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      Carabao Cup fourth round TV games announced as Tottenham and Man City handed ‘ludicrous’ kick-off time

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      TV GAMES for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup have been revealed.But fans are fuming after Tottenham’s home game with Manchester City was given a “ludicrous” kick-off time.Tottenham’s Carabao Cup home clash against Man City has been give a bizarre new timeCredit: GettyThe Premier League giants go head-to-head in north London on Wednesday 30 October.Ange Postecoglou and Pep Guardiola’s latest collision will be shown live on Sky Sports alongside a host of other great matches.Those have a range of start times from 7.30pm to the traditional 8pm kick-off.However, Spurs and City have an entirely different one just for them.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTottenham’s Europa League match against Qarabag last week was delayed after the visitors struggled to reach Spurs’ stadium through capital traffic.The 8pm game didn’t end up kicking off until 8.35pm.And Carabao Cup chiefs appear to be planning for more delays by giving Tottenham vs City a new 8.15pm start time.The extra 15 minutes grace should be enough for both teams to be ready, while also allowing fans to get to Tottenham’s stadium with plenty of spare time.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHowever, some supporters are not happy with the later start.One said: “That’s ludicrous!”Premier League club’s Carabao Cup clash set to be postponed over flooding as press conference cancelled Another declared: “Seems extremely unnecessary.”One noted: “I’m on earlies that week so 7.45pm would be better!”Another added: “Utter nonsense.”Away fans travelling back to Manchester could also be in danger when it comes to trains.The final train that pulls into the Picadilly city centre after midnight leaves London Euston at 10.03pm, which means City fans would have to exit the game early to stand a chance of making it.The next train, as seen on National Rail’s website, is then at 10.32pm from St Pancras.But that does not arrive in Manchester until 4.52am and would still require an early exit from Spurs’ stadium.Euston then has an 11.30pm return train up north, yet that one gets back even later at 6.43am.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, the Carabao Cup fourth round has thrown up some other tasty clashes, including Liverpool’s trip to Brighton which starts at 7.30pm.Man Utd host Leicester at 7.45pm, while the day before on Tuesday October 29 sees the only 8pm clash of the round between Brentford and Sheffield Wednesday.Carabao Cup fourth-round KO timesAll matches will be shown on Sky SportsSouthampton vs Stoke, 29 Oct — 7.45pm KOBrentford vs Sheff Weds, 29 Oct — 8pm KOBrighton vs Liverpool, 30 Oct — 7.30pm KOMan Utd vs Leicester, 30 Oct — 7.45pm KOPreston vs Arsenal, 30 Oct — 7.45pm KOAston Villa vs Crystal Palace, 30 Oct — 7.45pm KOAFC Wimbledon or Newcastle vs Chelsea, 30 Oct — 7.45pm KOTottenham vs Man City, 30 Oct — 8.15pm KO More

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      Fans say ‘Lidl is mad’ as German discount supermarket sells £10 Harry Kane blow-up mattress

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      FOOTBALL fans have been left baffled by a new item of Bayern Munich merchandise available in Germany.An air mattress in the shape of Bayern striker Harry Kane is now available to buy on the Lidl website.Fans can now purchase a Harry Kane air mattressCredit: LidlKane has become a fan favourite since joining BayernCredit: GettyIt is currently available for £10 (€12.99) online.And the concept has left fans in stitches, with one person taking to social media to write: “This week’s Lidl deals are now online. For just €12.99 you can own a Harry Kane air mattress.”Lidl is mad.”While another joked: “Same number of trophies, 0.000013 per cent of the transfer fee.”Read More in FootballFans are also able to purchase a Jamal Musiala air mattress.A Matthijs de Ligt mattress is available as well – even though he no longer plays for the German side.Lidl is also selling an Allianz Arena paddling pool and a Bayern Munich water slide.The Bundesliga giants face Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday.Most read in BundesligaFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHowever, they could be without star striker Kane.The 31-year-old picked up an ankle injury against Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend.Thierry Henry and Micah Richards pinpoint Erling Haaland’s biggest flaw that ‘Harry Kane can do’ on CBS Sports coverageA statement from Bayern read: “Harry Kane took a painful knock to his ankle in Bayern’s Bundesliga game at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.”Examinations by the club’s medical unit on Sunday determined a positive development.”Kane will continue to receive appropriate treatment.” More

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      Inside the whirlwind career of Ravel Morrison as ‘too good’ former Man Utd ace with ‘Messi like skills’ joins 14th club

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      FROM Manchester to Middlesbrough, D.C. to Derby, Ravel Morrison has enjoyed quite the career.The 31-year-old, once likened to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, recently joined the 14th club of his career – UAE second division side Precision FC.Ravel Morrison has joined Precision FC in DubaiThe midfielder came through Man Utd’s academy, where he was highly ratedCredit: GettyIt marked the end of his 18-month spell as a free agent, which began after he was cut from Wayne Rooney’s D.C. United squad at the start of 2023.Around 14 years ago, nobody would have guessed that Morrison’s career path could take such a turn.Fresh out of Manchester United’s academy – alongside Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard – the midfielder was quick to make a name for himself.Many predicted that he would go on to become the next big thing, with former star Quinton Fortune even suggesting he was “the most naturally talented” player at Carrington.Read More in FootballIn 2021, the ex-midfielder told FourFourTwo: “At a club like Manchester United, it’s very difficult to say who the best youngster was.”Ronaldo was obviously incredible but Wayne Rooney was unbelievable when he arrived too.”But then you had another special talent who hasn’t progressed as he should have done: Ravel Morrison. He was definitely the most naturally talented player I’ve ever seen, but he didn’t make that next step like Ronaldo and Rooney did. In terms of talent, he was up there with them.”Former Man Utd acadamy coach Paul McGuinness also had high hopes for Morrison when he was a youngster.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPrecision is Morrison’s 14th clubEarlier this year, he revealed: “He was an amazing player. And the best way to coach him was not to coach him.”The best way was to create a game where his stuff would come out. If you start telling him what to do, he wasn’t go to be having it, you know? So he was an amazing player and I’ve had some really top players so it means that, as a coach, you learn from your players as well.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers”So, in the sense that [fellow coach] Jim Ryan had a phrase. He said it’s the ‘arrogance of timing’ and so some coaches in the position thought he was being arrogant. But it was just the way he played.”It was like Messi. He’d wait for you, wait for you to go closer and closer. Close to the fire, without getting burnt and get close, then he’d just play it. And you’d be like ‘oh, you’d better pass it now’ and he wouldn’t.”McGuinness went on to add: “He was like, somebody do something because he was too good! And he could do those things with the first team and a lot of people say: ‘Oh yeah but he’s thrown it all away, he’s wasting it’ and so on.”But, actually, if you know the full story from being younger, his background and different things, he may actually be one of the best performing. You know, he might actually have done well despite all the sort of disadvantages he had.”Morrison was limited to just three first team appearances for Man Utd after making his senior debut against Wolves in October 2010.Deemed surplus to requirements, he was sold to West Ham just over one year later for an undisclosed fee.He made 24 appearances for the Hammers but was loaned out on three separate occasions – to Birmingham, QPR and Cardiff – during his three-year spell.The midfielder went on to play for Lazio, Atlas, Ostersund, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, ADO Den Haag, Derby County and D.C. United.The midfielder played for D.C. United before becoming a free agentCredit: GettyHe was axed by then-manager Wayne RooneyCredit: AlamyBut his career hit a low when he was axed from the MLS side by his former United team-mate, Rooney.The ex-D.C. United boss said at the time: “I felt with players we were bringing in and different things you need to look at in terms of the budget, international slots, etc, it was more important I got different players in for different positions, which we felt were more important to me.”Morrison was left without a club for over 18 months as a result.He spent this summer training with the Professional Footballers’ Association in a bid to regain fitness.The PFA held an exclusive pre-season camp for eligible free agents to help them find a club.Scouts were invited to training sessions and some exhibition matches, with the likes of Dwight Gayle and Carl Jenkinson securing moves.Although Morrison didn’t secure an EFL move, he will now get to show off his experience in Dubai.A statement from Precision FC read: “We are beyond excited to welcome the incredible Ravel Morrison to Precision FC! “This is more than a signing – it’s a statement, a game-changer for both our club and football in the UAE.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Known for his electrifying talent and skill, Ravel brings world-class experience and flair that will help our team to achieve it’s goals.”This is the start of something extraordinary. Welcome to the family, Ravel!”Morrison has 18 caps for the Jamaica national teamCredit: Getty More

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      Dominic Solanke banks 36 points in three games as Tottenham assets climb rankings

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      WHILE much of the focus was on the beleaguered hosts at Old Trafford on Sunday, Tottenham deserve plenty of credit for a professional performance.Spurs took the lead inside three minutes and never let their foot off Manchester United’s throat on their way to a 3-0 victory.Dominic Solanke (£4.2m) capped the victory midway through the second half with a poacher’s effort from a corner routine to continue his fine form since his return from injury.The former Bournemouth striker has now scored three goals in his last three outings, a run that has yielded 36 Dream Team points.The goals are starting to flow for Solanke at SpursCredit: Dream TeamSolanke scored his first goal for his new club against Brentford in Gameweek 5 and immediately followed that up with another against Qarabag in the Europa League.And the underlying numbers suggest he’s likely to sustain his impressive form as he’s mustered 11 shots on target already this season.For perspective, only Erling Haaland (£9.2m) and Mohamed Salah (£7.5m) have registered more at this stage, which is remarkable given Solanke missed two Gameweeks through injury.Upon his transfer to North London, we speculated that the 27-year-old would receive plenty of service as the focal point of Ange Postecoglou’s dynamic system and that is proving to be the case.Solanke has been on target three games in a rowCredit: RexThe early-season injury caused Solanke’s ownership to plummet but Dream Team bosses should once again have him in their thoughts, especially with plenty more European fixtures to come.Spurs are set to face Ferencvaros this Thursday with AZ Alkmaar, Galatasaray, Roma and Rangers all to come before mid-December.Most read in FootballThis season, there are more European games to squeeze in than ever before because of the revised formats of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.Gaffers should therefore endeavour to ensure they have plenty of players active in these competitions for the relevant Gameweeks as more fixtures generally equals more points.This is another reason Solanke is even more viable this season than in 2023/24, when he scored 19 league goals for the Cherries.Johnson is also on a scoring streakCredit: GettyAnd Solanke is far from the only Spurs asset catching the eye in Dream Team right now.Brennan Johnson (£3.6m) applied the finishing touch to Micky van de Ven’s (£3.7m) piercing run to put Postecoglou’s side in the lead at Old Trafford for his fourth goal in as many games.The Wales international has copped quite a lot of criticism since his move from Nottingham Forest, most of it centred around his high transfer fee of £50million, but his numbers are heading in the right direction.Naturally, this form has translated to an uplift in Dream Team returns – 38 points across his last four outings to be specific.Having seemingly locked down the starting position on the right flank, Johnson is a potentially savvy midfield recruit, especially at his current price of £3.6m.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWOn a similar theme, James Maddison (£4.5m) now leads the way among all Dream Team assets for bonus points with 15 to his name.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe productive playmaker ranks highly for accurate crosses, fouls won and shots on target.Both Johnson and Maddison are now inside the top ten Dream Team midfielders after Spurs’ win at Old Trafford – Solanke is ninth among forwards.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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      Dele Alli ‘sounded out over return to football’ as Italian giants approach free-agent ex-Tottenham and England star

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      DELE ALLI has been sounded out over a move to a Serie A club, according to reports.The midfielder has barely played in the last few years and is now on the lookout for a new club.Dele Alli is being targeted by an Italian clubCredit: GettyHe could be set to join Genoa after the Italian side enquired about his availability, report Il Secolo XIX.Dele, 28, is currently a free agent after his contract with Everton ran out in June.He made just 13 appearances for the Toffees in two-and-a-half years following a £5million move from Tottenham.The former England star also had a spell on loan at Besiktas during the 2022-23 campaign which was cut short by injury.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDele has admitted he’s been dealing with a hard time the last few months due to his injury.But the playmaker is adamant he is not finished as he “knows his level” and is determined to regain his old fitness in order to earn back a place in the England squad in time for the 2026 World Cup.Dele previously said: “I know how good I can be when my head is in the right place and I’m feeling good. Obviously, I’m disappointed with the injury right now but I’m excited to get playing.“It’s hard for me to even watch football. It’s been tough for me, I’d say, this past eight months has been hard to watch.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDele Alli career statsDele Alli has made quite an impact in the Premier League as the stats below show:2011-2015: MK Dons – 44 apps – 8 goals – 4 assists2015-2022: Tottenham – 269 apps – 67 goals – 58 assists2015: MK Dons (Loan) – 44 apps – 16 goals – 11 assists2022-2024: Everton – 13 apps – 0 goals – 0 assists2022-2023: Besiktas (Loan) – 15 apps – 3 goals – 0 assists2015-2019: England – 37 apps – 3 goals – 7 assists“You know you can set reminders on your phone, I have a reminder at 11 o’clock every day that says, ‘World Cup 2026’.“That’s my aim for now. I think that people will be like, ‘He hasn’t played in a year’ but I don’t care, I know my level.”Dele Alli’s ex-girlfriend Ruby Mae recounts terrifying home burglary More

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      Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Phil Foden situation after fans’ conspiracy theory over England star’s absence

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has broken his silence on Phil Foden’s lack of minutes this season.Foden has made just one start this term – Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Watford in the Carabao Cup – which has led fans to spouting conspiracy theories over his absence.Pep Guardiola has broken his silence on Phil Foden’s limited game timeCredit: AFPFoden is yet to make a Premier League start this seasonCredit: RexFoden, 24, was last season’s PFA Player of the Year and would be expected to be one of the first names on the Man City team sheet. However, Guardiola has opted to use him sparingly and from the bench since the start of the campaign.Despite growing discontent with the situation from supporters, Guardiola has remained cool on the tactics and doubled down on his decision not to start Foden in every game.Speaking after City’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle, he said: “The thing is he is playing, but Phil doesn’t need time. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”When he’s clever and fine, it’s not a problem. I know how important Phil is for us, so there’s no doubt about that.“It doesn’t matter if he starts or comes from the bench. With this amount of games, he will have his minutes, that’s for sure.”Foden has played just 89 minutes of Premier League football this season.By comparison, he had played 428 minutes of Prem football by the same point last season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGuardiola has made a habit of dropping players from his starting XI despite impressive seasons in the past.Riyad Mahrez was starved of minutes in his final season at the Etihad before making the jump to Saudi Arabia.Man City vs Newcastle: Player RatingsFoden racked up 27 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for Man City last season as the Cityzens pipped rivals Arsenal to the Premier League title.Summer signing Savio appears to be the man to have taken his place in Guardiola’s side, registering three assists in four Premier League starts this season. More

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      I suffered a life-changing accident that convinced me to buy my beloved club, now I’m trying to take them to the EFL

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      GEORGE DOWELL’S life changed forever when a terrible car accident left him paralysed from the chest down.But after telling his mum “I want to die”, he answered his beloved local football club’s plea to rescue its future.George Dowell is the inspirational owner of Worthing FCCredit: Instagram @gdowellHis life changed aged 17 after a horrific car accidentCredit: Instagram @gdowellDowell features in a new TNT documentary tracking his and the club’s journeyCredit: Instagram @gdowellAnd now he wants to take them into the EFL for the first time in their history – with the incredible journey now documented by a TNT Sports film.Right-back Dowell – nicknamed “Shin Crusher” thanks to his combative defending – was on the brink of breaking into the Worthing FC first team at the age of 17.But in April 2010, he was involved in the terrible crash on his way from training to McDonald’s that saw his friend’s car flip off the road and into a field.He suffered spinal cord injuries that left him paralysed from the chest down with limited use of his arms and was told he would never walk again, prompting his tragic and bleak comment to mum Linda.Most read in FootballBut while his hopes of playing for Worthing and making a career on the pitch were over, he found purpose in his life again when he answered the cash-strapped Mackerel Men’s desperate SOS call – using some of his insurance pay-out to purchase the club in 2015, wipe their mounting debt and save them from potentially folding.Wheelchair-bound Dowell, 32, told SunSport: “I don’t have a lot of memory of the accident other than a few flashes. “The aftermath, being told you’re not going to walk again let alone kick a ball, all that is still very raw.“I didn’t really know what that meant for my life and didn’t hold out a great deal of hope.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I insured my care for the rest of my life. “Their last resort was putting out in the local paper to try and get someone to come in and help because they were in hundreds of thousands of pounds of debt and the playing budget had been completely cut at Christmas of that season. “So there was no money left at Worthing.Worthing FC owner George Dowell describes club’s ambition to reach EFL for first time“If something didn’t change very quickly, they were going to be gone by before the end of the season probably. It was a genuine concern.“When the club was struggling financially, that was the perfect opportunity for me to find purpose in my life.”At the age of 22, Dowell found himself as the owner of a football club, a far cry from his days playing Football Manager, and was in charge of a boardroom of execs making big decisions.One of his first big calls was to fund the new 3G pitch and renovate the bar at their Woodside Road stadium, both helping Worthing become more financially sustainable but also, crucially, a club for the community once more. But those lofty ambitions of two promotions in five seasons came to pass – delayed by Covid which denied it happening even earlier – and a new leg tattoo is a constant reminder of the success.Now the West Sussex outfit play their football in the National League South, roared on by an average 1,500 fans at each home game, a ten-fold increase from when he first rescued Worthing.Their third-placed finish last season was the best result in the club’s history and saw them qualify for the play-offs.A staggering 30,000 people tried to get tickets for the final against Braintree, selling out their 3,500-capacity ground, as they agonisingly missed out on promotion following a dramatic 4-3 defeat.But while the short-term goal is to get into the National League for the first time, there is no ceiling on Dowell’s ambitions for Worthing – whose supporters chant his name and adore their hero. Dowell added: “When we came in, we set a very ambitious plan of trying to get two promotions in five years, which is a crazy thing to do when you’re 22 with no experience.Dowell was a promising young footballer with aspirations to go proCredit: Instagram @gdowellThe film delves into the drive to get Worthing up the divisionsCredit: TNT SPORTSGeorge and Jessikah welcomed baby Bonnie in 2023Credit: Instagram @gdowellHe got this tattoo to mark two promotions in five seasonsCredit: Instagram @gdowell“Now we are in the National League South, the highest the club’s ever been. It took seven years but only five complete seasons so I’ll take that as a win.”We definitely want to get to the National League as soon as we can. We were very, very close last year.“In the long-term, we don’t see a ceiling. We don’t see why a town as big as Worthing can’t sustain a club in the Football League. I don’t see why it can’t do that.“We’re going to try and make that happen at some point.“I’ll always be a fan and I want to be involved as long as I possibly can be but I’ll never overstay my welcome. “I’m sure that at some point the club will get to a point whereby it needs a lot more investment and it will need a lot more money to climb the league. I’d never ever stand in the club’s way of progressing.”Dowell’s impact has not gone unnoticed.As well as the recognition from Worthing’s passionate fans and now the TNT Sports cameras, he was also invited on to TV show The Undateables and even received an MBE for his services to football and disability awareness. He said: “The MBE, I never thought in my wildest dreams that would happen in my lifetime. That was very weird. I thought it was a scam when I first got the email about it.“When The Undateables first got in touch, I wasn’t really interested in going on or looking for love but they thought that mine would be a really good story to tell.“I’m really glad I did it. I was in a rut, it gave me confidence I could find love and that I don’t have to be as scared.”At the time of my injury, I thought I’m never going to be a dad, never going to achieve much in my life.George DowellIt was through his appearance on telly that he inadvertently met girlfriend Jessikah, who added him on social media after watching the programme.The documentary candidly details their relationship including the various challenges of being an inter-able couple from the daily practicalities to the impact on sex and conceiving. But thanks to IVF, George and Jessikah welcomed their baby daughter Bonnie into the world last November – and the new parents give an insight into parenthood on their YouTube channel, The Wheel Life.Dowell explained: “If Jessikah had never seen that show, we wouldn’t have started chatting and wouldn’t be as happy as we are now with baby Bonnie who’s ten months old.“I really loved being a dad and really love our little family.“At the time of my injury, I thought I’m never going to be a dad, never going to achieve much in my life. “It goes to show you there is still plenty you can achieve post-injury and there’s no reason why, if you’re passionate about something, you can’t make it happen.”READ MORE SUN STORIESIt is fair to say George saved Worthing – but Dowell himself will be the first to admit that Worthing also saved George. The Club That George Built premieres on TNT Sports 1 at 22:30 on 1st October 2024 and will be available to watch on-demand via discovery+George reluctantly appeared on The Undateables but it helped build his confidenceCredit: Channel 4Dowell is wheelchair bound after being paralysed from the chest downCredit: Instagram @gdowellWorthing play their football in the National League SouthCredit: RexDowell has limited use of his armsCredit: Instagram @gdowellDowell wrote off Worthing’s debts when he bought the clubCredit: Instagram @gdowellHe received his MBE from Princess AnneCredit: TNT Sports More

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      Watch moment Lionel Messi ‘helps pitch invader outrun security’ as fans say ‘wish more people were like him’

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      THIS is the bizarre moment Lionel Messi helped out a pitch invader… with fans loving his actions.The football legend continued his brilliant form this season with a terrific goal to help Inter Miami to a 1-1 draw with Charlotte.Lionel Messi took a selfie with a pitch invaderCredit: X/sergetrevorrHe then tried to help the fan evade securityMessi, 37, rolled back the years as he picked up the ball just outside the box and beat a man before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.But it was another Messi incident which drew praise from fans.The Argentine is often subject to adoring fans running onto the pitch to try and take a selfie with him.So when a spectator invaded the pitch during the match against Charlotte Messi was prepared.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe quickly posed for a photo and told the fan to be quick before giving him a push to try and help the youngster evade security.Despite Messi’s assist, the fan was eventually chased down and caught before being carried away.Fans applauded Messi’s intervention, with one person saying: “Wish more people were like Messi in this situation.”Another added: “At least everyone is smiling. Messi, the kid, the security.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA third wrote: “How anyone can hate Messi is beyond me.”And another commented: “This was handled perfectly by everyone involved.”Watch moment raging Lionel Messi ‘calls referee -mean-spirited son of a b****’ in furious rant after Inter Miami draw More