World Cup

WORLD CUP winner Lionel Messi has confirmed that he will not be retiring from international football.The star was instrumental in Argentina’s third World Cup win as they overcame France at the Lusail Stadium.
Lionel Messi has confirmed that he will not be retiring from international football after winning the World CupCredit: AP
Messi even hinted he could defend the World Cup in four years timeCredit: AP
There had been suggestions that the 35-year-old would retire from international football after the final, but he has shot those rumours down.
He told TyC Sports after the game: “I am not retiring from the Argentina national team.
“I want to continue playing as a champion”.
Messi also revealed that he feels fulfilled after winning the last trophy to complete his cabinet.
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He added: “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.”
Messi netted twice in the scintillating game as it went all the way to penalties, with Gonzalo Montiel’s spot kick sealing the win.
Despite leading 2-0 in the game, Argentina were pegged back after a brace from Kylian Mbappe.
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The France star then cancelled out Messi’s extra-time goal with his second from the spot.
But it was meant to be Messi’s tournament, with the PSG ace also honoured with the Golden Ball for best player of the tournament.
Mbappe did pip him to the Golden Boot though as he netted eight goals in his seven games.
And after lifting the trophy Messi admitted how “lucky” he feels to have had such a glittering career.
He said: “I was lucky to have achieved everything in this career… and this one that was missing is here.
“It’s madness… look how she (the World Cup) is, she’s gorgeous.
“I wanted her so much. I had a vision that this would be the one… she was getting closer.”
He added in an Instagram post: “WORLD CHAMPIONS!! I dreamed of it so many times, I wanted it so much, I can’t believe it…
“Thank you very much to my family, to all who support me and also to all who believed in us.
“We demonstrate once again that, as Argentines, when we fight together and united we are capable of achieving what we set out to do.
“The credit belongs to this group, which is above individualities, it is the strength of all fighting for the same dream that was also the dream of all Argentines… We did it!!!”
Messi’s next international tournament will be the Copa America in 2024.
Argentina will be aiming to retain the trophy after winning the competition in 2021.
Manager Lionel Scaloni has also said that he would like to see Messi stay on playing for Argentina.
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He said: “Messi should have a place in the next World Cup, we want him to continue.
“If he wants to keep playing, the ’10’ will always be ready for Lionel”. More

LIONEL MESSI’S second goal in the World Cup final should NOT have stood, eagle eyed fans claim.The Argentine superstar bagged twice on the way to his side winning the trophy he coveted most in a thriller against France.
Lionel Messi put Argentina 3-2 up in extra timeCredit: Getty
The 35-year-old celebrates his second goalCredit: Getty
His first came from the penalty spot before Angel Di Maria made it 2-0, putting the Albiceleste in a commanding position.
Kylian Mbappe inspired an incredible late French comeback, however, his quick-fire double sending the match into extra time.
Messi, 35, put his side back in front in the 108th minute, however, netting the rebound after Hugo Lloris saved Lautaro Martinez’s shot.
It initially appeared that the effort might be ruled out for offside, when the linesman momentarily raised his flag.

But when TV pictures confirmed Martinez had in fact been onside in the build-up, the goal, which was nearly cleared off the line by defender Jules Kounde, was allowed to stand.
Watching a wide angle of the goal back, however, some fans believe that it SHOULD have been chalked off.
In a snap posted to Twitter, two Argentina substitutes could be seen on the pitch as Messi took the shot.
Their hasty celebrations meant that their side had 13 players on the field.
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Argentina had 13 players on the field as Messi put them 3-2 upCredit: Twitter
One fan wrote: “Trivia. When the ball goes in, there are two substitutes on the pitch. Argentina had thirteen players on the field.”
A second replied: “I noticed that too.”
While a third fumed: “Wordless. But Argentina can’t win a world championship without help? It’s shameful.”
Another wondered: “I don’t know if it’s a technicality or if this can pass.”
One commenter argued back that the infringement didn’t actually matter.
They tweeted: “Go read the rules, didn’t intervene in the bid and in the game, legal goal.
“This has already happened several times, including one in Libertadores.”
As it happened, Mbappe would equalise again for France, netting from the penalty spot after Leandro Paredes’ handball.
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Randal Kolo Muani had the chance to win it for Les Bleus with just seconds remaining but was brilliantly denied by Emi Martinez.
And the Argentine stopper then played a huge role in the penalty shoot-out, saving from Kingsley Coman and psyching out Aurelien Tchouameni on the way to a 4-2 win. More

FANS all said the same thing as Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacted to Lionel Messi winning the World Cup.The Swedish giant, 41, was in the stands of the Lusail Stadium as Argentina eventually beat France in a truly epic final.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic watched the World Cup final with French pair Paul Pogba and Emmanuel MacronCredit: EPA
He looked pretty unimpressed next to wife Helena Seger as Argentina wonCredit: Alamy
Argentina led 2-0 and 3-2 before Messi at long last got his hands on the World Cup trophy after Gonzalo Montiel slotted the winning penalty into the back of the net.
But as Messi fell to his knees in joyful celebration, one man looked rather unimpressed.
Ibrahimovic remained stoney-faced with his wife Helena Seger.
That is despite his former team-mate finally getting his hands on the one trophy that eluded him.
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Messi and Ibrahimovic were part of the same Barcelona side in 2009-10.
But it seems Zlatan was cheering on France – after sitting next to Paul Pogba and French president Emmanuel Macron for the final.
Earlier on he was pictured with PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi in the posh areas behind the scenes.
And fans on Twitter were convinced Ibra was not-so-secretly gutted about the result of the World Cup final.
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One said: “Zlatan wanted France to win.”
Another joked: “Zlatan look like he had money on France.”
And a third added: “Zlatan Ibrahimovic looking so lost. Perhaps he was hoping to milk France winning the trophy.”
Messi will not care at all, though, as he lifted the iconic trophy with his Argentina team-mates.
He scored twice in the thrilling final while Kylian Mbappe grabbed a hat-trick as it went to the shootout.
And misses by Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni from 12 yards gave Montiel the chance to seal it – which he did with utter composure.
That sparked wild scenes in the Lusail Stadium as Messi celebrated with his family and Sergio Aguero joined in the fun as well as back in Buenos Aires after La Albiceleste secured their first World Cup triumph since 1986.

Lionel Messi was lifted up as he held the trophyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

ARGENTINA revealed their new badge MINUTES after winning a third World Cup trophy.The new badge includes three stars representing the triumph at the tournament in Qatar.
Argentine won the World Cup against FranceCredit: Getty
Argentina revealed their new badge with three World Cup starsCredit: Twitter – @Argentina
Argentina won the World Cup after a thrilling clash against France.
The two sides battled to a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes and then in extra time both scored to take the game to penalties.
Argentina went perfect in the shootout with Gonzalo Montiel scoring the decisive penalty.
Every nation that has won a World Cup is able to put a star above its badge as a nod to the win.
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England has one star over the Three Lions badge as a nod to the victory in 1966.
Brazil have the most stars on their badge, having won five World Cup tournaments.
With Argentina winning now three, they are now clear of France and Uruguay, who have won two each.
The South Americans are now only one behind Italy and Germany, who have won the tournament on four occasions.
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The new badge has been hailed by fans on social media as one tweeted: “One Two Three. How good they are. I got used to it quickly, although soon there will be four.”
A second added: “They totally deserved it, for the D10S, for Messi, for the most football-loving people in the world”.
A third said: “The stars are beautiful”.
They will try and make it four stars at the next World Cup which will be played in 2026 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. More

EMILIANO MARTINEZ almost overshadowed his penalty shootout heroics with his X-rated celebration after winning the Golden Glove prize for best keeper at the tournament. The Aston Villa goalkeeper put in an outstanding performance in the World Cup final as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Emiliano Martinez reacted oddly to winning the Golden GloveCredit: EPA
Martinez was one of Argentina’s top performers in QatarCredit: Getty
He was awarded the individual accolade for being the best goalkeeper in Qatar and when he was handed the trophy, Martinez reacted in an unique way.
The 30-year-old shook hands with Fifa representatives, including Gianni Infantino, before holding the gold award in front of his private area while leaning back and pulling an odd face.
Martinez shocked fans worldwide, one Tweeted: “Never had Martinez using the Golden Glove trophy as a sex toy on my World Cup final bingo card.”
A second commented: “What on Earth was he thinking?”
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Another slammed his reaction, saying: “Emi Martinez is proof that men never grow up.”
But some supporters saw the funny side: “Not a single thought in his brain. I love it, I love you Martinez.”
Another reacted: “Martinez claims the best moment of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.”
The ex-Arsenal keeper made a number of big saves in the final and stopped Kingsley Coman’s effort in the penalty shootout.
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He also proved vital in Argentina’s quarter-final victory over the Netherlands, saving two penalties from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis.
Martinez also recorded the joint-most clean sheets in the competition with three.
This is the same amount as Morocco’s Yassine Bounou and England’s Jordan Pickford.
The Argentine winning the Golden Glove tops a remarkable rise from having spells out on loan at Oxford United in 2012 and Rotherham in 2015 to World Cup glory. More

FANS slammed Emmanuel Macron as the French president tried to console heroic World Cup final loser Kylian Mbappe – before getting brutally snubbed.Viewers believe Mbappe told his nation’s leader to “get away from me” as Macron hugged France’s hat-trick star after the agony of seeing Argentina win a shoot-out.
President Emmanuel Macron tries to comfort hat-trick scorer Kylian Mbappe after France lost the World Cup final shoot-out to ArgentinaCredit: EPA

The president was accused of attempting to win over public opinion after strong criticism for attending the tournament.
Macron has defended his visit despite allegations linking high-ranking Qataris to corruption claims in the European parliament.
But he got a chilly response on the pitch and online after stepping out to comfort his shell-shocked countrymen.
Macron persisted in patting Mbappe, pulling the PSG striker close and cradling his head.
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But the 23-year-old refused to look at him and seemed to find his approach too much.
Macron also joined Argentina’s Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez in attempting to console Mbappe when he sat on the turf looking distraught.
Fans were sceptical over his motives and were not happy about how he wouldn’t leave Mbappe alone.
One said: “Mbappe clearly doesn’t want Macron all over him trying to get political points.”
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Another noted Macron’s grip on the frontman’s arm and posted: “Mbappe wants to get away from Macron so bad but he ain’t letting him go.”
Similar observations flooded in, such as: “Mbappe doesn’t care about Macron at all.”
In essence, fans were annoyed by what they saw as Macron failing to read the room.
One viewer wrote: “Not the moment, mate: Mbappe and Deschamps both completely blank President Macron.”
Another claimed: “Macron is utterly desperate for a reaction from Mbappe but in three major efforts, the striker gives him no eye contact, and no photo opportunity.”
Likewise: “Mbappe does NOT wanna be Macron’s mate. He should stop touching his face.”
The pacy attacker had become only the second man, after England’s 1966 hero Geoff Hurst, to net a World Cup final hat-trick.
Mbappe’s treble, including two penalties, led France’s 3-3 comeback draw.
He also thumped home his shootout effort but Argentina still won it 4-2 thanks to Martinez’s heroics.
Macron and Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez went to distraught MbappeCredit: AP More

LIONEL MESSI wore a traditional Arab robe as he lifted the World Cup trophy this evening.The Argentine superstar finally got his hands on the cup he coveted most after a thrilling match against previous world champions France.

Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophyCredit: PA
The 35-year-old was gifted a robe by the Emir of QatarCredit: Reuters
After a stunning 3-3 draw, Argentina prevailed 4-2 on penalties following Emi Martinez’s theatrics.
A lengthy ceremony followed, with Messi being awarded the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament.
Following medal hand-outs for both teams, the 35-year-old finally had an opportunity to lift the trophy.
Just before he did so, he was gifted a traditional Arab robe by the Emir of Qatar while standing next to Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
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After being helped into his gift, Messi gleefully lifted the trophy aloft – bouncing up and down with his team-mates as he did so.
The PSG star had to go toe-to-toe with his club pal Kylian Mbappe in order to come out on top in this classic encounter.
Messi got his side off to the perfect start on 23 minutes, tucking away a penalty awarded for Ousmane Dembele’s light shove on Angel Di Maria.
He was involved in his team’s second goal 13 minutes later, his flick setting up a brilliant counter-attack that resulted in Di Maria making it 2-0.
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It appeared that Argentina would ease to victory from this point, but Mbappe had other ideas.
His quick-fire late double sent the match into extra time, during which Messi again put his side in front.
But once again, Mbappe levelled.
The clash went to penalties, with both Messi and Mbappe scoring theirs before the match was settled by their respective team-mates – Argentina prevailing 4-2 on spot kicks.
Messi kisses the World Cup trophyCredit: PA More