Explainers

STANDING between England and the Euro 2024 trophy this weekend will be Spain centreback Aymeric Laporte.Find out more about the wife of the Al Nassr player ahead of Sunday’s final. Sara Botello is the wife of Spain and Al Nassr centreback Aymeric LaporteCredit: InstagramWho is Aymeric Laporte’s wife Sara Botello?Sara Botello was born on October 9, 1994, in Spanish city Bilbao.She’s had a successful career as a dancer, and has performed in many shows, specialising in ballet and contemporary dance. Sara Botello is a professional dancer and has appeared in many shows in her native SpainCredit: InstagramShe was also previously a cheerleader for the Bilbao-based basketball team, Bilbao Basket.Sara’s also got a pretty solid social media following – nearly 37,000 people keep up with what she’s up to on Instagram.Sara has a younger brother called Iker.How did Aymeric Laporte and Sara Botello meet?Aymeric Laporte met Sara Botello in his early days of playing for Athletico Bilbao.It’s reported that Sara’s parents helped Aymeric’s move to the city in 2011.They began dating soon after, and she’s stuck by him ever since. The couple have shared pictures of their many travels togetherThe couple moved to the UK when Laporte signed for Manchester City, and Sara’s by Aymeric’s side at Saudi club Al Nassr.How long have Aymeric Laporte and Sara Botello been together?Aymeric Laporte and Sara Botello got together not long after they met in 2011, and they’ve been together ever since.Their relationship has seen them spend time in different countries as Laporte’s footballing career has progressed. Sara Botello and Aymeric Laporte have been by each others’ side for over a decadeThey’ve shared pictures of their travels together on both of their Instagram pages, regularly visiting exotic locations with each other.When did Aymeric Laporte and Sara Botello get engaged and married?Aymeric Laporte and Sara Botello got married in 2023.It was quite a while after the pair first met, but they finally tied the knot after over a decade together.Only two of Laporte’s Manchester City teammates made the trip to Spain for the big day – Erling Haaland and City’s Champions League final hero Rodri.They were surrounded by friends and family on a sun-drenched afternoon on their big day. Sara Botello and Aymeric Laporte have travelled to lots of exotic places togetherCredit: InstagramThey got engaged in June 2022, with Laporte announcing the news on Instagram with the caption “mas juntos que nunca”, which translates as “more together than ever”.How many kids do Aymeric Laporte and Sara Botello have?Aymeric Laporte and Sara Botello have two children together.Their son Lucay was born in 2021.They then had a daughter born a few months in 2024, leading to speculation Laporte might not be able to make it to take part in the Euro 2024 tournament.Even though he was born in France, Laporte plays for the Spanish national side.The fears were unfounded though – he’s part of the squad and is expected to be part of the line-up for this Sunday’s final against England. More

GARETH SOUTHGATE is about to lead the England side into the final of Euro 2024 against Spain on Sunday.Read more about the wife of the England boss, who’s by his side as he hopes to lead the Three Lions to glory. Gareth Southgate with his wife Alison at WimbledonWho is Gareth Southgate’s wife Alison and when did they get married?Southgate and Alison met when the now England boss was a trainee at Crystal Palace.She was working as a shop assistant, and Gareth used to say he was visiting so he could add more to his wardrobe.Really though, it was the girl behind the till he was there to see.Whilst she was in a relationship at the time they first met, Gareth wasted no time swooping in when he heard Alison had split up with her boyfriend.He handed her his number as soon as he found out – and she called him that same night.In his 2003 autobiography, Gareth revealed in the early days they used to sneak to a Tesco car park for dates to keep their new relationship secret from her ex.The pair eventually got married in July 1997 near Southgate’s family home in Crawley. Southgate and his wife Alison were married back in July 1997Credit: PA:Press AssociationAlison prefers to keep out of the limelight – however she’s appeared by her husband’s side on many occasions. Gareth Southgate and his wife Alison at Wimbledon in 2019How many children do the couple have?The pair have two children, Mia and Flynn.Southgate has talked about the importance of maintaining a normal parent-child relationship, despite his time-sapping and full-on job. Gareth and Alison Southgate at An Audience with Adele in 2021Credit: James Veysey/ShutterstockHe told the Standard in 2017: “Over the last couple of weeks I’ve just had a nice time spending it with the family though, and for me that’s important because my kids are 18 and 14, and their development is as important for me as anything else in my life.”You do have to try to find a balance because my focus inevitably gets drawn towards making this team as successful as we can and driving them to be the best team in the world. But I’m also a dad and a husband.”Gareth Southgate2017MORE ON SOUTHGATEWho did Gareth Southgate play for?The England manager retired as a player in 2006 and made 57 appearances for England.Southgate started his career in the youth set up at Crystal Palace before making his senior team debut in 1988.He made 152 appearances for the Eagles before moving to Aston Villa in 1995 where he made 192 and then he completed his career at Middlesbrough –  again with over 150 appearances for the club. Gareth Southgate heads a goal for Middlesborough against Liverpool in 2002His achievements as a player include the 1993-1994 First Division title with Palace and coming a runner-up in the 2000 FA Cup when Villa lost 1-0 to Chelsea.He went on to manage Middlesbrough from 2006-2009 and the England U21 from 2013-2016.He became manager of England on September 27, 2016, after the departure of Sam Allardyce.He’s got them as far as the final of Euro 2024, where they’ll face Spain.It’s the fourth major tournament he’d led the Three Lions for, and they got as far as the final of Euro 2020/21 before losing out to Italy.A win on Sunday will be the England men’s team’s first tournament win since 1966 – is it finally coming home? More

OLLIE Watkins last-gasp wonder goal against the Dutch sent the Three Lions to the final of Euro 2024.If you were wondering how the England ace got his start in football, here’s everything you need to know about his parents.Ollie Watkins celebrating with his mother Delsi-May in the stands following England’s semi-final victory over the NetherlandsCredit: PAWho are Ollie Watkins’ parents Steven and Delsi-May?England hero Oliver George Arthur Watkins was born in Torquay, Devon to parents Steven and Delsi-May on December 30, 1995.His parents divorced when he was a child — Ollie and his siblings were raised by their mother Delsi.Not much is known about his dad Steven, as he prefers to keep his personal information out of the public spotlight.Ollie has three brothers, Richie, Dale and Jordan, and a sister named Charlotte.READ MORE ON OLLIE WATKINSIn 2021, speaking about how her “football mad” boy got into the beautiful game, Delsi told the Times: “We used to take the kids out, and there was a little machine where you put a 2p in, and a little rubber ball fell out.“He’d stand there and you’d drop it, and he’d kick it. He never used to miss. He was only nine months old.“And he never wavered from saying, whenever I asked him what he wanted to do when he was older, ‘I want to be a professional footballer.’“He used to do a bit of skateboarding but that didn’t last long. He used to do BMX-ing but that didn’t last long either.Most read in Euro 2024“And every time he went out, he used to come back with a blinking football. “I’ve got a photograph somewhere of about 20-odd footballs that Oliver collected out playing.”RISE OF WATKINSAnd speaking about Ollie calling to inform her of his first call-up to the national side, she added: “I’m glad he did when I was in the car, because I let out the biggest scream.“If I’d have let that out in the street people would have said, ‘Find that woman a mental hospital!’”I still can’t believe it. I’m immensely proud.”Days before Ollie finally scored a last-gasp winner for the Three Lions on July 10, his mother was filmed launching an X-rated rant in a pub about her son’s lack of playing time.[Ollie] never wavered from saying, whenever I asked him what he wanted to do when he was older, ‘I want to be a professional footballer’Delsi-May WatkinsThe TimesShe said: “On Wednesday, [my wish is] that they finally let my son come on the f***ing pitch.”Delsi got her wish and Ollie went on to score the crucial goal.And she could be seen in the stands celebrating with her son after his 90th-minute winner against the Netherlands in the Euro2024 quarter-finals.The super-sub striker replaced Harry Kane and only made four touches after being brought on with 81 minutes on the the clock — one of which was to fire the ball into the bottom corner.Ollie’s superb finish sent England to the Euro 2024 final in Berlin against Spain on Sunday, July 14Credit: AFPOllie had a premonition he was going to score and revealed in his post-match press conference that he told Cole Palmer at half-time they were going to combine and score, before they went on to do so in spectacular fashion.He said: “I swear on my life, my kids’ life, I said to Cole Palmer: we’re coming on today and you’re gonna set me up.”The Aston Villa forward had played just 20 minutes at the Euros before he came off the bench against the Dutch.What does Ollie Watkins’ mum Delsi-May do for a living?The former Exeter and Brentford man’s mother works as a professional.Her stage name is Ruby Washington.Delsi’s band, The Superstitions, are a popular booking for weddings and events across Southwest England.In 2021, she told the Times: “That’s all I’ve ever done really, be a professional singer.“I got offered a recording contract when I was younger.”I had photographs taken and when they came back they all had Ruby Washington underneath them.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I said, ‘That’s not my name,’ and they said, ‘Well, that’s what we want you to be.’“The contract was the same. ‘Your life will be like this, you can’t do that . . .’ So I didn’t sign. But the name stuck.” More