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      ‘Did Garth Crooks pick this team?’ – Fans baffled by Fifa’s ‘horrendous’ FIFPRO World XI

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      FOOTBALL fans have been left puzzled by the ‘horrendous’ FIFPRO World XI.The Best Fifa awards were held on Monday with Lionel Messi picking up the main prize to equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s haul of two.
      The FIFPRO Best XI used a strange 3-3-4 formation
      Emi Martinez was left out of the line-up despite winning the Fifa Best goalkeeper awardCredit: Getty
      Lionel Messi scooped up the top prize for a second timeCredit: Getty
      The Paris Saint-Germain star was a shoo-in for the award following his World Cup win and he was also included in the FIFPRO World XI.
      But he had to be shoehorned into a line-up that included three other forwards, including team-mate Kylian Mbappe.
      Fans were left confused by the strange 3-3-4 formation that was used to fit in Karim Benzema and Erling Haaland.
      Many also took aim at the defence and the decision to pick Thibaut Courtois in goal over World Cup hero Emi Martinez, despite the latter winning the Fifa Best goalkeeper award.
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      The presence of Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk in defence also baffled some supporters.
      He is joined in defence by Achraf Hakimi and Joao Cancelo, while a midfield three consists of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Kevin De Bruyne.
      Mystified fans hit out at the line-up with one describing it as “horrendous”.
      Another made a joke in reference to a BBC pundit who regularly picks controversial weekly best XIs: “Did Garth Crooks pick this team?”
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      And a third said: “What a joke 😂”
      Another commented: “Who chucked Van Dijk in?😂” More

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      Lionel Messi equals Cristiano Ronaldo tally as he wins Fifa The Best Men’s Player award for 2022 after World Cup heroics

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      LIONEL MESSI continued his stellar season after being named World player of the year at the FIFA Best Awards in Paris tonight.The Paris Saint-Germain star, 35, crowned his career by leading Argentina to their first World Cup since 1986 in December and scooped a second Best men’s player title here.
      Messi has won FIFA’s The Best AwardCredit: Reuters
      Lionel Messi was joined by his wife AntonelaCredit: Getty
      Messi exchanges a look with his PSG team-mate Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty
      The pair pose with their FIFPRO World XI awardsCredit: Reuters
      Man Utd ace Casemiro jetted to Paris for the ceremony with his WagCredit: AFP
      Man City ace Joao Cancelo, on loan at Bayern Munich, was also at the doCredit: Reuters
      Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez and his wife were in attendanceCredit: Reuters
      The Argentina World Cup winner picked up the Best Goalkeeper awardCredit: Reuters
      England star Mary Earps picked up the Women’s Goalkeeper award after helping the Lionesses to Euro gloryCredit: Getty
      Fellow England star Beth Mead was also at the glitzy ceremonyCredit: Getty
      But Mead was snubbed for the Best Women’s Player award, which went instead to Alexi PutellasCredit: Getty
      Messi, who scored twice in the final against France, also won the Golden Ball in Qatar, having claimed the Ligue 1 title with PSG earlier in the year. His 12 league goals this season have helped the champions to an eight point lead in defending their title this term.
      Messi, whose Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni was named as the best men’s coach ahead of Pep Guardiola, pipped PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema to the award.
      Messi has now won two ‘The Best’ awards, meaning he is level with Robert Lewandowski and his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo who have also been honoured twice.
      The former Barcelona man also now has ten individual gongs across both the FIFA Best, Ballon d’Or and FIFA player of the year awards, two more than Ronaldo.
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      He said: “It is an amazing pleasure to be here, alongside Benzema and Mbappe, who had a wonderful year.
      “It was an amazing year and I achieved a dream that I had been hoping for for so long.
      “I want to pay tribute to all of my teammates and my coach, without them I wouldn’t be here.”
      The star attended the exclusive bash alongside his wife Antonela and a host of fellow stars.
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      Kylian Mbappe was there with his dad Wilfried and was named in the FIFPRO World XI alongside Messi, but lost out on the Best Player award to his PSG team-mate.
      Prem stars including Emi Martinez – who won Best Goalkeeper – and Casemiro and Virgil van Dijk, both also named in the Team of 2022, attended with their other halves.
      In the Women’s game, England boss Sarina Wiegman and Manchester United’s Mary Earps won best women’s coach and goalkeeper respectively following their Euro 2022 glory last summer.
      Earps said: “I don’t really know what to say, thank you to everyone who voted for me. I feel really honoured to be holding this really heavy trophy. I want to say thank you to my loved ones who have picked me up off the kitchen floor to be here today, not today but in the past.
      “This is for anyone who has ever been in a dark place. You can achieve anything you set your mind to. There’s only one of you in the world, be unapologetically yourself.”
      Wiegman, winning the award for a third time, added: “The Euros were incredible, as the English say we brought it home.”
      Meanwhile Beth Mead was pipped to the best women’s award by Alexia Putellas but she was named in the women’s World XI alongside three Lionesses teammates, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh.
      Other huge names at the star-studded do in Paris included Brazil legend Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Arsene Wenger, Joao Cancelo and, of course, FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
      Jermaine Jenas was there to host the event – which left fans hugely impressed with the job of his agent.
      As many had expected beforehand, the night belonged to Messi, who has been enjoying yet another record-breaking season for both club and country.
      Since the start of the 2022-23 campaign he has recorded an incredible total of 17 goals and 16 assists in 28 appearances for PSG.
      And he also managed to finally get his hands on the only trophy to have eluded him previously – the World Cup.
      Messi led his Argentina teammates to glory in Qatar last year and claimed the prestigious Player of the Tournament Award in the process.
      His red-hot form has continued into 2023 with PSG in pole position to retain their Ligue 1 title.
      Messi left fans stunned when he scored his 700th career club goal on Sunday.
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      He netted once for PSG during the club’s 3-0 win over Marseille and claimed the assist for both of Mbappe’s goals.
      So it hardly came as a surprise to fans when he took to the stage in Paris to accept ‘The Best’ award.
      Virgil van Dijk, who was named to the FIFPRO World XI, was at the event with his familyCredit: Getty
      Jermaine Jenas hosted the FIFA Best ceremonyCredit: Getty
      Mbappe showed up to the Paris bash with his dad WilfriedCredit: Reuters
      Former Premier League ace Dimitri Payet was on the green carpet with his wifeCredit: Reuters
      FIFA President Gianni Infantino was, of course, presentCredit: AP
      Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on the green carpetCredit: Getty
      Brazil legend Ronaldo made an appearanceCredit: AP
      Ex-Chelsea star Didier Drogba was also thereCredit: Getty More

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      World Cup star handed award by stunning mystery blonde after mocking Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘siiiu’ celebration

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      WORLD CUP star Osman Bukari is enjoying life back at club level.The winger, 24, impressed for Ghana earlier this season in Qatar.

      Osman Bukari mimicks Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebrationCredit: Reuters
      He made headlines during his sides clash with Portugal, when he mimicked Cristiano Ronaldo’s “siiiu” celebration after scoring late on.
      And he is continuing to make waves back at his club.
      Bukari’s form at Red Star Belgrade recently saw him named the Serbian Superliga’s player of the round.
      He smiled for a picture as he was handed his gong.
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      The former Gent and Nantes ace was presented with his award on the pitch by a mystery blonde working for league sponsors Mozzart.
      Fans were quick to notice, with one writing: “well I suddenly have an interest in being the best footballer in the serbian league.”
      A second joked: “If I were him I’ll be smiling too.”
      Bukari featured in two of Ghana’s three matches during the World Cup group stage.
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      He scored in his side’s 3-2 defeat to Portugal, copying Ronaldo’s celebration and drawing an annoyed-looking response from the forward.
      After the match, Bukari admitted that he’d gotten “carried away”.
      He said: “I let myself be carried away by the emotion of the moment, having scored a goal for my country, in my first World Cup.
      “My upbringing does not allow me to disrespect the elderly, much less one of my idols.”
      Ronaldo looked irritated after Bukari’s ‘siiiu’Credit: ITV Football More

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      How the ‘Brazilian John Motson’ became a national treasure, before retiring from commentating after the World Cup

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      “THEY think it’s all over…. it is now!” is a folk memory from the 1966 World Cup – as long as you are English.Other nationalities heard different commentaries. All over the planet everyone sees the same images from a World Cup match or a crunch tie in the Champions League.
      Galvao Bueno, left, is as renowned to Brazil’s TV audiences as John Motson was in EnglandCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But if the pictures are the same, the words, and the tone in which they are spoken, are not. The global game is enjoyed on a national basis.
      The late John Motson, for example, is an icon in England, and maybe in other countries that receive English commentary.
      But he was not well known elsewhere, and the same applies to foreign versions of ‘Motty.’
      In the week that John Motson sadly passed away, there was a story in Brazil that the local version of him had died. It was fake news.
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      Galvao Bueno had not died in a car accident, and he gleefully appeared to explain that rumours of his death had been greatly exaggerated.
      If anything, comparing Galvao Bueno to Motson does not do full justice to the importance of the Brazilian commentator.
      This is no lack of respect to the extraordinary career of Motson. It is a recognition of the power of Galvao Bueno behind a microphone.
      First, Motson had others on a similar level – the likes of Barry Davies and the great Brian Moore at one point, Martin Tyler later. Bueno has no parallels.
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      And he is also the vice of a nation and its sporting triumphs – the World Cup wins of 1994 and 2002 plus the Formula One triumphs of Ayrton Senna – in a way that marks him out as one of the most important figures in the history of Brazilian broadcasting.
      Now 72, Bueno really came into his own as the voice of Brazil’s long awaited victory in USA 94. He is a magnificent commentator, his deep, rich voice full of clever catch phrases and able to rise to glorious crescendos.
      Bueno retired from commentating after the World Cup in QatarCredit: Getty
      English speaking audiences relied on John Motson and Barry Davies to set the scene at eventsCredit: PA:Press Association
      And also he is a well crafted voice of the kind of Brazilian nationalism that best expresses itself on the football field.
      “They don’t have the same intimacy with the ball,” he will utter in condemnation of weaker opponents. And when Brazil score – “it was just a matter of getting the ball on the ground.”
      When the inevitable fails to happen and Brazil are in trouble then a whine comes into his voice. It can get nasty.
      Back in 1990 he was angry that Brazilian defenders did not try harder to kick Diego Maradona.
      At half time in the fateful recent quarter final against Croatia he was outraged that former US international Landon Donovan had dared to criticise Brazil’s performance.
      That match may well mark the last time he commentates on a Brazil game in a World Cup. His original intention was to retire after the tournament at home in 2014.
      Brazil’s astonishing 7-1 collapse against Germany in the semi final forced a rethink. He could not possibly bow out at such a low point.
      And so he carried on, enduring a quarter final elimination in 2018 – and then another this year, after which he stepped down from his post at TV Globo.
      The world – or more accurately, Brazil – has not heard the last of him.
      It was the end of the era after Bueno left TV Globo
      In an age of streaming sites there will always be invitations to come back for the occasional big event.
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      But with Galvao Bueno leaving TV Globo an era has come to an end in Brazil – just as one came to an end in England with the passing of John Motson.
      They think it’s all over – and it is now. More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing fans compare Derek Chisora to ‘Salt Bae at the World Cup’ after photobombing Mike Tyson and Cristiano Ronaldo

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      STUNNED boxing fans were left saying the same thing as Derek Chisora stole the ringside show. The heavyweight was in Saudi Arabia to see Tommy Fury’s split decision victory over Jake Paul.
      Derek Chisora was snapped alongside Mike Tyson and Cristiano Ronaldo
      Chisora was seen throughout the build-up and post-fight coverageCredit: Reuters
      And fans could not help but compare him to Salt Bae at the World CupCredit: instagram
      Chisora’s last fight came against Tyson Fury in 2022Credit: Getty
      And his antics around the ring including the photobombing of Mike Tyson and Cristiano Ronaldo caught fans’ attention.
      One commented: “Chisora is like Salt Bae at a World Cup final.”
      Celebrity chef Salt Bae was criticised for snatching the World Cup trophy away from jubilant Argentina players after the final in Qatar to perform his trademark sprinkle.
      His antics saw Fifa launch an investigation into how he was allowed to gatecrash the final, while he was then banned from attending the US Open Cup tournament.
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      Other fans online chipped in with similar comments.
      One joked: “Derek Chisora giving off salt bae World Cup final vibes 🤣.”
      A second said: “Chisora is going full Salt Bae in this fight. Wouldn’t be surprised if he wears the belt himself.”
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      A third remarked: “Is Chisora the new Salt Bae?”
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      While a fourth added: “Derek Chisora is like Salt Bae in the finals 😂.”
      The British boxer has been an active presence throughout the build-up of the fight.
      He was even called upon to separate Paul and Fury as they squared up in their press conference. More

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      Jurgen Klinsmann returns to management by taking shock South Korea job three years after Spurs hero quit the dugout

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      JURGEN KLINSMANN has returned to football by being named the new coach of South Korea.The former Germany, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Spurs striker Klinsmann has been out of the game since leaving Hertha Berlin in 2020.
      Jurgen Klinsmann is the new South Korea bossCredit: PA
      But after working alongside Arsene Wenger as part of Fifa’s technical panel at last year’s World Cup – when his TV criticisms of Iran caused outrage – the 58-year-old is now Son Heung-min’s international manager.
      Klinsmann will be formally unveiled in Seoul next week after agreeing a contract to the end of the 2026 World Cup.
      He said: “I am very happy and honoured to be the head coach of the South Korea national team.
      “I am well aware that the Korean national team has been constantly improving and producing results over a long period of time.
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      “It is an honour for me to be following in the footsteps of coaches including Guus Hiddink and Paulo Bento.
      “We will do our best to achieve successful results in the upcoming Asian Cup and 2026 World Cup.”
      Bento quit after guiding Korea to a knock-out stage thumping by Brazil in Qatar, opening the way for Klinsmann’s return to the international stage.
      Klinsmann led Germany to the 2006 World Cup semi-finals on home soil before an ill-starred and short-lived spell at Bayern.
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      He then became US national boss from 2011 to 2016, taking the team to the last 16 in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil before being fired after a poor start to the final qualification round for Russia 2018.
      After joining Hertha in November 2019 he lasted just ten weeks at the Olympic Stadium side but his friendship with Wenger – he played for the Frenchman at Monaco – led to his Fifa appointment in Qatar.
      However, he was embroiled in a public row with Iran coach Carlos Quieroz.
      He suggested in a BBC punditry appearance that the Asian side’s physical approach in the win over Wales was “part of their culture”.
      The former Manchester United assistant called for him to be dismissed by Fifa. More

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      Fifa’s The Best winner ‘leaked’ online ahead of announcement… but who will land gong between Mbappe, Messi and Co?

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      THE winner of Fifa’s prestigious The Best Men’s Player award has allegedly been leaked online. The likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe go head-to-head tonight for the chance to lift the award after strong years on the pitch.
      The winner of Fifa’s The Best Men’s Player has allegedly been leaked onlineCredit: Reuters
      Both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are in the running to win the awardCredit: Getty
      But who is the apparent winner of this year’s award among the already announced nominees?
      According to journalist Francesc Aguilar, who works for Mundo Deportivo, the winner should come as a little surprise given the superstar’s success at the World Cup.
      Aguilar has claimed: “Lionel Messi is The Best. On Monday, FIFA will remind L’Equipe and France Football that they did not include Leo among the candidates for the Ballon d’Or.
      “To make matters worse, FIFA will hold The Best gala in…Paris!”
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      This information was also reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano on Sunday.
      Messi put in a stunning performance to help guide Argentina all the way to the World Cup trophy in Qatar, including scoring twice in the final and being awarded the Golden Ball.
      The 35-year-old was on fire for PSG in the second half of the year after struggling to find his scoring touch in the first, a fact which saw him omitted from the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, which was won by Champions League winning Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
      It means Messi will win the award for the second time since its inception, having previously picked up the gong in 2019.
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      It will also see Frenchman Mbappe denied his first win of the award.
      The 24-year-old had a truly remarkable year, becoming just the second player to ever score a World Cup final hat-trick, taking the golden boot in Qatar and scoring the most goals in Europe’s top five league in 2022 with 44.
      Benzema is another name set to be snubbed despite his Ballon d’Or win and Champions League victory with Real Madrid last season.
      The ceremony will begin at 8pm this evening.
      World Cup winner Messi is set to win the awardCredit: Getty
      Messi has had a strong Ligue 1 season at PSG More

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      Infamous abandoned World Cup cabin village where fans paid £175-a-night for tiny rooms packed up & sent 1,800 miles

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      THE INFAMOUS “container homes” which saw World Cup fans spend £175-a-night for tiny, sweltering accommodation have been given an incredible new use. Qatari officials were forced to offer refunds after fans fumed over the shanty-town villages which had leaky toilets and six-hour queues.
      Qatar’s cabin villages were much mocked – but they now have an incredible new useCredit: AFP
      Qatar is packing up the container homes to ship them 1,800 miles awayCredit: Reuters
      The containers have an incredible new useCredit: Reuters
      The first batch is expected to arrive on March 3Credit: Qatar Fund For Development
      Since the World Cup the containers have sat unused after they were packed up and left abandoned without a purpose.
      But now the notorious boxes which saw housed thousands of football supporters have been given an incredible new lease of life.
      The multi-coloured mobile homes are now on their way to being used as urgent shelter for people 1,800 miles away in earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria.
      Qatari officials said they always planned to donate 10,000 of the homes but they brought the plans forward – the first batch due to arrive on March 3.
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      Turkey and Syria are still reeling from the natural disaster, with the 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude quakes killing more than 50,000 people.
      The tremor caused more than £70billion worth of damage.
      But now Qatar has stepped into help, giving the much-mocked containers an invaluable new job.
      Once upon a time, the temporary houses were packed together to provide residency for 60,000 football fans.
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      The portable rooms were set up across the desert and could fit two single beds or a double bed, a toilet, a small table and chairs set, mini-fridge and hot drink making facilities.
      They received a whirlwind of backlash – with builders still finishing off the shoddy sites as fans arrived for the tournament, which ended with Argentina’s win in December.
      Qatar’s World Cup had set up the mobile homes across empty stretches of the desert surrounding Doha.
      The flamboyant, brightly coloured cabins sported artificial grass and social areas filled with plush bean bags.
      Now some 10,000 of these shipping container-style rooms will be used to house those in need after the catastrophic consequences of the quake.
      The portacabins will accommodate people left homeless due to the disastrous quakes.
      A ship carrying the first batch of 350 portable homes left Qatar for Turkey on February 13.
      The Qatar Fund for Development said they were deployed as shelter to support the earthquake victims.
      People have taken to social media to share their thoughts on this incredible new use of the controversial World Cup housing units.
      One person wrote: “This is a great idea and hopefully an example for others”
      Another said: “YESSSSSSS. @FIFAcom Real Legacy of the world cup for all humanity”.
      A third tweeted: “What a great example of humanitarian aid and recycling. I really got a ‘one world’ feeling from reading this news”.
      But some people were left questioning the viability of Qatar’s latest humanitarian project.
      A Reddit user commented: “I stayed in one of these for 11 days at the World Cup. Far from luxurious but liveable short term”.
      Another tweeted: “Team have you packed in solar panels… many areas [have] no electricity… needed for survivors and field hospitals”.
      But this is not the only humanitarian aid that Qatar has delivered to the earthquake-hit countries.
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      Along with the innovative new use for the mobile homes, Qatar Fund for Development has also sent a group of mobile toilets to Turkey as well as food, medicine and makeshift tents.
      The container homes were a source of ridicule at the World CupCredit: Dan Charity
      The converted containers had a toilet and showerCredit: Dan Charity
      Sun Man Oliver Harvey stayed a night in the sweltering container – with temps hitting near 40CCredit: Dan Charity
      The home only had a small air conditioner to keep it freshCredit: Dan Charity More