Sport

Man predicts Messi’s 2022 World Cup win more than seven years ago

It's reiterating this was Argentina's World Cup win, but any native will tell you the player and the country are one and the same.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 19th December 2022

An Argentinian man’s tweet from all the way back in 2015 has gone viral after he predicted that Lionel Messi would win the World Cup in 2022. Can he predict we win it next, please?

‘La Albiceste’ (white and sky blue) fan José Miguel Polanco had travelled to see many a national team game down the years and, like any other native, he had hoped and prayed that Argentina would once again lift the trophy after 36 years of waiting.

More specifically, he believed that his country’s captain and national hero would finally win a World Cup and complete his already ridiculously long list of achievements in football.

In fact, he was so confident that on 20 March 2015, he predicted that ‘La Pulga’ (The Flea) would win the 2022 World Cup and “become the greatest player of all times”.

As far as tweets go, there aren’t many so bold and nonchalant whilst also being absolutely spot on.

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And before you ask, no — there isn’t a load of his tweets guessing that he’ll win every tournament he participated in. Just this one, which makes it so much better.

Replying to his own declaration more than half a decade later after Messi and his teammates lifted the beautiful game’s greatest prize, Polanco acknowledged that the tweet had blew up after his countrymen made it to the final, adding: “you have to believe”.

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Equally as impressive, he also revealed that this was the sixth World Cup he had visited in his time and a football fan, having recently started documenting his travels on his YouTube channel.

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The translation of his latest tweet read:

“It was given. I followed you to all parts of the world and at last, we were able to taste eternal glory. You are not a love that hurts me, you are the love of my life. I am the happiest guy in the world, as well as the 45 million Argentines who have dreamed of this since we have the use of reason”. Now that’s love.

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This man isn’t just the king of football in his homeland; to the footballing world at large, he’s a god.

Nevertheless, while lifting that little gold trophy should have been nothing more than Messi’s living out his destiny, the moment has somehow gotten wrapped up in a debate over Qatari tradition.

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Featured Image — José Miguel Polanco/FIFA World Cup (via Twitter)

Sport

Tragedy as two superbike riders die in ‘catastrophic accident’ at Cheshire event

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Tragedy as two riders die in 'catastrophic accident' at Cheshire superbike event

Two riders have tragically died in a ‘chain reaction’ accident at a superbike race in Cheshire.

Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, both died of their injuries following a crash involving 11 riders.

The ‘catastrophic accident’ occurred yesterday at the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship superbike race at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

The race was immediately stopped so that trackside medical services could attend to the 11 riders who had fallen.

Due to the ‘extreme severity’ of the incident, the rest of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled.

Two riders lost their lives and another has sustained significant injuries and remains in hospital.

Owen Jenner, 21 years old, was treated trackside and taken to the circuit medical centre , but died from a catastrophic head injury.

Meanwhile Shane Richardson was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries, but died prior to arrival.

Another rider, 47-year-old Tom Tunstall, has also been transferred to hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries.

Five further riders were transferred to the circuit medical centre with minor injuries – the remaining involved riders were uninjured.

The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary.

Cheshire Police said in a statement: “Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon (Monday 5 May).

“Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.

“Due to the severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled.

“The two riders who sadly died have been named as Owen Jenner (21) and Shane Richardson (29).”

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Featured image: British Superbikes

Sport

Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only 3 Man United players have spoke to him since leaving

Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.

Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.

The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.

However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.

At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.

Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”

As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.

He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.

The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.

Now the boss at Besiktas, the 52-year-old has won 50% of his games so far, with the Turkish side on course for a third-place finish.

For context, he only took the job back in January.

What did you make of Ole’s revelations then, Reds? And, more importantly, how do you look back on his time in charge at the Theatre of Dreams?

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Featured Images — soccer.ru (via Wikimedia Commons)/BBC Sport

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