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      Sergio Aguero forgets about winning £7,000 World Cup bet on Lionel Messi as he celebrates Argentina triumph

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      SERGIO AGUERO forgot about a bet that won him nearly £7,000.The retired striker joined the Argentina camp several days before Sunday’s World Cup final.
      Lionel Messi holds the World Cup while sitting on Sergio Aguero’s shouldersCredit: Reuters
      The 35-year-old’s Golden Ball award won Aguero some cashCredit: Getty
      He resumed his role as Lionel Messi’s room-mate, and took full part in the post-match celebrations.
      He made sure to share plenty of dressing room footage during an Instagram Live, showing off his gleeful former team-mates.
      Amid the wild scenes, the 34-year-old forgot that his old pal’s exploits had won him £7,000.
      Aguero shared a screenshot of his bet to Instagram, showing that he’d gambled on Messi winning the Golden Ball prior to the tournament.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      He placed a bet of $1001 (£823) on that outcome – winning him a cool $8264 (£6,800).
      After remembering his wager, he wrote: “On 11/17/2022 (November 17) I bet that the best player in the World Cup would be Messi and I just realised it.”
      Messi, 35, more than earned his award – scoring seven goals and laying on three assists during the tournament.
      These strikes included two in Sunday’s final, including what they thought would be the winner in extra time.
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      Sergio Aguero revealed his bet on InstagramCredit: @kunaguero
      After Kylian Mbappe levelled for 3-3, Messi then also scored in the 4-2 penalty shoot-out win.
      Argentina left the stadium in an open top bus, before eventually flying back to Buenos Aires.
      Back in Argentina they were greeted by a sea of blue and white – with thousands of fans filling the streets to greet their heroes.
      Argentina stars were greeted by this spectacular turnout in Buenos AiresCredit: AP More

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      What Lionel Messi REALLY thinks of Salt Bae after World Cup final stunt – as unearthed video shows they have met before

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      UNEARTHED video shows Lionel Messi getting pally with Salt Bae years before his attention-seeking World Cup final stunt.The celebrity chef was slammed for pestering Argentina’s talisman for a selfie on the pitch in an embarrassing display following Sunday’s nailbiting shootout.
      Salt Bae poses with beaming Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba at his Dubai restaurant in 2018Credit: Instagram
      Barca star Messi got the VIP treatment at his tableCredit: Instagram
      Messi imitated the chef’s famous salt sprinkling gimmickCredit: Instagram
      A crowd cheered as Gökçe fed him a slice of steak
      The Turkish cook and Instagram star – real name Nusret Gökçe – was filmed grabbing Messi by the shoulder at least twice.
      Messi tried to shrug him off before finally agreeing to pose for a picture.
      However it was not the first time they had met.
      Video shows Messi eating at Gökçe’s Dubai steakhouse with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and a pal in November 2018.

      Barcelona forward Leo gives the chef a hug and shakes his hand as his table gets the full VIP treatment.
      After theatrically slicing their steak, Salt Bae invites Messi to sprinkle salt over it.
      Then other diners cheer and clap as the chef feeds a slice of meat into Messi’s mouth using the tip of his knife.
      The world’s greatest player appears delighted by the encounter, which Salt Bae posted on Instagram.
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      He also grinned while posing for a picture with Gökçe and former Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba, who dined there the same night.
      At the time the two stars were on a break from international duty.
      Another video showed them deep in conversation – sparking transfer speculation as Pogba urged Messi: “We have to play together”.
      Gökçe has posted selfies with scores of footballers and other celebrities and has forged a friendship with Fifa boss Gianni Infantino.
      Today the world governing body was facing questions over why the celebrity chef was allowed on the pitch following embarrassing scenes at the showpiece final.
      As well as badgering Messi, he was filmed muscling in on the Argentina squad’s celebrations and snatching the trophy from one winner’s baby.

      Gökçe also pretended to do his trademark salt-sprinkling trick over the £17million gold trophy as irritated players stood by.
      And boastful pics on his Insta page showed his kissing the trophy and holding it aloft like a champion.
      The disgraceful spectacle reportedly broke Fifa’s rules, which say only former winners and heads of state can handle it.
      BBC host Gary Lineker shared footage of his attention seeking antics, saying: “He’s such a pest.”
      And former FA chairman 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.
      It did not respond to The Sun Online’s request for comment.
      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.
      Read More on The Sun
      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 slated for his embarrassing attempts to console losing hattrick hero Kylian Mbappe.
      Salt Bae was filmed badgering Lionel Messi after Sunday’s finalCredit: Twitter
      Argentina captain Messi eventually relented and posed for a selfieCredit: instagram
      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 More

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      Inside the glam life of Argentina’s topless superfan as she teases followers with racy jet-setting snaps

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      AN Argentina fan who went viral after she was accidentally caught on camera baring her boobs at the World Cup final has been unmasked as a glam globetrotting model.The woman, known as Noe Dreams on Instagram, became an overnight sensation when her brazen stunt in Qatar was picked up by TV crews.
      Glam Argentina fan ‘Noe Dreams’ stripped off at the World Cup finalCredit: Instagram
      The two fans went viral for their racy stunt in the stands in QatarCredit: Instagram – @noe.dreams1
      She was filmed topless during Argentina’s thrilling win over France
      Eagle-eyed viewers spotted her topless performance in the stands after she seemingly flashed the cameras.
      Her pal Milubarbiee, who was also filmed with her top off amid the wild celebrations, referred to the pair as “The Topless Girls”.
      Their actions risked arrest and even a lengthy prison sentence in Qatar, where women are banned from wearing revealing clothing in public and public nudity is forbidden.
      But Noe broke her silence yesterday to give an update on what had happened since the duo were filmed stripping in the stadium.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
      Initially, with the two not being identified, there were fears they had been hit with serious police action.
      But Noe revealed that she has got home safely as she shared a new photo from the final on her Instagram.
      She also uploaded more videos of herself flashing with her growing fanbase.
      Noe shared several pictures of herself outside the stadium waving the blue and white Argentinian flag, as well as a video of Messi and co celebrating following their thrilling penalty shootout victory over France.
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      She also posted a snap of her and her friend topless in the stands with Argentina flags painted on their breasts.
      Noe said the flag was “dedicated” to her friends and family “who always support me with messages and words… to express their pride and good wishes”.
      In an apparent dig at her critics, she added: “PS whoever is world champion celebrates as they want.”
      On Tuesday, Noe posted a video of herself looking happy on a plane and giving the thumbs up with the caption: “Start the ship for once before they come to pick me up at 1pm.”
      She also shared news stories from around the world covering her stunt on her Instagram story, as well as clips of the enormous parties taking place in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires in the wake of the victory.
      In a third post, commenting on the World Cup, she wrote: “Finished the best trip of my life.”
      She often shares videos and pictures from her glam life, as well as snaps from her exotic holidays around the world.
      Whoever is world champion celebrates as they want’Noe Dreams’Topless Argentina fan
      One picture taken last week shows the stunning brunette posing on the observation deck of the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
      Another snap from October was taken at a memorial for legendary rockstar Freddie Mercury in Montreux, Switzerland.
      Sharing a picture of herself wearing a t-shirt of the Queen frontman and posing next to the statue, he said: “I love all my trips but this one had something special. What to say to them… for me, the best artist of all time.”
      Noe also paid tribute to Argentina’s greatest-ever footballing son, Diego Maradona, when she visited Naples in Italy.
      She posted pictures of herself posing in front of a mural of the former Napoli talisman during a holiday to the Italian port city.
      And she also posed for glam shots in front of landmarks in London, Paris, and an Aztec pyramid.
      She often shares pictures of her glam holidays on InstagramCredit: Instagram
      ‘The topless girls’ shared some pictures behind the scenesCredit: Instagram – @ noe.dreams1
      They showed themselves getting bodypaint applied ahead of the finalCredit: Instagram – @ noe.dreams1
      She recently went to Naples and paid tribute to Diego MaradonaCredit: Instagram
      Noe was recently in LondonCredit: Instagram
      She also posed in Disneyland ParisCredit: Instagram
      As a nod to her newfound fame, Noe changed her Instagram bio to read “the topless girl”.
      Her fellow glam “topless girl” milubarbiie also shares a number of exotic shots on her Instagram and has a matching Insta bio.
      She recently went camel-riding in Qatar, and appeared to visit Naples and other destinations at the same time as Noe.
      Milubarbiie went on a number of foreign holidays this year, including to Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, and Ibiza.
      She showed her love for her country by posing in a bikini in the blue and white colours of the Argentina flag along with the caption: “Let’s go team. Go Argentina!”
      The blonde also shared some behind-the-scenes snaps showing her bodypaint being applied to her boobs.
      She and Noe filmed themselves dancing topless in front of the bathroom mirror in the run-up to the World Cup final.
      In the run-up to the tournament, fans were warned that they would have to abide by Qatar’s strict customs on clothing.
      The country’s Tourism Agency wrote: “Visitors (men as well as women) are expected to show respect for local culture by avoiding excessively revealing clothing in public.”
      Remarking on Noe’s stunt, one fan said: “I spotted her, very brave! She’ll be arrested over there if she’s not careful.”
      But it appears that Qatar’s authorities were careful not to arrest people for racy stunts during the World Cup.
      Read More on The Sun
      The so-called “World Cup’s hottest fan” Ivana Knoll went viral for her wild outfits during the tournament.
      But the Croatia-obsessed brunette, 30, claimed that she hadn’t experienced any trouble for her outfits, and proclaimed the Qatar tournament “the best World Cup ever” on her Instagram.
      Noe Dreams is a picture in front of the Louvre in ParisCredit: Instagram
      Wrapped up warm for a winter tripCredit: Instagram
      There were fears Qatar would clamp down on any public indecencyCredit: Instagram – @ noe.dreams1
      She posted that she had safely got back to ArgentinaCredit: Instagram
      She has some 50,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram More

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      Argentina World Cup winners are given heroes’ welcome as thousands line Buenos Aires streets during open top bus parade

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      ARGENTINIANS lined the streets in their THOUSANDS to welcome home their World Cup-winning team.Lionel Messi and Co beat France on penalties in Sunday’s final after a thrilling 3-3 draw in one of the all-time great games.
      Argentine fans descended on the Obelisk monument in Buenos AiresCredit: AP
      Thousands of fans flocked to the streets for the paradeCredit: AFP
      People were even spotted waiting on the top of street signsCredit: AFP
      A sea of blue and white was on show ahead of the players’ arrivalCredit: Getty
      The bus came through as Argentines flocked to catch a glimpse of the teamCredit: Reuters
      Pictures of Diego Maradona were held up ahead of the paradeCredit: AFP
      People were even hanging out of the Obelisk monumentCredit: AFP
      One man had the perfect view of the incredible crowdCredit: AFP
      Big flags with Lionel Messi on the front were also spotted in the crowdCredit: AFP
      There was not a space to be seen between the thousands gathered in the cityCredit: AFP
      The squad returned to Argentina late on Monday night ahead of Tuesday’s parade.
      And the country came out in their droves to create a remarkable spectacle in Buenos Aires as they hailed their triumphant side.
      Fans gathered around the Obelisk monument in the centre of the capital city as they waited for the team bus to parade through the streets.
      The country are celebrating their first World Cup since Diego Maradona led them to glory in 1986.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      They are now three-time world champions – having claimed their first title in 1978.
      More to follow.
      It is Argentina’s first World Cup since Maradona led them to glory in 1986Credit: AFP
      The country now have three World Cups to their nameCredit: AFP More

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      Lionel Messi says Diego Maradona ‘inspired Argentina from heaven’ in emotional post after World Cup win

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      LIONEL MESSI has said that Diego Maradona inspired the Argentina team from heaven in an emotional World Cup post on his Instagram page.Messi helped his nation end a 36-year wait to win the tournament and he took to social media posting a clip of him playing football as a kid and the best moments from Qatar.
      Lionel Messi lifted the trophy in 2022, just as Diego Maradona did in 1986Credit: AFP
      Messi captioned the video, firstly talking about his own career that started 30 years ago, when he was just five-years-old, at local club Grandoli.
      The he went on to praise the Argentina team and icon Maradona, who won the World Cup in 1986 in Mexico.
      Messi said: “From Grandoli to the World Cup in Qatar, almost 30 years passed.
      “It is close to three decades in which football gave me many joys and also some sadness.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
      “I always had the dream of being a world champion and I didn’t want to stop trying, even knowing that it might never happen.
      “This Cup that we won is also for all those who did not achieve it in the previous World Cups that we played, like in 2014 in Brazil,
      “Where everyone deserved it because of how they fought until the very end, how they worked hard and wanted it as much as I did… And we deserved it in the end.
      “It is also for Diego [Maradona] who encouraged us from heaven.
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      “And for all those who always help the national team without looking at the result, but rather the desire that we always put into it, even when things do not go as we want.
      “From the coaching staff to all the people from the national team, some of whom are anonymous working day and night to make it easier for us.
      “Many times failure is part of the journey and learning. And without disappointment it is impossible for success to come.
      “Thank you very much from the heart! Let’s go Argentina!!!”
      Messi fired La Albiceleste to glory with his seven goals in seven games, including two in the final.
      Messi also won the player of the tournament award and lifted the World Cup trophy while being held above the rest of the squad – both in similar style to his idol Maradona in ’86.
      There have been claims that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will retire from international football.
      However, it appears he has his eyes on defending his crown in 2026.
      Lionel Messi is now widely regarded as the greatest everCredit: Alamy
      Messi referenced his first club, Grandoli, in his emotional uploadCredit: Getty More

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      Lionel Messi ‘WILL captain Argentina at next World Cup’ as 1986 winner claims star told him privately of retirement plan

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      LIONEL MESSI is NOT retiring from international football and he will play at the next World Cup, claims former Argentina star Jorge Valdano.There has been much speculation about the 35-year-old’s future after he won the World Cup in dramatic fashion versus France.
      Lionel Messi is not ending his international career yetCredit: Getty
      Jorge Valdano claims Lionel Messi is hoping to play in 2026Credit: Getty – Contributor
      There was talk before the final that it was going to be Messi’s final match in the famous blue and white kit, however, he looks to have reversed that decision.
      Valdano, who won the World Cup alongside Diego Maradona in 1986 for Argentina, says he has spoken to Messi and he will captain the side at the next tournament.
      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.’
      READ MORE ON MESSI
      “We will see if Messi is capable. Football has shown that it is practically impossible to play in six World Cups.”
      If Messi is to defend his crown then he will have to continue playing at the highest level for another four years before making the trip to host nations Canada, USA and Mexico.
      Messi will celebrate his 39th birthday during the tournament.
      Prior to the competition in Qatar began, Messi said, via AS: “I love playing it [football] and I enjoy it, the only thing I’ve done all my life is play football.
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      “I don’t think I’m going to play much more. This will be my last World Cup — for sure. The decision has been made.”
      But Messi shot down his own comments hinting at coming back for more after finally getting his hands on the famous trophy.
      He told TyC Sports after the final: “I am not retiring from the Argentina national team.
      “I want to continue playing as a champion.
      “We suffer, but we already have it [the World Cup].
       “I wanted to close my career with this, I can no longer ask for anything else, thank God, he gave me everything.”
      Before Lionel Scaloni’s men go to retain the World Cup in 2026, they have the Copa America to defend in 2024. More

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      Crying woman who Lionel Messi emotionally hugged after World Cup final revealed to be much-loved Argentina cook

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      LIONEL MESSI was seen embracing a crying woman in emotional scenes after Argentina’s World Cup triumph.The mystery hugger has been revealed as much-loved Argentina chef, Antonia Farias, according to Argentinian reports.
      Lionel Messi was pictured hugging a crying woman after the World Cup finalCredit: beIN Sports
      The woman has been revealed as Antonia Farias, a chef for the national teamCredit: beIN Sports
      Antonia is a much-loved member of the teamCredit: https://twitter.com/Argentina
      She is reported to travel with the squad whenever they are in actionCredit: https://twitter.com/Argentina
      Argentinian newspaper Clarin say Messi, 35, was celebrating with Antonia, a long-time employee of the national team.
      Footage emerged of him tightly hugging the emotional Antonia following Sunday’s penalty shootout win over France.
      She sported an Argentina shirt as she ran up to the Argentina captain on the pitch and wrapped her arms around his back.
      Messi’s face lit up as he recognised who it was in front of him.
      Read More On Messi
      The 42-year-old is said to have worked as a chef with Argentina for the last decade.
      She travels with the team on all of their trips abroad to cook for the players.
      Antonia was at the Copa America triumph last year, the Finalissima win over Italy at Wembley in the summer, and then in Qatar for the World Cup victory.
      And back at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Antonia was presented with a cake on her birthday at the same time as Messi.
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      Aside from her culinary skills, Antonia is reported to be well-loved by the team for her positive personality.
      So it was no surprise to see Messi look so pleased when Antonia wrapped him up in a hug – unlike his encounter with Salt Bae.
      The celebrity chef somehow made his way onto the pitch after the final at Lusail Stadium to pester Messi for a selfie.
      Messi was also joined by wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their sons Thiago, ten, Mateo, seven and Ciro, four, on the pitch.
      The family celebrated together and took it in turns to kiss the World Cup trophy.
      Messi was joined on the pitch by wife Antonela RoccuzzoCredit: Getty
      Antonela gazed lovingly at the trophyCredit: Getty More

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      This year has been most difficult of my life, says Georgina Rodriguez after death of her and Cristiano Ronaldo’s baby

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO’s girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, has opened up on what has been “the most complicated” year of her life. In what was supposed to be the “happiest moment” of the year “became the saddest” after tragically losing her baby son.
      Georgina Rodriguez spoke to Elle MagazineCredit: Elle
      Georgina has revealed this year has been the “most complicated” of her lifeCredit: Elle
      Georgina told of her despair at losing her baby son earlier this yearCredit: Elle
      Ronaldo with girlfriend Georgina and Cristiano Jnr, Eva, Mateo, Alana and baby Bella
      Before Georgina fell pregnant, Ronaldo was already a dad of four, with three of his children born to two surrogate mothers
      Georgina with a family member in Qatar and one of her little onesCredit: Instagram @georginagio
      The tragedy brought the Ronaldo household closer togetherCredit: Alamy
      The 28-year-old model was expecting twins with Ronaldo, 37, in April but lost the baby boy during childbirth.
      Baby girl Bella Esmeralda lived, but fell ill three months after and had to be hospitalised, causing more stress to to the Ronaldo household.
      Appearing in the January issue of Elle Spain, she said: “This year has been the most complicated of my life, the happiest moment became both the saddest. 
      “It is something that will accompany me for life and that we will not be able to forget.”
      READ MORE ON CRISTIANO RONALDO
      The couple also share a daughter Alana, five, while Ronaldo also has a son Cristiano Jr, 12, and twins Eva and Mateo, five.
      Georgina’s family is her life and she’s determined to be as present as possible to watch her family grow.
      She said: “My children are the most important thing I have and every step I take is marked by them. 
      “I am an omnipresent mother in its evolution. Sometimes they call me heavy, but I don’t want to miss anything!”
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      The Argentine also opened up on her relationship with football superstar Ronaldo.
      She says being with the 819 career-goal forward has allowed her to fulfil many of her dreams – but insists she had the same drive and hunger before the money and the fame.
      And despite Ronaldo’s woes on the pitch, both at Manchester United this season, and Portugal’s early World Cup exit, Georgina insists her man is the best in the world.
      She said: “Cristiano and I fell in love at first sight, when I saw him for the first time I felt that time stopped. 
      “I have never seen a man so handsome, so attentive… he is the most handsome man my eyes have ever seen. 
      “And yes, I am the girlfriend of the best soccer player in the world, but it is not necessary for people –and many of them women– to use it in a derogatory way. 
      “Clearly my relationship with him has allowed me to fulfil many of my dreams, but always, both before and after meeting him, I have put the same passion in everything I have done… Being a cleaner, salesperson or model.”
      The mother of two also says despite living in a different world to most, everyone can feel the same feeling of being “alone or sad”, and that she too knows “what it is to lose”.
      She concluded: “I know that I am like you, that when you come home you just want to take off your shoes and get comfortable. 
      “I know that reality is sometimes not kind. I know that your life may not be like mine, but what you don’t know is that my life is sometimes like yours. 
      “I know what it is to be alone or sad. I know what it is to win and I know what it is to lose. Also lose someone. I know that I am being questioned. 
      “I do it too, and I’m more demanding than you, more severe. 
      “But I also know how to forgive myself. I know that life is learning.”
      Boyfriend Ronaldo is currently without a club.
      United ripped up his contract following his explosive sit-down interview with SunSport columnist and TalkTV main man, Piers Morgan.
      Read More on The Sun
      Ronaldo accused the Old Trafford club of betrayal for doubting why he missed pre-season training when his baby daughter was in hospital. 
      He also declared he does not respect Erik ten Hag.
      Georgina with four of Ronaldo’s childrenCredit: Instagram @georginagio
      Georgina and her family decorating the Christmas treeCredit: Instagram / @georginagio
      Mateo entertaining sister Bella EsmereldaCredit: Instagram / @georginagio
      Ronaldo’s oldest, Cristiano Jr (right), is close with GeorginaCredit: Instagram / @georginagio
      The Ronaldo clan enjoy their luxury £5.5m Azimut Grande yacht bought in 2020 More