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      Inside the VERY glamorous life of Premier League’s hottest WAG who is building ‘Instagram empire’ with sizzling snaps

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      FOR years the likes of Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney ruled the roost as the ultimate footballer WAGs. But a fresh crop of glamorous wives and girlfriends are now emerging to steal their limelight.
      Maja was crowned hottest WAG in a survey by BettingSites.co.ukCredit: Refer to Caption
      She is the wife of Manchester United defender Victor LindelöfCredit: Getty
      Leading the pack is Maja Nilsson Lindelöf, who’s married to Manchester United defender Victor Lindelöf and was crowned the Premier League’s hottest WAG in a recent survey.
      The entrepreneurial Swedish beauty, 29, is founder of the fashion brand Lis Bonne Atelier, and writes blogs for a glossy magazine.
      She’s also teamed up with Victor to become a human rights ambassador for UNICEF, using their platform to highlight the work being done to protect children around the world.
      Influencer Maja is hot property on Instagram, with nearly 250K followers and each post totting up thousands of likes.
      READ MORE ABOUT WAGS
      She regularly shares glam shots of exotic holidays in places like Provence and Greece, as well as sweet snaps of her husband and their two children.
      Brand and culture expert Nick Ede reckons Maja has the potential to become the most sought-after WAG in the world – and rake in thousands in the process.
      He tells The Sun: “Maja is stunning, stylish, sophisticated, and compassionate.
      “She stands out as she is a savvy businesswoman who has used her modelling experience and popularity to make her mark as both an influencer and charity ambassador.
      Most read in Football
      Nick Ede believes she could be well on her way to become the ultimate WAG
      Maja thrills her 250k followers on Instagram with sexy snapsCredit: Instagram/@majanilssonlindelof
      Maja often shares sizzling snaps of herself on holidayCredit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
      “She embodies a new breed of WAG who doesn’t rely on their famous husband and has carved a successful career on her own.”
      According to Inzpire’s influencer earning calculator, Maja is already able to rake in between £1,330 and £1,664 per post on Instagram.
      Nick says: ” She’s doing all the right things by creating beautifully shot content and building a strong following.
      “With beauty and lifestyle, she can really start to develop her own brand to create a ready-to-wear collection and develop a beauty lifestyle range.
      Maja embodies a new breed of WAG who doesn’t rely on their famous husband and has carved a successful career on her ownNick Ede, branding expert
      “As a mother she can also maximise on the fact that parenting, childrenswear and lifestyle is huge and she could follow in the successful footsteps of Emma Bunton and her brand Kit and Kin.”
      Nick believes Maja can take her influencer status a step further by securing lucrative endorsement deals with international brands.
      He says: “She already has her own fashion brand but I can see other brands partnering with her in the fashion and beauty arenas.
      “She has worked mainly with Swedish brands but I can see the big players like L’Oreal, Charlotte Tilbury and perhaps even Victoria Beckham Beauty using her as a model and brand ambassador.
      “Fashion brands like Good American or Skims would surely jump at the chance to have her model for them.”
      ‘Stand out’
      Maja is incredibly business savvy and has her own fashion brandCredit: Instagram/@majanilssonlindelof
      She is also a charity ambassador and has paired with UNICEFCredit: Instagram / @majanilssonlindelof
      She is also known for expressing her opinions, unlike many other WAGsCredit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
      Maja is no wallflower and isn’t afraid to speak her mind – a quality Nick thinks will help her go far.
      She went so far as criticising her husband’s team, just like Cristiano Ronaldo’s fiancee Georgina Rodriguez has done in the past.
      In 2017 Maja slammed the eye-watering cost Manchester United players must cough up to hire a private box for their friends and family on match days – said to be between £24,000 and £81,600 a season.
      On the podcast Life on the Stand, she said: “The players have the option to rent a box and I’m not even going to tell you for how much but a disgusting amount of money.
      “And if you don’t buy one you’re considered to be a loser. But having a box is wonderful because you have your own waiter.”
      That same year the couple auctioned off their private box for charity, with all proceeds going to a children’s charity in Sweden.
      Maja is a great believer in female empowerment and family, so it’s important to her to stand up for what she believes inNick Ede
      Nick says he believes Maja will be “applauded” for speaking out, adding: “She’s got a voice and is using it.
      “She is a great believer in female empowerment and family, so it’s important to her to stand up for what she believes in.”
      Nick believes it’s only a matter of time before Maja becomes a “major player” in the fashion and beauty world.
      “I think Georgina Rodríguez is in an incredibly unique position, but I can see Maja up there, rivalling the likes of Victoria Beckham even,” he says.
      “I think she can start to engage more followers in the UK. Perhaps speak on her reels and give more of a glimpse into her lifestyle.
      “Perhaps too she needs to get a cover interview in a glossy magazine. But for now, she’s doing all the right things.”
      Love story
      The couple are said to have met during a festival in their home countryCredit: Instagram @victorlindelof
      They wed in 2018 in a lavish ceremony in SwedenCredit: Instagram @majaenilsson
      The couple have two kids, born in 2019 and 2021 respectivelyCredit: Instagram/@majanilssonlindelof
      Although little is known about Maja’s upbringing, we know she was born in Sweden and studied a marketing degree at university.
      According to Soccer Souls, she met future husband Victor, 28, back in 2013, during the early stages of his career at an annual festival held in their home country.
      She reportedly sent him a message on Facebook after their initial meeting and agreed to go on a date.
      Maja has been extremely supportive of Victor’s career and has been by his side during his transfer from Benifica to United.
      The defender is said to have popped the question during a romantic holiday to the Maldives. They married one year later in a lavish ceremony in Sweden.
      In March 2019 the couple announced the birth of their first child, and the second arrived in October 2021.
      In January last year the family experienced a frightening encounter when their home was broken into while Victor was away playing a match against Brentford.

      Maja and their children were home at the time. She released a statement saying: “I was home alone with both the kids but we managed to hide and lock ourselves in a room before they entered our house.
      “We are okay under the circumstances but it was obviously a very traumatic and scary moment for both me and my little kids.” 
      Maja is often praised for her down-to-earth demeanour on InstagramCredit: Instagram/@majanilssonlindelof
      She has supported Victor throughout the highs and lows of his careerCredit: Getty More

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      Ultimate England footballer rich list reveals Harry Kane’s shocking net worth & he’s NOT the wealthiest Three Lions star

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      THEY are the beloved sporting icons who hold the nation’s hopes in their hands – along with a handsome pay cheque.Tonight the Three Lions will be hoping to seal a win against North Macedonia in the latest Euro qualifier – having beaten Malta 4-0 on Friday.
      Harry and Kate Kane on a luscious holiday abroadCredit: Kate Kane Instagram
      While England’s national footballers undoubtedly make a fair wedge, not all of them are sitting on as big a fortune as you might believe.
      Last month skipper Harry Kane was revealed to have a whopping net worth of £51million, up from £42m in 2022, according to The Sunday Times Rich List.
      The Tottenham striker – who is England’s all-time top scorer –  earns about £200,000 a week at his club, plus cash from lucrative endorsement deals.
      But Harry’s not the England player with the highest fortune, as our rich list reveals…
      READ MORE RICH LISTS
      Marcus Rashford – £65m
      Marcus Rashford is the youngest footballer to be made an MBECredit: Instagram/@marcusrashford
      Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford has transcended football after campaigning to end child hunger and racism.
      His charitable work also has made him an extremely in-demand figure for big companies, which has contributed to his reported £65m net worth. 
      Marcus, who became the youngest footballer to be made an MBE at 22, has landed deals with McDonald’s, EA Sports and Nike. 
      It tops up his £200,000 per week wages with the Red Devils, which totals £10.4m per year and makes him the seventh highest-paid star at the club.
      Most read in Football
      Raheem Sterling – £61m
      Raheem Sterling has money in property as well as sponsorship deals and high wagesCredit: Instagram
      Chelsea star Raheem Sterling comes second in our rich list with a reported net worth of £61m.
      He also placed 23rd in the Top 35 richest people under the age of 35 on The Sunday Times Rich List.
      Raheem’s paid a whopping £325,000-a-week by Chelsea FC and makes even more from sponsorship deals including one with New Balance.
      The 28-year-old also co-owns a Stockport-based property company with his fiancee Paige Milian.
      Harry Kane – £51m
      England skipper Harry Kane isn’t the team’s highest-paid player
      As well as his £10.4m-a-year wage, Kane, 29, makes a fortune from endorsement deals, most notably Nike.
      Away from the beautiful game, the Spurs star is sitting on a £13m property portfolio including rentals.
      He’s currently let one home for £800,000 a year and has also invested in a low-calorie doughnut start-up.
      His earnings could be topped up substantially if speculation is correct that Harry may leave Tottenham during this summer’s transfer window. 
      It’s reported a move to Bayern Munich or Manchester United could be on the cards, with big bucks at stake.
      Last year Manchester City tabled a £135million bid for the star.
      Jordan Pickford – £36m
      Megan and Jordan Pickford in their stunning mansionCredit: Instagram
      Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has a reported net worth of £36m – and much of it came from a lucrative deal with his Premier League club.
      In September 2018 he signed a six-year contract with The Toffees that nets him £5m per year.
      And as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, he’s made a fortune from sponsorship deals including with Puma and Nike. 
      On top of his earnings, Jordan, 29, and wife Megan share a £2.1m mansion in Knutsford, Cheshire – an area beloved by footballers including John Stones and Jordan Henderson.
      Luke Shaw – £32m
      Luke Shaw with girlfriend Anouska SantosCredit: Instagram / @anouskasantos
      Man Utd star Luke Shaw is reportedly worth £32m and caused a storm when he transferred to the club in 2014 from Southampton.
      Aged 18, he was the most expensive teenager in football when the Red Devils paid a record-breaking £30m for him.
      He’s twice been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and won Players’ Player of the Year too, making him an attractive prospect as a brand ambassador.
      Luke, now 27, earns £150,000 a week at Man Utd – £7.8m per year – not including bonuses.
      In 2019 he sold his Cheshire mansion for £2.6m and now lives in a stunning London pad with girlfriend Anouska Santos and their son Reign. 
      Kyle Walker – £27m
      Kyle Walker earns £8.32m a year from Man City (pictured with wife Annie)Credit: Refer to Caption
      Manchester City star Kyle Walker, who is supposedly worth £27million, transferred to the club from Tottenham for £50m back in 2017.
      He’s one of the most well-paid fullbacks in the world with a £160,000-a-week salary – totalling £8.32m per year.
      Kyle has had a paid partnership with Nike since 2012 and endorses their football boots including the Nike T90 Laser IV, also worn by Wayne Rooney. 
      The footballer, 33, who is married to childhood sweetheart Annie Kilner, has a £3.5m six-bedroom mansion in Cheshire that boasts an indoor swimming pool.
      Jordan Henderson – £23m 
      Jordan Henderson rakes in £140,000 per weekCredit: Instagram
      Liverpool FC star Jordan Henderson, 33, earns a reported £23m per year, which predominantly stems from his footballing wages. 
      He’s been paid £140,000 per week, or £7.3m per year, since signing a new contract with the club back in 2018. 
      It followed Jordan originally signing for Liverpool for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £18m, back in 2010.
      He was believed to have earned £65,000 a week in wages, or £3.3m per year, back then. 
      Jordan’s also believed to make at least £1m a year off-pitch from sponsorship deals including arrangements with sports drinks company MaxiNutrition and Nivea. 
      Last year Jordan caused a star with plans to extend his multi-million-pound mansion to fit a trophy corridor and make the seven-bed home into a “hotel complex”.
      Mason Mount – £20m
      Mason Mount – pictured at the Spanish GP in BarcelonaCredit: Instagram
      Chelsea star Mason Mount is currently embroiled in a fierce transfer window battle – after Man Utd were informed they would need to pay £70m plus add-ons to sign him. 
      In May it was claimed he was “significantly unpaid” currently after his weekly earnings were reportedly less than £100,000 – roughly £5.2m per year.
      Mason, 24, who’s reportedly worth £20m, tops up his income with sponsorship deals including with Nike, and promoting companies via his social media. He has 5.7m Instagram followers. 
      Jack Grealish – £20m
      Jack Grealish, pictured with Sasha Attwood, will have reportedly made £100m by the time he’s 30Credit: Instagram @sashaattwood_tiktoks
      Man City star Jack Grealish became the most expensive player in football history when he moved from Aston Villa for a £100m fee and £300,000-a-week wages – £15.6m per year.
      The 27-year-old, who’s reportedly worth £20m, is tipped to make a staggering £100m before turning 30 from commercial deals alone after becoming a target for big fashion brands and sports companies.
      He’s already signed large sum contracts including with Puma for a reported £10m, Gucci for a reported £10m and BooHooMan for a reported £1m.
      Birmingham-born Jack, whose income is set to increase in the coming years, was jokingly referred to as “the million dollar man” because of his earning potential by pals.
      Harry Maguire – £20m
      Harry Maguire, pictured with wife Fern HawkinsCredit: Instagram
      Man Utd defender Harry Maguire, 30, who is reportedly worth £20m, makes his main earnings from his £189,904 per week wages – which works out as £9,875,000 per year.
      In 2019 he signed an impressive £700,000 yearly contract with Puma – which included £18,000 per game for wearing £180 Puma One boots.
      Harry, who’s married to Fern Hawkins, also has a fair amount of money in property.
      In January he bought a Cheshire mansion for £4m, and is trying to sell another in the same area for £1.8m.
      Rising stars
      Jude Bellingham is a play on our ‘ones to watch’ listCredit: Instagram
      There are a number of rising England stars who are likely to feature on the rich list going forward. 
      They include Declan Rice, reportedly worth £13m, who makes £3.2m per year from West Ham.
      He earns a £62,000 per week salary at the club and has topped up his earnings with Adidas deals.
      Jude Bellingham is reportedly worth £3.6m but his earnings are set to soar after his recent record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid. 
      He will reportedly earn £11.4m a year as part of his new £220,000 per week contract, and became the most expensive Brit after leaving Borussia Dortmund for a whopping £115m.  

      Youngster Bukayo Saka, who’s reportedly worth £3.3m, is currently earning £70,000-per-week – £3.6m per year – wages at Arsenal.
      The 21-year-old fan favourite has topped it up with commercial deals with New Balance, Amazon Prime, Fiverr, Beats and Call Of Duty.
      Fan favourite Bukayo Saka chilling on a boat while on holidayCredit: Instagram
      Declan Rice is a rising star who could feature on future rich lists More

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      in Soccer

      My flat looks into a former Premier League football stadium – you don’t need a ticket but have to put up with big issue

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      LIVING next to a high-rise building overlooking a football stadium can go two ways – you’d either love watching free games or get driven mad by the noise on match days. That’s the case for residents in the Valiant House apartment building, just a few metres from The Valley, the home of League One side Charlton Athletic F.C.
      The Valley with Valiant House, where residents are able to watch football matches from their flats, in the distanceCredit: Getty
      The stadium has been home to Charlton Athletic F.C. for the past 104 yearsCredit: Stewart Williams
      Those on the top floors of the building get an incredible view of the pitch and are able to watch games live from the comfort of their living rooms and balconies.
      Just five minutes away from Charlton rail station, the 27,111-capacity stadium in south-east London, which has been the club’s home since the 1920s, is surrounded by several houses and apartments.
      Some of the most memorable and iconic matches at The Valley include the team’s 4-2 victory against Chelsea in 2003, the first season since the Premier League club had been taken over by Roman Abramovich.
      The Sun headed down to the south-east London club for our summer series, Life’s a Pitch, which celebrates the weird and wonderful stadiums across Britain… and the communities built around them.
      MORE FOOTBALL FEATURES
      Philippa Banse says she gets a good view of the pitch and is able to watch games from her balconyCredit: Stewart Williams
      Philipa’s high-rise block is just a few metres away from the stadiumCredit: Stewart Williams
      Full-time mum Philipa Banse, 31, who has lived in the building for the past two years, enjoys match days standing on her balcony.
      She told The Sun: “Living so close to the stadium is actually good because you don’t have to pay for a ticket.
      “From where I live, I can see the whole pitch – I just can’t see the goal. Apart from that, I can watch the whole game.
      “Some of the games I watch, but not all of them. If I hear shouting, or I hear “goal”, I may have a look to see who’s scored.
      Most read in Football
      “At first, the noise was a problem for me but I’m now used to it. The issue now is parking. When they’re playing, it’s not fair to the residents, especially when we want to get out.
      “One time we got told we’ve got to wait two hours before we can go out. But other than that, there’s no problem living near the stadium.”
      Not so lucky
      The 16-storey building was built in the 1970s and has two sections. Some living on the top three floors have a near-perfect view of the pitch – but others aren’t so lucky.
      One of the unfortunate ones is hospital worker Sophia Crowl – the only thing she can see are the fans in the stand.
      Sophia, who doesn’t have a view of the pitch, insists fans who attend games are normally ‘polite’Credit: Stewart Williams
      Some residents living on the top three floors of the 16-storey building have a near-perfect view of the pitchCredit: Getty
      “I can’t see the pitch itself but to be honest the fans can tell you what is going on. If they are quiet, it means the team is not doing well but if they are loud, and out of their seats, it means they’re playing well,” she says.
      The 34-year-old mother adds: “It makes me feel happy [living here]. I like hearing the fans chant and my daughter, she’s like ‘look Mummy, they’re screaming.’
      “On matchdays, there are police that come and make sure that everyone is behaving themselves. You don’t really see people hanging around here and misbehaving. They’re really just trying to get in and get to their seats.”
      While other stadiums may have an issue with rowdy supporters causing havoc on their streets, Sophia insists that has never been a problem here.
      She explains: “In terms of safety, it’s absolutely fine. The people that come to watch the games are polite. No one is ever rude and if anything should ever happen, there are enough police staff to help with that. It’s not a nuisance or anything like that – not to me anyway.”
      But another resident – who lives on Floyd Road, the same as the stadium, and wanted to remain anonymous – didn’t share Sophia’s positive outlook.
      She told us: “Let’s just say it’s very chaotic and extremely difficult.”
      ‘Busy and loud’
      Despite some people’s complaints, houses on the street are still well above the average house price in the UK at £550,000, according to Rightmove.
      Although circus performer Lilly Carrolle, 18, who lives nearby agrees that the street can be rowdy during match days, she insists she enjoys living in the area.
      “When there’s a game, it gets very busy and loud around here, she says. “Sometimes the roads are closed and you have people walking from all areas. When you’re driving it’s really hard coming in and out. It’s okay if you’re walking.
      Although it can get chaotic, Lilly Carolle says she enjoys living just a stone’s throw away from the stadiumCredit: Stewart Williams
      The stadium is surrounded by numerous houses and apartment buildingsCredit: Getty
      “I like living close to the stadium because I think it’s quite fun to see what’s going on and you can hear the cheering in the stadium.
      “But I suppose other people who aren’t fans of football may not like that kind of vibe. But I enjoy it.”
      Sean Hanley, who lives in Valiant House, appears nonchalant about the stadium being so close.
      Read more on The Sun
      He says: “I’m a bit of a Charlton fan but it doesn’t bother me. I’ve watched the games from my apartment a few times.
      “[The noise] doesn’t bother me too much either. I turn the TV up if I need to. I don’t mind living here.”
      Sean Hanley says if ever the noise gets too much, he drowns it out by turning up the volume of his TVCredit: Stewart Williams
      While some residents were pleased to be in close proximity to the stadium, others were not so enthusedCredit: Stewart Williams
      From the ground floor of the building, residents are able to see the fans in the standCredit: Stewart Williams
      Most residents we spoke to at Valiant House said they enjoy living so close to the stadiumCredit: Stewart Williams More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Man City ace Jack Grealish’s rise from lad with footballing dream to perfect man who’s hit with ladies & lads

      by

      FLOWING locks, sensational body and a love for a cold beer . . . I think I’ve developed a new crush, in an unlikely spot.The surprise entry at the top of my list of affections is Jack Grealish, the superstar midfielder who was shirtless and clutching a cold pint as he led Manchester City’s victory parade this week.
      Jack Grealish’s big appeal is he seems just like a normal 27-year-old lad who’s living the dreamCredit: Getty
      Jack has no airs or graces, he’s no media-trained robot and he is not afraid to tell it how it isCredit: Getty
      Successful, carefree, the life and soul of the party — and a clearly decent bloke to boot.
      I want to be his mate, I want his looks and I want to be just like him.
      And it’s not just me who’s been won over by headband-wearing Jack in recent days.
      He’s now safely entered “girls want to sleep with him, men want to go for a pint with him” territory, placing him in an exclusive clique at the very top of the showbiz stratosphere alongside A-list actors Ryan Reynolds, Brad Pitt and Tom Hardy.
      READ MORE ON JACK GREALISH
      Jack’s big appeal is he seems just like a normal 27-year-old lad who’s living the dream, playing football at elite level and enjoying every minute.
      He has no airs or graces, he’s no media-trained robot and he is not afraid to tell it how it is.
      Indeed, he’s still exactly the same lad — except with bigger calves — who grew up in Bromsgrove, Worcs, dreaming of becoming a footballer.
      His legs have become such an object of desire they even have their own Instagram profile, with tens of thousands of devoted followers.
      Most read in Football
      And he’s a family man too. He remains close to his parents, cares deeply for his disabled sister Hollie, 19, who has cerebral palsy, and racks up the charity work, having recently been named a principal ambassador for Special Olympics GB.
      On paper, he’s the perfect man, a hit with the ladies — including a fling with pin-up Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack in 2021 — and has model girlfriend Sasha Attwood, 27, cheering from the sidelines when he plays.
      Jack’s partying after Manchester City clinched the Treble will go down as the stuff of legend — and certainly provided more entertainment than his side’s scruffy 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday night.
      He started the celebrations on the pitch as his team-mates lifted the trophy.
      Then he was snapped inside the dressing room downing booze and leading a rendition of Manchester anthem Don’t Look Back In Anger, by Oasis.
      Grealish has model girlfriend Sasha Attwood, 27, cheering from the sidelines when he playsCredit: Instagram
      Jack remains close to his parents, cares deeply for his disabled sister Hollie, 19, who has cerebral palsy
      He remained in his team kit hours after the final whistle, while his team-mates changed into partying threads, and was still in his jersey when filmed singing fan chant “Have you ever won the Treble?” at 6am on Sunday morning.
      After finally making it back to his team hotel he was pictured again popping his head out of a skylight of the team coach as the Treble winners headed for the airport to catch a flight back to Manchester, where he was then pictured lying down cradling the Champions League trophy next to team-mate Bernardo Silva.
      His airport pint was still cold as Jack and some of his team-mates jetted off on another European adventure, this time to Ibiza for a nine-hour bender, landing on the White Isle at 11.59pm on Sunday.
      After finally removing his team jersey, Jack was snapped in a Hawaiian shirt as he headed to megaclub Pacha until sunrise.
      Hours later he was pictured being held up by team-mate Kyle Walker as they left their hotel, and was offered the loan of a wheelchair at the airport ahead of their return to Manchester for City’s open-top bus party.
      Even the downpours back on home turf didn’t rain on Jack’s parade as his boozing continued and team-mates poured champagne over his head.
      Drenched, he removed his soaked shirt, setting up for the now iconic picture of him topless and stretching his arms out, which could have been mistaken for a Calvin Klein advert.
      Knuckled down
      No matter that he was scheduled to meet up with the England squad last night for the next round of international clashes.
      Surely even England manager Gareth Southgate, football’s straight-laced head boy, will forgive him.
      Jack says these past few days have been the best of his life, and he’s had the class to thank his club manager, Pep Guardiola, who turned him into a world-class performer.
      Following his British-record move from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, Jack struggled to hold down a starting berth with Man City, initially sparking talk he’d become a £100million flop.
      Yet despite his love of partying, he’s knuckled down and learned Pep’s ethos — and was rewarded with an extended run in the team this season. And he hasn’t looked back, becoming a pivotal player in this all-conquering City side.
      Following his British-record move from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, Jack struggled to hold down a starting berth with Man CityCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Jack with his parents Karen and KevinCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      Speaking after securing the Treble on Saturday night, Jack said of Pep: “He’s a genius, isn’t he? I just went and said to him, ‘You’ve made this happen for me’. He put so much faith in me, buying me for a lot of money.
      “Even last year, when I was playing cr*p, he stuck with me and spoke to me. And now he’s given me this platform to perform and I just said thank you to him.”
      Holding back tears, he also thanked his family, adding: “This is just what you work for your whole life. I am so happy, man.
      “I was awful today. I don’t care. To win the Treble with this group of players is so special.
      “Anyone who knows me knows how much of a family person I am and how much I love football, and this is my whole life.
      “You think of all the people who have helped you along the way and I saw my family in the crowd, and it just made me emotional.”
      English football has provided many mavericks in recent years, including Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Paul Gascoigne.
      The latter is the player Jack is most commonly compared to, as he is also a good dribbler who takes players on in dangerous areas.Gazza won the hearts of the nation following his exploits at Italia ’90.
      But unlike Jack, he had a troubled side and well-publicised controversies — including being accused of attacking then-wife Sheryl — leading to a loss of big endorsement deals and withdrawal of support from the public
      Read more on The Sun
      But if Jack continues to keep on the straight and narrow, and playing with a smile on his face, his popularity will certainly outlast the other booze-loving England star — and he’ll become his generation’s talented talisman.
      And if he ever fancies a post-match pint, I’m buying. More

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      in Soccer

      When my kids ask how much I did to help when war was in Ukraine, I want to say I did my best, says Oleksandr Zinchenko

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      ARSENAL footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko is struggling to keep his emotions in check as he wrestles with the enormity of the horrors being inflicted on his homeland.The 26-year-old captain of Ukraine’s national side has not long returned from a visit to a school almost entirely destroyed by Russian missiles.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko said: ‘This game is not just to raise funds, it is also to show the world we stick together, we are united’Credit: Getty
      Alex and Andriy Shevchenko at the destroyed school during a recent trip to Ukraine
      Alex and Andriy with their team shirts and President Zelensky during their visit to their countryCredit: Instagram @u24.gov.ua
      Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will manage Alex’s teamCredit: Getty
      Pupils told him how President Vladimir Putin’s troops had raped and pillaged after marching into their homes.
      Oleksandr, known as Alex, was in tears during the warm up before his first match following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
      Today he is expressing very different feelings.
      Leaning forward, he told The Sun: “I’m angry even now, not just since the invasion. I am angry every single day.”
      Read More on Oleksandr Zinchenko
      The question this footballing hero keeps asking himself is: How can he best help his country?
      Alex had considered signing up to serve with Ukraine’s armed forces, but was persuaded that he could support his brave nation in other ways.
      The eastern European country’s most famous current player is both raising awareness about the true cost of the war and funds to repair some of the shelled schools.
      He will be the captain of one of the celebrity sides in the Game4Ukraine charity match taking place at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium in West London on August 5.
      Most read in Football
      Alex’s team, who are lining up against one captained by Ukraine’s goalscoring legend Andriy Shevchenko, 46, will be managed by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
      ‘I was in shock’
      More than 800 schools have been badly damaged by Russian missiles, with 220 beyond repair.
      Through the Game4Ukraine match Alex aims to raise enough money to rebuild the Mykhailo- Kotsiubynsky Lyceum in Chernihiv Oblast that he visited with Andriy just over a week ago.
      This thoughtful young father explains: “I have a daughter who is nearly two and I hope to have another baby soon and I just want to do something good.
      “Because when they grow up they will ask me, ‘Daddy, when this war was in our country, what did you do? How much did you help?’ I want to look in my kids’ eyes and say, ‘Well, me and your mum we were trying to do our best’.”
      Alex’s daughter is called Eva, and his wife Vlada Sedan, 27, a football journalist, is pregnant with their second child.
      The player is certainly doing his bit to make them proud.
      This game is not just to raise funds, it is also to show the world we stick together, we are united, we feel your support, we know we are not alone.Oleksandr Zinchenko
      He is an ambassador for United24, Ukraine’s official fundraising platform, helped organise humanitarian aid supplies and set up the charity Football for Ukraine to fund sporting projects for young people affected by the conflict.
      The defender also had the day job of playing for Arsenal as they reached second place in the Premier League this season, the London side’s highest position since 2016.
      Footballing commitments, which included captaining Ukraine in World Cup qualifying games last year, meant he had been unable to return to his homeland since Russia failed to take the capital Kyiv last April.
      But the defender this month saw the price of Putin’s aggression for himself.
      He said: “It is a completely different story when you see all these destroyed buildings by your eyes, rather than by your phone.
      “I can’t say it wasn’t scary.”
      Mykhailo-Kotsiubynsky Lyceum is in an area in the north that was occupied by Russian troops for 33 days.
      The building is a mangled mess, its windows blown out and ceilings draping down to the floorboards.
      Alex continues: “We have seen the damage to this school. I spoke with the kids who study in this school and some of them saw Russian army in their houses, because they were so close to Chernihiv.
      “Some of them were stealing, some of them were doing the other stuff, which I don’t really want to speak about. Honestly, I was in shock because kids, they cannot lie.”
      He recognises the long-term impact on the mental health of Ukraine’s youth, some of whom are already displaying signs of PTSD.
      Team Zinchenko play Team Shevchenko on August 5 at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground in West London
      Alex adds: “I understand this is a big, big mental injury for them, living in war time.
      “Imagine you are five, six, seven years old and someone comes to your house with the guns, this is already mental torture.”
      But he also sees the positive power of the beautiful game.
      Alex and Andriy, who played for AC Milan and Chelsea, had a kickabout with the kids during their visit.
      He recalls: “They love football and when we were playing football together, me and Shevchenko, they were smiling, they were laughing.”
      The Game4Ukraine is a way of harnessing the world’s obsession with the sport to give those children hope for a better future.
      Alex says: “We have no option, we have to move forward.”
      The two 11-a-side teams taking part in Game4Ukraine, which will be broadcast live on Sky, will feature ex-players and showbiz talent.
      The line-up is yet to be named, but Alex will have to captain from the sidelines due to an injury.
      Born in Radomyshl, 60 miles west of Kyiv, his talent on the field took him to Shakhtar Donetsk, where he became captain of the youth team.
      He was forced to leave in 2014 after marauding troops backed by Putin waged war in and around Donetsk.
      The football team, once one of the best in Europe, were not able to give him game time due to the upheaval and his parents took him to what they thought would be the safety of Russia.
      In 2016 he was snapped up by Manchester City, where he won four Premier League titles.
      Alex was part of manager Pep Guardiola’s side when Putin expanded his attack to the whole of Ukraine in February 2022.
      Alex and Andriy visited Mykhailo-Kotsyubinsky Lyceum in Chernihiv OblastCredit: Instagram @u24.gov.ua
      The devastated Northern Saltivka residential area of KharkivCredit: Doug Seeburg
      He moved to Arsenal last summer for £32million.
      Alex has been lifted by the backing of the British people.
      He said: “After one week of the invasion, kids in Manchester came to me and they said, ‘Alex, we are all with you, with your people’. They were ten years old, they really understood.”
      But Alex cannot understand why Putin started this bloody war, in which more than 60,000 Russian and Ukrainian forces are estimated to have been killed.
      Throughout the interview he puts his hands together and stretches, as if his whole being is straining to comprehend this outrage against humanity.
      He is supposed to be talking about football, but the only thing on his mind are the atrocities being carried out by what he describes as “Russian terrorists”.
      There are many questions, including: “For what? They came to our land, to occupy?
      Alex also asks why Putin’s forces drop missiles on civilian targets or why they destroyed a dam last week, leading to the flooding of 29 towns and villages.
      But he has great faith in the inspirational President Volodymyr Zelensky, who the footballer met during his recent trip.
      Alex declares: “We are independent, we have our president, we have our people.”
      He is grateful for the military aid being offered by PM Rishi Sunak, saying: “I would like to say to the Prime Minister massive thanks for the help we have received.”
      That solidarity is vital to the ongoing effort of the Ukrainian people to assert their right to freedom.
      Game4Ukraine will help to spread the message of unity.
      Read more on The Sun
      Alex concludes: “It is a great idea to organise this game not just to raise the funds, it is also to show the world we stick together, we are united, and we are all in the same situation. We feel your support, we know we are not alone and it is so important for us and for all Ukranians.”

      SUPPORT GAME 4 UKRAINE
      THE celebrity fundraiser for Ukraine will be unlike any other football match.
      Stars from sport, music, TV and film will take to the field to play for Team Zinchenko and Team Shevchenko on August 5 at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground in West London.
      There will also be an extended half-time break, not just so the celebrity players can have a longer breather but because there will be a special show put on by “leading music icons”.
      The match will kick off at 6pm. To buy tickets visit game4ukraine.com.
      Adult ticket prices start at £28, with juniors and seniors from £15.
      The charity game has also been endorsed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
      If you can’t attend the game but would still like to make a donation, you can do this at donorbox.org/game4ukraine. More

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      How Marcus Rashford’s romance with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi came to sad end just a year after iconic proposal

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      IT was a fairytale romance that spanned from the school yard to Wembley stadium, but now Marcus Rashford and Lucia Loi have sadly split.The Man United striker, 25, has known his childhood sweetheart since they were 15 and famously popped the question a year ago in LA amongst a stunning floral backdrop.
      Marcus and Lucia during the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty
      Marcus was spotted returning to a hotel with influencer Courtney Caldwell
      As recently as Valentine’s Day this year, he went all out with candles and flowers at the couple’s Manchester home and in April hired a Boeing 737 to whisk Lucia to New York.
      But it appears the holiday could have been a last hurrah for the almost 10-year relationship after it emerged the couple parted shortly after.
      A source insisted: “It’s nothing complicated. The relationship ran its course and they remain very close friends.”
      Over the weekend, newly-single Rashford was seen enjoying the attention of gangs of giggling girls on holiday in Miami before partying with a party fitness influencer who runs a ‘Big Booty University’ to help people get a ‘bum like Kim Kardashian’.
      Read more Marcus Rashford
      Courtney Caldwell was seen returning to the player’s luxury hotel at 5am after attending an exclusive nightclub.  She sells workout and meal plans online and enjoys lucrative deals with brands like Gymshark.
      Psychologists say it looks like Marcus, who was awarded an MBE for his work to provide free school meals during lockdown, is enjoying his new-found freedom, possibly for the first time in his life, after being in a relationship with Lucia since the age of 15.
      Psychologist Emma Kenny said: “It’s quite a sad split as Marcus and Lucia looked like a sure thing.
      “If they had negotiated this relationship, it would have been quite beautiful. You are more likely to have a successful relationship and marriage if you get together early on because you’ve grown together.
      Most read in Football
      “When you come out of a long-term relationship, there’s definitely a pressure to feel like you’re not going to get stuck in that past situation and, if you’ve been together for a long time, in your head you try to make up for those lost years.
      “He’s been with Lucia so long he’s not had the chance to really experience everything that comes with being a famous person.
      Rashford and Lucia packed on a PDA at the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty
      Lucia has supported her man in his meteoric rise to star footballerCredit: Getty
      “He’s watched his contemporaries and peers go through various experiences while he’s been stuck behind glass being a loyal partner and that glass is now shattered.
      “Women will be throwing themselves at Marcus and, if he wants to, he could be like a boy in a candy shop.  But this split won’t be without its wounds.”
      Lucia, who has a degree in advertising and brand management, has been beside Rashford throughout his meteoric rise to footballing stardom and travelled with him to various tournaments with him, including the World Cup.
      The pair got engaged in May last year after Rashford proposed on a holiday to California and the couple posted Instagram pics kissing next to a white floral heart, standing on a bed of flowers.
      Marcus and Lucia got engaged last year and experts say they might get back togetherCredit: Instagram
      The adorable couple enjoyed travelling all over the world togetherCredit: Instagram
      They have been together since they were 15Credit: Social Media
      He popped the question at a lavish villa after they shared a romantic meal at celebrity seafood restaurant Catch LA and later celebrated with a close group of pals including United teammate Jesse Lingard.
      The proposal came just four months after they got back together following an eight month break-up.
      The high school loves first parted in May 2021 and blamed the pressure of the pandemic lockdown for their split.
      A source said at the time: “It is as a result of the pressures and strains of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns and the confinement that has brought with it over the last 12 months.
      “There is a strong mutual love and respect for one another, having met at school, and there is a continued dialogue with the hope of reconciliation in the future.”
      When they reunited in January last year sources said the break had been good for the couple and gave them “breathing space.”  Their engagement soon followed.
      Emma Kenny believes the couple might yet get back together saying: “It’s happened before and their bond is obviously very strong.”
      Psychologist Dr Arthur Cassidy agrees saying: “If you get together at a young age, you grow and develop your identities together in a love fusion. There’s also social bonding and family ties.
      “There’s a chance Marcus and Lucia could get back together because there’s not only longevity but they have also traded emotional bonds.
      “When people get engaged, fear can sometimes set in and it could cause a split.. Questions such as ‘Am I worthy? What kind of wife or husband will I make?’ emerge.  It’s a fear of the unknown, the realisation that ‘things are getting serious now’.
      Read more on The Sun
      “A temporary break  can cause people to re-evaluate their relationship before is moves into serious mode again, which is what probably happened the first time Marcus and Lucia broke up. 
      “It might be that they reevaluate a second time and get back together.”
      Influencer Coutney promises to help people get a ‘big bum like Kim Kardashian’Credit: Courtney Caldwell
      The Miami beauty has a knockout figureCredit: Courtney Caldwell More

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      We achieved a dream with West Ham’s Europa Conference League win – here’s where the club goes next

      by

      WEST Ham United are European winners. And just saying those words feels incredible.Wednesday night’s victory in the Europa Conference League final over ACF Fiorentina will live long in the memory of Hammers fans at home and abroad.
      West Ham ran out 2-1 winners in the Europa Conference League Final against Italian club ACF Fiorentina on Wednesday nightCredit: Story Picture Agency
      As West Ham vice chair, Karren Brady was in the stands to watch the historic scenesCredit: supplied
      The celebrations that followed will for ever be etched in the history of this great club.
      Wednesday began with nervous excitement and anticipation when the directors and I arrived at Stansted airport at lunchtime.
      It was fantastic to be able to share the moment with friends and colleagues, some of whom I have worked with for many years.
      In some cases, decades.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      I have worked alongside David Sullivan for more than 30 years and he arrived looking extremely dapper in his claret and blue shirt and jacket, which he had been saving for a special occasion.
      None could have been more momentous than this.
      He was joined by his partner Ampika, armed with his favourite sweets to settle the nerves.
      My husband Paul and our son Paolo were helping to calm my nerves, until Paolo joked that my jacket was in Fiorentina colours.
      Most read in Football
      It was lilac, not purple, but I took it off just in case!
      For so many years we have travelled more in hope than expectation, but something told us this was our time.
      Work has been under way, step by step, day by day, for years to get us to a day like Wednesday, so when it came, we all wanted to savour it.
      Noise was deafening, I had goosebumps
      The Claret and Blue Army are the best in the world and we wanted to come home with the trophy for them, for manager David Moyes, for our hardworking, passionate and dedicated players and staff.
      They all deserved it so much.
      Players, staff and their friends and family were up until dawn partying in the streets of PragueCredit: AFP
      West Ham is a family, and that family has not been without its hard times.
      But those hard times mean the good times are even more special when they come.
      When we landed, I was inundated with messages of support from across the world of football.
      There was not a colleague of mine in the Premier League who did not message me to wish us luck.
      It was so heartwarming to receive this support and reminded me what a truly unifying game football is.
      As I saw the fans in Moore 6 and Rice 41 shirts, it suddenly felt very real.
      And as we approached Eden Arena, we stopped the car and jumped out for a photo, bursting with pride to see our crest up there under the words “European final”.
      This was it, West Ham United were about to play in a European final.
      The noise when our players emerged for their pre-match warm-up was deafening.
      The atmosphere was building and I had goosebumps, you could just feel the energy.
      When our supporters raised their flags and made the stands claret and blue, I was once again filled with pride.
      The first half was cagey, as you would expect from a final.
      The 15-minute break did nothing to ease anyone’s nerves, and the 45 minutes that followed were a rollercoaster of emotions for everyone.
      Every single final has its hero and it would be Jarrod Bowen who would write his name into Hammers history for ever more by sliding home the winning goal.
      Said Benrahma’s ice-cool penalty had given us a 1-0 lead just after the hour mark, with the crescendo of noise in the stadium reverberating back to East London.
      Fiorentina, the in-form team in Italy over the past couple of months, responded five minutes later with a well-taken goal by Giacomo Bonaventura, and as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark we started to gear up for extra time.
      When the ball broke to Lucas Paqueta in the middle of the park, you just knew our Brazilian magnifico would find the right pass.
      He played a sublime ball to Jarrod, and when he broke through I just knew this was our chance and we had to take it.
      He did just that, sliding the ball home to put us 2-1 up.
      It was a completely surreal moment.
      There was absolute elation on the pitch and in the stands.
      We couldn’t quite take it in.
      I turned to my colleague, who held my hand, with tears in her eyes and she said: “This is it, I really think we’re going to do it now.”
      But with a long VAR check and five minutes on the clock, I didn’t dare believe it until that final whistle.
      I squeezed her hand and said: “Let’s wait, we’re not there yet.”
      Five minutes of added time somehow became eight minutes, but as the clock ticked down it was becoming more and more real and the tears were already beginning to fall.
      After what seemed like a lifetime, the referee blew for full time.
      We had done it. West Ham United . . .  European winners.
      We were just jumping up and down and hugging, united in jubilation and what it meant to us all.
      One of my colleagues turned to me and said: “Remember when you got the stadium and we stood in it empty and dreamed of filling it, keeping our best academy players, attracting international stars, hosting European nights and of a night like this?”
      We both knew this was a special milestone moment in beginning to realise those dreams.
      I loved every moment, we all did, but in all the elation there was also a moment of reflection for us all.
      We lost our close friend and much-loved joint chairman David Gold at the start of the year, and then his beloved daughter Jacqueline, a remarkable woman, two months later.
      Each and every one of us were thinking of them both at that moment.
      I genuinely believe they were looking down on us on Wednesday night.
      On the pitch, the immediate post-match celebrations were incredible to witness.
      All the emotion of the season came pouring out of players and staff alike, as well as the fans in the stands.
      Declan Rice sliding on his knees towards the corner flag; Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal draped in the Czech flag; Lucas Paqueta dancing the night away with his family; Mark Noble, Mr West Ham, in floods of tears; David Moyes jumping with delight, showing the world a side of him that we have all known and loved for some time.
      The scenes will stay with me for ever.
      It was one big party, and it was only just getting started.
      Watching the team lift the trophy is one of those moments you take an image of in your mind to store for ever.
      The celebrations continued long into the night.
      Players, staff and their friends and family were partying until dawn, with DJ Tony Perry on the decks, and more renditions of Cotton Eye Joe, Sweet Caroline and West Ham Are Massive than you would think possible.
      Moment to cherish for all our fans
      We, on the other hand, had to make straight for the plane to oversee plans for the long-awaited and so-very-deserved victory parade.
      We had to make sure that the fans who had not made it to Prague would get to see the trophy with their own eyes.
      I had said to Shirley, our flight attendant, to have the Champagne on ice, just in case, and that first sip tasted so wonderfully sweet.
      It was the first drink I’d had all day.
      Even David Sullivan, who hasn’t touched a drop in all the 35 years I’ve known him, as he hates the taste, had a sip, heavily egged on by the rest of us.
      He was beaming from ear to ear, we all were — because we’d achieved a dream.
      We turned down the lights and sang I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles until we landed back in Stansted at 3am.
      A generation of Hammers had never seen their club win something.
      Now, they have, and this group of players will be their heroes, carved into the history of this football club, West Ham United.
      The team received a proper East End welcome.
      The claret and blue flags, bunting and banners were already adorning the streets of East London, Essex and beyond from the start of the week.
      Wednesday night’s party rolled into Thursday night’s parade, when our heroes returned to London, boarding an open-top bus for a two-hour trip they will never, ever forget.
      Winning the Europa Conference League means so, so much to everyone connected with West Ham United.
      This is a moment to cherish for all of our fans.
      It is also a moment to build on. It’s the start of our next adventure in Europe and lays the foundation for another season of growth.
      Read more on The Sun
      We are already back to work but may just allow ourselves to bask in the glory for a little while longer.
      But then, we go again. More

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      Man City stand 90 mins from unforgettable Treble – here’s why their achievement will always be tainted for rival fans

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      MANCHESTER City stand 90 minutes from greatness, a football Treble that will never be forgotten.Yet for rival fans, no matter what Pep Guardiola’s side do against Inter Milan in Istanbul’s Champions League Final tonight, their achievement will ALWAYS be tainted.
      Manchester City are only one win away from winning a historic trebleCredit: Getty
      Rival fans will always see City’s domination as tainted after years of bankrolling by Sheikh Mansour and the limitless riches of Abu Dhabi’s oil wellsCredit: Getty
      City are brilliant.
      No question.
      A team you love to watch.
      Glorious in possession.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Furious in regaining the ball.
      Deadly as a ­stiletto.
      The ultimate modern side.
      But they are also a club whose willingness to push financial regulations to the absolute limit — and allegedly far beyond them — means many will always want an asterisk next to the list of trophies by their name.
      Most read in Football
      Bankrolled by Sheikh Mansour and the limitless riches of Abu Dhabi’s oil wells, able to attract the greatest manager and best players, City’s ambition is clear.
      Not just in this country either, with the club the pinnacle of a 12-team structure that spans the globe from China and Japan, through India, to the US, Uruguay, Brazil and ­Australia.
      It is City, though, a club that was once a byword for catastrophe and one that lived for two decades in the shadow of Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements on the other side of the city, that takes the attention.
      Both on the field, where they are the Prem’s dominant force and red-hot favourites to finally land the “Cup with the Big Ears” tonight.
      And, controversially, off it as well.
      In February, following a four-year probe, the Premier League announced City were accused of 115 breaches of league rules.
      A staggering number of allegations, slipped out in a simple press release on the League’s website — but which still saw City bemoaning it had been “leaked”.
      Relentless art form
      Charges included claims that the ­Etihad outfit hid the true source of the club’s funding.
      Also that City had only partially declared the salaries of players and former manager Roberto Mancini, broke Uefa AND Prem financial rules and deliberately and repeatedly obstructed the League’s investigation.
      Just as when Uefa charged and initially banned them for similar alleged offences, City did what they always do on the pitch, attack.
      First of all was the claim the allegations had been “leaked”.
      Exactly the same complaint they made about Uefa’s process.
      The charges, insisted City, would be met with a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” that would “put this matter to rest once and for all”.
      That approach worked when the sport’s Court of Arbitration threw out the Uefa sanctions in 2020, ruling by a 2-1 majority that many of the ­charges were time-barred and others “not proven” — although it judged that City had failed to co-operate with the initial inquiry.
      Manager Guardiola last month demanded the Prem commission sit to hear the case imminently.
      The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss, whose obsession with winning the Champions League in a team WITHOUT Lionel Messi is unquestioned, said: “We would like this done as soon as possible.
      “We would love it tomorrow, this afternoon. Let’s go. Don’t wait two years. Why don’t we do it quicker?
      “In 24 hours, sit down with the lawyers present. Then, if the club has done something wrong, everybody will know.
      “But if, as we believed as a club for many years, we have done things in the right way, then the people will stop talking about it.”
      Yet for all that bluster, Pep Guardiola must have known about the club’s demand that the Arsenal-supporting barrister likely to lead the panel should stand down.
      And of their complaints about the validity of the charges, arguing about recent changes in the Prem rulebook that mandate clubs and officials to answer questions and provide all information when requested to by League officers.
      City’s hierarchy have not only hired the best manager and team.
      They are willing to pay for the best lawyers, too.
      Lord Pannick KC, recently spotted next to Boris Johnson during his uncomfortable grilling by MPs who could suspend him from the ­Commons, charges a minimum £5,000 per day.
      He will be willing to do whatever it takes, within the law, to ensure a ­victory for his client.
      The charges saw City’s Prem rivals unite in furious indignation, demanding consequences well before the case ever comes to determination, which could still be another three or four years away.
      With unprecedented fines and even the prospect of a points deduction, stripped titles and relegation hanging over them, the City players might have been excused for losing their focus.
      Instead, they have turned winning into a relentless art form.
      Since the charges were laid, City have played 27 games in three ­competitions.
      They have won 21 and lost just one — a Prem match at Brentford after the title had already been sealed, scoring 72 and conceding just 15 in the process.
      But City under Guardiola are more than just an uncompromising victory machine.
      Far more.
      Man City lifted the FA Cup, the second trophy of three, last weekCredit: Getty
      The powers in Abu Dhabi have pumped vast sums of money into the club, from training grounds to on-pitch talentCredit: Alamy
      They are truly football’s version of shock and awe, a mesmerising, bewildering, mind-spinning fusion of power and glory.
      Guardiola has taken John Stones, England’s best central defender, and turned him into a ball-playing ­midfield superstar.
      Yorkshire grit but Catalan majesty.
      Look, too, at the development of Jack Grealish, who has gone from being a foppish outsider, struggling for game time and to justify his £100million transfer fee from Aston Villa, into an integral part of City’s starting side.
      The smile of delight when he sees the ball is shared by every Sky Blue fan.
      Belgian Kevin de Bruyne, ­Germany’s Ilkay Gundogan and ­Portuguese schemer Bernardo Silva offer menace and magic.
      Gundogan broke an all-time FA Cup Final record when he scored after just 12 seconds in last weekend’s Wembley win over Manchester United, the second leg of that longed-for Treble.
      And for sheer explosive, frightening attacking intensity, allied to a goal sense that few in the history of the game possess, striker Erling ­Haaland has proved he is a true force of nature.
      Although, plenty are less sure about those silk pyjamas he wore for City’s title celebrations.
      Much of that is down to the man who embodies managerial majesty.
      Guardiola’s Barcelona side were the hallmark of the beautiful game a decade ago, the Nou Camp necromancers weaving spell after spell.
      They won the Champions League — beating Manchester United both times — in 2009 and 2011.
      And they were defeated only by a combination of Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan and the Icelandic volcano that meant they had to take the coach to Italy rather than fly, in 2010.
      England’s greatest
      Yet, perhaps, irrespective of the huge sums laid out since the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008, this team is his greatest — the ultimate example of a tactician ­putting the pieces together to create something truly extraordinary.
      Pep is more than demanding, even if his focus is occasionally so complete that he does not even see people when he walks past them in the City corridors.
      He insists that it is about ­“making people happy” rather than his “legacy”.
      But if the two things mutually co-exist, then that is an acceptable compromise.
      The club’s success has cemented Manchester’s status as one of the most famous footballing cities in the world — and has helped transform the post-industrial wasteland of East Manchester.
      The owners have built around 6,000 affordable homes in the area in a £1billion redevelopment deal.
      And the Manchester Evening News reported in 2021 how almost 30 new hotels were expected to be built by the end of this year to accommodate the growth in tourism.
      Earlier this year, the club also submitted a £300million planning application that includes expanding the Etihad stadium capacity above 60,000, and adding a hotel, sky bar and stadium roof walk experience.
      There will also be space for some businesses to work at the stadium, which is still owned by the council, with City paying rent of at least £4million a year.
      If all that matters is the football, then there is no doubt who you should be backing in Istanbul.
      England’s greatest, City are now the gold standard.
      Technically outstanding.
      Innovative.
      Compelling viewing.
      The creme of the Prem creme.
      And four of England manager Gareth Southgate’s preferred players are critical elements in Guardiola’s masterplan, even if Phil Foden has played a lesser role this season.
      Others, though, will never be won over by what happens on the pitch.
      Read more on The Sun
      Tonight, they will be “black and blue”, the colours of Inter.
      If they feel similarly bruised by a Guardiola triumph, nobody at City will care.
      City ran out comfortable winners of the Premier League last season, after a dazzling run of fixtures forced Arsenal off their comfy leadCredit: Getty
      Man City displaced local rivals Man United 2-1 at Wembley to lift this year’s FA Cup
      Tonight Man City will fight it out v Inter Milan for the elusive Champions League Trophy’It will be long night but we’ll be champs’

      SINGER and City fan Noel Gallagher is rooting for Man City to take the Treble.
      The 56-year-old says: “We’ve taken it step by step, but this is it now, it’s just about this one game. In Italy, where getting beaten is sacrilege, Inter lost 12 times in the league, so they’re used to losing, which bodes well for City.
      “The Italian mindset is ‘don’t lose’ and they will be very proud of forgetting their usual style and playing for penalties from the first minute if that’s the way they think they can win.
      “If they do that, it is up to City to come up with the answers.
      “If we play like we did against Real Madrid then there is not a team in the world that can get near us. I think it will be a long night, but City will win in end.” More