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    Declan Rice should be England captain – his stunning free-kicks aren’t the only way he can emulate David Beckham

    THE comparisons with David Beckham were obvious once Declan Rice bent in two long-range free-kicks to demolish the champions of Europe.Arsenal’s £105million man had kept his dead-ball prowess pretty quiet during the first 405 games of his professional career.Declan Rice can bend it like Beckham and he should follow his path by becoming England captainCredit: EPABecks skippered the Three Lions on 59 occasionsCredit: ReutersBut in his 406th, in a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, came an extraordinary one-two to surpass even old Goldenballs.Rice should be emulating Beckham in more ways than one. He should be captaining England, for starters.The idea that there are ‘no leaders’ and ‘no talkers’ in modern football is always overstated. And such sentiment certainly ignores Rice.Thomas Tuchel was so convinced England lacked leadership that he controversially recalled the 34-year-old Jordan Henderson when he named his first squad as Three Lions boss last month.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut why hark back to Henderson when you’ve got Rice?It has often been difficult to pin down Rice’s best position.He emerged at West Ham as a teenage centre-half, has generally been used as a midfield anchorman by England but is more of a box-to-box, Bryan Robson ‘Captain Marvel’ type at Arsenal. And never more so than on Tuesday night as the 15-time European champions were skewered.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSRice scored two spectacular free-kicks against Real MadridBut what has never been in any doubt is that Rice is a leader of men.At West Ham, he learned that concept from Mark Noble, one of the Premier League’s finest captains and one-club men.’Give me your right foot please’ – Crocked Arsenal star issues plea to Declan Rice in dressing room after stunning goalsAt 26, Rice possesses the force of personality, the team ethic and the ability to lead by example — the key characteristics of a great captain.He is one of the most likeable men in the game, a hugely popular figure for club and country.The former Irishman has certainly been on kissing terms with the Blarney Stone.He speaks with candour and humour in the media, while in the dressing room he is both a setter of standards and a shoulder to cry on.Oh, and what better way of showing leadership than by winning an argument with three of his team-mates to take a free-kick from the best part of 30 yards — then bending it round the Real wall, twice in the space of 12 minutes?Rice should be emulating Beckham in more ways than one. He should be captaining England, for starters.Rice is a more obvious captain than either Beckham, who skippered England 59 times, or the current long-serving incumbent Harry Kane.Henderson, when his form earned him a place in the team, was England’s true captain — as we learned during the behind-closed-doors era when his hectoring of team-mates was all too apparent.Kane is a leader by example but no rabble-rouser on the pitch or in the dressing room.Rice, however, fits the bill. When Gareth Southgate handed him the captaincy for the night to mark his 50th England cap against Belgium last year, Rice spoke with such passion and alacrity that it seemed only a matter of time before he succeeded Kane as the permanent skipper.He lifted West Ham’s first major trophy in more than four decades in the 2023 Conference League final against Fiorentina — his final match before that ‘half price’ move to the Emirates.And at Arsenal, Rice is also the most obvious man to wear the armband, too.Martin Odegaard, who has been Mikel Arteta’s skipper for three seasons, is a quiet man who is struggling for form and might benefit from a lightening of the load.The idea that there are ‘no leaders’ and ‘no talkers’ in modern football is always overstated. And such sentiment certainly ignores Rice.Even during that historic victory over his former club Real, Odegaard struggled to make much of a personal impact.The Norwegian has lost his rhythm, his instinctive ability to pick out the right pass, since an early-season injury.Rice and Odegaard are the same age, but the Londoner is the man who so often urges Arsenal on, with words and deeds.Odegaard and Saka both ceded to Rice during a lengthy conflab before the first of those two extraordinary free-kicks.Read More on The SunHere was a bloke who had never scored a direct free-kick in his 405 previous matches, managing to convince his team-mates that he could ping one in from 30 yards against Real Madrid.And if that isn’t leadership ability, I don’t know what is. More

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    Jamie Carragher commits ‘cardinal sin of TV’ as his daughter Mia makes unexpected debut on CBS Sports coverage

    JAMIE CARRAGHER broke a “cardinal sin of TV” when his phone rang during live Champions League coverage – leaving Kate Abdo mortified.The pundit was joined by Thierry Henry, Micah Richards and host Abdo for CBS Sports’ banter-filled show.Jamie Carragher committed a TV ‘cardinal sin’ during CBS Sports’ Champions League coverageCredit: X/ CBSSportsGolazoThe CBS team were left flabbergasted as Carragher’s phone rangCredit: X/ CBSSportsGolazoCarragher answered the call from his daughter MiaCredit: X/ CBSSportsGolazoMia was then put on loud speaker and joined in with the showCredit: AlamyAs they were discussing Paris Saint-Germain’s thrilling win over Aston Villa, there were audible gasps in the studio when Carragher’s phone ringtone went off.Richards put his head his hands and a shocked Abdo exclaimed: “Oh my God, that is like a cardinal sin of television, who is it?”A panicked Carragher revealed it was his 20-year-old daughter Mia.He answered the phone and then explained that she was asking him where her mum was.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the Liverpool legend replied: “I don’t know, I am in London babe.”Abdo encouraged her colleague to put Mia on loud speaker and Richards immediately accused her of interrupting the show and costing them an Emmy Award.She responded: “Oh my God, I am so sorry. I didn’t have a clue [he was on live TV].”As CBS Sports is only available in the United States, Carragher hilariously said: “Are you not putting the dodgy box on?”Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAbdo then quizzed Mia, saying: “I am so interested, your dad can be a little bit spiky on TV, what is he like at home?”Mia replied: “He is lovely.”About to get sacked on air’ – Micah Richards stuns Kate Abdo into eight-second silence with crude innuendoCarragher said back: “I love you more than anything my girl. What a star.”Richards wanted to know if she was the favourite child or is it her older brother James, 22, who plays for Wigan Athletic in League One.Carragher explained: “There is nothing this girl can ever do wrong, I can never shout at her, I find it hard to shout at you don’t I?”As he hung up the phone she said “I love you” to her dad and the rest of the CBS Sports team went “aww” collectively. Mia is an aspiring actress and she graduated from Tring Park Performing Arts School in 2022.The brunette is also a talented dancer and she has a whopping 84,400 followers on Instagram. Mia is an aspiring dancer and actressCredit: Alamy More

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    PSG 3 Aston Villa 1: Watch Kvaratskhelia’s stunning solo goal as French champs leave Prince William with head in hands

    THIS wasn’t what we usually think of when it comes to a romantic trip to Paris in the springtime. Blood, sweat, tears, bruised bodies and dogged defensive spirit. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sunk Aston Villa hearts in Paris with a stunning goalCredit: ReutersMorgan Rogers had fired Villa into a surprise leadCredit: GettyBut PSG wonderkid Desire Doue equalised four minutes laterCredit: APNuno Mendes added a devastating third for the hosts in injury timeCredit: ReutersPrince William and his son George were in the house to watch the gameCredit: APIn front of the next two kings of England – Princes William and George – Unai Emery’s workaholic Aston Villa suffered an injury-time sucker punch from Nuno Mendes, which turned this Champions League quarter-final significantly in favour of Paris Saint Germain.For so long, Villa kept PSG – one of the most potent attacking forces on the planet – down to a single-goal lead ahead of next Tuesday’s return leg. But in the final seconds, Mendes drilled past Emi Martinez, leaving Villa with a serious mountain to scale.They will bring the noise at Villa Park – they always do at one of English football’s loudest venues – and the prospect of an all-English semi-final against another of Emery’s former clubs, Arsenal, still isn’t beyond them. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAfter Morgan Rogers fired Villa into a shock first-half lead, Desire Doue and Khvichka Kvaratskhelia hammered home excellent strikes either side of the break. But Luis Enrique’s men were unable to make their dominance count to the full, unable to put Villa to the sword and make the second leg a formality.PSG had three-quarters of the ball as they peppered Villa’s goal but Emery’s men gritted their teeth and held out right up until those final seconds. Martinez, the bete noire of all France after his antics during and after the 2022 World Cup Final, was the first Villa player out to take the heat from the local ultras who swore at him in Spanish. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKVilla’s supporters hailed their man as ‘the world’s No 1’ as they enjoyed their club’s most high-profile match in more than four decades. Prince William was in the house, Villa’s most famous fan offering some pretty decent pre-match tactical analysis of the Paris high press to TNT Sports.  Prince William and George were all smiles after Rogers’ goalCredit: TNT SportBut the PSG comeback left William with his head in his handsCredit: RexPSG arrived here after confirming another Ligue 1 title and having dispatched Liverpool on penalties in an epic last-16 tie. Villa were on the back of seven straight wins in all competitions and Emery opted for Marcus Rashford, ahead of Ollie Watkins, at centre-forward with his prolific PSG loanee Marco Asensio starting on the bench. Right from the off it felt as if this was going to be a night for Villa to graft and slog, with PSG pinning them back.  Martinez, whose every touch was met with derision, was forced into a smart save early on – pushing away an Ousmane Dembele shot after Boubacar Kamara had escaped a penalty appeal for a challenge on Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian, known as ‘Kvaradona’ at his former club Napoli, has an extraordinary ability to dribble at express pace and Matty Cash was soon booked for hauling him down. Yet after sucking up 35 minutes of almost relentless pressure, Villa broke away and scored a classy team goal. John McGinn, the skipper with the bullish physique and the dog-of-war spirit, won a thundering tackle to dispossess Mendes and released Rashford with a diagonal ball.The Manchester United loanee fed Youri Tielemans, who squared for Rogers to apply the finish, with PSG stretched to breaking point. Those travelling Villa fans in the corner went ballistic but the lead would last for only four minutes.After Martinez had made a scrambling save, a corner was cleared only as far as Doue, who bent a sumptuous shot into the top corner to give Villa’s Argentinian keeper no chance. Before half-time Rashford skinned Ashraf Hakimi down the left but couldn’t provide the final ball. At half-time, Emery replaced Cash with Axel Disasi but the incoming right-back was handed a baptism of flames from Kvaratskhelia. Within four minutes of the restart, the Georgian turned the on-loan Chelsea inside, then outside before he leathered home a shot which beat Martinez at his near post and almost burst the roof of the net. The pattern of the match continued – an attack v defence drill in which Villa frequently employed six men strung across the back, interspersed with occasional counter-attacks. The dancing feet of Doue and Kvaratskhelia provided constant peril for Villa, the two men combining to set up Hakimi, whose shot was pushed away by Martinez.At this point, Emery introduced Asensio against his parent club but the Spaniard was seeing little of the ball. Soon, Martinez was beaten at his near post again, this time by Hakimi, but the full-back had been flagged narrowly offside. It was seat-of-the-pants stuff for the visitors, desperate to keep the deficit down to a single goal. Read More on The SunEmery made a triple change, with Watkins replacing Rashford as part of it. But deep in injury time, Mendes rounded Martinez and thumped home the third to give PSG a major advantage. 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    ‘Better than most pundits’ – Prince William appears live on TNT Sports before PSG vs Aston Villa and fans are impressed

    PRINCE WILLIAM left football fans impressed after having a go at punditry live on TNT Sports.The Prince of Wales, 42, was appearing on the broadcaster before Aston Villa’s first leg Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.Prince William impressed fans with his pre-game punditry for Aston Villa vs PSGCredit: TNT SPORTSWilliam was attending the Paris clash with son, George, saying it was a chance to ‘make memories’Credit: APPrince William was able to celebrate a shock goalCredit: TNT SportIt came after Morgan Rogers fired Aston Villa into a surprise lead over PSGCredit: TNT SportWilliam is well known to be an Aston Villa supporter and is often seen in attendance for games at Villa Park.He admitted he was “pretty terrified” about the huge match against the French giants, with 1983 being the last time they reached a Champions League quarter-final.Speaking ahead of the game after being reminded by Ally McCoist that he was born a month after the Villans won the European Cup in 1982, he said: “I’m wearing all my lucky clothes and bits and pieces.”So I’m hoping it’s going to bring some luck tonight.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAsked what he was expecting from the team, His Royal Highness said: “We all saw the Liverpool game and PSG’s intensity, in the first leg they were unbelievable. “They gave a lot of pressure, they pressed very high and so for Unai [Emery] tonight and the team it’s about managing that press.”Unai likes it when teams come on to them and play quite a high press but obviously there’s a limit in, ‘can we get around the press? Can we beat it?'”So I’m thinking long ball a bit i’m also thinking of how they’re going to get round the high press. Most read in FootballRio Ferdinand joked he would be ‘out of job’ if William ever pursued punditryCredit: TNT SPORTSBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”It’s going to be a challenging night but I’m looking forward to the tactic Unai will have to employ.”Manchester United and England legend Rio Ferdinand, who won the Champions League in 2008, then joked to William: “Can I just say something, do not go for a job in punditry job please because I could be out of the game.Prince William on recreating Ronaldo’s goal celebration in his garden as he builds ‘Perfect Footballer'”The way he’s just dissected that there, I’m going to nick that for later on.”Fans were also impressed with his game preview, with one fan saying: “Better analysis than most pundits.”A second said: “Prince William knows football.”A third added: “He knows his stuff defo.”Another said: “Good football knowledge to be fair.”Sports presenter Laura Woods also responded by replying with a trio of clapping emojis.On Wednesday night he was spotted at the Parc des Princes alongside son, George.They were seen wildly celebrating when the Villans took a surprise first-half lead through Morgan Rogers after a devastating counter-attack goal.However, those cheers quickly became more mute after Desire Doue scored an equaliser four minutes later.The French giants eased home to a 3-1 victory with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes giving Villa it all to do in the second leg.On the trip with his son, William – also the FA President – said it was about “making memories”.He said: “I’m not sure how many Villa fans there will be but they will make themselves well know.Read More on The Sun”I have got my son here too so I am on best behaviour but 43 years since this has happened and I want George to experience a night out in a big competition, those memories are really important to create and bringing him away is important. “I am open to who they support, I am bias but they come to games with Villa so it will likely be Villa, but I have left the other two at home probably watching on TV. We will see who they support.” More

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    New footage ‘shows Jude Bellingham in tense standoff with Ancelotti’ as Real Madrid boss ‘mortally wounded’ by Arsenal

    JUDE BELLINGHAM was seen having a heated discussion with Carlo Ancelotti in what could prove to be revealing footage from Real Madrid’s 3-0 loss at Arsenal.The European champions were stunned by two Declan Rice free kicks and a Mikel Merino goal.Bellingham threw his hand up in their air after being lectured by AncelottiThe England star then appeared to shake his head at the instructions he receivedAnd Bellingham seemed to be shocked as he headed over to the touchline with Eduardo Camavinga to receive tactical instructions from manager Ancelotti.The England star first threw his hand up in the air, though it was not clear whether this was a gesture of frustration or he was simply pointing towards Camavinga.And then later on he shook his head before tossing his water bottle aside.Marca claim that the incident happened in the first half when the score was still 0-0.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSTheir report adds that Ancelotti was instructing the players on how to regain control of the midfield and dampen Arsenal’s energy to press with.But Bellingham would go on to have a relatively anonymous game in the 3-0 defeat.Meanwhile things went worse for Camavinga who was sent off after receiving a second booking for kicking the ball away in the 93rd minute.And another Spanish outlet, Relevo, claim Carlo Ancelotti has been “mortally wounded” by the result.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIt suggests that unless the Italian can spur his side to a miracle comeback at the Bernabeu next week, they are likely to replace him with Xabi Alonso.Ancelotti has previously been heavily linked with the Brazil job, but spurned the advances of the Selecao last summer to stay in the Spanish capital.Paul Merson suffers awkward wardrobe malfunction live on Sky Sports as he jumps up to celebrate Arsenal goal More

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    Can Marco Asensio play for Aston Villa in the Champions League against parent club PSG?

    ASTON VILLA will play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals TONIGHT – pitting Marco Asensio against his parent club.After joining Aston Villa on loan from PSG in January, Asensio – a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid – has been in sensational form.Marco Asensio has starred for Villa – who face his parent club PSG TONIGHTCredit: PAThe Spanish international has EIGHT goals and an assist in just 15 matches.Along with the loan signing of Marcus Rashford, Asensio has helped Unai Emery’s side become one of the most in-form teams in Europe.Villa have lost just ONCE in 12 matches since Asensio’s debut on February 9.They head into this game as underdogs, however, with PSG losing just once since November.READ MORE IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUECan Marco Asensio play for Aston Villa in the Champions League against parent club PSG?Asensio has already played for PSG in this season’s competition.That has lead to questions about if he will be able to play against his parent club – with Premier League rules usually prohibiting such instances.However, Uefa rules are different to those in the Premier League.That means Asensio WILL be available for selection against PSG.Most read in FootballIn contrast, Marcus Rashford will not be able to play against Manchester United in May, and Axel Disasi, another loan signing, was not allowed to play against Chelsea in February.A notable example in the past of players eligibility against current sides was Thibaut Courtois, who was on loan at Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. Atletico reaching the final after defeating Jose Mourinho’s team, Uefa decided that Chelsea could not block Courtois from playing against themThe governing body stated “clubs are not allowed to exert “any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match.” Emery, who led the French team from 2016 to 2018 before departing at the end of his contract, will benefit from Asensio’s availability to play against PSG in the quarterfinals.After joining PSG in the summer of 2023, Asensio could not reach the promise of his Real Madrid career, and he left the squad under Enrique before joining Villa. More

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    Eagle-eyed fans spot Arsenal star fly into shot with ‘Squidward’ celebration during win over Real Madrid

    EAGLE-EYED fans spotted William Saliba’s hilarious “Squidward” celebration.Arsenal players and supporters alike went crazy when Mikel Merino scored against Real Madrid.William Saliba celebrated Mikel Merino’s goal wildlyCredit: GettyHis flailing arms led to comparisons to SquidwardCredit: GettySaliba ignored his team-matesCredit: GettyFans spotted the crazy moment watching on TVSupporters piled in with hilarious repliesHis sumptuous finish into the bottom corner gave Arsenal a 3-0 lead at the midway point of their Champions League quarter-final.And especially after Declan Rice’s two incredible free-kicks, it is fair to say emotions were running high at the Emirates.So that may explain what Saliba did.As Merino was joined by the likes of Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly running towards the corner flag, the French centre-back seemingly ignored his team-mates.READ MORE ON ARSENALInstead, he conducted his own wild solo celebration.Saliba sprinted into the background of the TV shot and ran off the end of the pitch towards the jubilant supporters.And as he did so, the defender waved both arms around frantically.It was so unexpected and utterly bonkers that one fan even compared his arm antics to SpongeBob SquarePants octopus character Squidward. Most read in Champions LeagueJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesWhen the video of Saliba’s celebration did the rounds on social media, the Arsenal supporter wrote: “That’s the Squidward,” and added a gif of the character.Another X user said: “I did this same s*** in my living room no judgement.”Paul Merson suffers awkward wardrobe malfunction live on Sky Sports as he jumps up to celebrate Arsenal goalA third added: “That was me running through my whole house after that second goal.”A fourth replied: “He’s a fan. His head was as gone as ours.”A fifth typed: “Bro’s trynna fly, man. Allow.”A sixth responded: “The ultimate hype man.”A seventh noted: “I love his heart and passion. Gabriel and Saliba are truly GUNNERS.”Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners…And a final one commented in response to transfer rumours linking him with a move to the Bernabeu: “Yeah he’s not going to Real Madrid any time soon.”Real Madrid have NEVER overcome a three-goal first-leg deficit in the Champions League.Yet French defender Saliba is wary of Madrid’s status as the crazy comeback kings on their own patch – and told Arsenal to fight fire with fire in one of Europe’s greatest arenas.He said: “We are not scared. We want to go there and win the game.“We cannot defend the whole game. We won 3-0 but we know it is not finished. There are a lot of things that can happen.Read More on The Sun“It was incredible because to win in a quarter-final like this against Madrid, in front of our fans, is amazing. But now we have to do it again next week.“One of the best [nights of my career] and I hope it’s not the last one.”He was desperate to soak up the moment with the fansCredit: GettyMerino made it 3-0 against Real MadridCredit: EPASaliba managed to keep compatriot Kylian Mbappe quietCredit: Getty More

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    ‘I really thought he was losing it’ – Peter Schmeichel reveals defining moment he doubted Sir Alex Ferguson

    FORMER Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has opened up about the one moment in time where he DOUBTED Sir Alex Ferguson. Schmeichel was an integral part of United’s winning machine during his eight seasons under Ferguson between 1991 and 1999. Former Man Utd goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has revealed the defining moment that left him questioning Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision-makingCredit: GettySchmeichel opened up about the historic Treble-winning team on That Peter Crouch podcastHe won five league titles and finished on the ultimate high of a Champions League triumph to complete a historic Treble in his final season.But it was not all plain sailing for the giant Dane at Old Trafford, after fights with Fergie and Roy Keane caused mayhem at times.Yet Ferguson relied on Schmeichel – a Euro 1992 winner with Denmark – to start between the sticks for nearly a decade.There is no doubt that Schmeichel respects “The Boss” and cherishes the unbelievable memories they spent together.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut the former stopper has revealed details about the one point in time where thought Fergie was losing his marbles.The 61-year-old told That Peter Crouch podcast: “The first time, where I really thought the guy was losing it and not understanding what he was doing, was in the summer of 1995.”When three players, who would start every game if they were fit, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis, left the club and no-one came in.”And he puts five kids in the first team squad – he puts Nicky, Gary, Phil, Scholesy and Becks.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford”Ryan was already in the first team dressing room, so he would’ve been the sixth.”But you’re thinking what’s going on here? And of course, we open up with a defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.Man Utd’s secret weapon in Treble-winning season revealed as star who played ‘bigger role than people give credit for'”But the boys were great and I mainly thought it was strange that he didn’t bring at least one player in during the summer.”It seems Schmeichel inadvertently and initially agreed with Liverpool great Alan Hansen who famously uttered: “you can’t win anything with kids” after that season opening defeat.But, of course, Ferguson’s young team went onto win the Premier League and FA Cup in that 1995/1996 season.The Dane also revealed United’s shock Treble-winning secret weapon away from the pitch that nobody really knows about.He identified club debutant Dwight Yorke as one of the ‘forgotten’ men. More