World Cup 2022

LIONEL MESSI could be BANNED from entering Mexico as a furious politician launched a campaign trying to block the Argentine hero – four years before they host the World Cup.Messi, 35, angered Mexicans on and off the pitch at the World Cup in Qatar.
Lionel Messi’s row with Mexico was escalated by a politicianCredit: Getty
He caused some anger when he accidentally flicked a Mexico shirt
He scored the winning goal in their Group C clash to help secure a 2-0 win for La Albiceleste.
But it was in the changing room celebrations afterwards where the controversy really started.
Messi seemingly accidentally flicked a Mexico shirt as he tried to take his boots off.
Boxer Canelo Alvarez kicked off massively, threatening the Argentina captain.
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And now Maria Clemente Garcia Moreno is leading the calls in government to have Messi barred from setting foot in Mexico.
The politician described his actions in the dressing room as showing “contempt” and a “lack of respect towards Mexico” and subsequently called for a “persona non grata” against Messi.
And a legal document reads: “The Chamber of Deputies of the Honorable Congress of the Union respectfully urges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue the corresponding Declaration in order to declare persona non grata within of the territory of the United Mexican States to the citizen of Argentine and Spanish nationality, Lionel Andres Messi Cuccitini, due to his manifest contempt and lack of respect towards Mexico during the World Cup of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on Saturday, November 26, 2022.”
Canelo kick-started the bitter row between Messi and Mexico when he tweeted: “Did you guys see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag. He better pray to God that I don’t find him.
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“Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico! I’m not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bulls*** that Messi did.”
Former Argentina striker Sergio Aguero then became embroiled in a war of words with the Mexican boxing icon.
Aguero tried to explain the situation and the reality of the incidental flick – only for Canelo to label him a “hypocrite b******” and a “s***”.
And Argentinian UFC star Santiago Ponzinibbio even offered to fight the four-weight world champion to settle the spat.
But it appeared to be de-escalated when the legendary boxer publicly apologised.
Canelo – whose beloved Mexico were knocked out in the group stages – said: “These last few days I got carried away by the passion and love I feel for my country and made comments that were out of place for which I want to apologise to Messi and the people of Argentina.
“Every day we learn something new and this time it was my turn.
“I wish both teams much success in their matches today and here we will continue supporting Mexico until the end.”
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Messi, meanwhile, will have his full attention on facing Holland in Friday evening’s quarter-final.
He has already said this would be his last World Cup – even before the mild threat of a ban in Mexico – so is desperate to add the one trophy missing from his incredible collection on December 18.
Messi scored one and set up the other in the World Cup clashCredit: Getty More

MOROCCO’S victory over Spain has left Rodri with a bitter taste in his mouth.The North African side stunned Spain on penalties in a dramatic last-16 tie on Wednesday night.
Rodri claims Morocco offered ‘absolutely nothing’ despite beating Spain in the last-16Credit: Rex
Luis Enrique’s side dominated for 120 minutes in Qatar but failed to find the breakthrough they needed.
And, after the Spanish missed their first three penalties of the shootout, Achraf Hakimi coolly stepped up to Panenka the winner past Unai Simon.
Rodri, 26, said that Spain deserved the win, despite being dumped out.
According to the Daily Express, he said: “Morocco offered absolutely nothing, without disrespecting them.
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“In the game, they did nothing. They just waited for the counters. They stayed behind and tried to counter us.”

The Man City midfielder spoke to RTVE and admitted it was one of the lowest moments of his career.
He added: “They were very clear about how they wanted to play
“There’s not much more to say, penalties are like that. We’re going home, it’s one of the worst days. 
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“We expected 11 guys behind, it’s complicated, it’s frustrating. I wish someone up there would have helped us.
“Football is cruel sometimes. The team gave it our all, I think we deserved to go through.” More

KYLE WALKER has issued a warning to Kylian Mbappe ahead of England’s crunch World Cup clash with France.The Manchester City full-back, 32, has enjoyed several battles against the 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward during the Champions League.
Kyle Walker has issued a stern warning to Kylian Mbappe ahead of England’s game with FranceCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
The French forward comes into the clash as the tournament’s top scorerCredit: Getty
Now the whole planet will get to witness their next one with the both men set to come face-to-face again when the Three Lions face Les Bleus in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
Mbappe, who gave the French a scare yesterday by sitting out training, comes in to the game in red-hot form.
He scored twice in the 3-1 victory over Poland in the last-16 to make him the tournament’s current top scorer with five.
However, many believe that Walker’s pace and experience make him the ideal man to stop the French’s most-dangerous player.
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And the England star is adamant that no “red carpet” will be rolled out for the superstar as he warned him it’s “do or die” come kick-off at the Al-Bayt Stadium.
Speaking to the media today, Walker said: “The game isn’t England v Mbappe, it’s England vs France.
“We will give respect but I’m not going to roll out a red carpet for him to score. It’s do or die as if we lose we go home.
“I do understand what I need to do and that’s to stop him. It’s probably easier said than done but I don’t underestimate myself. 
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“I’ve come across great players before so I just treat it like another game. 
“I’ll give him the respect he deserves but not too much because this is England. No one player makes a team. This isn’t tennis, it isn’t a solo sport.”
Former England stars Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand have both stated that boss Gareth Southgate possesses the “only defender on the planet” that can stop Mbappe in Walker.
Neville told Sky Sports: “It looks like a collision course waiting to happen doesn’t it? Mbappe versus Walker. 
“We’ve got the perfect right back to deal with Mbappe if anyone can – physical, pace, experience.”
While Ferdinand told his YouTube channel: “For me, Kyle Walker is the only defender on the planet right now that will stand there and go to Mbappe: ‘Right, 1-v-1, let’s have a race’.
“He will back himself too. We saw it in the Euros. He’s got the confidence to do that and he’s the only one capable of doing that I think.” More

SPAIN’S World Cup inquest has begun after their shocking round of 16 defeat to Morocco yesterday.La Roja attempted to hypnotise opponents with their volume of passes, but left themselves toothless up front.
Spain were eliminated by Morocco on penaltiesCredit: PA
The Spanish papers have gone in on Luis Enrique
Their campaign began with a rampant 7-0 victory over Costa Rica that saw them become one of the favourites to win the tournament.
They led 1-0 at half-time against Germany in their second match, but then everything changed.
Spain surrendered their lead to draw 1-1 with the Germans, before losing top spot in their group by falling to Japan.
Regardless, they were expected to beat Morocco yesterday, but fell on penalties despite having had 77 per cent of the ball.
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During the tournament, boss Luis Enrique initially charmed fans with his amusing Twitch streams.
But with the dust beginning to settle on their campaign, the Spanish papers have turned on Enrique.
Marca led today with the headline “World Cup is beyond us” – before claiming: “Enrique’s future up in the air.”
AS went for “That’s that”, followed by: “Spain out after lots of possession and no shots. FA doubt Enrique should go on.”
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AS wrote ‘That’s That’
Super Deportes pulled no punches
Super Deportes called the campaign a “World Cup disaster”.
They then added: “After the mirage of the first game, Spain leaves through the back door with usual vices and Luis Enrique in the firing line.”
Mundo Deportivo damningly wrote: “Spain out again in last-16, unable to even score a penalty.”
While Diario Sport simply went with: “Shame.”
Enrique first took charge in 2018, after Fernando Hierro had managed La Roja at the World Cup following Julen Lopetegui’s dramatic sacking.
He stepped down for four months the following year, after the tragic death of his nine-year-old daughter Xana.
Upon his return he guided Spain to Euro 2020, where they were unlucky to lose to Italy on penalties in the semi-finals.
During his reign he also managed his country to the 2021 Uefa Nations League final, losing 2-1 to France.
Mundo Deportivo were left flabbergasted by Spain’s inept performance
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TICKETS for England’s World Cup quarter-final with France are up for sale for a whopping £5,000 – over 28 TIMES the original value. England face the reigning champions on Saturday evening with a chance to book a second semi-final spot in a row.
England stars train ahead of the clash against FranceCredit: Getty
England fans are being charged a huge amount on re-sale sitesCredit: Rex
This ticket on Ticombo is 28 times the normal value of the ticket
A pair of official category 2 tickets normally costs £175 to buy.
However, with fans desperate to get in on the action, some have sniffed out an opportunity to up their money.
This has led to a number of tickets appearing on re-sale sites ahead of the game – with some staggering inflation to boot.
The aforementioned pair of Category 2 seats may cost £175 at normal price, but on Ticombo a pair have gone up for a staggering £5,000.
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This figure is more than 28 TIMES the value of the original tickets.
A travelling supporter would also need to add on the cost of accommodation and the cost of travel to their expenses.
As many as 9,500 Three Lions fans are expected to be in attendance at the Al Bayt Stadium.
But fears are mounting after Declan Rice missed England training just days before the crunch clash.
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The West Ham man has played in every one of England’s games in Qatar so far.
Rice missed the session today due to illness, with the clock ticking down to Saturday’s clash against Kylian Mbappe and Co.
Callum Wilson was also absent from the session after previously missing a session on Monday for Gareth Southgate’s reserve stars. More