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      Watch awkward moment Kylian Mbappe is dug out by Didier Deschamps in France World Cup meeting

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      DIDIER DESCHAMPS took aim at Kylian Mbappe during a World Cup team meeting… in 2018.Four years ago in Russia, Les Bleus ended their 20-year drought – coming through tough tests against Argentina, Belgium and Croatia in the final.
      Kylian Mbappe has been France’s star man for the last few yearsCredit: AP
      Kylian Mbappe was a crucial member of the side, scoring four goals on their road to glory and winning the Fifa Young Player award.
      Despite the performances of the PSG star, he still needed Deschamps to keep him grounded – as shown in never-before-seen footage of one of their team meetings.
      Deschamps told the side: “The sprints, they did twice as many and travelled twice the distance.
      “On our side, Kylian did the least. Three per cent. Yet speed is your quality.
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      “I’m not saying you, I’m saying we, I’m including myself. I will protect each of you one by one, but you have to act.”
      The French manager took charge of his national side in 2012, taking them to the Euro 2016 final as well as becoming world champions in 2018.
      By winning the World Cup, he became only the third man to win the competition as both a player and a manager, joining Mario Zagallo with Brazil and Franz Beckenbauer for Germany in the achievement.
      However, Deschamps, 54, will be relying on Mbappe this Sunday as France look to retain their title.
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      A win over Argentina will make him only the second manager to guide their team to two World Cups as well as the third team to retain the World Cup.
      Just like 2018, Mbappe has played an integral role in their campaign being the joint leader on the goal scoring charts with five, alongside his club team-mate-turned-opposition on Sunday, Lionel Messi. More

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      Fifa block Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky from giving World Cup final message to fans

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      FIFA have blocked Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky from giving a World Cup Final message – as Gianni Infantino said the pitch must never be a place for protests.Zelensky wanted to “share a message of world peace” via video link to the fans inside the Lusail Stadium.
      Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has been blocked by Fifa from giving a message of peace ahead of the World Cup finalCredit: Alamy
      Fifa president Gianni Infantino does not think the pitch is the place for the messageCredit: Getty
      But the approach was rebuffed with a source in the Ukrainian government complaining: “We thought Fifa wanted to use its platform for the greater good.”
      The decision came soon after Infantino publicly revealed his stance on the One Love armband row with England, Wales and six other European teams for the first time.
      Skippers including Harry Kane and Gareth Bale were wanted they would be booked if they defied Fifa to wear the rainbow-style anti-discrimination armbands.
      Infantino claimed: “I honestly believe we ARE defending values, human rights and the rights of everybody.
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      “Fifa is an organisation representing 211 countries around the world and there are many different concerns in different countries and cultures.
      “When it comes to regulations, it’s not about prohibiting anything but about playing football on the field of play.
      “Everybody is free to express their views, opinions and beliefs but on the pitch, the field of play, we need to respect football and those regulations protect 211 football teams and their fans.
      “The fans who come to the stadium and the billions watching the World Cup on television, each of them has their own problems.
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      “They just want to spend 90, 100, 105, maybe 120 minutes plus penalties without having to think about anything else, to enjoy a little moment of pleasure and emotion.
      “We just need to give these people a moment of time in their life where they can forget their own problems and enjoy football.
      “Outside the match, everyone can express their point of view but let’s give that moment of joy to those who want to enjoy it.”  More

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      Ethan Mbappe, 15, makes PSG debut two days before brother Kylian faces Argentina in World Cup final

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      ETHAN MBAPPE made his Paris Saint-Germain debut aged 15 just two days before older brother Kylian looks to win back-to-back World Cup titles with France.Midfielder Ethan was a second-half substitute in PSG’s friendly against Paris FC on Friday.
      Ethan made his PSG debut in a friendly against Paris FCCredit: PSG
      Older brother Kylian will look to win a second World Cup on SundayCredit: Getty
      The youngster replaced Fabian Ruiz in the middle of the park.
      PSG ran out 2-1 winners against their fellow Paris-based club, with Nordi Mukiele and 18-year-old Ismael Gharbi scoring.
      Ethan was a part of a matchday squad consisting of the likes of Sergio Ramos, Marco Verratti and Renato Sanches.
      The younger Mbappe often features in PSG’s academy ranks.
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      He made his European debut in September for the U19s, where they took on – and beat – Juventus.
      In October, he made his Uefa Youth League debut against Maccabi Haifa.
      Older brother Kylian, 23, happens to be one of the best and most paid footballers in the world.
      And Ethan made his PSG debut just two days before Kylian contests his second-ever World Cup final.
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      Having won it in 2018, Kylian has again spearheaded France’s attack scoring five goals and assisting two in Qatar.
      However, Les Bleus will have to defeat a resolute Argentina team including an in-form Lionel Messi – a club-mate of the Mbappe brothers.
      The two PSG aces will go head-to-head on Sunday’s in a 3pm kick-off. More

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      Patrice Evra reveals why Gareth Southgate MUST stay on as England manager and says squad is worse than Golden Generation

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      PATRICE EVRA has urged Gareth Southgate to continue as the England manager.The former Manchester United defender hailed the Three Lions boss as the “future of England”.
      Patrice Evra has urged England fans to give the team more creditCredit: AFP
      Evra has also said that Gareth Southgate should stay on as managerCredit: Getty
      Southgate is statistically the best England manager of all time, having led the side to a World Cup semi-final and Euros final before this tournament’s quarter-final defeat to France.
      Following the exit from the tournament in Qatar, there have been question marks over Southgate’s future as manager of England – with the FA giving him Christmas to think about it.
      Some have argued that he is not capable of leading the team past the top international teams.
      Whereas others have argued that he has done better than any other manager since Sir Alf Ramsey won the World Cup in 1966.
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      But Evra believes that he should be kept on as manager.
      He told Sky Sports: “This England squad is not better than the England squad when you had like Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and all of that.
      “But they play as a team, and he built that.
      “So that is why I don’t even understand why there is a debate. He should stay, or should he leave?
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      “Southgate should stay, Southgate is the future of England.
      “But I sometimes think, with personal reasons, when you feel like you’re doing great, and you’re still being criticised, maybe some people from your family would say, ‘you know what? You need to retire’.
      “But people forget that England was in the final of the Euros, and now they lose against France.
      “Of course, they could have won that game. But please, I ask the fans in England, and I love the English fans… give more credit to your team and your players because they are doing a fantastic job”.
      Southgate, along with the FA, is currently reviewing their positions.
      He has a contract to be the manager until after the Euros in 2024. More

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      Paul Pogba jokes ‘my guy supporting France’ about USA star Weston McKennie’s patriotic red, white and blue haircut

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      PAUL POGBA could not resist a playful dig at the haircut of Weston McKennie. World Cup star McKennie returned to club side Juventus sporting a red, white and blue hairdo.
      Paul Pogba jokes with Weston McKennie upon his return from the World CupCredit: instagram: @paulpogba
      McKennie pictured back in Juventus trainingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/juventus/?hl=en
      McKennie debuted the hair in QatarCredit: Getty
      And former Manchester United star Pogba, known for his own flamboyant trims, joked that American McKennie was actually supporting another country with the same colours.
      McKennie appeared alongside Pogba on the Frenchman’s Instagram story, with the 29-year-old wrapping his arm around the shoulder of his team-mate.
      He then joked: “My guy supporting France,” with the pair sharing a laugh after the comments.
      McKennie put on a strong showing at the World Cup alongside midfield partner Tyler Adams, with the latter being linked with a move to Man Utd after his exploits.
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      The 24-year-old helped his country to progress from a tough group containing England, Iran and Wales.
      However, they fell at the Last 16 hurdle as their high-octane style was rendered dull by Louis van Gaal’s pragmatic Dutch approach.
      Pogba has been welcoming back his team-mates in Turin after missing out on the World Cup through injury.
      Despite initial hope he would not require surgery on top of his nation’s title defence, Pogba eventually opted to undergo surgery on a thigh injury.
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      With his recovery seemingly going well, he was then ruled out of the World Cup for sure at the end of October after experiencing a setback.
      However, despite the absence of Pogba and N’Golo Kante, who marshalled their 2018 campaign, France have still managed to make it all the way to the final – the first nation to do so since Brazil in 2002.
      The partnership of Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot (Youssouf Fofana in the semi-final) has worked wonders and gives France the chance to become the first nation to successfully defend the World Cup since the Samba Boys in 1962.
      But they will face an Argentina side which have been getting better and better with every game, not to mention Lionel Messi who is having his best ever World Cup.
      Furthermore, Les Bleus have been ravaged in their preparation as virus and injury have swept through the squad, with FIVE stars missing training earlier today. More

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      Ex-Germany star Kevin Kuranyi rushed to hospital after suffering injury in Fifa Legends game at World Cup

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      KEVIN KURANYI has been rushed to hospital in Doha after suffering a knee injury.The former Germany striker, 40, was taking part in a Fifa Legends game when he sustained a serious issue.
      Kevin Kuranyi was in action in DohaCredit: Getty
      Kuranyi was featuring in a team alongside the likes of Paulo Wanchope, Oswaldo Sanchez and Jorge Campos when he felt intense pain in his knee.
      According to Bild, Kuranyi had to be immediately rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
      The full extent of his injury is yet to be determined, but it has been reported that he has likely suffered damage to his meniscus and cruciate ligament.
      Speaking after the incident, Kuranyi said: “I noticed right away that something broke in my knee. I can’t say more at the moment.”
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      The forward earned 52 caps for Germany between 2003 and 2008 – featuring at two European Championships.
      He bagged 19 goals for his country, and also enjoyed a prolific club career with Stuttgart, Schalke and Dynamo Moscow.
      Kuranyi is just one of many former stars to have been invited to Qatar to play in the Fifa Legends Cup competition.
      His “Northern Bears” team was up against Nigeria icon Sunday Oliseh’s Africa Lions side when the injury was sustained.
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      Other legends of the game to have featured in the competition this week include Kaka, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Roberto Carlos and Francesco Totti.
      Matches are being played at Doha’s Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.
      The venue is primarily used for the ATP and WTA Qatar Opens.
      John Terry played alongside Tim CahillCredit: Getty
      Kaka and Roberto Carlos have been in action at the Fifa Legends CupCredit: Getty More

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      Dembele reveals Messi told him off for dribbling too much as he prepares to face old pal in World Cup final

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      OUSMANE DEMBELE has revealed how Lionel Messi told him off for DRIBBLING too much.The French winger hopes to wreck his former team-mate’s World Cup dream in the final against Argentina.
      Ousmane Dembele played with Lionel Messi while at BarcelonaCredit: AFP
      Dembele has said that the Argentine star told him to dribble lessCredit: Getty
      Dembele, 25, played with Messi, the ultimate dribbler, for four years at Barcelona before the superstar moved to PSG.
      He said: “I was 20 when I arrived and Messi was amazing.
      “I was doing lots of things like dribbling by myself so he taught me to play in a team, taught me to be more composed and to do assists.
      “In the dressing room, he is a very simple person. He is modest, helps the younger players and taught me a lot.
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      “It is difficult to play against him but we will do everything we can. He is very, very dangerous.
      “I have had some great times with Messi. I always said he’s a dream person to play with. I am happy to have had four great years with him.”
      France beat Morocco 2-0 in the semi-final and there is confidence they can deliver back-to-back World Cups for the first time since Pele’s Brazil in 1962.
      Dembele said: “We are the French team, we are in a World Cup final, we are fighting for our country, the team.
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      “The road we have been on and all the players want the French people to be proud of us. It would be great for Lionel to win but we want to win.”
      Dembele is likely to start for France as part of the side’s dangerous front three alongside Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe.
      Messi was the man of the match in Argentina’s semi-final win over Croatia but has insisted that he knew the team was capable of reaching the final.
      He said: “To see these people, the family thought the World Cup was something incredible.
      “And we are where we wanted to be. We started off losing but we asked the people to stay confident with us because we knew.
      “This group is crazy, we did it. It makes me think of my family.” More

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      Watch Mexico fan apologise to Lionel Messi’s wife Antonella for Canelo Alvarez’s rage over dressing room shirt

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      A MEXICAN fan issued an apology to Lionel Messi’s wife after an incident involving boxer Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.The Mexican pound for pound great was enraged after footage emerged of Messi accidentally ‘kicking’ his nation’s jersey on the floor.
      Mexico fan apologised to Lionel Messi’s wife Antonella for Canelo Alvarez’s rage over dressing room shirtCredit: Twitter / @mediotiempo
      A Mexico fan felt he had to speak to Antonella RoccuzzoCredit: Twitter / @mediotiempo

      The video came after Argentina’s 2-0 win to Mexico during the group stages of the World Cup, a game in which Messi scored his first of the competition to keep his nations hope of progressing alive.
      This led to the undisputed super-middleweight champion unleash his fury on the Argentine tweeting “Saw Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag? He should ask God that I don’t find him.
      “Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico. I’m not talking about the country as a whole, I’m talking about the bulls**t Messi did”
      Many Argentinians were quick to jump to the defence of Messi such as Sergio Aguero and UFC fighter Sergio Ponzinibbio.
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      This led to Canelo offering out an apology to the seven-time Ballon D’or winner.
      He said: “These last few days I got carried away by the passion and love I feel for my country and made comments that were out of place for which I want to apologise to Messi and the people of Argentina.
      “Every day we learn something new and this time it was my turn.
      “I wish both teams much success in their matches today and here we will continue supporting Mexico until the end.”
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      However this didn’t stop one Mexican fan who went a step further and apologised to the PSG forwards wife, Antonella Roccuzzo.
      In the video the fan approached Roccuzzo, 34, and said “We want to apologise for Messi.”
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      Messi’s foot appeared to brush a Mexico shirt that was on the floor
      Canelo Alvarez has issued an apology to Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
      The model continued walking without giving an answer to the fan making it unclear whether she accepted the apology or not.
      Messi and Roccuzzo tied the knot in 2017 in their home country of Argentina.
      She will be watching on nervously on Sunday as Messi takes to the field in his final World Cup match, hoping to bring the trophy back to Argentina for the first time since 1986 More