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      Watch retired Sergio Aguero roll back the years with wondergoal in Argentina training ahead of World Cup final

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      SERGIO AGUERO showed he has lost none of his magic as he joined Argentina for training ahead of the World Cup final.Holders France will face the South Americans in the final on Sunday after Lionel Messi and Co. booked their place by beating Croatia 3-0.
      Sergio Aguero watched Argentina training last night ahead of the World Cup finalCredit: Rex
      He showed that he has lost none of his deadly finishing abilityCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      The 34-year-old Aguero, who was forced to retire due to a heart scare last year, has been a constant with his support for his compatriots throughout the tournament.
      The Manchester City legend even became embroiled in a row between Canel Alvarez and Messi.
      Now the former hotshot has been pulling on his boots again as he joined in Argentina’s preparations out on the turf yesterday.
      And the star rolled back the years to produce a thumping strike during training.
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      Video footage has emerged from the session firstly showing Aguero kitted out like the rest of his pals while sat on the sidelines watching Lionel Scaloni’s squad at work.
      Then a clip appeared later on Nicolas Otamendi’s Instagram story of the ex-forward performing stretches out on the pitch in Doha.
      Another video was then added on social media of him by his old Man City team-mate.
      And it showed him unleashing a vicious strike straight past the keeper into the net during the session.
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      Aguero, who was at Barcelona when he got the grim advice to hang up his boots, is now hoping his display will have inspired Argentina’s squad to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time since 1986.
      Messi, who is joint-top scorer at the tournament alongside France’s Kylian Mbappe, is the man many expect to be the difference.
      However, strike partner Julian Alvarez, is now making waves at the Etihad himself, has proven himself on the world stage with four goals himself so far. More

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      World Cup’s ‘hottest fan’ Ivana Knoll shows off her bum in tiny bikini in the desert after rising to fame in Qatar

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      IVANA KNOLL posed in a tiny bikini in the desert as she thanked fans for their support during the World Cup.The Croatia superfan shot to stardom during the tournament, being dubbed the “World Cup’s hottest fan”.
      Ivana Knoll poses in a bikini on the beachCredit: INSTAGRAM / @KnollDoll
      Ivana Knoll became synonymous for her Croatia-themed outfitsCredit: Alamy
      She quickly became synonymous with her racy Croatia-themed outfits worn while supporting her team at matches.
      But in her latest snap, she donned a bikini and showed off her bum as she relaxed away from the football.
      Ivana, 30, has seen her fandom rise and rise during the World Cup, and couldn’t believe she’d reached three million followers on Instagram.
      Celebrating the milestone, she captioned her latest snap: “3 MILLION 🙈❤️🫶🏼
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      “WOW GUYS! 3 MILLION almost population of my country 🇭🇷
      “THANK YOU SO MUCH, LOVE YOU ALL ❤️🫶🏼”
      Ivana received over 400,000 likes in seven hours, and plenty of comments from her adoring followers.
      One joked: “In this World Cup you did more than Cristiano Ronaldo.”
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      Fans have been desperate for selfies with Ivana during the tournamentCredit: Getty
      The model has been mobbed around the stadiumsCredit: The Mega Agency
      Even fans of other teams wanted to meet herCredit: The Mega Agency
      Another asked: “Why Croatia didn’t win with such an asset?”
      With Croatia still having to play in Saturday’s Third Place Play-Off against Morocco, fans were thrilled to learn that Ivana would be sticking around a little longer.
      They were stunned to see her ditch her Croatia-themed outfits, however, as she attended France vs Morocco in a figure-hugging black number.
      Such is Ivana’s star power at the tournament, that she has been mobbed by fans demanding selfies.
      But one fan that has NOT been showering her with love is Miss BumBum – who mocked her for Croatia’s semi-final exit.
      Ivana ditched her Croatia colours for France vs MoroccoCredit: INSTAGRAM / @KnollDoll
      Ivana watched her side lose to Argentina on TuesdayCredit: Rex
      The Croatia superfan was hoping to cheer her side to gloryCredit: PA More

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      Messi among Argentina stars given day off from training amid claims he has ‘hamstring problem’ ahead of World Cup final

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      LIONEL MESSI and the rest of Argentina’s starting line-up were absent from training on Thursday amid concerns over their talisman’s fitness.The 35-year-old was seen clutching his hamstring several times during the 3-0 win over Croatia on Tuesday.
      Lionel Messi and the rest of the starting XI were given the day off on ThursdayCredit: Getty
      The rest of the Argentina squad were present for the sessionCredit: Getty
      It has led Argentina fans to become increasingly concerned about Messi’s condition ahead of their World Cup final against France on Sunday.
      But Messi’s non-appearance at training should not raise alarm bells as manager Lionel Scaloni gave all the starting XI from the semi-final the day off.
      Foot Mercato are reporting that Messi is experiencing discomfort in his hamstring, although he is widely considered to be fit.
      Squad players Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala – both of whom came on as second half substitutes against Croatia – were present at training.
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      Papu Gomez is nursing a sprained ankle and remains a doubt for the final, while Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel will return from suspension.
      But it is Messi that every Argentine is hanging their hopes on heading into the France game.
      The Barcelona legend has been in scintillating form for his country, contributing five goals and three assists in their six World Cup games.
      But more than his goal contributions, he has been talismanic in everything Argentina have done at the tournament as he bids to win the trophy on his fifth and final attempt.
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      He previously came closest eight years ago when Germany beat the South Americans in the 2014 final.
      Speaking after the win over Croatia, he said: “I feel really good, I feel strong and ready to play each game.
      “It’s not easy as we arrived tired but the group gained strength again and we played a strong game.
      “I am enjoying this a lot. I feel very happy in this World Cup and I am able to help the squad.”
      Keeper Emi Martinez also dismissed talk of Messi carrying an injury.
      He said: “No, no [he’s not injured]. We played 120 minutes against Holland, it was a hard game for him but you can see he wants to finish every game.
      “Physically he’s really good and he’s man of the match every game.”
      Argentina have not won the World Cup since Diego Maradona inspired them to glory in Mexico in 1986. More

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      Inside BBC Sport’s Christmas party as Shearer sings into a BREADSTICK while Richards and Murphy clap along

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      ALAN SHEARER had his fellow BBC pundits in hysterics as he sang into a breadstick during their Qatar-based Christmas party.While many of the Beeb’s pundits have come home from the Middle East with the tournament having entered its final days, their top team remain out there.
      Alan Shearer sang into a breadstick microphoneCredit: Twitter / @GaryLineker
      Micah Richards also gave it some gustoCredit: Twitter / @GaryLineker
      Looking to have some fun, a group including Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards got together for a Christmas party of their own.
      During the simple affair, 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 Danny Murphy could be seen bobbing along in the background, with those off camera laughing at the brilliant exchange.
      Lineker, 62, wrote on Twitter: “The @BBCSport Christmas party is going well.”
      Replaying to the BBC host’s tweet, Shearer joked: “Ffs Micah the breadsticks are for singing not f….. eating man!!”
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      Danny Murphy was loving the performanceCredit: Twitter / @GaryLineker
      The performance went down a treat with fans online, with one tweeting: “This is so good, love it!”
      While another wrote: “Alan with the voice and Micah with the moves. The use of that breadstick is sensational.”
      A third Twitter user joked: “All the right notes just not necessarily in the right order.”
      And a further fan even quipped: “I tell you what. That Phil Collins does a really good imitation of @alanshearer.”
      The boys will be back on screen this Saturday, with the BBC set to broadcast the Third Place Play-Off.
      They will then be back the following day for the big one, as they go up against ITV with both showing the World Cup final.
      It won’t be the first time they’ve gone up against their rival broadcaster this tournament.
      They recently met each other on the football pitch, with Roy Keane dramatically ripping his shirt off after scoring ITV’s winner.
      Gary Lineker shared the fantastic videoCredit: Getty More

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      I’m the ‘Living Nostradamus’ who correctly predicted the World Cup finalists – here’s who will lift the trophy

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      A SO-CALLED prophet who correctly predicted the World Cup finalists has now declared which team will win the tournament.Athos Salome has been likened to French astrologer Nostradamus after claiming to have already correctly prophesised the Covid pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine and the Queen’s death.
      Athos Salome has been likened to French astrologer NostradamusCredit: @athos_salome/Instagram
      The final will take place at the Lusail Stadium on SundayCredit: Reuters
      Dubbed “Living Nostradamus”, Athos, from Brazil, correctly predicted Argentina and France would meet in the final clash.
      He made the prediction before a ball was kicked in Qatar back in early November.
      The Brazilian now claims he knows the winner of this year’s World Cup ahead of Sunday’s clash.
      His senses have told him that Argentina will emerge victorious in the final.
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      Athos said he predicts the future based on a system called Kabbalah, which analyses mathematical probabilities.
      His calculation for the final consists of the date of the match – Sunday, December 18 – and the names of the participants.
      And his supposed sums gave Argentina the number eight, which he said represents: “The completion of creation, and the beginning of a new cycle, the receiving of what is done and practiced.”
      He told the Daily Star: “You cannot predict games, that is luck and luck is measured by effort and not by guessing, I have always been against giving my guess, because thousands of people are betting, I am against games of chance.”
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      Meanwhile, his calculations left France with the number seven – which isn’t good enough to win.
      “The Law of Seven understands that the Universe consists of forces that influence each other and therefore nothing ever stays the same, it either evolves or degenerates,” Athos said.
      Based on his theory that nothing ever stays the same, France are set to lose.
      “It therefore makes no sense for France to be champions again.”
      The Brazilian clairvoyant claims his visions hit him out of the blue, with one of his prophecies warning that “World War III is coming”.
      Another of his predictions warns of imminent danger for an unspecified city, which will see objects “fall from the sky and nothing will be left.”
      He added that “this will be the warning that war has begun”, and ominously anticipates that a pair of “great leaders” will soon unite to attack the United States.
      He warned that the impending damage will be far worse than the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
      While his visions often warn of impending doom, Athos has said he instead intends his prophecies to be used for good so authorities have time to react to the incoming danger.
      “The predictions are made as a warning, not to bring despair to the population”, he said.
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      “This is no cause for despair, rather I warn so that the predictions reach the great leaders and something is done to prevent the worst.” More

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      Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger slammed for being ‘brainwashed’ and ‘making most STUPID statements’ by Norway boss

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      ARSENAL icon Arsene Wenger has been “brainwashed” into making “stupid statements” since joining Fifa, according to Norway manager Stale Solbakken.The Gunners legend, 73, who joined football’s world governing body in 2019, is currently the organisation’s head of global development.
      Arsene Wenger made some controversial comments during the World CupCredit: Getty
      Norway coach Stale Solbakken is not impressed with Wenger’s commentsCredit: Reuters
      He hit the headlines during the World Cup for claiming the teams that had focused on football over politics had fared better on the pitch.
      This was viewed as a pointed dig at Germany and Denmark – who were vocal in their opposition of the competition going to Qatar and subsequently lost their first game.
      They both went on to exit the tournament in the group stage.
      Wenger said: “You know when you go to a World Cup, you know you can’t lose the first game.
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      “The teams who have the experience to perform in tournaments like France and England played well in the first game.’ 
      “The teams who were mentally ready, with a mindset to focus on competition, and not the political demonstrations.”
      Many issues around Qatar had been discussed before and continued throughout the competition, namely the treatment of migrant workers, the LGBTQ community, and human rights abuses.
      Now Norway head coach Solbakken, whose country categorically opposed the Qatar tournament even before they failed to qualify, has slammed ex-Arsenal boss Wenger’s decision to support the event.
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      Speaking to Norwegian channel TV 2, he said: “It shudders to see that the smartest man in the world, Arsene Wenger, who has been looked up to over the years, has somehow been brainwashed and is now making the most stupid statements.
      “It’s scary with all the people we’ve looked up to in the football world for years.
      “There’s a polarisation going on right now, and I’m afraid it’s going to get worse.”
      Earlier this year, Norway’s president Lise Klaveness criticised the decision to award the tournament to Qatar.
      And in 2021, the team, which included Erling Haaland, wore protest T-shirts ahead of their World Cup qualifiers. More

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      David Beckham breaks silence on Qatar World Cup role and defends position after being called out by Joe Lycett

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      DAVID BECKHAM claims the Qatar World Cup “has the power to be a force for good” after defending his £150million deal to be the face of the finals.The ex-England captain broke his silence on Thursday in response to being called out by comedian Joe Lycett.
      David Beckham claims the Qatar World Cup ‘has the power to be a force for good’Credit: AFP
      Lycett protested against Beckham’s £15million-a-year agreement to be an ambassador for the emirate.
      He went viral for his money-shredding stunt last month after he issued an ultimatum to Beckham for the Qatar deal, where homosexuality is illegal.
      If Beckham did not pull out of the deal, Lycett said he would shred £10,000. 
      It was later revealed that Lycett had in fact donated it to an LGBTQ+ charity.
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      But a spokesperson for Beckham: “David has been involved in a number of World Cups and other major international tournaments both as a player and an ambassador and he has always believed that sport has the power to be a force for good in the world. 
      “Football, the most popular sport globally, has a genuine ability to bring people together and make a real contribution to communities.
      “We understand that there are different and strongly held views about engagement in the Middle East but see it as positive that debate about the key issues has been stimulated directly by the first World Cup being held in the region. 
      “We hope that these conversations will lead to greater understanding and empathy towards all people and that progress will be achieved.”
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      Revealing what really happened with the £10,000, Lycett said: “I haven’t quite told you the whole truth – the truth is the money that went into the shredder was real, but the money that came out was fake. I would never destroy real money.
      “I would never be so irresponsible, in fact, the 10 grand had already been donated to LGBTQ+ charities before I even pressed send on the initial tweet last week.
      “I never expected to hear from you, it was an empty threat designed to get people talking.”
      Joe Lycett pretended to shred £10,000 to call out BecksCredit: PA More

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      Watch hilarious moment Adrien Rabiot celebrates ALONE as team-mates dance in hotel as he’s isolated with virus

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      ISOLATING France star Adrien Rabiot celebrated alone as his team-mates danced through the hotel after making it to the World Cup final.The 27-year-old missed the semi-final victory over Morocco as he continues to recover from illness.
      Adrien Rabiot celebrated on his own due to illnessCredit: YouTube / Fédération Française de Football
      France players entered the hotel in jubilant moodsCredit: YouTube / Fédération Française de Football
      Adrien Rabiot will be hoping he recovers in time for the final at the weekendCredit: Getty
      Rabiot stayed at the team hotel during the game in isolation to prevent any of his fellow French aces from picking up what is a flu-like virus.
      Therefore, he was not part of the mass celebrations in the France dressing room and at the team’s base after the final whistle.
      The whole squad were greeted back at camp with a hero’s welcome.
      Manager Didier Deschamps led the way through the hotel foyer as supporters waved flags and let off confetti as the player walked in singing.
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      The cameras were following the squad and they zoomed in on Rabiot standing on a balcony alone.
      He was joining in the signing from up high and decided to record the scenes down below on his phone.
      Dayot Upamecano was the other player that caught the bug, yet he was well enough to sit on the bench and join in the partying with everyone else.
      Youssouf Fofana took Rabiot’s place in the starting XI and it is unclear whether he will return for the final against Argentina on Sunday.
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      It has been reported that some of the France coaching staff blame England for spreading the illness in their quarter-final win over the Three Lions.
      French newspaper L’Equipe claimed that the air-con at the Al Messila Resort and Spa has contributed to Rabiot’s illness.
      He is a key man for Deschamps’ side having been capped 34 times for France and they will not want to be without him for the final.
      Olivier Giroud led the wild scenes in the France dressing roomCredit: FFF
      Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann lifted a speaker More