La Liga

SPAIN legend Joaquin is ready to become a bullfighter after hanging up his boots.The former Real Betis star retired in April last year at the grand old age of 41.
Joaquin has been training with bullfightersCredit: Getty
He has since moved upstairs and has a role at board level, though cheekily lured fans into thinking he had returned to playing just before the new year with a traditional festive prank in the press.
Joaquin has been busy in retirement and intends to stay that way, with the former winger training almost daily with bullfighters.
He is now preparing for his first event, which takes place in his home town El Puerto de Santa María according to Spanish outlet AS.
Joaquin has had a passion for bullfighting for several years and even invited several matadors to his wedding.
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His uncle took him to classes to train to be a bullfighter when he was growing up, but football took over as Joaquin dedicated his time to Real Betis’ academy.
He ended up making 528 appearances for the LaLiga side over two spells.
And towards the end of his second stint at the club he celebrated a goal against Osasuna by dancing with a cape “borrowed” from legendary bullfighter Francisco Rivera Ordonez.
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His team-mate Dani remarked: “Joaquin was the one leading the way in the celebrations.
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“That is the way he is — with his jokes and everything. We had a very good time, as we always did. The truth is Joaquin would make a very good bullfighter.” More

JUDE BELLINGHAM has reportedly parted ways with his live-in chef Alberto Mastromatteo.The pair linked up at the beginning of the season with Mastromatteo having a reputation for transforming the diet of former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Jude Bellingham has reportedly parted company with his live-in chefCredit: Rex
Bellingham, left, lives with his mum Denise in MadridCredit: Instagram
The chef lived with Bellingham and his mother in Madrid but the pair have allegedly decided to relieve Mastromatteo of his duties, report Spanish outlet Relevo.
Mastromatteo’s company Summumm looks after the physical and mental well-being of various top athletes around the world, including Bellingham’s team-mate Eduardo Camavinga.
He is understood to put his clients on a diet consisting of rice, oats, quinoa, fresh vegetables, fish and some lean meat.
But the chef also believes in maintaining player morale and occasionally offers up chips or tortilla if necessary.
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However Bellingham and his mum Denise are reported to have disagreed with his methods.
Denise is a big influence on the England star, with Bellingham admitting she is to thank for much of his success.
He said: “The role my mum is playing is massive.
“I think at the minute it is probably the biggest role of anyone, even probably more than my coaches and managers, to be honest.”
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Bellingham lives separately from his father Mark as he keeps a close eye on his brother Jobe, but the family were re-united over Christmas.
Bellingham returned to England and even took in some Sunderland matches to watch his brother in action for the Black Cats. More

MANCHESTER UNITED loanee Mason Greenwood was shown a straight red card for dissent during Getafe’s La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano this evening.The forward was sent off just after half time, with Getafe trailing 2-0 and already down to ten men.
Mason Greenwood was sent off during a match against Rayo VallecanoCredit: EPA
The forward was shown a red card for dissentCredit: Getty

After appealing for a foul, Greenwood was seen shouting at the referee.
The official then immediately showed him a red card while pointing to the dugout.
Reports in Spain suggest Greenwood shouted “f*** off”, in English, towards the official.
After the match, Getafe manager Jose Bordalas revealed that the ex-Man Utd star was sent off for saying “No me jodas” – a Spanish translation of the insult.
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Greenwood’s dismissal saw Getafe go down to nine men.
Juanmi Latasa was sent off in the 40th minute after receiving a second yellow card.
Getafe then went down to eight midway through the second half when Damian Suarez saw red.
Rayo Vallecano took the lead on the brink of half time thanks to a goal from Sergio Camello.
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The striker scored again just after the break to double his team’s advantage.
Greenwood had started the match on the right wing before being sent off.
The 22-year-old has scored five goals and provided four assists in 15 games for Getafe since joining on loan from Man Utd at the start of the season.
He is now being linked with a huge summer transfer.
SunSport revealed last week that Barcelona want to sign him in a £40million deal.
The La Liga giants are also willing to give him Lionel Messi’s iconic No10 shirt.
Atletico Madrid are also understood to be interested. More

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI’S stunning wife Anna stole the show on New Year’s Eve.That’s by seeing in 2024 in a daring braless dress.
Robert Lewandowski’s wife Anna donned a braless dress for New Year’s EveCredit: INSTAGRAM @_RL9 @annalewandowska
Anna showed plenty of leg to see in 2024Credit: INSTAGRAM @_RL9 @annalewandowska
Anna, 35, is a fitness guru and medal-winning karate practitioner who is married to Barcelona striker Lewandowski, 35.
The Polish pair have two children together.
And they regularly delight followers with their wholesome snaps on social media.
However, Anna turned heads for a different reason on Sunday night.
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The glamorous brunette and Lewandowski saw in 2024 in a scenic setting.
And Anna was the star of the show as she donned a daring braless dress.
The silver outfit also revealed plenty of leg.
And Lewandowski could not stop himself from smiling as they cosied up for some incredible snaps.
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The striker put on a smart display himself, wearing a blazer and white shirt as well as jeans.
Fans were certainly impressed by the glitzy couple.
One said: “Happy New Year my dears.”
Another declared: “The perfect NYE doesn’t exist…”
One noted: “I love them.”
Another added: “You are the best.”
See more of Anna’s glamorous lifestyle below…
Anna and Lewandowski share two children togetherCredit: Instagram @annalewandowska
The Polish ace is a fitness influencerCredit: Instagram @annalewandowska
She also works as a karate conditionerCredit: Instagram @annalewandowska
Anna has lots of fans on social mediaCredit: Instagram @annalewandowska
She regularly posts saucy snapsCredit: Instagram @annalewandowska
Anna is not shy of the cameraCredit: instagram.com/annalewandowska
She has a legion of followersCredit: Instagram @annalewandowska
Anna and Lewandowksi make for a wholesome coupleCredit: Instagram @annalewandowska
The pair are enjoyig their time in SpainCredit: Instagram @annalewandowska More

JUDE BELLINGHAM is allegedly breaking LaLiga rules as he follows in Gareth Bale’s footsteps.The England superstar has made an incredible start to life at the Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham has been breaking a LaLiga clothing rule at Real MadridCredit: Getty
The star cuts holes in the back of his socks like a number of other top starsCredit: The Times
Bellingham, 20, moved to Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in a £115m deal but he is already looking to be a bargain buy.
The midfielder has already scored 17 times in his first 21 matches and is well on his way to achieving legendary status.
However, for a number of years he has followed the trend of many other footballing talents by cutting holes in the back of his socks.
He cuts the gap at the back of his thigh, similar to how five-time Champions League winner Bale did while at Madrid.
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But now Spanish publication AS states that is actually not technically allowed in LaLiga.  
Players are not supposed to play with ripped socks, shorts or shirts.

However, chiefs “turn a blind eye” as they are “aware of the medical chaos” implementing the rule and forcing players to wear a full sock.
Bellingham’s England team-mate Bukayo Saka has also been spotted with holes in his socks as the trend continues across the beautiful game.
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Socks can prove to be restrictive causing difficulties with effective blood flow and circulation.
That is why players make the gaps in order to avoid injury to their bulging calves during matches.
The holes allow the tension in their legs to be released.
And that helps to prevent them from picking up muscle problems or cramp. More