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      Jude Bellingham mania sweeps Madrid as records tumble & fans say he’s bigger than Beckham… but mum still makes his bed

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      ARMS splayed like Christ the Redeemer, Jude Bellingham’s trademark goal celebration is met with hysteria by the Real Madrid faithful.Moments later, his anthem is bouncing from the rafters of sporting cathedral the Santiago Bernabeu.
      Jude Bellingham splays his arms in a ‘Belligol’ celebration after scoring against Napoli last weekCredit: Rex Features
      Dentist Nitya Nandi, pictured with fellow Real fan Mafer Oliveros, tells of how Madrid loves the English footballerCredit: Darren Fletcher – Commissioned by The Sun
      Jude was named Golden Boy by sports journalists in a gala for Europe’s best young playerCredit: Rex Features
      “Na, na, na, na na na na, na na na na, Hey Jude!” some 80,000 sing in a throaty rendition of The Beatles’ 1968 anthem.
      Clutching a scarf bearing the legend, “Hey Jude — from Birmingham to the Bernabeu”, dentist Nitya Nandi, 30, tells me: “I love Bellingham. Madrid loves Bellingham.”
      Visiting Englishmen Jack Smith, 22, and Christian McGarr, 24, made the pilgrimage from Darlington, Co Durham, to pay homage to world football’s latest superstar.
      Newcastle supporter Christian, a toolmaker, said: “We came over for Bellingham, the best English player since Gazza.”
      READ MORE ON JUDE BELLINGHAM
      Madrid, which has seen its share of footballing gods, is gripped by Bellimania.
      In just five months, the England midfielder has become the brightest star at the biggest club in the world.
      At a gala ceremony for Europe’s best young player in Turin, Italy, on Monday, Jude was named Golden Boy by sports journalists and picked up a second award for being most popular with online fans.
      As Jude collected his trophies, he grinned at a group of youngsters in the audience mimicking his trademark goal celebration.
      Most read in Football
      The 20-year-old has shredded the record books after continually finding the net with what are known here as “Belligols”.
      Home in the ‘bunker’
      On November 26, he broke a club record after scoring 14 goals in his first 15 games.
      That is one more than Los Blancos icons Alfredo Di Stefano, who played in the Fifties and Sixties, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

      The policeman’s son from Stourbridge, West Mids, is now being feted like a rock star in the Spanish capitalCredit: Supplied
      Last week, a superb header against Napoli saw Jude become the first Real Madrid player to score in his first four Champions League games.
      Little wonder the policeman’s son from Stourbridge, West Mids, with model good looks and Hollywood charisma, is being feted like a rock star in the Spanish capital.
      Last week I was given an up-close taste of Bellimania after I watched him train then spoke to the fanatical fans of the world’s richest club.
      Jude may be what Madrid fans call a Galactico (superstar player), but off the pitch he remains under the watchful eye of his mum Denise, 55, who lives with her eldest son in the city.
      Club sources say she “helps him, advises him” and also takes him to training. At times, she has also helped him dress and make his bed.
      A video showed Denise giving her lad a hand with his bow tie as he got ready for October’s Ballon d’Or gala, recognising the best players in the game.
      In his West Midlands accent, Jude said: “All of them people say, ‘Oh, he’s so mature’, and I can’t even get changed on my own. My life’s a lie!”
      Last year at the Qatar World Cup, England defender Conor Coady revealed how Jude had been ribbed after admitting Denise still made his bed.
      Jude, who left first club Birmingham City for Germany’s Borussia Dortmund in 2020, before this year’s £88million move to Spain, has said: “My mum is the queen, the boss.”
      His dad Mark, 47, a former cop and non-league footballer, acts as agent for Jude and his younger brother, Sunderland’s Jobe.
      When Jude signed for Madrid, he lived at a top hotel.
      Now he and Denise are said to have moved to the exclusive La Finca gated estate, home to top footballers, actors, TV stars and millionaire businessmen.
      Visiting La Finca, a 15-minute drive from the city centre, last week it’s easy to see why many describe it as a “bunker”.
      Built amid pine trees with homes that can be valued at £9million, it bristles with security.
      Jude has hired chef Alberto Mastromatteo to take care of him.
      Lean meats, rice, quinoa, oats, fish, natural yoghurts, low-fat fresh cheese, vegetables and fruit make up the bulk of his diet, say local reports.
      Alberto said Jude is given a day and a half’s freedom from the regime, adding: “He loves chips. At the end of the day, they’re 20-year-old boys.”
      I watched Jude — who is also learning the language — training at the club’s complex on the city’s outskirts.
      The youngster belies his years with his confident authority among a team of seasoned internationals.
      Former Real centre-back Fabio Cannavaro said of Jude: “That guy entered the locker room and banged on the table saying, ‘Here I am, I’m in charge here’. He impresses me.”
      Afterwards, I was able to ask coach Carlo Ancelotti how well the Englishman was adapting to Spanish culture.
      The former Chelsea and Everton manager told me: “Bellingham is serious, professional and mature, so he can adapt really well.
      “The most important part is that he’s a fantastic player — and fantastic players can adapt everywhere.”
      Fans from as far afield as China, the US and Australia gathered to catch a glimpse of Belli — as his team-mates call him — leaving training.
      The sight of his black £156,000 BMW SUV inching towards the throng sparks shrieks of excitement.
      Fans Lucas, Ella, Jose Maria and Pablo wait outside a stadiumCredit: Darren Fletcher – Commissioned by The Sun
      Jude explains that he meets as many fans as he can, as it’s worth giving up half an hour to make someone’s dayCredit: Darren Fletcher – Commissioned by The Sun
      Little Ella Vidales held up a home-made sign saying, “Bellingham, please sign my shirt”.
      Her prayers were answered. Jude’s mum Denise, on chauffeur duties, gently eased the hybrid to the kerb.
      Sitting in the back seat, her superstar son was soon engulfed by the throng of fans offering up shirts for signatures and wanting selfies.
      Nine-year-old Ella, from Ibiza, got both, saying: “This is my dream. Jude is the greatest.”
      Her dad Lucas, 37, added: “Bellingham carries the team on his back, but he’s so humble and close to the people.”
      Jose Maria Luque, 69, from Huelva, in southern Spain, had brought his Bellingham-crazy grandson Pablo Marcias, seven, to catch a glimpse of the star.
      “He used to be a big Ronaldo fan, but now it’s Bellingham he adores,” Jose said.
      Ten-year-old Teo Georgiev shrieked with delight after Bellingham signed his shirt.
      His mum Gigi, 38, from Barcelona, revealed: “Bellingham was the only player who stopped to sign autographs for the children.
      “He’s a real gentleman.”
      Jude signed every shirt and posed for every selfie.
      While at Dortmund, he said: “I’ll sign whatever. If however many kids want a picture, I’ll do them all.
      “It’s half an hour to make someone’s day. What is that really? What else would I be doing?”
      Under Denise’s watchful eye, it appears Jude has not been tempted by Madrid’s party scene.
      In his early days at the club, mother and son enjoyed a meal at upmarket Cantonese restaurant Bao Li — a haunt of celebrities and politicians — in central Madrid.
      Its manager Jose Luis told me: “They seemed like lovely people, very polite and respectful.”
      Match day in Madrid has turned into a Bellingham love-in.
      Outside the Bernabeu, which looms over Madrid like Rome’s Colosseum, Ana Garcia, 19, is selling must-have Bellingham scarves for 10 euros.
      “He’s the best — and very handsome,” she replies when asked why he is so popular.
      Fans gathering around the famous old stadium, most with Bellingham and his No5 on the back of their shirts, had come from every corner of the globe.
      Like the Hernandez family from Bela Cruz, Mexico. Mum-of-two Maria, 35, said: “We have flown all this way to see Bellingham.”
      Jude is just the seventh British male player to star for Real Madrid, following Laurie Cunningham, Steve McManaman, David Beckham, Michael Owen, Jonathan Woodgate and Gareth Bale.
      Estate agent Kike Faura, 32, from Malaga, insists: “Bellingham is better than Beckham and Bale. He’s the future of Real Madrid.”
      Jude’s Belligol celebration — mimicked by adoring fans — has become an internet viral meme.
      Set to an earworm soundtrack of Brazilian sports commentator Rogerio Vaughan bellowing, “Belligol, Bellingham, it’s him”, the stance has been compared to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, Brazil — as well as a startled anteater and a bird with its wings outstretched.
      Clubbers were pictured doing the Belligol on a packed dancefloor in a TikTok video seen 3.4million times.  
       Demonstrating the celebration, media consultant Mathias Jorstad, 19, revealed: “Everyone knows it. It’s gone all over the world.”
      The fan from Harstad, Norway, added: “I love Bellingham’s style of play, he’s good with the media and he seems very likeable.”
      Jude is a marketing department’s dream.
      The Real Madrid club shop sells an adult strip with Bellingham’s name for 195 euros — almost £170. And it was doing brisk business.
      Brand Bellingham could be as potent as the Beckham phenomenon.
      Jude has already modelled for Gucci. On Wednesday last week he turned in another dazzling performance against Napoli.
      There were balletic turns, tough tackling, incisive runs into the box — and that pinpoint headed finish.
      Read More on The Sun
      Turning to his adoring public with arms outstretched, he gave them the Belligol they demanded.
      From Birmingham to King of the Bernabeu in just three years.
      The Hernandez family holds up Jude’s number before the Napoli gameCredit: Darren Fletcher – Commissioned by The Sun
      Fan Ella holds up her handmade signCredit: Darren Fletcher – Commissioned by The Sun More

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      in Soccer

      Is Neymar the ultimate player? Brazilian footballer had ‘sex contract’ with ex & secured club move with ‘orgy contract’

      by

      NEYMAR Jr is considered among the world’s greatest footballers – but this week it was his antics off the pitch that hit the headlines. The Brazillian legend has split from the mother of his newborn baby, Bruna Biancardi, weeks after leaked messages allegedly showed him demanding nude photos from an OnlyFans star.
      This week Neymar and Bruna Biancardi announced they have split-upCredit: brunabiancardi/instagram
      Aline Faria allegedly exchanged flirty messages with NeymarCredit: instagram @alinefariareserva
      The footballer, 31, whose now ex gave birth to daughter Mavie last month, denied any wrongdoing and claimed the saucy requests to adult entertainer Aline Faria were from “years ago”.
      Bruna, who first dated Al Hilal SFC forward Neymar in 2021, released an emotional statement yesterday confirming their split, stating: “This is a private matter.”
      But this is far from the first time Neymar’s chequered love life has been thrust into the spotlight.
      Here we take a look at how the striker could qualify as football’s ultimate player, on and off the pitch.
      READ MORE SPORT FEATURES
      ‘Valentine’s eve fling’
      Neymar was previously accused of cheating on Bruna in June 2022, with his alleged infidelity causing them to split.
      But by January this year they were back together again and announced Bruna’s pregnancy in April.
      But another alleged affair came to light when blogger Fernanda Campos claimed she’d slept with the footballer in June. 
      According to Grazia, she told the newspaper Metrópoles that she started talking to Neymar in November 2022 and they were together on the night before Brazilian Valentine’s Day, celebrated on June 12.
      Most read in Football
      Neymar with his then-pregnant partner BrunaCredit: neymarjr/instagram
      Neymar apologised to Bruna in a cryptic post onlineCredit: neymarjr/instagram
      Fernanda alleged he invited her to his Sao Paulo apartment and they spent 40 minutes together. 
      The following day she claimed to have discovered he was dating pregnant Bruna through his loved-up posts on social media. 
      Fernanda said: “It was ugly that he omitted that part.”
      Neymar has not addressed the claims, but in a cryptic Instagram post he made a public apology to Bruna, where he described having “made a mistake”.
      He wrote: “I already apologised for my mistakes, for unnecessary exposure, but I feel obligated to come publicly [sic] reaffirm that. If a private matter has become public, the apology has to be public.
      “I don’t know if we’ll work out, but TODAY you’re sure I want to try. Our purpose will prevail, our love for our baby will win, our love for each other will make us stronger.”
      ‘Sex contract’
      Bruna and Neymar reportedly had an ‘agreement’ about infidelitiesCredit: Instagram
      That same month it was reported there was a ‘sex contract’ between Neymar and Bruna that allowed infidelity.
      According to Em Off, it was claimed Neymar was “free to flirt and even have sex with other woman [sic]” but there were three conditions. 
      They included that he “must be discreet… wear a condom… and not kiss them on the mouth”.  
      In September, video footage showed Neymar partying with two different women in a Spanish nightclub and he was accused of cheating again. 
      At the time, Bruna wrote: “I’m aware of what happened and once again I am disappointed but in the final stage of my pregnancy, my focus and worries are directed to my daughter and that is all I will think about in the moment.”
      ‘Orgy deal’
      Neymar Jr posing with his father and agent Neymar Santos and his mother Nadine SantosCredit: AFP
      It’s not the only alleged ‘sex contract’ linked to Neymar.
      In 2014, sensational claims emerged about his £79million transfer from Santos FC to Barcelona. 
      The Brazilian club’s former president, Luis Álvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, told ESPN that Neymar’s father and agent, Neymar Sr, green-lit the deal after controversial demands were met. 
      They allegedly included an orgy in a London hotel, described as “one of the most luxurious” and “where the Queen had tea”.
      Ribiero, who branded Neymar Sr a “lying money-grabber”, also claimed he demanded free coffees and “a private jet” to see Brazil play – as well as additional flight tickets in a contract clause.
      Furious Ribiero said: “The €90m included coffees for Neymar’s father, as well as an orgy in a hotel in Piccadilly, London, because Neymar’s father was looking to claim everything. 
      “He never once paid for a coffee. I paid for the 200 coffees he had with me. That included prostitutes and a plane to take him to Florianopolis to see the national team.” 
      He also added: “To give you an idea, in the last contracts he demanded a clause stating the club had to pay for first-class flight tickets for him and two business-class seats for his advisors to watch Neymar play away from home. It didn’t matter whether it was for the national team or in the domestic league.”
      There was no suggestion Neymar Jr was involved in the alleged contract activities.
      Playboy lovers
      Carolina Dantas is the mother of Neymar’s first child DaviCredit: Instagram @candantas
      Playboy model Barbara Evans who was linked with Neymar in 2011Credit: Instagram @barbaraevans22
      Patricia Jordane claimed to have been in a relationship with NeymarCredit: Instagram @paty
      Before dating Bruna, Neymar enjoyed flings with a bevy of stunning models.
      Social media influencer Carolina Dantas, who shares a son with the star, is considered his first love. 
      They dated between 2010 and 2011 while he was a rising star at Santos FC but their romance only lasted a year. 
      Shortly after the split he moved on to Playboy cover model Barbara Evans, who later became famous in Brazil after appearing on several reality TV shows. 
      Their romance lasted just a month or two before they parted ways, and later, he was linked to another Playboy model, Patricia Jordane. 
      In 2013 she appeared to confirm their relationship on a magazine front cover titled: “The brunette that enchanted Neymar.”
      However, Neymar denied they were an item and took the publication to court for defamation and use of his name.
      ‘Golden couple’ romance
      Bruna Marquezine had an on-off romance with Neymar until 2017Credit: Splash News
      Laryssa Oliveira was linked with Neymar in 2013Credit: Instagram
      Neymar and model Bruna Marquezine were considered a ‘golden couple’ in the Brazilian press but their relationship was plagued by turmoil. 
      The couple dated off and off between 2012 and 2017 after meeting at the Rio Carnival – but rumours of affairs caused tension.
      Social media star Laryssa Oliveira claimed she had a romantic liaison with the footballer in 2013, telling UOL Celebridades they “hooked up a couple of times” in 2010 but also while he was dating Bruna.
      She claimed the footballer flew her out for a three-day fling days before he split from Bruna.
      Neymar denied all of the claims and filed a lawsuit against Laryssa.
      Bruna also rejected claims that alleged infidelity ended their romance, insisting the relationship had simply run its course. 
      Ibiza ‘lovers’
      Gabriella Lenzi reportedly dated Neymar around the time of the 2014 World CupCredit: Instagram @gabriellalenzi
      Serbian model Soraja Vucelic was named Playmate of the Year in 2011Credit: Instagram @sorajavucelic
      During the gaps between Neymar’s on-off relationship with Bruna, he was linked to several other glamorous women. 
      Ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he was said to be dating model Gabriella Lenzi and the star shared photos of them both online. 
      They were last seen together in Ibiza after Neymar’s national team exited the competition after losing to Germany.
      Later that year he was pictured with yet another Playboy beauty, Soraja Vucelic, who he also met in Ibiza.
      The model had been named Playmate of the Year by the brand’s Serbian publication in 2011.
      During their fling, Soraja was reportedly flown by private jet to see him in Spain while Neymar played for Barcelona. 
      ‘Ken and Barbie of football’
      Jhenny Andrade and Neymar on New Year’s Eve back in 2015Credit: Instagram @jhenny
      Jhenny Andrade worked as a UFC ring girlCredit: Getty – Contributor
      By 2015 the footballer had moved on to Jhenny Andrade, who worked as a UFC Octagon ring girl. 
      She captioned a photo of them together at a New Year’s Eve bash: “Barbie and Ken beautiful” – eventually they were branded the ‘Barbie and Ken of football’.
      The model and TV presenter was later seen at two of his football matches wearing a signed Neymar shirt and also at a dinner with pals.
      The romance appeared to fizzle out and Neymar was later linked to supermodel Caroline Caputo in 2017 – but the pair never confirmed they were in a relationship.
      Subtle dig
      Model Natalia Barulich appeared to take a dig at Neymar after they splitCredit: Instagram @natalia
      He also dated model Natalia Barulich for a year until 2021. She met him at a lavish party to celebrate his birthday.
      During their time together she wrote a gushing post that read: “Everyone knows how extraordinarily talented you are. But if they could only see how real and beautiful you are inside you[r] heart. You have all my respect and honor babe [sic].”
      After the split, Natalia described having a “rollercoaster” year and later appeared to take a subtle dig at the then-PSG star.
      She claimed to know “exactly what I want and do not want for my life” which many interpreted as being targeted at her ex.
      ‘Nudes request’
      Aline Faria is an OnlyFans model based in BrazilCredit: alinefariareserva/instagram
      Bruna declared her split with Neymar was ‘a private matter’Credit: brunabiancardi/instagram
      His most recent split from Bruna Biancardi followed screenshots of X-rated messages between Neymar and adult star Aline being shared.
      In one message he reportedly wrote: “Are there nudes? Where? I want to see?” 
      Aline sent him a link and cheekily replied asking him: “Tell me what you thought afterwards, huh.”
      Other messages appeared to show her instructing Neymar on how to access the photos. 
      In one, she wrote: “You have to sign, baby. There are some other photos at the bottom. I’m going to sleep, take care, angel. Good night. I’ll teach you better later if you can’t [sign in].”
      Neymar allegedly signed off their exchange with a flame emoji. 
      The star, who has denied all wrongdoing, said on Instagram: “Show the date… that was years ago.” 
      Read More on The Sun
      In a post, Bruna spoke of their plans to co-parent in the future, writing: “I inform you that I am not in a relationship.
      “We are Mavie’s parents, and that is the reason for our bond.” More

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      in Soccer

      I don’t know what I’d have done without football – The Sun’s Footie For All fund is vital for kids, says John Obi Mikel

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      BOUNDING about a pitch, Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel greeted the 20 kids from Wapping FC one by one with a high five or handshake at a special training session.While Mikel, 36, has retired from elite football, the former midfielder has kept his foot in youth teams with his own foundation in Nigeria.
      Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel bounding about the pitch with 20 kids from Wapping FCCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      He believes it is vital to support clubs for kids in the cost of living crisisCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      He said: “For many kids, growing up nowadays you play a sport or you’re on the street.
      “I chose sport just like these kids and it completely changed my life.
      “I don’t know what I would have been without football.
      “I remember being this age like it was yesterday.”
      READ MORE FOOTIE FOR ALL
      Founder Nahimul Islam, 25, started Wapping FC, in Mile End, East London, when he was just 17 to give kids a place to play football and keep out of trouble.
      Now more than 250 children are on their books, including 50 girls and 16 players with a range of disabilities.
      Parents are charged £5 a week for their children to join in training, and if they can’t afford it the club will do what it can to subsidise or waive fees.
      Nahimul said: “We operate in one of the most deprived areas of the country, and this incredible grant will help us give the boys high-class training and facilities without passing that cost on to mum and dad back home.
      Most read in Football
      “Having someone like Mikel come visit the club is inspirational to our players.
      “It shows them just what is possible.”
      Mikel met 20 kids aged between 11 and 13.
      When he was growing up in Nigeria, the former Chelsea ace played in any open area of grass with his friends and a beat-up ball, rather than being coached by professionals.
      But he reckons the joy he found in football is the same for the kids he saw training.
      Mikel, who has launched his second series of The Obi One Podcast, added: “What I tell kids at this age is don’t look at the money or fame that comes with football now.
      “Just enjoy the time you have with your friends because that’ll go by really quickly.
      “If you’re focused on the Ferrari or the fancy watches, you’re not playing football for the right reasons.
      “Money comes and goes, but this kind of joy doesn’t last for ever.”
      Mikel reckons the youths he saw training have found the same joy for footie that he has doneCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      NET WIN
      Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has declared herself a “proud supporter” of The Sun’s Footie For All campaign.
      She praised our initiative to inject £150,000 into the grassroots game with the help of Tesco after the cost-of-living crisis led to many kids dropping out of local sports clubs.
      Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is a ‘proud supporter’ of Footie For AllCredit: Roland Leon – Commissioned by The Sun
      Meanwhile, we sent Towie football fan Joey Essex and former Chelsea ace John Obi Mikel to surprise teams awarded one of our Footie For All Fund grants.
      Talking to The Sun today at the FA’s national centre at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent, Staffs, the Culture Secretary said: “It’s really important that we have football access for everyone.
      “I’m a proud supporter of The Sun’s campaign.
      “We are combining with the sporting bodies, the Department for Education and the Department of Health to achieve our aims, so Footie For All is complementary to that.”
      The minister was speaking at the announcement of a £30million plan funded by the Government and the FA to build around 30 state-of-the-art pitches across the country.
      Inspired by the Lionesses making it to the final of this year’s women’s World Cup, the new sites will have dedicated female changing rooms, shower facilities and accessible toilets, as well as priority booking for women and girls’ teams.
      Elsewhere, TV favourite Joey enjoyed a training session with Broomfield FC in Essex, which caters for children with disabilities.
      The club was awarded one of our 1,500 £1,000 grants to help with the cost of pitch hire and specialist staff to keep the sessions free for kids.
      Joey, who grew up watching Millwall with his dad, said: “Seeing how much these kids love to play and the difference it makes to their confidence is amazing. I’m so proud to support Footie For All.”
      Chelsea’s John Obi was mobbed by enthusiastic young players when he dropped in on Wapping FC in East London after they too were also awarded a grant.
      He said: “For many kids, growing up nowadays you play a sport or you’re on the street.
      “I chose sport, just like these kids, and it completely changed my life. I don’t know what I would have been without football.
      “I remember being this age like it was yesterday.
      “It’s great to still see kids running around and enjoying themselves. That’s the most important bit.”
      The Sun launched Footie For All this year after statistics revealed how the cost-of-living crisis was forcing many young children to drop out of local sports clubs.
      We invited grassroots football clubs which work with kids under 18 to apply for one of 150 grants worth £1,000 each.
      The fund was generously provided by Tesco as part of its Stronger Starts campaign, which provides healthy food and activities for children.
      Since September, in partnership with the supermarket giant, we have been funding essentials including kits, free places and the cost of pitch hire for kids’ footie clubs up and down the UK — including dozens of girls’ teams.
      England team captain Millie Bright has already backed our Footie For All campaign.
      She said: “It’s amazing what The Sun and Tesco are doing to support local teams.
      “It will help a lot of children keep playing. And who knows, maybe some of the kids they help could become lionesses.
      “As a kid, my parents had a hard time getting me away from a football pitch.
      “But it wasn’t something I knew I loved until some friends took me to a local club, Killamarsh Dynamos, then it became my focus.
      “It opened up a whole new world to me aged nine and without playing when I was little, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
      “It’s heartbreaking to hear that some kids won’t get the same opportunities because their parents can’t afford it.”
      Lionesses training at FA’s national football centre todayCredit: Roland Leon – Commissioned by The Sun
      HAMILTON IN ESSEX LEAGUE
      LITTLE Hamilton Hunt put Joey Essex through his paces — five months after he could barely walk.
      The six-year-old, who has developmental difficulties in his legs, got his confidence back thanks to volunteers at Broomfield Football Club in Chelmsford, Essex.
      Tyreece knocks a ball past Joey Essex at Broomfield FC’s training groundCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun
      His mum Skye said: “Coming here has been life-changing for Hamilton and me.”
      Read More on The Sun
      The Sun’s grant is being used to help cover pitch hire and training costs for staff.
      Joey also handed out a new team strip paid for by art business Quantus Gallery, owned by James Ryan.
      The Towie star lines up with Hamilton, in blue hat, and his palsCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun
      Joey continues to join in with Essex club’s kidsCredit: Louis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun More

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      in Soccer

      What if VAR was just a ploy to bring breaks into football to make money from advertising?

      by

      SOON after VAR was introduced, those in favour of it and those against it divided into two distinct groups.If a decision went the way of your team, you liked VAR. If a decision went against your team, you were against VAR.
      VAR could be extended to checking corners, free kicks and yellow cards under new plansCredit: Getty
      What about if they’re in it to change the game in order to squeeze more TV advertising revenue out of it?Credit: AFP
      The advantage of this was that we all had a try at being in each group.
      We’re shallow like that, us football fans. We even laughed at our own shallowness, chanting: “**** VAR, **** VAR, **** VAR” over and over again when it had disallowed our team’s goal.
      But then, perhaps only minutes later after it had disallowed the other team’s goal, we’d chant: “Love VAR, love VAR, love VAR.” It was all very funny.
      But now the laughing has stopped. VAR could be extended to checking corners, free kicks and yellow cards under plans by football law-making body IFAB.
      READ MORE FROM ADRIAN CHILES
      You don’t even get opposing fans goading each other when decisions go against the other lot.
      Because we all know it will be our turn in a minute. It has dawned on us all that it’s ruining the game and we’re all going to be on the losing side.
      As a West Brom fan, I ought to be enjoying watching Wolves on the receiving end of one terrible decision after another.
      There were three more howlers for them on Monday night at Fulham.
      Most read in Football
      And I just feel plain sorry for them, even angry on their behalf. Yes, a West Brom fan annoyed on behalf of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
      This is what it’s come to. Each well-meant tweak to VAR’s operation only seems to make matters worse.
      In the interest of eliminating errors, every micro- second of footage is pored over in ever more forensic detail. And what do we seem to get? Yes, yet more howlers.
      Before VAR, we only had the man in the middle to blame.
      And hard though it sometimes was, we generally found it in our hearts to forgive them their mistakes because they were, after all, human.
      By the same logic, we can’t forgive VAR because it feels like it’s not human. It’s to do with bewilderingly clever technology and was set up specifically to counteract the fallibility of humans.
      Except, of course, even this logic was flawed as it’s become abundantly clear the technology is only as infallible as the humans in charge of it.
      We’re told the development of Artificial Intelligence might result in humans being taken out of the picture completely. In terms of VAR, that could get really interesting.
      Perhaps it’s only the human involvement saving VAR from destruction at the hands of the football mob.
      Imagine if, instead of humans looking at screens at Stockley Park, there was only a super-clever AI mega-machine.
      If this super-computer then started making mistakes, I honestly think football fans could end up marching to Stockley Park and tearing the thing limb from limb, or from chip to chip, or whatever the machine equivalent is of human physiology. And AI will end there and then.
      The question is whether VAR can survive long enough for things to get that far.
      Perhaps it’s time to write the whole thing off as a noble idea that, despite everyone’s best efforts, simply couldn’t be made to work.
      Terrible mistakes
      Or perhaps they should stop it for a year in the hope that we’ll go back to despairing of terrible mistakes and demanding video technology all over again.
      To try to make sense of the current VAR chaos, I tried a mental exercise.
      I considered who it could possibly suit to have longer and longer VAR checks ruining the flow of the game.
      And I have an answer. An answer which, I must admit, amounts to nothing more than a conspiracy theory.
      I therefore ask you to disregard every word of the following paragraph.
      Here’s my conspiracy theory: While we’re all busy worrying about the influence on our game of troubling regimes in oil-rich countries, we’re forgetting to be concerned about the effect on football of the growing amount of American investment.
      Around half of the Premier League’s clubs have American money in them.
      If they’re in it for the love of the game, that’s nice.

      If they’re in it to make money out of the game, that’s not quite so nice.
      And what about if they’re in it to change the game in order to squeeze more TV advertising revenue out of it?
      I’m sure they’d be chuffed to bits if we switched to playing four quarters instead of two halves.
      And here’s the conspiracy bit — what about if these VAR checks got long enough to accommodate a commercial break?
      You can just imagine it: Will the goal stand, or will it be disallowed? Join us after the break to find out.
      Or no penalty given! But will the ref change his mind? He’s on his way to the monitor! Sit through this message from our sponsor and we’ll tell you what the referee decides.
      As I say. Disregard the previous paragraph. It couldn’t happen, obviously. More

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      I’m 3ft tall aged 20, was bullied out of school at 9 & lived in rainy shack – now I’m a millionaire & pals with Ronaldo

      by

      HE’S now a millionaire with over 8million followers, travelling the world, dripping in designer clothes with a Rolex on his wrist.And he’s been seen hanging out with some of the world’s top celebs at some of the biggest fights in the world, including KSI v Tommy Fury in Manchester.
      Abdu Rozik speaks exclusively to The Sun about his rags to riches storyCredit: Stewart Williams
      Abdu was born with rickets, which meant he stopped growing at the age of sixCredit: Instagram
      But Abdu Rozik had far from an easy start in life.
      He was born and raised in poverty-stricken Tajikstan, with rickets, a condition caused by a lack of nutrients and vitamins. 
      Due to financial restraints, his family couldn’t provide treatment and he stopped growing at the age of six, leaving him standing at just 3″2, aged 20.
      Thanks to the condition, Abdu also can’t read or write, having had his education cut short at the age of nine, due to bullying from pupils AND teachers, as well as an exhausting two and a half hour walk to school.
      MORE SPORTS FEATURES
      “It’s been difficult for me,” he tells us in an exclusive interview. “When I went to school for the first time, teachers didn’t take me seriously. 
      “They were all laughing at me. 
      “Also my house from the school was a two and a half hour walk, and I’m small so it was very difficult. 
      “School started at 8 o’clock, but I used to get there at 11.30 or 10.30. It was too difficult. 
      Most read in Boxing
      “Then I had teachers sometimes shouting at me for being late or they weren’t giving me books.
      “If they’d given me books, maybe they’d have let me be good at learning some other language, but I can’t read. I can’t write. They didn’t take me seriously, they didn’t allow me to learn the language. 
      “I can’t read or write in my own language. It’s difficult for me.”

      8 in a house with no roof
      Abdu grew up in Tajikstan living with seven others in a house with no roofCredit: Instagram
      Abdu was living in a house with no roof in Tajikstan with his two brothers, two sisters, mother and father, and grandmother – none of whom work.
      “When it rained, the whole house would be covered in water,” he recalls. “We couldn’t sleep, it was too difficult.”
      But it was singing that first started Abdu’s love for being in the spotlight, and gave him the drive to make a success of himself.
      He says: “When I was small, I loved to sing. I used to sing in my village in the bazaar.
      “I would be sat on the road and singing, and people would give me money. 
      “I used to work in one day, earn $1or $2 (80p or £1.60). It was very difficult.”
      Very slowly, Abdu managed to earn enough money to buy a mobile phone, and open Instagram.
      8.4m followers
      Abdu now has over 8 million followers on Instagram and lives in DubaiCredit: @abdu_rozik
      He now has 8.4 million followers on the social media app – and has moved to Dubai.
      “In one or two years, I got so many followers,” he says. “This, for me, is so big. And thank you so much for all my followers, for everyone supporting me.”
      His followers have been boosted thanks to the attention he’s got surrounding a potential fight with Russian dwarf Hasbulla, who’s also a social media star.
      “Everyone’s trying to get Hasbulla to fight me,” Abdu says. “I’m always ready to fight. He’s scared from me. He don’t want to do fight.
      “He can’t talk English. He can’t do anything. He doesn’t have any talent. Zero talent.”
      Celeb pals
      Abdu is pals with Tyson Fury, and went to see the Saudi Arabia fightCredit: @abdu_rozik
      He hung out with Ronaldo properly the second time they met, having learned EnglishCredit: @abdu_rozik
      Abdu only learnt English a year ago, thanks to a mugging incident, which happened the first time he came to the country.
      He says: “When we first came to the UK, we were meant to stay for 10-15 days.
      “But on the last day, three hours before we were meant to go to Dubai, we went to a shop and somebody stole our bag.
      “The bag had our passports in and they were so difficult to get back. 
      “They sent the passport from Tajikistan to Dubai, Dubai sent to Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi sent to Manchester, Manchester sent to London, and we were one and a half months stuck here.
      “I learned English a little bit slowly by asking the word. ‘What is this?’ ‘Glasses’, ‘What is this?’ ‘Spoon’, ‘What is this?’ ‘Chicken.’ 
      “After I started learning, then I went to Dubai and took English classes, and I learnt it in one year.”
      His language studies helped when he met his “hero” Cristiano Ronaldo for the second time a few weeks ago at Tyson Fury’s fight against Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
      “It was so good,” he beams. “I was much cooler than the first time.
      “The first time I met Ronaldo in Manchester last year, I didn’t know how to speak English, it was too difficult for me, and I was shaking when I met Ronaldo. 
      “I was like, ‘I am your huge fan. I love you so much. Really, I love you too much.’
      “He’s like ‘Okay. Don’t stress too much, calm down.’ 
      “I was too shocked. I love him so much. He’s my hero.”
      Celebrity Big Brother stint?
      Abdu tells Hayley Minn he wants to appear on Celebrity Big BrotherCredit: Stewart Williams
      As well as his singing and boxing, Abdu has started DJing recently, which he “loves”, and is also a reality TV star, having appeared on India’s version of Big Brother, Bigg Boss, last year.
      Abdu was in the house for a whopping 105 days, and says it was very difficult.
      He says: “It was too difficult, too crazy, without any family, without mobile for four months! 
      “It was a little bit difficult. Sometimes they were fighting, shouting. I loved it.”
      But that hasn’t put him off wanting to go back into the house next year.
      “I want to do Celebrity Big Brother in the UK,” he exclaims. 
      Bought his family a home
      Abdu has been able to provide for his family – but doesn’t forget where he came fromCredit: @abdu_rozik
      Abdu was able to buy his family a seven-bedroom home in Tajikstan, and fixed the old house too, thanks to his newfound fame and fortune.
      He says: “This, for me, was very important. 
      “It feels too good to provide for my family. They are all supporting me. They are so happy. They’re excited.”
      But Abdu doesn’t forget where he came from, and went to visit his old house when he was last in Tajikstan.
      “I went to sit and look at it,” he says. “Why? Because I’m remembering where I came from and who I’ve been before. 
      “It gives me a lot of motivation, power and strength.” More

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      Mike Tyson called me the world’s toughest white guy but my boxing dream died…I was broke & almost killed by machete gang

      by

      STEPPING into the ring, 17-year-old Joe Egan stood his ground as blow after blow rained down on him from his ‘ferocious’ sparring partner Mike Tyson.It was the start of a lifelong friendship – and a promising boxing career – with the heavyweight champ, who dubbed the Irish fighter “the toughest white man on the planet” .
      Big Joe Egan was a champion amateur fighter dubbed the ‘toughest white man on the planet’Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The Irish fighter is a close pal of Mike Tyson and was his sparring partner
      But after 80 wins in US Golden Gloves bouts and seven Irish titles, Joe’s dreams were cut short by a horrific car accident, sending him into a downward spiral that saw him shot twice in a gang attack, accused of attempted murder and jailed for shipping stolen cars abroad.
      Now ‘Big’ Joe, who made his boxing comeback at the age of 38 and went on to star in a Hollywood movie, tells The Sun about his incredible life – from being bullied at school to losing his girlfriend to Michael Flatley.
      While few would mess with the 6ft 1in hardman now, Joe – the eldest of seven kids – was mercilessly bullied by older kids in the Ringsend suburb of Dublin and in the UK, where his dad moved to find work.
      “When I was seven or eight, I made my Holy Communion, and two of the bully boys, who were 15 or 16, tried to take away my Communion medal,” he says.
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      “I held on to it and I got my two front teeth knocked out. 
      “When I got bullied it was physical, and when you got an arm broken or a nose broken the doctors would say ‘It’ll heal in a week’.
      “In all my years in boxing I only ever had one tooth knocked out. The boxing ring literally was a safe place for me, compared to the years of bullying.”
      Joe’s dad encouraged him into the ring as a young boy and in his first fight, at 12, he was pitted against future middleweight champ Steve Collins, who he says “pounded me to a pulp, absolutely hammered me. I lost on points but I went the distance.”
      Most read in Boxing
      Tyson even visited Joe’s late mother several timesCredit: YouTube
      At 17, he travelled to the US to train with the Irish Boxing Team and met heavyweight champ Floyd Patterson who asked him to stay on in the States as a sparring partner for a new heavyweight hope, Mike Tyson.
      The pair – who remain close friends 40 years on – bonded over their experiences of being bullied, sharing the ring for over two years and living together in New York’s Catskill Gym. 
      Tyson gave him his flattering “toughest man” title after their first sparring session, when he was the fourth fighter in the ring and the only one to stay standing after three minutes.
      “If you are going to get battered you might as well get battered by the best,” Joe says. “I got battered by Mike Tyson and I got battered by Lennox Lewis when I fought him in 1985. 
      “It was a privilege to share the ring with both of them and it is an honour to say Mike Tyson has been my close friend for 40 years now. He visited my mother at home in Ireland four times.”
      Shot by machete-wielding gang 
      As well as going the distance with champion Lewis, and wearing the green vest of the Irish boxing team 11 times, Joe’s proudest achievement was a win against World Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon in 1988.
      But after going pro in 1990, his promising career was cut short by injuries sustained in a car accident and his life began to “spiral out of control”.
      Joe ploughed his money into the Lyndhurst pub in Erdington, Birmingham, where he says he upped takings from £1,000 a week to £16,000 a week.
      But it was here the brawler faced his most terrifying opponents yet, in the summer of 1998.
      “I had a demand for £500 a week protection money from a racketeering gang in Birmingham,” he says. “I bow down to royalty only out of respect but no man out of fear. After telling them no, the following week, on July 26, 1998, they attacked my pub. 
      “There were 37 of them armed with handguns, shotguns, machetes. It was a horrific day. 
      “It was savage. I got shot twice while trying to help a man who had fought in World War II, only to get shot at in a pub in a Birmingham housing estate by scum. It was a nasty 25-minute experience.”
      Joe took over the Lyndhurst in BirminghamCredit: Frank Peters
      The war veteran was shot in the hip and Joe was shot in the arm and nose, but says he was “lucky nobody died”.
      He adds: “The gang that attacked me had burned down some pubs before in the Birmingham area. They even burned down the pub  belonging to my old boss, Harry.
      “Then afterwards I got charged with attempted murder. I was defending myself.” 
      Dumped for dance millionaire
      Faced with jail, Joe ran up huge legal bills as he fought the charge, and his business went under. He was eventually tried for attempted murder and found not guilty.
      At the same time, his relationship with fiancee Lisa Murphy fell apart in bizarre fashion.
      “When Lisa saw that I was a sinking ship, she jumped ship to Michael Flatley,” he says. 
      “He was the biggest star of Irish dancing in the world, earning a million pounds a week. 
      “It doesn’t bother me now but at the time it was very upsetting. 
      “Mike Tyson called me ‘the toughest white man on the planet’, but even my heart has been broken by a woman. 
      “There was a lot of anger there at the time, but it wasn’t always an angry relationship. There was a lot of love at one time. I thought we’d be together forever.
      “But I don’t hold a grudge against Michael or Lisa anymore.”
      After a six-year romance, Lisa split from the Lord of the Dance star who is now battling cancer, and Joe says: “I sincerely hope he wins this fight.”
      Joe with former fiancee LisaCredit: Newsteam
      She went on to a high profile romance with Michael FlatleyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Jail time
      With problems piling up, Joe says he got “involved in criminality” and in 2001, he was jailed for two and half years for his part in an international car-ringing gang.
      “My business was failing and I ran out of money so I got involved with crime to pay for my legal fees,” he says. 
      “I got grassed on and sent to prison. It shouldn’t have happened. I hadn’t been in trouble with the law before but all these things happened in my life. 
      “I don’t believe crime pays. Tragically, I was forced to go down that road but I regret it. 
      “The only time I saw my dad cry was because I was going to prison. The shame I had, the disgust I had for myself, the hurt and pain I had caused him, I was so ashamed of myself. 
      The only time I saw my dad cry was because I was going to prisonBig Joe Egan
      “I told him I’ll never get into trouble again. 
      “It’s not nice being locked up, you’re confined for 23 hours a day. I wouldn’t recommend it. But what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”
      While in prison, Joe trained in the gym and on his release he announced his comeback, at the age of 38, after a 12-year absence.
      He won in the fifth round, against a pal in Dublin, and says: “It was good to be back as Joe the boxer and not Joe the criminal.” But he went back into retirement after the lone fight.
      New life
      His days in the ring finally over, Joe turned to acting after meeting Brit star Tamer Hassan and signing up with his agent, who sent him to audition for the 2009 Guy Ritchie hit Sherlock Holmes.
      Cast as a boxer who fights Robert Downey Jr’s fictional detective, Ritchie told him, “I’ve been trying to get you in one of my films for a long time,” adding that Downey Jr had also suggested him because of his “fearsome reputation”. 
      “I couldn’t believe that these people even knew me, but they knew me because of my close friendship with Mike Tyson,” he says.  
      “When he told me the amount I was getting paid, it was more than any of my professional fights. 
      “I said, ‘Guy, for that money, Robert Downey Jnr can really hit me if he wants to. I’ve been beaten up for a lot less.”
      Although the fight scene was dropped, the boxer instead filmed a specially-written prison scene as a character named Big Joe. 
      He went on to appear in Prize Fighter with Russell Crowe and has since made guest appearances in numerous TV shows, including Brassic in 2019. 
      Big Joe squares up to Sherlock in the 2009 movieCredit: Warner Bros
      The former boxer (far left) in the 2019 film Once Upon a Time in LondonCredit: Alamy
      Joe with A-lister Robert Downey JrCredit: Twitter
      Joe’s colourful life has earned him some high-profile pals including Ricky Hatton and heavyweight champ Tony Bellew, who is set to enter the I’m A Celebrity camp this week as a late arrival.
      More controversially, he has also been associates with notorious gangsters, including Daniel Kinahan, from the infamous Irish organised crime family, and Gerry Hutch, who was the prime suspect in the 2016 murder of David Byrne at a boxing weigh-in at the Dublin Regency Hotel, which sparked a tit for tat feud amongst rival gangs that left dozens dead.
      He previously told the Irish Mirror the horrific attack was “wrong on every level”.
      He added: “David Byrne was my friend and I know his dad Jaws Byrne since I was a little boy.
      “That room was full of boxing fans and boxers, so to go in and spray a machine-gun in a room full of people that weren’t involved in any criminal activity, that’s so wrong on so many levels.”
      While his career in the ring was short, he had no regrets.
      “I had nothing else to prove to anybody, nothing left to prove to myself,” he says. “I’ve been hit in the chin by some of the best punches in the world but they never once knocked me down – something I can be proud of.” More

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      How Shakira has poured scorn on ex Pique as pop legend exacts bitter revenge with diss tracks & not-so-subtle digs

      by

      HELL hath no fury like a woman scorned – just ask Gerard Pique, who has been wading through a bitter split from popstar Shakira. The pair were once one of the world’s most glamorous showbiz couples, but are now arch rivals who only speak for the sake of their sons.
      Shakira’s career and personal life have been going from strength to strengthCredit: Getty
      But she still finds time to make some thinly veiled jabs at her ex Gerard PiqueCredit: Getty
      The popstar stuck a creepy witch doll on her balcony facing Pique’s parent’s house in JanuaryCredit: Splash
      Shakira has admitted she “believed in ’till death do us part'”, until she caught wind of Pique’s alleged infidelity with Clara Chia Marti, 24.
      It marked the end of their 12-year romance and the start of a vicious feud – and there is still no sign of a truce.
      Diss tracks, witch dolls, empty jam jars and sponsorship deals have been at the centre of the ongoing war between the former lovers.
      While the star’s love life has been in turmoil, the singer has also been battling a court case that was set to leave her reputation in tatters.
      READ MORE ON SHAKIRA
      The singer was summoned to a Barcelona courthouse as she faced spending eight years behind bars for allegedly defrauding Spanish tax officials of £12.7million.
      But after a bombshell plea deal was agreed on the first day of her trial, she managed to dodge jail while agreeing to pay a hefty £7million.
      Former Barcelona ace Pique has publicly reaped the wrath of Shakira since the couple announced their split in June last year.
      But he has also done his fair share of poking the bear while flaunting his new relationship with Clara to the world.
      Most read in Football
      We have taken a look at all the messiest moments of their over 14-month feud, which fans of the pair have had a front-row seat to.
      It all began back in 2010 when Shakira was filming the video for her World Cup anthem, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).
      Pique made an appearance in the clip alongside other famous footballers and managed to catch the eye of the She Wolf singer.
      They officially announced their relationship in 2011 and the smitten pair were soon on each other’s arm for red carpets and sharing on-stage smooches.
      The first of the couple’s two sons, Milan, nine, was born in 2012, prompting Shakira to pack up her life in the US for Barcelona.
      She settled in the Spanish city while Pique impressed on the football field, asserting themselves as a power couple in the industry.
      The family grew larger in 2015 when their second son Sasha, seven, came along and joined their love bubble.
      It was the same year that Shakira defended their decision not to get hitched, saying she already knew that Pique was “the one” for her.
      She also gushed about him being “very territorial” over her and instructing her not to shoot any sexy music videos with men.
      The Colombian beauty ironically later revealed that she feared becoming Pique’s wife would make him lose interest.
      TROUBLE BREWING
      “Marriage scares the sh*t out of me,” she said. “I don’t want him to see me as the wife. I’d rather him see me as his girlfriend, his lover.
      “It’s like a little forbidden fruit. I want to keep him on his toes.”
      The pair seemed to continue to go from strength to strength and routinely declared their love for one another while publicly applauding their partner’s achievements.
      But cracks began to show shortly after Shakira faced allega­tions that she had dodged £12million in tax owed to the Spanish authorities.
      During an interview in January the following year, the songstress revealed their conflicting schedules were often the cause of tension.
      Shakira told the Planet Weirdo with Holly H podcast: “He’s very strict, very punctual. He’s been brought up in a football team where he’s a team player and he has to be [punctual]. It’s like the army.
      “His mind is structured like that and mine. I’m a little, you know – and so I’ve become a lot more punctual since I met him.
      “But the times that we actually fight is because I’m late and he’s waiting up.”
      Rumours then began to surface that Pique may have been playing away in June 2022, just days before the couple shocked fans with a joint statement announcing their split.
      SHAKIRA’S ‘DARKEST HOUR’
      Spanish media outlets reported that the pair had been living apart for weeks, after Shakira kicked Pique out of the family home.
      She later revealed that she learned of the former footballer’s “betrayal” while her dad was fighting for his life in hospital.
      The mum-of-two described the period as the “darkest hours of her life” and thought she “wasn’t going to survive” her personal turmoil.
      Three months after announcing their breakup, Pique went public with his new love Clara – who was welcomed with open arms by his parents.
      It was yet another sting in the tail for the popstar, which also sparked a toxic tit-for-tat battle with her former in-laws.
      But in true Shakira style, she sought solace in the studio and opted to cash in on her heartbreak, rather than wallowing in sadness.
      In October 2022, she released her song Monotonia which was laden with not-so-subtle digs towards her ex.
      She sings: “Suddenly you were no longer the same. You left me because of your narcissism. You forgot what we once were.”
      The video shows the singer being shot in the chest, then her heart pulled out and stamped on.
      Unconfirmed reports that Pique had met Clara at the Davis Cup in 2019 then emerged, fuelling further headlines in Spain.
      MUSICAL THERAPY
      He finally reached a custody agreement with Shakira in November, where it was agreed that the kids would move to Miami with their mother.
      When the New Year rolled in, it seemed that the singer had a new lease of life – and a lot of material to release.
      She dropped her epic diss track, BZRP Music Session #53″, on January 12, which boasts a staggering 620 million views on YouTube.
      It was brimming with swipes at Pique, Clara and her former mother-in-law, as well as a healthy dose of self-confidence.
      She joked that her ex had “traded a Ferrari for a Twingo” and a “Rolex for a Casio” – which led to Pique earning sponsorship deals with Toyota and the budget watch brand.
      Another lyric advised the former Manchester United star to “work his brain a little bit too” rather than just focusing on the gym.
      Shakira sings: “Sorry baby, I should have thrown you out a while ago. A she-wolf like me is not for rookies.
      “A she-wolf like me is not for guys like you. I’m too good for you, and that’s why you’re with someone just like you.
      “No hard feelings baby, I wish you the best with my supposed replacement.”
      Referring to her tax fraud case and her proximity to Gerard’s family home, she added: “You left me my mother-in-law as my neighbour, press at my door and in debt with the treasury.”
      THE JAM JAR
      Pique responded to the song by turning up to work in an £8,000 Renault Twingo and boasting his new seven-a-side project the King’s League had landed a sponsorship deal with Casio – adding that the cheaper watch would “last a lifetime”.
      But he has since had to endure his teammates belting out the track as well as it being blared in nightclubs upon his arrival.
      In wake of the bombshell diss track, it was reported that Shakira had discovered the 36-year-old cheating thanks to a half-eaten jam jar.
      She allegedly returned from a trip to find the condiment had been opened – despite Pique and her children not being fans of it.
      The A-lister reportedly turned detective and hired a private investigator to trail Pique to confirm her suspicions.
      Again capitalising on her misfortune, Shakira seemed to allude to the jam saga in her music video with Rauw Alejandro for Te Felicito.
      During one scene, her fellow musician’s head is seen inside a fridge – with a jar of jam on the shelf.
      In another twist, Shakira then put a terrifying life-size witch doll on her balcony, facing her mother-in-law’s house in the same street.
      Neighbours reported she also blasted out her diss track on repeat so Gerard’s mum, Montserrat Bernabéu, could hear.
      As her first Valentine’s Day in over a decade as a single woman rolled around, Shakira saw it as the perfect opportunity for another dig.
      RISING FROM THE ASHES
      The 46-year-old shared a clip lip-syncing to SZA’s hit song, Kill Bill, which features the line: “I might kill my ex, not the best idea. His new girlfriend’s next, how’d I get here?”
      In April, Pique said diss tracks like Shakira’s and online jibes have the potential to cause someone to commit suicide.
      He told an interviewer: “What has to happen? Maybe someone commits suicide and we say, ‘Oh, we’ve gone too far?’ I’m very disappointed with what society is.”
      But his grumbles have done little to stop the feud from snowballing, seeing the pair continue to go back and forth.
      Although the world has watched Shakira exact revenge on her ex, it hasn’t detered A-list hunks who have been falling at her feet.
      The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Tom Cruise and NBA ace Jimmy Butler have all been desperate for a date with the singer.
      She has routinely set pulses racing with sexy social media posts too, including her steamy video of her lip syncing to Copa Vacia.
      Fans spotted that the title of the translates from Spanish to empty cup – leading fans to believe it was a swipe at her former beau.
      The single, featuring Manuel Turizo, talks about wanting more in a relationship that feels like drinking out of an empty cup.
      She then put on a incredible show at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, making sure Pique knew what he was missing.
      THE BOSS
      The Hips Don’t Lie singer revealed to The Sun on the pink carpet that her latest single is called The Boss.
      It is an apparent nod to the alleged nickname she was given by Pique’s pals after they said she failed to hang out with them during their 11-year relationship.
      Shakira allegedly never hit it off with the footballer’s friends, who gave her the nickname due to her “bad character” – dubbing her “La Patron” or “The Boss”.
      But fans noticed she had seemingly changed her tune just days later, as she posed for a picture wth staff from Pique’s former club.
      She was seen smiling as she held up a Barcelona shirt while she launched her educational centre in her native Barranquilla, Colombia.
      Clearly on a mission to be the bigger person, she then made another savage move that was sure to get under Pique’s skin.
      The superstar hired the nanny who the footballer allegedly fired without pay for reportedly exposing his infidelity to Shakira.
      Lili Melgar made a shock appearance in the music video for The Boss, staring directly into the camera before frowning.
      In the background Shakira sings: “This song is for you, since you weren’t paid severance/Another fart, as always.”
      It appears that the lyrics and clip of Melgar, the longtime nanny of the pair’s children Milan and Sasha, were references to pay scandal.
      Whatever happens next in the savage tit for tat, you can expect the She-Wolf to bite back.
      The former couple have traded public digs since they split in June 2022Credit: Getty
      Shakira proudly rocked the pink carpet with her sons before her electrifying VMA’s performanceCredit: Getty
      The former footballer is now in a relationship with alleged mistress Clara Chia MartiCredit: INSTAGRAM/GERARD PIQUE More

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      I wouldn’t be a Prem star without grassroots footie – The Sun’s campaign is vital, says Jarrod Bowen

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      ENGLAND footballer Jarrod Bowen is used to fearsome opponents, but he faced his toughest challenge yet when he had to charm Spurs fans at a local grassroots club.The West Ham United ace, 26, joined Brent Cross Football Academy at a training session to celebrate the youth club bagging one of our incredible £1,000 grants.
      England footballer Jarrod Bowen faced his biggest challenge yet when he had to charm Spurs fans at a local grassroots clubCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      The Prem star is supporting The Sun’s Footie For All campaign to support kids in the cost of living crisisCredit: Getty
      The forward showed off his keepie-uppie skills and then took a go in goal to see if he could fend off the ferocious kicks of the North London youngsters.
      Jarrod, 26, said: “I’ve had a couple of Tottenham Hotspur fans try to get in my way or sneak a kick, but it’s all good fun.
      “Being here has brought back really good memories for me of being their age and having a chance to play with my friends.
      “I remember the chaos on the pitch with everyone running for the ball and wanting to score, just like these guys.
      READ MORE FOOTIE FOR ALL
      “It’s amazing to see the smiles on their faces and how much they just love to be here.”
      It took just a few minutes for the seven to ten-year-olds to combat their shyness and bombard the ace with questions about his career.
      Jarrod revealed he would love West Ham to buy Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé, if money was no object, and Lucas Paquetá is his favourite teammate.
      Growing up in Herefordshire, Jarrod played for Leominster Town FC on its minors team before being scouted for professional football.
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      But the striker hasn’t forgotten his roots and regularly donates kit, equipment and more to his childhood club.
      Jarrod was one of the first players to back our Footie For All campaign, launched earlier this year following shocking statistics that the cost-of-living crisis was forcing many young children to drop out of sports clubs.
      We then launched our groundbreaking Footie For All Fund in partnership with Tesco Stronger Starts campaign, which provides healthy food and activities for children.
      We invited grassroots football clubs that work with kids under the age of 18 to apply for one of the 150 £1,000 grants.
      Jarrod, who has six-month-old twin daughters with his reality star girlfriend Dani Dyer, 27, said: “Without grassroots, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
      “We can’t let kids see that dream die simply because Mum or Dad can’t afford to pay for the subs, kit, and travel.
      “Football is for everyone, it’s massively important it stays that way.
      “It’s more than just kicking a ball about, it’s building lifelong friendships, getting to do something you love and a chance to learn about healthy competition.”
      Brent Cross Football Academy has put its £1,000 grant straight to work.
      The team will fund free places to kids from disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure they don’t miss out on top-flight football training.
      Head coach Jamie Kavanagh, 27, had noticed more parents were struggling to afford the cost of their child’s football fees.
      He put out a call and other parents with spare cash donated to the academy.
      He said: “The parents of the kids who get to play for free are hugely grateful.
      “It allows them to focus on other things without the worry of their kids missing out on activities they enjoy and keep them active.
      “In North London, there is a divide between the families when it comes to money.
      “Having kids from different backgrounds is one of the biggest strengths of our club.
      “The grant that The Sun and Tesco have given us means we can keep making sure there are free places available and give them kits to train in, so they don’t miss out.”
      Nineteen children were picked by the club to have a special session with the England striker — and they wasted no time in showing him what they could do.
      Korede Adewale, 9, showed off his goal scoring abilities with his rock-solid left foot and later joked that Jarrod looked 32 — six years older — leaving the striker in hysterics.
      ‘Fun and exciting’
      With the other youths also desperate to show off their skills, Jarrod bravely offered to go in goal.
      As multiple balls whizzed past his head and around his legs, he joked: “Well I regret this.”
      When the ace, who played for Hull City for six years until 2020, was relieved of goalie duties, he added: “They are all good at striking the ball and hitting it hard. They’re all top at this.”
      Tottenham Hotspurs fan Hugo Russell was impressed by Jarrod, admitting it was “fun and exciting” to play with a West Ham star.
      The seven-year-old says the best part about the Brent Cross Football Academy is “seeing my friends”.
      Nine-year-old twins Esra and Edie Parkinson reckon Jarrod toned down his skills on the pitch to give them an advantage.
      Esra said: “I think he wanted it to be fun for us and didn’t want to show us up with his skills.
      Edie contended: “I’d love to play Jarrod again. We would still win.”
      While observing the girls hold their own against the boys on the pitch, Jarrod complimented Esra for her fancy footwork.
      He could have a future career as a scout as the twins are currently at Arsenal’s Emerging Talent Centre, thanks in part to the encouragement from the academy’s head coaches Jamie and Antony Wardrop.
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      At the end of the training session, Jarrod signed a football for each of the kids to keep as a memento.
      But one cheeky child couldn’t resist asking if he would “sign my bum” — which the ace politely declined.
      The kids picked by the club wasted no time showing the England striker what they could doCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      Several of the young footballers left him in hystericsCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
      And here’s how you can get involved with our campaignCredit: SuppliedHOW TO APPLY

      WE want to hear the story of YOUR club and the big difference you are making to kids and your community.
      If you are a not-for-profit grassroots football club in England, Wales or Scotland working with youngsters under the age of 18, you could be eligible for one of our 150 grants.
      Funds can be used for anything that encourages more children to take part in the sport – such as pitch fees or to sponsor funded places for children who can’t afford membership.
      Applications must be made by October 29.
      To apply and for full T&Cs, see the website below . . . 
      www.tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/footiefund More