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      Eric Abidal ‘set to be questioned over PSG Women’s attack after police find Hamraoui’s phone was registered in his name’

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      BARCELONA legend Eric Abidal is reportedly ‘set to be questioned’ as part of the investigation into the attack on PSG Women’s star Kheira Hamraoui.The 31-year-old midfielder was attacked with an iron bar by masked men on November 4, with her Les Parisiens team-mate Aminata Diallo held in custody last week over the incident.
      Eric Abidal is set to be spoken to by police as part of the investigation into the attack on Kheira HamraouiCredit: Getty
      PSG Women’s star Hamraoui was beaten by masked month earlier this month after being dragged out of a carCredit: Getty
      Diallo was eventually released by police without charge after being held for 36 hours over claims she hired thugs to injure her French compatriot.
      In a statement issued by her lawyers, Diallo said that she: “Hopes that judicial authorities conclude their investigation quickly and is sure that this will end up showing her complete and total innocence.”
      Diallo, 26, had been driving the midfielder in the capital when her car was ambushed.
      Hamraoui was dragged out of the vehicle, where she was punched, kicked and beaten with an iron bar, while Diallo was held and did not suffer any injuries.
      According to Le Monde, investigators are moving away from a link between Diallo and Hamraoui.
      But attention is now being shifted to that of two-time Champions League winner Abidal.

      It has been stated that the phone chip on Hamraoui’s device had been registered under the ex-defender’s name.
      Abidal had been the sporting director at Barca between 2018-2020, while Hamraoui was contracted to the Blaugrana from 2018 until earlier this summer.
      The French news outlet adds that several of the PSG players that were questioned revealed that Hamraoui called Abidal the day after the attack.
      And it has even been said that Abidal’s wife Hayet could be called as a witness by the prosecutor for the Republic of Versailles.
      Le Monde declared in their article that they had contacted Abidal’s lawyer.
      To which the lawyer told them: “I have spoken with him, but for now I won’t tell you anything at all.”
      Watch PSG star Kylian Mbappe score stunning back-wheel volley in training with striker yet to agree new deal in France More

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      Neymar is ‘technically better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’ says Brazil legend Cafu

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      CAFU has joined the debate over who is the world’s best footballer and says it’s not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo… it’s Neymar.But the 29-year-old must finally became a ‘leader’ to realise his true potential, the Brazil legend told Marca.
      Cafu captained Brazil to their 2002 World Cup winCredit: Getty
      Fans have argued for years over who is better out of Messi and Ronaldo and should be regarded the GOAT – the Greatest Of All Time.
      So when Brazil’s record 142-cap appearance maker – whose sprawling list of honours includes a couple of World Cups, two Copa America titles and a Champions League success – offers his opinion, it is well worth noting.
      Retired Roma and AC Milan right-back Cafu, 51, said: “Neymar is technically better than Messi, better than Cristiano Ronaldo, but he must assume the responsibility of a leader.
      “One must dedicate themselves 100 percent to football.
      “I’m not better than Neymar, but I am better than other right-backs because I dedicated myself to that. He [Neymar] has to become a captain.”
      He seems to have a point. While the footballing ability of six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi and five-time winner Ronaldo has never been in doubt, both have also established themselves as two of the game’s great leaders.

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      Paris Saint-Germain star Messi, 34, often appeared to single-handily drag Barcelona over the line on route to winning a club-record 35 trophies, and skippered Argentina to a Copa America win over Neymar’s Brazil in the summer.
      Manchester United legend Ronaldo, 36, has similarly spear-headed the Red Devils, Real Madrid and Juventus to 27 major club honours, and captained Portugal to their historic Euro 2016 win.
      PSG’s Neymar’s 18 club titles record is not too shabby either but he only has that Copa America runners-up medal at international level.
      And his eight-month spell as Brazil captain ended in 2019, so maybe Cafu has identified the dimension which could see him join the pantheon of greats. More

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      PSG women’s squad train behind closed doors after Diallo arrest following masked men’s attack on team-mate

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have cancelled their Friday morning press conference following the arrest of Aminata Diallo in connection to an attack on a team-mate.French newspaper L’Equipe says the team are training behind closed doors with the club left stunned after masked men attacked Khiera Hamraoui with an iron bar.
      Aminata Diallo is in police custody after being arrested in connection with an attack on one of her Paris Saint-Germain team-matesCredit: Zuma Press
      Kheira Hamraoui was treated in hospital after being attacked with an iron barCredit: AFP
      Hamraoui, 31, a midfielder with 36 France caps, was set upon by two masked men in Paris on November 4, in what is thought to have been an attempt to prevent her playing.
      She was left needing stitches on her legs and hands and was unable to play in the match against Real Madrid on November 9.
      The former Barcelona ace and another PSG team-mate were being driven home by Diallo after a meal out when she was pulled out of the car and attacked.
      Diallo, 26, was allegedly restrained by one assailant but did not suffer any physical injuries.
      PSG’s press conference cancellation comes amid reports in France stating players are alleged to have received anonymous derogatory phone calls about Hamraoui.
      Le Journal du Dimanche reports investigators believe the calls originated from near the prison of Lyon-Corbas.

      The newspaper reports a man, who is thought to be a relative of the Diallo and is alleged to have been involved in extortion cases, is an inmate at the prison.
      L’Equipe adds Versailles prosecutors granted police permission to hold Diallo in custody for a further 24 hours on Wednesday following her arrest.
      The midfielder has since been released from custody without charge.
      In an official statement, PSG said they ‘strongly condemns the violence committed’ and that they ‘had taken all the necessary measures to guarantee its players’ health, well-being, and safety.’
      The French champions also said: “Paris Saint-Germain is working with the Versailles SRPJ to shed light on the facts. The club is attentive to the progress of the procedure and will study the follow-up to be given to it.”
      Hamraoui and Diallo are in competition for the holding midfield spot in PSG’s starting 11.
      Diallo has made 64 appearances for PSG following her move to the club from top-flight rivals Guingamp in 2016.
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      The midfielder has been on two loan spells following her arrival in Paris with stints at US club Utah Royals and Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid.
      She has made seven appearances for the French national team since making her senior international debut in 2017.
      Hamraoui moved back to PSG on a two-year deal in July after leaving the club in 2016 for spells at Lyon and Barcelona.
      The midfielder was part of the Barca side that defeated Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League final in May this year.
      Lionel Messi trains with Argentina after missing two PSG games with ‘injury’ More

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      ‘It is not logical’ – Lionel Messi’s PSG contract clause to prioritise Argentina call-ups slammed by chief Leonardo

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN chief Leonardo has spoken of his frustration at Argentina calling up Lionel Messi despite his knee injury.The 34-year-old, who hasn’t featured for Les Parisiens since October 29, has been named in Lionel Scaloni’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.
      Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty
      PSG chief Leonardo has hit out at Argentina for calling up Messi despite his knee injuryCredit: Rex
      And Leonardo has hit out at the South American nation, while also voicing his displeasure at a clause in Messi’s contract that allows him to prioritise international games over club fixtures.
      Much to the 52-year-old’s annoyance, PSG are not able to block Messi from participating in national team matches.
      Fifa rules demand that clubs release players for officially sanctioned international windows.
      In an interview with Le Parisien, Leonardo has insisted that Messi should remain in France to continue his recovery.
      It is a double blow for the Ligue 1 giants as Argentina have also called up Leandro Paredes, who hasn’t appeared for PSG since September due to thigh problems.
      Leonardo said: “We do not agree to let a player go by selection who, for us, is not in physical condition or who is in the rehabilitation phase.

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      “It is not logical, and these types of situations deserve a real agreement with FIFA.”
      The French news outlet makes it clear how Leonardo’s anger is not directed towards his players.
      Speaking ahead of PSG’s 3-2 win against Bordeaux on Saturday, boss Mauricio Pochettino claimed he was hopeful how Messi could return to action during the international break.
      He said: “Tomorrow he won’t be available to play for the team.
      “We will see if he can travel to play for his country.
      “We hope he can go and play for his country and then return to us fit.”
      Mauricio Pochettino says he hopes Lionel Messi is back soon after injury More

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      Man Utd star Paul Pogba ‘chooses Juventus transfer over Real Madrid and PSG but Italians must first sell Aaron Ramsey’

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      PAUL POGBA reportedly favours a move back to Juventus in 2022 with Manchester United resigned to losing the midfielder on a free transfer.Though it has been claimed that the Old Lady will have to offload at least two midfielders in order to snap him up – including Arsenal icon Aaron Ramsey.
      Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba could depart the club on a free transfer next summerCredit: Getty
      Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey may have to be sold in January in order for the Italians to sign PogbaCredit: Getty
      World Cup winner Pogba is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and is free to talk to foreign clubs in the New Year.
      He had hinted at staying at United last month after declaring that he loves playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
      But SunSport understands that talks to extend his stay at the Theatre of Dreams have been shelved following the 5-0 defeat against Liverpool.
      The 28-year-old, who was sent off against the Reds, has been linked with moves to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as well as the Bianconeri.
      But according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pogba’s priority is to return to Turin to link up with Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
      He is said to have told agent Mino Raiola that Juventus is the club he wants to play for, despite tempting proposals from Los Blancos and Les Parisiens.

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      But the Italian news outlet states that in order to give Pogba a three-year deal, Juve must first offload peripheral figures in their side.
      They state that the Serie A giants will look to sell Ramsey, who is believed to be raking in £400,000-a-week at the Allianz Stadium, in the upcoming transfer window.
      And the club will also try and offload another midfielder not in the plans of Allegri.
      That player could be USA international Weston McKennie, who has been linked with a £25million switch to Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham in January.
      Following Pogba’s straight red card against Liverpool, United legend Paul Scholes declared that the Frenchman should never play for the Red Devils again.
      Speaking after the humiliating defeat, he remarked: “Paul Pogba coming on to the pitch at half time to try to help the team and maybe get a little respectability about it, tries to stand on the ball, tries to show how strong he is in the middle of the pitch… gives the goal away.
      “Then later on gets sent off with a ridiculous tackle, now you’re 5-0 down with ten men. You’d have to think, if Ole’s still a manager there, will we see Pogba again in a United shirt?
      “He’s caused mayhem over the last couple of years. Everyone knows what a talent he is, everybody trusts him, every manager trusts him, tried to give him his head and let him be the player he’s been.
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      “But with all the commotion, not signing his contract, almost holding the club to ransom, and then he comes on and does something like that.
      “It’s not Ole’s fault, don’t get me wrong, but that’s part of it which almost summed the United performance up today.
      “Look, he probably will play [again] won’t he? But I don’t think they will be missing anything if he doesn’t.
      “He’s had numerous chances, he keeps saying he lacks consistency, but that is just [a lack of] discipline and disrespect for your manager and your teammates, what he’s done today.”
      Paul Scholes urges Paul Pogba to snub transfer and stay at Man Utd as he calls Real Madrid & Barcelona a ‘complete mess’ More

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      Newcastle cult hero Hatem Ben Arfa is ‘as good as Lionel Messi’ technically, claims ex-Liverpool star Djibril Cisse

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      LIVERPOOL cult hero Djibril Cisse has sensationally claimed that former Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa is technically as good as Lionel Messi.The pair briefly played together at Marseille at the start of the 2008-09 campaign before Cisse joined Sunderland on a season-long loan deal.
      Hatem Ben Arfa was a fan favourite at Newcastle during his time at St James’ ParkCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Ben Arfa’s former Marseille and France team-mate Djibril Cisse has hailed his technical qualitiesCredit: AP:Associated Press
      And the duo were also team-mates on the international stage for France with both players named in Les Blues’ World Cup 2010 preliminary squad, where Ben Arfa missed out on the final cut.
      Despite their limited time together, Ben Arfa appears to have made a lasting impression on Cisse – who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005.
      Speaking on YouTube show Soyons Foot, the 40-year-old compared his compatriot to Barcelona legend Messi.
      He said: “Technically, Hatem… I might seem crazy but I think that Ben Arfa at a good level is as good as a Messi.
      “I’ve seen him do things. I’ll say it again, Hatem at his best, is Messi.”
      Ben Arfa, 34, mesmerised fans during his stay at St James’ Park between 2010-2014 – notably wowing supporters with his superb solo strike against Bolton in 2012.

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      But his performances were inconsistent in England, and after a failed loan spell at Hull, he returned to Ligue 1 where he instantly became a hit at Nice.
      After 17 top-flight goals in the 2015-16 season he linked up with Paris Saint-Germain, but he quickly fell out of favour and was overlooked for the entire 2017-18 term.
      Ben Arfa, who won titles with Lyon, Marseille and PSG, then claimed silverware with Rennes the following campaign in what was their first trophy since 1983.
      Rennes beat Les Parisiens in the Coupe de France final, with Ben Arfa incredibly scoring against his former side in the dramatic penalty shootout.
      The forward is currently a free agent after being released by Bordeaux in the summer after yet again falling out with management.
      Cisse likened Ben Arfa to Paris Saint-Germain forward and Barcelona legend MessiCredit: AFP
      He was linked with a switch to Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis last month after holding talks regarding a two-year contract.
      A Tunisian source said: “If [Esperance chairman] Hamdi Meddeb succeeds in attracting the Franco-Tunisian star, this will undoubtedly be the football event of the year.
      “This would be a masterstroke in terms of marketing and communications.”
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      ‘Laporta’s words hurt me’ – Lionel Messi slams Barcelona president and insists he was never asked to play for free

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      LIONEL MESSI has slammed Barcelona president Joan Laporta for suggesting he could have played for free as he insisted he was never asked to.The 34-year-old departed the Nou Camp in August on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after 21 years spent in Catalonia.
      Argentine forward Lionel Messi swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in the summerCredit: Getty
      Barcelona president Joan Laporta stated earlier this month he was surprised Messi didn’t offer to play for freeCredit: AFP
      Messi had wanted to remain with the Blaugrana and had agreed to lower his salary by 50 per cent, only for LaLiga to impose a salary cap on the crisis club.
      Speaking earlier this month, Laporta revealed he thought that Messi would have offered to play for nothing instead of linking up with Les Parisiens.
      That is despite Spanish law making it legally impossible for a player to represent a team for free, with the rule in place to avoid financial manipulation.
      Laporta, 59, told RAC1: “With Messi I do not get angry because I appreciate him.
      “I know he had a huge desire to stay, but also a lot of pressure because of the offer he had.
      “Everything indicates that he already had the offer from PSG. Everyone knew that he had a very powerful offer. We knew from Messi that they had a very good offer.”

      Before adding: “I did hope that at the last minute Messi would say that he would play for free. I would have liked that and he would have convinced me.
      “I understand that the league would have accepted it. But we cannot ask that of a player of his level.”
      And Messi has now broken his silence over Laporta’s comments as he declared he has been left ‘hurt’, with the forward stating he did everything possible to stay.
      He told Sport: “The truth is that, as I explained on my way out, I did everything possible to stay, never at any time was I asked to play for free.
      “I was asked to cut my salary by 50 per cent and I did it without any problem. We were in a position to help the club more.
      “The desire of me and my family was to stay in Barcelona. 
      “Nobody asked me to play for free but at the same time, it seems to me that the words said by the president are out of place.
      “They hurt me because I think he doesn’t need to say that, it’s like getting the ball off you and not assuming its consequences, or taking charge of things. 

      “This makes people think or generates a type of doubt that I think I do not deserve.”
      Messi has also declared he does intend to return to Barca in the future, though only when his playing days are over.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is planning to become the club’s ‘technical secretary’ – a role designed to bridge the gap between the boardroom and dressing room, as well as helping to sign players and hire coaches.
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      Mauricio Pochettino ‘still admires Man Utd’ amid ‘PSG uncertainty’ as Red Devils draw up manager shortlist

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO ‘still admires’ Manchester United as speculation around Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job continues.The former Tottenham manager, 49, has been heavily linked with the hot seat at Old Trafford for years.
      Mauricio Pochettino is thought to still be appreciative of Manchester United – but will he replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?Credit: Getty – Contributor
      And according to The Athletic, he maintains his appreciation for the club to this day, despite plenty of issues on and off the field.
      Poch is currently in charge at Paris Saint-Germain, aiming to get Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar to power the French giants to Champions League glory.
      However, the report adds there is ‘uncertainty’ around the Argentine boss’ future at the Parc des Princes.
      They sit top of Ligue 1 and their Champions League group but recent results against Marseille, Rennes and Club Brugge have caused concern for some.
      And that has led to some suggesting he could replace under-fire Solskjaer at United.
      The Norwegian is battling for his future, with Sunday’s 5-0 nightmare against Liverpool leaving him at his most vulnerable after three years in charge.

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      However, SunSport understands he looks set to KEEP his job for now – despite the calls for him to be sacked intensifying.
      It comes after a dismal run of results with no win in four Premier League matches and a series of shocking performances.
      Old Trafford chiefs held talks yesterday over Solskjaer’s future, with the board mixed over when he goes or stays.
      The ex-Cardiff boss is set to take training this morning, and prepare his team for Tottenham this weekend.
      The 48-year-old will also hold clear-the-air talks with his squad as their season descends into chaos.
      But although Solskjaer remains in the job for now, SunSport also revealed United have drawn up a four-man shortlist of possible replacements.
      A top agent is contacting out-of-work pair Zinedine Zidane and Antonio Conte about their interest as well as Leicester City chief Brendan Rodgers and Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
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