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      Biggest bromances in football, including Rice and Mount and Messi’s emotional note when Suarez left Barcelona

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      THESE are the ballers who became bezzies.While there are relationships in any team, from centre-back partnerships to strike duos, this lot took things much further.
      Childhood friends Mason Mount and Declan Rice have emerged as one of football’s biggest bromancesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Here, SunSport rounds up football’s biggest mates.Messi & Suarez
      In the summer of 2020, Uruguay ace Luis Suarez said an emotional goodbye to his team-mates and cleared out his locker in the dressing room after six seasons at the Nou Camp.
      He was joined by an emotional Leo Messi, who slammed the club’s treatment of his pal in the past, to wish Suarez all the best at rivals Atletico Madrid.
      Messi even took time to share a snap of the pair together one final time in the dressing room, and you can bet there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
      He captioned the photo: “I was already getting the idea but today I entered the locker room and the card really fell.
      “How difficult it is going to be not to continue sharing the day to day with you, both on the pitch and outside. We will miss you so much. It was many years, many mates, lunches, dinners … Many things that will never be forgotten, every day together.
      “It will be strange to see you with another shirt and much more to face you. You deserved to be fired as what you are: one of the most important players in the club’s history, achieving important things both as a group and individually.
      Lionel Messi poses with Luis Suarez in the Nou Camp dressing room one final timeCredit: Instagram
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      “And not to get kicked out like they did. But the truth is that at this point nothing surprises me.
      “I wish you all the best in this new challenge. I love you very much, I love you very much. See you soon friend.”
      Later that summer Messi shocked the world by announcing he wanted to quit the club himself. Eventually he stayed, but left a year later anyway when Barcelona could not afford to pay his wages.
      Lingard & Rashford
      FROM quirky handshakes to holiday snaps, the two stars regularly give the world an insight into their bond through social media.
      Jesse Lingard once said he saw Marcus Rashford, five years his junior, as a little brother in the United squad, before moving on to Nottingham Forest.
      Jesse Lingard sees Marcus Rashford as like his little brother and nicknamed him ‘beansprouts’Credit: Instagram @marcusrashford
      He has nicknamed him ‘beansprouts’ and says their friendship stemmed from defending him during a feisty Manchester derby in 2016.
      “He got into a little bit of beef and I had to be there for him, and from then it’s carried on and I’ll always be there for him no matter what,” Lingard said.Lovren & Salah
      FOR Dejan Lovren and Mohamed Salah, there was an instant connection.
      When Salah arrived at Liverpool in 2017, the two men discussed their tough upbringings and, from there, they were virtually inseparable.
      Lovren revealed: “From day one, we felt this connection.
      Dejan Lovren and Mohamed Salah had an instant connection at LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association
      “We have been talking a lot, we were talking about private things and we have a similar background, a tough life from the beginning.
      “And then with his normality, how he can talk to you and when you see how he thinks… we are good friends, coffee, jokes!”
      Lovren now plays for Lyon while Salah is still starring at Anfield.Alli & Dier
      WHEN Dele Alli signed for Tottenham from Milton Keynes Dons in 2015, he quickly bonded with his fellow newbie.
      Eric Dier had signed from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon and the two quickly formed a friendship that culminated in appearing alongside each other on the Gogglebox sofa.
      Dele Alli and Eric Dier became close mates at Tottenham and ended up on Gogglebox togetherCredit: Channel 4
      The Channel 4 programme gave fans an insight into their friendship as the pair bickered over a cuppa on telly.
      But they’re not afraid to talk about their bond either, with Dele once saying: “Love’s a strong word but we do really like each other.”
      Dier has become a first team regular at Spurs, while Alli was sold to Everton. He has since tried to rebuild his career on loan in Turkey.Pogba & Lukaku
      IF it wasn’t for ‘Agent Paul Pogba’, Romelu Lukaku wouldn’t have ended up at Manchester United.
      In the summer of 2017, when the Belgian was choosing between a transfer to Chelsea and United, he was holidaying with Pogba in an LA mansion.
      There was little doubt where he would end up.
      Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku holidayed together in LA before the Belgian signed for Man United
      After that, the two superstars were virtually inseparable, hanging out, playing basketball and sharing private jets.
      The bromance was brought to an end in 2019 when Lukaku switched to Inter Milan. Pogba has since left the Red Devils for Juventus, while Lukaku is back on loan with Inter after flopping at Chelsea. Perhaps they can enjoy a nice Italian together at least now.
      Aubameyang & Lacazette
      THEY were always Gunner be mates.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed for Arsenal in January 2018 and immediately struck up a friendship with fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette.
      Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang formed a partnership both on and off the pitch at ArsenalCredit: Reuters
      Aubameyang remembers: “I came to Arsenal and there he was. It was good to see him. It was love at first sight!”
      Their bond off the pitch helped them on it, with the duo helping the club win the FA Cup in 2020.
      However, the best buds have since moved.
      Aubameyang was first to go, after a fallout with manager Mikel Arteta, to Barcelona. He since moved to Chelsea.
      Lacazette returned to Lyon and is flying this season, even without his close pal at hand.
      Mount & Rice
      IT was in Chelsea’s academy, at the age of seven, that Mason Mount and Declan Rice began their friendship.
      Both families holidayed together and travelled Europe, watching the boys play for the Blues, and their bond endured Chelsea’s decision to release Rice at the age of 14 – which made Mount’s mum cry.
      Childhood mates Rice and Mount have gone on holiday together for many yearsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/masonmount10/?hl=en
      Now the two midfielders have been able to team up again while playing for their country after being selected by Gareth Southgate.
      And Mount provided the most hilarious video when he surprised a sleeping Rice while they were on holiday together.
      Kolasinac & Ozil
      IF any star has proved their bezzie loyalty it’s Sead Kolasinac to Mesut Ozil.
      In the face of knife-wielding moped thugs, Kolasinac leapt from Ozil’s car and defended his pal with whom he had formed a strong bond.
      Sead Kolasinac and Mesut Ozil became best buds at Arsenal while their wives have connected tooCredit: Instagram/ m10_officia
      Sead Kolasinac fought off moped muggers armed with a knifeCredit: Enterprise News and Pictures
      German Ozil vowed to take Kolasinac under his wing when he arrived at Arsenal in 2017, and since then the two men — and their wives — have become best friends.
      In the summer of 2019, both couples got married and attended each other’s wedding while the two men dyed their hair blonde after losing a bet.
      Ozil retired from the game this year, after a spell in Turkey. Kolasinac was sold to Marseille.
      Fabregas & Suarez & Messi
      IT is the friendship group football fans would dream to be a part of.
      Messi, Suarez and Cesc Fabregas, who all met at Barcelona, have formed a small clique of some of the world’s greatest footballing talent.
      Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Luis Suarez and their wives have become close friends and regularly holiday togetherCredit: Instagram @antonelaroccuzzo
      With their respective partners ⁠— Antonella Roccuzzo, Sofia Balbi and Daniella Semaan ⁠— all friends as well, the group regularly holiday together in giant luxury villas and yachts.
      There was even a suggestion in 2017 that the group racked up a £32,630 bill during a dinner on the Spanish island of Ibiza.Firmino & Coutinho
      THEIR time together at Anfield was relatively short but extremely sweet.
      Fellow Brazilians Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho formed a formidable partnership in Jurgen Klopp’s fierce attack.
      Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino formed a close bond while at Liverpool togetherCredit: Instagram, @roberto_firmino
      So it came as a blow to Firmino when Coutinho made the £142million switch to Barcelona in January 2018.
      Firmino said: “He made his decision to join Barcelona, but every time we play for the Seleção we have a chat and maintain that friendship.
      “He’s an exceptional guy – one of the best friends football has given me.”
      Coutinho returned to the Premier League with Aston Villa, so the pair rekindled their bromance.
      However, with Firmino leaving Anfield this summer, expect an emotional goodbye.
      Nolan & Carroll
      WHEN Andy Carroll was bailed for an assault charge in 2010, he turned to his best mate Kevin Nolan.
      Having become close friends at Newcastle, Nolan allowed his pal to live with his family on two conditions — reading Peppa Pig to his kids and being in bed by 11pm!
      Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll are such good mates that Nolan let Carroll live with himCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But it still came as some surprise when the former Liverpool striker named Nolan in his dream 5-a-side team alongside superstars such as Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.
      Nolan responded by saying: “Well, me and Andy are mates so he’s looking after his mucker!”And when bromances go bad… Owen and Shearer
      A lethal strike partnership, the darlings of England’s first-team, whose relationship spiralled from good mates to a public spat.
      Michael Owen’s autobiography Reboot: My Life lifted the lid on a bitter feud that began during his time at Newcastle.
      The two English heavyweights went toe-to-toe on Twitter after Owen’s book claimed Alan Shearer had questioned his professionalism at St. James’ Park.
      Shearer took aim at Owen by highlighting his hefty wages at Newcastle before Owen shot back by questioning Shearer’s loyalty to Newcastle.
      Let’s hope the other bezzies in this list aren’t slinging mud at each other in ten years’ time.
      Alan Shearer and Michael Owen’s friendship has fallen apart and spiralled into a public spatCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Footballers strange contract demands, from no space travel to weight clauses and free moves for Catalan independence

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      PLAYERS are valuable commodities.So when they thrash out contracts with the world’s biggest clubs, it’s important to get everything right and nothing’s left to chance.
      Footballers like Lionel Messi reportedly have bizarre clauses written into their contractsCredit: Getty
      But there are times when stipulations are put in place by player and club to protect their interests, to let them fulfil their hobbies, or managers just don’t trust them.
      SunSport looks back at the wackiest clauses added by players and clubs.Messi business
      Back in 2020, with Lionel Messi’s future STILL up in the air before his free transfer move to Paris Saint-Germain, talk of what he would look for in his new contract away from Barcelona began to surface.
      Some of the clauses in that deal were leaked by El Mundo.
      They included an agreement to learn how to speak Catalan, he must ‘adopt an adequate personal conduct and pace of life’ and not engage in doping, and if Catalonia became its own country he could leave on a free transfer.
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      Lew the outdoor adventurer
      When Robert Lewandowski was running down his contract at Borussia Dortmund both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were jostling for his signature.
      And in leaked documents, Real Madrid’s offer seemed far more lucrative.
      Alongside a £166,000-per-week deal and a £10m signing-on fee were several requests they didn’t want daredevil Lewandowski to do while he was their property.
      Skiing, paragliding, climbing, going on a motorboat and even riding a motorbike were big ‘no-nos’ for Madrid’s hierarchy… so that’s why signed for Bayern instead.
      Robert Lewandowski was able to continue his outdoor adventures at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      Reina toyed with
      When negotiating a contract, it’s important to be 100 per cent clear about what is being stipulated.
      When German forward Giuseppe Reina moved to Arminia Bielefeld in 1996, he demanded the club build him a house for every year of his contract.
      The club accepted.
      However, Reina didn’t specify what size he required.
      And Arminia provided him with a house made of Lego for the next three years.
      Giuseppe Reina in action for Arminia Bielefeld, who only joined under strict circumstances
      Redondo locked out
      Former Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder Fernando Redondo was excluded from Argentina’s 1998 World Cup squad for a bizarre reason.
      Manager Daniel Passarella had refused to pick homosexuals or players with earrings and long hair.
      Redondo was ‘guilty’ of the latter.
      He said: “I was in great form. But Passarella had particular ideas about discipline and wanted me to have my hair cut.
      “I didn’t see what that had to do with playing football so I said no.”
      Fernando Redondo’s long hair cost him his international career
      Cooking up a treat
      Congolese midfielder Rolf-Christel Guie-Mien moved from Karlsruher to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1999.
      However, he had one simple request: that his new club pay for his wife to have cooking lessons.
      We’re not sure Mrs Guie-Mien took too kindly to this demand.
      She was not available for comment at the time.
      Rolf-Christel Guie-Mien made it very clear to his wife he kitchen skills needed improvement
      Brought down to Earth
      Swede Stefan Schwarz moved to Sunderland in 1999 — but the Wearsiders had one stipulation the former Arsenal man had to adhere to.
      Schwarz was told that any potential flights into space would not be tolerated.
      The Black Cats chief exec John Flicking said at the time: “One of Schwarz’s advisers has, indeed, got one of the places on the commercial flights [into space, due to take place in 2002].
      “And we were worried that he may wish to take Stefan along with him. So we thought we’d better get things tied up now rather than at the time of the flight.”
      In fact, rather than managing to go up, his career ended when Sunderland went down in 2003.
      Stefan Schwarz is presented as a Sunderland player, alongside Peter Reid in 1999
      Razor weighed down
      Former Premier League and England defender Neil Ruddock once admitted to eating 212 steak and kidney pies every year.
      And Crystal Palace were advised Razor did come with some extra baggage when they signed him on a free in 2000.
      Ex-Eagles chairman Simon Jordan wrote in his autobiography: “On approaching West Ham I discovered he was a free transfer, although he did have a weighty salary — which was not the only weighty thing about him.
      “Harry Redknapp, the West Ham manager at the time, told me to put in a weight clause.
      “So I decided to put a 10 per cent penalty on the contract we were proposing to offer him if he was over the recommended weight of 99.8kg, which by the way was still frigging huge.”
      Ruddock’s Palace debut was allegedly delayed because the club couldn’t find a pair of shorts big enough for him.
      Neil Ruddock has never been one of the slimmest footballers
      Driving a Honda
      Japanese legend Keisuke Honda joined Botafogo in January 2020.
      But moving to Brazil’s crime-ridden city of Rio de Janeiro had the midfielder fearing for his safety.
      So he stipulated he would need an ARMOURED VEHICLE as part of the deal.
      More incredibly, Botafogo agreed.
      But his stay in South America did not last long and the now 36-year-old left the same year for Azerbaijan.
      Honda ended his career in Lithuania – and is now coach of Cambodia’s U23s.
      Keisuke Honda signed for Brazilian side Botafogo – but only after an unusual request was grantedCredit: AFP or licensors More

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      Footballers who were rich before becoming famous like Vialli, Bamford and the Sultan of Brunei’s nephew

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      THERE is a lot of money to be made in football.Indeed, even middle-of-the-road stars in England’s top flight are making £50,000 each week on average.
      Gianluca Vialli sadly passed away earlier this yearCredit: Instagram @lucavialli
      However, this lot were already from wealthy backgrounds before they made it to the big league.
      Let SunSport guide you through the football stars that were already swimming in riches and didn’t need the beautiful game.GIANLUCA VIALLI
      Chelsea and Italy legend Vialli was always recognised as a gentleman of the game.
      And it’s probably got to do with his upbringing.
      He was raised by his father, a self-made millionaire, in a 60-room castle called the Castello di Belgioioso in Cremona, along with four siblings.
      The Champions League and Serie A winner also loves a posh round of golf.
      He took part in the Alfred Dunhill links championship pro-am event, which is one of the richest golf tournaments played in Europe.
      He then worked alongside manager Roberto Mancini with the Italian national team.
      But Vialli tragically passed away earlier this year after a brave battle against cancer.
      Vialli grew up in a 60-room castle called the Castello di Belgioioso in CremonaCredit: Alamy
      Dignified Vialli had a far from modest upbringingCredit: Instagram @lucavialli
      Gianluca Vialli scores for Chelsea against Nottingham Forest in 1996Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      FRANK LAMPARD
      The interim Chelsea manager didn’t have to go into football, although it was an easy step for him to make.
      Lampard came from a football family, with uncle Harry Redknapp and dad Frank Lampard Snr showing him the way at West Ham United.
      He intended the posh Brentwood School in Essex that would’ve cost a fortune in school fees.
      There, he scored 11 GCSE’s and could’ve been an accountant, according to a former teacher.
      Frank Lampard went to posh Brentwood High SchoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      GERARD PIQUE
      Being formerly half of a celebrity couple (his ex-missus is Colombian singer Shakira), Barcelona defender Pique has made his own fortune.
      However, growing up life was easy for the defender who had a spell in England at Manchester United as a youth.
      He lived a comfortable existence in Catalonia. Dad Joan is a successful attorney and businessman, while mum Montserrat is the director of a hospital in Barcelona.
      Even Pique’s grandfather Amador Bernabeu was minted – as a former director of the La Liga champions.
      Gerard Pique’s dad Joan is a successful attorney and businessman, while mum Montserrat is the director of a hospital in BarcelonaCredit: Alamy
      FAIQ BOLKIAH
      Formerly of Leicester City, currently playing in Thailand for Chonburi, Bolkiah is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, who has a fortune estimated to be worth £15bn.
      His dad is Jefri Bolkiah, a brother of the oil tycoon, so that makes Faiq a member of their royal family and in line to receive a nice inheritance.
      At his 50th birthday, to impress his son, he hired Michael Jackson to play a private gig just for them.
      Faiq Bolkiah is a former Leicester City trainee and nephew of the Sultan of BruneiCredit: Instagram @fjbolkiah
      AL-SAADI GADDAFI
      The third son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Al-Saadi played for Perugia, Udinese and was on the books at Sampdoria.
      In 2011, he retired and became the commander of Libya’s Special Forces and led the army in the Libyan Civil War. In 2018, he was cleared of murder charges after he was extradited from Niger back to Libya.
      During his playing days he once employed Diego Maradona as a technical consultant, and Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson as his personal trainer.
      Al-Saadi Gaddafi was the son of Colonel GaddafiCredit: AFP – Getty
      Gaddafi played in Italy before becoming an army generalCredit: Getty – Contributor
      HUGO LLORIS
      The Spurs goalie comes from an affluent background.
      Growing up in Nice in the South of France, his mother was an attorney, while his dad was a banker.
      He took tennis lessons as a kid, and was ranked high in his age range as a youngster.
      It meant football played second fiddle in his life until the age of 13.
      Lloris famously played through the pain of losing his mum, refusing bereavement leave to play for Nice.
      Hugo Lloris could have been a tennis star instead of a footballerCredit: AFP – Getty
      ROBIN VAN PERSIE
      Wealthy and artisanal, Van Persie’s parents afforded the former Arsenal striker a comfortable life growing up in Rotterdam.
      His father Bob is a renowned artist and sculptor, while his mother Jose Ras is a painter, teacher and jewellery designer.
      Van Persie’s parents split up when he was younger, and he was a troublesome teen.
      His dad expected him to become an artist too.
      Robin Van Persie’s parents were artisticCredit: Instagram @robinvanpersie
      Mother Jose Ras is a painter, teacher and jewellery designerCredit: Instagram @robinvanpersie
      MARIO BALOTELLI
      The fiery Italian wasn’t born wealthy.
      Balotelli originally comes from Palermo and his parents were Ghanaian immigrants.
      But he was adopted by Francesco and Silvia Balotelli when his mum and dad couldn’t afford him.
      They were a wealthy pair, who lived in an affluent part of Brescia called Concesio.
      His birth and adoptive parents fought for custody, but it was decided it was in Balotelli’s best interests to stay put.
      Mario Balotelli was adopted when he was a kidCredit: Instagram @mb459
      Francesco and Silvia Balotelli lived wealthily in BresciaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      ANDREA PIRLO
      An elegant footballer and man, Pirlo learned about the finer things in life when he was a kid.
      His dad Luigi set up a steel company in Brescia in 1982, which Andrea still has a stake in.
      The former Juventus star enjoyed an upper class life, which he later put to use in his own way.
      Pirlo, who ended his career in the MLS, also owns his own vineyard, as rich people do.
      Andrea Pirlo learned about the finer things in life as a youngsterCredit: Instagram @andreapirlo21
      Today, refined Pirlo owns his own vineyardCredit: Instagram @andreapirlo21
      PATRICK BAMFORD
      He doesn’t have to play centre forward for Leeds, you know.
      Bamford isn’t your typical footballer, being a skilled violin and piano player and attended fee-paying Nottingham High School, got five A*s at GCSE and went on to study French, history and biology at A Level.
      Bamford was even offered a scholarship at Harvard in the US, who recognised his academic prowess.
      However, he’s not related to JCB founder Joseph Bamford, as was once claimed.
      Patrick Bamford went to private school and was offered a scholarship to HarvardCredit: Instagram @patrick_bamford
      Bamford is a not relative of JCB founder Joseph Bamford as was once claimedCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      KAKA
      Most of Brazil’s best footballers lead a life that tells a rags-to-riches tale. But former Ballon d’Or winner Kaka is different.
      He was raised by father Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite, who was an engineer, while his mother Simone dos Santos was a school teacher.
      It has been reported that Kaka lived comfortably, and wasn’t raised in poverty like many of his teammates for his country.
      Brazilian legend Kaka lived a comfortable existence growing upCredit: Instagram @kaka
      Kaka’s father Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite was an engineerCredit: Instagram @kaka More

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      Fabio Paim was dubbed ‘better than Cristiano Ronaldo’ but love of cars and disastrous loan to Chelsea ended his career

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO marked people’s cards when he first arrived at Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon.He cheekily said to those around at the time: “If you think I’m good, wait until you see Fabio Paim.”
      Fabio Paim was supposed to be a bigger star than Cristiano Ronaldo
      The attacking midfielder was at Sporting Lisbon the same time as RonaldoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Incredibly, Paim was more highly regarded at Lisbon than either Ronaldo or now-Wolves star Joao Moutinho.
      Ronaldo has established himself as one of the greatest players in history with 198 international caps as Moutinho closes in on 150 matches for his country.
      Unfortunately for Paim, despite winning 42 international caps at youth level for Portugal’s Under-16’s all the way through to the Under-21’s, he faded completely into obscurity.
      He didn’t earn a single senior international cap, and as he admitted, he didn’t deserve to either.
      Because Paim’s story is an educational one for youth players who get bumper contracts when they’re kids and think they’ve already made it.
      He joined Sporting at the age of six, and by 14 Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United were regularly checking on his progress.
      Even the French Football Federation offered him the chance to move to France so he could represent their country.
      To warn everybody off, Sporting tied Paim down on an £18,000 per week contract.
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      He was tied down to a £18,000 per week contract at the age of 16Credit: Getty – Contributor
      But he squandered it all on fast carsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      However, little did they know they would be sowing the seeds for his eventual downfall.
      He told Globoesporte in 2017: “I spent a lot of money on cars. I love cars. I spent lavishly on the ones I wanted. All of them.
      “Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Maserati and even a Punto. Every car you could imagine.
      “When you have a lot of money, you need a support system around you. I would have done it differently, if I could.
      “I knew what I was doing. I believed I had more talent than everyone else.
      “Like everyone, I wanted to feel good, wear nice clothing, drive a nice car and behave with no humility.
      “But, it’s normal, that’s what people work for, to be satisfied. On the field, I did what I had to, in order to retreat to my place. I spent time with people I wanted to and did what I wanted.
      “At the time, no one criticised me when things were going well. But when I stopped playing, they started pointing the finger. I just wanted to be with my cars.”
      Paim was born in the luxurious surroundings of Estoril, a famed luxury entertainment destination on the Portuguese Riviera.
      Paim had a loan spell at Chelsea in 2008Credit: Chelsea FC – Getty
      Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes acted on Paim’s behalfCredit: Reuters
      However, he didn’t come from money. Paim added: “I was not used to having money. When I started playing, I didn’t even have proper boots. I wasn’t ready for it.
      “I didn’t have what young players have now which is an example to follow. You need role models. I feel proud and a little ashamed to pass along this message to them.”
      After failing to break into the Sporting Lisbon team, super agent Jorge Mendes brokered a loan deal for Paim to try his luck at Chelsea in 2008.
      Playing for the Blues’ reserve side under Brendan Rodgers, it was hoped the move would kickstart his career again.
      But, if anything, it was the final nail in the coffin, as he revealed: “It was there where I stopped training and doing my work.
      “I started drinking. I had money and I started doing a lot of things I didn’t do before. The doors were open for me to do what I felt like.”
      After a season in West London he returned to Portugal and was eventually released by Sporting in 2010.
      Paim then became a footballing journeyman, joining 12 different clubs in seven different countries, playing in countries including Angola, Qatar, Malta and even Lithuania.
      More recently, he was looking for game time with Portuguese second division side, Leixoes S.C in 2018, before moving to fourth tier side AD Sao Pedro da Cova on a free.
      In 2019, Paim was arrested for possession of narcotics, but was later acquitted as wire-tapping is not admissible in a court of law.
      While there was hope Brendan Rodgers could get the best out of Paim at the BluesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      His career is now a case of what could’ve beenCredit: Instagram / @projetofabiopaim
      But Paim knows where he went wrong and where Ronaldo went right.
      He said: “At one point, I could do more than him but I did not have what he had, which is the strength and desire to be what I wanted to be.
      “He had a great work ethic and I didn’t have that. I had the quality, at least as much as him, but I did not have the rest.
      “I would have preferred to have less quality if I had more of the other part. I would have been one of the best in the world.
      “But, no one is born perfect. I thought having talent was enough but it’s not.” More

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      Marseille star Alexis Sanchez has incredible £750,000 fleet of supercars including two Bentleys and a Range Rover

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      FORMER Manchester United star Alexis Sanchez earned an eye-watering £350,000-a-week at Old Trafford.Although a lot of that cash appeared to have been spent on his pride and joy – golden retrievers Atom and Humber – the Chilean also splashed a lot of his hard-earned money on supercars.
      Ex-Man Utd star Alexis Sanchez has an impressive fleet of cars that includes this Bentley BentaygaCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The Chilean also has another Bentley – the Continental GTCredit: Mercury Press
      The 34-year-old has amassed an impressive collection of motors, with one such runaround en vogue for all top footballers, the Bentley Bentayga.
      Sanchez added the supercharged 4×4 to his collection ahead of the 2019-20 season.
      The ex-Manchester United forward, who has a love of all things on four wheels, also loves to drive fast – and has fallen foul of the law a couple of times over the years.
      In 2013, Sanchez escaped a massive crash on a motorway just outside Barcelona unhurt, with local media reporting that it was a “miracle” he was left without injury.
      The forward earned a staggering £350,000-a-week at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters
      Sanchez is also no stranger to chartering a private jet for him and his dogsCredit: Instagram / @alexis_officia1
      Sanchez poses with his pair of golden retrievers, Atom and HumberCredit: Instagram / @alexis_officia1
      Sanchez, who no wplays for Marseille, abandoned his Audi R8 in the middle of the road and was later questioned by police.
      Then, in 2017, Sanchez was banned from driving in Chile after he was caught speeding just outside of capital city Santiago.
      He was caught doing 155kmh (96mph) in a 120kmh (75mph) zone.
      Here’s the fleet of vehicles Sanchez has owned over the years…
      Sanchez cuddles Atom on a private planeCredit: Instagram / @alexis_officia1
      The two dogs love to travel in the skiesCredit: Instagram / @alexis_officia1
      Atom on a yacht off the coast of IbizaCredit: Instagram / @alexis_officia1
      Bentley Bentayga Black Edition – £160,000+
      If you were a top footballer and car lover in 2019, you had to have one of two cars, or both, in your collection – the Bentley Bentayga or the Rolls-Royce Wraith.
      Sanchez’s former Manchester United team-mates Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku plumped for the Roller, but Sanchez and Jesse Lingard went for the Bentayga.
      While Lingard gave all of his cars the custom touch, Sanchez opted to get the Black Edition of the SUV.
      The monster-sized Bentayga, capable of 0-60mph in four seconds and 187mph, starts at a whopping £160,000.
      The black edition is closer to £180,000, while we expect Sanchez to have picked top of the range extras that would push the price up even higher.
      Sanchez’s Bentley Bentayga is capable of 0-60 in just four seconds and has become a must-have for Premier League starsCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Bentley Continental GT – £150,000
      The Continental has long been a favourite for Prem players.
      It combines decadent luxury inside with the same engine under the hood of the Bentayga.
      While both cars are heavy, the slightly lighter Continental can get up over 200mph.
      Thhe Bentley Continental GT matches decadent luxury with sports car performanceCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Range Rover Sport – £60,000+
      Sanchez certainly loves his British cars, with a big white Range frequently seen close to his Cheshire home during his time at United.
      But the Range Rover was in the wars a little bit in 2018.
      In March, Sanchez returned to his car after a meal at a restaurant to find someone had scraped his front wing.
      The damage wasn’t major but on an expensive car would have been pricey.
      Then, two weeks later, the Range Rover was spotted outside another restaurant in Wilmslow on double yellow lines.
      That meant that a local traffic warden had no choice but to slap Sanchez with a fine.
      Sanchez has a white Range Rover Sport – but the motor was left needing repairs after it was hit while parked outside a restaurantCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Audi R8 – £130,000
      The Audi was the car that Sanchez nearly killed himself in after a massive crash in Barcelona in 2013.
      The forward had played in the Copa Catalunya final in May 2013 for Barca, with the club beating local rivals Espanyol 4-2 on penalties.
      But in the early hours of the morning, Sanchez mashed his Audi into the central barrier on a motorway close to the city centre.
      The incident happened at 2.30am, with Sanchez calling an unnamed team-mate to come and collect him and take him home.

      Sanchez found himself in hot water with the law, after he abandoned the car in the middle of the road without telling police.
      Avoiding injury was described as a “miracle” in the local press, with images of his smashed up supercar on the front pages the next day.
      Police later questioned Sanchez and it is reported that he was fined.

      Lamborghini Huracan – £200,000
      Sanchez was pictured driving one of the hypercars while on holiday in Miami in 2016.
      The Italian-made car is one of the fastest ever made, capable of 0-60mph in just 2.8 seconds and 200mph.
      However, the car was likely a rental while the then-Arsenal star enjoyed his holiday in the US.
      Alexis Sanchez hired a £200,000 Lamborghini Huracan while on holiday in Miami in 2016Credit: Instagram/Alexis Sanchez
      Planes, trains and automobiles
      Sanchez is also not averse to other forms of transport.
      He regularly takes private jets to ferry himself, and Atom and Humber, around the world.
      The Chilean star has also been seen hiring yachts and took ex-girlfriend Mayte Rodriguez on a romantic helicopter ride that landed on a private stretch of beach in South America. More

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      I was forced to pay Chelsea millions, almost hit Jose Mourinho and was caught sucking the blood of a porn star

      by

      WHEN Adrian Mutu arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2003 for £15.2million, it was a new dawn.The club had just been taken over by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, and were threatening to outspend and topple Arsenal and Manchester United at the top.
      Adrian Mutu arrived at Chelsea the summer they were taken over by Roman AbramovichCredit: John Cassidy
      After testing positive for cocaine Mutu was sacked by Chelsea and banned for seven monthsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The prolific Romanian striker, who had prospered in Serie A with Parma, was part of a £111million spending spree that included the arrivals of Claude Makelele (£16m), Hernan Crespo (£17m) and Damien Duff (£17m).
      Pin-up Mutu was meant to be the superstar at the heart of the team, manager Claudio Ranieri’s main man.
      But while Chelsea went from strength to strength, Mutu’s career nose-dived.
      In September of 2004, after a fallout with new Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho over his fitness, Mutu tested positive for cocaine.
      A seven-month suspension from the game followed, and although he rediscovered his form at Fiorentina in 2006, his career was blighted by another ban (nine months) after testing positive for appetite suppressant sibutramine  in 2010.
      But today, Mutu cuts a different figure.
      He is leading by example as a figurehead for young Romanian footballers, after coaching the country’s U21 side.
      Today, he is manager of Rapid București and an inspiration for the stars of tomorrow.
      A NEW CHAPTER
      “I think I’m the right person because I know what happens when a player has problems with indiscipline,” he recently told BBC Sport.
      “I’ve passed through hard moments and I came back stronger. If one of my players happens to make a mistake I will tell them to learn from it and not to repeat it.
      Today, Mutu is using his experience to coach Romania’s next generation of footballersCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Mutu was a pin-up and playboy in his heydayCredit: Rex Features
      “I came back and I played better than before, proving to everyone that the young players who have made a mistake must be helped, not judged and destroyed.”
      Mutu, now 44, is full of ambition as a coach – following his stint with his country’s youth stars, followed by a stint as FC U Craiova boss.
      “My ambitions as a coach cannot be lower than the ones I had as a footballer,” Mutu added.
      “I always wanted to be better and better. I want to get to coach at least at the same level I played at, and my dream is to be the head coach of the Romanian national team.”
      A GLAMOUR PLAYER
      In his heyday, Mutu could arguably lay claim to being Romania’s greatest ever player.
      He shares his country’s goalscoring record with Gheorghe Hagi – both scored 35 goals.
      And in a glittering club career he found the net 203 times in countries including England, Italy, and India.
      Mutu and his first wife AlexandraCredit: Rex Features
      TV presenter Alexandra and Mutu had a long drawn out divorce after it was alleged he beat her, although the charges were droppedCredit: Action Images
      Mutu was linked to Hollywood actress Moran AtiasCredit: 2019 Star Max
      Porn star Laura Andresan and Mutu romped together and he sucked her bloodCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Mutu with second wife Consuelo Matos GomezCredit: Getty Images
      However, it was the twice divorced star’s off-the-field antics that hogged the headlines.
      When he first arrived at Chelsea, he faced charges for allegedly beating up his ex-wife TV presenter Alexandra Dinu. The charges were dropped, but a very public split ensued.
      Then he was linked to Hollywood star Moran Atias, after she bombarded him with a flurry of text messages.
      The fling with the Israeli-stunner, who modelled for Versace, only lasted a matter of months, but she later revealed he was her first serious boyfriend.
      In 2004, he was caught in a newspaper sting having sex and sucking the blood of porn star Laura Andreson.
      Mourinho wasn’t impressed and had had enough of the party boy.SACKED BY THE BLUES
      ‘The Special One’ and Mutu clashed when he reported for international duty after missing three weeks of action for Chelsea because of an injury.
      They argued publicly over his fitness, and the forward was fined the maximum two weeks’ wages – believed to be around £120,000.
      Later that month, a routine drugs test was carried out at Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham.
      Jose Mourinho and Mutu didn’t see eye-to-eyeCredit: Action Images
      Mutu failed a drugs test at Chelsea’s Cobham training groundCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Mutu claimed his failed drugs test was the result of taking a sexual performance enhancing substanceCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Traces of cocaine were found in his system, and Mutu was banned from playing football for seven months.
      He denied any wrongdoing, blaming his doping test failure on a drug to improve his sexual prowess.
      “I am not hooked on drugs,” he said.
      “I categorically deny this. The only reason I took what I took was because I wanted to improve my sexual performance.
      “It may be funny but it’s true. I did not take cocaine. I took something to make me feel good.”COMPENSATION
      After sacking Mutu, Chelsea have sought damages for his actions for more than a decade.
      Initially, the Romanian was ordered to pay the West London giants £15.2million, and there have been several court hearings through the years.
      In October 2018, the European Court of Human Rights threw out Mutu’s final appeal and insisted he owed Abramovich the princely sum.
      “We are exercising our legal remedies to recover the amounts owed to us and we will continue to do so,” a club representative revealed at the time.
      Mutu owes Chelsea £15.2m in compensation after his sackingCredit: Colorsport
      Mutu has remained silent after the European Court of Human Rights threw out his final appeal in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
      However, news on the dispute has gone quiet with both Mutu and Chelsea keeping mum on the situation.
      SIMPLY MISUNDERSTOOD
      For all his misdemeanours, Mutu might just be simply misunderstood.
      After all, this is a man who finished a law degree while playing at the top level, loves poetry and reads Dostoyevsky.
      “I guess I am the ultimate split personality,” he once said.
      And in 2013, he showed that he may have turned over a new leaf- showing compassion for a baby rescued from a Chinese sewage pipe.
      “I couldn’t figure out how to carry on living, how to eat my breakfast, when I saw this story on TV,” he said.
      “He’s a special child. When I saw the baby I said: ‘I must adopt him, he has been sent to me by God.'”
      During his playing days Mutu finished a law degree and spoke of reading poetry and loving DostoevskyCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Mutu married former Miss Romania Sandra Bachici in 2016Credit: Instagram
      Is Mutu still the playboy he once was?Credit: Instagram
      latest football features
      Mutu didn’t end up adopting that baby, but he did welcome a boy Thiago in 2018 with third wife Sandra Bachici, 30, a former Miss Romania.
      He also has one child from his first marriage to Dinu and two from his second marriage to Dominican model Consuelo Matos Lopez.
      Now a family man, Mutu appears to have finally grown up. More

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      Ex-Liverpool star Daniel Agger is a tattoo artist and even invested in sewers when his career came to an end

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      DANIEL AGGER’S retirement is much like his playing career – mixing dirty work and artistry.Following his premature hanging up of the boots in 2016, at the age of 31, the former Liverpool hard-man decided to put money into his passion and necessity: tattoos and poop.
      Former Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is now a qualified tattoo artist
      The Danish defender, now head coach at HB Koge, trained to be a tattoo artist and is now part of one of the biggest parlours across the world, called Tattoodo.
      But for Agger that was not it, as he had more money to invest in s***.
      Now 38, Agger launched a company in 2013 called KloAgger, putting £450,000 into a company that manages sewage systems in his native Denmark.
      So how did they come up with the name? KloAgger translates to ‘Agger toilet’.
      Agger is regularly involved with the firm but his younger brother Marco and their friend Rune Rasmussen oversee the day-to-day ongoings.
      Inked-up Agger is more interested in the tats.
      He started and finished his career at Danish club Brondby, and it was as a 15-year-old youth player that he got his first work done.
      “I was about 15 and on a school trip to Paris,” Agger said in an interview on Tattoodo’s website.
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      “It wasn’t something I’d thought about before. Me and a friend went into the shop and said that’s what we’re going to have and we got it. I still have it today.”
      But it’s been added to dramatically, with almost every inch of his body containing a tattoo.
      There’s the Viking graveyard across his back, the love hearts on his calves, Latin proverbs all over his body and the names of his family members etched in.
      “I see it as one piece,”, the qualified tattooist said. “When I speak to people I talk about my tattoo as one piece but obviously every tattoo has a story, some better than others.”
      One of the more recent is the ‘YNWA’ stamped onto his knuckles – the well-known Liverpool acronym for Anfield’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.
      “Timing was quite good,” Agger said. “[There were] a lot of rumours sending me to another club for a lot of money but I knew I was staying.
      “Somehow I wanted to show that to the footballing world and this was a way I wanted to show it.”
      Agger did eventually leave Liverpool in 2014 and spent two years at Brondby before ending his career earlier than expected.
      Back problems throughout his career saw Agger rely on painkillers to see him through, but he believes they were his downfall.
      Danish defender Agger has also invested in a sewage companyCredit: Kloagger
      He runs it alongside his brother Marco and a friendCredit: Kloagger
      The name KloAgger translates directly to ‘Toilet Agger’Credit: Kloagger
      Agger’s sewage company is only based in his homeland of DenmarkCredit: Kloagger
      Agger leaves the daily running of the company to his brotherCredit: Kloagger
      “I have taken too many anti-inflammatories in my career,” he told Jyllands-Posten.
      “I know that full well, and it sucks, but I did stop it [in the end]. I am not gaining anything personally from saying this but I can only hope that other athletes do.
      “It could be that others take a pill or two less.”
      Agger’s passion for tattooing has somewhat been put on the back burner following his venture into management.
      The Dane took charge of First Division side HB Koge in March 2021 along with former international team-mate Lars Jacobsen.
      Agger guided his troops to a seventh-placed finish last season.
      However, he will no doubt be fuming with his squad today after they suffered a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of FC Fredericia at the weekend.
      The 38-year-old is more into his tattoosCredit: Twitter @danielagger
      Agger got his first tattoo while a 15-year-old boy on a school tripCredit: Action Images
      The former Liverpool centre-back has a Viking graveyard across his backCredit: Getty – Contributor
      He won the Community Shield and League Cup during his 12 years at the clubCredit: PA:Press Association
      Agger sees his tattoos as just one big artworkCredit: Instagram @danielagger22
      The Dane is a qualified tattoo artist and invested in a big parlour called TattoodoCredit: Instagram @danielagger22
      Agger got YNWA printed onto his knuckles during speculation over his future at LiverpoolCredit: Instagram @danielagger22
      He was part of a strong Liverpool side alongside Steven GerrardCredit: Instagram @danielagger22
      Agger retired in 2016 at the age of 31 which he believes was due to painkillersCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More

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      Chelsea manager target Luis Enrique is an extreme sports junkie who ran the Marathon des Sables and an Ironman Triathlon

      by

      MOVE over Robert Downey Jr, here’s the real Iron Man.Should Luis Enrique land the Chelsea job, expect the Spanish coach, 52, to demand his team give their all and don’t stop running for 90 minutes.
      Luis Enrique competed in the gruelling Marathon des Sables in 2008
      Enrique loves to cycle the most testing sections of the Tour de FranceCredit: Twitter @LUISENRIQUE21
      The ex-Spain boss has reportedly flown to London for more talks with Chelsea, according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook.
      That follows the preliminary talks Enrique had, along with another target Julian Nagelsmann.
      Chelsea are hopeful the former Spain boss will take over immediately with caretaker boss Bruno Saltor potentially unwilling to stay until the end of the season due to his connection to Graham Potter.
      If Enrique is unwilling to take charge now Todd Boehly could appoint Frnak Lampard on an interim basis until the end of the season, SunSport understands.
      If he takes the hotseat, the Blues will have an adrenaline junkie who has shown tremendous stamina in the past and has completed the most gruelling race EVER.
      In 2008, the LaLiga winner (as both a manager and player) ran the Marathon des Sables, an endurance race that’s the equivalent of six marathons.
      And it’s not the mileage that’ll kill, but the extreme conditions.
      Des Sables takes place in the uncompromising surroundings of the Sahara desert, where temperatures can exceed 50 degrees centigrade.
      Over six days, competitors have to complete 156 miles to finish the ultramarathon.
      The longest stage lasts an incredible 57 miles.
      And it’s such a hard task, competitors MUST carry all their provisions in a backpack.
      The Marathon des Sables was created by French concert promoter Patrick Bauer in 1986.
      Ever since then it’s been an annual event attracting thousands of runners every year.
      Chelsea manager target Enrique was in amazing shape as he trained for the Bilbao marathon in 2012Credit: Twitter @LUISENRIQUE21
      Former Barcelona coach Enrique, right, finished the Florence marathon in 2007 in under three hours
      Keen cyclist Enrique loves endurance races both on foot and by bikeCredit: Twitter @LUISENRIQUE21
      Luis Enrique, third left, takes a break on a team cycle raceCredit: Twitter @LUISENRIQUE21
      Enrique was renowned for being a hard-working and energetic player during his days at Barcelona and Real Madrid.
      So, when he hung up his boots in 2004 it wasn’t too much of a surprise to see him keep up his fitness.
      However, his love of pushing himself to the limits seems now more impressive than his football career.
      In 2005, he ran the New York Marathon in a time of 3:14:09.
      Cycling and swimming are totally different from running. The training is far more pleasant.Luis Enrique
      A year later he tried his hand at the Amsterdam Marathon and clocked in at 3:00:19.
      Then at the Florence Marathon in 2007, Luis finished the race in an astonishing 2:58:08.
      And if you think that’s great, wait till you hear this.
      In the same year, Enrique took part in the 2007 Ironman competition in Germany.
      That’s a 140-mile triathlon race that’s been dubbed the hardest endurance race in the world.
      The adrenalin junkie isn’t just partial to a spot of running either.
      The keen surfer, who loved crashing waves when he lived in Australia, loves cycling too.
      He finished the Quebrantahuesos – a 127-mile race through the Pyrenees – which loosely translated means “bone crusher.”
      Still, that didn’t deter Enrique, and in an interview with FourFourTwo he spoke about his fitness regime.
      The most gruelling race on earth
      THE Marathon des Sables is justifiably known as the most gruelling race on earth.
      The monstrous course is 156 miles, equivalent to six marathons, run through the Sahara desert in six days in Morroco.
      The conditions are horrendous.
      Temperatures can hit 120F (50C) and all the 1,5000 competitors must carry all their provisions for the whole race in a backpack.
      This must include all their food, of at least 2,000 calories a day,  and mandatory kits such as a venom pump.
      Racers sleep in an open sided tent with seven other competitors.

      “When I left football I wanted to take up running, but after 45 minutes my feet would swell up because I was used to football,” he revealed.
      “In football it’s 50 metres, then stop, 10 metres, then stop.
      “I was used to that. I could run for a long time, but in a football way.
      “Marathons were at the same pace all the time. That was hard to adapt to, but I did after a lot of training and then I started doing triathlons.
      Enrique won La Liga twice and the Champions League once as Barcelona bossCredit: AFP or licensors
      Enrique celebrates a goal with Fernando Couto in 1997Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Hard-working Enrique will be pushing his team to run the extra mileCredit: Getty
      Most read in football
      “Cycling and swimming are totally different from running. The training is far more pleasant.”When I’m training, for three days I run in the morning and swim in the afternoon.
      “Then I go on the bicycle every three or four days.”
      Judging by the high-standards Luis has set himself, his training sessions must be hell on earth. More