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LEC
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Dec. 21
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Dec. 21
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Dec. 21
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JUANMA LILLO: WHY WE SHOULDN'T JUDGE ANYONE ON A WORLD CUP

Guardiola's former assistant on why winning the World Cup shouldn't change our
opinion of Lionel Messi

Juanma Lillo12

Is this the end of an era at Liverpool?

Simon Hughes10



Erling Haaland doesn't need World Cup glory to become one of the game's greats

Sam Lee4



Arnaut Danjuma: 'You can't shut the door on the Premier League'

Ahmed Shooble2



Inside Kevin Thelwell's first 300 days as Everton director of football

Patrick Boyland and Greg O'Keeffe3



Headlines



See all

Brazil legend Pele’s cancer has advanced — Sao Paulo hospital
Lijnders believes Liverpool can overcome Diaz injury blow
Broja undergoes knee surgery after injury in friendly
Pascal Struijk signs new Leeds United contract
Chelsea appoint Christopher Vivell as technical director
De Zerbi to speak with Mac Allister about his preferred position
Argentina's World Cup bus parade abandoned due to safety concerns
United trigger contract extensions for Rashford, Dalot, Shaw and Fred

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SPOTLIGHT

COX: GREAT MOMENTS, SPECIAL PLAYERS AND A SUPERB FINAL BUT WORLD CUP LACKED
QUALITY AT TIMES

Qatar had great moments and a superb final but if you sit down and seriously
analyse the quality of the tournament, it was merely quite good

Michael Cox140

What it was like to be a woman at the Qatar World Cup

Laura Williamson73

The images that defined the 2022 World Cup

Caoimhe O'Neill35

Cutbacks were more popular than ever at the World Cup - here's why

Mark Carey and Ahmed Walid15

Sam Mewis: Climate change, player safety and the 2026 World Cup

Sam Mewis93

The Athletic and Tifo's documentary: A journey to a postmodern World Cup

Nick Miller and Laurie Whitwell6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


PREMIER LEAGUE RETURNS

THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS BACK: WHAT YOUR CLUB HAS BEEN UP TO DURING THE WORLD CUP

After a month long break for the first ever winter World Cup, the Premier League
is back. But what has your team been up to in that time?

Art de Roché, Gregg Evans and more17

What state are the Premier League's World Cup players in as they return to their
clubs?

Mark Carey24

Antonio Conte's Spurs contract: Why the sudden change of signals?

Jack Pitt-Brooke102

Luke Shaw is proving invaluable to how Manchester United defend and attack

Carl Anka50

How Darwin Nunez brings controlled chaos to Liverpool's left flank

Andy Jones22

De Zerbi took over a Brighton team already thriving — how much should he change
course?

Andy Naylor22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


FPL TIPS

THE BEST FPL DIFFERENTIALS FOR YOUR GAMEWEEK 17 TEAM

FPL managers have unlimited transfers ahead of Gameweek 17, but who are the
left-field options that you should consider for your team?

Holly Shand2



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ARGENTINA WIN WORLD CUP

MESSI'S VOICE, LUCKY AGUERO AND LOTS OF BEEF: HOW ARGENTINA WON THE WORLD CUP

Messi's team talk on the bus, 2,600kg of beef and a gang of witches - this is
the story of how football's greatest prize was claimed

Ed Malyon, Sam Lee and more107

Lionel, Kylian, thank you

Alan Shearer152

This was the Angel Di Maria final — then he came off and Argentina very nearly
fell apart

John Muller80

The night Messi won the World Cup - told with some help from the man himself

Oliver Kay106

The spread save, the penalties and the mind games: Martinez's starring role for
Argentina

Liam Tharme and Matt Pyzdrowski93

Muchachos and Mbappe: Explaining Argentina's World Cup celebration songs

Felipe Cardenas38

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MY FOOTBALL JOURNEY

INTRODUCING MY FOOTBALL JOURNEY - TRACKING SEVEN YOUNG STARS ON THE PATH TO THE
2026 WORLD CUP

We follow young stars from Korea, India, Australia, England, Mexico, South
Africa and Turkey as they chase their dreams

Alex Kay-Jelski25

Bikash Yumnam, My Football Journey: 'It’s always been a dream to qualify for the
World Cup with India'

Jay Harris7



Alfie Devine, My Football Journey: 'There's no one better to look up to than
Harry Kane'

Tim Spiers3



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MESSI & MBAPPE WIN AWARDS

French forward won the Golden Boot in extra time and Messi won the Golden Ball
for best player.

THE INSIDE STORY OF THE GREATEST EVER WORLD CUP FINAL

The Athletic goes behind the scenes on a night of superstar performances,
celebrity gatecrashers and dressing-room barbs in Qatar

Dominic Fifield, Adam Crafton and more232

Every tough change Deschamps made brought France back into it. It just wasn't
his day

Jesse Marsch60

Defining Lionel Messi: An essay on greatness, immortality and unburdened
happiness

Oliver Kay108

Breaking down the brilliance of Mbappe, the man who can score any type of goal

Alan Shearer25

How Lionel Messi's body and brain help make him the world's best footballer

Sarah Shephard82

Is Messi the greatest? It's OK to debate it - don't let people ruin your fun

Nick Miller371

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF

CROATIA V MOROCCO - PROOF THAT THIRD-PLACED PLAY-OFFS REALLY DO MATTER

Try telling Luka Modric or Walid Regragui that this was a glorified friendly -
for these two teams, a bronze medal meant everything

Matt Slater8

Meet the godfather of Moroccan football

Amy Lawrence6

Croatia and Morocco are precious - they prove that World Cups cannot be bought

Jack Pitt-Brooke62

Croatia, the team with the most talented midfield in international football

Liam Twomey52

Boufal, Bono and Hakimi's 'bad' penalties - stories of Morocco's unlikely heroes

The Athletic UK Staff8

'Josko Gvardiol is the best centre-back in the world' - the Croatia defender by
those who know him

Nick Miller and Jordan Campbell36

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Real Time

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trending
Latest
Law Murray

Staff Writer, Clippers

2h ago

Clippers sweep season series with Hornets, win 126-105 after hitting 23/49 3s.
LA survived season-worst 27 turnovers and 33 points allowed off turnovers.

The depth was depthing, led by Nicolas Batum (21 points, all triples).

LA ends home stand 5-1. Next: 8 games in 8 cities!

0
0

Michael Russo

Senior Writer, Wild

2h ago

#mnwild rally to win 6th in a row (6 GA) and 12th game in past 15 with a 13th
straight win vs. Anaheim.

Season sweep, 11-2 last 13 in Anaheim.

Boldy GWG, 2 assists; Dewar GTG; Eriksson Ek PPG, 8 shots; Hartman ENG; Fleury
21 saves, 3 goals last 3 games, 22-5 all-time vs. Ducks

6
3

Eric Stephens

Staff Writer, Ducks & Kings

2h ago

Wild take a 4-1 win in Anaheim. Ducks drop to 9-22-3 to start a 10-game
homestand. Next game Friday vs. Calgary.

0
1

Law Murray

Staff Writer, Clippers

2h ago

The answer to the question "Can the Clippers play a complete game after three
days rest?" is no.

LA still leads Hornets 97-74, but they still have plenty of teachable moments,
starting with a horrible 22:22 assist-TO ratio, capped by McDaniels buzzer
beating 3.

Batum: 18 points

0
0

Eric Stephens

Staff Writer, Ducks & Kings

3h ago

Ducks and Wild are at 1-1 heading into the third. Until they blazed a trail to
the penalty box late in the second, it's been a solid effort from the hosts here
at Honda. Had several opportunities to build on a one-goal lead but couldn't.
SOG: Minnesota, 23-16.

0
0

Law Murray

Staff Writer, Clippers

3h ago

LA leads Hornets 71-40. It's the largest halftime lead of the Tyronn Lue era.

Clippers had 13 turnovers and sent Hornets to FT line 17 times. Those are your
areas of improvement.

Other than that: LA shot 52.2% FGs and made 12 3s. Hornets missed 14 of 16 3s
and shot 26.7% FGs.

0
0

Law Murray

Staff Writer, Clippers

4h ago

LA leads Hornets 37-19 through one quarter of play. Your typical 36 minute first
quarter.

Hornets had more turnovers (6) than buckets (5/22, 22.7% FGs).

Game reminds me of the Orlando first quarter. Clippers had 8 turnovers and
fouled a lot, but they made shots (54.5% FGs).

0
0

Jason Quick

Staff Writer, Trail Blazers

4h ago

Blazers lose in Oklahoma City as the offense sputters in 101-98 loss Wednesday.
The loss comes on the heels of Monday, when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander beat
Portland with last-second shot.

Blazers (17-15) on Wednesday had a poor shooting night from Damian Lillard
(6-for-19 overall, 2-11 on 3s) and 18 turnovers (5 from Hart, 4 from Lillard).
Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 for the Thunder (14-18).

0
0

Peter Baugh

Staff Writer, Avalanche

4h ago

FINAL: The Avs win 2-1 in overtime. Two-point night for Rantanen.

0
1

Ben Standig

Staff Writer, Washington Commanders

5h ago

Let's talk Pro Bowl. The Commanders received some good news:

Starters

Jonathan Allen, DT
Tress Way, P
Jeremy Reaves, special teams

Reserve

Terry McLaurin, WR

Also, Daron Payne, DT (1st alternate) and Montez Sweat, DE (2nd alternate)

0
0


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MOST POPULAR

1

How Argentina won the World Cup: Messi’s voice, lucky Aguero and lots of beef



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2

How Neal Maupay, Jose Mourinho and Glenn Murray’s balls helped Messi win the
World Cup



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3

Best of The Athletic 2022: Top stories for MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, Global Football
and more



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4

The story of the greatest World Cup final: Di Maria’s tears, Macron’s hugs… and
Salt Bae



5

How a retired Sergio Agüero became Argentina’s 27th-man at the World Cup



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6

Unbridled joy with a sinister edge – how Argentina celebrated World Cup win



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7

Aubameyang or Havertz? Hall in? Pulisic starts? Picking the Chelsea XI for
Bournemouth



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8

Harry Maguire: How Manchester United can get him to produce England performances



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A1: TODAY'S MUST-READ

See all

DEC 22

WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE A WOMAN AT THE QATAR WORLD CUP

Trying to speak to Qatari women during the World Cup was not easy. Yet some
wanted to give a true picture of the reality on the ground

By Laura Williamson


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See More

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Premier League


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is this the end of an era at Liverpool?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Juanma Lillo: Why we shouldn’t judge anyone on a World Cup

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The World Cup is an absurd measure of Erling Haaland’s greatness


International Soccer


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brazil legend Pele’s cancer has advanced — Sao Paulo hospital

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Juanma Lillo: Why we shouldn’t judge anyone on a World Cup

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lionel Messi and the long shadow of Diego Maradona


Champions League


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

City reign will be ‘incomplete’ without Champions League trophy — Guardiola

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is this the end of an era at Liverpool?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Juanma Lillo: Why we shouldn’t judge anyone on a World Cup

A1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What it was like to be a woman at the Qatar World Cup

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The story of the greatest World Cup final: Di Maria’s tears, Macron’s hugs… and
Salt Bae

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The night Messi won the World Cup – told with some help from the man himself

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