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      in Soccer

      I’ll never forget the summer of 1996 – the country buzzed about the Euros and we need that back

      by

      LIKE most Sun readers, I will never forget the summer of 1996. The whole country was buzzing because of the Euros.As a teenager, I soaked up almost every second of the tournament, convinced that it would be England’s moment of glory.
      PM Rishi Sunak is backing a historic joint bid by the UK and Ireland to host the Uefa European Championships in 2028Credit: Dan Charity / The Sun
      England captain Harry Kane is joining with sides to back the bid to hold the prestigious tournament in the UK and IrelandCredit: Getty
      Scotland’s Andy Robertson is also behind the push to secure the tournament on home soilCredit: Rex
      Steven Davis, Northern Ireland captainCredit: Sportsfile
       It gave me a love of the game — its highs and lows — that I still have to this day, especially as a long-suffering Southampton fan.
      As a country, our passion for football is unparalleled. It is known the world over.
      From the Premier League to Sunday league, the game brings us together.
      Our stadia aren’t just ­sporting venues where the best players in the world want to play and fans ­everywhere dream of visiting, they are part of who we are — cultural icons at the heart of our communities, monuments to the game we love.
      READ MORE ON EURO 2028
      Again and again in recent years, those stadia have hosted some of the biggest games in world football.
       We have hosted Champions League finals, Euro 2020 matches — including almost all of England’s epic run  to the final — and the record-breaking 2022 Women’s Euros.
      We have got world-class sporting infrastructure and a  brilliant track record.
      So it would be fantastic to bring a full, international men’s tournament back to these shores.
      Most read in Football
       That’s why today the UK and Ireland are launching a historic joint bid to host the Uefa European Championships in 2028.
      By bringing the whole of the UK together, along with Ireland, we will showcase our shared love of the beautiful game.
      It will be the most ambitious sporting event our islands have jointly staged — five Football Associations with Uefa united in delivering one of the best tournaments Europe has ever seen.
       The captains of each of the host nations — Harry Kane, Séamus Coleman, Steven Davis, Andy Robertson and Aaron Ramsey — may be rivals on the pitch, but they are all on the same side in cheering on this effort.
      Imagine it — the best teams in Europe battling it out at the Etihad in Manchester, Hampden Park in Glasgow, the Principality in Cardiff, Casement Park in Belfast, the Aviva in Dublin, and of course, Wembley Stadium.
      Not to mention Villa Park, St James’ Park, Everton’s new ­Stadium and the Tottenham ­Hotspur Stadium.
      And imagine, just for a second, our boys following in the Lionesses’ footsteps and lifting that trophy five years from now. What a summer that would be.
      All about the future
      This year marks the 160th anniversary of the laws of the game — 160 years since they were first adopted and ­published, here in the UK.
       We are rightly proud of that unique legacy. There is so much to celebrate and savour — from Jackie Milburn to Jack Charlton, from 1966 to Euro ’96.
      Aaron Ramsey is on the same side as his rival in cheering on this effortCredit: Getty
      The Republic of Ireland’s Séamus Coleman is hoping to bring the tournament to the UK and IrelandCredit: Sportsfile
       But this tournament will be all about the future.
       On a rainy day last month we held a kickabout at No 10 with the Lionesses. As Beth Mead, Jill Scott and Ellen White showed a group of excited school kids their skills and rattled some of the historic furnishings, you could see the inspirational impact of their Euro triumph last summer.
      So Euro 2028 is about inspiring even more boys and girls not just to cheer on their team but to lace up their boots and get out there themselves.
      It’s about supporting the game at the local level and lifting up our communities — together the bid partners have already committed more than £500million to improve grassroots football.
      It’s about delivering new investment to upgrade facilities — including the regeneration of Casement Park in Northern Ireland.
       It’s about harnessing the power of the tournament to drive long-term benefits through volunteering, tourism and new business opportunities.
       It’s about pubs, front rooms and fan parks filling up across these islands — friends and family coming together, in victory or defeat.
      We estimate the bid could generate benefits of up to £2.6billion for our nations.
       It’s the ultimate win-win — a festival of football to cheer the nation and benefit us all.
      Read More on The Sun
      Let’s bring people from across Europe and beyond to our host cities, to see the best football on the best stage anyone can offer.
      Let’s create new memories for a new generation. Let’s back our bid. More

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      in Soccer

      How Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively built incredible £370m fortune – from gin to Gucci and Gossip Girl

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      RYAN Reynolds has more than one reason for fist-pumping celebrations following Wrexham’s dramatic Easter Monday win.The owner of the Welsh football side and his wife Blake Lively have almost doubled their fortune to £372 million in the past year.
      Blake Lively cheering on Wrexham AFC with her husband Ryan ReynoldsCredit: Getty
      The couple have racked up a business empire worth a combined £372mCredit: Getty
      The star of Deadpool and the Gossip Girl actress have proven to be astute tacticians in the business world.
      They have their fingers in countless pies, including gin, mobile phones, non-alcoholic drinks, fashion, cosmetics, movies and, of course, football.
      Wrexham, which is co-owned by Ryan and fellow actor Rob McElhenney, lost almost £3 million last year.
      But the North Wales side’s 3-2 victory over nearest promotion rivals Notts County this week means they are odds on favourites to climb out of the non-league and into the more financially lucrative English Football League.
      Read More on The Sun
      Canadian Reynolds, 46, bought Wrexham with the aim of getting them into the £6 billion Premier League.
      Their battle for success, which was documented in a Disney Plus TV series, is proving to be blockbuster viewing.
      Reynolds said that the tussle between Wrexham and Notts County had “created drama unlike anything you’d ever see in a damn movie.”
      He has converted his wife Blake into a fan of football and the couple are buying a £1.5million home in the village of Marford not far from his club’s Racecourse ground.
      Most read in Football
      Here we look at Hollywood power couple’s biggest deals and estimated net worth.
      Ryan Reynolds – net worth £348m
      Reynolds is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars – earning £57million in 2020 and netting around £16 million per movie.
      He struck a very savvy deal when he agreed to star in and produce the Marvel comic book movie Deadpool in 2016.
      While he was paid “just” £1.5million upfront, Reynolds took a share of the box office profits which earned him up to £30million. 
      But he’s not just an actor. He’s made his fair share of savvy investments.
      Drama unlike anything you’d ever see in a damn movieRyan Reynolds
      Communications giant T Mobile have agreed to pay up to £1billion for Mint Mobile which Reynolds bought a quarter share of just three years ago.
      He is going to remain in a creative role following the takeover, which is said to have earned him £245million.
      The film star has done much to promote Aviation gin, which he’s believed to have between a 20 and 25 per cent share in.
      The company was sold back in 2020 for half a billion pounds to British drinks firm Diageo. 
      Reynolds bought the fifth division club in 2020 for £2millionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ryan is involved with Aviation Gin which was sold for £500 millionCredit: PA:Press Association
      Comic actor Reynolds co-founded Maximum Effort Productions and Maximum Effort Marketing, which was responsible for a jokey viral post about character Big’s Peloton heart attack in Sex and the City.
      The actor has proven to be adept at using social media to promote his products.
      His biggest gamble to date has been buying fifth division team Wrexham.
      Actor Rob McElhenney convinced Reynolds to buy the non-league side for £2million even though the pair had never met and neither knew that much about football.
      But the duo are now addicted to the beautiful game and made good their promise to invest in the team.
      Reynolds has invested in the sports streaming platform Fubo and helped with its marketing campaign.
      The actor is on board of Match Group Inc which owns dating sites  Tinder, OkCupid, Hinge and PlentyOfFish.
      Over the years, Reynolds has worked with Armani, Hugo Boss, Nissan and Hyundai. His car collection, though, includes a £300,000  Lamborghini Aventador and £150,000 Audi R8.
      Blake Lively – net worth £24m
      Blake was paid £50,000 for every episode of the teen drama Gossip Girl, which meant she made over £6million for the 121 she was in. 
      Last week Lively posted an image of herself in a bikini top showing off her toned midriff just months after giving birth to her fourth child.
      It’s no wonder that so many brands have paid to be associated with the 35-year-old actress over the years, including a “multimillion” deal to be the face of the cosmetics giant L’Oreal in 2014.
      The stylish star is rumoured to have earned over £3million for a deal with high end fashion firm Gucci in 2012. 
      Blake was the face of L’Oreal Paris from 2014 in a ‘multimillion’ dollar dealCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Blake made £6million from playing troubled teen Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip GirlCredit: Handout
      In 2011 she was chosen to be the face of Chanel’s Mademoiselle handbag line, which is sure to have attracted a seven-figure fee.
      Recently, she’s tried her hand at starting her own side hustle from acting.
      Her latest venture is a line of non-alcoholic mixer drinks called Betty Buzz which makes sense for the teetotaller.
      Blake, who has 39 million followers on Instagram, has been posting images of herself with the drink, named after her grandmother Betty, which she launched in 2021.
      Blake and Ryan’s growing brood share a seven bedroom £4million mansion in Bedford, which is about one hour’s drive from New York. Their neighbours include Matt Damon, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
      Read More on The Sun
      They are both believed to have invested in plenty of real estate.
      But not everything Blake touched turned to gold, with the actress ditching a digital magazine and hand-made items sales site called Preserve a year after its 2014 launch. More

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      in Soccer

      Kids’ football is more than just physical activity – it helps youngsters learn good behaviour, says Raheem Sterling

      by

      PLAYING weekend football with a local team has been a rite of passage for kids for generations.But a Sun investigation today reveals that the cost of living crisis is forcing scores of kids to drop out of sports clubs as families struggle to make ends meet.
      The cost of living crisis has driven more children away from clubs – here Brent Cross under-11s celebrate championship victory with head coach Jamie Kavanagh, far leftCredit: Olivia West
      Almost 50 per cent of Football club leaders surveyed told The Sun that a lack of money was affecting participation in sportCredit: Olivia West
      In the wake of the crisis, today The Sun is launching Footie For All — backed by some of England’s top players — to highlight the importance of grassroots sports clubs.
      A shocking new poll from Sported, a charity which supports community sports clubs, has found 94 per cent of grassroots clubs are concerned about the impact of soaring prices on their membership.
      And football clubs across the country have told The Sun how the economic crisis is forcing kids out of training and weekend matches, even though the clubs are doing all they can to give their players a chance.
      One such club is Brent Cross Football Academy in North London, which offers matches and training to almost 200 children, aged from four to 14.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      The players come from a huge mix of social backgrounds and to keep things as accessible as poss-ible, the club still charges £400 to £500 a year for subscriptions, while other clubs have raised theirs to more than £600.
      The academy is determined to try to avoid any young player missing out on sport, and the management team make it clear to parents they will help out any family with financial struggles when they can.
      And the Brent Cross chiefs’ worries are shared across the country, with 92 per cent of clubs saying they are extremely concerned about the negative impact on the young people they serve, according to the Ring/Sported Community Pulse Survey.
      And almost 50 per cent of club leaders surveyed told how lack of money was affecting participation in sport.
      Most read in Football
      Some 31 per cent of those surveyed believe the long-term con-sequences of the economic pinch will see fewer young people taking part in sports and physical activity.
      The benefits of grassroots sports for kids is well documented.
      From the obvious health benefits, community sports teams also offer huge social benefits by channelling kids’ energy into physical activity.
      The UK is home to more than 40,000 clubs, and almost all those we spoke to declared that they would never want to stop a child playing with them — but often find themselves under pressure due to the cost of registration, pitches or transport.
      Nicola Walker, chief executive of Sported, said: “The cost of living is putting grassroots sports groups under extreme pressure. It’s making it harder to raise the cash to operate.
      “And it’s making it tougher on our kids to afford the price of participation, or even just the cost of travelling to take part.
      “That means they could miss out on a boost to their physical and mental wellbeing.
      Struggling families
      “But time spent kicking a ball or in a dance class is also time in a safe space where young people meet positive influences and get a priceless chance to learn and grow.
      “So it’s important that the Government recognises all the amazing ways in which sport contributes to building stronger, safer communities and offers the support it needs.”
      At Brent Cross the country’s economic woes started to become apparent at the beginning of the year, when head coach Jamie Kavanagh noticed he was losing children because families were struggling with paying the subs.
      He sent a message to all parents asking if those who could afford it could spare a little more to help fund sponsorships for ten children who could no longer afford to play.
      Jamie, 27, said: “We’re finding that a lot of the children are struggling to make every session purely because of the cost of the subs, new football boots, kit and travel to fixtures and training.
      “We hoped to be able to help ten children but we’ve managed to get the money to sponsor 12, thanks to the generosity of the parents.
      Every one who donated extra told us how amazing the initiative was.
      “The parents of the kids who get to play for free are hugely grateful and it allows them to focus on other things without the worry of their children missing out on activities they enjoy and keep them active.
      “Football is so important for helping kids with communication skills, having an outlet, and it gives them a family feeling. I’d never want anyone to lose that due to money issues.”
      With so many football clubs telling how the cost of living crisis risks harming the health of our youngsters, it was clear something needed to be done.
      Here we highlight some of the grassroots clubs which are making a big difference in their communities and finding ways to try to beat the negative effects of the cost of living crisis.
      And four England aces, who know only too well the benefits of grassroots football, back our call for Footie For All.

      TELL us about your inspiration grass roots club. Email us at footieforall@ the-sun.co.uk

      John Stones
      Barnsley, Everton, Man City & England
      “PLAYING grassroots football as a kid with my friends for my local team was the first step into football for me, and I never looked back.
      Playing grassroots football was incredibly important for England and Man City defender John StonesCredit: Alamy
      He says: ‘Football can give children something to look forward to, even when things may be difficult’Credit: Rex Features
      “It played such an important part of my childhood and I’ll always be so grateful for the opportunity it provided for me and so many other children.
      “Grassroots football often provides a happy and safe environment for children to play, meet friends and learn new skills.
      “If it wasn’t for that start I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn important life skills on and off the pitch while having fun with my mates.
      “It can give children something to look forward to, even when things may be difficult, and make such a positive impact for both parents and kids.”
      Raheem Sterling
      Alpha & Omega FC, QPR, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea & England
      “WE can’t just look at the physical benefits of grassroots football because it also has the ability to bring people together.
      Raheem Sterling thinks football is more than just the physical benefitsCredit: Getty
      Raheem says: ‘My mentor Clive Ellington was the one that actually got me into football to focus my energy and correct my behaviour’
      “My mentor Clive Ellington was the one that actually got me into football to focus my energy and correct my behaviour.
      “He was a great role model. I found something I wanted to put my maximum energy in to and it paid off.
      “I fell in love with football through that Sunday league team – and made friends for life.”
      Eric Dier
      International Prep School, Lisbon, Sporting CP, Spurs & England
      “FOOTBALL is a lifeline for many.
      Tottenham and England defender, Eric Dier, feels football is a lifeline for someCredit: Getty
      Eric loved football as he says it ‘encourages teamwork, discipline, friendship, improved health and wellbeing’Credit: ericdier15/instagram
      “It encourages teamwork, discipline, friendship, improved health and wellbeing, and a sense of community.
      “I know kids will benefit from the game and all that comes with it.”
      Jarrod Bowen
      Leominster Miners, Hereford Utd (Herts), West Ham, England
      “WHEN I was little I had a dream of playing football for my entire life.
      West Ham winger, Jarrod Bowen, dreamt of playing pro football ever since he was a childCredit: Getty
      Jarrod says: ‘Football is for everyone and it’s massively important it stays that way’
      “It was the most important thing in my week and I know it’ll be the same for boys and girls across the UK.
      “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 and 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.
      “It gives a routine and a chance to zone out from anything that might be going on in their lives. If that’s taken away it’ll leave children in a bad place because they’ve lost something they love.
      “One of the best things for me is seeing young kids play football at my old club. I saw an under-eights team in a penalty shootout. It brought me so much joy to see how happy and determined they were. That’s what football is really about – bringing joy to everyone.”

      Helston AFC, Cornwall
      HELSTON AFC plays a vital role in supporting nearly 400 kids in 17 teams, including many families from nearby Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, one of Europe’s biggest helicopter bases.
      But youth co-ordinator and under-13s coach Chris Strike says the cost of living crisis has badly impacted this region of Cornwall, making it harder for families to pay the £80 annual membership.
      Helston AFC plays a vital role in supporting nearly 400 kids in 17 teamsCredit: Apex
      Chris, 42, an architect from Helston, said: “We’ve had a number of parents say this year they can’t afford the membership fees.
      “I’m proud to say we don’t and we won’t ever stop a child registering because they can’t pay their fee.
      “Either the club will fund it or a couple of us have funded kids. Others ask us to pay monthly and that’s fine, we have always found a solution.
      “I’m lucky I own my own business and sponsor my team and there are a couple of coaches in that position, but a lot of the teams will try to raise money from local businesses.”
      Chris added: “Each of the 17 teams has two coaches trying to help the players, both in and out of football. Some kids want to talk about difficulties at home and you are there to support them in that respect as well. There’s a lot more to being a football coach than just coaching football.”
      The club has close ties with Plymouth Argyle and Southampton’s academies, and this year 19 youth players from Helston have represented Cornwall.
      Among their recent successes is striker Luke Jephcott, who plays for Swindon, and who was with Helston before joining Argyle’s academy.
      The Pythian Club, Nottingham
      COMMUNITY sports club and outreach centre The Pythian Club in Nottingham offers free sports sessions, including football and boxing, to youngsters aged up to 19.
      Yet even without subs, its bosses fear that costs such as travel and kit are becoming unaffordable for the families of its youngsters.
      The Pythian Club in Nottingham offers free sports sessions, including football and boxing, to youngsters aged up to 19Credit: Pythian Club
      The club performs an important social role, often taking on children who have been involved in gangs and crime, or who have been referred to it by probation services.
      Currently it looks after 400 children and teenagers who come to the centre to play a range of sports.
      Founder Benjamin Rosser told The Sun: “It absolutely breaks my heart that so many kids are missing out. Sport is such an important way for us to reach out to kids and stop them from going down the wrong path. Part of our work is actively seeking out young people that would otherwise fall through the gaps and give them a chance at a better life.
      “We have around 120 to 150 young people we work with that are really financially struggling and need extra support.
      “We try to find ways to work around that to make sure they don’t have to make difficult choices such as having to pay their bus fare to school and not be able to access a sports activity that week.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Sometimes it’s getting food in their belly or playing football. Those are the difficult choices that they’re making.
      “Running a session on a Friday for about 180 kids sets us back about £280, which is expensive, but we never pass those costs on. We’re a family and we’ll always provide what we can.”
      Tell us about your inspiration grass roots club. Email us at footieforall@the-sun.co.uk More

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      in Motorsport

      Inside Formula 1 drivers’ luxury car collections – including Max Verstappen’s James Bond car and Hamilton’s £13m garage

      by

      FORMULA 1 drivers definitely live life in the fast lane – on and off the track.As some of the highest-paid sports stars in the world, they have huge mansions, designer outfits, and an impressive supercar collection to show for it.
      Lewis Hamilton shows off his Mercedes-Benz GLC SUVCredit: LewisHamilton/twitter
      Carlos Sainz with his Ferrari 600 LT SpyderCredit: mclarenautomotive/facebook
      And as many of them have shown, driving for some of the world’s biggest carmakers like Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Mercedes-Benz comes with incredible perks.
      Just ask Lewis Hamilton, whose partnership with Mercedes has netted him some of the manufacturers’ most amazing vehicles.
      Here, we take a peek into the garage of some of Formula 1’s biggest stars to see what they drive when they are not competing on the grid.
      Sergio Perez
      Sergio’s private car collection is said to be worth £4.3millionCredit: Rex
      His Bugatti Chiron cost a mind-blowing £2.5millionCredit: bugatti
      Although Sergio is yet to win a major championship, he’s still one of the most recognisable Formula 1 stars and is the fourth highest-paid driver on the grid right now.
      READ MORE ON F1
      The Mexican reportedly has five luxury cars to his name including a Bugatti Chiron, which retails from a mind-blowing £2.5million.
      Other cars in his collection include a McLaren 720S, a Mercedes Benz AMG, a Porsche Panamera, and a BMW X7.
      In total, the Red Bull racer’s cars are said to be worth over £4.3million.
      Charles Leclerc
      Charles Leclerc is one of the richest stars on the grid todayCredit: AP
      His vast collection includes a Rolls Royce WraithCredit: AFP
      Monte Carlo-born Charles is one of the grid’s most talented stars, with an estimated net worth of £42.5million after signing a deal with Ferrari in 2019.
      Most read in Motorsport
      He has one of the most impressive collections of private vehicles said to be worth £5.6million, including the powerful Bugatti Chiron and a Rolls Royce Wraith, worth £811,180.
      He also has a Ferrari GTC4 in his garage, which reportedly set him back £689,000, and a McLaren GT, which retails at £649,000.
      But that’s not all – the 25-year-old owns a Ferrari F8, a Land Rover Discovery, and a Jaguar XF.
      Max Verstappen
      Max’s collection is inspired by James BondCredit: Max33Verstappen/twitter
      Max also owns an Aston Martin Valkyrie, said to give drivers an F1 experienceCredit: Reuters
      The Red Bull driver is one of the highest-paid stars in Formula 1 and has a private car collection inspired by James Bond.
      Max owns a 007-type DB11, a follow-up to the DB10, driven by the fictional secret agent in Spectre.
      The Dutchman is reported to have added an Aston Martin Valkyrie to his collection. According to reports, the vehicle is priced at a whopping £2.1million.
      The manufacturer’s website describes the car as the closest anyone will get to having the Formula 1 experience on the road.
      Lewis Hamilton
      The Mercedes-Benz driver has several cars made by his teamCredit: MercedesAMGF1/twitter
      He says he no longer drives many of his supercars for environmental reasonsCredit: Xposure
      As a seven-time champion, it is no surprise that Lewis Hamilton likes to travel in style with a collection of some of the most luxurious vehicles.
      He has owned a 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and a Ferrari LaFerrari.
      But these days, he prefers to be a bit more low-key as he takes the environment into consideration.
      In 2020, he told Reuters: “I don’t drive any of the cars that I own anymore. I only drive my [electric Mercedes] EQC.”
      It’s been reported that he also has a Mercedes-Benz G63, a GLC SUV, a McLaren P1, and a Pagani Zonda 760. According to reports, his private car collection is worth over £13.8million.
      Carlos Sainz
      Carlos Sainz has proudly shared snaps of his McLaren 720S on social mediaCredit: mclarenautomotive/facebook
      The star also has a McLaren 600 LT SpyderCredit: mclarenautomotive/facebook
      Carlos’ net worth is estimated to be £6.4million, meaning he has the means of securing himself an enviable car collection.
      It includes a Ferrari 812 Competizione, worth nearly £488,000.
      The Ferrari driver also has two McLarens – a 720S and a 600 LT Spyder – and has proudly shared snaps of them on social media.
      At £177,310, his Ferrari Roma is the least expensive vehicle in his possession.
      Fernando Alonso
      Fernando has several supercars including a McLaren
      Before switching teams from Alpine to Aston Martin, Fernando, 41, used to travel around in an Alpine A110 but has since upgraded.
      He now drives an Aston Martin DBX luxury SUV, which Fernando says is his dream car – the car doesn’t come cheap either, with the 2022 version boasting a starting price of £158,000.
      According to Slash Gear, the Spaniard’s garage includes a La Ferrari, a Porsche 918 Spyder, and a McLaren P1, which costs a staggering £895,000.
      Other cars in his collection are a Maserati GranCabrio, and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fernando Alonso Edition, which only had 40 units and typically sells for £244,000.
      Lance Stroll
      Lance Stroll is worth £41.6million and and owns a range of supercarsCredit: Splash
      His Ferrari California set him back a staggering £290,000Credit: Alamy
      Although Lance Stroll is worth £41.6million, his father Lawrence, who is a part owner and executive chairman of Aston Martin has a £2.4billion wealth.
      Lance’s car collection is one of the most incredible and is said to include a Ferrari California, which set him back £290,000.
      The Canadian also owns a Lamborghini Huracan, a Mercedes Benz AMG GT-R, and an Aston Martin Vantage, which is sold for about £131,000.
      His father, on the other hand, has a £50million Ferrari 250 GTO – the world’s most expensive car, and a £200million superyacht.
      Lando Norris
      Lando Norris has been living a glam life ever since swapping the UK for MonacoCredit: Getty
      Lando drives a powerful McLaren 720S, with a £248,800 price tagCredit: Getty
      He was seen driving a Fiat 500 Jolly in MonacoCredit: Norrislandofans/twitter
      He left the UK for Monaco when he got an extension to his McLaren deal last year and has been living the glam life ever since.
      Lando’s supercars includes a £248,800 McLaren 720S, which has the capability to go from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph.
      Staying loyal to his team, he also owns a McLaren 570 GT, which comes with a £169,000 price tag.
      He isn’t all about the big cars, however – he has been spotted driving around Monaco in a cute Fiat 500 Jolly, which has sparked a ton of memes and TikTok videos.
      Valtteri Bottas
      Valtteri Bottas has a £25million fortune and a number of carsCredit: EPA
      Valtteri owns a McLaren 765LT, which sells for £310,000
      Vatlterri, 33, who spent most of his career at Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate, has a £25million fortune in his own right and takes home £8.6million a year driving for Alfa Romeo.
      It’s no surprise then that he can afford a car collection that includes a McLaren 765LT Spyder, which goes for £310,000.
      There’s also a Mercedes Benz AMG GT Black Series for nearly £286,000, and an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifogilo for £74,736
      The least expensive car in the Finnish racer’s collection is a Mercedes AMG C63 for £69,000.
      George Russell
      George Russell with his Mercedes AMG GT that cost £97,000Credit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      He also owns a Mercedes C63 S Coupe and posted a picture on social media of him washing itCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      As a driver for Mercedes, George, 25, has an array of supercars he could choose from, including his Mercedes AMG GT, which costs £97,000.
      Powered by a 4.0 litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, it can go from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 and has a top speed of 190 mph.
      Read More on The Sun
      The British racer also owns a Mercedes C63 S Coupe which is on the market for £63,482.
      He has even shared pictures of himself on social media washing the car himself by hand. More

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      in Soccer

      I appeared on Soccer AM and it was the greatest day of my life – Sky shouldn’t axe this icon and here’s why

      by

      JUST when I thought I had avoided a full-blown mid-life crisis, Sky have axed Soccer AM.After three decades “All Aboard The Showboat” we are being forced to disembark.
      It had taken me six years to get over the departure of former host, Helen Chamberlain — and now this?Credit: PA:Press Association
      The Luther Blissett stand will fall silent for ever after the final show goes out on May 27 – Gordon on show in 2013 with Helen, James Corden and Max Rushden
      Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlain in 2003 on the show’s sofaCredit: Rex
      The Luther Blissett stand — the studio audience’s enclosure — will fall silent for ever after the final show goes out on May 27.
      It had taken me six years to get over the departure of former host, Helen “Hells Bells” Chamberlain — and now this?
      It feels like my team has gone into administration, failing to find a billionaire buyer. We’ve had points deducted, been relegated, lost a derby to our local rivals and been bought by a dodgy consortium.
      There’s no chance VAR has cocked this one up — the referee’s decision is final. In football terms, the clearout has started. Big Sam Allardyce won’t be getting the call to save the day.
      The veteran on and off-screen team — who have entertained us through four decades — have failed to survive the dreaded vote of no confidence from Sky executives.
      It’s not even a fire sale of the big names. They are all being unceremoniously turfed out for a younger, fresher, social media-focused format.
      Magical camaraderie
      The Sun broke the news online yesterday with a heavy heart — yet another TV institution running its course.
      The loyal, hard-working and passionate team have been told they will be made redundant at the end of this season — with only ten more shows to go.
      Most read in Football
      In a statement colder than a wet Wednesday in Stoke, Sky said: “Soccer AM has played an important role in our coverage of football for the past three decades, and we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our customers.
      “We now go into a period of consultation to discuss the proposed changes with our people. We are unable to provide more detail while these consultations are underway.”
      Soccer Saturday anchor and pal of the show, Jeff Stelling, will be seething. Chris Kamara has definitely said: “Unbelievable, Jeff!”
      The fabric of this fine country is held together by football, and Soccer AM has long been the unofficial starting whistle for weekend shenanigans for lads (and lassies) like me since 1995.
      The love affair started with Hells Bells and Tim Lovejoy back in the 90s. Like the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, or peak Chris Evans with TFI Friday, you felt like you were part of the gang.
      I’ll never forget the first time former Rangers defender Scott Wilson came up to me in a nightclub and said I had something on my shoe. I raised my heel and he said, “Oh sailor!”
      That infantile banter was stolen straight from Soccer AM and repeated around the country on a daily basis, until the jokes wore thin and they found a new one.
      If you’ve ever heard “taxi!” shouted at any football occasion (when somebody has shamed themselves on the pitch) THAT came from Soccer AM.
      Third Eye, Nutmeg Files, Sky Spoof News, Skill Skool — if you know the show, they immediately bring a smile to your face.
      The Crossbar Challenge — attempt to hit it with a shot from the halfway line — is one of the greatest games invented for football teams at any level.
      The word “tekkers”, for sublime technique, was popularised on Saturday mornings, signposting an amazing display of talent.
      It hasn’t been without controversy. I’d argue that’s the sign of any good show.
      The Soccerettes — young women who were the subject of the male presenter’s innuendos — ceased to be in 2015.
      They were out of date in the post-lads mag world. It was time to go and the show evolved. Fans of the week, Colonel & Ginger, Frankie Fryer away days, Tubes’ Question and rap, the end of season dance-off — they were all TV gold for my generation.
      The sketches with the original team made the show essential viewing through my teens and 20s – pictured John with Helen
      Noel Gallagher, who loved the show, and Jimmy ‘Bully’ Bullard appearing on Soccer AMCredit: Sky
      The sketches with the original team — John Fendley, Joe “Sheephead” Worsley, Robbie “The Tramp” Knox, Peter Dale and James Long — made the show essential viewing through my teens and 20s.
      Then, in my 30s and now 40s, with Fenners — AKA John Fendley, the current co-host — taking the reins with Jimmy Bullard, and ace comedian Lloyd Griffiths for a few years, I’ve fallen in love with it all over again alongside my teenage son on the sofa.
      Soccer AM still pulls great guests and it should be admired for shining a light on new music talent. It’s not just about football, it’s about the bands that soundtracked our weekends, and so many of the show’s clever collages of video clips.
      We still quote Bob Bradley, Fenners’ pastiche of a US soccer coach. Yorkshire News and Barry Proudfoot sketches still make me laugh.
      Fenners’ voiceover and lip sync to old pictures of Gary Lineker and Alan Smith at Leicester in the ’80s makes me laugh every week. Without sounding too much like Alan Hansen and his infamous “You’ll win nothing with kids . . . ”
      Match Of the Day barb about Sir Alex Ferguson’s Class of ’92, I don’t see where the new show will recreate that magical camaraderie.
      Saturday morning without Fenners and Bully laughing at hapless fans failing to hit “top bins” — positioned in the upper corners of the goalmouth — will be like getting in the team bath with your socks still on. It will feel so wrong.
      It’s the kind of emotional turmoil a man in his 40s, who still thinks he’s in his 20s and dresses like it’s the ’90s, just can’t process without careering off the rails.
      Critics will say the show’s been slipping down the leagues for years, but I admire the way it has evolved.
      We’ve grown to love the effervescent Jimmy “Bully” Bullard.
      Producer turned show star Peter Dale — “Tubes” to the uninitiated — has survived a heart attack and alcoholism, for heaven’s sake. We lived through that with him. He is our North Star, but he is going, too.
      Last night former star Rocket, real name James Long and the face of show segment Skill Skool, posted on Twitter: “End of an era!”
      Former host, now TalkSport presenter, Andy Goldstein added: “Honoured to have been a part of it, all be it for just a season (a bit like Cantona at Leeds) Tim and Helen were incredible. To be a fan for so long and then sit on the orange sofa was the stuff of dreams.”
      I was very lucky to take part in the car park challenge twice, in 2011 and 2013.
      My first outing, dressed in full Scotland kit, witnessed one of the greatest moments of my life — right up there with my kids being born. I rolled the ball up the inside of my leg, then hit on the half volley as it dropped. Wallop! I’d dreamed of doing that for 15 years — straight through.
      It was only usurped by Sergio Pizzorno from Kasabian, who flicked it up in a pair of winklepickers then volleyed it clean through the inflatable Wembley Arch.
      All the more impressive when you knew he hadn’t been to bed the night before.
      That was the magic — Soccer AM had authentic rock’n’roll spirit that will be hard to replace.
      The Gallagher brothers loved the show, and Hollywood stars such as The Rock were more than happy to get involved in the Pro-Am.
      Sky are hoping a new phoenix will emerge from the flames with those painful words middle-aged men fear, “whilst hoping to attract a younger audience . . . ”
      It all feels a bit like that journeyman footballer when his legs have gone.
      Remember Gary Neville’s last game at Manchester United? He was knackered, the legs gave in and even for his biggest detractors, there was something sad about seeing him hauled off by Sir Alex Ferguson in the first half.
      But I believe there’s still room for an Indian summer for Soccer AM — the format is too good to give up.
      Read More on The Sun
      Paul Gascoigne on the long-running Sky Sports showCredit: Sky
      Simon Le Bon with Asim Chaudhry on Soccer AM in 2021
      Kasabian star Sergio Pizzorno also made an appearance More

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      I was a Soccer AM Soccerette TWICE – it was great fun for models like me but I have a different view of it now

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      I LOVED watching Soccer AM so much that I appeared as a Soccerette twice.The weekend show was perfect when you had a hangover from a night out and was essential viewing for a football fan like me.
      I was a Soccer AM Soccerette TWICE – it was great fun for models like me, says Peta Todd
      Peta Todd believes the end of Soccer AM is a sign of the timesCredit: Louis Wood
      I wouldn’t take my kit off on television now, but back then I was a model and was glad to be invited on.
      I enjoyed it enough to return to show off my West Ham top for a second time.
      The hosts were always great to work with – it was always fun.
      I wasn’t the only one who wanted to be on Soccer AM.
      READ MORE ON SOCCER AM
      The calibre of guests such as Wayne Rooney shows how popular it was.
      Soccer AM was the first time I really felt that a female host was holding their own on a football show.
      Torquay United fan Helen Chamberlain was a trailblazer for women in sports presenting.
      There weren’t that many female pundits 30 years ago and few are as well respected as her.
      Most read in Football
      She was able to hold her own with all the banter of those laddish men.
      If there was nonsense going on, she would put her foot down.
      A lot of people will be nostalgic about Soccer AM and it is a shame it is ending.
      But it was a show that thrived in the 1990s and I don’t think it would get commissioned now.
      Its main problem is that younger audiences prefer to watch YouTube shows or listen to podcasts.
      The end of Soccer AM is a sign of the times. More

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      Where Soccer AM’s Soccerettes are now, from glamour models and talkSPORT host to Hollyoaks star and Big Brother winner

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      WITH cult classic football show Soccer AM set to be axed, SunSport takes a look back at one of its most iconic features – Soccerettes. The skit was scrapped in 2015 but saw a wide variety of future stars throughout its runtime.
      Soccer AM is set to be axedCredit: Sky
      From TV presenters to glamour models and actresses to Big Brother winners, the section etched its place into British TV history.
      But where are some of the most memorable Soccer AM Soccerettes now?
      Natalie Sawyer
      Natalie Sawyer appeared on Soccer AM in a Brentford shirt and now works at TalkSport
      Starting off, Natalie Sawyer made more than one appearance on Soccer AM during her 18 years working at Sky Sports.
      The now talkSPORT radio presenter and podcast host represented Brentford on the show, but back then promotion to the Premier League was a dream for any Bees fan.
      READ MORE ON SOCCER AM
      Natalie had been married to ITV commentator Sam Matterface until 2014. However, since 2015 she has been in a relationship with former Leeds and Brentford midfielder Jonathan Douglas.

      Gemma Atkinson
      Actress and former glamour model Gemma Atkinson appeared on Soccer AM in a Bury shirt in 2007
      Former TV Soap star Gemma Atkinson has forged a multi-faceted career which includes a 2007 appearance on Soccer AM, in which she donned a Bury shirt.
      Gemma appeared on both Emmerdale and Hollyoaks and has worked as a glamour model, before also adding Strictly Come Dancing to her CV.
      While on Strictly she met current partner Gorka Márquez, and she is now expecting her second child in the summer.
      Most read in Football
      Jennifer Metcalfe
      Jennifer Metcalfe is still one of the biggest stars on Hollyoaks now
      Jennifer Metcalfe made her Soccer AM debut while adorning a Bradford shirt.
      The Soap star is best known for roles as Mercedes McQueen and Jade Nicholls in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale respectively.
      She is mother to five-year-old Daye, but has admitted she would love to give him a sibling.
      Lucy Pinder
      Lucy Pinder wore a Southampton shirt. She later appeared on lad mags including FHM and Loaded
      Former glamour model Lucy Pinder was an instant hit on Soccerettes as she represented Southampton during her appearance.
      Lucy appeared in lad mags such as Nuts, FHM and Loaded, and also made an appearance on Big Brother in 2009.
      She has also dabbled in acting, with appearances in movies such as Sharknado 5.
      Chantelle Houghton
      Chantelle Houghton wore a yellow Arsenal shirt when on the SoccerettesCredit: Soccer AM
      She shot to fame after winning Big Brother in 2006Credit: Olivia West – The Sun
      Chantelle Houghton shot to fame after winning Big Brother in 2006 as a non-celeb.
      But before this she had been on Soccer AM with a yellow Arsenal shirt. She would later appear on Come Dine With Me.
      Chantelle has a daughter, ten-year-old Dolly, with ex-partner Alex Reid.
      Tamsin Greenway
      Tamsin Greenway appeared on Soccer AM with a shirt reading ‘unbelievable tekkers’Credit: Sky
      Greenway won bronze in the 2010 Commonwealth gamesCredit: Empics Sport
      Tamsmin Greenway appeared on Soccer AM in a Leicester City shirt, before it was removed to reveal a shirt which said “unbelievable tekkers”.
      The former England Netball star won bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. She is now the head coach of Scotland.
      Greenway has two children, Jeane and Casey, born in 2013 and 2019 respectively.
      Kelly Kelly
      Wrestler Kelly Kelly made a special appearance in 2007Credit: Sky
      After retiring from WWE in 2012 she became an influencerCredit: Twitter @TheBarbieBlank
      Wrestler Kelly Kelly, real name Barbie Blank, also made an appearance on Soccer AM.
      The former WWE star made an appearance on the show back in 2007.
      The blonde bombshell left WWE in 2012 and became an influencer.
      Louise Cliffe
      Former Miss Manchester Louise Cliffe went on to appear on Big Brother
      Former Miss Manchester Louise Cliffe appeared on Soccer AM as a Manchester United Soccerette in 2011.
      The 36-year-old model went on to appear on Big Brother that same year.
      She got together with Jay McKray in the house, who she married and split up with a year later.
      Later, in 2016, she announced she was dating another one of her Big Brother housemates, Stuart Pilkington, and expecting a baby with him.
      The couple are still together and have two children, Eli, six, and Ezra, four. Louise now works as a body piercer.
      Peta Todd
      Peta Todd was just 21 when she was on Soccer AM
      Former Page 3 girl Peta Todd was just 21 when she first appeared on Soccer Am, supporting West Ham – and it wasn’t her last.
      She’d just come back from Afghanistan where she was supporting the troops with charity Help For Heroes.
      Over the years Peta has raised thousands for the charity, through endeavours like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, skydiving and running the London Marathon in 2010.
      In 2010, she received an award for outstanding contribution to the charity, which included a personal meeting with Prince William.
      Read More on The Sun
      Peta has been married to cyclist Mark Cavendish since 2013. They have four children together, Delilah, 10, Casper, four, seven-month-old Astrid, and Frey, seven, who has special educational needs after he developed sepsis as a baby.
      She also has a son, Finnbar, 16, from a previous relationship. More

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      Losing baby Angel wasn’t our first tragedy – we had three miscarriages, reveals Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodriguez

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      IT’S almost a year since Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez welcomed their daughter Bella Esmeralda into the world in a very bittersweet way, with the tragic loss of Bella’s twin brother Angel.And Spanish influencer Georgina, 29, has now revealed she had suffered three miscarriages before.
      Georgina Rodriguez said: ‘I was very afraid at each ultrasound. I felt very tense because I’d had three previous miscarriages and I came home in pieces’Credit: Reuters
      The couple on Instagram with the ultrasound scan of their unborn twins
      She says: “Every time I went to the gynaecologist’s at night I had nightmares because I was worried about what position they would be in, what the delivery would be like, if it would be a Caesarean section.
      “I was very afraid at each ultrasound. I felt very tense because I’d had three previous miscarriages and I came home in pieces.”
      She describes her visits to the gynaecologist as “horrible, because I was always vomiting”.
      Soon after Georgina gave birth in April 2022, she and Ronaldo, 38, announced Angel’s death as they paid tribute online.
      Read More on Georgina Rodriguez
      He wrote on social media: “It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away. It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel.
      ‘You ask yourself how you’ll carry on’
      “Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness.
      “We would like to thank the doctors and nurses for all their expert care and support.
      “We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time.
      Most read in Football
      “Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you.”
      Georgina makes her shock revelations in the new series of Netflix documentary I Am Georgina, which is set to premiere on Friday.
      As well as Bella, she shares daughter Alana, three, with Ronaldo, while the former Manchester United star also has son Cristiano Jr, 12 — whose mother’s identity he has never revealed — and four-year-old twins Eva and Mateo, who he had with an American surrogate.
      Georgina, who treats all of Ronaldo’s brood as her own, says she didn’t immediately tell her other children that Angel had not survived, instead saying he would be born a little later than his sister.
      She says: “They were born on Easter Monday. The most-awaited moment arrives and your heart stops.
      “Bella was born strong and healthy but a piece of my heart shattered.
      “You ask yourself how you’re going to carry on. I wasn’t prepared to accept or recognise what had happened to me and I wasn’t ready to tell my children about it.
      “As I still had a belly, I told them that Angel was still going to wait a bit to be born, until Cris told them that Angel was in Heaven. That was a dose of reality.”
      Ronaldo has previously spoken of the challenging conversations he had to have with his other children when they returned home from hospital without Angel.
      The smiling family with their new addition, their daughter Bella
      Ronaldo holds the couple’s new baby Bella
      He told Piers Morgan on TalkTV: “In the beginning Gio (Georgina) arrived home and the kids start to say, ‘Where’s the other baby?’
      “I had a conversation with Cristiano (Junior) on the day, because he’s 12 years old, he knows, understands everything, and I had a nice conversation with him.
      “We cried together in his bedroom and explained and he does understand, but in the same way he was a little bit confused.
      “The other ones in the beginning, the kids start to say, ‘Mum, where is the other baby, blah blah blah’. And you know, she had a little bit of a belly because they had two, it’s a hard process.
      “And after one week I say, ‘Let’s be up front and let’s be honest with the kids, let’s say that Angel, they go to Heaven’.”
      Before Georgina returned home from hospital, her sister Ivana helped by removing the cot, Moses cradle and teddy bear that Georgina had prepared for Angel at the Cheshire home where the family were then living.
      This year they moved to Saudi Arabia, after Ronaldo signed for Riyadh club Al-Nassr.
      And after the turmoil of the last year Georgina has found that being a mum to Bella has provided some comfort.
      She says: “She has managed to fill to some extent that hole that is present in my life.
      “When she’s older and we tell her what happened, she will be very proud of what she has achieved.”
      But she continues: “I will never be the same person again. Every time I look at Bella I ask myself, ‘Would Angel be like that?’
      “The truth is I feel I am not ready to think about it, as if I still haven’t accepted it.
      “I always say to my children, ‘Your little brother is in the sky, he doesn’t want to walk, he wants to fly. Every time you look at the sky, think of him’.”
      There are other reminders of Angel for Georgina and Ronaldo.
      In the documentary, Georgina is filmed getting a tattoo done, thought to be in memory of Angel, and Ronaldo has said he keeps his son’s ashes with him in the house, as well as those of his father José, who died of liver failure in 2005.
      ‘We are a nice couple and we help each other’
      The couple met when Georgina was working as a £10-an-hour sales assistant at the Gucci shop in Madrid, and she has previously said it was “love at first sight”.
      They were first seen together going on a string of dates towards the end of 2016.
      In the new Netflix series Georgina, who now has 47 million followers on Instagram, thanks her partner for his “unconditional support and love” and helping her through one of the toughest periods of her life.
      She adds: “Cris really encouraged me to continue with my agenda.
      “He said, ‘Gio, get on with your life, it’ll do you good’.
      “He has played a really important role. Gods put the right people in your path.”
      Likewise, Ronaldo has spoken about the support that Georgina has given him.
      He said: “She’s very mature for this age. We help each other sometimes when I’m a little bit down she pushes me up and I do it the other side.
      “So we are a nice couple and we help each other, so I’m really pleased that she’s on my side.”
      For now, it seems Georgina is trying to be as strong as she can for the sake of herself and her family.
      She says: “Life’s hard, life goes on. I have reasons to move on and be strong. My priority right now is my family and my children. I’m so happy and thankful.”
      Having taken on the mother role for all of Ronaldo’s children, Georgina says she feels “like a super mum, and Superwoman”.
      But for now at least, it doesn’t sound as if they will be having any more kids.
      Ronaldo, the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s football, has said that he and Georgina are content with their family set-up and plan to enjoy their time with their children while they are little.
      He said: “I’m not thinking more kids now, I think we are done, but we never know the future, only God knows.
      “But right now we all want to have a break to enjoy these ones because they are little. We want to enjoy a little bit of these ones. Let’s see in the future.”
      However, marriage does sound like it is on the cards, as Ronaldo says it would be his mum Maria’s dream to see him and Georgina walk down the aisle.
      “We’ll be (married) one day, for sure,” he said.
      “It’s my mum’s dream as well, so one day. Why not? It’s great.”
      And he said of Georgina: “She’s my friend. We have conversations. I open the heart for her and she opens the heart for me.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I’m not thinking now about that but I can see in the future I think I deserve, she deserves.
      “But it’s something that’s not coming now in my plans but in the future is yes, I want.”
      Tearful Georgina breaks down on the show
      Georgina and Cristiano united in 2019Credit: Splash News More