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      Jake Paul suggests Lionel Messi is ‘greatest athlete ever’ as YouTube boxing star makes Muhammad Ali comparison

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      YOUTUBER-turned boxer Jake Paul has suggested Lionel Messi is the ‘greatest athlete ever’The Argentina legend, 35, has been an inspiration for club and country.
      Lionel Messi has been called the greatest athlete of all timeCredit: Reuters
      YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul tweeted his thoughts on Messi and compared him to Muhammad AliCredit: EPA
      However, Paul believes Ali was more impactful in sportCredit: Getty
      For Barcelona he scored an amazing 672 goals, while the seven-time Ballon d’or winner was instrumental in his country winning the World Cup in a dramatic penalty shootout against France.
      And now, he’s seemingly got a fan in social media king Paul.
      While watching the World Cup final, The Problem Child couldn’t help but heap praise on Messi.
      He wrote on Twitter: “Hard to admit as an American..but Messi may be the greatest athlete ever. 5’7, 148 lbs..Greatest non-penalty scorer of all time, greatest assister of all time.
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      “In a sport that has more people playing it than any other. GAOAT. Agree?”
      However, Paul couldn’t help but tip his cap to an icon from a sport he now knows well, boxing.
      The 25-year-old revealed he believes Muhammad Ali had the biggest impact on sport as a whole.
      He added: “Muhammad Ali still the most impactful though.”
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      Ali’s storied career saw him fight 61 times – winning 56 of his fights.
      He thrived in the spotlight – showing off a gift for the gab and backed that up with some thrilling performances.
      His most notable bouts included highly publicised fights with Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier in the ‘Thrilla in Manila’, as well as ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ against George Foreman.
      While outside the ring, Ali, who died aged 74 in 2016 after a long battle with Parkinson’s, was a black activist, spoke out against the Vietnam War, and his philanthropy was recognised the world over.
      Famously, Ali also helped negotiate the release of 15 hostages in Iraq in 1990.
      Messi, on the other hand, has lit up the football world since making his debut in 2004 with the Catalans.
      He has won more Ballon d’or titles than any other footballer, as well as four Champions League titles.
      Like Ali, Messi is also charitable – and has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2004.
      He also has the Leo Messi Foundation which aims to give children from poorer backgrounds equal opportunities.
      Argentina ran out winners on penalties after a 3-3 draw in one of the greatest matches ever played.
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      After Lionel Messi’s side raced into a 2-0 lead, Kylian Mbappe fired a rapid-fire brace to take the game to extra time.
      Messi and Mbappe would then net again in extra time to send the game a shootout where the Argentines won 4-2. More

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      Watch French President Emmanuel Macron’s hilarious reaction as Mbappe scores penalty in World Cup final

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      FANS were in stitches as France’s President Emmanuel Macron celebrated Kylian Mbappe’s vital goal in the World Cup final.The French star stepped up and scored from the spot to give his side hope after they had gone two goals behind against Argentina.
      Emmanuel Macron was overjoyed with Kylian Mbappe’s goalCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Watching from the stands was a nervous Macron, who was clearly relieved as Mbappe converted his penalty after Randal Kolo Muani was brought down in the box.
      Macron proceeded to jump to his feet and pump his fist in the air in jubilation at the goal.
      Fans were quick to discuss Macron’s celebration on social media as one said: “I can’t take any more of Macron’s silly celebrations”.
      A second wrote: “Incredible stuff from Mbappé. As an aside, Macron’s celebrations don’t have a patch on Michael D Higgins [Irish president]”.
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      A third tweeted: “Lmao Macron looks like such a dweeb in that celebration video”.
      A fourth added: “Briefly thrilled for France until I saw Macron’s display”.
      A fifth commented: “Gonna need a gif of that Macron goal celebration for some evergreen tweets over the next 6-12 months”.
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      Argentina ran out winners on penalties after a 3-3 draw in one of the greatest matches ever played.
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      After Lionel Messi’s side raced into a 2-0 lead, Kylian Mbappe fired a rapid-fire brace to take the game to extra time.
      Messi and Mbappe would then net again in extra time to send the game a shootout where the Argentines won 4-2. More

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      Olivier Giroud booked on the bench after getting hooked and chucking water bottle in World Cup final disaster

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      OLIVIER GIROUD was booked during the World Cup final… long AFTER he had been substituted.The veteran striker was named in Didier Deschamps’ starting XI for France’s dramatic clash with Argentina.
      Olivier Giroud was booked by Szymon Marciniak long after being substitutedCredit: Getty
      His match didn’t last long, however, as he was hooked by Deschamps after just 41 minutes following a disastrous opening period for Les Bleus.
      Giroud, 36, responded furiously – hurling a water bottle at the ground in frustration.
      And he remained fired up on the bench during the second-half.
      France managed to come back from the brink late on, with a quick-fire Kylian Mbappe double bringing them back to 2-2 in the 81st minute.
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      Deschamps’ men continued to push for a winner, and came desperately close to producing one.
      Substitute Kingsley Coman conjured some brilliant trickery on the left wing in stoppage time before being fouled.
      Rather than blowing up for a free-kick, however, the referee allowed France to play on – with Les Bleus subsequently getting a shot off at goal.
      After the ball ended up in Emi Martinez’s grateful hands, France wanted play to be brought back for their free-kick – although the referee deemed that too long had elapsed to do so.
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      Giroud responded angrily on the bench, and was reprimanded with a booking by the stern whistler.
      Even as he was being yellow carded, Giroud continued to protest the decision.
      His words fell on deaf ears, however, and Argentina clung on to reach extra time.
      Messi and Mbappe would both add one further goal in extra time as the match finished 3-3 before the Argentines prevailed on penalties.

      Giroud, 36, responded furiously to being substituted in the first-halfCredit: Rex More

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      ‘Utterly failed to show up’ – Deschamps in scathing half-time interview as France are torn apart by Messi and Argentina

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      DIDIER DESCHAMPS launched a damning assessment of his France side after watching his players get torn apart in the first half of the World Cup Final.The French boss likely could not believe his eyes as he watched outstanding Argentina dissect the World Cup holders in the opening 45.
      France fell apart completely in the first halfCredit: Reuters
      A penalty converted by Lionel Messi and a wonderful team goal finished off by Angel Di Maria opened up a two goal margin over France.
      A desperate Deschamps even made a double first-half change to wrestle back some control.
      The French manager was damning of his team after watching them get exposed in front of millions of TV viewers.
      In a half-time interview with TF1, Deschamps said: “We utterly failed to show up in the 1st half.
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      “We expected [their intensity], we neither had the correct attitude nor the correct response.
      “It will take a lot to worry them & come back. They are really playing a World Cup final.”
      France had shown weaknesses earlier in the tournament.
      A rotated team in the group stages fell to defeat against Tunisia, while England and Morocco both gave Les Bleus plenty to worry about in the knockout stages.
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      But few could had seen their first-half collapse coming.
      They were swarmed all over by Argentina in the opening stages and conceded a penalty when Ousmane Dembele clumsily caught Di Maria.
      Messi converted from the spot before helping Argentina move through the gears for a second goal.
      Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister provided the final pass for Di Maria to put Argentina 2-0 up.
      Despite the Argentina dominance, France launched an extraordinary second-half comeback.
      However, it ended in heartbreak for the French after they lost 4-2 on penalties. More

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      Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni is coolest man in Qatar as he stands still while bench goes wild after World Cup goal

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      LIONEL SCALONI was the calmest man in the stadium when his Argentina side took the lead against France this afternoon.The South Americans went ahead from the penalty spot after 23 minutes, Lionel Messi beating Hugo Lloris from 12 yards.
      Lionel Scaloni remained calm as his bench wildly celebratedCredit: AFP
      Messi’s strike prompted pandemonium in the stands, with wife Antonela among those to go wild.
      Argentina’s substitutes also got up out of their seats to celebrate, as did most of their coaching staff.
      Assistants including legends Walter Samuel and Pablo Aimar waved their fists in delight.
      The only man that remained seemingly nonplussed, however, was Scaloni.
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      Argentina’s boss was pictured with his arms folded and stony faced – giving little away.
      Things got even better for his just 13 minutes later – with Messi again involved.
      The Paris Saint-Germain star beautifully flicked the ball on as his side launched a counter-attack, with the ball eventually finding Alexis Mac Allister.
      He then slid it over to Di Maria, who brilliantly beat Lloris one on one.
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      Messi, 35, and his team-mates celebrate his goalCredit: Getty
      France’s sluggish display led to boss Didier Deschamps taking drastic measures – making TWO substitutions just five minutes before half-time.
      He withdrew attackers Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud – replacing them with Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram.
      Scaloni, 44, hasn’t always kept his cards too close to his chest during the tournament.
      Prior to the semi-finals, the former West Ham ace burst into tears during an interview, when asked about the support his side have received from back home.
      He also cried after his side’s victory over Croatia, bursting with pride at his side’s achievement.
      Lionel Scaloni was emotional after his side’s semi-final victoryCredit: Getty More

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      How many trophies has Lionel Messi won in his career?

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      LIONEL MESSI has had an astounding career as one of football’s greatest ever players.He’s now also trying lead Argentina to their first World Cup in 36 years.
      Argentina won a historic Copa America title last yearCredit: Reuters
      Messi started his career with Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina as a youngster before moving to Barcelona.
      And it was with the Catalan Giants where the superstar really made his name, winning an abundance of trophies in legendary fashion.
      Since then, Messi has moved to PSG, where more silverware has followed.
      The 35-year-old has also won silverware for his national side before 2022, namely the Copa America title last year.
      How many trophies has Lionel Messi won?
      In total, Messi has won 39 trophies as a first-team player.
      As a player for Barcelona, Messi won a whopping 35 trophies during his 17-year run with the first team.
      The 5ft 7in magician picked up 10 La Liga titles in Spain, as well as seven Copa Del Rey trophies.
      Messi also won four Champions Leagues, eight Spanish Super Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and three Club World Cups.
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      Since Messi moved to PSG in 2021, he’s won two more trophies, a Ligue 1 title and a Trophees des Champions.
      His wait for a trophy as Argentina’s captain took a little longer, howeber.
      It wasn’t until last year that he led his side to a huge Copa America win over Brazil in the final.
      Argentina then went on to beat Italy in the UEFA Cup of Champions final at Wembley Stadium.
      And if Messi wins the World Cup today, he’ll bag his 40th trophy. More

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      Lionel Messi’s World Cup final boots revealed with touching nod to wife Antonela and their kids

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      LIONEL MESSI’S World Cup boots have been revealed and they include a touching nod to his wife and children. The 35-year-old takes part in the biggest game of his career as he looks to lead his country to World Cup glory for the first time since 1986.
      Messi is looking to lead his country to victory in his last ever World Cup gameCredit: Getty
      Messi’s is wearing these golden boots during the World Cup FinalCredit: Getty
      The Jules Rimet trophy is one of the few pieces of silverware missing from his long and decorated career.
      Ahead of the huge clash against France, fans got a glimpse at his footwear for the showpiece event in Qatar.
      The golden boots were pictured sat next to his white and black sliders.
      There was a lovely nod to his wife and three children with their names visible on his boots.
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      His youngest child, Ciro Messi, has his name and date of birth stitched alongside the side of his left boot.
      Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, also has part of her name “Anto” below Ciro’s.
      On the outside of his right boot bares the name of his other children and their dates of birthday: “Thiago 02 11 12” and “Mateo 11 09 15”.
      The Argentine star is wearing a pair of specially customised Adidas X Speedportal Leyenda boots.
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      Messi’s name can be seen visible on his sliders
      The shoes are gold but have blue and white features which are meant to represent his country.
      Alongside the boots are a pair of sliders where “Messi” is visible on the white and black striped shoes.
      Messi will be hoping his special boots will help him produce his usual magic against France at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
      Along with the fight to win the World Cup, he’s also bidding to claim the Golden Boot.
      Messi went into the final tied on 5 goals with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe. More

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      How much does Lionel Messi earn per week and what is his net worth in 2022?

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      LIONEL MESSI is aiming to cement his place as the world’s greatest footballer by winning the World Cup in Qatar.The PSG star has been at the final once before, losing to Germany in 2014.
      Lionel Messi has been in sensational form in QatarCredit: Getty
      And the Argentine captain has said that the final against France will be his last international game.
      Messi said: “I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final.
      “It’s many years for the next one and I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it’s the best.”
      How much does Lionel Messi earn per week?
      Messi, 35, joined PSG on a two-year deal worth £52m a season last year, putting him on £1MILLION per week.
      However, this is a pay CUT from the £108m he was on at Barcelona.
      Lionel Messi signed for French giants PSG in August 2021Credit: EPA
      And in a list of pay compiled by French newspaper L’Equipe the Argentina superstar was well clear of fellow PSG frontman and ex-Barca team-mate Neymar – on £31m a year.
      Brazil main man Neymar earns £606,000 per week.
      What is Lionel Messi’s net worth in 2022?
      The Argentina ace has a net worth of $130million or £107m.
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      His staggering earnings make him the highest-paid athlete in the world, higher than that of Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently surrendered £25m in wages after quitting Manchester United.

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