How Adil Rami’s moustache became France’s bizarre lucky World Cup charm

He didn’t play a single minute in Russia, but French defender Adil Rami still played a strangely pivotal part in his side’s World Cup triumph.

France lifted the trophy for the second time in their history on Sunday after defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final with Rami again not taking the pitch.

Though not being directly involved in the action, Rami and his elaborate moustache once again played a role with the 32-year-old revealing a strange tournament tradition involving his facial hair continued prior to the final.

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“Antoine Griezmann touched it before the game, and even the manager did to bring luck” Griezmann told TF1. 

“It is now the most famous moustache in France. I will keep it.”

Adil Rami France

It’s a ritual reminiscent of France’s 1998 World Cup winning side which saw Laurent Blanc kiss Fabian Barthez’s bald head prior to games for good luck.

Rami’s lucky moustache began working its magic with Antoine Griezmann, who started touching it prior to France’s group games with most of the squad gradually following suit throughout the tournament.

The facial hair certainly seemed to benefit Griezmann in particular with the attacker bagging four goals across the tournament – including a penalty in the final.

While Rami has vowed to keep his moustache for a little longer, the man himself announced his international retirement after France’s triumph. 

He bows out of the national arena as a World Cup winner with 35 caps to his name and a moustache that may need to be brought out of retirement in 2022.  

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Transfer news & rumours LIVE: Chelsea enter Milinkovic-Savic race

Chelsea enter Milinkovic-Savic race

Chelsea have joined the race for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to Corriere dello Sport.

New Blues manager Maurizio Sarri coached against the Serbian during his time at Napoli, and is now keen to bring the 23-year-old to Stamford Bridge. 

Juventus were interested in Milinkovic-Savic, but the Old Lady may have exited the race after landing Cristiano Ronaldo instead. 

N’Zonzi an option for Barcelona

Barcelona are looking at Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, reports Mundo Deportivo.

PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot is still Barca’s priority as a central midfield option, but the club are putting together a list of alternatives should Rabiot not arrive. 

And 29-year-old N’Zonzi, fresh off a World Cup win with France, could end up with the Blaugrana next season. 

Dortmund looking for Mandzukic deal

Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic, according to Bild.

The Croatia international, who scored both an own goal and his side’s second in their 4-2 World Cup final defeat to France on Sunday, has a deal at the Turin club until 2020.

However, with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus are reportedly happy to let 32-year-old Mandzukic leave ahead of the 2018-19 Serie A campaign.

Chelsea to reject offers for Hazard

Chelsea are preparing to reject offers from Real Madrid and Barcelona for Eden Hazard, reports The Telegraph.

Following the World Cup third-place game against England Hazard hinted that he could be on his way out of Chelsea, but the Blues are confident they can hold on to their star attacker. 

The Blues currently value Hazard at more than the £200 million ($265m) quoted to be the offer.

Roma want Donnarumma to replace Alisson

Roma are keen on AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma as a replacement for Alisson, Goal understands. 

Alisson has been targeted by some of Europe’s biggest clubs in recent months, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid all interested. 

The Giallorossi are willing to let the Brazilian go, but only if they can secure the 19-year-old Italy international from Milan as his replacement. 

Read the full story here on Goal!

Liverpool, Atletico chase Vida

Liverpool and Atletico Madrid are just two of the teams looking to sign Besiktas defender Domagoj Vida, according to Fanatik. 

The 29-year-old played a starring role in Croatia’s run to the World Cup final, and is valued at €35 million (£31m/$41m) by Besiktas. 

Sevilla, Everton and Leicester are also said to be interested in landing Vida. 

Everton join chase for Barrios

Everton are hoping to sign Boca Juniors and Colombia midfielder Wilmar Barrios, claims TyC Sports. 

The Toffees have joined Chelsea and Tottenham, who have already expressed interest in the 24-year-old. 

Barrios has a release clause worth €18 million (£16m/$21m) in his current contract.

Atletico keen on Kalinic

Atletico Madrid are looking to sign AC Milan striker Nikola Kalinic, reports Tuttosport. 

Atletico manager Diego Simeone sees the Croatia international as an ideal alternative up front to Diego Costa. 

Milan are lookng for at least €20 million (£18m/$23m) in exchange for the 30-year-old. 

Fulham to battle Inter for Malcom

Fulham are set to battle with Inter to sign Bordeaux star Malcom, according to The Sun.

Having already pulled off the surprise signing of Jean Michael Seri, the Cottagers are hoping to make another unexpected splash in the transfer market by landing the Brazilian winger. 

Inter have made an offer of a one-year loan with an option to buy, but Fulham will look beat them to the punch by purchasing the 21-year-old outright. 

Shaw ready to leave next summer

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw is prepared to leave the club next summer if his playing time doesn’t increase in 2018-19, reports ESPN FC.

The 23-year-old is hoping to beat out Ashley Young to become United’s starting left-back this upcoming season. 

If Shaw doesn’t establish himself, though, he is prepared to walk away for free next summer. 

Liverpool target Cillessen

Liverpool have inquired into the availability of Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, reports Mundo Deportivo. 

Cillessen is happy at Barca but is keeping his options open with his route to the starting position currently blocked by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Chelsea could also enter the race for the Dutch international should Thibaut Courtois leave the club. 

Lascelles won’t leave without ‘astronomical’ bid

Newcastle won’t sell captain Jamaal Lascelles unless they receive an “astronomical” bid, according to The Chronicle.  

The 24-year-old defender has been subject of interest from several Premier League sides, including Chelsea and Tottenham. 

Lascelles is valued at £25 million ($33m), but the Magpies will demand much more if they are to sanction a sale of their captain. 

Terry drawing MLS interest 

Several Major League Soccer clubs are interested in signing veteran defender John Terry, reports NBC Sports.

The 37-year-old is currently out of contract after spending last season with Aston Villa, who fell just short of the Premier League by losing to Fulham in the Championship play-off final. 

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Mbappe trying to ‘forge his own path’ amid Pele comparisons

Kylian Mbappe is keen to “forge his own path” away from comparisons with World Cup great Pele after winning his first international title on Sunday. 

France star Mbappe netted in the Moscow final as his side defeated Croatia 4-2 for their second World Cup crown. 

And in doing so, the Paris Saint-German forward became the second teenager to score in a final after 1958 starlet Pele , who retired with three winners’ medals. 

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But Mbappe does not want to take on the Brazil great and instead intends to focus on his own game after winning the tournament’s Best Young Player award. 

“Pele has marked history and I’m just here trying to forge my own path,” the 19-year-old told reporters. “I’m just trying to play the way I always did. 

“Scoring and beating records is always good, but I’ve always worked towards this goal. I must continue, I have the ambition to go further, wherever my potential takes me. 

“Winning a World Cup this young opens you lots of doors.” 

And Mbappe never doubted France’s chances in Russia, claiming their self-belief was key to victory.

“You always have to believe. In this type of competition, it’s not the most handsome that wins, but the one who believe the most,” he said.

“And our belief was as solid as iron. We had to show it even if it seemed arrogant at first.

“But we are all on different paths. Take Adil Rami for example, he worked all his life towards this goal, but me, I’m just starting. I have a whole history to write.”

Conversation predictably turned to a possible Ballon d’Or win, but Mbappe remained evasive.

“It’s for certain that the World Cup works in my favour, but I’m not thinking about that right now,” he said.

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Win the World Cup twice? Deschamps tips Mbappe to do what Henry and Trezeguet couldn’t

Didier Deschamps backed Kylian Mbappe to trump the achievements of his own generation by winning the World Cup for a second time.

Mbappe scored in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in Moscow to become the second youngest player after Pele to do so in a World Cup final and Deschamps said he hopes there is more to come from the 19-year-old.

Drawing parallels with strikers from the team he captained to World Cup glory in 1998, Deschamps pointed out that the likes of David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry never managed to repeat the feat despite being only 20 when they lifted the trophy.

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“Mbappe is only 19 and I do hope he is going to be world champion again,” Deschamps said at his post-match media conference.

“He’s done so much already.

“Twenty years ago, Trezeguet and Henry didn’t become world champions again.”

Deschamps was asked whether Mbappe’s team-mate Antoine Griezmann, who scored a penalty in the final to cap an outstanding tournament, was the defining player in the current Les Bleus line-up.

He praised the 27-year-old but insisted the bond between players like Griezmann, Mbappe and Paul Pogba was at the heart of France’s triumph.

The coach added: “Antoine has great qualities and is extremely humble. He lives thanks to the collective – the collective is crucial .

“There are players and individuals that make a difference – Kylian, Paul, Antoine – but the way this team was built was for the wellness we felt together.

“They have done everything together. Sometimes there are conflicts, we need to listen to them all collectively and individually. We then try to realise everything on the pitch and they fought for it on the pitch today.”

Griezmann shared Deschamps’ view and described his team-mates as “extraordinary”.

“The collective is most important – we have seen that at the World Cup,” the Atletico Madrid forward told reporters.

“As soon as you are strong and united as a team it will work. I have extraordinary team-mates.

“Our children will be very proud to have our names. We have to enjoy it now. We are trying to give a good image to France of the players.

“I hope many young people will have watched the match and want to be like us.”

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‘This is the France we love’ – Griezmann hails diversity of World Cup winning side

Antoine Griezmann paid tribute to the diversity and unity of the France squad after their World Cup final victory over Croatia.

After providing the free-kick that Mario Mandzukic headed into his own net to give France the lead in Moscow, Griezmann scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 following a contentious handball decision.

Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe added further goals after the break and while Hugo Lloris’ error gifted Mandzukic a chance to cut the deficit, Les Bleus held on win 4-2 in Moscow .

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France’s triumph ends two years of scrutiny following their disappointing 1-0 loss to Portugal at the climax of Euro 2016 on home soil, as they lifted the World Cup for the second time in their history.

Asked about the different backgrounds of his team-mates after the game, Griezmann said: “That’s the France we love. Different origins but we are all united.

“In our team there are many players who come from different horizons, but we have the same state of mind.

“When we play for our jersey and our country we give everything we have. As soon as you wear the jersey we play together.”

Griezmann was in the France team that missed out on glory two years ago, coming up short against an unfancied Portugal team, and he said Didier Deschamps’ squad had worked on issues identified in the aftermath of that defeat.

He also paid tribute to the players who had joined the ranks since 2016, including key contributors Kylian Mbappe , Benjamin Pavard, and Lucas Hernandez.

When questioned about what they had learned from the Portugal result, Griezmann replied: “We did work on that. I don’t know how many players were at the Euros [that are in squad now], but we have had many changes.

“Some new players arrived and that was really good for us. They have brought added value to our teams.

“We are a whole group, who have lived together since the start. Substitutes were never in a mood – never annoyed. We’ve been working for the collective so everything would go well for us.

“The coach was right, he knew how to analyse matches. I’m really proud of this team.”

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