Cristiano Ronaldo may decide to end his playing career after seeing his dream of winning the World Cup dashed, says his former Manchester United team-mate Patrice Evra.

Ronaldo was used only as a substitute for the final two games of Portugal's campaign in Qatar, which ended with a surprise 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the last eight.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner became the first player to score in five different editions of the World Cup last month, but all eight of his goals at the tournament have come in the group stage.

Ronaldo has been strongly linked with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr since his United contract was terminated last month, but Evra believes he may hang up his boots.

"When I talked to him, we didn't talk especially about what he's going to do next. I don't know. I don't know if Ronaldo will retire," Evra told Sky Sports News on Friday.

"Sometimes at the end of your career you think, 'okay, I think it's time to stop', especially when you're not in the starting eleven with your national team. 

"Ronaldo wanted to play and be fit to win the World Cup with his country, this was his dream. Now he doesn't have that dream, I don't talk for Cristiano, but I won't be surprised if he retires. 

"Now, everything Ronaldo does, he's a bad person and a bad player or whatever, so I wouldn't be surprised if he decides to retire."

Ronaldo's great rival Lionel Messi has the chance to cap his career by lifting the World Cup for the first time on Sunday, having helped Argentina to the final with a series of talismanic displays.

Some have suggested Messi must win the World Cup to be considered the greatest player to have played the sport, but Evra feels the Argentina captain has already secured that status – alongside Ronaldo.

"He needs to win this World Cup? No. Him and Ronaldo are already the greatest," Evra added.

"Why does Messi need to win this World Cup? I think this is for the Argentina players to put him on the same level as Diego Maradona.

"Even when they say Messi does not have a good record with Argentina, he already played six finals with them. The debate is not whether Messi can be the greatest, he's already the greatest.

"But guys, let's not forget, Messi is the greatest and Ronaldo is the greatest, too. People have different opinions, and Ronaldo is there.

"It doesn't matter if he doesn't play the final, he's still the greatest. We have to respect every different opinion."

Spain's third-highest appearance maker Sergio Busquets has announced his retirement from international football.

The 34-year-old captained Spain in each of their four games at the World Cup in Qatar, missing a penalty in the shootout as Luis Enrique's side were knocked out by Morocco at the last-16 stage.

Busquets made his debut for La Roja against Turkey in April 2009 and went on to make 143 appearances, behind only Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos in the country's history.

The Barcelona midfielder, who scored two international goals, was an integral part of the Spain squads that won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship two years later.

"I would like to thank all the people who have accompanied me on this long journey," he wrote on Instagram. 

"From Vicente del Bosque who gave me the opportunity to start, to Luis Enrique for making me enjoy it until the last second.

"I also thank Julen Lopetegui, Fernando Hierro and Robert Moreno for their trust, as well as all their staff.

"And, of course, to each and every one of my team-mates, with whom I have struggled to try to take the team where it deserved, with more or less success but always giving everything and with the greatest of pride.

"It has been an honour to represent my country and take it to the top.

"To be a World and European champion, to be captain and to play so many games, with greater or lesser success but always giving everything and contributing my grain of sand so that everything went the right way."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the governing body is proceeding with plans for a 32-team Club World Cup, while the format of the next World Cup is to be revisited.

Infantino was addressing the media in Doha on Friday for the first time since his extraordinary press conference at the start of Qatar 2022.

He opted against a 45-minute opening monologue on this occasion, instead taking the opportunity to provide an update following a FIFA Council meeting earlier in the day.

During that meeting, plans were approved to push on with a previously proposed expansion to the Club World Cup.

The competition currently pits the winners of the main continental club competitions against each other every year, but the new version will feature 32 teams from across the globe and take place once every four years.

"It will be a Club World Cup of 32 teams, every four years, and the first edition will be summer of 2025," he said. "They will be the best teams in the world invited to participate."

Infantino also revealed FIFA is re-thinking its format for the next World Cup, which will be the first with 48 competing teams.

Initially FIFA planned for the tournament to consist of 16 groups of three teams; however, enlightened by the drama at the end of the first stage of Qatar 2022, Infantino suggested groups of four are likely to remain.

"I have to say, after this World Cup and the success of groups of four and looking at other competitions such as the Euros, here [four-team groups] have been incredible," he added

"I think we have to revisit or at least re-discuss the format. This is something that will certainly be on the agenda."

Speaking two days before Qatar 2022's final, Infantino summarised the tournament as a success in every way, in his opinion, praising the behaviour of supporters.

"The World Cup has been an incredible success on all fronts," said Infantino.

"The main one being the fans, the behaviour, the joyful atmosphere, the bringing of people together. The fans meeting the Arab world, it has been very important for the future of all of us.

"When it comes to the matches, we have seen some incredibly competitive games, some surprises, some great goals.

"At the end of the day, there was on average 10 minutes played as additional time every match. This was a very fair World Cup on the pitch, no simulations, not so many yellow and red cards.

"But this shows the compliment goes to the players and coaches, who maintained their calm, and of course the referees."

The discussion over Lionel Messi's defensive work is "almost silly", according to his former coach at Paris Saint-Germain Mauricio Pochettino.

Messi's Argentina will appear in their sixth World Cup final on Sunday against France, aiming to get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 1986.

Messi will claim the World Cup appearance record outright by playing his 26th and likely final game at the tournament, while he could become the first player to record 20 goal contributions in the competition (currently 11 goals, eight assists).

The Argentina captain started the tournament slowly, with some observers criticising his work rate, but he has shone in the knockout stage.

Former Albiceleste international Pochettino, who coached Messi at PSG until his dismissal earlier this year, scoffed at those concerns and compared Messi to two icons of the game not renowned for their defensive work.

"Honestly, I think the debate about Messi's defensive work is so stale, almost silly," he wrote in The Athletic.

"You cannot pretend that [Diego] Maradona or Pele — along with Messi, the most important players in football — were focused on trying to win the ball back. He can't participate in that. He just needs the others to run for him.

"He doesn't need to press. When you have Messi, you need the other players to understand that they have to get the ball and give it to him so he can conserve his energy and then be decisive, as shown."

Argentina's run to the final has not been all about Messi, though, with Lionel Scaloni's side proving resolute in defence.  

They have restricted their opponents to just 5.7 shots per game – fewer than any other side. Indeed, they have not faced above 0.6 expected goals against in any of their six games so far.

Pochettino believes that defensive solidity and work ethic has been crucial in allowing Messi to flourish. 

"Of course, Argentina need Messi, but Messi needs the other 10 players to fight for him at all times," he added. "That's one of the keys to this team: they all believe that playing for Messi, they can win the World Cup.

"You can see that the players give 120 per cent to achieve this. Different players: [Rodrigo] De Paul, [Alexis] Mac Allister, [Enzo] Fernandez, [Julian] Alvarez, they give everything they have and more, and they do it for Messi.

"They give everything because it's their dream, they are so close, and when they have Messi, they know that everything is possible.

"That's the most important thing about this Argentina team, and the reason why they are in the final. It's because the players fully understand their role. When you have Messi in your team, you have to run for him.

"And when you have the ball, you have to give it to him as soon as possible so that he can create something. So, the players know what they have to do at all times: to give Messi everything he needs to be decisive."

Josko Gvardiol will take pride in having faced "the best player in history", even if Lionel Messi went to another level in an Argentina shirt to humiliate the Croatia defender.

Gvardiol and Messi have been two of the stars of the 2022 World Cup and came face to face in the semi-finals.

But it was a battle Messi won emphatically, scoring one goal and creating another in a 3-0 Argentina win.

It was the assist that garnered most attention as Messi took on Gvardiol, beating him twice before cutting the ball back for Julian Alvarez.

Gvardiol was on the wrong end of one of the moments of the finals, but he was still delighted to be able to play Messi.

"I have already played against him, but he plays differently than with his club," Gvardiol said.

"It's a great experience, and one day I'll tell my kids that I played against the best player in history."

Messi has seemingly confirmed this will be his last World Cup, as he attempts to lead Argentina past France in Sunday's final, and the same is expected of 37-year-old Croatia midfielder Luka Modric.

But Andrej Kramaric, speaking alongside RB Leipzig player Gvardiol, is not so sure Modric is ready to quit the international game.

"We all know how many nice words were written about Luka and what he did not only for Croatia but the whole world," Kramaric said. "Knowing him, I'm not sure that this is his last.

"Age comes for everyone, including for him, but he will remain immortal for the whole world. He makes everything easier and simpler, which is difficult."

FIFA has confirmed that Szymon Marciniak will referee Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and France.

Marciniak has already overseen games involving both finalists in Qatar, taking charge of France's 2-1 group-stage win over Denmark and Argentina's last-16 victory by the same score against Australia.

The Polish official, who also refereed games at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has shown just five yellow cards across his two fixtures at this year's tournament and is yet to give a single penalty or red card.

Some referees have attracted criticism for their displays in the World Cup's knockout stages, including Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who booked 15 players in Argentina's quarter-final win against the Netherlands.

The Moroccan Football Federation has lodged a complaint to FIFA regarding Cesar Ramos' performance as referee during their World Cup semi-final defeat to France on Wednesday.

FIFA also announced Qatar's Abdulrahman Al Jassim will officiate Saturday's third-place playoff between Croatia and Morocco.

Lionel Messi is on a par with Diego Maradona and deserves to lift the World Cup for the first time on Sunday, believes his former Argentina team-mate Javier Zanetti.

Argentina will appear in their sixth World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday, when they will look to prevent France from becoming the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.

Messi will claim the World Cup appearance record outright by playing his 26th and likely final game at the tournament, while he could become the first player to record 20 goal contributions in the competition (currently 11 goals, eight assists).

The Argentina captain's talismanic displays in Qatar have been compared with those of Maradona during the Albiceleste's 1986 triumph, and Zanetti cannot split the legendary duo.

"Messi is a great player, I think he's on a par with Diego," he told reporters in Doha on Thursday.

"I think a lot of people want Messi to win because of what he represents in the world and because of the way he interprets football.

"Leo deserves it and the boys are making a great effort to get to that moment. He is the strongest player in the world and he makes a difference on the field."

However, the Inter great is not taking victory for granted, adding: "I hope that Argentina can bring the World Cup to our country. 

"I'm worried about [Kylian] Mbappe, [Antoine] Griezmann, [Olivier] Giroud, if [Adrien] Rabiot plays he is a quality player, and they have a great goalkeeper. 

"It's a group that has been working for a long time with this coach. It's a very complete team, very organised. But it's a final and anything can happen."

Meanwhile, fellow former Argentina international Diego Milito hailed Messi's displays as he said both sides were deserving of their place in the final.

"We know him, we know what he is capable of, that he is the best player in the world," Milito said of Messi. "He is having an extraordinary World Cup and he deserves it.

"The best two teams reached the final. It's a very difficult match but we are confident in the team.

"We are happy to be able to be in the final. Hopefully this Sunday will be a good final and we can achieve what we have been looking forward to for a long time. 

"This team has given much joy to the people, they have come on a path from the [2021] Copa America, and must be very happy and excited."

Milan "have to be a little more ambitious" and aim to win more than just the Serie A title, according to director and club legend Paolo Maldini.

The Rossoneri won the Scudetto last season for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign after beating Sassuolo 3-0 on the final day, wrestling the trophy back from city rivals Inter.

Milan's attempts to lift the Serie A trophy for a second straight season have seen them win 10 of their opening 15 matches.

Yet despite sitting second in the table, leaders Napoli are yet to lose a game and already hold an eight-point lead over Stefano Pioli's men.

Milan have fared well in Europe, though, making it into the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since the 2013-14 season.

Maldini, who won seven Serie A titles and five Champions League trophies with the Rossoneri as a player, feels they should be looking for continental success to add to their domestic triumph of last term.

Maldini told MilanTV: "The match played in Sassuolo [to clinch the title on the final day] ended a three-year period that started in 2019 with a very specific project, which did not envisage the victory of the Scudetto, but envisaged the return to be competitive.

"Of course, we're talking about Milan, and we can't be satisfied with having won a Scudetto, we have to be a little more ambitious.

"We can and must be protagonists in the four competitions that remain to us, because little by little, they will be very intense months."

The World Cup has seen several Milan players undertake a starring role for their national teams in Qatar. France duo Theo Hernandez and Olivier Giroud are set to play in Sunday's final against Argentina.

Hernandez scored in the semi-final victory over Morocco and Giroud has become Les Bleus' all-time leading marksman, while winger Rafael Leao also netted twice for Portugal.

"Rafa [Leao] did his part," Maldini added. "Two goals in a World Cup is no small thing. Unfortunately, he didn't play much, but I think it was still a good and high-level experience for him. 

"Olivier and Theo have been stars since the beginning. I must say that we are proud to see them in the starting line-up having reached the final of a World Cup."

Milan return to competitive action on January 4, when they take on Salernitana in Serie A.

Fabio Capello praised the performances of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe for Argentina and France in their respective World Cup semi-finals, but suggested the former has largely been below par at Qatar 2022.

The Paris Saint-Germain team-mates have been the headline stars of the tournament, and will face off in Sunday's final in Qatar with the trophy on the line.

For Messi, it is the chance to collect the major honour that has eluded him throughout his career, while for Mbappe it is an opportunity to defend the crown he won in Russia in 2018.

Former England boss Capello had kind words for both men, saying they were key figures in steering their sides through with wins over Croatia and Morocco respectively.

"Messi and Mbappe made the difference [in their semi-finals]," he said.

"Messi produced a great game and Mbappe arrived decisively twice near the goal, his two shots caused two deflections and they won against Morocco."

Capello does believe Messi had not always shown a spark before his impressive semi-final showcase against Croatia, though.

"Messi is back to being Messi," he added. "That only applies to the Argentina-Croatia game, though. Before that match, he just walked around the pitch."

Capello has enjoyed the World Cup and thinks its timing has been an important boost to the spectacle.

The Italian added: "It's been a good World Cup. The coaches did not give space to their opponents and I've seen great attention to detail. 

"The players arrived fresh and ran a lot. Players arrived in the middle of the current season, so they were all fresh.

"We have seen a [World Cup] of running and a good level of competition, different to when the World Cup is usually held in June when the players are tired.

"The two sides in the final are the teams who were able to reach another level technically. I think it's going to be very difficult for either side to win. I don't know how it's going to end."

Messi and Mbappe are tied in the race for the Golden Boot with five goals apiece heading into their final game of the tournament.

Fernando Santos has left his role as head coach of Portugal, bringing an end to a reign which saw him become the most successful boss in the team's history.

The 68-year-old departs in the wake of a World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco, a frustrating end to a terrific spell in charge that saw him lead Portugal to Euro 2016 and Nations League title triumphs.

His departure was confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), which said in a statement: "The FPF and Fernando Santos agreed to end the highly successful journey that began in September 2014.

"After one of the best participations ever by the national team in the final stages of the World Cup, in Qatar, FPF and Fernando Santos understand that this is the right moment to start a new cycle.

"It was an honour to have a coach and a person like Fernando Santos at the head of the national team.

"The FPF thanks Fernando Santos and his technical team for the services provided over eight unique years and believes that this thanks is also made on behalf of the Portuguese people."

Santos departs at a time when doubts remain regarding whether Cristiano Ronaldo will extend his own international career.

The most prolific goalscorer in international football history struggled for form at the World Cup, and with his 38th birthday coming up in February, his days as a force at the top level may be over.

Santos reduced Ronaldo to the role of substitute for Portugal's two knockout games at the World Cup, a 6-1 win over Switzerland and the 1-0 loss to Morocco.

While Ronaldo came off the bench in both games, his impact was minimal. Santos later said he had "no regrets" about dropping the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

He still faced criticism from Ronaldo's partner Georgina Rodriguez, who posted on Instagram that the coach "decided wrong", adding: "You can't underestimate the best player in the world and the most powerful weapon you have, just as you can't stand up for someone who doesn't deserve it."

The titles that Santos won with Portugal are the country's only major honours, with a 1-0 victory over France in the Euro 2016 final made all the more impressive by the fact Ronaldo was withdrawn after suffering an early injury.

Portugal then hosted and won the 2019 Nations League finals, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final, but they lost to Belgium in the last 16 at Euro 2020.

The shock defeat to Morocco prompted Santos and Portugal to part ways despite the head coach having a contract that was due to run until 2024.

Roma coach Jose Mourinho has been linked with the job, having previously expressed a desire to move into international football.

Should Portugal hire Mourinho, they would be taking on one of the most successful coaches of the modern era, who has led Porto and Inter to Champions League glory.

Besides his rich success with those sides, Mourinho has stacked up many more trophies during spells at Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United, while he steered Roma to the inaugural Europa Conference League title last season.

Georginio Wijnaldum has joined Roma's squad for a training camp in Portugal after missing the World Cup with a broken leg.

Wijnaldum joined Roma on a season-long loan in August after spending a single campaign with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The Netherlands international played just 11 minutes for the Giallorossi before breaking his right leg in training later that month, causing him to miss the Oranje's trip to Qatar – which ended with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Argentina in the last eight.

However, Wijnaldum will hope to play a significant role in the second half of the season after being seen out on the pitch at Roma's Trigoria training ground on Thursday.

Wijnaldum then joined Jose Mourinho's squad in travelling to Portugal for a training camp and three friendly matches – against Cadiz, Casa Pia and RKC Waalwijk.

Roma sit seventh in Serie A, three points adrift of a top-four place, ahead of the league's resumption on January 4.

Netherlands defender Daley Blind has expressed frustration at news of his likely January exit from Ajax quickly becoming common knowledge.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported on Wednesday how Blind has been given permission to leave the Amsterdam giants on a free transfer.

The club are said to have agreed to smooth the path for his exit because of his long service, which has come either side of a four-year stint with Manchester United.

Blind, 32, is the son of Ajax legend Danny Blind, and began his career in the Ajax youth ranks before emerging into the first team.

After his Old Trafford stay, he returned to Ajax in July 2018. His deal was due to expire at the end of this season, but the 99-cap international now looks poised to depart sooner.

Reports have linked Blind with Belgian club Royal Antwerp, whose director of football Marc Overmars previously worked in the same role at Ajax.

Blind reacted to the news getting out with an oblique message on Twitter, stating: "Such a pity but typical that this is within a day with the 'media'.

"It is also a misrepresentation of things. Sigh.."

Blind, only a substitute in Ajax's last games before the World Cup break, scored for the Netherlands during their campaign in Qatar, netting in the 3-1 win over the United States at the last-16 stage.

One short of a century of Netherlands caps, Blind will hope to remain in favour during Ronald Koeman's second stint as head coach of the Oranje.

Koeman is taking over from Louis van Gaal, whose third spell in charge of the national team ended with a defeat on penalties to Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The Royal Morocco Football Federation (FMRF) has lodged a complaint to FIFA over referee Cesar Ramos' performance during their World Cup semi-final defeat to France.

Morocco lost Wednesday's game 2-0 after goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani sent reigning champions France through to a second consecutive World Cup final.

However, there were a number of contentious decisions during the match, with Morocco's players first incensed when winger Sofiane Boufal collided with Hernandez in the France box.

The referee opted to award Les Bleus a free-kick instead of a Morocco penalty before booking Boufal, provoking a furious reaction from Walid Regragui's men.

Substitute Selim Amallah was then dragged down in the France area as he awaited a free-kick delivery, though Ramos once again chose not to award a spot-kick, or even call for a VAR review.

The FMRF said in its statement: "The FMRF has written to the relevant body to review the refereeing decisions that deprived the Moroccan team of two penalties that were indisputable in the view of several refereeing specialists.

"The FMRF was equally astonished that the video assistant referee (VAR) did not react to these situations."

Morocco made history in Qatar by becoming the first African team to reach the final four of a World Cup.

Despite their heart-breaking semi-final loss, the Atlas Lions have a chance to finish the tournament on a high in Saturday's third-place play-off against Croatia.

Right-back Achraf Hakimi remained positive after the France defeat, declaring on Twitter: "We gave it all. The dream of a team, of a whole country, is over.

"But we have to be proud of what we have done. We fought until the last second and we leave with our heads held high.

"We will continue to try and give our all for this nation. Thanks to all Moroccans for your support."

Steven Gerrard is convinced the World Cup break will benefit Liverpool's bid to rescue their season, backing the Reds to make a flying start when the Premier League returns.

Liverpool fell narrowly short of winning an unprecedented quadruple last term, lifting the EFL Cup and FA Cup before finishing as runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League.

Jurgen Klopp's team have failed to mount a similar charge this season, and they entered the World Cup break sitting sixth in the Premier League, a troubling 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

Asked whether it felt like Liverpool had been afforded a second pre-season, former Reds captain Gerrard told the club's website: "Yeah, it's an opportunity to get a lot of work in on the training ground, reset a few things.

"I'm sure Jurgen and his staff are doing a lot of things tactically, but it's also an opportunity to have a much-needed rest. They've played a lot of football over the last few years, they were involved in every competition last year.

"So to have a small pre-season before a ball was kicked, [then] to have this opportunity to rest and then have a second build-up, I'm hoping that Liverpool come flying out of the blocks."

Liverpool's run to three cup finals meant they played an energy-sapping 63 games in the 2021-22 campaign, and Gerrard believes the continuing break could tee them up for a thrilling finish to the 2022-23 season.

"I expect a really strong six months and finish to the season, because important players have had the chance to rest and recover and the players in the World Cup should come back full of confidence, in a good place, physically ready," said former Rangers and Aston Villa boss Gerrard.

"I expect a really strong, exciting finish to the season for the Reds."

Liverpool resume competitive action with an EFL Cup trip to Manchester City next Thursday, before visiting Villa – who sacked Gerrard as head coach in October – on December 26 in their next Premier League game.

Michel Platini is feeling a sense of "pride" at seeing France in another World Cup final and is firmly behind Les Bleus on their march towards history, his lawyer has said.

Although he was a European Championship winner with France in 1984, the golden generation to which Platini belonged could not add global glory to that title.

They stalled in the semi-finals of the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, losing out to West Germany both times.

Platini was an organising committee chief when France won the World Cup on home soil in 1998, but by the time of their triumph at Russia 2018 he was serving a ban from football over ethics violations during his time as UEFA president.

Now 67, Platini has recently kept a mostly low profile.

His lawyer, Najwa El Haite, said Platini remained engrossed in France's footballing fortunes.

"He is of course closely following the performance of the France team," she told French broadcaster BFMTV.

"There is a pride, he was very happy yesterday.

"He is not on social networks, he does not communicate, but he is present and fully supports the France team."

France are bidding to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive editions of the World Cup.

El Haite is a French-Moroccan citizen, and she may have had split loyalties for Wednesday's semi-final as France beat Morocco 2-0 to set up a clash with Argentina for the trophy on Sunday.

She explained how Platini had also been charmed by the Atlas Lions during their surprising run, which saw them become the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.

"A few days ago, he called me, when Morocco were playing against Portugal. I was honoured that he called me to tell me, 'The Moroccan team played well, congratulations to them'," El Haite said.

"This morning, he sent me a message saying, 'They lost but they played well, I will support them on Saturday [in the third-place game] against Croatia'."