World Cup 2022

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      Fans convinced Messi planned entire move before even getting ball for Argentina assist as unseen footage emerges

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      FANS are convinced that Lionel Messi planned his entire move before even getting the ball in the build-up to his amazing assist against Croatia.The 35-year-old would go on to bamboozle Josko Gvardiol before laying the ball on a plate for Julian Alvarez to score.
      Kun Agüero talked on Arg TV how Messi directs his teammates to move around so he can receive the ball. Short pass to his feet is the secret. pic.twitter.com/yfUGPXnkcq— Juan Arango (@JuanG_Arango) December 15, 2022

      Lionel Messi points Julian Alvarez into position
      Alvarez laid the ball off to Messi
      Argentina’s No10 suddenly found himself free to run at Croatia’s back line
      After previously unseen footage emerged, it’s been claimed that Messi knew what would unfold long before embarrassing Gvardiol.
      As per reporter Juan Arango, Messi’s pal and former team-mate Sergio Aguero revealed on Argentine telly just what his mate wanted.
      Arango tweeted: “Kun Aguero talked on Arg TV how Messi directs his team-mates to move around so he can receive the ball.
      “Short pass to his feet is the secret.”
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      He accompanied his tweet with a video clip of the sequence taken from the crowd.
      In the clip, Messi can be seen pointing Alvarez into position.
      The Manchester City star receives the ball moments later, laying it off for his esteemed team-mate to embark on his amazing run.
      Messi then dribbles down the flank before his now-infamous turn on Gvardiol, before eventually passing it back to Alvarez for a tap in.
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      Messi, 35, tricked GvardiolCredit: Getty
      One fan wrote about the telepathy between the strike partners, tweeting: “Without any single word.”
      And another responded: “Messi points Julian to look for Gvardiol to free himself from the mark. The game is great.”
      A third added: “He had the whole play in his head before taking out the side. Bottle.”
      While a further user added: “The game within the game. Good stuff.”
      Aguero, 34, may have been in the squad, had he not been forced to retire last year.
      He has joined his pals in Qatar, however, hoping to cheer them on to glory.
      While his son Benjamin, 13, is also there – and was even gifted his godfather Messi’s match shorts.
      Injured midfielder Giovani Lo Celso has also joined Argentina in Qatar, like Aguero, hoping to witness them win the tournament when they take on France in Sunday’s final.
      Sergio Aguero has joined his pals in QatarCredit: Rex
      Giovani Lo Celso congratulates Messi after the victory over CroatiaCredit: Getty More

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      Messi among Argentina stars given day off from training amid claims he has ‘hamstring problem’ ahead of World Cup final

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      LIONEL MESSI and the rest of Argentina’s starting line-up were absent from training on Thursday amid concerns over their talisman’s fitness.The 35-year-old was seen clutching his hamstring several times during the 3-0 win over Croatia on Tuesday.
      Lionel Messi and the rest of the starting XI were given the day off on ThursdayCredit: Getty
      The rest of the Argentina squad were present for the sessionCredit: Getty
      It has led Argentina fans to become increasingly concerned about Messi’s condition ahead of their World Cup final against France on Sunday.
      But Messi’s non-appearance at training should not raise alarm bells as manager Lionel Scaloni gave all the starting XI from the semi-final the day off.
      Foot Mercato are reporting that Messi is experiencing discomfort in his hamstring, although he is widely considered to be fit.
      Squad players Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala – both of whom came on as second half substitutes against Croatia – were present at training.
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      Papu Gomez is nursing a sprained ankle and remains a doubt for the final, while Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel will return from suspension.
      But it is Messi that every Argentine is hanging their hopes on heading into the France game.
      The Barcelona legend has been in scintillating form for his country, contributing five goals and three assists in their six World Cup games.
      But more than his goal contributions, he has been talismanic in everything Argentina have done at the tournament as he bids to win the trophy on his fifth and final attempt.
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      He previously came closest eight years ago when Germany beat the South Americans in the 2014 final.
      Speaking after the win over Croatia, he said: “I feel really good, I feel strong and ready to play each game.
      “It’s not easy as we arrived tired but the group gained strength again and we played a strong game.
      “I am enjoying this a lot. I feel very happy in this World Cup and I am able to help the squad.”
      Keeper Emi Martinez also dismissed talk of Messi carrying an injury.
      He said: “No, no [he’s not injured]. We played 120 minutes against Holland, it was a hard game for him but you can see he wants to finish every game.
      “Physically he’s really good and he’s man of the match every game.”
      Argentina have not won the World Cup since Diego Maradona inspired them to glory in Mexico in 1986. More

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      Inside BBC Sport’s Christmas party as Shearer sings into a BREADSTICK while Richards and Murphy clap along

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      ALAN SHEARER had his fellow BBC pundits in hysterics as he sang into a breadstick during their Qatar-based Christmas party.While many of the Beeb’s pundits have come home from the Middle East with the tournament having entered its final days, their top team remain out there.
      Alan Shearer sang into a breadstick microphoneCredit: Twitter / @GaryLineker
      Micah Richards also gave it some gustoCredit: Twitter / @GaryLineker
      Looking to have some fun, a group including Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards got together for a Christmas party of their own.
      During the simple affair, Shearer didn’t hold back when it came to the karaoke.
      In a video posted by Lineker, the Newcastle legend could be seen using a breadstick as a microphone – giving it some welly as he sang You Can’t Hurry Love by The Supremes.
      The 52-year-old attacked each note like he used to throw himself at crosses, not shying away from growling into his impromptu mic.
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      And his enthusiasm was infectious, with Richards also getting in on the performance and making it a duet.
      Even Danny Murphy could be seen bobbing along in the background, with those off camera laughing at the brilliant exchange.
      Lineker, 62, wrote on Twitter: “The @BBCSport Christmas party is going well.”
      Replaying to the BBC host’s tweet, Shearer joked: “Ffs Micah the breadsticks are for singing not f….. eating man!!”
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      Danny Murphy was loving the performanceCredit: Twitter / @GaryLineker
      The performance went down a treat with fans online, with one tweeting: “This is so good, love it!”
      While another wrote: “Alan with the voice and Micah with the moves. The use of that breadstick is sensational.”
      A third Twitter user joked: “All the right notes just not necessarily in the right order.”
      And a further fan even quipped: “I tell you what. That Phil Collins does a really good imitation of @alanshearer.”
      The boys will be back on screen this Saturday, with the BBC set to broadcast the Third Place Play-Off.
      They will then be back the following day for the big one, as they go up against ITV with both showing the World Cup final.
      It won’t be the first time they’ve gone up against their rival broadcaster this tournament.
      They recently met each other on the football pitch, with Roy Keane dramatically ripping his shirt off after scoring ITV’s winner.
      Gary Lineker shared the fantastic videoCredit: Getty More

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      I’m the ‘Living Nostradamus’ who correctly predicted the World Cup finalists – here’s who will lift the trophy

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      A SO-CALLED prophet who correctly predicted the World Cup finalists has now declared which team will win the tournament.Athos Salome has been likened to French astrologer Nostradamus after claiming to have already correctly prophesised the Covid pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine and the Queen’s death.
      Athos Salome has been likened to French astrologer NostradamusCredit: @athos_salome/Instagram
      The final will take place at the Lusail Stadium on SundayCredit: Reuters
      Dubbed “Living Nostradamus”, Athos, from Brazil, correctly predicted Argentina and France would meet in the final clash.
      He made the prediction before a ball was kicked in Qatar back in early November.
      The Brazilian now claims he knows the winner of this year’s World Cup ahead of Sunday’s clash.
      His senses have told him that Argentina will emerge victorious in the final.
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      Athos said he predicts the future based on a system called Kabbalah, which analyses mathematical probabilities.
      His calculation for the final consists of the date of the match – Sunday, December 18 – and the names of the participants.
      And his supposed sums gave Argentina the number eight, which he said represents: “The completion of creation, and the beginning of a new cycle, the receiving of what is done and practiced.”
      He told the Daily Star: “You cannot predict games, that is luck and luck is measured by effort and not by guessing, I have always been against giving my guess, because thousands of people are betting, I am against games of chance.”
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      Meanwhile, his calculations left France with the number seven – which isn’t good enough to win.
      “The Law of Seven understands that the Universe consists of forces that influence each other and therefore nothing ever stays the same, it either evolves or degenerates,” Athos said.
      Based on his theory that nothing ever stays the same, France are set to lose.
      “It therefore makes no sense for France to be champions again.”
      The Brazilian clairvoyant claims his visions hit him out of the blue, with one of his prophecies warning that “World War III is coming”.
      Another of his predictions warns of imminent danger for an unspecified city, which will see objects “fall from the sky and nothing will be left.”
      He added that “this will be the warning that war has begun”, and ominously anticipates that a pair of “great leaders” will soon unite to attack the United States.
      He warned that the impending damage will be far worse than the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
      While his visions often warn of impending doom, Athos has said he instead intends his prophecies to be used for good so authorities have time to react to the incoming danger.
      “The predictions are made as a warning, not to bring despair to the population”, he said.
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      “This is no cause for despair, rather I warn so that the predictions reach the great leaders and something is done to prevent the worst.” More

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      Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger slammed for being ‘brainwashed’ and ‘making most STUPID statements’ by Norway boss

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      ARSENAL icon Arsene Wenger has been “brainwashed” into making “stupid statements” since joining Fifa, according to Norway manager Stale Solbakken.The Gunners legend, 73, who joined football’s world governing body in 2019, is currently the organisation’s head of global development.
      Arsene Wenger made some controversial comments during the World CupCredit: Getty
      Norway coach Stale Solbakken is not impressed with Wenger’s commentsCredit: Reuters
      He hit the headlines during the World Cup for claiming the teams that had focused on football over politics had fared better on the pitch.
      This was viewed as a pointed dig at Germany and Denmark – who were vocal in their opposition of the competition going to Qatar and subsequently lost their first game.
      They both went on to exit the tournament in the group stage.
      Wenger said: “You know when you go to a World Cup, you know you can’t lose the first game.
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      “The teams who have the experience to perform in tournaments like France and England played well in the first game.’ 
      “The teams who were mentally ready, with a mindset to focus on competition, and not the political demonstrations.”
      Many issues around Qatar had been discussed before and continued throughout the competition, namely the treatment of migrant workers, the LGBTQ community, and human rights abuses.
      Now Norway head coach Solbakken, whose country categorically opposed the Qatar tournament even before they failed to qualify, has slammed ex-Arsenal boss Wenger’s decision to support the event.
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      Speaking to Norwegian channel TV 2, he said: “It shudders to see that the smartest man in the world, Arsene Wenger, who has been looked up to over the years, has somehow been brainwashed and is now making the most stupid statements.
      “It’s scary with all the people we’ve looked up to in the football world for years.
      “There’s a polarisation going on right now, and I’m afraid it’s going to get worse.”
      Earlier this year, Norway’s president Lise Klaveness criticised the decision to award the tournament to Qatar.
      And in 2021, the team, which included Erling Haaland, wore protest T-shirts ahead of their World Cup qualifiers. More

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      David Beckham breaks silence on Qatar World Cup role and defends position after being called out by Joe Lycett

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      DAVID BECKHAM claims the Qatar World Cup “has the power to be a force for good” after defending his £150million deal to be the face of the finals.The ex-England captain broke his silence on Thursday in response to being called out by comedian Joe Lycett.
      David Beckham claims the Qatar World Cup ‘has the power to be a force for good’Credit: AFP
      Lycett protested against Beckham’s £15million-a-year agreement to be an ambassador for the emirate.
      He went viral for his money-shredding stunt last month after he issued an ultimatum to Beckham for the Qatar deal, where homosexuality is illegal.
      If Beckham did not pull out of the deal, Lycett said he would shred £10,000. 
      It was later revealed that Lycett had in fact donated it to an LGBTQ+ charity.
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      But a spokesperson for Beckham: “David has been involved in a number of World Cups and other major international tournaments both as a player and an ambassador and he has always believed that sport has the power to be a force for good in the world. 
      “Football, the most popular sport globally, has a genuine ability to bring people together and make a real contribution to communities.
      “We understand that there are different and strongly held views about engagement in the Middle East but see it as positive that debate about the key issues has been stimulated directly by the first World Cup being held in the region. 
      “We hope that these conversations will lead to greater understanding and empathy towards all people and that progress will be achieved.”
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      Revealing what really happened with the £10,000, Lycett said: “I haven’t quite told you the whole truth – the truth is the money that went into the shredder was real, but the money that came out was fake. I would never destroy real money.
      “I would never be so irresponsible, in fact, the 10 grand had already been donated to LGBTQ+ charities before I even pressed send on the initial tweet last week.
      “I never expected to hear from you, it was an empty threat designed to get people talking.”
      Joe Lycett pretended to shred £10,000 to call out BecksCredit: PA More

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      Watch hilarious moment Adrien Rabiot celebrates ALONE as team-mates dance in hotel as he’s isolated with virus

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      ISOLATING France star Adrien Rabiot celebrated alone as his team-mates danced through the hotel after making it to the World Cup final.The 27-year-old missed the semi-final victory over Morocco as he continues to recover from illness.
      Adrien Rabiot celebrated on his own due to illnessCredit: YouTube / Fédération Française de Football
      France players entered the hotel in jubilant moodsCredit: YouTube / Fédération Française de Football
      Adrien Rabiot will be hoping he recovers in time for the final at the weekendCredit: Getty
      Rabiot stayed at the team hotel during the game in isolation to prevent any of his fellow French aces from picking up what is a flu-like virus.
      Therefore, he was not part of the mass celebrations in the France dressing room and at the team’s base after the final whistle.
      The whole squad were greeted back at camp with a hero’s welcome.
      Manager Didier Deschamps led the way through the hotel foyer as supporters waved flags and let off confetti as the player walked in singing.
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      The cameras were following the squad and they zoomed in on Rabiot standing on a balcony alone.
      He was joining in the signing from up high and decided to record the scenes down below on his phone.
      Dayot Upamecano was the other player that caught the bug, yet he was well enough to sit on the bench and join in the partying with everyone else.
      Youssouf Fofana took Rabiot’s place in the starting XI and it is unclear whether he will return for the final against Argentina on Sunday.
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      It has been reported that some of the France coaching staff blame England for spreading the illness in their quarter-final win over the Three Lions.
      French newspaper L’Equipe claimed that the air-con at the Al Messila Resort and Spa has contributed to Rabiot’s illness.
      He is a key man for Deschamps’ side having been capped 34 times for France and they will not want to be without him for the final.
      Olivier Giroud led the wild scenes in the France dressing roomCredit: FFF
      Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann lifted a speaker More

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      How France and Argentina lined up in epic 4-3 thriller at World Cup 2018 – with Mbappe and Messi set to do battle again

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      FRANCE take on Argentina in a star-studded World Cup final this Sunday.The match will pit Paris Saint-Germain team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi against each other as they do battle for football’s greatest prize.
      Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe met at the 2018 World CupCredit: AFP or licensors
      Messi, 35, is aiming to perfectly crown his astounding career by finally getting his hands on the one trophy that has eluded him.
      Mbappe, meanwhile, is aiming to win it AGAIN aged just 23.
      On the way to his previous triumph, a teenage Mbappe inspired his side to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Messi’s Argentina in the round of 16.
      The French forward scored twice in the astonishing match, laying down his claim as the heir to Messi’s football throne in front of the man himself.
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      Much has changed since that clash, with just 11 of the 22 players that started in contention to feature on Sunday.
      France began with Hugo Lloris in goal that day, with the Tottenham ace still No1 this time around, possibly thanks to Mike Maignan’s pre-tournament injury.
      He had a back four in front of him featuring Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Hernandez.
      Pavard is in the squad but has been benched for Jules Kounde since the first game, while Hernandez was replaced by brother Theo after suffering a serious injury against Australia.
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      Varane is still a colossus at the heart of the defence, although Umtiti, 29, now plays for Lecce and hasn’t featured for Les Bleus since 2019.
      France boasted an incredible midfield partnership of N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba in 2018, and both would have been integral in Qatar had it not been for devastating pre-tournament injuries.
      Mbappe played on the right-wing in 2018, rather than the spot on the left flank we have become accustomed to seeing him in these days.
      That place in the team was taken back then by workmanlike Blaise Matuidi, with the popular 35-year-old having visited the current crop after their semi-final win this week.
      Antoine Griezmann started then as he will on Sunday, having thrived in a new midfield role for Didier Deschamps.
      Olivier Giroud will start upfront again, meanwhile, after Deschamps batted away suggestions that Karim Benzema could make a sensational return from injury to rejoin his team-mates in Qatar.
      Corentin Tolisso, Nabil Fekir and Florian Thauvin came off the bench in 2018, none of whom are in the current squad – although unused subs Alphonse Areola, Steve Mandanda and Ousmane Dembele will be in contention.
      Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann will feature again on Sunday, as they did in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      A very different Argentina side was left devastated four years agoCredit: Reuters
      Argentina, meanwhile, started goalkeeper Franco Armani last time out.
      The veteran stopper is still in the squad, but has been replaced as No1 by Aston Villa ace Emi Martinez.
      Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo and Nicolas Tagliafico made up the back four for then-boss Jorge Sampaoli.
      Otamendi and Tagliafico could start at the weekend, although Mercado, 35, and ex-Man United ace Rojo, 32, haven’t played for the national team since 2019.
      Javier Mascherano, Enzo Perez and Ever Banega made up an ageing midfield – with none of the trio in the current squad.
      Messi, meanwhile, was flanked up front by Cristian Pavon, now 26, and Angel Di Maria.
      Di Maria could overcome fitness issues to start this Sunday, although 11-cap Pavon has been in the international wilderness since late 2018.
      Federico Fazio, Sergio Aguero and Maximiliano Meza came off the bench during the 4-3 thriller.
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      Aguero is in Qatar to support his pals, having had to retire last year.
      Paulo Dybala was an unused substitute in 2018, but he could feature this time around. More