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      Lionel Messi ‘ignoring calls from Barcelona’ with old club desperate to seal return despite Inter Miami transfer talks

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      LIONEL MESSI is IGNORING calls from Barcelona as he holds talks over a sensational transfer to Inter Miami, reports suggest. The legendary Argentine has been linked with a switch to the MLS side when his current contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer.
      Lionel Messi is said to be ignoring phone calls from Barcelona’s presidentCredit: Getty
      This is despite the clear desire of former club Barcelona to bring him back – with their season once again threatening to capitulate.
      And according to Spanish outlet Sport, Messi has even been ignoring phone calls from a close negotiator to club president Joan Laporta – which would doubtless come as a huge blow to their ambitions.
      Messi, 35, seems to have finally hit his stride in Paris, with 12 goals and 13 assists in just 17 games this season.
      And while PSG would also like to keep him for longer, most reports on Messi’s future see it pointing elsewhere.
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      Inter owner David Beckham hinted at a possible move for Messi months ago.
      With this plan now out in the open the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG star’s MLS franchise is said to be growing “increasingly confident” about securing Messi’s services.
      Miami already plays host to a $9million apartment for Messi, who previously admitted a desire to one day play in America.
      Messi has confirmed that the Qatar World Cup would be his final appearance at the tournament.
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      And as fate would have it, his 1000th career appearance could well be the final – though he would need to miss a few games between now and then to make that coincidence a reality.
      He “scared millions” earlier this month after going down and appearing to be injured – only for him to tie up his laces instead.
      The former Barca man recently overtook the record of Brazilian great Pele for the most goals and assists ever. More

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      Man Utd arrange La Liga friendly during World Cup with likes of De Gea, Martial and Sancho set to miss out on Qatar

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have arranged to play a friendly during the World Cup. The fixture, announced by United on Monday, will see them face off against La Liga side Cadiz CF in December.
      Erik ten Hag’s side will face Cadiz in a friendly over the winter breakCredit: Reuters
      David de Gea will be among the high-profile names expected to be involvedCredit: Alamy
      United will not be involved in a competitive match for well over a month due to the tournament in Qatar.
      The club’s final fixture before the break comes on November 13 against Fulham before their next Premier League game on December 27 when they host Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
      However, if United beat Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup third round they will be forced to contend with a fourth-round fixture on December 20 or 21.
      The Spanish side will play host to United at the Nuevo Mirandilla Stadium on December 7.
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      The game will come as Erik ten Hag takes his remaining squad out to Spain for a week-long warm-weather training camp.
      The likes of David de Gea – who failed to make Spain’s 55-man preliminary squad list – will be among a number of high-profile names who are set to miss out on a spot at the World Cup.
      Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek are expected to be a part of this group.
      Meanwhile, Scott McTominay, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Elanga are also set to be involved due to their respective nations failing to qualify.
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      United football director John Murtough said: “Erik and the team have made good progress during this first half of the season, and it is important we maintain this momentum coming out of the World Cup break.
      “A winter training camp will be a vital part of the team’s preparations for the second half of the season.
      “We have lined up a high-quality local opponent to play against, ensuring match fitness and sharpness is retained.
      “The camp and game will also allow for some of our young talent to experience training and playing in a first-team environment, as well as provide entertaining club football for fans.”
      Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek have seen playing time limited ahead of the World CupCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Neither Victor Lindelof nor Scott McTominay will be at the World Cup after their countries failed to qualifyCredit: Getty More

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      Real Madrid president tried to move team to THEME PARK called RealMadridLand – with rollercoaster based on Zidane volley

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      REAL MADRID president Florentino Perez reportedly wanted to move the team to a Disneyland-style theme park.Perez first came up with the idea in 2004 but started to draw up plans for the project in 2017.
      Florentino Perez dreamed of building RealMadridLandCredit: EPA
      Perez wanted a rollercoaster based on Zinedine Zidane’s goal in the 2002 Champions League finalCredit: Splash
      According to a new book titled ‘Messi vs Ronaldo’, as reported by the Independent, Perez was keen to maintain Real’s position as the top club in the world amid the emergence of state-owned clubs Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
      There were also rising costs with Real Madrid’s wage bill increasing by 32 per cent in 2017 alone.
      Perez’s concept of a RealMadridLand sought to reinvent the club by moving away from the Bernabeu into a new complex that would include a new stadium, training ground and of course, rollercoasters.
      Disney executives were consulted and sketches were drawn up for rollercoasters based on famous club goals, such as Zinedine Zidane’s volley to win the 2002 Champions League final.
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      Michael Eisner, Disney CEO and owner of Portsmouth, worked with Perez but raised concerns over funding and the fact the training ground would be visible to rivals.
      The £1.2billion Perez sourced was deemed far too short of the £2.1bn required, with the Real president also unable to find a plot of land big enough to house the complex, which was also set to include hotels and conference centres.
      As well as the amusement park and new stadium, the training ground was planned to accommodate Real Madrid teams from the under sevens up.
      It was all part of Perez’s dream to maintain the club’s place at the top of the football pyramid, with the Spaniard also viewing the project as a “financial necessity”.
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      In a meeting with Disney bosses Perez is reported to have said: “In our world, we are as big as Disney.
      “Real Madrid must do things like this because we are the number-one club, and the only way we will remain there is by always being the first big innovator.”
      The Disney executives, including Eisner, spent three months examining the plans before returning to Perez with a list of concerns, and the idea was scrapped. More

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      Gerard Pique hilariously asks Busquets to untie knot in boots with Barcelona ace completely unprepared as he’s subbed on

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      GERARD PIQUE hilariously asked Sergio Busquets to untie a knot in the laces of his boot.That’s after being completely unprepared when called on as a sub for Barcelona.
      Gerard Pique needed Sergio Busquets to undo a knot in his laces after being unprepared as a sub
      Pique was wearing flip flops and no shin pads or socks when he was called upon after an injuryCredit: Getty
      The 35-year-old centre-back was seen on the bench without boots or shinpads on as Xavi called on him to replace the injured Jules Kounde 15 minutes from time.
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      But as it became clear Kounde was coming off, Pique was still sat down wearing flip-flops, as well as no socks or shin pads.
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      And as he slowly began to get ready, Pique called upon pal Busquets to help untie a knot in his boot laces.
      Commenting after the game, boss Xavi said: “Pique was not wearing boots nor shin guards because he didn’t expect to come on.
      “He had no time to warm up either.”
      It’s not the first time Pique has taken a casual approach to a game this season.
      He came under fire from fans earlier this month for a “shameless” warm-up against Villarreal.
      The Catalans kept the pressure on rivals Real Madrid with a 1-0 win over Valencia on Saturday.
      Robert Lewandowski scored in the 93rd minute to take his side one point behind the defending champs.
      Meanwhile, reports in Spain claim Pique may not be at Barcelona for much longer.
      It’s reckoned the Catalans are in talks with him and veteran left-back Jordi Alba to terminate their deals in January.
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      The pair are still owed £125MILLION between them on their remaining deals.
      But Barca hope to negotiate a lower pay-off in order to free up their wage bill for more signings. More

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      Real Madrid throw away lead to draw with Girona but return to top of LaLiga as Toni Kroos sees first-ever red card

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      REAL MADRID returned to the top of LaLiga on Sunday.That’s despite being held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Girona.
      Vinicius Jr scored but Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by GironaCredit: Reuters
      Toni Kroos received his first-ever red card as Real returned to the top of LaLigaCredit: Getty
      The defending champs threw away a lead at the Bernabeu as they were pegged back with 10 minutes remaining.
      And the result was further overshadowed when star man Toni Kroos received his first-ever red card at the death.
      Carlo Ancelotti fielded his strongest available XI this afternoon, with Rodrygo in for the missing Karim Benzema.
      Real dominated possession in front of a buoyant home crowd desperate for a win following Tuesday’s defeat at RB Leipzig.
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      The hosts peppered Girona’s goal with an incredible 19 shots.
      But it wasn’t until the 70th minute when Real finally broke the deadlock through winger Vinicius Jr.
      Los Blancos then surged forward in order to put the game to bed.
      However, disaster struck in the 80th minute when Girona won a penalty for a Marco Asensio handball.
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      The spot-kick was calmly put away by Cristhian Stuani for 1-1.
      And the visitors proceeded to park the bus as Real piled on the pressure.
      Los Blancos thought they had won late in the day when Rodrygo fired home in the 89th minute.
      However, it was disallowed as the Brazilian was deemed to have kicked the ball out of the Girona goalie’s hands.
      Real’s bad day wasn’t over just yet either.
      That’s because Kroos was shown a second yellow in the 92nd minute as tempers boiled over.
      It was the German’s first-ever sending off and capped off another miserable day for Ancelotti’s Treble winners.
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      But despite the result, Real returned to the summit of LaLiga.
      They are one point above fierce rivals Barcelona, who beat Valencia 1-0 last night thanks to a 93rd minute strike from Robert Lewandowski. More

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      Franck Kessie’s agent slams ‘fake news’ linking ‘unhappy’ Man Utd target with exit six months after Barcelona transfer

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      FRANCK KESSIE’S agent has slammed rumours linking the midfielder with a move away from Barcelona as “fake news”.The 25-year-old joined Barca on a free transfer in the summer.
      Franck Kessie has started just two league games for BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      Kessie joined Barcelona as a free agent in JulyCredit: Getty
      But he has started just twice in La Liga since arriving at the Nou Camp.
      Reports in Italy have even linked Kessie with a quick exit from Barcelona as soon as January, with former club AC Milan claimed to be keen.
      Now Kessie’s agent, George Atangana, has put those rumours to bed.
      Atangana told Mundo Deportivo on the links: “They are fake news, totally false.
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      “Kessie is very happy at Barca and in Barcelona.
      “He’s only been at the club for a few months and he’s still in the process of adapting to the team and the Barca style of play, which has nothing to do with the rest of the clubs, and, therefore, it takes time.”
      Manchester United were previously linked with Kessie before he decided to join Barca.
      But Atangana vowed Kessie will work hard to earn a place in Xavi’s team after turning down other offers in the summer in favour of the Spaniards.
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      Atangana continued: “Kessie will continue working to earn a place in the team. He is not a player who gives up easily.
      “He had other offers in the summer and bet heavily on Barca.”
      Kessie has played 12 times in total for Barcelona, but the majority of his appearances have from the bench. More

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      Real Madrid to launch fresh transfer bid for Arsenal star Jesus after pulling out of deal for ex-Man City ace over visas

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      REAL MADRID are set to launch a bid for Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus next summer, according to reports.The Brazilian was linked with the Spanish giants in the summer, only for them to pull out of the running.
      Gabriel Jesus has scored five goals for ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Madrid reportedly decided against the move because of an “issue with Jesus’ passport”.
      Despite this, he remains a player that boss Carlo Ancelotti admires.
      According to Goal, Jesus is on a five-man shortlist compiled by the Italian.
      They claim that Ancelotti sees him as a perfect understudy, and potential successor, to Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
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      Jesus, 25, contributed to Arsenal’s strong start to the season.
      The former Manchester City man has scored five goals in 11 Prem outings – also laying on four assists.
      Arsenal’s form has them second in the table, with the possibility of leapfrogging City back into top spot if they beat Nottingham Forest this afternoon.
      Also on Madrid’s shortlist are Alphonso Davies, Endrick, Enzo Fernandez and Piero Hincapie.
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      Earlier this month, Jesus told BT Sport of the bond he already feels with Arsenal fans.
      He said: “In the first days when I signed here I went to a Brazilian restaurant.
      “I was waiting in my car outside, and a lot of Arsenal fans came to say welcome to the club.

      “It is different at Manchester City of course. City have had a lot of impact in the last 10, 15 years. Arsenal before that had a lot. It’s different, you know.
      “I feel that welcome, the way they come to talk to me. They are supporting you to the end. Exactly.
      “I was happy with the fans at City as well, but it’s different.” More

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      Norwich star Marcelino Nunez wanted by LaLiga giants Sevilla in shock transfer just months after arriving at Carrow Road

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      NORWICH’S Chilean star Marcelino Nunez is being watched by Spanish giants Sevilla.The midfielder only joined the Canaries from Universidad Catolica in the summer but is already on the radar of the La Liga club.
      Marcelino Nunez has been an instant hit in the Championship for NorwichCredit: Alamy
      The Canaries would be stunned to lose Chile midfielder Nunez so quicklyCredit: Alamy
      Sevilla sent senior scout Jose Manuel Santos Hernandez to check out the 22-year-old, who has 10 caps to his name, last week as they consider a move for the South American.
      Meanwhile, Norwich may send Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah out on loan in the New Year after his progress has been stalled by injury.
      Derby County boss Paul Warne is a fan of the target man and tried to land him in his Rotherham days, so may go in again.
      Sevilla’s interest in Nunez comes as the Spaniards surprisingly struggle – lying fourth bottom in LaLiga and level on points with the drop zone.
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      Former Chile and Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli was appointed boss for a second time on October 6.
      That followed the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, who is now being targeted by Wolves for a THIRD time this month.
      The Spanish coach rejected the chance of his first taste of English football straight after Bruno Lage’s axing.
      But although Wolves looked at old boss Nuno Espirito Santo and QPR’s Michael Beale, they now hope to persuade Lopetegui to change his mind. More