Football features

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      What Lionel Messi spends his £123m-per-year wages on, including a £5.5m home, £12m private jet, and crazy car collection

      by

      SO this is how Lionel Messi spends his money.The Barcelona legend’s contract has been leaked by Spanish outlet El Mundo.
      Messi has built an incredible lifestyle in Barcelona
      And the 30-page document has revealed the Argentine ace, 33, earns £123m per year with a host of bonuses too, including a £35m loyalty fee this coming summer even if he quits the club.
      It’s that salary that’s allowed Messi to live like a king in Catalonia.
      Here’s a glimpse into his amazing lifestyle, featuring a luxury mansion, fancy holidays, and plenty of flash cars.
      HIS HOME
      Boasting sea views and being in a no-fly zone, Messi’s abode – valued at £5.5milion – in Barcelona offers a tranquil experience.
      Located in the exclusive suburb of Castelldefels, it’s the perfect spot for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to reside.
      And he bought himself privacy by splashing out on his neighbour’s home, according to old team-mate Ivan Rakitic.
      Just 12 miles away from the Camp Nou, Messi’s home has a small football pitch, a swimming pool, an indoor gym and a playground for his three children.
      There’s also the incredible sight of the Balearic Sea to wake up to every day – you won’t get that in Manchester, Paris or London.
      Close friend Luiz Suarez used to live nearby while Philippe Coutinho still does should a team debriefing be needed.
      The Messis live in a stunning mansion in the exclusive suburb of CastelldefelsCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
      The home boasts a stunning and spacious loungeCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
      Messi has a room dedicated to a collection of shirts in his home
      Football is always on the TV and the family can keep warm by the fireCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
      Messi often plays football in his garden with his Dogue de Bordeaux called HulkCredit: Instagram @leomessi
      The Messi family regularly congregate in the kitchenCredit: Instagram @leomessi
      Family comes first for MessiCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
      PRIVATE JET
      If he’s planning on going anywhere in a hurry, Messi has the use of his own private jet that’s worth £12million and has his famous No10 on the tail.
      It was made by a company in Argentina and designed for Messi family with the names of his wife, Antonella, plus children Thiago, Ciro and Mateo featuring on the steps.
      It boasts a number of incredible features, including its very own kitchen.
      There are two bathrooms and enough seats for 16 people.
      Incredibly, the chairs can also be folded up and turned into eight beds too – providing ultimate comfort.
      Messi, however, doesn’t own it – he leases the jet. Still, it won’t come cheap.
      Lionel Messi has got a luxury planeCredit: Goal
      There are names on the steps and a No 10 on the tailCredit: Goal
      The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Brussels after a technical fault was reported
      There are 16 chairs which can be folded into eight bedsCredit: Goal
      The private jet boasts a kitchen and two bathroomsCredit: Goal
      HOTEL
      With tourism being a huge trade in Barcelona (at least before the coronavirus pandemic hit), Messi has invested his money shrewdly.
      Like his footballing rival Cristiano Ronaldo, he has become a hotelier and bought a £26million hotel in the coastal town of Sitges – some 26 miles from the city.
      The four-star Hotel MiM Sitges is just 100m from the sea, has 77 bedrooms, including five junior suites and one suite, and costs around £105-per-night during high season to stay in a standard room.
      On top of that, there’s the rooftop Sky Bar that boasts panoramic views of the town and Mediterranean Sea, as well as a pool.
      If you’re looking to unwind even further, there’s a top-of-the-range spa that features a sauna, Turkish bath, sensory showers, a recreational pool, a cold plunge tub and a saltwater pool.
      Messi owns the Hotel MiM Sitges
      Sitges is a stunning coastal town just 26 miles from the city
      The hotel cost Messi around £26million
      CARS
      With Messi’s huge salary, he could probably afford to send his car collection over with him if he leaves Barcelona this summer.
      The pick of his motors, said to be worth around £3million, is a £1.5million Pagani Zonda.
      He also has a penchant for Maserati, with a £100,000 GranTurismo S and a GranTurismo MC Stradale in his garage.
      Messi has also been seen driving a Ferrari F43 Spider worth £173,000.
      Although with Barcelona’s deal with Audi ending last year, there were no more freebies from the German car giants.
      Messi boasts a car collection reportedly worth £3millionCredit: Getty – Contributor
      A rare Pagani Zonda worth £1.5million is the jewel of his car collectionCredit: Handout
      Messi seen behind the wheel of a Range RoverCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Messi loves Maseratis and has two different GranTurismosCredit: Xposure
      Barcelona’s sponsorship deal with Audi has since expiredCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      FANCY HOLIDAYS
      When it’s pre-season, Messi likes to let his hair down with a break away.
      But he doesn’t go too far – often picking to hire a private yacht and enjoy Ibiza and Formentera.
      In 2020, he and wife Antonella Roccuzzo were joined by pals Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas for a trip around the islands.
      They hired the stunning Seven C charter boat measuring nearly 92ft long that costs £40,000 per week to rent.
      Boasting luxury interiors throughout, the vessel sleeps ten guests in four rooms, including a master suite, a VIP stateroom and two twin cabins.
      Her sizeable deck area offers plenty of room for sunbathing and relaxing, while there’s an outdoor bar to cater for guest’s thirsts.
      Previously, Messi has also stayed at the luxury Caribbean holiday resort Jumby Bay, where private villas cost £5,000 per-night and Sir Paul McCartney has once stayed.
      Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas rented this stunning yacht in Formentera in 2020
      Suarez and Messi spent time on board the luxury Seven C yacht while in the Mediterranean with their WagsCredit: Splash News
      Seven C would’ve cost Messi, Suarez and Fabregas £40k-per-week
      Ten guests can sleep in the four cabins
      You can live like a king in the luxurious master bedroom
      All rooms are air-conditioned so guests are always in comfort
      No expense is spared with the luxurious interiors onboard the Seven C
      THE TRAINING GROUND
      Every day Messi hones his skills at the state-of-the-art Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
      Since 2009, Barcelona have made this their training ground. It also acts as a multi-sport pavilion for the other sports teams at the club, including basketball, futsal, and handball.
      After training, Messi and Co can use the gym, sauna, and a full-sized pool – all aiding their recuperation.
      Costing roughly around £65million, there are also living quarters where future Barcelona prospects border.
      It was named in honour of Joan Gamper, the founder of the Spanish club.
      Messi trains at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan GamperCredit: FC Barcelona
      The Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper boasts state-of-the-art facilitiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The facility boasts several training pitchesCredit: FC Barcelona
      Barcelona’s professional basketball team is also based hereCredit: FC Barcelona
      Barcelona’s stars are put through their pacesCredit: Rex Features
      LOVE OF HIS LIFE
      Barcelona shares a special place in the heart of Messi and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo.
      Although they were childhood friends in Rosario, Argentina, Messi and Roccuzzo’s love blossomed in the Spanish city in 2009.

      They’ve set up camp, not only with a beautiful home and life, but three sons too – Thiago, Mateo and Ciro all Spanish-born.
      They shared their nuptials in their homeland in Rosario in a glitzy ceremony attended by Barcelona legends Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and Samuel Eto’o.
      No expense was spared. And why not when banking a £123m a year salary.
      Antonella Roccuzzo is Messi’s love of his lifeCredit: Instagram, @antoroccuzzo88
      The stunning Wag was a childhood friend of Messi’s from RosarioCredit: Splash News
      The Messi family have settled in SpainCredit: Instagram @antonelaroccuzzo
      Will the Messi family move from Barcelona?Credit: Splash News
      Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta slams PSG for Messi transfer pursuit More

    • 238 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Ronaldo and Messi’s incredible lifestyles, with luxurious homes and expensive cars – but who is living their best life?

      by

      FOOTBALL icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are still at the top of their game and have lives that would make anyone envious.The Portuguese legend, 36, recently celebrated overtaking Pele’s goal record with a hat-trick against Cagliari – and now has a staggering 740 career goals to his name.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is still top of his gameCredit: PA
      Like Ronaldo, Lionel Messi is a football billionaire and has an amazing lifestyleCredit: Rex
      While the Barcelona ace, 33, beat Xavi’s appearance record against Real Sociedad – the 768th time he’s played for the Catalans – and for good measure he scored twice too in a 4-1 win.
      Because of their brilliance over the years, the pair have seen their bank accounts swell and boast vast fortunes.
      And according to Forbes, they are the ONLY two footballers who have become billionaires.
      So what do they spend their money on?
      HOMES
      Cristiano has lived in some amazing homes through the years – and has a come a long since his humble beginnings in Madeira.
      After making it at Old Trafford, Ronaldo splashed £3m on an incredible estate in Alderley Edge.
      Then, when he moved to Real Madrid in 2009 for £80million he bought a stunning £4.8million mansion in the exclusive La Finca neighbourhood.
      Currently he lives in Turin in two adjoining villas found on a private road guarded by security, which leads to an entrance gate.
      The villas themselves have separate entrances, and are surrounded by lush gardens and vegetation.
      The property is so high up, ‘it’s as if Turin were at the feet of CR7, a tribute of the city to the long-awaited and newly-arrived champion,’ La Gazzetta dello Sport reported at the time of purchase.
      Ronaldo’s home in Turin features two adjoining villasCredit: Instagram
      The property boasts amazing views of the city of TurinCredit: Instagram
      The property boasts plenty of space for the whole Ronaldo familyCredit: Instagram
      Ronaldo relaxes in one of the many lounge areas of the homeCredit: Refer to Caption
      Ronaldo works out in the state-of-the-art gym
      There’s a state-of-the-art gym that he and former shop assistant Georgina love to use together. And there’s also a swimming pool, which Ronaldo cools down in by doing a few laps following a strenuous session lifting weights.
      Ronaldo also has a £1.4million holiday home in the Costa del Sol, as well as a £7million home in Madeira his mum and brother live in.
      Messi’s modern £5.5million Barcelona mansion he lives in with Antonella Roccuzzo features incredible views of the Balearic Sea, and due to environmental restrictions a no-fly zone is in place over the Castelldefels property.
      Just 12 miles away from the Camp Nou, Messi’s abode also has a small football pitch, a swimming pool, an indoor gym and a playground for his three children.
      Earlier this year, Messi was also said to have splashed £7.25m on a luxury apartment in the Porsche Design Tower in Miami.
      Amazingly, the building boasts three car lifts allowing residents to park their vehicle on the same floor as their suite.
      The Messis live in a stunning mansion in the exclusive suburb of CastelldefelsCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
      The home boasts a stunning and spacious loungeCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
      Messi has a room dedicated to a collection of shirts in his home
      Lionel Messi reportedly bought an apartment at the Porsche Design Tower – which boasts stunning views of the Miami coastlineCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Each suite has a lift that allows residents to park their cars on the same floor as their home
      A spacious living room and open plan kitchen can be seen in this showhome
      CARS
      Juventus forward Ronaldo is a car collector, and SunSport has estimated in the past his garage is worth £16million.
      The two standouts of his collection are his Bugatti Centodieci that cost £8.5million, and is one of only 10 in the world.
      He also owns a Bugatti Chiron worth £2.5million and a £1.7million Bugatti Veyron.
      For his 35th birthday, his gorgeous Wag Georgina Rodriguez gifted him a Mercedes G-Class Brabus, an SUV that can cost up to £600,000.
      A £260,000 Lamborghini Aventador and a Ferrari F12 TDF that would’ve set CR7 back £350,000 are also kept in pristine condition in his collection.
      Ronaldo is believed to be one of 10 people lucky enough to buy the incredible new Bugatti Centodieci, which costs £8.5m
      Cristiano Ronaldo poses outside his former Madrid home on his £1.7m Bugatti VeyronCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      The Ferrari F12 is one of Ronaldo’s favouritesCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      Messi also loves luxury cars – although he isn’t in the same bracket as Ronaldo in terms of being a collector.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has a £1.5million Pagani Zonda, which is the most expensive in his collection.
      He has a penchant for Maserati, with a £100,000 GranTurismo S and a GranTurismo MC Stradale among his fleet.

      Messi has also been seen driving a Ferrari F43 Spider worth £173,000 around Barcelona.
      Before Barcelona’s deal with Audi expired, he wasn’t afraid to drive their sponsored cars too.
      Although with Barcelona’s deal with Audi ending last year, there were no more freebies from the German car giants.
      A rare Pagani Zonda worth £1.5million is the jewel of Messi’s car collectionCredit: Handout
      Messi loves Maseratis and has two different GranTurismosCredit: Xposure
      Barcelona’s sponsorship deal with Audi has expired, so Messi doesn’t get a company car anymoreCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      PRIVATE JET
      Both Ronaldo and Messi enjoy a jet-set lifestyle, so it’s no wonder they have their own planes.
      In 2015, CR7 reportedly paid £20million for a a Gulfstream G200 twin-engine jet.
      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 Italy to hubs around Europe.
      And the G200 offers a generous seating configuration, and can fit as many as eight to 10 passengers for one flight.
      Ronaldo reportedly owns a Gulfstream G200Credit: Rex Features
      Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez often use their private jet to zoom around EuropeCredit: Instagram @georginagio
      Family games are easy for the Ronaldos onboard the spacious aircraftCredit: Instagram
      Messi leases a £12million Gulfstream V jet, which he first started using in 2018.
      The plane was infamously forced to make an emergency landing in Brussels due to a technical fault last year.
      It boasts a number of incredible features, including its very own kitchen. There are two bathrooms and enough seats for 16 people.
      Messi even has the names of his family adorned on the jet, with wife Antonella, plus children Thiago, Ciro and Mateo all having their names etched on the steps.
      Lionel Messi has got a luxury plane tooCredit: Goal
      There are names on the steps and a No 10 on the tailCredit: Goal
      The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Brussels after a technical fault was reported last year
      YACHT
      In 2019, Ronaldo took to the seas to expand on his empire of amazing things.
      He added a £5.5million superyacht to his life, and why not?
      Built in the Versilia shipyards of Azimut-Benett, it boasts five luxury cabins and six stunningly decorated bathrooms.
      There’s also a modern kitchen onboard, as well as two relaxation areas, a huge lounge, and a lavish dining room.
      Juventus legend Ronaldo is the proud owner of the Azimut Grande.
      The superyacht cost around £5.5million
      It has five luxury cabins
      Ronaldo releaxes on board his yacht with Wag Georgina
      No stranger to a life at sea, Messi doesn’t own a yacht – but often holiday with pals including Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas onboard the Seven C yacht in
      Measuring nearly 92ft long, it was first built in 2003 before having a refit in 2011.
      Boasting luxury interiors throughout, the vessel sleeps ten guests in four rooms, including a master suite, a VIP stateroom and two twin cabins.
      Her sizeable deck area offers plenty of room for sunbathing and relaxing, while there’s an outdoor bar to cater for guest’s thirsts.
      Astonishingly, it costs £40,000 a week to rent.
      Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas regularly rent this stunning yacht in Formentera
      Suarez and Messi spent time on board the luxury Seven C yacht while in the Mediterranean with their WagsCredit: Splash News
      You can live like a king in the luxurious master bedroom
      No expense is spared with the luxurious interiors onboard the Seven C
      HOTELS
      With an eye on retirement, Ronaldo and Messi are both hoteliers now.
      The Argentine’s business MiM is run by brother, Rodrigo and features three hotels in Spain.
      There’s his Hotel MiM Sitges, in a coastal area of Barcelona which SunSport had the pleasure to visit, which he bought in 2017.
      Messi added an Art-Deco Ibiza resort to his portfolio the same year – with rooms costing £250-per-night.
      His reasonable MiM Mallorca costs £70-per-night, and was snapped up in 2019.
      While the most recent addition to the group is the Himalaia hotel at the Spanish ski resort Baqueira-Beret.
      Ronaldo is slowly building his hotel empire.
      Messi owns the Hotel MiM Sitges, a coastal town of Barcelona
      The same year Messi purchased Hotel Es Vive in IbizaCredit: Golders/@HotelEsVive
      The recently-renovated hotel is situated along the stunning Figueretas beachCredit: Golders/@HotelEsVive
      There are 52 rooms in Messi’s Ibiza hotel, which boasts a luxury pool, rooftop bar and burlesque roomsCredit: Golders/@HotelEsVive
      Ronaldo opened his first hotel in Funchal, Madeira in 2016Credit: Pestana CR7 Funchal
      Rooms at the Pestana CR7 Funchal can cost as little as £79-per nightCredit: Pestana CR7 Funchal
      The Pestana CR7 Funchal is located on the waterfront and boasts views of Madeira’s mountainous landscapeCredit: Pestana CR7 Funchal
      Ronaldo opened his second hotel in Portugal in the capital LisbonCredit: PestanaCR7
      Designs for Ronaldo’s Marrakech hotel show it’ll be a place for the jet set when it launches

      Through the Pestana CR7 Group, the forward already has budget places to stay in Funchal and Lisbon.
      But plans are afoot to open hotels in New York, Madrid, Paris and Marrakech.
      Where would you stay?
      Dominant Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 as Ronaldo betters Messi by scoring twice More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      How Barcelona and Real Madrid seal big-money transfers with Kylian Mbape, Erling Haaland and Sergio Aguero linked

      by

      FROM scouting to stadium unveiling, it takes Real Madrid and Barcelona just seven steps to seal the deal.The two giants of world football, known for spending the big bucks, have worked out the perfect formula in courting their top targets.
      Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid have begun courting the club’s next superstarsCredit: Reuters
      Erling Haaland has been linked with Real MadridCredit: Rex
      And although finances may be tight after the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the LaLiga sides are already planning for next season.
      We are by no means suggesting any tapping up is going on by either club, for that would be against Fifa rules.
      But Real and Barca know the main men they want, with Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Sergio Aguero linked with moves.
      This is how they start that process.
      STEP 1: Identifying Target
      This is the hard part, taking a global scouting network, hours of player identification, notes and analysis.
      The player must fit a position of need, play with a certain style and, ideally, fit in with the club philosophy.
      But once the two Spanish giants have honed in on their targets, it’s very difficult to resist the lure of the Camp Nou or the Bernabeu.
      Lionel Messi’s Argentina team mate Sergio Aguero has been linked to BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      Kylian Mbappe is said to be a target for both Real Madrid and BarcelonaCredit: AP
      In recent years, they have been rarely frustrated once the scouts have done their homework and found their target.
      STEP 2: Line up legends
      The next part of the chase is all about making the player feel wanted, like the move would be the greatest thing to happen in his career.
      Take Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barca in 2018, as an example.
      Was there a former team-mate in the current Barca squad that can tell the player how good it is at the Nou Camp? Yep, Luis Suarez.
      And over at Madrid, there have been attempts to lure the top talent to the club in the past.
      Cristiano Ronaldo sent Marcus Rashford a signed shirt from Real MadridCredit: Instagram @marcusrashford
      Before Ronaldo’s move to Juventus, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner tried to lure the Man United youngsterCredit: AFP or licensors
      While still at the Bernabeu, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo signed a Real Madrid jersey and sent it to Manchester United star Marcus Rashford.
      “Keep up the good work,” he wrote. “And come do it here,” was the suggestion.
      STEP 3: Get in his ear
      Now comes the real graft.
      Does the current crop have a former team-mate or countryman capable of working the charm, telling the target how good life is in Spain, how lush the grass is on this side of the fence?
      Madrid had just that man when it came to bringing Hazard to the club.
      “It would be nice of course,” agent Thibaut Courtois told VTM Niews while discussing his former team-mate and fellow Belgian’s chances of moving to Madrid before he swapped Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu.
      “Eden is a top player and also my buddy, so if he came here it would be fun, but he has to make his choices.”
      The seed had been planted. Next summer, the two would play together.
      Real Madrid had their very own agent in Thibaut Courtois to help bring in Eden HazardCredit: AFP or licensors
      STEP 4: Offensively low first bid
      This is when fantasy becomes reality.
      It is easy to palm away gossip and rumour but a proper bid sends a message to the player that their new-found dream is possible.
      Barca’s first offer for Coutinho was £72million and they knew there was no chance of bagging the brilliant Brazilian at that price.
      But it was all part of a scheme to ensure Coutinho was thinking about the move in the coming days, weeks and months.
      Best case scenario is the player gets so tempted a transfer request is submitted before the next available window.
      STEP 5: Awkward photo opportunity
      Arsenal fans will know all about this one.
      If you’re a Barcelona player you HAVE to carry a spare shirt with you all the time.
      Especially during World Cup celebration parades.
      ESPECIALLY if the player is not set to join in the immediate future.
      We saw it with Cesc Fabregas back in 2010, a year before his move to the Camp Nou, when Carles Puyol was seen forcing a Barca jersey over the Arsenal man’s head.

      Spanish team-mates put a Barcelona jersey on Cesc Fabregas while still playing for ArsenalCredit: Reuters
      STEP 6: Catalan press (and sponsors) on board
      For Barca, it’s all about AS and Sport, while Marca are key for Madrid.
      These papers have long been the go-to place for news about the two clubs.
      And if they want a story out there, it tends to end up with the local papers first.
      Check their websites right now and see how many stories there are about Real and Barça targets.
      It might be about how much money they earn, how long the contract will be, what role they can expect to play, or how the dressing room is looking forward to welcoming him.
      STEP 7: Inevitable unveiling
      Look away now fans of Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool, for the end is inevitable.
      This is the bit where Real and Barca get their man.
      We’ve seen it with Fabregas and Coutinho.
      It may take longer than anticipated but like the rich kids of Instagram, these guys always get what they want.
      Will Haaland swap the yellow and black of Dortmund for the white of Los Blancos?Credit: Getty More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Brazil wonderkid Kayky, 17, is destined for £21m Man City transfer and is ‘next Neymar’ with pace, skills and goals

      by

      IN Man City’s case, they want their Kayky and eat it.The Premier League leaders have been locked in talks with the Brazilian wonderkid, 17, for months, and are expected to sign the winger in a deal that could be worth as much as £21.5million.
      Teen wonderkid Kayky has been called ‘next Neymar’ and is set for Man City move
      A product of the Fluminense academy, which has produced the likes of Real Madrid legend Marcelo, Liverpool midfielder Fabinho and Manchester United full-backs Rafael and Fabio – big things are expected of Kayky.
      Dubbed the ‘next Neymar’ in his homeland, the forward is blessed with pace and close-control.
      It’s no wonder Pep Guardiola is desperate to add him to City’s ranks to bolster their attack.
      READY FOR CARNIVAL
      At the age of eight, Rio-raised Kayky boasted skills that he believed would set him up perfectly in the Futsal world – a five-a-side game played on a hard court indoors.
      However, he fluffed an audition with Fluminense and joined the Mangueira samba school – better known for supplying acts to the Rio Carnival than their footballing prowess.
      Later, and ironically, he was rediscovered by scouts at Fluminense while there playing in their kids’ team.
      They saw enough in a Mangueira defeat to offer Kayky a place in their prestigious youth set-up.
      Kayky with aspirations of being a footballerCredit: Instagram
      Fluminense, where Kayky has risen through the ranks, have a rich history of unearthing stars of tomorrowCredit: Instagram

      Over recent years, Fluminense have a rich history of bringing through youngsters and selling them on to stay affloat.
      But it’s their current “dream generation” which has fans purring.
      BRAZILIAN DOUBLE-ACT
      Along with Kayky, City are also said to be interested in bringing Metinho to the club from Fluminense.
      The pair were an integral part of the team that won the U17 Brazilian championship last year, and finished runners-up in the U17 Copa de Brazil.
      On a personal note, Kayky was top scorer in the Brasileirao Under-17 Championship.
      Metinho, left, is Kayky’s Fluminense team-mate and part of their ‘dream generation’Credit: Instagram / @kaykysc10
      Kayky celebrates winning last year’s U17 Brazilian championshipCredit: Instagram

      Every goal scored his dedicated to his father Demir with a moustache celebration.
      It is why the Tricolor have placed a huge bounty on their prized asset’s head.
      GENERATIONAL TALENT
      With an ability to frighten his full-back through trickery and his pace, Kayky has drawn comparisons to Neymar, albeit a left-footed one.
      He plays mostly on the right, where he cuts in and drives towards the opposition’s defence.
      And he also has an eye for goal, as proven by his scoring stats last season.
      “Kayky is a player who stands out a lot for his technical quality, especially with regard to one-on-ones, and also in his quality in front of goal,” Fluminense’s U17 coach, Guilherme Torres, told Goal.
      On a personal note Kayky was top scorer in the Brazilian U17 championshipCredit: Instagram
      Every goal he scored he dedicated to his father Demir with a moustache celebrationCredit: Instagram

      “He is also very intelligent, searches for empty spaces on the field and has a good ability to provide assists for his team-mates.
      “In addition, he has a winning, competitive mentality, which is important for a high-level player. His resilience has grown as he has matured, and he is learning how to deal with adversity.”
      Kayky will need all of that resilience if he is to become a success in the Premier League, where talent alone doesn’t get you to the top.
      Pep Guardiola hails Man City transfer target Erling Haaland as one of ‘world’s best’ More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Man Utd striker Angelo Henriquez and Chelsea flop Franco Di Santo are rebuilding their careers after failing in Prem

      by

      Franco Di Santo and Angelo Henriquez were sitting on the substitutes bench when Wigan Athletic enjoyed one of the club’s greatest ever days, beating Manchester City to win the 2013 FA Cup.Both South Americans have since gone back home. And nearly eight years later the former colleagues were on opposite sides over the last two weeks in the qualifying round of the continent’s Champions League, the Copa Libertadores.
      Franco Di Santo celebrates scoring for San Lorenzo against Universidad de Chile in the Copa LibertadoresCredit: Reuters
      There was a clear winner in the duel of former Premier League strikers. Di Santo scored in both legs as San Lorenzo of Argentina won a 3-1 aggregate victory over Universidad de Chile.
      Di Santo is playing in his native Argentina for the first time. He made his name over the border in Chile with Audax Italiano, where he was snapped up by Chelsea as a teenager.
      He failed to make the grade at Stamford Bridge, and had little success with Blackburn Rovers before doing a little better with Wigan.
      His best times came with Werder Bremen in Germany, where he then moved on to Schalke before passing quickly through Spain and Brazil before joining up with San Lorenzo last year.
      Angelo Henriquez was another teenage wonderkid taken from Chile to one of England’s top clubs. Now approaching 27 he is five years younger than Di Santo, and he joined Manchester United in 2012.
      Di Santo made a few appearances for Chelsea, but Henriquez never played a competitive game for United.
      He was loaned out to Wigan and Real Zaragoza, did well for Dynamo Zagreb in Croatia and after a brief spell in Mexico with Atlas headed back to Universidad de Chile, where the journey had started so promisingly.
      Around the time he was turning 18, Henriquez was surprisingly promoted to the first team by current Marseilles boss Jorge Sampaoli, and he took to it immediately.
      Angelo Henriquez signed for Manchester United for £5m in 2012Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Although he appeared in friendlies, Henriquez never played a competitive game for UnitedCredit: AFP
      He cut an electric figure, full of pace and thrust and daring – very different from the sad figure seen against Franco Di Santo’s San Lorenzo.
      Universidad de Chile badly needed a big performance from him, especially in the second leg. The first game, at home, had finished 1-1.
      They travelled to Buenos Aires for the return match without some of their key players, hit by a Covid outbreak.
      The defence was hard hit, and with lots of youngsters at the back they were looking for their striker to ease the pressure with a vital away goal.
      It never looked likely. Henriquez had a terrible game. He should be at the peak of his powers. But he looked nothing like the bright and lively teenager who made such an impression almost a decade ago.
      It is not hard to see both Di Santo and, especially Henriquez, as victims of the way that the market in player transfers currently operates.
      Di Santo moved to Stamford Bridge when perhaps he was too youngCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Di Santo was famously part of the Wigan side that beat to Manchester City to win the 2013 FA CupCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Europe is looking for South American teenagers – they come cheaper and buying them young gives them more time to adapt to life and football on the other side of the Atlantic.
      But there is a huge step up from the level of the club game in South America to top class European football.
      Some are not able to bridge it. Afterwards it is no wonder if they lose confidence and momentum.
      Solskjaer says Cavani could stay at Man Utd despite dad’s transfer bombshell and jokes summer heat will change his mind More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Ronaldo and Messi’s incredible lifestyles, with luxurious homes and expensive cars – but who’s living their best life?

      by

      FOOTBALL icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are still at the top of their game and have lives that would make anyone envious.The Portuguese legend, 36, recently celebrated overtaking Pele’s goal record with a hat-trick against Cagliari – and now has a staggering 740 career goals to his name.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is still top of his gameCredit: PA
      Like Ronaldo, Lionel Messi is a football billionaire and has an amazing lifestyleCredit: Rex
      While the Barcelona ace, 33, beat Xavi’s appearance record against Real Sociedad – the 768th time he’s played for the Catalans – and for good measure he scored twice too in a 4-1 win.
      Because of their brilliance over the years, the pair have seen their bank accounts swell and boast vast fortunes.
      And according to Forbes, they are the ONLY two footballers who have become billionaires.
      So what do they spend their money on?
      HOMES
      Cristiano has lived in some amazing homes through the years – and has a come a long since his humble beginnings in Madeira.
      After making it at Old Trafford, Ronaldo splashed £3m on an incredible estate in Alderley Edge.
      Then, when he moved to Real Madrid in 2009 for £80million he bought a stunning £4.8million mansion in the exclusive La Finca neighbourhood.
      Currently he lives in Turin in two adjoining villas found on a private road guarded by security, which leads to an entrance gate.
      The villas themselves have separate entrances, and are surrounded by lush gardens and vegetation.
      The property is so high up, ‘it’s as if Turin were at the feet of CR7, a tribute of the city to the long-awaited and newly-arrived champion,’ La Gazzetta dello Sport reported at the time of purchase.
      Ronaldo’s home in Turin features two adjoining villasCredit: Instagram
      The property boasts amazing views of the city of TurinCredit: Instagram
      The property boasts plenty of space for the whole Ronaldo familyCredit: Instagram
      Ronaldo relaxes in one of the many lounge areas of the homeCredit: Refer to Caption
      Ronaldo works out in the state-of-the-art gym
      There’s a state-of-the-art gym that he and former shop assistant Georgina love to use together. And there’s also a swimming pool, which Ronaldo cools down in by doing a few laps following a strenuous session lifting weights.
      Ronaldo also has a £1.4million holiday home in the Costa del Sol, as well as a £7million home in Madeira his mum and brother live in.
      Messi’s modern £5.5million Barcelona mansion he lives in with Antonella Roccuzzo features incredible views of the Balearic Sea, and due to environmental restrictions a no-fly zone is in place over the Castelldefels property.
      Just 12 miles away from the Camp Nou, Messi’s abode also has a small football pitch, a swimming pool, an indoor gym and a playground for his three children.
      Earlier this year, Messi was also said to have splashed £7.25m on a luxury apartment in the Porsche Design Tower in Miami.
      Amazingly, the building boasts three car lifts allowing residents to park their vehicle on the same floor as their suite.
      The Messis live in a stunning mansion in the exclusive suburb of CastelldefelsCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
      The home boasts a stunning and spacious loungeCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
      Messi has a room dedicated to a collection of shirts in his home
      Lionel Messi reportedly bought an apartment at the Porsche Design Tower – which boasts stunning views of the Miami coastlineCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Each suite has a lift that allows residents to park their cars on the same floor as their home
      A spacious living room and open plan kitchen can be seen in this showhome
      CARS
      Juventus forward Ronaldo is a car collector, and SunSport has estimated in the past his garage is worth £16million.
      The two standouts of his collection are his Bugatti Centodieci that cost £8.5million, and is one of only 10 in the world.
      He also owns a Bugatti Chiron worth £2.5million and a £1.7million Bugatti Veyron.
      For his 35th birthday, his gorgeous Wag Georgina Rodriguez gifted him a Mercedes G-Class Brabus, an SUV that can cost up to £600,000.
      A £260,000 Lamborghini Aventador and a Ferrari F12 TDF that would’ve set CR7 back £350,000 are also kept in pristine condition in his collection.
      Ronaldo is believed to be one of 10 people lucky enough to buy the incredible new Bugatti Centodieci, which costs £8.5m
      Cristiano Ronaldo poses outside his former Madrid home on his £1.7m Bugatti VeyronCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      The Ferrari F12 is one of Ronaldo’s favouritesCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      Messi also loves luxury cars – although he isn’t in the same bracket as Ronaldo in terms of being a collector.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has a £1.5million Pagani Zonda, which is the most expensive in his collection.
      He has a penchant for Maserati, with a £100,000 GranTurismo S and a GranTurismo MC Stradale among his fleet.

      Messi has also been seen driving a Ferrari F43 Spider worth £173,000 around Barcelona.
      Before Barcelona’s deal with Audi expired, he wasn’t afraid to drive their sponsored cars too.
      Although with Barcelona’s deal with Audi ending last year, there were no more freebies from the German car giants.
      A rare Pagani Zonda worth £1.5million is the jewel of Messi’s car collectionCredit: Handout
      Messi loves Maseratis and has two different GranTurismosCredit: Xposure
      Barcelona’s sponsorship deal with Audi has expired, so Messi doesn’t get a company car anymoreCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      PRIVATE JET
      Both Ronaldo and Messi enjoy a jet-set lifestyle, so it’s no wonder they have their own planes.
      In 2015, CR7 reportedly paid £20million for a a Gulfstream G200 twin-engine jet.
      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 Italy to hubs around Europe.
      And the G200 offers a generous seating configuration, and can fit as many as eight to 10 passengers for one flight.
      Ronaldo reportedly owns a Gulfstream G200Credit: Rex Features
      Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez often use their private jet to zoom around EuropeCredit: Instagram @georginagio
      Family games are easy for the Ronaldos onboard the spacious aircraftCredit: Instagram
      Messi leases a £12million Gulfstream V jet, which he first started using in 2018.
      The plane was infamously forced to make an emergency landing in Brussels due to a technical fault last year.
      It boasts a number of incredible features, including its very own kitchen. There are two bathrooms and enough seats for 16 people.
      Messi even has the names of his family adorned on the jet, with wife Antonella, plus children Thiago, Ciro and Mateo all having their names etched on the steps.
      Lionel Messi has got a luxury plane tooCredit: Goal
      There are names on the steps and a No 10 on the tailCredit: Goal
      The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Brussels after a technical fault was reported last year
      YACHT
      In 2019, Ronaldo took to the seas to expand on his empire of amazing things.
      He added a £5.5million superyacht to his life, and why not?
      Built in the Versilia shipyards of Azimut-Benett, it boasts five luxury cabins and six stunningly decorated bathrooms.
      There’s also a modern kitchen onboard, as well as two relaxation areas, a huge lounge, and a lavish dining room.
      Juventus legend Ronaldo is the proud owner of the Azimut Grande.
      The superyacht cost around £5.5million
      It has five luxury cabins
      Ronaldo releaxes on board his yacht with Wag Georgina
      No stranger to a life at sea, Messi doesn’t own a yacht – but often holiday with pals including Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas onboard the Seven C yacht in
      Measuring nearly 92ft long, it was first built in 2003 before having a refit in 2011.
      Boasting luxury interiors throughout, the vessel sleeps ten guests in four rooms, including a master suite, a VIP stateroom and two twin cabins.
      Her sizeable deck area offers plenty of room for sunbathing and relaxing, while there’s an outdoor bar to cater for guest’s thirsts.
      Astonishingly, it costs £40,000 a week to rent.
      Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas regularly rent this stunning yacht in Formentera
      Suarez and Messi spent time on board the luxury Seven C yacht while in the Mediterranean with their WagsCredit: Splash News
      You can live like a king in the luxurious master bedroom
      No expense is spared with the luxurious interiors onboard the Seven C
      HOTELS
      With an eye on retirement, Ronaldo and Messi are both hoteliers now.
      The Argentine’s business MiM is run by brother, Rodrigo and features three hotels in Spain.
      There’s his Hotel MiM Sitges, in a coastal area of Barcelona which SunSport had the pleasure to visit, which he bought in 2017.
      Messi added an Art-Deco Ibiza resort to his portfolio the same year – with rooms costing £250-per-night.
      His reasonable MiM Mallorca costs £70-per-night, and was snapped up in 2019.
      While the most recent addition to the group is the Himalaia hotel at the Spanish ski resort Baqueira-Beret.
      Ronaldo is slowly building his hotel empire.
      Messi owns the Hotel MiM Sitges, a coastal town of Barcelona
      The same year Messi purchased Hotel Es Vive in IbizaCredit: Golders/@HotelEsVive
      The recently-renovated hotel is situated along the stunning Figueretas beachCredit: Golders/@HotelEsVive
      There are 52 rooms in Messi’s Ibiza hotel, which boasts a luxury pool, rooftop bar and burlesque roomsCredit: Golders/@HotelEsVive
      Ronaldo opened his first hotel in Funchal, Madeira in 2016Credit: Pestana CR7 Funchal
      Rooms at the Pestana CR7 Funchal can cost as little as £79-per nightCredit: Pestana CR7 Funchal
      The Pestana CR7 Funchal is located on the waterfront and boasts views of Madeira’s mountainous landscapeCredit: Pestana CR7 Funchal
      Ronaldo opened his second hotel in Portugal in the capital LisbonCredit: PestanaCR7
      Designs for Ronaldo’s Marrakech hotel show it’ll be a place for the jet set when it launches

      Through the Pestana CR7 Group, the forward already has budget places to stay in Funchal and Lisbon.
      But plans are afoot to open hotels in New York, Madrid, Paris and Marrakech.
      Where would you stay?
      Dominant Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 as Ronaldo betters Messi by scoring twice More

    • 275 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd kid Lee Roche made his Champions League debut against Deportivo La Coruna in 2003, but now works as a builder

      by

      ON March 18, 2003 Lee Roche was thrown in at the deep end – handed his Champions League debut against Deportivo La Coruna in a 2-0 defeat.Some five years later, he was left on the football scrapheap and now works on building sites installing cavity wall insulation, and is a trained plumber.
      Former Man Utd youngster Lee Roche made his Champions League debut in 2003Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Today, Roche is a builder and trained plumber

      Now 40, Roche was given a free transfer two months after his bow in Europe’s premier club competition.
      And when a football career petered out – after spells at Wrexham, Burnley and Droylsden, the youngster had to come up with a different plan in life with the help of the PFA.
      COMING TO AN END
      At the age of 27, Roche was admittedly fed up of the game.
      He’d bounced from a loan deal at Wrexham to Burnley, then back to Wrexham again.
      Injuries began to take their toll, and the former England U21 star lost his hunger for playing.
      “I was coming home and not wanting to even watch football on the TV, he told Planet Football.
      After he was released by the Welsh club, he trained with Royal Antwerp and former United youth Warren Joyce.
      But when a move failed to materialise, he signed for non-league Droylsden in 2007.
      It was there he started to think about a life after the beautiful game.
      Promising youngster Roche was released by Man Utd in 2003 and after bouncing around at different clubs needed to find a different careerCredit: Getty
      Roche, chatting to PFA member Don Goodman, was helped by the organisation to retrain in a new careerCredit: Twitter @PFA
      With the help of the PFA, Roche now has his own cavity wall insulation business
      The PFA supported the lost talent and helped him retrain in another profession.
      Today, Roche is a qualified plumber and has his own cavity wall insulation business.
      “I have had a few fellow workers on the building sites asking me about United and how have I ended up here,” he revealed.
      “It can get pretty tiresome so I don’t go shouting about that I played for United. I do think young players today should be made to train as something, so they know about the real world.
      “Most of them probably don’t have a plan to fall back on if they don’t make it as a professional.”
      BAPTISM OF FIRE
      Roche made two starts for United, but it was always in scratch sides.
      His debut came in 2001 in a Worthington Cup tie against Arsenal – a 4-0 thrashing in a team that featured mainly reserve players.
      In 2001 Roche appeared for Man Utd for the very first time against Arsenal in a Worthington Cup tieCredit: PA
      Roche, up against Arsenal striker Kanu, couldn’t believe the size of his opponents feetCredit: PA
      “Sylvain Wiltord scored a hat-trick and I remember Kanu being a massive handful – I couldn’t get over the size of his feet,” Roche joked.
      “At one point, he flicked the ball over my head and volleyed it, but it went just over the bar, thankfully, otherwise it would have been one of those goals which would have been shown forever.
      “There was no hairdryer from Sir Alex afterwards because he knew we had been up against it. I took what I could from that game and tried to learn from it.”
      A year later, Roche came on as a sub against Newcastle United in front of a packed house at Old Trafford in a 5-3 win.
      “It was unbelievable, coming on in front of 75,000 fans at Old Trafford,” he said.
      “I did okay, but I remember Sir Alex talking to me afterwards because Alan Shearer had beaten me at the far post to win a header, so he told me to get up first and not let the forwards do that to me.”
      THE BIG LEAGUE
      Roche’s third and final performance for United was in the Champions League.
      Roche made his final appearance for United against Deportivo La Coruna in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      At half-time Roche was hauled off as United lost 2-0 to the LaLiga sideCredit: PA
      He appeared against Deportivo, who at the time were LaLiga challengers to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      Playing in a back three with Laurent Blanc and John O’Shea, the Red Devils look disjointed in a different formation.
      Roche, himself, was hauled off at half-time with the Premier League giants trailing 1-0 at the break.
      “I was up against (Albert) Luque and thought I had done alright, but I wasn’t going to come off and start arguing with Sir Alex,” he said.
      “Giggsy told me to keep my chin up and that I had not done anything wrong. Sir Alex didn’t tell me why I had been substituted, but I didn’t want to overthink it.”
      ‘NO REGRETS’
      Despite how his football career turned out, Roche is thankful for his time at Manchester United.
      Although he doesn’t have any regrets, there is one thing perhaps he might’ve done different.
      “I don’t have any regrets,” Roche revealed.
      Despite his career not panning out how he had hoped, Roche was no regretsCredit: Rex

      “The only thing I would point out is that I was known at United for being really quiet, so perhaps I should have been more assertive and mingled more with the lads.
      “I’d be straight off home after training to hang out with my own group of friends. I look back now at team-mates like John (O’Shea) and Darren Fletcher and think I should have been more like them and gone out and socialised.
      “I think it would have gone down better with United.”
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he’s very disappointed after Man Utd loss against Leicester in FA Cup More