World Cup

LIONEL MESSI celebrated his emotional World Cup win with his wife and their children on the Lusail Stadium pitch. The Argentine captain scored twice and then converted his penalty in the shootout as he finally got his hands on the famous trophy.
Lionel Messi celebrated winning the World Cup with his familyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/
The wider Messi family and friends joined in tooCredit: Reuters
He posed for photos with his adoring wife Antonela RoccuzzoCredit: https://www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/
Messi enjoyed a special moment with his mother Celia Maria CuccittiniCredit: EPA
Antonela at long last managed to get her hands on the iconic trophyCredit: Getty
Messi took a photo of his wife lifting the World CupCredit: AP
Messi was smothered by his boys on the stage in the middle of the pitchCredit: Reuters
Two of the boys got a cheeky kiss on the trophyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/
But after collecting the Golden Ball for the best player at Qatar 2022 and then lifting the trophy with his team-mates, Messi took time to soak in the moment with his nearest and dearest.
Wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their sons Thiago, ten, Mateo, seven and Ciro, four, as well as his parents and extended family all joined him on the pitch – many of them wearing replica away shirts with his name on the back.
The lads took turns to hold the Golden Ball trophy and their dad’s World Cup winner’s medal.
And Antonela, who seemed to wipe away tears of joy, even got her hands on the main piece of silverware, giving it a kiss and raising it aloft – before the boys did the same.
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The family posed for selfies and photos together while Messi embraced and kissed his wife who went through the whole range of emotions in the stands during the thrilling clash.
She was on her feet cheering on her man after he stuck away his 23rd-minute penalty to open the scoring.
It was all going smoothly with Argentina 2-0 up with nine minutes to go but Kylian Mbappe’s quickfire double forced extra-time before the PSG team-mates both scored to send it to penalties.
Kingsley Coman and Aurelian Tchouameni missed their spot-kicks before Gonzalo Montiel sealed the victory for Argentina.
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Messi took to Instagram a few hours after recreating Diego Maradona’s iconic celebration to express his sheer delight.
The GOAT 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 proved 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…
Messi appeared emotional after sealing another piece of historyCredit: Getty
They posed for selfies or possibly a video callCredit: Getty
Antonela gives her husband a kiss after his fine performanceCredit: AP
“We did it!!! LET’S GO ARGENTINA!!!!! We’re seeing each other very soon…”
Antonela also took to Instagram, sharing some adorable family photos that will make up quite the album when the celebrations eventually settle.
One showed the five smiling together, there was another of the two younger sons kissing the World Cup and one with Thiago holding a piece of the net.
She captioned the post: “WORLD CHAMPIONS!
“I don’t even know how to start.. pride greater that we feel for you @leomessi.
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“Thank you for teaching us to never give up, you have to fight to the end FINALLY WORLD CHAMPION.
“We know what you suffered so many years to get what you wanted to get! LET’S GO ARGENTINA!”
Antonela heaped praise on her hubby in a gushing Instagram postCredit: Getty
Antonela went through all the emotions during the finalCredit: https://www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/
Antonela could not quite believe what had happenedCredit: Reuters
There were plenty of special moments for the Messi familyCredit: Getty
The lads even managed to get a piece of the netCredit: https://www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/ More

DRAKE broke his duck but was still left with a $1million bill… despite CORRECTLY predicting Argentina would win the World Cup final.The rapper ended his famous curse for wrong tips – but it was a Messi ending as he’d put a seven-figure bet on victory over France to come in NINETY minutes.
Drake posted on Instagram his bet that Argentina would win the finalCredit: @champagnepapi
Fans were worried the ‘Drake curse’ would strike again but at least he accurately predicted the winning sideCredit: Getty
Kylian Mbappe’s late double made it 2-2 after normal time to ruin the Canadian’s wager.
The French striker then fired home his second penalty on 118 minutes to level at 3-3 and become only the second ever hat-trick scorer in a World Cup final, only for Argentina to win the shootout 4-2.
That gave two-goal Lionel Messi the perfect World Cup finale as the PSG star added the only major honour missing from his cabinet.
But in contrast it left the rapper feeling the blues as he lost $1m – about £820,000.

Drake had earlier posted a picture of his betslip on Instagram showing the huge stake.
Had he won he could more than doubled his money to around $2.75million.
But fans were sceptical – due to the “Drake curse”.
One commented: “Yoo Drake please cancel your bet… you are going to ruin a historical day for no reason…”
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A second said: “Drake bet on Argentina … I’m gonna put money on France to try and cancel the Jinx out”.
A third added: “So Drake also made a bet on the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA championship, and they won.
“It’s not over yet boys, Messi’s gonna break his curse”.
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A fourth wrote: “Drake bet that Argentina would win, it’s over”.
Drake previously backed boxer Anthony Joshua to beat Andy Ruiz Jr only for the Brit to suffer a shock KO.
He also was pictured with Manchester United star Jadon Sancho while he was at Borussia Dortmund.
Sancho and his team then lost to rivals Bayern Munich.
Other sports stars such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Conor McGregor as Ligue 1 side PSG have fallen victims to the Drake curse. More

ARGENTINA wildly celebrated their World Cup victory in the dressing room after the match.In footage recorded by Argentine legend Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi and Co could be seen getting the party started immediately after leaving the pitch.

Sergio Aguero shared a video of the wild celebrations
Lionel Messi danced on a table clutching the World Cup
One jubilant member of the Argie party even somersaulted into a bin
Aguero, 34, was forced to retire with health issues last year – but was invited back into the Argentina camp this week and made to still feel part of the victory.
The former Manchester City star even donned a full kit to get into the spirit of things, and his Instagram Live footage documented Argentina’s brilliant celebrations.
His video began with a moment that will warm City fans’ hearts – as he chatted with current Etihad hero Julian Alvarez.
Aguero then started swigging from a bottle, as the squad danced and sang to Latin music.
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After the ex-striker had a chat with Angel Di Maria, he then captured another pal on camera sensationally somersaulting into a bin.
Much more singing and dancing was to follow, with tournament sponsors Budweiser leaving plenty of bottles of beer out for the squad.
Messi then sensationally returned to the dressing room clutching the World Cup itself, clambering up on to the table and jumping up and down on it.
Boss Lionel Scaloni then arrived donning a retro Argentina shirt, and was promptly drenched by his players.
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Lionel Messi dances with a $10m cheque
Stars were soaked amid the celebrations
Lionel Scaloni donned a retro top
Argentina’s sing-song continued as Aguero was gleefully dragged into a Conga.
A $10million cheque was brought in by an official and held by Messi, who then danced with the huge prize.
Aguero then recorded Messi scrolling through his phone, without his old pal realising.
Stars also sang and danced as they went through the mixed zone after the match.
Messi had just had to go toe-to-toe with his club pal Kylian Mbappe in order to come out on top in this classic encounter.
The 35-year-old 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.
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 would level.
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.
After kissing the trophy following the greatest World Cup final, Messi beamed: “I was lucky to have achieved almost everything — and what I was missing is here.
“This was the trophy I wanted all my life. This was my childhood dream. 
“It’s madness. It’s the most beautiful thing there is. Look how she is, she’s gorgeous. I wanted her so much. I had a vision this would be the one. She was getting closer.
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“It’s crazy it happened this way. I knew  God was going to give it to me. It’s simply unbelievable. It’s a big joy for us.
“We suffered a lot but we got it. I wanted to close my career with World Cup. I can’t ask more than this.”

Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophyCredit: AP More

LIONEL MESSI replicated Diego Maradona’s iconic pose from 1986 as he fulfilled his lifelong dream by winning the World Cup.The Argentina superstar lifted the only major trophy that had eluded him and said the penalty shootout triumph over France was written in the stars.
Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup replicating his idol Diego MaradonaCredit: Getty
Diego Maradona won the World Cup in 1986
The victory sparked mass celebrations in which Messi was lifted above the rest of his team-mates while holding the trophy in the air.
Messi, 35, staked his claim to be the greatest of all time (GOAT) scoring  twice in the 3-3 draw over 120 minutes before converting from the spot to emulate Diego Maradona’s class of 1986.
After kissing the trophy  following  the greatest World Cup final, Messi beamed: “I was lucky to have achieved almost everything — and what I was missing is here.
“This was the trophy I wanted all my life. This was my childhood dream. 
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“It’s madness. It’s the most beautiful thing there is. Look how she is, she’s gorgeous. I wanted her so much. I had a vision this would be the one. She was getting closer.
“It’s crazy it happened this way. I knew  God was going to give it to me. It’s simply unbelievable. It’s a big joy for us.
“We suffered a lot but we got it. I wanted to close my career with World Cup. I can’t ask more than this.”
Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has also lifted the Champions League four times as well as the 2021  Copa America.
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Now, after adding the third World Cup star to Argentina’s shirt, he will enjoy the celebrations at home and continue  playing for his country.
The Paris Saint-Germain star, 35, who said before Qatar that it would be his last World Cup, also  earned the Golden Ball for best player.
He  added: “I was able to get the Copa America, now the World Cup. It came to me almost at the end. I love football, what I do. I enjoy being in the national team, the group.
“I’m not going to retire from the national team. I want to keep playing as World Cup champions in an Argentina shirt. I can’t wait to be in Argentina to see how crazy that is going to be.”
Lionel Scaloni is the coach who finally cracked the code and found a way to turn a Messi-inspired Argentina into champions.
Messi celebrates winning the World Cup with his family after the epic clash with FranceCredit: Reuters
Messi netted twice, including this effort in extra-time, before the penalty shootout winCredit: Getty
Wearing an Argentina shirt with the third star already on it, emotional Scaloni said: “We need to save him for the World Cup, if he wants to keep playing he will be with us.
“He is more than  entitled to decide what he wants to do with his career. It is such a huge pleasure to coach him.
“Everything he transmits to his team-mates is something unparalleled that I have never seen before.”
Scaloni, once a right back on loan at West Ham, was proud to have brought joy to a country suffering from severe economic problems.
Scaloni said: “It was a completely insane game. We should have won it in 90 minutes and 120 minutes. We deserved the victory. I am just happy that people are joyful.
“For us in Argentina football is not just football and we have to understand things can go wrong. Sometimes people thought in the past players were not giving their all.
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“Life goes on and our problems are not going anywhere but that joy we have been able to send to our people is great.”
France hat-trick hero Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot with eight goals while England claimed the Fifa Fair Play award for collecting just one yellow card in the tournament. More

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