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      Salt Bae crashes Real Madrid Champions League victory party and grabs Ronaldo in resurfaced pics after Messi snub

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      SALT Bae is seen gatecrashing Real Madrid’s Champions League winning party in resurfaced images.The celebrity chef has found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons after being allowed onto the pitch following the World Cup final and badgering Lionel Messi for a selfie.
      Salt Bae posing with Cristiano Ronaldo after the 2018 Champions League
      The chef and Sergio Ramos miming his salt sprinkling routine
      He characteristically gets his hands on the trophy
      FIFA is investigating how he was able to pose with Lionel MessiCredit: https://www.instagram.com/nusr_et/?hl=en
      The Turkish cook and Instagram star – real name Nusret Gökçe – was seen even touch the winning trophy, against strict regulations.
      FIFA has been forced to make a humiliating admission that he should never have been on the pitch in the first place.
      But it’s not the first time the fame hungry chef has tried to muscle in on footballers’ celebrations.
      After Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions League in Kyiv back in the 2018, Salt Bae was seen in video posing with Cristiano Ronaldo.
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      He was also spotted with Sergio Ramos with the pair miming the chef’s distinctive salt sprinkling arm action.
      And in a foretaste of what was to come, he even gets his hands on the Champions League trophy.
      The images finish with Madrid defender Marcelo also doing the routine, while Salt Bae gives a thumbs-up to the camera.
      Footage showed the chef pestering the Argentina squad as they celebrated their cup glory with their families after the nailbiting shootout.
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      He was seen grabbing hold of Lionel Messi by the shoulder at least twice as the baffled megastar tried to shrug him off.
      Bae’s persistence paid off as he finally got a selfie with the striker hailed the greatest of all time.
      The chef was also seen forcing himself into lineups with other stars as they clutched the famous golden trophy.
      He has now been barred from attending The US Open Cup, the equivalent of England’s FA Cup.
      Action will be taken against staff who allowed him access after social media footage showed his cringeworthy exchanges with players including Lionel Messi, who did his best to avoid Salt Bae.
      In a series of videos posted on his own Instagram, the steakhouse magnate interrupted the likes of Angel di Maria, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez as they posed with the World Cup, leaving the trio looking awkward.
      Fifa is conducting an internal investigation to see how the chef got onto the pitch.
      He has no commercial relationship with Fifa and was not invited onto the pitch by Gianni Infantino Sky Sports News reports.
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      A spokesperson for Fifa said: “Following a review, FIFA has been establishing how individuals gained undue access to the pitch after the closing ceremony at Lusail Stadium on 18 December.
      “The appropriate internal action will be taken.” More

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      Hayes targets a winning end to 2022 for Chelsea and hails ‘explosive’ legacy of Women’s Euros

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      EMMA HAYES believes the success of this year’s Euros was an explosive moment for women’s football.And the Chelsea chief, 46, expects her players to maintain their winning mindset in their Champions League tussle with Paris Saint-Germain.
      Emma Hayes says Chelsea will be targeting a win against Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
      Lauren James, Maren Mjelde and their team-mates have won four and drawn one of their last five Champions League group stage gamesCredit: Getty
      The WSL leaders go head-to-head with their rivals at Stamford Bridge at 8:00 pm on Thursday night.
      The Blues are looking to clinch a double group stage win against the French giants in their final match this year.
      At this point last year the Kingsmeadow side exited the Champions League following a 4-0 loss to Wolfsburg.
      A win against PSG would see Hayes’ aces seal a six-game unbeaten run at this phase of the tournament with their quarter-final spot already booked. 
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      The Blues chief said: “Last year was such a learning curve for the team. 
      “When you’re going into a game thinking ‘as long as you don’t lose by a certain number’, that’s a catastrophic head space and one I won’t entertain.
      “We play to win every game. If the team aspires for the biggest things it has to train with that application.
      “With that in mind, I expect my team to have the right approach and I will be disappointed if it is otherwise.”
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      Chelsea’s duel with PSG comes just over four months on from the Lionesses’ history-making triumph at the Euros with the team becoming the first England Women’s side to win the contest. 
      Their success saw the squad named as the Team of the Year at the BBC’s 2022 Sports Personality of the Year awards. 
      Emma Hayes reckons the success of the Euros and the Lionesses’ triumph has helped to elevate women’s gameCredit: PA
      And Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman and Beth Mead won Coach and Player of the Year gongs at the ceremony.
      The European Championship, hosted on English soil for the first time since 2005, was a record-breaking one for women’s football  
      The final at Wembley attracted a crowd of 87,192, the largest to ever attend a Euros final in the women’s or men’s games. 
      And a total of 365 million viewers watched the tournament worldwide, double the number of those who tuned in for the 2017 contest. 
      This year’s Euros were watched by 365 million viewers worldwide with its Wembley final attended by a record-breaking crowd of 87,192Credit: PA
      On whether she believes attitudes towards women’s football have changed since England’s triumph, Hayes added: “It took an explosive moment like the Euros to almost, like, inject steroids into the sport and fast forward our journey.”
      “I think the foundations underpinning it are able to cope with those challenges.” More

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      FC Zurich 1 Arsenal 9: Maanum on fire as Gunners crush Swiss opponents and top of their Champions League group

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      FRIDA MAANUM caused mayhem in Arsenal’s attack as they ran riot against FC Zurich in a nine-goal away demolition.The midfielder bagged a hat-trick as the Gunners turned on the style with a 9-1 victory that saw them finish top of their Champions League group. 
      Frida Maanum netted in the first half and the second during Arsenal’s 9-1 trouncing of FC ZurichCredit: Getty
      Stina Blackstenius was on target with a brace with five different Arsenal players on the score sheetCredit: Reuters
      The result was a positive tonic for the North London giants who have seen their attacking ranks depleted following ACL injuries to Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead.
      The match saw five different players get on the score sheet for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
      And the Gunners’ travelling fans were given a boost with Kim Little amongst the goalscorers.
      The Arsenal stalwart returned to action for the first time since October after missing seven games due to a knee injury. 
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      On how important it was to see a mix of players on target for his team, Eidevall said: “Of course, end product is important with forward players. 
      “I also think it’s important when we look to develop the existing players we have. 
      “It also poses one of those challenges in this transfer window that we also need to recruit players that can give us end product.
      “That is certainly one of the measurable factors that we have lost with those two players (Miedema and Mead). 
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      “We need to take this into consideration when we recruit.”
      Arsenal’s win occurred before Mead capped a standout year on the pitch for club and country when she was named as the winner of the BBC’S 2022 Sports Personality of the Year gong.
      And her Gunners pal Jen Beattie shared a clip of the forward’s team-mates cheering on her win as they travelled back to England following their defeat of Zurich. 
      Shortly before the announcement of Mead’s triumph, Eidevall added: “It’s an extraordinary year she has had under difficult circumstances that we are all – aware of. 
      “Like I said – and I think it was in the autumn of 2021 – Beth Mead is this good. 
      “It becomes so clear when you see her in training.  
      “What people took as form, you could easily see it’s not form, it’s quality.
      “That’s why I’m also very confident that she will be able to return in a very strong condition again because she is that good of a football player. 
      “I’m very happy for her that she has been able to show that for a lot of people.”
      The visitors came into the game looking to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to Lyon at the Emirates and with the aim of finishing top of Group C. 
      Maanum got the ball rolling in the 18th-minute with goal from a lofted free-kick with the Swiss side pinned back early on. 
      That came minutes after the hosts’ looked for a penalty after Alayah Pilgrim collided with Arsenal defender Rafaelle in the box. 
      Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute with Caitlin Foord slotting home from Stina Blackstenius’s cross after Leah Williamson’s header hit the crossbar. 
      And a swift counter saw the visitors make it 3-0 with Lia Walti teeing up Maanum to fire the ball beyond the grasp of goalkeeper Lourdes Romero. 
      Any hopes of a let-up for the hosts were blown away when Maanum set up Blackstenius for a tap-in close to the stroke of half-time. 
      Kim Little capped her return from injury for Arsenal by converting a second-half penaltyCredit: Getty
      Maanum later made it 5-0 in the 51st minute blasting home a top-corner strike – her eighth goal in 12 games played this term. 
      Former Zurich player Noelle Maritz was the provider for Blackstenius as the Gunners striker bagged Arsenal’s sixth goal.
      But Williamson’s accidental slip and trip of Seraina Piubel saw the hosts pull one back with Fabienne Humm netting from the spot in the 64th minute. 
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      But their celebrations were dampened when Foord poked the ball home for the visitors’ seventh goal five minutes later. 
      And a Kim Little spot-kick and Mana Iwabuchi’s slotted finish saw Arsenal wrap a storming performance on the road. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘offered to every Champions League club’, joke Frankfurt after snubbing transfer for Portugal ace

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      EINTRACHT FRANKFURT chiefs rejected the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and joked he has been offered to every Champions League team.Ronaldo left Manchester United in November after publicly slamming the club.
      Several clubs have rejected the chance to sign Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Splash
      But he has been on the lookout for a new club since the summer, and was turned down by the likes of Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Napoli.
      Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt also said no to Ronaldo, 37, with bosses at the club hinting that the superstar was becoming desperate.
      Executive board member Axel Hellmann indicated Ronaldo was offered to several clubs across Europe.
      He told DAZN: “He was even offered to us,” while Philip Holzer, chairman of the club’s supervisory board, added: “I have the feeling he was offered to every Champions League club.”
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      Ronaldo wants to continue playing Champions League football for as long as possible but there does not appear to be a willing suitor.
      Instead, the Portuguese could opt for a lucrative offer in the Middle East.
      Ronaldo has reportedly been offered a two-and-a-half year contract worth £173million-a-year with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr.
      Sporting Lisbon have also been linked to the striker, but manager Ruben Amorim is now refusing to be drawn into speculation on Ronaldo’s future.
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      In his press conference following Sporting’s 5-0 Taca da Liga win over Braga, Amorim said: “Ronaldo was in Qatar, they had the opportunity to ask him and they didn’t.
      “I’ve been asked 500 times and I already answered.” More

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      Ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel ‘leaves UK and takes up Spanish lessons’ with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid targeted

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      THOMAS TUCHEL is edging closer to his next job after leaving the UK and taking Spanish lessons, according to reports.The former Chelsea boss was forced to leave the UK after his visa expired following his sacking at Stamford Bridge.
      Thomas Tuchel is learning Spanish ahead of a move to Barcelona or Atletico MadridCredit: Alamy
      But German chief Tuchel has not allowed this to stop him from pursuing his next gig – which included the England job if Gareth Southgate left the position.
      According to journalist Christian Falk, Tuchel has “intensified his Spanish” after leaving the UK.
      Falk then tagged Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in his post, indicating them as two of the interested parties.
      Barcelona appear to be on an upward trajectory under club legend Xavi, but once again failed to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds.
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      Instead the Blaugrana have dropped into the Europa League playoffs, and will face a titanic clash with Manchester United in February.
      Meanwhile, Atletico are struggling under Diego Simeone this season having already been knocked out of the Champions League and sitting fifth in LaLiga.
      With both outfits struggling to overcome their Champions League demons, Tuchel could be brought in to remedy the situation.
      The 49-year-old masterminded an improbable Champions League victory with Chelsea months after being appointed.
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      Success continued to flow for the Blues as they won the Club World Cup and Super Cup while also losing out on penalties in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
      Chelsea were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the third round by Manchester City, meaning their next game is not until December 27 when they face Bournemouth. More

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      James Milner reveals Lionel Messi ‘went MAD’ and called him a ‘donkey’ in sensational tunnel rant

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      LIVERPOOL star James Milner has revealed how Lionel Messi “went mad” and called him a “donkey”.The unbelievable rant came in the Nou Camp tunnel when the World Cup winner reacted angrily to a heavy challenge from Milner during the Champions League semi-final back in 2019.
      Lionel Messi took his anger out on James MilnerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The clash happened in the Champions League semi-finalCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The 36-year-old has revealed all in an interview with Ben Foster for Prime Video Sport.
      Milner said: “He’s [Messi] incredible obviously, and for me the best ever.
      “I feel like players like that have their own way and, give them too much respect, they are going to run the game.
      “Sometimes you have to let them know you’re there and knock them out their stride. He didn’t like it and was giving me a bit in Spanish.”
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      Little did Messi know, Milner speaks good Spanish and understood the abuse being shouted at him.
      Milner continued: “He’s obviously called me the word for donkey, but it also translates to kicking people.
      “We’re going up the tunnel and he’s going mad at half-time saying ‘just because I megged you.’
      “I mean he can say what he wants, it turned out well in the second leg.”
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      Messi channelled his half-time aggression at the Nou Camp, scoring two goals as Barca won 3-0.
      In the end, Milner did have the last laugh as Liverpool came back in the second leg to win 4-0 thanks to goals from Divock Origi and Georgino Wijnaldum.
      And Liverpool went on to win the final against Tottenham. More

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      Wayne Rooney reveals why he kept match ball after Man Utd’s 3-1 Champions League final loss to Barcelona

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      WAYNE ROONEY has revealed why he kept the match ball from the 2011 Champions League final despite losing to Barcelona.The reason was Lionel Messi.
      Wayne Rooney kept the match ball from the 2011 Champions League final despite losing to Lionel MessiCredit: AP
      Rooney was left dejected as Barcelona celebrate at the final whistleCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      England’s joint-top-ever goalscorer explained how he felt he was “part of something special” after sharing a pitch with “the best ever” player.
      And now the former United striker, now 37, has doubled down on his statement.
      Rooney wrote in The Times: “Only once in my career did I go home with the match ball from a game where I wasn’t given it for scoring a hat-trick.
      “That was the 2011 Champions League final, when Barcelona beat Manchester United with one of the best team performances I’ve ever seen.
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      “At the end I grabbed the ball and sought out Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro — Barcelona’s scorers.
      “I got them to sign it and, as the scorer of United’s goal, put my own signature on it too. I still have the ball in my house.
      “Why would I do something like that? We’d lost a final and I was gutted but I also had this sense of having been part of something special.
      “It was a feeling that I had just shared a pitch with some of the greatest players who ever played. Barcelona were incredible and Messi was the catalyst for all of it.
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      “In 2012, I wrote the following on Twitter: ‘Messi is a joke. For me the best ever.’
      “On Wednesday morning, after watching him lead Argentina to the World Cup final with a masterclass against Croatia, I retweeted it with the words: ‘Nothing has changed.'”
      35-year-old Messi scored twice on Sunday as he finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy.
      The Argentina captain helped guide his team to victory past France on penalties.
      Rooney has previously mentioned that he rates the Argentina hero above Cristiano Ronaldo.
      And the Englishman added: “I have the greatest respect for Cristiano and, when people argue he is the greatest, I know where they are coming from and respect that opinion.
      “But, for me, Messi is just different. I played against him several times and it’s his ability to take and hold the ball, to control games, run at players, pass and score and be the difference.
      “Close up, you just can’t get near him. He is always in control. If he has the ball at his feet, he determines everything, your decision-making included.
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      “Being his opponent is a difficult place to be. You want to go and press him but know that if you do, you’re not going to win the ball. 
      “There are times you can tackle him, like when he is dribbling directly at you, but usually you’re just not going to dispossess him.” More

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      Vivianne Miedema ‘gutted’ by ACL rupture with Arsenal star ‘ruled out for extended period’ following injury

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      Vivianne Miedema confirmed she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament days after being stretchered off during Arsenal’s loss to Lyon in the Champions League. The Gunners forward, 26, will undergo an operation on her injury in the coming days and has been ruled out for ‘an extended period’.
      Vivianne Miedema admits she knew straight away that she had injured her ACLCredit: Getty
      The Arsenal forward is set for extended period on the sidelines following her injuryCredit: PA
      Arsenal say a more detailed timescale will be established after surgery on the Netherlands ace has been carried out. 
      Last Thursday the WSL’s all-time record scorer looked visibly distressed after sustaining the injury which occurred after she was stretching for the ball and appeared to land awkwardly.
      The Gunners ace said there will be ‘plenty of difficult days ahead’ and thanked friends, family and her team-mates for their support. 
      In a statement shared via her Twitter account this morning Miedema said: “Absolutely gutted to share that I’ve ruptured my ACL in our last game against Lyon.
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      “It was one of those moments, where I knew straight away. 
      “So many things going through your head: I won’t be able to help my team anymore this season, no World Cup, surgery and rehab for a long, long time.
      “I won’t be telling you I’ll come back stronger or that I’m looking forward to spending the next however many months in the gym. 
      “It will be tough with plenty of difficult days (plenty of crying, which we’ve had a lot of already), but sadly enough it’s part of football.
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      “I’m lucky enough to have amazing team-mates, friends and family around me and Beth, who can guide me through everything that’s coming while only being a couple of weeks ahead of me.
      “Thank you for all your messages, I do really appreciate them and they are helping a lot!
      “For now, I’ll be getting myself ready for surgery and it’s time for a much-needed Christmas break.”
      Miedema’s injury comes a month after her team-mate and partner Beth Mead ruptured her knee ligament during the late stages of Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United at the Emirates. 
      The England star, 27, who signed a new contract with the club this month, was also revealed to have sustained an ACL injury.
      The loss of Miedema and Mead is a blow for Arsenal who are in the race for the WSL title and currently second and three points behind leaders Chelsea.
      Miedema’s team-mate Beth Mead sustained an ACL injury in NovemberCredit: Getty
      Both players are among the most formidable forwards in the women’s top-flight and notched up a combined total of 25 goals in the league last season. 
      And Miedema finished as the top tier’s second highest goal scorer last term.
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      Their club are due to play Zurich on Wednesday in their final Champions League group stage game.
      The Gunners have already qualified for the contest’s quarter-final stage having notched up three wins, one draw and one defeat. More