Football

IT’S the end of an era for former Premier League winner, Oscar.The ex-Chelsea star bid farewell to the Chinese Super League, with his contract expiring at the end of this month.Former Chelsea footballer Oscar is saying goodbye to his life in ChinaCredit: InstagramOscar and his glam wife Ludy have lived in Shanghai since 2017Credit: InstagramOscar’s time in East Asia has been one of bliss that he will most certainly missCredit: InstagramNow 33, the Brazilian will seek a new start as a free agent – and is tipped to sign for Inter Milan or could return to his homeland with Internacional.Oscar joined Shanghai Port in 2017 for £60m and went on to win three league titles in the Far East.Astonishingly, he earned £175million during his time in East Asia – making him one of the richest footballers of all time.The playmaker was left in tears as he waved goodbye to the fans in his last game on Tuesday.Read more football newsHe’s leaving behind a life that will be sorely missed.Back in September, he told Brazil 247: “The quality of life here doesn’t exist anywhere else, I’ve never seen it.”It’s something out of this world, only those who are here, who live here, know what it’s like.”SunSport takes a look at his epic lifestyle.Most read in FootballLiving quartersOscar enjoyed a safe, comfortable, affluent life in China.Former Arsenal star Junichi Inamoto finally retires at 45 after 27-year career He, his wife Brazilian/Japanese wife Ludy and their three kids, Julia and Caio clearly loved being in the country’s biggest city.But his reasons for going back are tied to family.”I love Shanghai, but it’s just too far away from home for us. We can’t stay here forever,” he said.”My mom is getting older, my sisters are having babies. We want to be closer to home.””Wherever I go, it won’t be like here. There’s no way to change that,”The family live in a plush apartment that overlooks the scenic Huangpu River.Oscar has given his Instagram followers, over six million, a glimpse into his home.It boasts incredible views of the skyline of Shanghai, which comes alive at night with its lights.High ceilings, neutral interiors, marble floors and more are featured.The building also appears to have a private gym that Oscar used religiously.Wife Ludy and Oscar show off their stunning apartmentCredit: InstagramBrazil footballer Oscar plays with son CaioCredit: InstagramOscar revealed in an interview how safe China has been for his family growing upCredit: InstagramIn his downtime, Oscar often spares his time in the gymCredit: InstagramLudy and Oscar share a cocktail on a night out in ShanghaiCredit: InstagramThe loved-up couple share an intimate moment at the five-star Peninsula ShanghaiCredit: InstagramHis children are central to his life in Shanghai, and he often joins them on the school run.Oscar said: “My kids go to school and come back home by bus without worrying about safety. We can go out as much as we want at 2 am or 3 am, and go anywhere and nothing will happen.”Oscar and his wife have been known to take in the nightlife, enjoying cocktails and hanging out at the five-star hotel, Peninsula Shanghai.Life centres around the riverAlthough his life has been dedicated to playing for Shanghai Port, with countless pictures of his success, Huangpu River plays a massive part in his downtime.When he’s not playing with Lego – he enjoying showing off making the Camp Nou in one Instagram snap – he’s enjoying activities on the landmark of the city.The Huangpu River separates the city into two parts, Pudong and Pux.Plenty of the locals, as well as tourists, enjoy boat trips or other activities there.Oscar has taken his family on excursions, shared loving moments with wife Ludy, and canoeing with his son.Only a few months ago, Oscar admitted he didn’t know where he would go.In his spare time, Oscar loves to build Lego including a Camp Nou setCredit: InstagramChina life suits both Ludy and OscarCredit: InstagramOscar’s son Caio enjoys a spot of canoeing with his dadCredit: InstagramHe said: “My wife and I are anxious to know where we will go.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We’ve been here for seven or eight years. It’s a big change. The sooner we know, the better.”Wherever he goes, life will never clearly be as good. More

AS a talented teenager, Louie Barry had the football world watching his incredible talent.In 2018, he scored 10 goals in five games for England U15s at a tournament in Italy.Wonderkid Louie Barry was touted as a huge star when he was a teenagerCredit: https://www.wba.co.uk/Aged 16, Barry signed for BarcelonaCurrently on loan at Stockport, Barry is realising his potentialCredit: AlamyBefore that, he won the golden boot at the Val-de-Marne tournament, which England U16s won.After rejecting a contract with parent club West Brom, Barry embarked on a Spanish adventure – joining Barcelona to train at their famous La Masia academy.Aged just 16, he was the first English player to join La Masia.However, a squabble over his registration with Fifa meant settling in Catalonia proved harder than it should have been.Read more football newsThen, when Covid hit , Barry decided to leave to be with family.It meant starting again, at boyhood club Aston Villa, although his chances were few and far between.Barry, to his credit, has found his shooting boots in League One, where he plays for Stockport County on loan.With 13 goals, he’s the league’s top scorer and fulfilling the potential that led to former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp calling him ‘Little Jamie Vardy’.Most read in Football’I loved my time at Barcelona’After starring in West Brom’s youth side, helping them reach the FA Youth Cup semi-final and playing three age groups are, it was inevitable he would move to a bigger club.Meet Aston Villa wonderkid Lamare Bogarde who has a famous uncleLiverpool and Manchester City were linked with the forward domestically, while he was invited to Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig’s academies.PSG were the first in talks, when it appeared evident he wasn’t going to stay with the Baggies.Then, Barcelona stole a march on the French club, even after a medical was passed with the Ligue 1 giants.But, it wasn’t all rosy in Catalonia.Soon after Barry signed a three-year contract with the La Liga side, West Brom filed a complaint to Fifa claiming they hadn’t received the compensation they were due – £235,000.Barcelona said they had, and ultimately a judge ruled in their favour that no more compensation was due.That held up Barry’s international registration for three months, meaning he missed seven games of the U19 season.He lived in La Masia, while his family remained in the Midlands.In January, 2020 as Covid began to sweep the world, Barry decided to return to the UK because he wanted to see his family more.Immediately, boyhood club Aston Villa snapped him up for a fee that could rise to £3.5million.Barry has fond memories of his time at La MasiaCredit: Getty Images – GettyIn 2020, Barry returned to the UK to boyhood club Aston VillaCredit: PAread more sport features”I loved my time in Barcelona, ” he told The i.”I don’t have a bad word to say about it. But I decided to come back. Villa are 10 minutes away from my family home. I grew up there. I support Villa. I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else and I am so thankful they came in for me.”Klopp’s praiseChances were few and far between in Villa’s side.But when the club was decimated by Covid, forcing 10 players to miss out ahead of a FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool in 2021, Barry was thrust into the action.Incredibly, he would score the equaliser against the Reds, before they were beaten 4-1.That performance saw German manager Jurgen Klopp praise the youngster – comparing him to a Leicester City legend.After the game, he told talkSPORT: “The boys did really well. Little Jamie Vardy was a proper threat.”Admittedly, Barry has revealed in the past he has studied Vardy’s game and movement on and off the ball.Barry starred for Aston Villa against Liverpool in an FA Cup third round tie in 2021Credit: AFPAfter the game, Jurgen Klopp called Barry ‘Little Jamie Vardy’Credit: GettyHe revealed: “I do work hard out of possession, and ‘cheat’ isn’t the right word because I do track back and do my defensive work, but when I feel that the ball might be passed to me, or take a ricochet and come my way, I’ll come for the ball and then all I want to do is go forward.”Even if I lose the ball a few times, I want to be as direct as possible.”It’s working out for himWith Villa realising the now 21-year-old needs more first time experience, they sent him on various loans.While it didn’t work out at Ipswich Town and MK Dons, it’s all falling into place at Edgeley Park.Barry has rediscovered his goalscoring form under boss Dave Challinor – and has 13 goals in 17 matches already.In 17 games Barry has scored 13 goals – making him League One’s top scorerCredit: AlamyBarry has since been linked with a move to several Championship clubsCredit: RexHe’s top of the goalscoring charts, as Stockport County chase promotion to the Championship.READ MORE SUN STORIESNaturally, that has seen the youngster linked with moves to Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.With Barry finding his feet, it would be hard to imagine Villa will let this asset go now. 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