must stick to what we do.
“You will have pressure in a World Cup. It may be in a group game or in a quarter-final. It is better we feel it and learn how to feel about it. More

LUIS ENRIQUE has admitted that he thinks rivals Portgual have a BETTER squad than his own Spain side.Enrique, 52, takes his team into this winter’s World Cup in Qatar as one of the tournament favourites.
Luis Enrique admitted rivals Portugal ‘had better players than Spain’ ahead of the World CupCredit: EPA
But despite this, he bizarrely claims their Iberian neighbours have a better chance of winning.
The ex-Barcelona boss said: “Regarding Spain today, Portugal has better players than Spain.
“Starting players in the Premier League, La Liga and other championships. It exports a lot of players, it’s very interesting. 
“I hope both teams triumph in the World Cup.”
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The Spain squad contains some of the most incredible young stars on the globe such as Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati and world beaters like Sergio Busquets, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pau Torres and Unai Simon.
Portugal though also boast an incredible array of talent including Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva.
An indication of which team is better tonight when they face off in the Nations League.
Spain need to beat Portugal to qualify for the finals of the Nations League – otherwise their neighbours will progress to the final four.
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Enrique’s comments come as Portugal fans have been calling for Cristiano Ronaldo to be dropped from the starting XI for the clash.
The 37-year-old has been criticised by the Portuguese media and supporters of the national team due to recent poor performances.
Ronaldo started in their 4-0 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday but he didn’t score.
Instead he picked up a nasty facial injury and gave away a penalty trying to protect his bloody nose.
With Portugal leading 2-0, Ron gifted the hosts the perfect chance to get back into the match from the spot.
He conceded the pen for a handball when he looked as though he was going to head it clear. More