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      Real Madrid ace Sergio Ramos impresses Conor McGregor with version of the ‘Billi strut’ after scoring rocket in training

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      CONOR McGREGOR was impressed by Sergio Ramos’ version of his ‘Billi strut’, which he busted out after smashing a shot home during training.
      The Dubliner hailed his ‘bro Sergio’ after Ramos shared the clip and asked for McGregor’s feedback.

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      The Real captain has been banging in some crucial goals during their title run-inCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      McGregor and his famous ‘Billi strut’Credit: AP:Associated Press

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      Credit: @thenotoriousmma

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      Credit: @thenotoriousmma
      While the pair compete in different sports, they share similarly brash approaches with both men being fond of winding up opponents.
      While Ramos has played a central role in Madrid’s title winning efforts, scoring a ridiculous ten goals in the process (albeit many of them were from the penalty spot), McGregor has been away from his sport since January when he destroyed Donald Cerrone.
      He even announced his retirement from MMA last month, although few expect that to stick with him having done so on two previous occasions.
      The latest hint fans received that he would be back in the octagon before too long came from his longtime coach John Kavanagh.

      He shared a throwback photo of the two partying together from 2015 along with their partners Dee Devlin and Orlag Hunter.
      And alongside that he captioned the pic: “5yrs ago. Book ain’t finished.”
      However, he previously admitted that he ‘can’t do s**t’ to convince McGregor to come back to the UFC.

      He said: “Is Conor retired? Yes, he is as far as I can tell. That’s what he said, isn’t it?

      “I can’t convince Conor to do s**t. Conor will tell Conor what he’s gonna do.
      “And who knows? Who knows what’s gonna happen in the future. But, as for now, he’s retired.” More

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      Gareth Bale’s Champions League chances take a hit as Zinedine Zidane axes Welshman from squad

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE axed Gareth Bale from his squad just days after winning La Liga.
      The Frenchman masterminded Real’s 34th La Liga triumph with a 2-1 victory over Villarreal.

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      Gareth Bale has fallen down the pecking order at Real Madrid. The Wales international has been dropped from the side facing Leganes on Sunday

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      Zinedine Zidane’s future at Real Madrid is in question. The Frenchman could be on his way out of the Bernabeu after leading the club to its 34th La Liga titleCredit: AFP or licensors
      But, ahead of the clash with Leganes, Zidane – in his second stint as Bernabeu boss – admitted he is unsure if he will be in the hotseat next season.
      He is only three trophies short of Miguel Munoz’s club record of 14 pieces of silverware – and hopes to add more if his side can overcome a 2-1 deficit against Manchester City in the Champions League next month.
      Bale’s involvement in that tie is in major doubt after Zidane left him out of the 22-man squad for the final league match of the season.
      The Welshman, 31, has played just 100 minutes and been on the pitch in just two of Real’s ten games since the season resumed.

      And four-time Champions League winner Bale cut a distant figure during Real’s title celebrations on Thursday after he was an unused substitute once again.
      But Zidane’s pointed words on his own future could offer a lifeline to the ex-Tottenham ace’s hopes of future game time in Madrid.
      The trophy-laden boss has two years left on his Real contract but has alerted Europe’s biggest clubs by refusing to commit to a long-term stay.

      Zidane said: “I’m here now, but nobody knows what’s going to happen. 
      “That’s why I don’t talk about next year or the year after.
      I’ve got a contract, I feel at home and I’m enjoying what I do. 

      “You never know what’s going to happen in football and that’s why I’m relaxed about my situation. 
      “Things can change from one day to the next in football and I don’t know what’ll happen in the future. 
      “For the time being, I continue to enjoy myself and we’ll see how long it lasts”.

      Fans joke Gareth Bale tried to injure his Real Madrid team-mates as he kicks ankles in bizarre title celebration video More

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      Zidane admits he does not know if he will be at Real Madrid next season

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE’s Real Madrid future is up in the air, with the Frenchman appearing cryptic over whether he will be at the club next season.
      The Bernabeu boss gave few assurances about the chances of him remaining at the helm of the new LaLiga champions. 

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      Zinedine Zidane led Real Madrid to their 34th La Liga title this term but he may not stay on as bossCredit: AFP or licensors
      And the Madrid coach, 48, told journalists he has “no idea what the future holds”, after winning Spain’s top football prize on Thursday. 
      Zidane, who has won 11 trophies during his coaching career at the club, has a contract that runs until 2022 with the club. 
      And the World Cup 98 winner has been talked of a possible “sensational” fit for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. 
      When asked if he’d still be in the Bernabeu hot seat next season Zidane said: “Nobody knows what’s going to happen in the future. 

      “I never talk about next season, or the following year. 
      “I’ve got a contract and I’m happy. You never know what will happen in the future.
      “Things can change overnight in the world of football and I have no idea what the future holds.”
      Zidane’s Real Madrid players reclaimed the LaLiga crown from rivals Barcelona, on Thursday night after a narrow 2-1 win against Villarreal.

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      Zidane (left) and Sergio Ramos helped Madrid reclaim Spain’s top football trophy from Barcelona who won the title last season Credit: Reuters
      It was the club’s first title win since 2016 and the 34th time they’ve become champions of Spain’s top football division. 
      With their league title win in the bag, Real Madrid will be turning their attention to the Champions’ League and tantalising last-16 clash against Manchester City next month.

      We will be back training and preparing for City after the game against Leganes
      Zinedine Zidane

      They currently trail Pep Guardiola’s side 2-1 on aggregate following City’s win at the Bernabeu in March this year. 
      The two sides are due to face each other on August 7 at the Etihad. 
      And Zidane, whose side face La Liga strugglers Leganes on Sunday, is urging his team to keep their intensity ahead of their crunch clash against City. 

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      Real Madrid’s title win means Chelsea are set to receive a huge bonus as part of a clause in Eden Hazard’s (pictured right) contract following his move from the Blues to the BernabeuCredit: Reuters
      Zidane added: “We have to find that motivation. 
      “It’s a league game. When we put on the Real Madrid shirt, we want to win all the games,” he said.
      “That’s the DNA at Real Madrid. It’s a league game, not a friendly, and we want to play well. 
      “I don’t think we’ve got anything to prove. We just want to maintain this positive momentum. 

      “We want to keep pushing and testing ourselves until the very end of the season. 
      “There will be a few days’ rest after the game against Leganes, but the season continues. 
      “We will be back training and preparing for City after the game against Leganes.”

      Watch birthday-boy Gareth Bale’s half-hearted celebrations as Real Madrid win LaLiga title after latest Zinedine Zidane snub More

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      Lionel Messi ranked only SECOND best player at Barcelona by Marca with £108m flop Antoine Griezmann in 18th place

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      LIONEL MESSI was NOT Barcelona’s best player this season.
      That’s according to Spanish newspaper Marca, who rated the Catalans’ squad after losing their La Liga crown to Real Madrid this week.

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      Spanish sports paper Marca ranked Messi second behind goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen as they rated the performances of Barcelona’s squad this season
      Barca’s unusually patchy form saw their bitter rivals overtake them after the coronavirus shutdown – with Messi not shy to criticise his under-performing team-mates.
      Yet, despite 28 goals and 25 assists in 2019/20, Messi missed out on top spot to goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
      Elsewhere in the rankings, last summer’s £108million signing Antoine Griezmann ranks just 18th, after a disappointing debut season at the Camp Nou.
      Luis Suarez meanwhile, places just four spots higher in 14th after struggling with injuries this term.

      Youngsters Riqui Puig, 20, and Ansu Fati, 17, on the other hand, have impressed enough to earn third and fourth place, respectively.
      Madrid-based Marca is the most-read daily newspaper in Spain with a readership of over 2.5 million and pays particular attention to the daily goings-on at Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

      Marca’s Barcelona player rankings 2019-20, according to Marca

      Marc-Andre ter Stegen
      Lionel Messi
      Riqui Puig
      Ansu Fati
      Clement Lenglet
      Frankie de Jong
      Nelson Semedo
      Arturo Vidal
      Sergi Roberto
      Ronald Araujo
      Gerard Pique
      Sergio Busquets
      Arthur
      Luis Suarez
      Jordi Alba
      Ivan Rakitic
      Martin Braithwaite
      Antoine Griezmann
      Neto
      Junior Firpo
      Ousmane Dembele
      Samuel Umtiti

      In 2008, the paper was accused by then-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as Real Madrid’s “vehicle to unsettle players” during the Spanish side’s pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.
      They are also responsible for awarding the Pichichi and Zamora trophies to La Liga’s top goalscorer and best keeper, respectively.

      Real Madrid secured the Spanish title on Thursday night with a 2-1 win over Villarreal while Barcelona fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Osasuna.
      In the aftermath, Messi called out his teammates and accused them of lacking character, citing Champions League collapses against Roma and Liverpool as evidence.
      “I said a while ago that if we carry on like this it will be very hard for us to win the Champions League,” he said.

      “I’m sure the fans are running out of patience because, playing like we have done, and after the Roma and defeats, we’re not giving them anything.
      “We were not expecting this. We didn’t want to end La Liga playing like this, but it kind of reflects how this whole year has gone.”
      Last week the six-time Ballon d’Or winner pressed pause on negotiations over a new contract at Barcelona amid frustration with the club’s hierarchy.

      Lionel Messi tells Sergio Aguero off live on Twitch as he tells Man City star to ‘stop messing around and go see physio’ More

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      Luis Suarez urges Lautaro Martinez to join Barcelona despite Inter Milan striker posing threat to his position

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      LUIS SUAREZ has urged Lautaro Martinez to join Barcelona – even though his own place could be at risk.
      Suarez, 33, is Barcelona’s third-highest goalscorer of all time after bagging his 194th strike earlier this month.

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      Luis Suarez claims Lautaro Martinez would be welcome at BarcelonaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      However, the Uruguayan has been tipped to leave following Barca’s meek surrender of LaLiga to Real Madrid.
      It’s reckoned the Catalan giants are preparing for a huge clear out this summer, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele also at risk.
      And Inter Milan star Martinez, 22, is just one big name being linked with a Nou Camp switch.
      Should the Argentine international move to Catalonia, he would likely replace Suarez as Barcelona’s new No9.

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      Martinez’s arrival could end Suarez’s Nou Camp careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      However, former Liverpool star Suarez – who has spent six years at Barca – says Martinez is more than welcome and would be a great fit.
      Suarez told Sport: “He is a great player, he’s been playing at a great level for Inter.
      “It’s not easy to arrive in Italy from Argentine and show everything that he’s shown in a league as complicated as the Italian one.
      “He’s young and if he comes to Barca we will try and help him to adapt and help him feel comfortable.”

      Unfortunately for Barcelona, Martinez is also attracting interest from Manchester City.

      Like the Spaniards, they too have lost their title and are looking to spend big.
      Pep Guardiola believes Martinez, who has 18 goals in all competitions this term, can be Sergio Aguero’s long-term successor at the Etihad.
      And should Barcelona miss out to City’s riches, they could make a move for Arsenal contract rebel Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang instead.

      ESPN FC discuss Antoine Griezmann’s Barcelona future More

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      Barcelona boss Setien survives crisis talks after Messi demanded changes and will be in charge for Champions League

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      BARCELONA boss Quique Setien is set to survive at the Nou Camp despite crisis talks after skipper Lionel Messi’s outburst.
      Barca lost 2-1 at home to mid-table Osasuna on Thursday night and the reigning La Liga champions surrendered their title to El Clasico rivals Real Madrid.

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      The pressure is mounting on Barcelona boss Quique SetienCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Captain Lionel Messi has called for change at the Nou CampCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Argentine superstar Messi vented his fury in a post-game interview, suggesting things would need to “change a lot” if they are to be competitive ahead of the conclusion of the Champions League in August.
      Pressure has been mounting on Setien’s position after the league was settled with a game to spare.
      And the former Real Betis manager was called into the boardroom for emergency talks with the Catalan giants’ president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Friday night.
      But Standard Sport report the 61-year-old is set to continue and WILL take charge of the team in the Champions League.

      Barca are set to play Napoli in the second leg of their last 16 tie next month.
      The Blaugrana came away from the first leg in Naples with a 1-1 draw courtesy of Antoine Griezmann’s second-half equaliser.
      If they progress past Gennaro Gattuso’s side then they are likely to face Bayern Munich.
      The German champs have a 3-0 lead over Chelsea going into their last 16 second leg and are heavy favourites to progress into the quarter-finals.

      Barca travel to Alaves on Sunday in their last league game with nothing tangible to play for.
      But Setien will have to gee up his squad to deliver a performance with his neck potentially on the line.
      Players will train on Monday and Tuesday before being given five days off before they return to European action.

      Watch Lionel Messi IGNORE Barcelona No2 as row with coaches rages on and boss Setien now set to leave after bust-up More

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      Spanish goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas returns to Real Madrid just over a year after suffering heart attack at Porto

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      REAL MADRID legend Iker Casillas is returning to the Bernabeu just over a year since having a heart attack in training.
      The football world was left stunned when the Spaniard was hospitalised after collapsing during a Porto training session.

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      Iker Casillas is set to make an emotional return to Real MadridCredit: PA:Press Association
      Thankfully he managed to make a full recovery – but did not play another game for the Portuguese giants.
      Now, although he has not officially announced his retirement from football, the 39-year-old is returning ‘home’.
      Marca reports that he will work as an advisor to club president Florentino Perez – which will come as a surprise to many.
      The pair had a bitter fall-out back in 2015 that led to Casillas leaving the club.

      He was forced to hold his own press conference announcing the news, where he broke down in tears.
      But the pair have clearly patched things up and his exact position “will be further defined in the coming weeks”.
      The shot-stopper made 725 appearances for Real Madrid in his 16-year spell at the club, claiming three Champions League and five La Liga titles.

      He also triumphed at THREE major tournaments in a row with Spain, winning Euro 2008 and 2012 as well as the 2010 World Cup.
      Casillas then joined Porto in 2015, where he won the league title and a domestic cup.
      But the legendary Spanish goalkeeper was rushed to hospital following a health scare to undergo life-saving surgery in May last year.

      Emotional Iker Casillas posts heartfelt message to fans after being released from hospital following heart attack More

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      Barcelona boss Setien fears he could be sacked BEFORE Champions League restarts after losing out on LaLiga title

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      QUIQUE SETIEN fears he could face the chop before Barca face off with Napoli in the Champions League next month.
      The Nou Camp boss admitted his doubts after his side’s shock 2-1 defeat at home to Osasuna while Real bagged their first LaLiga title since 2016/17 with a win against Villareal.

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      Barcelona’s head coach Quique Setien fears he could be axed before his side’s Champions League clash with Napoli
      Barcelona captain Lionel Messi blasted his team-mates after they lost the title to their rivals.
      The Argentine superstar dubbed them “weak” and “erratic” and cast doubt over their chances of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.
      Setien backed his skipper’s comments and reckons Barca are in need of a major shake up before they host Napoli on August 8.   
      As reported by Spanish outlet Marca, he said: “I am responsible for our situation, as I am the manager of the team,

      “I hope we will face the Champions League this summer as a different team, but I am not sure about what happens next for me.
      “I agree with the post match comments from Lionel Messi about self-criticism, and we must look at ourselves in the coming weeks.”

      And in a scathing post-match interview, Messi, 33, said: “We didn’t want to end the season like this but it represents how the season has gone.
      “We were a very erratic, very weak, low-intensity team. We lost a lot of points and today’s game is a summary of the season.

      “We have to be self-critical. Starting with the players but doing a global self-criticism.
      “We are Barca and we have to win everything.
      “We can’t look at Madrid. Madrid have done their job, but we have helped them a lot.”
      And Messi also cast doubt over Barca’s ability to reach the last eight of the Champions League.
      They drew 1-1 at Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 tie before lockdown and have to beat the Italians or draw 0-0 in the home leg on August 8 to progress.
      Messi added: “If we want to win the Champions League, we have to change a lot. If we continue like this, we will lose the game against Napoli.”
      “We have to change lots of things.”
      Barca will face Chelsea or Bayern Munich in the next round if they beat Napoli.
      Though it is likely to be the Germans who won 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
      Setien only took the top job from Ernesto Valverde in January but reports have claimed that Nou Camp stars ‘do not see the Spaniard capable of managing, training or running’ Barca.

      Barcelona aces are even said to have doubted Setien’s ability since his first defeat, 2-0 at Valencia on January 25.
      They went into the coronavirus lockdown two points clear of Madrid at the top of the table, with 11 games to go but their form dwindled after the restart.
      Whereas Los Blancos won all 10 of their games after the coronavirus break.

      Lionel Messi scores 700th goal with panenka vs Atletico Madrid More