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      Forgotten Messi team-mate who won LaLiga and played for Spain now unemployed at 34 after playing for Barcelona’s rivals

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      WHILST Lionel Messi is still embarrassing defenders at the age of 36, one of his former Barcelona teammates is now unemployed. Aleix Vidal played with Messi for three years at Barcelona, but now finds himself without a club despite once being a £14.5million signing.
      Aleix Vidal is now without a club after his contract expired at RCD EspanyolCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Vidal played alongside a host of huge Barcelona talentsCredit: Getty
      Vidal joined the Catalan giants from Sevilla in the summer of 2015 with expectations high for what he could add to Luis Enrique’s side.
      But it didn’t work out as hoped with the Spaniard making just 30 La Liga appearances across his three seasons with the club.
      He left in the summer of 2018 to re-join Sevilla in a deal that saw Barcelona make a £7.5million loss on their investment.
      Despite not getting the game time he would’ve hoped for, Vidal still departed the Camp Nou with two league titles, three Spanish cups and one Super Cup.
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      The 34-year-old has also got a Spanish national team cap to his name after he made a 45 minute cameo against Costa Rica in 2015.
      He has spent the last two years with Barcelona’s local rivals RCD Espanyol, but last month saw his time with the club come to an end after the expiration of his contract.
      The second division Spanish side released a statement thanking Vidal for his time with the club.
      It read: “RCD Espanyol appreciate his dedication and professionalism and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
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      Now without a club, Vidal doesn’t seem keen to find a new home with the winger seemingly focused on ventures off the pitch.
      He recently shared with his Instagram followers that his restaurant was recognised by the Michelin guide for 2023. More

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      Who is Barcelona and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas?

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      ALEXIA PUTELLAS is widely regarded as one of the best female footballers in the world.The sports star will represent Spain at the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup when her team take on Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses.
      Alexia Putellas of Spain will represent her country at the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World CupCredit: Maja Hitij – FIFA
      Who is Alexia Putellas?
      Alexia Putella is a Spanish and Catalan professional football player.
      She was born on February 4, 1994 in Mollet del Vallès, Barcelona.
      Putellas played basketball as a child but became interested in football when she started school and joined a club when she was seven years old.
      She played for Sabadell from 2001 until 2005, moving to Barcelona girls’ youth team for a year afterwards.
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      From 2006 until 2011 she was a part of the Espanyol girls’ team before moving to Valencian club Levante.
      In 2012 she joined Barcelona’s senior team and has remained with the squad ever since.
      Sadly, Putella’s father Jaume Putellas Rota passed away shortly before she joined Barcelona.
      With the La Liga side Putellas has won seven league titles, seven Copas de la Reina, and two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies.
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      In 2021 the star won the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Award, the Ballon d’Or Féminin, and The Best FIFA Women’s Player, becoming the first player to win all three in the same year.
      She achieved this feat once again in 2022.
      Nike-sponsored Putellas has gained the nickname “La Reina”, meaning the Queen, from fans.
      She has been awarded the Creu de Sant Jordi, one of the highest civilian orders in Catalonia, making her one of only three footballers to receive the honour.
      Lionel Messi and Johan Cruyff are the other players to achieve this.
      When did Alexia Putellas join the Spanish national team?
      Putellas has played for the Spanish national team since she was a teen.
      She began playing for Spain’s youth national team at 15 and earned her first cap for the senior team in 2003, when she was 19 years old.
      Putellas has represented her country at the 2013 European Championship finals, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2017 UEFA Women’s Euros and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
      In 2022 she became the first player to reach 100 caps with Spain’s national women’s team.
      Putellas was one of fifteen Spanish players who wrote letters to Spain’s football federation in September 2022, threatening to quit if manager Jorge Vilda was not fired.
      Despite the revolt against Vilda, she was called up by the coach for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
      What is Alexia Putellas’ salary?
      Putellas reportedly earns around £300,000 annually.
      She has an estimated net worth of almost £1.2million.
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      Putellas has amassed this fortune through her career as a player and as her sponsorship and brand deals.
      As well as her deal with Nike, the player has been a brand ambassador for big names like Oakley, Spotify and Mango. More

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      Chelsea ready to hijack Barcelona’s transfer pursuit for Spain wonderkid with Catalan chiefs at loggerheads over deal

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      CHELSEA are ready to continue their recruitment strategy of snapping up young talent by entering the race for 18-year-old Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda.ESPN report the Blues are ready to rival Barcelona for the signature of the Spain under-19 international with Valladolid wanting between £6.3 and £8.5 million for the defender.
      Fresneda was a bright light in last season’s Valladolid side that got relegated from LaLigaCredit: Getty
      Barcelona had been favourites for Fresneda’s signature but manager Xavi appears to be at loggerheads with the board over the deal.
      Xavi favours bringing in an experienced top-level player in the position and wants the club to sign Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo.
      The Barca boss reportedly also favours a move for former Spurs defender Juan Foyth to help address the club’s shortcomings at right-back over a move for Fresneda.
      But new sporting director Deco wants Fresneda as he looks to build a Barcelona team for the future.
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      The discordance between sporting director and manager has opened the door for the likes of Chelsea, who see Fresneda as a player with a lot of potential.
      The Blues will reportedly pounce on a move for the Spaniard if the player is keen on a move.
      Portuguese clubs are also keen on a move for the now Spanish second division player with Porto, Benfica and Sporting CP all circling.
      Chelsea’s interest in Fresneda comes after captain and first choice right-back Reece James suffered yet another injury setback.
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      The England man missed the majority of last season with a knee injury and looks to be facing injury hell again after tweaking his hamstring against Liverpool last week.
      The club fear that James could be looking at months rather than weeks out of the team.
      Promising French defender Malo Gusto is expected to start at right-back in place of James during their trip to West Ham tomorrow. More

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      Eden Hazard’s amazing car collection, as free agent rides Audis, an Aston Martin, Mercedes cars worth over £500k

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      HE’S just as sleek off the pitch as he is on it.Eden Hazard, 32, is now a free agent after having his Real Madrid contract torn up.
      Eden Hazard always hits top gear off the pitch with his £500k car collection despite his struggles on itCredit: Rex
      A true ‘Petrol Header’, Eden Hazard owns a couple of AudisCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Belgian playmaker left Chelsea for the Bernabeu in 2019 to bank around £416,000-a-week with the Spanish giants.
      However, he failed to ignite LaLiga like he did with the Premier League, and has been tipped for a move to Saudi Arabia and the MLS.
      Last weekend, he was spotted watching his beloved Blues at Stamford Bridge, as they took on Liverpool. But there is no suggestion of a return.
      In the meantime, Hazard can enjoy his impressive car collection he’s amassed through the years.
      As you can imagine from one of the best players on the planet over the last decade, Hazard’s garage is full of incredible cars.
      He has been spotted in various rides over the years, including a Mercedes Benz AMG GTR, Audi R8 V10, BMW X6, Audi RS4 Avant, Range Rover, Aston Martin Vanquish and Mercedes C Class.
      But how much are they all worth?
      Join SunSport in totalling up the numbers, that’ll leave you green with envy:
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      The Audi R8 V10 that’s part of Hazard’s collection is worth £110kCredit: Handout
      Audi R8 V10
      Able to hit a top speed of 205mph, Hazard should never have been late to the Madrid training ground driving this car.
      Brazil star Neymar also owns an R8, so Hazard’s in good company.
      Price: Around £110k
      BMW X6
      A stylish and reliable SUV, the classic number ten often took his X6 for a spin on match day.
      As a family man, this roomy ‘Beamer’ is also perfect to drive around his missus, Natacha Van Honacker and their four kids for a day out.
      Price: From £60k
      The BMW X6 is the perfect family car for Hazard, a dad of fourCredit: Handout
      Audi RS4 Avant
      A regular standard among footballers, including Real Madrid and Barcelona’s elite – who have deals with the car giants – Hazard loves the Audi brand.
      Price: From £60,290
      Range Rover Sport
      A Range Rover… every footballer should own one and most of them do.
      Hazard’s preference is the sport model because it’s comfortable and the ideal ride for when he finishes training and can stretch his legs.
      Should be more than enough room for his 5’8″ frame.
      Price: From £60,760
      Hazard scored himself another Audi when he joined Real Madrid
      The Range Rover Sport is Hazard’s preference when leaving training
      The most expensive car in Hazard’s collection is the classy Aston Martin Vanquish worth £199,950Credit: Paul Tonge – The Sun
      Is classy Hazard pondering what motor to get next?Credit: Reuters
      Aston Martin Vanquish
      A classy gents’ car, the Vanquish is the most expensive motor in Hazard’s collection.
      James Bond star Daniel Craig once owned a limited edition version, which was sold at an auction for £344,000.
      Price: From £199,950
      Mercedes C-Class
      The luxury C-Class has been part of the German brand’s make-up since 1993.
      It was also one of the first cars Hazard rocked up in when he signed for Chelsea from Lille back in 2012. Needless to say, he’s moved on since.
      Price: From £32,260
      Cool Hazard is a motor car enthusiast
      The cheapest car in Hazard’s collection is a £32k C-ClassCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Hazard’s AMG GTR reaches a top speed of 197.6 mphCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Felipe Massa strikes a pose with car aficionado, Hazard
      And finally, Mercedes Benz AMG GTR
      Perhaps the best-looking in his collection, Hazard has a AMG GTR which has a horse power of 430 kW and top speed of 197.6 mph.
      Former Aston Villa and Man City ace Gareth Barry once had one once upon a time too.
      Price: From £99,245
      That gives us a grand total of £622,505 – over a half million pounds worth of cars! Now, that’s nothing to be sniffed at. More

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      LaLiga club’s DOCTOR whacked with four-game suspension after being sent-off during fiery Barcelona clash

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      GETAFE’S club doctor Christopher Oyola Palacio has been banned for four matches after being sent off against Barcelona.The Madrid-based side took on Barca in their LaLiga opener on Sunday.
      Christopher Oyola Palacio (dark T-shirt, white trainers) was sent off against BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      Oyola Palacio, right, was able to linger in the tunnelCredit: DAZN
      The match proved to be a fiery encounter, with players and staff from both teams being sent off.
      In the 42nd minute, Oyola Palacio was left furious by a Raphinha elbow.
      His protestations bizarrely earned him a red card, as well as the Brazilian winger.
      Despite his sending off, Oyola Palacio was able to linger in the tunnel during the second half, in case his medical services were required.
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      Following the match, Oyola Palacio was slapped with a four-match ban by the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
      The Getafe doctor will have to be replaced by another medical professional for his side’s next four matches.
      After finishing the first half 11 vs 10, Getafe were also down a player just 12 minutes into the second period when Jaime Mata was shown a second yellow card.
      With 20 minutes remaining, an incensed Xavi was also sent off for dissent.
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      Unlike Oyola Palacio, the Barca boss was not allowed to remain in the tunnel and was instead sent to the stands.
      After the bad-tempered 0-0 draw, Xavi said: “I told him (the referee) he was allowing too many fouls. That’s why he sent me off.
      “There’s nothing else to say. I have commented in the past and they ban me for it.”
      The match also featured a bizarre moment from Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
      After a pass in his direction was overhit, Araujo bafflingly CAUGHT the ball mid-game.
      Despite complaints from Getafe players, a sheepish Araujo escaped without a booking.
      Xavi was sent off for dissent in the 70th minuteCredit: Rex More

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      Premier League giants on transfer red alert as Ansu Fati ‘decides to LEAVE Barcelona’

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      ANSU FATI is set to spark a Premier League scramble after deciding to leave Barcelona.Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham have all been linked to making a move for the winger.
      Ansu Fati has decided to leave BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      And the Prem trio will be among clubs scrapping for the Spain international’s signature this summer.
      Fati, 20, burst onto the scene as a teenager three years ago, having been at Barcelona since he was nine.
      He is the youngest goal scorer in Champions League history, at the age of 17 years and 40 days.
      And he even inherited Lionel Messi’s iconic No 10 shirt with the Argentina legend left the club in 2021.
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      But Fati has slipped down the pecking order under boss Xavi.
      And Spanish publication AS report that the Guinea Bissau-born star now wants out.
      That represents a change of heart for Fati, who had been determined to earn his boss’ trust.
      But he was left on the bench for the disappointing 0-0 La Liga opener against Getafe.
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      And, to rub salt in the wound, he saw unknown kids Abde Ezzalzouli and Lamine Yamal come on ahead of him as Barca desperately hunted a winner.
      Fati was finally called on in the 79th minute, but failed to make an impact.
      And that appears to have been the final straw for Fati, as he looks to resurrect his career elsewhere.
      Atletico Madrid are reportedly also keen but have yet to contact Barcelona, meaning Prem sides can get a head start. More

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      Gary Lineker reveals how referee brought him crashing back to earth after scoring El Clasico hat-trick with cruel move

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      GARY LINEKER has revealed the cruel move by a referee that ruined his moment after an El Clasico hat-trick.The 62-year-old was reminiscing about his days with Barcelona where he spent three years of his illustrious career.

      Gary Lineker was brought back down to earth by a Spanish referee following his El Clasico hat-trickCredit: Getty
      Lineker spent three years playing in Spain for Barcelona after making the switch from EvertonCredit: Getty
      The former England star told the story of his hat-trick for Barcelona against Real Madrid in 1987.
      Lineker looked back on chipping Madrid goalkeeper Paco Buyo to net his third goal after scoring two in the opening five minutes.
      Speaking to GOAL he said: “It was the first one [El Clasico] I’d played at the Nou Camp and I scored two goals in the first five minutes – both from very close range.
      “And I had goose bumps. The noise was incredible, in front of 120,000 fans.
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      “It was about five minutes into the second half and I was one-on-one withy the goalkeeper who I believe was [Paco] Buyo. I’ve dinked it over him and when I saw it going in it was just magical.”
      But despite the euphoria that Lineker must have been feeling in that moment, he was denied a longstanding English tradition by the referee.
      After bagging his hat-trick he was expecting to take the match ball home with him.
      But when he asked the referee for the ball, he had no clue what Lineker was talking about and refused to hand it over.
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      The former Leicester and Spurs striker said: “The referee had the ball in his hands.
      “I went up to him and asked him for the ball, but he was going ‘Que? Porque? No.’
      “I went ‘I’ve scored three goals’ and he just didn’t get it. It wasn’t a thing in Spain back then and so I never got it [the ball].”
      Barcelona ended up 3-2 winners in the game and Lineker was still able to celebrate the three points regardless of missing out on the match ball.
      The Match of the Day host ended up playing 138 times for the Catalan club, scoring 51 goals before moving to Tottenham in 1989. More

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      Bizarre moment Barcelona star Ronald Araujo ‘forgets rules of football’ in middle of match

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      RONALD ARAUJO forgot the rules of football in the middle of Barcelona’s opening match of the season.The defender made a bizarre mistake during his side’s 0-0 draw away to Getafe on Sunday.
      Ronald Araujo caught the ball as it was about to go over his headCredit: @ViaplaySportsUK
      Barca made a frustrating start to their La Liga title defence as they were held by their opponents during a feisty encounter.
      Both sides were reduced to 10-men, with Raphinha sent off for the visitors after elbowing Getafe’s Gaston Alvarez.
      However, it was Araujo’s moment of madness which caught the eyes of fans watching in the stadium and at home.
      Just moments into the second half, an overhit pass was chipped out to the Uruguayan on the right flank.
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      As the ball looked set to sail over his head, he jumped up and caught it, to the confusion of his team-mates.
      Araujo immediately looked sheepish as he realised what he had done, putting his hand on his head before jogging back into position.
      Although a free-kick was given, Araujo escaped without a booking, despite the complaints of the Getafe players.
      Reacting to the incident, one fan tweeted: “Can’t believe he got away without a card there.”
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      Another wrote: “What was he thinking?!”
      A third viewer fumed: “What a shocking piece of football… Araujo and the ref both had a brain fart.”

      Meanwhile, one more simply commented: “La Liga is a shambles.”
      “Araujo channelling his inner Michael Jordan,” joked another fan.
      Araujo, who is a former Manchester United transfer target, also made headlines during pre-season for his on-field antics.
      The 24-year-old enraged Arsenal fans during their friendly against Barcelona for a wild tackle on Gabriel Jesus. More