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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

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      Jamie Carragher slams Fifa’s 32-team Club World Cup as ‘ridiculous’ and says players are ‘treated like cattle’

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      LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher has slammed Fifa’s 32-team Club World Cup as “ridiculous” and says players are being “treated like cattle”.Fifa president Gianni Infantino revealed the controversial 2025 plans on Friday as they look to compete with Uefa’s Champions League.
      Carragher has slammed plans for a 32-team Club World CupCredit: Getty
      Infantino insists player welfare is being consideredCredit: Getty
      It means the Fifa-run club tournament will more than quadruple in size from the current format with seven sides.
      The world football governing body initially wanted to increase the size of the Club World Cup from seven teams to 24 for China in 2021 – before the pandemic hit.
      Big clubs have already rejected the proposal – and the Premier League has also followed suit.
      And Liverpool legend Carragher has taken aim at Infantino and Co, saying players “need rest at some point”, and that they’re being “treated like cattle”.
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      Carragher also slammed the idea of a 32-team Club World Cup as “ridiculous” after recently discussing the possibility of a World Cup every two years.
      The Champions League winner fumed: “Like the ridiculous idea of the @FIFAWorldCup every two years, this is another one from Infantino.
      “Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle.
      “FIFA hate the Champions League and want something similar themselves. 
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      “European clubs should boycott it.”
      However, Infantino says Fifa are considering “the health and wellbeing of players” in their decision to create and expand competitions.
      In his lengthy press conference, Infantino said: “We have to take into consideration the health and wellbeing of players.
      “We need to ensure there is a rest period for players, a holiday period, ideally 72 hours between games.
      “Of course we need to be pragmatic on these topics. We will now consult on all these topics and elaborate.” More

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      France in injury crisis ahead of World Cup final as FIVE first-team stars including Varane and Tchouameni miss training

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      FRANCE’S preparation for the World Cup final has been thrown into chaos after a number of first-team stars missed training. The 2018 champions will be defending their title against a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina on Sunday.
      Raphael Varane missed France training ahead of the finalCredit: Getty
      Aurelien Tchouameni has been added to the growing list of absenteesCredit: Getty
      Semi-final goalscorer Theo Hernandez missed training due to a knee issue.Credit: Getty
      However, they have suffered an early dent to their aspirations of being the first team to defend the Jules Rimet since Brazil in 1962 with a number of stars missing training through illness and injury.
      Semi-final centre-backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate were both reported to be missing training due to flu earlier today.
      Kingsley Coman has since been added to those absent with flu, with the winger also feeling feverish before the Morocco clash.
      Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and full-back Theo Hernandez have been added to the list of absentees.
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      RMC report the pair are missing due to physical issues rather than viral.
      Tchouameni, who has been one of the shining stars of the tournament, was missing due to a hip bruise.
      Meanwhile, Hernandez is said to be missing due to a knee problem.
      Les Bleus suffered a pair of absentee’s ahead of the semi-final as Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano were forced to sit out due to illness.
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      Boss Didier Deschamps bemoaned how the flu-like virus was affecting training.
      He said: “In Doha, temperatures have fallen a little bit, you have air conditioning which is on all the time.
      “We’ve had a few cases of flu-like symptoms.
      “We are trying to be careful so it doesn’t spread and players have made great efforts out on the pitch and obviously their immune systems suffer.
      “Dayot Upamecano felt sick immediately after the match (against England).
      “It happens when you make such an effort, your body is weakened and you are more prone to be infected by these viruses.
      “We are taking all necessary precautions, we are trying to make sure it doesn’t spread but viruses are of course infectious and we have to take precautions against it.
      “We separated him from others and Adrien as well.” More

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      Arsenal star Ben White lobs snowball at team-mates while Kieran Tierney braves the cold in just a T-shirt and shorts

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      BEN WHITE was in good spirits at training with Arsenal as he was involved in a snowball fight with his team-mates.The defender is back with his club following his early exit from England’s World Cup squad.
      Ben White got involved in a snowball fight in training with ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Cedric Soares, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira were also enjoying the snowCredit: Getty
      England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is already back in training following the exit from the World CupCredit: Getty
      Kieran Tierney braved the cold in just shorts and a T-shirtCredit: Getty
      Boss Mikel Arteta however opted for a warm coatCredit: Getty
      White left the Three Lions camp on November 30th due to personal reasons.
      There had been suggestions of a fallout between himself and assistant Steve Holland, but they have been played down by manager Gareth Southgate.
      England proceeded with the tournament and beat Senegal in the round of 16 before losing to France in the quarter-finals.
      White initially linked up with Arsenal at their training camp in Dubai but is now back in the country preparing for the return of the Premier League.
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      The other members of the Arsenal squad were also taking part in the snowball fight.
      Stars such as Cedric Soares, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira were also taking aim at their team-mates.
      While most of the players had wrapped up warm, Kieran Tierney braved the cold temperatures in just a T-shirt and shorts.
      The Scottish defender was in good form before the break for the World Cup and will be hoping to make the left-back spot his own.
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      Mikel Arteta’s side have one more friendly game during the break, as they face Juventus at home tomorrow.
      Arsenal went into the break at the top of the Premier League table after a brilliant start to the campaign.
      The Gunners restart their season on Boxing Day with a clash against London rivals West Ham at the Emirates Stadium. More

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      Roy Keane shocks fans with new moustache look after SHAVING OFF bushy beard for ITV vs talkSPORT match

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      ROY KEANE has shocked everyone by shaving off his infamous bushy beard – and now he’s sporting just a moustache.The Manchester United legend is currently out in Qatar covering the World Cup as a pundit for ITV.
      Roy Keane has ditched his bushy grey beard while out in QatarCredit: ITV
      The Irishman revealed his incredible new moustache during a photo with talkSPORT’s Sam EllardCredit: Instagram @samellard
      As always, the fork-tongued and hard-to-please Irishman has been in the headlines throughout the tournament.
      He became embroiled in a bitter row over DANCING with Brazil’s manager Tite.
      And he showed that he still possessed some of the magic that made him one of the greatest midfielders of his generation by scoring the winner in an ITV vs BBC pundits match.
      Keane’s celebration was a work of art too – racing off with his top off before leaping over a wheelie bin.
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      Perhaps buoyed on by that heroic moment, the 51-year-old was back out on the pitch earlier to take part in another kickabout.
      This time he was lining-up alongside his fellow ITV pundits to take on their talkSPORT counterparts.
      Keane and his pals tasted victory once again out in the Middle East as they ran out 10-6 victors.
      But it will be his new-look that has most people talking this time rather than his robust views or antics on the field.
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      TalkSPORT’s Sam Ellard was in the opposition but afterwards he managed to nab himself a snap with the fiery Keano.
      Judging by the early comments on the post, the icon’s new appearance appears to have slipped the radar.
      However, upon closer inspection, you can see that the photo actually revealed that the ex-Nottingham Forest and Celtic ace has ditched his bushy grey beard with just two days to go before the World Cup final.
      And instead he now dons a magnificent grey moustache, accompanied by a ‘soul patch’ – a small patch of hair below his lower lip.
      Ellard captioned his snap with: “Today was the @itvfootball vs @talksport rematch. ITV winning 10-6.
      “Ally McCoist scored SIX goals. Keane and Neville oozing class…
      “Bring on the rematch in Germany.” More

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      11 World Cup stars who’ve put themselves in the transfer shop window including Gakpo to Man Utd and Gvardiol to Chelsea

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      THE World Cup is always a glorious chance for stars to make a name for themselves and put themselves in the shop window.And even though Qatar 2022 has been staged in November and December, rather than the normal summer festival, plenty of players certainly made their mark.
      Cody Gakpo enhanced his reputation with three goals for HollandCredit: Alamy
      Premier League fans may see a lot more of this Goncalo Ramos celebration in 2023Credit: Reuters
      Now with the transfer window just a fortnight away, clubs will no doubt be clamouring to beat off the competition and land their targets.
      SunSport has picked out 11 Qatar heroes who may have secured big-money moves in the New Year thanks to their performances at the World Cup…
      Cody Gakpo, 23, PSV & Holland
      Arguably the most obvious choice of all, Gakpo was the main man for Holland with goals in all three group games to fire them to the top of Group A.
      He is currently tearing it up for PSV in his homeland but is a primary target for compatriot Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
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      The axe of Cristiano Ronaldo means another forward is needed – but the Red Devils have been warned it will take a record fee for PSV to sell.
      Goncalo Ramos, 21, Benfica & Portugal
      Talk about hitting the ground running – Ramos hit a superb hat-trick on his full international debut after replacing Cristiano Ronaldo.
      And immediately the transfer rumour mill started spinning in overdrive.
      Manchester United are considering a swoop for the Benfica man with 14 goals and six assists for his club this term – but they face competition from Newcastle and Bayern Munich.
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      Josko Gvardiol, 20, RB Leipzig & Croatia
      Yes he was linked with Chelsea in the summer before they landed Wesley Fofana – but Gvardiol’s stock has gone through the roof after his performances in Qatar.
      Gvardiol – the masked defender – was rarely beaten and proved a dominant force, helping Croatia reach the semis before Lionel Messi weaved his magic.
      Chelsea lead the race for a January deal although Manchester City and Real Madrid are also weighing up bids.
      Josko Gvardiol has been one of the best players at Qatar 2022Credit: EPA
      Sofyan Amrabat, 26, Fiorentina & Morocco
      Amrabat was arguably Morocco’s standout player in a team of record-breaking heroes with his dominant displays in midfield.
      His game against Spain was particularly impressive and has got plenty of clubs taking notice of former Watford man Nordin’s younger brother.
      Secret talks have already taken place with Liverpool – but Nordin wants his sibling to join PSG.
      Sofyan Amrabat gained plenty of attention with his performances for MoroccoCredit: AP
      Enzo Fernandez, 21, Benfica & Argentina
      The central midfielder has been a key cog in Argentina’s run to the final in Qatar, breaking up play and helping deliver the ball for the attack to cause chaos.
      Liverpool are said to have “agreed” a deal with Benfica for the rising star, who is also a target for City, United and Wolves.
      However, recent reports state Fernandez has a staggering £104million release clause in his contract.
      Enzo Fernandez could also be on his way out of BenficaCredit: Getty
      Mohammed Kudus, 22, Ajax & Ghana
      The attacking midfielder was poised to join Everton in the summer before a late deal fell through – and he proved what the Toffees were missing at the World Cup.
      Kudus scored twice in the thrilling win over South Korea and bolstered his reputation – then declared he is no worse than Neymar.
      Everton look to be in pole position over a £40m transfer to England with the likes of Tottenham and Barcelona also circling.
      Mohammed Kudus may be on his way to Everton after a summer move failedCredit: Reuters
      Youssoufa Moukoko, 18, Borussia Dortmund & Germany
      Somehow Moukoko has only just turned 18, having burst on to the scene with Borussia Dortmund what feels like years ago.
      Now a first-team regular with 11 goals in 59 appearances, he was named in Hansi Flick’s Germany squad – and left as one of the few to come away with much credit.
      Despite only coming on in the 90th minute in the Japan defeat, Moukoko is wanted by some of Europe’s elite as Chelsea and Barca on a cut-price deal with his contract ending in the summer.
      Youssoufa Moukoko only got a couple of minutes of action for Germany in QatarCredit: Getty
      Azzedine Ounahi, 22, Angers & Morocco
      Let’s be honest, not too many outside of France and Morocco had heard much about Ounahi four weeks ago.
      But his brilliance for the Atlas Lions in Qatar thrust him onto the world stage.
      Leicester were the first club linked with making a £39m bid to Angers for the box-to-box midfielder but West Ham and Newcastle may rival the Foxes for his signature.
      Leicester could pay £39m to land Azzedine Ounahi from AngersCredit: Getty
      Dominik Livakovic, 27, Dinamo Zagreb & Croatia
      There were question marks over the Croatian goalkeeper situation heading to Qatar – but now it is simply exclamation marks instead.
      Livakovic kept clean sheets against Morocco and Belgium before saving a record four penalties in the shootout wins over Japan and Brazil.
      He could have joined United or Nottingham Forest in the summer but now Leeds are leading the race after Bayern pulled out.
      Dominik Livakovic has excelled between the sticks for CroatiaCredit: AP
      Harry Souttar, 24, Stoke & Australia
      Born in Scotland, representing Australia.. and flourishing in Qatar…
      Souttar was a colossus at the heart of the Socceroos defence.
      He played a key role in the Aussies reaching the knockout stages where they were beaten by Argentina.
      Now back with Championship side Stoke, the club he joined from Dundee in 2016, and fully fit after his ACL injury in 2021, he will surely be snapped up by a Premier League club in the New Year – but the Potters want £25m.
      Harry Souttar was a beast at the back as the Aussies reached the last 16Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Randal Kolo Muani, 24, Eintracht Frankfurt & France
      Muani has grabbed his sliding doors moment after Christopher Nkunku limped out of France’s final training session before the World Cup and the new Frankfurt ace stepped up.
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      Despite 12 minutes of international football under his belt, he played well in the full 90 of the Tunisia defeat but then came off the bench and scored 44 seconds later to wrap up the semi-final win over Morocco.
      Tottenham and Liverpool were both keen on Muani before the World Cup – but now they are likely to need to stump up at least £69m if they can prise him away from the Bundesliga, where he has scored five and assisted ten in 14 games.
      Randal Kolo Muani sealed France’s spot in the final seconds into just his fourth capCredit: AP More