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      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, 73, tests positive for coronavirus but is asymptomatic

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      REAL MADRID have confirmed that their president Florentino Perez has tested positive for coronavirus.
      But Los Blancos have stressed the 73-year-old is not currently displaying any symptoms.

      Florentino Perez has tested positive for coronavirusCredit: EPA

      Real confirmed Perez will continue to be tested periodically to monitor his condition. 
      However, they have offered no further information on potential knock-on effects at the Bernabeu.
      Perez will spend the next 10 days in quarantine and will need to post a negative test following that period in order to return to work at the Bernabeu.
      Perez is currently in his second spell as president of the Spanish giants.

      He oversaw the infamous ‘Galactico’ period of the club in his first reign between 2000 to 2006.
      The Spaniard returned to office in 2009 with the club winning the Champions League five times during his two reigns.
      Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane tested positive for Covid-19 a fortnight ago.
      That was before their LaLiga clash with Alaves but he returned to the dug-out for their defeat to Levante at the weekend.

      Madrid are suffering a miserable season on the pitch despite being level on points with arch-rivals Barcelona.
      Both teams are currently ten points behind leaders Atletico Madrid in the title race.
      If Diego Simeone can steer Los Rojiblancos to the title again, his first being in 2013/14, it will be just the second time neither of the El Clasico powerhouses have been crowned champs since 2004.
      Real travel to Huesca on Saturday before hosting Getafe in the top-flight on Tuesday.

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      Sex-scandal star Jese Rodriguez thrown career lifeline by Las Palmas just two months after PSG sacking

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      FORMER Stoke flop Jese Rodriguez has linked up with Las Palmas after having his contracted terminated by Paris Saint-Germain.
      The 27-year-old was sacked by PSG in December following a sex scandal where he was accused of cheating on his partner Aurah Ruiz.

      Jese Rodriguez has joined Las Palmas following his release from Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It has been claimed that Les Parisiens president Nasser Al-Khelaifi grew tired of the Spaniard’s actions off the pitch, and decided to cut him loose six months early.
      Jese also found himself in hot water when he appeared to flout social distancing measures by attending a party in Gran Canaria without a mask in December.
      And he has now returned to the Canary Islands hotspot on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
      The former Real Madrid ace spent the second half of the 2016-17 campaign on loan at the club having failed to impress at PSG.

      Commenting on the deal, Las Palmas president Miguel Angel Ramirez revealed that Jese rejected a move to Saudi Arabia to rejoin his side.
      He said: “Jese is a player of a stature and international prestige, there is his record.
      “He has a lot of name in the market and he can play for many important teams, he had a firm offer to go to Saudi Arabia.
      “For Jese the important thing is not to earn money now, but to recycle again and focus on football. He can help us a lot in the coming months.

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      Jese was accused of cheating on partner Aurah Ruiz with her model friend Rocio AmarCredit: Instagram @aurah.ruiz

      “Jese is very excited and he will not miss the opportunity that Las Palmas is going to give him in these months.”
      The two-time Champions League winner arrives at the club lacking match fitness having featured just twice this term.
      He has been assigned a personal trainer to get him back on track, with the club hopeful he will be competing within two weeks.

      The top Premier League transfers from deadline day More

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      Lionel Messi ‘wants to play for Barcelona next season’ despite transfer interest insists presidential candidate Laporta

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      LIONEL MESSI wants to stay at Barcelona next season, insists presidential candidate Joan Laporta.
      The club captain, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season.

      Lionel Messi wants to stay at Barcelona beyond this summer, according to Joan LaportaCredit: Rex Features

      Messi came close to quitting the club last summer when he handed in a transfer request before being forced into a dramatic U-turn to honour the final year of his contract.
      He stated in December he still ‘doesn’t know’ what he will do in the summer with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City battling to sign him on a free transfer.
      Laporta, though, reckons he will go nowhere and remain at the Nou Camp – and made it clear Barcelona’s £1billion debt is not the Argentine’s fault.
      The favourite to win the upcoming presidential election on March 7 said: “I have indications that he feels good at Barcelona and that he wants to stay here.

      “Messi generates more revenue than the money he costs. We have carried out a study that shows that a third of what the club makes comes from him.
      “‘It’s not Messi who has ruined the club, it’s the last board who lost their financial discipline back in 2015 and then lost their way after selling Neymar in 2017.”
      Laporta was Barca chief between 2003 and 2010, overseeing Messi’s rise to superstardom and a hugely successful period for the club.
      And his priority will be appeasing Messi after the public spat with former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

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      Asked what he would do if the six-time Ballon d’Or does try to force an exit, Laporta added: “I would ask him to reconsider. I would tell him that money is no guarantee of winning things.
      “If Messi stays we can build a team around him.
      “It’s also not true that he runs the club. Messi just wants the club to have a good project. It’s not economic it’s about emotion. It’s all that he has given this club.
      “Eight out of ten shirts we sell are his. And seeing Messi at Barcelona frightens rivals. You cannot put a price on the sporting and emotional returns we get from him.
      “We have been able to turn our situation around regarding the trophies we have won compared with our rivals. That is thanks to Leo. Without him we would not have been able to win as much.
      “It’s clear that we have to do everything we can in economic and sporting terms to make sure he stays. We can’t be focused on him leaving; we have to focus on him staying.”

      What is clear is that there was a leak. If I win the election I will try to find out who is responsible.
      Joan Laporta

      Details of Messi’s mammoth £492million contract at Barcelona – the biggest player deal in sport – was leaked over the weekend.
      El Mundo obtained a copy of the 30-page confidential paperwork, which details a fixed salary, image rights, variables as well as the tax that Barcelona have had to pay.
      The club and Bartomeu have both strenuously denied leaking the documents to the Spanish newspaper.
      On the details being made public, Laporta said: “What my suspicions are does not matter.
      “What is clear is that there was a leak. If I win the election I will try to find out who is responsible. I will ring Javier Tebas (head of LaLiga) to see if he knows anything.
      “There are only five people [at Barcelona] who have this contract in their custody: the president, the director general, the sporting director, the club’s legal advisers and human resources.”

      Laporta was Barcelona president between 2003 and 2010 and is favourite to win the March 7 electionCredit: EPA

      Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta slams PSG for Messi transfer pursuit More

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      Top 10 biggest contracts in sport revealed with Lionel Messi top after Barcelona star’s £492m mega-deal is leaked

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      LIONEL MESSI’S £492million Barcelona contract is the biggest in sporting history, leaked documents suggest.
      The Argentine great, 33, is coming towards the end of his latest four-year deal at the Nou Camp.

      Lionel Messi’s Barcelona contract is the biggest in sporting history

      And Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported the total value is €555,237,619 – or £492m – after obtaining a copy of the 30-page confidential paperwork.
      That is made up of a fixed salary, image rights, variables as well as the tax that Barcelona have had to pay.
      It trumps NFL star Patrick Mahomes’ £402m deal with Kansas City Chiefs.
      Messi’s bumper contract, therefore, is worth on average up to £123m-per-year with all the bonuses included.

      One of those bonuses was a £102m ‘renewal fee’ simply for signing on the dotted line in November 2017.
      He then pockets an extra £69m each year as a ‘loyalty bonus’ for staying at the club.
      Barcelona released a statement on Sunday morning to deny leaking the documents and threaten legal action against El Mundo.
      But there was no denial of the figures in question which puts the contract as the biggest ever. Here SunSport reveals the top 10.

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      Spanish newspaper El Mundo revealed the details of Messi’s contract on their front page

      Lionel Messi – £492m
      Messi tried to quit Barca last summer by attempting to trigger a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for free.
      But after threatening legal action, he made a dramatic U-turn to see out the final year.
      However, he is expected to leave after 20 years this summer with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City among the mega-rich clubs hoping to land the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
      Speaking in December, he admitted he still ‘doesn’t know’ what he will do at the end of the season.
      Patrick Mahomes – £402m
      NFL star Mahomes, 25, penned a ten-year contract extension worth £402m to stay with the Kansas City Chiefs.
      The contract, which equates to £40.2m-per-year, also has a £112m injury guarantee.

      Patrick Mahomes earns £40.2m-a-year at Kansas City ChiefsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Mike Trout – £341m
      Los Angeles Angels tied down the eight-time MLB All-Star, 29, to a £341m contract.
      The three-time American League Most Valuable takes home an incredible £28.3m-per-year during his 12-year deal.
      Canelo Alvarez – £292m
      When Mexican boxer penned an 11-fight deal with DAZN in 2018.
      The four-weight champion, 30, had a deal worth £292million – which averaged out at £26.5m per fight.
      But he officially got out of the contract in November 2020 after suing Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy promotions and DAZN for ‘out of ring failures’.

      Canelo Alvarez left his mega-deal with DAZN
      Neymar – £278m
      Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate Neymar is the only other footballer that has made the list.
      Following his £198m move to Paris Saint-Germain, the 28-year-old received a five-year deal worth £278m – meaning he pockets £55.6m-per-year.
      Bryce Harper – £264m
      In March 2019, the right-fielder penned a 13-year deal with Philadelphia worth £264m.
      At the time it was the largest contract in baseball history – worth £20.3m-per-year to the American ace, 28.

      Bryce Harper signed a deal with the Phillies until 2032
      Giancarlo Stanton – £260m
      The Miami Marlins proved Stanton, 31, was irreplaceable as they offered him a 13-year deal worth £260m six years ago.
      But the MLB star did not see out his £20m-per-year contract at the club as he joined the New York Yankees in 2017.
      Geritt Cole – £258m
      Cole, 30, was snapped up by the Yankees in 2019 when he was a free agent after leaving Houston Astros.
      He accepted a nine-year deal worth a whopping £28.6m-per-year.

      I don’t know if I’m going to leave, but if I do I would like it to be in the best way possible
      Lionel Messi

      Manny Machado – £238m
      After leaving the LA Dodgers, the five-time MLB all-star was wanted by the Padres and Chicago White Sox.
      But the Padres lured the 28-year-old to their team with a 10-year deal with an annual salary of £23.8m.
      Nolan Arendo – £207m
      Last but not least on the list, Arendo pocketed £25.8m-per-year when he extended his deal with the Colorado Rockies.
      The eight-year extension made the seven-time golden glove winner, 29, one of the highest earners in the MLB.

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      Sergio Ramos ‘wants Man Utd transfer after David Beckham chat as Real Madrid star linked with four Premier League clubs’

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      SERGIO RAMOS wants Manchester United to be his next club after a chat with David Beckham, according to reports.
      The Real Madrid captain’s deal expires at the end of the season and he is already free to sign a pre-contract agreement with non-Spanish clubs.

      Sergio Ramos ‘wants to move to Man Utd’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      David Beckham told the Spaniard all about life at Old TraffordCredit: AFP

      Ramos, 34, turned down a two-year Bernabeu extension having been asked to take a ten per cent pay cut and Zinedine Zidane admitted his skipper could leave.
      No talks have since taken place between the club and his representatives as the Spaniard edges closer to free agency with four Premier League clubs being linked.
      The Real legend still expects to earn more than £200,000-a-week wherever he moves.
      As a result, only a handful of clubs can afford his wages.

      Man Utd and PSG have both been linked – with Ramos close to signing for United before he signed his latest Real deal.
      But the Spain international does not fancy PSG and his representatives will target a move to Old Trafford instead, according to the Mirror.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would no doubt jump at the chance to bring an experienced, top-quality centre-back and leader into his side.
      And Ramos – who has made more than 650 Madrid appearances and won 18 major trophies for club and country – certainly fits the bill.

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      He also heard all about life at Old Trafford through former team-mate Beckham when the pair played together at Real.
      Ramos is said to have rejected lucrative move to Asia because his family don’t want to live there.
      Manchester City and Liverpool could both afford Ramos’ wages but such a transfer is believed to be ‘very difficult’.
      However, no club is being ruled out which could prick Everton’s interest as Carlo Ancelotti managed Ramos at Real between 2013 and 2015.
      Earlier this month it emerged United agreed not to ‘aggressively’ sign Ramos as part of a special ‘Covid’ pact between Europe’s elite clubs.

      Ramos and Becks are close friends after their time together at the BernabeuCredit: Instagram @davidbeckham

      Sergio Ramos makes it look easy as he shows off his fantastically fast feet in training More

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      Lionel Messi’s £492MILLION Barcelona contract leaked that includes £102m ‘renewal fee’ and £69m loyalty bonus

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      LIONEL MESSI’S Barcelona contract is worth just shy of £500million and is the biggest deal in sporting history, leaked documents suggest.
      The Argentine great, 33, is coming towards the end of his latest four-year deal at the Nou Camp.

      Leaked documents show Lionel Messi’s Barcelona contract is worth up to £492m including bonuses over four yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported the total value is €555,237,619 – or £492m – after obtaining a copy of the 30-page confidential paperwork.
      That is made up of a fixed salary, image rights, variables as well as the tax that Barcelona have had to pay and trumps NFL star Patrick Mahomes’ £402m deal with Kansas City Chiefs.
      Messi’s bumper contract, therefore, is worth on average up to £123m per year with all the bonuses included.
      One of those bonuses was a £102m ‘renewal fee’ simply for signing on the dotted line in November 2017.

      He then pockets an extra £69m each year as a ‘loyalty bonus’ for staying at the club.
      Barcelona released a statement on Sunday morning to deny leaking the documents and threaten legal action against El Mundo.
      The club said: “In view of the information published today in the newspaper El Mundo, in relation to the professional contract signed between FC Barcelona and the player Lionel Messi, the club regrets its publication given that it is a private document governed by the principle of confidentiality between the parties.
      “FC Barcelona categorically denies any responsibility for the publication of this document, and will take appropriate legal action against the newspaper El Mundo, for any damage that may be caused as a result of this publication.

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      “FC Barcelona expresses its absolute support for Lionel Messi, especially in the face of any attempt to discredit his image, and to damage his relationship with the entity where he has worked to become the best player in the world and in football history.”
      Messi tried to quit Barca last summer by attempting to trigger a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for free.
      But after threatening legal action, he made a dramatic U-turn to see out the final year.
      He is, though, expected to leave after 20 years this summer with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City among the mega-rich clubs hoping to land the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
      Speaking in December, he admitted he still ‘doesn’t know’ what he will do at the end of the season.

      I don’t know if I’m going to leave, but if I do, I would like to leave in the best way possible
      Lionel Messi

      Messi, who is free to talk to other clubs now, said: “I know there are a lot of people at Barca who still love me, but I’m going to do what is best for the club and for myself.
      “Besides, I want to live in Barcelona and be involved in the club in some way when I retire.
      “I don’t know if I’m going to leave, but if I do, I would like to leave in the best way possible and be able to return to the club in the future.
      “Barcelona are much bigger than any player. I hope that every time the club have to, they will do good things to lift important titles.”
      The leaked information regarding Messi’s contract comes just days after Barcelona’s financial report revealed debts of £1billion.
      That includes a short-term debt of £638m, £236m of which needs to be paid back to various banks and financial institutions before June 30.

      Spanish newspaper El Mundo revealed the details on their front page

      Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta slams PSG for Messi transfer pursuit More

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      LaLiga chief claims Fifa supremo Gianni Infantino IS behind Super League plans despite public criticism

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      FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been branded the puppet master behind the Super League project which threatens to rip up the fabric of European football.
      Infantino publicly warned players they will be banned from the World Cup and European Championships if their clubs form the proposed closed shop breakaway.

      Gianni Infantino has publicly warned against a Super LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association

      But LaLiga boss Javier Tebas has been handed documents circulating among would-be Super League members that he believes PROVE Infantino has been actively orchestrating the entire plan.
      And the Spaniard says the Swiss leader of the world game has hidden behind a secret code name.
      According to Tebas, the secret documents, which were drafted last year and have been circulating among leading clubs for weeks, point to the controlling interests of ‘W01’.
      That stands, Tebas is convinced, for ‘World Number One’ — Gianni Infantino.

      Tebas said: “It is obvious that Gianni Infantino has been party to meetings and hosted the club organisation to be able to work on the Super League.
      “He has been working on it and has even been encouraging them to set it up.
      “In the documents that we have related to the Super League there is the mention of a code name W01, which clearly refers to Mr Infantino. That is his code name.
      “If I am wrong, I will apologise. But we have information and the facts seem to be there. I think people are telling me the truth.

      Javier Tebas believes that Infantino has been involved in Super League talksCredit: Reuters

      “In the documents there are certain dates that are being held back for the Club World Cup, each January.
      “Twelve European teams, the top five from each of the two groups, with four teams playing off for the other two places.
      “It’s obvious that people who are helping Real Madrid with that were not going to be providing that data unless they knew that Infantino had this information.
      “He is not against it. He thought the project was OK.
      “So he should urgently clarify his personal position, to explain exactly why he was at some of the meetings and encouraged the project at certain points in time.”
      Tebas’ allegations come with the Costa Rica-born Spaniard suggesting Manchester United and Liverpool have made a Devil’s pact with Infantino — along with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez — that will turn football from a dream factory into a one-dimensional TV show.
      He accused United owners in the form of Joel Glazer, Liverpool’s John Henry, plus Ivan Gazidis, who moved from being chief executive at Arsenal to the same role at AC Milan, of colluding with Perez and Infantino.
      Fifa have consistently denied any involvement in the project, put together with the  backing of US financial giant JP Morgan.
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      Man Utd chiefs the Glazers have been accused of ‘colluding’ with InfantinoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Reds owner John W Henry is also alleged to be involvedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Only last week, Infantino, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin plus the other five Confederation presidents signed a joint statement warning that any players who were part of a  breakaway would be banned from the World Cup or European  Championships.
      Tebas, though, insists that Infantino’s denials, like those emanating from Old Trafford and Anfield — or should that be Tampa Bay and Boston? — are less than truthful.
      Indeed, not only were the discussions ongoing through the winter, they are about to officially be made public. Tebas, 58, said: “The documents I have say it’s going to be announced in February, next month.
      “It says they are going to sell the broadcasting rights in March and it’s all going to start in 2022.
      “I’m not sure about that. These clubs have been involved in decisions about Champions League broadcasting rights between 2021 and 2024 and will have to break away from that.
      “Some of the other clubs knew about the project, while others didn’t even know about it or that it existed.
      “But a club, even if they could be against it, will say, ‘Well, let’s see what happens and what is going on because if it does come off, we don’t want to be left out’.
      “Of course, it is not clear that the money exists. It’s easy to talk about it and harder to generate.
      “But even if there is more money in the short or medium term for these clubs, in the longer term it is not good for football or for them.

      Of course, if it is a closed league then obviously the values will go up for these clubs
      Javier Tebas

      “It is interesting for the American-owned clubs, for Manchester United, Liverpool or Milan, to have US funds behind them or Inter Milan with their Chinese funds.
      “Of course, if it is a closed league then obviously the values will go up for these clubs — but I do not believe the broadcasting rights will go up as much as they keep saying.
      “And, more importantly, it would destroy the ecosystem and the balance of European football.”
      The self-confessed Real Madrid fan added: “We believe it would cost LaLiga £1.4billion in revenue and the value of our clubs would go down by more.
      “And the Premier League has double the turnover.
      “So the other 14 clubs in England would lose maybe £3bn — because they can’t qualify for European competitions any more.”

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      Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso left in transfer limbo as Real Madrid and Barcelona reject chance to sign defender

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      MARCOS ALONSO faces spending the rest of the season on the Chelsea bench while a move fails to materialise.
      According to reports in Spain, neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid are ready to sign the left-back.

      Marcos Alonso will reportedly not be moving to Spain this monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Alonso has affinity with both clubs, having come through the Madrid academy to play for the team and follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Marcos Alonso Imaz.
      And his father, Marcos Alonso Pena, starred for Barcelona during his illustrious career.
      But, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, neither club is prepared to rescue the Spaniard from his Chelsea nightmare.
      Real Madrid are not currently in the market for a left-back with Ferland Mendy and Marcelo well embedded, at least until the end of the season.

      Barcelona would be interested in Alonso but it is said they would first need to loan out left-back Junior Firpo.
      Although Serie A clubs and West Ham are reportedly monitoring Firpo, there is a lack of movement in completing a deal.
      Therefore Alonso, 30, will have to try and impress new Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel in a bid to save his season.
      The German opted for £50million summer signing Ben Chilwell at left-back for his first game in charge, versus Wolves in midweek.

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      Both Alonso and Emerson Palmieri were left on the bench and neither man was called up to replace Chilwell, when he was subbed off on 76 minutes.
      But it was the former Bolton defender’s first appearance on the bench since a disastrous performance in the 3-3 draw at West Brom in September.
      Frank Lampard had exiled Alonso but Tuchel may be more open minded, particularly if the player cannot find a new club.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Alonso must impress new boss Thomas Tuchel to revive his Chelsea careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty More