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      ‘One day I’ll tell my kids I played against the GOAT’ – Gvardiol breaks silence on Messi’s stunning World Cup assist

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      JOSKO GVARDIOL has admitted that he’s happy he got to play against Lionel Messi… even if he was on the losing side.The highly-rated defender was bamboozled by the Argentine as Croatia fell to a 3-0 defeat in Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final.
      Lionel Messi bamboozled Josko Gvardiol on TuesdayCredit: Getty
      Messi, 35, put on a masterclass – made most memorable by his sensational assist for his side’s third – twisting and turning Gvardiol before laying the ball off to Julian Alvarez for a tap in.
      The moment of magic gathered plenty of attention, but Messi’s 20-year-old victim has taken it in his stride – even labelling his tormentor the GOAT.
      Speaking ahead of Saturday’s third place play-off, Gvardiol said: “I am glad that I played against him even though we lost.
      “It’s a great experience, and one day I’ll tell my kids that I played against the best player in history. I guess we will beat him next time.”
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      Despite his embarrassment at the hands of Messi, Gvardiol’s stock remains sky high following a brilliant tournament.
      He had already been strongly linked with Chelsea – who are reportedly ahead of Real Madrid in the race to sign him, with Manchester City also interested.
      Gvardiol isn’t the only Croatia star to have gushed over Messi.
      His team-mate, former Leicester forward Andrej Kramaric, added: “Messi is the greatest player in history.”
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      After previously unseen footage of Messi’s brilliant assist surfaced online this week, it was claimed that he drew up the entire sequence before he even received the ball.
      As per reporter Juan Arango, Messi’s pal and former team-mate Sergio Aguero revealed on Argentine telly just what his pal wanted.
      Arango tweeted: “Kun Aguero talked on Arg TV how Messi directs his team-mates to move around so he can receive the ball.
      “Short pass to his feet is the secret.”
      Twenty four hours after Croatia take on Morocco looking for a second consecutive World Cup podium finish, Messi and his Argentina side will take on France in Sunday’s final.
      The 35-year-old is desperate to bring the trophy back to his home country, and could finally put the GOAT debate beyond doubt for good.
      Gvardiol, 20, is thrilled he got to play against Lionel MessiCredit: Getty More

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      Watch Lionel Messi get red card 40 SECONDS into Argentina debut – 17 years before World Cup final vs France

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      LIONEL MESSI is on the verge of making history at the World Cup this weekend.But nobody could have predicted how things would turn out after Messi’s disastrous Argentina debut 17 years ago.
      Lionel Messi’s Argentina debut did not go to plan in 2005Credit: Twitter / @TyCSports
      The legend was sent off just 40 seconds after coming onCredit: Twitter / @TyCSports
      That’s because the legendary forward was sent off after just 40 SECONDS.
      Messi will lead Argentina out against France in Sunday’s World Cup final.
      And in doing so, the 35-year-old will overtake Germany’s Lothar Matthaus for the most World Cup appearances in history.
      Several other records are in danger of being broken on Sunday too, including most World Cup wins as a player and most World Cup assists.
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      But Messi’s stunning international record was the last thing on people’s minds when he made his Argentina debut 17 years ago.
      The then-Barcelona starlet was just 18 years old when Jose Pekermen selected him for the senior side in 2005.
      Messi’s chance to shine came on 17 August when Argentina played Hungary in a friendly in Budapest.
      With 63 minutes on the clock, the forward was brought off the bench in place of Lisandro Lopez.
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      Messi could now make history with Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final against FranceCredit: Getty
      And Messi immediately got stuck in just moments after his side took a 2-1 lead through Gabriel Heinze.
      However, Messi managed to be a bit too enthusiastic on the ball.
      As he dribbled towards Hungary’s goal only 40 seconds after joining the action, the teen was grabbed by opponent Vilms Vanczak.
      This prompted Messi to swing out an arm, which hit Vanczak before sending him to the ground.
      Players from both sides swarmed the referee as replays showed there wasn’t an awful lot of contact involved.
      But this was pre-VAR days, meaning the ref did not get a chance to see the incident himself.
      And after deciding it was a deliberate violent act from Messi, the official brandished a red card for the now-Paris Saint-Germain star.
      It was reported that team-mates found Messi “weeping” in the changing room after the game.
      But he certainly hasn’t looked back, going on to clock up 194 appearances for Argentina since then.
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      Messi has also scored 112 goals for his country and helped them break their Copa America duck with victory in last year’s competition.
      Messi is now hoping to add a historic World Cup to his collection, in what the legend has already declared will be his last tournament game for Argentina. More

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      FA chair Debbie Hewitt wants to become UK’s representative on Fifa after lack of English power in World Cup armband row

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      FA chair Debbie Hewitt wants to become the UK’s representative on Fifa – to ensure English football has a voice in the world’s corridors of power.Wembley boss Hewitt knows Fifa president Gianni Infantino from her role with sponsors Visa Europe.
      FA chair Debbie Hewitt wants to become the UK’s representative on FifaCredit: Splash
      But the lack of English power at Fifa was made clear by the armband row that dogged the build-up to the opening group game with Iran.
      And that has helped confirm the FA’s belief that it needs to regain the British vice-presidency role taken by Northern Ireland’s David Martin after Hewitt’s disgraced predecessor Greg Clarke was forced to quit in 2020.
      An FA spokesperson said: “International football is a strategic priority for the FA.
      “Debbie Hewitt is standing for the position of Uefa British Vice President in the Fifa Council with the full support of the FA Board.“
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      The British vice presidency has been in place since the four Home nations joined Fifa in 1946 and despite threats a decade ago it remains firmly established as part of the hierarchy.
      But England have only held the role for Clarke’s brief 18-month spell from 2019 since the retirement of Geoff Thompson in 2011.
      The decision will cause upset in Belfast with Martin only having served in the £210,000 per year role since April 2021.
      FA chiefs will lodge Hewitt’s candidate papers by the January 5 deadline and unless Martin steps down there will then be a vote of all 55 Uefa members at the Congress in Lisbon in April.
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      But Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin will actively lobby on Hewitt’s behalf as he agrees European football needs a strong English voice at Fifa’s top table.
      Fifa, too, are understood to be likely to welcome Hewitt’s elevation to the role.
      Debbie Hewitt during a Uefa Nations League match between England and HungaryCredit: Getty More

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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