World Cup

LIONEL MESSI is one game away from lifting football’s biggest prize – but what would he have been if he wasn’t one of the games greatest ever players?While the Argentina ace always dreamt of making it in the big time, he also had a backup plan.
Lionel Messi is aiming to lift the World Cup on SundayCredit: Getty
An old interview with a 13-year-old Messi has resurfaced onlineCredit: La Capital
Messi gave the interview just months before he joined BarcelonaCredit: LA CAPITAL
An old interview with a 13-year-old Messi from an Argentinian newspaper has resurfaced online ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final against France.
It is alleged to be Messi’s first ever interview, with newspaper La Capital in his home city of Rosario.
It was published in September 2003, just months before he moved to Barcelona.
The fact file style article saw Messi give quick-fire answers on some of his hopes and dreams for the future, among other things.
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After revealing his hobby was listening to music, a later question was a potential job for the future.
Even as a youngster Messi always saw himself being involved in sport, whether it was playing professionally or not.
He answered: “PE teacher.”
However, the teenage prodigy always had his eyes set on becoming one of football’s greatest ever players.
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When asked for a hope, he responded: “To play in the first division with Newell’s [Old Boys].”
While Messi has never played in the Argentinian first division with his boyhood club, he did win ten top-flight titles in Spain with Barcelona, as well as four Champions Leagues.
But he has already achieved his dream, which was: “To play for Argentina.”
However, he can take his dream one stop further with World Cup glory on Sunday.
The 35-year-old has scored five goals and provided three assists in just six games in Qatar.
Messi is the joint top scorer in Qatar, alongside Kylian MbappeCredit: AP More

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

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

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

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