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      Could Chelsea star Timo Werner be the latest Blues striker flop, after glaring miss for Germany, joining Morata and Co?

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      WHEN you’re inheriting a shirt previously worn by Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, you’re going to feel the pressure.Timo Werner joined the Blues from RB Leipzig in a £53million deal, and was expected to propel the West London side to Premier League, as he was handed the No11 jersey.
      Timo Werner has struggled at Chelsea since arriving in a £53million dealCredit: Reuters

      In the Bundesliga, he was one of Europe’s most-feared strikers – netting 34 times in all competitions as he helped his side reach the Champions League semi-finals.
      Yet, in the Premier League it’s a different story for the 25-year-old forward. Just five league goals in 28 games doesn’t look like a good investment by owner Roman Abramovich so far.
      And on Wednesday, a glaring miss in Germany’s shock 2-1 defeat to North Macedonia just summed up his season and his confidence at the moment.
      But Werner isn’t the first high-profile marksman to suffer stage-fright at Stamford Bridge.
      Here’s some others who fell foul to Chelsea’s dreaded striker curse.
      ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO
      AT AC Milan, Shevchenko will always be thought of as one of their greatest strikers of all-time, mentioned alongside greats like Marco van Basten and Gianni Rivera.
      However, it’s a mystery how such a dominant player on the world stage flopped on our shores.
      He joined for £31m in 2006, two years after winning the Ballon d’Or, at his peak at 29.
      In his first season, Shevchenko managed just four Premier League goals in 30 games.
      Andriy Shevchenko was a £31million Stamford Bridge flopCredit: Reuters
      In his second, five goals. Incoming boss Luis Felipe Scolari decided enough was enough, and he was sent on loan back to Milan.
      Then, in 2009 he returned to Dynamo Kiev.
      ALVARO MORATA
      SPANISH centre forward Morata arrived from Real Madrid for £60m – a club record transfer fee.
      But it was the start of things to come after he missed a penalty in a shootout defeat to Arsenal on his debut in the Charity Shield.
      Although he scored 11 Premier League goals, his form on Europe was patchy with just one strike in seven.
      He finished his first season with 15 goals, before scoring 9 in 24 games in all competitions the following campaign.
      Somehow, Chelsea got most of their money back by selling him to Atletico Madrid for £58m.
      Alvaro Morata managed 15 goals in all competitions in his first season and nine the next, but didn’t justify his £60m price tagCredit: PA:Press Association
      FERNANDO TORRES
      SOME Chelsea fans will argue his goal against Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the Champions League semi-final in 2012 was worth his £50m transfer fee.
      But the reality is Torres was a shadow of the striker that defenders feared coming up against at Anfield when he led Liverpool’s forward line.
      The facts back that up too – with 45 goals in 172 games with the West Londoners.
      Eventually, after loans to AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, the Spaniard moved back to Spain.
      Since retiring, he looks fitter than ever and owns his own gyms in Madrid.
      Torres wasn’t a hit at Stamford Bridge, but fans will say his goal in the Champions League semi-final was worth his £50m transfer feeCredit: Reuters
      Since retiring, Torres has hit the gym and his now buff
      ROMELU LUKAKU
      THE giant Belgium striker is flying for club and country, scoring goals for fun at Inter Milan, who are gunning for the Serie A title.
      Lukaku joined Chelsea in 2011 from Anderlecht in a £17m deal, but struggled to dislodge Torres in the first team.
      In his following season, he joined West Brom on loan and was a big success – scoring 17 Premier League goals.
      He was then loaned out to Everton, where again he showed his class as a target man.
      In 2017, Lukaku joined Manchester United for £75m deal. Amazingly, in his six years as a Chelsea player he played just 15 times and failed to hit the back of the net.
      Romelu Lukaku never scored a goal for ChelseaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      RADAMEL FALCAO
      COLOMBIAN hitman Falcao scored goals everywhere he went, from Portugal to Spain to France and most recently in Turkey.
      But in England, nothing went right for the usually prolific striker.
      After a dismal spell at Manchester United, Chelsea gave Falcao another opportunity in our league on a season-long loan costing £4m – with the option of making the transfer permanent for £38m, as well as paying him a mega salary of £170,000-per-week.
      However, he struggled for injuries and played just 12 times – scoring one goal.
      Falcao returned back to Monaco, where he re-found his goalscoring touch.
      Radamel Falcao’s loan move to Chelsea proved to be an expensive disasterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      GONZALO HIGUAIN
      FITNESS problems always seemed to be an issue for the Argentina poacher, who was used to the slower game in Italy.
      He was brought to Stamford Bridge on loan in January, 2019 by his former manager at Napoli, Maurizio Sarri.
      Sarri had got so much out of him in Italy, but in England the goals dried up.
      Five goals in 19 games, with the standout being a brace against Huddersfield, didn’t represent Higuain’s prowess in front of goal.
      Since 2020 he has played in the MLS for David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
      Maurizio Sarri couldn’t get the best out of Gonzalo Higuain when he managed him at ChelseaCredit: AFP or licensors
      ADRIAN MUTU
      THE Romanian striker’s penchant for getting into bother was his biggest undoing at Stamford Bridge.
      Mutu was a sensation for Parma in Serie A, before he arrived in a £15m deal in London the summer Abramovich arrived as a Premier League owner and changed the football landscape in this country.
      In 2004, he had a fallout with Jose Mourinho over his fitness and later was banned after testing positive for cocaine.
      His off-the-field antics, including allegedly sleeping with a porn star and sucking her blood in a newspaper sting didn’t help his cause either.
      Chelsea sacked him after the cocaine ban and are still seeking damages.
      Adrian Mutu’s off-the pitch antics caught up with the Romanian on the pitchCredit: AFP

      MATEJA KEZMAN
      A FOX in the box at Partizan Belgrade and PSV, Kezman arrived at Stamford Bridge as a reputation as an out-and-out goalscorer.
      Prior to his debut in England, the Serbian scored 38 times in all competitions in Eindhoven.
      At Chelsea, though, something got lost in translation when he was signed by Mourinho for £6m.
      Kezman managed seven goals in 41 games, and was sold for the following season to Atletico Madrid.
      Again, respect to the bean-counters in SW6 for getting their money back in the £6million sale.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Mateja Kezman lasted a season at Stamford Bridge before he was soldCredit: PA:Press Association
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      Man Utd wonderkid Hannibal Mejbri, 18, has been compared to icons Beckham and Keane – but dad wanted him to be a doctor

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      WITH a name like Hannibal, Premier League clubs could be forgiven for fearing Man United’s new teenage wonderkid.But the only thing terrifying about Hannibal Mejbri, the frizzy-haired 18-year-old midfielder, is his talent.
      Hannibal Mejbri is the £9.3m wonderkid starring for Man United
      United recently secured his services long-term with a new contractCredit: Getty
      Mejbri has been compared to Man Utd legends Roy Keane and David Beckham for his leadership qualitiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Mejbri arrived at Old Trafford in 2019 on a £9.3million move after a mystery fallout with former club Monaco.
      But Monaco’s loss is United’s gain, as the playmaker, who also drew interest from Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, with the ace already enjoying a number of training sessions and a promising cameo for the first-team.
      HE CAME OF AGE
      It was during an FA Youth Cup clash with Leeds at Old Trafford that he really came of age two years ago.
      Targeted by the away fans, with chants like ‘Sideshow Bob is f****** s***’, a reference to the chief villain in The Simpsons, Mejbri was on the end of some tough challenges during the game.
      But what doesn’t break you, only makes you stronger and Mejbri survived the test – putting in an accomplished performance on the ball.
      Neil Ryan, the United Under-18 coach, told The Times afterwards: “He is a talented boy and like all good players he will get targeted by any opposition.
      “That is what he has to learn, how to channel and focus his energies and not to get caught up in that, and I thought he did that well.”
      Nicky Butt, who looks set to join Wayne Rooney at Derby County after being United’s head of first team development, has been impressed by the qualities he’s seen in Mejbri, comparing him to legends Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and David Beckham.
      Butt told the Manchester Evening News: “Leaders are always looked at like a Roy Keane, a Steve Bruce, a Bryan Robson, those kind of verbal, real aggression, real leaders.
      Mejbri found himself on the end of some tough tackles from Leeds youngstersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “And then you’ve got leaders like Paul Scholes or David Beckham or Ryan Giggs, who’s quiet but really leads by example of how they play and how they work hard.
      “We’ve got the old-fashioned leaders, if you like, who are going to talk to the players and drive the team,” he said.
      “Hannibal (Mejbri)’s a leader. The way he plays his football is 100mph, he’s non-stop running up and down.”
      He followed that up with a brilliant double in a pre-season friendly for the first-team against Salford last summer and was soon being tied-down to a new long-term deal.
      FALL OUT BOY
      Back in August 2019, Manchester United pounced on Mejbri after he was embroiled in a disagreement with Monaco.
      “Something bad happened,” his father Lotfi Mejbri, a former Tunisian footballer, told Le Parisien.
      “For our family, it was very hard to live. It’s a real shock, a trauma.
      “There were mistakes made and, from there, I consider the relationship of trust between the club and our family destroyed.”
      His future always looked positive given the identity of his agent, Jorge Mendes, the man dubbed ‘the super agent’ who represents Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho.
      And yet, if it were up to his father, the boy would be battling in courts rather than midfield or performing in a hospital theatre rather than stadiums.
      Despite being a footballer himself, Mejbri Snr insisted his hope was to see his son go into a career as a lawyer or doctor.
      He once said: “Even if he does [make it as a pro footballer], I do not want him to have a chickpea for a brain in his head.”
      Mejbri’s footballer father came from Tunisia but he has represented France at youth level
      Hannibal with his mum and dad, Lotfi, signing for Monaco in 2017Credit: Instagram @HannibalMejbri
      Mejbri is one of the most sought after teenagers on the continentCredit: Instagram @HannibalMejbri
      Mejbri had other suitors in the Premier League.
      At the age of 14, he trained with Arsenal and had an offer from Liverpool but ended up in Monte Carlo.
      Lotfi said: “It has never been a question of money. If we were in for that, we could have got a lot more than what is being claimed in the press.
      “I will give an anecdote: after signing for Monaco whilst on holiday in Tunisia, a lawyer with a mandate from Liverpool called me with an enormous offer.
      “But I only had one word for him.”
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      After the success of United signing Bruno Fernandes for £56m last year, Mejbri could find his path to the first team blocked for the time being.
      However, Butt thinks that given time he will flourish for the club.
      “He’s a very, very talented boy but he’s still very immature,” he said. He’s still a baby. He’s not got anything on him just yet, he needs to build up his size and build up his physicality.”

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      Sergio Aguero has dated a string of beautiful ladies, including Maradona’s daughter and is now with a 24-year-old model

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      SERGIO AGUERO deserves his title as one of the world’s most eligible bachelors.The Man City striker, a hero in his native Argentina who pockets around £250,000 a week, is set to leave the Premier League club after it was revealed his contract won’t be renewed.
      Sergio Aguero’s was pictured with heavily inked Zoe Cristofoli
      Etihad team-mates Benjamin Mendy and Fabian Delph admitted as much when they confirmed he is the club’s biggest ladies man in a Q&A organised by club sponsors Tinder in 2019.
      Aguero, 32, has been pictured with a bevy of beautiful ladies over the years – here are some of the most notable, including his current squeeze, model Sofia Calzetti.
      GIANINA MARADONA
      AGUERO married into footballing royalty when he got together with late Argentina legend Diego Maradona’s youngest daughter in 2008, after being introduced by the icon himself.
      They had baby boy Benjamin together in February 2009 when Aguero was still leading the front line for Atletico Madrid.
      Aguero has a child, Benjamin, with his first wife GianninaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But things turned sour and they split in 2012, with some reports in their native Argentina claiming the pair argued over Giannina’s alleged ‘party lifestyle’.
      The Hand of God legend’s daughter – who regularly posts photos of her shapely bum online – confirmed their break-up on Twitter, saying they had ‘separated’ after a ‘difficult year with a lot of changes’.
      And it seemed like her followers took her side, with one writing: “Aguero doesn’t deserve you. He’s stupid and an idiot.”
      But Giannina defended her ex, replying: “Don’t say that, he’s the father of my son and he’s nothing like what you say he is.
      Giannina’s controversial belfie got a lot of attention onlineCredit: Golders/@giamaradona
      Maradona’s daughter was married to Aguero for four yearsCredit: Golders/@giamaradona
      “When a couple finish it’s both their faults.”
      But Maradona – who passed away after heart failure in November aged 60 – saw it differently, to say the least.
      Speaking of his former son-in-law, he called him a ‘wimp who I don’t even want to name’.
      And he blacked out a photo of Aguero holding Benjamin in a snap from inside his Dubai home with lawyer Matias Morla in February 2019.
      KARINA TEJEDA
      THE striker moved on from Giannina pretty quickly by hooking up with popular Argentinian singer Karina – known as the Little Princess – just months after his marriage ended.
      But his past could not escape him, with his new flame and Giannina having a Twitter spat.
      Aguero had to act as peacemaker when it was claimed son Benjamin had been insulted by Karina’s daughter, Sol, from a previous relationship.
      Aguero was with the Argentinian singer for four yearsCredit: Instagram @kariprinceoficial
      Aguero got with Karina after his marriage endedCredit: Instagram @kariprinceoficial
      The superstar couple suffered an acrimonious splitCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The singer is known as the Little Princess in her homeland
      Karina raged: “If you’ve got something to say about my daughter ring me and tell me.
      “I can put up with you trying to make me look back but don’t take it out on my daughter.”
      SunSport told you they split up after almost five years together just a month before Aguero’s car crash in Amsterdam, in which he broke two ribs.
      ZOE CRISTOFOLI
      IF you’re pulling up to a swanky Los Angeles nightclub in a £140,000 4×4, then you should not do so without an entourage.
      Aguero certainly didn’t when he rocked up to the Warwick with heavily tattooed Instagram model Zoe and pals back in 2018.
      Zoe Cristofoli and her amazing tattoos caught Aguero’s eye
      The Italian Instagram model partied the night away with AgueroCredit: Refer to Caption
      She did not appear to get serious with the striker

      She had previously dated Italian Big Brother contestant Andrea Ceroli and media personality Fabrizio Corona.
      It is unknown if she and Aguero ever attempted to get serious.
      But it appears doubtful given that she reportedly jetted back to Verona in her native Italy after the night out.
      TAYLOR WARD
      Back in March 2019, Aguero was said to have charmed stunning reality TV star Taylor Ward.
      Taylor, 22, appears on Real Housewives of Cheshire, and is famously the daughter of former Premier League star Ashley Ward.
      She was also the ex-girlfriend of Katie Price’s former lover, Kris Boyson.
      But their relationship soon fizzled out, and Aguero soon moved on.
      Incredibly, Taylor is now dating Aguero’s TEAM-MATE Riyad Mahrez and went Instagram official with her Algerian beau in October.
      Aguero had a brief liason with Taylor WardCredit: Refer to Caption
      She is the daughter of former footballer Ashley Ward
      Taylor Ward is now dating Aguero’s Etihad team-mate Riyad Mahrez
      SOFIA CALZETTI
      Aguero’s most recent love is 24-year-old model Sofia Calzetti.
      It was his first confirmed girlfriend since Tejeda, and they went Instagram official with a series of cute pictures on social media in 2019.
      Aguero whisked her to Miami at the tail-end of last summer, driving the gorgeous blonde in a blue McLaren Spider worth £166,000.

      They were even spied snogging in the Bahamas as their love affair continued.
      And she helped Aguero enjoy a Peaky Blinders-themed 31st birthday party, and they both shared snaps on social media.
      The picture-perfect couple enjoyed a tourist trip up The Shard while Aguero was rehabbing after the nasty knee injury he suffered in July.
      For Aguero, it seems that she’s a keeper… and we don’t mean Ederson.
      Aguero’s latest girlfriend is Sofia CalzettiCredit: Instagram
      Calzetti jetted to the Bahamas with Aguero in summer 2019Credit: Instagram
      Calzetti, 24, is a model
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      Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo saved brother Hugo Aveiro from drink and drug addiction and paid for his rehab

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      HE’S one of the greatest footballers of all-time, and a five-time Ballon d’Or winner.But for Cristiano Ronaldo’s troubled brother Hugo Aveiro, 10-years CR7’s senior, life has been more challenging.
      Hugo Aveiro and mum Dolores Aveiro celebrate Cristiano Ronaldo winning a European Golden ShoeCredit: Reuters
      Living in the shadow of the superstar sibling was daunting for the one-time promising footballer, who fell into a life of drink and drugs in the late 1990s.
      It was an addiction gene that ran in the family, with their late father Jose Dinis Aveiro also a recovering alcoholic.
      But thanks to Cristiano’s support, Hugo, 46, is now sober and managing the Ballon d’Or winner’s CR7 museum in Madeira, Portugal.
      They are closer than ever, go on holidays together, while Ronaldo is godfather to Hugo’s son.
      Hugo was also part of Cristiano’s entourage, boarding a private plane to head to the 2017 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and brother Hugo Aveiro stand beside a waxwork at the museumCredit: AFP – Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Hugo Aveiro make their pact at the Champions League FinalCredit: YouTube
      Hugo Aveiro dons a Real Madrid jersey with Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Instagram, @cristiano
      However, it all unfolded publicly at the Champions League Final in 2014, when Ronaldo stole the show in a 4-1 win over rivals Atletico Madrid at the Estadio da Luz.
      An emotional hug caught on camera between the pair celebrating Real’s crowning glory reportedly culminated in a pact.
      Cristiano told Hugo now he’s fulfilled his part of the bargain and won a Champions League for Los Blancos, it’s his brother’s turn to stop boozing.
      It was a tough demand on a man who had spent most of his adult life struggling with substances.
      Hugo Aveiro is told by Cristiano Ronaldo he must quit drinkingCredit: YouTube
      Mum Dolores Aveiro and brother Hugo Aveiro pose with Cristiano Ronaldo and the Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But it was a wish Hugo has since maintained, blessed by Cristiano’s love and support.
      And as anyone in recovery will tell you, you’re always an addict and every day is a fight.
      Which makes Hugo’s journey, with the aid of his little bro, a remarkable one all the same.
      Hugo was born the year their father Jose Dinis went to Angola with the Portuguese army.
      He left school before 17, and worked for a aluminium company before later running a painting crew.
      However, trouble was only around the corner for Hugo, who then started abusing substances, according to writer Guillem Balague in his Ronaldo biography.
      Cristiano Ronaldo strikes a poolside pose with his familyCredit: Instagram, @doloresaveiroofficial
      Hugo Aveiro is sober today after battling addictionsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      At this time, Hugo was playing ‘street football’ and was said to be a decent player. A left-footed striker, he played in the informal street leagues of Santo Antonio.
      Mixing it up against older men, childhood friend Joel Santos claimed that Hugo stood out.
      “I didn’t know Hugo back then. But everybody who knew says he was a better footballer than Ronaldo,” he said.
      C.S. Maritimo president Carlos Pereira, who has known Ronaldo for most of his life, was more sceptical about Hugo’s abilities.
      “Nowadays, people say that Hugo was a good player, but that has nothing to do with the kind of football that Ronaldo plays,” he said.
      Hugo Aveiro cheers on Portugal and his brother Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Instagram, @katiaaveiroofficial
      Cristiano Ronaldo supported his brother Hugo Aveiro during his drug battleCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “Hugo was a street player. He played. He drank. He slept. When Ronaldo started to play, he played in a club with structure, with coaches and directors.
      “It is a different kind of football. Hugo may have been skillful, but it was as a street footballer, playing against his friends in an amateur way. Nothing like Ronaldo.”
      The influence of Cristiano’s father, better known as Dinis, left a long-lasting impression on both boys growing up.
      While Cristiano set out to become a pro, vowing never to drink after seeing how it destroyed his own family, Hugo succumbed to the same demons as his dad.
      Cristiano Ronaldo shares a joke with Hugo Aveiro at his museum in MadeiraCredit: AFP – Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo let Hugo Aveiro enjoy his European Championship successCredit: Instagram, @cristiano
      Dinis died from liver failure when Ronaldo was just 20-years-old and failed to see his son’s meteoric rise.
      It left Ronaldo scarred, according to his mum Dolores. “Cristiano has seen what drink and drugs can do to people close to him.
      “And it’s part of the reason why he’s become who he is today.”
      Dolores continued: “Dinis drank himself into an early grave which left Cristiano devastated.
      “Time and again, Cristiano offered to pay to get him treatment but Dinis kept on drinking.
      Hugo Aveiro now lives the high-life with caring Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Instagram, @cristiano
      “He was still so young, just 52, when he died. Cristiano was very close to his dad.
      “He would have loved him to still be around to see the player he is today. It’s very sad.”
      As a young boy, Cristiano and his father were inseparable. From the ages of six and nine, Dinis was the kit man at his boys’ team Andorinha in Funchal.
      Despite his death in 2005, Ronaldo revealed it spurred him on to become the best.
      “Obviously the death of my father influenced everything.
      “I knew the pain would pass and the most important thing was for me to continue with my work.”
      Hugo Aveiro enjoys holidays with Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Instagram, @katiaaveiroofficial
      When Cristiano moved to Lisbon at 11-years-old, earning £170 a month as an apprentice, Hugo’s life also began to spiral out of control.
      Mom Dolores realised something had to be done and she packed him off to rehab.
      “I paid to send Hugo away to a specialist clinic for treatment. I was working as a cleaner, earning only £400 a month and I had to take out a loan,” she said.
      But Hugo soon returned to his old ways, and this time it was his brother who stepped in to save the day by paying for more treatment.
      Hugo Aveiro has turned his life around and runs a Cristiano Ronaldo museum in MadeiraCredit: Instagram, @katiaaveiroofficial
      Cristiano Ronaldo and his family are now very close after their woesCredit: Instagram, @cristiano
      “Cristiano was 16 then. He was earning more and paid for his brother’s treatment,” Dolores said.
      “There’s no doubt his money helped to save Hugo.
      “Things might have turned out a lot differently if Cristiano hadn’t been a footballer.”
      In a self-titled 2015 documentary about the Portuguese forward, Hugo briefly addressed his own issues.
      He revealed that working with his father in construction was the catalyst for his woes.
      Hugo also admitted he was influenced by drug pushers growing up in a neighbourhood rife with narcotics.
      “Growing up, Ronaldo’s two sisters were much closer to him than his brother because his brother was becoming like his father,” close pal Pereira divulged.
      Hugo Aveiro and Cristiano Ronaldo meet Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram, @cristiano
      Cristiano Ronaldo is godfather to the son of Hugo AveiroCredit: Instagram, @katiaaveiroofficial
      “The guys who surrounded Hugo were a different kind of people, the junkies of the neighbourhood. They were all taking drink and drugs.”
      And that’s a sentiment former neighbour Joao Ornelas shared, and how the brothers went down different roads.
      “Ronaldo got lucky; Hugo had bad luck,” he said.
      “Hugo tried drugs, and he got hooked. Once or twice, he stole things from home to sell and buy drugs, but nowadays he’s OK. He’s a nice guy. He’s clean.
      “The difference is that Hugo always lived here in the neighbourhood. Ronaldo went to Lisbon when he was only 12.
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      Hugo Aveiro struggled living in the shadow of Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Instagram, @katiaaveiroofficial

      “He had more comfort than he had here on this street. He had other people looking after him.
      “He had rules that he had to follow. Everything changed in that moment.”
      Maritimo chairman Pereira added: “Ronaldo got a different chance in life than Hugo.
      “Hugo always lived there. He stayed in that environment. Since Ronaldo was really young, people noticed he had a special talent. Along the way, people took care of him.
      “He was nurtured. It made him feel special. It made him believe he could take a different path in life than his brother and his father.”
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      Footballers’ strange nicknames, from Messi being called the flea to Paul Pogba known as the octopus and Aguero as Kun

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      THE Atomic Ant, anyone?Footballers are often given nicknames – in his heyday the late Diego Maradona earned the moniker El Pibe de Oro which means the golden boy.
      Lionel Messi has his own unique football nicknameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Even Cristiano Ronaldo’s was cool, often being labelled The Sultan of the Stepover by the press, which sounds more like a band than a term of endearment.
      But nicknames haven’t always been that favourable, as SunSport can happily testify.
      Here’s ten prime athletes at the top of their game that have been given some, quite frankly, bizarre handles.
      Alexis Sanchez A.K.A. The Squirrel
      His current nickname, which is obviously favourable given his current star status, is El Nino Maravilla. That translates as the wonder child.
      But we prefer that he was called La Ardilla, which means the squirrel.
      He was given that gem because as a kid he loved climbing trees.
      Alexis Sanchez was called an unusual nickname when he was a childCredit: Reuters
      Friends would call Alexis Sanchez La Ardilla when he was a kid because he liked to climb treesCredit: Alamy
      Sebastian Giovinco A.K.A. The Atomic Ant
      The former Juventus player, currently playing in Saudi Arabia, was christened Formica Atomica by the Turin faithful.
      Meaning The Atomic Ant, it was a reference to a famous cartoon character that the Juve fans thought he resembled because of his stature, pace and dynamic abilities.
      The name has stuck ever since.
      Sebastian Giovinco playing for former club Toronto in the MLSCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Atom Ant character that Sebastian Giovinco is nicknamed after
      Cesar Azpilicueta A.K.A. Dave
      When Chelsea signed the Spanish defender from Marseille in 2013, many of their players struggled to pronounce Cesar’s name.
      So, according to the man himself, they affectionately called him ‘Dave’ simply because it was easier on their tongues.
      It’s a clear reference to Trigger’s famous name for Rodney in Only Fools and Horses.
      Trigger from Only Fools and Horses coined the name ‘Dave’ for RodneyCredit: Handout
      Chelsea players called Cesar Azpilicueta Dave because they couldn’t pronounce his nameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Sergio Aguero A.K.A. Kun
      For years the Argentine forward has had the name Kun on the back of his jersey.
      But the Man City striker’s name isn’t Kun at all, it’s just a nickname.
      When he was a small child, his grandparents called him Kun because he resembled the character Kum-Kum from his favourite Japanese cartoon.
      “I have grown to appreciate it because it’s unique,” he said. “It’s not every day an athlete is nicknamed after a cartoon character!”
      Kum-Kum bares a striking resemblance to Man City star Sergio Aguero
      Sergio wears ‘Kun’ on the back of his jersey as a reference to a character from his favourite cartoon as a kidCredit: Reuters

      Lionel Messi A.K.A. The Flea
      The Barcelona fans have always supported Messi, but giving him the nickname La Pulga isn’t complimentary at all!
      Fleas are considered filthy specimens, which just isn’t fair on the free-scoring Argentine whizz.
      The nickname stuck because he’s a pest to the opposition, not to mention his diminutive size.
      Lionel Messi is a constant menace for the oppositionCredit: Getty – Contributor
      That’s why Lionel Messi is nicknamed the fleaCredit: Alamy
      Paul Pogba A.K.A. The Joker A.KA. Il Polpo Paul
      The French midfielder has two nicknames, the first one is La Pioche, which in English is The Joker.
      But it’s got nothing to do with Batman and his evil nemesis at all.
      Pogba explained: “I took it. It’s from a movie, but it wasn’t used the same way (as Batman).
      Paul Pogba has two nicknames – The Joker and The OctopusCredit: AFP or licensors
      Paul Pogba is nicknamed The Octopus because of his long limbsCredit: Image Bank – Getty
      “In the film, it’s a con man who tricked the village. I’m tricking you now. I’m doing the Pog Trick.”
      When he starred at Juventus he was also known as ‘The Octopus’ because of his long limbs and gangly frame.
      Philipp Lahm A.K.A. The Magic Dwarf A.K.A Wireless
      The sign of a true worldy, the now retired Bayern Munich legend has TWO weird nicknames.
      Lahm was first called Wireless, not because he had 5G capability, but because he could play anywhere on the pitch.
      He has former Mehmet Scholl to blame for that.
      The Magic Dwarf is a reference to his size. Despite being a giant on the pitch, he’s only 5’6″ tall.
      Philipp Lahm was called Wireless and The Magic Dwarf at Bayern MunichCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Givanildo Vieira de Sousa better known as Hulk
      He’s gone by the name Hulk wherever he’s gone.
      Even commentators call him by that name, but it’s a nickname with his real last name being de Sousa.
      However, he was given the strange moniker because of his resemblance to Lou Ferrigno, who played The Incredible Hulk in the TV series from the 70s.
      It does help that he’s built more like a boxer than a footballer too.
      Hulk’s real name is Givanildo Vieira de SousaCredit: Rex Features
      Hulk got his nickname because of his resemblance to Lou Ferrigno who played The Incredible Hulk in the 70s TV showCredit: Channel 5
      Fitz Hall A.K.A. One Size
      Probably the funniest nickname, and well worth a mention for its comedic quality.
      The former Crystal Palace defender’s mates gave him the ultimate nickname.
      Obviously, because One Size fits all, it stuck with the stopper ever since he was a small child growing up in Leytonstone.
      Mind you, Fitz was a big lad at 6’4″ so it necessarily isn’t totally true, is it?
      Fitz Hall was amusingly nicknamed One SizeCredit: Action Images – Reuters

      Sead Kolasinac A.K.A. The Tank
      When Arsenal added the Bosnian left back to their ranks they thought they were adding some real heavy artillery.
      After all, Kolasinac was nicknamed De Panzer (The Tank) in Germany by the Schalke fans because of his bulky frame.
      He’s now back at Schalke, where he’s probably looking for a war… on the pitch.
      Sead Kolasinac is called De Panzer (The Tank) because of his frameCredit: Reuters
      Paul Pogba and his wife Maria Zulay look loved up as they play toilet paper football and dance in the car More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson transfer flops: Seven worst buys Man Utd icon made including hopeless keeper and last ever signing

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON is widely considered to be the greatest Premier League manager of all time.The Scot absolutely dominated the division with Manchester United, winning 13 of the first 21 editions of the re-branded league before retiring in 2013.
      Not all of Ferguson’s buys were as successful as others…Credit: PA:Press Association

      Legends Alan Shearer and Ian Wright unanimously agreed on a recent MOTD Top Ten podcast that Ferguson was easily the league’s greatest ever boss – and it’s easy to see why.
      A master motivator, a psychological genius, Fergie was a supreme decision maker in the Old Trafford hot-seat.
      From Bruce and Pallister to Ronaldo and Rooney – Ferguson was adept at making perfect acquisitions all over the pitch.
      But not all of them came off…
      We take a look at some of those rough diamonds that could never quite be polished.
      Bebe sadly failed to make the grade at Old Trafford
      BEBE
      Bebe’s whirlwind rise from a shelter in one of Lisbon’s poorest areas to £7.4million Manchester United signing was inspiring… his Old Trafford career was a disaster.
      In just 18 months the 20-year-old had gone from playing amateur football for local club Loures to being a multi-million pound signing for the champions of England.
      After a year starring in the third-tier of Portuguese football, Bebe earned a move to top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes in the summer of 2010.
      Following good performances in pre-season, however, he found himself packing his bags once again just five weeks after arriving – because the Red Devils had matched his release clause.
      He clearly wasn’t ready for the step up, and suffered the humiliation of being substituted as a replacement himself against Wolves in November 2010.
      This quickly lead to Bebe becoming a joke figure at Old Trafford, although he did manage cup goals against Bursaspor and Wolves.
      He was swiftly farmed out on various loan spells before leaving United in 2014, signing for Portuguese giants Benfica but finding their first-team equally hard to crack.
      After a spell at Eibar, the 29-year-old currently resides in the Spanish second tier with Rayo Vallecano – for whom he has scored three goals for this season.
      Kleberson struggled to adapt to the rigours of the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      KLEBERSON
      Brazilian Kleberson arrived at Manchester United amid much fanfare in 2003, having starred in his country’s World Cup win the year before – even playing all 90 minutes of the final.
      The Red Devils beat off competition from the likes of Barcelona, Leeds United and Celtic for his signature – but his time at Old Trafford was an unfortunate failure.
      A lack of fellow Portuguese speakers led to the £6.5m signing growing isolated, swiftly losing the confidence to produce the flair that he had so often illustrated for Atletico Paranaense and Brazil.
      He departed Old Trafford for £2.5m after just two years and 30 appearances, later telling the MEN: “When the team isn’t doing well, it’s hard to change your style, I couldn’t do it, when I came to Man United I tried to change the player I was, more passes, more aggression, more tackles, but it’s too hard and wasn’t what my game was about.
      “From 17 to 24 years old, I was playing that fluent Brazilian style, to move the ball quickly and receive it in space.
      “At Man United I had tough moments a lot of the time, I got a lot of injuries and struggled a lot.”
      Now 40, Kleberson coaches the academy at American side Philadelphia Union.
      Massimo Taibi could never replace the legendary Schmeichel
      MASSIMO TAIBI
      In 1999, Ferguson had a problem.
      In the afterglow of achieving the pinnacle of his career, a historic treble sealed on that famous night in Barcelona, Peter Schmeichel left Old Trafford for Sporting Lisbon.
      The Dane had been a pillar of United’s success and his gloves were always going to be tough to fill.
      Unfortunately, Taibi didn’t even come close.
      It is easily forgotten that he earned man of the match in the first of his four United appearances following his £4.5m switch from Venezia.
      This is because of his horrendous mistake against Southampton, with which he would become synonymous.
      A pee-roller of a Matt Le Tissier effort was trundling harmlessly towards the Italian, before skipping off a divot and farcically bouncing over his hapless frame.
      After also featuring in a 5-0 loss to Chelsea, Taibi was shunted back to Serie A initially on loan less that six months after arriving – and was not seen on these shores again after a £2.5m departure in 2000.
      Now aged 50, Taibi is a director at Reggina.
      Zaha signed for Ferguson… but arrived under Moyes
      WILFRIED ZAHA
      On January 26 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson made his final signing as Manchester United manager.
      A 20-year-old Wilfried Zaha had been tearing up the Championship, illustrating the kind of tricky wing-play that Sir Alex absolutely loved.
      The Ivorian signed for United for £15m before returning to Palace on loan for the remainder of the season.
      He subsequently succeeded in getting his boyhood club promoted, but there was just one problem when he got back to Old Trafford.
      Ferguson was gone.
      Zaha was never fancied by Fergie’s successor David Moyes, only making four appearances before being ditched and eventually allowed to re-join Palace for just £6m in 2014.
      He has since grown and improved as a player,and the Ivory Coast international has a number of top clubs chasing his services again after some impressive displays for the Eagles.
      Many ‘f***ing idiots’ believed that Veron floppedCredit: PA:Press Association
      JUAN SEBASTIAN VERON
      In 2001, United smashed the English transfer record to sign Juan Sebastian Veron from Lazio.
      The £36m deal rocked the Premier League and much was expected of the Argentine.
      There were initially good moments, he won the division’s Player of the Month award in September of that year – showing flashes of brilliance, particularly in the Champions League.
      Fitness struggles followed, however, with Veron failing to cope with the relentless pace of English football.
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      Criticism of his performances began to grow, but Ferguson defended his man, once ranting at the end of a press conference: “He [Veron] is a f***ing great player and you’re all f***ing idiots.”
      But the consensus was that United’s expensive gamble hadn’t come off, and they took an enormous £21m hit on him when he was allowed to move to Chelsea in 2003.
      Former team-mate Rio Ferdinand recently opened up on what may have cost Veron in his time at Old Trafford, telling the Mail: “He was an unbelievable player, great passer.
      “The only thing I think that killed him was Roy Keane was probably a bit more of a dominant personality and was picking the ball up in his positions.”
      Nick Powell’s United career didn’t turn out as hoped…
      NICK POWELL
      At just 18 years of age, Powell had become one of English football’s hottest young properties when he capped off a remarkable season with Crewe Alexandra by scoring an absolute beauty in the League Two play-off final.
      Manchester United, for so long the best place for top English talents to be nurtured and helped to flourish, agreed a deal worth up to £6m to bring him to the Theatre of Dreams.
      The creative midfielder had Old Trafford jaws on the floor when he scored another blockbuster strike on his United debut, belting one in from 20 yards against Wigan Athletic.
      But things quickly began to fizzle out for Powell at United, particularly after Ferguson’s departure in 2013.
      After a number of injuries and loans, the once hotly-tipped talent’s United appearances swiftly became sporadic… and notorious.
      He played 57 minutes of the Red Devils’ humiliating 4-0 defeat by MK Dons under Louis van Gaal – and gained mocking status when brought on for Juan Mata against Wolfsburg with United chasing a crucial Champions League goal.
      Van Gaal’s side lost that match, crashing out of Europe, and Powell found himself moving to Wigan on a free transfer in 2016.
      After playing well in League One and the Championship for the Latics, the now-27-year-old finds himself at Stoke City in the second-tier.
      Djemba-Djemba enjoyed a nomadic career after leaving Old Trafford
      ERIC DJEMBA-DJEMBA
      Cameroonian Djemba-Djemba arrived to little fanfare from first club Nantes in 2003, with Ferguson splashing £3.5m on a man that he saw as a potential successor to Roy Keane.
      While he was certainly willing to put his 5ft 11in frame about in the same manner as the Irishman, Djemba-Djemba lacked the ability to control games like his skipper did.
      He used to share a post-training Nando’s with team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, but the pair’s careers were about to go on very different trajectories.
      After 39 Red Devils appearances, Djemba-Djemba moved to Aston Villa for £1.5m, embarking on a nomadic career that would take him everywhere from Chennai to St Mirren.

      Djemba-Djemba recently told SunSport about playing the Swiss fifth-tierCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Now 38, he turns out for Swiss fifth-tier side FC Vallorbe-Ballaigues, recently telling SunSport: “I understand the game. I don’t have to run a lot and I just have to manage my stamina.
      “But I don’t think I’m any different to my teammates.
      “I just love playing and when I finish training, I’m happy to carry the balls or the water bottles.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Nicky Butt in line for Wayne Rooney reunion at Derby after quitting Manchester United coaching role More

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      Inside the life of Man Utd legend Roy Keane – from 20-year marriage to Theresa to his controversial playing career

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      ON the pitch, he was the enforcer at Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and CelticOff it, he’s a milder family man, loyal husband of wife of 20-years Theresa, father of five kids and a generous son.
      Off the pitch, Roy Keane, pictured with wife of 20-years Theresa, is a mild family manCredit: Getty – Contributor
      On the pitch, Keane was the hardman of British football at Manchester UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      In recent years, Roy Keane, 49, has reinvented himself as a TV pundit on Sky Sports – championed for his sharp analysis, rapport with Micah Richards and wicked sense of humour.
      He has now thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant Celtic manager’s job, and is one of the hot favourites for the role.
      But, away from football, the Ireland legend lives a very private life.
      THERESA DOYLE
      Last month Keane surprised us all when he set up an Instagram page, where he’s uploaded pictures of his family, including his grandchildren.
      Still missing from it, though, is his wife of 20-years, Theresa Doyle.
      The pair met in 1992, when the midfielder was playing for Forest under Brian Clough.
      “I spotted a beautiful girl in a club in town. Her name was Theresa Doyle but she blanked me,” Keane once revealed of his encounter with the Nottingham-born beauty.
      “She was in a steady relationship and didn’t seem at all impressed by Roy Keane, the great footballer. In fact, I think my reputation was as a downer for all kinds of reasons.
      “From time to time we ran into each other around Nottingham. I knew some of her friends, who told me Theresa was a dentist’s assistant.
      Theresa Doyle, far right, has been married to Keane for 20-years and he describes her as his ‘rock’Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Family man Keane joined Instagram and has been sharing pictures of his grandchildrenCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      Since setting up an Instagram account in February, Keane has amassed 1.3m followersCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      “Eventually, after her relationship broke up, she relented and we went out together. I was in love.”
      They got married in a private ceremony at the Church of Our Lady Crowned in Mayfield, Cork, where Keane is from.
      Keane rarely mentions his wife in public, but once opened up about their relationship in a revealing interview with the Sunday Times in the early 2000s.
      “I don’t really mention her in public, but in fairness to her, she has been a rock in my life. Just brilliant. She reads me better than I read myself,” Keane said.
      “I wouldn’t say Theresa likes every part of the package. She knows I haven’t got a halo over my head. Actually, that’s what she likes about me. She also knows I am not the nastiest person in the world.”
      FIVE CHILDREN
      Keane and Theresa have five children together, Shannon, Caragh, Aidan, Leah and Alanna.
      Even though the former footballer has tasted plenty of success on the football pitch, nothing comes close to spending time with his family.
      Even though he enjoyed plenty of success at Manchester United, Keane longed for family time instead of celebrating with team-matesCredit: Reuters
      Keane has five children with wife TheresaCredit: SNS
      In his autobiography, when writing about winning the Champions League in 1999, Keane said he “longed to go home to Theresa and the kids” and wasn’t interested in celebrating with his team-mates.
      However, despite his wish to spend more time with them after hanging up his boots, he previously admitted that they wanted him to get back to work after just two months.
      “My plan when I first stopped was, we’re going to go on some family trips, we’re going to be like the Waltons,” Keane joked.
      “We’re all going to spend time together, go walk in the park and after a month or two they didn’t have the same plan as me so I think they were kind of missing me going to work.
      “I got offered the job at Sunderland and I was away on a family holiday and my family were looking at me… not saying it directly but going we kind of enjoy your company but not too much of it so when the job came back up they were saying you should go for it.”
      MEET THE PARENTS
      Roy’s late father Maurice ‘Mossie’ Keane met his mum Marie at a local dance, and they married in 1963.
      They moved to the Mayfield suburb in Cork, where they raised five children, Denis, Johnson, Hilary, Roy and Pat.
      Keane shared a tight bond with his parents Maurice and MarieCredit: Sky
      Generous Keane bought his parents a home in the countryside in RathpeaconCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      Keane always shared a close bond with his parents and regularly made sure they had tickets to watch his games at Forest and United.
      The generous son also bought them a home in the countryside in nearby Rathpeacon.
      In 2019, Keane was devastated when his Maurice passed away after battling illness. He was 79.
      AS A PLAYER
      When Keane was a schoolboy, he began playing football for local side Rockmount AFC.
      From there, he moved to Irish First Division team Cobh Ramblers of County Cork in 1989.
      Keane was spotted by ex-scout Noel McCabe, who immediately recommended the talent to Brian Clough.
      After impressing on a trial, he moved to Nottingham in 1990 and blossomed into one of the best young midfielders in the country.
      At Nottingham Forest Keane blossomed into one of the country’s best midfieldersCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      In 1993 Manchester United paid a British transfer record fee of £3.75m to buy KeaneCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      Sir Alex Ferguson brought Keane to Manchester United in 1993 for a British transfer record fee of £3.75million.
      Keane went on to become one of the Premier League giants’ greatest captains – winning seven Premier League titles, a Champions League, as well as four FA Cups.
      He retired in 2006, after one season in Scotland at Celtic where he played 10 times.
      IRISH FALLOUT
      Keane’s career has been rocked by scandal over the years.
      But nothing hurt more than missing the greatest football competition in the world in 2002.
      Keane played 65 times for Ireland between 1991-2005, but his international career is unfortunately remembered for his fallout with Mick McCarthy before the 2002 World Cup.
      Keane wasn’t happy with the Irish team’s set-up ahead of the prestigious football tournament and left the training camp.
      Keane’s international career is best remembered for his epic fallout with Mick McCarthyCredit: Reuters
      After he returned home from the 2002 World Cup, Keane was seen walking his dogs nearby his homeCredit: Reuters
      After a confrontation with McCarthy at the team hotel, he flew home and was famously quizzed by reporters about his acrimonious exit while walking his dog near his home.
      Without him, Ireland managed to reach the last-16 before they were beaten by Spain on penalties.
      AS A MANAGER
      Now linked with Celtic, Keane has had previous experience managing a club – all with varied success.
      His first job at Sunderland was actually a success in the light of day. He took over the Mackems in 2006 when they second bottom of the Championship.
      In his first season, they managed to win the league and gain promotion. But he stood down from his post before Christmas – with Sunderland struggling in 18th position in the Premier League.
      Keane has had mixed results as a manager, but could he be the next Celtic boss?Credit: EPA

      Then came a spell at Ipswich, where he failed in a promotion bid and was sacked in 2011.
      Keane returned to the international fold as assistant manager to Martin O’Neill, and was a key member of the coaching set-up that saw Ireland qualify Euro 2016.
      O’Neill and Keane left their jobs after a series of inconsistent results left their jobs hanging by a thread – and reunited briefly at Forest in 2019.
      Niall Quinn says refs were ‘scared stiff’ of Roy Keane as he remembers Man Utd getting an undeserved penalty More