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      Jose Mourinho snubs Cristiano Ronaldo AND Lionel Messi in GOAT debate and picks Brazilian Ronaldo as best of all time

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi come second-best to Ronaldo Nazario in Jose Mourinho’s ranking of the best-ever footballers.The Roma boss worked with Ronaldo during his single season at Barcelona, helping Sir Bobby Robson’s side win the Copa del Rey, Cup Winners’ Cup and Supercopa de Espana.
      Mourinho (left) helped coach Ronaldo in his year at BarcelonaCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Spurs boss has also worked with Cristiano Ronaldo, but not MessiCredit: AFP – Getty
      Only 19 when he joined from PSV Eindhoven, the Brazilian forward wowed Mourinho as he hit 47 goals in 49 games for the Catalans – earning him the Ballon d’Or with a season tally he would never better.
      Mourinho told LiveScore, via Corriere dello Sport, that Nazario was: “The best football player that I have ever seen on a pitch.
      “I think injuries killed a career that could have been even more incredible.
      “But that talent this guy had at 19 years old was something incredible.”
      Injuries took their toll on Ronaldo while he was also known for a lavish party lifestyle.
      Knee problems first sprung up in the Netherlands before two consecutive world record transfer deals brought him to Inter Milan.
      In his third season with the Italian club, he severely ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee and he was ruled out for effectively three years.
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      Bouncing back to fire Brazil to the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldo turned from a speedy dribbler to a deadly poacher and signed for Real Madrid, where he won his second Ballon d’Or.
      Mourinho recognises that the striker lacked the longevity of both Ronaldo and Messi, but believes he was the better natural talent.
      The 59-year-old added: “Not with a career like Cristiano or Messi, 15 years at the top – every day.
      “But a natural talent, incredible.” More

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      Barcelona idol Quini was kidnapped to stop the Spanish side winning LaLiga and held hostage for 25 days four decades ago

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      “QUINI is free — and Spain win at Wembley for the first time.”March 25, 1981 is a date Spanish football will never ever forget.
      Quini is held up by authorities following release after 25 days as hostageCredit: YouTube
      Four decades ago, Barcelona legend Quini, who passed away in 2018 aged 68, was at the centre of one of the darkest episodes in football history.
      In 1980, the Nou Camp giants signed one of the best strikers in Spain as they looked to win their first title in six years.
      Quini was a three-time top scorer in Spain’s top flight with Sporting Gijon — even netting 21 as they finished bottom in 1975-76.
      In 11 seasons at the club, only once did ‘Quinigol’ fail to hit double figures, and cost Barcelona around £450,000.
      He started off the season superbly but, on March 1, 1981, his life would change forever.
      KIDNAPPED
      Barcelona had just hammered Hercules 6-0, with Quini netting two, and the striker then went home to get changed before heading off to the airport to collect his wife, who was returning from a holiday.
      However, two men turned up to his house — and took him away at gunpoint.
      A tearful Quini waves to crowd following release from kidnappersCredit: YouTube
      Quini was part of the Spain squad which travelled to 1978 World Cup finalsCredit: PA:Press Association
      Quini talks to former Spain manager Luis Aragones back in 2005Credit: Reuters
      His wife’s confusion at not finding her husband at the airport as expected turned to concern when she got home and found the lights still on.
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      Enrique Castro ‘Quini’ scores some classic goals for Barcelona
      She called the club and the police before filing a formal missing persons report the following day.A CALL FROM THE CAPTORS
      Later that day, she received a phone call from Quini’s captors, who were alleged to have been members of a group known as Batallon-Catalan-Espanyol, and insisted they did not want Barcelona to win the ‘separatists’ league.
      On March 8, one week later, they were due to face leaders Atletico Madrid.
      Barcelona were two points behind — at a time when it was two points for a win — and were the form team ahead of the fixture.
      Quini embraces Bernd Schuster as he rejoins the Barcelona team after kidnapping
      Quini was a three-time LaLiga top goal scorer before joining Barcelona in 1980Credit: Getty
      It appeared the timing of the kidnapping was to ensure he would not play in the match, and several Blaugrana players claimed they were not in the right frame of mind to face the Rojiblancos.
      Spain was in the midst of a tense political atmosphere, which didn’t help matters, and police were besieged with prank phone callers claiming to be the captors.
      In the days leading up to the match, Barcelona’s president and several players were looking after Quini’s wife and children, fearing for their safety — which was not ideal preparation for the biggest match of the season.
      Quini in action for Spain at 1982 World Cup, which came after kidnapping ordealCredit: Getty
      “Freedom for Quini” — fans across Spain plead for release of Barcelona strikerCredit: YouTube
      Quini in action for Spain during a friendly against Scotland in 1982Credit: Getty
      GAME ON
      As there was no sign he would be released, the match went ahead and Atletico won 1-0. Then things started to completely unravel for the Catalans.
      They would take just one point from the next five games to completely fall out of the title race.
      Spain was in a state of shock, with fans in stadiums across the country holding banners begging for the striker’s release.
      RANSOM
      Three weeks after his disappearance, and with fears  growing that he would never be seen again, one of the kidnappers contacted team-mate Jose Ramon Alexanko and claimed a sum of around £500,000 deposited into a Swiss bank would see Quini released unharmed.
      Quini sadly passed away at the age of 68 after suffering a heart attack in 2018Credit: Getty
      Quini refused to press charges against his captors following releaseCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Quini has a shot saved by Dino Zoff in an international just months after releaseCredit: 1980 AP
      As pressure mounted, the police acted and transferred the money into an account which reportedly belonged to one Victor Manuel Diaz Esteban.
      The authorities waited patiently and, on March 25 — the same night Spain won at Wembley for the first time in their history — a man withdrew around £5,000 from that account.
      This allowed the police to trace and seize three unemployed Spanish men in a garage in Zaragoza, where Quini had been kept.
      Juan Mata meets former Barcelona striker Quini back in 2012Credit: Reuters
      Quini was held captive for 25 days before eventually being releasedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Just months after release, Quini helped Barcelona win the Copa del Rey final
      REFUSED TO PRESS CHARGES
      Aside from his beard being significantly longer, the Barcelona striker was in decent health and amazingly refused to press charges against his captors — even after they had been sent to jail.
      He would never even claim his personal damages award of £25,000.
      Even more incredibly, Quini was back playing just weeks later, where he received rousing ovations at every ground, and would astonishingly go onto finish as top scorer that season, helping the Catalans win the Copa del Rey.
      A year later, he scored the winner in the Cup Winners’ Cup final and would be part of Spain’s 1982 World Cup squad that summer, having finished the campaign as LaLiga’s top scorer once again.
      In 1984, he returned to Sporting Gijon, where he remained for three years before retiring. More

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      ‘The baby is back’ – Hector Bellerin pictured at boyhood club Barcelona for first time after free transfer from Arsenal

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      HECTOR BELLERIN has arrived back at Barcelona following his transfer from Arsenal.The Spain international completed a free transfer to the La Liga giants on Thursday – ending his 11-year love affair with the Gunners.
      Barcelona announced the signing of Hector Bellerin on a free transfer on ThursdayCredit: FC BARCELONA
      The former Arsenal man was spotted at the Nou Camp on FridayCredit: FC BARCELONA
      Bellerin was a product of Barcelona’s academyCredit: FC BARCELONA
      And the full-back was spotted arriving at the Nou Camp on Friday.
      Barcelona’s official Twitter account tweeted a video of the 27-year-old in the stadium this afternoon.
      Bellerin said: “Hey Culers, I’m back in Barcelona. Visca el Barca (Long live Barca).”
      A Barcelona fan account shared an image of the Spain international wearing a club polo shirt with the accompanying caption: “The baby is back!”
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      Bellerin joined Arsenal from Barcelona’s academy at the age of 16 and went on to make 239 appearances for the north Londoners.
      Leaving the Emirates wasn’t easy for the defender, who said in a statement: “Hello Gunners.
      “Feels like it was only a couple of years ago when I touched down in London for the very first time.
      “From day one I truly felt at home and I’ve said time and time again how this city has shaped me into who I am, and how much I owe it.
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      “It’s with a lot of sadness that today I say goodbye to this club, the fans, the staff, the players and our family all together.
      “There’s been highs, so high, and lows, so low, but I’ve enjoyed thoroughly every single experience I’ve lived with you Gunners.
      “It’s not always been easy being an Arsenal player these past 11 years, but it’s always been an honour to carry the weight of this badge and defend it almost 250 times in front of you all.
      “I want to thank Arsene, Francis, the late Steve Rowley, Steve Bould, Neil Banfield, Unai Emery, Freddie Ljungberg and Mikel.
      “Thank you to the staff who work tirelessly for us to have it all ready when we step onto the pitch.
      “Physios, conditioning coaches, doctors, chefs, kit men, cleaners, security, and everyone else who is a part of this family.
      “Thank you to the players who have made my time here unforgettable.
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      “And most importantly, thank you Gunners, thank you for your continued support throughout all these years, for how supportive you were in the good and the bad, for how enjoyable it’s been to play in this beautiful stadium and for sharing together every single step of this journey of mine.
      “With the sadness of a goodbye, but the excitement of a new beginning, I say to you all THANK YOU. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.”
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      Top 10 most expensive summer transfers with Man Utd leading the way and just two non-Premier League deals

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      THE transfer window has closed once again and managers know exactly who they have at their disposal until it all starts over again in January. And it was a record-breaking summer with the Premier League splashing out a whopping £2BILLION on new signings.

      Chelsea were the biggest spenders this summer with new owner Todd Boehly writing cheques totalling £260m to give Thomas Tuchel nine new players.
      But who were the biggest signings of the summer 2022 transfer window?
      1. ANTONY – Ajax to Man Utd – £85.5m
      The transfer saga that rumbled on and on and had more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie classic, Antony finally signed for United on deadline day for a staggering £85.5m.
      Erik ten Hag was desperate to add the Brazilian winger to his attack and paid more than double what United had initially hoped to land him in the biggest transfer ever on deadline day, surpassing Gareth Bale’s record.
      Antony arrived at Old Trafford for £85.5m on deadline dayCredit: Getty
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      2. WESLEY FOFANA – Leicester to Chelsea – £70m
      Another deal that seemed to take an age to get over the line was Wesley Fofana’s switch to Chelsea.
      The Leicester defender went on strike, refused to train and then took a cheeky swipe at Brendan Rodgers after completing his “dream” move to Stamford Bridge.
      The £70m is the initial fee – as with the rest in this list – making him the third most-expensive defender ever after Harry Maguire and Virgil van Dijk but it could rise to £75m in achievable add-ons.
      Wesley Fofana hailed his £70m transfer to Chelsea as a “dream”Credit: Getty
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      3. AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI – Monaco to Real Madrid – £68m
      Aurelien Tchouameni’s move from Monaco to Real Madrid seems like it was done a lifetime ago, such was the frantic nature of the closing stages of the window.
      The European champions identified their target and got the France international in early to integrate him in the squad, where he is hitting the ground running alongside compatriot Eduardo Camavinga.
      Aurelien Tchouameni has already settled into life in the Real Madrid midfieldCredit: Getty
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      4. DARWIN NUNEZ – Benfica to Liverpool – £64m 
      Liverpool were one of several clubs to splash the cash on a new No9 this summer and landed Darwin Nunez from Benfica despite interest from Manchester United.
      He made an immediate impact with goals in the Community Shield and then at Fulham on the opening day before shockingly headbutting Joachim Andersen to earn a three-match suspension.
      Jurgen Klopp will be desperate that is a one-off incident and the Uruguayan converts his hot head into a hot streak.
      Darwin Nunez is hoping for more goals than red cards this season at LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      5. CASEMIRO – Real Madrid to Man Utd – £60m 
      With a deal for Frenkie de Jong failing, Ten Hag knew he needed to bring in another midfielder and made a sudden swoop for the experienced Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.
      The five-time Champions League winner could cost up to £70m and is being paid a staggering £350,000 per week for an initial four years – a huge investment for a 30-year-old who has never played in England.
      Tchouameni’s arrival meant Casemiro was not even a guaranteed starter under Carlo Ancelotti anyway – and the fee essentially covered the cost of the new signing.
      Casemiro adds plenty of trophy-winning experience at UnitedCredit: Getty
      6. ALEXANDER ISAK – Real Sociedad to Newcastle – £60m
      Eddie Howe was determined to add a striker to his Toon squad – and he certainly did that by landing Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad.
      The Sweden international smashed the club record with his £60m move and wasted no time getting to grips with the Premier League by blasting in 38 minutes into his debut at Liverpool.
      Alexander Isak hit the ground running immediately with NewcastleCredit: Getty
      7. MATTHIJS DE LIGT – Juventus to Bayern Munich – £57m
      Matthijs de Ligt was dubbed one of the next generation of elite centre-backs but it did not quite work out for him at Juventus as hoped.
      Bayern Munich were not put off, though, and splashed out big money on the Dutch defender who will likely form a solid partnership with Dayot Upamecano for many years.
      Matthijs de Ligt completed his transfer from Juventus to BayernCredit: EPA
      8. MARC CUCURELLA – Brighton to Chelsea – £55m
      Despite having £50m Ben Chilwell who plays in the same position, Chelsea decided to spend an initial £55m on Marc Cucurella from Brighton.
      The Spanish left wing-back, who can also play in a back three, was also a target for Manchester City but they refused to pay what the Seagulls demanded.
      Among the other new arrivals at Stamford Bridge this summer were Raheem Sterling (£47.5m), Kalidou Koulibaly (£35m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12m) on deadline day.
      Eyebrows were raised by the amount Chelsea spent on Marc CucurellaCredit: Getty
      9. ERLING HAALAND – Borussia Dortmund to Man City – £51m
      He may have cost £51m but Erling Haaland is already looking like an absolute bargain with nine goals – including two hat-tricks – in his first five Premier League games.
      City, who Haaland’s dad also played for, won the race for the Norwegian’s signature ahead of some of Europe’s biggest teams after triggering his low release clause at Dortmund.
      Erling Haaland wasted no time in continuing to fire in goal after goal at his new clubCredit: AFP
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      10. RICHARLISON – Everton to Tottenham – £50m 
      Completing the top ten – eight of which are Premier League signings – is the £50m move Richarlison made from Goodison Park to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      The deal could rise by a further £10m for the Brazil star who has more keepy-uppies than goals and assists combined so far under Antonio Conte after riling Nottingham Forest players and supporters with his cheeky showboating.
      Richarlison swapped Everton for Tottenham for an initial £50mCredit: Getty More

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      How Martin Braithwaite was Barcelona’s RICHEST player despite £85k-a-week wages before having contract terminated

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      DENMARK striker Martin Braithwaite was reportedly the RICHEST player in Barcelona’s squad when Lionel Messi left before having his contract ripped up.The 31-year-old has a property empire in the US, believed to be worth a whopping £216MILLION.
      Martin Braithwaite was believed to be Barcelona’s richest player after Lionel Messi’s exitCredit: AFP
      The 31-year-old, who is married to journalist Anne-Laure Braithwaite, owns a property empireCredit: INSTAGRAM / @annelaurebraithwaite
      According to Marca, Braithwaite’s company is worth $250m – around £216m.
      The ex-Barcelona star is believed to have invested around £617,000 into the business with his uncle, Philip Michael, in 2017.
      NYCE Companies is now reportedly 25 times bigger than it was five years ago, with Braithwaite and Michael owning 1,500 apartments.
      And the pair are said to have another 500 properties in development around Philadelphia and New Jersey.
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      Speaking to Danish website BT last year, Michael said: “It started with our family having been in the real estate business for a long time.
      “Here you will find that one of the ways you can build a fortune and secure your future financially is by investing in real estate. And that’s what I’ve been doing with my dad and Martin since I came over here.
      “Martin’s role is very much about how we do in terms of strategy and vision in the long run.
      “He is involved, but not so involved that it distracts him from football.”
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      Braithwaite is married to French journalist Anne-Laure Braithwaite after spending four years at Ligue 1 side Toulouse.
      The couple have two kids together and the striker is stepfather to another two from his wife’s previous relationship.
      Messi does have more cash than the Denmark international – believed to be worth $400m (around £289m) before joining Paris Saint-Germain on a mega-money two-year deal last summer.
      But once the Argentine legend left, Braithwaite’s reported wealth made him the richest player in Barca’s squad – despite only earning the 20TH-HIGHEST wage, said to be around £85,000 a week.
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      However, his deal was terminated on deadline day as the Nou Camp giants desperately tried to trim their squad and wage bill.
      Although Braithwaite’s bank balance is healthy, he struggled to buy any kind of form in the Barca team.
      The former Middlesbrough man has scored just FIVE goals in 44 LaLiga games for the Spanish giants after his controversial move in February 2020.
      Barcelona were allowed to buy Braithwaite outside of the transfer window as an ’emergency signing’ – but his former side Leganes were not allowed to replace him and were subsequently relegated by just a point.
      The Danish international was asked to mutually end his contract earlier in the summer when Xavi deemed him surplus to requirements and no one submitted bids for him.
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      But Braithwaite refused, allegedly demanding a £4m pay-off with his contract paid out in full.
      Just hours after his release from Barcelona, the free agent signed a three-year contract with city-rivals Espanyol. More

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      ‘Not always easy’ – Hector Bellerin posts emotional message to Arsenal fans after joining Barcelona on free transfer

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      HECTOR BELLERIN has posted an emotional farewell message to Arsenal fans after rejoining childhood club Barcelona on a free transfer.Bellerin, 27, made a late switch back to the Nou Camp on transfer deadline day – 11 years after leaving Barca for Arsenal in 2011.

      Hector Bellerin has rejoined Barcelona on a free transfer after leaving ArsenalCredit: https://www.instagram.com/fcbarcelona/
      The Gunners agreed to terminate the right-back’s contract so he could complete his dream move.
      And the three-time FA Cup winner can now start afresh in his hometown after spending last season on loan with Copa del Rey winners Real Betis.
      Bellerin became a firm favourite at the Emirates after playing 239 times for Arsenal.
      And the four-time Spain international posted a tearful farewell message to supporters on social media after his Barcelona return was confirmed.
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      Bellerin, who is on a one-year contract at the Nou Camp, said: “Hello Gunners. Feels like it was only a couple of years ago when I touched down in London for the very first time.
      “From day one I truly felt at home and I’ve said time and time again how this city has shaped me into who I am, and how much I owe it.
      “It’s with a lot of sadness that today I say goodbye to this club, the fans, the staff, the players and our family all together.
      “There’s been highs, so high, and lows, so low, but I’ve enjoyed thoroughly every single experience I’ve lived with you Gunners.
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      Bellerin spent 11 years at Arsenal after joining them from Barcelona in 2011Credit: Getty
      “It’s not always been easy being an Arsenal player these past 11 years, but it’s always been an honour to carry the weight of this badge and defend it almost 250 times in front of you all.
      “I want to thank Arsene, Francis, the late Steve Rowley, Steve Bould, Neil Banfield, Unai Emery, Freddie Ljungberg and Mikel. 
      “Thank you to the staff who work tirelessly for us to have it all ready when we step onto the pitch.
      “Physios, conditioning coaches, doctors, chefs, kit men, cleaners, security, and everyone else who is a part of this family.
      “Thank you to the players who have made my time here unforgettable.
      Thank you for your continued support throughout all these yearsHector Bellerin
      “And most importantly, thank you Gunners, thank you for your continued support throughout all these years, for how supportive you were in the good and the bad, for how enjoyable it’s been to play in this beautiful stadium and for sharing together every single step of this journey of mine.
      “With the sadness of a goodbye, but the excitement of a new beginning, I say to you all THANK YOU. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.”
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta paid tribute to Bellerin in a statement on Arsenal’s official website.
      He said: “We today say goodbye to Hector and we thank him so much for his loyalty and commitment to Arsenal Football Club. 
      “During his 11 years with Arsenal, Hector won three FA Cups and made nearly 250 appearances – such a huge contribution to the club. 
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      “I’m privileged to have played in the same squad as Hector for three seasons, wearing the Arsenal shirt and sharing many great moments on and off the football pitch together. 
      “We thank you Hector and wish you and your family all the best for your return to Barcelona.” More

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      Tottenham star Sergio Reguilon’s stunning Wag Marta Diaz dazzles at unveiling ceremony following Atletico Madrid loan

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      SERGIO REGUILON’S stunning Wag stole the show as he was unveiled at Atletico Madrid. The Tottenham left-back, 25, sealed a season-long loan at the Wanda Metropolitano after failing to shine in North London.
      Sergio Reguilon’s Wag Marta Diaz stunned at his Atletico Madrid unveilingCredit: Getty
      The Spurs left-back signed a season-long loan with AtletiCredit: Getty
      The YouTuber opted for a tight brown dressCredit: Rex
      Tottenham fans were sad to see her leave North LondonCredit: Rex
      He made 67 appearances across his two seasons with Spurs including 22 Premier League starts last term before the arrival of Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon’s rise.
      But as former Real man Reguilon posed with his new No3 shirt and spoke to the press, it was his gorgeous partner who grabbed the limelight.
      Marta Diaz looked glamorous as she opted for a tight-fitting dark brown dress with yellow heels.
      And Tottenham fans were furious to see her head back to Spain after just two years in North London.
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      One joked: “I hope we never sell Reguilon.”
      Another said: “We’d get a bigger transfer fee for Marta than we would for Reguilon.”
      A third added: “Big loss for us. Gonna miss Reguilon too.”
      And a final user quipped on a photo of the happy couple: “Congratulations @sergio_regui. Also well done on your move to Atletico.”
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      Spanish beauty Diaz has her own YouTube channel with more than 2million subscribers plus a whopping 3.2m Instagram followers.
      Her fans tune-in to her videos that feature her brother and include pranks, lifestyle tips and social media advice.
      The pair started dating in 2019 and went public online then were spotted together at the wedding of Sergio Ramos and Pilar Rubio.
      Reguilon and Diaz attended the wedding of Sergio Ramos and Pilar Rubio togetherCredit: Getty
      Reguilon began dating Diaz in 2019Credit: Instagram
      Astonishingly, Diaz has 2m subscribers on YouTube and more than 3m Instagram followersCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Frenkie de Jong saga finally over with Man Utd and Chelsea snubbed by Barcelona midfielder who ‘never wavered’ on choice

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      THE Frenkie de Jong transfer saga is finally over – with the Barcelona midfielder staying put. The Dutchman, 25, was a high priority on the transfer wish lists for Manchester United and Chelsea throughout the summer.
      Frenkie de Jong will be staying put at Barcelona after a transfer sagaCredit: Getty
      Barcelona were open to selling the ex-Ajax man with a fee of around £73million agreed with the Red Devils and a £350,000-a-week contract on the table.
      However, De Jong snubbed United because he did not want to sign for the Europa League club while Chelsea, despite being able to offer Champions League football, were also unable to secure a deal.
      As reported by Fabrizio Romano, De Jong “never changed his mind” on his desire to stay at the Nou Camp.
      The 44-cap Netherlands international joined Barca in 2019 for £65m and expressed his delight at playing for his dream club.
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      However, the LaLiga giants – who already owe him millions in deferred wages – slapped him with an ultimatum to either leave or take a major pay cut.
      But despite the financial problems, Barcelona and De Jong appear to have repaired the damage to the relationship.
      The star, under contract until 2026, has featured in all three league games so far this season – albeit starting just once.
      Barca face Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen in a brutal Champions League group.
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      After it became clear he would miss out on De Jong, new Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag turned his attention to Barca’s rival Real Madrid and splashed up to £70m on Casemiro to bolster his midfield instead.
      Christian Eriksen has also arrived at Old Trafford and Chelsea signed Carney Chukwuemeka.
      Ross Barkley was released while Billy Gilmour is poised for a £9m transfer to Brighton, leaving Thomas Tuchel short on midfield options.
      But reports suggest Denis Zakaria is having a medical in Turin over a loan move from Juventus. More