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      Tony Adams: Bukayo Saka is second only to Lionel Messi… Arsenal should build entire side around him to conquer Europe

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      WHEN Manchester City paid £100million to sign Jack Grealish 18 months ago, I couldn’t believe that they didn’t even try to buy Bukayo Saka.Even now I’m gobsmacked that Arsenal have been able to hang on to a kid who is already one of the best talents in the world.
      Tony Adams has rated Bukayo Saka alongside Lionel MessiCredit: Louis Wood
      Hopefully, they will soon get Bukayo tied down to a lengthy new contract, so I can stop worrying.
      Like me, he’s a London-born Arsenal fan who graduated through the academy and has the club in his blood.
      But even though the Gunners hierarchy are pretty confident he’s never going to leave them, they should never take that loyalty for granted.
      If Arsenal hadn’t shown the level of commitment I was looking for at the time, I would have been out the door like a shot when Manchester United wanted to buy me in 1996.
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      But they proved their ambitions by signing Patrick Vieira and Nicolas Anelka and that was good enough for me to sign on the dotted line.
      Now Mikel Arteta and the board have to convince Bukayo to stay by going big again in the transfer market this summer.
      Playing in the Champions League next season will be a whole new ball game for this Arsenal team.
      And it’s going to be really difficult for the current squad to compete at that level while also challenging for the title.
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      We all saw what happened when Mikel rested a couple of his big boys in the Europa League the other week.
      The back-up players looked bang average and were played off the park by Sporting Lisbon.
      At the moment they need Bukayo, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Oleks Zinchenko playing every week because they have a team that almost picks itself.
      But I’m sure they’ll give Bukayo that hefty new contract to keep him at the Emirates because they know he is irreplaceable.
      If there’s a better player in world football at the moment, someone who both scores and makes goals, the only one I can think of is Lionel Messi.
      Bukayo is absolutely on fire and the reason Arsenal are top of the table.
      Erling Haaland might be scoring hundreds of goals for Manchester City and Marcus Rashford is also having a phenomenal season for United.
      Messi is the only player Adams rates above SakaCredit: Getty
      Adams says Saka is the Footballer of the YearCredit: Alamy
      But Bukayo is, hands down, the Footballer of the Year because he was England’s best player at the World Cup and he’s been the best player for the team eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
      The first time I saw him was about five years ago in a youth team game at Forest Green and I could immediately tell he was something special.
      I reached out to him straight away because I wanted to know who was looking after him, did he have a good family and a decent agent.
      He told me: “I’m all right, Mr Adams, my family are good, this is OK, I speak to this person.”
      I knew then he would go a long way.
      We’ve kept in contact ever since and I reached out to him after he missed that penalty in the shootout in the Euro 2020 final.
      He appreciated the contact and the next time I saw him at the Emirates he gave me a big hug.
      If there’s a better player in world football at the moment, someone who both scores and makes goals, the only one I can think of is Lionel Messi.Tony Adams on Bukayo Saka
      He’s such a lovely boy, so respectful and polite. The kid has talent but he also has brains.
      And he still calls me ‘Mr Adams’.
      I still don’t understand why Gareth Southgate took him off 15 minutes from the end of England’s World Cup quarter-final against France.
      Mind you, I’m still baffled that Gareth, Arteta and Unai Emery have all tried to play him at left wing-back at one time or another.
      It was interesting that England didn’t pick Ben White for this week’s Euro qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine after he came home early from the World Cup.
      I can understand Gareth thinking he has better right-backs available but I don’t think White will give a monkey’s.
      He likes what he’s doing at Arsenal and he likes the players he’s playing with, so he’ll just get on with it.
      Adams has urged Arsenal to tie Saka down to a lengthy contractCredit: Getty
      Ben White was snubbed in England’s latest squadCredit: AFP
      He claims he doesn’t really like football but some guys I played with used to say that too.
      It’s a defence mechanism and some young guys need that.
      Fine, it’s only because they care.
      In my early career I much preferred going to the pub than joining up with the England squad because I was scared of being in that environment and I wasn’t comfortable in those surroundings.
      There were a lot of very big characters looking out for themselves and it was a real dog eat dog world.
      I was thrown to the wolves after the 1988 Euros and there was no one putting an arm around my shoulders like I did with David Beckham and Michael Owen when I was England captain ten years later.
      And on top of all that I had the illness of my addiction at the time, which is why I was always so keen to listen to George Graham when he would tell me I was injured and should pull out of international duty.
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      Mikel will know just how George felt after losing Jesus to injury during the World Cup and then seeing Rodri’s tackle on Odegaard the other day.
      He wants everyone fit and available for the title run-in because, even though Arsenal have a big lead going into April, they still have no margin for error.
      Arsenal legend Tony AdamsCredit: PA More

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      Scotland 2 Spain 0: Man Utd star McTominay the hero as Scots taste first triumph for THIRTY-NINE years against Spaniards

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      SCOTT MCTOMINAY was Hampden’s unlikely hero yet again as Scotland stunned Spain.The Scots had gone 39 years without even a sniff of a victory over the Spaniards – the last coming in a 1984 World Cup qualifier.
      Scott McTominay celebrates after scoring for ScotlandCredit: Getty

      On that day, Jock Stein was manager, Graeme Souness captain and Kenny Dalglish netted his last ever international goal in a famous 3-1 victory on home soil.
      The Tartan Army finally have new names to sing in the rafters of Hampden Park with Steve Clarke producing a tactical masterclass and skipper Andy Robertson leading from the front.
      In fact, Clarke was in the stands with his father for that ’84 classic.
      On this occasion, standing in the dug-out, he must have been bursting at the seams with pride.
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      Yet it is McTominay who will go down in folklore – the Manchester United midfielder firing past Chelsea’s Kepa in each half to send his nation into footballing dreamland.
      McTominay may appear surplus to requirements at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag, but he is a vital cog in Clarke’s machine having also scored twice late on to see off Cyprus last weekend.
      A natural goal scorer he is not, or so we thought. Before this international break, McTominay’s one and only strike came against Israel in October 2021.
      He now has five for his country, somehow scoring four in three days.
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      Two wins from two in a tricky qualifying group. These Scottish fans can already taste the frothy German steins awaiting them at the Euros next summer.
      The stars look to be aligning. On the two other occasions Scotland have beaten Spain in a qualifier (1984 and 1957) they have gone on to reach a major tournament.
      Clarke will remain grounded, as he always does, but he could not have dreamed for a better start to this campaign.
      As for Spain, their miserable form continues. They were embarrassed at the Qatar World Cup by Morocco in the Last 16, ultimately costing Luis Enrique his job.
      And now, under Luis de la Fuente, they are still capable of producing damaging performances to forget – their first defeat in a Euros qualifier for nine years.
      De la Fuente’s gamble to make eight changes after their opening 3-0 win over Norway backfired big time, but they still should have had enough to deal with Scotland’s tenacity.
      The hosts’ bright start paid off – Tottenham’s Pedro Porro slipping in his own box allowing Robertson to cut back for an unmarked McTominay after just seven minutes.
      Joselu – making his first start in a Spain shirt – came closest in response, smacking the bar with a header before Porro’s long range shot forced Angus Gunn to tip over.
      Spain failed to learn their lessons after the break with another tepid showing.
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      McTominay grabbed his second with an identical finish in the 51st minute, this time from a Kieran Tierney delivery after a sublime drive from deep.
      A display Spain want etched from their memories, while Scotland rewrote their history books.
      Scott McTominay doubling Scotland’s leadCredit: Reuters More

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      Manfred Schaefer dead at 80: Australian football legend known as ‘Mr B*****d’ by pal Pele passes away

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      LEGENDARY Australian football pioneer Manfred Schaefer has passed away aged 80.Tributes have poured in for the former defender who helped create history when Australia qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 1974.
      Australian football pioneer Manfred Schaefer has died aged 80Credit: Getty
      Schaefer won 49 caps for AustraliaCredit: Getty
      Two years earlier he played for the Aussies against Santos, coming up against Brazil legend Pele.
      And when he went to help the fouled striker Pele reportedly recognised him immediately and said: “I know your name, you’re Mr. B*****d.”
      In 2003 Schaefer revealed he views Pele as his best mate, having also bumped into him at the 1974 World Cup.
      He said: “When I ran into him again in West Germany during the 1974 World Cup he greeted me with another ‘Mr B*****d’.
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      “We had a cup of coffee and a chat. Later on in 2003 I even appeared with him on a television show for former World Cup players.
      “It was good, really nice. I see him as my best mate, believe it or not.”
      Tributes have been made to Schaefer who won 49 caps for Australia.
      Football Federation Australia Chairman Chris Nikou said: “Manfred loved all levels of Australian football and would regularly be found supporting the sport, whether at grassroots, NPL, Australia Cup or national team level, where his presence will now be sorely missed but always felt.”
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      Former Manchester United and Australia goalkeeper Mark Bosnich said: “RIP Manfred Schaefer…wonderful servant to the local game.”
      A fan wrote: “Sad to hear the passing of ex-Socceroos Manfred Schaefer. My deepest condolences to his daughter Kim Schaefer, family & friends. You represented your country and clubs with pride.”
      Another added: “Manfred Schaefer’s passing will sadden many people who had the privilege of knowing him or pleasure of watching him play. One of the heroes of 1974 … a true Socceroos legend.”
      And a third said: “I’m gutted Utterly gutted Manfred Schaefer was my first sports hero, my first Socceroos legend. That Manfred has passed is sad news but he has been an icon so let’s celebrate his achievements.”
      Schaefer’s contribution to Australian football was recognised in 1999 when he was inducted into the Football Federation Australia Hall of Fame. More

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      Fans say Lionel Messi has ‘won the statue battle’ over Cristiano Ronaldo as he is honoured with incredible sculpture

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      LIONEL MESSI has been honoured with an incredible sculpture after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.And fans reckoned he’s easily “won the battle of the statues” against rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Lionel Messi has been honoured with a statue after leading Argentina to the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Fans reckon Messi has easily beaten Cristiano Ronaldo in the battle of the statuesCredit: EPA
      Messi, 35, spurred Argentina to victory against France in December’s thrilling final.
      And he has now been rewarded with a life-size statue at the headquarters of the South American Football Federation in Peru,
      The sculpture shows Messi in his Argentina kit holding the World Cup trophy.
      And it will go next to statues of fellow football legends Diego Maradona and Pele.
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      Messi said: “I had never dreamed or thought about this. My dream was to enjoy what I liked when I was little, to be a pro soccer player, to do what I always loved in this life.
      “I had a very long road, many decisions and defeats, but I always looked ahead and wanted to go for a triumph, for a victory.
      “I think that is the most important thing, to fight for your dreams, that everything is possible and to enjoy the game, which is the most beautiful thing there is.”
      Messi’s statue looked very realistic — which is more than can be said for the iconic bust of rival Ronaldo in Portugal.
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      The bust of Ronaldo went on display at Madeira’s international airport in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association
      Many fans felt the sculpture looked nothing like RonaldoCredit: Getty
      The hilarious sculpture was put on display at Madeira’s international airport in 2017.
      But many at the time thought it looked nothing like ex-Man Utd and Real Madrid star Ronaldo.
      And fans on social media declared Messi to be the grand winner of the statue face-off.
      One said: “If only Ronaldo had a World Cup they would have paid more attention to sculpting his statue.”
      Another declared: “Messi won the statue battle.”
      One noted: “Even Messi’s statue won the World Cup but where is Ronaldo?”
      Another added: “Whoever designed the Ronaldo statue was definitely a Messi fan.” More

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      Kylian Mbappe tells Man Utd they’re getting ‘very complete’ striker if they SNUB Harry Kane for World Cup star

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has told admirers of one of his French teammates that they would be getting a “very complete” striker if they were to sign him. Speculation is mounting over the £105m-rated Randal Kolo Muani who is enjoying a brilliant season in Germany.
      Randal Kolo Muani’s stock is rising at a dizzying pace in European footballCredit: Getty
      His goalscoring ability has not gone unnoticed either with the 24-year-old on the radar of Manchester United alongside Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen as they prepare to land a top quality striker in the summer.
      And new France captain Mbappe, arguably the best player in the world, was happy to offer his take on the Eintracht Frankfurt forward.
      Speaking after their 4-0 win over Holland at the weekend, the PSG star said: “He is a striker who offers different game options to our team. He is very complete and has an impressive volume of play. 
      “We are happy with the game he played on Friday.”
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      Kolo Muani did not hit the net in the victory but impressed with another dynamic, all-action display.
      The striker has only made seven appearances for France and has just one goal to his name, but it was in the World Cup semi-final to help seal the win against Morocco back in December.
      Kolo Muani can expect more football at international level in the coming years with Karim Benzema retiring from France duty in the days following Les Bleus’ World Cup Final defeat.
      Meanwhile, the country’s all-time top scorer Olivier Giroud is 36 and likely won’t be leading the line in the 2026 World Cup.
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      The future is also exciting at club level for Kolo Muani.
      Man United have been repeatedly linked to the striker in their bid to find a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
      And the interest could be mutual with the Frenchman dropping a huge hint earlier this month that he is open to a move away from Frankfurt.
      He said of his future: “We talk about it a lot already, but I try to be focused on my club.
      “We continue our performances and we will see this summer. Afterwards, I always dreamed of playing in big clubs.”
      Kolo Muani has 11 goals and 10 assists in the Bundesliga this season. More

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      England top list of all-time greatest sporting achievements – but it’s NOT the 1966 World Cup-winning side

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      THE greatest sporting moment of all time is England’s Lionesses winning the 2022 Euros, according to research.A poll of 2,000 sports fans found Liverpool beating AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final and Usain Bolt winning gold in the 100 metre race at the 2012 Olympics also made the list.
      England’s Euros win last year was voted as the top sporting moment of all timeCredit: AFP
      Leicester City’s Premier League title win in 2016 and the England cricket team beating New Zealand to win their first World Cup in 2019 rounded out the top five greatest moments.
      While the top 30 list also included Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile barrier in 1954, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal and “Goal of the Century” in the 1986 World Cup Final and Muhammed Ali’s ‘rumble in the jungle’ win over George Foreman in 1974.
      It also emerged 72 per cent of those polled would have liked to witness some of these great moments in person.
      The research was commissioned by Visit Anaheim — which works to promote tourism to Anaheim, California — as it sponsors both the Los Angeles Angels’ Spring Training and their minor league baseball team in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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      Spokesperson Jay Burress, said: “Most sports fans know the highs and the lows that come from supporting a team or an athlete.
      “We wanted to see which moments were the most memorable, but also to see the lengths that fans are willing to go to, in order to see their favourite competition, live and in person.
      “There are so many great sporting moments to choose from but clearly these have stuck with people and had an impact.
      “It’s amazing how sport as a whole can really bring people together and I’m sure there are plenty of more great sporting moments to come in the future.”
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      Dennis Taylor defeating Steve Davis for the World Snooker Championship in 1985 and Mbappe’s comeback hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final also featured in the list of sporting moments.
      But while they can’t guarantee a moment as exciting as those featured on the list, 22 per cent of respondents have a trip planned in 2023 to see a specific sporting event.
      Football was most popular sport to watch (81 per cent), followed by tennis (33 per cent) and cricket (19 per cent).
      And 66 per cent have seen their favourite team play in person.
      A third have gone abroad for a sports game and are willing to travel an average of five hours and 36 minutes, spending £420.60.
      It also found two thirds have a favourite team, with 23 per cent of those taking a spontaneous trip to see them play.
      A host of iconic sporting moments, like Leicester’s miraculous 2016 title win, feature on the listCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And 93 per cent will continue to support their favourite team, regardless of whether they win or lose.
      Of those polled, via OnePoll, 23 per cent have gone as far as planning a holiday around when and where their favourite team is playing.
      Burress added: “There’s nothing quite like seeing your favourite team play in person, and sports are a great thing to plan a holiday around.
      “Still, it’s good to head to a destination where there’s something for the whole family to enjoy, and where there are a variety of activities nearby so you have options once you’ve finished cheering your team on at the stadium.
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      “Sports are a big part of people’s lives and holidays are too which is why combining the two could make a great trip.
      “Who knows, the next time you see your favourite team, it could end up being another one of the greatest sporting moments of all time.”
      Top 30 Sporting Moments of All TimeThe top 30 sporting moments are…
      1.            England Lionesses Euros win (2022)
      2.            Liverpool beat AC Milan in the Champions League Final from 3-0 down (2005)
      3.            Usain Bolt winning gold in the 100m at the London Olympics (2012)
      4.            Leicester City Premier League title win (2016)
      5.            England cricket team beating New Zealand to win their first ever World Cup (2019)
      6.            Roger Bannister breaking the 4-minute mile barrier 1954)
      7.            Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ goal in the World Cup Final (1986)
      8.            Muhammed Ali’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ win over George Foreman (1974)
      9.            Dennis Taylor defeating Steve Davis for the World Snooker Championship (1985)
      10.         Mbappe’s comeback hat-trick in the World Cup final (2022)
      11.         David Beckham’s star-making goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon (1996)
      12.         Unseeded Boris Becker’s Wimbledon win aged just 17 (1985)
      13.         Cristiano Ronaldo’s bicycle kick in the Champions League quarterfinals (2018)
      14.         Roger Federer winning his 20th Grand Slam title (2018)
      15.         Serena Williams winning her first Wimbledon title (2002)
      16.         Michael Schumacher’s seven World Championship wins in Formula One Racing (2004)
      17.         Pele scoring the 1,000th goal in his career (1969)
      18.         Jenson Button and Brawn GP winning the Formula One world championship (2009)
      19.         The football World Cup taking place in Qatar (2022)
      20.         Goran Ivanišević winning Wimbledon as a wildcard entrant (2001)
      21.         Michael Phelps becoming the most decorated Olympian with 22 medals (2008)
      22.         The first Olympic Games in ancient Greece (776 BC)
      23.         Greece winning Euro 2004 (2004)
      24.         Tiger Woods winning the Masters, his first major victory in over a decade (2019)
      25.         Denmark win the European football champions (1992)
      26.         Japan beat South Africa in the Rugby World Cup (2015)
      27.         Wigan Athletic FA Cup win (2013)
      28.         Wimbledon’s FA cup winning side (1988)
      29.         The “Miracle on Ice” in the 1980 Winter Olympics
      30.         Andy Ruiz Jnr knocking out Anthony Joshua (2019) More

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      Man Utd star Lisandro Martinez trolled by footballer as he is compared to Prison Break character after haircut

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      MANCHESTER UNITED star Lisandro Martinez has hilariously been compared to a Prison Break character after getting a new haircut.The Argentina World Cup winner is currently back in his homeland and still celebrating his and his team-mates’ success in Qatar.
      Man Utd’s Lisandro Martinez has been trolled for his new haircutCredit: Getty
      The defender revealed his new-look on social mediaCredit: Instagram
      He was compared to T-Bag from Prison BreakCredit: Prison Break
      Thursday was the first time that the South American nation had actually taken to the pitch since their World Cup win and the scenes were incredible at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
      As the Argentine national anthem rang out from the 80,000-plus crowd, fireworks soon began to light up the sky.
      The whole place was then rocking as Lionel Messi and Cristian Romero stood there trying to take it all in.
      But it all proved a little too much for Aston Villa stopper Emi Martinez as he broke down in tears.
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      Argentina capped the night off with a victory over Panama in their friendly thanks to Thiago Almada and Messi before a special ceremony was then held where each player received a replica World Cup trophy to lift as their WAGS joined them out on the pitch.
      United defender Martinez, 25, was determined to look his very best for the occasion and ensured that he had a snazzy new hair do.
      He shared footage of himself sitting in the barber’s chair revealing his new short back and sides, with wavy blonde streaks added to the top of his barnet.
      But as the clip went viral, cheeky Harrogate Town ace Jack Muldoon had fans in stitches as he shared a GIF of Prison Break character T-Bag.
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      And the man, who is known by fans as “The Butcher”, also received plenty more stick for his new trim.
      Another fan wrote: “His hairs been butchered.”
      A fellow supporter said: “He’s got to get a fade with that surely.”
      While another added: “Awful trim but he’s literally Lisandro Martinez so he can get away with it.”
      Harrogate Town’s cheeky Jack Muldoon compared him to the TV characterCredit: Getty More

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      Brand new footage emerges of Messi and Weghorst’s World Cup spat as it’s revealed what sparked snub

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      BRAND new footage has emerged of Lionel Messi and Wout Weghorst’s World Cup spat.The duo famously collided as Argentina dumped Holland out of the tournament in a dramatic penalty shootout.
      Fresh footage has emerged of Lionel Messi’s rant at Wout WeghorstCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Weghorst stared at Messi from behind a wall, prompting the Argentine’s blast
      Weghorst’s equaliser ELEVEN minutes into stoppage time set up another brilliant half hour.
      But the Manchester United striker was not smiling at the final whistle as eventual winners Argentina booked their place in the semis with a 5-4 shootout win.
      Tensions had already hit boiling point during normal time, with Leandro Paredes sparking a mass brawl when he booted the ball at Holland’s bench.
      And in the tunnel there was an incredible outburst from Messi aimed directly at Weghorst as he gave a post-match interview.
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      The Paris Saint-Germain ace said to his opponent: “Who are you looking at, stupid? Go ahead, you stupid.”
      But fresh footage has now revealed what exactly happened in the build-up to Messi’s rant.
      As the Argentina ace started giving his thoughts on the game, Weghorst could be seen peering round a WALL while watching intently on the other side of the cameras.
      Weghorst continued to look at Messi until the legendary forward caught his eye.
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      And after they made contact, Messi unleashed his now-iconic bombardment.
      The video then shows the moment Weghorst reached out to Messi with an outstretched hand.
      But the veteran had no intention of taking it, leading to Weghorst complaining: “I was waiting for him and wanted to give him a hand. And he’s doing that? That’s disrespectful.”
      Messi has since admitted he regretted the entire incident, saying: “I don’t like this picture. I don’t like what I did.
      “There was a lot of tension and it came out naturally. A lot had happened with this player and two others during the match.
      “It came out naturally. I don’t like this image.” More