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      Five-time Champions League winner, 31, completes shock free transfer to ex-club’s rivals after seven months unemployed

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      FORMER Real Madrid star Isco has ended his stint as a free agent in controversial fashion after signing for Real Betis.The Spaniard, 31, left the Bernabeu last summer following nine years with Los Blancos.
      Isco won five Champions Leagues with Real MadridCredit: Getty
      He signed for LaLiga side Sevilla but saw his contract ripped up four months later, featuring just 19 times.
      Isco also claimed he had a physical altercation with then-sporting director Monchi – who now works for Aston Villa.
      The forward saw a transfer to Union Berlin collapse during the January window.
      And he has been a free agent ever since.
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      But now he has agreed a one-year deal to join Spanish top-flight outfit Real Betis.
      Manager Manuel Pellegrini, who previously coached Manchester City, is keen to bring him in.
      The controversial aspect of the deal comes from the fact that Betis are Sevilla’s bitter rivals.
      However, given how things ended with Sevilla, it is unsurprising Isco does not feel any loyalty towards the club.
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      During his time at Real Madrid, he registered 53 goals and 57 assists in 353 games.
      He won three LaLiga titles and five Champions Leagues – including three in a row between 2016 and 2018.
      Isco has also racked up 38 caps for the Spanish national team, netting 12 times. More

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      Barcelona break club protocol lasting 45 years with release of new away kit.. with special nod to legendary ex-player

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      BARCELONA have broken 45 years of protocol by releasing a WHITE away kit for their 2023-24 season.The Catalan club typically stay clear of the colour scheme given its association with fierce rivals Real Madrid.
      Barcelona’s new white away kit… the same colour as rivals Real Madrid’s home shirtCredit: Instagram @fcbarcelona
      The red and blue bands on the sleeve of the shirt are a nod to Johan Cruyff’s armbandCredit: Instagram @fcbarcelona
      Johan Cruyff was the last Barcelona captain to wear a white kit… against Aston VillaCredit: Rex
      But there is a good reason behind this season’s white away strip.
      The kit is inspired by Barca legend Johan Cruyff, who captained the team the last time the team donned a white away kit.
      The shirt features a classic white design with red and blue stripes on the cuffs which mimic the captain’s armband Cruyff wore in the late 70s.
      The club wrote on their website: “Barcelona introduces their second kit for the 2023/24 season, which has an innovative design that pays tribute to the man who developed Barca’s playing style, Johan Cruyff.”
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      The statement continues: “This isn’t the first time Barca has used the colour for their kits. Players like Alcántara, Samitier, César and Kubala, among others, already wore a white jersey between the 1920s and 1970s.
      “When it comes to Cruyff – who developed a new brand of playing style for FC Barcelona – he also wore white on several occasions, like on 1 March 1978 during a UEFA Cup game against Aston Villa, when he captained and led the team.”
      Barcelona have resisted the urge to go back to their white away kit origins over the years – so as not to anger fans that believe it to be the colour of Real Madrid.
      Instead they have favoured yellow, orange, grey and blue away kits in recent seasons.
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      Barcelona announced the new kit with a tongue in cheek video on Twitter that featured President Joan Laporta opening a cardboard box with “It’s just a box” written on it.
      Laporta has a surprised reaction when he pulls the shirt out of it which likely reflects what many supporters felt when the club unveiled a kit in the colour of their rivals.
      But social media reaction to the kit was generally positive.
      One fan tweeted a picture of Cruyff in the 70s kit with a number of love heart emojis as caption – clearly appreciating the throwback vibe of the kit.
      Another fan replied: “Love it.”
      A third fan replied “We wear white better” – in reference to rivals Real Madrid.
      Barcelona will be hoping the kit is a good luck charm as they look to retain the LaLiga title and also return to Champions League action in the 2023-24 season. More

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      Real Madrid in big Kylian Mbappe U-turn with club ‘willing to PAY to secure transfer from PSG this summer’

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      REAL MADRID are ready to move for Kylian Mbappe this summer to stop him going to Saudi Arabia.Spanish reports claim the LaLiga giants are now willing to pay for the French striker this summer, despite the opportunity of a free transfer in 2024.
      Real Madrid are ready to pay for Kylian Mbappe now to avoid missing outCredit: Getty
      Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly accepted Al-Hilal’s world-record £259million offer.
      The Saudis still need to convince Mbappe his future lies in the Middle East.
      And Marca say that Madrid are ready to step in to make sure that does not happen – even though it remains unlikely they will match Al-Hilal’s proposal.
      The paper’s deputy editor Carlos Carpio says: “Real Madrid is willing to pay for the transfer of Mbappe .
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      “I don’t think it will be before July 31 , I’m sure they will reach an agreement.”
      Mbappe, signed from Monaco for £162m in 2018, finds himself in an uneasy stand-off with PSG.
      The World Cup-winner shocked the French giants last month when he publicly revealed he will not be extending his deal with the club.
      But he has insisted he wants to stay put next season before leaving on a free transfer at the end of his contract.
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      PSG’s board believe he has already agreed a deal with Madrid from 2024.
      And president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is determined to auction their star asset off this summer to avoid making a massive loss.
      This would be devastating for the Ligue 1 champions after making him the most expensive teenage player in the world.
      Kylian has been left out of PSG’s pre-season tour in Japan and South Korea.
      And there have even been suggestions he will not be selected for an entire year if he continues to refuse negotiations over a new contract.
      Former PSG sporting director Leonardo also advised his old club to put him up for sale as a result of his recent behaviour.
      He said: “For the good of PSG, I think the time has come for Mbappe to leave.
      “Due to his behaviour in the last two years, Mbappe has shown that he is still not a player capable of really leading a team.
      “It is difficult to build a team around him.”
      A host of Premier League clubs have also registered interest in Mbappe, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
      Tottenham have also been linked, although Mbappe is reportedly “completely uninterested” in a move.
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      Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr takes part in body shot challenge with Tyson Fury’s next opponent Francis Ngannou

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      REAL MADRID star Vinicius Junior hilariously took on former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in the “body shot challenge”… but did little to trouble the MMA star.Ngannou, 36, is preparing to make his boxing debut when he takes on WBC champion Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on October 28.
      Francis Ngannou did not flinch at Vinicius Junior’s punchesCredit: Twitter
      He jokingly shrugged them off with a goading responseCredit: Twitter
      He has established himself as one of the toughest, hardest-hitting men in the history of the UFC.
      And that has led to him challenging people to punch him in the stomach.
      Now Real Madrid have shared footage of Vinicius being called out by the heavyweight.
      The Brazilian forward, 23, steps up and rattles off a few tame shots at Ngannou.
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      But the fighter simply shrugs them off by replying: “Come on bro.”
      Vinicius then returns to land a few more blows, but again Ngannou does not flinch.
      And the clip ends with an unmoved Ngannou adding: “That’s all?”
      Reacting to the clip, Ngannou said: “It was a good attempt bro@vinijr 😂.”
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      One fan responded: “Hope @vinijr didn’t hurt himself.”
      And another added: “Vini gotta get in the gym and get some hands 🥊.”
      Real Madrid are in the US for a series of pre-season games – the first of which they won 3-2 against AC Milan on Monday.
      They will also face Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus, before beginning their LaLiga campaign away at Athletic Bilbao on August 12. More

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      I’ve made £75m in career earnings and won Champions League 5 TIMES but I’m unemployed at 31 and haven’t played in months

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      ISCO has been without a club since December after having his contract ripped up by Sevilla.The 31-year-old left Real Madrid for Seville in the summer of 2022 following a highly-decorated nine years at Santiago Bernabeu.
      Isco played 19 times for Sevilla last seasonCredit: Getty
      The attacking midfielder has won the Champions League five timesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Having arrived as the first signing of Carlo Ancelotti’s first stint in Madrid, Isco won five Champions Leagues with the club.
      He played 353 times for Real Madrid, with Capology claiming that he has so far earned £75million in wages during his career.
      After coming to the end of his contract, he opted to reunite with his former Real and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui.
      The former Sevilla boss “loved” Isco but following his departure, it emerged that transfer chief Monchi didn’t.
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      After just four months and 19 appearances, Isco was headed for the exit – with Monchi publicly claiming that the attacking midfielder wanted to leave.
      Isco has since denied this in an explosive interview with Marca – before claiming that he and Monchi, who now works for Aston Villa, even came to physical blows.
      He said: “I told [Monchi] that he was the most deceitful person I had ever met in the world of football and he attacked me.
      “He came towards me, took me by the neck and security had to separate us completely. As you will understand, after that, I did not want to continue there under any circumstances.
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      “And although I was sorry, because I had a very good relationship with my team-mates and the fans treated me wonderfully, I couldn’t be comfortable in a club where the sports director attacks me and nobody speaks up or apologises.
      “Not because of the aggression, not because of all the lies he was leaking. So I forgave my contract and left. Overcoming the barrier of violence is not something that I could let go.”
      Isco’s contract was subsequently ripped up, making him a free agent going into the January transfer window.
      Despite his pedigree a move to failed to materialise – with Union Berlin coming closest to signing him.
      The Bundesliga side, who were second in the top flight, looked set to recruit Isco with the player having completed a medical – only for the deal to fall through.
      Explaining what happened, Union’s sporting director Oliver Ruhnert said: “We would have liked to see Isco with us, but we have our limits.
      “Those limits were overstepped today, contradicting the earlier agreement. In the end, the Isco deal will not come to pass.”
      I prioritise, on this occasion, going abroadIsco
      In March it emerged that Isco was training at home with a personal trainer in a bid to stay fit and ready for a potential offer.
      As August approaches, the 38-cap star still finds himself without a club.
      On what he wants next, he told Marca: “I prioritise, on this occasion, going abroad. I have played in Valencia, Malaga, Seville and Madrid.
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      “I am excited about the experience of playing in another league, learning another language, growing personally also outside of Spain… I am not ruling out anything.”
      He was recently linked with French side Marseille, although the rumours have since died down.
      Isco left Sevilla after a falling out with MonchiCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The 31-year-old is still without a club after leaving SevillaCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      La Liga side have European ban OVERTURNED by Uefa just four weeks before first match

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      OSASUNA have overturned Uefa’s European ban and will compete in this year’s Europa Conference League.The LaLiga club were initially kicked out of Europe’s third-tier competition as punishment for a decade-old match-fixing scandal just four weeks before the tournament’s opener.
      Osasuna overturned their Europa Conference League banCredit: Getty
      UEFA initially banned Osasuna due to a decade-old match-fixing scandalCredit: Reuters
      The issue in question is referred to as ‘Caso-Osasuna’ and it ended with former club president Miguel Archanco and five former club directors being sentenced to prison.
      That’s after a court found £557,000 of club funds were directed to pay players from other teams to influence results.
      However, the Spanish outfit appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and managed to turn it around.
      Uefa found Osasuna were a “victim of the events” that occurred from the 2013/2014 season.
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      Jagoba Arrasate’s side will therefore be present on the Europa Conference League play-off draw, which takes place on August 7.
      However, Uefa have opened a different disciplinary procedure against the club.
      That is because the team went to “ordinary courts” during the ongoing process.
      However, that won’t lead to any ban from Europe and Osasuna promised not to appeal the governing body’s decision.
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      The Pamplona outfit finished seventh in LaLiga last season after beating Athletic Bilbao to the final qualification spot by two points.
      That means they may face Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League this coming season.
      Villa also finished seventh in the Premier League after a stunning turnaround under manager Unai Emery. More

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      Thibaut Courtois’ honeymoon doesn’t go to plan for stunning wife as she shares what it’s like to marry an athlete

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      THIBAUT COURTOIS’ honeymoon didn’t quite go to plan for stunning wife Mishel Gerzig.The newly wed model shared what it’s like to be married to a professional athlete.
      Thibaut Courtois kept his training up while on his honeymoonCredit: TikTok @mishelgerzig
      Mishel Gerzig gave an insight into the life of an athleteCredit: TikTok @mishelgerzig
      The model munched on chips as Courtois raced along the beachCredit: TikTok @mishelgerzig
      The Real Madri star was still at it 10 minutes laterCredit: TikTok @mishelgerzig
      Model Mishel, 26, and Real Madrid star Courtois, 31, got married in France earlier this month.
      The pair have since been enjoying an extended honeymoon vacation.
      But Courtois has not been putting his feet up ahead of the new season.
      Mishel shared a hilarious video on social media showing fans “what our honeymoon looks like.”
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      The blond bombshell filmed herself eating a plate of chips while enjoying the stunning scenery of a beach.
      However, Mishel struggled to completely relax as hubby Courtois sprinted across the sand while doing other training drills.
      Mishel looked at the camera in bemusement as the Belgian goalie charged around in an attempt to keep up his fitness.
      And even 10 minutes later, Courtois was still running along the beach as Mishel continued tucking into her fries.
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      Mishel and Courtois got married earlier this monthCredit: Instagram @mishelgerzig
      Mishel is a stunning model with an army of fansCredit: Instagram @mishelgerzig
      She regularly posts saucy snaps onlineCredit: Instagram @mishelgerzig
      Football fans found the whole situation hilarious though.
      One said: “He’s a keeper.”
      Another declared: “Ma’am there’s a reason he’s the best in the world.”
      One noted: “Yes sir, we need him for the season.”
      Another added: “Captain of the beach!”
      Mishel stunned in a bikini on holidayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/mishelgerzig/?hl=en
      She has been living the jet-set lifestyleCredit: Instagram @mishelgerzig
      Mishel supports Courtois for club and countryCredit: https://www.instagram.com/mishelgerzig/?hl=en More

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      Former Barcelona star unrecognisable at 36 with huge grey beard just ONE YEAR after retiring from football

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      A FORMER Barcelona star looks unrecognisable one year after his retirement. The 36-year-old ended his illustrious football career after two years with final club Galatasaray.
      An image of the former Barcelona star did the rounds on social mediaCredit: Getty
      An image of the winger circulated on social media on Sunday.
      In the picture they donned a teal colour top with black shorts and off-white Nike trainers. They also sported a dark blue cap and a full beard.
      The 100-cap Turkey international played in La Liga for nine years after beginning his career with Galatasaray.
      He spent the first four of his Spain years with Atletico Madrid, making 178 appearances at the Vicente Calderón Stadium before sealing a £35m (£29m initial fee) transfer to Barcelona.
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      However, things did not go according to plan, and the star fell out of favour at the Camp Nou – which is now undergoing refurbishment – as he did not play a single minute of the 2017/18 season.
      They were then shipped out on loan to Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir for the final two years of his Barcelona contract.
      He then made an emotional return to Galatasaray, where he stayed until retirement.
      The mystery player can be revealed as: Arda Turan.
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      The mystery player can be revealed as Arda TuranCredit: Reuters
      Turan enjoyed four years at Atletico Madrid before moving to BarcelonaCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Turan won two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey’s and the Turkish Superliga twice in his career.
      He even won the Europa League and Uefa Super Cup while also being a Champions League runner up in 2013/14.
      On the international stage Turan helped Turkey finish third in the 2008 European Championships, with his century of appearances also making him the country’s fifth-most capped player.
      Since retiring, Turan now manages Eyupspor in Turkey’s second tier.
      Reacting to the image, fans online were in disbelief that it was him.
      One fan joked: “Even my grandpa looks younger 😭😭.”
      A second remarked: “I thought that was Jurgen Klopp.”
      While a third said: “He looks like 45.”
      He eventually retired at Galatasaray in 2022Credit: EPA More