‘Oh, come on!’ - Eddie Howe responds to ‘cheeky’ Lionel Messi to Newcastle United question

Eddie Howe was preparing for Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth but had the World Cup final on in the background.

Labelled as one of the greatest games of all-time, Argentina - and Lionel Messi - got their hands on the prestigious trophy after clinching victory in the penalty shootout.

In normal time, Argentina raced into a two-goal lead via goals from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. But France dramatically hit back through Kylian Mbappe’s quick-fire brace in the second half.

Messi thought he won it in extra time, only for fellow Paris Saint-Maximin teammate Mbappe to complete his hat-trick. Penalties were needed, and Argentina came out on top.

“Dull game, wasn’t it?” Howe joked. It was a brilliant spectacle. It was a great advert for football in terms of the game.

“Everything that you saw, the comeback from the French team, it just showed again that football is never done until the whistle goes. It was a high-quality game, high-quality players on the pitch and real drama, I think a really good thing for a World Cup final.”

Naturally, Messi stole the headlines, with his World Cup triumph cementing his position as one of the greatest players ever to play football.

Howe continued: “It’s a great story for him, not that I think he needed it because for me, he’s one of the greats anyway, but I think maybe for other people for that World Cup win to add to what he’s already achieved, I think it’s truly incredible.

“Just the way he conducts himself, it was great to see him at the end with his family and his kids on the pitch. They were great scenes for him personally and for Argentina.”

Now for the cheeky part when Sky Sports reporter Keith Downiej jokingly asked Howe if he’d be keen on signing Messi if the 35-year-old was available.

Howe said: “Keith, come on! He’s a world-class talent and you can see that age hasn’t diminished his attributes. He’s never relied purely on pace, he’s got the touches and the skills.

“The second goal, for me, was a real thing of beauty. I loved watching that goal and he was integral to that."