Football

2022 - 12 - 19

ozil ozil

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Image courtesy of "Eurosport.co.uk"

Lionel Messi brings a happy end to one of football's great stories ... (Eurosport.co.uk)

That World Cup final wasn't just a great game of football. It was a fitting end to one of the longest-running epics in the modern game.

You need the ringmaster, and you need the clown. The personal, cultural and political presence of the Global South has been made tangible and that, too, is important. "Pan-Arab and Pan-African solidarities have been on proud display," most notably in the globe-spanning support for Morocco's march to the semi-finals. The internet is currently 85% videos of Argentina celebrating, and they're all good fun. He was inside the circus and the clown was in charge. Talented squads have arrived at World Cups and crumbled in the moment. You need the chosen one, the golden boy, and you need the footsoldiers around him. Here he is swallowing tears of anguish, and here he is swallowing tears of joy. Obviously the story of the evening is Lionel Messi, for such is the nature of transcendent brilliance. For any penalty the odds are always in the striker's favour, but they know that, and the keeper knows that, and everybody in the stadium and watching on television knows it too. You just needed to see the journeys of two of the spectators. The footballer looked like a toppled king; the president, frantic and twitching, had sweated every drop of authority out of himself.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

The Football Daily Christmas Awards 2022 (The Guardian)

Poor old Luka Modric. A player of such balletic beauty and grace, he could barely have been more elegant had he tiptoed on to the pitch down a sweeping ...

[Manchester United](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/22/manchester-united-up-for-sale-as-glazers-announce-plans-to-leave-old-trafford) and [Liverpool](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/10/jurgen-klopp-committed-to-liverpool-no-matter-who-owns-club) counterparts, seeing as both clubs, along with their freeholds atop the moral high ground, are now up for sale and vulnerable to folk wielding big bags of the old petro-pennies. [five-goal thumping](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/07/tottenham-everton-premier-league-match-report) at Spurs to the [twin defeats](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/12/bournemouth-everton-premier-league-match-report) at Bournemouth, via humiliations against Leicester and Crystal Palace and everything in between. Peter Shilton, the bizarro-world Neville Southall, had already this year gone out of his way to have a pint with Nigel Farage on GB News and announce that he’d never take the knee. This one goes to everyone on that party bus with fixed grins and dead eyes, insisting they were lost in the carefree celebration of a successful season. Let it all out, José, just like Football Daily plans to do yet again while watching the end of It’s a Wonderful Life. Southend United, for selling the naming rights of their West Stand to a local firm of estate agents called Gilbert and Rose. [Three goals in 336 seconds](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/22/manchester-city-win-premier-league-title-aston-villa-match-report) later, City were ahead and certs for the title. None of them were having it – furious old pros will be furious old pros – and Walton displayed remarkable composure in the face of a knowledge-lite salvo. Less than five months later, Stevie [was sacked](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/oct/20/steven-gerrard-leaves-aston-villa-after-disappointing-start-to-season), after which a former subordinate [took his old job](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/nov/29/mick-beale-is-a-cosy-appointment-when-rangers-need-a-ruthless-rebuild) at Rangers. A slapstick masterclass, and upon being immediately substituted it’s just as well everyone in the stadium gave the Astaire of the Adriatic the standing ovation A player of such balletic beauty and grace, he could barely have been more elegant had he tiptoed on to the pitch down a sweeping staircase in top hat and tails. Hmm, all of a sudden, the penny’s beginning to drop.

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Image courtesy of "Sky Sports"

World Cup 2022 review: Lionel Messi's football fairytale ends a ... (Sky Sports)

After Argentina and France produced arguably the greatest World Cup final of all time, Sky Sports News Rob Dorsett reviews Qatar 2022 and discusses what the ...

Thank God the football was such a pleasant distraction from all of this. The lack of alcohol was of course a huge factor. Next to the Al Bayt Stadium was a synthetic warm-up pitch. With hotel prices typically in excess of £500 per night, and beer prices more than £12 a bottle in the few hotels you could buy it - it seemed unaffordable and unattractive to many. Always looking for recycling bins within the FIFA facilities and on the street, and only very rarely finding one. It felt, even before the World Cup had started, that maybe FIFA wasn't running its own tournament. A fairly wealthy stooge who was delighted with his free England shirt and free tickets to a big World Cup game. There was a very short build-up to the tournament. The English FA, wrong-footed and fuming at FIFA, lit the Wembley arch in rainbow colours. It turned out that the interviewee was an entrepreneur, who owned a health and safety business in Saudi Arabia, who had won a contract with the Supreme Committee to oversee work practices in Doha. And when FIFA organised a 'meet-the-migrant-workers' choreographed photocall at England's team base in Al Wakrah, it was a hugely awkward and fully choreographed event. An extravaganza of footballing drama that went all the way, lurching sometimes towards France, sometimes towards Argentina.

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

France's Karim Benzema retires from international football (ESPN)

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football following France's World Cup final defeat.

He is Madrid's second-top goalscorer of all-time with 329 goals, behind only [Belgium](/soccer/team/_/id/459) and [Spain](/football/team/_/id/164) in the semifinals and final to claim the trophy. I've written my story and ours comes to an end,"

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

France's Benzema retires from international football (Reuters)

France striker Karim Benzema announced his retirement from international football on his 35th birthday on Monday, a day after Les Bleus lost to Argentina on ...

Benzema made his international debut in 2007. I wrote my story and ours is ending," Benzema wrote on Twitter. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

The football in Qatar was great but Fifa had a stinker. It must do ... (The Guardian)

Argentina deserved to win the World Cup and it was lovely to see Morocco do well but the world's governing body must learn from the lessons.

Instead Fifa is taking the World Cup to places where not everyone will be accepted and that can’t be right. However, it is important to remember that concerns regarding migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community will not disappear just because the world’s spotlight is no longer on Qatar. Off the pitch Qatar showed it is possible to have a sober football tournament (inside the stadium) and that fans from different nations can mingle without problems. They brought joy to the competition and their performances will inspire a lot of people, not only in Morocco but from all over Africa as well as the Moroccan diaspora. These teams really showed what they can do and brought new fans and eyes to the game, people who may not be as invested in the One could see they were up for it from the start, with their body language, their tackles, their transitions and the way they used the crowd to create energy.

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Image courtesy of "Eurosport.com"

Karim Benzema retires from international football on his 35th ... (Eurosport.com)

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football, a day after France lost to Argentina in a dramatic 2022 World Cup final.

World Cup How to watch and stream Argentina v France in World Cup final [France lost to Argentina in a dramatic 2022 World Cup final](https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/lionel-messi-brings-a-happy-end-to-one-of-football-s-great-stories-after-world-cup-glory-the-warm-up_sto9282458/story.shtml).

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Image courtesy of "The Punch"

Benzema retires from international football after France W'Cup loss (The Punch)

France football star and 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, Karim Benzema, has announced his retirement from international football.

Benzema was sent home on the eve of the tournament after picking up an injury, but there was some speculation that he could return for the final against France after playing a friendly for Real Madrid. I have written my story and ours is ending.” This comes barely 24 hours after France lost the 2022 FIFA World Cup final to Argentina on Sunday night at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Karim Benzema calls full time on international football career (Aljazeera.com)

The 35-year-old Real Madrid striker missed France's attempted defence of their World Cup title due to injury.

Benzema made his international debut in 2007. “I wrote my story and ours is ending.” [Photos: Alexia Putellas and Karim Benzema win Ballon d’Or awards](/gallery/2022/10/18/photos-alexia-putellas-and-karim-benzema-win-ballon-dor-awards) [France’s star striker Karim Benzema out of World Cup with injury](/news/2022/11/19/benzema-injured-on-return-to-full-training-for-france) [Benzema’s injury hampers France’s chances of retaining crown](/sports/2022/11/20/benzemas-injury-a-massive-blow-for-frances-chances)

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

I hate that Fifa and Qatar exploited Lionel Messi's genius. But I'll ... (The Guardian)

We'll forget the bisht incident, and celebrate the amazing World Cup games, says author and broadcaster Mihir Bose.

It can be a wonderful “play within a play”, but the thrill of exploring the unknown has gone. A friend who was passing by said, “It is the Spanish supporters celebrating winning.” In fact it was the Moroccan supporters, whose team had just beaten Spain, one of their old colonial masters. These self-appointed guardians of the game, who for decades have feasted on venality, continue to make promises they know they cannot fulfil, and instead use the wonders of Messi and others to validate themselves. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? In the near century of this competition, Europe and South America, where so many people are of European descent, have been the only two continents to win the trophy. Tourists admiring the Christmas lights and shoppers laden with their presents were suddenly surrounded by cars honking and streams of people draped in a flag I could not recognise. The climaxing of the competition reminded us that football can still produce magic, mystery and enthralling drama, and provide the most unexpected twists and turns that uplift us, and, for a few brief hours, make us connect us with strangers. Then Messi, receiving a pass from just outside the box, directed a shot with such precision and delicacy that he seemed to be caressing the ball past the diving goalkeeper. Until then the World Cup had been overshadowed by the not unexpected, but nevertheless sad realisation that the sceptics were right. One is of him in his Argentinian team shirt, holding up the trophy. Most of us had never met, and will probably never meet again. The second image showed the rich state, which had bought the World Cup, rubbing in the world’s noses in it.

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Image courtesy of "British GQ"

Taylor Swift and Messi TikTok has finally brought football to America (British GQ)

Emotional edits of Argentina's World Cup 2022 victory set to Swift's music are flooding TikTok. Sentimental, symbolic and reflecting on past struggles, ...

One user who made an edit of Neymar with her music wrote: “how can a white American woman write a song that fits perfectly with the struggles of a Brazilian football player trying to fit in and live in a European country…” The comments are a mix of people crying at the heavy emotion and football fans utterly bemused as to why Messi's career edits have been set to her music. To honor your privacy preferences, this content can only be viewed on the site it [Swifties](https://www.tiktok.com/@taylortapes/video/7178640722415848710?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7178640722415848710&q=taylor%20swift%20messi&t=1671448910405) have been flooding TikTok with edits of [Lionel Messi]() set to her music, namely “You're On Your Own Kid” from her album Midnights, with many being served up the Messi/Swift mash-up content despite having no interest in football. Lots of users are commenting that their ‘For You’ page page is now exclusively [football](https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/sport/article/world-cup-2022-giant-killings) fancams on Swift's music. All it took was the greatest player of all time lifting the trophy at the end of the greatest final in history.

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Image courtesy of "South China Morning Post"

Football proves to be final winner, but do not forget the losers (South China Morning Post)

Climax of World Cup a memorable affair in controversial Qatar competition tainted by claims of corruption, deaths of migrant workers and human rights ...

The endeavour, commitment and teamwork shown by the players and their determination not to give up reminds us of the ability of humankind to overcome challenges. It provided a welcome distraction from geopolitical tensions and the troubles of everyday life. It has, at least, raised awareness of the rights of workers, women, and the LGBTQ community. The World Cup brought people of different cultures and nationalities together. It was full of drama, excitement and footballing brilliance, the perfect climax to a thrilling competition. But it has also been the most controversial World Cup, because of the choice of Qatar as host.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

France's Karim Benzema announces retirement from international ... (The Guardian)

The France striker Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football – on his 35th birthday – a day after Les Bleus lost against ...

All three players missed their penalties in the shootout and were targeted on social media following the game. Coman’s club, Bayern Munich, posted a message of support on Twitter for the 26-year-old, condemning the racist comments made towards him. Benzema made his international debut in 2007.

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Image courtesy of "Patriot League Official Athletic Site"

Kevin Cahill to Lead Lehigh Football Program (Patriot League Official Athletic Site)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following an extensive search, Lehigh has named Kevin Cahill the 30th head football coach in program history. A coaching veteran with more ...

The breadth and diversity of his experiences will be valuable as he engages with our team, our alumni, our university and our Lehigh Valley community." He helped lead Springfield College to a pair of NCAA playoff appearances and was twice recognized as the ECAC Division III New England Player of the Year. Yale boasted the top-ranked offense in the Ivy League and ranked in the top 25 in the FCS in total offense for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Kevin has had a profound impact on my career and it has been an honor to play for him and coach alongside him. I am proud of Kevin and so excited for him and Lehigh's future." He helped the Black Bears to a pair of FCS playoff appearances and mentored six all-conference performers including All-Americans Jared Turcotte and Jhamal Fluellen. "The search process was thoughtfully executed, with sensitive consideration of the input from our team prior to the search and our staff throughout the evaluation process. "In the end, the evidence of his strong and enduring relationships with team members, his fresh outlook and detailed vision for our program, his fundamental skill as a teacher and developer of young people and his optimism and passion about the people he met and opportunity at Lehigh influenced the final decision. 1 offense in the Ivy League in three of Cahill's 10 years on staff. "I am deeply grateful to and highly impressed by the work of our search committee and appreciative of the many other people at Lehigh who engaged in supporting our search and evaluation processes," said Lehigh Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett '76. In 2022, the Bulldogs went 8-2 overall and 6-1 in Ivy League play to capture their third Ivy crown in the last five seasons. . – Following an extensive search, Lehigh has named Kevin Cahill the 30th head football coach in program history.

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Image courtesy of "Football Italia"

Today's Papers – Pioli's Euro Milan, Vialli anxiety, Raspadori ... (Football Italia)

Pioli exclusive: 'My Euro Milan'. The Champions League and me: 'Europe is our home and it's time to progress, we can do it with Tottenham'.

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Image courtesy of "Lehigh University News"

New Football Coach Kevin Cahill Looks to Build on Lehigh Tradition ... (Lehigh University News)

Cahill comes to Lehigh from Yale University, where he spent the past 10 seasons and was a member of the coaching staff for three Ivy League championships. “I'm ...

And for me being a good head coach is going to take away from me being a good offensive coordinator.” For me to call plays, it takes away from me being a good head coach. [Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett ’76](https://lehighsports.com/staff-directory/joe-sterrett/716), Yale and Lehigh’s hiring committee, Cahill thanked [President Joseph J. Since 2018, Cahill has served as Yale's associate head coach and offensive coordinator, working directly with the quarterbacks. The future is what we have to do from this point now for the next nine months [before next season], which is work.” Cahill comes to Lehigh from Yale University, where he spent the past 10 seasons and was a member of the coaching staff for three Ivy League championships.

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Image courtesy of "Economic Times"

Karim Benzema announces retirement from international football ... (Economic Times)

After France's defeat in the FIFA 2022 World Cup Finals, French striker Karim Benzema has confirmed his retirement from the international football.

[Karim Benzema](/topic/karim-benzema)missed the [FIFA](/fifa-world-cup-2018-in-russia)2022 [World Cup](/topic/world-cup)Finals match. And Giroud netted four goals in the tournament, becoming the nation's all-time leading goal scorer. [Deschamps](/topic/deschamps)'.

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Image courtesy of "talkSPORT.com"

Why has Karim Benzema retired from international football? Real ... (talkSPORT.com)

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football just days after France were beaten in the World Cup final.Benzema was ori.

[In his absence, France would go on ](https://talksport.com/football/1279850/didier-deschamps-rules-out-karim-benzema-return-world-cup-final-france-cryptic-instagram-post-real-madrid-training/#) [to lose to Lionel Messi and Argentina on penalties](https://talksport.com/football/1280842/argentina-world-cup-france-kylian-mbappe-hat-trick-lionel-messi-penalty-shootout/) following a thrilling 3-3 draw. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. I took the time to think, to analyse my feelings. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. The most important is that we saw each other. Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. [Reports in Spain reported in the build-up that Benzema was ‘outraged’ with Deschamps over his decision](https://talksport.com/football/1279850/didier-deschamps-rules-out-karim-benzema-return-world-cup-final-france-cryptic-instagram-post-real-madrid-training/), and even that the striker was ‘asked to leave’ the France camp following his injury. The striker has now announced his retirement and his international career has come to an end in a way that sums up his disappointing time with France. “I never said that Karim was not eligible for France. My job is not to surprise. He would continue to make appearances in his rejuvenated international career and after winning the Ballon D’Or last season, he was in perfect form for a World Cup. Benzema has had a torrid time in international football and his retirement does not come as much of a surprise after he experienced years of disappointment.

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Image courtesy of "The Star Online"

Soccer-France's Benzema retires from international football after ... (The Star Online)

(Reuters) -France striker Karim Benzema announced his retirement from international football on his 35th birthday on Monday, a day after Les Bleus lost to ...

Benzema made his international debut in 2007. I wrote my story and ours is ending," Benzema wrote on Twitter. (Reuters) -France striker Karim Benzema announced his retirement from international football on his 35th birthday on Monday, a day after Les Bleus lost to Argentina on penalties in the World Cup final.

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