World Cup

KARIM BENZEMA has rejected French President Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to watch the World Cup final in Qatar, according to reports.This comes with his relationship with manager Didier Deschamps not in a good place.
French President Emmanuel Macron invited Karim Benzema to watch the finalCredit: Rex
Benzema was ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injuryCredit: AP
Benzema suffered a thigh injury in the first training session which has kept him out of the entire tournament.
Reports last week suggested that the Real Madrid star had made a speedy recovery and could be fit to play in the final.
But Deschamps refused to answer when asked whether Benzema could feature against Argentina.
He said: “I don’t really want to answer that question, next question.”
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Benzema responded on Instagram by posting a photo angrily looking at the camera.
The caption said: “I’m not interested.”
And Benzema isn’t even keen on returning to watch the final either.
According to RMC Sport, the 34-year-old has turned down the chance to cheer on his team-mates in the Middle East.
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L’Equipe revealed that Benzema has had “no contact” with the camp since he departed the Middle East through injury.
That’s because his relationship with Deschamps is reportedly “broken”. More

COMEDIAN Simon Brodkin has recalled the time he left Roy Hodgson stunned after trying to sneak onto the England squad’s plane heading out to the World Cup.Playing his TV character Jason Bent, he managed to blend in with the 2014 Three Lions at Luton Airport.
Comedian Simon Brodkin has recalled his infamous attempt to get on England World Cup planeCredit: PA:Press Association
He says he waved his passport at then England boss Roy Hodgson before security swoopedCredit: PA:Press Association
And after going undiscovered for several minutes in the security area while mingling with the likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, the 45-year-old then approached the then England boss.
However, that was when his attempt to get on the plane heading to Brazil, where England would go on to be dumped out of the World Cup in the group stage, was stopped as security swooped in to remove him.
During an appearance on Talk TV with Andy Goldstein, Brodkin opened up about the amusing incident.
He said: “I was with all of the players, they were about to get on the plane and I joined them.
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“I had the suit on. They were all getting on at the private area in Luton Airport and I got in amongst them.
“There was a lot of players, a lot of backroom staff, and they are all wearing the same thing.
“I’m there in the middle of them all, as Jason, fitting in too well as no-one noticed that I wasn’t meant to be there.
“I’m mingling with the players, I’m not talking to any of them, but they’re all coming off the coach and about to board the plane. There’s a lot of staff, we now know that they were not necessary, but it was Roy Hodgson’s unit.
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“So I thought ‘this is ridiculous – I’m going to get on the plane’ and then go ‘I’m only joking!’”
Brodkin continued: “I had my passport with me and I waved it at Roy.
“I shouted: ‘Roy, my phone’s been switched off for the last few weeks. Did I make the squad or what?”
“That’s when the security – I actually did a cameo message for the security guy who is retiring the other day, which is amazing – how he kept his job that long!”
The English prankster and stand-up comedian who is known for his public stunts, some of which have resulted in prosecution.
He is best known for his character Lee Nelson, who is described as a “cheerful chav”, but he also performs in a number of other roles.
He was arrested after attempting to warm up with the Manchester City team ahead of their Premier League match against Everton in March 2013.
Some of Brodkin’s most famous pranks include renaming Sir Philip Green’s £100million super yacht the ‘BHS Destroyer’ and showering Fifa president Sepp Blatter in fake US dollars at a press conference in Zurich in 2015.
He also famously showered Fifa president Sepp Blatter with fake notes in 2015Credit: AP:Associated Press More

LIONEL MESSI is set to take centre-stage yet again as Argentina take on France in today’s World Cup Final. The little magician has made his name on performing on these big occasions for his country and has produced several memorable moments since his debut in 2005.
It did not take long for Messi to become a legend in ArgentinaCredit: AP:Associated Press
From a marvellous hat-trick against major rivals to jaw-dropping moments at World Cups, his body of work for Argentina is that of legend.
SunSport looks back at his greatest moment donning the famous white and blue colours.
Argentina 6-0 Serbia & Montenegro – 2006
Lionel Messi came off the bench to give Serbia & Montenegro the run around in 2006Credit: AFP
Playing in his first World Cup, an 18-year-old Messi would have been keen to make an impression.
In the second group game against Serbia and Montenegro, he started on the bench alongside the likes of Carlos Tevez and his current manager Lionel Scaloni.
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He became the youngest player to feature for Argentina at a World Cup when he was subbed on with the side already 3-0.
And Messi quickly made his impact felt, assisting Hernan Crespo’s goal within six minutes and then getting on the scoresheet himself.
It was as good as cameo appearances get and it was quite the introduction to World Cup life for the teen.

Argentina 3-0 Mexico – 2007
It was the Copa America semi-finals and Mexico would have been hopeful of getting one over La albiceleste.
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But unfortunately they came up against an in-form and firing Messi who was dynamic and unstoppable in attack.
Aided by fellow trouble-making no.10 Juan Roman Riquelme, Messi scored a stunning chip as Mexico were comprehensively beaten.
Nigeria 2-3 Argentina – 2014
Messi’s unstoppable free-kick against Nigeria left the keeper confusedCredit: Reuters
Argentina made it three group wins out of three at the Brazil World Cup as they swept aside Nigeria.
Messi claimed two first-half goals as he latched onto Angel Di Maria’s shot rebounding off the post to lash home a volley after three minutes.
His second goal was a beauty as he whipped in a majestic free-kick from just over 25 yards out which left baffled Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama floundering.
Argentina 2-1 Australia – 2022
Messi and Alvarez have led Argentina’s run to the 2022 World Cup FinalCredit: Getty
Messi’s 1,000 career appearance fell on the day Argentina faced-off against Australia in this year’s World Cup.
Him scoring always felt inevitable, and when the goal came it was a moment of subtle beauty as he started a move which ended with the 35-year-old sweeping an effort into the bottom corner.
But it was his overall performance which left observers stunned as the talisman led from the front and was the brain behind most of Argentina’s attacking moves.
Brazil 3-4 Argentina – 2012
Messi stole the show from a young Neymar as Brazil and Argentina clashed in a friendlyCredit: Reuters
It was only a friendly, granted, but Argentina’s great South American rivals would have still been left with their jaws on the floor by Messi’s showing.
The pair met in New York in June for what should have been a fun if forgettable exhibition game in front of a casual American audience.
But Messi lit the touch paper for a seven-goal thriller, claiming a hat-trick to sweep away Brazil.
As many as 80,000 fans watched on as Messi, even in a friendly, left the crowd in no doubt of his genius
Ecuador 1-3 Argentina – 2017
Jorge Sampaoli took over as boss of the national team in 2017 and he found his country in a bit of trouble.
A poor qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup left Argentina genuinely at risk of missing the trip to Russia.
Step forward Messi to drag his nation from the brink – he hit a hat-trick against Ecuador after Argentina fell 1-0 behind to claim qualification.
It was 90 minutes many Argentines will never forget.
Brazil 0-1 Argentina – 2021
Messi’s best moment so far for Argentina was lifting last year’s Copa America trophyCredit: Getty
Messi’s lack of honours at international level had long been held against him by his critics.
So it was unsurprising to see him break down in tears at the final whistle of 2021’s Copa America final which was won thanks to Angel Di Maria’s goal.
He’s had better performances in an Argentina shirt but he did enough here to inspire his team to victory.
Little did he know that a year-and-a-half on, he might have the chance to claim the biggest trophy of them all in Qatar.
Argentina 3-0 Croatia – 2022
The masked Josko Gvardiol could not keep up with Messi in the World Cup semi-finalCredit: The Mega Agency
Croatia promised to be tricky World Cup semi-final opponents but Messi and co put them in the shade.
While the Argentine stung a brilliant penalty in the top corner for the first goal, it is a game that will be best remembered for the way he spun Josko Gvardiol inside and out as he assisted Julian Alvarez’s second.
The Croatian defender had making a name for himself on football’s grandest stage but became completely undone by Messi’s flash of genius.
Argentina 2-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina – 2014
Messi scored a memorable goal in Argentina’s opening 2014 World Cup game against Bosnia & HerzegovinaCredit: AFP
Messi scored four goals in the group stages of the 2014 World Cup with his first coming as part of a brilliant performance against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
He assisted Sead Kolasinac’s own goal before scoring an individual strike of brilliance.
Bosnia defenders were left falling in his wake as he dashed towards the box with his trademark close control before a unleashing a brilliant shot which crashed against the inside of the post and went in.
Argentina 3-0 Ecuador – 2021
Some games Messi has been completely unstoppableCredit: AFP
Messi was involved in all three goals as he helped Lautaro Martinez and Rodrigo De Paul both score.
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But his crowning moment came at the end as he drove home a fantastic free-kick from the edge of the box to add some gloss to the score line.
The match very much summed up everything Messi does well – assisting teammates, driving his team up the field, effortlessly creating moments of magic and scoring spectacular goals. More

PAUL POGBA has flown to Qatar to cheer on his France team-mates in the World Cup final.Les Bleus are hoping to become just the third nation ever to successfully defend the trophy when they face Argentina.
Paul Pogba has flown to Qatar and met up with Rio FerdinandCredit: Instagram / @rioferdy5
Pogba scored in the 2018 final when France beat CroatiaCredit: Reuters
They beat a stubborn Morocco side in the semi-finals and now have Lionel Messi and Co standing in their way of a third World Cup.
France have managed to navigate their way through the tournament without some of their key players.
One of those is Pogba, who’s missed out as he continues to recover from a knee injury he suffered in the summer.
Pogba left Manchester United following the expiration of his contract, but is yet to feature upon his return to Juventus.
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In the meantime, the 29-year-old has travelled to Qatar to support his French mates.
And Pogba has met up with a former team-mate.
BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand posted a photo to Instagram of the pair working out in the gym ahead of the final with a caption that read: “Just 2 guys putting in hard work… @paulpogba 📸
“Good to see you bro!”
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Ferdinand uploaded three snaps of the ex-United stars hanging out.
This comes despite Juventus being reluctant to allow Pogba to travel to the Middle East to show support for his team-mates.
The Italian club weren’t willing to let him fly to Qatar while he’s injured.
But Pogba appears to have not been granted permission and will be hoping his journey is worth his time. More