Professional wrestling has a tag team wrestling problem. The importance of this specific type of wrestling is waning. This is particularly true of WWE. While...
There's No Debate Now: Lionel Messi Is the GOAT After World Cup Final Master Class
Dec 18, 2022
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi played the lights out of Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
After gripping drama that went all the way to penalties, Messi is champion of the world.
Now 35, the "Messi-ah" from Rosario has (finally) collected the ultimate football trophy. He'll place that prize in a crowded cabinet, beside his numerous Ballon d'Or awards, his extensive La Liga titles, his Champions League accolades. He's won 35 trophies with Barcelona, two with Paris Saint-Germain and three now with Argentina.
But the World Cup trophy is the most sought-after crown of them all, eluding even the brightest stars.
As Messi lifts it, the debate should be settled for good: He is the greatest player of all time. No other footballer has achieved what he has, as long as he has, at so many levels of the game. The international piece missing from his cabinet is acquired.
Messi is the champion of the world and the best in the world. We may never find one like him again.
Here's a breakdown of all that happened from possibly the greatest World Cup Final of them all.
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria of Argentina celebrate 2nd goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Getty Images)
A Masterful First Half from Argentina
Argentina looked like the inevitable victor in the first half as Messi performed on an otherworldly level.
He struck at all the right moments, making plays no other player has the sight or touch to find. He was joined in performance by reliable stalwarts and burgeoning young talents in his squad.
Ángel Di María—himself 34, shaking off injury—got the surprise start and was formidable on the left wing. Di María was indispensable to early Argentine domination as he tied his opposing counterpart Jules Koundé in knots, making him look out of depth. Di María drew the penalty, enticing Ousmane Dembélé to give the foul that led to Argentina's first goal. Thirteen minutes later, he put the second one away after a rapid Argentine counterattack.
🔥 Put this goal in a museum. Brilliant passing and movement.
Lovely flick from Lionel Messi. Love the way Angel di Maria hit the ball into the floor on the finish. #ARG 2-0 #FRApic.twitter.com/nSKXweMq3n
The French were lucky to only be down 2-0 after the first 45 as Les Bleusfailed to register a shot on target. Messi was at the center as a surprisingly listless France side looked bewildered by a blue-and-white storm that hit them hard.
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi (10) of Argentina and Kylian Mbappe (10) of France wait for the extra time to start during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Mbappé Flips the Script
It was all going to plan: a sure coronation for Messi and the Albicelesteas Buenos Aires and Argentina fans worldwide readied for the biggest party you'd ever see.
And then it flipped late in the second half. Seemingly out of nowhere in the 80th minute, Nicolás Otamendi fouled Randal Kolo Muani cutting into the box, gifting a penalty to France. It was Kylian Mbappé's turn to stand where Messi had in the first half and send the penalty home that shifted the pace.
🇫🇷 ¡¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE FRANCIAAAAAAAAA!!! 🇫🇷
🙌 ¡KYLIAAAAAAN MBAPPÉ! ¡EL CRACK FRANCÉS DICE PRESENTE!
Mbappé rushed to the net to surface the ball and restart. And within 70-odd seconds, he tucked the ball into the net a second time.
In future years, we may talk of Mbappé in the same vein as Messi. His World Cup final effort will not be forgotten, and his audacious volleyed goal for his second of the night will be evidence of his greatness.
The French, largely lethargic throughout the final, found inspiration led by their own No. 10. An epic World Cup tournament was going to extra time. The added 30 minutes would be no less dramatic.
Messi and Mbappé Trade Goals in Extra Time
Despite the long, intense tournament, both Messi and Mbappé were at their irrepressible best. Messi continued to be talismanic in the extra period. Mbappé had arisen from his slumber, and Messi was still cooking at high heat.
Messi struck first.
🇦🇷 ¡¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE ARGENTINAAAAAAAAAA!!! 🇦🇷
🙌 ¡¡¡LEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MEEEEEEEEESSIIIIII!!! ¡DOBLETEEEEEEE DE LEEEEOOOOO!
Lautaro Martínez collected a long ball down to Messi. Messi tapped it to Enzo Fernández, who sent it back to Martínez for the shot. Waiting in front of the net, Messi found the rebound deflected by Hugo Lloris and collected his seventh goal of the 2022 World Cup.
Ten minutes later, France found a response. An ill-timed handball brought another penalty for Les Bleus. And in the 118th minute of extra time, Mbappe was back waiting at the place. Sending it home, Mbappé collected a hat trick and the Golden Boot.
The lottery of the penalty shootout awaited both teams.
Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi takes the first penalty of his team to score past France's goalkeeper #01 Hugo Lloris during the penalty shoot-out of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Unsurprisingly, Mbappé and Messi didn't miss their respective penalties. It was now out of their control.
But their World Cup final duel will be long remembered. Mbappé may not have won the day, but he established himself as Messi's heir apparent as the best player in the world.
Unfortunately for the PSG superstar, Messi's teammates wouldn't be deterred.
Emi Martínez Is Argentina's Penalty Hero Again
It's been quite the journey for Emiliano Martínez. After spending years toiling on loan and in the reserves for Arsenal, the 30-year-old Aston Villa goalkeeper has come to prominence for his bold character and his ability to stop penalties.
Alongside many of Messi's teammates ushering him toward the final prize, he deserves his moment of praise tonight.
With the pressure on, he performed with aplomb, stopping a Kingsley Coman penalty and overseeing the miss of another in a penalty shootout that went Argentina's way.
Argentina had many heroes besides Messi, from Martínez to young stars like Fernández and Julián Álvarez. But no other player deserves as much credit as Martínez.
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates on Sergio Aguero of Argentina's shoulders with the FIFA World Cup Trophy following his team's victory in during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Messi's Legacy as the GOAT Secured
After Gonzalo Montiel's final penalty crashed into the net, we can finally put some things to rest.
One is the long streak of a European team winning the men's World Cup, as Argentina became the first side outside Europe to do it since Brazil in 2002.
The other is the long debate regarding the legacies of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The latter departed this tournament far earlier, shrouded in controversy and with no trophies to his name. Ronaldo has never scored in a World Cup knockout game and almost assuredly will never win the World Cup. The 2022 World Cup was Messi's crowning achievement; for Ronaldo, it was the final whimper of an epic career.
Mbappé is next in line to inherit the world of football from those two giants, and in years to come, he may reach their level.
Past legends have been referred to as the GOAT. Diego Maradona, Messi's cultural and spiritual predecessor, comes to mind, and his 1986 World Cup win with Argentina was the measuring stick by which Messi was judged. Pelé dominated his era with no equal.
But none have achieved for so long and on so many stages of the game.
Messi has surpassed them all, winning everything at every level in dominant fashion. In the pantheon of football's best, the quiet 5'7" magician stands above them all.
Now a World Cup champion, with seven goals this tournament, an incredible final performance and some of his best-ever play along the way, perhaps we can finally agree: Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time.
The 2022 Mr. Olympia is in the books and to say it exceeded expectations would be an understatement, with the heavily-favoredMamdouh "Big Ramy" Elssbiay...
There is only one thing to do now the 2022 World Cup is finished: start thinking about the next one. The 2026 tournament is set to bring about sweeping changes...
Fans Heartbroken for Kylian Mbappé After France's World Cup Loss to Messi, Argentina
Dec 18, 2022
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Kylian Mbappe of France looks dejected after a penalty shoot out loss during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Do any of us even fully understand what we just saw?
In what may be remembered as the greatest soccer match ever played—given the stakes, maybe the greatest sporting event ever contested, period—Argentina won the World Cup, beating France 4-2 on penalties after the match finished tied at three apiece in extra time.
There was something fitting about the hat trick from the most ascendant young star in the game, Kylian Mbappé, only being bested by the greatest player to ever step foot on a football pitch, Lionel Messi, and the brace he provided.
Incredible finish. Messi finally wins the World Cup. Mbappe scores a hat trick and still loses. Best World Cup final of all time. One of the greatest games I've ever seen. I love football so much.
The enduring memory of the contest will be Messi and Argentina's triumph. But football Twitter was nonetheless stunned by the brilliance of Mbappé, even in defeat, with many heartbroken on behalf of the French superstar:
Appreciation tweet for Kylian Mbappe! He scored a World Cup final hat-trick and yet ended up on the losing side. What a player and he's only 23 years old ❤️ #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/VOTzSfqW7V
A final for the ages - and , on the day, the right winners. Argentina dominated that game for so long. Travesty had they lost it. Fancy getting a hat trick in the final and losing. Feel for Mbappe on that score. But Messi has given game so much he deserves this crowning moment.
France showed the heart of a champion to battle back and make this a final for the ages. And yes, Kylian Mbappe is that dude. He's 23 and very nearly willed France to another World Cup.
We haven't seen the last of Mbappe on this stage. Not by a long shot.
Astonishing. Mbappé and Messi went head to head for two hours and neither of them blinked. Neither of them could have offered anymore, neither can be questioned after this.
Not often you see the best two players in the world on the same pitch in opposition rising to the occasion like that. One to remember forever. Mbappé took our breath away. Messi stole our hearts. ❤️⚽️
Can’t help but think Mbappe basically scored four times today and still gotta hold an L. Sports are so beautifully cruel sometimes. Reason why you can’t call athletes losers for not winning it all. He QUITE LITERALLY couldn’t have played any better.
Neither team deserved to lose. At various points, it seemed both sides were in full control.
Most of regulation belonged to Argentina, as the country took a 2-0 first-half lead and seemed in complete control of the proceedings. France didn't get off so much as a shot until the 71st minute.
But then there was Mbappé. In a brilliant, breathless 97 seconds, he turned the match on its head with the sort of heroics that only a superstar can muster.
And yet again Messi—doing everything in his power to earn his country its first World Cup title since Diego Maradona's heroics in 1986—conjured up the magical moment, slotting home a goal after a fortuitous rebound.
"Anything you can do, I can do better," came the reply from Mbappé just 10 minutes later, as he scored from the spot for a second time to pull France even one last time.
And so extra time drained away and both teams prepared for the cruelest form of finality in sports, the penalty shootout. Messi and Mbappé stepped up first and, to the surprise of no one, both scored.
The superstars had done their part. Now, their fates rested on the composure—or lack thereof—of their respective countrymen. Messi's teammates met the moment, and World Cup glory was finally his.
But nobody will forget the performance of a 23-year-old Mbappé in his second World Cup final. Only the greatest player to ever live could keep him and France from repeating as champions.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is complete. Argentina stand as champions, led by Lionel Messi, the one man who always felt destined to triumph at this particular...
Early National Signing Day 2022: Top Uncommitted Football Recruits to Watch
Dec 18, 2022
Matayo Uiagalelei
The college football recruiting window is wide open, and the early signing period is set to begin on Wednesday, December 21.
Heading into that period, many of the nation's top five-star recruits have already committed and are expected to sign national letters of intent (NLI) either in the coming days or when the traditional signing period opens on February 1—a full list of NFI dates can be found here.
Five-star quarterback Arch Manning, for example, has committed to Texas for the 2023 season. Fellow five-star signal-caller Nicholaus Iamaleava has committed to Tennessee.
While we know where most of the top 2023 recruits are headed, there remains plenty of intrigue ahead of Wednesday. Decommitments do occur, and a few top recruits have been quiet about their college plans.
We're here to examine the latter group and dive into some of the top prospects who remain uncommitted heading into early signing day.
Nyckoles Harbor, Athlete, Archbishop Carroll
WASHINGTON, D.C. - APRIL 19: Nyckoles Harbor poses for a portrait at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, April 19. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Nyckoles Harbor, an all-around athletic prospect out of Archbishop Carroll in Washington D.C., is ranked 16th among 247Sports' list of top recruits.
With an impressive 6'5", 225-pound frame and elite athleticism, Harbor is widely projected to play either tight end or edge-rusher at the collegiate level. His next role could depend heavily on where Harbor lands.
Also recruited by Maryland, Georgia, Michigan and LSU, Harbor is predicted by 247Sports' Crystal Ball to land with the South Carolina Gamecocks. However, a recent visit with Maryland could throw a wrench in South Carolina's plans.
"Official visit to Maryland blows away five-star ATH Nyckoles Harbor and his family, a trip that included time spent with the university president, AD and one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the country," Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports tweeted.
Expect Harbor to be on the fence about his decision until at least mid-week.
Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, St. John Bosco
Pass-rusher Matayo Uiagalelei from St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California, is another five-star recruit who remains uncommitted.
According to Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors, the Buckeyes have recently put the proverbial full-court press on the Uiagalelei.
"OSU visited Uiagalelei this week and the Buckeyes are doing everything they can to secure the five-star California target," Hodge wrote. "But it will be a close battle between Ohio State, Oregon and USC for his commitment."
One potential factor to consider is that Uiagalelei's brother, former Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, is in the transfer portal and looking for a new home. If the two are looking to play together, D.J.'s decision could impact that of his younger brother.
Jordan Hall, DL, Westside
Defensive lineman Jordan Hall from Westside High School in Jacksonville, Florida, is a very intriguing prospect. At 6'4.5" and 300 pounds, he has the build of an interior defender. However, the four-star recruit also possesses a tremendous amount of athleticism.
Hall has the combination of size and quickness needed to play on the inside or at defensive end.
While Hall might not be ready to make an immediate impact, he should develop into a star at the college level.
"Likely going to need a few years of coaching before he's ready to go on Saturdays and must keep evolving as a player, but should be viewed as an interior lineman with pass rushing upside that can provide a spark at the Power 5 level," Andrew Ivins of 247Sports wrote.
Hall has taken official visits with Georgia, Florida, Florida State, LSU and Alabama. According to his Twitter account, Hall plans to make an official announcement on December 22.
Rodrick Pleasant, CB, Junipero Serra
For now, Junipero Serra (Gardena, CA) cornerback Rodrick Pleasant is focused on playing in next month's Under Armour High School All-America Game in Orlando. His college decision may not come during the early signing period.
"I'm not in a rush right now," Pleasant said, per Damian Calhoun of the Daily Breeze.
The four-star defensive prospect, however, is drawing serious interest from schools like Cal, UCLA, Oregon and Miami—and it's not hard to see why.
"Pleasant has tremendous speed and is arguably the fastest player in the '23 class," Greg Biggins of 247Sports wrote. "His speed shows up on the football field, and he's a dangerous player in all three phases of the game."
Pleasant recently agreed to an official visit with UCLA, and there's a chance that he does commit this month.
Rodrick Pleasant of Gardena Serra is taking official visit to UCLA. The future season tickets of his head coach, Scott Altenberg, are at stake. lol.
Celtics' Al Horford Fined $25K for 'Excessive Contact' on Magic's Mo Wagner
Dec 18, 2022
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 27: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Washington Wizards on November 27, 2022 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA announced Sunday it fined Boston Celtics star Al Horford $25,000 for "unnecessary and excessive contact" to the lower body of Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner.
Horford was ejected in the third quarter of Boston's 117-109 loss to the Magic on Friday after being assessed with a Flagrant-2 foul. He was jostling for position with Wagner on an inbounds play when he swung his right elbow toward Wagner's groin.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum criticized the decision to eject Horford and called it "unbelievable," especially since Wagner was whistled for a foul as he was engaged with Horford:
I couldn't believe Al got thrown out of the game. I didn't think that was warranted, especially once they went to go review and they saw that Mo fouled him first. That's why I got to shoot free throws. So I mean, sometimes guy get tired of people grabbing on him and the ref not seeing it, so (expletive) as a grown man, you take it into his own hands and get somebody up off of you, and that's all he did, just got him up off him because he was getting fouled.
Boston and Horford are fortunate to a degree the NBA decided against suspending him and only issued a fine. His ejection already carried a cost to the team, though.
The Celtics trailed by 10 points, 66-56, when the five-time All-Star was sent to the locker room. Wagner sank two free throws for the flagrant foul to make it a 12-point game, leaving Joe Mazzulla's squad with a hefty deficit to overcome without its starting center.
Horford will at least be able to suit up for Sunday's rematch with the Magic at home inside TD Garden.
Mr. Olympia 2022 Results: Final Info for Hadi Choopan, Big Ramy and Top Stars
Dec 18, 2022
COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 07: Mamdouh "Big Ramy" Elssbiay (9) competes in the Arnold Classic as part of the Arnold Sports Festival on March 7, 2020, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Hadi Choopan dethroned Mamdouh "Big Ramy" Elssbiay as the Mr. Olympia champion Saturday night in Las Vegas.
In an unexpected turn, Big Ramy had to settle for fifth place after winning the event in 2020 and 2021. Choopan instead collected the title and the accompanying $400,000 prize.
Choopan is the first Iranian to win Mr. Olympia, and he used the occasion to draw attention to the continued plight of women in his home country amid ongoing protests of the government regime.
Much was made about the Iranian men’s soccer team’s show of support for Iranian women. The man just named the new Mr. Olympia moments ago — Hadi Choopan — is from Iran and just dedicated his victory to the women of Iran.
In previous years, the 35-year-old was consistently among the strongest contenders but couldn't get over the final hurdle. He was third in 2019 and 2021 and fourth in 2020. His breakthrough finally arrived Saturday.
This year's event could represent a changing of the guard in men's bodybuilding. This was Elssbiay's worst showing since 2018, and Brandon Curry's fourth-place finish comes after he was the 2019 champion and 2020 and 2021 runner-up.
Choopan successfully fended off Derek Lunsford in Sin City, but it might only be a matter of time before the 29-year-old American is the overall Mr. Olympia champion. Nick Walker, 28, appears to be on the ascension as well.
Report: Ex-NBA Star Amar'e Stoudemire Arrested After Allegedly Striking His Daughter
Dec 18, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Brooklyn Nets player development assistant, Amar'e Stoudemire looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings at Barclays Center on February 14, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Former six-time NBA All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire was arrested Sunday on a count of misdemeanor battery, according to David J. Neal and David Ovalle of the Miami Herald.
Ex-New York Knicks, Miami Heat player Amar’e Stoudemire accused of punching his daughter https://t.co/bhBdhCC0mM
One of Stoudemire's daughters told police he "punched her in the jaw and slapped her hard enough to draw blood."
An officer wrote in their report the daughter had blood stains on her sweater and sweatpants. Her mother also provided authorities with a photo in which her daughter was crying and had blood running down her face.
Stoudemire allegedly took exception to how his daughter addressed her grandmother in his condo, per Neal and Ovalle:
When the daughter denied having such a tone with her grandmother, she said her father "then responded with 'You're talking back again' and punched her on the right side of her jaw.' As a follow up, she said, he slapped her face, bloodying her nose "and continued slapping her on the left side of her body.
The daughter subsequently reached out to her mother, Stoudemire's ex-wife Alexis, to come and pick her up. Stoudemire told officers her daughter "was sad because she received a whooping from him for being disrespectful and a liar."
Stoudemire took to Twitter on Sunday to provide a statement:
Stoudemire spent 14 seasons in the NBA across spells with the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. He also played abroad and suited up in the BIG3 league.
The 40-year-old joined the Brooklyn Nets in a player development role in October 2020. He announced in May he wouldn't return to the franchise for the 2022-23 season.
