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      Best XI of stars who have played with Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi including Rooney, Ronaldinho, Henry and Xavi

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi are the best footballers on the planet.
      And they have played alongside plenty of other world class talent during their glittering careers.

      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have played with some of the finest players of the modern era

      Ronaldo, 35, has played for two of the world’s biggest clubs in Real Madrid and Manchester United and is still banging goals in at Italian giants Juventus.
      But Messi, 33, has been at Barcelona since he was 13 and has won countless trophies and scored hundreds of barely believable goals in that time.
      SunSport has collated a best XI of players the pair have played alongside for club and country.
      But it was an impossible task so an alternative XI had to be produced.

      Ronaldo played with the best of the bunch when it came to goalies with Gianluigi Buffon at Juve, Edwin van der Sar at United and Iker Casillas at Real.
      Right-back was a no-brainer with world-class Dani Alves a shoe-in after revolutionising the position as part of the greatest club side of all time alongside Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi at Barca.
      Gary Neville made the alternate XI. Just.
      Ronaldo companions won the day at centre-back with Real captain Sergio Ramos and Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand coming up trumps.

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      You could make another three teams of icons the superstars have played with

      Nemanja Vidic and Gerard Pique slotted in together in the backup XI with Javier Mascherano and Carlos Puyol unlucky to miss out.
      It was a toss-up between Jordi Alba and Marcelo at left-back with both producing world class performances for Barca and Real for years.
      Xavi and Iniesta are joined by United icon Paul Scholes in the middle. Obviously.
      And Messi’s former partners Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho play off recently retired goal machine Wayne Rooney up front.
      The alternate line-up sees United long-termer Ryan Giggs on the left of a four man midfield with Ronaldo’s Portugal team-mate Luis Figo on the other flank.
      Midfield maestros Luka Modric and Sergio Busquets slot in the middle behind two of Ronaldo’s former strike partners Karim Benzema and Carlos Tevez in attack.
      In a display of the class of player the duo have featured alongside, Neymar, Luiz Suarez and Sergio Aguero are just some of the strikers who fail to make it into either team.
      For more than a decade, fans have bickered in pubs, parks and playgrounds about who is better – Ronaldo or Messi.
      And last year SunSport collated quotes from 12 stars who have played with BOTH including Tevez and Pique.

      The world will never decide who is better

      Watch Cristiano Ronaldo fume at being subbed as Pirlo says ‘there’s no contract clause that says he can’t be taken off’ More

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      Sergio Aguero ‘keen on Barcelona transfer’ after presidential candidates ‘contact’ Man City star’s camp

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      MANCHESTER CITY could face a fight to keep Sergio Aguero following reports of Barcelona presidential hopefuls contacting the striker.
      SunSport revealed last month that the LaLiga giants were tracking Aguero ahead of his contract expiring in June.

      Sergio Aguero is reportedly ready to hear out an offer from BarcelonaCredit: Reuters

      Presidential candidate Joan Laporta is one man rumoured to have contacted the striker’s campCredit: EPA

      But it is understood that the 32-year-old would like to remain in Manchester.
      A new contract offer is not expected to arrive until he can prove his fitness, having made just nine appearances all season.
      Should Aguero become available, Barcelona are reportedly ready to snap him up.
      According to Cadena Ser, a number of presidential candidates have enquired about the striker coming to Spain.

      And they have reportedly been told that he is keen on the switch.
      Aguero is good pals with Lionel Messi and his arrival may even help the club’s attempts to sign their talisman up to a new deal.

      The best XI of players available on free transfers this summer includes Aguero
      Victor Font, Joan Laporta and Toni Freixa are in the running to take over Barcelona when the delayed elections take place on March 7.
      Spanish outlet Carrusel Deportivo claim that Font is one of the men to have coveted Aguero, along with frontrunner Laporta.

      However, one sticking point in negotiations could be the Spanish side’s ailing financial picture.
      The coronavirus pandemic has bit Barcelona particularly hard, forcing two rounds of squad pay cuts in the past 12 months.
      Aguero is back at work with City following a bout of coronavirus.
      Pep Guardiola nonetheless expects the player to take a number of weeks to return to full fitness.
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      Victor Font is another Barcelona hopeful linked with wanting AgueroCredit: EPA

      The City boss said on Tuesday: “[Aguero] is still not training on the field.
      “He started to move a little yesterday but he will need a few weeks to come back.
      “He [tested] negative, this is the most important thing. He is healthy again and now he will come back again.
      “As the top scorer it is important for us to have him back.”

      Man City boss Pep Guardiola says that Sergio Aguero is still absent after coronavirus battle More

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      Jose Mourinho predicted Eden Hazard injury hell in 2015 after demanding more protection from refs for ex-Chelsea star

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      JOSE MOURINHO predicted Eden Hazard’s injury hell in 2015 after demanding more protection from referees while they were at Chelsea.
      The Belgian picked up ANOTHER knock at the start of February which is the same as the one he suffered in November only now in his left leg, not right.

      Eden Hazard pictured with Jose Mourinho while they were both at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Eden Hazard has suffered injury problems at Real MadridCredit: Rex Features

      In 2016 it was revealed Hazard was the most fouled player in the Premier League.
      A year beforehand, while Mourinho worked with the winger, the ex-Chelsea boss warned Hazard’s career could be cut short due to constant fouls.
      He said: “People [are] in love with football in this country; people must be in love with Eden Hazard.
      “The way, match after match, he’s being punished by opponents and he’s not being protected by referees, maybe one day we won’t have Eden Hazard.

      “It’s one, two, three, four, five, ten aggressive fouls against him. They kick and kick and kick, and the kid resists.
      “He’s a very honest guy in the way he plays, but that’s another problem.”
      Hazard, 30, left Chelsea for Real Madrid in 2019 as part of a deal totalling up to £150million.
      But in his first season he managed just ONE goal in his 22 appearances as he missed 26 games through injury.

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      This campaign Hazard has already scored three times but has been ruled out for 14 games.
      His latest setback is likely to keep him out for four to six weeks and marks the TENTH separate problem picked up in the Spanish capital.
      In contrast at Chelsea, Hazard netted 110 times in 352 games across seven seasons, missing just 20 matches through injury.

      Watch Real Madrid stars including Eden Hazard have snowball fight in training as club confirm Osasuna game to go ahead More

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      Granada 3 Barcelona 5: Griezmann leads epic late comeback as Barca stave off Copa del Rey exit in extra-time thriller

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      BARCELONA survived a massive Copa del Rey scare before winning an epic eight-goal thriller in extra-time at Granada.
      The Catalan giants were 2-0 down with just three minutes to play but somehow staved off elimination with a late show.

      Antoine Griezmann was Barcelona’s hero as they avoided a Copa del Rey exitCredit: Reuters

      The French forward scored twice in a thrilling 5-3 extra-time win at GranadaCredit: Getty Images

      Both those Granada goals were scored by Premier League outcasts – ex-Chelsea winger Kenedy and former Spurs striker Roberto Soldado.
      But it was Antoine Griezmann who was the Barcelona hero – scoring twice, including the goal that sparked the comeback – as Ronald Koeman’s men won 5-3.
      The Nou Camp side booked their spot in the semi-finals after a pulsating win in southern Spain.
      Kenedy handed Granada a shock half-time lead when he scored on the half-hour mark.

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      And that lead was doubled moments after the break by Soldado as Barcelona were staring at an embarrassing defeat.
      The Catalan side are 10 points off the pace in La Liga and were watching another chance of silverware slip away from them.
      But Lionel Messi and Griezmann combined to give Koemen’s men hope in the 88th minute.

      French forward Griezmann then turned provider for Jordi Alba to score a dramatic equaliser in the second minute of injury-time.

      Former Chelsea winger Kenedy stunned Barcelona in the first halfCredit: EPA

      And ex-Spurs forward Roberto Soldado doubled Granada’s leadCredit: AP:Associated Press

      But Barcelona fought back in brilliant fashion to win in extra-timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And it was the Griezmann show in extra-time as well as he gave Barcelona the lead on the 100-minute mark.
      Alba assisted that strike for Griezmann, but he turned villain a few minutes later when he conceded a penalty with Fede Vico converted to make it 3-3.
      Griezmann and Alba would then link up again in the second period of extra-time.
      Frankie De Jong restored Barcelona’s lead in the 108th minute before French striker Griezmann set up Alba to seal the win.

      The Copa del Rey is Barca’s best chance of silverware this season with Real and Atletico Madrid both out.
      Koemen’s side moved into the last four – joining Sevilla and Levante.
      The last remaining quarter-final tie sees Real Betis take on Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.

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

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      Eden Hazard injury hell continues as ex-Chelsea ace could miss crucial Champions League ties for Real Madrid

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      EDEN HAZARD’S injury hell at Real Madrid has continued after the club confirmed he picked up ANOTHER muscle problem.
      The former Chelsea star started Los Blancos’ 2-1 defeat to Levante last weekend but missed training on Tuesday.

      Eden Hazard has suffered fresh injury heartbreak at Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      HLN claim the injury is the same as the one he suffered in November only now in his left leg not his right.
      The report adds that Hazard is likely to miss four to six weeks with his latest problem.
      That would see the 30-year-old miss both legs of the Champions League knockout clash with Atalanta as well as numerous league games.
      For Hazard it’s another blow in what has been a tumultuous time during his Real Madrid career.

      He also faced criticism for being overweight in his past two pre-seasons, as he struggled for fitness.
      At the start of the season he was hampered by a calf injury, but looked to have returned to his best in spells under Zidane.
      Yet his progress was once again hampered after he tested positive for coronavirus in November.
      Just days after his isolation period had ended Hazard was then ruled out for the rest of 2020 after he was forced off during Real’s 2-1 defeat to Alaves.

      The Belgian missed six games with a muscle injury in the same right leg, including the 3-1 El Clasico win against Barcelona back in October.
      Hazard’s latest setback is the TENTH separate problem he’s picked up in the Spanish capital.
      In contrast at Chelsea, Hazard netted 110 times in 352 games across seven seasons, missing just 20 matches through injury.

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      Liverpool ‘plan to go past Man Utd and catch Barcelona and Real Madrid’ at top of club rich-list as FSG eye new deals

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      LIVERPOOL’S owners Fenway Sports Group are reportedly putting plans in place to financially compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      Reds chiefs are already looking at how to make money and boost profits in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

      Liverpool’s principal owner John W. Henry is keen for the club to compete financially with Real Madrid and BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Jurgen Klopp’s side are four points behind Premier League leaders Manchester CityCredit: Rex Features

      The Merseyside outfit have retained a healthy status during the Covid-19 crisis so far, and the club are now looking to turn Anfield into a ‘football destination’.
      Commenting on FSG’s plans for Liverpool to overtake Manchester United in football’s money league, finance expert Kieran Maguire spoke of the Premier League champions’ hopes for the future.
      Speaking on the Liverpool Echo’s Blood Red podcast, he said: “Relative to Real Madrid and Barcelona, Liverpool are in a strong position [because of the pandemic].
      “Liverpool have been at the forefront of digitising the fanbase, finding new ways of engaging with them.

      “Once you engage with them, you can offer them things that might cost money and this is a way of generating extra revenue.”
      Maguire added: “The Premier League TV deal is the most lucrative in the world and they both have huge stadiums which generate a vast amount.
      “A greater proportion of [Barcelona and Real Madrid’s] revenue comes from matchday things than for Liverpool.
      “In terms of seven-day engagement, as well, things like their museums and stadium tours are more lucrative because more money has been invested in them historically.

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      “It is issues of that nature that Liverpool will want to address in due course.”
      Liverpool are fifth in the Deloitte money league – their highest place since the 2001-02 season – after they had an income of £489.9million last term.
      They are above fellow Premier League sides Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham in the top ten list, and now have their eye on catching the Red Devils in fourth.

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      Furious Lionel Messi ‘ready to SUE five Barcelona insiders he thinks were behind leak of £492m contract’

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      LIONEL MESSI is reportedly ready to go to war with the Barcelona hierarchy by suing five ‘suspects’ after his £492million contract was leaked.
      Spanish paper El Mundo sensationally published the full details of Messi’s astronomical deal at the Nou Camp on Sunday.

      Lionel Messi is reportedly ready to sue five Barcelona insiders

      And now new reports in Spain claim a furious Messi is ready to hit back at the people he thinks are behind the leak.
      According to Catalan radio station RAC1, Messi is preparing legal action against five individuals whom he knows had access to the contract.
      The report states they are: Former Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the club’s CEO Oscar Grau, the current interim president Carles Tusquets, ex-vice president Jordi Mestre and current legal chief Roman Gomez Ponti.
      Messi is also reportedly ready for legal action against El Mundo.

      It is the latest fissure in the relationship between Barcelona and their star player, with the Argentine icon almost leaving his boyhood club in the summer.
      He signed the megabucks deal in 2017, and can walk away from the club for nothing this summer.
      The El Mundo report revealed the 33-year-old to be the highest-paid sportsman of all time – with him coining in an eye-watering £123million a year salary.
      This is added to a £102m renewal fee and a loyalty bonus of £69m a year for staying at the Nou Camp, as well as a £3.1m bonus for winning the Champions League.

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      Messi’s contract details were leaked in Spanish paper El Mundo on Sunday
      Messi disputed one of the contract clauses last summer, believing he was free to walk away from the club then amid his fury at the reign of ex-president Bartomeu.
      Bartomeu has already leapt to defend himself against the allegations following his own acrimonious departure from the club.
      He told TV3: “It’s completely false. This is a very serious issue because it’s completely illegal to leak any professional contract to the media.
      “It’s easy to make accusations but this is not a joke and it’s going to end up in court.
      “Messi deserves everything he earns, be that for professional or commercial reasons. Without the pandemic, Barcelona would be more than capable of paying those numbers.”
      Former vice president Mestre has also distanced himself from the scandal, telling Cadena SER: “It surprises me. It’s super confidential. It’s the first time a contract has been leaked and I don’t understand why.
      “I have not spoken with Bartomeu of this subject. I have found out through the press.” 

      Barca CEO Grau has denied any involvement, pointing to ‘many external people’ who could have leaked the details of the deal.
      It is just the latest headache for Nou Camp manager Ronald Koeman, who called on the club to sack the culprit.
      He said: “What has come out is intended to damage him. Messi deserves respect.
      “He has done so much for Spanish football. There are people out to hurt Barcelona and Messi. 
      “If it turns out to be someone on the inside then that is very bad and they should have no future at the club.”
      Barcelona are now conducting their own internal investigation into the leak.

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

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      Horror story of Afghan boy who rose to fame with Lionel Messi plastic bag shirt including Taliban kidnapping attempts

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      YOU may remember the heartwarming story of the the young Afghan boy that met his hero Lionel Messi after he wore a plastic bag with his name on it.
      But you might not know how the incident lead to threats from the Taliban, kidnapping attempts and him being sent to live with his uncle for fear of his life.

      Murtaza Ahmadi went viral in 2016 for wearing a plastic bag with Lionel Messi’s name on itCredit: YouTube / B/R Football

      His brother posted the image on Facebook, leading to worldwide interest in the boyCredit: YouTube / B/R Football

      Murtaza met Lionel Messi in Doha in December 2016 after being flown out by Qatar World Cup officialsCredit: AFP – Getty

      Murtaza Ahmadi shot to fame in January 2016, when at the age of five, he was pictured with a blue and white binbag with ‘Messi 10’ scrawled across it.
      His older brother Hamayoun uploaded the picture on Facebook, with the post quickly going viral, where it caught the attention of the Barcelona star.
      Messi then gifted the child a signed Argentina shirt with his name on as well as a football, but his kind gesture lead to hostility from Ahmadi’s neighbours in Jaghori.
      The fairytale soon turned into a nightmare, as people suspected that just because Messi had been in touch, the family must have received money from the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

      Murtaza’s father Arif told Bleacher Report: “When I first saw the boxes I thought one would have toys for Murtaza and the other dollars, but no, a ball and a shirt.”
      Before adding: “People started asking us if Messi had given us money.
      “There were people who would walk around our house during the night. I was very disturbed.”
      A letter from the Taliban was then sent to their home, where they threatened to kidnap the family, resulting in the Admadi’s filing an asylum request, which was denied.

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      Ahmadi’s neighbours began to suspect Messi sent the family money after he gifted him a signed shirtCredit: EPA

      Hamayoun Ahmadi revealed how his Facebook post about his brother went viralCredit: YouTube / B/R Football

      Ahmadi and his family were sent threats by the Taliban, resulting in them filing an asylum requestCredit: YouTube / B/R Football
      Murtaza and his family were then invited by Qatar World Cup officials to meet Messi in Doha in December 2016 before Barcelona’s friendly against Al Ahli.
      Arif agreed to the meeting in the hope that the footballer could help Murtaza seek asylum in the same way Cristiano Ronaldo helped Syrian refugee Zaid Abdul.
      He stated: “We thought that by going to Doha to meet Messi, maybe he’d be like Ronaldo.
      “We went to Qatar so that Messi could do something for him, but he unfortunately did nothing for Murtaza.”
      Murtaza left Qatar after achieving his dream of meeting his idol, but once again the family were targeted upon their return in Afghanistan.
      The youngster explained: “When I arrived, they said, ‘You have so much money with you, from Messi.'”
      His family were then issued more threats where they claimed they would capture the boy and hold him for ransom.
      After his parents stopped him from going to school as he was repeatedly singled out, Murtaza was sent to live 170 miles away in Kabul with his uncle in the hope he would be safer.

      Murtaza’s father Arif has stated that people stalked their house during the nightCredit: YouTube / B/R Football

      Things again took a turn for the worse once Murtaza returned back from meeting MessiCredit: AFP – Getty

      Murtaza was sent to live with his uncle in Kabul for fear of his safetyCredit: YouTube / B/R Football
      Suddenly, the Taliban’s attacks on Kabul escalated – putting the child in danger once again.
      The ordeal had a huge affect on the boy, with his uncle declaring: “Before he went to Qatar, he was such a happy boy.
      “He used to talk to everyone and be mischievous. Now he doesn’t talk a lot.
      “This kind of situation in other countries could be an opportunity, but for us it was a threat. It shouldn’t have happened in our lives.”
      Murtaza – who rejoined his family last summer – was then asked whether he wishes he never wore the plastic bag.
      To which he said: “I would have worn it, because I love Messi.”

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