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      in Soccer

      ‘I couldn’t eat’ – New Man Utd star Antony’s teenage diary reveals brave 4-month journey from outcast to hero in Brazil

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      ANTONY has completed an incredible journey from Sao Paulo to Manchester — via Amsterdam.The Brazilian winger, 22, is now preparing for his Manchester United debut after arriving from Ajax in a stunning £85.5million deal.
      Brazilian winger Antony came through the ranks at Sao Paulo before joining AjaxCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Antony scored six goals in 52 games in all competitions for Sao PauloCredit: Getty
      While still a teenager, he wrote a book detailing his struggles in the Sao Paulo youth system while living in the city district of Osasco.
      Charlie Wyett leafs through his diary, From Overcoming A Real Dream, where he describes when he broke into the first team.

      How can four months change a person’s life? I went from distrust to glory in four months.
      I went from being unknown to one of the greatest prospects of Brazilian football. I left Osasco for the world. All this in four months.
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      In these four months I’ve needed to have a lot of strength, faith and the ability to overcome in order to reach my great objective: to be a pro footballer with Sao Paulo.
      I hope this diary serves as an inspiration for how life can change quickly when you believe in your target. It’s the beginning of a story that won’t stop for anything or anybody.
      2019 started in a sad way for me. I expected to play for Brazil’s Under-20s and for Sao Paulo in the Florida Cup. I didn’t get called up. I didn’t understand, I wanted a chance.
      I played in the Sao Paulo Cup, with my head up, and the rest is history.I grew in the competition, became more confident and my growth started there.
      Antony linked up with Manchester United on deadline day in an £85.5million dealCredit: Instagram @antony00
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      I had to be patient, I tried to listen and learn from the oldest players. When my chance came, I was going to grab it.
      I came on as a sub, we won, and I started to feel pleasure in what was to come in my career.
      I was sad I didn’t get picked for the next game. They changed coach. What would become of me, still trying to get my space?
      The new coach, Vagner Mancini, spoke to me a lot.
      From then on, the players began to receive me in a different way and to help me a lot. My confidence grew as I played more minutes.
      All that was missing was a goal and I scored a nice goal on March 20 against Sao Caetano.
      I didn’t know how to celebrate, I just wanted to take it all in. I will remember my first goal all my life, especially as it was so important as it meant us qualifying.
      We beat the favourites, Palmeiras, on penalties in the semi-final of the Brazilian league championship. It was the happiest time of my career.
      Antony could make his Red Devils debut against Arsenal at Old Trafford on SundayCredit: Instagram @antony00
      Former Ajax forward Antony won two Eredivisie titles with the Dutch clubCredit: Instagram @antony00
      I was so excited about the final against Corinthians. I was so anxious that I didn’t eat on the day of the game and I wasn’t well. I wasn’t the Antony of other games.
      I scored in the second leg. I started to think of the path I’d taken, remembering I’d been on the club’s discard list three times.
      And, suddenly, I was there in a final, scoring a goal.
      Unfortunately, we lost. I couldn’t contain my tears. After the game, I was able to take it in and feel satisfaction with the path to get there.
      After four months, I’m no longer the same Antony. How much I’ve developed.
      Now I will work double and learn double so that the path to success becomes a reality and a constant in my career. I lost a cup, I won a cup.
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      I learnt to lose and take good things even in defeat.
      I feel confident. When I enter the pitch, I do everything with heart and soul. I’m ready for the next challenges.
      Antony has been reunited with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and team-mate Lisandro Martinez at the Theatre of DreamsCredit: Instagram @antony00
      Antony scored 12 goals from 33 outings for Ajax during the 2022-23 campaignCredit: Instagram @antony00 More

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      in Motorsport

      F1’s Lando Norris announced he’d split from girlfriend after being caught inviting another model on a McDonald’s date

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      FORMULA One’s Lando Norris announced he had split from his model girlfriend after being caught inviting another model on a McDonald’s date.The race ace’s relationship with stunning Luisinha Oliveira hit the skids after he was exposed closing in on another beauty ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
      Formula One’s Lando Norris announced he had split from his model girlfriend after being caught inviting ANOTHER model on a McDonald’s dateCredit: Frambooesas
      The race ace’s relationship with stunning Luisinha Oliveira hit the skids after he was exposed closing in on another beauty ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand PrixCredit: LANDO NORRIS
      Brit McLaren driver Norris urged a mystery model in leaked messages from his Instagram account: “Ordering McDonald’s come join.”
      He begged the Dutch woman, who had told him they had met at last year’s race in Zandvoort, to join him at his luxury hotel on Tuesday for burgers and fries and told her: “I’m single now.”
      When his flirty messages ended up online, Lando, 22, privately pleaded to the model “please delete them haha”.
      He then frantically shared on his Instagram that Luisinha, 22, and he had “mutually decided” to go their separate ways after eight months — despite the pair looking like honeymooners in loved-up snaps posted four weeks ago.
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      He wrote: “I wish her the world and have so much respect for her and all she does as an amazing and strong woman with nothing but kindness.”
      Luisinha cryptically posted on Wednesday: “Enjoy every given moment.”
      But to add further intrigue to the drama, Norris later deleted his message about the pair’s split.
      McLaren made no comment, while a source close to Norris told The Sun that he only messaged the mystery Dutch girl after breaking up with Luisinha.
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      Brit McLaren driver Norris urged a mystery model in leaked messages from his Instagram account: ‘Ordering McDonald’s come join’Credit: Reuters More

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      in Soccer

      Ryan Giggs sells £1.7million mansion where he is accused of head-butting former girlfriend Kate Greville

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      RYAN Giggs has sold the £1.7million mansion where he is accused of head-butting his former girlfriend.The Manchester United great, 48, managed to offload the Tudor-style pad weeks before he went on trial over the allegations.
      Ryan Giggs has sold the £1.7million mansion where he is accused of head-butting his former girlfriendCredit: PP.
      Giggs is believed to have bought the property in 2001 for £545,000Credit: Neil Jones – The Sun
      A source said: “He just wanted to get rid of it and put it behind him.
      “He loved that place and had owned it for over 20 years but he knew it needed to go.”
      Former Wales manager Giggs is believed to have bought the property in 2001 for £545,000 and his mum lived there for several years.
      He and girlfriend Kate Greville, 38, lived at the five-bedroom house in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, from March 2020 and throughout lockdown.
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      But police were called on ­November 1 of that year following a bust-up and Giggs was taken away in the back of a police van.
      He was accused of attacking Kate and of coercively controlling her for three years.
      His trial ended this week with the Manchester crown court jury unable to reach a verdict.
      Giggs, who will find out next week whether he faces a retrial, put the property on the market on March 31, 2021, but struggled to sell it, even though it had the wow ­factor.
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      The pad has been described as: “An elegant Tudor-style detached home.
      “Located within one of the areas most prestigious and sought after gated developments.”
      A sale was finalised in June, while his trial started on August 8.
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      The house is on the same street as a property he shared with ex-wife Stacey before she learnt of his eight-year affair with his brother Rhodri’s wife and his relationship with Kate.
      He sold it last year for a knockdown £3million — two years after putting it on the market.
      Giggs and girlfriend Kate Greville lived at the five-bedroom house from March 2020 and throughout lockdownCredit: BackGrid
      Giggs will find out next week whether he faces a retrial over allegations made by ex KateCredit: pixel8000 More

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      in Soccer

      Liverpool’s James Milner flies huge pop star out for secret concert to surprise his wife on her 40th birthday

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      PREMIER League star James Milner flew in singer Gary Barlow to perform at his wife’s 40th birthday.The Liverpool midfielder, 36, organised the secret gig for Amy Fletcher, a fan of Gary and his ’90s boy band Take That.
      Premier League star James Milner flew in a huge pop star to perform at his wife’s 40th birthdayCredit: Zenpix
      He organised the secret gig for Amy Fletcher, a fan of Gary Barlow and his ’90s boy band Take That
      James arranged for the singer, 51, to be flown by helicopter from London to Cheshire, where his arrival left birthday girl Amy stunned.
      He then performed a string of hits including Back For Good and Could It Be Magic at the gig last week.
      A source said: “Amy loves Take That and James wanted to make her day with a surprise she could only dream of.
      “Amy could not believe her eyes when she saw Gary walking through the door.
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      “You could tell James was relieved he pulled it off without her finding out.”
      Kop star James, who has two children with Amy, also invited team-mates from his current and former clubs, which include Manchester City, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Leeds.
      Gary is currently on his A Different Stage tour, and played to a sell-out crowd at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre last night.
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      in Soccer

      Everton have £8.5m Leander Dendoncker transfer bid rejected by Wolves with Frank Lampard desperate for midfield help

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      WOLVES have rejected Everton’s £8.5million bid for midfielder Leander Dendoncker.Toffees boss Frank Lampard is scrambling to add to the squad following a dire start to the season.
      Everton have failed with a bid to sign Wolves midfielder Leander DendonckerCredit: Getty
      Everton are without a win in their first four Premier League games and sit 18th, a place above Wolves.
      Lampard is keen to add in midfield and up top before the window closes on Thursday night.
      Midfielder Amadou Onana has already arrived at Goodison Park this summer in a £33.5million deal from French club Lille.
      But with Andre Gomes potentially leaving before the close of the window Lampard is keen for further additions.
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      Dendoncker, 27, started Wolves’ first two games of the Prem season but has been used as a substitute in the last two.
      Despite their opening offer being knocked back by Bruno Lage’s side, there is confidence a deal can be struck before Thursday’s deadline.

      Having sold Richarlison to Tottenham and losing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to another injury, additions are also needed up top.
      French striker Neal Maupay has arrived in a £15million deal from Brighton.
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      Meanwhile talks with Blackburn Rovers continued over the weekend as the Toffees consider a move for Chile international Ben Brereton Diaz.
      SunSport have exclusively revealed how Dendoncker’s team-mate Hwang Hee-chan is on Lampard’s radar.
      Goodison transfer guru Kevin Thelwell is a big fan of Hwang, who is available for around £15m and also fancied by Leeds.
      Another striker arriving could see Salomon Rondon leave Goodison Park this week. More

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      in Soccer

      Man City green light Pep Guardiola to splash £100m in January transfer window on any stand-out stars from the World Cup

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      PEP GUARDIOLA can go on a £100million shopping spree in January if anyone catches his eye at the Qatar World Cup.Manchester City chiefs insist there will be no late arrivals before the transfer window closes on Thursday.
      Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will be given £100million to spend in JanuaryCredit: Reuters
      That is despite their £104m summer outlay being one of their lowest in recent years.
      But the Etihad boss has been reassured major funds will be available if he wants reinforcements in the next window.
      City have brought in Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez and Julian Alvarez over the past couple of months.
      But they have banked close to £250m in sales since January after a string of departures, including Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Oleks Zinchenko.
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      Pep now has a core group of just 18 senior players.
      And although he has called on academy whizkids like Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis, the Spaniard could be left light if this season’s squeezed calendar take its toll.
      SunSport exclusively revealed earlier in the week how Palmer is being chased by Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan.
      But Guardiola is reluctant to send out the highly-rated England Under-21 star, who can operate on either wing or as a No 10.
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      Following last week’s 3-3 draw against Newcastle, City were involved in another six-goal thriller when they faced Crystal Palace on Saturday.
      The Eagles went into the break 2-0 up, but turned the game around in the second half to win 4-2.
      Bernardo Silva pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute, before Erling Haaland bagged a hat-trick to bring his tally to six goals in the Premier League.
      Guardiola declared after the match that Haaland was born to score goal, as he said: “Erling has done [what he has done] since he was born.
      “He has done what he has done all his life, in Salzburg and everywhere he has been he has scored goals.
      “Against these type of teams, we struggle because they defend so deep, but he has an incredible sense of goal.
      “The three (he scored), especially the last one, but the first one as well, were all good goals.
      “The numbers for this guy are beyond. The most important thing is that he has settled perfectly, and he is an incredibly humble guy.
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      “He is a lovely person. He chats more with the guys from the Academy and that means a lot.
      “Hopefully, he can be happy the time we are together.” More

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      in Soccer

      Anthony Martial set for Man Utd contract talks – just months after he looked set for transfer exit

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      ANTHONY MARTIAL is set for talks over a contract extension – two months after his Manchester United career looked dead and buried.Martial has made such an impression on Erik ten Hag that the new manager sees him as having a key role in his plans.
      Erik ten Hag has been left impressed by Anthony Martial since taking overCredit: Getty
      And insiders insist that for his part, the French striker is also far happier than under recent Old Trafford regimes.
      Martial, 26, spent nearly 18 months expressing a desire to leave, and was loaned to Sevilla in January after his agent insisted he wanted a new club.
      That turned into a frustrating stay and he returned this summer with the Spanish club unable to raise the cash to make it a permanent deal.
      Yet he has had a new lease of life since ten Hag arrived, and the Dutchman has told Martial he has a big part to play.
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      He still has nearly two years left on his current £250,000-a-week deal.
      But United top brass are set to open talks in the coming weeks over an extension.
      They want to protect their investment by avoiding him entering the final season of his contract with nothing sorted.
      And that could see Martial being offered fresh terms which take him up to the age of 30.
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      He cost an initial £37 million when he signed from Monaco in 2015, which has risen by around a third thanks to various bonuses and clauses.
      Martial is desperate to go to the World Cup, and initially felt his only chance would come with a transfer.
      But he had an impressive pre-season and on Monday marked his first United appearance since January with an assist in the win over Liverpool after coming off the bench for the second half. More

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      in Soccer

      Crystal Palace eye transfer for Leicester midfielder Boubakary Soumare as Conor Gallagher return hopes fade

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      CRYSTAL PALACE’S hopes of a deal for Leicester star Boubakary Soumare are soaring after he missed out on a dream move to Monaco.The Eagles have made the French midfielder their first choice to fill the gap left by Conor Gallagher’s return to Chelsea, with little chance of the England star returning on loan.
      Leicester midfielder Boubakary Soumare is being eyed up by Crystal PalaceCredit: Getty
      The Eagles appear to have accepted defeat in their pursuit of Chelsea ace Conor GallagherCredit: Getty
      French giants Monaco were preparing to make a £17million offer but are pulling out after failing to qualify for the Champions League. 
      The Foxes would prefer to sell Soumare, 23, but could now accept a loan with a view to buy deal at the death.
      SunSport exclusively revealed last week how Soumare is on Palace’s radar.
      Boss Patrick Vieira is a huge admirer of the player, who has struggled since signing from Lille for £17m last year.
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      Soumare made 19 Premier League appearances in his first season at Leicester but failed to find the back of the net.
      He has featured just once in the top-flight this campaign where he started in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
      Fellow Palace target Gallagher also started in the game, but he was sent off for two yellow cards in the 28th minute.
      The Eagles may instead move for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar ahead of Soumare.
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      The Ligue 1 club want £20m but Palace might get Aouar cheaper in the next few days.
      Nottingham Forest have also been linked with a move for the 24-year-old before the transfer window slams shut on September 1.
      Reports have stated that the former Arsenal target has even agreed personal terms with the newly-promoted side.
      Aouar hasn’t been involved in the last two matches for Lyon since coming off the bench in the 2-1 win against AC Ajaccio in the opening game of the season. More