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      ‘Don’t pass to him’ – How Vinicius Jr has overcome brutal put-down to become one of world’s best

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      IT was just over two years ago that Karim Benzema’s critical remarks of Vinicius Jr went viral. With Real Madrid trailing 1-0 to Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League group stages in October 2020, Benzema gathered his team-mates in the tunnel for a private chat.
      Vinicius Jr in full-flight regularly leaves full-backs in a dazeCredit: Rex
      A young Vinicius Jr had plenty of pressure on his shoulders after his £38m move from FlamengoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But his damning words were picked up by cameras and quickly went around the world.
      The Frenchman was seen telling Ferland Mendy: “Don’t play with him. On my mother’s life, he is playing against us.”
      While no player was specifically named, the world quickly realised it was a stinging rebuke young winger Vinicius Jr, then just 20.
      Opta stats later showed Benzema indeed did not make a single pass to the Brazilian in the second-half, with Los Blancos coming back to draw 2-2.
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      Despite the public humiliation, Vinicius Jr has gone from strength to strength in his incredible career and refused to let that humiliation hold him back.
      Tuesday night’s devastating, two-goal performance against Liverpool was just the latest outstanding showing from the 22-year-old.
      Reds fans will be sick of the sight of him after he also got the winner in last season’s Champions League final, despite Jurgen Klopp’s side being the better team.
      Vinicius Jr’s relationship with Benzema also appears entirely repaired with the pair part of a spell-binding Real Madrid attack that appears able to conjure up goals using willpower alone.
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      Some eyebrows were raised when the Spanish giants dished out £38m to sign him in 2018 from Flamengo when he was just 16.
      His reputation as the next big thing out of Brazil had led Madrid officials to take the plunge on his signature.
      It proved to be a wise investment and Vinicius Jr has developed into one of world football’s most effective and skilful wingers.
      His speed and ability to dazzle opponents with his footwork and intelligence has seen him clock up goals and assists with ease in LaLiga.
      Liverpool fell apart after Vincius Jr and came to life at Anfield last nightCredit: AFP
      He has also had to show enormous mental resolve as he battles issues off the pitch.
      Vinicius Jr finds himself the repeated target of racist attacks from opposition fans and even some pundits.
      Things took a particular twisted turn earlier this year when Atletico Madrid fans hung an effigy of the player from a bridge.
      Vinicius Jr has lashed out at LaLiga for not doing enough to tackle discrimination.
      He has also been at war with trainer brand Nike over his long-term agreement with them.
      Read More on The Sun
      Away from those issues, the speedy winger will be looking to add to his already bulging portfolio of medals, which includes one Champions League, two LaLiga titles, two Club World Cups and one Super Cup.
      With Real Madrid hunting Barcelona in La Liga and among the favourites in Europe, more silverware could follow to add to the growing legend of Vinicius Jr. More

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      ‘I entered a bottomless pit’ – Ex-Man City star reveals psychological turmoil ahead of huge Man Utd clash

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      FORMER Man City star Ferran Torres has revealed he has been seeing a psychologist.The Spanish attacker sought help after some very hard months on a personal level.
      Ferran Torres joined Barcelona from Man City last JanuaryCredit: Getty
      He has slowly started to show his potential at the Nou CampCredit: Alamy
      Now at Barcelona, Torres has been trying to help the club return to the heights of its past.
      However, his move to the Catalan giants has not been perfect as he has struggled for consistent form.
      Since joining the club from Man City in January 2022 he has only managed to score 12 times in 52 appearances in all competitions.
      But he did impress during the club’s 2-0 win over Cadiz while playing in his natural right-wing position.
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      The 22-year-old has now admitted that seeing a psychologist has helped him overcome his issues.
      He told Mundo Deportivo: “I entered a bottomless pit, I didn’t know how to get out.
      “It was at that moment that I decided to work with a psychologist.
      “I was not confident and everything affected me.
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      “It has been a very bitter experience, but at the same time one of the best moments because now I feel stronger.
      “It has not been appreciated that I came at a very difficult time, with the team ninth in the league, and then being a participant to qualify the team for the Champions League.
      “I have become too obsessed with the goal and not with playing.
      “Before, I thought more about scoring, even if I didn’t play well.
      “Now I have learned to go out, to enjoy and from there, things come out on their own.”
      Torres will be hoping to enjoy himself again for Barcelona in their next match against Manchester United.
      The two sides face off again for the second leg of their Europa League clash following the 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp last week.
      If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, contact The Samaritans on 116 123.
      They are available for free at anytime. Or email https://www.samaritans.org/ More

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      Play Single Game Survivor while watching Liverpool v Real Madrid tonight – get predictions right to win cash!

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      LIVERPOOL meet Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 tonight at Anfield, a repeat of last season’s final.With so much excitement around this blockbuster fixture, we’re offering fans and neutrals alike the chance to win some cash through Single Game Survivor!
      Simply make a few predictions around the game (first booking, first team to two corners, etc) and if you’re proved correct you’ll bank a wedge of the prize pot.

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY SINGLE GAME SURVIVOR FOR LIVERPOOL V REAL MADRID TONIGHT!

      What is Single Game Survivor?
      Single Game Survivor takes its inspiration from our Classic Survivor Game.
      In Classic Survivor, you pick a Premier League team to win each week. They win, you survive; they don’t, you’re out.
      And it’s exactly the same principle with Single Game Survivor (or SGS as it’s more snappily known), except that in this game you make picks during a single match – in this case, Liverpool v Real Madrid.
      Get your predictions right as the game goes along and you’ll survive; but get them wrong and you’re out.
      The pleasant twist? You get two lives to play with!
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      How do you make picks in SGS?
      Ahead of the match, we’ll serve up some questions for you to consider. Such as:

      Which team will score first?
      Which of these four players will have a shot on target first?

      And so on.
      Win these mini-battles to keep yourself alive!
      Credit: DREAM TEAM
      How do I win money in SGS?
      Now for the good bit.
      You get two chances to win in SGS, with the first cash prize coming if you survive until half-time.
      If your sharp football instincts help you survive until full-time, you take a share of the prize pot that remains.
      Why should I play SGS?
      QUICK MONEY With our two chances to make money – half-time and full-time – you might win money in just 45 minutes!
      TWO LIVES You get not one, but two lives as you chase down the cash!
      BEAT THE REST Test your knowledge against our thousands-strong community
      LIVE EXPERIENCE See your rivals eliminated and the prize pool increase during the match
      What’s the best way to follow SGS?
      Follow along live with us!
      Sign-in to your account and track all the key moments via our live tracker to see how they affect you and your rivals.
      You’ll also be able to see how the cash pot rises as players get knocked out!
      Read More on The Sun
      Play Single Game Survivor for Liverpool v Real Madrid by grabbing your entries by Tuesday, 21 February at 8pm.

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY SINGLE GAME SURVIVOR FOR LIVERPOOL V REAL MADRID TONIGHT! More

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      Watch moment cheeky fan secretly slips Barcelona star Pedri piece of paper while he signs autographs and poses for pics

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      THIS is the moment Pedri was secretly slipped a piece of paper by a fan. The Barcelona star has continued on an upward trajectory since the Spanish giants splashed out £13million on a transfer for him from Las Palmas in 2019.
      Pedri in attendance at a Barcelona fan eventCredit: https://twitter.com/Iablaugrana/status/1627673156520386563
      And while taking photos and signing autographs a fan slipped him a piece of paperCredit: https://twitter.com/BarcaSpaces/status/1627711201713979415
      The 20-year-old is enjoying his best goalscoring season at the clubCredit: Getty
      With his astronomical rise has come a rise in fame, and popularity among fans.
      Indeed, the 20-year-old 2021 Golden Boy winner has an Instagram following of 10.5 million people.
      And while at a fan meeting, the moment a fan slipped Pedri a piece of paper was captured as another fan tried to get the star to sign a shiny football sticker.
      The fan who captured the video, and eventually got her sticker signed, said: “Me wanting Pedri to sign my sticker and here are the people trying to be the future woman.”
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      Other fans also picked up on the sly exchange of paper to hand and pocket.
      One said: “💭 I see you Pedri 🤣.”
      A second commented: “😁 there goes our boy.”
      A third wrote: “My boy! Not only sharp on the field but also in life.”
      Most read in Football
      A similar situation was seen with fellow Barcelona and Golden Boy winner Gavi.
      Fans were left convinced in September of last year he had gotten a girl’s phone number during a shirt signing event upon penning a new deal at the Camp Nou.
      Barcelona’s next game will see them in action against Manchester United in the Europa League for the sequel to the first leg epic produced in Catalonia.
      Pedri, who is enjoying his most productive goalscoring season, is likely to feature for the Blaugrana, while Gavi is suspended for the tie.
      Elsewhere, boss Xavi has been left sweating over the fitness of key stars Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong. More

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      Amancio Amaro dead at 83: Real Madrid legend and honorary president who won European Cup and nine titles dies

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      REAL MADRID legend Amancio Amaro has died aged 83, the Spanish giants have confirmed.Amancio played for Real Madrid between 1962 and 1976, winning nine LaLiga titles and a European Cup.
      Amancio Amaro was honorary club president at Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Amancio played for the Spanish giants between 1962 and 1976Credit: Getty
      He also represented Deportivo La Coruna between 1958 and 1962, in addition to earning 42 Spain caps.
      Nick named El Brujo, meaning The Magician, Amancio played for Madrid during an amazing period of success.
      In a club statement, the LaLiga champions wrote: “Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors deeply regret the death of Amancio Amaro, honorary president of Real Madrid and one of the great legends of our club and of world football.
      “Real Madrid would like to express its condolences and affection to his wife Consuelo, his children Oscar, Belen, Amancio, Patricia, Marcos and Claudia, his brother Juan Carlos, his grandchildren and all his relatives, colleagues and loved ones.”
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      Amancio equalised in the 1966 European Cup final, as Madrid came from behind to beat Partizan Belgrade in Brussels.
      In total, the forward player bagged 155 times in 471 appearances for Real Madrid.
      Amancio helped Spain win the European Championship of 1964, scoring in the semi-final win over Hungary.
      After retiring from playing, Amancio stayed involved at Santiago Bernabeu.
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      He began coaching Madrid’s youth teams, before taking a job as Real Madrid Castilla boss.
      Amancio guided Castilla to the 1984 Segunda title, before taking on the job as first team boss later that year.
      Following a year in charge, he went on to work for Real Madrid as a consultant, board member and honorary president – a position to which he was elected last year.
      Madrid’s statement added: “Amancio Amaro has passed away at the age of 83. He will be remembered by all Madridistas and by all football fans as one of the great legends of this sport.
      “Real Madrid extends its condolences to all Real Madrid fans. Rest in peace.”
      Amancio remained involved at Santiago BernabeuCredit: Getty More

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      Liverpool vs Real Madrid: In-form Reds host Los Blancos in Champions League as Klopp plots revenge – Stream, TV

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      REVENGE is a dish best served on a cold Champions League night under the lights at Anfield… at least that’s what Jurgen Klopp is plotting as European champions Real Madrid come to town.Tuesday’s Last-16 first leg tie is a repeat of last May’s Champions League final.
      Liverpool will be hoping for revenge after last May’s Champions League final loss to Real MadridCredit: PA
      Carlo Ancelotti is familar with Anfield’s famous atmosphereCredit: Getty
      And Liverpool will be hoping for some sort of redemption for the 1-0 loss they suffered inside the Stade de France by knocking out Real Madrid and ensuring a new King of Europe is crowned in three months time.
      Klopp and Co will, of course, be hoping it turns out to be them.
      Liverpool have seemingly found their feet again at the right time.
      Klopp’s men turned their February around after recording just one Premier League win in five prior to last Monday’s 2-0 Merseyside derby win over Everton.
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      They also put top-four rivals Newcastle to the sword on Saturday, beating the Toon convincingly in their own back yard with a 2-0 win.
      Like Liverpool, Real are playing catch-up on their league objectives after a poor start to the campaign.
      They’ve won seven of their last 13 games, dropping points in LaLiga and losing to Barcelona in the Super Cup in that time – but also lifting the Club World Cup.
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      They remain behind Barcelona by eight points in their bid to retain their LaLiga title.
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      And Liverpool will be encouraged by Real’s busy schedule in between their Champions League round of 16 clashes, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men playing rivals Atletico and Barca, as well as Real Betis and Espanyol before March 15’s Bernabeu dust-up.
      What is their form like?
      Liverpool are on a two-game win streak after enduring a horrible start to 2022.
      They recorded back-to-back 2-0 wins over rivals Everton and Newcastle.
      However, in the nine games played since New Year, Liverpool have won just three with heavy defeats coming against Wolves, Brighton and Brentford.
      Real, meanwhile, are on a four-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
      They beat Osasuna 2-0 and Elche 4-0 in their last two LaLiga outings.
      Ancelotti’s men also lifted the Club World Cup after wins over Al Ahly and Al-Hilal.
      Liverpool are on a two-game win streakCredit: Getty
      Real are unbeaten in ten games across all competitions – including the Club World CupCredit: Getty
      What is the team news and any injuries to worry about? 
      Liverpool are sweating over the fitness of summer signing Darwin Nunez after the striker went off with a shoulder injury in the win over Newcastle.
      The 23-year-old scored in the game, taking his season total to 11 across all competitions.
      Luis Diaz is expected to miss the Anfield clash having just returned from a long-term injury.
      The Colombian winger could, however, play in the return leg next March.
      Midfield maestro Thiago is also due to miss out with a hip injury, while Calvin Ramsey’s season struggles with injury continue.
      As for Real, they’ve been dealt a double injury blow in midfield.
      Both Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos are not part of the squad that will fly out to Merseyside on Monday.
      Defender Ferland Mendy is also out having missed the last month with a thigh issue.
      There is also a slight concern over Karim Benzema. The Ballon d’Or holder missed out at the weekend with muscle fatigue, however Carlo Ancelotti has said “hopefully he will” be available for Liverpool.
      Darwin Nunez is an injury concern ahead of TuesdayCredit: Reuters
      Toni Kroos will miss the gameCredit: Getty
      Who will be the star men?
      The obvious star man for Liverpool will be Mohamed Salah.
      Salah hasn’t had the best of seasons – but neither have his team-mates.
      Despite this, he’s still managed 18 goals across all competitions with seven of those coming in the Champions League, making him the competition’s top scorer so far.
      He also has eight assists to his name and picked up a goal and an assist in his last two outings for Liverpool.
      January signing Cody Gakpo has seemingly found his feet.
      The Dutch international has two goals in his last two Prem appearances.
      For Los Blancos, Benzema will be one Liverpool will be hoping to nullify.
      The 35-year-old has struck 16 times this term – but none of them have come in Europe’s top club competition.
      In fact, Benzema has just four appearances in the Champions League during what has been an injury plagued season.
      Vinicius Jr is another Liverpool will be well aware of, with the Brazilian scoring the winner in last May’s final after Trent Alexander-Arnold switched off at the back post.
      The trickster, 22, has 16 goals and eight assists this season.
      Mohamed Salah has outscored Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema
      What have the managers said?
      Klopp said after drawing Real last year: “The first thing that we can say about this draw is it is proper Champions League.
      “This is a tie that speaks for itself and one that we should all be excited about.
      “I know we have played Real Madrid in a couple of recent finals but it is not so often that our two clubs have met in a two-legged tie so now we can look forward to this happening.
      “Real’s European record is the best around. We know this. But we also know that ours is not too bad. On top of this, we know that we have Anfield and everyone knows what this means.
      “It is a really good draw. A really exciting draw.
      “The games themselves are still a few months away but it does not take a great deal of imagination to think what the atmosphere will be like at both games.
      “There is a lot of football to be played before this, of course, so we will focus on each game as it comes but yes, this draw has given us something special to look forward to.”
      Ancelotti has said after beating Liverpool in last May’s final: “Looking back, people said oh PSG were unlucky, Chelsea were unlucky, Manchester City were unlucky, this was practically the only game where people thought we were more or less on the same level.
      “I think it helped that Liverpool were easier to decipher than the others because they have a very clear identity and we could prepare the way that we did.
      “We knew what strategy to take, don’t give them space behind the defence to run into.
      “Perhaps our football wasn’t extraordinarily beautiful tonight on an aesthetic level, but playing out from the back to incentivise their pressing wasn’t a great idea.
      “We had a few more long balls, then when their press in our half of the pitch lessened, we got to control the ball more especially in the second half.”
      Klopp and Ancelotti are well aware of the threats of their oppositionCredit: Getty
      SunSport prediction
      There’s something about Champions League nights at Anfield.
      It also happens to be against European Cup serial winners Real, so the Liverpool faithful will be up for it.
      Should he be fit, Darwin Nunez could cause some chaos, unsettling Real’s backline.
      2-1 Liverpool.
      Nunez could be the difference-maker IF he’s fitCredit: Rex
      What are the odds?
      Betfair have Liverpool’s odds at beating Real at Anfield at 5/4.
      While the bookies have Real’s chances at 21/10.
      When is Liverpool vs Real Madrid and at what time?
      Liverpool welcome Real to Anfield on Tuesday in an 8PM kick-off.
      Is the match on TV and what channel is it on?
      Yes, Liverpool vs Real will be on TV.
      The game will be shown on BT Sport 1 and BT Ultimate in the UK.
      Read More on The Sun
      How can I live stream it?
      The came can be lived streamed via the BT Sport website or app.
      If you can’t access the game, SunSport will have a LIVE dedicated match blog.
      BT Sport will show the gameCredit: AFP More

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      Liverpool Champions League boost as two key Real Madrid stars OUT of squad for Anfield tie

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      REAL MADRID have two key players ruled out of their Champions League tie against Liverpool.Doubts mounted on the availability of Karim Benzema after he was forced off with a muscular injury in Madrid’s 4-0 win over Elche last week.
      Toni Kroos has been ruled out through illnessCredit: Getty
      Midfielder Toni Kroos, 33, also picked up an illness and the pair both missed Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Osasuna.
      Now boss Carlo Ancelotti’s side have confirmed that they will be missing two crucial players for Tuesday’s trip to Anfield.
      However, talisman striker Benzema is fit enough to be included in the squad for the first leg of the last-16 Champions League showdown.
      But Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni, who make up two of Ancelotti’s preferred midfield trio, have both not been named in the squad. 
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      According to Relevo, German international Kroos suffered an intestinal infection which badly affected his weight and muscle mass.
      Meanwhile, French ace Tchouameni, 23, is still feeling the effects of flu.
      This will be news to ears of Jurgen Klopp as his team enter the contest with renewed optimism after successive victories and clean sheets against Everton and Newcastle.
      Liverpool appear to have turned a corner with Virgil van Dijk back at the heart of the defence, and attacker Cody Gakpo finding his feet.
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      The pair renew hostilities after their 2021-22 Champions League final, which saw the Spanish side win 1-0 courtesy of Vinicius Junior.
      In fact, Ancelotti’s side have the edge over their rivals having won five of the last six meetings since 2014.
      Aurelien Tchouameni will also miss the game at Anfield on TuesdayCredit: Getty More

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      Barcelona and Atletico Madrid ‘ready to make transfer offer to ex-Man Utd star Di Maria’ with Juventus deal expiring

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      BARCELONA and Atletico Madrid are locked in a battle to sign Angel Di Maria, according to reports.The ex-Man Utd star, 35, is out of contract at Juventus in the summer.
      Angel Di Maria is being tracked by Barcelona and Atletico MadridCredit: EPA
      And the Argentina World Cup winner is desperate to play for one final season in Europe, before ending his career at Rosario Central.
      According Tuttomercatoweb, Juventus want to extend Di Maria’s contract.
      But Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also hot on the heels of the midfielder, and would like to add him to their squad.
      Di Maria has enjoyed a storied career in European football.
      Read more football news
      After making his name at Benfica, he would star at Real Madrid for four years between 2010-14, where he won the Champions League.
      Man Utd brought him to the Premier League in 2014 for £60million.
      However, he struggled for form under Louis van Gaal and was deemed to be one of the worst signings of the season.
      After failing to board a plane for a preseason tour of the US, Di Maria was soon sold to PSG.
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      There, he won five Ligue 1 titles, as well as five French cups.
      In 295 games he scored 93 goals for the Parisians, in probably his best spell in Europe. More