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      ‘Out of the squad, it’s up to him’ – Southgate defends Rashford after being surprised by England ace’s New York trip

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has defended Marcus Rashford jetting off to New York after pulling out of the England squadThree Lions boss Southgate was surprised to see Rashford posting pictures on a mini-break following his withdrawal from the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine with a toe problem.
      England boss Gareth Southgate defended Manchester United star Marcus RashfordCredit: Getty
      Manchester United star Marcus Rashford went on a surprise New York trip
      But diplomatic Southgate said: “Once he’s ruled out of the squad, it’s entirely up to him how he spends his time.
      “The players don’t get a lot of breaks. They will be flying off wherever after Sunday’s game.
      “If they get 48 hours, with the schedule as it is, they have to take advantage of it.”
      Rashford’s holiday is not a great look because the Manchester United forward, 25, has now pulled out of five of the last six non-tournament squads he has been picked for.
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      His absence also gives players such as  Phil Foden and Jack Grealish the chance to stake a claim for a place on the left of England’s attack.
      Southgate said: “He’s in good form, we’d love to have had him as an option for this camp but we haven’t got him.
      “Always then I have to think, ‘What’s the best solution?’ And it’s opportunities for other people.”
      Rashford is not the only English striker enjoying some downtime Stateside.
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      Arsenal’s Under-21  international striker Folarin Balogun, who is  shining on loan at French club Reims, posted from Florida: “In life go where your [sic] appreciated.”
      New York-born Balogun, 21, pulled out of Lee Carsley’s squad citing injury but is wanted by the USA national team and also qualifies for Nigeria.
      Southgate said: “Young players progress well and you cannot perhaps give them the opportunity that they would like, while another country perhaps can offer them.
      “We like Flo. We would like him to give it some time and if he is progressing the way he is and continues that progression, there will be opportunities.
      “But I cannot offer him that this week.
      “If we did, I don’t think that would be fair on Ivan Toney who has scored the goals he has in the Premier League.” More

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      Spanish match abandoned as World Cup star’s brother collapses on pitch… but then appears to ask to carry on

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      A SPANISH third-tier match has been abandoned after a player suddenly collapsed.An ambulance rushed to the pitch after Cordoba ace Dragisa Gudelj fainted during the game against Racing Ferrol at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel.
      Situación dramática en El Arcángel. Atienden a Dragi Gudelj sobre el verde. El central del @CordobaCF_ofi se ha desplomado y la ambulancia ha accedido al terreno de juego. Le han realizado un masaje cardíaco. Está consciente y ha intentado levantarse. pic.twitter.com/edlJxpGsaj— COPE Córdoba (@COPECordoba) March 25, 2023

      Cordoba ace Dragisa Gudelj collapsed during a match against Racing FerrolCredit: Getty
      Cordoba ace Dragisa Gudelj was taken by an ambulance to hospitalCredit: Twitter
      Cordoba ace Dragisa Gudelj wanted to carry on despite suffered a cardiac arrestCredit: Twitter
      The incident took place in the 11th minute of the first half in front of a worried crowd.
      According to Marca, Gudelj suffered a cardiac arrest and was thankfully revived by the medical team.
      The centre-back left the stadium in the ambulance while conscious and the crowd showed their support with a standing ovation.
      The 25-year-old appeared to be wanting to carry on despite the worrying incident but he was ultimately taken to Reina Sofia hospital for observation.
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      The game was tied 1-1 before the referee suspended the match in Cordoba.
      Cordoba assured the fans on social media that Gudelj is in stable condition.
      The club also thanked the medical team that acted swiftly to “save” the Serbian.
      Gudelj is the younger brother of Sevilla ace Nemanja Gudelj, who plays in LaLiga.
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      Nemanja also competes for Serbia and appeared in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
      Dragisa plays predominantly as a centre-back but can also operate at left-back.
      The versatile defender has amassed a total of 24 appearances in the Primera Federacion this season. More

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      Watch Lionel Messi and Argentina team-mates troll France with controversial song on international return

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      LIONEL MESSI and his Argentina teammates were poking fun at France during their World Cup homecoming celebrations.The Albiceleste were back on South American soil to play for the first time since their triumph in Qatar.
      Lionel Messi and the rest of the Argentina team were presented with individual World Cup trophies during the celebrationsCredit: Getty
      They faced up against Panama in a friendly which saw Lionel Scaloni’s side wind up comfortable 2-0 winners.
      The events also gave the Argentina squad an opportunity to celebrate with their fans once again and lift the World Cup aloft in front of everyone in the stadium.
      Amongst the celebrations videos emerged that showed Messi and his teammates singing songs about their World Cup final opponents, France.
      The team could be heard singing: “a minute of silence for… France, they are dead”.
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      This isn’t the first time that the team have made a jibe towards the French squad with Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez making similar remarks about Kylian Mbappe immediately after their win in Qatar.
      The Aston Villa shot-stopper asked for a minutes silence for Mbappe back then too, following their dramatic penalty shoot-out win.
      As part of Thursday night’s celebrations in Argentina, Messi made a speech to the crowd following the game.
      The 34-year-old legend said: “Always, personally, I have dreamt of this moment. To be able to celebrate with you all.”
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      He went on to say: “Let’s enjoy this because it took us a long time to win this and we don’t know how long will pass before we will be able to do it again.
      “Hopefully not as many years will pass, but I think we’ve shown that it’s very difficult to win a World Cup.” More

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      Morgan Gibbs-White reveals he is the godfather to Phil Foden’s kids – now he wants to emulate mate and play for England

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      MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE revealed he is the godfather to Phil Foden’s children – and now he wants to emulate his great mate by becoming a senior England international.Nottingham Forest star Gibbs-White first met Foden aged 16 and the pair won the Under-17 World Cup with England in 2017.
      Morgan Gibbs-White has had an impressive season at Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
      Gibbs-White first met Foden in 2016. They won the Under-17 World Cup togetherCredit: Getty
      They would often room together and are still extremely close today, to the point where the Manchester City man asked Gibbs-White to be a godparent to his son and daughter.
      Foden, 22, has racked up 22 caps for England, the latest of which came in Thursday’s 2-1 Euro qualifying win over Italy.
      Gibbs-White, 23, was this week named England Under-21 captain but is yet to receive a senior call-up – though Gareth Southgate says he is keeping close tabs on the midfielder.
      The Forest ace said: “It’s an honour I’ve even been mentioned and it shows I’m improving on the right path. I have to strive for more.
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      “I’m still in touch with Phil, still really close. I’m godparent to his kids.  It just shows that anything is possible. I was in that Under-17 World Cup team so if those guys can do it, so can I.”
      Jadon Sancho, Marc Guehi, Conor Gallagher, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Emile Smith Rowe were the other whizkids from that World Cup-winning Under-17 squad to go on to play for the senior team.
      Foden is undoubtedly the pick of the bunch though and a character with whom Gibbs-White clicked instantly.
      MGW explained: “We just had a good connection. I met him at 16, we just got on. 
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      “We roomed together quite a bit. He’s always been a nice kid, Phil.
      “He’s an unbelievable player. He’d play Fortnite until one or two o’clock in the morning every night! Every night. 
      “I’d tell him that if he scored the next day then he could stay on it for another couple of hours!”
      Foden’s missus Rebecca Cooke is also very close to Gibbs-White’s girlfriend, Britney De Villiers.
      The christening is still yet to take place though because of the hectic football schedule.
      Steve Cooper was the manager in charge of that amazing England Under-17 side that triumphed in India.
      And it was the Welshman, now at helm at Forest, who signed Gibbs-White for a whopping £42.5million from Wolves in the summer.
      Back then, the fee was all anyone would talk about when discussing Gibbs-White.
      But it is testament to his fine season, in which he has scored three goals and grabbed six assists in the Premier League, that his hefty price tag is less of a debating point now. 
      Yet the playmaker never felt any pressure at all by how much Forest shelled out on him – and certainly nothing compared to the heat on the team as they battle for survival.
      He said: “It wasn’t me who paid the price! I enjoyed it. It meant more eyes were on me. 
      “I could show myself more. It wasn’t a pressure thing. 
      “The focus was on the price tag and I had to prove people wrong in a sense. You thrive off that situation. You want to prove people wrong and impress.
      “(The battle to stay up) – that is pressure. There are so many good teams down there.”
      Forest are winless in their last six league games, losing four of them, and are just two points above the relegation zone.
      But there is no doubt in Gibbs-White mind that the Tricky Trees will retain the top-flight status they took 23 years to earn by avoiding the drop.
      He said: “One hundred per cent I’m confident we’ll stay up. We’ve proven that in games. We drew 1-1 with Man City. We need to be more consistent.”
      On Saturday though, Gibbs-White turns his attention to captaining his country for the first time ever.
      Despite representing England at nearly every level from Under-16s, the Stafford lad has never actually worn the armband for his nation.
      But that will change on Saturday afternoon when he leads the England Under-21s out for their friendly against France at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
      He commented: “It was a surprise to be given it. It’ll be the first time I’ve captained an England side. 
      “It’s an honour to receive a call-up and when Lee Carsley told me that I was captain it was a really special feeling. It shows I’ve been doing well at club level and he sees me as a leader in the group. I think I’m the oldest one here so that is why!”
      Southgate’s recent comments suggest it will not be long until Gibbs-White does make that senior step.
      It would be a reward, just as captaining his country will be, for putting everything he’s got into his career and holding nothing back.
      That mentality is reflected by the words he had tattoed on his right hand last summer which read: “Why save the food stuff for later?”
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      Gibbs-White added: “It is just, ‘why say no? Why not do the good stuff now and regret it later?’ I never wanted to regret anything in the future.”
      Good advice to pass onto his godchildren, no doubt – and to help keep Forest up. More

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      ‘Gets in places where water can’t’ – Steve McClaren lookalike who went viral at World Cup spotted at England vs Italy

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      STEVE MCCLAREN’S viral lookalike was spotted at last night’s clash between Italy and England. The super fan likes to follow the Three Lions around whenever he can and gained popularity when he was spotted in the crowd during the World Cup.
      Steve McClaren’s double was in the crowd last night as Harry Kane made England historyCredit: Alamy
      His striking similarity to former England manager and current Manchester United coach McClaren helped him become an overnight celebrity among England fans.
      And one Twitter account picked him out in the away end in Naples last night as England bid to secure their first win it Italy since 1961.
      McClaren’s double could be seen with a wide smile as he watched the game with two mates.
      And fans online were delighted to see a man who they are now becoming very familiar with.
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      One said on Twitter: “Haha this guy pops up everywhere!!!”
      Another said: “What a legend. Club and country home and away, always with a smile. Love it”
      While another added: “Living the dream! Just cruises round the world watching football!”
      And another England fan said: “Gets in places where water can’t that man.”
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      McClaren’s lookalike was in the crowd for some England history as Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot.
      It was the 29-year-old’s 54th international goal which took him one clear of Wayne Rooney and made him England’s all-time record goalscorer.
      Declan Rice got the other goal to give England a 2-1 victory. More

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      Watch Panama players fight EACH OTHER for Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez’s shirt and beg Messi to sign kit

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      PANAMA players were spotted fighting over Enzo Fernandez’s shirt while others got Lionel Messi to sign their tops after their defeat to Argentina.The World Cup winners are still flying high after their glorious triumph in Qatar back in December.
      Panama players were fighting each other to get Enzo Fernandez’s shirtCredit: Twitter
      They were queuing up to try and get the Argentina midfielder’s jerseyCredit: Twitter
      Following a thrilling 3-3 draw with France, Argentina held their nerve in the shootout to win the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
      A huge party back in the South American nation ensued for several days after they returned home with the trophy.
      However, last night was the first time that they had actually taken to the pitch since their World Cup win and the scenes were INCREDIBLE at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires to celebrate.
      As the Argentine national anthem rang out from the 80,000-plus crowd, fireworks soon began to light up the sky while Messi struggled to contain his emotions while Emi Martinez broke down in tears.
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      Martinez did go on to keep a clean sheet as Argentina capped the night off with a victory – although they left it late against Panama.
      Thiago Almada finally broke the deadlock with just 12 minutes remaining to get the crowd rocking once again.
      And then in the dying seconds it was Messi’s turn to celebrate as he fired home his 800th career goal, and his 99th for Argentina, with a brilliant free-kick.
      After the final whistle, despite suffering a loss, excitable Panama players were caught on camera almost wrestling each other to try and get Chelsea’s new £106m British record signing Fernandez’s No.24 shirt.
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      And another Panama player, Ivan Anderson, also managed to get himself a precious memento as he pulled out a pen in front of Messi and got him to sign his jersey.
      Martinez then recreated his X-rated World Cup celebration last night – leaving his wife red-faced before she eventually joined in.
      He was awarded the individual accolade for being the best goalkeeper in Qatar and when he was handed the trophy, Martinez reacted in an unique way.
      The 30-year-old shook hands with Fifa representatives, including Gianni Infantino, before holding the gold award in front of his privates while leaning back and pulling an odd face.
      That led to a massively split reaction from fans and pundits, with Graeme Souness branding him a “vulgar clown”.
      But that did not stop Martinez, along with several team-mates, reenacted his infamous celebration while his wife, Mandinha, covered her face with her hand.
      However, she didn’t take much persuasion to copy her fella’s antics as she shared a snap of her and several other Argentina WAGs pulling the same stunt on the pitch.  More

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      Harry Kane is the only England player he’d take in his Golden Generation team, claims Sven-Goran Eriksson

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      SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has declared England captain Harry Kane is the only current player he would add to his “Golden Generation” team.Kane overtook Wayne Rooney’s record as England’s all-time leading scorer with a goal against in Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifier, and his other attributes mean Eriksson would have loved to have him.
      Sven-Goran Eriksson managed the England national team between 2001 and 2006Credit: Getty
      Harry Kane is the only player who would get into the golden generation according to ErikssonCredit: Rex
      Each of Eriksson’s attempts to win an international trophy ended at the quarter-final stageCredit: AFP
      Speaking to BoyleSports, Eriksson said: “If there was one player I’d love to have playing for me from this current England team, it’s very easy, Harry Kane.
      “He is a golden goalscorer, wherever he plays and you always need that.
      “He’s not only a goalscorer, he’s a target player, he can make assists, he’s big, he’s a good header, good feet, he’s strong, not the quickest in the world but he’s quick.
      “He has everything and he could be the one who wins the World Cup for England and maybe he’ll be the top goalscorer at this World Cup. Every team needs a player like that.
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      “It’s only one of them, he’s very special. I like him and I suppose he will be one of the most important players for England.” 
      Eriksson, 75, managed England for five years between 2001 and 2006.
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      At his disposal, he had what many believe to be the most talented set of players England have ever produced.
      But the Three Lions never progressed beyond the quarter-finals in any of the three tournaments they participated in under the Swede.
      The likes of Rooney, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Joe Cole and Michael Owen among others were not enough for England to clinch international glory again. More

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      England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley drops huge hint over Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun’s England vs USA decision

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      LEE CARSLEY has confirmed he will still pick Flo Balogun for this summer’s Under-21 Euros even if the on-loan Arsenal forward has not committed his future to England.Balogun, 21, is at the centre of an international tug-of-war with the USA keen to prise him from the Three Lions’ grasp.
      Flo Balogun has been in sensational form for Reims in Ligue Un this seasonCredit: Getty
      He has seven goals in 13 England Under-21 caps, but the USA want him to switchCredit: Getty
      Interim US boss Anthony Hudson has been in talks with the Reims hotshot and his camp, while Gunners and US goalie Matt Turner has said his club team-mate would make an excellent addition to the States’ side.
      Just this week Balogun, who is also eligible to play for Nigeria, said he had not made a final decision as to the country he wishes to play for in the long term.
      Balogun has seven goals in 13 caps for England’s Under-21s side, though is out of Saturday’s friendly against France and Tuesday’s clash with Croatia with a tight hamstring.
      Young Lions chief Carsley has been in regular contact with the forward and hopes he will ultimately commit to England.
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      Yet when asked if he would still select Balogun for June’s major tournament in Georgia and Romania if the forward had not made his mind up by then, Carsley replied: “Yeah I would.
      “I can only go off the relationship that we’ve got and the conversation that we’ve had, he’s never given me any inkling that he’s looking elsewhere. 
      “I have spoken to him quite a bit.
      “He said he was looking forward to the summer and all the rest of it so I will follow that up after camp. I’ll make sure that I go over (to France). 
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      “I’ve been to France a couple of times now to watch the players and I’ll make a point of going over and meeting Flo.”
      Balogun, who has hit 17 goals on loan at Ligue 1 side Reims this season, is the latest player that England face a battle to keep hold of because of having more than one nationality.
      The Three Lions already lost midfielder Yunus Musah to the US, Jamal Musiala to Germany and, most recently, Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey to Ghana.
      Carsley commented: “You can’t twist someone’s arm to play for England. 
      “We can only make him feel as welcome as we can. We rate him highly. We’ve supported him when things weren’t great. We called him into the 21s when he was playing for Arsenal’s U23s because I knew what potential he had. 
      “Obviously he had the loan move to Middlesbrough which was OK. He’s done excellent this season, he’s really going in the right direction.
      Morgan Gibbs-White will captain the England Under-21s against FranceCredit: AFP
      “If you think about the development that he’s on he’s going in the right direction and hopefully we can still be a part of that. He is is a big player for us. 
      “You’ve seen the campaign that we’ve had, he’s been really integral to that. 
      “Beyond the Under-21s we can only hope that he still feels that he’s got a chance with us, and I feel that’s the case. But, you know, ultimately it will be down to him.”
      Meanwhile, Morgan Gibbs-White will captain England’s Under-21s for their clash with France on Saturday at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
      The Nottingham Forest star was recently namechecked by Gareth Southgate as someone not far away from a senior call-up.
      Carsley added: “Gareth watches probably more games than any coach in the pathway in terms of the Premier League, so he will have seen Morgan play a lot at Forest. 
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      “Like two or three of the players, he’s in a strong position, he just needs to keep going. 
      “The more assists he gets, the more goals he scores, it gives him a stronger opportunity (of making the seniors).” More