World Cup

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

ARGENTINA hope to give superstar Lionel Messi the ultimate World Cup knees-up.Messi, 35, will feature in the tournament for the last time against reigning champs France in the final inside the Lusail Stadium.
Lionel Messi will battle for the trophy against France in his last World Cup gameCredit: Getty
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni is hoping they can win for MessiCredit: Splash
And Qatari World Cup chiefs want to host a parade for the winners along Lusail Boulevard after the stadium presentation.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni said: “I hope Leo wins and then says goodbye by lifting the Cup.
“It would be the best possible stage for him to say goodbye.
“The most important thing is to enjoy it — and what better setting than a World Cup final to do so.”
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After the 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia, Messi was asked if this was his last World Cup match.
He said: “Surely, yes. There are many years for the next one and I don’t think I will be able to do that and ending this way is the best.
“There is a lot of happiness, being able to achieve this.
“Ending my World Cup career, playing my last game in a final.”
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Messi gained his only international success at the 2021 Copa America when Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the final.
Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez said: “I saw a great Messi at the Copa — he was one of the best players at the tournament.
“At this World Cup, he took a step forward.
“He is playing better. He is the greatest of all time and he is excited.” More

DIDIER DESCHAMPS admits some French people want Lionel Messi to lift the World Cup today.But for a man fighting against Messi’s alleged destiny, not to mention a mystery virus in the camp, Deschamps seems remarkably calm about his own tilt at history.
Lionel Messi is up for finally winning the World Cup as Argentina face FranceCredit: Reuters
Didier Deschamps believes Kylian Mbappe & Co are well equipped to ensure Messi’s World Cup dream doesn’t come trueCredit: Rex
The France boss, aiming to become only the second manager to be world champion twice, said: “I know Argentina and maybe some French people would hope Lionel Messi can win the World Cup but we are going to do everything to achieve our objective.
“Most fans will probably support Argentina because they are Argentinian or will be rooting for that team.
“Argentinians are a very passionate people, they get behind their team and that is a positive thing, it is good to have an atmosphere like that in a World Cup final.
“But our opponents aren’t in the crowd, they are a team we face on the pitch and they are a good enough team to be worried about them.
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“Both teams have the same objective and only one will come out with a third star.”
France captain Hugo Lloris is also aware that most of the world wants Messi to cap his extraordinary  international career by winning the one major trophy that has eluded him.
Keeper Lloris said: “As long as we have the support of our fans — and we know the French people are behind us — then nothing else really matters.
“We started the World Cup with the objective to go as far as possible.
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“Very few believed in us at the outset but we are now in the final and will pull out all the stops to win it.
“Of course we know what Lionel Messi means in the history of football but I believe the event is too massive just being focused on one player.
“It is a final between two big nations of football, between Argentina and France.
“When you face that type of player, you need a special focus on him but it is not only him, it is a strong team with a lot of talented players, with a young generation of players and you can feel they are all dedicated to Leo Messi.
“We will try to find the key to get the success in this game.”
Amid all the talk of Messi’s mission, the story of the other captain in the final has been a bit lost. Lloris would not feature in many people’s list of all-time great goalkeepers.
World Cup winners like England’s Gordon Banks, Italian legends Dino Zoff and Gianluigi Buffon, or even keepers who were never world champions, such as the Soviet Union’s Lev Yashin, are rated more highly.
But the fact is that if France win today, Lloris will become the first captain, goalkeeper or not, to lift the trophy twice.
Tottenham skipper Lloris said: “I was privileged enough to win the trophy with my team-mates in 2018 and I am very proud of that, but we are focused on creating our own history.
“It is going to be the toughest match of the tournament and we have to be ready for  any scenario.
Hugo Lloris aims to become the first keeper to taste World Cup glory twiceCredit: Getty
“We will have to show great solidarity, graft and in spite of everything, the virus, we will have to finish the job as well as we can.
“In the past we have already proved that French teams who have been successful have always based that success on a strong team spirit and so we try to draw from that. Thanks to the adrenalin and excitement we will feel we will all be ready to do anything we can to win this last battle.”
Lloris and Deschamps, unlike Messi, know their status as World Cup legends is already secure.
Deschamps is one of the few men to win it as player and manager and is today trying to match the only other boss to win it twice — Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938.
But does the weight of support for Messi, and the additional issue of illness in the French camp, make Deschamps feel that he is all alone, him against the world?
The France boss smiled: “I often get that feeling but I am fine being alone, that doesn’t bother me.
“These uncertainties always arrive, we are here and have done everything we can to be well prepared for the game against Argentina.
“Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has also had challenges. They lost their first game against Saudi Arabia.
“I don’t have any particular worries or stress.
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“When you prepare for a game like this you have to remain composed.
“In the World Cup final, you have a match but also a whole context behind it and the objective is to come out with the title.” More

KYLIAN MBAPPE played for a £1.75 plastic trophy in his very first “World Cup final”.He also promised to buy a COLOURING BOOK for his team-mate if they won.
Kylian Mbappe’s first’ World Cup final’ as a kid was played for toys and a colouring bookCredit: Offside Sports
Mbappe is ready to emulate Pele by winning back-to-back World CupsCredit: Reuters
Against Argentina on Sunday, the French superstar will try to emulate Brazil legend Pele by winning back-to-back World Cups.
But he first started dreaming of playing in the greatest showpiece in football as a kid growing up in the Paris suburb of Bondy.
Back then, Mbappe had posters of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Neymar — now his team-mate at Paris Saint-Germain — adorning his bedroom wall.
And winning his school tournament was a matter of “life or death”.
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Mbappe, 23, recalled: “Me and my friends, we did not hope to become footballers.
“We did not expect, we did not plan — we dreamed.
“I remember we had this tournament at our school — all the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth graders — and it was our World Cup.
“We were playing for this £1.75 plastic trophy, but we treated it like it was life or death. Your honour is always at stake.
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“And it’s funny, because the rule was that every team had to be mixed. Girls and boys.
“Well, unfortunately, not all the girls wanted to play in the tournament, so we had to really negotiate.
“I remember telling my friend that if she gave everything on the pitch and we won the cup, I would buy her a new colouring book. I was begging her.
“Maybe you think I’m exaggerating — but it really meant everything to us.
“We played for this £1.75 cup like it was the Jules Rimet Trophy. That’s just how it was.
“I’m sure it was difficult for my teachers. To them, I really apologise.
“I remember coming home from school one day with nine different warnings from the principal.
“Kylian did not do his homework; Kylian forgot his school supplies; Kylian was talking about football during maths.
“My head was in the clouds.”
His love affair with football has made him a multi-millionaire and taken him to Sunday’s glittering Qatar final against PSG team-mate Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
And it all started when he was just three.
I just wanted the ball. To me, the ball was everythingKylian Mbappe
Mbappe told the Players’ Tribune: “With me, everything is football.
“When I was three, I was bought one of those little 4×4 electric toy trucks for my birthday.
“You could actually sit inside and drive it around. It had pedals and everything.
“My parents would let me drive from our house to the football pitch across the street, like I was a real footballer driving to training. I took my little routine very seriously.
“But as soon as I arrived, I always left the car in a corner to go play football.
“This cool 4×4 that made all my friends jealous — but I just didn’t care about it anymore.
“I just wanted the ball. To me, the ball was everything.”
PSG splashed out a whopping £162million to sign Mbappe from Monaco in June 2018 — a world-record fee for a teenager.
He has already netted 250 career goals, won five French League titles, three French Cups, two League Cups, a World Cup and the Nations League with France.
Mbappe’s also been voted his country’s Player of the Season three times — and he’s still only 23 for a few days at least.
He scored the final goal in France’s 4-2 World Cup final win over Croatia in Russia four years ago.
When I heard La Marseillaise, I could have criedKylian Mbappe
And he’s now bidding to stop 35-year-old GOAT Messi winning the only major honour to have eluded him during his glorious career.
Mbappe added: “Sometimes, even when you are really living something, it feels like a dream.
“It was the same feeling at the World Cup in Russia.
“You do not experience the World Cup as a person. You experience it as a child.
“Of all the memories, the one I will never forget is when we were standing in the tunnel before the first match against Australia, waiting to walk out.
“This is when it hit me, what I was living. I looked over at Ousmane Dembele and we were just smiling and shaking our heads.
“I said, ‘Look at us. The boy from Évreux. And the boy from Bondy. We are playing at the World Cup’.
“We walked onto the pitch and felt 65 million people behind us.
“When I heard La Marseillaise, I could have cried.
“So many of us who held the World Cup in our hands that summer grew up in the suburbs. The banlieues.
“We are the crazy dreamers. And lucky for us, dreaming is free.”
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On Sunday in Qatar’s Lusail Stadium in front of the watching world, Mbappe will dream of lifting not a plastic toy, but the 36cm £20m real thing.
Full interview at theplayerstribune.com. More