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      England legend Gazza reveals he was caught by Sir Bobby Robson drinking pina colada on the beach during World Cup

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      PAUL GASCOIGNE recalls being caught by Sir Bobby Robson as he sipped a pina colada on the beach during the World Cup.England legend Gazza captured the nation’s imaginations during Italia 90, with a string of breathtaking performances on the Three Lions’ incredible run to the semi-finals.
      Paul Gascoigne reminisced about World Cup memories
      Sir Bobby Robson caught Gazza out as he enjoyed a drink on the beachCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      And while he was there, Gascoigne loved every minute of his World Cup experience.
      Chatting to Sky Sports ahead of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad announcement for Qatar, the 55-year-old looked back at some of his fondest memories.
      He said: “So for me, to be playing football every single day, I loved it, even though I got up to trouble now and again, got caught by Sir Bobby Robson!
      “Even got caught having a pina colada on the beach, which he went mad on.
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      “I said ‘it’s a milkshake gaffer’. He went ‘no it’s not, it’s got an umbrella on’.
      “I went ‘oh yeah, it’s a pina colada’. He went ‘give it us here’.”
      On how much fun he had being part of the tournament environment, Gascoigne added: “I wish it was me going out there, given the opportunity to play again.
      “It’s important that the players make the most of every day – even in training.
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      “I loved training more than I did the matches to be fair. I just loved it, being amongst the lads.
      “You think about it, it could be six weeks that you’re playing football.
      “I loved playing football anyway.” More

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      James Maddison, Ben White and Callum Wilson INCLUDED in England’s World Cup 2022 squad… but six stars face heartbreak

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      SIX England stars have been dealt World Cup heartbreak after missing out on Gareth Southgate’s squad.Defenders Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi, midfielder James Ward-Prowse and strikers Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen and Ivan Toney have failed to make the cut.
      James Maddison looks to be heading to Qatar this winterCredit: PA
      Ben White will be smiling after being picked by Gareth SouthgateCredit: Getty
      Newcastle’s Callum Wilson will be heading out to QatarCredit: Getty
      But there is delight for Leicester’s James Maddison, Arsenal’s Ben White and Newcastle frontman Callum Wilson who will be heading out to Qatar.
      Southgate’s 26-man squad will provide equal measures of euphoria and heartbreak just ten days before the World Cup starts.
      Maddison’s inclusion comes amid some fine performances for Leicester as he has helped drag the Foxes off the bottom of the Premier League.
      White has featured regularly for top-of-the-table Arsenal and provides options for Southgate at central defence, full-back and even midfield.
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      Wilson is hoping to put his injury problems behind him, and has pipped Brentford ace Ivan Toney and Roma frontman Tammy Abraham to bag a striker spot.
      Former Chelsea kids Guehi and Tomori have enjoyed decent seasons at Crystal Palace and AC Milan respectively, but will not be heading on the plane.

      It is yet more despair for Ward-Prowse – he came within a whisker of making Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad but just missed out.
      Bowen enjoyed a stunning 2021-22 season, but this current campaign has seen him struggle in an inconsistent West Ham side.
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      Toney earned a surprise call-up to Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the Nations League games against England and Germany.
      But the Brentford star failed to get any minutes on the pitch.
      Abraham has scored just four goals in 19 games for Roma in Serie A and will be disappointed not to get chance to show his skills in Qatar. More

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      Culture war spotlight shifts from Erling Haaland to Kylian Mbappe as World Cup approaches

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      THERE’S a reason the Lionel Messi/Cristiano Ronaldo debate has been flogged to death.Football fans will always be intensely invested in the world’s absolute best players and there can be doubt that the Argentine No10 and the Portuguese No7 will be remembered as two of the greatest to ever grace a pitch.
      With both icons on the brink of their last World Cup, there has been a lot of talk in recent times about which players will rise to power in the next decade?
      The names put forward most frequently are Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, with good reason.

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      Dream Team World Cup’s most-popular playerCredit: getty/DREAM TEAM
      Between them, the pair have scored 62 goals in 73 Champions League appearances and have quickly risen to become the primary goal threats for PSG and Manchester City respectively.
      It already feels as if the two will forever be linked in the same manner as Messi and Ronaldo – it’s likely we’ll see them battle it out for the Ballon d’Or several times over in the coming years.
      How conscious Mbappe and Haaland are of their rivalry is unclear but it would surprising if they hadn’t given it at least some thought – elite sportspeople tend to be ultra competitive.
      So far this season, the Norwegian poacher has gained considerable ground in the culture war – which is not to say PSG’s No7 has underwhelmed, far from it.
      Mbappe has 18 goals and five assists from 19 games this term but Haaland has dominated the spotlight having plundered 23 goals (and three assists) from just 16 outings.
      2022 has been a huge year for Haaland so far
      It’s generally accepted that the Premier League is the most competitive domestic league in the world which is why Man City’s new No9 has garnered such praise for making a mockery of its Golden Boot race – he’s seven goals clear of Harry Kane at this stage.
      Haaland’s ruthless efficiency displayed on a new stage has been the overriding theme of the 2022/23 season for many – pretty much every supporter in Europe has guessed at how many goals he’ll score by the end of the campaign.
      Couple this with Mbappe having to share the limelight with Neymar and Lionel Messi in the French capital, both in great form currently, and it’s no wonder the dynamic of the emerging duopoly has shifted.
      But the Frenchman has the perfect opportunity to readdress the balance this winter.
      Norway failed to qualify for the World Cup so Haaland will not have the chance to enhance his reputation at the planet’s most-watched sporting event.
      In contrast, Mbappe represents the holders and, by extension, one of the favourites.
      For the 23-year-old, it’s also a return to the stage on which his reputation ballooned in 2018.
      Mbappe’s first World Cup couldn’t have gone any betterCredit: getty
      He scored four goals as Les Bleus conquered all in Russia, including one in the final, and was named Best Young Player at the tournament.
      An impressive and (most importantly) ultimately successful World Cup campaign goes a huge way to defining a player’s career- Diego Maradona and Pele’s legacies as all-time greats are shaped by their performances on the biggest international stage.
      Mbappe ticking the achievement off his checklist in his teenage years formed the foundation of his reputation as heir to the throne – especially considering World Cup glory has evaded Messi and Ronaldo.
      Another magnificent campaign in Qatar would cement his claim to the crown and may cause a few Haaland admirers to reconsider their allegiance.
      The PSG forward may also feel he has some demons to exorcise after a disappointing showing personally, and from Didier Deschamps’ side collectively, at Euro 2020.
      Mbappe has scored 28 goals in 59 France caps
      As expected, Mbappe is proving to be a popular man among Dream Team World Cup gaffers.
      He currently features in 39.7% of provisional teams created so far, making him the most-selected player in the game, narrowly ahead of Kevin De Bruyne.
      France start the defence of their crown against Australia and will also face Tunisia and Denmark in Group D – the latter beat them home and away earlier this year so keep an eye on that match-up.
      Needless to say, Mbappe will fancy his chances of cashing in against Australia and Tunisia – Dream Team World Cup bosses that proceed without him for those fixtures will be taking a risk.

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      Belgium announce World Cup 2022 squad with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in but Liverpool icon Divock Origi OUT

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      BELGIUM have announced their 26-man World Cup squad.Former Tottenham duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have both been included as they prepare for a third World Cup with the national team.
      Alderweireld, left, and Vertonghen, centre, have both been included in the squadCredit: AFP
      Divock Origi has been left out of Belgium’s World Cup squadCredit: Alamy
      But they will NOT be joined by former Liverpool striker Divock Origi after manager Roberto Martinez decided against taking him to Qatar.
      The 27-year-old’s eight-year stint at Anfield came to an end in the summer and he signed for AC Milan.
      And he has struggled to find his shooting boots in Italy, scoring just once in 13 appearances for the Serie A giants.
      That poor form has ultimately cost him as he has failed to be selected for a second World Cup following his participation in the 2014 tournament.
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      But fellow former Liverpool man Simon Mignolet has made the squad behind No1 Thibaut Courtois.
      In defence, Leicester’s Wout Faes and Timothy Castagne are included.
      Manchester City superstar Kevin de Bruyne leads a superb pool of midfielders – which also features another Leicester man in Youri Tielemans, along with Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco and Borussia Dortmund’s Thorgan Hazard.
      And then up front Martinez is blessed with a host of options.
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      Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard will captain his country in Qatar.
      He will be joined in attack by the likes of Inter Milan loanee Romelu Lukaku, Brighton’s Leandro Trossard, Rennes’ Jeremy Doku, Galatasaray’s Dries Mertens and Fenerbahce’s Michy Batshuayi.
      Belgium reached the semi-finals of the last World Cup in Russia, before being knocked out by eventual winners France.
      They beat England in the third place play-off to secure their best ever finish in the competition’s history.
      Martinez’s men then exited the Euros in the quarter-finals last year, also losing to the subsequent champions, Italy.
      Belgium squad in full:
      Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg).
      Defenders: Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Toby Alderweireld (Royal Antwerp), Wout Faes (Leicester), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Timothy Castagne (Leicester).
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      Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Amadou Onana (Everton), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund).
      Forwards: Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Leandro Trossard (Brighton), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Lois Openda (Lens). More

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      Germany announce World Cup 2022 squad with Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko, 17, earning dream call-up

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      GERMANY have named their 26-man World Cup squad – with uncapped teenage star Youssoufa Moukoko earning his first call-up.The Borussia Dortmund star has been in sensational form this season and has been rewarded by Hansi Flick.
      Uncapped Moussoufa Moukoko has been named in the squadCredit: Getty
      Marco Reus has once again missed out through injuryCredit: Rex

      The 17-year-old has scored six goals in 13 Bundesliga games and will link up with the senior squad for the very first time in Qatar.
      2014 World Cup winning goalscorer Mario Gotze has also made the cut despite not playing for his country since 2017.
      Gotze, who has won 63 caps, has resurrected his career with PSV and Eintracht Frankfurt in the last few seasons and will be on the plane.
      But ex-Dortmund teammate Marco Reus has had no such luck.
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      That’s because the attacker has been left out of the squad due to an ankle injury.
      He did make a couple of appearances recently, but he hasn’t started a game since September and has therefore been overlooked by Flick.
      Meanwhile, Southampton youngster Armel Bella-Kotchap, who recently made his international debut against England, is also in the 26, as is West Ham man Thilo Kehrer.
      Fellow Premier League players Ilkay Gundogan and Kai Havertz are there, but there’s no Timo Werner following a recent ankle injury.
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      Germany 2022 World Cup Squad
      Manuel Neuer is heading to his fourth World CupCredit: Getty
      Goalkeepers
      Manuel Neuer
      Marc-Andre ter Stegen
      Kevin Trapp
      Defenders
      Armel Bella-Kotchap
      Matthias Ginter
      Christian Gunter
      Thilo Kehrer
      Lukas Klostermann
      David Raum
      Antonio Rudiger
      Nico Schlotterbeck
      Niklas Sule
      Mario Gotze will be on the plane to Qatar despite his last cap coming in 2017Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Ex-Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has been named in the squadCredit: Getty
      Midfielders
      Julian Brandt
      Niclas Fullkrug
      Leon Goretzka
      Mario Gotze
      Ilkay Gundogan
      Jonas Hofmann
      Joshua Kimmich
      Forwards
      Karim Adeyemi
      Serge Gnabry
      Kai Havertz
      Youssoufa Moukoko
      Thomas Muller
      Jamal Musiala
      Leroy Sane More

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      ‘This is a shame… a joke!’ – Arsenal ace Martinelli’s inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup 2022 squad leaves Neto fuming

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      GABRIEL MARTINELLI’S inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad has been slammed as a “joke” that shows a “lack of respect” for football.Former Selecao star turned pundit Neto has blasted manager Tite for picking the Arsenal ace over Flamengo star Gabriel Barbosa.
      Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has earned three caps for the SelecaoCredit: AFP
      Neto starred for Brazil between 1988 and 1993Credit: Getty
      Tite, 61, also snubbed Liverpool star Roberto Firmino from his 26-man group.
      Neymar, Richarlison, Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Antony and Pedro will make up Brazil’s formidable forward line in Qatar.
      But speaking on Os Donos da Bola, Neto revealed his disgust at Tite’s decision making.
      He said: “This is a shame, a joke! I feel ashamed! Not because of Dani Alves’ story. What is Martinelli’s story? 33 career goals.
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      “This is a shame, a lack of respect for football.
      “Doing this with football shows that you don’t deserve the position you are in.
      “Calling up Martinelli and not calling up Gabigol is a lack of respect. The biggest shame of all the call-ups.”
      Neto, who won 16 caps for the Selecao between 1988 and 1993, then scathingly added that the Arsenal star is unknown in Brazil.
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      Brazil’s 26-man squad
      Goalkeepers:
      Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Man City), Weverton (Palmeiras)
      Defenders:
      Dani Alves (UNAM), Danilo (Juventus), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Bremer (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
      Midfielders:
      Casemiro (Man Utd), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Man Utd), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)
      Forwards:
      Antony (Man Utd), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Neymar (PSG), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Richarlison (Tottenham), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

      He added: “Nobody knows who he is.
      “Calling up Martinelli shows that you, Tite, shouldn’t hold the position you do, because you’re not fair to Gabigol (Barbosa).
      “The guy (Martinelli) who scores five goals in the season, who walks around the mall here, nobody knows who he is…
      “And not taking Gabigol, the guy who scored the goal of the Libertadores title, who scored 29 goals in the season.”
      Neto, 56, then stuck the boot into the Gunners, saying: “What has Martinelli done in European football? Arsenal are not even in the Champions League. This is a calamity!”
      Martinelli, 21, has earned three senior caps for Brazil – all coming earlier this year.
      Jesus also found himself caught in Neto’s crossfire.
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      He asked of the former Manchester City star: “How many goals has Gabriel Jesus scored in these last games? Oh, none.
      “In the World Cup? Zero. In the qualifiers? Zero. He hasn’t scored in eight games.”
      Gabriel Jesus’ form for Brazil was questionedCredit: EPA
      Neto wanted Gabriel Barbosa to be pickedCredit: AFP More

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      Swiss FA show gay couple in World Cup squad announcement as Germany star Goretzka slams Qatar chief’s LGBTQ+ comments

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      THE SWITZERLAND FA have shown a gay couple in the World Cup squad announcement video.It comes after World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman called homosexuality “damage in the mind”, though a spokesman said there was no connection between the two statements.
      The squad announcement video shows two Switzerland fans holding handsCredit: Twitter @nati_sfv_asf
      Switzerland are proud of the diversity in their squadCredit: Twitter @nati_sfv_asf
      Granit Xhaka will wear the OneLove armband as Switzerland captainCredit: Getty
      The video shows a number of Switzerland shirts bearing the names of players like Breel Embolo and Granit Xhaka, with the Swiss keen to highlight the importance of diversity in their team.
      A gay couple are then shown walking hand in hand – an act which is frowned upon in Qatar.
      The video also shows an interview with Swiss FA spokesman Adrian Arnold, who spoke about Salman’s comments and revealed Switzerland will take part in the OneLove campaign.
      Arnold said: “They are hurtful, unworthy, and totally inconsistent with the code of values ​​that we have at the Switzerland FA. We always have at the Switzerland FA.
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      “We have always tried to make our statements and also to campaign for them, also with the working group on human rights, which our President founded.
      “With the clear demand to all those involved that the same rights should apply to everyone – around the world, including in Qatar, regardless of a person’s political, religious or sexual orientation.
      “We have decided together with the players that we will wear the one-love captain’s armband, Granit Xhaka will do so for the games at the World Cup.
      “As a signal that the same rights should apply to all people in the world – regardless of their political, religious or sexual orientation.”
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      Germany star Leon Goretzka has also condemned Salman’s comments, decrying his view as “oppressive”.
      He told German media: “It’s very oppressive. This is an image of a man that comes from another millennium.
      “It leaves you speechless that something like this can be said by a World Cup ambassador shortly before a World Cup.”
      Salman sparked outrage with his comments, saying: “During the World Cup, many things will come here to the country. Let’s talk about gays.
      “The most important thing is, everybody will accept that they come here. But they will have to accept our rules.”
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      “(Homosexuality) is haram. You know what haram (forbidden) means?
      “Why is it haram? Because it is damage in the mind.” More

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      Neil Warnock picks his England squad for World Cup 2022 including four wild cards

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      NEIL WARNOCK has picked his 26-man England squad for Qatar… with four wildcards included.Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate will name players selected for the World Cup at 2pm on Thursday.
      Neil Warnock has made some tough callsCredit: AP
      Gareth Southgate names his squad at 2pm this afternoonCredit: AFP
      Never short in expressing an opinion, English managerial legend Warnock has given his view on who should make the cut.
      The 73-year-old, who retired from football back in April, made no surprise selections between the sticks – with Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope his goalkeepers.
      Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold are Warnock’s right-backs – although he did spring some surprises in the rest of his defence.
      Uncapped Newcastle ace Dan Burn is among his centre-backs following his great form for the Magpies.
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      He joins Harry Maguire, John Stones, Ben White and Fikayo Tomori.
      Warnock unsurprisingly picked Luke Shaw at left-back, as well as Crystal Palace ace Tyrick Mitchell in the absence of Ben Chilwell.
      In midfield he went with Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount – as well as the fit-again Kalvin Phillips.
      He would also pick one-cap ace James Maddison, following his brilliant form for Leicester.

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      Southgate has a number of exciting attacking players to choose from, with Jadon Sancho just one of many to miss out on Warnock’s squad.
      In the wide areas he has selected Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka.
      And Warnock would take Callum Wilson to back up Harry Kane – ahead of the likes of Ollie Watkins, Tammy Abraham and Ivan Toney.
      Southgate, 52, has had to make some brutal decisions.
      According to the Telegraph, Abraham, Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori have all failed to make the cut.
      Neil Warnock has picked his 26-man squadCredit: @Warnockofficial Twitter More