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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentina beat France in 2022 to win the World Cup</li><li>Messi scored in the title decider to fire Argentina to the trophy</li><li>Evra alleged that the authorities favoured the Albiceleste</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'They gave the World Cup to Lionel Messi' - Ex-Man Utd star Patrice Evra makes huge claim about Argentina's 2022 win in Qatar

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Argentina

Brazil

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

Manchester United

<p>Messi, who played a pivotal role in Argentina’s campaign, scored seven goals and provided three assists, featuring in every match from the group stage to the final. The South American nation <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/goat-debate-over-winners-losers-messi-argentina-mbappe-france-greatest-world-cup-final-ever/blt3c805d9a1697ff6c" target="_blank">secured their third World Cup title</a> after an intense final against France, which was settled by a dramatic penalty shootout following a thrilling 3-3 draw.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>During a discussion with former PSG winger Jerome Rothen on <a href="https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/equipe-de-france/on-sait-tous-qu-ils-ont-donne-la-coupe-du-monde-a-messi-lance-evra-qui-defend-deschamps_AV-202503190591.html" target="_blank"><em>RMC Sport,</em></a> Evra did not hold back his thoughts on the 2022 tournament, stating: "Okay, we haven’t won anything since 2018, but we all know that in 2022, they gave the World Cup to Messi. It was all already written. Even the French wanted Messi to win it."</p>

WHAT EVRA SAID

<p>Following his World Cup success, Messi continued to make history, guiding Argentina to a second consecutive Copa America title. However, his performances in the 2024 edition in the United States hinted that the physical demands of top-level football over nearly two decades had begun to take a toll on the 36-year-old.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed that Messi has been left out of the squad for the upcoming <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-really-make-2026-world-cup-argentina-icon-career-end-game-injuries-plague-inter-miami-superstar/bltcf90d05bf8a5e6d5#cs73d7761a2373e064" target="_blank">CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay</a> due to a low-grade <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-left-off-argentina-roster-for-conmebol-world-cup-qualifiers-against-uruguay-and-brazil/bltd4bb786ac4b9c2ab#cs93e23890bc82bd64" target="_blank">adductor muscle injury</a>. However, Argentina remain in a commanding position in the South American World Cup qualification standings as the reigning world champions currently lead the table by five points, putting them on course to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & ARGENTINA?

'They gave the World Cup to Lionel Messi' - Ex-Man Utd star Patrice Evra makes huge claim about Argentina's 2022 win in Qatar | Goal.com Kenya

Patrice Evra made a huge claim that FIFA &quot;gave the World Cup to Lionel Messi&quot; in Qatar.

&apos;They gave the World Cup to Lionel Messi&apos; - Ex-Man Utd star Patrice Evra makes huge claim about Argentina&apos;s 2022 win in Qatar

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