MATCH! 27 December 2022

TURN TO PAGE 28 FOR OUR WORLD CUP OUR WORLD SCRAPBOOK! SUPERSTAR LIONEL MESSI The tournament’s Best Player rolled back the years to win his first-ever World Cup trophy! It was more than deserved for the little magician, who ended the comp with ten goals and assists combined – a tally only equalled by Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe. It basically means Messi has completed football and potentially even ends the GOAT debate. What do you think, MATCH fans? WONDERKID ENZO FERNANDEZ The tournament’s Best Young Player didn’t start the first two games, but his screamer off the bench against Mexico in gameweek two secured his spot in the XI for the rest of the competition! His club Benfica must have loved watching the classy 21-year-old midfielder’s performances, because his…

20+ Only two players have both scored 5+ goals and created 20+ chances in a single World Cup tournament since 1966 – Messi and Diego Maradona! 1 Messi became the first South American player to score in both a World Cup final and a Champions League final! 2 Since the award was introduced in 1982, Messi is the only player to win the Golden Ball twice at the WC – in 2014 and 2022! 26 In the final, Messi became the all-time record holder for the most games played at the WC! 18 He ends 2022 with 18 goals for his nation from 14 games – his best-ever calendar year and double his goal tally from 2021! 13 He’s now scored 13 goals at the World Cup, which is the…

1 GILLINGHAM V LEICESTER The biggest gap between two teams in the FA Cup third round draw was League Two relegation strugglers Gillingham’s matchup with 2021 winners Leicester! Expect a very noisy and excited atmosphere at the Priestfield Stadium as the home fans dream of an unexpected early cupset! 2 TOTTENHAM V PORTSMOUTH Tottenham v Portsmouth was a regular Premier League fixture in the early 2000s before Pompey’s slide down the EFL. This is now a luxury tie for the League One promotion hopefuls, who’ll be taking up over 8,000 seats at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but will be without their loanee striker Dane Scarlett from Spurs! 3 MAN. CITY V CHELSEA Just a few days after they meet in the Premier League these two Prem big-hitters face-off in the FA Cup, but…

Carabao Cup Final 26 February, 2023 Women’s League Cup Final 5 March, 2023 Women’s Finalissima 6 April, 2023 Women’s FA Cup Final 14 May, 2023 WSL Final Day 28 May, 2023 Premier League Final Day 28 May, 2023 Championship Play-Off Final 29 May, 2023 Europa League Final 31 May, 2023 Women’s Champions League Final 3 June, 2023 FA Cup Final 3 June, 2023 Europa Conference League Final 7 June, 2023 Champions League Final 10 June, 2023 Under-20 World Cup Final 11 June, 2023 Women’s World Cup Final 20 August, 2023…

WILFRIED ZAHA Wilf Zaha has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park in basically every transfer window for the last four years! Crystal Palace have always demanded big bucks for their star man but, now that his contract is coming to an end, the power has moved to the player – and he wants to play European footy! LIONEL MESSI Transfer spies in France reckon PSG have offered Messi a one-year extension, but the little Argentinian is strongly considering leaving on a free in the summer! Barcelona have recently shushed rumours linking Leo with a spectacular return to the Camp Nou, with a move to the MLS looking more likely right now! JORGINHO In November, Jorginho said that he was “very happy” at Stamford Bridge, but we’ve heard…

DAVID DE GEA DE GEA The 32-year-old has impressed this season but is on mega high wages! DIOGO DALOT Dalot has improved tons but Barcelona are sniffing around! LUKE SHAW Shaw has been linked with Everton and Leicester but wants to stay! FRED Some say Fred has been offered a new three-year deal and others say he’s set to leave! MARCUS RASHFORD The Red Devils want Rashford to stay but PSG are also chasing the forward!…