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      ‘I came to Spain to support him’ – Shakira reveals how she put career ‘in second gear’ so Gerard Pique could win titles

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      SHAKIRA claims she sacrificed her career so former boyfriend Gerard Pique could “win titles” with Barcelona.The pair split in June following a 12-year relationship in which they had two children – Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven.
      Shakira claims she made career sacrifices for the sake of Gerard Pique’s footballCredit: Jaume de Laiguana for Elle
      Shakira and Pique split in June amid cheating allegationsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Shakira described the split as the “darkest” moment of her lifeCredit: JAUME DE LAIGUANA
      Shakira, 45, is fighting to have full custody of their children and has moved to the US as she attempts to overcome the “darkest” moment of her life.
      In an interview with Elle, the singer described how she put her career ambitions to one side to be with Pique in Barcelona, as that is where he wanted to play.
      She said: “One of the two had to make that effort and that sacrifice. And I did it.
      “I put my career in second gear and I came to Spain, to support him so he could play football and win titles. And it was a sacrifice of love.”
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      The singer has been rocked by Gerard’s new relationship with PR girl Clara Chia Marti, 23, who is believed to have met him while working on events at his sports investment firm Kosmos.
      It has been alleged that Pique had an affair with Clara and that is what caused the break up.
      The pair were pictured at the Summerfest Cerdanya festival in Catalonia.
      And Shakira’s family has said she is “very angry” at seeing images of the father of her two children in public with his new girlfriend.
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      Pique and Clara have since gone public with their relationship and those close to the couple say they have been seeing each other for some time.
      Shakira has not publicly revealed the reasons behind the split but she spoke of being resilient as she tries to cope with the pain of the split. More

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      Brazil legend Ronaldo working miracles as football club owner after seeing both his sides promoted in just five months

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      REAL MADRID legend Ronaldo is performing miracles as a football club owner with his two teams securing promotions within five months of each other.The 46-year-old, who won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, is the owner of Spanish side Real Valladolid and Cruzeiro in his native Brazil.
      Brazilian icon Ronaldo was delighted after Cruzeiro sealed promotion back to Serie ACredit: EPA
      Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo is the owner of Brazilian side Cruzeiro and Spanish outfit Real ValladolidCredit: EPA
      Ronaldo purchased a 51 per cent stake in Valladolid in 2018, who were relegated to the second tier following the 2020/21 season.
      But they secured an instant return back to the top-flight after finishing second in the Segunda Division last term.
      And after their promotion was secured in May, Ronaldo stuck true to his word by completing a four-day 280-mile bike trip – a feat he had promised if they returned to LaLiga.
      The former Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan marksman also owns Cruzeiro, the club where he started his professional career with in 1993.
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      He forked out £52.2million to secure a 51 per cent controlling stake in the Serie B club in December.
      Just days after completing the takeover, Ronaldo ruthlessly sacked former Los Blancos boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo and his entire staff.
      But his decision paid off, with Cruzeiro recently beating Vasco da Gama 3-0 to ensure they will be playing Serie A football for the first time in three years next campaign.
      With seven matches to go in the 2022 season, Cruzeiro sit top of the table – 15 points ahead of Gremio in second and 23 points ahead of Londrina in fifth.
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      Ronaldo was in the stands at the Mineirao Stadium to watch Cruzeiro thump Vasco, where he was spotted joyously celebrating their promotion.
      Quoted by Marca, he said: “This is just the icing on the cake. We worked hard to win this.
      “That night was very special. Congratulations to the players, coaching staff, my administrative team.
      “But above all to these fans who suffered for almost three years.
      “Today is the day of glory. Thank you, I want to thank you for your support.
      “Now let’s celebrate a few days and start thinking about next year.” More

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      Dembele’s tiny Barcelona release clause revealed amid Chelsea transfer interest – and move would earn him millions

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      OUSMANE DEMBELE reportedly has a bargain Barcelona release clause amid interest from Chelsea.And a move next summer would see the Nou Camp star earn MILLIONS.
      Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele has a bargain release clause kicking in next summerCredit: Getty
      Dembele, 25, was a major target for new Blues owner Todd Boehly after his Barcelona contract expired.
      Chelsea were keen on signing the winger on a free transfer as part of their new-look squad.
      But Dembele eventually stayed put at cash-strapped Barcelona, penning a two-year deal until 2024.
      The France international has started the new season well, scoring twice and laying on two assists in just six matches.
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      And it’s reckoned Boehly remain interested in a deal as soon as next summer.
      Now, L’Equipe claims a move could be on the cards after a secret bargain release clause was included in Dembele’s Barcelona renewal.
      It’s believed an offer of £44m will trigger the clause when it becomes active in 2023.
      Barca apparently agreed to the sum as Dembele and his representatives did NOT receive a signing-on bonus when penning the new contract.
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      The move was a goodwill sign from the forward amid Barca’s financial problems.
      But L’Equipe add Dembele will receive a whopping FIFTY per cent of the transfer fee should his release clause be triggered – amounting to a cool £22m.
      It now remains to be seen if Chelsea do indeed go back in for Dembele.
      That’s because admirer Thomas Tuchel is no longer in charge.
      Instead, Graham Potter is at the helm at Stamford Bridge.
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      He likes to deploy two central forwards, while also using versatile attacking wing-backs.
      And Dembele may not have the attributes required to play in either role. More

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      Messi’s ‘2020 Barcelona contract demands leaked’, including VIP boxes for his and Suarez’s families and private jet

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      LIONEL MESSI’S Barcelona contract demands from 2020 have reportedly been leaked.And among the alleged wishes from his failed deal are a private jet – plus VIP boxes for his AND Luis Suarez’s families.
      Lionel Messi’s Barca contract demands from 2020 have reportedly been leakedCredit: Instagram / @leomessi
      Messi allegedly asked for a private jet, as well as private boxes at the Nou Camp for him and Luis SuarezCredit: Instagram / @leomessi
      Messi, 35, sensationally left Barca after 21 years in the summer of 2021 when his contract expired.
      The Argentina legend eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
      And Messi is now into his second season with the French champions.
      But things could have worked out differently had Barcelona agreed to contract demands reportedly laid out by Messi in 2020.
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      El Mundo claims the iconic forward had a list of wishes he wanted fulfilled before committing his future to the Nou Camp.
      The first thing Messi apparently wanted was a whopping signing-on bonus of £8.7million.
      Incredibly, it’s alleged he also wanted a new release clause worth just £8,700 – effectively allowing him to quit for free at the time of his choosing.
      Messi reportedly told Barcelona he wanted a three-year deal with an option to extend.
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      And after the first year, his £65m wages were to reportedly increase by TEN per cent each season – on top of annual interest worth three per cent.
      Messi also allegedly demanded a private jet be laid on for him and his family so they could fly to Argentina every Christmas.
      And finally, Messi reportedly wanted a luxury executive box at the Nou Camp for his family PLUS the family of then-teammate Suarez.
      In total, the entire contract would have allegedly set Barcelona back a world-record £492m.
      It’s added Barca were happy to go along with all the demands apart from the signing-on fee and release clause.
      This is what reportedly led to Messi attempting to force through an exit in the summer of 2020.
      And things got even worse when in the same window, Barca sold best pal Suarez to rivals Atletico Madrid.
      Ironically a year later, Messi wanted to stay at Barcelona but was informed he could not renew due to their dire financial situation.
      But it’s reckoned Xavi Hernandez would jump at the chance to bring Messi back, with his PSG deal up next year.
      Barcelona fired back a response following El Mundo’s report.
      A statement read: “In relation to the information published today in El Mundo del Siglo XXI, under the title ‘BarçaLeaks, los archivos secretos del club, parte 1’, FC Barcelona expresses its indignation at the leaking of information that would form part of a judicial proceeding. 
      “The Club also regrets that the medium boasts of having ‘access to a huge amount of documentation and emails that are in the possession of the Barçagate investigation’ when this information and documentation have not yet been shared with the parties.
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      “In any case, the article in question makes public documents that have nothing to do with the investigation of the case and its use is an attempt against the reputation and confidentiality of the Club. 
      “For this reason, and with the aim of protecting FC Barcelona’s rights, the Club’s legal services are already studying the appropriate measures to be taken.” More

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      Tony Pulis’ Stoke the only team who could beat Pep Guardiola’s fearsome Barcelona in their prime, claims Peter Crouch

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      PETER CROUCH believes Tony Pulis’ Stoke City were the only team in the world who could beat Pep Guardiola’s great Barcelona side at their absolute peak.Because the Potters would have messed with Lionel Messi and his mates – whether it was a wet and windy Wednesday night in Stoke or not! 
      Peter Crouch reckons Tony Pulis’ Stoke would have given prime Barcelona a run for their moneyCredit: Reuters
      Crouch says Pep Guardiola’s men would have been left frustrated by Stoke’s physicalityCredit: Rex Features
      Guardiola led Barca to a club record 14 major honours in four years between 2008-2012 including two Champions’ League’s and two Fifa club world cup triumphs.
      The Catalans’ 3-1 win over Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United at Wembley in 2011 was considered to be one of the greatest club performances of all time.
      But Crouch claims his former Potters’ boss Tony Pulis would have been more than a match for Guardiola – and would have devised a way to topple peak Pep and Messi in the Potteries!
      In an interview for Joe Cole’s Cole Cast, the former England striker told the Chelsea legend: “The attitude and the camaraderie of the group he (Pulis) built was amazing.
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      “It was one of the best dressing room’s I’ve ever been a part of.
      “You just knew that you were going into battle every day and you were going to get a result because of the workrate, the attitude, the endeavour, the dedication. 
      “Honestly, we just made things difficult. I reckon at that time we were the only team who could have beaten Barcelona.
      “We just made things horrible. If Messi and Iniesta came to the Britannia at that time I reckon we could have turned them over because we made it horrendous for teams.”
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      Arsenal were the closest Premier League side in style to Barcelona and Crouch said Pulis used to love making life hell for Arsene Wenger, who famously dubbed Stoke a rugby team.
      Crouchie confessed:  “Arsenal was our home banker. We made things difficult.
      “I remember we trained in the middle of the pitch before we played Arsenal on a Friday – just to cut it all up so they couldn’t play and the grass was grown longer. 
      “I remember looking at Aaron Ramsey and he couldn’t see his boots! He was like: ‘Crouchy?’ And I went: ‘It’s what we do here,’ it was brilliant.
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      “But Tony’s best line of all time for me was when he felt that we were getting ahead of ourselves.
      “This was one of the best lines I’ve ever heard in football, because he said: ‘Don’t get ahead of yourselves lads, you’re bang-average players in a fantastic system.’ You can’t argue with that!” More

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      Barcelona plot sensational transfer for Marco Asensio with Real Madrid star having one year left on Bernabeu contract

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      BARCELONA are reportedly hoping to snatch Marco Asensio from bitter rivals Real Madrid with the Spain star’s contract expiring next summer.The Catalan giants are looking to continue their rebuild under manager Xavi following a summer spending spree.
      Barca could move for Marco Asensio in January or next summerCredit: Getty
      Barca snapped up the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Raphinha and Franck Kessie.
      And according to Mundo Deportivo, Xavi and Co would like to sign soon-to-be out of contract Real ace Asensio as their next marquee signing.
      Asensio, 26, will be out of contract at the Bernabeu next summer and could leave for free.
      The report adds that if Asensio’s contract situation is the same come the winter transfer window, Barca may decide to act then.
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      Barca may be able to get Asensio for a lesser fee in January, or wait until the summer to get him for free.
      In a boost to Xavi’s side, Asensio’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has a good relationship with club president Joan Laporta.
      Barca have enjoyed a strong start to their LaLiga campaign.
      They’re still unbeaten after six games played and only trail Spanish champions Real by two points.
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      Barca ran out 3-0 winners in their last league outing against Elche.
      Lewandowski bagged a brace and Memphis Depay got the other in the convincing victory. More

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      Jules Kounde blames Thomas Tuchel for failed Chelsea transfer as he reveals how Xavi was able to lure him to Barcelona

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      JULES Kounde has claimed that he snubbed Chelsea over a move to Barcelona because Xavi is a better communicator than Thomas Tuchel.The French international looked on course to make the switch to Stamford Bridge from Sevilla earlier this summer, only for the La Liga giants to swoop in and secure his services in a £55m deal ahead of the new season.
      Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea earlier this month following their slow start to the seasonCredit: EPA
      Kounde revealed that he also spoke with ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel, but he was sold by the ‘new wave’ at the Nou Camp.
      He told L’Equipe: “First, I come to a huge club, which has known good times and which, lately, has had less.’
      ‘I come to a project that I would not call reconstruction, because we already have a competitive team, but rather, being upturned.
      ‘I was interested in being part of this new wave, in search of titles, and to put Barça back where it has always been, among the best clubs. 
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      ‘Then there was the conversation with the coach.
      “We talked about football, mainly. I felt a real confidence from him, that he had a real knowledge of myself, my game and my qualities.’ 
      ‘I spoke with Tuchel and I also felt that he wanted me to come but I simply preferred Xavi’s speech’.
      Despite being ineligable for the first two games after the club were unable to register him, Kounde has enjoyed a strong start to his Barca career since coming into the team.
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      He has started three of the last four La Liga matches to help Xavi’s men remain unbeaten and stay two points behind leaders Real Madrid, while he’s been ever-present in the Champions League.
      But Kounde was mocked by Chelsea defender Thiago Silva following Barca’s 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
      Silva shared a photo on Instagram with a caption that read ‘he almost joined us’, clearly taking a swipe at Kounde after his side were beaten for the first time this season.
      Chelsea hardly fared much better 24 hours later after Graham Potter’s opening game in charge was a 1-1 draw against Salzburg, leaving them winless in Europe.
      Kounde holding the Barcelona shirt after completing his move from Sevilla back in JulyCredit: AFP More

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      Atletico Madrid 1 Real Madrid 2: Los Blancos win manic derby against 10-man rivals which is marred by vile racist chants

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      REAL’S return to the top of LaLiga was marred by large-scale racist chanting from Atletico fans at Vinicius Junior.Rodrygo and Federico Valverde earned victory before Atleti sub Mario Hermoso replied late on, only to see red in stoppage time.
      Racism victim Vinicius Junior joins the celebrations after Rodrygo hit Real’s opener in the 2-1 victory at fiercest rivals AtleticoCredit: Rex
      Rodrygo fired a stylish breakthrough goal for Real at the Wanda MetropolitanoCredit: Getty
      Not a single security guard intervention in those disgusting chants. Atletico have not banned their Ultras the way Florentino banned Real Madrid’s. Let’s see what action the club takes. You can’t just chalk this up as a ‘few bad apples’ and let them go on. Ban them forever.— Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) September 18, 2022

      Real joy, though, was overshadowed by “monkey” shouts from swarms of Atletico supporters before the match.
      And claims hit social media of stewards doing nothing to stop the behaviour outside Atleti’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
      Such anger over the chants lit the fuse for another fierce derby.
      And Carlo Ancelotti’s men responded best, making it nine wins in nine games this season, their sixth in LaLiga.
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      Yet Atletico menaced twice early on in this heated clash.
      Felipe headed Rodrigo de Paul’s free-kick over and Yannick Carrasco had a shot deflected wide.
      But Real netted brilliantly on 18 minutes from their first chance.  
      In-form Brazil forward Rodrygo sublimely finished off Aurelien Tchouameni’s fine pass.  
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      Valverde doubled the lead after Vinicius Jr’s shot came back off a post.
      But Atletico improved after the break, helped by Hermoso coming on in the 72nd minute.
      The Spain defender cut the deficit off his shoulder 11 minutes later after Thibaut Courtois flapped at a corner
      But he was booked for dissent and soon harshly sent off for a second yellow card after shoving Dani Ceballos.
      The pre-match racism, however, left a bitter taste.
      And social media was blitzed by calls for Atletico to be punished.
      One observer posted “I feel sick” and another stressed the number of offenders as he tweeted: “It’s f***ing thousands. I’m at a loss for words”.
      Mario Hermoso argues with ref Munuera Montero after his late red cardCredit: Getty More