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      Fans all say the same thing as Atletico Madrid finish BOTTOM of Champions League group and miss out on Europa

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      FANS want legendary boss Diego Simeone sacked after Atletico Madrid’s Champions League embarrassment.Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Porto meant Atletico finished bottom of their group and don’t even make the Europa League.
      Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has never been under greater pressureCredit: AFP
      Atletico’s stars are out of Europe following defeat at Portuguese giants PortoCredit: Rex
      Journalist Fabrizio Romano even reckons the Spaniards will “soon” release a statement ending the Argentinian’s 11-year reign, with Jorge D’Alessandro tipped to replace him.
      Simeone, the world’s highest-paid manager, has won both LaLiga and the Europa League twice in taking Atletico out of the shadows of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      But this season’s Champions League calamity KO’s them from Europe before Christmas for the first time since he took over.
      One fan tweeted: “Atletico Madrid & Diego Simeone need to divorce. They both need fresh air.”
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      Another demanded he be “sacked with immediate effect. His tactics seem archaic!”
      A third stated: “Diego Simeone is the highest paid manager in the world. Big disgrace.”
      Atletico are third in laLiga, well adrift of Barca and Real.
      And one common view on social media is that Simeone should bow out before his reputation is further tainted.
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      This post summed up that verdict: “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. This might be the right time for Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid to part ways.”
      Simeone’s decade of success has been forged on robustly snuffing out the opposition.
      And one observer posted: “Someone said Diego Simeone is a worldie coach. I never liked his style. Kills good players.”
      But a few fans defended his record, especially compared to clubs with larger playing budgets.
      Such comments included: “Atletico Madrid have failed Diego Simeone. Forget all the tactical nonsense, they’ve consistently sold his best players over his tenure. Imagine the team they could have.” More

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      ‘Please take care of him’ – Ex-Man City star Pablo Zabaleta reveals he used to chauffeur Lionel Messi around Barcelona

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      PABLO ZABALETA has revealed he used to CHAUFFEUR Lionel Messi around Barcelona.That’s after being asked to “please take care of him” by the ace’s concerned father.
      Lionel Messi was chauffeured around Barcelona by Pablo Zabaleta when he was youngerCredit: Getty
      Man City legend Zabaleta played for Espanyol between 2005 to 2008Credit: AFP
      Manchester City legend Zabaleta made the revelation in an upcoming BBC show documenting Messi’s rise from diminutive kid to global football superstar.
      Examining the now-PSG star’s humble beginnings, the film reveals the struggles Messi had to go through on his journey to stardom.
      From being deemed too small to succeed, to swapping Argentina for Spain at the age of 12, Messi had to fight for his success.
      But he was also helped along the way by various figures – including compatriot Zabaleta.
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      Playing for Barcelona’s city rivals Espanyol between 2005 and 2008, Zabaleta admits Jorge Messi asked him to look after Lionel as much as possible.
      It saw Zabaleta end up driving the forward to restaurants and other social occasions.
      But the Etihad icon did not mind one bit, knowing he was in care of the world’s brightest talents.
      Zabaleta said: “He had some friends but he was shy and I felt like I need to look after him and make sure he was good and surrounded by nice people.
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      “In football, when you become a star everyone wants to be your friend.
      “I used to take him to restaurants and his father said ‘please take care of him’.
      “It was like having 80million euros next to me, but the main thing was to drop Messi off at his safe house.”
      Messi ended up scoring 672 times for Barcelona in 778 games.
      He won numerous trophies including 10 titles and four Champions Leagues.
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      Messi is now being linked with a return to Barcelona.
      But reports also claim he could find himself tempted by a move to America with Inter Miami. More

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      Barcelona interested in Benjamin Pavard transfer with Bayern Munich full back’s contract expiring in 2024

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      BARCELONA are considering making a move for Bayern Munich star Benjamin Pavard, according to reports.The right-back’s contract at the German champions expires in 2024 and he supposedly would like to leave the club.
      Benjamin Pavard is reportedly ready to leave Bayern Munich with his deal running outCredit: Getty
      Barcelona are keen to sign a full-back with nobody consistently nailing down the spot in the starting XI this season.
      Sergi Roberto has featured 11 times on the right side of the defence this campaign but his contract ends at the end of this season.
      Former Arsenal ace Hector Bellerin was signed by Barca in the summer to play there but he has made just four appearances since arriving at the Nou Camp.
      Jules Kounde has had to fill in at right-back despite predominately being a centre-back.
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      Xavi reportedly sees adding a new full-back to the squad as a priority and Pavard could be his first choice, claim outlet Sport, after scoring against his potential new employers.
      The 26-year-old has starred for Bayern since joining them in 2019.
      He has featured 136 times winning the Bundesliga three times and the Champions League once.
      But the French World Cup winner is ready to quit the club in the summer in seek of a new challenge.
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      If a deal for Pavard does not materialise then they could potentially turn their attention to Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot.
      Barcelona could be set for another busy window at the end of the season amid talks regarding legend Lionel Messi and a plethora of midfielders.
      Messi could be set to join Inter Miami and is reportedly ignoring calls from Barcelona who want to bring him ‘home’.
      The Catalan giants have also been linked with Jorginho, Bruno Guimaraes and Ruben Neves. More

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      Barcelona ‘line up Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’ as next boss as pressure on Xavi heats up after Champions League exit

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      BARCELONA are reportedly considering Mikel Arteta as their next boss.That’s as pressure ramps up on Xavi Hernandez following last week’s Champions League exit.
      Barcelona boss Xavi is feeling the heat after last week’s Champions League exitCredit: Getty
      Club chiefs are eyeing Arsenal’s Mikel Areta if a change is needed further down the lineCredit: Getty
      Former Man City assistant Arteta is shining in the Emirates dugout this season.
      He has guided Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table.
      And Sport claims Barcelona chiefs are keeping tabs on Arteta after being impressed.
      Current Nou Camp boss Xavi is under the spotlight after seeing Barca crash out of Europe’s top competition in the group stage.
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      The cash-strapped Catalans were banking on a major pay day from the knockouts after a summer splurge.
      It’s reckoned the early exit will set Barcelona back at least £20million, plus add-ons they could have had later down the line.
      And there will now be more pressure on Xavi to deliver in the league, with Barca one point behind leaders Real Madrid.
      However, club chiefs are still backing their former midfielder to deliver.
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      And Arteta is instead seen as a future option should a change become necessary.
      That’s good news for Arsenal, who hope their ex-player can deliver a first Premier League title since the Invincibles in 2004.
      As for Xavi, he admits he is fully aware of the consequences if he doesn’t deliver trophies after signing stars including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
      He said: “With the effort made by the club and the squad we have, we have to compete for trophies.
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      “And if we don’t win, as the president said, there will be consequences, starting with me.
      “But if we don’t win, another coach will come in. But I am going to give everything so that this works.” More

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      Barcelona star Gerard Pique’s £17.25m hotel build delayed after 250 graves found in ground in gruesome discovery

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      BARCELONA star Gerard Pique’s £17.25million hotel build has been delayed after 250 graves were shockingly found on the grounds.In 2015, Spanish defender Pique bought the land located on the Costa del Sol in Malaga.
      Pique’s hotel build is going to be delayed while studies take placeCredit: Getty
      And he is planning to open up a hotel complex there as part one of his many off-field business ventures.
      But Marca are now reporting that work on the project is set to be delayed until at least next year following the gruesome discovery.
      Archaeologist Alberto Cumpian said: “We have excavated about 250 tombs, of which the vast majority are empty.
      “Possibly, the tombs were never used, and are not valuable enough to be preserved.
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      “It is one of the largest necropolises in the country.”
      Studies are now expected to be carried out to determine what century the graves are from.
      The building of the hotel should then be able to resume at the beginning of 2023.
      Pique has been in the headlines a lot over recent weeks following his split from popstar partner Shakira – who he has two children with.
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      And the separation took a strange turn last month when it was revealed the Barcelona star may be forced to have his ex’s name on his shirt.
      Reports in Spain say Shakira could benefit from the club’s sponsorship with Spotify.
      She recently released her new single Monotonia and has already sparked speculation it reflects her acrimonious split with Pique after 11 years.
      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.
      Despite the difficult situation with Shakira, Pique has already moved on and is dating Clara Chia Marti, 23. More

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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