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      Gerard Pique could have to wear Shakira’s name on his Barcelona shirt in awkward move after split from pop star

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      BARCELONA defender Gerard Pique could be forced to wear the name of his ex Shakira on his shirt in an awkward situation at the Nou Camp.Reports in Spain say the Colombian singer could be the next to benefit from the Catalan club’s sponsorship with Spotify after they opted to wear the OVO owl on their jersey in Sunday’s El Clasico.
      Pique could be awkwardly forced to wear Shakira’s name on his shirtCredit: Getty
      Shakira is set to strike a deal with BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      The owl is the symbol of music artist Drake’s brand and he recently made history by becoming the first artist to reach 50 billion streams.
      Shakira is about to release her new single Monotonia and has already sparked speculation it reflects her acrimonious split with Pique after 11 years – with the pair having two children together.
      Barcelona-based sports journalist Moises Llorens’ claims a deal is close to being sealed with the singer-songwriter which would see her feature on the Barcelona shirt.
      And leading Spanish news website El Espanol reported overnight: “Barcelona is planning the ‘reunion’ of Gerard Pique with Shakira.”
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      There has not yet been any official comment from the singer or Barcelona – who are keen to bring football and music together through its Spotify partnership.
      Ex-Manchester United man Pique has had to endure jibes from opposition fans who have sung Shakira’s name during matches following their split.
      One of the Colombian’s hit songs was played over a loudspeaker at Majorca’s Son Moix stadium at the beginning of October as Pique and his teammates warmed up before the start of a league match, sparking laughter from fans.
      The former couple recently attended their eldest son’s baseball game and appeared to not speak or even look at each other.
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      Pique, now dating Clara Chia Marti, 23, has been left out of several games this season by manager Xavi Hernandez but played in the club’s 3-3 Champions League draw against Inter Milan last week.
      Shakira, who faces a tax fraud trial in the coming months, has teased her new song with cryptic social media posts which fans and critics have claimed allude to her split with Pique.
      In a clip of a video she has shared – which shows a beating heart – she sings in Spanish: “It wasn’t your fault or mine, it was the monotony’s fault. I never said anything but it hurt me. I knew it would happen.” More

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      Zinedine Zidane cannot stop smiling as he hands Karim Benzema Ballon d’Or and congratulates Real Madrid star

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE was beaming like a Cheshire cat as he awarded fellow countryman Karim Benzema the Ballon d’Or.Juventus and Real Madrid legend Zidane, 50, was the last Frenchman to win the coveted prize when he collected the gong back in 1998.
      A glowing Zidane presented Benzema with the Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty

      The two French legends embraced on the stageCredit: Reuters
      Benzema posed with Zidane, Chelsea icon Didier Drogba and journalist Sandy HeribertCredit: EPA
      Zidane continued to beam from ear to ear as he congratulated Benzema backstageCredit: TWITTER / SARA_2437
      But Benzema ended that 24-year wait on Monday as he beat Sadio Mane and Kevin de Bruyne to the accolade.
      Zidane presented the Real striker with the trophy – which Benzema claimed after leading the Spanish giants to LaLiga and Champions League glory last season.
      And the former Los Blancos boss, who coached Benzema for a total for five years, could not contain his joy at seeing his ex-player receive the honour.
      He was seen wearing a huge smile as the 34-year-old came up to claim the award.
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      And he then continued to show just how jubilant he was backstage after the ceremony as a clip emerged of Zidane embracing Benzema once more.
      Reacting on social media, one person said: “Look at how happy Zinedine Zidane is for him. What a beautiful moment. ❤️”
      While another added: “Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Zidane and Benzema, legends.”
      A third said: “Zidane tried so hard to hold back the excitement after seeing Benzema’s name 😂❤.”
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      And a fourth added: “When the entire world criticised Zidane for playing Benzema during his bad form, he didn’t listen to the media or the fans. He believed in Benzema when no one did.
      “Five years later, Benzema wins his first ever Ballon d’Or and Zidane handed it over to him like a proud father.”
      Benzema credits Zidane and Brazilian Ronaldo as the players he idolised when he was growing up.
      He then won three Champions Leagues in a row under the management of Zidane between 2016 and 2018 – although the limelight was often given to Cristiano Ronaldo instead.
      But last season Benzema finally received the credit he deserves as he scored 44 goals in 46 games on the way to Real lifting the LaLiga and Champions League trophies.
      Zidane looked thrilled from the moment Benzema stepped up on stageCredit: Rex
      Benzema was honoured to collect the award and pledged to retire at Real MadridCredit: Getty More

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      Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois slams Ballon d’Or chiefs after best keeper award win as Iker Casillas slates decision

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      REAL Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois has taken a dig at the Ballon d’Or organisers after being voted last season’s finest shot-stopper but missing out on a place on the best player podium.The 30-year-old was awarded the Yashin Trophy for his feats between the sticks but only ended up in seventh place for the main prize which went to his teammate Karim Benzema.
      Courtois won the Yashin Trophy at the awards ceremony on Monday nightCredit: Getty
      Casillas feels Courtois should have been in the top three for the Ballon d’OrCredit: AFP
      Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas criticised his omission from the top three in a Twitter rant after Monday night’s ceremony, describing him as the “world’s best keeper”.
      He added: “What I’m not happy about is that he was not included in the final podium for the Ballon d’Or.
      “I still don’t understand what those who choose this award base themselves on.”
      Courtois then went a step further in an interview after the Paris ceremony by describing the Yashin Trophy as “invented” and insisting he believed it was “impossible” a keeper would ever win the coveted prize again.
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      The ex-Chelsea goalie posted a photo of him with the trophy on Instagram alongside Benzema and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and wrote: “Very honoured to win this.
      “I would like to share this moment with all of you and to thank you for your unconditional support and love.”
      But in a post-ceremony TV interview, the Belgian international was asked about the chances of a keeper winning the Ballon d’Or again.
      To which he replied: “The truth is that I think it’s impossible. Karim deserved what happened today and we all agree about that.
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      “But after a season in which I was the goalkeeper and you win the league and your team wins the Champions League final thanks to your saves and you only end up seventh is significant.
      “At the end of the day the votes don’t go the goalkeepers’ way which is something you can understand.
      “I think there was no defender in the top ten.”
      Courtois, who controversially claimed he didn’t get “enough respect” in England after being voted man of the match in the Champions League final, went on to say: “At least they’ve invented this trophy for the best goalkeeper because every year a goalkeeper is more important in his team.
      “You have to make the saves and stay like a book behind the goal-line. Let’s hope that one day we’ll do it and we’ll continue to fight for it.”
      Courtois’ stunning Israeli model girlfriend Mishel Gerzig, who attended the awards ceremony with her partner, was also quick to congratulate him.
      She posted a photo of him accepting the Yashin Trophy and wrote in an Instagram message alongside it: “Can’t have enough words to tell how proud I am of you. You deserve it my life. Congratulations.”
      The pretty blonde finished her message with a heart emoticon.
      The only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or is Lev Yashin – who the Yashin Trophy is named after – but he claimed the honour way back in 1963.
      The legendary shot-stopper played for Dynamo Moscow from 1950 to 1970, as well as internationally for the Soviet Union.
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      Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer came the closest to repeating Yashin’s feat in 2014 when he finished in third position.
      The Yashin Trophy was established in 2019 when it was won by Liverpool’s Allison Becker. More

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      Meet Karim Benzema’s stunning girlfriend Jordan Ozuna the top model who used to work as Las Vegas Hooters waitress

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      KARIM BENZEMA scores some beauties on the pitch – now it looks like he has scored with a beauty off it.The Real Madrid skipper is reportedly dating American model Jordan Ozuna.
      American Jordan Ozuna is signed up with several high-profile modelling agenciesCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      The beautiful 32-year-old used to be a waitress in Las VegasCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      She regularly posts images of herself in stunning locations on InstagramCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Benzema and Ozuna shared this shot of them having fun in a video call on social mediaCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Real Madrid ace Benzema is the favourite to win the 2022 Ballon d’Or
      She used to work as a Hooters waitress in Las Vegas but is now signed to several US-based modelling agencies.
      The pretty 32-year-old old has used her enviable figure to help promote State Management, Caroline Gleason Management, Tricia Brink Management, and The Salt Agency.
      France striker Benzema has built a reputation for keeping his private life private but now looks loved up enough to drop his guard a bit.
      And the attractive couple have now started sharing a few public insights into their burgeoning relationship.
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      The first hint came in late May when Benzema was leading Los Blancos to a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final at the Stade de France.
      Ozuna was in Paris at the same time, prompting speculation she was there to support her footballing superstar beau.
      The theory was given more credibility in early August when Onzuna posted images on Instagram of the pair hugging.
      Then a second photo showing part of a video call between them emerged in which they are clearly have fun together.
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      They both follow each other on Insta and have publicly shared heart emojis during exchanges.
      Benzema is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or tonight and will lead the line for the French when they defend their world crown in Qatar this winter. More

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      Watch Antonio Rudiger wildly dance alone in Real Madrid dressing room after El Clasico win over Barcelona

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      ANTONIO RUDIGER celebrated Real Madrid’s El Clasico win in style on Sunday night.Los Blancos earned the bragging rights while also going top of LaLiga with victory over Barcelona in Spain’s biggest clash.

      Rudiger had teammates in hysterics as he danced and celebrated after El Clasico
      The centre-back helped his Madrid teammates beat Barcelona 3-1 at the BernabeuCredit: Rex
      The Germany international still has a nasty eye injury from the Champions League clash with Shakhtar DonestkCredit: Rex
      And Rudiger, 29, had his teammates laughing as he danced the night away.
      The ex-Chelsea defender threw shapes alone as the rest of the squad clapped.
      The dressing room was in a jubilant mood as stars like Vinicius Jr cheered him on.
      Centre-back Rudiger was only sporting a pair of shorts and a plaster over his eye after suffering a horror gash and 20 STITCHES last week.
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      He was spotted on the bench with a bloodshot eye and entered the game wearing a mask.
      The big German used to entertain his pals at Stamford Bridge with the same brilliant dance moves.
      Now the tradition continues at the Bernabeu, where he seems to be just as popular with the rest of the side.
      Goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo sealed a 3-1 win over the Catalans on Sunday.
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      Barca’s only strike came late on through sub Ferran Torres.
      And the result means unbeaten Real are now league leaders as Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the campaign.
      Both teams named strong line-ups, with superstar strikers Robert Lewandowski and Benzema both starting.
      But it was the latter who made an immediate impact when he opened the scoring for Real in the 12th minute.
      Benzema pounced after Marc-Andre ter Stegen spilled Vinicius Jr’s shot, firing it into the back of the net.
      Real then doubled their lead 10 minutes before the break when Valverde struck from 20 yards out.
      Barcelona were left stunned as boss Xavi Hernandez made wholesale changes throughout the second half.
      And it looked to have paid off when Torres pulled one back with seven minutes to go.
      Ansu Fati narrowly missed the chance to level, but Barca’s hopes ended when Real won a 91st minute penalty which was put away by Rodrygo.
      The result will be hard to take for Barcelona, who had over twice as many shots as Real and 57 per cent of the ball.
      The Catalans are already on the brink of exit in the Champions League.
      And their next run of games sees them face Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao, Bayern Munich and Valencia.
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      As for Real, the defending champs have already booked their place in the last 16 of Europe.
      They have a kinder run of fixtures coming up, playing Elche and struggling Sevilla before a continental tie at RB Leipzig. More

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      Xavi the WORST Barcelona manager to ever take charge of 50 games as El Clasico defeat puts him below Koeman and Martino

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      XAVI is officially the WORST Barcelona manager since records began following his side’s defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday.The Catalan giants were soundly beaten 3-1 in El Clasico as they were knocked off the top of the LaLiga table by Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
      Xavi watched his Barca side lose to rivals Real Madrid on SundayCredit: Getty
      Xavi has the worst record of any Barcelona boss after 50 games since records began
      It means that, according to stats from Pedro Martin, since Xavi took over in November 2021 he has won 28, drawn 11 and lost 11 of his 50 matches.
      That adds up to 95 points – the lowest total of any Barcelona boss since the statistics were first collected in 2003.
      He has accumulated one point fewer than the next worst 50-match tenure carried out by Frank Rijkaard.
      After taking over in 2003, he started with a record of 28 wins, 12 draws and 10 defeats.
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      But he remained in charge for five years, winning two LaLiga titles, the Champions League and two Spanish Super Cups.
      Ronald Koeman sits just above Rijkaard with 106 points after 50 games.
      The ex-Everton boss lasted just 14 months, winning only the Copa del Rey during his time in Catalunya.
      Next on the list comes Tito Vilanova who only spent 12 months at Barca but won an impressive 36 of 50 matches – claiming the league title in his only campaign in charge.
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      One point ahead of Vilanova is Gerardo Martino.
      The Argentine only spent 10 months as manager of the European giants, but he won 37 of 50 games – albeit while only winning the Spanish Super Cup.
      Two points ahead of him is Ernesto Valverde with 119 points.
      He lost fewer matches than any other coach, with just three defeats from his opening 50.
      And he won two two LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup during his two-and-a-half year spell at the club.
      Legendary Barca coach Pep Guardiola also accumulated 119 points during his opening 50 games, with a record of 37 wins, eight draws and five defeats.
      He would go on to enjoy a huge amount of success, lifting 14 trophies including three LaLiga titles, two Copa del Reys and two Champions Leagues.
      But top of the tree comes current Spain coach Luis Enrique.
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      The 52-year-old claimed an astonishing 42 victories from his first 50 matches, drawing three and losing five.
      And it saw him accumulate a mammoth 129 points in that time – 10 more than any other Barca coach over the past two decades. More

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      Real Madrid flop Eden Hazard has played ZERO El Clasico minutes – missing every Barcelona game since Chelsea transfer

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      EDEN HAZARD has not played a single minute in El Clasico, despite being a Real Madrid player for three years. Madrid signed Hazard from Chelsea in 2019 in a huge £88.5million deal.
      Eden Hazard has been a shadow of the player he was at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Hazard looks set for another spell on the benchCredit: Rex
      However, since then Hazard has been blighted by poor form and persistent injuries.
      And following the weekend’s El Clasico, it has been revealed that Hazard has not featured in a single one since his transfer.
      Eight renditions of the infamous fixture have been and gone since Hazard’s arrival, and he has not featured for even a single minute out of the 720 minutes available from them.
      Indeed, there was hope once again that Hazard could finally find some form this season.
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      But a poor performance against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League saw Hazard hooked after 57 minutes and now looks set to keep him on the bench.
      The performance also saw the club’s ruthless fanbase boo off the former Chelsea talisman.
      Despite Hazard voicing his frustration over his lack of game time, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti hit back.
      He said: “Eden hasn’t had to speak to me because he knows the situation, that there’s a lot of competition. I think his situation is quite clear.”
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      The 31-year-old finds himself behind the likes of Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo in the pecking order.
      And both were involved as Los Blancos cruised to a 3-1 victory against Barcelona.
      While only one team achieved success on the pitch, both are set to see player accolades head their way after the results for the Ballon d’Or were supposedly leaked. More

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      Ballon d’Or 2022 winner ‘LEAKED just hours before glitzy ceremony’ with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi missing out

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      KARIM BENZEMA has been named the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, according to leaks in Spain.The Frenchman, 34, was in the form of his life last season – inspiring Real Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory.
      Karim Benzema is set to be named the 2022 Ballon d’Or winnerCredit: AFP
      Benzema was the top scorer in both competitions, bagging 27 in Spain and 15 in Europe.
      His remarkable achievement marks just the second time the Ballon d’Or has been won by a player not named Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi since Kaka’s triumph in 2007.
      Spanish paper Marca claim that Benzema has beaten off competition from Sadio Mane, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe to win the prestigious award.
      Barcelona striker Lewandowski can feel particularly aggrieved to miss out – having seen the award cancelled in 2020 when he was primed to win it.
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      Speaking to Vamos ahead of this year’s bash, he said: “The Ballon d’Or is likely to be won by Benzema… if they don’t cancel it.”
      Last year’s gong was won by Messi, after the Argentine’s Copa America triumph.
      Benzema becomes the eighth Real Madrid player in history to win the award.
      He follows in the footsteps of Cristiano, Fabio Cannavaro, Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Alfredi Di Stefano, Raymond Kopa and current team-mate Luka Modric.
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      Benzema’s Madrid pal Thibaut Courtois is set to be named winner of the Yashin Trophy.
      The award is given each year to the world’s best goalkeeper.
      Like Benzema, Courtois, 30, played an integral role in Madrid’s Champions League triumph last season.
      There is also set to be a Barcelona success story, with one of their most promising youngsters to be awarded the Kopa Trophy for best young player.
      Midfielder Gavi will scoop the gong, having starred for Barca and Spain aged just 18.
      Benzema and Thibaut Courtois are set to scoop awards this eveningCredit: The Times
      Gavi, 18, will also receive recognitionCredit: Getty More