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      PSG are in a right old Messi as he moves closer to facing Cristiano Ronaldo in a riotously expensive publicity stunt

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are truly in a Messi over the world’s greatest player.All that money paid by PSG owners and now faced with the prospect that rival oil state Saudi Arabia could grab him for a reputed £522million contract.
      Karren Brady writes exclusively for Sun SportCredit: Andrew Styczynski – The Sun
      Lionel Messi was suspended and fined by PSG for his recent Saudi tripCredit: PA
      So PSG are on the brink of Lionel’s labours lost. And they will be lost to competitive European football, to a team who play in the modest Saudi Pro-League.
      Should Messi choose desert sands rather than the delights of Paris, Milan or perhaps some other city yet to be leaked to reporters, the rematch in Riyadh of the Argentinian star and the wilful Ronaldo, paid the paltry sum by comparison of £174m a year by Al Nassr, will be on the Saudi capital’s agenda.
      No doubt it would be sold in Saudi as big as the World Cup held in Qatar last November.
      Saudi royal sheikhs were not delighted by Qatar’s successful selling of Fifa’s controversial choice of country, which was soon reported to be brutally using a human resource of workers from the Indian sub-continent.
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      But the possibility of a rerun or two of the highly publicised Ronaldo-Messi match-ups must have given irritated Saudi sheikhs a taste of retribution which seems to be, perhaps like their popular testicle soup, best eaten cold.
      Whether two 35-plus players taking part in what amounts to a riotously expensive publicity stunt rather than a thrilling football occasion owes any significant passing attraction to gushing oil wells rather than public demand.
      Old champions and repeated Ballon d’Or winners don’t die, they only fade away.
      The major losers so far are PSG, whose own pursuit of a Champions League title has been as frustrating as Frank Bruno’s was for the world heavyweight belt.
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      Initially, PSG’s Qatari owners must have believed that the acquisition of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, arguably then the three best attacking players in the world, were a guarantee of becoming European champions.
      Too much of a good thing maybe or even that they should have been purchasing better defenders, but the guarantee wasn’t worth the paper it wasn’t written on.
      Now Neymar is on his way somewhere, maybe the Premier League. That Messi, captain of the world champions, visited Saudi recently as part of a promotional trip — upsetting PSG’s owners, who banned and fined him for his two-day jolly — suggests a transfer move rather than chats about selling the country’s tourist potential.
      Anyway, Neymar was determined to take his ball control and not-so-controlled moods elsewhere.
      And by all accounts so is Messi for probably the last move of his magnificent career.
      Mbappe might well remain in the French capital, although he tends to be difficult to predict.
      Qatari citizens are also in a long financial wrestle with Brit Sir Jim Ratcliffe to pay multi-billions to the Glazers, who intend to make a last killing at Manchester United before hightailin’ it back to the US.
      All of which makes me ­wonder how wise it is to allow the citizens of one country to buy control of two major European clubs.
      United’s potential owners, like those at Newcastle, claim that they are totally separate elements but questions remain.
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      These would be very pointed should United be paired with PSG in a future Champions League.
      My take on it all is that Fifa and Uefa should consider whether fair play and fair purchase should feature in fresh legislation. More

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      Uefa ‘in talks to move Champions League final 2500 miles’… with event just a month away

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      UEFA have reportedly held talks about moving the Champions League final 2500 miles away from Istanbul with less than a month to go until it is played.Manchester City and Real Madrid drew 1-1 while Inter Milan enjoyed a 2-0 away win at AC Milan in this week’s semi-final first-legs.
      The Champions League final could be set for a change of venue just weeks before itCredit: Splash
      It is due to take place on June 10 at the Ataturk Stadium in IstanbulCredit: Alamy
      And the return legs will take place next week to determine who will battle it out for the Champions League trophy at the Ataturk Stadium on June 10 in the final.
      However, the Daily Mail has now claimed that Uefa “have held talks about moving” the showpiece to Lisbon’s Stadium of Light in Portugal.
      That is in case there “is unrest in Istanbul following the presidential Turkish election” later this month.
      There are growing concerns that there could be civil disturbances if president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-decade reign ends.
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      Uefa “would be extremely reluctant to switch the final” as it has already been moved from Istanbul due to Covid in 2020 and 2021.
      However, they “may be forced to consider a late change as the safety of fans is their primary concern” for the biggest club football match on the planet.
      The report states that they “have learned that an informal approach has been made to the Portuguese Football Federation, who have previously stepped in with Lisbon and Porto staging the final in 2020 and 2021” to stage this season’s.
      Erdogan was trailing rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu by five per cent in a recent poll ahead of Sunday’s first round of voting.
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      Now analysts have claimed that the three-horse race for leadership may now go down to “a run-off between the pair” which would be held on 28 May. 
      The Champions League final is set to take place less than two weeks later.
      And that means that Uefa could be forced into making a decision late.
      However, the Mail also states that “sources at the governing body insisted on Thursday that there was no plan to move the game from Turkey”.
      If the game is moved it would be the third year running that such a decision has been taken.
      In 2021, Uefa moved the final between Chelsea and Man City from Istanbul to Porto after the UK government placed Turkey on its red list, requiring a ten-day stay in hotel quarantine for all travellers returning from the country.
      That decision was taken so late that the ball for the final still said ‘Istanbul 2021’ on it.
      And in 2022, the final was moved from St Petersburg to Paris due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. More

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      Arsenal legend Thierry Henry reveals player who scared him and says he was frightened when he realised he was facing him

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      ARSENAL legend Thierry Henry has revealed the player who scared him during his playing days. While speaking on CBS Sports ahead of the Champions League semi-final clash between Inter Milan and AC Milan, Henry and Co were graced with the presence of Paolo Maldini.
      Thierry Henry revealed he was scared to face Paolo MaldiniCredit: https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo
      Henry and Maldini faced off at the 1998 World CupCredit: Getty
      Maldini joined the CBS Sports panel ahead of AC Milan’s clash with InterCredit: Getty
      The Italian legend, who is now AC Milan’s technical director, joined the panel to discuss the tie and reminisce on old meetings between them.
      In doing so, Henry lavished praise on the defender, before recalling their meeting during the World Cup quarter-final in 1998 which saw France beat Italy on penalties.
      And the French star also revealed how he was “SCARED” to face Maldini.
      He said: “What I want to tell you is very important and never had the opportunity to say it.
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      “We played against each other in ’98, I’m not talking about the game as that’s not important as I have too much respect for you for that.
      “When I realised I was coming on and playing on the right, I suddenly got scared because of what you represented.
      “The defender that you were, for me, you epitomised what defending was about.
      “The human being is even better than the player if that was possible. It’s just a privilege to have you with us tonight.
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      “I think you are being humble, because you brought that winning mentality to Milan, so I’m happy to see you there. 
      “I just wanted to tell you that you used to scare me.”
      After some laughter at the comment, Maldini then replied: “Thank you. I have to tell you that I wasn’t happy when I saw you were playing on my side. 
      “We were both scared.”
      Maldini stayed with Milan his whole career, while Henry would go on to face Maldini again during his short time at Juventus in 1999.
      Henry joined Arsenal in the same summer, where he stayed until 2007 when Barcelona came calling. More

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      Arsenal legend Thierry Henry reveals his five new rules to revolutionise football including extra points for goals

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      THIERRY HENRY revealed his five new rules to revolutionise football – including extra points for goals. The Arsenal legend knows a thing or two about the beautiful game having scored 417 career goals, including a club-record 228 for the Gunners.
      Thierry Henry has revealed his five-step plan to transform footballCredit: https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/
      Teams would be penalised for time-wasting by the opposition getting a free-kickCredit: Getty
      He also won the World Cup, Euros and Champions League and was part of the Premier League Invincibles in 2003-04.
      But now he has turned to coaching and punditry and is a regular on CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage.
      And on Wednesday night, he revealed his five-step plan to improve the global game.
      Henry was made ‘King for a day’ by CBS host Kate Abdo, and was given a crown and a red robe for the joke coronation.
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      Abdo said: “As most of you know we have just had a three-day coronation weekend here in Great Britain.
      “But if you thought the ancient rituals and gilded pageantry was done, you would be wrong.
      “He already has a statue outside The Emirates. And now Thierry Henry gets the biggest honour of them all… he is our king for a day.”
      Firstly, Henry wants to get rid of the dark arts of time-wasting – as Newcastle and Brentford have mastered this season.
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      The Frenchman said: “When a team refuses to play – time-wasting, kicking the ball out – the referee can give a free-kick just like in rugby 25 yards away from goal, you can put the ball wherever you want.
      “Just play football, that’s my rule.”
      The second rule sees teams who score three goals in a game get an extra point, regardless of the result.
      For example, Fulham would have got four points and Leicester one for the Cottagers’ 5-3 win on Monday.
      Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher asked what happens if a team scores seven – no doubt in reference to Liverpool’s thumping victory over Manchester United this season – to which Henry confirmed they goal-hungry side get two extra points.
      Thirdly, Henry said: “This is a big one for me.
      “Referees have to come after the game and talk to the press, please, and wear a mic also.
      “I want to hear what you say because they are not that polite sometimes, I wasn’t also at times.
      “Please can you explain your mistakes or how great you were, we want to tell you how great you were sometimes or how bad you are like people used to tell us.”
      This suggestion got a resounding “yes” of support from Carragher and Micah Richards, especially after recent success in France.
      You don’t buy a house without visiting itThierry Henry on signing players
      Carra asked: “Would you have more respect for them then?”
      Henry replied: “Yes because I can understand someone explaining, ‘This is what I saw – I made a mistake.’ You move on usually.
      “What used to bother me is when there was no explanation, they would just go and hide.”
      Henry’s fourth role would see sporting directors or whoever overseas transfers do their due diligence.
      He said: “You don’t buy a house without visiting it. You go in the morning, you go at night, you hear the noise.
      “I’ve seen so many players arrive at places without anyone knowing if they could adapt at the place.
      “Do you know what he’s about? Do you know his background?”
      Carragher chipped in: “What was the sporting director like at Monaco?” in a cheeky quip at Henry’s failed 20-match spell as manager.
      “If a team scores more than three goals in a game, give them an extra point…”King Titi has spoken. 👑 pic.twitter.com/B5gs5njfDj— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 10, 2023

      Henry quickly moved on to his fifth and final rule to introduce temporary injury substitutes to prevent teams going down to ten players when someone needs treatment or doctors rushing assessments.
      This idea was proposed for the Premier League but was blocked by lawmakers Ifab which prompted a furious reaction from the PFA.
      The former forward then added a bonus legislation, allowing presenter Kate Abdo to bring a radiator with her to the studio “because she’s always cold”.
      And his suggestions got plenty of love on social media.
      One said: “That ref post-match conference looks a MUST thing to have.”
      Another wrote: “Interesting rules . . . particularly about the ref having a mic and doing a presser, very much needed.”
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      A third added: “Titi take three rules from rugby I like it.”
      And a final user simply commented: “Titi the king.”
      Leicester would have got a point from their 5-3 defeat at FulhamCredit: Reuters
      Henry wants to hear referees explain their decisions during the match and to the mediaCredit: Alamy
      He outlined his ideas on CBS Sports’ Champions League showCredit: https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1656417656717848576?s=20 More

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      Jamie Carragher rushes to Kate Abdo’s rescue after CBS Sports host starts choking live on TV

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER rushed to Kate Abdo’s rescue after she started choking live on TV. During CBS Sports coverage of the Champions League clash between Inter and AC Milan, Abdo introduced the show but soon found herself in a spot of bother.
      Kate Abdo started choking live on TVCredit: @CBSSportsGolazo/Twitter
      But Jamie Carragher was on hand to give her some waterCredit: @CBSSportsGolazo/Twitter
      The host seemed to catch a lump in her throat, stuttering briefly as she struggled to finish her sentence.
      After valiantly soldiering on to complete the sentence, she was then forced to pause and catch a second wind as she started coughing while covering her mouth to clear her throat.
      Fortunately, Carragher was on hand as he rushed over to hand her a bottle of water.
      Afterwards, Abdo joked she had “killed” the intro, while Micah Richards and Thierry Henry could be heard making jokes about the incident in the background.
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      Fans online rushed to the comments reacting to the turn of events.
      One fan wrote: “The way they care for this woman ehn🤣.”
      Others highlighted the reaction of Henry, who could be seen watching almost with a hint of a smirk as Abdo drank the water Carragher had provided.
      One typed: “Henry’s face 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣.”
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      A second said: “Henry’s look😂😂😂.”
      While a third joked: “Jamie with the save but Titi was straight up in trance watching her drink water 😂.”
      The CBS panel has drawn widespread praise from fans for the infectious chemistry it is able to generate between its pundits and host.
      However, it does not stop them from providing analysis on more serious matters.
      Last night’s show saw Carragher stun his colleagues after calling Rio Ferdinand “a clown”, while also taking a swipe at ex-team-mate Steven Gerrard. More

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      Jude Bellingham ‘has ACCEPTED Real Madrid’s contract offer’ in huge transfer blow to Man Utd and City

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM has reportedly accepted all of the details in his contract to join Real Madrid.The England international is said to be “excited” by the project at the LaLiga giants.
      Jude Bellingham has reportedly accepted a contract at Real MadridCredit: Getty
      According to Fabrizio Romano, Bellingham’s deal now hinges on Real Madrid’s meeting with Borussia Dortmund in May.
      The two clubs will discuss the final fee for the player.
      Romano tweeted: “Jude Bellingham has accepted all the details of Real Madrid contract proposal already 10 days ago.
      “He’s excited by Madrid project.
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      “Real Madrid want to meet with Borussia Dortmund in May in order to agree on the final package/fee.”
      It comes as a major blow to Manchester City and Manchester United who had been interested in signing.
      Liverpool were also a touted destination, but they dropped out of the race last month after discovering that a transfer would be too expensive.
      It was reported at the start of the month that Bellingham would be offered a contract worth £12million-a-year.
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      The length of the deal is believed to be until 2029.
      The fee Madrid will have to pay for Bellingham was thought to be £124million, however, the club are hoping to negotiate it lower.
      Should the transfer go through it would be a major coup for Madrid.
      Bellingham will be hoped to ease the loss of veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who are both approaching the end of their careers.
      He is seen as the long-term successor for the latter.
      And it’s reckoned Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni have both spoken to Bellingham about joining them in Spain. More

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      Hilarious video of Rudiger marking Haaland emerges as fans laugh ‘he is CRAZY’

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      ANTONIO RUDIGER has left football fans in stitches after footage emerged of him marking Erling Haaland in bizarre fashion.The German defender, 30, produced an impressive display at the Bernabeu on Tuesday evening as Real Madrid drew 1-1 with Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
      Antonio Rudiger nestled his head under the arm of Erling HaalandCredit: Twitter / MiIitao
      Haaland patted Rudiger on the back before trying to find space againCredit: https://twitter.com/MiIitao
      Rudiger then proceeded to put his head under the arm of Haaland’s other armCredit: Twitter / MiIitao
      The stats showed Rudiger got the better of Haaland as he restricted the Norwegian striker to just 21 touches – the fewest of any player that started the game.
      And the ex-Borussia Dortmund man failed to add to his 51 goals so far this season.
      But new footage that has emerged of Rudiger marking Haaland shows the unorthdox methods the former Chelsea man went to in order to keep the Man City attacker quiet.
      In the clip, the centre-back is crouching under the arms of Haaland as he stalks him from point blank range.
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      And while it did end up working, the antics still left social media in hysterics.
      Reacting on Twitter, one person said: “He is crazy fr.”
      Another replied: “His passion and aggression in defending is always up there . Such a performer 🤣.”
      A third added: “Rudiger can be dramatic 😂.”
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      And a fourth responded: “He was trying to make sure Haaland fitted well in his pocket.”
      Rudiger is known for his strange behaviour, with the former Blues defender getting involved in music videos and hilarious post-match interviews in the past.
      Yet despite his impressive display against Haaland, it remains to be seen whether he will keep his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s team for the second leg at the Etihad on Wednesday.
      The German international came in for the suspended Eder Militao.
      But the Brazilian is expected to return to the side to partner David Alaba in Manchester.
      Rudiger and Haaland showed respect for one another during the gameCredit: Getty More

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      Micah Richards not happy with the way Inter celebrated Champions League win over rivals AC Milan

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      MICAH RICHARDS was not impressed with Inter Milan’s celebrations following their 2-0 win over AC Milan. Inter stormed into a two-goal lead inside 11 minutes after goals from ex-Premier League stars Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
      Edin Dzeko got Inter off to a flyer as they beat AC Milan 2-0Credit: Getty
      But Micah Richards took issue with the celebrations after the gameCredit: Twitter
      A dominant Nerazzurri threatened to blow the Champions League semi-final away, carving out chance after chance against their same-stadium rivals.
      But some profligate finishing ensured the score remained 2-0 going into the second leg of the tie.
      Following the game, Inter players lined up together and run over to celebrate with the fans who had packed out the San Siro, receiving serenading chants from the supporters.
      However, speaking over footage of the celebrations, both Jamie Carragher and Richards were not impressed.
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      Speaking on CBS Sports coverage of the game, UCL winner Carragher jokingly questioned whether there was a second leg, before emploring Inter to “relax”.
      Richards, meanwhile, offered more analysis of the celebrations.
      He said: “They’ve gone very early.”
      Richards admitted they were more than entitled to celebrate the first-leg win, before host Kate Abdo asked whether Inter had set themselves up well for the second leg.
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      Richards replied: “Of course they have.
      “I thought Inter were outstanding, it could have been five. [But] AC Milan are still in the tie.
      “I thought [Denzel] Dumfries was excellent today. His work rate down that right-hand side, up and down, up and down, decision making, defending when he needed to [and] attacking when he needed to.
      “My man Dzeko gets a goal.
      “I thought the game was going to be very tight today. I said before the game I just fancied Inter a little bit.
      “But I didn’t expect them to blow [Milan] away like that.”
      Some fans took issue with Richards’ comments, with one responding: “Tell me you don’t watch anything outside of the PL without telling me you don’t watch anything outside of the PL.”
      A second said: “This is standard practice after every Inter game.”
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      While a third added: “Mate, this is normal in every match after they win the game.. the players celebrated in order to appreciate the fans who always support them.”
      The second leg will commence on Tuesday, May 16 back at the San Siro. More