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  Can Harry Kane lead England to World Cup success? (REUTERS) Expectations are high, and hopes even higher, that England can pull off another superb run at a major tournament after reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020. Manager Gareth Southgate has instilled a confidence in his squad which has brought a belief that England can finally win the World Cup again. That confidence is also reflected in the betting markets with the Three Lions third favourites to lift the trophy behind Brazil and France. Yet faith in Southgate and his squad is not as strong as it was after England stumbled through this year’s Nations League campaign. No wins in six games with two defeats to Hungary and relegation from League A has put a sour note on Southgate’s time in charge and sends England heading into this important World Cup campaign on rocky footing. The pressure to perform well has increased and the manager’s decision-making, on and off the field, will be more firmly

  © Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty; Hollie Adams/Getty At left, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the EURO match between Portugal v Austria on June 18, 2016. At right, Piers Morgan takes his departure following his appearance on Sunday Morning at the BBC Broadcasting House on January 16, 2022 in London, England. Piers Morgan on Thursday showed his support of Cristiano Ronaldo in the wake of the footballer's controversial decision to leave a game early. Ronaldo exited the match-up between his team, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night before the final whistle blew. (Manchester United won the game at Old Trafford stadium 2-0.) The world-famous Portuguese striker was an unused substitute in the game, and his actions resulted in Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag announcing Ronaldo will not be in the lineup when the squad plays Chelsea on Saturday as punishment. "Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday'

  Real Madrid and France forward Karim Benzema has won the Ballon d'Or - awarded to the best footballer of the year - for the first time. Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 games as he helped Real win the Champions League and La Liga in 2021-22. Lionel Messi (seven) and Cristiano Ronaldo (five) had won the award on 12 of the previous 13 occasions. Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane, who was at Liverpool in 2021-22, was second ahead of Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne. Barcelona's Alexia Putellas retained the Women's Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best best female footballer of 2022. England Euro 2022 winner and Arsenal forward Beth Mead was second. Premier League champions Manchester City, who had six nominees at the ceremony, were awarded Club of the Year ahead of Liverpool. The Ballon d'Or is awarded to the best footballer of the year, based on performance over the 2021-22 season. Zinedine Zidane (right) was the last Frenchman to win the Ballon d'Or First Frenchman t