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      Bukayo Saka feared he wouldn’t be the same player after Arsenal injury hell as kind gesture to hospital staff revealed

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      BUKAYO SAKA lay in his hospital bed on Christmas Eve, doubting whether he would be as good a player in the future as he had been in the past.But thanks to a self-help book and the mindful joy of a new puppy, the England and Arsenal star has returned from hamstring surgery focused only on the present.Buyako Saka was ‘worried’ about his future after having surgery just before ChristmasSaka tore his hamstring against Crystal Palace in DecemberAnd it is that perspective that can help put a frustrating campaign —  that began with a Euros final loss for England and ended trophyless for his club — behind him.Saka, 23, said: “I was not happy with last season — how it went and how it ended.“But the only thing I can do now is look forward and try to be the best version of myself and help my team-mates be the same.”The Londoner went under the knife on December 24 after sustaining the injury three days prior in a 5-1 win at Crystal Palace.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIn typical, kind fashion, he opted to do the procedure 24 hours before Christmas so the surgeons could be with their nearest and dearest the following day.He made it home to spend Christmas with his loved ones but what followed was nearly four months out which he used for  self-reflection.The Gunners talisman said: “I had gone from five years straight playing football, either involved with the team every single day training or playing games. Everything stops.“You are on crutches, in hospital and need help around the house for the first few weeks.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge“I got to spend more time with my family and got to do little things around the house that I wouldn’t have even paid attention to when I was playing.“On that note it was nice and I’ve come back with a bit more of a balanced head about football and life, and I’m trying to balance them better. It definitely helped me mentally.Arsenal star Bukayo Saka’s glam girlfriend Tolami Benson steals the show in daring outfit at The Fashion AwardsSaka returned in March and played a starring role in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid“The first two days were the toughest, that realisation that I’ve got what I’ve got and I need an operation.“You start to think, ‘Am I going to be the same?’ as players came back from this injury and weren’t the same.“After two days my surgery was done, and successful, and you just look forward. I was really positive and put in all the work I needed with my diet, in the gym, on the pitch and the physios would say the same. I feel I’ve come back in a good place.”Saka is a keen reader of non-fiction and was inspired by a recommendation from Arsenal assistant coach Carlos Cuesta during his time sidelined.It is called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and its message struck a chord with the talented winger.He added: “It’s a really good book. It’s about not thinking about the past, not thinking about the future, just being in the moment.You start to think, ‘Am I going to be the same?’Saka“Sometimes I can think, ‘Oh, am I going to come back in the best shape?’ Or, in the past, ‘What could I have done to prevent injury?’“But all that is not necessary. It’s only going to bring bad energy, negativity to your body.“One of the best things I took from the book is always ask yourself, what’s necessary in this moment right now and try to live that way.”Saka spent Christmas Day in a brace and on crutches at his cousin’s, having had surgery at 5am the previous day.He claimed it took him “ten minutes” to get to the dining room for dinner.So when his lively new Cockapoo called Tucker turned up soon after, it was not easy “to get after him”, as Saka put it, even if having the pooch has been a “good and funny experience”.On Tuesday against Senegal at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, Saka hopes to ­feature for the first time under Thomas Tuchel, who he describes as “demanding and intense” on the grass but “relaxed and nice” off it.Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich chief Tuchel has been brought in with the sole remit of winning the World Cup next year after a series of near-misses under predecessor Gareth Southgate.The German has won all three of his games, without conceding a goal, but underwhelmed with performances,  especially in Saturday’s drab 1-0 victory over Andorra in Barcelona.And Saka admits England sometimes have a motivation issue against the smaller nations.Saka is eyeing his first England game under Thomas TuchelArsenal team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly has been called up to England againBut the bottom line — and Saka knows this best after a tough 12 months — is that winning is what matters most.He added: “Every player is different and I can’t answer for every player but naturally in the bigger games everyone is going to give a bit more.“In these other games we need to find a level where we can maintain that same quality and drive and hunger for the whole game.“It’s not easy at times but we need  to find that and get these games over the line.Read More on The Sun“The Andorra game, we still won, got another three points on the board and kept a clean sheet. It’s job done.“The expectation is to win, rather than entertain. If you can have both, then  perfect. But we feel more the expectation is to win than to entertain.”Saka’s Premier League stats this season More

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      Belgium 4 Wales 3: De Bruyne breaks Welsh hearts after thrilling three-goal comeback and controversial VAR farce

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      KEVIN DE BRUYNE broke Wales hearts on a night of World Cup qualifying chaos in Belgium.The out-going Manchester City star scored an 88th-minute winner to inflict Craig Bellamy’s first defeat as Dragons boss and dent their automatic qualification hopes.Kevin De Bruyne grabbed Belgium’s winner against WalesCredit: GettyThe departing Manchester City magician stormed in at the back post late onCredit: GettyBut where do you start to sum up this seven-goal thriller – which included an epic three-goal comeback by Wales and was dominated by several poor refereeing decisions and lengthy VAR checks?There were two first-half penalties awarded by referee Irfan Peljto – one for each side and both looked harsh.Then Romelu Lukaku had an 80th-minute goal ruled out following a five-minute VAR check – during which both managers were booked – because the ball went out of play in the build-up.On a night of mayhem in Brussels, the Dragons fell 3-0 down inside 27 minutes through goals by Lukaku from the penalty spot, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku as the hosts ran riot in the first half.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSpirited Wales came roaring back through goals from Harry Wilson, Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson.Yet De Bruyne had the final say with a classy finish when the star midfielder was left unmarked at the back post.It left the visitors floored as Bellamy tasted a loss for the first time in ten matches since he became boss last July.Wales now trail North Macedonia by a point in Group J in their quest to reach the finals in USA, Mexico and Canada next summer with the Belgians only three points behind with two games in hand.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTo compound Bellamy’s frustrations, the 45-year-old, who spent two years at Anderlecht, is due to return to Belgium for a friend’s wedding later this week.Pre-match, Bellamy had hailed his first 12 months in the Wales job as the “best year” of his life.World Cup winner and one-club legend rolls back the years with stunning goal from halfway line But, after Spurs legend Jan Vertonghen received a heartfelt farewell from the Belgian public, Bellamy’s Dragons were left furious by the award of Lukaku’s 15th-minute penalty.De Bruyne’s shot hit the arm of Brennan Johnson from a short distance but Bosnian ref Peljto pointed to the spot.A lengthy VAR check did not overturn what looked to be a harsh decision and Napoli striker Lukaku slotted home his 89th international goal.Wales were rocked and failed to recover as Belgium cut them to ribbons in a dangerous attacking display.Tielemans doubled the hosts’ lead on 19 minutes when the Aston Villa midfielder, captain for the night, hit the top corner with a side-footed finish.It was a slick team move from Rudi Garcia’s men with De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard and Maxim de Cuyper involved before Tielemans was left unmarked to beat Karl Darlow.Wales almost halved the deficit instantly but David Brooks missed a glorious chance before Ben Davies forced Nottingham Forest keeper Matz Sels into a scrambling save.De Bruyne rolled an effort past the post but Manchester City wideman Doku made no mistake when he cut in on his left foot and fired past Darlow despite the Leeds stopper getting a hand to his shot.Wales, who had never won on Belgian soil, were handed a lifeline on the stroke of half-time when Sels was deemed to foul Chris Mepham when he clattered into the defender trying to punch a high ball away.It appeared another harsh call by ref Peljto and Wilson scored from the spot by sending Sels the wrong way for his 14th Dragons goal.Read More on The SunTrossard and Lukaku wasted chances to put the game to bed and Wales netted a second on 51 minutes when Wilson set up Thomas to slot home.Wales were in dreamland when Johnson headed home from Thomas’ centre before De Bruyne scored his 31st Belgium goal in his final act before he was substituted to crush Bellamy and Co.Youri Tielemans helped Belgium march into a commanding leadCredit: GettyWales got a penalty on the stroke of half-timeCredit: EPAHarry Wilson converted his spot kick to give Wales a lifelineCredit: GettySorba Thomas rolled in Wales’ second to cut the deficit to oneCredit: GettyBrennan Johnson headed in a dramatic equaliserCredit: EPARomelu Lukaku thought he had restored Belgium’s advantageCredit: ReutersWales immediatel appealed to the ref as VAR took five minutes to rule it outCredit: ReutersWales did their trademark silly team photo before kick-offCredit: GettyLukaku scored from the penalty spot to get things goingCredit: GettyCraig Bellamy and the Welsh team were left heartbrokenCredit: Reuters More

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      Jobe and Jude Bellingham can be just third brothers to join exclusive club as he follows brother’s footsteps to Dortmund

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      FOR a kid so determined to escape his brother’s shadow that he refuses to wear his surname on his shirt, it seems a strange career move.But Jobe Bellingham’s transfer to Borussia Dortmund — the club where brother Jude emerged as a world-class talent — is intriguing.Jobe Bellingham is on the verge of signing for Borussia DortmundCredit: GettyThe midfielder is following in the footsteps of brother JudeCredit: INSTAGRAM @judebellinghamJude Bellingham played for Dortmund between 2020 and 2023Credit: GettyThe pair could become the third set of brothers to play for EnglandCredit: INSTAGRAM @judebellinghamDortmund have clearly seen enough in the younger Bellingham to shell out the second-highest transfer fee in the club’s history. This is no ordinary Jobe.A fee of up to £33million is a serious investment for a 19-year-old who has never played top-flight football.And given that Dortmund are certainly no mugs when it comes to player recruitment, we can be assured that there is no sentimentality attached to it.This thing has not been designed to be season two of a reality show called ‘The Bellinghams’.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe younger Bellingham — who has worn ‘Jobe’ on his back ever since joining Sunderland from Birmingham two years ago — is a serious prospect who played a major role in securing the Black Cats’ return to the Premier League following an eight-year absence.And after sealing his move to the Westfalenstadion, he is heading straight to the Club World Cup in the United States, where he might end up playing against Jude and Real Madrid.It is natural that Jobe should wish to forge his own path. After all, who wants to go through life being known as their big brother’s little brother?But with the Bellinghams, there are far too many similarities to make that prospect a realistic one.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSJude was the youngest debutant in Birmingham’s history, aged 16. Jobe became the second-youngest, just a couple of months older than his brother had been.Jude was the Championship’s Young Player of the Year in 2020. Five years on, Jobe has won the same accolade.Jobe Bellingham takes swipe at Sky Sports pundits in live TV interview before awkward moment with panel at WembleyAnd now both have moved to Borussia Dortmund as teenagers.There are differences, too.While Jude started off as a more defensive midfielder and has advanced to play as No 10 or a ‘false nine’, Jobe began as an attacking midfield player and has settled back into a box-to-box role.It is therefore possible, perhaps even as soon as next year’s World Cup, to envisage the two Bellinghams playing together for England.Since the start of the 20th Century, only two pairs of brothers have represented England at senior level.Those are Bobby and Jack Charlton, who won the World Cup together in 1966; and Gary and Phil Neville, wonderfully referred to in Jaap Stam’s autobiography as “busy c***s . . . who never stop whingeing”.So this would be quite some company for the Bellingham family to share.Not that the duo’s father, Mark, needs any convincing that his family are something special.Having one Bellingham in the England squad has its problems. Having two might be a real struggle.There are already special measures in place for Jude, the finest English talent of his generation, when it comes to his lack of media interviews on England duty.More significantly, there are times when he can be a law unto himself around the squad.This is not ideal for Thomas Tuchel and might affect Jobe’s prospects of promotion from the Under-21s.Still, should he hit the ground running at the Club World Cup and then flourish in the Bundesliga, Jobe will thrust himself into serious England contention.Tuchel is not well blessed with central midfielders, to such an extent that 34-year-old Jordan Henderson — a close confidant of Jude — is back in a starting berth.Dortmund has become a finishing school for young English talent, from Jadon Sancho to Jude Bellingham to Chelsea target Jamie Gittens and now to Jobe. And while Sancho’s career prospects continue to nosedive after a poor loan spell at Chelsea, it is worth remembering the trailblazing nature of his move to Dortmund as a 17-year-old in 2017.And that Sancho returned there for a decent loan move last season and started in the Champions League final at Wembley.It was Sancho, and his representatives, who spotted a career path largely untrodden by English kids — the idea that, with Premier League clubs stockpiling global talent, their best chance of breaking into regular top-flight football was to move abroad.What seemed revolutionary then is becoming increasingly common.For Sancho, and then for Jude Bellingham, becoming a star player at one of European football’s greatest stadiums in the Bundesliga was far preferable to struggling for game time at a Premier League club.So it should be little surprise that Jobe has followed suit.His family name will be a help, rather than a hindrance, when it comes to winning over those fanatical supporters who make up Dortmund’s Yellow Wall.Whether he decides to wear that name on his back is a different matter.Burn’s frightHOW will we know if England can defend before next year’s World Cup?Thomas Tuchel’s men haven’t had to do much defending during his first three matches.And they are not scheduled to face any elite opposition before the tournament in America — the clash with Senegal and a Wembley date with Wales are the only friendlies currently slated.With Gareth Southgate’s defensive stalwarts either going or gone, most of what’s left doesn’t look world class.Watching Dan Burn struggling against Andorra, then witnessing Portugal, Spain and France’s attacking quality in the Nations League, made Tuchel’s aim of ‘putting another star’ on England’s shirt — by winning the World Cup — sound distinctly silly.Thomas Tuchel’s England have not been tested defensivelyCredit: ReutersIt’s Mad worldTHIS column’s new favourite referee has to be Bobby Madley, after the EFL official broke ranks and admitted he “hates” VAR for taking the emotion out of football.Madley was axed as a top-flight ref for online silliness in 2018 and so maybe has less of a vested interest than other refs when he speaks about using tech in decision-making.Many other refs agree with Madley, yet they are duty-bound to pretend VAR is a force for good — as it is also a “jobs for the boys” scheme, allowing more refs to earn more money from the game.Big missBIG ANGE POSTECOGLOU may have been the last of the “Big” men to manage in the English game.And at least the big Aussie, like Big Sam Allardyce and Big Jack Charlton before him, was actually big.I’ve met Big Ron Atkinson and Alex “Big Eck” McLeish and they are not really very big at all.And as for former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe “Big Phil” Scolari, he was barely even medium-sized.Being FrankGiven that the job spec for the Spurs hotseat must now say “do not prioritise cup competitions”, it’s no shock Thomas Frank is set to succeed Europa League winner Ange Postecoglou.Since reaching the top flight in 2021, Frank’s Brentford have won just one FA Cup tie.Read More on The SunThomas Frank boasts a poor FA Cup recordCredit: PACharity caseTHERE will be another celebrity ‘Soccer Aid’ football match on TV next weekend — and you won’t find many better causes than Unicef.But these games are so awful to watch that many of us would rather make big donations in order to guarantee they don’t show it  on TV. More

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      Football fans’ most exciting part of matchday revealed in study – and ‘deeply meaningful’ moment may surprise you

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      FOOTBALL fans get a bigger rush from the pre-match pint than from the game itself, a study suggests.Supporters’ interactions with friends were found to be “deeply meaningful” and the most exciting part of matchday.Football fans get a bigger rush from the pre-match pint than from the game itselfThe findings are from 17 hard-core fans fitted with heart rate monitors ahead of a final.The participants were tracked for four hours before the game then 90 minutes of action.A large, prolonged and collective spike came during the time spent with mates before kick-off.The only time there was a bigger rush was when the Brazilian fans’ team scored in the first half of a game near Rio de Janeiro — but the high did not last as long.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLResearcher Professor Dimitris Xygalatas, from the University of Connecticut, said: “What we see is that the pre-game ritual generates more emotion than the game itself.“There’s just one moment in the entire game when they have more collective emotion, and that’s when they scored a goal.“Rituals are the kinds of things that, at first glance, don’t make any sense in terms of human behaviour, but are deeply meaningful to people.”Prof Xygalatas, a fan of Greek football, said the same effect also probably applied to concerts, festivals and religious events.Most read in FootballHe added: “Our study supports the idea that sports are about more than just the game.”Supporters’ interactions with friends were found to be the most exciting part of matchdayCredit: Getty More

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      Michael Carrick lands new job just days after Middlesbrough axe with John O’Shea to join Man Utd legend

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      MICHAEL CARRICK has landed a new role just days after being sacked by Middlesbrough.The former Manchester United star was fired after guiding Boro to 10th place last season.Michael Carrick will feature at Soccer AidCredit: GettyJohn O’Shea will join his former Man Utd team-mate at Old TraffordCredit: SportsfileHe lasted two-and-a-half years at Middlesbrough, his first managerial job, but is now out of work.However Carrick has now taken on a new job with the former midfielder set to appear at Soccer Aid.Carrick, 43, has been announced as the latest player to sign up to the charity event alongside his former United team-mate, John O’Shea.But this time around they will be on opposing teams at Old Trafford, with Carrick playing for England and O’Shea representing the Rest of the World.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSoccer Aid takes place on Sunday June 15 and will feature A-list celebrities and football legends.Pop stars Louis Tomlinson and Tom Grennan will line up alongside sports people like Tyson Fury, Sir Mo Farah and former hockey star Sam Quek.While former footballers include Wayne Rooney and Jill Scott.However Sam Thompson has revealed his Soccer Aid appearance is hanging in the balance as he continues to recover from his gruelling charity run.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe I’m A Celeb king, 34, raised more than £1.5m for Unicef by running and biking 260 miles from Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, to Old Trafford, Manchester, where the game will be played at the weekend.His body is now feeling the effects, with Thompson saying: “I am so tired but elated. I’m so glad we got it done…Sam Thompson reveals Soccer Aid appearance is hanging by a thread – and horrifying after-effects of 260 mile bike ride”Never again [am I getting on a bike] I think I’m prone to saddle issues! After day one I still to this point can’t feel bits of my privates. I’m being deadly serious!”The bike is a wild thing, Tracey who was with me going up these hills when we were skirting round the edge of Wales, that was mad and you’re just going so slowly and you feel like your bike is going to topple over! I did think to myself this is the first time I’ve ridden a bike in so long.” More

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      Ange Postecoglou shows true colours with touching private message to Tottenham star after being brutally sacked

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU sent a heartwarming text message to Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma.The Aussie boss was sacked on Friday – just 16 days after leading Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years as they beat Manchester United in the Europa League final.Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham on FridaySpurs midfielder Yves Bissouma has revealed his private WhatsApp exchange with PostecoglouHowever, a woeful Premier League campaign which saw the club finish 17th and record 22 losses meant his position was ultimately untenable.Many of the Tottenham squad – including captain Son Heung-min and James Maddison – were quick to post emotional messages of gratitude to Postecoglou.And Bissouma has now revealed his own WhatsApp exchange with his former manager on Snapchat.The conversation begins with Postecoglou writing: “Hi Biss. Sorry I missed your call. I am very proud of you. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”It was an honour to share a dressing room with you and appreciate how much you believed in what we were trying to achieve. “I wish you only the best for the future. I will always be following. Much love from my family to yours.’Bissouma replied just over an hour later with: “Thank you gaffer and thank you really much for everything on and off the pitch I’ll always be grateful. “The way you believed me and trusted me was incredible. I’m gonna miss you but it’s football life. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Got a lot to be said but I think you know what I’m thinking about you already so I’m just wishing you all the best for the future and may God protect you and your family. #bigboss love.”The exchange ended with the 59-year-old responding: “Always by your side Biss 🙏.”BBC star shares shock theory as to why Tottenham waited exactly 16 days after Europa League win to sack Ange PostecoglouBissouma and Postecoglou celebrating winning the Europa LeagueBissouma was one of the best players on the pitch during Spurs’ Europa League final win 16 days before Postecoglou was axed, and has the former Celtic boss saved as ‘Big Ange’ in his phone.The heartfelt farewell exchange indicates how popular Postecoglou was with his players who are reportedly furious with the decision to sack him.SunSport exclusively revealed that Brentford manager Thomas Frank has agreed to replace Postecoglou.Spurs will have to pay a hefty compensation fee for the Dane, and are also interested in taking Bryan Mbeumo with him.Frank is set to be Bissouma’s third manager since he joined Antonio Conte’s Spurs from Brighton in June 2022. More

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      Chelsea target Mike Maignan ‘tells AC Milan in no uncertain terms he wants £12.5m Blues transfer before Club World Cup’

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      MIKE MAIGNAN has told AC Milan in ‘no uncertain terms’ he wants to complete his transfer to Chelsea in time for the Club World Cup, according to reports. Enzo Maresca is prioritising bringing in a new goalkeeper as soon as possible.Chelsea want to sign AC Milan and France goalkeeper Mike MaignanCredit: GettyHis patience has run thin with current stoppers Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen, while Kepa Arrizabalaga looks set to join Arsenal for £5million.And with Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign beginning on Monday, there is an urgency to get the deal done quickly.Now Ben Jacobs reports Maignan, 29, is keen to complete the move to West London.And he has made his feelings very clear to his current employers so he can play at the Club World Cup. READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSWATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZNThe report claims the ex-PSG man ‘made it clear in no uncertain terms’ that he will not extend his Milan contract which expires in a year’s time. So Maignan is pushing for an immediate exit to complete the switch and link up with his new team-mates.All transfers must be completed by June 10 to take effect for the club tournament in the United States. Talks are ongoing between Chelsea and AC Milan, with personal terms already agreed with the player.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut the sticking point could be the transfer fee.The Stamford Bridge side are willing to pay around £13m for Maignan – but the Italians want more than that, possibly £15m. From embarrassing Chelsea pal to interview with dad – Five times Cole Palmer stole show AFTER Conference League finalsThe Frenchman has 32 international caps to his name and is regarded by many as one of the best keepers in the world.He has been in the Serie A Team of the Year twice in four seasons and he won the title with Milan in 2022 after keeping 17 clean sheets.Chelsea are among the biggest clubs at the reformatted 32-team Club World Cup, alongside Manchester City, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, PSG and Bayern Munich. Maresca’s men kick off their Group D campaign against Los Angeles FC on Monday – followed by Flamengo (June 20) and Esperance (June 25).Watch EVERY match of the Club World Cup 2025 live on DAZN More

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      Nuno Mendes ‘cancelled out’ Lamine Yamal and won more trophies than Dembele – so why’s he not a Ballon d’Or contender?

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      HE is a Champions League, treble-winning superstar who by his own admission recently “cancelled out” one of the most talented players around in Lamine Yamal.Yet Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes does not appear to be in the conversation when it comes to Ballon d’Or nominations ahead of September’s crowning. Why?Nuno Mendes pocketed Lamine Yamal during his Man of the Match performance in Portugal’s Nations League win over SpainMendes also guided Paris Saint-Germain to the treble, which included the Champions League titleFans have called for Mendes to be in the Ballon d’Or conversationThe 22-year-old full-back lit up Portugal’s Nations League final triumph over Spain on Sunday night, earning a Man of the Match award.He scored a beautiful equaliser to make it 1-1 in the first half – a low driven effort any striker, including his 40-year-old teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, would have been proud of.He then stepped up to rifle in an impressive spot-kick in the shoot-out, having given 17-year-old winger Yamal – a Ballon d’Or favourite – a night to forget in Munich, a real schooling in the arts of defending and positional domination.It was also his deflected cross – after turning Yamal inside out – that looped up for Ronaldo to level the game at 2-2. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMendes said post-match: “It was a clash [with Yamal] like many others I have had during the season.“I have faced up to many great players, very technically skilled players who can make a difference, but today I cancelled out Lamine and [did] not let him do what he does best.”This helped the team and I am happy I helped the team to win this trophy. It’s all about being consistent.“I have played many good games and it’s about the work I do individually and with the coaches at PSG and Portugal.Most read in Football“The Ballon d’Or? I play with Ousmane [Dembele] and he had a wonderful season, Lamine also had a wonderful season. But Ousmane will be in the Club World Cup and Lamine won’t, so I’m very happy for Ousmane.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I wish him the best for the Ballon d’Or and I and his teammates will help him get there.“I play my football; there are players who are closer to that prize. I don’t focus much on it.”New footage shows Cristiano Ronaldo’s wild reaction to Portugal Nations League win as Man Utd star is ‘used as shield’ Mendes said he ‘cancelled out’ Ballon d’Or contender Lamine Yamal on Sunday nightMendes’ PSG team-mate Ousmane Dembele is among the favourites for the Ballon d’OrHe can add modesty to his growing list of attributes, but why should Mendes be counting himself out of the most coveted individual award in football?It is the peak of snobbery in the sport that the grandest of prizes – one that Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated over the years – focuses on attackers and goal-getters.It will likely carry on this year too. Barcelona’s Yamal, PSG’s Dembele and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah are the favourites.As Jamie Carragher once famously said: “No one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville”, but is that changing?Full-backs are now sexy, admired, idolised and coveted. Surely the day is coming where someone in that position will win the Ballon d’Or for the very first time.Trent Alexander-Arnold has rewritten the full-back rule book in recent years with his passing ability and goal involvements, and has openly admitted to be eyeing the Ballon d’Or now as he prepares to don the shirt of Real Madrid next season.Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly has emerged as another young full-back prodigy after scoring on his England debut back in March, someone who originally came through the Hale End academy as a midfielder.But Mendes appears to be on another planet right now. Against Spain, he had more successful dribbles, touches, tackles, final-third passes and successful duels in the opposition box than any other Portugal player.He tasted Champions League glory against Inter Milan on May 31, having already pocketed a Ligue 1 and cup double, and could yet lift more silverware at the Club World Cup in the States next month.Current top 10 favourites for Ballon d’OrLatest odds from talkSPORT BetOusmane Dembele 1/2Lamine Yamal 7/4Nuno Mendes 10/1 Mohamed Salah 12/1Raphinha 16/1Kylian Mbappe 25/1Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 25/1Desire Doue 50/1Gianluigi Donnarumma 50/1Lautaro Martinez 66/1The Ballon d’Or is often about goals, with Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr, Robert Lewandowski and Sadio Mane coming close to winning it in recent editions.Yet it is also about big titles, and very few players can rival Mendes in that regard, but because he is a defender, the limelight will likely – and perhaps wrongly – be on others.Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk is the last defender to feature in the Ballon d’Or top three back in 2019, and you have to go back to 2006 for a defender to win it outright – Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro after leading his nation to a World Cup win.Read More on The SunTime is on Mendes’ side to replicate that and Manchester City holding midfielder Rodri’s recent win will encourage him.Play a starring role in Portugal winning the World Cup across the pond next summer and full-backs may finally get their moment in the sun.Yamal endured an ‘off night’ during the Nations League final in Germany More