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      Lionel Messi wakes up unemployed as Barcelona contract officially expires with new deal still unannounced

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      LIONEL MESSI will wake up on international duty in Brazil this morning unemployed and knowing there is no weekly £2.4million pay cheque on the way.That is because his Barcelona contract expired at midnight meaning he is now a free agent.
      Lionel Messi is no longer a Barcelona player as of July 1 with his contract expiredCredit: Getty
      Barcelona president Joan Laporta called for ‘calm’ among supporters and is confident of a new deal getting sorted
      Messi’s most-recent deal, signed in November 2017, ran until June 30, 2021.
      And with a new deal yet to be confirmed then announced, he now does not have a contract with the club he joined 7,478 days earlier aged 13 in 2001.
      That technically opens the door for any club to sign him for free immediately.
      However, it is widely accepted captain Messi will put pen to paper on fresh terms for two years at the Nou Camp very soon and continue his legacy with the LaLiga giants.
      Barca president Joan Laporta called for ‘calm’ among supporters, telling them ‘don’t worry’.
      He added: “We want Lionel Messi to stay and Leo wants to stay.
      “Everything is on track.
      “We have the issue of Financial Fair Play, we are in the process of finding the best solution for both parties.”

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      The fact Messi is now not a Barcelona player is also bad news for sponsors, such as kit manufacturers Nike who cannot include him in adverts for the time being.
      ‘Messi 10’ shirts cannot be sold in the club shop, either.
      The forward is also likely to be exempt from the Barcelona medical cover so the Nou Camp side would not receive compensation if he picked up an injury.
      They will get up to £17,600 per day while Ousmane Dembele recovers from surgery under the Fifa Protection Programme.

      Messi is currently with Argentina at the Copa America, preparing for Saturday night’s quarter-final with Ecuador.
      Messi officially became a Barca player on January 8, 2001 – a month after the famous initial agreement on a napkin in a restaurant – then signed his first professional terms in June 2005.
      But last year he tried to force through an exit by handing in a transfer request.
      Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were poised to battle it out for his signature, with the prospect of linking up with Pep Guardiola again at the Etihad.
      But after a dramatic U-turn, Messi honoured his contract to the club he joined aged 13 – although both clubs would surely look to pounce if there were further unanticipated stumbling blocks in the contract negotiations.
      Messi officially joined Barcelona in January 2001 aged just 13Credit: AFP
      Messi is preparing to face Ecuador with Argentina in the Copa America but may not be covered for Fifa’s insuranceCredit: Getty

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      PSG in ‘advanced talks’ with Sergio Ramos after Neymar ‘urges pal to make transfer’ ahead of Man City

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      SERGIO RAMOS is reportedly on the verge of signing for Paris Saint-Germain.After 16 years at Real Madrid, the veteran defender became a free agent on Thursday and already has his eye on his next destination.
      Sergio Ramos posted images of his workout to Instagram after his contract expired
      The defender is reportedly nearing a move to Paris Saint-Germain
      Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG were all said to have been monitoring the Spaniard as his exit from Los Blancos became clear.
      But it is Les Parisiens who have pulled ahead in the race for his signature, according to ESPN.
      Sporting director Leonardo is said to have accelerated talks in the middle of June and progress has been made this week.
      It is claimed that a final decision on his future will be made in the coming days.
      Ramos split from Real having been denied a two-year contract but PSG have also not offered the longer deal.
      Instead, a one-year stay with the option of a second season has been put on the table – with the clause only triggered if both sides agree to do so.

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      Ramos will reportedly take a significant pay cut from his Real Madrid wages
      The 35-year-old would also take home a smaller salary than Madrid had offered, which itself was a cut on his original pay packet.
      Former Clasico rival Neymar, described as a friend of Ramos, has also reportedly urged the player to make the switch to PSG.
      Mauricio Pochettino’s side failed to win either Ligue 1 or the Champions League last campaign, falling short in the final weeks of both competitions.
      The coach is said to want extra experience and leadership added to his squad this summer, with Ramos boasting over 700 club appearances.
      Neymar is said to be urging Ramos to sign for PSGCredit: Rex

      It is said that he views Paris as a better location for his family of TV presenter wife Pilar Rubio and their four sons.
      Old team-mates Angel Di Maria and Keylor Navas play for PSG along with Spaniards Ander Herrera, Pablo Sarabia, Sergio Rico and Juan Bernat.
      An ambitious summer is being organised at minimal expense in the French capital with free agents Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Donnarumma also on their way.
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      Lionel Messi receives crazy transfer offer to join ‘worst team in the world’ after Barcelona contract expires

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      LIONEL MESSI has been offered an escape from football’s scrapheap – by the self-styled worst team in the world.The Barcelona legend, 34, is a free agent after his Nou Camp contract expired on Wednesday.
      Lionel Messi has jokingly been offered a deal to join the worst team in the worldCredit: Reuters

      The star became a free agent on WednesdayCredit: EPA
      Argentina superstar Messi has now been sent a contract offer by Brazilian outfit Ibis Sport Club.
      The Recife-based side went almost FOUR YEARS without a win in the early 1980s, earning a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
      Lower-league Ibis label themselves Pior Time do Mundo – Worst Team in the World.
      Their written offer tells Messi: “We’re very happy your contract is ending.
      “Hence we offer you the chance to play for the worst team in the world.”
      The 15-YEAR contract includes a productivity bonus ‘if you deserve it’.
      Messi is told he mustn’t score too many goals or ‘become a champion’ or face the pain of having the contract torn up.
      The playmaker is warned he can’t have the number 10 shirt as it belongs to bizarrely-named club legend Mauro Shampoo.
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      Ronaldo and Messi are both named in the Ballon d’Or all-time best XI

      And Ibis tell Messi if he wants the deal he has to swear three times in front of a mirror that Pele is better than his fellow Argentine Diego Maradona.
      Manchester City could yet rescue Messi from his career limbo.
      Barcelona are also in talks with him about a potential new deal, while he has also been linked with moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Major League Soccer clubs in the US.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Nuno Espirito Santo already faces missing out on first Tottenham transfer as Sevilla demand £69m for Jules Kounde

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      REAL MADRID could be about to throw a spanner in the works of Tottenham’s hopes of signing Jules Kounde, according to reports. The LaLiga giants are thought to be willing to offer a player-plus-cash deal for the Sevilla star, who is wanted by new Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo. 
      Real Madrid are rivalling Tottenham for the signature of Sevilla star Jules KoundeCredit: Getty
      Kounde – who was also a Chelsea transfer target – has a £69million release clause in his contractCredit: Rex
      The former Wolves chief was officially confirmed as Tottenham’s new manager yesterday.
      And it is thought Santo wants to make the France international his first Spurs signing, according to Calciomercato via Sport Witness.  
      However, reports claim it is unclear whether the North London outfit would be willing to meet the release clause for the former Bordeaux centre-back. 
      It is believed the price tag for this is £69million.

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      As well as the high fee, there is also the complication of real Madrid’s interest.
      Los Blancos, who were beaten to last term’s LaLiga crown by Atletico Madrid, are thought to be open to offering Isco, 29, as part of a bid for Kounde.  
      Earlier this year Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui was reported to be a big admirer of the Real Madrid outcast according to Spanish sports newspaper AS. 
      And Spanish outlet Sport claims Madrid hope an offer of Isco in addition to a cash payment could potentially bring the asking price for Kounde down to between £34.4m and £43m. 
      Kounde, who made a five-year £21million switch to Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019, made 29 league appearances last term for the club who finished fourth in Spain’s top tier.
      And the former Ligue One ace helped the Spanish outfit win the 2020 Europa League trophy. 
      Champions League winners Chelsea were rumoured to be interested in a player-plus-cash deal for Kounde according to reports earlier this year. 
      It is thought Thomas Tuchel’s side were willing to offer Hakim Ziyech as part of a potential deal. 
      Nuno Espirito Santo reportedly wants to make Kounde his first signing at TottenhamCredit: EPA

      However the 2021 Champions League winners were thought to have balked at the France starlet’s £69million release clause. 
      Kounde was part of the Les Bleus squad knocked out in the last-16 of this year’s Euros.
      The player started for France in their 2-2 group stage draw against Portugal in the tournament.
      The 5ft 10in star made his senior international debut for Didier Deschamps’ side in a friendly match against Wales in June.
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      Watch Zinedine Zidane, 49, roll back the years in 5-a-side game with his sons after quitting Real Madrid

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE rolled back the years by showing off his brilliant skills in a game of 5-a-side with his sons.The Frenchman is enjoying time off after quitting Real Madrid for a second time at the end of the season.
      Zidane showed off his amazing skill
      The Frenchman still has immaculate close control
      And in a game of fives with his sons Elyaz, Driss, Theo and Luca, Zizou showed off his velvet close control.
      In a series of videos posted to his Instagram story, the elder Zidane dazzled in his tiny shorts with mesmerising close control as he oozed class on the field.
      The posts come 15 years to the day since a 34-year-old Zizou produced a masterclass as he inspired France to victory over Brazil at the 2006 World Cup final.
      Les Bleus didn’t fair so well in this summer’s Euro 2020, however, being shocked by superb Switzerland earlier this week.
      The early exit has led to mounting pressure on World Cup winning boss Didier Deschamps – with Zidane waiting in the wings.
      Deschamps, however, has credit in the bank – as well as a fantastic relationship with the French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet.
      Speaking on the manager’s position to Le Figaro, Le Graet said: “He needs to think through, me too, we will see each somewhere outside the FFF to spend the day together, get a sense of his motivation and desires.
      “We are not going to call everything into question, after everything that he did.
      Zinedine Zidane left Real Madrid in MayCredit: AFP

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      “We are speaking of a man who has won it all and who took us to the 2018 World Cup.
      “I am waiting to see him and for us to speak to reflect on this competition and speak about football.
      “I want to see how he is feeling, if his motivation is in tact, and mine too.”
      On Zidane, he added: “He is a man who I like, we are not going to go over his success as a player and a manager.
      “Zidane will one day lead France. When? I don’t know. I do not have a scoop for you today.”
      Noel Le Graet will hold talks with Didier Deschamps over his futureCredit: Getty
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      Willian Jose reveals transfer offer from Man Utd and slams Real Sociedad for blocking move before Wolves loan spell

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      WILLIAN JOSE has revealed that he had an offer from Manchester United in January 2020.And the Brazilian, 29, has slammed Real Sociedad for not letting him make the £19.7million switch.
      Willian Jose has hit out at Real SociedadCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Jose, who is still contracted to Sociedad for another three years, spent the second half of the season on loan at Wolves.
      But while chatting to Spanish paper Noticias de Gipuzkoa, he has put the boot into his employers.
      He said: “I think they have not treated me well.
      “I expected a little more. When I renewed my contract, I had spoken with Roberto Olabe about there being some interested teams, from the Premier League and also from LaLiga.
      “I spoke with Roberto, and he told me that if a big team which played in the Champions League came in for me, they would let me go. I stayed calm.
      “Then came Barcelona and an offer from Manchester United. I saw that it was an opportunity that I could not miss out on because life is like that.
      “You have to take advantage of opportunities, and I saw that it was the opportunity.
      “In the end, things did not go well, and this year they let me go to Wolves.

      Willian Jose failed to make an impact at WolvesCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
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      “I don’t understand why a few months ago they didn’t want to let me go for €23 million and now they have let me go. Football is sometimes difficult to understand.”
      The Red Devils had been scrambling around for a solution upfront, having missed Romelu Lukaku following his departure to Inter Milan.
      They ended up settling on a shock Deadline Day loan move for Odion Ighalo, before signing Edinson Cavani in the summer.
      Barcelona, meanwhile, controversially signed Martin Braithwaite from Celta Vigo.
      Jose scored three goals in 13 outings during the first half of last season, before making his January loan switch to Wolves.
      He managed just one goal in 17 Premier League appearances, however, failing to replace the injured Raul Jimenez’s impact at Molineux.

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More