Argentina reach World Cup final as Messi copies 2022 script

Argentina are in the final, Messi recycles 2022

Your archrival is in the World Cup final. Argentina beat England 2–1 in the semifinal on Wednesday, and Lionel Messi posted the exact same message he used in 2022: "À FINAL!!!!!! Voltamos a encontrar forças para fazer uma grande partida. Muito obrigado a todos que confiaram nesse grupo!!!" (4). Same punctuation, same energy, same result last time.

Spain await, and the Messi origin story resurfaces

Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final this Sunday. Messi said he knows Spain's squad well (2). 22 years ago, Argentine staff scrambled to secure Messi's allegiance before Spain could poach him, Claudio Vivas hand-delivered a cassette tape to prove he was Argentine (1). Now Messi meets the country he nearly played for, with another World Cup on the line.

João Gomes nearing Aston Villa move

João Gomes is close to joining Aston Villa from Wolves for £38 million, roughly R$260 million (2). The former Flamengo midfielder would play under Unai Emery alongside Youri Tielemans. His Brazilian passport is part of what makes this deal work for the Premier League side.

Léo Pereira back at Flamengo, Beşiktaş circling

Léo Pereira returns to Flamengo training Thursday after the World Cup break, one of the few Brazil players who stayed in the U.S. through the tournament (3). Beşiktaş have already contacted Flamengo about signing him. President Bap made the club's stance clear: Flamengo do not need to sell, but selling well matters after spending big on Paquetá. "I won't sell a player I think is worth 25 for 15," he said (3).