Dybala wants to play beside Messi

Argentina's World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi bid Brazilian football hero Pele farewell on Instagram Thursday, posting photos of himself and "The King" taken in happier times.

"Rest in peace, Pele," Messi wrote after the announcement that Pele had died in hospital at the age of 82 after a fight with cancer.

Argentina president Alberto Fernandez also paid tribute to the late legend.

"One of the greatest footballers in history has left us. We will always remember those years when Pele dazzled the world with his skills. A big hug to his family and to the people of Brazil who will carry him in their hearts."

Russia was the target of almost 25 million cyber-attacks during the World Cup, President Vladimir Putin said, though he did not indicate who may have been behind the attacks.

"During the period of the World Cup, almost 25 million cyber-attacks and other criminal acts on the information structures in Russia, linked in one way or another to the World Cup, were neutralised," Putin said during a meeting on Sunday with security services. The comments were reported by the Kremlin on Monday.

English Premier League giants Chelsea have reportedly come out to be the frontrunners in the race to sign one of the hottest midfield sensations to have come out of the World Cup in Qatar, Argentine World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, English Daily The Sun reported on Thursday.

With one goal and an assist in Argentina's triumphant run, the 21-year-old, who played all seven matches took home the Young Player of the Tournament award.

With Liverpool, Manchester United, and Real Madrid also in the mix, Chelsea, according to The Sun, have made the first move and agreed to pay the £105 million release clause for the Benfica midfielder who has a contract signed with the Portuguese club till 2027.

The Blues have expressed their desire to sign the Argentine star in a meeting with Benfica president Rui Costa and super-agent Jorge Mendes and the London club were informed that the deal will most likely go through.

Chelsea would now have to discuss personal terms and agreements with Fernandez and his representatives.

If the deal goes through, it would be a new club record for the Blues surpassing the £97.5 million they paid for out-of-favour striker Romelu Lukaku.

Chelsea manager Graham Potter already has his work cut out for him in midfield as N'golo Kante and Jorginho will see their contracts expire at the end of this season and with new backing in the form of Todd Boehly-led ownership, the Blues will look to reinforce their ranks preferably with a statement signing.

Owner Todd Boehly has not been shy to splash the cash as Chelsea have made a proactive start to January with the agreement to sign French striker Christopher Nkuku for £50 million due for next summer and for the ongoing season, the Blues have roped in 20-year-old striker David Datro Fofana for £8 million from Molde.

Lionel Messi said Monday he was not thinking about his long-term future as he sought to enjoy winning the eighth Ballon d'Or of his storied career.

Messi, 36, succeeded Karim Benzema as winner of the prize, awarded on the back of his performances last season, when he inspired Argentina to glory at the World Cup in Qatar.

"The last one I won was also thanks to what we achieved with the Argentine national team in the Copa America (in 2021), but this one is much more special because it comes after we won the World Cup," Messi told various media including AFP after collecting his award at a ceremony in Paris.

"That is the trophy everyone wants to win the most, and it was a dream come true for me, my teammates and my country."

He dragged Argentina to a victory in Qatar that crowned his remarkable career and allowed him to see off stiff competition for the Ballon d'Or from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular.

Haaland came second in the final voting, with Mbappe third and Kevin De Bruyne in fourth place.

Former Barcelona superstar Messi scored seven times at the World Cup and was named the tournament's best player after Argentina beat France on penalties in the final in Doha.

Yet Messi, who won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009, also had an underwhelming final season at Paris Saint-Germain, before leaving to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

He played down suggestions he could come back for another Ballon d'Or, possibly after the next World Cup in 2026, when he will be 39.

"I am not thinking about the long-term future. I am just enjoying the day to day at the moment," he said.

"We have a Copa America coming up in the United States, where I am now, in which we are the holders, so I am looking forward to coming into that in good shape and then just see how I am getting on from there."

Messi admitted on his return to the French capital that his two-year stint at PSG had not turned out the way he imagined upon signing from Barcelona in 2021.

"Things didn't turn out as I hoped but I enjoyed the city a lot, and my kids liked it a lot and found it hard to leave," he said.

"It is a spectacular city and I was lucky to live here. Football-wise it did not go the way I hoped but I prefer to remember the many good things."