World Cup 2022

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      Real Madrid star Karim Benzema appears to SNUB France World Cup final call-up in blunt Instagram post

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      KARIM BENZEMA appears to have snubbed the possibility of a return to the France squad for Sunday’s World Cup final.The Real Madrid star was originally named in Les Bleus’ 26-man squad and even travelled to Qatar with his team-mates.
      Karim Benzema posted this snap on Instagram
      He was forced to go home with a thigh injury, however, suffered during his side’s first training session in the Middle East.
      Having already had to replace crocked Christopher Nkunku with Randal Kolo Muani, France elected not to call up a replacement for Benzema – leaving him still eligible to play as part of their squad, on paper at least.
      Boss Didier Deschamps was asked after his side’s semi-final victory over Morocco if Benzema could return to Qatar to play in the final.
      Deschamps sighed dismissively, before refusing to answer the question, seemingly out of contempt.
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      It appears that Benzema would have no interest in returning anyhow, if his latest Instagram post is anything to go by.
      The 34-year-old posted a snap of himself snarling into a camera while donning a baseball cap and sporting a thick, bushy beard.
      He captioned the post: “I’m not interested.”
      Real Madrid team-mate Dani Ceballos replied with a flame emoji.
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      Benzema, 34, sustained a thigh injury during his side’s first training session in QatarCredit: AFP
      While Lucas Vazquez wrote “At home” before also adding a flame emoji.
      Benzema then shared a photo of him receiving the Ballon d’Or award this year – and captioned it “Good Night” so as to seemingly draw a line under it all.
      Benzema was claimed to be furious with the way in which Deschamps handled his injury.
      The prolific striker was allegedly particularly upset with his manager saying: “What a pity Karim that you have to leave.”
      It appears that Benzema felt hurt at being pushed out and forced to leave the squad behind in Qatar.
      He has since regained full fitness, and even featured in a recent friendly for Real Madrid.
      The LaLiga champions would have been happy to allow Benzema to return to Qatar, having made a quicker recovery than expected.
      But neither the France coaching staff, nor the player himself, seem to want that to happen.
      One man that DOES want Benzema to be at the final is French president Emmanuel Macron.
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      According to Marca, Macron wants the forward, as well as injured duo N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, to be part of the group on Sunday.
      Opponents Argentina have welcomed Sergio Aguero and Giovani Lo Celso into their camp – with fellow unavailable players Joaquin Correa and Nicolas Gonzalez also set to be with their group at the final.
      The reigning Ballon d’Or winner regained full fitness and has been training with Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Benzema wrote ‘Good night’ alongside a snap of him and his Golden BallCredit: INSTAGRAM / @KARIMBENZEMA More

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      ‘I felt sorry for him’ – Gary Neville claims Cristiano Ronaldo was let down by Portugal manager Santos at World Cup

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      GARY NEVILLE has admitted that he “felt sorry” for Cristiano Ronaldo when Portugal exited the World Cup.They were eliminated in the quarter-finals, going down 1-0 to surprise package Morocco.
      Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s quarter-final in tearsCredit: ITV
      Gary Neville was sad to see Ronaldo upsetCredit: Rex
      Ronaldo, 37, had been dropped after the group stage, and was called upon in the 51st minute of the quarter-final with his side trailing.
      He was unable to salvage the match, however, with Portugal being eliminated from the tournament.
      The forward left the field in tears, an image that tugged at Neville’s heartstrings.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, the pundit compared his old Manchester United team-mate’s situation to that of Lionel Messi – saying: “Messi has been managed by Argentina in terms of how the rest of the group have come around him, and they completely play to his strengths.
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      “Whereas with Portugal and with (Fernando) Santos having known Cristiano for so long, I thought he’d have done the same.
      “It feels to me like something has happened within the tournament that’s meant the plan has changed and Santos has thought, ‘I need to leave you out.’
      “But once you leave Cristiano out, it’s not just leaving another player out. It becomes a global story.
      “I actually felt sorry for Cristiano in the end, when he was walking down that tunnel in tears. That’s never a good image.
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      “You know he’s thinking, ‘this is it, I’m never going to play in this tournament again’.
      “I wouldn’t class it as an underachievement from Ronaldo, I’d say it’s an over-achievement that he’s doing what he’s doing at the age of 37, it’s just the way it ended with him being out of the team.”
      Santos, 68, was sacked by Portugal following his side’s exit – having insisted that he has “no regrets” regarding his handling of Ronaldo.
      The veteran striker was dropped after the group stage following just one goal, from the penalty spot, in the three games.
      His replacement Goncalo Ramos went on to bag a sensational hat-trick in the round of 16 thrashing of Switzerland.
      Speaking after his side’s exit, Santos said: “I don’t think so, no regrets. I think this was a team which played very well against Switzerland.
      “Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, he came in when we thought it was necessary, so no regrets.
      “If we take two persons that were the most upset, it is Cristiano Ronaldo and me. Of course, we are upset, but that is part of the job of the coach and the player.”
      Neville, meanwhile, appears to be holding no grudge against Ronaldo.
      The 47-year-old was criticised during the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s interview with The Sun’s Piers Morgan – when Ronaldo accused him of using his name for fame.
      Neville was also blanked by his old team-mate while working for Sky.
      Read More on The Sun
      Having been axed by Man United last month, Ronaldo has been training at former club Real Madrid’s facilities in order to stay fit ahead of his next move.
      But Carlo Ancelotti’s side aren’t thought to be interested in bringing him back to Santiago Bernabeu.
      Fernando Santos was sacked after his team’s World Cup exitCredit: EPA More

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      Africa has talent on and off football pitch to succeed but needs structure to compete with European wages

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      IN AFRICA itself, professional football doesn’t do so well, certainly not the club leagues.I’m afraid that, for all the solemn promises and grandiose schemes from Fifa, this will continue.
      The footballing structure in Africa needs improvement if it is to compete with EuropeCredit: Getty
      Morocco made history as the first African nation to make a World Cup semi-finalCredit: Getty
      It is truly history-making that Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals.
      It shouts to the powerhouse football countries that elite-level coaching in the lesser developed world is first-class.
      And the skills are by no means taught by expats, all five countries that made it to Qatar were head-coached by Africans.
      So, we know they have the talent both on and off the pitch to succeed on a world stage.
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      Where the difference lies is that the average footballer in Africa, from Morocco to Zimbabwe, earns £7,000 a month while the average Premier League wage is more than £250,000 a month.
      This is not a reflection of talent, but a direct reflection on the difference in the domestic leagues’ organisational structures as well as the broadcast rights and sponsorship revenue that each generate.
      The knock-on effect for the African domestic game is that outstanding footballers are quickly made to realise that fortunes are made in Europe, way beyond national boundaries, where top football is easier to come by and wages are much, much higher.
      Now the USA, Japan and the oil states are also tempting their players, emptying Africa of many riches. As ever.
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      Much of Africa is football barmy but actual progress on their own fields has been gradual, not least because of the lack of equipment, issues around fan safety and the mere fact trim grass is not readily available.
      That has never stopped boys or, increasingly, girls playing the game but unforgiving pitches, from sand to rock, take some overcoming.
      Fifa have plans to help.
      Publishing accounts isn’t their strong point but it is believed they have spent £2.5billion on worldwide assistance in the last six years.
      Divide that among about 200 countries and include too many fat, old committees and employees with a liking for posh offices, pleasant hotels and fleets of cars of their own.
      Fifa profit on the Qatar competition alone is about £7bn.
      In the long run, old-fashioned free-market economics will probably work better than dutiful charity because by all accounts the footballing countries of Africa teem with scouts watching out for talent.
      In time, I hope big TV fees and richer citizens may boost domestic clubs to the point where, say, 20 would form national Premier Leagues which pay players competitive salaries and retain their talent.
      Back in 1977, Pele predicted: “An African nation will win the World Cup before the year 2000.” That didn’t happen but they are edging closer.
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      The precedents for the standard of domestic African football are not good.
      And it isn’t going to be much helped by the plan to have at least nine teams from the continent playing at the expanded World Cup 2026 if the focus remains on individual talent playing outside of Africa, rather than national team development inside of Africa. More

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      Sergio Aguero joins Argentina camp and is sharing room with Lionel Messi again ahead of World Cup final vs France

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      SERGIO AGUERO has joined up with the Argentina squad and is sharing a room with Lionel Messi.The 34-year-old was forced to retire last year due to health issues, but will be cheering on his old team-mates during Sunday’s World Cup final.
      Sergio Aguero has joined up with the Argentina campCredit: Reuters
      Aguero has been reunited with his best pal Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
      Aguero and Messi have been close friends for nearly two decades – and were Argentina room-mates even in their youth team days.
      Upon the former’s retirement, Messi went into this tournament WITHOUT a room-mate at all – preferring to go alone than with anyone other than Aguero.
      Upon his arrival in Qatar, however, Aguero has reunited with his best mate, and is sharing a dorm room with him just like old times.
      Such is their close relationship, that Messi is godfather to Aguero’s son Benjamin, 13.
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      The Manchester City legend isn’t the only star that has been invited into the Argentina camp.
      Boss Lionel Scaloni has also invited players that missed the tournament through injury.
      Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso was in attendance at their semi-final win over Croatia.
      While Joaquin Correa and Nicolas Gonzelez are expected to join up before Sunday’s showpiece event.
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      Messi and Aguero have been great pals since their youth team daysCredit: Getty
      Aguero’s presence, however, will mean the most to Messi.
      Upon his mate’s retirement last year, the PSG star released an emotional statement.
      It read: “Practically a whole career together, Kun.
      “We lived very beautiful moments and others that were not so, all of them made us unite more and be closer friends.
      “‘And we are going to continue living them together off the pitch.
      “With the great joy of lifting the Copa America so little ago, with all the achievements you achieved in England.
      “And the truth is that now it hurts a lot to see how you have to stop doing what you like the most because of what happened to you.
      “Surely you will continue to be happy because you are a person who transmits happiness and those of us who love you will be with you.
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      “Now a new stage of your life begins and I am convinced that you are going to live it with a smile and with all the illusion that you put into everything.
      “All the best in this new stage !!! I love you a lot, friend, I’m going to miss a lot being with you on the pitch and when we get together with the National Team !!! @Kun Aguero.”
      Giovani Lo Celso has also joined up with the Argentina campCredit: Getty More

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      We have no money and no way of getting home to Argentina but seeing our hero Messi lift World Cup is all we care about

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      ARGENTINA is the economic basket case of the world, with incredible 88 per cent inflation and four in ten of the population living in poverty.Its citizens are so poor — with an average wage of just £320 a month — that virtually all have two or three jobs and work 16-hour days in a desperate struggle to pay rocketing bills.
      Argentina fans have put financial worries aside to travel to Qatar to watch the World CupCredit: Dan Charity
      Fans have flown en masse to watch Lionel Messi attempt to win the World CupCredit: Dan Charity
      Messi is playing at his last World Cup and attempting to win the one trophy missing from his collectionCredit: Getty
      But an incredible 60,000 of the country’s soccer fans have somehow begged and borrowed their way 8,200 miles to Qatar to cheer on their heroes in the national team.
      And blue and white-shirted supporters were all smiles yesterday — because they have Lionel Messi and an unshakeable belief that they will win the World Cup tomorrow.
      Genius Messi — playing in his last World Cup at 35 — goes head-to-head with superstar rival Kylian Mbappe and France in tomorrow’s final at Doha’s Lusail Stadium.
      Argentina fans in the 89,000-seat venue will outnumber the French by at least ten to one, creating an astonishing wall of sound.
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      But their dream of ending their nation’s 36-year wait for soccer’s Holy Grail is the only ray of hope for a country blighted by economic woes.
      Argentina has spent more time in recession than almost any other nation since the 1950s and has had double-figure inflation for decades.
      The Argentine peso has also lost 30 per cent of its value in recent months and lack of cash reserves, foreign investment and confidence in President Alberto Fernandez’s regime has sent inflation to that amazing rate of 88 per cent — with predictions it will top 100 per cent in the New Year.
      Argentina fans are expected to outnumber France supporters 10 to one at the finalCredit: Getty
      ‘WE DESERVE SOME JOY’
      But tens of thousands of fans have travelled to Qatar from Argentina — where prices have been skyrocketing faster than in any other G20 nation.
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      In contrast, many England and Wales fans — with UK inflation at around just nine per cent — shunned Qatar’s pricey tournament.
      But despite Argentina’s problems at home, even senior politicians in the capital Buenos Aires believe winning the World Cup is now the impoverished nation’s top priority.
      Asked whether lifting the trophy was more important than tackling inflation, Labour Minister Kelly Olmos shrugged: “We must constantly work against inflation, but one month won’t make a huge difference.
      “We want Argentina to be champions — the Argentine people really deserve some joy.”
      Nicolas Orellano from Buenos Aires says he has no idea how he will get homeCredit: Dan Charity
      Lawyer Nicolas Orellano — who also runs a wine business in Buenos Aires to help make ends meet — used all his savings and borrowed money from his girlfriend to go to Qatar.
      He flew to Spain, then on to London to catch a flight to Dubai, then travelled by bus and train through Saudi Arabia to the capital, Doha.
      Nicolas, 30, is now virtually penniless and is living in a bustling Argentine fan commune in Barwa Barahat Al Janoub, south of Doha, dubbed “Little Buenos Aires”.
      Yesterday fans there were roasting a lamb donated by Argentina’s ambassador to Qatar on a makeshift barbecue beneath a giant Messi banner as footy anthems blared from a loudspeaker.
      Nicolas said: “I have no money and no idea how I’ll get home but there is no way I can leave, now we’re so close to seeing Lionel Messi lift the World Cup.
      “Our politicians back home have let us down but our football team has not — they are the only hope we have.
      “It is a special kind of madness which brings us here when we have so little.
      “My girlfriend supports me and loaned me $500 (£410) when my cash ran out.
      “But I know some people who have sold their homes to find the money to travel to Qatar.
      “The people of Argentina are suffering but they love it that so many of us are here and are even donating money to us so we can stay and support the team.
      “I still don’t have a ticket for the final but would give anything and everything to be there, having been to five games so far — and I’m sure we will win.”
      Accountant and part-time meat trader Javier Mahmud, 36, had been struggling to save a deposit for his first home in Buenos Aires with partner of 15 years Carla Barletta, 34.
      But Carla supported his decision to clear out their entire savings account to travel to Doha via Egypt and Lebanon.
      Javier, at his third World Cup, said: “We have the best fans in the world who are giving everything to be here.
      “Our country is in a terrible state economically but Lionel Messi will repay us by winning tomorrow.
      “I have very little money left and no ticket for the final but I still hope to find a way of being there after following the team this far.
      “I’ll be flat broke when I get home, with no money to buy Christmas presents, but I won’t care and my family will understand. The only gift we want is the World Cup.”
      Fridge repair man Sergio Pendola, 30, from Buenos Aires, flew to Doha via Spain and Saudi Arabia to see his third World Cup finals.
      He said: “Diego Maradona is our god but Lionel Messi has a chance to become another god if he wins the World Cup for us — and he won’t let us down.
      “He has Maradona’s passion now because there are so many fans here willing him to win.
      “There is no question that he is the best footballer on the planet now and Kylian Mbappe will be no match for him.
      “Our fans are the 12th man for the team. I’ve spent my entire $6,000 (£4,920) savings and borrowed another $4,000 (£3,280) — but many here have sacrificed much more.
      ‘FOOTBALL IS ALL WE HAVE’
      Fan Evelyn Galiano has the middle name Milagros — Spanish for miracles — because she survived being born six months premature.
      But she said: “We do not need another miracle — we have Messi.”
      Evelyn, 26, is working in Andorra as a chef, but told her boss she needed a month off to see her idols.
      She said: “It is the last World Cup for Messi, that’s why I am here, and it has been beyond all my expectations.
      “I’m travelling alone but three of the guys here ran out of money for accommodation and are staying in my room.
      “They are staying for free — I wanted to help them. I feel completely safe because we are all fans together.”
      Mauro Fernandez, 32, a chef from Buenos Aires, travelled from Thailand via Madrid to get to Doha.
      He said: “I paid 400 US dollars (£328) for the Holland match and 600 (£492) for Croatia but I have run out of money.
      “They are asking more than 1,000 (£820) for the final ticket so I may have to watch it on a giant screen but I will go to Lusail, so I can be with the fans and see the players.
      “For me it is all about seeing Messi lift that trophy. I’ve been here for ten days and I’m not sure how I will get home.
      “I know Messi is better than Mbappe, he is the best.
      “There will be 50,000 Argentina fans at the final, there are more flights coming in from Buenos Aires. Yesterday they were completely full.”
      Gaston Didier-Lardet, 33, from San Luis, near the Argentine city of Mendoza, made the 12-hour, 6,500-mile flight from Australia, where he was working at a mine.
      He is now living in a low-rise block in the Argentine fan village, and said: “This is not the Sheraton but the atmosphere with the fans is just great.
      “It feels like home — we are surrounded by fans, we have barbecues and music.
      “I am a Messi soldier — he is proof of total sacrifice.
      “I’ve got a ticket for the final and I am very lucky. I am nervous and will not sleep, but I am looking forward to it.
      “I’ve probably spent around $10,000 (£8,200) but it is hard to explain why — I just had to be here.
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      “I’ve heard crazy stories of people selling their houses, their cars, possessions, anything to see Messi lift that World Cup.
      “We know it is his last chance and he is a God to us. I think he is going to do it.”
      Argentina are biddingto win their first World Cup since 1986Credit: Dan Charity
      Argentina fans have made stadiums in Qatar feel like home for the playersCredit: AFP
      Argentina fans roast a lamb donated by Argentina’s ambassador to Qatar on a makeshift barbecueCredit: Dan Charity
      Argentina fans’ tributes to the great Diego Maradona are easy to spotCredit: Dan Charity More

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      Which France players could miss the World Cup 2022 final against Argentina through illness?

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      FRANCE are in the World Cup final against Argentina and they’ll be hoping they have a fully fit squad available.Les Bleus have been clinical so far in Qatar, topping their group before beating Poland, England and Morocco en route to the final.
      Five players missed training for France in preparation for ArgentinaCredit: Reuters
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      But against Morocco, France were missing two of their stars.
      And for their huge clash with Argentina in the final, they could be without some more big stars.
      A mix of injuries and a bug which has swept its way through the French camp has caused their personnel crisis.
      Which France players could miss the final through illness?
      Against Morocco, both Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot were missing through illness.
      “In Doha, temperatures have fallen a little bit, you have air conditioning which is on all the time,” France boss Didier Deschamps said.
      “We’ve had a few cases of flu-like symptoms.
      “We are trying to be careful so it doesn’t spread and players have made great efforts out on the pitch and obviously their immune systems suffer.
      “Dayot Upamecano felt sick immediately after the match (against England).
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      “It happens when you make such an effort, your body is weakened and you are more prone to be infected by these viruses.
      “We are taking all necessary precautions, we are trying to make sure it doesn’t spread but viruses are of course infectious and we have to take precautions against it.
      “We separated him from others and Adrien as well.”
      And since the Morocco game, both centre-backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahim Konate, who started against the African side, have reportedly been struck down with flu, missing training on Friday.
      Kingsley Coman also missed training with the flu after feeling feverish in the week.
      Aurelien Tchouameni and Theo Hernandez also skipped training on Friday, but they’re suffering with respective hip and knee problems.
      Rabiot and Upamecano are expected to be back for the final.
      But it remains to be seen whether Tchouameni, Hernandez and Varane will be okay to start.
      Konate is likely to start from the bench. More

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      I knew Harry Kane would miss second World Cup quarter-final penalty against France from two tell-tale signs, says Deeney

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      I DON’T want to sound like an arrogant know-it-all here but I was sure Harry Kane was going to score his first penalty against France — and I was just as certain he was going to miss his second.When I watch a match on TV, I can tell you whether a player is going to be successful with a spot-kick, almost 100 per cent of the time.
      Harry Kane missed his second penalty against France – and it proved costlyCredit: Getty
      I’ve been taking penalties for years and like anyone who’s done the job regularly, I’ve missed a fair few.
      When I watched England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat by France, I thought Kane looked laser-focused for that first penalty, even though there was a long delay and he chose to re-spot the ball.
      Of course, he hammered it home in trademark fashion.
      But for the second, something wasn’t right about his breathing and his eyes were everywhere. I wasn’t surprised when he skied it.
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      I’d love to know what his heart rate was. My guess is a steady 85 to 100 beats per minute for the first one and as much as 145 to 160 for the second.
      None of this is meant as a dig at Kane — anything but.
      He is now England’s joint-highest goalscorer of all time and one of the most consistent penalty-takers you will ever see.
      I’ve heard from someone at Spurs that if Harry has a match on Saturday, he’ll have decided where he is going to stick any penalty kick by the Tuesday.
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      What he probably won’t have done is think about the prospect of a second penalty in the same match.
      Only two or three times in my career have I taken two spot-kicks in the same game.
      Just a couple of months ago, at Hull, I scored one penalty then ballooned the second one.
      Taking a second penalty can really scramble your mind.
      And I’m talking Hull v Birmingham in the Championship when we were winning 2-0.
      Not England v France in a World Cup quarter-final, late in the game, when Kane would surely have been thinking, “If I miss this, we’re out.”
      He’d have been feeling a nation willing him to score and the whole world watching him.
      Something wasn’t right about his breathing and his eyes were everywhere. I wasn’t surprised when he skied it.Troy Deeney on Harry Kane’s penalty miss
      The pressure, the spotlight, the responsibility of taking that second one must have been immense.
      Then there is the fact Kane was up against Hugo Lloris, his friend and team-mate of ten years, a guy he will have taken thousands of penalties against — that is an added complication which will have played with his mind.
      There is nothing like the pressure of taking a penalty. It is the loneliest feeling in football.
      Even if there’s a strong camaraderie in your team, this is all on you.
      As a footballer, especially as a striker, so much of what you do is instinctive and based on good technique — but not when it comes to stepping up from 12 yards.
      Then it has far more to do with mentality — and the psychology of it is fascinating.
      I’ve had plenty of team-mates who have told me that taking penalties is easy. And on the training ground, it is.
      MY TOP TIPS FOR EURO 2024I HOPE Gareth Southgate stays as England boss and leads them into Euro 2024 — after going deep in three successive tournaments, he has earned the right to decide on his future.
      But I’d still like to see England being more positive.   Here are three players I think can make an impact at the next Euros . . . 
      IVAN TONEYEngland didn’t have a genuine like-for-like back-up for Harry Kane in Qatar and Brentford’s Toney is the best long-term candidate.He is also the only Englishman better at taking penalties than the captain.
      RICO HENRYThree Lions  are short of left-backs and Toney’s Bees team-mate is a great option — excellent going forward but also dependable in defence.  
      EBERECHI EZECrystal Palace’s forward is a real livewire and could be Raheem Sterling’s long-term successor.

      But when you’re taking a penalty in a match, even a routine league game, you have so much time to think — a minute, sometimes two or more.
      It can feel like an out-of-body experience, like it’s not really you, almost as if you’re looking down on yourself.
      You start thinking whether your family are watching, all kinds of things.
      If that happens, you have to reset yourself. Breathing techniques help.
      One I learned was from the SAS, designed for when they plunge into extremely cold water — four short breaths, four long breaths. That can help.
      Probably the most high-pressure penalty I’ve taken was for Watford against Wolves in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in 2019, when we were 2-1 down in the 94th minute with the chance to force extra-time.
      It’s still not a World Cup quarter-final but, for my club and myself, that was a massive moment.
      MORE PRACTICE AHEAD
      There was a huge delay before I took that one. And I suddenly felt my left leg trembling uncontrollably.
      That has never happened to me before or since. I had to stamp my leg down three or four times to get rid of the trembling before I focused.
      I scored and we ended up winning 3-2, but the experience of missing a penalty — especially one that costs your team — hits you in the guts like nothing else.
      As soon as Kane is back at training, I feel certain he will be practising penalties even more than usual.
      Kane faces a two-week wait before his next match, at Brentford on Boxing Day.
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      He will wish it was sooner, just to get that next goal, to score that next penalty. Only then can he even begin to get that miss out of his system.
      Harry Kane comforted by manager Gareth SouthgateCredit: AP More

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      Watch a young Lionel Messi produce carbon copy of no-look World Cup assist against Holland in incredible rare footage

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      LIONEL MESSI produced a wonderous no-look assist against the Netherlands en route to the World Cup final. But now new footage has emerged showing Messi created a carbon copy of the goal before he made it pro.
      Lionel Messi produced a strikingly similar goal to his effort against HollandCredit: Twitter / @ElMalaguero
      In both he is seen dribbling past a defenderCredit: Twitter / @ElMalaguero
      Messi then pings a no-look pass into the path of a team-mateCredit: Twitter / @ElMalaguero
      The delighted team-mate of the GOAT is delighted to be assistedCredit: Twitter / @ElMalaguero
      Messi has been in terrific form in Qatar and has the chance to win the trophy he has not yet baggedCredit: PA
      The clip, which emerged on Twitter, showed footage of Messi’s incredible assist against Holland paired with the footage of a young Messi in a youth football game.
      As the clips play out, the similarities are unmistakable.
      In both, Messi dribbles with the ball infield as he shakes loose his markers – with the only difference being him shaking off two defenders as a kid as opposed to only Nathan Ake in Qatar.
      After creating a bit of space for himself, he then plays an incisive pass into the path of a team-mate who slots the ball home.
      READ MORE IN THE WORLD CUP
      Fans online were left raving about the striking similarities.
      One user said: “Was destined to be the greatest from the very beginning. 🐐”
      A second said: “Class is permanent form is permanent for Messi.”
      A third added: “Born to play football. He should not be allowed to retire. 😭”
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      Another user joked: “The Dutch had 25 years to prepare for that smh (shake my head).”
      Messi has been enjoying a fantastic World Cup in Qatar thus far and has helped guide his nation to the final, where they will face the challenge of reigning champions France – 17 years on from Messi being sent off 40 seconds into his international debut.
      He produced a particularly mesmerising performance against Croatia in the semi-final which left one of the defenders of the tournament – Josko Gvardiol – looking like an amateur.
      However, Gvardiol took it in his stride and declared he was glad to play against Messi despite being on the losing side against Argentina.
      Messi’s exploits saw a crowd of fans flock to a house which had been reported to be his Grandma’s, however it turned out to be just another woman. More