Messi, Mbappe, other leading storylines for World Cup final
DOHA: Lionel Messi’s last chance. Kylian Mbappe’s shot at emulating Pele. A third World Cup title for either Argentina or France.
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Argentina's Batistuta does not mind losing goal record to Messi
Former Argentina international Gabriel Batistuta said he was happy to see Lionel Messi overtake him as the country's top scorer at the World Cup in Qatar, where the South Americans are preparing to fight for the title against France on Sunday.
In Messi's hometown, hope builds ahead of World Cup final
ROSARIO, Argentina : In Rosario, the Argentine city where Lionel Messi grew up, hope and excitement are rising that their hometown star can guide the country to a first soccer World Cup since 1986, repeating a trick by one Diego Maradona 36 years ago.
Morocco's World Cup success boosts academy that gave players a start
RABAT : At a soccer academy near Rabat, 100 young Moroccans hope to emulate the success of alumni who took the national team to a World Cup semi-final and will play in a third-place game on Saturday.
Messi's defensive work not up for debate, says Pochettino
Former Paris St Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino has said it is absurd to debate Lionel Messi's defensive work as the Argentina captain gets ready to lead his side into the World Cup final against France on Sunday.
Manchester City and Liverpool officials meet to discuss improving fan relations
Manchester City and Liverpool officials have met to discuss improving relations between both sets of fans ahead of next week’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at the Etihad Stadium.
Portugal coach Santos leaves job after World Cup exit
LLISBON: Fernando Santos has left his job as Portugal coach after his team lost to Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said on Thursday (Dec 15). The Portuguese suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by Morocco in Qatar on Saturday, after Santos started with the country's all-time record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo on the substitutes' bench. "After one of the best participations ever by the national team in the final stages of the World Cup...FPF and Fernando Santos understand this is the right moment to start a new cycle," the FPF said in a statement. Santos, who has been widely criticised for his tactics, became Portugal coach in 2014 and led the country in 109 matches. They won the European Championship in 2016 and UEFA's inaugural Nations League in 2018-19. "In addition to the titles won, Fernando Santos became the coach with the most games and most victories," FPF said. "It was an honour to have a coach and a person like Fernando Santos as the head of the national team." FPF said its board would now start the process of selecting a new manager.
Super League 'not dead', says promoter after legal setback
"The Super League is not dead, far from it, it is alive and well," Bernd Reichart, head of a company set up to promote the breakaway European football competition said Friday.