The Russia World Cup goes full circle as Argentinian referee Néstor Pitana is cast as the leading arbitrator in the France vs. Croatia World Cup final in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The 43-year-old physical education teacher, probably the most successful gym teacher of all time, will be aided by two more Argentinians Hernan Maidana and Juan Pablo Belatti with the Dutch Bjorn Kuipers as the fourth World Cup final referee.
The World Cup is coming to an end and with the final approaching, we have created a compilation of some of the players who will be playing in this monumental event.
With fewer players involved, it is important to focus on being able to quickly identify who the French and the Croatian players are. With France being back in the World Cup final for the first time since Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in 2006, this game might be one for the record books. Croatia too has an enormous historical weight on this tiny country's shoulders.
French champion Paris Saint-Germain bid the equivalent of just over $316 million for Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. The world-record bid was sought through Coutinho’s agents as a mediator with Barcelona. The 26-year-old Brazilian does have a $470 million release clause in his contract with Barcelona.
There’s your answer: From front to back, France has the best blend of talent at this World Cup. That’s not to deride Croatia or England, it’s just a question that was very obviously going to be settled in this particular semifinal. Could the “magic” propel either of those nations beyond France in the final? As Steven Gerrard would say, yeeeaah course — Portugal did it.
France is back in the World Cup final for the third time in the past six tournaments after a 1-0 victory over Belgium on Tuesday in Saint Petersburg. While there was just one goal in the France vs Belgium highlights, there was incredible action from two of the most entertaining teams in Russia this summer.
France made its first trip to the World Cup final in 1998 as host. Les Bleus returned in 2006 when Zinedine Zidane’s head butt ended their chances against Italy. Now France will play either England or Croatia in the final on Sunday in Moscow.
As recognized by his 2017 Golden Boy award and current standing as the second most expensive player ever, 19-year-old French phenom Kylian Mbappe is the most exciting talent in world football. He’s the youngest-ever French goalscorer at the World Cup and the second teenager to score two goals in a World Cup match, joining Pele in that regard.
Neymar transfer rumors have circulated almost since he stepped foot on the training ground at Paris Saint-Germain. Such is the nature of European soccer, with its escalating transfer fees and dueling ownership groups. Although for a time it appeared that Real Madrid would replace Ronaldo with Neymar, it now looks increasingly likely that Neymar will stay at PSG for at least another season.
This is, without a doubt, the most attention a T3 (third coach) has ever received before a World Cup semifinal, but you can certainly understand why: Thierry Henry, the man who appeared in 123 matches for France while scoring 51 goals, is now tasked with educating the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens in the art of deconstructing Les Bleus.
Immigrant players and sons of immigrants largely make up World Cup rosters. Welcoming immigration has proven to be the secret to having success at the World Cup. Out of the four teams still remaining in the tournament, France, Belgium and England feature squads composed of players from very diverse origins.
Paris Saint-Germain signed former Juventus goalkeeper, Italian football legend and the real Terminator Gianluigi Buffon on a free transfer on Friday. At 40 years old and after 17 years of service with Juventus, for which he played 656 times, Gigi is back in the game.
The nine-time Serie A champion was rumored to step into a managerial spot for Juve but instead signed a one-year contract, with a one-year renewal option with French champion PSG.
Although the announcement video is just lazy, it’s worth watching because Buffon and reasons.