Football features

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Weirdest guest appearances in sport with Trump to call Holyfield, like Gallaghers walking out Hatton and Jacko at Fulham

      by

      FOR some celebrities, attending a sports event is part and parcel of keeping up appearances.Donald Trump certainly thinks so, and will be on commentary duty for this weekend’s fight between Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfot with son Don Jr chairing an alternative take on the exhibition bout.
      Donald Trump is set to turn his hands to boxing commentary this weekendCredit: AFP
      But the former US president isn’t the first or only celeb who’s weirdly showed up at a sporting event you’d least likely expect them to be at.
      From Hollywood stars to pop royalty, these famous faces were surprise guests at venues including Craven Cottage!
      SNOOP DOGG
      Snoop is already one of hip-hop’s GOATs. But as a boxing commentator, he’s second to none.
      The West Coast rapper famously sang a hymn while watching Jake Paul’s brutal knockout of Nate Robinson last year.
      And recently, he provided his expertise on US TV’s Olympics coverage – hilariously accusing a horse of “crip walking” during an equestrian event.
      Trump’s got his work cutout to follow in the Drop It Like It’s Hot singer’s shoes.
      Snoop Dogg has taken commentating duties on Jake Paul’s fightsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Snoop Dogg commentates and performs on the Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr fight
      TOM CRUISE
      In movies, Cruise has often shown his love of sport – most notably as a racing car driver in Days of Thunder and a sports agent in Jerry Maguire.
      Currently in the UK filming a new Mission:Impossible film, the legendary actor surprised us all when he turned up to three sporting events on the SAME day.
      His first stop was the Silverstone GP, before he headed to the Wimbledon final to watch Novak Djokovic.
      Later that evening, he was sat next to pal David Beckham cheering on the Three Lions in the Euros final at Wembley.
      Tom Cruise first went to Silverstone and met Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
      Hours later, Cruise was spotted taking his seat at WimbledonCredit: EPA
      On the same day, Cruise joined pal David Beckham at the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Getty
      MICHAEL JACKSON
      Imagine inviting the King of Pop to Fulham vs Wigan at Craven Cottage in a League Division Two game on a sunny day in 1999?
      That’s precisely what former owner Mohamed Al Fayed did, after the late Michael Jackson spent the morning shopping at Harrods.
      Then-Fulham boss Kevin Keegan recalled meeting Jacko in his autobiography, when Fayed brought him into the dressing room to meet the players.
      He said: “It was pointless trying to continue with my team-talk – the players weren’t listening to a word – so I walked the King of Pop through the corridors of the old Stevenage Road stand to make him a cup of tea in the players’ lounge.”
      Years later Al Fayed unveiled a statue of Jacko at Craven Cottage – but sadly Fulham’s current owners got rid of it.
      Mohamed Al Fayed’s friendship with Michael Jackson extended to an invite to watch Fulham playCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      SYLVESTER STALLONE
      In fairness to action movie legend Sly, he still carries a torch for the Toffees.
      Back in 2007, he appeared at Goodison Park as Everton entertained Reading and waved to fans on the pitch.
      He was a good friend of then-club director Robert Earl, who invited him to the game.
      Stallone has said in the past he regrets not investing money in the club, and reportedly still follows their games.
      Sylvester Stallone gets some love from the Everton faithful on the pitchCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Stallone was invited to Goodison Park by former club director Robert EarlCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      LIAM AND NOEL GALLAGHER
      When Liam and Noel Gallagher were still talking, they agreed on one thing… they would walk out pal Ricky Hatton for his 2008 fight against Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas.
      The warring brothers carried out their fellow Mancunian’s IBO and Ring Magazine belts to the ring at the MGM Grand Hotel before he beat his opponent in the 11th round.
      Honestly, if you didn’t know anything about the sport, you’d have thought it was Liam who was having the scrap – given the gesturing towards the other corner.
      The Gallaghers have always meant a lot to Hatton. “When I think of the most important things in my life, there’s my family first and Campbell my son, then I’ve got boxing, next comes Manchester City, then it’s Oasis,” he once said.
      Liam and Noel Gallagher walked Ricky Hatton into the ring back in 2008Credit: AP:Associated Press
      ROD STEWART
      As hilarious as it is novel.
      When rocker Rod Stewart was asked to do the Scottish Cup fifth round draw for the 2016-17 season, no one could’ve imagined what would’ve happened next.
      His arm spun round, it swooped into the bowl, and he animatedly announced each number with glee.

      Later, Rod said he was doing an impression of Rod Hull and his Emu puppet.
      He also admitted, he’d had a few.
      “I did tell them, I said ‘Listen guys when I come and watch the football I do like a bevvy or two’. They said ‘Don’t worry about it,'” he told the Harry Redknapp Show podcast.
      Rod Stewart had fans in hysterics when he conducted the Scottish Cup fifth round draw after a few drinksCredit: PA:Press Association
      [embedded content] More

    • 250 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Meet Anna Lewandowska, the stunning black belt in Karate who helped the Poland legend prolong his career at the top

      by

      ROBERT Lewandowski has his missus to thank for helping him remain as one of the world’s most feared strikers.The Bayern Munich forward, 33, leant on stunning Polish beauty Anna for advice about nutrition, as he looked at prolonging his career at the top.
      Anna Lewandowska is the health and fitness buff missus of Robert LewandowskiCredit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba

      And she came to his aid by encouraging him to incorporate beetroot juice and fresh fish into his diet – a recipe that’s seen Lewandowski break Gerd Muller’s longstanding record of most goals in a Bundesliga season last campaign.
      While, he’ll also be Poland’s danger man as England come to the National Stadium in Warsaw looking to all but clinch a place at the World Cup.
      But he couldn’t have done it all without Anna, 33, who is a health and fitness whizz.
      As well as being a PE graduate, she has also represented her country in karate championships around the world.
      A fan of the UK, she even travelled  to London to promote healthy living by running a fitness seminar in a Hammersmith gym back in 2018.
      Back home in Poland, Anna Lewandowska is a national starCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Anna Lewandowska is a karate champ who has competed in World Championships for PolandCredit: Youtube – Gazeta.PL
      Fitness fanatic Anna Lewandowska is also a PE graduateCredit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba
      Recently, Anna Lewandowska gave a health and fitness seminar in LondonCredit: Getty – Contributor

      It’s her knowledge in wellness that has helped her man continue to raise the bar.
      In charge of Lewandowski’s meals, Anna prefers to utilise fresh herbs and spices while totally avoiding lactose foods.
      She told Bild: “The most important thing is training and nutrition.
      “We refrain from lactose and wheat flour. It’s about quality food.
      “Pancakes, brownies, vegetable spaghetti, porridge or millet. We also like to eat high-quality fish.
      “Sometimes after training we drink beetroot juice with cinnamon or cayenne pepper.
      “When we mix many foods at once, sometimes we aren’t doing the right thing.
      “We feel bloated, have to loosen our trousers. The mix is ​​too much for our body.”
      Both Anna Lewandowska and Robert Lewandowski have spoken of their desire to move to LA towards the end of his careerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Along with being a karate expert, Anna Lewandowska is also a personal trainerCredit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba
      In 2017, Anna Lewandowska gave birth to her daughter KlaraCredit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba
      Not just a pretty face, Anna Lewandowska writes a health and fitness blogCredit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba
      Inbetween writing, Anna Lewandowska teaches workout classesCredit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba
      Robert Lewandowski and Anna Lewandowska have been together since 2007Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      In 2016, Anna Lewandowska launched her own brand called Foods by AnnCredit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba
      Anna Lewandowska is a member of the Pruszkow Karate ClubCredit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba
      Anna also studied nutrition, recently releasing her own food brand called Foods by Ann.
      Her company, which sells everything from smoothies to energy bars to supplements, has been thriving since she set it up in 2016.
      Anna’s greatest success, however, has come in the shape of martial arts.
      The Lodz-born stunner, who first met Robert in 2007, is a member of the Pruszkow Karate Club.
      It’s in karate where Anna Lewandowska has enjoyed her greatest successCredit: Rex Features
      Anna Lewandowska joins husband Robert Lewandowski at Oktoberfest in MunichCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Robert Lewandowski and Anna Lewandowska got married in 2013
      Anna Lewandowska won 29 medals in karate in the Polish ChampionshipsCredit: Youtube – Gazeta.PL
      As the national face of fitness in Eastern Europe, Anna Lewandowska has launched her own health and nutrition bookCredit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba
      She stepped away from competition after giving birth to daughter Klara in 2017, but she certainly left her stamp on the karate world.
      Anna managed to win three medals in the senior World Championships and six European Championship medals in different age categories.

      In her homeland, she’s revered for winning 29 Polish Championship medals.
      In 2010, Anna set up her own blog called Healthy Plan by Ann.
      Not only does it give an incite into her life, the website offers workout tips and food recipes for the health-conscious.
      Anna Lewandowska and Robert Lewandowski are the biggest celebrity couple in PolandCredit: Getty – Contributor
      A talented martial arts expert, Anna Lewandowska shows off her skills that led to her representing Poland on the international stageCredit: Youtube – Gazeta.PL
      Anna Lewandowska has released her own DVD based on a karate workoutCredit: Instagram @annalewandowskahpba
      Always red carpet ready, Anna Lewandowska will never be a shy, retiring WagCredit: Rex Features
      She’s written workout books, promotes her own exercise DVDs and is face of fitness in Eastern Europe.
      To top off her list of achievements, Anna is also the President of the Special Olympics for Poland.
      Maybe her greatest success story, though, lies in turning her hubby into the world’s best striker. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Poland legend Robert Lewandowski became his country’s leading scorer but before his debut his sports-mad dad passed away

      by

      HE’S Poland’s greatest ever footballer and stands between England all but securing their qualification for the World Cup on Wednesday night with a win.But behind Robert Lewandowski’s remarkable success story for both club and country is a heartbreaking story.
      Behind Robert Lewandowski’s success is a heartbreaking storyCredit: Getty
      The Bayern Munich striker, who is his nation’s all-time leading scorer with 72 goals, will have one regret when he steps onto National Stadium pitch in Warsaw.
      A year before Robert, 33, made his professional debut, his hero and sports-obsessed father passed away, missing the opportunity to see his son play professionally.
      Krzysztof Lewandowski was well recognised for his sporting achievements in his homeland.
      Aside from being a judo champion in the 1970s, Krzysztof played second division football for Hutnik Warszawa.

      And sport was very much the main focus for the Lewandowski family, with mother Iwona a former pro volleyball player too.
      With such a heritage, it seemed inevitable that Robert would follow in his parents’ footsteps.

      He caught the football bug at a young age, so Krzysztof happily accompanied his boy to Partyzant Leszno’s training sessions, spotting young Robert’s talent with a ball early on.
      By the age of nine, Lewandowski was training with local team Varsovia Warszawa, honing the skills that would serve him well in the future.
      Robert Lewandowski as a baby with his mother, IwonaCredit: Facebook @rl9official
      Playing on hard, sandy, grassless pitches, the close control he’s now known for began to develop in the poor footballing conditions he was first introduced to.
      And if the quality of the turf was lacking, the changing rooms weren’t much better either.
      Unheated old barracks with broken windows while playing during the cold, winter months didn’t deter Robert’s drive and determination to make it to the top.
      Within seven years, he signed for Delta Warsaw – a fifth tier Polish side known to be a direct supplier of players to one of the country’s biggest teams, Legia Warsaw.
      As a boy, Robert Lewandowski, right, was a gifted footballerCredit: Instagram @_rl9
      It was then that a 16-year-old “Lewy”, as he was known to his teammates, started to realise his potential.
      Legia’s scouts were impressed. His attitude and appetite for the game resulted in rapid progress.
      He scored goals for fun, stood out from the crowd and whispers were reverberating around the club that Legia were interested in signing him up.
      However, Robert’s world came crashing down at a critical time when football was starting to become his chosen career path.
      Family man Robert Lewandowski with his grandmaCredit: Instagram @_rl9
      In 2005, his dad Krzysztof underwent a potentially life-saving operation,  but the long-time cancer sufferer died just a few days after when he suffered a stroke.
      Lewandowski told Bild: “His death was the toughest time for me. 
      “Suddenly, I was the man of the house and had to be a grown-up. The memory of my father still drives me on.”To lessen the financial burden on his mum, brave Robert left his family home and moved into a small flat with his sister Milena in Warsaw.
      Gradually, Robert Lewandowski earned himself a move to Lech PoznanCredit: AFP – Getty
      Whatever he earned with Delta, he shared with his mum and sister, who later achieved her dream in becoming a professional volleyball player.
      Legia decided to give Lewandowski a one-year deal with their reserves, and he often trained with the first team.
      But an increase in training levels, coupled with his then-slight frame, saw him struggle with injuries.
      After a year, Legia decided to cut their losses. Lewandowski was released, without making his senior bow and his football ambitions seemed in tatters.
      As a success at Lech Poznan, Robert Lewandowski attracted interest from other European clubsCredit: AFP – Getty
      Desperate for a goalscorer, third division Znicz Pruszków gave Lewandowski another shot.
      It was a decision that both parties will forever be thankful for.
      In his first season, he put aside his injury problems to fire his new team into the second division – scoring 16 goals in 29 games in all competitions, aged just 17.
      A year later, he was the leading goalscorer in Poland’s second division – finding the net 21 times in 32 league games.
      He was snapped up by Lech Poznań for 1.5 million złotys in 2008, the equivalent today of around £300,000.
      Robert Lewandowski’s skills were honed in the blistering cold of Poland’s wintry conditionsCredit: AFP – Getty
      Sadly for Robert Lewandowski his father never saw him play professionallyCredit: AFP – Getty

      Lewandowski was soon on his way, playing in Poland’s top league, the Ekstraklasa.
      The sad thing was, his proud dad Krzysztof wasn’t around to see his son’s rise to becoming one of the most feared forwards in the world.
      “After his death I quickly had to become an adult,” Robert said in a candid interview on a Polish TV chat show hosted by Magda Molek in 2015.
      In a candid interview, Robert Lewandowski opened up about his father to Polish TV presenter Magda MolekCredit: Facebook
      At Lech Poznan, Robert Lewandowski scored 41 goals in 82 gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Robert Lewandowski has gone to become one of the world’s best strikersCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “He always knew that I would be playing abroad. He said that was why he gave me the name Robert so that no one would mistake my name.
      “I regretted many times that I did not talk to him about something, that I did not say something to him.
      “I regret the most that he did not see my first match in seniors and that he cannot be at my matches live.
      “I hope, however, that he looks down on me and helps me in all this. I believe it.”
      Simon Jordan says signing Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski for £100m wouldn’t be good business More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Poland legend Robert Lewandowski’s incredible £7million apartment in Warsaw complete with a golf simulator

      by

      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI knows where his roots are.Despite being based in Germany since 2010, the Bayern Munich striker was happy to splash £7million on a deluxe pad in his home city of Warsaw back in 2016.
      Robert Lewandowski owns a stunning apartment in Warsaw that cost £7mCredit: CEN/ Zlota44
      Lewandowski’s apartment comes equipped with a golf simulatorCredit: CEN/ Zlota44
      The deluxe pad comes with access to a state-of-the-art sports and recreation centreCredit: CEN/ Zlota44
      A HEFTY PRICE
      Standard flats in the Zlota 44 tower block range between £242,000 to £1.9m, with the more pricey apartments costing up to £7m.
      Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind designed the 192-metre tall block and ensured the property was fully stocked with all Lewandowski will need.
      There’s a state-of-the-art sports and recreation centre, a private cinema, golf simulator and wine tasting room, according to Luxurious Magazine.
      Lewandowski, who rakes in about £352-000-per-week, said: “Choosing my new apartment was based on practical considerations.”
      WORLD CLASS FACILITIES
      He continued: “The tower provides some of the best residences in Poland, whilst the sports and recreation centre allows me to complete my training program in the highest quality surroundings.
      “It is important in my profession to always have world-class training facilities on-hand and now I’m just a short elevator ride from a full-size swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, luxury spa area, as well as treatment and massage rooms.
      The living room is spacious and comfortable
      The flat boasts incredible views of the city of Warsaw
      The bedroom boasts floor to ceiling windows
      Standard flats in the Zlota 44 tower block range between £242,000 to £1.9m, with the more pricey apartments costing up to £7m
      A grand piano sits in a reception room

      “This was essential for me as it allows me at any given moment to complete my training program in the best surroundings.”
      Lewandowski, 33, stands between England all but securing their place at the World Cup.
      Poland’s all-time record goalscorer will be looking to add to his 72 international goals when the two sides clash at the National Stadium in Warsaw on Wednesday night.
      Lewandowski bought the apartment back in 2016
      Lewandowski is originally from Warsaw
      The home boasts modern decor throughout
      Robert Lewandowski takes a cheeky picture of and wife Anna as they work out togetherCredit: CEN / Robert Lewandowki
      Simon Jordan says signing Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski for £100m wouldn’t be good business More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo’s huge £20m Gulfstream G20 jet flies at 560mph and transports girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO lives a jet-set lifestyle, regularly travelling to and from his homeland, Portugal.So it makes sense the Manchester United ace, 36, bought a Gulfstream G200 twin-engine jet in 2015 for £20million.
      Cristiano Ronaldo’s £20m private jet has a bedCredit: Instagram
      Ronaldo owns a Gulfstream G200Credit: Rex Features
      He and partner Georgina Rodriguez have been seen making the most of the luxury transport.
      And it’s worth every penny, as you’ll see here…
      IT’S FAST!
      Originally named the ‘Astra Galaxy’, the G200 is capable of reaching a top speed of 560mph.
      Its range is up to 3,910 miles with four passengers in tow, so it’s ideal for quick flights from his new base in England to hubs around Europe.
      But the G200 offers a generous seating configuration, and can fit as many as eight to 10 passengers for one flight.
      Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez often use their private jet to zoom around EuropeCredit: Instagram @georginagio

      Family games are easy for the Ronaldos on board the spacious aircraftCredit: Instagram
      The Gulfstream G200 is capable of reaching a top speed of 560mphCredit: Alamy
      It takes two crew members to man the G200Credit: Avbuyer
      IT’S A RARITY
      After its first flight in 1997 was followed by certification from the US and Israeli aviation agencies in 1998, the G200 was made available in 1999.
      It was something of a rarity though, with only 250 ever made – making Ronaldo’s purchase even more exclusive.
      The final production G200 rolled off the production line in 2011, when the G250 started to gain popularity. So, it’s vintage!
      WHAT’S IT GOT?
      As you can imagine, and what £20m buys you, the G200 is filled with features that’ll make flying in it a luxury.
      Between eight to 10 passengers can travel at once on the private jetCredit: Instagram
      Ronaldo bought the G200 in 2015Credit: Instagram
      The G200 is vintage with only 250 ever madeCredit: Alamy
      Ronaldo’s luxury G200 is the height of luxuryCredit: Privatefly
      As well as being roomy, Ronaldo has a wardrobe where he can store his designer clothes.
      There’s Wi-Fi, a telephone, fax machine, electric oven, microwave, refrigerator, and an entertainment system.
      Perhaps those who fly with CR7 are treated with an elaborate in-flight movie of his greatest goals collection. More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Tragic story of Jean-Pierre Adams, who died aged 73 after being in a coma for 39 years following failed knee surgery

      by

      IT was meant to be a routine surgery.A minor knee operation, that would have left ex-footballer Jean-Pierre Adams out of action for a few months.
      Former French defender Jean-Pierre Adams underwent knee surgery in 1982, but after an anaesthetist’s error he slipped into a coma before the operation and has now passed awayCredit: Getty
      However, a near lethal dose of anaesthetic before the procedure left the former French international in a coma.
      Some 39 years later, the defender who was in a long vegetative state, has passed away at the age of 73.
      THE BLACK ROCK
      Born in Dakar, Senegal in 1948, Adams moved to France aged ten and began his professional football career with Nimes in the 1970s.
      Before that he was hardened in the world of the non-league game, juggling a job working for a local rubber manufacturer, until scouts decided he was worth gambling on.
      Within a few seasons, Adams was a first team regular in the Gard helping his side challenge for the league title.
      Between 1972-73, the Crocodiles finished second in the First Division and reached the Coupe de France semi-finals – in what was a golden era for the club.
      Adams, christened ‘The Black Rock’, earned his first France call-up in 1972 and was sold to OGC Nice ahead of the 1973-74 season.
      The 5ft 10in centre half would spend four years on the Cote d’Azur and play 144 games for the team.
      Nicknamed ‘The Black Rock’ Adams made his international debut for France in 1972Credit: AFP
      Adams in action in a friendly match against Portugal in 1975Credit: Getty
      DREAM PARTNERSHHIP
      During his career, Adams would earn 22 caps for Les Bleus.
      He was regularly paired with French legend Marius Tresor between 1972-76.
      France’s Romanian manager at the time Stefan Kovacs nicknamed the partnership ‘The Black Guard’, after an impressive display shutting out a strong Poland side.
      However, despite their defensive prowess this French side wasn’t as good going forward.
      It was a period of disenchantment for the national team, who failed to qualify for the European Championships in 1976.
      That year saw Adams’ last appearance for his country – in a friendly against Denmark.
      Adams lines up alongside France legend Marius Tresor, who he formed ‘The Black Guard’ withCredit: Getty
      From 1972-76 Adams played 22 games for his countryCredit: Getty
      A BIG CONTRACT
      At 29, Adams signed his last big contract in football with PSG.
      In two years in the French capital, he appeared 42 times, scoring twice, and cemented his name as one of the most important players in the club’s first decade of existence.
      His ability was praised by international team-mates, including iconic midfielder Henri Michel.
      Michel described Adams as a ‘force of nature, very strong, full of good will and determination’ to Paris United.
      After a brief spell at Division 2 side Mulhouse, he would end his career with amateurs FC Chalon at 33 playing with Polish striker Josef Klose, the father of German legend Miroslav.
      OPERATION HORROR
      Following a ligament rupture injury, Adams checked into the Édouard Herriot Hospital in Lyon in 1982.
      He was booked in for a routine surgery and expected to leave hospital in the following days.
      PSG fans fondly remember Jean-Pierre Adams during his time with the clubCredit: AFP
      However, it all went tragically wrong when an anaesthetist made a near-fatal error and gave Adams the wrong dose ahead of the op.
      The healthy athlete suffered a bronchospasm, which starved his brain of oxygen.
      His wife Bernadette Adams spoke to CNN about the time her husband went in for the knee surgery.
      She said: “The female anesthetist was looking after eight patients, one after the other, like an assembly line.
      “Jean-Pierre was supervised by a trainee, who was repeating a year, who later admitted in court: ‘I was not up to the task I was entrusted with’.
      ‘”Given it was not a vital operation, that the hospital was on strike, they were missing doctors and this woman was looking after eight patients, in two different rooms, someone should have called me to say they were going to delay the operation.”
      In the 1990s, a court ruled that both the anaesthetist and trainee were given one-month suspended sentences, as well as a hefty fine.
      A WIFE’S VIGIL
      Bernadette and their two sons, Laurent and Frederic kept vigil at Adams’ bedside before his death.
      Bernadette Adams, pictured with Marius Tresor, kept vigil by her husband’s bedsideCredit: Twitter
      Although Jean-Pierre was unable to communicate and express emotion, he was still able to breathe, feel, eat and cough without the aid of medical equipment and lived at home near Nimes.
      His plight caused many to questions whether he should have been kept in a vegetative state for 39 years.
      “People on Facebook say he should be unplugged… But he is not plugged! I just don’t have the courage to stop giving him food and water,” Bernadette once revealed.
      “He has a normal routine. He wakes up at 7, eats… He may be in a vegetative state, but he can hear and sit in a wheelchair.”
      EUTHANASIA
      The suggestion of putting her husband’s suffering to an end was not one Bernadette entertained.
      She is against euthanasia and refused to give up on Jean-Pierre until his last moments.
      Tresor admitted he doesn’t have the courage to visit his former team-mate and friendCredit: AFP

      But her stance wasn’t one that former defensive partner Tresor agreed with. According to Paris United, Tresor never found the courage to visit his former team-mate since the awful incident.
      He said: “Even if Jean-Pierre woke up, he would not recognise anybody. So is it worth living like this?
      “If a similar thing happened to me, I told my wife not to keep me here.”
      Moise Kean shows off his super skill with training at PSG More

    • 263 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Liverpool star Samed Yesil – who club signed as teen for £1m – now works in air filter factory aged 27

      by

      SAMED YESIL may not be a familiar name to most Liverpool fans, but not long ago he was one of the clubs most promising young stars.  Five years on and he now works in a factory.
      Yesil was a starlet at youth levelCredit: Getty
      He made two appearances for LiverpoolCredit: AFP
      The talented German had the world at his feet as his prolific goal output drew comparisons to the late great Gerd Muller.
      At youth level, the German’s record of 58 goals in 74 games, earning him a 2012 move to Liverpool after just one senior appearance for Bayer Leverkusen.
      The Premier League outfit, then managed by Brendan Rodgers, paid a massive £1million for the forward’s services as he set his sights on the big time.
      However, his career soon took a turn for the worst after he ruptured his cruciate ligament twice in two years.
      Five years after leaving Liverpool, Yesil finds himself at a fifth division German side and building air filters in a factory.
      Now 27, the forward still harbours hope of making a return to the professional game and re-living the glory days of his past.
      Following his move to Liverpool, he earned promotion to first team training under Brendan Rodgers – making two appearances in the League Cup during his first season.  

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET £60 IN FREE BETS ON ANY WORLD CUP QUALIFIER WITH BETFAIR
      Speaking to The Athletic of his first session alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, he said: “It was like a dream. I only knew these players from the PlayStation and from watching games on TV.”
      However, just as he was getting off the ground he ruptured his cruciate ligament in both 2013 and 2014 – causing him to be ruled out for over 450 days as he never played for Liverpool again.
      Instead, Yesil moved on loan to Swiss side Luzern in 2015 and scored on his debut for the club – before falling out of favour with the manager and the chairman.
      When he returned to England at the end of the season, he discovered that he had been released by Liverpool following the expiration of his contract.
      TURBULENT FIVE YEARS
      After six months without a club, he arrived in Greece and signed for Panionios, where he scored eight goals in 31 appearances during his first season.
      Off-field issues disrupted Yesil once again though as financial issues saw him go months without being paid.
      Only now is he close to receiving a settlement from the club three years after leaving.
      His next stop was hometown side KFC Uerdingen in 2018-19 in the German third division – before spending nine months in Turkey with Ankara Demirspor.
      NEW HOPE
      Last season, Yesil ran out 22 times in the fourth tier of German football for VfB Homberg and scored twice, before arriving at fifth division side DJK St. Tonis this summer.
      Yesil hopes the new season can kickstart his career again.
      He said: “I need to try ways into life post-football, in case I don’t get back into a professional league.”
      However he hopes that he can earn a move higher up the pyramid if he hits the ground running this term as he stated: “I’m sure if I can play 30 games this season and score 15 to 20 goals then I will move back up the leagues again.”
      Alongside his football he now works in a factory as he tried to look beyond football.
      He concluded: “I need to try ways into life post-football, in case I don’t get back into a professional league.”
      “But I’m sure if I can play 30 games this season and score 15 to 20 goals then I will move back up the leagues again.”
      But in seven years he went from training alongside Steven Gerrard and Brendan Rodgers to fifth division German footballCredit: Getty
      Samed Yesil spent the 2018/19 season playing for hometown club KFC Uerdingen and now hopes to reignite his careerCredit: Worldfootball.net More