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      Lyon 1 Arsenal 5: Mead, Maanum and Foord strike as Gunners thrash record Champions League winners in six-goal thriller

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      JONAS EIDEVALL hailed a ‘special night’ that saw Arsenal cause Lyon mayhem and fire a warning to their Champions League rivals.Beth Mead and Caitlin Foord bagged braces with Frida Maanum also on target in a blistering 5-1 Group C thrashing of their opponents.
      Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum were on target as Arsenal brushed Lyon asideCredit: Getty
      Foord was on target in both halves as the Champions League title-holders were trounced at homeCredit: Getty
      Eidevall was expecting a reality check from the contest’s reigning champs.
      But his rampaging Gunners served one themselves in an enthralling group stage opener at the Groupama Stadium.
      The result saw the injury-ravaged French giants beaten by four goals for the first time since 2006.
      It also saw the side who have several aces crocked – including star striker Ada Hegerberg – suffer their first defeat on home turf since last April.
      The Arsenal chief said: “Of course, it’s a special night and we know that we were effective. 
      “Our win was well deserved but 5-1 is an unexpected result against a very, very strong team so I’m pretty happy about that. 
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      “I’ve spoken before about doing the right things. It’s not all the time you get rewarded for that.
      “But in this game, we got rewarded and that I think will increase the likelihood of us doing the right things again in the future.” 
      The match saw Maanum find the back of the net with the midfielder given a starting spot ahead of Vivianne Miedema in a bold move by Eidevall.
      The Gunners gaffer added: “Frida was brilliant both off the ball and on it. 
      “She carried out a role that required an extreme amount of running because you basically have to defend against two players all the time.
      “Frida is one of our players with the strongest running ability.”
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      For much of the past 11 years, Sonia Bompastor’s Lyon have carried an aura of invincibility in the Champions League.
      This is the tournament they have dominated with eight trophies wins since 2011.
      But their group-stage qualification bid took an early blow as the Gunners deployed their counter-attacking flair to deadly effect.
      Maanum saw a tame early effort claimed by goalkeeper Christiane Endler.
      But Foord got the Gunners off the mark smashing in a 13th-minute opener following Kim Little’s classy long ball and a pass from Mead.
      Wendi Renard came close to bagging a leveller with the Gunners forced to clear her header.
      Mead bagged a brace for the Gunners who play Swiss side Zurich next in the tournamentCredit: Getty
      But the visitors later doubled their lead with Maanum firing home in the 22nd minute after pouncing on a rebound after Stina Blackstenius shot.
      The hosts pulled one back with Melvine Malard leaping high to nod home near the half-hour mark.
      But a brilliant free-kick rocket from Mead saw Arsenal’s two-goal lead restored.
      The second spell’s early stages saw Manuela Zinsberger comfortably save Eugenie Le Sommer’s header.
      Maanum impressed in attack doubling the Gunners’ lead against Lyon in the first halfCredit: Getty
      But then her Gunners pals cranked up the pressure with Foord’s walloped wonder goal from distance after a mishit from Renard.
      Mead slotted home Arsenal’s fifth in the 69th minute to wrap up the hefty victory.
      The result saw the Gunners go top of their group before their Emirates clash with Zurich next Thursday. More

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      Jonas Eidevall expects a ‘reality check’ for Arsenal in clash with record Champions League winners Lyon

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      JONAS EIDEVALL is relishing the “reality check” awaiting Arsenal when they take on Lyon in their toughest Champions League test yet.And the Gunners chief, 39, hailed Beth Mead’s deadly finishing after the forward was narrowly pipped to a Women’s Ballon d’Or gong.
      Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal face a Lyon side who have won their opening five games in France’s top tier this termCredit: Getty
      Lyon are contending with injury issues with star striker Ada Hegerberg one of eight players crockedCredit: Getty – Contributor
      On Wednesday night Eidevall’s side will visit the Groupama Stadium in France for their first group-stage game in the contest.
      There they will face the French football juggernauts who are the Champions League record trophy winners with eight crowns to date.
      Eidevall said: “It’s a very good reality check to see where we are at the moment.
      “That is always very exciting to see we will know exactly where we are at and what we need to continue to improve on.
      “When you play in the Champions League, it is a little bit different when you’re playing really good teams like Lyon.
      “You can’t think that you will play a game where you will be in total control.
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      “We have to expect that we will be in control in some parts of the game but so will Lyon.
      “We need to deal with facing more shots on target than we have been doing recently, facing more set pieces than we have been doing recently.”
      April 2011 was the last time the Gunners faced the French giants in the tournament.
      Back then Lyon sealed a 3-2 semi-final victory over two legs against the WSL side that included current skipper Kim Little.
      Arsenal, currently second in the WSL, go into the game without crocked centre-backs Leah Williamson and Rafaelle.
      However, their hosts are battling with an injury crisis with several aces out of action. 
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      Players sidelined include star striker Ada Hegerberg and midfielder Catarina Macario who both netted in Lyon’s 3-1 Champion League final defeat of Barcelona last term.
      Despite their lengthy injury list Caitlin Foord reckons the French giants will pose a considerable threat.
      The Gunners forward, 27, said: “Regardless of injuries or not the squad they have is very strong and the starting eleven they put out will be a world-class team.
      “It’s going to be a good challenge for us.”
      Arsenal’s Lyon trip comes two days after Beth Mead, 27, finished as a runner-up to Alexia Putellas in this year’s Women’s Ballon d’Or.
      The player, who won the Golden Boot at this summer’s Euros, finished just one point behind the Barcelona star in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
      Beth Mead’s performances earned her a second-place finish at this year’s Ballon d’Or awardsCredit: Getty
      Eidevall added: “I know the goals and assists that Beth provides are absolutely world-class.
      “I also see other things in her as a person and as a player that are so valuable to us.
      “When you see her reactions when we lose the ball for me she is the fastest player that I ever had the privilege to coach in reacting to those situations and to be able to be first to those balls.”
      Arsenal will play Swiss side Zurich at the Emirates next Thursday in their second Champions League group-stage gameCredit: Getty More

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      Jose Mourinho hails his Inter Milan Treble hero Dejan Stankovic as new Sampdoria boss’ side lose 1-0 to Roma

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      JOSE MOURINHO has hailed Dejan Stankovic after his Roma side edged past Sampdoria.Stankovic, 44, was a member of the Inter Milan squad that won the treble under the Portuguese boss.
      Mourinho shared a Instagram post hailing his former player
      Stankovic won the treble with Inter Milan under Jose
      But he could not defeat his former gaffer when his bottom-placed side came up against Mourinho’s Roman giants.
      The visitors won 1-0 thanks to a ninth-minute Lorenzo Pellegrini penalty.
      The ex-Manchester United manager, 59, heaped love onto student and “young bro” Stankovic after the match.
      He added a photo to his Instagram of the pair hugging after the game.
      READ MORE ON JOSE MOURINHO
      Inter arguably had the greatest season in their history with the duo, winning Serie A for the FIFTH consecutive season in 2009–10.
      They followed up with the Coppa Italia and the Champions League – the only Italian team to ever achieve the treble.
      But Stankovic’s Sampdoria side are struggling to lift themselves from the bottom of the nation’s top flight.
      Elsewhere, 13th-placed Fiorentina draw away to Leche.
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      Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has claimed he could learn the same amount from a League One manager as two-time Champions League winner Mourinho.
      The Everton boss has admitted football has moved on since Jose taught him the ways at Chelsea.
      Toffees gaffer Lampard played for Mourinho between 2004 and 2007, as well as the 2013-14 season.
      Speaking to Mike Calvin’s BT Sport podcast, Lamps revealed: “People ask me who were the managers that inspired you?
      “And as much as Jose Mourinho did, and I’ll always answer that, it was 20 years ago, nearly.
      “So for me to talk about an effect Jose Mourinho had on me 20 years ago is not necessarily relative to what’s now.
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      “I can learn as much as I can, and this is no disrespect, I’ll always say Jose because he changed my career.
      “But I could learn as much by listening to a podcast of a manager working in Division One now as I can from some of that from 20 years ago.” More

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      Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois slams Ballon d’Or chiefs after best keeper award win as Iker Casillas slates decision

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      REAL Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois has taken a dig at the Ballon d’Or organisers after being voted last season’s finest shot-stopper but missing out on a place on the best player podium.The 30-year-old was awarded the Yashin Trophy for his feats between the sticks but only ended up in seventh place for the main prize which went to his teammate Karim Benzema.
      Courtois won the Yashin Trophy at the awards ceremony on Monday nightCredit: Getty
      Casillas feels Courtois should have been in the top three for the Ballon d’OrCredit: AFP
      Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas criticised his omission from the top three in a Twitter rant after Monday night’s ceremony, describing him as the “world’s best keeper”.
      He added: “What I’m not happy about is that he was not included in the final podium for the Ballon d’Or.
      “I still don’t understand what those who choose this award base themselves on.”
      Courtois then went a step further in an interview after the Paris ceremony by describing the Yashin Trophy as “invented” and insisting he believed it was “impossible” a keeper would ever win the coveted prize again.
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      The ex-Chelsea goalie posted a photo of him with the trophy on Instagram alongside Benzema and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and wrote: “Very honoured to win this.
      “I would like to share this moment with all of you and to thank you for your unconditional support and love.”
      But in a post-ceremony TV interview, the Belgian international was asked about the chances of a keeper winning the Ballon d’Or again.
      To which he replied: “The truth is that I think it’s impossible. Karim deserved what happened today and we all agree about that.
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      “But after a season in which I was the goalkeeper and you win the league and your team wins the Champions League final thanks to your saves and you only end up seventh is significant.
      “At the end of the day the votes don’t go the goalkeepers’ way which is something you can understand.
      “I think there was no defender in the top ten.”
      Courtois, who controversially claimed he didn’t get “enough respect” in England after being voted man of the match in the Champions League final, went on to say: “At least they’ve invented this trophy for the best goalkeeper because every year a goalkeeper is more important in his team.
      “You have to make the saves and stay like a book behind the goal-line. Let’s hope that one day we’ll do it and we’ll continue to fight for it.”
      Courtois’ stunning Israeli model girlfriend Mishel Gerzig, who attended the awards ceremony with her partner, was also quick to congratulate him.
      She posted a photo of him accepting the Yashin Trophy and wrote in an Instagram message alongside it: “Can’t have enough words to tell how proud I am of you. You deserve it my life. Congratulations.”
      The pretty blonde finished her message with a heart emoticon.
      The only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or is Lev Yashin – who the Yashin Trophy is named after – but he claimed the honour way back in 1963.
      The legendary shot-stopper played for Dynamo Moscow from 1950 to 1970, as well as internationally for the Soviet Union.
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      Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer came the closest to repeating Yashin’s feat in 2014 when he finished in third position.
      The Yashin Trophy was established in 2019 when it was won by Liverpool’s Allison Becker. More

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      Ballon d’Or 2022 LIVE REACTION: Karim Benzema WINS award as Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne make up top three

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      KARIM BENZEMA has won the 2022 Ballon d’Or award, with Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne making up the top three.The Frenchman has played second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo throughout his career, but an astounding year as Real Madrid’s main striker has seen him rocket to the one of the best players in the world.
      Barcelona youngster Gavi won the Kopa Trophy with club teammate Robert Lewandowski picking up the Gerd Muller Trophy.
      Thibaut Courtois was named as the winner of the Yashin Trophy, with Manchester City the Club of the Year before Benzema won the big award of the night.

      Start time: 7.30pm BST
      Live stream: BBC iPlayer
      Gavi wins Kopa Trophy as Bellingham doesn’t make top three
      Robert Lewandowski wins Gerd Muller Trophy
      Thibaut Courtois wins Yashin Trophy
      Man City win Club of the Year
      Karim Benzema wins Ballon d’Or award, with Sadio Mane in second place and Kevin De Bruyne third.

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      Follow all the results with our live blog below…
      Mane award one to savour
      Sadio Mane built a hospital in his hometown, as the lack of facilities there led to his father’s death.
      He donated £250,000 to a secondary school and gave the best performing students laptops worth in the region of £400 each.
      Apparently he gives each and every family in his village €70 a month and provides them with a 4G internet connection and built a post-office there.
      This award is in its very essence, the good human being award.
      Well done Sadio, you restore faith in humanity for us all.
      Credit: Reuters
      City the best in town
      Man City were awarded the ‘Club of the Year’ accolade this evening.
      Pep Guardiola’s side romped home to Premier League success and got to the Champions League semi-final stage.
      With Liverpool and Real Madrid in the chasing pack, Pep will be wanting to make sure this a season where they show why they are a team to be feared by all.
      Credit: AFP
      The grip has been released
      Often maligned as a ‘two-horse race’ over the last 10 years or so, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated this trophy.
      With the exception of a token Luka Modric win, you have to go back to 2007 for when Messi and Ronaldo didn’t win it.
      That year Kaka picked up the trophy.
      Purist fans of the beautiful game will see this as a more open trophy for anyone to win going forward.
      Credit: AFP
      The stats don’t lie
      Karim Benzema had a world-class season last year, but it was not just goals and assists and that made him such a special player to Madrid.
      The ability to link-up play, motivate his team mates and fight right up until that final whistle for the win was what made him so integral to the success that Real Madrid enjoyed.
      He scored 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 appearances in all competitions.
      Credit: Reuters
      Spain romps home at awards
      La Liga took home best young player, best goalkeeper, best striker and best player at the ceremony this evening.
      It was a clean sweep of epic proportions.
      With Barcelona and Real Madrid sharing the awards, having two winners each.
      Credit: @ESPNFC
      2022 Ballon d’Or final four:

      Karim Benzema
      Kevin De Bruyne
      Sadio Mane
      Robert Lewandowski

      Benzema achieves lifelong dream
      One of the most popular winners of the Ballon d’Or as cheers of ‘Karim, Karim’ can be heard from the crowd.
      The player went on to speak about how it was a dream of his to be footballer and he kept trying and training to make this moment possible today.
      Benzema went on to say despite the Ballon d’Or being an individual prize for him it is also a collective one.
      Credit: AFP
      2022 Ballon d’Or winner: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
      2022 Ballon d’Or
      We are edging closer to the pinnacle of the evening.
      The winner will soon be announced as we have now made it down to our final four players.
      Trophy fresh from Esteban Ocon’s car.
      Credit: AFP
      FIFA Club of the Year: Man City

      Man City
      Liverpool
      Real Madrid

      Now we have the ‘club of the year’ award
      2022 Yashin award
      Nobody could deny Thibaut Courtois the trophy this season after his exploits in Real Madrid’s run to Champions League glory.
      Chelsea and Liverpool can both attest to the abilities of the keeper.
      He kept the game in the final at 0-0, making save after save, before Vinicius Junior scored the winner.
      Seen on the red carpet with his girlfriend Mishel Gerzig.
      Credit: Getty
      Yashin award winner 2022: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
      Number 5
      Mohamed Salah
      Credit: Getty
      Number 6
      Kylian Mbappe
      Credit: Getty
      Number 7
      Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
      Credit: AP
      Some more final 10 placings:
      Gerd Muller award
      The newly renamed trophy is given to the best striker.
      This is the second time in two years that Lewandowski wins it.
      After his 57-goal season for Bayern Munich last season, there could not be a more worthy winner.
      He also broke Gerd Muller’s record in the Bundesliga with 41 goals.
      Gerd Muller award: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
      Lightening does strike twice
      Alexia Putellas made it back-to-back Ballon d’Or trophies this evening.

      Shunned by the cancel culture
      Robert Lewandowski arriving with his wife Anna Lewandowski.
      The Polish forward made a tongue in cheek comment earlier in the week when asked who he thought would win this year’s award.
      “The Ballon d’Or is likely to be won by Benzema… if they don’t cancel it.”
      Credit: AFP
      Cat who got the Karim
      Jordan Ozuna arriving on the red carpet this evening.
      The girlfriend of Karim Benzema, she will be hoping they have something extra to take home with them this evening.
      Credit: EPA
      Women’s 2022 Ballon d’Or winner: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
      Arrival of the trophy
      One of the weirdest things of the evening had to be Esteban Ocon driving the trophy 200 yards in a Formula One car, wheel-spinning all the way.
      Went through four tyres and a tank of fuel for the journey.
      That’s FIFA for you, from the sublime to the bizarre.
      Credit: AFP
      Socrates award 2022
      This is a new award this year and is a humanitarian award for those who look improve the world around us with their fame and wealth.
      Sadio Mane is well-known to finance schools, hospitals and water treatment works in his home country of Senegal.
      A worthy winner of the award, doing all he can to give back to the Senegalese people.
      Credit: EPA
      Load more entries… More

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      Karim Benzema wins Ballon d’Or after firing Real Madrid to Champions League glory to complete amazing career turnaround

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      KARIM BENZEMA has finally won the Ballon d’Or after a stunning year in which he dragged Real Madrid to Champions League glory. The France star, 34, was instrumental in their European triumph and was handed the annual prize at a swanky Paris ceremony ahead of Sadio Mane in second and third-placed Kevin De Bruyne.
      Benzema was all smiles after finally winning the coveted trophyCredit: AFP
      The newly-crowned world’s best footballer’s hero Zidane watches on as he accepts the awardCredit: Reuters
      Benzema celebrates on stage with his mum and dadCredit: EPA
      Karim Benzema has joined this list of football legends after his Ballon D’Or win
      The award, based on a player’s individual achievements over a calendar year, comes after his outstanding performances in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
      He scored an incredible ten goals in seven games – including two hat-tricks – as Madrid pulled off one of the most dramatic and extraordinary wins in the competition’s history.
      And it is an incredible turnaround on a personal level with the ace involved in a sex tape blackmail scandal which saw him exiled from the French team and was only settled last year.
      After winning the award, and with boyhood hero Zinedine Zidane next to him, he told the cheering audience: “This prize in front of me makes me really proud.
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      “When I was small I never gave up. It was a childhood dream.
      “I had two role models in my life. [Zinedine] Zidane and Ronaldo as well. I always had this dream in my mind that everything is possible.
      “There was a difficult period where I wasn’t in the French team but I never stopped working hard. I never gave up. I always kept in my head this job of playing football.”
      After his speech, the star invited his mum and son on stage to share the moment with him.

      A victorious Karim Benzema arrived looking dapper ahead of his awardCredit: EPA
      Karim Benzema’s girlfriend Jordan Ozuna poses upon arrivalCredit: AFP
      Benzema’s distinguished career reached new heights last season after his superhuman efforts in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
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      It was Benzema’s heroics in the Champions League that made him the overwhelming favourite for this year’s Ballon d’Or honour.
      Before their victory in the final over Liverpool, Real Madrid appeared determined to make it as difficult as possible for themselves as they fell behind on aggregate in each of the second legs of the knockout games.
      But against Paris-Saint Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City, Los Blancos rallied every time and found a way to win.
      Benzema was key to both those improbable victories for Carlo Ancelotti’s sdie and Real Madrid’s La Liga title, with the Frenchman scoring 44 goals in all competitions.
      He has never previously even finished in the top three of the Ballon D’Or before this year.
      He takes the crown from Lionel Messi, who had won the previous two awards.
      And it means that Benzema is only the second player who is not Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the prestigious prize since 2008.
      Luka Modric also managed to break the pair’s stronghold over the Ballon d’Or when he won it in 2018.
      Benzema signed for Real Madrid in 2009 and has scored over 300 goals for the club.
      De Bruyne spoke of his pride in coming third in the Ballon d’Or – which is the first time a Man City player has achieved the feat.
      The 31-year-old attacking genius said: “Obviously it is nice to be in that list and to be nominated for it. I have been nominated quite a few times now, so it means you have been doing well consistently.
      “To be recognised as a player is always nice. If you are in that list, then it means a lot and after it is the people’s opinion. As a player, I thinkyou understand what you do good and what you do bad.”
      City also picked up the Club of the Year award in recognition of their overall achievements at various levels, while Thibaut Courtois won the Lev Yashin award for best keeper.
      Robert Lewandowski picked up the Gerd Muller prize for best striker, and Sadio Mane didn’t leave empty-handed with the kind-hearted Senegal ace winning the new Socrates award for services off the pitch.
      Barcelona starlet Gavi won the Kopa gong for best under-21 player in the world.
      The star-studded ceremony saw many of football’s finest, including Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne, turn up in sharp suitsCredit: EPA
      Sadio Mane’s brilliant season for Liverpool saw him finish second in the Ballon d’Or awardCredit: Reuters
      After an impressive season, PSG’s Kylian Mbappe could only finish sixthCredit: Reuters More

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      Chelsea Champions League winner looks unrecognisable with dyed blonde hair and bulked up physique

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      THIS Chelsea Champions League winner has taken on a whole new look as he plays out the twilight of his football career.After six highly-successful years at Stamford Bridge, the 37-year-old is now playing in a totally different part of the world.
      This former Chelsea ace has bulked upCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The Champions League winner now sports blonde hairCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The Blues were privileged enough to have plenty of world class talents during their golden era of success – including the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry and Didier Drogba.
      And this expert goal-getter, who is now sporting a new blonde trim and more muscular physique, played with all of them.
      Chelsea signed him as a youngster all the way back in 2006 for an initial £9million from Feyenoord.
      During his time at Stamford Bridge he perfected the art of being a super-sub – always looking good for a goal off the bench.
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      His final game as a Blue came from the start, however, with his tenure culminating in the Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in 2012.
      He played 254 times in total for Chelsea, scoring 60 times and laying on 45 assists.
      The skinny Ivorian was released in the summer of 2012, joining French side Lille on a free contract.
      He would go on to play two seasons in France, before heading to Hertha Berlin – where he stayed for six years, ahead of a spell with Botafogo in Brazil.
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      The Ivorian ace has been hitting the gym to bulk upCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The 37-year-old has embraced a new styleCredit: https://www.instagram.com/salomonkalou/?hl=en
      Our new-look Chelsea icon is… Salomon Kalou.
      After over a year out of the game following his Botafogo release, Kalou signed for Arta/Solar7 in Djibouti earlier this year.
      During his time with the East African country he has played with former Arsenal and Barcelona star Alex Song.
      If his Instagram feed is anything to go by, he appears to be having a great time.
      He has shared a number of pictures of himself working out in the gym, his body noticeably bigger and stronger than it was during his Chelsea days.
      He has also ditched his familiar short cropped haircut for a snazzier, bright blonde do.
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      Kalou is dating stunning Brazilian Karina Ferreira.
      The happy couple welcomed a baby boy into the world in August and Kalou showed he is still a true Blue, decking his child out in Chelsea clothing.
      Kalou clutches the Champions League alongside Didier DrogbaCredit: Getty
      He is dating stunning Brazilian Karina Ferreira
      The happy couple welcomed a newborn child earlier this year
      Kalou sports a snazzy jumperCredit: https://www.instagram.com/salomonkalou/?hl=en More

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      Ballon d’Or 2022 live stream FREE – how to watch tonight’s awards ceremony, UK start time, odds

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      THE BALLON D’Or 2022 is here live and direct TONIGHT!World football is reaching fever pitch for the announcement of the biggest individual prize in the game, and there is a way to watch it all unfold for FREE tonight.
      The Ballon d’Or trophy will be decided tonight
      Karim Benzema is the BIG favourite
      There will be a new twist as the winner will be chosen based on performances over a season as opposed to the calendar year.
      And Karim Benzema is the bookies favourite to win the prize by some distance.
      The Real Madrid superstar has odds as short as 1/33 to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time.
      Benzema finished the 2021-22 season with an incredible 44 goals in 46 games, and a further 15 assists to boot.
      He guided Real Madrid to the Spanish league title and the Champions League, which was their first since Ronaldo’s departure in 2018.
      Read more Ballon d’Or
      When is the Ballon d’Or 2022?
      The Ballon d’Or 2022 takes place on Monday, October 2022.
      It will start from 7.30pm UK time.
      What live stream is the Ballon d’Or on?
      You can watch all of the awards ceremony live on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel.
      Who are the nominees?

      Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool
      Karim Benzema – Real Madrid
      Joao Cancelo – Manchester City
      Casemiro – Manchester United (formerly Real Madrid)
      Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid
      Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
      Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City
      Luis Diaz – Liverpool (formerly Porto)
      Fabinho – Liverpool
      Phil Foden – Manchester City
      Erling Haaland – Manchester City (formerly Borussia Dortmund)
      Sebastien Haller – Borussia Dortmund (formerly Ajax)
      Harry Kane – Tottenham Hotspur
      Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
      Rafael Leao – AC Milan
      Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona (formerly Bayern Munich)
      Riyad Mahrez – Manchester City
      Mike Maignan – AC Milan
      Sadio Mane – Bayern Munich (formerly Liverpool)
      Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain
      Luka Modric – Real Madrid
      Christopher Nkunku – RB Leipzig
      Darwin Nunez – Liverpool (formerly Benfica)
      Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid (formerly Chelsea)
      Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
      Bernardo Silva – Manchester City
      Son Heung-min – Tottenham Hotspur
      Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
      Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
      Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus (formerly Fiorentina)

      What are the odds?
      Betfair have Karim Benzema as favourite for the prestigious trophy.
      Here is a list of contenders, courtesy of the bookmaker.

      Karim Benzema – 1/33
      Erling Haaland – 12/1
      Kylian Mbappe – 16/1
      Mo Salah – 25/1
      Virgil van Dijk – 25/1
      Robert Lewandowski – 33/1
      Kevin de Bruyne – 33/1
      Harry Kane – 33/1
      Vinicius Jr – 33/1
      Sadio Mane 33/1
      Cristiano Ronaldo – 40/1
      Trent Alexander-Arnold – 40/1
      Luis Diaz – 40/1
      Phil Foden – 66/1
      Joshua Kimmich – 100/1
      Dusan Vlahovic – 125/1
      Bernardo Silva – 150/1
      Riyad Mahrez – 150/1
      Joao Cancelo 250/1

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