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      Moment Salt Bae SNATCHES World Cup trophy to shamelessly perform trademark ‘sprinkle’ as fury over pitch invasion grows

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      THIS is the moment Salt Bae snatched the World Cup trophy from a winner’s baby after pestering Lionel Messi for a selfie.Fifa was facing questions today over why the celebrity chef was allowed on the pitch following embarrassing scenes at the showpiece final.
      Salt Bae was filmed snatching the World Cup trophy from Angel Di MariaCredit: Twitter – @@JCUStreaks10
      He also snatched it away from Cristian Romero’s babyCredit: Twitter – @@JCUStreaks10
      He then kissed it like a champion in an embarrassing spectacleCredit: Twitter – @@JCUStreaks10
      Lisandro Martínez looks annoyed as the chef pretends to sprinkle salt on the trophyCredit: Twitter – @@JCUStreaks10
      Gary Lineker called Salt Bae a “pest” and former FA chairman Greg Dyke laid into world football boss Gianni Infantino as fury grew worldwide.
      The Turkish cook and Instagram star – real name Nusret Gökçe – was seen wearing a Fifa VIP badge round his neck on Sunday night.
      Footage shows him pestering the Argentina squad as they celebrated their cup glory with their families after the nailbiting shootout.
      He was seen grabbing hold of Lionel Messi by the shoulder at least twice as the baffled megastar tried to shrug him off.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      Bae’s persistence paid off as he finally got a selfie with the striker hailed the greatest of all time.
      The chef was also seen forcing himself into lineups of other stars as they clutched the famous golden trophy.
      At one point he was seen snatching it from Lisandro Martínez, who gave an awkward sideways glance at the bizarre interruption.
      Gökçe also pretended to do his trademark salt-sprinking trick over the trophy as irritated players stood by.
      Most read in Football
      In another clip, Salt Bae is seen shaking his finger in a scolding gesture when Cristian Romero’s baby tried to touch the trophy.
      Instead the chef pulled it away, kissed it and raised it above his head like a champion.
      He also posted a series of boastful pics on his Instagram page, showing him pawing and kissing the 18-carat gold trophy.
      The disgraceful spectacle reportedly broke Fifa’s rules, which say only former winners and heads of state can handle the £17million prize.
      BBC host Gary Lineker shared footage of his attention seeking antics, saying: “He’s such a pest.”
      Greg Dyke said: “I don’t think Fifa and Infantino have come out of this very well.”
      Fifa has reportedly refused to say if Salt Bae was granted access to the pitch.
      If he was given “access all areas” accreditation, that would open the governing body to allegations of cronyism or special treatment for Infantino’s friends, reports The Times.
      Gökçe is said to be pals with controversial Fifa chief Infantino, who praised him as “number one” after visiting his Qatar steak house during the world cup.
      And he said: “Football unites the world and Nusret unites the world as well.”
      Infantino was also filmed doing the salt sprinkling himself in a cringe-worthy video at Gökçe’s Dubai restaurant in 2020.
      We have contacted Fifa for comment.
      Other VIP guests at the final included Twitter billionaire Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
      And French president Emmanuel Macron was slammed for his embarrassing attempts to console losing hattrick hero Kylian Mbappe.
      Salt Bae was filmed badgering Argentina captain Lionel MessiCredit: Twitter
      Messi eventually relented and posed for a selfieCredit: instagram
      Salt Bae broke Fifa rules by handling the £17m World Cup trophyCredit: instagram
      Gianni Infantino performs the ‘sprinkle’ at Salt Bae’s Dubai steak houseCredit: Instagram
      The chef was slammed on Twitter as “pathetic” for his attention seeking antics, which were also described as the “cringiest thing ever”.
      “The man’s just won the World Cup literally minutes prior and this ‘celebrity’ is feeling he’s entitled to get his attention,” said one Twitter user.
      “You shouldn’t touch the Cup. You’re not a champion,” was a second comment.
      Another furious Instagram user said he was “unfollowing” the Turkish chef.
      “You shouldn’t have touched that trophy only the players and staff who worked their asses off to become champions have that right.
      “You only want attention.
      Continuing the theme one post read “this is the time for players who have worked hard and not for celebrities to hang around and take selfies for their own promo”.
      Salt Bae isn’t the only celebrity to have fallen foul of Fifa etiquette.
      Rihanna was pictured holding the prize back in 2014 and later revealed she had kissed and posed for a selfie with the famous trophy.
      Salt Bae sparked fury before the World Cup after bragging about a £140,584 bill at his high-end restaurant.
      A single steak from the evening was over £1000, and the group spent almost £115,000 on wine alone.
      Salt Bae shot to fame in 2017 when a video of him lovingly preparing a steak by theatrically sprinkling a handful of salt crystals quickly went viral.
      Nusret quickly became a celebrity in his own right, cooking for celebrities like David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio, and DJ Khaled.
      He opened his first Nusr-Et steakhouse in Istanbul in 2010.
      Read More on The Sun

      The brand grew, and he opened restaurants across the Middle East, including in Ankara, Doha and Dubai.
      In 2021, he opened the first London Branch of the chain in the posh area of Knightsbridge. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘a big FAILURE’ of World Cup, the opposite to rival Lionel Messi, claims Germany hero Lothar Matthaus

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO was “a big FAILURE” at the World Cup while long-time rival Lionel Messi was “the absolute winner”, says Germany legend Lothar Matthaus.Ronaldo, 37, crashed out in the World Cup quarter-finals after Portugal were beaten 1-0 by Morocco.
      Ronaldo was ‘a big FAILURE’ at the World CupCredit: Getty
      Long-time Rival Messi won the World CupCredit: Getty
      One-time winner Matthaus says Ronaldo’s ‘ego trips’ damaged both himself and PortugalCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The free agent started Portugal’s knockout campaign from the bench after lacklustre displays in the group stages, which saw him score just one goal.
      Messi, meanwhile, went on to lift the glittering, golden trophy, cementing himself as “the player of the millennium”.
      That’s according to one-time World Cup winner, Matthaus, who labelled CR7 “a big failure of the World Cup” who has “damaged his legacy”.
      Matthaus told Bild: “With his ego trips, Ronaldo has damaged the team and himself.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      “There is no doubt that he was a great player and an absolutely lethal finisher. But now he has damaged his legacy.
      “I find it hard to think that he can find a place in a team. I kind of feel sorry for Ronaldo.”
      Matthaus continued: “Ronaldo is of course a big failure of the World Cup, the opposite of Messi.
      “[Messi is] the absolute winner. He deserves it because he has given me and all football fans great joy with his qualities and the way he plays over 17-18 years.
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      “For me, Messi is the player of the millennium.”
      Ronaldo played the World Cup without a club after Manchester United ripped up his contract.
      The 819 career-goal forward’s explosive sit-down interview with SunSport columnist and TalkTV main man, Piers Morgan, was the final nail in the coffin.
      Ronaldo accused United of betrayal, while also declaring he did not respect manager Erik ten Hag.
      He will now search for a new club and was recently training at former team Real Madrid’s base.
      However, he worked separately from Carlo Ancelotti and his men.
      Meanwhile, Messi and Co have touched down in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, medals round necks and the £16million golden trophy in hand.
      Thousands lined the streets in the early hours of Tuesday morning as the Argentina team celebrated on an open top bus.
      The Argentine government has declared a national Bank Holiday to allow fans to take part in the celebrations which will see the players travelling to the famous Obelisk monument at noon local time with the World Cup.
      Thousands lined the streets to see Argentina’s World Cup-winning teamCredit: Getty
      Messi and four team-mates sat at the top of the busCredit: AFP
      An official celebration will take place at 12pm local timeCredit: Reuters More

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      Argentina win World Cup LIVE REACTION: Wild celebrations as Messi and Co return home – latest

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      LIONEL MESSI and Argentina have returned home to Buenos Aires with the World Cup trophy to wild celebrations.The thrilling final went down to pure shoot-out drama with both Kylian Mbappe and Messi scoring.
      Kylian Mbappe had completed his hat-trick in extra-time to send a sensational final into penalties after Messi had put Argentina back in front.
      An injury saw Karim Benzema miss out on the entire competition and he has since confirmed his retirement from international football.

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      Not over yet
      Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi is not retiring from international football and he will play at the next World Cup, claims former Argentina star Jorge Valdano.
      Valdano told Cadena Cope: “When I interviewed him before the World Cup, off camera he told me that he was going to play in his fifth World Cup and that no footballer had played six.
      “He told me that it was impossible, and he told me ‘if I’m a world champion I’ll keep my shirt on until the next World Cup.’
      “We will see if Messi is capable. Football has shown that it is practically impossible to play in six World Cups”
      Argentina triumph recap
      Argentina captain Lionel Messi finally won his first ever World Cup – the only trophy that has eluded his stunning 18-year career.
      The Albiceleste won their third overall trophy in the competition – their first since 1986 – after beating France on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw.
      Messi opened the scoring from the spot before Angel Di Maria doubled the Copa America champions’ lead.
      But then the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe took over and scored twice to equalise for Les Bleus.
      Messi put the Argentines ahead during extra-time before Mbappe equalised again.
      Argentina then won on penalties when Emiliano Martinez denied Kingsley Coman, Aurelien Tchouameni missed and Gonzalo Montiel beat Hugo Lloris
      Bayern line up Martinez move
      Bayern Munich are looking to sign Argentina World Cup hero Emi Martinez from Aston Villa as a replacement for Manuel Neuer.
      And the ex-Arsenal star’s agent admits a deal abroad could be close, saying: “Today there are few teams that can afford a goalkeeper like him.
      “But Serie A, well, why not?
      “Clearly aiming high, for the Champions League.”
      Ronaldo makes Worst Team XI
      Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in a World Cup Worst XI.
      The team was put together by data gathers Sofascore.
      Ronnie leads the way up top with Lautaro Martinez.
      Meanwhile, Edouard Mendy and Sergino Dest are also included.

      Petit slams France final effort
      Emmanuel Petit has criticised France for their dull opening 70 minutes against Argentina in the World Cup final.
      He told Mega Casino: “Even before we lost the match on penalties, I’m thinking ‘what the hell is wrong with us?’ Why did we wait 70 minutes to play the final? 
      “I can guarantee you that those French players, who were so close to touching the World Cup and had that taken away from them, when they take time to think about the game, they will tell you that what happened during the first half, that can’t happen in a World Cup final. 
      “It’s impossible. It takes a lot to get to the final and you need to be ready. They were not ready in the first half, that is a big regret. We only played for twenty minutes in the entire match.”
      Salt Bae in Cup trouble
      Salt Bae has been criticised for joining in Argentina’s World Cup celebrations.
      The celebrity chef was seen muscling in on Lionel Messi and Co’s party after their win against France on Sunday.
      And Salt Bae even appeared to snatch the World Cup trophy from a BABY before posing for snaps.
      Salt Bae slammed for touching £17m 18-carat World Cup trophy breaking FIFA etiquette while posing with Argentina stars
      Messi upstages Ronaldo once again
      Lionel Messi has got one over Cristiano Ronaldo again… this time for the most-liked Instagram post in history.
      The Argentina star shared photos of himself with the World Cup after beating France on Sunday.
      And it has now garnered more likes than Ronaldo’s post of himself playing chess against Messi.
      Not only that, Messi’s latest post has now overtaken the previous record holder for likes, set by a picture of an EGG.

      Messi in near-miss shocker
      World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi came close to being knocked off the back of an open top bus moments after returning to Argentina.
      Messi and team-mates ducked under an overhead power cable with seconds to spare as they headed to the Argentine Football Association’s training ground.
      Leandro Paredes was perched on the edge of the top deck of the bus but managed to keep his balance despite having to squirm away as it was almost on top of him.
      He ducked down just in time but lost his baseball cap when the cable hit the top of his head and knocked it off.
      SEE THE VIDEO HERE
      Benzema set for Zidane U-turn
      Karim Benzema could come out of international retirement for France.
      That’s only if Zinedine Zidane replaces Didier Deschamps.
      Benzema quit the international scene just one day after France’s World Cup final defeat to Argentina, with reports claiming he was unhappy not have been included in the squad despite carrying an injury.
      But Foot Mercato claims the Real Madrid man will make himself available should Zidane, as expected, replace Deschamps at the helm.
      Tops off for Argentina fan
      The Argentina fan who risked jail by getting her kit off at the World Cup final has broken her silence by posting more topless videos.
      It appeared Noe – who has named herself “The Topless Girl” on social media – and her friend escaped punishment in Qatar.
      Noe shared more topless clips from Sunday’s celebrations.
      And she even appeared to post a picture of her boarding a plane out of the country.
      SEE MORE OF TOPLESS FAN HERE

      Messi gets top BBC prize
      Lionel Messi has been named BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year.
      The Argentina captain scored twice on Sunday as he finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy.
      The prize is awarded by a panel to the athlete who has “achieved the most notable sporting success” on the globe during that calendar year.
      The 2021 winner was Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore.
      Martinez shares brilliant throwback snap
      Argentina World Cup hero Emiliano Martinez has posted an incredible throwback photo as a kid from his Independiente days.
      The Aston Villa man looks unrecognisable as a youngster.
      And he’d never have known the huge role he was set to play in his country’s World Cup triumph in 2022.
      SEE MARTINEZ’S PHOTO HERE
      Party declared to celebrate win
      Argentina has declared a national holiday on Tuesday to celebrate Lionel Messi and Co’s stunning World Cup triumph over France.
      Argentina’s heroes returned to Buenos Aires this morning.
      And it has been announced there will be a national holiday to toast the triumph.
      The celebrations are expected to start at around 3pm UK time.
      World Cup transfers – Best XI
      The World Cup has thrown up some exciting new stars.
      And some could be heading to the Premier League in big-money moves this winter.
      The likes of Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with some of these big names…

      Argentina party on but France get heroes’ welcome  
      Argentina’s World Cup winners are waking up with sore heads after persistent partying.
      And France’s losing finalists raised their arms but barely a smile as they acknowledged a heroes’ welcome back from thousands of fans outside their Paris hotel.
      Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick couldn’t prevent Argentina’s victory but did help him beat Lionel Messi to he highest individual rating for the tournament from France’s L’Equipe. 
      Messi, meanwhile, restated his desire at the age of 35 to continue playing international football following his two-goal masterclass in the final.
      And PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi confirmed he will start talking to the legend about a contract extension.
      Bukayo Saka was the only Englishmen to make the best World Cup XI.
      Lastly, Argentina’s triumph robbed France of successive World Cup crowns but has so far sparked little transfer interest.
      Instead, French replacement striker Marcus Thuram is the finalist at the centre of most of the speculation.
      Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are being linked with the Borussia Monchengladbach ace, 25.
      Punter wins £240k after cashing out on France
      A gambling genius has won £240,000 – after cashing out his seven-team accumulator moments before France’s World Cup final defeat.
      American Daniel Forte had backed Les Bleus to lift the trophy as part of a £21 bet he placed in March.
      Forte correctly forecast Manchester City would win the Premier League.
      He also tipped AC Milan to win Serie A, and Los Angeles FC to lift the MLS Cup.
      Other spot-on selections included Golden State Warriors to win the NBA finals, Colorado Avalanche to win Ice Hockey’s Stanley Cup and Kansas to win the NCAA basketball tournament.
      Forte stood to win 557,770 dollars – £457,738 – if France completed the final leg of his acca with odds of 21,453-1.
      But in an inspired decision, he opted to cash out for $283,583 – £240,000 – just hours before Didier Deschamps’ men lost on penalties to Argentina.
      Which is a result that would have left the Nevada-based punter with nothing.
      Forte said: “Thank God I cashed out. I’d be leaving on a stretcher with a heart attack otherwise.
      “There was a lot of thought and a lot of talking to my family.
      “We decided to take the £283K cashout, and change my life.”
      Goodbye smallest World Cup, hello the biggest…
      So that’s a wrap on the smallest World Cup in living memory — now we can get ready for the biggest, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
      For all the talk of new frontiers and “bringing people together”, Fifa are delighted to say goodbye to Qatar, the controversy and criticism.
      Next comes a World Cup in three countries, not one city. In 16 venues, split across four time zones and thousands of miles — rather than the distance between Selhurst Park and Kenilworth Road.

      With 48 teams, as opposed to the 32 that has been the norm since 1998. More from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Even, for the first time, a guaranteed slot for Oceania.
      And, almost certainly, a record 104 MATCHES and 33 days as well. It will be 12 groups of four but the real issues are over the next stage.
      Qatar was condensed to 29 days, with four matches each day in the opening stage.
      But the big European clubs will put huge pressure on Fifa to prevent an expanding tournament lasting any longer than 33 days maximum.
      The solution is obvious — up to six games each day in the opening round although that is more possible in 2026 than in any other potential venue for the future.
      FULL LOWDOWN ON 2026 HERE
      Messi wins Beeb award
      Lionel Messi has been named BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year.
      The Argentina captain scored twice on Sunday as he finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy.
      The 35-year-old superstar helped guide his national team past France on penalties.

      And the BBC announced they have dedicated the win by naming the diminutive genius as the world star of the year.
      The prize is awarded by a panel to the athlete who has “achieved the most notable sporting success” on the globe during that calendar year.
      The 2021 winner was Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore.
      It is yet another trophy for Messi, who spoke about winning the World Cup after lifting it in Qatar.
      He said: “It’s everyone’s dream when they’re little.
      “I’ve been lucky enough to achieve everything and what I was missing, I found here.”
      Fans hail France stars at Paris hotel
      France stars put a brave face on their World Cup final pain as they went on their hotel balcony in Paris to acknowledge a heroes’ welcome home by thousands of fans.
      But Kylian Mbappe still couldn’t raise a smile as he waved to flag-waving supporters following an historic hat-trick that couldn’t prevent Argentina lifting the trophy.
      Credit: AFP
      Antoine Griezmann, one of the players of the tournament, managed a beaming grin.
      And boss Didier Deschamps also produced a rueful half-smile.
      Olivier Giroud, who was was subbed before half-time, and Aurelien Tchouameni were also snapped on the balcony applauding fans.
      Argentina’s 4-2 victory on penalties after a 3-3 draw denied France and Deschamps two successive World Cup triumphs.
      Credit: Getty
      Bukayo only England player in best XI
      Notoriously harsh football critics L’Equipe have named England star Bukayo Saka in the World Cup Team of the Tournament… and only gave one player above a SEVEN.
      Arsenal ace Saka was one of England‘s shining lights in their World Cup campaign, scoring three goals in their run to the quarter-finals.
      Only one player was given above a SEVEN and it wasn’t World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi, instead Kylian Mbappe.
      Saka rated at 6.5.

      Kyl the mood
      Kylian Mbappe and Co returned to France following their World Cup final defeat to Argentina.
      And the squad understandably appeared to be in glum spirits after their efforts in a heroic comeback were undone in a dramatic shootout.

      The French had found themselves 2-0 down until a late penalty boosted them into life.
      Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe netted a three-minute brace to drag the game into extra-time before becoming just the second player to ever score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
      However, he was unable to do anymore as his nation lost out on penalties to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
      And a day later Didier Deschamps’ unlucky Les Bleus arrived back home to a hero’s welcome. Thousands gathered at Place de la Concorde in Paris to give well wishes to the beaten finalists.
      Had France won the Jules Rimet they would have become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
      France boss Deschamps would have also become the first manager ever to win it back-to-back. He appeared to be in a better mood than his compatriots as he was spotted smiling on the runway.
      Utd and Arsenal gear up for Thur de France
      Manchester United have reportedly joined Arsenal and Tottenham in eyeing France striker Marcus Thuram.
      Bild even say Borussia Moenchengladbach are looking at potential replacements for the 25-year-old, who came on late in the first half during Argentina’s World Cup final triumph on Sunday.
      It’s thought United are unsure whether spend big on a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo in January – with a loan signing regarded as a strong possibility.
      That might be a boost for the Gunners if they decide to bid for Thuram.
      Punter wins £240k after cashing out on France
      A gambling genius has won £240,000 – after cashing out his seven-team accumulator moments before France’s World Cup final defeat.
      American Daniel Forte had backed Les Bleus to lift the trophy as part of a £21 bet he placed in March.
      Forte correctly forecast Manchester City would win the Premier League.
      He also tipped AC Milan to win Serie A, and Los Angeles FC to lift the MLS Cup.
      Other spot-on selections included Golden State Warriors to win the NBA finals, Colorado Avalanche to win Ice Hockey’s Stanley Cup and Kansas to win the NCAA basketball tournament.
      Forte stood to win 557,770 dollars – £457,738 – if France completed the final leg of his acca with odds of 21,453-1.
      But in an inspired decision, he opted to cash out for $283,583 – £240,000 – just hours before Didier Deschamps’ men lost on penalties to Argentina.
      Which is a result that would have left the Nevada-based punter with nothing.
      Forte said: “Thank God I cashed out. I’d be leaving on a stretcher with a heart attack otherwise.
      “There was a lot of thought and a lot of talking to my family.
      “We decided to take the £283K cashout, and change my life.”
      Fans puzzled by Aguero’s smoke and winners
      Sergio Aguero joined in the jubilant celebrations as Argentina lifted the World Cup, but fans spotted something rather peculiar.
      The former Manchester City ace posted a photo in the dressing room with the World Cup trophy in hand while smoking a cigar.

      However, fans noticed he had turned around his ID badge and they were left convinced he did so in order to claim it as a World Cup medal.
      One user said: “Can’t stop laughing at how he turned his ID badge around so it looks like a medal 😭”
      A second user said: “Aguero turned his ID badge around so it looks like a medal. He thinks we can’t see him 😭.”
      A third said: “Aguero turnt over his id badge so it looks like a medal☠️”
      “Shameless 😭😭,” said another.
      Aguero was not in the Argentina squad after retiring from football in late 2021.
      It came after he was diagnosed with heart condition cardiac arrhythmia.
      Despite this, it did not stop the 34-year-old from donning a full Argentina kit as he joined the on-pitch celebrations.
      Messi gains 21m more Instagram followers
      World Cup winner Lionel Messi’s Instagram following soared 20million as stars in Qatar picked up an extra 210m in total.
      But despite his problems at club and international level, Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo remains the king online, boosted by a near 19m rise to 519m.
      Kylian Mbappe’s final hat-trick for beaten France against Argentina helped his following rise from 73.5m to 83m.
      And Richarlison led a string of big increases for Premier League players.
      Brazil’s Tottenham striker saw his backing swell from 17.3m to 19.6m. And Manchester United’s Brazilian winger Antony went from 6.2m to 9.3m.
      But as a World Cup winner, Aston Villa’s Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez might be disappointed to ‘only’ jump from 4.3m to 7.5m
      AceOdds compiled the list, with spectacular percentage leaps coming from South Korea’s Cho Gue-Sung (8773%), Richarlison (167%) and Argentina duo Julian Alvarez (136%) and Enzo Fernandez (353%)
      An extra million followers pulls in £3,000 in social media post sponsorships, so Messi’s heroics earned him an additional £63,000 from the tournament. The PSG attacker, 35, can now demand £1,194,707 in fees for just one Instagram post.
      Load more entries… More

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      Messi and Argentina’s World Cup heroes almost wiped out by street cable on open top bus parade as millions celebrate

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      WORLD CUP-WINNING captain Lionel Messi came close to being knocked off the back of an open top bus moments after returning to Argentina.Messi and four team-mates, including Leandro Paredes and Angel Di Maria, ducked under an overhead power cable with seconds to spare as they headed to the Argentine Football Association’s training ground.
      ¡CUIDADO CON LOS CABLES MUCHACHOS! Insólito momento en la llegada de los campeones del mundo a Argentina.Se le voló la gorra a Leandro Paredes. pic.twitter.com/mUfGmOTQdU— ESPN Argentina (@ESPNArgentina) December 20, 2022

      Fans climbed high to see the trophy held by their captainCredit: Getty
      An overhead power cable crept up on the ArgentinesCredit: Vivo
      Paredes’ hat was knocked offCredit: Vivo
      Trophy-holding Messi and Co laughed off the shockCredit: Vivo
      Messi, Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi, De Paul and Paredes sat on top of the bus
      Thousands of rapturous fans stayed up to greet the players after their plane touched down around 2am local time on Tuesday following a 19-hour journey home.
      Footage of their near-miss with the cable showed Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo de Paul spotting it at the last-minute and alerting his team-mates as he ducked down just in time.
      On-loan Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Paredes was perched on the edge of the top deck of the bus but managed to keep his balance despite having to squirm away as it was almost on top of him.
      He ducked down just in time but lost his baseball cap when the cable hit the top of his head and knocked it off.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      Messi, clutching the World Cup from his high-up position in the middle of the group of five Argentinian players, took the scare in his stride and could be seen laughing off the shock.
      An Argentinian journalist commenting on the scare said: “Paredes has just lost his cap. What a moment. Be careful boys.”
      The Argentine government has declared today a national Bank Holiday to allow fans to take part in the celebrations which will see the players travelling to Buenos Aires’ famous Obelisk monument later with the World Cup.
      More than a million fans congregated around the iconic monument after Argentina’s thrilling penalty shootout victory against France on Sunday.
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      A specially-prepared bus will take them from AFA’s training ground facilities to the Obelisk.
      AFA confirmed in a tweet: “The world champion squad will head towards the Obelisk at midday to celebrate the World Cup triumph with fans.
      Messi holding the trophy like a baby with best pal De Paul and a hat-wearing ParedesCredit: EPA

      “Yes….we are the World Champions.”
      The tweet ended with a three stars emotion – to reflect the fact Argentina has now won the cup three times.
      Many feared captain Messi would retire following the World Cup – win or lose.
      However, the 35-year-old has confirmed he intends to keep on playing for his country after a trophy-laden year-and-a-half.
      Argentina’s trophy haul started in the summer of 2021, where they won their first Copa America since 1993.
      Messi had lost three finals in the tournament prior.
      The Finalissima was then resurrected after 29 years.
      It had only taken place two times prior in 1985 and 1993.
      Argentina won the 1993 edition of the one-off final between the European and South American champions, beating Denmark 5-4 on penalties.
      But in the summer of 2022, Argentina destroyed Italy 3-0 inside Wembley.
      Read More on The Sun
      Messi then completed the set with a World Cup – a tournament he scored seven and assisted three in.
      He is the second-most decorated player of ALL TIME with 42 trophies, trailing ex-Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves by one.
      Thousands lined the streets of the Argentine capitalCredit: Reuters
      Argentina’s squad will return to their base for rest before partyingCredit: AFP
      The famous Obelisk will be the scene for Tuesday’s celebrationsCredit: AP
      Messi scored a brace in the nail-biting finalCredit: AFP More

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      How World Cup 2026 will work with 104 matches, six games a day and 48 teams in biggest tournament ever

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      SO that’s a wrap on the smallest World Cup in living memory — now we can all get ready for the biggest.Doha’s soaring skyscrapers, sparkling stadiums and gleaming Metro stations are now football’s past.
      Lionel Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World CupCredit: Getty
      Here’s a look at how the logistics of the 2026 World Cup will work
      For all the talk of new frontiers and “bringing people together”, the truth is that Fifa are absolutely delighted to be saying goodbye to Qatar, the controversy and criticism.
      Even before the suitcases were packed, thoughts were turning to the next incarnation of the event that does unite the world in passion.
      A World Cup in three countries, not one city. In 16 venues, split across four time zones and thousands of miles — rather than the distance between Selhurst Park and Kenilworth Road.
      With 48 teams, as opposed to the 32 that has been the norm since 1998. More from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Even, for the first time, a guaranteed slot for Oceania.
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      And, almost certainly, a record 104 MATCHES and 33 days as well.
      It will be 12 groups of four but the real issues are over the next stage.
      The easiest way would be the top two in each group, plus the eight best third-place teams, reaching the final 32 and eight games, instead of seven, required to win.
      There are some arguments, though, that the best eight group winners should automatically go to the last 16, with the other four group winners plus the eight runners-up, playing off to join them.
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      That would mean 96 games not 104 — still the biggest World Cup by far, with only 64 matches in Qatar — but also cause issues.
      Teams drawn in a “soft” opening group who won all three matches easily would be rewarded for the luck of the draw, while it would also change the concept that all sides must play the same number of games to win the biggest prize in football.
      Another option is to split the 24 competing teams into two halves, with the “winner” of the two sections meeting in the final.
      That would mean the top two joined by the four best third-place sides in their half — more sensible if the tournament is split into geographical “east” and “west” sections — even if they were not in the top eight third-place teams overall.
      But the other factor that will be very different is the number of games each day in the group phase.
      Qatar was condensed to 29 days, with four matches each day in the opening stage.
      But the big European clubs will put huge pressure on Fifa to prevent an expanding tournament lasting any longer than 33 days maximum.
      The solution is obvious — up to six games each day in the opening round although that is more possible in 2026 than in any other potential venue for the future.
      Christian Pulisic’s USA are joint hosts with Canada and MexicoCredit: Getty
      Alphonso Davies will have a shot at World Cup redemption in 2026Credit: Getty
      East Coast cities like New York and Boston are five hours behind the UK, while Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco are a further three hours behind.
      One scenario would see the first match of the day starting in, perhaps, Toronto at noon local time, which is 5pm in the UK.
      Matches could then start every 2½ hours in Atlanta, Houston, Mexico City and Vancouver, with the last match in San Francisco beginning at 9.30pm local time — 5.30am at home. But there is still a problem for Fifa.
      Broadcasters for the major European nations will demand earlier kick-offs and the first three games of the day — but you cannot have Spain, Germany, England, France, Portugal and Holland all in the same half of the draw.
      Likewise, South American fans would prefer later, West Coast games.
      Fifa attempted to justify the choice of Qatar by pointing to the limited distances teams had to travel and pushing green credentials, sustainability and carbon offsetting.
      In 2026, driving between many of the cities is not feasible. Everyone will have to criss-cross Canada, Mexico and the States by plane.
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      You try to get a train from New York to Boston, let alone Seattle.
      But that is for Gianni Infantino and Co to sort out. It won’t be easy. More

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      ‘Hypocrite’ Gary Neville’s ‘political’ rant over strikes at World Cup sparks hundreds of complaints to watchdog

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      GARY Neville’s World Cup rant sparked more than 440 complaints to media watchdog Ofcom.The pundit has come under fire after hijacking ITV’s coverage to compare the working conditions of strikers in the UK to migrant workers in scandal-hit Qatar.
      Gary Neville has come under fire for his political tirade in the lead up to Sunday’s World Cup finalCredit: ITV
      Harry Redknapp told Jeremy Kyle the rant was ‘ridiculous’Credit: TalkTV
      Ofcom has reportedly put ITV under pressure to explain the ex-England ace’s political tirade in the run-up to Sunday’s World Cup final.
      The regulator has said it is assessing Neville’s on-air statements “as a priority” as he potentially faces an investigation over whether he breached the broadcasting code.
      And ITV sources have warned bosses will be “reminding our sports presenters” to avoid politicising its coverage, reports DailyMail.
      Since the extraordinary rant, several other footballing pundits have hit out after feeling he crossed a line.
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      Harry Redknapp dubbed the ex-Manchester United star a “hypocrite” and said his speech was “completely ridiculous”.
      He told TalkTV: “How can you compare what’s going on out there with what’s going on with train drivers and nurses.
      “We want to see nurses get more money, of course we do, they’re fantastic.
      “But you can’t compare the two situations. It’s completely ridiculous.”
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      And former-Three Lions player Danny Mills also slated the rant.
      Asked on GB News if Neville should have made the speech, he said: “I don’t think so.
      “You have a platform as a pundit, as a person on telly, you clearly have opinions, but there are people better read, better versed to understand all the situations in this.
      “We saw it at the start of the World Cup with the BBC not putting not showing the opening ceremony on the main channel. And then a bit of a monologue from Gary Lineker.
      “It’s OK to have opinions, but if you want to do that, do it on your own social media channels because I think you have more influence.
      “When you start getting into mixing politics right across the board, I think it’s very, very dangerous.”
      Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also waded into the debate as he told the pundit to stick to football.
      He told the Mail: “I think when most people are tuning in to watch Gary Neville they want to hear about the football and watch the football. They don’t want to discuss politics.”
      His official spokesman added that Neville’s comments were “clearly not legitimate or appropriate”.
      ‘ABSOLUTE PITTANCE’
      Neville has refused to apologise for the rant, where he attacked the UK government for “demonising” striking nurses.
      He slammed the World Cup host nation for its “abhorrent” treatment of workers, and said people should “detest poor accommodation and working conditions.”
      He continued: “We can never accept that in this region or any other region and it is just worth mentioning we’ve got a current government in our country that are demonising rail workers, ambulance workers and terrifyingly nurses.
      “We can’t have people being paid an absolute pittance to work, we can’t have people in accommodation that is unsavoury and disgusting. It shouldn’t happen here.
      “That shouldn’t happen here with the wealth that exists. 
      “But it shouldn’t happen with the nurses in our country either where our nurses are having to fight for an extra pound or two pounds.”
      Despite his lecture over workers rights, several former employees have hit out at working conditions in his hotel.
      Ex-staff at his Hotel Football in Manchester say they were “overworked and underappreciated”.
      In a scathing review on job site Indeed, one worker said: “If you love being overworked and underappreciated then you’ve found you calling.
      “Typically understaffed and overworked. Training is non existent.
      “Always work over my contracted hours and never get overtime pay, I was told to take time in lieu but that’s impossible when they are no staff to cover that.
      “Management only interested in turning a profit and don’t really care how they achieve this.
      “I wouldn’t recommend working here right now as I know for a fact that most of the key staff are looking to move on due to the conditions.”
      And while Neville hijacked ITV’s coverage to attack poor working conditions, another former hotel staffer blasted his business as “greedy”.
      “Senior management is more concerned about cutting costs rather than generating money, providing a good service and good working conditions,” they added.
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      Following the backlash to his speech, an Ofcom spokesman said: “We are assessing this content as a priority and have asked ITV provide us with details about the broadcast to inform that work.”
      An ITV spokesman said: “Gary Neville was expressing his own personal views in the context of a discussion about the treatment of workers in Qatar within a live broadcast. His views are his own and were not endorsed by ITV.”
      Gary Neville has been slated as a ‘hypocrite’ for his World Cup political rant More

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      Lionel Messi named as BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year after guiding Argentina to World Cup triumph

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      LIONEL MESSI has been named BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year.The Argentina captain scored twice on Sunday as he finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy.
      Lionel Messi has been named as BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the YearCredit: Getty
      The Argentina captain lifted the World Cup for the first time on SundayCredit: Getty
      The 35-year-old superstar helped guide his national team past France on penalties.
      And the BBC announced they have dedicated the win by naming the diminutive genius as the world star of the year.
      The prize is awarded by a panel to the athlete who has “achieved the most notable sporting success” on the globe during that calendar year.
      The 2021 winner was Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore.
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      It is yet another trophy for Messi, who spoke about winning the World Cup after lifting it in Qatar.
      He said: “It’s everyone’s dream when they’re little.
      “I’ve been lucky enough to achieve everything and what I was missing, I found here.”
      The thrilling final ended with a penalty shootout victory over France, following a 3-3 draw.
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      And Messi and his team-mates jetted back to Buenos Aires with the golden orb.
      The playmaker posted a picture of himself holding the trophy on the plane to his Instagram on Monday afternoon.
      An over-the-moon Messi reacted to the historic victory on Instagram a few hours after the thrilling match.
      Along with a series of snaps of himself celebrating, he wrote: “CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!.
      “So many times I dreamed it, so much I wanted it that I still don’t fall, I can’t believe it…
      “Thank you so much to my family, to all who support me and also to all who believed in us.
      “We prove once again that Argentinians when we fight together and united we are able to achieve what we aim.
      “The merit is of this group, which is above individuals, is the strength of all fighting for the same dream that was also the one of all Argentinians…
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      “We did it!!! LET’S GO ARGENTINA DAMN!!!!!
      “We’re seeing each other very soon.” More

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      Don’t buy the hype.. Lionel Messi being draped in Arabian robe reminded us how flawed Qatar World Cup really was

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      WAS it the greatest World Cup final? Probably.Was it the greatest World Cup final storyline? Definitely.
      Messi was draped in a traditional Arabian bisht robe for the celebrationsCredit: Rex
      Infantino held on to the trophy for as long as possibleCredit: Rex
      But was Qatar 2022 the greatest World Cup of all time? Certainly not.
      During the build-up to Sunday’s epic it felt cartoonish and celebrity-obsessed to bill a team game as ‘Lionel Messi versus Kylian Mbappe’.
      But then, in a final seemingly scripted by Disney, it turned out that it really was Messi versus Mbappe, with the two Galacticos scoring five of the six goals.
      Messi finally lifted the World Cup at 35, and had an influence on Argentina’s campaign as significant as that of the late Diego Maradona in 1986.
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      And Mbappe became only the second player in history to score a World Cup final hat-trick, nicked the Golden Boot from Messi, yet still ended up a loser.
      The Frenchman, 24 today, ought to have been man of the match, because his ailing team, struggling with the effects of a virus, barely turned up for 80 minutes until his dramatic two-goal intervention forced extra-time.
      There has been a concerted effort from Fifa’s clown overlord Gianni Infantino and Qatari stooges to paint this tournament as the best ever — and a great final played into their hands.
      But just in case we were inclined to forget the corruption, human rights abuses and the sheer nonsense of holding a World Cup in a tiny nation with no footballing culture, a farcical trophy presentation reminded us that this last month had been deeply flawed.
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      Argentina won the World Cup in the most dramatic final
      Messi fell to his knees when victory was confirmed
      In a final piece of ‘sportswashing’, Messi was draped in a traditional Arabian bisht robe, tarnishing images of the trophy lift, the crowning glory of a magnificent career.
      But then Messi is paid by the Qataris, who own Paris Saint- Germain, and is also an ambassador for Saudi Arabia.
      However beautiful a footballer he may be, and however romantic the story of his World Cup triumph had seemed, this fella is raking in tens of millions from some ruthless people.
      And then there was Infantino, trying to hog the limelight and gatecrash Argentina’s celebrations.
      The man is a prized twit, a deranged attention-seeker in hock to oppressive dictators, a glove puppet for Vladimir Putin, the Emir of Qatar and the Saudis, whom he would love to host the 2030 World Cup.
      In purely footballing terms, this was one of the better World Cups.
      But anybody who went to Qatar will tell you that the overall  tournament experience was a sham.
      This became immediately apparent at the opening match when hapless Qatar — easily the worst host team in World Cup history — were well beaten by Ecuador in a largely silent stadium, which was half-empty soon after half-time as the locals gave up and went home.
      PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has promised to talk contracts with Messi following his national successCredit: Instagram
      Club teammate Mbappe came out on the losing side despite his hat-trick
      Only the South American and north African nations brought  significant support and so the atmosphere at most matches was thoroughly weird — stadiums  dominated by neutral tourists and Mexican Waves and Icelandic  thunderclaps.
      When Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped and Portugal hammered Switzerland 6-1, Ronaldo still received the night’s shrillest cheer when he arrived as a late sub — a far more rapturous ovation than that afforded to his replacement Goncalo Ramos, who scored a  brilliant hat-trick.
      And some of the World Cup’s best bits are now under threat from Fifa. The expansion of the event to 48 teams, from 2026, will make it bloated and lop-sided.
      Some of this tournament’s greatest drama arrived with the final group-stage matches, as two games ran concurrently and fortunes  fluctuated wildly.
      Germany were eliminated by a controversial Japanese winner against Spain and Uruguay’s  villains were dumped out by South Korea’s injury-time clincher against Portugal.
      Yet at the next World Cup, we face having  12 groups of four, which would allow some third-placed teams to progress, and not others, also affecting those group-stage climaxes.
      England had a good tournament and many of us initially felt that, if Harry Kane had scored his second penalty, rather than ballooning it, Gareth Southgate’s men might have won the World Cup.
      Yet while England possess some very good footballers, including some improving youngsters, they do not have a game-changing match-winner like Mbappe or Messi.
      Mbappe held his nerve from the spot to send the game to a shootout at the death
      Emiliano Martinez celebrated after saving Kingsley Coman’s penalty
      Mbappe would probably have  conjured a moment of brilliance to defeat England in extra-time. If not, Messi would probably have done so in the final.
      And that is to ignore Morocco, the first African World Cup semi-finalists — a huge achievement from an obdurate team, fired by fanatical support.
      There were shades of 1982 about Brazil, who provided outstanding individual brilliance.
      Tottenham’s Richarlison was a star but his team ultimately under-achieved by losing a quarter-final shootout to  Croatia — and what a stunning feat for that small nation to finish second and third at  consecutive World Cups.
      Argentina’s quarter-final victory over Holland was wild and wonderfully ill-tempered.
      While most of us wanted to see Argentina prevail in the final, for Messi’s sake, let us not forget their antics as they taunted the fallen Dutch after their shootout win.
      The refereeing was largely  excellent and unfussy in Qatar — final ref Szymon Marciniak in  particular — and VAR functioned unusually well.
      But let’s not allow Infantino to bask in the glory of a great final and attempt to normalise winter World Cups in the Middle East.
      Don’t let them tell you, either, that the absence of alcohol helped.
      There hasn’t been significant crowd violence at a World Cup since 1998.
      Infantino will be desperate to get the event to Saudi Arabia in 2030 — another disruptive mid-season  tournament in a dry country under a barbaric regime.
      If it happens, with the Saudis as outright hosts or in a weird joint bid with Egypt and Greece, Messi will surely be in Riyadh as a handsomely paid patsy.
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      He is a wonderful footballer and on Sunday he illuminated a  wonderful football match.
      But let’s not pretend Messi is a saint and let’s not pretend that Qatar 2022 was a proper World Cup at all, let alone the greatest one. More