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    How Erling Haaland is morphing into Cristiano Ronaldo – including £2k PJs, bizarre pre-match habit and £50K home gadget

    THEY are two of the biggest names in world football with millions of adoring fans across the globe. But scoring a tonne of goals isn’t the only thing Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo have in common. 
    In recent months, Haaland and Ronaldo have shown some striking similaritiesCredit: Instagram / @erling.haaland
    The pair’s common interests seem to go beyond the pitchCredit: Instagram / @cristiano
    From their love of designer £2,000 pyjamas to lookalike girlfriends and quirky match rituals, all signs show that the pair are truly twinning. 
    Here, we look at seven signs that prove that Manchester City’s title winner is slowly but surely becoming the Premier League’s next Cristiano Ronaldo. 
    Matching fashion 
    The two men are known for their love of fashion and luxury designer brands. 
    Haaland, 22, has been spotted in pricey designer gear from fashion houses such as Dolce and Gabbana and Burberry, while Ronaldo, 38, enjoys the designs of Gucci and Jacob & Co. 
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    Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted in a pair of pricey Louis Vuitton PJs in 2020Credit: Instagram
    Haaland’s love for the fashion trend has been well documentedCredit: INSTAGRAM
    The Norwegian wore PJs to celebrate Manchester City’s EPL victoryCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    The pair have also made headlines for wearing luxury pyjamas out and about.
    This week, Haaland celebrated Manchester City’s win by wearing light blue PJs. 
    He owns a vast collection including a Mojolica print that set him back over £2,400 and a Burberry set that costs £1,680. 
    Ronaldo has also dabbled in the pyjama fashion craze – he was spotted on a luxury yacht in a £1,800 Louis Vuitton set in 2020. 
    Most read in Football
    Ice breakers
    Ronaldo is known for his rock-hard abs which he maintains with cryotherapyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/cristiano/
    Haaland also splashed £50,000 on a cryotherapy chamber to stay in perfect conditionCredit: INSTAGRAM/ERLING HAALAND
    The key to their perfectly toned bodies appears to be their shared love for hi-tech ice chambers. 
    In 2021, it was reported that Ronaldo had a £50,000 cryotherapy chamber shipped from Turin to Manchester to help keep him in shape. 
    He reportedly likes to spend three minutes in the chamber at a temperature of -160C. 
    Last year, it was claimed that Haaland had also splashed the same amount on a cryotherapy chamber to help stay in top condition. 
    Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a cryotherapy session in his pantsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/cristiano/
    He is said to have ordered the walk-in ice pod to his home in Cheshire. 
    Cryotherapy has been noted to have a number of benefits including pain relief, muscle healing, aiding weight loss and reducing inflammation.
    Copycat diet
    Haaland copied Ronaldo’s diet
    Haaland follows a strict diet and does not drink alcohol or go to nightclubs, although he had admitted that he enjoys a glass of pina colada. 
    His diet changed when he was playing for Red Bill Salzburg and consists of mostly fish. Apparently, he was convinced after hearing it was one of the factors keeping Ronaldo in perfect physical condition in his mid-30s. 
    Dad Alf-Inge Haaland said: “He was told a story by Patrice Evra about a lunch he had with Ronaldo and Cristiano had fish, nothing else.
    “Erling now tries to do the same things because Ronaldo is still at the top of the game, so it shows the value of doing the right things.”
    Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo likes to keep himself disciplined with customised meal plans recommended by a personal dietician. 
    His diet typically consists of “six high-protein, high-grain, low-fat mini-meals a day.”
    He is also a big fan of cheese, ham and low-fat yoghurt for breakfast, with a preference for fish and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. 
    Ronaldo also stays away from alcohol and sugary drinks and snacks and only drinks alcohol.
    Lookalike girlfriends 
    Georgina Rodriguez has been dating Ronaldo since 2017Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfOydu7sJaK/
    Haaland’s girlfriend, Isabel Johansen is also a football player
    Both Ronaldo and Haaland have glamorous, lookalike girlfriends who seem to have set themselves apart from the average WAG. 
    Georgina Rodriguez, 29, has managed to establish herself as a businesswoman and socialite and has her own Netflix reality show. 
    With close to 50million people following her, she is the most followed WAG on Instagram.
    The former Gucci ship worker, who has been dating Ronaldo since 2017, has now become a model and a brand ambassador in her own right. 
    Isabel, 19, is Haaland’s girlfriend who left her home country of Norway to live with him.
    But she’s not just the girlfriend of one of the best players in the world – she’s also a footballer herself, with the couple said to have met through the sport.
    When Erling made the move to City, student Isabel – who has played for local Norwegian club Bryne – was granted permission to study remotely so she could be with him.
    Pre-match habit 
    Fans spotted Haaland standing on his tiptoes
    Fans have previously pointed out that Ronaldo has done it throughout his career
    This month, eagle-eyed fans were sent into overdrive when they concluded that Haaland and Ronaldo appear to have one odd pre-match habit in common. 
    When Haaland posed for pictures alongside his teammates before their semi-final clash with Real Madrid, many fans saw that he was standing on his tiptoes. 
    The pose has been a favourite of Ronaldo’s for years, especially when posing with a group of people. 
    A fan pointing it out on Instagram made the comment: “You’re already the tallest in the team”.
    One fan replied: “Bros trying to be like his idol Cristiano”.
    Another added: “He is copying Ronaldo in every single thing”.
    Record setters 
    Ronaldo has had two stints at Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP
    Haaland joined Manchester City in the summer of 2002Credit: Rex
    There’s no denying that Haaland and Ronaldo are two of the best players – they have both played for Manchester-based clubs and have impressive track records to show for it. 
    Ronaldo spent six seasons at Manchester United between 2003 and 2009 before returning in 2021, while Haaland joined Manchester City in the summer of 2022.
    Ronaldo holds the record for most international goals, according to UEFA, having scored 122 times for Portugal since making his debut in 2003. 
    He also holds the record for the most appearances in the Champions League, having played in the tournament 183 times. 
    Meanwhile, Haaland has been busy building his own impressive legacy – the Norwegian this year broke the record for the most goals in a Premier League season. 
    After scoring his 35th goal against West Ham, he moved past Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole, who have 34 goals between them. 
    Many have pointed to Haaland being one of the few players to break the records set by Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. 
    Last year, Haaland’s Manchester City teammate, Bernardo Silva, who has had the chance to play with both spoke about how they stack up against each other. 
    He said: “I was speaking with a few friends the other day and I said [Haaland] is the only player who gets close to Cristiano in terms of knowing where the ball will land inside the box.” 
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    And this year, he said: “[Haaland] has definitely got the same mentality as Cristiano, always wanting to be in the box, always wanting to score. 
    “He doesn’t care if he touches the ball one or two times, when he touches he scores. He’s just a proper striker.”  More

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    I live at entrance to major football stadium – fans queue up outside my front door but not for the reason you’d expect

    WANDERING along Ellerslie Road, the attractive Victorian terrace homes are typical for this affluent area of west London.But halfway down the street, sandwiched between grand entrances to end-of-terrace properties, lies the entrance to Championship side Queens Park Rangers’ football ground.
    The stadium is sat behind a row of Victorian terrace houses in West LondonCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Donna’s dog Misty is loved by fans who like to stop and take pictures of her on match dayCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    The bright blue gates provide access to the Stanley Bowles Stand within the Loftus Road Stadium, with a huge sign reading “Welcome to the Loft”.
    While it might be a football fan’s dream to live a stone’s throw from a major ground, locals have mixed feelings about the 18,000 fans who descend on their street every week.
    But one resident who loves match days is two-year-old German Shepherd Misty – who has become the club’s unofficial mascot.
    Owner Donna Fitzgerald, whose garden backs onto the stadium, says her pooch enjoys watching the crowds of fans from the window or the front garden.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL STADIUMS

    She tells us when we visit: “Everybody stops to say hello to Misty. She loves a match day.
    “She’s famous among the fans, they all stop to take photographs of her in the doorway.”
    There is one issue that drives residents who live next door to the football ground mad – literally.
    “It’s s*** living here sometimes,” Donna admits. “I often can’t take my car out on match days, which is a joke because I pay for a parking permit and council tax, so I should be able to come and go as I please.
    Most read in Football
    Houses on the street can sell for up to £1millionCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    The main entrance to the Loftus Road stadiumCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    “The fans can be awful. I’ve had fellas wee outside my door, and they all drop rubbish.
    “That said, I’m a Chelsea supporter, so I’m not QPR’s biggest fan.”
    The parking issue is a gripe shared by many Ellerslie Road residents – especially given they have to fork out £119 a year to park their car on the road. If they have two vehicles, that shoots up to £497.
    Council tax for the properties starts from £870 and can go up to £2,612 according to the Hammersmith and Fulham local authority’s website.
    On match days the road is closed to traffic to allow fans to be corralled into the stadium – which holds up to 18,439 supporters – by police.
    Residents at one end are not allowed to leave their cars on the road outside their homes, as it’s needed for a control marquee to manage fans.
    Fines
    Greg has been fined several times for leaving his car on the road by his houseCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Greg lives close to one of the stadium entrances which fans use to access the standCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    It’s left a sour taste in local resident Greg’s mouth, as he has been hit with fines for not moving his motor.
    The 41-year-old, who did not wish to give his surname, said: “The stadium is not fit for purpose any more, and [the council] know that.
    “If I leave my car outside my house on match day, I get fined up to £130 a time.
    “I pay council tax and for my permit, so I don’t see why I have to move it. It’s ridiculous.
    If I leave my car outside my house on match day, I get fined up to £130 a time. I pay council tax and for my permit, so I don’t see why I have to move it. It’s ridiculousGreg, Ellerslie Road resident
    “They set up a chicken coop style thing in the bays outside my house to control the fans, but I don’t think they do it that well.
    “Once upon a time we used to get a free ticket through the letterbox to a game, but that’s not happened in years. It would be nice to get it back.”
    The stadium was built in 1904 and later The Stanley Bowles stand, accessed from Ellerslie Road, was opened in 1972 to replace the old tin-roof grandstand.
    It is said to be the loudest stand, as it has 237 rail seats that allow club supporters to stand up during the game.
    ‘Nice atmosphere’
    Not all residents resent the football ground; Judith, who has lived on the street for 40 years, likes the bustling atmosphere it creates.
    She says: “I think the club manage it all pretty well. They clean the street after any home games, and I’ve never had a problem with any of the fans wandering down the road.
    “It’s quite a nice atmosphere, and I don’t mind hearing them shout when their team score.”
    It’s quite a nice atmosphere, and I don’t mind hearing them shout when their team scoreJudith, Ellerslie Road resident
    Houses on the normally quiet road sell for upwards of £1million and flats regularly go for £500,000 – despite being next to the roaring stadium.
    New homeowner Cleo admitted the stadium was a concern for her and her boyfriend when they purchased their, flat but say they’ve not had many issues.
    The social worker, 31, says: “We’ve been here for eight months and have never really had an issue living next to the stadium.
    “We did have reservations about buying the flat knowing where it was, but the flat is just so lovely.
    “It’s a bit annoying that we have to move the car sometimes, but when we’ve left it on the street there hasn’t been any damage done to it or anything.
    “We’ve also been very kindly let out the barrier on match day by the police, which was really nice of them.”
    Cleo adds that when the trees are bare in winter, they can see a section of the pitch, but not enough to watch a full game.
    ‘Bring back free tickets’
    Anin is a big fan of football and wishes the club would start giving out free tickets againCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    The stadium is surrounded by houses in West LondonCredit: Google Earth
    At the other end of the road Anin, 72, is a big fan of living by the stadium.
    He says: “Parking used to be a problem, but now they’ve put in restrictions it isn’t.
    “We used to get free tickets, but they stopped about 15 years ago, which is a shame. I’d like them to start again.
    “The fans are alright, and it’s only about two and a half hours, and then it’s quiet again.
    “It’s a really nice family friendly atmosphere around a home match.”
    Another fan of the stadium being just behind their home is student Fahim, 26.
    He and his flatmates live on the end of a row, right next to an entrance for the stand.
    He says: “My flatmates and I try to support QPR, as they’re right behind us.
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    “Living next to the stadium, it doesn’t really make that much of a difference to us generally.
    “The road gets closed twice a week during the season, but it doesn’t bother me much as I don’t drive, and we can get in and out on foot.”
    Fahim tries to support his local teamCredit: JOHN McLELLAN More

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    Inside Man City WAGs’ glamorous lives as Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne’s partners steal show at title celebrations

    THEY say that behind every successful man there stands a woman. It certainly appears to be the case with the Manchester City team, who were crowned Premier League champions after a win over Chelsea over the weekend.
    Ilkay Gundogan is married to model Sara Arfaoui, one of the most popular WAGSCredit: Instagram @sarabenamira
    Most of their WAGS joined them on a night out to celebrate winning the prestigious trophy for an incredible three consecutive seasons – and stole the show in the process.
    Here, we take a look at the luxurious lives of some of the other halves of the Manchester City squad.
    Sasha Attwood
    Sasha Attwood has been dating Jack Grealish since they were 16Credit: Instagram @sasha__rebecca
    Their relationship has been highly scrutinised due to his bad boy reputationCredit: sasha_rebecca/Instagram
    Thanks to her relationship with winger Jack Grealish, Sasha Attwood has become one of Britain’s most talked about WAGS.
    They are childhood sweethearts and have been together since they were 16.
    READ MORE SPORTS FEATURES
    Keen to build a legacy of her own, she has forged a career in the modelling industry and has been scooped up by beauty giant L’Oreal.
    Sasha has starred in social media campaigns for the brand, thanks to her 173,000 followers on Instagram.
    On her social media pages, Sasha often posts about her holidays to places such as Mykonos, Santorini, Dubai, and California.
    Her relationship with Jack, 27, has come under scrutiny in the past due to his bad boy reputation, but they appear to be stronger than ever these days. 
    Most read in Football
    Isabel Haugseng Johansen
    Isabel Haugseng Johansen hilariously dressed in boyfriend Erling Haaland’s trademark PJs as they celebrated at a nightclub this weekCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    She is said to have moved away from Norway to be with himCredit: Getty
    Isabel, 19, is the girlfriend of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland and left her home country of Norway to live with him.
    But she’s not just the girlfriend of one of the best players in the world – she’s also a footballer herself, with the couple said to have met through the sport.
    When Erling, 22, made the move to City, student Isabel – who has played for local Norwegian club Bryne – was granted permission to study remotely so she could be with him.
    He is said to be totally “smitten” with Isabel and the pair have enjoyed many luxurious holidays, including a vacation to a villa in Marbella last year.
    During City’s title win party, the love birds were snapped celebrating by wearing matching silk blue pyjamas.
    Michele Lacroix
    Michele turned heads when she showed up to Manchester City’s celebrations in a see-through topCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    She has been married to Kevin De Bruyne since 2017Credit: .instagram/lacroixmichele
    Michele Lacroix, 29, and Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne have been married since June 2017 after meeting when he was playing for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
    The couple share three children – sons Mason Milian, Rome, and Suri, who was born in September last year.
    Michele regularly shares steamy bikini pics of herself and has amassed a following of 383,000 on Instagram.
    Although she’s not a regular at his games, they have been spotted enjoying some quality time together at holiday destinations such as the Maldives.
    Glamorous Michele made headlines this week when she went braless in a see-through top as the WAGs joined their partners to celebrate.
    Taylor Ward
    Taylor is the daughter of reality TV star Dawn Ward and ex-footballer Ashley Ward
    She married Riyad Mahrez in a secret Islamic law ceremony in 2021
    Model and socialite Taylor, 24, is the wife of winger Riyad Mahrez.
    She’s one of the most popular WAGS on social media and has a staggering 2.5million followers on Instagram. Her mother is Dawn, the reality star who is married to football star Ashley Ward.
    After months of speculation, they confirmed their relationship on social media in October 2020 and tied the knot in a secret ceremony in 2021.
    They have confirmed that they are planning another wedding in the UK so their union can be legally recognised as the first one was under Islamic law.
    In July last year, Taylor and Riyad confirmed that they have welcomed their first child together.
    The blonde beauty certainly has a taste for the finer things in life and has been spotted holidaying at destinations such as the Bahamas, Maldives, Dubai, and Lake Como.
    She also decks herself in pricey designers such as Dior, LV, and Chanel. 
    Sara Arfaoui
    Sara is a model and TV personality who has fronted several reality showsCredit: Instagram / @sarabenamira
    She’s been married to Ilkay Gundogan since 2022Credit: Instagram / @sarabenamira
    Sara Arfaoui, 28, has been married to German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, 32, since last year.
    They tied the knot at a registry office in Denmark before holding a lavish ceremony at Lake Como.
    She was born in France but moved to Italy at a young age and has carved out a successful career as a model and television personality and has hosted several reality shows.
    Like many of her fellow WAGS, she enjoys the highlife and has been spotted holidaying at exotic locations.
    Unfortunately, she hasn’t taken too well with British cuisine since moving from Italy and has written about the “horrible food” on her Instagram page.
    The couple welcomed their first child in March this year, a day after City’s Champions League win over RB Leipzig.
    Olivia Naylor
    John Stones is said to have left his childhood sweetheart when he met Olivia NaylorCredit: Instagram @olivianaylor
    The pair welcomed a son in January this yearCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    John Stones met his girlfriend, former beautician Olivia Naylor, at a nightclub.
    The self-professed “brows, lash line, lip blush and microblading” expert is a mother of two – one from a previous relationship – while John also has a daughter with ex Millie.
    In January this year, the couple welcomed a son, their first child together.
    Olivia, 33, has a successful beauty career and owns her own salon near her home in Cheshire.
    She recently showed off helped to shed light on the condition of a two-year-old boy living with leukaemia.
    Rebecca Cooke
    Rebecca is extremely private and likes to keep away from the limelightCredit: Getty
    She has two kids with midfielder Phil FodenCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    Rebecca is the long-term partner of midfielder Phil Foden, 22 and the pair are said to live together in a £3.2million mansion.
    She became a mother at 18 when she gave birth to their son, Ronnie.
    Reflecting on his birth, Phil said: “I was there for the birth. I walked out of the room, gave it a little tear and then went back in like nothing happened.
    “I’m not one for crying in front of people. I like to be on my own, but I was there in the room, watched it happen and it was a special moment. Your life changes.”
    They welcomed a daughter in 2021 but her name has not been made public.
    Ines Tomaz
    Ines Tomaz and Bernando Silva announced their engagement in 2022
    She’s environmentally conscious and likes to support brands with the same ideology
    Lisbon-born Ines, 24, has been with Bernardo Silva since 2020 and announced their engagement in 2022.
    She often posts herself in swimwear on Instagram where she has over 100,000 followers and promotes brands that support the environment.
    The pair met shortly before the Covid lockdowns and stayed with friends in a large house not far from Lisbon.
    They moved to a new house in Manchester last year and recently announced they’re expecting their first child together.
    Lais Morares
    Lais Morares has been married to goalkeeper Ederson since 2014Credit: Instagram @ederson93
    She’s been seen cheering her husband on in the stands at the EtihadCredit: Getty
    Lais has been married to goalie Ederson, considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, since 2014.

    She keeps her life extremely private but is said to be a hands-on mum to the couple’s three children.
    Lais has been seen cheering on her husband from the stands at the club’s Etihad Stadium. More

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    Seven signs Erling Haaland is football’s wackiest star – from awkward workouts with ‘world’s sexiest athlete’ to £2k PJs

    HE’S the unstoppable goal machine who’s often compared to The Terminator.But in real life, Erling Haaland is far from a robot, with a quirky, larger-than-life personality that has frequently left fans in stitches.
    Erling Haaland is easily one of football’s wackiest starsCredit: INSTAGRAM/ERLING HAALAND
    Not only does the Manchester City striker, 22, have 35 goals to his name this season, but he also has a bizarre ‘cannibal’ diet and an astonishing wardrobe of luxury pyjamas.
    Mix that in with hilarious interviews, questionable ‘dark art’ tactics during matches and some very awkward run-ins with influencer supermodels and you have the makings of a truly once-in-a-generation striker.
    Here, we reveal seven ways City’s target man has made his mark – on and off the pitch.
    ‘Dark arts’ tactics
    Haaland is considered among the world’s greatest footballers – as highlighted when he became the Premier League’s highest goal-scorer with five games to go.
    READ MORE FEATURES
    But it seems he’s not always gentlemanly about his tactics, which have amused some fans and left others slamming his “childish mind games”.
    The striker reportedly yelled ‘hit me in my balls’ before this free kickCredit: Twitter
    Haaland appeared to mock Everton’s Ben Godfrey in one matchCredit: BBC
    Earlier this month, the star was branded a “madman” after making a rather unusual shout to his opponent.
    During his team’s 3-0 victory against West Ham, viewers were stunned as he appeared to yell “hit me in my balls” while standing in the wall for a free kick.
    “This man is a different bread I swear,” declared another tweeter.
    Most read in Football
    While another said: “Just when I thought I couldn’t love Haaland anymore…”
    Last year, he also appeared to mock Everton defender Ben Godfrey by pulling a funny face in a video which quickly went viral.
    He was attempting to mimic the player’s complaints to the referee and fans found it hilarious.
    One wrote: “Football is so much better when players have a personality, these were at it all game and made for a great watch.”
    Haaland was accused of ‘farting’ on players during a match against Bayern MunichCredit: Tiktok
    In another bizarre moment, Haaland was accused of having “no respect” by Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka after apparently farting throughout their Champion’s League clash.
    Hilarious footage emerged of the defender, 28, pinching his nose while his rival grinned broadly.
    Later, Goretzka told international newspapers that Haaland “farted every time we approached him”.
    The revelation, which fans joked could explain his whopping score sheet, led some to rebrand the star “Erling Fartland”.
    One amusingly quipped: “Extra propulsion for additional speed.”
    Squad banter
    Haaland’s reputation for being a jokester led to him being cast in a Sky Sports video, where he explained what he was doing while his Man City teammates were at the World Cup.
    In the video, he was seen driving a lawn mower, dressing up like the club’s mascot and pretending to talk with teammates’ football shirts.
    Haaland released an amusing video about what he did to keep occupied while Man City’s England players were at the World CupCredit: instagram.com/skysports
    He even dressed up in the Man City mascot’s headCredit: instagram.com/skysports
    He said: “I have been working hard while the guys are away. Sometimes it’s a bit boring but time is flying.
    “I do miss all the banter, I’m not going to deny… celebrating goals alone it’s not the same.”
    In another video back in March, Haaland and Jack Grealish handed out an Oscar-style award to the team’s “biggest fraud”.
    They announced the gong would go to Ruben Dias and the England ace said he was “in the gym four times a day” but they “never see anything”.
    Haaland added: “Yeah, I mean, he’s all the time in the gym and the results… where is the results?!”
    Odd diet
    In his doc, Haaland revealed he ate hearts and liversCredit: Haaland: The Big Decision.
    Haaland’s complicated water filtration systemCredit: Haaland: The Big Decision.
    Haaland’s stomach issues may come as no surprise considering his, erm, unique diet.
    The star has revealed he eats huge chunks of freshly-butchered heart and liver, which he says maintains his peak performance on the pitch.
    His unusual intake led him to be compared to the fictional cannibal Hannibal Lecter, originally seen in the film Silence Of The Lambs.
    In the 2022 documentary Haaland: The Big Decision, he said: “You (referring to other people) don’t eat this but I am concerned with taking care of my body.
    “I think eating quality food that is as local as possible is the most important.”
    Haaland consumes a whopping 6,000 calories a day – more the double the recommended amount for men – and often requests cheese and ham omelettes from Man City chefs.
    His odd consumption habits don’t stop there as it was also revealed he only drinks water from a complicated filter system that has multiple tubes and cords.
    He starts the day by getting “some sunlight in my eyes”, which he said was “good for cardiac rhythm”, before having his pimped-up H2O.
    “I have also started to filtrate my water a bit. I think it can have great benefits for my body,” Haaland said. 
    The star, who regularly takes ice baths, drinks the fluid from glasses that filter out blue light and claims it helps to improve his sleep. 
    Quirky posts
    Haaland’s quirky personality extends to his social media accounts too.
    In an April Instagram post, he revealed he drinks a “magic potion” – aka goats milk – and share some snaps of him at a farm.
    The striker claimed a ‘magic potion’ – goats milk – was behind his high score tallyCredit: instagram.com/erling.haaland
    The footballer also has shared a number of snaps of himself in animated scenes, including one showing him as a Viking.
    In one post depicting him with a zombified face, he wished fans “HAPPY HAALANDWEEN!!”.
    On another occasion in March, the star shared a touching post to mark International Women’s Day – but it didn’t go exactly to plan.
    He posted a word search but referred to it as a “crossword puzzle”, leading to mockery from fans.
    One wrote: “What makes it even better is that isn’t a crossword puzzle.”
    Another, making light of the situation, quipped: “Babe, are you feeling okay? You didn’t even finish your Official Erling Haaland International Women’s Day Crossword puzzle…”
    Hilarious interviews
    Haaland gave ‘hilarious’ responses to one interviewer earlier on in his careerCredit: YouTube
    In comparison to most media-trained footballers, Haaland’s post-match interviews are a breath of fresh air.
    Back in 2019, he revealed that he sleeps with up to five footballs in his bed and branded them his “girlfriends”.
    Haaland told Dagbladet: “They lie in bed and I sleep well with them… I look at them every day. The best thing is to score goals.”
    “In Salzburg, I have five,” he added. “They are my girlfriends.”
    And it seems the tradition has continued since joining Man City, as part of a £51.2million five-year deal in 2022.
    When quizzed about the odd antics in February, he replied: “It’s true. I love when I score a hat-trick to just feel the ball a bit more.”
    But when he’s not talking about his ‘girlfriends’, unlucky reporters can occasionally draw the short straw with some very awkward responses.
    In September 2019, after netting three goals to help his side Red Bull Salzburg win against Belgian team Genk, his very half-hearted post-match interview left fans praising his “dry wit”.
    The reporter asked: “You made history scoring your first-half hat-trick, how are you feeling right now?
    Haaland replied, “I feel good”, before being pushed to elaborate.
    He added: “You asked how I feel. I answered.”
    Next Haaland was quizzed about his “secret” behind scoring 17 goals in just nine games, only for him to give the answer: “To work hard.”
    The exasperated reporter then asked: “You go to Liverpool in two weeks’ time. Your father [Alfe-Inge Haaland] scored at Anfield in 1997, are you hoping to follow suit?”
    The star said: “I hope so.”
    Sometimes with Haaland, it appears the less said, the better!
    Pyjama obsession 
    Haaland splashes out on pyjamas worth up to £2,400Credit: Social Media
    He even wears them to high-end restaurants and teammates ‘giggle’ at his dress sense
    Footballers are renowned for their expensive tastes in clothing – but the Man City ace appears to have focused on a very specific type of outfit.
    It seems that Haaland has a penchant for expensive pyjamas as he’s got a wardrobe full of pieces costing up to £2,450 a set.
    In April, he was snapped in red, white and black Dolce & Gabbana PJs that cost £1,000 while flying to the Monaco Grand Prix.
    Haaland’s also dined out in his nightwear too – including at high-end Manchester restaurant Rosso, when he wore a powder blue silk shirt that cost £1,100.
    Last December, he shared a snap of himself in £2,450 Dolce & Gabbana pyjamas while wishing fans a Happy Christmas.
    The footballer’s teammates reportedly “have a giggle” at his odd dress sense.
    One source told the Daily Mail: “He has so much money but look what he wears!”
    Haaland also got a bit of flack for a GQ photoshoot in January when he let down his flowing blond locks.
    Racy workouts
    Haaland recorded a workout video with fitness guru Pamela ReifCredit: YouTube
    Borussia Dortmund hired the ‘world’s sexiest athlete’ Alica Schmidt to train its playersCredit: instagram.com/alicasmd
    Keeping in peak physical condition is a must for any sportsperson, yet it seemed Borussia Dortmund took an unorthodox approach to fitness while Haaland was there.
    In 2021, they hired Olympic hopeful Alica Schmidt, who was branded the “Sexiest Athlete in the World” by Australian magazine Busted Coverage.
    After spotting photos of the 24-year-old stunner, one fan quipped: “That’s why players stay in Dortmund.”
    Another described it as “the greatest strategy of any club to keep their best players” and a third added: “I bet this is why Haaland didn’t wanna leave.”
    A year later, Haaland recorded an exercise video with fitness guru Pamela Reif, who has nine million followers, to help Dortmund fans exercise at home.
    And the pair appeared to hit it off during their nine-minute video, especially when the football found some stretches too hard to complete.
    Read More on The Sun
    After the hilarious and awkward video was posted, one fan wrote: “I like Dortmund’s strategy of keeping Haaland at the club.”
    Sadly for supporters of the German football team, Haaland left the club later that year to join Man City. More

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    Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy’s sauciest bedroom confessions – post-Strictly sex marathon to racy role play & emoji code

    THEY’VE never been shy, retiring types – but Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy have been extremely candid about their sex life. Since starting their Therapy Crouch podcast this year Abbey, 37, and Peter, 42, have become even more open about what they get up to in the bedroom. 
    Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy have never shied away from PDAsCredit: Instagram
    The couple have been extremely candid about their sex life on podcast The Therapy CrouchCredit: Instagram
    Peter was once asked what he’d be if not a footballer and famously quipped: “A virgin”.
    And now the couple’s recent revelation over Peter’s use of sexy emojis left some fans in hysterics. 
    It’s not the only saucy confession they’ve made in their 18-year relationship.
    From role play to Strictly sex marathons, we reveal the Crouches’ sauciest ever sex stories.
    READ MORE ON ABBEY CLANCY
    ‘Freak in the bed’ 
    On their podcast Pete joked he had never scored until he met Abbey in a Liverpool nightclub in 2005.
    He had netted two goals in a match against Wigan the night they met – and referred to Abbey as his “hat trick”.
    But model Abbey insisted she made him wait for nookie because she isn’t a “complete ho” – but described her bedroom style as “Lady on the street, freak in bed”.
    Peter joked back while referring to Ludacris’s song Nasty Girl: “Clean in the workplace, dirty in the sheets.”
    Most read in Football
    Nordic and naughty
    Abbey admitted she’s a ‘freak in the bed’Credit: Instagram
    Abbey confessed she’d love to dress Peter as a sexy Viking to spice things up after watching a show about the Nordic pillagers. 
    She said: “I would love you to get jealous. The only time you got jealous was when I was watching that Viking thing. 
    “There’s this show, The Vikings and they are all unreal. Vikings is a thing.”
    She added: “When I watched that show. They’re just cool. Even the girls are as hard as nails. But hot as anything.”
    Peter protested he would look more like Rodney Trotter – getting Vikings confused with Gladiators. 
    He joked to his wife: “You started going to me, ‘Why don’t you be like a Viking?’
    “Have you seen Only Fools And Horses, have you seen when Rodney dresses up as a Gladiator? 
    Emoji code 
    Glamourous Abbey told how she has to “trick” Pete into keeping his hands off herCredit: Instagram
    Abbey branded Peter “vile” for the emoji code he sends her when he’s in the mood. 
    The couple – who have four children together, two boys and two girls called Sophia, Liberty, Jack and Johnny – say they get frisky when the kids are at school. 
    But Abbey claims Peter ruins the mood with his grotesque texts. 
    She said: “I just don’t know how long I can go on with these sexual emojis that you keep sending me.
    “If the kids go to school and he hears me like, put the key in the door, I’m in and no one’s in the house, I just get a beaver and an aubergine emoji text. 
    “I’m not even gonna say the last one but you can imagine what it is.” 
    Peter confirmed: “There’s three emojis.” 
    Abbey described the third emoji: “I’ve got a bit of hydration in there. How vile is that? Am I supposed to go, ‘Oh yeah, now I’m bang up for it’.”
    She added: “Do you think you’re going to get lucky with those messages?”
    Crouch replied: “I’m just letting you know, I’m just putting my cards on the table.”
    Post Strictly sex marathon
    Abbey put Peter on a sex ban while she competed on StrictlyCredit: PA:Press Association
    While competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, Abbey placed Peter on a football-style sex ban. 
    But after 13 weeks in the wilderness, Abbey went on to win the series – which was no doubt a relief to Peter who then played for Stoke City. 
    Abbey told the Daily Star: “Let’s just say Peter is looking forward to having me back. 
    “He just kissed me and twirled me around when I won. I need to spend some quality time with him.”
    Pussy galore
    Abbey revealed she had to buy an XXL bed to accommodate 6ft 7 PeterCredit: BBC
    Abbey has told how the only thing that can put her off sex with Pete is having their beloved pet cat in the room. 
    Peter said the cats had become a bone of contention – especially when he could hear them doing their business in their litter boxes. 
    He said: “So you know whatever happens in our bedroom, you know if I’m relaxing, in the bath, sleeping… There might be the odd occasion where you know things may progress…”
    Peter continued: “Well it always seems to be like when you’re doing any of those things, I hear the rustling of stones.”
    Abbey replied: “I would never have sex in front of our cat. Let’s just put that out there.”
    Peter then added: “Honestly, every time you hear the rustling of stones and you just think to yourself, cat’s having a s***.”
    Quality not quantity
    Abbey says Peter is lucky to get sex once every two weeksCredit: Instagram
    Abbey revealed how with four kids the duo are “lucky” to get down to business once every fortnight. 
    The pair laughed after a listener claimed his sex life had dwindled to only once every two weeks. 
    The fan wrote in: “Naturally as the years have gone by things have started to slow down a bit. This has gotten worse over the past six months and we are lucky if we get it on once every couple of weeks.”
    Abbey responded: “That sounds bloody fine. I think he’s lucky, him.” 
    Peter chipped in: “Peter, 42, from Surrey is that.”
    Abbey continued: “I think he should grow up, once every two weeks, what’s he complaining about?”
    Hair dryer treatment
    Abbey revealed she uses a trick to confuse her frisky husband while drying her hair.
    She said Peter used to always try it on while she used the hairdryer in the nude so she banned him from the bedroom. 
    But after he ignored the ban she devised a double knotting system for her dressing gown to slow him down. 
    She said: “It drives me insane. I’ve come up with a new tactic with the dressing gown.
    “Instead of tying the belt at the front, I tie it at the back. It’s like ‘how do I untie this thing?’ It works a treat.”
    Asked by Peter why she would not want him admiring her, she replied: “I do.”
    Playing footsy
    Abbey once revealed how she had to get a custom bed made to accommodate Peter’s 6ft 7 frame.
    Read More on The Sun
    As a young couple, they made the purchase after Pete’s feet stuck out the end of a regular sized bed which usually measures 6ft 5. 
    She told This Morning in 2008: “It’ll be the first time Pete’s feet are not going to stick out the end.” More

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    Ultimate boxing rich list including star worth $400m thanks to a strip club and Brit paid $76m for one fight alone

    BOXING pros might take a few knocks in the ring but there’s one area in their life which never takes a blow – their finances. With some commanding a $76million pay packet for just one bout, boxing can be a lucrative profession. 
    Retiree Floyd Mayweather Jr. has made a mint from his Las Vegas strip clubCredit: AP:Associated Press
    Anthony Joshua has become one of the highest paid Brit boxers of all timeCredit: Getty
    And that’s not factoring in the countless sponsorship and endorsement deals each fighter can snag outside the ring. 
    From seven-figure streaming deals to strip clubs and documentaries, we reveal the deals behind top earners’ estimated net worths. 
    Deontay Wilder, $30m
    Deontay Wilder made $20million for defeating Luiz Ortiz in a 2020 rematchCredit: AP:Associated Press
    As one of the top heavyweights in the world, Wilder’s purses are in the millions. 
    He was paid $28million for his Tyson Fury rematch, and $20million for his Luiz Ortiz rematch in 2020.
    READ MORE BOXING
    But the boxer is no stranger to an endorsement deal – it is thought he had made $500,000 from brand work.
    He’s put his name to Everlast Boxing, fast food restaurant Raising Cane’s and PureKana CBD. 
    Gennady Golovkin, $35m 
    Gennady Golovkin could be in for earning megabucks after a $100m streaming dealCredit: Getty
    The Kazakh star may not be a big personality but he’s certainly unleashed his earning potential. 
    Last year, Golovkin was thought to pocket $20million from his bout with Mexican fighter Canelo Alvarez. 
    Most read in Boxing
    And he could rival Alvarez’s earning potential too – he signed a three-year six-fight agreement for $100million with streaming site DAZN. 
    He has also had sponsorship deals with Nike, Hublot watches and Tecate beer during his career.

    Amir Khan, $40m 
    Bolton’s Amir Khan isn’t afraid to show off his $40m fortune on reality TVCredit: AFP
    The catchweight was handed a two-year ban for unintentionally doping but is in no danger of going broke. 
    Khan reckons he’s made over $80million over the course of his boxing career. 
    But in his reality show Meet the Khans, his wife Faryal Makhdoom took control of his finances after Khan admitted he had “no idea” where $6.25million of his own cash had gone. 
    He and his wife have been building a luxury wedding venue in his hometown Bolton. 
    Oleksandr Usyk, $56m 
    Ukranian Usyk has made over £1million of his fortune from endorsement dealsCredit: EPA
    Before his two fights with Anthony Joshua in the last two years, the Ukrainian had only received two purses over £1million. 
    Without the two Joshua fights, Usyk’s career earnings would be around an estimated £6million but the profile boost has landed him in good stead.
    The low key fighter’s endorsement deals are thought to be worth around $1.2million with clothing maker Jaxet, BoxRaw and WePlay Esports.
    Wladimir Klitschko, $90m
    Klitschko could bolster his fortune with a promised upcoming bout against Tyson FuryCredit: Rex Features
    For Klitschko’s last two fights he earned a staggering $36million in total, sweetening his defeats against Fury and Joshua. 
    Although he retired in 2017, he earned an estimated pre-tax $200million during the entirety of his boxing career. 
    Hunky Klitschko – who once dated actress Hayden Panettiere – also earned a fair whack from sponsorship deals with Hugo Boss, gym McFit and Mercedes Benz. 
    Last year, he joined the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Brigade in the war against Russia but has been plotting a return to the ring to fight Fury. 
    Canelo Alvarez, $180m  
    Canelo is on a path to become one of the richest sportsmenCredit: Reuters
    The Mexican super middleweight signed a $365million fight contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s promotion company and DAZN. 
    The deal has set Canelo on a path to become one of the richest sportsmen. 
    Between June 2018 and June 2019, Canelo earned $95million from his fights and deals, according to Marca.
    He’s sponsored by Mexican beer company Tecate, cognac Hennessy and Cleto Reyes boxing gloves. 
    Tyson Fury, $162m 
    Tyson Fury has earned his millions both in and out of the ring with a Netflix series and book dealsCredit: Reuters
    The Gypsy King signed a $99million contract for five fights from ESPN in 2021. 
    Fury picked up $27.5million for his third fight with Deontay Wilder, $31million against Dillian Whyte and $26million in his most recent clash with Derek Chisora. 
    And the Morecambe-based boxer’s cheeky personality leaves him in demand for personal appearances too. 
    He was paid $15million for a single appearance at WWE’s Crown Jewel pay-per-view in Saudi Arabia where he wrestled Braun Strowman. 
    His Netflix 10-part docuseries and his four autobiographies will no doubt have paid a pretty penny too. 
    Anthony Joshua, $211m 
    Anthony Joshua’s endorsement deal with Under Armour has put the sports brand on the mapCredit: @anthonyjoshua
    The Watford-born powerhouse reportedly earned a staggering $76million for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last year.
    Recently he left Sky Sports to sign an exclusive contract with DAZN that will see him rake in another $125million in exchange for two fights every 12 months until he retires.
    But outside the ring Joshua is expected to have raked in at least $122million through coveted sponsorship deals.  
    Sports clothing Under Armour, Hugo Boss, Land Rover and Jaguar are all worth millions to Joshua and saw him earn a total of $11million in 2021.
    Manny Pacquiao, $220m 
    Manny Pacquiao was the second richest athlete in the world in 2015Credit: AFP – Getty
    During his career, Pac-man has earned at least $500million from fights and endorsements including a $35million from a fight against Miguel Cotto.
    In 2015, Forbes named the Filipino the second richest athlete in the world. 
    He retired from his fighting career in 2021 and has since had cameos in mainly Filipino movies.
    He also served as a senator in the Philippine government from 2016 to 2022 and was a presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.
    But he’s put his good fortune to use too – in 2015 he built 1,000 homes for the poor in the Philippines. 
    Floyd Mayweather Jr, $450m 
    Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been plotting a return to the ring against mafia grandson John Gotti IIICredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The exhibition fighter has made his millions through his pay-per-view bouts – with him featuring in four of the most watched fights. 
    He’s also invested in some savvy business ideas in his downtime. 
    He runs his own promotions company who represent 12 boxers and will take a cut from their earnings.
    Read More on The Sun
    Watch company Hublot, Burger King and gambling company Fanduel all reportedly have paid Mayweather to be the face of their brands.
    He also owns Vegas strip club Girl Collection which has takings of up to $250,000 on fight nights.  More

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    We live INSIDE famous entrance to Luton Town stadium – footballs smash our windows but there are surprising perks

    STROLLING along Oak Road in Luton, the row of Victorian red brick terraced houses feel just like any other street.But halfway down the road, homes have effectively been cut in half to make way for two entrances to the town’s football ground, Kenilworth Road.
    The entrance to Luton Town FC’s ground, Kenilworth Road, is cut into a row of terraced housesCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Abdul Ali lives right next to the entrance for home fans at the groundCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Home to Luton Town FC – which is on the cusp of entering the Premier League next season – the ground was built in 1905 and is one of the most unique in the football league.
    Visiting fans climb bright blue metal staircases perched above resident’s gardens to access the away stand, while patios from adjacent houses back onto the stadium.
    Currently third in the Championship, Luton Town stands a strong chance of making it to the play-offs for promotion.
    If successful, the club will be handed an estimated £10million bill to upgrade its long-standing ground.

    For locals who live on the street, the thought of the team moving to a new ground throws up mixed feelings.
    Abdul Ali’s family home is metres away from the entrance and backs onto the ground.

    “I’ve lived here my whole life,” he tells The Sun. “Until about seven years ago it was really easy to see into the stadium.
    “We used to have footballs smashing our window every so often when they accidentally got kicked out when teams tried to score.
    Most read in Football
    The stand entrance has been cut into a row of Victorian terrace housesCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Stairs lead up to the Oak Stand, running above residents’ gardensCredit: Getty
    “It was kind of annoying at the time, it used to drive my dad mad.
    “We complained and complained and the club finally put up netting and some corrugated iron to stop it.
    “It means that my view of the pitch is gone unless I jump up and down on my bed. Then I can see a little bit of the grass, but not enough to watch the game.”
    On match days, Abdul says there is always a sea of police on the street – which, he adds, comes with an unusual perk.
    We used to have footballs smashing our window every so often when they accidentally got kicked out when teams tried to score… it drove my dad madAbdul Ali, Oak Road resident
    “I went out during Sunday’s game to get some food and then police escorted me back to my house,” he says.
    “It’s kind of cool being escorted home.”
    One of the unique entrances on Oak Road provides access to The Bobbers’ Club – part of the Luton Town football ground for 89 years.
    On leaving the street – where house prices cost an average of £222,500 – fans are led down a small alleyway before they clamber the iron stairs to a terrace leading onto the Oak Stand.
    Stray balls
    Anu’s garden is directly next to the stairs leading the seats for away fansCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Rear gardens back onto the stadiumCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Mum-of-four Anu’s garden runs beneath the terrace, and she tells us stray footballs often end up landing in it.
    “They’ve only ever asked for the ball back once,” she admits. “We’ve kept the others.”
    Anu, 52, says local families in the area used to get complimentary passes to matches from the club, but that’s not happened since Covid.
    “We used to get a family ticket to go in the summer which was nice,” she says.
    “We’d go and see a match against one of the smaller teams. It was good to get in the ground.
    “My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the games.”
    My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the gamesAnu, local mum-of-four
    Anu’s neighbour LeeLee says she loves the buzz of match days, adding: “It makes me feel alive. I love it.
    “It keeps things interesting around here. I rarely have any problems with the fans.”
    Sadly Anu doesn’t share her enthusiasm.
    She claims she’s fed up of hooligans chucking rubbish from the steps into her garden as they come and go.
    “Last week my house was egged by fans, they leave cans and bottles in front of my house,” she tells us.
    “They spray alcohol on to mine and my neighbour’s windows and drop litter from the stairs as they go into the stands.”
    ‘I’ll never leave’
    Residents say some fans can be disruptive and cause problems on game daysCredit: Getty
    Many families living on Oak Road have grown up in the area and are lifelong fans of the club.
    Joumna’s childhood home backed on to the stadium and she’s since moved into her own property across the road.
    The 49-year-old admits she’s noticed fan behaviour has changed over the years, adding: “I remember as a child we didn’t have as many problems.
    “Now, whichever team loses, the fans are shouting and swearing. It’s a shame.”
    She adds: “The stadium is alright with me. I was born on this road and I’ll probably never leave.
    “It was fine when I lived overlooking it. We never had any issues.”
    Driven to despair
    Resident Amanpreet is fed up of having to move her car to accommodate match goersCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    Residents are required to move their cars on match daysCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    But there is one issue that drives all residents up the wall – parking.
    Everyone who keeps a car on the street – a permit for which costs £60 a year – has to move it off Oak Road on game days or it will be seized.
    “Parking is such a problem around here,” resident Amanpreet, 34, tells us.
    “The stadium is a problem now because it attracts so many people. We have to move our car on match days but finding a space can be hard.”
    Fellow resident Malik, a 37-year-old customer services worker, shares her frustration.
    He claims he wouldn’t have bought a house if he’d realised how disruptive the road closures would be.
    Malik says he wouldn’t have bought a house on the road if he’d realised how disruptive the road closures would beCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
    “I’m not happy because I pay to park my car on this road and I have to move it regularly,” he says.
    “If the game is at 5pm we have to move the car at around 10am. It’s really difficult with two young kids – it’s frustrating.”
    Another local, Khuram, 38, adds: “The parking issue is a struggle.
    “I have two young kids and walking them several streets over to the car on match days between fans is stressful.
    Read More on The Sun
    “There are lots of police on match days which is good, but we often have to show that we live here to get through at the end of the road.
    “The only time I have an issue with the stadium is match days because it’s disruptive.”
    Luton Town are on the cusp of moving up into the Premier League, which would mean all changeCredit: GOOGLE EARTH More

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    How Fernando Alonso became ultimate Formula One playboy as supermodel-loving star fuels rumours of Taylor Swift romance

    FERNANDO Alonso lives life in the fast lane – on and off the track.The Formula One ace, 41, is back to his best this season racing for Aston Martin, and his love life must be keeping him busy when he’s not chasing podium finishes.
    Fernando Alonso is one of F1’s biggest starsCredit: Instagram
    The star has been a legend of the sport for two decades and has raised eyebrows with his cheeky antics. Pictured, with model Michelle Marsh at Silverstone in 2005Credit: EPA
    Fans were sent into a frenzy last week when Spanish magazines began linking Alonso to newly-single pop star Taylor Swift.
    The two-time world champion fuelled the flames last night when he posted a video of himself winking as he listened to one of the 33-year-old’s hit songs, Karma.
    It came just weeks after Alonso announced his split from long-term partner Andrea Schlager, explaining in a statement: “We have been lucky enough to share a fantastic time together, and it will continue to be so, but on a different form of affection.”
    Here, we steer a path through the flamboyant star’s long relationship history, from supermodels to a romance with one of his Formula One rival’s pals.
    Read More in F1
    The rockstar wife
    Alonso and Raquel Del Rosario married secretly in 2006Credit: Reuters
    The singer performed in the Spanish rock band El Sueno de MorfeoCredit: Eyevine
    Alonso and singer Raquel Del Rosario – who was lead singer for Spanish rock band El Sueno de Morfeo – met in 2005 after she performed at a concert to mark his first F1 title.
    He told her on-stage in front of thousands of adoring fans that he was “single and romantic” – and it clearly did the trick.
    Spending their time living first in Oxford and then Switzerland, they married secretly in 2006 but only confirmed it publically two years later.
    In 2011, however, the couple confirmed their break-up in a jointed statement, saying: “This has been a very thought about and mutual decision.
    Most read in Motorsport
    “We are separating from marriage, but never as friends, and there is still a very strong affection and mutual admiration to ensure the happiness of the other.”

    The banker
    Alonso moved on with former Miss Switzerland runner-up Xenia TchoumitchevaCredit: BackGrid
    After his split from Raquel, Alonso quickly moved on with former Miss Switzerland runner-up Xenia Tchoumitcheva.
    The talented Russian model, who has a degree in economics, has had an even more colourful career than her ex.
    After bagging an internship at JP Morgan, she was offered roles at Merrill Lynch and Duet Group, but decided to swap the stock market for the pop charts – releasing a rap single.
    A JP Morgan worker told the Mail that Xenia ‘brightened up the office’ when she worked there, but sadly it wasn’t to be. Neither was her romance with Alonso, which ended in late 2011.
    The model
    His next relationship was with Russian model Dasha KapustinaCredit: Alpha Press
    The following year, Alonso found another Russian model, stepping out at the German Grand Prix with Dasha Kapustina.
    The besotted pair were snapped on a holiday in Majorca as they relaxed on board a private yacht and were frequently seen together around the paddock.
    In 2013, Alonso whisked Dasha off to Las Vegas ahead of the British Grand Prix, taking selfies along the strip and even enjoying a David Copperfield show.
    After two years together, though, their romance quietly fizzled out.
    The journalist
    Alonso was engaged to Lara Alvarez but the relationship didn’t lastCredit: Reuters
    Alonso quickly fell head over heels after meeting journalist Lara Alvarez in December 2014.
    The star popped the question to his fellow Spaniard, who was previously linked to Real Madrid footballer Sergio Ramos.
    But by 2016, the 16-month relationship had come to a sad end, as pictures emerged of Lara stepping out without her silver ring.
    A source told a Barcelona-based newspaper that there was no bad blood between them, citing “the distance and demands of their jobs” as the reason behind the split.
    The rival romance
    Viki Odintcova was linked with Alonso in 2016Credit: INSTAGRAM
    She previously told how she ignored Cristiano Ronaldo’s DMsCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Alonso’s next flame, Viki Odintcova, has no shortage of admirers in the sports world – even claiming she ignored Instagram DMs from Cristiano Ronaldo.
    She said: “That happened… He (Ronaldo) even wrote to me. It was a long time ago. He wrote, ‘Hi, how are you?’
    “I deleted the message and didn’t reply.”
    The Russian model was rumoured to be dating Alonso in April 2016, but he would have risked the ire of her “most famous” pal.
    Viki previously told Russian TV: “The most famous person in my phonebook is Lewis Hamilton. The last time he messaged me was November 15, to congratulate me on my birthday.
    “I go to his races occasionally, the last time was in Sochi (at the Russian Grand Prix). We’ve been friends for three years. When I met him, I could barely speak English, I could only understand it.”
    The lingerie star
    Linda Morselli stuck by Alonso after his horror car accident in 2021Credit: Getty – Contributor
    Italian lingerie model Linda Morselli has a truly racy relationship history, having previously dated MotoGP rider and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi.
    After being snapped supporting Alonso at races in 2016, the pair confirmed their relationship with an Instagram post the following year.
    Linda – who was once crowned Miss Elegance at the Miss Italy beauty pageant – was there for her partner in 2021 when he was hit by a car on a roundabout while cycling in Switzerland.
    Alonso, who was training on a £5,500 road racer ahead of his return to F1 after a two-year absence, was rushed to a nearby hospital for X-rays and underwent surgery on his jaw.
    After half a decade together, the couple went their separate ways last year.
    The newest ex
    Alonso and Andrea Schlager announced they had broken up earlier this monthCredit: Instagram
    He met the journalist while she was working in the paddockCredit: Instagram / @andrea.m.schlager
    Alonso’s latest relationship was with Andrea Schlager, a sports commentator known for her work in F1 and MotoGP.
    The pair first met in the paddock while she was working as a sports presenter for ServusTV, dropping a series of cryptic clues on social media before going official.
    Just hours after Alonso secured a podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this month, he released an Instagram statement announcing their break-up.
    In a statement, he wrote: “We wanted to tell you that our relationship as a couple ended. 
    “We have been lucky enough to share a fantastic time together, and it will continue to be so, but on a different form of affection.
    “As you have probably seen, we have continued working on and off track on various projects together also during this time, and we will keep doing so with deep love and respect for each other.
    “We thought it is appropriate to share this as you have all been very supportive. Thanks for that. Love Fer & Andrea.”
    Alonso’s cheeky video this week sent Taylor Swift fans into meltdown, with one TikTok user commenting: “Oh my god Taylor X Fernando confirmed????”

    If the superstar is spotted in the paddock at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, they will truly go into overdrive. More