Category: Football

CHICAGO: Turkish celebrity chef, Nusret Gokce aka Salt Bae is being banned from attending the US Open Cup final amid the FIFA World Cup fiasco.

As per the reports, the celebrity chef who commonly goes by the name Salt Bae has been barred to attend the upcoming Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final, the team announced on Wednesday.

“Salt Bae is hereby banned from the 2023 @opencup Final,” read the announcement tweet by the organization.

Salt Bae is hereby banned from the 2023 @opencup Final

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) December 20, 2022

 

It should be noted here that the decision came following his antics with Argentinian players during their FIFA World Cup final celebration at Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Sunday.

The steak seasoner captured attention earlier this week when he was clicked grabbing the coveted gold FIFA trophy while the world champions celebrated the historic win with their families.

For the unversed, the trophy is prohibited to be touched by anyone other than title winners and the head of the state as per the FIFA rules. While FIFA is yet to take action against Gokce, the oldest US domestic championship came with the timely punishment to Salt Bae for pestering players including Angel di Maria, Leandro Paredes, Nicolas Otamendi, Paulo Dybala, Alexis Mac Allister and others for selfies during their winning moment.

He also approached superstar Lionel Messi, who not very pleasingly agreed to pose for a quick picture. Moreover, Salt Bae went on to casually touch the iconic 18-carat gold trophy worth approximately $21.3 million.

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PARIS: Lionel Messi will celebrate his World Cup triumph by agreeing to stay at Paris Saint-Germain, local media claimed Wednesday, as he attempts to steer the French side to an elusive Champions League title.

The 35-year-old, who led Argentina to victory in the World Cup final against France in Qatar last weekend, will pen a one-season extension to his current deal in the French capital which expires in the summer.

Le Parisian and RMC Sport reported that Messi will sit down with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and other top club officials when he returns after his World Cup break.

Messi joined PSG in 2021 on a two-season deal with an option for another year after having spent his entire professional career with Barcelona.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner collected four Champions League titles in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015 in Spain as well as 10 La Liga crowns.

On Sunday, he inspired Argentina to a penalty shootout win over France in the World Cup final after the epic match had finished 3-3 in extra time.

Messi, named player of the tournament, scored twice in the game with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe grabbing a hat-trick for France.

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DOHA: Argentina star Lionel Messi on Sunday vowed to continue playing for his country despite finally realising his lifetime ambition of winning the World Cup.

“I want to keep experiencing a few more matches as world champion,” Messi, 35, told Argentine television following the country’s epic penalty shoot-out victory over France in the World Cup final in Doha.

But Messi admitted his career was almost finished after the Argentina captain landed the one major international trophy missing from his collection.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward scored two goals in the stunning and chaotic final that ended 3-3 after 120 absorbing minutes, before the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner netted his spot-kick in the shoot-out that Argentina won 4-2.

“Obviously I would like to end my career with this, I cannot ask for more,” said Messi.

“My career is nearly over because these are my last years.”

And after so many disappointments on the biggest stage in football, including losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany in Brazil, Messi said he always felt his time would come.

“It’s crazy that it happened at the time it happened, but it’s amazing,” he said.

“It’s amazing that it could end this way. I said previously that God was going to grant me this and I don’t know why but I felt it was going to be this time.”

Turning his attentions to the match itself, Messi said it was hard to explain after Argentina let slip a two-goal lead late in the game for the second time, following their quarter-final victory over the Netherlands a week earlier.

Argentina led 2-0 at half-time and went 3-2 up during extra-time but a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick, with two late goals in normal time and another in the extra period, pinned Argentina back, taking the game to penalties.

“It was a very strange match, the same as the other one against the Netherlands, and then when we went ahead in extra-time it happened again,” said Messi.

But, he added, the World Cup trophy “is beautiful.”

Messi hugged his family and team-mates after the match while coach Lionel Scaloni, winger Angel Di Maria, who scored Argentina’s second goal, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could not contain their tears after the final whistle.

Messi has played 172 times for Argentina, scoring 98 goals since making his debut in 2005.

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LUSAIL: Lionel Messi’s dream of winning the FIFA World Cup has been fulfilled with a dramatic victory over the defending champions France after the penalty shoot-out here at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.

The nail-biting final of the world cup had a dream ending for Argentina’s star Messi, who stood up at the most crucial moment of his career with two timely strikes before opening the scoring for his team in the penalty shoot-out.

Messi had given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in the first half before Angel Di Maria made it 2-0.

It appeared to be a straightforward win for Argentina until Kylian Mbappe struck twice in just 97 seconds to force the match into extra time.

Messi then appeared to have done it once and for all when he converted a rebound in the 109th minute, only for Mbappe to score from another spot-kick to tie the game at 3-3 and force a shoot-out.

With his third goal of the night, Mbappe became the first player since England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966 to net a World Cup final hat-trick.

Messi and Mbappe both kept fighting for their teams in the penalty shoot-out as they opened the scoring with precisely placed strikes.

The defending champions, however, lost the plot as Kingsley Coman’s next kick for France was saved and Aurelien Tchouameni then crucially missed the target and the final diverted into Argentina’s favour.

Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes successfully netted the ball from the spot before Gonzalo Montiel fired the world cup winning penalty for Messi’s Argentina.

It is pertinent to mention that Argentina were crowned world champions for the first time after 1986 and this is their third world title overall.

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AL RAYYAN: Luka Modric’s Croatia edged brave Morocco 2-1 to end their FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign on a winning note that propelled them to finish third in the mega event.

The third-place play-off of the ongoing world cup started with a bang as the first nine minutes of the match witnessed Croatia opening the scoring and Morocco neutralizing.

Josko Gvardiol was the man for Croatia to put them in an early lead in just the seventh minute with a sensational header.

Last edition’s runners-up Croatia surged after Ivan Perisic glanced Lovro Majer’s cross into the box back towards a diving Gvardiol, who buried his header into the corner.

Croatia’s early lead, however short-lived as spirited Morocco came up with an astonishing equalizer just two minutes later when Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick looped up off the head of Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer, and fell kindly for Achraf Dari; allowing him to head past Dominik Livakovic.

Mislav Orsic’s then curled the ball magnificently via the post from the corner of the box and put Croatia back on top before half-time after Moroccan debutant Bilal El Khannouss lost the possession deep in his half.

Orsic’s sensational header late in the first half turned out to be enough for Croatia to sink Morocco 2-1 and finish their campaign with a bronze medal.

Croatia’s triumph over Morocco marked the 11th instance in a row when a European team finished in the world cup.

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DOHA: Thirty-seven club trophies, seven Ballon D’Or awards and six European Golden Boots.A Copa America title, an Olympic gold medal and a list of scoring and statistical records that may never be beaten.

Over the course of an 18-year career Lionel Messi has, with one obvious exception, won the lot. And won it again and again.

On Sunday, the 35-year-old Argentina captain has the chance to fill the last remaining hole on his CV: a World Cup winners’ medal.

For Messi’s most ardent admirers, victory over France at Doha’s Lusail Stadium will settle the debate over where he ranks in the most exclusive inner sanctum of football’s pantheon.

Messi’s career achievements to date have already earned him the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Pele, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di Stefano and Johan Cruyff.

Does a World Cup win on Sunday nudge him ahead of that exalted company? Some think it does. Others think he already stands alone.

“I don’t have any doubt saying that: he is the best in history,” was the verdict of Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after Messi’s virtuoso display in the 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia.

Former England captain Alan Shearer says he has long regarded Messi’s compatriot Maradona as the greatest player of all time on the basis of his 1986 World Cup triumph in Mexico.

“If Messi were to win it here, my view would change,” Shearer told the BBC.

A more nuanced view came from former Argentina striker Jorge Burruchaga, scorer of the winning goal — set up by Maradona — in the 1986 World Cup final victory over West Germany.

For Burruchaga, Messi has been the greatest player of an era where only Cristiano Ronaldo can rival his achievements. But the 60-year-old says comparisons with previous generations are futile.

“Win or lose, Messi is not more or less than Maradona,” Burruchaga told AFP. “Messi is going to be in history whatever happens.

“There are five players in the past 70 years who can be considered the best in the world — Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Pele, Maradona and Messi.

“Messi is in that list, whether he wins the World Cup or not. But I hope he does.”

Weight of History

While the debate over Messi’s place in history rumbles on, the man himself remains focused on what he has said will be his final appearance on the World Cup stage.

Messi’s fifth World Cup campaign has arguably been his best, thriving as the attacking fulcrum of a balanced Argentina starting line-up assembled by Scaloni.

In previous World Cup appearances, Messi has appeared weighed down by history, struggling to shoulder the hopes and dreams of millions of Argentines desperate for international glory.

For much of the past decade it seemed as if he was destined to fall short in his quest to land a major title with Argentina.

The soul-destroying extra-time defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup started a run of three consecutive major final losses.

In 2015, a star-studded Argentina side lost the Copa America final to Chile in a penalty shootout. A year later, the Albiceleste were beaten again by Chile in the final of the Copa America Centenario, Messi missing a penalty in yet another shootout defeat.

In the immediate aftermath of that loss, a shattered Messi announced his retirement from international football, in what turned out to be a short-lived exile from the national team.

He returned months later and was back to lead Argentina at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. But a mostly shambolic tournament ended in the last 16 with a 4-3 defeat to eventual champions France.

The tide turned though with the appointment of Scaloni at the end of 2018.

After a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa America, Argentina finally ended their wait for a major title with victory at the 2021 tournament, beating arch-rivals Brazil in the final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

According to Burruchaga, the 2021 Copa America title liberated Argentina’s captain.

“The weight is off his shoulders now, and we are seeing another Messi,” Burruchaga said.

With five goals already in Qatar, this is already Messi’s most successful in terms of goals scored.

Playing in bursts, he has mastered the ability to produce devastating moments of magic at key times — most recently in setting up Argentina’s third goal against Croatia on Wednesday, when he left the talented 20-year-old Josko Gvardiol for dead with a scintillating run.

“I don’t know if it’s my best World Cup or not,” Messi said after the Croatia win.

“I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final…. To finish this way is brilliant.”

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MADRID: Spanish midfielder and 2010 World Cup winner Sergio Busquets announced his international retirement on Friday.

“I would like to announce that after almost 15 years and 143 matches, the moment has arrived to bid farewell to the national team,” wrote the 34-year-old Barcelona stalwart on his social media platforms.

Busquets is the last member of the 2010 team to bow out of international football — he was also part of the team that lifted the 2012 European title.

He was captain of the 2022 World Cup side that fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat to Morocco in the last-16.

Only his fellow 2010 team-mates Iker Casillas (167) and Sergio Ramos (180) represented Spain more often than him.

“It has been an honour to represent my national team and help lift it higher, to being European and World champions. To have been captain and to have played so many matches with a certain level of success and always trying to do my best,” Busquets wrote.

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DOHA: Defending champions France put an end to Morocco’s dream run in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 with a dominating 2-0 victory in the second semi-final and set a blockbuster final with Lione Messi’s Argentina.

Morocco’s dream of stretching their astounding run to the final for the first time in history came to a frustrating end after a dominating display from defending champions denied their chances of world cup glory.

Morocco, best known for their defence, witnessed Theo Hernandez opening the scoring for holders France inside the five minutes of the semi-final.

France cut Morocco open down the inside right channel Raphael Varane released Antoine Griezmann, who offloaded it back to Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe then saw his two strikes blocked. However, the rebound from his second attempt fell kindly for Hernandez to score with a fine finish.

Despite conceding an early goal, spirited Morocco continue to fight the strong French attack and kept them silent for more than an hour before Randal Kolo Muani doubled France’s lead in the 80th minute to put the defending champions in complete command.

Mbappe cause havoc in the final third as he twisted and turned to fire towards the goal. His effort, however, once again went in vain but fell kindly for Muani to steer the ball crashing into the nets.

Following this victory, France qualified for their fourth FIFA World Cup Final where they will take on Messi’s Argentina in a bid to become the first side to successfully defend the title after Brazil.

Meanwhile, Morocco will go on to take Croatia in the third-place match on Saturday.

LUSAIL: Star player Lionel Messi struck on penalty before Julian Alvarez struck twice to power Argentina to seal a dominating 3-0 victory over Croatia and qualified for the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Following their emphatic victory, the two-time champions Argentina seized a final berth after a hiatus of eight years when they last took on Germany in the 2014 edition.

Messi, who is keen to cap off his amazing career by winning his first World Cup, helped his team to victory with a superbly struck first-half penalty and sealed the victory by expertly producing the third goal.

Dominik Livakovic accurately predicted Messi’s intention to go to his left, but his dive went in vain as the Argentine’s brilliantly executed shot sailed high into the net to put his team up 1-0 in the 34th minute.

Argentina doubled their lead five minutes later when, following a break from a corner, Alvarez scooped up the ball within his own half and began a long dribble towards the goal.

With the Croatian defence retreating, Alvarez rode weak tackles from Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa before slipping the ball past Livakovic to give Argentina complete control in the first half.

Messi then produced a scintillating assist in the second half, tormenting Josko Gvardial down the right before leaving the 20-year-old defender behind and pulling the ball back to Alvarez who calmly slotted home to guarantee a dominating victory.

Argentina will now either take on spirited Morocco or holders France in the final on Sunday and will be heavily backing themselves to lift their third title as they are peaking at the right time in the ongoing World Cup.

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DUBAI: Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes the stars are aligned for Lionel Messi to finally capture that elusive World Cup trophy, the AC Milan forward told reporters in Dubai on Monday.

Contesting a record-equalling fifth World Cup, Messi will be looking to reach the second final of his career in the competition when Argentina take on Croatia in the last-four stage on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old Messi is very likely making his final World Cup appearance and with the likes of Brazil, Portugal, Germany and Spain all knocked out in Qatar, the Argentines look primed to clinch football’s most prestigious title for the first time since 1986.

Ibrahimovic, who continues to rehabilitate his knee while joining his AC Milan team-mates for a winter training camp in Dubai, heaped praise on the other three semi-finalists in Doha but assured he only sees one team walking away with the trophy.

“I think it’s already written who will win, and you know who I mean. I think Messi will lift the trophy, it’s already written,” said Ibrahimovic, who represented Sweden in two World Cups in 2002 and 2006.

Argentina and surprise semi-finalists Morocco will try to stop France and Croatia from setting up a rematch of the title decider from Russia 2018, with the Atlas Lions taking on the reigning champions on Wednesday.

Ibrahimovic described France and Croatia as “strong nations” but believes a Messi triumph is inevitable.

Asked about Morocco, who became the first ever African or Arab team to make the final four at a World Cup, Ibrahimovic said: “I don’t think it’s a surprise because I knew they were good before the World Cup. Then obviously in the World Cup everything can happen.

“That they reached the semi-final, maybe a little surprised, but remember it’s a good team, a good nation. And these surprises I think the people like; they enjoy because they want these things to happen so they get some kind of extra adrenaline.”

Emotional Ronaldo

The Moroccans punched their ticket to a historic semi-final by stunning Spain and Portugal back-to-back.

Scenes of a tearful Cristiano Ronaldo making his way to the dressing room following Portugal’s elimination have been replayed on TV screens across the globe, marking a difficult ending to the 37-year-old’s quest for World Cup glory.

Pressed to send a message to Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic said: “I think it’s not important what I can say. I mean everybody wants to win the World Cup; not everybody gets to win the World Cup.

“Everybody is trying and if you don’t win it obviously you’ll get emotional, if you win it, you get also emotional in a different way.”

Ibrahimovic added that the real story behind Ronaldo’s unceremonious exit from Manchester United will never be revealed, making it tough for him to weigh in on the matter.

“His exiting United, I think when things happen, we will never know the true story. They say what they want to say, he says what he needs to say to protect himself, then you have the coach that says these things to protect himself,” said Ibrahimovic, who spent two seasons at Manchester United from 2016 to 2018.

“Then the club says things – not like me, I will tell you how it really happened. But we are all different. Everybody is careful about their image.

“For me the perfect image is being yourself. The true story we will not know my friend.”

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