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      Eto’o blasts ‘disrespectful’ France Football for listing him in 10 top best right-wingers ever with Messi and Beckham

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      SAMUEL ETO’O has hit out at ‘disrespectful’ France Football for naming him in their top ten right-wingers of all time.
      The legendary Cameroonian striker played the majority of his iconic career up-front and he is not happy being labelled a right-winger alongside David Beckham and Lionel Messi.

      Samuel Eto’o was fuming over his inclusion as a right winger in France Football’s nominees for greatest footballers of all time

      France Football run the historic Ballon d’Or award but bizarrely cancelled it this year because of coronavirus.
      And in its place they are attempting to collate the best XI players of all time.
      The formation is a 3-4-3 with a pool of iconic final nominees for the panel of 170 international journalists to choose from.

      But having whittled each position down to a list of ten, France Football’s editorial staff have come in for some flack from ex-Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan star Eto’o.
      Having seen himself included as a right-winger, Eto’o tweeted: “Thank you but I played one or two seasons on the right yet I have 25 years of career as a centre-forward.
      “The lack of respect @FranceFootball.
      “WHATEVER!”

      Eto’o was joined on the list by nine other iconic superstars of the ages.

      Beckham and Messi lined up next to Manchester United legend George Best, Liverpool hero Kevin Keegan and Brazilian icons from the 50s, 60s and 70s Garrincha and Jairzinho.
      Stanley Matthews completed the list of historic names with his career that spanned from 1932-1965.
      Before more modern stars from the early 90s and beyond were included.
      Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Holland magician Arjen Robben and Portuguese poster boy Luis Figo completed the list.
      Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski was in line to scoop this year’s Ballon d’Or after leading his team to an incredible Bundesliga and Champions League double.

      Patrice Evra eats cooked chicken in bizarre ‘upgrade’ to infamous video of Man Utd legend licking raw meat More

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      Tottenham flop Roberto Soldado tests positive for coronavirus as he reveals he is ‘really upset’ to miss Granada clashes

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      FORMER Spurs striker Roberto Soldado is the latest footballer to test positive for coronavirus.
      The 35-year-old, who now plays for LaLiga side Granada, is self-isolating at home.

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      Granada striker Roberto Soldado (left) tested positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      His club confirmed the positive result following squad tests yesterday as part of UEFA protocol ahead of the Spanish side’s away match against PSV at the start of the Europa League group phase.
      Granada’s training facilities have been disinfected as a precaution.
      Soldado, who scored just seven goals in 52 appearances for Spurs after signing for a £26million record fee from Valencia in August 2013, said in a social media statement: “I want to tell you I’ve tested positive for Covid.
      “I’m really upset not to be able to join my team-mates in the next few special games.
      “I’m feeling fine and from my home I will support the team just like any other fan.
      “I’m already counting down the days until my return.”
      The club confirmed in a statement: “We would like to confirm that after the scheduled Covid tests conducted as part of UEFA protocol, a positive result for one of the first-team players came back.
      “That player is Roberto Soldado. He’s not showing any symptoms of the virus and is self-isolating at home and his progress is being followed constantly by the club’s medical staff.”

      Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Italy after testing positive for coronavirus More

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      Five stars who quit Real Madrid to become world class after James Rodriguez rejuvenation including Robben and Makelele

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      JAMES RODRIGUEZ, Claude Makelele and Arjen Robben are just three players that have seen their careers improve after departing Real Madrid.
      Playing for the 13-time European champions is usually seen as the pinnacle of a footballer’s career, however the trio have shown that leaving the Bernabeu is sometimes for the better.

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      James Rodriguez has starred at Everton after leaving Real Madrid in the summerCredit: PA:Press Association

      Here SunSport looks at five players that have thrived since leaving Real.
      JAMES RODRIGUEZ
      The Colombian playmaker linked up with Everton in the summer on an initial two-year deal, with Toffees bringing him in on a free transfer.
      Everton look like a team transformed with the ex-Monaco ace in their starting XI, with James chipping in with three goals and four assists in six outings.
      His stunning form has led Madrid chiefs to become angry with Zinedine Zidane over his treatment at the player.

      It may be early in his Everton career, but he has arguably been the Premier League’s top performer so far this term.

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      Rodriguez has scored three goals in six games for the Toffees this termCredit: Reuters
      CLAUDE MAKELELE
      Another player that swapped LaLiga for the English top-flight, the defensive midfielder left for Chelsea in 2003.
      During his three season stay at Real, he won the league twice, while also winning the Champions League, Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup.
      He was then instrumental in Chelsea’s title-winning campaigns in 2005 and 2006.

      Makelele left Stamford Bridge in 2008 to join Paris Saint-Germain after five trophy-laden campaigns, where he had his position named after him in honour of his dazzling displays.

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      Claude Makelele (right) joined Real Madrid in 2000 from Celta VigoCredit: AP:Associated Press
      ARJEN ROBBEN
      Signed from Chelsea in 2007, the Dutch forwad helped Madrid win LaLiga in his opening season, before notching in eight goals the following campaign.
      In the summer of 2009 he was forced out after the club brought in Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, with Bayern Munich signing him for £21million.
      And it was in Bavaria that he became one of the most feared wingers in Europe as he banged in 144 goals in 309 games.
      He called time on his career in Germany in 2019 after winning the Bundesliga title eight times, the Champions League once and the German Cup five times.
      Robben sits eighth on the list of Bayern’s all-time top goalscorers.

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      Arjen Robben spent two years at the Bernabeu before moving to Bayern MunichCredit: Reuters
      CLARENCE SEEDORF
      Like Robben, Seedorf was forced out of the club in 1999 with the club in dire need of funds.
      Seedorf won the LaLiga title as well as the Champions League at the Bernabeu, but there was no room for sentiment as they offloaded him to Italy.
      Speaking of his move to Inter Milan, he said: “The club needed money, and I was the highest ticket.”
      He then joined AC Milan in a swap deal with Francesco Coco leaving to join Inter, and it was with the Rossoneri that the midfielder created history.
      After winning the Champions League in 2003 with Milan, he became the first person to win the European Cup with three different teams – the first being at Ajax in 1995.
      In 2007 he won the trophy again after Milan beat Liverpool 2-1, and in doing so, he was named as Uefa’s best midfielder.
      He left Milan in 2012 having scored 63 times in 431 games, where he also helped the club win the Serie A title twice.

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      Clarence Seedorf was sold to Inter Milan in 1999 with the club struggling for fundsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      WESLEY SNEIJDER
      Another Dutchman that was shown the door by Real, the ex-Ajax maestro was deemed as surplus to requirements in 2009 following the arrivals of Kaka and Xabi Alonso.
      He subsequently joined Inter, where he won a historic treble in his first season.
      No other player assisted more times in the Champions League during the 2009-10 campaign, with Sneijder also named as Uefa’s Midfielder of the Year.
      That summer he helped Holland reach the World Cup final where they lost to Spain.
      As a result of his performances, he was awarded the Silver Ball after scoring five goals during the tournament in South Africa.

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      Wesley Sneijder played for Los Blancos between 2007-2009Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Man Utd star Paul Pogba confirms he’d like Real Madrid transfer ‘one day’ but insists he’s happy at Old Trafford More

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      Man Utd transfer blow as Erling Haaland ‘prefers Real Madrid move’ from Dortmund with release clause activating in 2022

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND striker Erling Haaland reportedly favours a move to Real Madrid ahead of Manchester United.
      The 20-year-old has continued his goalscoring exploits this season having banged in five goals in six games for the Bundesliga outfit.

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      Erling Haaland has no shortage of suitors should he decide to leave Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And according to ABC, the ex-Red Bull Salzburg star is prioritising a move to the Bernabeu when he eventually departs Germany.

      They state that he is keen to play alongside Norwegian compatriot Martin Odegaard at Los Blancos.
      Relations between BVB and Real are understood to be excellent, with Dortmund signing Achraf Hakimi and Reinier Jesus on loan in recent campaigns.
      Haaland is believed to have a £65million release clause in his contract which will be active in 2022.

      United have retained their interest in the player having lost out to Dortmund in January when they brought him in from Austria.
      And they are also facing competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race to secure Haaland’s services.
      But it is Real that are in pole position to sign him, as they look to partner him alongside Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappe.
      The LaLiga champions are desperate to land both strikers as well as Rennes starlet Eduardo Camavinga in a £261m splurge.

      Despite many labelling Haaland as the complete striker, the player himself has insisted he must be more clinical in front of goal.
      Haaland fired in 44 goals last season for Dortmund and Salzburg, though he has stressed he should have scored half a century.
      Speaking to local Dortmund newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten, Haaland said: “My finishing needs to improve, I need to be more clinical, more ruthless.
      “I also need to get better in linking up with my team-mates. I know that.
      “I watch replays of my goals quite a lot, I’m constantly trying to learn more about goalscoring.
      “I don’t only watch the goals I score, I watch other players’ as well – how and where do they score, what’s their position before the ball arrives, how do they move?
      “I analyse all these little details that could help me to score more goals. So I’ve watched all 44 of my goals from last season quite a lot.
      “I actually think about all the chances I missed, I could easily have scored over 50 goals last season.”

      Erling Haaland will be the best striker in the world More

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      Zidane holds crisis talks with senior Real Madrid stars after shock loss to newly-promoted Cadiz

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      ZINEDINE Zidane held crisis talks with his senior Real Madrid stars after the shock loss to newly-promoted Cadiz, according to reports.
      The La Liga champions were left stunned after a 1-0 home defeat thanks to Anthony Lozano’s goal.

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      Zidane was left unhappy after a shock loss brought their three game winning run to an endCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It left boss Zidane to round up the senior players and hold crunch talks ahead of a busy schedule with the Champions League returning this week.
      Spanish outlet Marca report that the words ‘intensity’ and ‘attitude’ were used frequently as Zizou grilled his stars on their underperformance.
      Real’s stars including big hitters like Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric made their displeasure at the display clear.
      Players and staff reportedly agreed on the analysis of the loss and the need to have more intensity.

      Rivals Barcelona also fell to defeat later on Saturday evening when they were humbled at Getafe.
      Jaime Mata converted from the penalty spot after 56 minutes and the home side managed to hold on for the win.
      It sets up a fascinating El Clasico next week at the Nou Camp.

      Before that, Madrid host Shakhtar Donetsk on Matchday 1 in the Champions League.

      The Cadiz defeat put a dampener on what had otherwise been a steady start to the season for Zidane’s team.
      After a goalless draw with Real Sociedad, they managed consecutive wins against Real Betis, Valladolid and Levante.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘got Real Madrid youngster Manu Hernando axed’ for flooring now-Juventus star in training

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO got Real Madrid youngster Manu Hernando axed for flooring the Portuguese superstar in a training session, according to reports in Spain. 
      The Spanish 22-year-old has never been called into a first-team training session since taking out the Bernabeu legend two years ago.

      In the final stretch of the 2017-18 season, Zinedine Zidane’s side were going strong in the Champions League despite struggling in LaLiga.
      A routine training session was taking place in Valdebebas when the Frenchman split his squad into two teams for small practice games.
      All hell broke loose when Ronaldo and Hernando both went to pounce on a loose ball.
      According to Marca, the Real academy starlet arrived late and his challenge sent the Portuguese ace crashing to the ground.

      Ronaldo reportedly let rip at the youngster but Hernando held his hands up and apologised, so the game continued.
      That was the 22-year-old’s final session with the first-team and boss Zidane never called on him to participate again.

      Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly banished a Real Madrid youngster for flooring him in trainingCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Ronaldo left the following summer for Juventus after nine years at Real, during which time he won LaLiga twice, the Champions League three times and the Copa del Rey twice.
      In January 2020, Hernando went out on loan to Racing Santander where he became a regular starter and his contract with Los Blancos comes to an end next year.

      This term, he has been shipped out to SD Ponferradina in the Spanish second tier.

      Cristiano Ronaldo shares adorable video of him playing football with young family in self isolation melting fans hearts More

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      Gareth Bale accused of rejecting wage cut while Real Madrid team-mates DID agree to drop salaries

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      GARETH Bale has been accused of rejecting a wage cut during the height of the coronavirus pandemic – while his Real Madrid team-mates did agree to have their salaries slashed.
      The winger was reportedly making £650,000-a-week while in Spain, despite often being left out of the squad during his turbulent final few years at the club.

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      Spurs’ new winger was delighted to be back at the club where he made his nameCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Reports this morning say he was the only player out of the entire Madrid squad who refused any sort of pay cut as the Spanish side were plunged into financial chaos due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
      It is claimed the whole team were in agreement over a wage reduction – apart from Bale.
      The Welshman’s representatives reportedly advised him to stop the club slashing any part of his enormous wage packet.
      According to Spanish outlet Marca, despite Sergio Ramos and Zinedine Zidane’s best efforts to liaise with the players about helping the club, Bale was having none of it.

      The 31-year-old star had a difficult relationship with his French boss and the club’s fans, but it is not known if that directly factored into his alleged decision-making.
      The other players – and some staff – who did forfeit 10 per cent of the wages helped the club save 50million euros (£45m).
      Bale became the world’s most expensive footballer when he signed for the Spanish giants in 2013.
      The hefty wages he was on before he left meant he would’ve been earning around £24m a year while at Madrid.

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      Gareth Bale showed off his football – and basketball – skills in training this weekCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He returned to Tottenham last month, but injury has delayed his second debut at the club.
      The winger could make an appearance against West Ham this afternoon.
      He joins a front three which already includes world-class talents Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, which some pundits say is as good as any strike force in the league.

      Gareth Bale tears up Tottenham training and scores wonder goal leaving fans drooling about first game back More

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      Barcelona suffer shock loss as Griezmann blasts easy chance over bar and Koeman claims he was abused by Getafe player

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      BARCELONA slipped to a shock 1-0 defeat to Getafe and blew their chance to take advantage of Real Madrid’s surprise loss earlier in the day.
      It was the first defeat of Ronald Koeman’s reign and a result that left the Catalan giants ninth in LaLiga after four games played.

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      Antoine Griezmann missed a great chanceCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Ronald Koeman claims he was abused during the matchCredit: AP:Associated Press

      The result will go down as a major failure to capitalise on Real Madrid’s 1-0 home defeat to newly promoted Cadiz.
      And it will be made all the more frustrating when they look back at Antoine Griezmann’s missed chance when the scores were level at 0-0.
      The Frenchman, who has a rocky relationship with new boss Koeman, had the opportunity to silence the talk of disquiet behind the scenes when he was put through on goal.
      But with only the goalkeeper to beat, the World Cup winner lashed the ball over the bar.

      That 30th minute missed chance was punished by Getafe when their striker Jaime Mata buried a 56th minute penalty to win the game.
      Lionel Messi meanwhile hit the post for Barcelona.

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      Griezmann was put through on goal in the 30th minute

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      But he blew it, sending his shot over the bar

      The evening was even worse for Koeman who claims to have been abused by Getafe player Allan Nyom.
      The Barcelona boss was seen angrily approaching Getafe manager Jose Bordalas after the final whistle and it was revealed later it was due to Nyom saying “ugly things” to him.

      Koeman said: “Nyom insulted me, he showed a lot of disrespect.
      “I will not accept that. We can’t let that happen in the modern game.
      “I will not repeat it, no, but it was very ugly (what he said).”
      Barcelona’s defeat comes amid fresh reports that Lionel Messi will not be sticking around beyond this season with the club reportedly resigned to losing him to Man City.
      Barca and Real Madrid meet next Saturday for the first El Clasico of the season.

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      Messi couldn’t hide his frustrationCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Allan Nyom is the one accused of abusing KoemanCredit: Getty Images – Getty More