Ballon d’Or

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      Henry and Richards in shock after finding out Carragher’s ranking at 2005 Ballon d’Or awards

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      THIERRY HENRY and Micah Richards were left in shock by Jamie Carragher’s ranking in the 2005 Ballon d’Or.The popular trio reunited for Champions League punditry duty for CBS on Wednesday.
      Jamie Carragher got very excited about his 2005 Ballon d’Or rankingCredit: Twitter @CBSSportsGolazo
      Micah Richards was left in shockCredit: Twitter @CBSSportsGolazo
      And they got up to their usual hilarious antics ahead of the action.
      That included a discussion about the Ballon d’Or as they had the famous trophy in the studio.
      Erling Haaland is at risk of missing out on the prestigious gong despite his sensational antics in Manchester City’s Treble-winning season.
      But should the Norwegian striker get pipped, likely by Argentina’s World Cup hero Lionel Messi, then he would certainly have some sympathy from Carragher.
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      That is because the former England defender was snubbed for the 2005 Ballon d’Or – despite helping Liverpool win the Champions League in dramatic fashion in Istanbul.
      Carragher finished joint-20th – alongside a fresh-faced 20-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
      CBS presenter Kate Abdo said: “Do you know who we should also give some credit to for how close they came in 2005 as the man who came joint-20th with Cristiano Ronaldo? Who was it?”
      Richards jumped in: “Do not say Carra.”
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      The studio then erupted into delirium as the standings were revealed – with Carragher of Liverpool and England then Ronaldo both 20th behind Zinedine Zidane in 18th and Gianluigi Buffon in 19th.
      Carragher banged the table with his hands and shouted: “I’m above Ronaldo! Hahaha! And this fella said I can’t touch it [the trophy].”
      Henry replied: “Oh my gosh. Zizou 18th and you 20th. That’s it, we’re dead.”
      Richards – who ripped his trousers live on air – asked: “I can’t believe that. Who did you pay for that? I can’t.”
      Carragher then demanded the CBS social media team post the clip online immediately to spread the result far and wide.
      And fans watching on at home were in hysterics at the brilliant piece of TV.
      2005 Ballon d’Or Results
      1st Ronaldinho 2nd Frank Lampard3rd Steven Gerrard 4th Thierry Henry 5th Andriy Shevchenko 6th Paolo Maldini 7th Adriano 8th Zlatan Ibrahimovic 9th Kaka10th Samuel Eto’o 11th John Terry12th Juninho 13th Claude Makelele =14th Juan Roman Riquelme =14th Petr Cech =14th Didier Drogba=14th Michael Ballack18th Zinedine Zidane19th Gianluigi Buffon=20th Jamie Carragher =20th Cristiano Ronaldo 22nd Michael Essien=23rd Luis García =23rd Pavel Nedved

      One said: “Carragher will never forget that.”
      Another wrote: “Carragher is just having a ball with life right now. Love to see it!”
      A third added: “Carra was robbed in broad daylight.”
      A fourth replied: “You’re a troll.”
      And a final user commented: “Joking aside, you were quality. Still remember you clearing the ball while you had cramp.”
      Carragher’s inspirational captain and team-mate Steven Gerrard came third in the vote while Luis Garcia was joint-23rd.
      Three of the beaten AC Milan team from that memorable final were above the centre-back – Andriy Shevchenko (fifth), Paolo Maldini (sixth) and Kaka (ninth).
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      Carragher’s fellow pundit Henry came fourth with Frank Lampard second.
      But top of the pile for his one and only Ballon d’Or was Barcelona and Brazil magician Ronaldinho.
      Carragher made sure the clip was posted onlineCredit: Twitter @CBSSportsGolazo
      Kate Abdo and Thierry Henry were also in the studio – along with the Ballon d’Or trophyCredit: Twitter @CBSSportsGolazo
      Ronaldinho won the Ballon d’Or in 2005Credit: AFP More

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      Ballon d’Or 2023 winner ‘leaked’ as fans slam ’embarrassing’ decision and ‘biggest robbery in history of football’

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      THE WINNER of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award appears to have been leaked and football fans are not happy.The sport has moved to a new age with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi fading away from the spotlight as they both left Europe for Saudi Arabia and the US respectively.
      🚨✨ Leo Messi, expected to win the Ballon d’Or 2023.Understand all the indications are set to be confirmed but Messi will be the final winner once again.Official decision to be unveiled Monday night in Paris.🇦🇷 It will be Messi’s historical 8th Ballon d’Or. pic.twitter.com/v8FWZQdeaR— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 25, 2023

      Lionel Messi has been leaked as the winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or awardCredit: AFP
      Fans are not happy with a leak claiming Messi will win the Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty
      Stars of the future have already risen with the likes of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka already setting the world alight.
      However, all of the above seem like they will have to wait another year for their moment in the sun.
      That is because famous and reliable insider Fabrizio Romano claims it will be Messi leaving Paris with the prestigious award for a record eighth time on Monday.
      Romano tweeted: “Leo Messi, expected to win the Ballon d’Or 2023.
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      “Understand all the indications are set to be confirmed but Messi will be the final winner once again.
      “Official decision to be unveiled Monday night in Paris. It will be Messi’s historical 8th Ballon d’Or.”
      The news left the fans infuriated as although Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, he still struggled at Paris Saint-Germain and now plays for Inter Miami in the MLS.
      That would overshadow Haaland’s sensational Treble-winning success at Manchester City as well as Jude Bellingham’s stunning Real Madrid form after his record £115million move from Borussia Dortmund.
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      One fan tweeted: “We’re about to witness the biggest robbery in the history [of] football on 30th October, 2023.”
      Another posted: “This is embarrassing. I love Messi, but if he wins the Ballon d’Or for this year I think the award will lose much of its remaining credibility.”
      A third said: “This is coming from a lifelong Man United fan but Haaland is the real winner!”
      This fan commented: “Another robbery.”
      And that on wrote: “Football is finished.” More

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      Pep Guardiola claims Erling Haaland deserves Ballon d’Or as Man City star battles Lionel Messi… but there’s a twist

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      PEP GUARDIOLA claims Erling Haaland deserves to win the Ballon d’Or – but so does Lionel Messi.Haaland has been nominated for the coveted prize after scoring 52 goals in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign.
      Erling Haaland deserves to win the Ballon d’Or according to Pep GuardiolaCredit: PA
      Lionel Messi is set to battle Haaland for the Ballon d’OrCredit: Rex
      Yet City boss Guardiola has always maintained his former Barcelona talisman, who inspired Argentina to World Cup success in 2022, is the best player he has ever coached.
      Guardiola said: “I always said that the Ballon d’Or had to be of two sections – one for Messi and one for the others.
      “Haaland should win. We won the treble because he scored 52 goals but, of course, Messi – his worst season is the best of most players. Both deserve it.
      “Egotistically, I would say I want Erling because he helped us to achieve what we achieved, I would love it, but I won’t tell you it’s unfair if Leo wins.
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      “It’s nice that many players for Man City will be there for the first time in many years and challenging for these trophies. That makes us so proud for our organisation.”
      Champions City are hoping to get back to winning ways in the Premier League this weekend after losing their two matches prior to the international break to Wolves and Arsenal.
      They face a tough challenge, however, with Brighton the visitors to the Etihad Stadium, and Guardiola has been highly impressed by their performances under manager Roberto De Zerbi.
      Guardiola said: “He’s converting Brighton into a top club. (Alexis) Mac Allister and (Levi) Colwill have gone but they continue to play at a good level.
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      “Last season was really good too. They qualified for Europe and but for some decisions against them in the last games they could fight to be champions.
      “It is one of the toughest tests we have this season and we are going to try and go for it.”
      City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who has struggled for game time under Guardiola, this week admitted he needs to play more at club level to retain his place in the England squad ahead of Euro 2024.
      That has increased speculation he could leave in January and Guardiola, speaking at a press conference on Friday, did not rule out that possibility.
      He said: “The transfer window is over, now we are here together. When we need a game with transitions or games with something with chaos Kalvin is perfect.
      Guardiola believes both Haaland and Messi would be worthy Ballon d’Or winnersCredit: Getty
      “When there is something you need to do, there are still one or two players who can do it better. That’s the simple reason.
      “He will be here until winter. After, I don’t know what will happen because nobody knows once the window is open.”
      Guardiola admitted it was “so important” Rodri returned this weekend after the influential Spain midfielder was sorely missed during his recent suspension.
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      Rodri incurred a three-match ban after being sent off following a confrontation with Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White last month.
      Guardiola said: “Rodri has to learn. We have to control our emotions and stand up and go. I’m pretty sure he will learn.” More

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      I earned £6,500 a week at just 13 and should have won the Ballon d’Or but women, cars and drugs wrecked my career

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      FABIO PAIM is the ultimate story of a football career ruined by money.The child prodigy left his four younger siblings and mother aged eight to live at the Sporting academy.
      Fabio Paim was on £10,000 per week plus a £130,000 annual bonus when on loan at Chelsea aged 20Credit: Chelsea FC – Getty
      The footballer’s career was ruined by fame and money at such a young age
      He was so good that the club paid him £4,400 per week when he was just 13, plus a staggering £130,000 annual bonus. 
      That weekly wage increased through his teenage years to £5,000, £6,000 and £8,000 before he joined Chelsea on loan aged 20 earning £10,000 per week as well as that mammoth bumper pay packet. 
      Many believed Paim would become one of if not the best players to ever grace a football field, including the man himself and his childhood friend Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Ronaldo famously said upon joining Manchester United in 2003: “If you think I’m good, wait until you see Fabio Paim.”
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      But these days, Paim’s tale is one of regrets and mistakes and the sad narrative of someone who failed to realise his potential.
      Asked if he could have won Ballons d’Or, Champions League and even the World Cup for Portugal, Paim told SunSport: “Yes. I believe so. Cristiano did and I could too.
      “Until today, there has been no one like me that young. 
      “At that time I was better than Cristiano. 
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      “I didn’t work the same as them [Ronaldo and Lionel Messi].
      “I started earning lots of money and had fame way earlier. That led me to a different path, that’s why I’m not among them and I don’t deserve it.
      “I was born with talent. As I was earning lots of money, I got the illusion I didn’t need the effort.
      “When I was 13, my monthly wage was €19,000 plus a €150,000 bonus per year. It was always going up. It was too fast. 
      “I always looked after my family because I had the biggest income at home by 12. My mother was a domestic worker in other people’s houses.
      “I could spend the money on my stuff and even when I was doing wrong, I was never called to attention. 
      “No one said anything because I was so good. Sporting wanted me to play so they let me do whatever I wanted as long as I kept playing at that level.”
      Paim, who actually dreamed of being a pop star, embraced his fame at an early age and dived headfirst into an indulgent lifestyle of partying, women and cars.
      DRIVEN TO DESTRUCTION
      He bought his first motor, a high-end convertible Mercedes, before obtaining a driving licence and owned a whole fleet of supercars… and a Fiat Punto. 
      But now as drives his BMW around the Algarve, he recognises his spending was reckless because he wasn’t taught how to budget his finances wisely. 
      Paim added: “To be honest, I regret some of the choices I’ve made.
      “I believe I should have been taught better because I was earning a lot of money and didn’t know how to deal with that.
      “I wanted everything at the same time. I shouldn’t have rushed things. I should have been more humble and paid attention to what people were telling me.
      “I liked a lot of things, things I couldn’t have as a child. But I was also robbed and people took advantage of me several times. People in the bank, the guy that sold me the cars. 

      “I bought all kinds of cars. Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, Audis because it was my dream as a child and I had no one telling me it wasn’t right. 
      “The worst investment you can make is cars. But my head couldn’t think that way and no one taught me better.
      Many tipped the talented youngster to win countless trophies and awardsCredit: Fabio Paim
      Paim left home aged eight to live at the Sporting academyCredit: Fabio Paim
      His mother cleaned other people’s houses while Fabio and his siblings were growing upCredit: Fabio Paim
      By the age of 12, Paim was the biggest earner in his familyCredit: Fabio Paim
      After a difficult childhood, he could not resist treating himself to flash carsCredit: Fabio Paim
      “I started drinking when I was 18 or 19 then started going to parties. It became a routine, more partying, more and more things. I got to know a different lifestyle. 
      “As a footballer, I performed the same. I was scoring, playing well in games but after that, I was partying and making bad decisions.”
      Despite his immense potential, Paim never broke into the Sporting first team and joined a host of other Portuguese players at Chelsea with a season-long loan in 2008-09.
      The lack of Premier League 2 in those days, though, meant he did not play regular matches under reserve team managers Brendan Rodgers or Paul Clement.
      After another two loans in the 2009-10 season, Paim was released by Sporting in 2010, embarking on a career that took him around the world simply chasing more money to fuel his expensive, lavish lifestyle. 
      But he got a major wake-up call when, in 2019, he was arrested and put in prison for a year on suspicion of drug trafficking. 
      Paim was acquitted when the case collapsed then had a brief stint in Poland’s third tier before realising he must use his experiences to help others.
      The ex-winger, therefore, now travels around Portugal visiting schools, universities and football clubs giving talks and presentations.
      The message is close to home, too, with his 11-year-old son Jaden now in the Sporting academy. 
      Parents don’t want their kids to end up like meFabio Paim
      He added: “I feel it’s mandatory for me to give back to the kids and teach them what I didn’t have anyone to teach me because I can’t give the gift or talent I was born with to anyone. I can’t teach that. 
      “But if I can teach what I have learnt from my experience and what I see has changed in football because of me and because of my story that will be enough for me.
      “Although I don’t have money now, I use myself as an example so they can avoid the mistakes I made in getting overwhelmed by money and fame.
      “The parents don’t want their kids to end up like me.
      “Not everybody is going to be like Cristiano but if they choose the right path, they have better chances to become football players.
      “My son has a dream like all other kids have to be a big player but most important for me without any pressure is that he’s happy. 
      “If he can be half the player I was, the family will be more than happy!”
      But Paim, despite his rollercoaster journey, lacks sympathy for those who still repeat his mistakes.
      Sat in his barber’s chair getting his biweekly trim, he concluded: “Now it doesn’t get me so upset.
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      “Those mistakes are only going to happen if they want to because they have loads of information. 
      “In my time it wasn’t that way. So it’s like a choice to them. If that happens, it’s their fault.”
      The owner of Paim’s barbershop is a Lionel Messi fanCredit: SunSport
      The former star needed better financial education when he burst throughCredit: SunSport
      Paim now drives a relatively-modest BMW after Lamborghinis and Ferraris in the pastCredit: SunSport
      Paim does not want other young footballers to make the same mistakes as himCredit: Fabio Paim
      The star got involved in a lavish life of alcohol, parting and big spendingCredit: Getty
      Paim spent 12 months behind bars after his arrest on suspicion of drug traffickingCredit: Fabio Paim
      Paim still has a special bond with his mother, who he describes as his ‘best friend’Credit: Fabio Paim
      Ronaldo has collected five Ballons d’Or but Paim thinks he was good enough to win oneCredit: AFP or licensors
      Brendan Rodgers was Chelsea reserves boss when Paim arrived on loan in 2008Credit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Kylian Mbappe boldly backs himself to beat Messi and Haaland to this year’s Ballon d’Or as he says ‘I meet the criteria’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has boldly backed himself for this year’s Ballon d’or.The forward was talking after France’s 1-0 victory over Greece in their European Championship qualifier.
      Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot to break Just Fontaine’s record yesterdayCredit: Getty
      Mbappe, 24, scored a penalty after former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos drew blood from Antoine Griezmann by kicking him in the head.
      The goal saw Mbappe break Just Fontaine’s record for the most goals scored in a single season by a French forward for club and country.
      It was Mbappe’s 54th goal this season, moving him ahead of Fontaine’s record of 53.
      And speaking after the game to French TV, Mbappe was asked if he had done enough this season to win football’s most prestigious individual gong.
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      He said: “The Ballon d’Or? It’s always difficult to talk about an individual trophy, because you have to put yourself forward.
      “It’s something that doesn’t necessarily go down well with the general public.
      “Do I deserve the Ballon d’Or? With the new criteria, what counts? Catching the eye, scoring goals and making an impact?
      “I think I fit those criteria. I’d say yes, but it’s the people who vote and I’m always optimistic.”
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      The current favourites for the Balon D’or are Mbappe’s former PSG team-mate Lionel Messi and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
      Messi, 35, is the current favourite to win his eighth Balon D’or after leading Argentina to their first World Cup since 1986.
      But his move to MLS side Inter Miami could harm his chances given the award will be handed out next season in October.
      Haaland, 22, is the other front-runner for the award.
      The Norwegian scored 58 goals this season for club and country as he helped City to a historic treble – four more than Mbappe’s 54.
      Mbappe won the French League title with PSG but it was a disappointing season for the team overall, with the Parisians crashing out in the round of 16 in both the Champions League and the Coupe De France.
      It could have been so different for Mbappe had France won the World Cup after he scored a hat-trick in the final as part of a titanic individual struggle with Messi.
      But it was only enough to force penalties in a game that finished 3-3 after extra time.
      Messi’s Argentina won the penalty shootout 4-2 and Mbappe alluded to the fact that history is written by the victors.
      He said later in the interview: “I would have swapped my three goals in the final for an own goal and a victory.
      “We’re competitors, history is for the people who tell it.

      “We want to write it.
      “It was difficult to go past the cup without lifting it.” More

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      Erling Haaland could slump to THIRD in Ballon d’Or as fans call for Man City team-mate to beat Messi to gong

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      MANCHESTER CITY superstar Erling Haaland could drop to third in the Ballon d’Or rankings despite his record-breaking exploits.Haaland led City to a Treble as he became the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer in a single campaign and topped the Champions League charts, while also dominating the FA Cup.
      Manchester City star Erling Haaland could finish third in the Ballon d’or rankingsCredit: Getty
      Fans prefer Haaland’s Manchester City team-mate Rodri for the Ballon d’Or awardCredit: Rex
      Lionel Messi could also win the award after leading Argentina to the World CupCredit: Getty
      However, fans believe one of the star striker’s City team-mates deserves the Ballon d’Or more than Pep Guardiola’s goal machine.
      And that is none other than Rodri, who added the Nations League to his trophy case on Sunday.
      The midfielder helped Spain beat Croatia on penalties after a goalless draw in the final at De Kuip.
      The 26-year-old put together another man-of-the-match performance in a final shortly after scoring City’s winner against Inter Milan to seal the club’s first ever Champions League trophy.
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      And Rodri’s exploits could see him cut some of Haaland’s votes for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
      The Norway international poses as a favourite, while Lionel Messi is hoping for an eighth award after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.
      But Rodri’s success could slump Haaland to third place following mass praise from the fans.
      One fan tweeted: “Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Nations League. MOTM awards in multiple finals. Rodri has completed football this season.”
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      Another commented: “All timer season by a DM. Rodri deserves to be on that Ballon d’Or podium.”
      A third posted: “If Jorginho made top 3 in the Ballon D’or in 2021, then Rodri should be winning the Ballon D’or for winning the treble and winning the Nations League… Uncomfortable conversations.”
      This fan wrote: “Rodri is a better contender for the Ballon D’or than Messi.”
      And that one stated: “It has been a good 2022/2023-season for Rodri. A Ballon d’Or worthy season.” More

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      Inside Messi’s new Salt Bae-style restaurant as diners slam eye-watering prices with £40 pasta & £30 chocolate football

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      LIONEL Messi’s new Salt Bae-style restaurant has been slammed by diners over its eye-watering prices.Footy supporters have blasted him for charging £18.30 for a plate of macaroni.
      Lionel Messi, seen here during his recent Saudi visit, has opened a Salt bae-style restaurantCredit: Instagram
      Salt Bae poses with beaming Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba at his Dubai restaurant in 2018Credit: Instagram
      Spanish influencer Monica Moran tucks into the Ballon d’Or chocolate dessert which costs £30.90Credit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
      Monica’s TikTok video of the restaurant went viral, picking up 13.8m viewsCredit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
      Messi’s new restaurant is in the five-star MiM Hotel in AndorraCredit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
      The Argentine World Cup hero’s ravioli is £39.20 albeit it is filled with lobster.
      The 35-year-old PSG ace also sells a £30.90 Ballon d’Or chocolate dessert.
      Fans said they’d only pay for it if the former Barcelona great was serving it up.
      Spanish influencer, Monica Moran visited his Hincha – which translates as a supporter – restaurant in the five-star MiM Hotel, in the tiny principality of Andorra.
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      Monica shared a clip of her trip with her 9.4million TikTok followers.
      The video went viral with 13.8m views.
      Monica said: “We ordered a pizza to share and it was really good.
      “They came to show us the meat they were going to make us, and the truth is that it was 10 out of 10, incredible.”
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      To finish, the group decided to order the football shaded pud in honour of his record seven best football in the world titles.
      Monica described the sweet treat as “a very strange mixture”.
      She added: “Although it was very pretty, inside it was just cream, peanuts, popcorn, and marshmallow.”
      But fans were left bemused by the prices.
      One said: “The macaroni is £18 (€21)… Is Messi coming to prepare it? Hahaha.”
      Samir remarked: “If Messi doesn’t bring my food to the table and sit down with me to eat.
      “I don’t want anything.”
      Alejo wrote: “I’m going to sell my grandmother’s house, but I’m going, I’m going.”
      Another fan joked that it would cost “two kidneys, eight lungs and two hearts.”
      Unearthed footage of Messi visiting Salt Bae’s Dubai restaurant emerged following the outlandish Turkish chef’s World Cup final stunt last year.
      The celebrity chef was slammed for pestering Argentina’s talisman for a selfie on the pitch in an embarrassing display following the nailbiting shootout in the tournament.
      The Turkish cook and Instagram star – real name Nusret Gökçe – was filmed grabbing Messi by the shoulder at least twice.
      Messi tried to shrug him off before finally agreeing to pose for a picture.
      However it was not the first time they had met.
      Video shows Messi eating at Gökçe’s Dubai steakhouse with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and a pal in November 2018.
      Barcelona forward Messi gives the chef a hug and shakes his hand as his table gets the full VIP treatment.
      After theatrically slicing their steak, Salt Bae invites Messi to sprinkle salt over it.
      Then other diners cheer and clap as the chef feeds a slice of meat into Messi’s mouth using the tip of his knife.
      He also grinned while posing for a picture with Gökçe and former Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba, who dined there the same night.
      At the time the two stars were on a break from international duty.
      Another video showed them deep in conversation – sparking transfer speculation as Pogba urged Messi: “We have to play together”.
      Salt Bae’s restaurants are known for their exceptionally high prices, particularly their steaks.
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      Guests will fork out an astonishing £1,350 for a Golden Giant Striploin and £1,450 for a Golden Giant Tomahawk at his Knightsbridge eaterie.
      A Golden Burger sells for £100 each.
      Messi previously imitated the chef’s famous salt sprinkling gimmick in DubaiCredit: Instagram
      Argentina captain Messi eventually relented and posed for a selfie at the World Cup finalCredit: instagram More

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      Erling Haaland CAN’T win the Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi claims Man City team-mate

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      BERNARDO SILVA believes that Erling Haaland won’t claim the Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi – unless Manchester City win the Champions League.The prestigious award is handed out at the end of the calendar year to the world’s finest footballer – and there are no shortage of candidates so far.
      Bernardo Silva has seen Haaland’s greatness first-hand – but still doesn’t back him for football’s biggest individual awardCredit: Getty
      Lionel Messi has had a busy month in Paris as tension between the 35-year-old and the club continues to boilCredit: Getty
      Many would back Haaland to follow up his Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year award with the Ballon d’Or after his stunning debut season in England.
      The Norwegian forward has broken the Premier League record for most goals in a single season and still has three games add more strikes to his tally.
      But over in France Messi has recaptured his best form at PSG – even as transfer speculation continues to distract from his exploits.
      Silva has a theory about what it would take for his 22-year-old teammate to stop Messi winning yet another individual honour.
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      He told France Football: “If Haaland wins Premier League and Champions League, you can put him in the Ballon d’Or discussion, and you can also talk about Vini Jr. if Madrid win the Champions League.
      “In general, it is between Messi and the winner of the Champions League, and so far, I will give it to Messi.”
      Man City are within three wins of capturing both the Premier League and the Champions League, and within four wins of doing the treble.
      Haaland has played a major role in their fight for glory with a staggering 52 goals across all competitions.
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      But seven-times Ballon d’Or winner Messi will be keen to nab another honour – even though he will be 36 by the time the historic award will be dished out.
      He has 15 goals and 15 assists in 29 Ligue 1 appearances this season.
      While European success is beyond his reach this season, only four more points is needed for Messi and his teammates to land another title. More