Ballon d’Or

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      Dortmund reject Man Utd’s Ballon d’Or clause in Jadon Sancho transfer fee and want ‘realistic add-ons’

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND have reportedly rejected Manchester United’s proposed Ballon d’Or clause in any deal for Jadon Sancho.SunSport revealed this week that the Red Devils have agreed personal terms with the England winger, worth £350,000-a-week over five years.
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      Borussia Dortmund have rejected a Ballon d’Or clause in any deal for Jadon SanchoCredit: Alamy
      Borussia Dortmund are insisting United increase their offer of £61million to £78m, with a further £10m in add-ons, but this is expected to happen.
      United expect the deal to go through smoothly after a summer of wrangling last year when they refused to meet the German club’s £110m price.
      According to the Athletic, the last part of the transfer is largely down to bonuses with Dortmund keen on realistically achievable add-ons.
      The Bundesliga giants are said to be seeking instalments that are based on club income via team success rather than individual awards.
      That has caused Dortmund to reject United’s Ballon d’Or clause that would have been triggered if Sancho finished in the top three in the annual gong.

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      The Old Trafford outfit had successfully managed to include the stipulation in their deal with Sporting Lisbon to sign Bruno Fernandes last year.
      Sancho meanwhile confirmed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players have been speaking to him on England duty about return to Manchester.
      He said: “Of course, all the boys have a lot of questions. When you do well, speculation is always going to come around.

      “I just tell the boys, ‘look, I’m focused on football at the moment’ and we just focus on the Euros, step by step.”
      Speaking to talkSPORT, Sancho was asked if he could be distracted by the move during the Euros.
      He said: “No, I’m cool about it. It’s just how you handle that on the pitch, so just keep doing what you’re doing.
      “If you keep doing that then I’m sure it won’t be a problem because the main thing is my football and that’s what I’m focused on at the moment.”
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      Man Utd reach Jadon Sancho transfer agreement over £80m deal More

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      Fran Kirby can finally end Chelsea’s Champions League drought and should be a shoo-in for the Ballon d’Or

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      IT IS Fran Kirby’s world and we’re just living in it.There was no better occasion than a League Cup final on Mother’s Day for Kirby to remind us just how far she has come.
      Fran Kirby helped Chelsea snap up the Conti Cup last weekCredit: Getty
      She scored and pointed to the sky as a poignant tribute to her mum Denise, while helping Chelsea cruise to a 6-0 victory over Bristol City at Wembley last Sunday.
      The strike sensation was also wearing the No 14 shirt to mark June 14 — her mum’s birthday.
      Denise tragically passed away in 2008 of a brain haemorrhage when Kirby was only 14-years-old.
      The striker has bravely spoken about how the grief hit her a few years later during an England training camp and eventually she quit football while battling depression.
      Gradually, she fell back in love with the game through her mate’s Sunday League team.
      Kirby celebrated every goal she scored in the local park the same way she does now in front of millions of people.
      But it’s the unseen side of her life that prepared her to be the superstar she is now and unlocked her potential, on the field and off.
      She has helped fire the Blues into the Champions League quarter-finals, with their first-leg clash against Wolfsburg on Wednesday.
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      In my eyes, there is no doubt she should win the next Ballon d’Or. I watched her against Everton and she was the bright spark.
      The former Reading ace is also on track to star for Team GB and England at next year’s home Euros.
      I remember her first England call-up under Mark Sampson and it was no surprise she was dubbed the “mini Messi” during her first World Cup, aged 21, in 2015.
      An in-form Kirby could be the difference in England finally ending years of hurt, having NEVER lifted a major trophy.
      In my eyes, there is no doubt she should win the next Ballon d’Or. I watched her against Everton on Wednesday and she was the bright spark.
      Kirby was the one who picked up the pieces when Melanie Leupolz missed a first-minute penalty.
      The pint-sized forward netted the opener when the team looked wounded and rattled.
      She only recently recovered from a rare condition called pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart.
      She learned of her diagnosis in November 2019 and was told she may never play football again.
      Kirby shot to fame with hometown club ReadingCredit: PA:Press Association
      The forward was on scintillating form in the recent win over EvertonCredit: Getty
      The condition also left her unable to do the most basic of tasks, like walking up the stairs.
      Just over a year later she became Chelsea’s all-time top scorer — passing 68-goal Eniola Aluko — and I couldn’t be prouder of my mate.
      She has been hitting the net with her eyes closed this term and is the second highest scorer with 12 goals and seven assists.
      Emma Hayes has a star-studded Blues attack, with some of the world’s best strikers.
      Pernille Harder arrived in the summer to slot in alongside Australian superstar Sam Kerr and Beth England.
      While Kirby was on the sidelines recovering from her heart condition, some thought there may not be a place for her in the starting XI among those heavyweights.

      But she has silenced the critics and the four of them are working in perfect harmony.
      Manager Hayes is desperate to end Chelsea’s Champions League trophy drought.
      And in my eyes, Kirby can be the one to finally make it happen this year.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      The amazing rise of Fran Kirby from being told she may never play again to Chelsea’s all-time top scorer More

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      FIFA 21 predicts next 15 players to win Ballon d’Or after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

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      FIFA 21 has been used to guess the next 15 Ballon d’Or winners.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won 11 of the last 12 and a YouTuber has figured out who might win the next 15 using FIFA 21’s career mode.

      FIFA 21 has been used to guess the next 15 Ballon d’Or winners Credit: EA Sports

      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won 11 of the last 12 awardsCredit: AFP or licensors

      Messi has bagged a record six Ballons d’OrCredit: AFP or licensors

      The 2020 award was cancelled for the first time in 64 years by France Football because of coronavirus.
      Robert Lewandowski was hot favourite to bag the award after a Champions League and Bundesliga-winning season.
      Messi is the current holder of the award having won a historic sixth in 2019.
      And YouTuber BCHDGaming has simulated the next 15 seasons on FIFA 21’s career mode to see who might be the winners of the future.

      2020 – CRISTIANO RONALDO
      Nominees: Lewandowski, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane.

      Ronaldo – 2020Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2021 – LIONEL MESSI
      Nominees: Neymar, Mbappe, Raheem Sterling.

      Messi – 2021Credit: EA Sports FIFA

      2022 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees: Messi, Jadon Sancho, Sterling.

      Mbappe – 2022Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2023 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees:Sterling, Vinicius Jr, Paulo Dybala.

      Mbappe – 2023Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2024 – RAHEEM STERLING
      Nominees: Inaki Williams, Joao Felix, Mbappe.

      Sterling – 2024Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2025 – JOAO FELIX
      Nominees: Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Matheus Cunha.

      Felix – 2025Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2026 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees: Francisco Trincao, Ansu Fati, Felix.

      Mbappe – 2026Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2027 – VINICIUS JR
      Nominees: Luis Javier Suarez, Adam Hlozek, Mbappe.

      Vinicius Jr – 2027Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2028 – VINICIUS JR
      Nominees: Mbappe, Felix, Hlozek.

      Vinicius Jr – 2028Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2029 – AMARA NGOM (Sadio Mane regen)
      Nominees: Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez, Jonathan David.

      Ngom – 2029Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2030 – BOA MORTE (Cristiano Ronaldo regen)
      Nominees: Fati, Trincao, Mbappe.

      Boa Morte – 2030Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2031 – JUAN GOMEZ (Lionel Messi regen)
      Nominees: Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Boa Morte.

      Gomez – 2031Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2032 – ALEXANDER ISAK
      Nominees: Erling Haaland, Sancho, Mbappe.

      Isak – 2032Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2033 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees: Vinicius Jr, Leonel Lodico (Sergio Aguero regen), Juan Gomez.

      Mbappe – 2033Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2034 – ANSU FATI
      Nominees: Konrad Dabrowski (Lewandowski regen), Haaland, Sancho.

      Fati – 2034Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      FIFA 21 is released today.

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      Lionel Messi will be second player to stay at same club he won Ballon d’Or with after Florian Albert if he stay at Barca

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      SHOULD Lionel Messi retire at Barcelona he will become only the second Ballon d’Or winner to have stayed at the club after receiving the award.
      At the moment, Florian Albert is the sole recipient to have been a one-club man after picking up the honour.

      Lionel Messi is a six-time Ballon d’Or winnerCredit: EPA

      Hungarian legend Florian AlbertCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He claimed his Ballon d’Or in 1967, the same year he won the Hungarian league with Ferencvaros.
      Albert spent his entire career with Ferencvaros from 1958–1974, where he scored 250 times in 350 games.
      The forward was a four-time league winner and starred for Hungry’s national team, with 31 goals in 75 caps.
      After his retirement he continued to remain involved with Ferencvaros even working in administrative positions.

      In 2007, their stadium was named after Albert but in 2013 it was demolished.
      The club built a new version on the same site but renamed it to the Groupama Arena, for sponsorship purposes.
      Albert died on October 2011, aged 70, in a Budapest hospital after complications following heart surgery carried out a few days earlier.
      His record of playing for the same club after winning the Ballon d’Or rests on Messi’s future.

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      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner handed in a transfer request with boyhood club Barca last August, citing plans to leave on a free.
      But Nou Camp chiefs argued the stipulation that allowed him to do so expired in June.
      To avoid a drawn out legal battle in court, Messi, 33, committed his future to Barca for at least this season.
      But with his contract officially expiring at the end of the season he is free to leave for nothing.
      Manchester City – where his ex-manager Pep Guardiola coaches – and PSG, with former team-mate Neymar, are the frontrunners to sign the legend.
      It would mean Messi’s 17-year love story with Barca would come to an end and see him in a once-unthinkable position playing for another team.

      Lionel Messi’s contract expires at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Ibrahimovic snubs Ballon d’Or and says he wouldn’t swap his 12 Swedish player of the year awards for prestigious gong

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      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has dismissed his lack of Ballon d’Or crowns – preferring the ‘continuity’ he has shown with several Swedish honours.
      The Guldbollen is Sweden’s footballer of the year prize and AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic ended a short dry spell to reclaim the gong in 2020.

      Zlatan Ibrahimovic has never finished on the Ballon d’Or podiumCredit: Reuters

      It was the striker’s 12th victory in the award, a record by some margin, having lost out in the last two years to Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof.
      And he insisted that the honour is more important to him than a single Ballon d’Or would ever be.
      Ibrahimovic told SportWeek, via Goal: “I wouldn’t swap my 12 Guldbollen for one from France Football because, for me, they mean continuity.
      “I have seen many who have won the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, even the Ballon d’Or, had a wonderful year, fantastic.

      “Then later they disappeared, but I’ve been in the game for 25 years. 
      “Always at the top. It’s a big difference.”

      I am Santa Claus. I am the one who brings gifts to all my 27 children. Two are in Sweden and the other 25 are at Milanello.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic

      The 39-year-old is enjoying his latest renaissance with Serie A leaders Milan.
      Were the Ballon d’Or on this year, he would have a decent chance of a nomination thanks to his ten goals in six league games this campaign.

      In fact, Ibrahimovic has been on the longlist 11 times with a best finish of fourth in the 2013 awards.
      Milan sit one point above rivals Inter going into the New Year, following a last-gasp win over Lazio last time out.
      The veteran striker, currently out with a calf injury, remarked that he is bringing gifts to the ‘children’ he guides in the San Siro dressing room.
      Ibrahimovic said: “I never ask for anything for myself [at Christmas]. 

      Ibrahimovic took home fourth-place in the 2013 Ballon d’Or votingCredit: Getty – Contributor

      “I am Santa Claus. I am the one who brings gifts to all my 27 children. Two are in Sweden and the other 25 are at Milanello.
      “This year, huge congratulations for what we have done and what we’re doing. 
      “We’ve lost very few games. I don’t know if that’s thanks to me, but I did do something, I brought something in.”

      Watch Mino Raiola hang up on Simon Jordan in furious row over Ibrahimovic’s FIFA 21 image rights live on talkSPORT More

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      Eto’o blasts ‘disrespectful’ France Football for listing him in 10 top best right-wingers ever with Messi and Beckham

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      SAMUEL ETO’O has hit out at ‘disrespectful’ France Football for naming him in their top ten right-wingers of all time.
      The legendary Cameroonian striker played the majority of his iconic career up-front and he is not happy being labelled a right-winger alongside David Beckham and Lionel Messi.

      Samuel Eto’o was fuming over his inclusion as a right winger in France Football’s nominees for greatest footballers of all time

      France Football run the historic Ballon d’Or award but bizarrely cancelled it this year because of coronavirus.
      And in its place they are attempting to collate the best XI players of all time.
      The formation is a 3-4-3 with a pool of iconic final nominees for the panel of 170 international journalists to choose from.

      But having whittled each position down to a list of ten, France Football’s editorial staff have come in for some flack from ex-Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan star Eto’o.
      Having seen himself included as a right-winger, Eto’o tweeted: “Thank you but I played one or two seasons on the right yet I have 25 years of career as a centre-forward.
      “The lack of respect @FranceFootball.
      “WHATEVER!”

      Eto’o was joined on the list by nine other iconic superstars of the ages.

      Beckham and Messi lined up next to Manchester United legend George Best, Liverpool hero Kevin Keegan and Brazilian icons from the 50s, 60s and 70s Garrincha and Jairzinho.
      Stanley Matthews completed the list of historic names with his career that spanned from 1932-1965.
      Before more modern stars from the early 90s and beyond were included.
      Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Holland magician Arjen Robben and Portuguese poster boy Luis Figo completed the list.
      Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski was in line to scoop this year’s Ballon d’Or after leading his team to an incredible Bundesliga and Champions League double.

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      FIFA 21 guesses next 15 players to follow Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as Ballon d’Or winners

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      FIFA 21 has been used to guess the next 15 Ballon d’Or winners.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won 11 of the last 12 and a YouTuber has figured out who might win the next 15 using FIFA 21’s career mode.

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      FIFA 21 has been used to guess the next 15 Ballon d’Or winners Credit: EA Sports

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      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won 11 of the last 12 awardsCredit: AFP or licensors

      18

      Messi has bagged a record six Ballons d’OrCredit: AFP or licensors

      The 2020 award was cancelled for the first time in 64 years by France Football because of coronavirus.
      Robert Lewandowski was hot favourite to bag the award after a Champions League and Bundesliga-winning season.
      Messi is the current holder of the award having won a historic sixth in 2019.

      And YouTuber BCHDGaming has simulated the next 15 seasons on FIFA 21’s career mode to see who might be the winners of the future.
      2020 – CRISTIANO RONALDO
      Nominees: Lewandowski, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane.

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      Ronaldo – 2020Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2021 – LIONEL MESSI

      Nominees: Neymar, Mbappe, Raheem Sterling.

      18

      Messi – 2021Credit: EA Sports FIFA

      2022 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees: Messi, Jadon Sancho, Sterling.

      18

      Mbappe – 2022Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2023 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees:Sterling, Vinicius Jr, Paulo Dybala.

      18

      Mbappe – 2023Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2024 – RAHEEM STERLING
      Nominees: Inaki Williams, Joao Felix, Mbappe.

      18

      Sterling – 2024Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2025 – JOAO FELIX
      Nominees: Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Matheus Cunha.

      18

      Felix – 2025Credit: EA Sports FIFA

      2026 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees: Francisco Trincao, Ansu Fati, Felix.

      18

      Mbappe – 2026Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2027 – VINICIUS JR
      Nominees: Luis Javier Suarez, Adam Hlozek, Mbappe.

      18

      Vinicius Jr – 2027Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2028 – VINICIUS JR
      Nominees: Mbappe, Felix, Hlozek.

      18

      Vinicius Jr – 2028Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2029 – AMARA NGOM (Sadio Mane regen)
      Nominees: Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez, Jonathan David.

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      Ngom – 2029Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2030 – BOA MORTE (Cristiano Ronaldo regen)
      Nominees: Fati, Trincao, Mbappe.

      18

      Boa Morte – 2030Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2031 – JUAN GOMEZ (Lionel Messi regen)
      Nominees: Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Boa Morte.

      18

      Gomez – 2031Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2032 – ALEXANDER ISAK
      Nominees: Erling Haaland, Sancho, Mbappe.

      18

      Isak – 2032Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2033 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees: Vinicius Jr, Leonel Lodico (Sergio Aguero regen), Juan Gomez.

      18

      Mbappe – 2033Credit: EA Sports FIFA

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      2034 – ANSU FATI
      Nominees: Konrad Dabrowski (Lewandowski regen), Haaland, Sancho.

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      Fati – 2034Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      FIFA 21 is released today.

      Martin Tyler and Alan Smith talk about working on EA Sports FIFA football game More

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      Lionel Messi ‘tempted’ by shock Arsenal transfer to link-up with Wenger and Fabregas, reveals ex-agent of Barcelona icon

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      LIONEL MESSI came close to joining Arsenal alongside Cesc Fabregas 17 years ago, according to the Barcelona icon’s former agent.
      Fabiano Soldini revealed Arsene Wenger had identified the Nou Camp skipper as a potential signing during his academy days. 

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      Lionel Messi is believed to have been an Arsenal target during his time at Barcelona’s La Masia

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      Cesc Fabregas went on to win an FA Cup with Wenger’s Arsenal in 2005 before becoming the club’s skipper

      And alongside Fabregas and Gerard Pique, Messi 33, was one of three possible Wenger targets during his stint in Barca’s famed La Masia. 
      And while the former Emirates boss, 70, succeeded in bringing Fabregas to North London, the Argentina playmaker chose to stay at the Nou Camp while Pique, 33, went to Manchester United. 
      Soldini told Marca: “[Messi] was tempted to go to Arsenal, but he didn’t go. 
      “I remember the day that Cesc asked to leave [Barcelona]. 
      “Messi was also asked to go, but he didn’t want to leave.” 
      Whilst Fabregas, 33, went on to become Arsenal captain under Wenger, Messi evolved into one of the world’s greatest ever players accumulating a glittering array of silverware.   

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      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner won eight LaLiga titles with Barcelona and four Champions League trophies within an eight-year period. 

      Wenger’s Arsenal side lost six Champions League clashes to Barcelona including the 2006 final of the competition.

      We were interested in him, but he was untouchable at the time
      Arsene Wenger

      And the Frenchman admitted Messi was an “untouchable” target at the time of the Gunners’ interest. 
      The former Emirates chief told BeIN Sports: “We were in discussions with [Messi] when we bought Fabregas, because Messi played [with him].
      “You can realise sometimes what fantastic youth teams you had before when you’re a club like Barcelona.

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      Barcelona skipper Messi has won eight LaLiga titles with the club Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      “In the same team, Messi, [Gerard] Pique and Fabregas.
      “Pique and Fabregas came to England [with Manchester United and Arsenal respectively], Messi stayed in Spain.
      “We were interested in him, but he was untouchable at the time.”

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