World Cup

ARGENTINA are worried over the fitness of star man Lionel Messi after he was spotted training alone just days before their first World Cup game.Lionel Scaloni’s side trained in Qatar together but Messi was notably not involved sparking injury fears amongst fans.
Lionel Messi trained away from the rest of the team as he manages a calf problemCredit: Getty
Lionel Messi is reportedly hopeful he will be fit to face Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
The 35-year-old appeared for practice later than the rest of his teammates and took part in a one-on-one session with a coach rather than joining in with the full squad.
Marca report that Messi did “solo exercises” and did not touch the ball in his session but he will be okay for the team’s opening game.
Argentine journalist Gustavo Yarroch rushed to calm down worried supporters saying that the PSG star has a small calf issue and that he is reducing his workload to ensure he is fit to play.
And it is not the first time there has been doubts surrounding Messi’s fitness after he missed training completely earlier this week.
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His potential injury is somewhat ironic as a matter of days ago he was seen joking about picking up a knock with teammate Rodrigo De Paul.
Argentina have since been affected by problems with Nico Gonzalez and Joaquin Correa both withdrawing due to injuries.

The Copa America champions’ first clash in Qatar is against Saudi Arabia in just three days time.
After that they face Mexico and Poland in Group C.
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Argentina are one of the favourites for the tournament and they will need Messi fit for the busy schedule of matches coming up in the next few weeks.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has suggested that he sees Brazil, France and England as the top nations to beat in the tournament.
The World Cup is one of few trophies that has alluded Messi in his glittering career and on route to potential victory he could play his 1,000th career match at the quarter-final stage. More

FORMER American goalkeeper Brad Friedal has claimed England does not scare US – but Wales do. The World Cup will get underway tomorrow and Group B – featuring the Three Lions, the US, Wales and Iran – is set to be a blockbuster.
The US team includes major talent like Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic of ChelseaCredit: AFP
England have not played the US in a World Cup game since 2010, long before Harry Kane made his Three Lions debutCredit: Getty
Gareth Bale will be looking to lead Wales to victory in what should be a fascinating group opener against the StatesCredit: Getty
Expectations vary on how far the United States can go in this tournament with the country having a mixed record at World Cups.
But manager Gregg Berhalter takes a young and exciting side to Qatar with several names thriving in the Premier League.
And Friedal, who made 82 appearances for USMNT in his playing career, is convinced the team have talent.
And he’s more worried about Wales than England due to Gareth Bale.
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The ex-Tottenham keeper wrote in the Mail: “A lot of people think the US should beat Wales but this Welsh team is good. They have some excellent players and I’ve seen up close how special their star man, Gareth Bale, is.
“A lot of people think the US should beat Wales but this Welsh team is good. They have some excellent players and I’ve seen up close how special their star man, Gareth Bale, is. Watching him in the MLS Cup final showed me how the fire still burns inside.”
Friedal added that he thought the group would be difficult for the US to navigate – but it was not England he was worried about.
He said: “If we lose that first game, it becomes a real hard group. The Iranian team is very well structured, technically good and no pushover. And yet it’s a game that on paper, people think the United States should win.

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“We could lose to England, but that doesn’t scare me. Getting up for that game is simple. Can this US team motivate itself to do really well against Wales and Iran?”
The US failed to qualify for the last World Cup in Russia.
But in Brazil in 2014, they managed to get out of a difficult group of Germany, Portugal and Ghana before losing at the last 16 stage.
In 2010 they even managed to top their group above England before again losing in the last 16. More

BUDWEISER have been left with thousands of cans of beer they cannot sell at the World Cup and have vowed to give it to the winning nation.Alcohol will not be sold at stadiums in Qatar, despite the promise it would be, following a shocking U-turn just days before the first match kicks-off.
Budweiser posted this image to their social mediaCredit: Twitter / @Budweiser
The Budweiser designed bars next to stadiums will not serve alcoholCredit: Getty
Budweiser was the only brand of beer set to be allowed but with the ban in place they have plenty of booze that could end up wasted.
However, the company have come up with a plan to get rid of their stock and whoever lifts the trophy could have their celebration drinks covered.
Budweiser’s official Twitter account said: “New Day, New Tweet. Winning Country gets the Buds. Who will get them?”
It is not the first comical tweet from them since the shock news regarding beer.
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In a now deleted post they hilariously wrote: “Well, this is awkward…”
A can of Bud can still be purchased in Qatar but the only official World Cup site where fans can have a drink will be at the Doha city centre fan zone.
Fans also face high prices where a Bud costs almost £12 and it’s not even a pint with the lager being served in 500ml glasses.
The ‘dry’ World Cup proves a huge nightmare for Budweiser after a genuine booze cruise from the firm’s three breweries in London, Lancashire and Wales.
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Tankers made the 8,000 mile sea route to Doha – a voyage taking 30 days – via the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal, arriving just in time for Qatar to slam down the shutters on the planned stadium bars.
No wonder it is anticipated Budweiser will be looking for a £40million reduction on the new sponsorship deal that takes in the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. More

NO MATTER what his teammates say, Cristiano Ronaldo has single-handedly turned Portugal’s World Cup preparations into a shambles.And there is a feeling that this squad are already one bad result away from self-imploding – and we all know who will be blame.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s drama with Manchester United has overshadowed Portugal’s World Cup preparationCredit: Getty
Fernando Santos’ players should be putting all their energy into making Qatar feel like home for the next month ahead of Thursday’s Group H opener against Ghana.
Instead, thanks to the after-effects of one 90-minute interview from an egotistical, fame-grabbing, shame-lacking 37-year-old, their training base in Al Shahaniya – around 30km north-west of Doha – has quickly been transformed into a circus.
Portugal only landed in the middle east on Friday night, and yesterday’s first press conference became a media-frenzy hours before it was even due to begin.
Their national team press officers were struggling to contain the number of reporters who turned up, with an estimated 50 being denied access due to overcrowding, while the rest of us were forced to sign up in advance. With no other nation is this required.
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There was a very slim chance Ronaldo would be greeting the media, and everyone wanted a glimpse of the superstar on the verge of being sacked by Manchester United.
Instead, it was Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, whose mood gradually worsened having to straight bat and defend question after question on Ronaldo, his future, and the impact on the mood and focus of the squad.
On the brink of losing his rag, Silva at one point said: “You only talk about it in press conferences when Portugal has a World Cup to play.
“I don’t understand your persistence on this subject, because there is nothing.”
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Of course, Silva is lying through his back teeth. Their whole tournament is now about Ronaldo, not whether Portugal can add to their 2016 Euros triumph six years on.
Every single player that now goes into a Portugal press conference will know what barrage will be tossed their way, and that in itself is bound to take a lot out of them mentally.
Even their training look to have been impacted. Other nations’ open sessions are usually jovial affairs. Loud music, lots of laughter and banter, before going into some serious drills.

Not Portugal. Around 200 members of media crowded onto an old-school stand by the pitch, waiting patiently before a chorus of camera clicks filled the air.
No smiles, no jokes, no hugs, no friendly embracing. Ronaldo trotted out and barely spoke to anyone for more than a few seconds, deciding to stretch on his lonesome.
He eventually joined in with some passing drills, although it was notable that United teammate Bruno Fernandes – with whom he is rumoured to have had a falling out with – was as far away as possible on the other side of the pitch.

Silva added: “I don’t see any weird environment between Cristiano and Bruno. It’s something that belongs to Cristiano.
“It’s a personal matter and I don’t see a big deal out of it. It has nothing to do with the national team, it’s his issue.
“I’m not a Manchester United player, even if I were I wouldn’t answer.
“We’re in the national team, focused on our games. Not on Cristiano and not on his club.
“It is an issue that has to be resolved with the right person. I see him motivated and focused on the national team like all of us. It’s one more thing to help our country.”
Ronaldo has certainly not helped his country’s chances of lifting the World Cup. If anything, he has put them at risk of bombing in a group they should comfortably be topping.
There is a small possibility that all of this unwanted attention, unnecessary drama, added spice, will spur Ronaldo on even further to drive his beloved Portugal to glory. Unlikely, but it is possible.
For now, the tension within the camp feels like it is close to tipping point. As ever, Ronaldo could be the solution on the pitch, but he also remains the problem off it. More