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      Kylian Mbappe names his top three picks for Ballon d’Or award after PSG team-mate Lionel Messi sensationally snubbed

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has revealed his top three picks for the upcoming Ballon d’Or award.Mbapppe’s Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Lionel Messi was a shock absentee from the 30-man shortlist for the prize.
      Mbappe reckons there’s only two stars including France team-mate Benzema who can stop him lifting the Ballon d’OrCredit: Reuters
      Mbappe feels former Liverpool ace Sadio Mane is the only other player standing in his wayCredit: Getty
      Messi’s been nominated for the prestigious accolade every year since 2005, and has won it seven times.
      But the Argentine attacker didn’t make the cut this time – leaving Mbappe in with a fighting chance of clinching the top gong.
      And he reckons only Real Madrid ace Karim Benzema and Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane can stop him from doing so.
      Mbappe said to France Football: “My top three? I would say Benzema, myself, and Mané.”
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      Mane bagged 18 goals in 37 domestic matches for Liverpool last season, helping them win the FA and League Cups before heading to Bayern.
      While Benzema fired Real Madrid to the Champions League and La Liga Liga trophies with a sizzling return of 44 goals in 46 games across all competitions.
      And Mbappe joked that Benzema should forget about ever winning the Ballon d’Or if his contribution isn’t enough to do so this time.
      He added while praising his France team-mate: “I would say that this year is a success for Benzema.
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      “He’s 34 years old, has just had the season of his life, has won another Champions League and is often decisive… If I were Karim, if I don’t win this, I’ll stop thinking about the Ballon d’Or forever. (laughs.)”
      But Mbappe and Co still have to contend with the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo who’s also up for the prize.
      The veteran striker managed to score 24 times in 37 matches for Manchester United last season. More

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      Lionel Messi left OUT of the Ballon d’Or shortlist for first time since 2005 but rival Ronaldo makes the 30-player list

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      SEVEN-TIME Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi paid a high price for an underwhelming first season with Paris Saint-Germain when he was left off the 30-strong list for this year’s coveted football award.Lucy Bronze, who was runner-up in 2019, is one of three members of England’s Euro-winning squad to be short-listed for the women’s award.
      Lionel Messi will not be winning the 2022 Ballon d’OrCredit: AFP
      Cristiano Ronaldo has made the cut on the 30-man shortlistCredit: Reuters
      Messi, who won the title last year, had been an ever-present amongst the nominations since 2005 and a regular feature in the top three since 2007 with the exception of 2018.
      But Messi, 35, has missed out on the 2022 award following his switch from Barcelona to the French capital.
      A change in the format has also worked against the Argentine superstar with the Ballon d’Or no longer acknowledging the best player over a calendar year.
      Instead, it is based on a season’s record highlighting “the individual performances” and the “decisive and impressive character” of the nominees, according to the criteria.
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      After leaving Barcelona in the summer of 2021, Messi was unable to stamp his genius on a PSG team desperate for a Champions League title.
      The French champions suffered a last-16 exit at the hands of eventual winners Real Madrid.

      In total, Messi scored only 11 goals for PSG with his relatively indifferent club form failing to impress France Football magazine, the organisers of the Ballon d’Or which will be awarded in Paris on October 17.
      PSG teammate Neymar also misses out after a season where he scored 13 goals in 28 matches.
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      The remainder of the list of nominees throws up few surprises.
      French international striker Karim Benzema is the overwhelming favourite after being the architect of Real Madrid’s 14th Champions League title.
      He finished the European campaign with 15 goals.
      Benzema is likely to become the fifth French winner after Raymond Kopa (1958), Michel Platini (1983, 1984, 1985), Jean-Pierre Papin (1991) and Zinedine Zidane (1998).
      In the 2021/2022 season, Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 appearances for a Madrid side who also won the Liga title.
      His goal in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the European Super Cup took the 34-year-old to 324 goals for the Spanish giants.
      That edged him ahead of Raul in the club’s all-time list with only Cristiano Ronaldo in front of him with 450.
      “He’s in line for the Ballon d’Or. Is there any doubt? For me, no,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti.
      Manchester United’s Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, is nominated again this year.
      Benzema is joined on the 30-man list by teammates Thibaut Courtois, Casemiro, 2018 winner Luka Modric, Vinicius and former Chelsea player Antonio Rudiger.
      Beaten Champions League finalists Liverpool have seven players nominated, the most of any club.
      They are Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Fabinho, Sadio Mane, since transferred to Bayern Munich, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk.
      There is a 20-strong list for the women’s Ballon d’Or including English stars Bronze, Millie Bright and Arsenal forward Beth Mead who won the Golden Boot at the women’s Euro.
      France have four nominations — Selma Bacha, Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Wendie Renard.
      Defending champion Alexia Putellas, who was ruled out of the Euros with a last minute injury, and Norwegian star Ada Hegerberg, the first winner of the prize in 2018, are also in the running.
      BALLON D’OR 30-MAN SHORTLISTHERE is the list in full of all the nominees:
      Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
      Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
      Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
      Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
      Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
      Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
      Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
      Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
      Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
      Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
      Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
      Casemiro (Real Madrid)
      Heung-Min Son (Tottenham)
      Fabinho (Liverpool)
      Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
      Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
      Harry Kane (Tottenham)
      Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
      Phil Foden (Manchester City)
      Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich)
      Sebastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund)
      Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
      Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
      Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
      Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
      Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
      Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
      Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
      Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
      Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) More

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      ‘Respect yourself old man, you’re 75’ – Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister appears to slam Perez over Real Madrid comments

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S sister appears to have slammed Real Madrid president Florentino Perez after he snubbed a potential reunion with the Manchester United star due to his age.Ronaldo, 37, has informed United chiefs of his desire to leave this summer as he wants to play Champions League football this season but there are not a lot of suitors available.

      Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro appears to have defended him on social mediaCredit: Instagram @katiaaveirooficial
      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez claims Cristiano Ronaldo is too oldCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea have all ruled out a potential bid but a return to Real had been posing as a possible route.
      Perez, 75, was asked by a cheeky fan in a lobby whether he was going to make a move for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who scored a staggering total of 446 goals in 435 matches for Los Blancos.

      However, the Spanish businessman dismissed the idea due to the Portugal captain’s age.
      Perez laughed the question off and said: “Again? He’s 38 years old!”
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      Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro didn’t appear to take the Real supremo’s quip kindly and hit back on social media.
      Aveiro reportedly reminded Perez that her brother – who is actually 37 years old and his next birthday is not for another six months – is still in top physical condition.
      Aveiro posted on Instagram: “He’s 38 years old but he can jump two metres high in the air and stay in it for three minutes and his body has no fat.
      “Respect yourself old man, you are 75.”
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      Some fans took to Twitter and claimed Aveiro’s post was “fake” but several news outlets shared the reported statement.
      Ronaldo enjoyed tremendous success at Real during his nine-year stint at the Santiago Bernabeu as he became the club;s record goalscorer.
      Since joining the Spanish giants from United in 2009, the star forward won two LaLiga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies and four Champions Leagues. More

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      Holland boss Louis van Gaal begs Frenkie de Jong to ditch Barcelona for Man Utd or Chelsea transfer before World Cup

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      LOUIS VAN GAAL has urged Frenkie de Jong to leave Barcelona before the World Cup kicks off in November.De Jong, 25, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Nou Camp this summer.
      De Jong has been linked with a move away from BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Van Gaal has urged him to leave the club before the World CupCredit: Getty
      Manchester United have been pushing to sign him since the transfer window opened in June, but the midfielder has made it clear that he does not want to make the move to Old Trafford.
      However, Barcelona chiefs are attempting to force him out of the club, suggesting that he should reduce his wage demands or leave.
      The Catalan giants already owe De Jong around £17million in unpaid wages after he agreed to defer the payment of his salary during the Coronavirus pandemic.
      Club officials now believe that negotiating a move away for the Dutchman would resolve any financial differences.
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      But, Holland boss Van Gaal is concerned that the situation at Barcelona could destroy De Jong’s chances of breaking into the World Cup squad.
      According to Dutch outlet AD, the 71-year-old has claimed that the midfielder must be given the chance to play regularly in order to properly prepare for the World Cup.

      De Jong will likely have to seek a move away in order to get more game time, but a move to Chelsea could now be on the cards.
      The Blues are reportedly close to striking a £67.6m agreement with Barcelona for the Dutchman, who is understood to be willing to make the move to Stamford Bridge.
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      Van Gaal has also expressed the same concern for out-of-favour forward Memphis Depay.
      The former Man Utd star has been informed by Xavi that he will have no place at Barcelona this season.
      Tottenham are claimed to be in advanced talks to sign him on a free transfer, but Juventus are still in the race to complete a deal. More

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      Mikel Arteta will be SACKED by Arsenal if they don’t get top four after summer transfer spree, says William Gallas

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      ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta could be sacked if he fails to make it to the top four in the Premier League table this season.That is according to former Gunners star William Gallas, who claims Arteta has to deliver after being backed in the summer transfer window.
      Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may be sacked if he fails to get top fourCredit: AFP
      Former Arsenal ace William Gallas insists Mikel Arteta has to deliverCredit: Getty
      The North Londoners signed Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Matt Turner and Marquinhos.
      Gallas insists Arteta should at least seal Champions League qualification with the squad he currently has at his disposal.
      But if the Spanish tactician misses out on the top four, like he did last season when Arsenal collapsed in the final stages, then he could be dismissed by the club.
      Gallas told Genting Casino: “Of course he will be in trouble. Arteta has been asked to make the top four and he didn’t do it last season.
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      “If Arsenal don’t play in the Champions League next season, it would cause a lot of drama.
      “They have to have a great season, possibly win the Premier League, but definitely to qualify for the Champions League.

      “They have just bought new players, it’s in the hands of Arteta and the players.
      “It will be a big problem for all of them if they don’t do their job to qualify in the Champions League.”
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      Arsenal kicked their Premier League season off on the right foot as they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park in their opening match.
      The Gunners are now set to take on Leicester on Saturday at the Emirates in their first home league game of the season. More

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      West Ham transfer blow as Filip Kostic signs for Juventus for £14.5m fee from Eintracht Frankfurt

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      JUVENTUS have completed the signing of Filip Kostic from Eintracht Frankfurt.The Serie A giants struck a £14.5million agreement with The Eagles earlier this week.
      Kostic arrived for his Juventus medical on ThursdayCredit: Getty
      He was greeted by a large crowd of supportersCredit: Getty
      Kostic, 29, landed in Turin on Thursday to undergo medical tests before signing a three-year deal.
      He was greeted by a crowd of excited Juventus fans upon his arrival and took the time to take pictures with each person before entering the club’s medical centre.
      Juventus had been plotting a move for Kostic for a number of weeks.
      Massimiliano Allegri was understood to be very impressed with the wing-back’s form over the past few seasons.
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      The Serbia international scored seven goals and assisted 15 for Frankfurt last season, making him one of the most sought-after players in Germany.
      West Ham were also known to be fighting for his signature.
      The Hammers bid £12.5m for Kostic last month, but the offer fell short of Frankfurt’s asking price.
      It would’ve been tough to tempt him to the London Stadium anyway, as Kostic previously made it clear that Juventus was his preferred destination.
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      David Moyes is now considering other potential candidates for the position, with Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa at the top of the transfer wishlist.
      Sosa, who has been dubbed the ‘assist machine’, is expected to cost £17m, but West Ham are claimed to be closing in on a deal. More

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      BT Sport pundits make their Champions League predictions for coming season… and Man City look set to dominate

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      BT SPORT pundits expect Manchester City to finally win the Champions League this season.The Citizens have won everything in the last few years but Europe’s highest honour still eludes them even though they made it to the 2020-21 final when they were denied by Chelsea.
      Pep Guardiola has come close to winning the Champions League with Man City – however it still eludes himCredit: AFP
      However, Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole and City hero Joleon Lescott believe this is the Premier League champions’ year as they all agree they will finally lift the Champions League trophy.
      The three pundits also expect Pep Guardiola’s men to win most of the competition’s individual high honours.
      Lescott, who won two Prem titles with the Manchester giants, and Cole expect star signing Erling Haaland to finish the season as the competition’s top scorer.
      Hargreaves, on the other hand, backs new Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski to continue the same goalscoring success he had with Bayern Munich.
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      The Bayern Munich icon and Lescott, though, expect City star Kevin de Bruyne to stand out as the Champions League’s best player.
      Cole, who played in the 2008 Champions League Final, disagrees and has his money on Lewandowski to stand out.
      The ex-Chelsea star and Lescott also expect City ace Phil Foden to win Best Young Player of the Year.
      While Hargreaves anticipates Barcelona starlet Pedri to have a breakout year in the Champions League.
      BT Sport pundits expect Manchester City to dominate the Champions LeagueCredit: BT SPORT
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      City will be joined by Premier League foes Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham in Europe’s premiere competition.
      The Reds came close to winning last season’s trophy but were denied by Real Madrid in the final.
      Manchester City hero Joleon Lescott expects his ex-club to win the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Joe Cole believes Manchester City star Erling Haaland will be the top scorerCredit: Getty More

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      Owen Hargreaves describes Karim Benzema as ‘irreplaceable’ as Frenchman becomes Real Madrid’s second all-time top scorer

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      OWEN HARGREAVES says Karim Benzema is “irreplaceable” for Real Madrid after the Frenchman became the club’s outright second all-time top goalscorer.The 34-year-old’s strike against Eintracht Frankfurt to help seal the UEFA Super Cup was his 324th goal for the Spanish giants.
      Benzema has thrived since Carlo Ancelotti returned as Real Madrid managerCredit: Getty
      Pundit Hargreaves was impressed with Benzema in last night’s winCredit: Getty
      It left him one goal clear of Real Madrid legend Raul and behind only his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo – who scored 451 – in the all-time list.
      The forward played a crucial part in dragging Madrid to last season’s Champions League success, and is among the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or.
      BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves believes Benzema is central to what makes Real special – and thinks he can continue to be great for a few more years yet.
      The former Manchester United midfielder told BT Sport: “I think the great players rise to these occasions. Benzema, whenever they’ve needed him to have a big moment, him and Vinicius Junior have produced.
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      “It’s just the awareness, the experience that he has at 34.
      “He’s irreplaceable, but I think the thing about Benzema is he’s not going to rely on his physicality because he’s not super powerful so I think he’s going to age well.
      “He’s not going to worry about making these big runs because he’s always been a smart player, so in that sense I think he probably still has another couple of years at the top level.
      “He doesn’t look like he’s slowing down, [Luka] Modric doesn’t look like he’s slowing down.
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      “I don’t think you can (replace him). Benzema, they tried with Mbappe, he’s going to be hard to replace because there isn’t another one out there.”
      Having been at the Bernabeu since 2009, the French forward’s best moments were arguably the role he played in last season’s Champions League knockout games.
      Benzema inspired Madrid to unlikely comebacks against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City to get to the Champions League final, sometimes single-handedly dragging his side back into games through sheer will power.
      He is now 126 goals behind Manchester United’s wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid’s all-time scoring list.
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      Benzema claimed the second goal last night after David Alaba opened the scoring against Frankfurt.
      It continues his outstanding form from last season, when he scored 44 times in 46 games to also help Real Madrid waltz to the La Liga title. More