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      Lionel Messi voted best footballer of 2022 after World Cup win.. but GOAT rival Cristiano Ronaldo not even in top 50

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      LIONEL MESSI has been voted as the best footballer of 2022, but arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo did not even make the TOP 50. The Argentine, 35, enjoyed a great year as he won the Ligue 1 title and won the World Cup for the first time ever, while also receiving the gong for best player at the tournament.
      Lionel Messi was named the best player in 2022Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema completed the top threeCredit: Getty
      Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham were among a host of England stars to make the top 100 listCredit: Alamy
      Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo did not make even make the top 50Credit: Getty
      However, Ronaldo has seen his year go from bad to worse.
      A bright start to the year individually was overshadowed by Manchester United’s failings all around him.
      After being dropped by Erik ten Hag upon his arrival after failing to gain a summer transfer away from the club, Ronaldo then conducted an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
      His contract at United was subsequently terminated, with Ronaldo then landing a record-breaking contract to play to in play in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr.
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      But a poor start to life there saw rival fans taunt Ronaldo with chants of “Messi, Messi, Messi.”
      Regardless, a list from the Guardian naming the “100 best male footballers in the world” revealed the pair’s huge gap.
      While Messi took top spot, French duo Kylian Mbappe – who scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final – and Karim Benzema completed the top three.
      Benzema won the Ballon d’Or for his performances at Real Madrid in 2022, while Mbappe’s prowess has been evident throughout the year despite off-field drama surrounding him.
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      Manchester City’s Erling Haaland came in fourth as he continues his ridiculous record of scoring goals for fun.
      Team-mate Kevin De Bruyne came in sixth, with Luka Modric sandwiched in between them.
      Robert Lewandowski, Vinicius Jr, Thibaut Courtois and Mo Salah completed the top 10.
      Outside of the top 10, ex-Liverpool ace Sadio Mane was put at number 11 after winning the African Cup of Nations with Senegal while Brazil superstar Neymar was 12th.
      Man United linked Harry Kane came in 13th with England prodigy Jude Bellingham directly behind him in 14th, while Man Utd star Casemiro came in directly behind them.
      The top 10 stars from the Guardian’s list plus a few notable names
      World Cup hero Emiliano Martinez came in 20th, while Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka came in 22nd ahead of Rafael Leao and Phil Foden.
      Other Prem stars in the top 30 were Son Heung-Min, Virgil van Dijk, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
      There were slimmer Prem pickings from 31-50, with Julian Alvarez, Alisson, Martin Odegaard, Joao Cancelo and new Liverpool ace Cody Gakpo.
      Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo ranked in the 51st spot.
      Further down, in-form Marcus Rashford was ranked 58th best directly behind Riyadh Mahrez and in front of Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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      Declan Rice, tipped to leave West Ham in the summer for £100million transfer, came in at 88th.
      Some other stars from England’s top division who made this 100-strong list included Gabriel Jesus (62), Hakim Ziyech (63), Cristian Romero (72), Lisandro Martinez (81), Darwin Nunez (82), Aleksandar Mitrovic (83) and Reece James (94). More

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      Gareth Southgate reveals family persuaded him not to QUIT as England boss after World Cup and opens up on fan abuse

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE admits his family persuaded him not to quit as England boss following his World Cup heartbreak.And the Three Lions boss has shrugged off abuse from irate fans, vowing: “I can deal with it.”
      Gareth Southgate admits his family convinced him to stay on as England bossCredit: Getty
      Southgate’s position came under the spotlight when England crashed out of the World CupCredit: Getty
      Southgate’s England team looked destined for potential greatness as they cruised through the group stage in Qatar.
      Captain Harry Kane and Co made light work of Iran before bouncing back from their USA draw with victory against Wales.
      England were equally impressive in their 3-0 win over Senegal in the last 16.
      But Southgate’s plan was undone in the quarters by a stubborn France side, with Kane missing a late penalty as the eventual runners-up edged through 2-1.
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      The fallout saw Southgate’s position come under the spotlight, with some questioning how he could survive after missing out at three successive tournaments.
      However, the FA were eager for their man to remain, with Southgate eventually deciding to stay on for Euro 2024.
      But the England boss, 52, admits it was his family who persuaded him to give the job another go.
      Southgate is married to wife Alison, also 52, and the pair have two children in Mia, 22, and Flynn, 18.
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      And the trio convinced the tactician to have one more shot at glory with his country.
      Southgate told ITV: “They (my family) left Doha saying you’ve got to give this one more go and try to get this trophy.
      “There was negativity about me being in charge and the last thing I wanted was for that to be the over-arching feeling going into a World Cup when you need the fans and everybody behind the team.
      “You need that energy; you need that sense of togetherness.
      “And if the debate was only going to be about finding flaws in what we were doing, in order that I go at the end, then that would have been very difficult for the team to perform at their best.”
      As for any resentment and abuse from fans, it’s all been water off a duck’s back.
      Southgate added: “I don’t think anybody would choose to walk over at the end of a game and get abuse, but I’ve also been in football long enough to know that.
      “I can deal with it, and you’ve got to lead your players through those moments as well.
      “I don’t think anybody could say they enjoy it, but it also isn’t going to determine exactly what I do and what I don’t do.” More

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      Chelsea legend Didier Drogba poses for pic with unrecognisable World Cup legend – can you tell who it is?

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      DIDIER DROGBA posed for a selfie with a totally unrecognisable World Cup legend.Chelsea hero Drogba, 44, took to Instagram to post the photo.
      Didier Drogba smiled with his idol – but who is the mystery footballer?Credit: Instagram @didierdrogba
      The Ivorian wore a black shirt and sunglasses to go with his shaved head and beaming smile.
      And his “idol” – also in shades – was clearly also happy to hang out with the 2012 Champions League winner.
      He wrapped his arm around Drogba’s shoulder in a black blazer to go with his grey curly hair and goatee beard.
      And the 55-year-old completed the look with a No18 necklace.
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      However, this former Ballon d’Or winner is far more associated with wearing the No10 and his luscious long locks on the biggest stage of all.
      He scored 291 club goals in his 643 games for the likes of Fiorentina, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus.
      The attacker lifted the Serie A trophy twice as well as the Coppa Italia and the Uefa Cup.
      On the international scene, his return was an impressive 27 goals in 56 senior caps for Italy.
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      That included seven World Cup strikes, four of which came as Italy reached the final in 1994.
      However, it was his penalty miss in the shootout that secured Brazil victory in the final.
      Even to this day, the former footballer admits he has not forgotten the moment he skied Italy’s dreams.
      He said in 2022: “I will never forget it. That was a childhood dream come true and then it ended in the most absurd fashion and I never got over it.
      “The people always showed me great love and affection, they understood my suffering, but I am very demanding with myself.
      “I had a thousand opportunities to miss a penalty in my career, that was the one I really couldn’t miss.”
      The mystery footballer is of course… Roberto Baggio.
      Baggio ditched the iconic long hair a while back – and shocked fans with his new look when he touched down in Qatar ahead of the World Cup final.
      But he is still a popular figure in football at home in Italy and around the world.
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      Baggio retired in 2004 and spent time as Italian football’s technical director alongside his various charity work.
      Away from football, he has three children with wife Andreina Fabbi, who he married in 1989.
      Roberto Baggio is an Italy legend and scored at three World CupsCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

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      World Cup’s hottest fan Ivana Knoll pulls down bikini to reveal her tan lines as she suns herself in the Maldives

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      WORLD CUP sensation Ivana Knoll left little to the imagination as she shared photos from her trip to the Maldives.The Croatian has been busy since leaving Qatar and decided to unwind in the sun on the Indian Ocean islands.
      Ivana Knoll left little to the imagination in a skimpy bikiniCredit: Instagram / @knolldoll
      Days earlier the Croatian posed topless on the beachCredit: Instagram / @knolldoll
      Ivana often wows her 3.6million followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram / @knolldoll
      The former Miss Croatia shot to fame at the World CupCredit: Instagram / @knolldoll
      Ivana has been busy since leaving QatarCredit: Splash
      Ivana took the world by storm with her appearances at the World Cup, and she has now built up an Instagram following of 3.6million.
      The 30-year-old treated her followers to some saucy snaps by posing in a skimpy black bikini.
      She even pulled down her bra to reveal tan lines, writing: “Finally some tan lines.”
      Ivana later showed off her athletic figure with some beach snaps.
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      She smiled from ear to ear and appears to be thoroughly enjoying her trip to the Maldives.
      Last week Ivana shared a topless beach pic that attracted over 200,000 likes in an hour.
      The former Miss Crotia has had a busy start to the year and recently shared a clip of her pole dancing.
      She saw in the new year alongside actor Jamie Foxx and later attended a star-studded party alongside Drake held by Leonardo Di Caprio.
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      Some fans have questioned Knoll’s authenticity, questioning whether she has had any surgery.
      When asked if her lips were natural by a fan, Knoll replied: “Yes!!!! My mother also has big lips and guess some ppl have natural big lips.”
      Another fan went a step further and questioned whether her bum was real.
      Knoll insisted: “No! I didn’t do BBL and I don’t have implants.
      “Just genetic. Lot of food and workout.” More

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      Manuel Neuer’s leg ‘held together by ski boot after horror injury with Germany icon lucky a rescue helicopter was near’

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      MANUEL NEUER is “lucky” his skiing accident did not have far worse consequences, it has been claimed. Germany icon Neuer had an accident while skiing last month following his nation’s early elimination from the World Cup.
      Manuel Neuer was ruled out for the season following his injuryCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl_DMxLILNZ/
      But it has been revealed that the boot he wore proved pivotal in avoiding an even worse situationCredit: Getty
      It left him with a broken leg which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.
      However, the consequences of the trip could have been far worse if the emergency services were not on hand close by.
      BILD report that had a “rescue helicopter” not been nearby when the accident happened then he would have been out for far longer.
      Neuer’s ski boot has also been credited as holding his foot together, with the compression the boot provided limiting the swelling around the injury on his leg caused by severe bleeding.
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      Had the boot and swift services not been factors, the swelling around the leg would have meant doctors could not operate straight away.
      Fortunately, Neuer was able to undergo surgery straight away and immediately start the recovery process.
      Furthermore, doctors are expecting “no further complications” following the surgery.
      The Bayern Munich captain’s recovery will see him not allowed to “move his leg until the end of February” at the earliest.
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      The German champions’ will take care of his rehab girlfriend Anika Bissel helps out by driving him to and from the training ground.
      Neuer had played 16 times for the Bavarians this season before the World Cup break.
      However, the Bundesliga champions have a number of talented players to make up for Neuer’s loss, including Joshua Kimmich, who scored a screamer against Cologne. More

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      Lionel Messi takes break from PSG to whisk family off on stunning ski holiday as he posts loved up pic in pool

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      LIONEL MESSI has whisked his family off for a break in the Alps. The Argentine superstar, 35, only recently returned from International duty after winning the World Cup.
      Lionel Messi wore a woolly hat for the trip to the AlpsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1XcUAtiSP/
      He shared a photo of himself and the family enjoying the tripCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1XcUAtiSP/
      Messi took his three children on the breakCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1XcUAtiSP/
      And also shared a loved-up pic of him with wife Antonela RoccuzzoCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1XcUAtiSP/
      The post has gained over six million likes in three hoursCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1XcUAtiSP/
      The compilation of photos ended with Messi and Co with some picturesque sceneryCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1XcUAtiSP/
      This included him featuring in Paris Saint-Germain’s exhibition match against a Cristiano Ronaldo-led All-Star team comprised of players from Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.
      Messi scored inside three minutes during the 5-4 thriller, but was later absent for PSG’s 7-0 thrashing of non-league side Pays de Cassel – a game which saw Kylian Mbappe score FIVE.
      And it appears in his time off, he instead spent some family time with wife Antonela Roccuzzo and his three children.
      The ex-Barcelona star posted a compilation to his Instagram page, a page which boasts the “most liked post” on the social media site.
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      The photos showed Messi clad in warm winter clothing with a woolly hat and thick coat to ward off the chilly weather.
      Other photos showed him in a hot spring pool as he kept warm alongside his family.
      He even shared an intimate snap of just himself and Antonela in the pool together.
      The post ended with the family all posing for a photo in front of a picturesque background with the snowy tops of the Alps.
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      The family holiday comes amid fresh reports claiming Messi has turned down an extension at PSG following a change of mindset he has had after the World Cup.
      Consequently, this has led to speculation that Messi could end up with a staggering record-breaking deal of £306million-a-new-year. More

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      Punters visiting black market online gambling sites tripled during the World Cup

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      THE number of punters visiting black market online gambling sites tripled during the World Cup, research shows.A total of 250,000 used unregulated overseas firms during the tournament — up from 80,000 in the same period in 2021.
      The number of visitors to black market gambling sites tripled during the World CupCredit: Getty
      The betting industry says it takes under 30 seconds to sign up to a black market site compared to 12 minutes for a regulated UK operator.
      It comes as ministers prepare to publish a gambling white paper.
      Michael Dugher, CEO at the Betting and Gaming Council, said punters face a “dire threat” from “the growing unsafe, unregulated black market”.
      He said the regulated industry worked hard to protect young people during the World Cup by adhering to strict regulations while black market operators “preyed on the vulnerable”.
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      He added: “While the regulated industry was going to great lengths to protect young people during the World Cup and adhering to strict regulations and promoting safer gambling, black market operators were preying on the vulnerable.
      “These unlicensed sites offer none of the safer gambling tools promoted by our members, they pay no tax and employ no one, they do not contribute a penny to sport or services tackling gambling harm.
      “Rather than dismissing the problem, the regulator and the Government need to tread extremely carefully and resist blanket intrusive affordability checks at low levels that push even more punters to these dangerous sites.”
      He praised the research by Yield Sec, a US-based licensed gaming marketplace.
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      Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball up for auction just months after shirt from same game sold for £7MILLION

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      DIEGO-ING, going, gone! Memorabilia fans are pumped up for the sale of a deflated ball – the one netted by Maradona’s “Hand of God” .The legend’s shirt from Argentina’s infamous 2-1 World Cup quarter-final win over England in 1986 has already sold for £7million last May.
      Nostalgic football followers could buy this 1986 ball for a seven-figure sumCredit: AFP
      England were stunned and stung twice by Maradona in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final – by this ‘Hand of God’ goal and then his amazing solo effortCredit: PA:Press Association
      Now the ball will be up for sale in the USA on February 8 after failing to sell in London two months, despite a £2m bid.
      Previously owned by match referee Ali Bin Nasser, its starting price is $600,000 dollars (£485k).
      Diego Maradona, who died aged 60 just over two years ago, notoriously handled the opening goal of the Mexico City showpiece.
      He jumped and bent his arm to flick the ball in when Three Lions’ keeper Peter Shilton seemed sure to meet it first.
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      Shilton never forgave Maradona – not helped by the wizard then weaving through from halfway to make it 2-0 with one of the greatest goals ever.
      Gary Lineker replied in vain for England, before the South Americans went on to win the tournament, beating West Germany 3-2 in the final.
      The adidas ball, which is now deflated, was held by controversial ref Bin Nasser from the date of the game, June 22 1986.
      But it’s now going on display for an auction by Goldin.
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      The company’s founder Ken Goldin said: “This ball is central to arguably the most iconic moment in sports history
      “With Lionel Messi heroically leading Argentina to its latest World Cup triumph, we anticipate renewed interest in the legend of Maradona and of the ball that changed soccer forever.”
      Maradona’s match top sold for $9.3million eight months ago – a record for sporting memorabilia.
      The ball has “Official World Cup Ball 1986 Ballon Officiel Coupe du Monde 1986” stamped in black on one pentagonal panel.
      On another panel is the name of the match venue – “Azteca Mexico”. More