Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Lionel Messi and Argentina dominate Monday’s front pages following a spectacular 120 minutes of football, culminating in a penalty shoot-out – with Argentina going on to win the World Cup. It’s Messi Magic and Argentinian joy dominating today’s news as Messi cements his place as the greatest footballer of all time.
Messi magic as Argentina win World Cup
The Sun dedicates its entire front page to the win. It carries a picture of Lionel Messi holding the trophy. The paper calls Messi “the greatest” and quotes Gary Linekar, who described the game as “the greatest I’ve ever witnessed. The Sun suggests it was the best final since England’s 1966 win.
“Mess Hysteria,” says the Metro next to a picture of Messi – he’s holding the World Cup high while cloaked in a traditional Arab robe and surrounded by teammates.
“Greatest of all time,” says the Mirror, “Merry Kiss Mess,” says the Daily Star and the Daily Telegraph declares Messi as the “greatest player in the best final ever.”
Strike action due to ‘cold-hearted’ Tories
The Financial Times reports on “one of the most disruptive weeks of strike action in recent history,” as the paper looks ahead at the next seven days.
The Times warns of two-hour queues at airports, while the Daily Telegraph says the elderly may be trapped in hospitals over Christmas.
The left-wing Daily Mirror blames “cold-hearted Tories” for refusing talks with nurses’ unions.
Health secretary Steve Barclay writes in the Daily Express that the unions are at fault for going after what he says are “inflation-busting increases the country can’t afford.” Pat Cullen – head of the largest nursing union – also writes in the Express saying the dispute can be “wrapped up by Christmas” if Mr Barclay gets round the negotiating table.
The Daily Mail’s front page reports on Gary Neville, saying the footie pundit has “sparked fury” by comparing striking UK workers to migrant labourers in Qatar. Neville said poor pay and working conditions should not be tolerated in Qatar or the UK. The paper calls it a “bizarre rant” and quotes former Tory party leader Iain Duncan Smith who claims Neville “abused his position” and should have been cut off during the ITV broadcast.
