GIANNI INFANTINO will be feeling - and looking, no doubt like the smuggest man in the Lusail Stadium.
That is where the World Cup final will take place today between Argentina and France - and it's the one Infantino will have wanted.
A shootout between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe for the biggest prize in sport, in one of the great arenas, more than justifies FIFA's arguably scandalous decision to award this World Cup to Qatar in the first place.
In brilliant fashion, Messi and the heir to his footballing throne have become the innocent victims of a sports-washing programme of epic proportions.
In the space of one mesmerising but misleading month, we have somehow been transported through a time which began with people bracing themselves for the tournament nobody wanted to relishing the final everyone craved.
In footballing terms, it will be a cracker too.
Denne historien er fra December 18, 2022-utgaven av Daily Star Sunday.
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Denne historien er fra December 18, 2022-utgaven av Daily Star Sunday.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Howe Kud go in with Mo bid
NEWCASTLE want to compete with Arsenal and Liverpool for £90 million-rated West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus.
Jule tidings
LOPETEGUI UP FOR CHERRIES BATTLE
Oli twist
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TAYLOR'S SWIFT
Sub Jack wastes no time in grabbing winner
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I've no regrets signing my deal I'll stay until the job is done, When we come back it'll be 'Wow'
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Potts loving every sec of chances
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ALLY PALLY
Two Lukes won't be scrapping like Ali
Hidden Gem
DEUTSCH BANKS PRIZE
PLUMP UP HITS FOR HEFTY HENS
Chill-out tunes get chicks fat