Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
In December 2022, Lionel Messi and Argentina ended their nation’s 36-year await a FIFA World Cup, lifting the trophy after a wide ranging ultimate in opposition to France. The conflict, broadly considered one of many best in soccer historical past, noticed Kylian Mbappe rating a hat-trick, whereas Messi struck twice, resulting in an intense penalty shootout victory for Argentina.
Nonetheless, not everybody believes the result was solely honest. A former French worldwide, who performed a vital position for his nation in previous tournaments, has now made a surprising declare, suggesting that La Albiceleste’s victory was preordained by FIFA. In keeping with him, the 2022 World Cup was “given to Messi”, and even some French followers have been rooting for him to raise the trophy.
The Manchester United star Patrice Evra’s controversial remarks have added gas to an ongoing debate over whether or not FIFA’s selections influenced the ultimate outcome. Whereas Argentina’s dramatic penalty shootout win was celebrated worldwide, the Frenchman sees it otherwise.
“Okay, we haven’t gained (a serious event) since 2018, however everyone knows that in 2022, they gave the World Cup to Messi. It was all already written. Even the French needed Messi to win it,” he mentioned in an interview with RMC Sport.
This declare means that Lionel Scaloni’s gamers have been destined to win, no matter what unfolded on the pitch. He even pointed to early selections within the ultimate, such because the first-half penalty awarded to Argentina, as key moments that contributed to their success. “The penalty firstly… Personally, I congratulate Deschamps’s successor,” he added, implying that the match was tilted in favor of Messi’s crew from the start.
Defending Didier Deschamps and France’s legacy
Past his criticism of the 2022 World Cup ultimate, the ex-France worldwide additionally defended Didier Deschamps, who has led the nation to a number of main event finals. For him, Deschamps ought to have already got two World Cup titles, and the 2022 version was unfairly taken away from Les Bleus.
He additional questioned why French followers appear to be dissatisfied regardless of their crew constantly reaching the ultimate phases of each main event. “Are we not spoiled children? Can folks not stand being within the semi-final or ultimate of each event? Do you favor us to win or to play lovely soccer?” he requested.
Was the 2022 World Cup actually ‘rigged’ for Messi?
The ex-France worldwide’s daring accusation is certain to spark debates amongst soccer followers, analysts, and historians. Whereas Messi’s heroics in Qatar cemented his legacy, questions over FIFA’s affect on the event have been raised earlier than. Some imagine that the 37-year-old’s standing as one of many best gamers made his triumph a dream situation for FIFA and world audiences.
That mentioned, many argue that Argentina’s victory was totally deserved. Lionel Scaloni’s crew displayed resilience all through the event, overcoming setbacks, together with an opening defeat to Saudi Arabia, earlier than beating elite groups like the Netherlands, Croatia, and France.
