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      Franck Berrier dead at 37: French former footballer dies after suffering heart attack while playing tennis

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      FRENCH star Franck Berrier has died aged just 37 – after suffering a heart attack while playing tennis.The Normandy-born midfielder played for Caen, Beauvais and Cannes before moving to Belgium.
      Franck Berrier (left) has died at the age of 37Credit: Getty
      Berrier starred for clubs including Zulte Waregem and Standard LiegeCredit: Getty
      Berrier made over 100 appearances for KV Oostende, and went on to work as their assistant manager.
      He also had spells with Zulte Waregem and Standard Liege, but heart problems forced him to hang up his boots in 2019.
      Berrier was rushed to hospital on Thursday after collapsing during a game of the racquet sport Padel.
      Medics battled to save him, but he passed away following a second heart attack within hours.
      Dirk Mergaert of the TC Kortemark Padel club said: “Franck was involved in a tournament, and had to play in two matches yesterday.
      “He collapsed around 10pm, and our match officials revived him. We used a defibrillator, which previously helped us revive four others.

      “He was taken to hospital in Roeselare, but they were unable to save him. Our club is devastated at his passing.
      “We send our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.”
      Berrier made 307 senior appearances in France and Belgium, scoring 63 goals.
      Former club Oostende said: “It is with great sadness and dismay that we learned of the death of club icon Franck Berrier.

      “He passed away after a heart attack while playing sport.”
      Berrier said in 2019: “My heart is only working at 70 per cent. There is no danger in day-to-day life.
      “But if I put too much strain on it there’s the risk that blood won’t be pumped in fast enough – and I’ll have a heart attack.”
      Berrier passed away on Thursday after playing a racquet sport tournamentCredit: Rex
      The former midfielder’s old clubs have paid tribute to the FrenchmanCredit: Getty
      Terry Cooper dead aged 77: Leeds pay tribute to ex-England international as he passes away More

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      Liverpool outcast Xherdan Shaqiri in transfer talks with Lyon – but Reds holding out for £12m for Swiss ace

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      LIVERPOOL are close to reaching agreement over the sale of Xherdan Shaqiri to Lyon.The Reds are holding out for £12million for the Swiss, who has two years left on his  deal.
      Liverpool are close to reaching agreement over the sale of Xherdan Shaqiri to LyonCredit: PA
      Winger Shaqiri, 29, has told the club he wants a new challenge after seeing his playing time limited since signing in 2018.
      But manager Jurgen Klopp admitted there will be no more incomings at Liverpool.
      He said: “You have to make changes from time to time but  there must be room.
      “Everyone expects some  signings. Do you buy a new full-back? A new keeper? We already have good players there.
      “In midfield, we have a lot of experience and exciting young boys in Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones.”
      Klopp also feels he has plenty of  quality in attack and added: “If you want to buy such players, you have to spend a lot of money.
      “We don’t have to do that as the players are already here.”
      Jones will miss the Prem opener with Norwich on Saturday after a collision against Osasuna on Monday.
      And left-back Andrew Robertson is also sidelined due to a pre-season friendly injury against Athletic Bilbao.
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      Scot Robertson had his ankle looked at and told fans on Twitter: “Thanks to everyone for the kind messages and support.
      “Scan suggests nothing too major but there’s some ligament damage which will need to mend.
      “I will be grafting every day so I can help the team again sooner rather than later.”
      Tottenham and Liverpool among four Premier League clubs in transfer battle for £30m Denmark star Mikkel Damsgaard More

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      Lionel Messi’s heartbreaking final WhatsApp message to Barcelona team-mates revealed after shock PSG transfer

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      LIONEL MESSI’S final WhatsApp message to his former Barcelona team-mates have been revealed prior to his move to Paris Saint-Germain.The 34-year-old has ended his 21-year stay in Catalonia after joining the Ligue 1 outfit on a free transfer.
      Lionel Messi has left Barcelona after 21 years to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transferCredit: Getty
      Messi has agreed a contract at Parc des Princes until 2023, with the club having the option to keep him in France for a further year.
      And while the Argentine legend has expressed his excitement at linking up with Les Parisiens, Messi had been keen to remain at the Nou Camp.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s Barca exit was confirmed last week, with the player reduced to tears in his leaving press conference where he declared he wanted to stay.
      He even agreed to halve his wages at Barca, but a salary cap ensured the cash-strapped LaLiga club couldn’t offer him a new deal.
      And his heartbreak at leaving the Blaugrana has now been revealed with Argentine journalist Veronica Brunati tweeting what Messi told his team-mates.
      She claims Messi said: “I don’t want to go. There is nothing left to do, there is no money.
      “The club is doing very badly, they cannot extend with me.”
      Messi – one of five summer signings brought in by PSG – is now looking forward to a new chapter in his career.
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      Asked about playing alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, he remarked: “It’s crazy. I am very happy sharing day to day life with them and all the squad.
      “Really there are some amazing transfers – the team is incredible.
      “I want to train and compete now because I’m going to be playing with the best players in the world and that’s always good.
      “It’s very nice, it’s an incredible experience to be able to enjoy this.”
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      Lionel Messi greets PSG fans as they light flares and scream his name at historic unveiling More

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      Liverpool ‘set to win Renato Sanches transfer race ahead of Barcelona as Lille slap £40m price tag on midfielder’

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      LIVERPOOL look set to win the transfer race to sign Renato Sanches, according to reports.The midfielder, 23, is expected to leave Lille this summer after helping them win the Ligue 1 title last season.
      Renato Sanches is expected to leave Lille this summer with Liverpool interestedCredit: AFP
      According to Mundo Deportivo, the French side are demanding £40million for their Portuguese star.
      Liverpool are keen to bring in an extra midfielder after the departure of Gini Wijnaldum on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain while Youri Tielemans looks set to stay at FA Cup winners Leicester.
      But the Reds may try and lower the asking price to get a cheaper deal for the energetic midfield man.
      Barcelona were also thought to be interested in Sanches, after missing out on Wijnaldum.
      But their financial disarray means they are unable to register any new signings.
      And that may well give Liverpool a free run to bring Sanches back to the Premier League.
      After breaking through with Benfica, he won the league and cup double, Euro 2016 and Golden Boy award in a stunning 2016.
      But after joining Bayern Munich, his career spiralled downwards with a flop loan spell at Swansea in 2017-18.
      However, the star got it back on track when he transferred from Bayern to Lille two years ago and has been on an upward trajectory ever since.
      Selling Sanches would mean losing two of their key title-winning central midfielders after Boubakary Soumare moved to Leicester.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has only brought in one new face in the summer window so far.
      Ibrahima Konate signed from RB Leipzig in a £36m transfer to bolster the defence.
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      But with the club also linked with £38m-rated Belgian teenage winger Jeremy Doku, Klopp hinted there could be more arrivals before the August 31 deadline day.
      Speaking after Sunday’s 1-1 pre-season draw with Athletic Bilbao, the German said: “I am very happy with the squad, but it doesn’t mean that we don’t look at the market.
      “We have a big squad and there might be something happening until the end of the transfer window, but I cannot say anything about that at the moment.”
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      Cristiano Ronaldo bizarrely SNIFFS Renato Sanches’ hair in Portugal training More

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      Lionel Messi reveals Barcelona’s transfer plans in PSG press conference as he confirms their interest in Verratti

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      LIONEL MESSI revealed Barcelona tried to sign Marco Verratti for ‘many seasons’.Messi will instead play alongside the Italian midfielder at Paris Saint-Germain – rather than at the Nou Camp.
      Barcelona tried to sign Marco Verratti during Lionel Messi’s time at the Nou Camp, the Argentine said to reportersCredit: AP
      The Italian has been one of the best midfielders in the world over recent yearsCredit: The Mega Agency
      The superstar Argentine, 34, addressed the media this morning as he was unveiled as a PSG player following his free transfer after leaving Barca.
      But during the press conference, he admitted his former side had tried to lure Verratti to Spain time and time again.
      Messi said: “Marco has shown that he is a huge player, one of the best in the world in his position.
      “In Barcelona, we wanted him for many seasons.
      “In the end, it’s me who comes to play with him at Paris. It’s a phenomenon.”
      Verratti, 28, broke through at Pescara before joining PSG in 2012.
      He has racked up 346 games for the club across nine seasons so far – with 28 trophies.
      And the Euro 2020 winner will be confident of adding more trophies this season now he is playing alongside the six-time Ballon d’Or winner who he met up with on holiday in Ibiza last week.
      ‘INCREDIBLE TEAM’
      Messi expressed his excitement at joining up with his new team-mates and repeatedly insisted he was in Paris to win silverware.
      Asked about playing alongside Neymar and Mbappe, the new No30 said: “It’s crazy. I am very happy sharing day to day life with them and all the squad.
      “Really there are some amazing transfers – the team is incredible.
      “I want to train and compete now because I’m going to be playing with the best players in the world and that’s always good.”
      Messi continued: “Neymar did a lot and was important in my decision. Neymar and I know each other very well.
      “I hope we will be stronger together and with all our team-mates.
      “I know a lot of the players from Argentina: Di Maria, Paredes etc.
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      “I know the coach Mauricio Pochettino very well. The fact that he is Argentinian helped from the start, it was important in my decision making.
      “I am impatient. I still want to win trophies, we can fight for them, that’s why I have come here.
      “It’s all been crazy, my arrival – it was a surprise. I’ve never experienced anything like this.”
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      He spoke in Spanish as he addressed the media with his family watching onCredit: Reuters
      Verratti has won 28 trophies with PSG after joining from Pescara in 2012Credit: AFP or licensors
      Messi is reportedly earning £650,000-a-week at PSG
      Messi speaks about the prospect of playing with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar at PSG More

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      EA Sports hint PSG could become FIFA’s first-ever SIX-STAR team after Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos transfers

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      EA SPORTS have hinted Paris Saint-Germain could become the first SIX-STAR team in Fifa history following five huge summer signings.Les Parisiens have brought in a new spine to their squad, and have only spent £52million with four players brought in on free transfers.
      Lionel Messi is Paris Saint-Germain’s fifth high-profile signing of the summerCredit: Getty
      Les Parisiens how now signed Messi, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf HakimiCredit: EA SPORTS FIFA
      Italian shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma has penned a five-year contract at Parc des Princes after running his contract down at AC Milan.
      Achraf Hakimi also joined from Italy, with PSG signing the right-back from Inter Milan on a deal potentially rising to £59m.
      And PSG also snapped up Sergio Ramos for free after he decided against extending his stay at Real Madrid.
      In midfield, the Ligue 1 giants secured the services of Georginio Wijnaldum after he eyed up a new challenge away from Liverpool.
      But the biggest shock move is Lionel Messi linking up with Mauricio Pochettino’s side following his Barcelona exit after 21 years in Catalonia.
      PSG now boast one of the strongest squads in Europe, with bookmakers listing them as the favourites to win the Champions League this season.
      Due to their strength in depth, EA Sports have hinted that they could be upgraded from a five-star team to a six-star side on Fifa 22.
      Their Twitter account posted a snap of all of PSG’s new recruits standing next to each other in an in-game photo.
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      Captioning the picture, EA Sports said: “Should PSG be our first six-star team?”
      Fans were divided over whether PSG should be upgraded, as one user commented: “They haven’t won anything and they wanna give them six.”
      Another tweeted: “This would be CRAZYYY.”
      Meanwhile one quipped: “Anyone who plays as them should immediately be banned.”
      A fourth added: “Previous champions league winning teams never got it… why should PSG who haven’t?”
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      PSG confirm Lionel Messi has signed a two-year PSG deal after leaving Barcelona More

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      Lionel Messi reckons PSG front line is ‘crazy’ and can’t wait to play alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe after transfer

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      LIONEL MESSI cannot wait to line up alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to form a ‘crazy’ front line at Paris Saint-Germain. The superstar signing, 34, was unveiled at a press conference at the Parc des Princes this morning following his stunning free transfer.
      Lionel Messi addressed the media for the first time as a PSG player on WednesdayCredit: AFP
      The Argentine cannot wait to line up alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in a ‘crazy’ front threeCredit: AFP
      And the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is excited to get going – and cause chaos with the new blockbuster attacking trio.
      Asked about playing alongside Neymar and Mbappe, Messi said: “It’s crazy. I am very happy sharing day to day life with them and all the squad.
      “Really there are some amazing transfers – the team is incredible.
      “I want to train and compete now because I’m going to be playing with the best players in the world and that’s always good.
      “It’s very nice, it’s an incredible experience to be able to enjoy this.”
      Neymar has kept the iconic No10 jersey at the Parc des Princes while Messi went for No30 – his first number when he broke through at Barcelona.
      Messi played alongside Neymar at Barcelona – and admitted the Brazilian was influential in his move to Ligue 1.
      HOME COMFORTS
      He added: “Neymar did a lot and was important in my decision. Neymar and I know each other very well.
      “I hope we will be stronger together and with all our team-mates.
      “I know a lot of the players from Argentina: Di Maria, Paredes etc.
      “I know the coach Mauricio Pochettino very well. The fact that he is Argentinian helped from the start, it was important in my decision making.
      “The coaching staff and the squad had a lot to do with me choosing this club.”
      “I have friends and know Ligue 1 with friends in Paris, this league has been growing a lot.
      “The league is competitive and getting stronger as the teams want to beat PSG.
      “I will have new rivals and stadiums and I am very happy to experience this new atmosphere.”
      Messi departed Barcelona in emotional fashion on Sunday after 20 years with the club as their financial mess meant they could not sign him to a new contract.
      The Argentine legend signed a two-year deal with the French giants on Tuesday, with the option of an extra 12 months.
      He admitted he is not sure how he would feel if PSG are drawn to play against Barcelona in the Champions League.
      It would be very strange to play at home [Nou Camp] in another shirtLionel Messi
      Speaking alongside president Nasser Al-Khelaifi with his family watching, Messi continued: “I love to win. I know that my goals and PSG’s goals are the same.
      “I don’t know if we will face each other. It would be very nice to go back to Barcelona, it would be very strange to play at home there in another shirt.
      “We will see, it would be good with the fans there after the pandemic.
      “Of course it was very complicated to exit Barca without knowing where I was going to go.
      “Barca is my home, I’ve been there since I was a kid I have lived so much there.
      “Everything has been hard and emotional this week, I cannot forget what I lived and experienced in Barca.
      “I am happy and excited about this new moment in Paris on a sport and family level.
      “At a family level it will be a beautiful experience, we are in a spectacular city and we are going to enjoy it. We are relaxed and happy.
      “This whole week I have had ups and downs, every day we are processing it.”
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      Inside the press conference room, chants of ‘Messi! Messi! Messi!’ broke out, as well as shouts of ‘Vamos Leo’ for the new signing.
      Thousands of fans congregated outside the stadium to welcome their new hero.
      And after addressing the media, Messi headed outside to say hello to his adoring supporters.
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      Messi spoke in Spanish as he addressed the mediaCredit: AP
      He was all smiles alongside president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director LeonardoCredit: AFP
      The Argentine hero was joined by his family at the official unveilingCredit: Reuters
      Thousands of fans gathered outside the Parc des Princes to welcome their new heroCredit: AP
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner gave the thumbs up when he headed outsideCredit: Reuters

      PSG confirm Lionel Messi has signed a two-year PSG deal after leaving Barcelona More

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      Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta admits ‘it will hurt’ to see Lionel Messi at PSG after he completes blockbuster move

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      ANDRES INIESTA admitted ‘it will hurt’ to see Lionel Messi ‘in another team’s shirt’ after the Barcelona legend completed his move to PSG. Messi confirmed his free transfer to the French giants, officially ending his 20-year stay with boyhood club Barca.
      Andres Iniesta admitted ‘it will hurt’ to see Lionel Messi ‘in another team’s shirt’Credit: Reuters
      Lionel Messi has confirmed his move to PSG
      Iniesta spent 14 of those with the Argentine, with the pair winning nine LaLiga titles and four Champions League trophies together.
      But Messi’s time at the Nou Camp has now come to an end after LaLiga’s financial fair play rules left the player unable to renew his contract.
      And with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner now announced as a PSG player, it has left former team-mate Iniesta, 37, heartbroken.
      He told AFP: “I don’t know what happened internally, nor how things unfolded, but the club will need to recover from this transfer.
      “It will hurt to see him in another team’s shirt. Leo personifies Barcelona. He was everything, he’s a player who transcends the team.
      “I’ve never seen a player like him and I don’t think I ever will.
      “[Barcelona] will continue to be one of the best teams, one of those that has to be on the summit.”
      Messi, 34, has signed a two-year deal PSG with the option to extend it for a further 12 months.
      He was pictured in his new colours for the first time and will wear the No30 shirt – his first number at Barca.
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      Messi said: “I am impatient to start a new chapter of my career in Paris. The club and its vision are in perfect harmony with my ambitions.
      “I know how talented the players and staff are here. I am determined to build, alongside them, something great for the club and for the fans.
      “I can’t wait to set foot on the Parc des Princes pitch.”
      PSG confirm Lionel Messi has signed a two-year PSG deal after leaving Barcelona More