Argentina have called up Mallorca's Spanish defender Pablo Maffeo for the first time ahead of this month's World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil in the squad announced by its FA on Friday.
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The historic Maracana stadium has hosted two World Cup finals, in 1950 and 2014, and saw Messi and his squad become 2021 Copa America champions by beating Brazil 1-0.
Global sales of soccer gear were up more than 700% for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar versus the 2018 World Cup in Russia across the Fanatics network of online stores.
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup quarter-final played between Argentina and The Netherlands on Friday.
Lionel Messi made a rousing debut for Major League Soccer's Inter Miami as he scored a stoppage-time winner to beat Liga MX's Cruz Azul 2-1 on Friday in their Leagues Cup opener in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The favourites to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked as Manchester United manager on Monday.
FIFA tweeted a picture of the cutouts, saying 'World Cup fever has hit Kerala'.
Defending Copa America champions Argentina and South American heavyweights Brazil were drawn in favourable groups for next year's edition on Thursday, while hosts the United States will come up against 15-time winners Uruguay.
Lionel Scaloni picked the same starting line-up from the World Cup final win over France as they looked dominant from the start
Argentina look set to keep Julian Alvarez in attack for Sunday's World Cup final
Lionel Messi and his family are celebrating the Christmas season at home in Argentina.
'Trust me, the comeback of Leo Messi only depends on him.'
This is Argentina's 6th final and their second shot at the trophy in the last two attempts. They were beaten by Germany in the 2014 final.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi paid rich tributes to football legend Diego Maradona, who died on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack.
"I want to continue playing as a World Cup champion."
Lionel Messi drew level with Diego Maradona's number of World Cup goals and appearances on Saturday, but the current No. 10 knows that only winning the trophy at long last will earn him the same eternal love of his fellow Argentines.
'I feel very happy, to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final'
'We were aware that if we didn't win it would be more complicated.'
Copa American champions Argentina are unbeaten in 35 games and if this is to be Messi's final World Cup, they are in the form to deliver the title.
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Lamine Yamal has been breaking records since making his professional debut for Barcelona less than 15 months ago, the last one becoming the youngest goal-scorer in Euros history with a stunning curled long-range shot against France that helped his side reach the final.
Brazil lost their second consecutive World Cup qualifier match as Colombia fought back to win 2-1 against the five-times champions.
The Italian coach considers that having healthy players, such as striker Karim Benzema, will be the key to face the schedule that awaits the Madrid side, who will be looking to defend their LaLiga, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League titles.
Ronaldo admitted that both of them changed the history of football and urged his fans to not hate on Messi.
The 35-year-old also paid tribute to Messi, who played for Real's arch-rivals Barcelona.
Ronaldo's 130 goals for his country is also way out on its own at the head of most scored in international football
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar and PSG's owner, was a happy man as he enveloped PSG players Messi, Mbappe and Angel Di Maria with a warm hug.
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Reigning champions France take on Argentina in a showpiece final at Lusail Stadium with both teams looking to add a third star to their crest.
Messi's image is everywhere, adorning the sides of buildings.
Australia midfielder Cameron Devlin did not play a minute of the World Cup but left Qatar with one of its biggest prizes after exchanging jerseys with Argentina's Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi says Argentina have felt the presence of the late, great Diego Maradona throughout their World Cup campaign, including on Friday when they beat the Netherlands on penalties to reach the semi-finals.
This is the first time a player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the list in eight years.
Earlier, Messi's World Cup-winning team mate Emiliano Martinez won the Lev Yashin award for the world's best goalkeeper.
A confectioner in Kolkata displays confectionery created in the likeness of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on Sunday, the opening day of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Alvarez tweeted that he got carried away and apologised to Messi and the people of Argentina.
Pochettino, who is well aware of Messi's game-changing abilities having worked with the 35-year-old last season, said he was still the best player in the world.
