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Lionel Messi will play at the 2026 World Cup if Argentina retain the Copa America next year, according to Nicolas Tagliafico.

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Messi inspired Argentina to 2022 gloryHasn't ruled out one more World Cup hurrahTagliafico says Copa America success is the 'key'

WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi finally added the one piece of silverware that had been missing from his CV when Argentina beat France in the 2022 World Cup final. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner earned the player of the tournament award after recording ten goal contributions in seven appearances, with many fans and pundits claiming he "completed football" following a historic triumph in Qatar.

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Messi insisted he had no plans to feature for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup after joining MLS outfit Inter Miami in June, but has since relaxed his stance. He recently told when quizzed on whether he could still appear at the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States: “I don't know if I will reach it. I said that before. I'm not thinking about it yet because it's far away, but I'm thinking about Copa America. The goal is to arrive in good shape for Copa America in the United States. It's going to be great. It will be looked into depending on how I feel at the time.”

WHAT NICOLAS TAGLIAFICO SAID

The 2024 Copa America will kick off in the U.S. on June 20, with Argentina set to defend the crown they won in Brazil two years ago. Argentina full-back Tagliafico believes success at that tournament will convince Messi to target one final World Cup appearance, as he told " "Do you know what the key is for Messi to play in the 2026 World Cup? Win Copa America next year. If we would not have won the World Cup in Qatar, he would have left. But he won it and he wants to enjoy these months. But if we go to the United States and win the Copa America, he will want to continue."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Argentina are already well on their way to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, having won all four of their opening CONMEBOL qualifying games. Messi is set to return to the team for their next set of fixtures against Uruguay and Brazil in the coming days, on the back of completing his first season in MLS.

Jonathan Trott has signed a new three-year deal with Warwickshire, committing himself to the club to the end of the 2017 season.

George Dobell23-Oct-2014Jonathan Trott has signed a new three-year deal with Warwickshire, committing himself to the club to the end of the 2017 season.Trott, 33, endured a tough start to 2014 but finished the season in something approaching his best form. After taking a second break from the game following a recurrence of a stress-related illness in April, he enjoyed a prolific spell following his return at the end of June.In all, he made five first team centuries in his final 17 innings ­ including in Warwickshire’s final two Championship matches of the season – and finished the Royal London One Day Cup campaign as the highest England-qualified run-scorer.He is highly likely to be selected for the England Lions, who tour South Africa in January and February, but if he is unable to win a full international recall, Warwickshire may have secured themselves the Mark Ramprakash of his generation – a prolific county player available for the entire season.Dougie Brown, Director of Cricket at Warwickshire, said: “Jonathan played some of the best cricket of his career in the second half of last season and he showed that he remains one of the leading batsmen in the English game.”It’s been great to see him enjoying his cricket and make such a big contribution to the team¹s strong finish to the season. He loves Warwickshire and playing cricket at Edgbaston, and everyone connected with the Club is thrilled to see him commit long-term.”It is the first time in several years that Trott, who has just lost his England central contract, will have his wages paid by Warwickshire but the club’s costs were partially offset by Chris Woakes gaining a central contract for the first time.Warwickshire are also close to agreeing a similar long-term deal with Ian Bell. It means that, except the injury-forced retirement of former club captain Jim Troughton, they have retained their entire playing squad from the 2014 season.

Jordan Henderson admits “it’s not nice” to be booed by “your own fans”, but the England international insists jeers “won’t change who I am”.

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Midfielder jeered against AustraliaPlaying club football in Saudi ArabiaTurning a deaf ear to his criticsWHAT HAPPENED?

The former Liverpool captain completed a transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq during the summer window, with the 33-year-old attracting criticism for heading to the Middle East after previously speaking out against controversial laws in the region.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesWHAT THEY SAID

Henderson was, after taking the armband for England in their friendly date with Australia, booed by sections of the home support at Wembley as he was substituted in a 1-0 win, but stands by his decision to make a move that has angered some.

He has said: "Everybody has got their own opinion. I love playing for England, I have done for many years, that's why I'm still here. I still want to play for England for as long as I possibly can and give everything for the team, for my country. It's not nice, your own fans, if they were booing. But listen, people have got their own opinions. Whenever I bump into anyone on the street it's always been positive stuff and nice things said. But listen, it won't change who I am and what I do for this team and for my country. I give absolutely everything every time.”

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When pressed further on the reasons for the terrace taunts, experienced midfielder Henderson added: “Yeah, so… if people want to boo if I'm playing in a different country, that's fine. Like I said, everyone is going to have an opinion over when I'm playing over in Saudi. I've spoken in the past about the reasons for that. Whether people believe us or not is up to them. But when I'm here with England, it doesn't change anything. I give absolutely everything. Of course it's disappointing, but it won't change what I do here. I want to keep playing and keep fighting and help the team become successful.”

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England will be back in action on Tuesday when playing host to Italy, with Gareth Southgate’s side looking to book their place at next summer’s European Championships in Germany.

The Premier League champions closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points with a dominant 4-1 win on the south coast

Manchester City warmed-up for their Champions League quarter-final meeting with Bayern Munich by cruising to a 4-1 win over the Premier League's bottom side Southampton as Erling Haaland marked his return to the line up with two goals.

Haaland missed last week's win over Liverpool, but showed few signs of rust against the Saints, netting either side of half-time as City closed the gap on leaders Arsenal back to five points.

Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez were also on the scoresheet and Kevin De Bruyne brought up a century of Premier League assists in a virtuoso display for Pep Guardiola's side, whose only disappointment will have been their failure to keep a clean sheet after Sekou Mara netted for the home side.

🏆 TOP STORY: Reiss Nelson to face criminal trial📣 HAVE YOUR SAY: Is the Women's World Cup the Lionesses' to lose?🚨 MUST READ: Scott McTominay is a goal machine!

GOAL rates City's players from St. Mary's…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Ederson (6/10):

Mostly a spectator, and had no chance with Mara's consolation goal.

John Stones (6/10):

Might as well be listed as a central midfielder given his positioning, and neat passing suggested he could one day play there permanently. Substituted early in the second half.

Manuel Akanji (5/10):

Struggled with the pace and trickery of Sulemana at times, though Stones' positioning did leave him rather exposed.

Ruben Dias (7/10):

Looks to be getting back to his best after finally earning back his place in Guardiola's preferred line up.

Nathan Ake (7/10):

Turning into an outstanding defender, regardless of which role he is asked to perform.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Rodri (6/10):

Kept City ticking over in midfield to little fanfare.

Kevin De Bruyne (9/10):

Absolutely sensational. His 100th Premier League assist was sumptuous, and he played a major role in four City goals.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

Busy in midfield again as City dominated possession.

Getty ImagesAttack

Riyad Mahrez (5/10):

Struggled to make much impact before being replaced 10 minutes into the second half.

Erling Haaland (9/10):

On the periphery for most of the first half but in the right place to open the scoring. Superb bicycle kick with his final touch before being replaced was his 30th Premier League goal of the season.

Jack Grealish (8/10):

On the scoresheet again and provided the cross for Haaland's second. Beginning to produce the output many expected of him when he signed in 2021.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Kyle Walker (5/10):

After being called out by his manager in the build-up, will be disappointed in the role he played in Mara's goal.

Bernardo Silva (6/10):

Replaced Mahrez and provided energy and quality off the right-hand side.

Julian Alvarez (6/10):

Netted from the penalty spot after replacing Haaland.

Sergio Gomez (N/A):

On for Ake with 10 minutes to go.

Kalvin Phillips (N/A):

Given a run out late on.

Pep Guardiola (7/10):

Made the right changes at 1-0 to stop Southampton's counter-attacking threat. Interesting to see how much he changes things for the Bayern game.

Goal looks at the form for each team in the knockouts for the last 10 games in all competitions…

Getty/Goal composite16. Roma | 12 points

UCL last 16 opponent: Shakhtar Donetsk

dabblebet odds to win UCL: 40/1

Roma's form has tanked in the last couple of months. They are no longer Serie A contenders and arrested a run of six winless league games only last weekend against Verona. 

Edin Dzeko might have stayed but Roma are a long way away from the team who put six past Chelsea in the group stages. 

AdvertisementGetty/Goal composite15. Chelsea | 15 points

UCL last 16 opponent: Barcelona

dabblebet odds to win UCL: 25/1

Time appears to be running out for Antonio Conte as Chelsea coach and the ties that could bring the axe down on his reign are against runaway Liga leaders Barcelona in the Champions League last 16. 

Failure to finish ahead of Roma in the group stage condemned Chelsea to a knockout tie against a top tier team. They got the worst possible outcome. 

Barca are powerful, fluent and in possession of the great Lionel Messi. Chelsea are in disarray. Consecutive three-goal defeats in the Premier League have left Conte on the brink; key players like David Luiz and Alvaro Morata are underperforming and last summer's transfer failures are haunting them at every turn. 

Getty/Goal composite14. Real Madrid | 18 points

UCL last 16 opponent: Paris Saint-Germain

dabblebet odds to win UCL: 8/1

Anything less than a third Champions League title in succession will cost Zinedine Zidane his job, the equation is that simple. Already out of La Liga's title race and the Copa del Rey, Europe is the only domain in which Real Madrid can salvage this wreck of a season.

They have made a habit of defying expectations in this competition in recent years and along the way proven themselves to be the most consistent side at this level in decades. They need to draw upon all of that experience and know-how though as they have neither collective nor individual form to fall back on.

Zidane simply can't get a tune out of his men while poor domestic form bled into their European campaign with a damaging 3-1 loss to Tottenham at Wembley. Cristiano Ronaldo has maintained his regular European output though and his scoring potential could mean the difference between success and failure against PSG. 

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Getty/Goal composite=12. Shakhtar Donetsk | 19 points

UCL last 16 opponent: Roma

dabblebet odds to win UCL: 100/1

Paulo Fonseca's side have proven their mettle with wins against Manchester City and Napoli in a group stage campaign which saw them pip the Italians to a knockout berth. 

A long, inactive winter won't have helped their cause but there is enough quality – and enough of a plan – for them to edge Roma. 

Lancashire have named Tom Smith as captain in all formats to prepare the way for Glen Chapple to move into a coaching role

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Feb-2015Lancashire have chosen the captain who must assume the onerous role of replacing Glen Chapple, one of county cricket’s most respected figures. Tom Smith, the England Lions allrounder, takes charge in all three formats of the game with Steven Croft appointed as vice-captain.Chapple who led Lancashire from 2009, will now concentrate on a coaching and playing role with many anticipating that he will call time on his career after one last hurrah – he needs 25 first-class wickets to reach 1000.Smith, 29, graduated from the county’s Academy to make his senior debut for Lancashire in 2005 and was part of their unexpected Championship success in 2011. He was named as Lancashire’s Player of the Year in 2014, one of the few stand-out performers as they were relegated from Division One of the Championship, taking 54 wickets and scoring 773 runs as a lower-middle order batsman.Lancashire’s head coach Ashley Giles said: “Tom has all the right ingredients of a good leader. He is well-respected, he plays all forms of the game, is a good professional, extremely mature and a good communicator.”He is a guy who has come through the Lancashire system and knows exactly what it means to play for such a great county. The same can also be said of our new vice-captain, Steven Croft, who is another exceptional individual.”Glen has done a fantastic job. He has moved into coaching and this is now an opportunity for the next generation of leaders. I believe the future of the club is in good hands.”

Europe's premier club competition gets underway this week, with a number of potential future superstars set to play key roles

Getty ImagesAlphonso Davies | 18 | Bayern Munich

With Bayern failing to sign any top-class replacements for Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery over the summer, the weight of responsibility has grown substantially on Canadian international Davies.

While Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry remain Niko Kovac's first choice wide pair at the Allianz Arena, Davies is seen as the first reserve – along with Ivan Perisic – and has all the tools to make it at the very highest level.

AdvertisementPeter LousSergino Dest | 18 | Ajax

Ajax may have sold a number of their young stars following last season's run to the Champions League semi-finals, but that has allowed a new batch of teenage stars to break through in Amsterdam.

The most impressive of them so far this season has been right-back Dest, whose performances have been rewarded with a first cap for the senior United States side as well as a fresh contract with the Eredivisie champions.

Getty ImagesAnsu Fati | 16 | Barcelona

Few 16-year-olds get the chance to play for Barcelona's first team, and even fewer make the impact that Fati has during the opening week of the season.

In just his second appearance for the Blaugrana he found the net against Osasuna before marking his first start against Valencia with a goal and an assist inside seven minutes at Camp Nou.

It remains to be seen how many chances he gets once the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele return to full fitness, but he has certainly made his mark on Ernesto Valverde.

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GettyErling Braut Haaland | 19 | Salzburg

The son of former Leeds United defender Alf-Inge Haaland, the teenage striker has been in superb form for Salzburg in his first full season with the Austrian champions.

Having scored nine times in a game for Norway during the Under-20 World Cup over the summer, he has backed that up with 14 goals in eight games to kick-off the new campaign. He has now earned a first full international cap, and is already being linked to a host of top European clubs.

Vivianne Miedema posted an emotional message on her Instagram story after making her Emirates Stadium return for the first time since her ACL injury.

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Miedema makes return to Emirates StadiumInjured ACL in very same groundArsenal thump United 3-1 in WSLWHAT HAPPENED?

Miedema injured her ACL at the Emirates Stadium in a Champions League clash with Lyon which forced the Dutch superstar to miss the rest of the Gunners' season and the 2023 World Cup. Arsenal comfortably beat Manchester United 3-1 in front of a record-breaking sell-out crowd and, with the score at 3-0, Miedema was substituted on to raucous celebration.

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Posting on her Instagram story, Miedema said: "First time being back on the pitch as the Emirates. Pretty decent game as well. Thank you for filling up the stadium, again. ❤️"

Vivianne Miedema InstagramGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

It has been a long road to recovery for Miedema who must have felt emotional making her return to the very same pitch where she was struck down by the crippling injury. The greatest-scoring WSL player in history will have felt bittersweet watching on from the sidelines as her team-mates played in front of record crowds over the past 12 months. Having returned to playing earlier this year, including scoring a spectacular goal against Liverpool, Miedema has had to wait for her chance to play at the Emirates. But, finally, Miedema was able to get her first taste of playing in a sold-out Emirates stadium and the recognition her recovery deserves.

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Miedema will keep aiming to get more minutes in the tank as the road back to being at the top of her game continues. With the Gunners possessing one of the best attacking units in the world, she may have to be patient but it will surely only be a matter of time before Miedema is back among the goals and records.

A round-up of the latest round of the Pro50 Championship games

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Mar-2014Mashonaland Eagles were made to sweat chasing 89, winning the thriller against Midwest Rhinos at Kwekwe Sports Club by three wickets. A five-wicket haul by the left-arm spinner Kudakwashe Bhasikoro had reduced the Eagles to 75 for 7, but the eighth-wicket pair of Brighton Mugochi and Samuel Mwakayeni saw through the nervy moments to take them home.Two bowlers, from either side, picked up exact match figures of 5 for 17, but it was Tafadzwa Muzarawetu’s that was the match-winning one. The Rhinos’ openers had added 28 before Nathan Waller took two quick wickets. Muzarawetu, the right-arm seamer who was making his List A debut, then cut through the middle and lower order to round off the innings in 31 overs. Bradley Wadlen’s 28 was the highest score. It turned out to be the highest of the match as the Eagles struggled. They were coasting at 37 for 0 before Bhasikoro struck, with Walden chipping in with two wickets. At 75 for 7, it was anyone’s game but the Eagles scraped through.A combined bowling performance helped Southern Rocks beat Matabeleland Tuskers by 33 runs at Queens Sports Club. Keith Dabengwa and John Nyumbu took seven wickets between them to restrict Rocks to 216. Rocks progressed steadily to 60 for 1, but Nyumbu’s strikes reduced them to 67 for 4. A fifth-wicket stand of 76 between Tendai Chisoro and Luke Jongwe revived them before Dabengwa ran through the lower order. The Tuskers were in a spot of bother at 53 for 3 and needed a sizeable partnership. Godwill Mamhiyo made a half-century but lacked support as the innings ended at 183. The Rocks sit on top of the table with 19 points.

Were it not for an England captain registering a second consecutive hundred, there would have been little to cheer as Essex and Surrey played out an inevitable draw

Vithushan Ehantharajah at The Oval23-Apr-2014
ScorecardAlastair Cook made his second consecutive hundred in Essex colours•Getty ImagesAn inevitable draw to what could have been a compelling encounter came to pass at The Oval. Were it not for an England captain registering a second consecutive hundred, having been battered from pillar to post in the winter and since, there would have been little to cheer but the afternoon sunshine and pre-rush hour finish.Alastair Cook’s was an entertaining century – 127 coming off 202 balls in more than four hours at the crease – not least because it gave us an indication of what kind of form he was in. His biggest tell is the drive; out of nick, he seems almost allergic to it. Here, he was getting his nose to the ball, breathing it in before thrashing it to the boundary. “To me, it indicates I’ve got good balance,” he said afterwards.Another comfort for Cook was the ECB announcement confirming Paul Farbrace’s role as England’s new assistant coach. Cook, who was coached by Farbrace at England age-group level, is currently satisfied with his own game. Work away from the limelight has benefitted him greatly.”The most important thing for me personally is I’ve gone back to hitting the ball nicely,” he said. “I had a good month-and-a-half away from playing in the public eye, working in the nets with Paul Grayson.”You never turn a corner as such but to get two hundreds at the start of the season, especially in April, is pleasing. I’m genuinely quite chuffed with how things have gone in the past few weeks.”Cook will meet Peter Moores and, presumably, Farbrace on Friday, before Essex’s game against Gloucestershire. That might be his last county appearance for a while, with an England training camp being planned for the first week of May, ahead of the ODI with Scotland on May 9, which clashes with Essex’s game at Leicestershire.He looked relieved – a word he corrected himself from using – even taking time to talk shop with young Surrey opener Dom Sibley. Elbows were raised, in the batting, not the football sense, as they discussed technique and Sibley hung on every word. At the end, they shook hands and Cook wished Sibley good luck. Whatever you think of his leadership, Cook has his moments of excelling as a statesman.Essex made light work of finishing off Surrey’s first innings in the morning. While Jason Roy was able to take 14 off David Masters’ second over of the day, a sharp over from Mills saw Chris Tremlett’s stumps splattered and Jade Dernbach caught on the off side, going for a wild hack to leg. Graham Napier’s first ball was full and straight to trap Roy in front and, with Zahar Ansari not batting, Essex took a lead of 69 into the second innings.While Jaik Mickleburgh took some time to get used to the pace of the pitch, which was also displaying some variable bounce, Cook was in his element. He was troubled once by a ball that died a touch and hit him in front but the vociferous appeals were turned down; it looked to have pitched outside leg stump.Everything else that strayed on to his pads was dispatched accordingly. Full balls were defended or driven; balls there to cut were, well, you know the rest. Matt Dunn was unable to get the better of him this time around, but the young Surrey quick had his sixth victim of the match when Mickleburgh, who had started to look settled, edged behind.That the afternoon resembled square practice to Cook is no fault of the home attack. Assistance off the pitch declined with each over and the England captain was more committed with his footwork than at any point. In the 44th over, he hit Dernbach through extra cover and signed off the shot with an outlandish flourish that had his bat finishing parallel to his back.It was a cathartic moment, a release through flamboyancy – a trait he is not associated with. He was almost apologetic after, playing out the rest of the over in dot balls, before returning to manoeuvring the ball from his back-foot base. A guide behind point, follow by a cut in front of it took him to 96, before a procession of singles, culminating in a squirt into the leg side, got him to three figures.Those that remained in the ground awoke 20 minutes before the close when Dom Sibley let out a dull shriek for his maiden first-class wicket, as Ravi Bopara attempted to guide a ball on off stump down to third man, but missed. If both had the opportunity to do it all again, you hope they would decline.