La Liga

IT was the mother of all predictions that still brings a tear to the eye of Marco Asensio two decades down the line.A bold-as-brass prophecy from his biggest fan, before he was even at the baby-steps stage of a career which took him to the European summit.Marco Asensio has been a revelation for Aston Villa since his loan move from PSGCredit: REXAsensio became a global name during his trophy-laden stint with Real MadridCredit: AFPThe Spain international joined Real from Mallorca in December 2014Credit: GETTYAsensio’s late mother, Maria, told Florentino Perez her son would be a Real star when he was nine years oldCredit: AlamyAnd ultimate proof that mums DO know best — as a trophy cabinet packed with football’s most glittering prizes testifies.If Aston Villa fans get their way, any more medals that the Spanish forward wins will be done in the claret and blue shirt of Unai Emery’s men.For it has taken Asensio, 29, just three months to become a cult hero to Villa supporters, 18 games and nine starts after arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.He has eight goals already, all celebrated with a look to the heavens, in memory of the mum who once told Real Madrid’s president that Marco would be a Bernabeu superstar.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAsensio was only nine, yet she knew her son had a gift — and was quick to tell Florentino Perez in their chance meeting at Puerto Portals in Mallorca.Maria and husband Gilberto had taken the family to see the luxury yachts in the marina and after spotting Perez on his boat, asked for a picture.Yet before heading off, she told the Real guv’nor to look at the pint-sized kid next to her, as one day he would pull on the most famous white shirt in football.While Perez simply smiled, Maria had no doubts. Neither did a man who was blown away from the day Asensio arrived at tiny Mallorcan club Platges de Calvia two years earlier.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJuan Pericas, a youth coach at the Spanish fifth-tier outfit, soon had the same conviction as Marco’s mum. He still chuckles at what she said to Perez.Marco Asensio scores a brilliant flicked goal in Real Madrid training Pericas revealed: “They asked Florentino for a photo and then his mother said, ‘You see this little boy? “‘He is my son Marco. One day he will play for Real Madrid and be very successful’.“That’s why, the day that Marco signed for Real, he cried like a child. He remembered his mother’s premonition.“He was seven when he joined us, an age when very few kids know what to do with the ball.“But he played with his head up and always made the right decision.“In his first season, he scored 64 goals and had 30 assists.“That was a huge thing for someone so young to have those stats.”Sadly, Maria never got to see her son at the Bernabeu, as she tragically passed away through cancer when he was just 15 and a youth player at Mallorca.Almost immediately, he was playing two categories above his age group, standing out against boys older and stronger.Before long, LaLiga’s big two were sniffing around — and when Real agreed to pay €4million in one hit for the 18-year-old, letting Mallorca keep him for the season, that swayed it.Marco has told me many times his mother is still his source of inspiration and he plays every match in her memory.”Juan Pericas on Marco Asensio’s late motherBarcelona missed out as they wanted the fee in four instalments — and Asensio was on the road to three Champions League wins in nearly a decade.And every golden moment was celebrated with a point to the heavens in tribute to the woman he says will always be his driving force.Just as they were when he left for Paris a couple of seasons ago — and since moving to the Midlands in February.Pericas added: “Marco has told me many times his mother is still his source of inspiration and he plays every match in her memory. “She left an indelible impact and lives on through Marco.“He has spoken many times of his desire to make her proud on every occasion.“That’s why, each time Marco scores, he celebrates by looking up at the sky. Every goal is dedicated to Maria.”Villa fans would love to see him bagging plenty more for them and they are urging Emery to pay the £12.5million or so that it would cost to make his move permanent this summer.Read More on The SunAnd Pericas is equally convinced that the two are a perfect fit.He added: “Marco is loving it in England. If everything can be worked out, it would be a great move for both of them.” More

XAVI has been getting it in the neck from his wife for the amount of football he’s been watching during his unemployment.The legendary Spanish midfielder has been spending more time with his other half since his reign as Barcelona manager came to an end last May.Xavi Hernandez was brutally sacked by Barcelona last MayCredit: GETTYThe Spaniard has been using his unemployment to spend more time with his wife, Nuria CunilleraCredit: GETTYCunillera has been frustrated by the amount of football Xavi has been watchingCredit: EPAHis Nou Camp axing, however, hasn’t dampened his passion for the game, which he still watches daily.But wife, Nuria Cunillera, is getting annoyed with the number of games he’s watching and vented her frustrations during United’s epic Europa League quarter-final second-leg comeback against Lyon last month.The 45-year-old said of his unemployment in an interview with The Athletic: “I still love football, it’s my passion. I’m watching it 24 HOURS [a day].”My wife complains to me: ‘Again!’ she says. ‘Yes but it’s the Europa League,’ I reply. Did you see the game between Man United and Lyon?READ MORE ON MAN UTD”It was 4-2 to Lyon. I was thinking, ‘Oh no. Very difficult now for Amorim!’ And then, 10 minutes later, it was incredible.”“The maximum number of games I’ve watched in one day was EIGHT. I like to analyse teams.”I might put into my computer ‘Atalanta’ and then watch them four games in a row. Why?”Because I might be interested to see what [Gian Piero] Gasperini is doing.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSXavi’s wife was annoyed when her husband watched Manchester United’s epic comeback against Lyon last monthCredit: GETTY”Man to man, 90-minute duels for every player, that’s why they sign strong, physical players. Or (Roberto) De Zerbi at Marseille.”Or Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest. I love to see the different styles of football and what coaches are doing.”Xavi to leave BarcelonaXavi was replaced at the Nou Camp helm by Hansi Flick, who this season guided the Catalan club to the Champions League semi-finals.And despite the brutal nature of his axing, his family still very much loves the club.He said: “My children love the team; my son adores Lamine Yamal and Pedri.”While my daughter follows Raphinha and [Robert] Lewandowski, we live the atmosphere of Barcelona in all its details.”We watch the first team and the women’s team matches; people think I am sad after my departure.”But I am proud of what Flick is doing and happy with the team’s level.” More

REAL MADRID are preparing another attack on Anfield, with another Liverpool star in their sights.Los Blancos have a verbal agreement with the Reds’ right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to join the Spanish side on a free transfer this summer.Trent Alexander-Anrold is on his way to MadridCredit: PAThe La Liga outfit are trying to add the Englishman to their ranks before they jet off to the United States for the Club World Cup.Now, with one Liverpool defender (almost) signed, Real are lining up another. Furthermore, it would mean that they have decimated half of Arne Slot’s four-man defence, and the entirety of the right side of his quartet.The man in question is Ibrahima Konate, who Madrid are keeping a watchful eye on as the Frenchman’s contract ticks down at Anfield. Read more footballKonate, 25, moved to Merseyside in 2021 from RB Leipzig and has made 129 appearances for the club. However, there is uncertainty over the French international’s future at Liverpool, with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season. Madrid lay in wait for Alexander-Arnold, piling on the pressure as the season wore on, with the climax being a £20 million offer to sign him immediately back in January. That bid was swiftly rebuffed by Slot’s side, but it played a crucial part in the England right-back refusing to budge on his position, indicating that he wanted to make the switch to Spain.Most read in FootballIbrahima Konate is the next man to be linked with a Spanish switchCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKShould Madrid make their interest in Konate more concrete, they would be looking to add him to ranks that need bolstering. Antonio Rudiger, another freebie signed from the Premier League, ruptured his mensicus last month and will be out for around six to eight weeks.Trent Alexander-Arnold announces he is leaving Liverpool after 20 years in emotional video LiverpoolIn the meantime, natural central midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has had to deputise in the heart of defence, with manager Carlo Ancelotti not keen to trust former Wolves defender Jesus Vallejo. Raul Asencio, 22, has emerged as a reliable first-team option, particularly in the absence of the injury-ridden David Alaba on the left side of the central pairing, while Eder Militao has been a long-term miss with a torn ACL. More