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      England have finally ‘earned respect’ of European rivals and are ‘blessed’ to have Kane & Bellingham for Euro 2024 push

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      THEY do not hope to win major trophies at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid — they absolutely expect it.And the fact that England’s two finest footballers, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, are now experiencing that supreme winning mentality at two of Europe’s biggest clubs is good news for Gareth Southgate.
      Harry Kane has made an incredible start to life at Bayern MunichCredit: GETTY
      Jude Bellingham has made a rip-roaring start to life at Real MadridCredit: GETTY
      Kane and Bellingham will be pivotal for England’s Euro 2024 hopesCredit: Getty
      Bellingham, 20, has made a lightning start to Bernabeu life — leading LaLiga’s scoring charts with five goals in four games and winning Player of the Month at the first time of asking in Spain’s top flight.
      Three Lions skipper Kane is so impressed with the ex-Borussia Dortmund star’s storming progress in the Spanish capital that he is concerned his international team-mate could be a rival for the European Golden Boot this season.
      Kane has netted three league goals in as many appearances for Bayern ahead of tonight’s Euros qualifier against Ukraine in Poland, as England close in on securing a place at next summer’s finals.
      And Kane, 30, said: “I’ve seen Jude’s great start in LaLiga. He’s managed to score a few goals so he’s competing with me for the most goals this season!
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      “It is too early for me to mention the European Golden Boot to him yet.
      “But if we get to March and he is still up there with me, I might have a few words.
      “It’s great to see. He’s an extremely good player, a great person, very mature for his age so it’s great to see him doing well.
      “We haven’t spoken about the German league too much.
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      “He asked me how I’m getting on with the language because he found it difficult.
      “But we want as many of our England players as possible to be playing at the highest level.
      “Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are two of the biggest clubs in the world without question.
      “We’ve got great players who have played in big moments and big occasions in our squad — not just for the national team but for their clubs.
      “Me and Jude being at these clubs will only add to that. I think it adds another level of confidence to the team, knowing that we’re all playing in those types of games.”
      After failing to win a single trophy at Tottenham, Kane is now grappling with the expectation of winning every week at Bayern. He said: “It’s definitely a different pressure compared to what I felt at Spurs.
      “Of course, we wanted to win things at Spurs but if you went a couple of games without winning then it wasn’t a disaster.“The feeling at Bayern is that you have to win every game.
      “We won the first two league games 4-0 and 3-1 and there was still talk about not being too happy with the way we played.
      Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are two of England’s brightest stars and and lighting up the world stageCredit: Getty
      “That’s part and parcel of being at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
      “But we’ve had a good start and I am enjoying feeling those different emotions and that’s part of the reason that I wanted to go.
      “And we start the Champions League campaign when we get back, which Bayern expect to win — or have a good chance of winning. So you’re going into those games with maybe a different feeling to what I’ve had in the past.
      “I believe playing for Bayern will make me a better player.
      “Whether I win things or not, the decision came down to putting me in those situations.
      “With Bayern Munich, sometimes we expect them to win because they have won the league for the last 11 years.
      “But in my short period there is still a lot of pressure to win these trophies. We have not won the German Cup for a few years.
      “And we have not won the Champions League for a few years so there is definitely a lot to gain and a lot of pressure to take.
      “Just the experiences of having title runs and cup runs and a Champions League run will only add — hopefully — to handling pressure in certain situations.
      “If we are going to win anything with England, we are going to have to deal with that.
      Harry Kane admits the recent success of Gareth Southgate’s troops has added pressureCredit: REUTERS
      “Me, being captain, I want to put myself in that position as much as possible. I set my standards as high as they can possibly go.”
      With Bellingham having previously lit up the Bundesliga with Dortmund and Kane now banging in the goals at Bayern, Kane now believes there is a renewed respect for English football in Germany and across Europe.
      He said: “I’m not too sure about whether they fear us.
      “I think in recent games and in the last Euros, the way we performed . . . I think we’ve earned the respect of Germany, 100 per cent.
      “I think we’ve earned the respect of a lot of nations around the world. Individually, with me and Jude having played in Germany, but I think our biggest strength is as a collective.
      “And when other countries look at us, that’s our biggest positive.”
      Kane’s fellow Three Lions stalwart Jordan Henderson, 33, faces the prospect of protests from England’s LGBTQ+ fans tonight.
      That follows his controversial move from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal. And Kane said: “I think every England fan is entitled to their opinions.
      “The majority of the England fans will be behind the team and, once the game starts, will be fully behind everyone. Jordan is a good friend of mine and a great person.
      “He has a job to do — as we all have — and that’s where his focus will be.”
      Jordan Henderson will face protests from England’s LGBTQ+ fans tonightCredit: GETTY
      Meanwhile, Southgate was quick to pile praise on Bellingham ahead of the Ukraine clash.
      Southgate said: “He has a huge maturity. He has a good emotional intelligence.
      “He has had to go into a dressing room and an interesting dynamic where some world-class players are there and he is there to ultimately take their place.
      “But knowing him, he will have approached them off the pitch with huge respect and will have gone into the training sessions and the games ready to compete and show what a good player he is.
      “He found that balance brilliantly when he first joined us and I have no doubt that is what has happened while he has been there.
      “He has had to show a slightly different side because he has played a little higher with them losing Benzema and his game is suited to forward running and arriving in the box and the nice thing from our point of view is that he is scoring more goals, which is great.”
      Bellingham is certain to start in midfield tonight along with Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice as he looks to continue his red-hot form.
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      Southgate added: “I’m not completely surprised because of the personality he has and the calmness he has, coupled with the competitiveness, you never know how it is going to go because you don’t know how the team is going to play and whether the role you get at the start is going to suit you.
      “For us, we are blessed. We have got several very very good players so it is exciting.” More

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      Harry Kane targeting Hollywood summer blockbuster with Champions League win at Wembley and Euro 2024 triumph in new home

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      HARRY KANE is eyeing a Hollywood summer blockbuster — by winning the Champions League in London and the European Championships in Germany.The England captain is desperate for ­trophies after his £100million switch to Bayern Munich and has a dream scenario in mind.
      Harry Kane joined Bayern Munich in pursuit of personal gloryCredit: Getty
      The former Spurs man is eyeing Champions League glory with the GermansCredit: GETTY
      Kane also wants to taste European Championship glory with England next yearCredit: AP
      Kane, 30, said: “I have been told about the Champions League final at Wembley, for sure.
      “I know the Euros are in Germany next summer. So if there’s someone out there writing a movie, I’ll try and do my best to make it happen!
      “There’s so much time to go I don’t want to think about it too much.
      “But if it did happen it would be incredible.”
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      England will virtually secure qualification for the Euro 2024 finals if they defeat Ukraine here in the Polish city of Wroclaw tonight.
      And Kane admitted his angst at going potless in more than a decade at Tottenham while Three Lions team-mates were lifting trophies.
      The striker said: “There is no hiding the fact that winning trophies is the one thing missing from my career.
      “When the boys are playing the Champions League and I am just sitting at home watching it, I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that hurt.
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      “Of course, I want them to do well — Kyle Walker and all those guys to win when they are in competitions I am not in — but a part of me wants to have those experiences.
      “I am not sure ‘jealous’ is the right word, but it motivates me to push myself towards some of those trophies the guys have got.”
      A 2-1 win in their first qualifying game in Italy has set the tone for this qualifying campaign.
      England could confirm their place in Germany over the next few days if they win and other results go their way.
      Boss Gareth Southgate said: “We have got to focus on what would get us to that point.
      “We have to make sure we can come to an intense atmosphere and perform as we did against Italy in Naples.”
      Southgate is set to ignore criticism of midfielder Jordan Henderson for moving to Saudi Arabia by picking him in tonight’s starting XI.
      The boss insisted: “I don’t pick the team based on external reaction as you’ll be well aware over the course of seven years.
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      “He’s a very experienced professional and very mature at handling any situation.
      “He’s trained really well this week — the whole group have.”
      Gareth Southgate has ignored the furore over Jordan Henderson’s move to SaudiCredit: Alamy More

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      Champions League final streaker Kinsey Wolanski becomes Argentina’s sexiest fan as she shows love for Messi and Co

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      KINSEY WOLANSKI has shown her support for the Argentinian national team and this time she did it from afar rather than heading on to the pitch. Kinsey was famed for streaking during the 2019 Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham.
      Kinsey Wolanski has shown her support for the Argentinian national teamCredit: Instagram @kinsey
      She is currently exploring the Patagonia region of ArgentinaCredit: Instagram @kinsey
      She shared snaps of her travels around the countryCredit: Instagram @kinsey
      Kinsey donned an Argentina shirt to show her support of the teamCredit: Instagram @kinsey
      She is well known for streaking during the Champions League final in 2019Credit: Getty
      The 27-year-old has built an impressive following online since she stormed the pitch at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
      She now boasts a whopping 3.6million followers on Instagram and has treated them to some new pictures.
      Kinsey is currently travelling around Argentina and has been hiking around the Patagonia region.
      And given her location she has donned an Argentina football shirt to show her support of Lionel Messi and Co.
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      But she wasn’t attending their game and rather just sporting the blue and white stripes whilst out and about in the country.
      Kinsey spent five hours in jail after she was caught streaking during the Champions League finalCredit: Rex Features
      She managed to use the streaking as a way to build a huge following onlineCredit: Instagram @kinsey
      Kinsey has put her days of streaking behind her and recently took an unexpected career change.
      The American influencer tried her hand at aviation after she got her license as a helicopter pilot.
      And it wasn’t any easy process getting her hands on her license with the process involving exams, lengthy flight hours and taking over a year.
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      Speaking about getting it on social media, she said: “Getting my pilot’s license was one of the most challenging but rewarding things I have ever done. 
      “I flew 112 hours before taking my flight check ride exam. 
      “You have to pass three exams, [an] intense written exam, [an] oral exam on the ground, and lastly the inflight exam.
      “The entire process took me one-and-a-half years.”
      Kinsey now holds her pilot’s licenseCredit: Instagram @kinsey
      She is regularly travelling around the worldCredit: Instagram @kinsey
      Kinsey has come a long way since she landed herself in jail for five hours following her Champions League final antics.
      She now focuses on her social media accounts as she continues to build a name for herself online.
      Kinsey has got 3.6million Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @kinsey
      She has built a massive name for herself on social mediaCredit: Instagram @kinsey More

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      Stadium that hosted Champions League games with 52,000 seats left abandoned with smashed turnstiles & overgrown grounds

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      A STADIUM which once hosted Champions League matches now lies abandoned – with smashed turnstiles and overgrown grounds.The 52,000-seater Donbass Arena in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk used to be one of the top stadiums in Europe before war left it in ruins.
      The Donbass Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine has been abandoned since 2014Credit: AFP
      The former home of Shakhtar Donetsk has been shelled and gutted in the middle of a warzoneCredit: Twitter/FCShakhtar_eng
      Years of neglect and the effects of war have turned this stadium into a football graveyardCredit: Twitter/Shakhtar_ua
      Once home to national giants and reigning champions Shakhtar Donetsk, the Donbass Arena played host to a number of Champions League games.
      The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all failed to come away with three points from the £320million arena this century.
      The stadium also hosted five games at the European Championships in 2012, including two of England’s group stage fixtures.
      The Three Lions drew 1-1 with France in their opener in Donetsk, before defeating co-hosts Ukraine 1-0 thanks to a Wayne Rooney goal.
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      One of the semi-finals between Portugal and eventual winners Spain also took place at the Donbass Arena.
      During this game alone, superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez all took to the hallowed turf.
      Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski are two other footballing giants who have competed – and scored – for their clubs inside the stadium,
      But since 2014, the Donbass Arena has been out of use due to the Russo-Ukrainian War in the Donbass region.
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      As a result, it has become abandoned by all at the club and now resembles a derelict building rather than a state-of-the-art arena.
      In August 2014, the stadium was damaged by artillery shelling from Russian troops as they went to war with Ukraine in the local town.
      Two months later, more artillery shelling damaged the stadium but this time it was to a much worse extent.
      Both the east and west sides were caught up in the cross fire, causing at least one large glass panel to fall and almost hit a young girl.
      And there was to be further damage years later when the stadium’s infrastructure was hit once more in March 2022.
      Due to years of neglect, the venue has entered a state of pitiful decline both inside and out.
      The grass on the pitch became so overgrown that it was not even close to resembling a playable surface, while parts of it had turned yellow.
      The floodlights have been out of power for years and the club shop possesses not a single item after being deserted.
      The park in which it is situated has turned into a grassy wasteland with a clogged lake.
      A video posted on social media shows the sorry state of the stadium as the person filming walks up to the Donbass Arena.
      Either side of them is overgrown vegetation which shockingly reaches head height due to its lack of maintenance.
      An eery and soulless atmosphere welcomes the individual as they approach what was once a booming arena full of passionate fans.
      But the stadium, which once held so many memories, is now becoming a memory itself.
      Unfortunately, the Donbass Arena is just one of many abandoned stadiums in Ukraine.
      The Tsentralnyi Stadion in Mykolaiv has been left abandoned since 2021 and had a Russian missile blow a huge chunk out of it last year.
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      Another blast from the past is the 5,000-seater Avanhard Stadium in Chernobyl, which was abandoned after the power plant disaster in 1986.
      The ground is now covered in a forest of trees and is barely recognisable after more than 30 years of neglect.
      One of the stadiums large glass panels fell off as a result of shellingCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Crew members clear up remains after the stadium was targeted in 2014Credit: Getty
      Parts of the pitch have turned yellow from years of neglectCredit: AFP
      A Wayne Rooney goal helped England beat Ukraine in a Euro 2012 match at the Donbass ArenaCredit: Getty More

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      Gundogan reveals incredible lengths John Stones went to in bid to become Man City captain – including hilarious slogan

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      MANCHESTER CITY star John Stones was so desperate to become captain last season that he even came up with a hilarious slogan.That is according to ex-City skipper Ilkay Gundogan, who ultimately beat Stones to the armband and lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophy.
      John Stones tried to become Manchester City captain last seasonCredit: AFP
      The Citizens held a team vote last term with the main candidates being the now Barcelona star and Kevin De Bruyne as the two most experienced players in Pep Guardiola’s roster.
      But Stones threw his name in the hat and went all in with a rather creative campaign to win over his team-mates.
      The England international even distributed posters with a comical election slogan which read: “John Stones – Man of the People”.
      Gundogan told Bild: “John promoted himself, yes, but more for fun.
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      “When I was elected captain, I was relatively sure that I would be in the top three.
      “It was about whether it would be Kev [De Bruyne] or me. I think it was relatively close.”
      Gundogan left City as a free agent after their stunning Treble-winning campaign came to a close.
      The Germany international revealed the Manchester giants left it too late with their contract offer in the summer.
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      The 32-year-old eventually turned down a new deal at the Etihad in favour of a move to Barcelona.
      And the German has admitted he could have been persuaded to extend his seven-year stay if they had come to him earlier.
      Gundogan said: “I’m honest and many people don’t know this but in the end, it wasn’t about a year or two.
      “City waited a relatively long time until the talks really intensified. If this had happened a little earlier, the situation would have been different.
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      Stones put together a hilarious campaign with a funny slogan but lost to Ilkay GundoganCredit: Getty
      “I don’t want to go into the minute details, but it was quite late in the season.”
      Gundogan said by the time City raised the prospect of him staying, he needed to focus fully on the challenges ahead.
      He added: “When it comes to a Champions League quarter-final or semi-final, players want to concentrate purely on sport. I didn’t know what would happen next. I couldn’t plan anything.
      “Pep Guardiola’s appreciation was always there, but officially there was no movement from the club for a long time.
      “So in the end it was the perfect ending at City, it couldn’t have come at a better time. It was also my childhood dream to play for FC Barcelona.”
      Guardiola did everything to persuade his skipper to stay at the Etihad – and Gundogan said it was a tough phone call to make.
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      He said: “Unfortunately, I didn’t say goodbye in person because I only made the decision after the Champions League final – two days before the Germany game against Colombia.
      “So it was probably the hardest phone call I’ve ever had in my life. The conversation was emotional, but Pep was also happy for me – joining his boyhood club Barcelona.” More

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      Bukayo Saka named on Ballon d’Or shortlist as Premier League stars dominate but Onana is only Man Utd star to get a nod

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      ENGLAND ace Bukayo Saka leads the string of Premier League stars nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or.The 22-year-old was a shining light for Arsenal last season, bagging 15 goals and 11 assists in their ill-fated Premier League title tilt.
      Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham have both been nominated for the Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty
      Saka was a shining light for Arsenal last seasonCredit: GETTY
      Jude Bellingham’s exploits for Borussia Dortmund earned him a mega move to Real MadridCredit: MEGA
      A staggering SEVEN Manchester City players have been nominated for the gongCredit: GETTY
      And he’s been joined on the nominations list by countryman Jude Bellingham, who bagged a big-money move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid this summer thanks to 14 goals and seven assists in his final season for the Germans.
      The Three Lions stars have been nominated for the coveted trophy along with some of the biggest names in world football – including their national team skipper Harry Kane.
      Karim Benzema and Mohamed Salah have, unsurprisingly, been nominated for the gong.
      The prolific duo were joined by a staggering SEVEN Manchester City stars, with Kevin de Bruyne, Josko Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Julian Alvarez, Rodri and of course Erling Haaland all being nominated.
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      Manchester United newboy Andre Onana, Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez and Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard completed the 12-strong line-up of Prem stars up for the trophy.
      Jamal Musiala’s displays for Bayern Munich saw him rewarded with a nomination alongside new team-mate and Red Devils summer transfer target Kim Min-jae.
      Paris Saint-Germain duo Randal Kolo Muani and Kylian Mbappe also made the cut.
      Georgian sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been nominated following an impressive season with Napoli along with team-mate Victor Osimhen.
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      Inter Milan duo Nicolo Barella and Lautaro Martinez round out the Italian-based contingent up for the trophy.
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      Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid will be represented at the ceremony thanks to Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan and Vinicius Jr.
      Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann is also up for the coveted trophy.
      The shock nomination for the trophy comes in the form of Al-Hilal’s Yassine Bounou.
      The most predictable nomination, unsurprisingly, came in the form of Inter Miami new boy Lionel Messi.
      The seven-time trophy winner is the favourite to claim it again following his heroics at the 2022 World Cup.
      Messi, 35, ended Argentina’s 36-year wait to lift the most famous trophy in football last December at Qatar 2022, a tournament in which he scored seven goals and provided three assists.
      Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo suffered and brutal blow as he missed out on a nomination for the first time since 2003.
      The winner of the prestigious award – which is decided by France football – will be announced on October 30.
      Lionel Messi is the favourite to win his EIGHTH Ballon d’Or trophyCredit: Getty
      The nominees for the Women’s Ballon d’Or and Kopa Trophy were also revealed, with FOUR Lionesses stars included in the star-studded line-up.
      Millie Bright, Rachel Daly, Mary Earps and Georgia Stanway – who played huge parts in England reaching last month’s World Cup final – are all up for the gong.
      Read More on The SunBallon d’Or Nominees

      Josko Gvardiol (Croatia and Man City)
      Andre Onana (Cameroon and Man Utd)
      Karim Benzema (France and Al-Ittihad)
      Jamal Musiala (Germany and Bayern Munich)
      Mohamed Salah (Egypt and Liverpool)
      Bukayo Saka (England and Arsenal)
      Jude Bellingham (England and Bayern Munich)
      Randal Kolo Muani (France and PSG)
      Kevin de Bruyne (Belgium and Man City)
      Bernardo Silva (Portugal and Man City)
      Emi Martinez (Argentina and Aston Villa)
      Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia and Napoli)
      Ruben Dias (Portugal and Man City)
      Nicolo Barella (Italy and Inter Milan)
      Erling Haaland (Norway and Man City)
      Martin Odegaard (Norway and Arsenal)
      Ilkay Gundogan (Germany and Barcelona)
      Yassine Bounou (Morocco and Al-Hilal)
      Julian Alvarez (Argentina and Man City)
      Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Real Madrid)
      Lionel Messi (Argentina and Inter Miami)
      Rodri (Spain and Man City)
      Lautaro Martinez (Argentina and Inter Milan)
      Antoine Griezmann (France and Atletico Madrid)
      Robert Lewandowski (Poland and Barcelona)
      Kylian Mbappe (France and PSG)
      Kim Min-jae (South Korea and Bayern Munich)
      Victor Osimhen (Nigeria and Napoli)
      Harry Kane (England and Bayern Munich)
      Luka Modric (Croatia and Real Madrid)

      Women’s Ballon d’Or Nominees
      Aitana Bonmati (Spain and Barcelona)
      Millie Bright (England and Chelsea)
      Linda Caicedo (Colombia and Real Madrid)
      Olga Carmona (Spain and Real Madrid)
      Rachel Daly (England and Aston Villa)
      Debinha (Brazil and North Carolina Courage/Kansas City)
      Kadidiatou Diani (France and Lyon)
      Mary Earps (England and Manchester United)
      Patricia Guijarro (Spain and Barcelona)
      Yui Hasegawa (Japan and Manchester City)
      Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden and Paris St-Germain/Arsenal)
      Sam Kerr (Australia and Chelsea)
      Mapi Leon (Spain and Barcelona)
      Katie McCabe (Republic of Ireland and Arsenal)
      Hinata Miyazawa (Japan and MyNavi Sendai/Manchester United)
      Lena Oberdorf (Germany and Wolfsburg)
      Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria and Barcelona)
      Ewa Pajor (Poland and Wolfsburg)
      Salma Paralluelo (Spain and Barcelona)
      Alexandra Popp (Germany and Wolsburg)
      Hayley Raso (Australia and Man City/Real Madrid)
      Alba Redondo (Spain and Levante)
      Guro Reiten (Norway and Chelsea)
      Wendie Renard (France and Lyon)
      Fridolina Rolfo (Sweden and Barcelona)
      Jill Roord (Netherlands and Wolfsburg/Manchester City)
      Khadija Shaw (Jamaica and Manchester City)
      Sophia Smith (United States and Portland Thorns)
      Georgia Stanway (England and Bayern Munich)
      Daphne van Domselaar (Netherlands and Twente/Aston Villa)

      Only one Premier League star will vie to win the Kopa Trophy, which was scooped by Barcelona’s Gavi last season.
      Manchester United new boy Rasmus Hojland is the sole Prem star to be in line to win the award, although he’s only been nominated for it because of his displays for Atalanta last season.
      Kopa Trophy Nominees
      Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)Alejandro Balde (Spain and Barcelona)Eduardo Camavinga (France and Real Madrid)Gavi (Spain and Barcelona)Rasmus Hojlund (Denmark and Man Utd)Jamal Musiala (Germany and Bayern Munich)Pedri (Spain and Barcelona)Xavi Simons (Netherlands and RB Leipzig)Antonio Silva (Portugal and Benfica)Elye Wahi (France and Lens)

      THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Classy Angel Di Maria refused to know what his own salary would be in desperate bid to land Champions League transfer

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      ANGEL DI MARIA was so desperate to move to Benfica he was not bothered about his salary, according to the club’s president. Benfica’s chief Rui Costa confirmed the 35-year-old would play for “any euro you’ll give me” for the Champions League contenders.
      Angel Di Maria refused to know his salary before joining BenficaCredit: AFP
      Benfica president Rui Costa confirmed Di Maria was desperate to play for the clubCredit: Getty
      Fabrizio Romano revealed on Twitter Costa’s comments about how Di Maria was eager to play for the Primeira Liga side and was not concerned about his wage.
      He tweeted: “Rui Costa: ‘Di María’s salary doesn’t go over the salary cap, he came without any signing bonus’.
      “He didn’t want to know what his salary would be, he didn’t even ask for another euro.
      “He told me: ‘I really want to play for Benfica for any euro you’ll give me’.”
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      The midfielder signed with Benfica from Juventus and has so far scored four goals in five appearances.
      This is the Argentine ace’s second debut for the club and he received an incredible welcome after re-signing for Benfica 13 years after leaving for Real Madrid.
      Di Maria quit Juventus after just 12 months in Serie A last month.
      He moved to Juve last summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain following seven years in the French capital.
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      In 2014 he joined Manchester United but he would spend just one year at Old Trafford, later complaining about the bad weather and calling Louis van Gaal the “worst coach” he has ever had.
      Now the 2022 World Cup winner is back at the club where it all began for him in Europe on a one-year deal.
      Benfica won the Primeira Liga title for the first time since 2019 last term and reached the Champions League quarter-finals. 
      Fans took to Twitter to react to the news with excitement about the Argentine star.
      One fan tweeted: “Great news! Di Maria is a great player and I’m sure he will be a huge asset to Benfica. He’s also down to earth.”
      Another added: “That is one of the player i respect the most. Always hard working and giving everything on the field on every match.”
      A third wrote: “That’s the kind of dedication and love for the game that truly sets players like Di María apart.”
      While other fans seemed to dig at stars who have made a move to Saudi Arabia including Cristiano Ronaldo.
      One fan said: “Unlike Ronaldo & them Saudi Arabia hustlers.” More

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      Fans refuse to believe Cristiano Ronaldo’s lie detector test as he gives very surprising answer

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO had a very surprising answer for fans during a recent lie detector test.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was asked a series of questions during a video with cryptocurrency exchange Binance.
      Cristiano Ronaldo’s lie detector test surprised fansCredit: Getty
      However, one of his answers caught the eye, with some fans even refusing to believe the validity of the test.
      As part of the video, Ronaldo was asked: “Would you trade all of your Champions League winning medals for the World Cup trophy?”
      In response, the Al-Nassr forward answered “no”, with the lie detector confirming he was telling the truth.
      Some fans were unconvinced, though, with one commenting: “We don’t believe it though.”
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      Another tweeted: “That lie detector is fake.”
      A third also added: “All he does is lie.”
      Meanwhile, one more wrote: “I think the lie detector is lying.”
      Ronaldo has won the Champions League on five occasions during his career, including three times in a row between 2016 and 2018.
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      However, he has never won the World Cup despite playing in the tournament five times.
      Portugal’s best performance with Ronaldo in the team was fourth place in 2006, his first World Cup.
      Following his nation’s quarter-final exit in Qatar last year, it is unclear whether the 38-year-old will have another shot at glory on the world stage.
      By the time the 2026 edition begins, Ronaldo will have already turned 41.
      He does remain in Portugal’s plans for the 2024 Euros, though, and is still captain of Roberto Martinez’s side.
      Ronaldo is in their squad for the qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg having been in fine form for Al-Nassr this season.
      Ronaldo said he would not swap his five Champions Leagues for the World CupCredit: Getty More