World Cup

LIONEL MESSI cemented himself further as a footballing legend by becoming the first Argentine to lift the World Cup since Diego Maradona. The PSG superstar helped end his nation’s agonising 36 year wait to bring the gold home.

Messi is the first Argentine to captain the side to glory since MaradonaCredit: AFP
Messi scored twice in the 3-3 final draw with France and netted in the shootout Argentina eventually won.
Afterwards, he recreated the famous shot of his idol Maradona lofting the trophy in the air.
The pair of left-footed icons are among the greatest sports stars to ever live, boasting almost unmatched records.
On the international stage, both now have a World Cup winners medal, almost four decades apart.
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But what Messi also has is a Copa America trophy to his name, which he won last year.
In his 172 Argentina games, he has scored 98 times which averages at around a goal every other game.
Meanwhile, Maradona retired with 34 in his 91 matches, just over a goal every three games.
At club level, Messi established himself with Barcelona, before infamously leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2021.
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During his 17 years at the Nou Camp, he scored 672 goals in 778 appearances.
At Barcelona, he won ten LaLiga titles and four Champions League-winning medals.
His scoring form with PSG has suffered slightly, with only 23 in 53 games but he has Ligue 1 and French Cup-winning medals to go with it.
Overall, Messi has won 39 trophies during his career, compared to Maradona’s 11.
The midfield maestro – who died in June – won the Argentine league in 1981 with Boca Juniors before moving to Barcelona.
In Spain, Maradona won three domestic cups, helping him sign for Napoli in Italy.
There, he won the league title twice as well as two domestic trophies and a Uefa Cup.
Maradona’s total numbers of club goal and appearances are disputed, but it is widely reported as 259 in 490 games.
As individuals, Messi has a record SEVEN Ballon d’Or wins to his name.
Maradona was never eligible for the prize, because at the time it was only available to European players playing in Europe.
Eventually, Fifa merged their Player of the Year award with the Ballon d’Or.
Maradona in 2000 won Fifa’s Player of the Century and was in 1995 handed a Ballon d’Or for services to football.
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His talents took him to management, working with Messi while in charge of the national team.
And 12 years later, Messi emulated his great idol by lifting the World Cup aloft in celebration.
Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup replicating his idol Diego MaradonaCredit: Getty
Diego Maradona won the World Cup in 1986 More

FEARS grow over the Argentina fan who was escorted out of Lusail Stadium by officials after she got her kit off during the World Cup Final.The fan was spotted on TV stripping off to celebrate Argentina’s dramatic win over France last night, however, still no more information has been released surrounding the incident.
Vision of the Argentina fan stripping off to celebrateCredit: Canalpais
An official spots the woman and from there she was escorted from the stadiumCredit: Canalpais
She was seen showing off and shaking her naked breasts, which breaks strict laws in Qatar.
There are fears she could be behind bars as there has been no sign of the woman since she was removed from the stadium.
The only way the woman could avoid jail is if a judge showed mercy and slapped her with a hefty fine.
Her behaviour is prohibited in the Arab country.
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Women travelling in the Arab nation are banned from wearing any tight clothing, or flashing any cleavage.
Although non-Qatari women don’t need to wear the abaya (cloak), their tops must cover their midriff and shoulders, and skirts, dresses and trousers must cover the knees.
And WAGs were advised to wear a scarf around their necks in a bid to cover up their busts.
Fans were quick to take to social media to point out the topless woman risked arrest due to the nation’s very strict conservative laws.
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One fan said: “I spotted her, very brave! she’ll be arrested over there if she’s not careful…”
A second added: “Caught live on TV”.
A third commented: “I’d be posting my boobs later to celebrate Messi and Argentina World Cup.”
The World Cup’s “hottest fan”, former Miss Croatia Ivana Knoll, has previously flouted strict rules as she appeared at games in skimpy outfits.
Fans spotted the topless fan during the World Cup finalCredit: BBC
The blonde supporter was celebrating Argentina’s win over FranceCredit: BBC More

ARGENTINA’S hottest fan Suzy Cortez gave Lionel Messi a kiss of approval after the diminutive forward captained his team to victory in the World Cup final.Following the South American’s dramatic win over France on Sunday, the former Miss Bum Bum gave her idol a smooch while flaunting her famous behind.
Suzy Cortez gave Lionel Messi a kiss as he finally got his hands on the coverted World Cup trophyCredit: Splash
The former Miss Bum Bum once again showed her support for Argentina during Sunday’s finalCredit: Splash
Suzy already has seven tattoos of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, including one in a very intimate location just above her waistlineCredit: Splash
The 32-year-old model and beauty pageant star, who is actually Brazilian, has kept no secret of her love for arch rivals Argentina.  
And has persistently tipped her adopted side to go all the way during the past month thanks to their little magician.
“I’ve followed Leo Messi’s career since the beginning when I lived in Barcelona and today the World Cup title just came to crown the career of the best player in history,” she wrote.  
Messi picked up two goals, an assist and the man of the match award in Sunday’s final as Argentina prevailed on penalties.
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And after also walking away with the golden ball – handed to the tournaments best player – and the glittering World Cup trophy, Suzy reiterates her belief that he is conclusively better than rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Messi has already bigger than Cristiano for a while but after Sunday, doubts and questions about who is the greatest player in history will end,” she predicted before the huge tie.
Suzy already has seven tattoos of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, including one in a very intimate location just above her waistline.
And she celebrated Argentina’s huge World Cup win with a series of raunchy photos showing her getting covered in body paint in the blue and white colours of the flag.
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In one post she captioned “Campeones” (Champions) as she proclaimed Sunday as “Messi’s day.”
The OnlyFans model had previously promised she would get tattoos of the number 10 if the Albicelestes claimed their third title.
And now fans are on tenterhooks to see what move the influencer makes.
She previously told them: “I plan to get tattooed like Messi, with the ball and the number 10 on his leg.”
Suzy has undoubtedly been turning heads all tournament and has quickly struck up her own rivalry with stunning Croatian model Ivana Knoll.
Ivana, 30, has been dubbed the “World Cup’s hottest fan” due to her eye-catching outfits in the colours of the Croatian flag.
She filmed herself mocking Brazilian striker Richarlison’s “pigeon dance” after Croatia knocked out the South American giants in the quarter-finals.
But following Argentina’s 3-0 thrashing of Croatia, Brazilian beauty Suzy couldn’t resist a little dig.
Taking to her Instagram story, she wrote: “Where’s Ivana Piranha who made fun of the Brazilians? Go dancing in Croatia! On Sunday we will be champions.”
She also shared a picture of herself biting a red-and-white chequerboard cloth similar to the Croatian flag with her Instagram followers.
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“Where is the Croatia?” she asked, mockingly. “They’re going to watch the final at home!”
So far, Ivana hasn’t responded directly to Suzy’s taunt.
Brazilian model Suzy Cortez claims she is Argentina’s and Lionel Messi’s ‘number one fan’Credit: Splash
She said Messi’s win on Sunday proves he is the ‘best player in history’Credit: Getty
Suzy already has several tattoos dedicated to her hero – and is now set for moreCredit: Splash More

FORMER Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger left presenter Esther Sedlaczek flustered with a flirty comment at the end of the World Cup final.The 38-year-old offered his expertise to German TV channel ARD during the tournament.
Esther Sedlaczek seemed flustered by Bastian Schweinsteiger’s comment
Schweinsteiger appeared on German TV throughout the tournament alongside SedlaczekCredit: https://www.instagram.com/esthersedlaczek
The ex-Manchester United midfielder made a flirty comment during their World Cup final showCredit: Rex
Schweinsteiger joked about going on holiday with SedlaczekCredit: Alamy
He was there to see Argentina beat France on penalties after an incredible game finished 3-3.
But as Sedlaczek, 37, wrapped up their coverage of Sunday’s final, Schweinsteiger made things a tad awkward.
Sedlaczek said: “Basti, we’ve come to the end of it. That’s it for us. It was a lot of fun with you. Thank for that.”
The ex-Manchester United man then joked: “Thank you Esther, it was a lot of fun. Now we’re going on vacation together for two weeks, right?”
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A surprised Sedlaczek initially responded “Yes, of course” before quickly correcting herself and saying: “No, no, no. Of course we don’t!”
She then pointed out: “Have fun with your family. And you have the last words in the studio.”
The camera then cut from the pair standing next to each other at Lusail Stadium back to the studio.
Schweinsteiger is married to retired Serbian tennis star and ex-world No1 Ana Ivanovic.
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The couple, who tied the knot in 2016 after first meeting in 2014, have two children together.
However, any possible feelings of awkwardness were quickly brushed aside as Sedlaczek took to Instagram after the game.
Posting a picture of herself alongside Schweinsteiger, she wrote: “What a final. What a tournament this was. My first world championship as a host comes to an end.
“Thanks to Basti, thanks to the whole team and: Congratulations Argentina! It was a pleasure.”
Meanwhile, Schweinsteiger said: “The 2022 World Cup has come to an end with, for me, the best final ever and a more than worthy winner.
“Thanks to the entire @sportschau-Team for the great local cooperation over the last 4 weeks!”
Schweinsteiger is married to retired tennis star Ana IvanovicCredit: EPA More

KINGSLEY COMAN, Randal Kolo-Muani and Aurelien Tchouameni were all subjected to vile racial abuse following France’s World Cup final defeat to Argentina.The defending champions failed in their bid to become only the third team to retain the title on Sunday night, losing 4-2 on penalties following a pulsating 3-3 draw.
Randal Kolo-Muani was racially abused after missing a huge chance in extra timeCredit: GETY
Kingsley Coman was also targeted by sick trolls after missing his penaltyCredit: GETTY
Aurelien Tchouameni was also abused after missing his spot kickCredit: GETTY
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid stars Coman and Tchouameni both missed from the spot and handed Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel the chance to win the tournament.
And he fired home from 12 yards to secure La Albiceleste’s third World Cup triumph.
Eintracht Frankfurt hitman Kolo-Muani missed a golden opportunity to seal victory for Les Bleus in added time in the second half of extra time.
And the vile racists targeted the trio on social media immediately after the shootout.
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The disgusting trolls left a string of monkey and banana emojis on the trio’s accounts and a number of derogatory comments.
The string of comments prompted Tchouameni and Kolo-Muani to briefly disable their accounts.
The duo eventually reactivated them – albeit with moderated comments.
The disgusting abuse dished out to Coman, Kolo-Muani and Tchouameni was not too dissimilar to that received by England stars Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka.
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The Three Lions trio all missed penalties in the Euro 2020 final last summer and were bombarded with a barrage of racist abuse from trolls.
The nation rallied and the stars and a number of the trolls have since received jail time for their actions.
Shortly after the trophy presentation, France boss Didier Deschamps was quick to lambast France’s lacklustre display.
He said: “We utterly failed to show up in the 1st half. We expected (their intensity).
“We neither had the correct attitude nor the correct response.
“It will take a lot to worry them and come back. They are really playing a World Cup final.”
He added: “We didn’t turn up for different reasons (in the first 60 minutes).
“We have had to face difficult things in the last four days. Illness and then things collectively too.”
England winger Bukayo Saka was also racially abused after missing his penalty in the Euro 2020 finalCredit: GETTY More