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      Gary Neville calls on Gareth Southgate to decide England future in DAYS as FA give boss Christmas to make mind up

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      GARY NEVILLE has urged Gareth Southgate to decide his England future “in the next few days”.The Three Lions boss will be given the Christmas break to work out whether or not he wants to stay on in the dugout.
      Gareth Southgate has been given the Christmas break to decide his futureCredit: AP
      Gary Neville urged Southgate to decide in days whether or not to continueCredit: PA
      But Manchester United legend Neville, 47, reckons Southgate, 52, should make a decision sooner than that.
      Especially with England in Euro qualifying action against Italy and Ukraine in March.
      Neville told Sky Sports: “I think Gareth needs to come out in the next few days and put it to bed.
      “[He needs to say] ‘I’m staying,’ or ‘I’m not,’ because I don’t think it goes into the New Year.
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      “And obviously we’ve got games in March I think, and I don’t think that’s fair on the FA, because they need to find a successor.”
      Neville suggested Southgate could depart after the Euros in 18 months – with a new boss already lined up.
      He added: “Gareth obviously is honest and a man with great integrity, he’ll make the decision that’s right for him but right for the FA as well, he’ll do the right thing.
      “It feels to me like 18 months is right, and that they’re doing this next tournament and maybe Gareth doing that knowing that there’s a successor in place, there’s a succession plan in place, would feel right to me.”
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      But even if Southgate does call time on his spell as boss, Neville reckons he should stay within the England setup.
      Hoping Southgate doesn’t return to club management, Neville said: “He’s seen it all Gareth, and I think he should be kept in the system to design the future.
      “He’s been there for 10 years, we’ve had great success with the women’s team, we’ve had great success with the younger teams, I think we’ve had relatively really good success with the men’s team. 
      “I feel like he’s seen that over 10 years the improvement in performance, and that performance and culture have improved.
      “I’d like him to stay with the FA beyond his coaching role.”
      Southgate spent three seasons in charge of Middlesbrough before moving on to be England U21s boss, and then the first team.
      He took over in 2016 and has led the Three Lions to a Euros final and World Cup semi-final. More

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      ITV stars Laura Woods and Eni Aluko enjoy night out with BBC rivals Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer before World Cup final

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      GARY LINEKER and Alan Shearer enjoyed a night out in Doha with ITV rivals Laura Woods and Eni Aluko.The presenters were enjoying an end-of-World Cup party ahead of the final between France and Argentina on Sunday.
      Laura Woods branded Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer “legends”Credit: Instagram / @LauraWoodsy
      Woods and Eni Aluko enjoyed a night out with the BBC gangCredit: Instagram / @LauraWoodsy
      Lineker and Shearer have appeared on the BBC while Woods presented on ITV with Aluko one of several analysts.
      But they all came together to enjoy each other’s company and a meal at Japanese restaurant Zuma Doha on Al Maha Island.
      Woods posed for a photo in between Lineker and Shearer which she captioned: “A coupla legends 🙌🏻.”
      The 25-year-old also took a selfie alongside Aluko, while she took a video of her meal which appeared to include the BBC’s Danny Murphy in the background.
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      Earlier in the day Shearer had his fellow BBC pundits in hysterics as he sang into a breadstick during their Qatar-based Christmas party.
      Shearer didn’t hold back when it came to the karaoke.
      In a video posted by Lineker, the Newcastle legend could be seen using a breadstick as a microphone – giving it some welly as he sang You Can’t Hurry Love by The Supremes.
      The 52-year-old attacked each note like he used to throw himself at crosses, not shying away from growling into his impromptu mic.
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      And his enthusiasm was infectious, with Richards also getting in on the performance and making it a duet.
      Even Murphy could be seen bobbing along in the background, with those off camera laughing at the brilliant exchange. More

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      Karim Benzema ‘WON’T attend World Cup final’ after France sent him home with injury ‘needing just three days treatment’

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      FRANCE striker Karim Benzema will reportedly not be at the World Cup final due to his treatment from manager Didier Deschamps.The Real Madrid star has missed all of the tournament in Qatar after he suffered a thigh injury during the team’s first training session in Doha.
      Karim Benzema will reportedly not be going to Qatar to watch the World Cup finalCredit: AFP
      The French star has been in training with Real MadridCredit: Getty
      The French have not missed Benzema, however, as they have battled their way to their second successive World Cup final.
      They will be taking on Lionel Messi’s Argentina side on Sunday, but according to Spanish outlet Libertad Digital it is suggested that Benzema will not be flying out for the match.
      The outlet claims that he is furious with Deschamps, who reportedly sent him home due to his injury.
      It is also said that the 34-year-old is not pleased with the comments from the manager made during press conferences.
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      Deschamps dismissed questions over whether or not Benzema would be able to play in the final.
      He said: “I don’t really want to answer that question, next question.”
      The striker has been in training with Real Madrid and only needed three days of treatment at the club’s training facility.
      Benzema is still registered in the France World Cup squad, so would be able to play for them if he was called upon.
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      Some of the player’s anger towards the boss has come after he was suggested to have been told to leave the French squad, as Deschamps reportedly told him: “What a pity Karim that you have to leave”.
      Benzema has since played for Real Madrid in a friendly match against Leganes in which Los Blancos drew 1-1.
      It is thought that if he was recalled to the France team that his club would not stand in his way of going back to Qatar. More

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      Two more France stars fall ill days before World Cup final as virus rips through squad and players isolate

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      FRANCE have suffered a fresh scare ahead of the World Cup final after two more of their stars fell ill.Les Bleus sealed their place in the showpiece by defeating Morocco 2-0 in the semis on Wednesday.
      Didier Deschamps is now sweating on two more of his stars ahead of the World Cup finalCredit: Getty
      A virus has been sweeping through the squad over recent days in QatarCredit: Rex
      Holders France will now face Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday after the South Americans had booked their place by beating Croatia 3-0.
      Didier Deschamps has managed to guide his reigning champions to the verge of another crown despite suffering a number of crippling injury blows.
      Midfield duo Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante were both ruled out of the tournament.
      Karim Benzema was selected for action before he was ruled out too, while Lucas Hernandez was injured in their first game and is now set to miss the rest of the season.
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      France are now desperately trying to stem the flow of a flu-like virus which threatens to derail their World Cup final hopes.
      Midfielder Adrien Rabiot and centre-back Dayot Upamecano were confirmed to have caught the bug before the semi.
      Both players missed that game with Rabiot staying in the hotel and Upamecano remaining on the bench for the full 90 minutes.
      Winger Kingsley Coman was also said to have been feeling feverish and sat with the subs throughout the game.
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      Now journalist Fabrice Hawkins has claimed Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate are the latest to fall ill just two days before the showpiece.
      Deschamps revealed yesterday how his team were taking significant precautions, saying: “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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      Paul Pogba ‘ordered not to travel to watch France in World Cup final by Juventus despite Real Madrid letting Benzema go’

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      JUVENTUS midfielder Paul Pogba will miss out on watching France in the World Cup final as he has been ordered to remain in Italy.The midfielder has been told he will not be allowed to travel to Qatar to watch his national side as they look to become only the third team in history to retain the World Cup when they take on Argentina this Sunday.
      Paul Pogba hasn’t featured for France at the World Cup due to an injury he suffered in JulyCredit: PA
      Pogba, 29, was an integral part of France’s 2018 winning side, featuring in all but one of their games and even scoring in their 4-2 win over Croatia in the final.
      Yet a torn meniscus suffered during pre-season in July brought his hopes of featuring in Qatar to a swift end.
      Despite his absence, the former Manchester United player has been vocal in his support for his national team on social media, posting good luck messages for his teammates.
      After experiencing many injuries to key players in the build up to the competition such as Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema, the French President Emmanuel Macron was keen to bring them to Qatar for the final to cheer on Les Bleus.
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      Juventus are reluctant to let Pogba travel while he’s recovering as they hope for him to return to action before the end of the season.
      A player in a similar position is Lucas Hernandez, who tore his ACL during France’s first game against Australia.
      Even though the defender wishes to return to Qatar to support the side, his club Bayern Munich has vetoed this and will be keeping him in Germany.
      However Benzema has been granted permission from Real Madrid to return to Qatar to support France.
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      The 2022 Ballon D’or winner was included in Didier Deschamps 26-man squad list yet was forced to head back home after suffering an injury to his left thigh whilst out in Doha.
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      Benzema, 34, has since returned to action with Real Madrid featuring in their friendly with Leganes on Tuesday.
      With this return to action, rumours have been circulating that Benzema could make a triumphant return off the bench against Argentina, yet Deschamps was quick to shut these down.
      The French manager said when asked about the return of Benzema: “I don’t really want to answer that question. Next question. I do apologise.” More

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      Lionel Messi the only Argentina player featured in Dream Team World Cup’s best XI – and one Belgian makes the cut!

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      AFTER a month of unfolding drama, the World Cup is set to conclude this weekend.Morocco meet Croatia in the third-place play-off on Saturday before Argentina take on France in the main event on Sunday.
      Dream Team World Cup will come to a close with those two fixtures and so let’s preview the climax by reflecting on the best eleven of the tournament to date.
      GOALKEEPER: Thibaut Courtois
      Belgium’s No1 has been on holiday for a fortnight alreadyCredit: getty
      A real surprise here given that Belgium crashed out at the group stage but their world-class goalkeeper gave a good account of himself during the little time he spent in Qatar.
      Courtois claimed Star Man awards against Canada and Croatia, not forgetting a penalty save against the former, to take an early lead among his peers that he hasn’t given up despite his premature exit.
      The Real Madrid custodian racked up 28 points in three games.
      Dominik Livakovic or Bono could claim top spot with a clean sheet in the third-place play-off, assuming they’re selected.
      DEFENDERS: Achraf Hakimi, Harry Maguire, Romain Saiss, Theo Hernandez
      Morocco defended admirably in QatarCredit: getty
      Morocco’s No2 has been the best right-back on display this winter, banking 33 points as a key member of an Atlas Lions side fulfilling the role of the overachieving underdog in Qatar.
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      England have some representation in the form of their cult hero centre-back who headed his way to 31 points before being sent packing by France.
      Maguire earned a Star Man award and contributed an assist during a fruitful group stage.
      It’s only right Morocco’s captain also makes the cut given the herculean nature of his defensive efforts in the last month.
      Saiss played with half a hamstring in the knockout stages and is fully deserving of his 29-point tally.
      In theory he could claim top spot among defenders this weekend but the ex-Wolves man will surely sit out having come off in the first half of the semi-final.
      Speaking of that semi-final, France’s left-back was the player who dealt the crucial early blow.
      Hernandez is far from the most defensively resolute full-back in world football but he has been a constant threat going forward this winter and an 18-point haul in his last outing took his overall tally to 27 – a clean sheet and a 7+ rating in the final would put him top of the pile among defenders.
      MIDFIELDERS: Bruno Fernandes, Bukayo Saka, Frenkie de Jong
      Dream Team World Cup’s leading midfielderCredit: getty
      Many fans expected Portugal’s No7 to be their talisman in Qatar but it was their No8 who stepped up.
      Fernandes scored two goals and provided three assists in four appearances before Fernando Santos’ side were upset by Morocco in the quarter-finals.
      Still, his tally of 37 points will almost certainly see him finish the campaign as Dream Team World Cup’s top asset in his position.
      Next comes a second England representative in the form of Arsenal’s homegrown hero.
      Saka scored three goals and was the Three Lions’ best player against Didier Deschamps’ men before he was replaced by Raheem Sterling.
      The 21-year-old banked 31 points, over half of which were earned against Iran.
      What’s notable is how far off the pace the finalists’ midfielders are in Dream Team World Cup – Enzo Fernandez and Adrien Rabiot are their respective teams’ best assets in the position and they are both nine points short of De Jong, who completes our midfield in this exercise.
      The Dutchman earned two Star Man awards in the group stages before he scored a goal against hosts Qatar, accounting for his total of 25 points.
      FORWARDS: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Richarlison
      A two-horse race
      It’s quite revealing that Argentina’s captain is the only one of his compatriots who makes this XI.
      In fact, Messi has more than twice as many points as his next-best team-mate having amassed a whopping 65, the most of all players with two games remaining.
      The 35-year-old has registered six 7+ ratings, five goals, four Star Man awards and three assists so far – an unbelievable campaign.
      France’s No10 is Messi’s closest rival but he’s 14 points shy of his PSG team-mate after two quieter showings in the quarter and semi finals.
      And yet the 23-year-old remains the joint-top scorer with five goals after his borderline unplayable displays in the group stage and against Poland in the round of 16.
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      Brazil’s No9 completes the set having scored three goals and earned two Star Man awards before the Selecao’s elimination at the hands of Croatia, resulting in a points tally of 33.
      However, Richarlison may lose his place at the last hurdle with Olivier Giroud (32 pts), Antoine Griezmann (30 pts) and Julian Alvarez (28 points) sniffing around. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo leads massive snub of Fernando Santos as nine Portugal stars refuse to acknowledge manager’s sacking

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO is one of NINE Portugal stars who are yet to acknowledge Fernando Santos’ sacking following the early World Cup exit.Euro 2016 winner Santos, 68, lost his job following Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to speak out on Santos’ sackingCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo on the touchline with Santos in 2016’s Euros final against France following his first half injuryCredit: Getty
      Portugal lost the game 1-0 thanks to a goal by Sevilla ace Youssef En-Nesyri.
      The striker jumped over 9ft in the air to power the Africans to history – becoming the first country from the continent to reach the last four.
      Portugal’s early exit also came as 819 career-goal Ronaldo was dropped to the substitutes bench.
      Underwhelming group stage performances, which saw Ronaldo score just one goal from the penalty spot, resulted in Santos dropping the free agent for Goncalo Ramos.
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      Benfica ace Ramos, 21, then scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 last 16 win over Switzerland.
      And since Santos’ sacking on Thursday, Ronaldo is one of NINE Portugal stars who are yet to acknowledge the legendary manager’s departure.
      Portuguese outlets Record and A Bola have extensively documented the divide among the squad.
      Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, Diogo Dalot, Antonio Silva, Joao Palhinha, Ruben Neves, Ricardo Horta and Rafael Leao are also yet to speak out.
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      Bruno Fernandes, however, has thanked Santos for his service.
      He said: “Many thanks to mister Fernando Santos. Thank you for the opportunity to represent our country and for the trust in us the past few years.
      “As a Portuguese, thank you for putting Portugal at the top of Europe and returning confidence and belief to a ‘small’ country that it was possible to be among the ‘big ones’.
      “Moments of glory and joy and others of sadness and frustration, but history was made and will forever be marked in the hearts of all Portuguese.”
      Ronaldo’s girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, hit out at Santos after the Morocco defeat, for which she was present in Qatar.
      She wrote on Instagram: “Today your friend and coach decided wrong.
      “That friend for whom you have so many words of admiration and respect.
      “The same one who, by getting you into the game, saw how everything changed, but it was too late.
      “You cannot underestimate the best player in the world, his most powerful weapon.
      “Nor can you stick up for someone who doesn’t deserve it. Life teaches us lessons. Today we have not lost, we have learned.”
      Ronaldo’s attention now turns towards finding a new club.
      The 37-year-old had his Manchester United contract ripped up following his bombshell interview on TalkTV with SunSport columnist Piers Morgan.
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      In explosive revelations, Ronaldo slammed United for betrayal and admitted he doesn’t respect boss Erik ten Hag.
      He is currently training at former club Real Madrid’s training complex – but away from Carlo Ancelotti and his squad.
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      World Cup final referee Szymon Marciniak quit refereeing just MONTHS ago due to heart condition

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      WORLD CUP final ref Szymon Marciniak had to quit his role just months ago.That’s after having a “very difficult time” following a shock heart condition diagnosis.
      World Cup final ref Szymon Marciniak was forced to step back from officiating with a heart conditionCredit: Getty
      Polish official Marciniak, 41, will take charge of Sunday’s showdown between heavyweights France and Argentina after impressing Fifa chiefs.
      He has already been deployed in matches featuring both sides, taking control France’s 2-1 group win over Denmark and Argentina’s 2-1 last-16 win over Australia.
      But this weekend’s final represents a much bigger milestone for Marciniak.
      Last year he was told by doctors he was suffering from an illness called Tachycardia, the medical term for a heart rate over 100 beats a minute.
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      Marciniak was left “feeling terrible” as he was forced to miss Euro 2020 at his “best age.”
      And he eventually stepped back from refereeing altogether before getting the green light for Qatar 2022.
      Marciniak is now over the moon at coming back to take charge of world football’s biggest match.
      But he knows he will have to be at the top of his game to make sure Lionel Messi’s showdown with Paris Saint-Germain pal Kylian Mbappe goes smoothly.
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      Marciniak told Fifa: “Being the referee in a World Cup final… it’s unbelievable, to be honest. I’m very proud of myself and my team because, of course, it’s not only Szymon Marciniak, it’s a great team.
      “I had a very difficult time for the last year and a half. I had Tachycardia – it’s a heart illness. In the beginning, it was very difficult for me and I had to stop refereeing. 
      “I missed the Uefa European Championship, which for a referee, who is at their best age, it was a terrible feeling. Only I, and my team, know how difficult of a time it was for me. 
      “Now, life gives back to me and I cannot even stop smiling because it’s a great feeling.”
      On the quality of players he will be officiating, Marciniak added: “Both teams have such amazing players.
      “They can do anything at any second, so that’s why we have to be focused from the first to the very last moment.
      “We’ve seen and heard during the World Cup how fast the games are.
      “I mean, the players are really very fresh; this is the middle of the season, not like it was before when it was the end of the season.
      “Now the players are fresh, they want to win. You see the fire in the eyes of the players.
      “We expect a very fast game; of course, this is the final, nobody wants to concede a goal, so I expect maybe at the beginning, being careful a little bit.
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      “But they have such big names, such big stars, everything can happen.
      “So concentration, concentration, one more concentration. There cannot be any relaxing, even for one second. This is my task for the game.” More