Lloris on Messi’s last World Cup chance: It’s not just about him
Saturday, December 17, 11:02 a.m.: France’s captain Hugo Lloris has Lionel Messi before the World Cup final against Argentina as a “legend of football”, but still wants to deny the 35-year-old the coronation in his last World Cup game. “Of course we know what Messi means for the history of football, but it’s a game between Argentina and France,” said the 35-year-old ahead of Sunday’s final (4 p.m./pool of broadcasting corporations and Magenta TV). “The game is too big to focus on just one player.”
He is aware that many people around the world would treat Messi’s first World Cup triumph more than France would the successful defense of the title. “We know the French are behind us, we don’t care about anything else,” said the goalkeeper. “Few believed in us, but now we’re back in the final. We’ll do everything we can to win this game again.” It’s not just about Messi, even if he’s the focus. Coach Didier Deschamps said: “We know that many people want Messi to win, but we will do everything to achieve our goal.”
At the Lusail Stadium, the 54-year-old expects many Argentinian fans and a “celebratory atmosphere. the Argentines are very passionate and they will support their team,” predicted Deschamps. “They will create a positive atmosphere and stand behind their team. It’s good to have such an atmosphere in a World Cup final.” But he doesn’t want to be influenced by the spectators and wants to concentrate more on the game: “Our opponents aren’t in the stands, they’re on the pitch.”
Report: Fifa rejects Zelenskyy’s request for a message of peace at the World Cup final
6:16 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is said to have asked Fifa to send a message of peace to the world before the World Cup final kicked off on Sunday. Fifa is supposed toCNNreportedly declined. Russia started its war of aggression against Ukraine almost ten months ago.
Zelenskyy’s office offered to send a video message to the fans in the stadium before the game in Qatar a source familiar with the matter told CNN. But the President was surprised by Fifa’s negative reaction.” We thought the Fifa wants to use their platform for the common good,” the source continued. However, talks between Ukraine and world football’s governing body are still ongoing. Fifa has not yet responded to a “CNN” request. It would join other political messages, which Fifa rejected during the World Cup in Qatar, including wearing the One Love armband.
Busquets resigns from the Spanish national team
Friday, December 16, 1:35 p.m.: Sergio Busquets has announced his retirement from the spanish national team announced. “I would like to announce that after almost 15 years and 143 games, the time has come to say goodbye to the national team,” the 34-year-old wrote on his Instagram-Channel. Busquets won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and was crowned European champion in 2012.
For the midfielder, it was “an honor to represent my country and lead it to the top, to be world and European champions, to be captain and to play so many games, with more or less success, but always giving and meaning everything Participating in making everything as good as possible and making everyone feel important, helping everyone and fighting for the same goal, with unique, unforgettable and historic experiences.”
Upamecano and Rabiot back in training – Coman sick
7:56 p.m.: They are three days before the World Cup final against Argentina french Soccer internationals Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot returned to team training. The 24-year-old defender of the FC Bayern and the 27-year-old Juventus midfielder completed another session with the team on Thursday, the French FA said. On the other hand, winger Kingsley Coman from FC Bayern, who stayed ill at the hotel, was not in training.
National coach Didier Deschamps had against after the 2-0 Morocco reported in the World Cup semifinals that Coman had Fever had. According to the association, his participation in the final on Sunday (4:00 p.m.) is not at risk. Regular players Upamecano and Rabiot were also absent due to illness in the semi-final against Morocco.
Deschamps had the many cases of illness in the team with the sinking temperatures established in Qatar and the air conditioners. “We’ve had a few cases with flu-like symptoms, we’re trying to be careful so it doesn’t spread further,” Deschamps said. “The players give everything on the pitch, of course their immune systems suffer.”
Portugal parted ways with coach Santos after being eliminated in the quarter-finals
7:25 p.m.: The Portuguese Football Association parted ways with coach Fernando Santos after the quarter-finals at the World Cup in Qatar. Both sides agreed to end the cooperation, as the association announced on Thursday evening. It is now the right moment to start a new cycle, the association wrote in its statement. The 68-year-old’s contract would have run until the 2024 European Championship. The association stated that it now wants to start the process of looking for a successor.
Portugal surprisingly failed in the quarter-finals of the World Cup because of outsiders Morocco. Santos then announced that he wanted to talk to the association calmly about his future. The Portuguese coach had the team around Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo Taken over in 2014 and led to the 2016 European Championship title.
As the portuguese The newspapers “Record” and “A Bola” reported that the Portuguese coaching icon José Mourinho should be the preferred solution of the head of the association Fernando Gomes to succeed Santos. Mourinho, 59, has been coaching Serie A club AS Roma since 2021. In Portugal, there was also speculation about U21 coach Rui Jorge, former Wolverhampton coach Bruno Lage and current Fenerbahçe coach Jorge Jesus as other candidates.
Santos was criticized in his home country, especially after the 1-0 draw against Morocco, when Portugal made little use of its superiority and was eliminated after conceding an unfortunate goal against the supposed outsider. The coach was also in focus for his dealings with captain Cristiano Ronaldo. After weak preliminary round performances, he had put his superstar on the bench twice at the beginning of the knockout phase.
Benzema before returning to the French final squad? Deschamps leaves room for speculation
09.20 am: Is France about to make a sensational comeback? Before the final, world footballer Karim Benzema suddenly has this opportunity again. The reigning world footballer had to cancel the tournament due to a muscle injury. In the meantime, however, the storm tank is training again with his home club Real Madrid.
Since national coach Didier Deschamps has not nominated a player for Benzema, his place in the squad would still be free and he could be used in the final. When Deschamps was asked about a possible return of Benzema in the press conference after the final against Morocco (2-0), his answer left room for speculation.
“I’d rather move on to the next question,” said the 54-year-old. At least this was not a clear denial. A return for Benzema to the grand finale would no doubt be sensational.