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      My dad was a World Cup-winning one-club legend, now I’m making my own way in a different country

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      CRISTIAN TOTTI is making his own way as he looks to live up to the legend of his famous Dad, Francesco.Like his father, Cristian is a forward that came through the ranks at Roma, but their career arcs have already branched apart.
      Francesco Totti with his daughters Isabel, Chanel, ex-wife Ilary and son Cristian as he saluted fans after his final Roma gameCredit: AP
      Francesco and his son Cristian took in a Roma game against Bayer Leverkusen in 2023Credit: Getty
      While Francesco spent his entire career in the Eternal City, Cristian left for pastures new when he turned 18, joining Frosinone’s youth side.
      After making three appearances in Serie A’s youth league, the Primavera, Cristian has made an eye catching loan transfer to Rayo Vallecano.
      Vallecano, the suburban Madrid side overshadowed by the much more famous Real, are renowned for their brand of direct attacking football in LaLiga.
      They were managed by Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola until the start of this season, and his replacement, Francisco Rodriguez, has the club sat mid-table in the league on a shoestring budget.
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      Even in joining the club, there is an echo of Cristian’s father’s past.
      Francesco Totti wrote in The Observer that a move to Madrid that was mooted in 2005 would have made him the highest paid player in the world by some distance.
      He said that it was the most his loyalties to Roma had ever been tested in his career, but that he ultimately chose to remain loyal to his boyhood club – where he would retire as a one-club man in 2017.
      Totti Snr won one scudetto with Roma in 2001, and memorably won the World Cup with a star-studded Italy team in 2006.
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      Cristian is not the only son of an Italian World Cup legend to be playing in LaLiga right now, with Alessandro Del Piero’s son, Tobias, playing for Getafe.
      According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, Francesco has been accompanying his son to training every day while he settles in Vallecano.
      Roma legend Francesco Totti stuns fans by entering the Big Brother house
      Cristian is expected to play the majority of his football with Vallecano’s youth team, rather than the first-team – having never made a senior appearance in his career.
      Vallecano do have some recognisable Premier League representation in their squad, with former Manchester United winger Bebe being one of the club’s talismen. More

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      Barcelona ‘draw up shortlist of names to replace Xavi’ including Premier League quartet and Liverpool legend

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      BARCELONA have reportedly compiled a shortlist of eight potential managers to replace Xavi Hernandez, with four of the Premier League’s creme de la creme in hiring-range.Xavi announced last month that he would be leaving Barca this summer, which marks the end of his third season.
      Xavi Hernandez announced he would be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season.Credit: Getty
      In a press conference that shocked fans, he said the club needed a ‘change of dynamic,’ and he was taking the decision for ‘the good of the board, and the club.’ 
      The announcement came off the back of a 5-3 loss at home to Villarael who currently sit 14th in LaLiga, a defeat that reflected Barcelona’s struggle to find form this season. 
      Xavi’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season anyway, but his statement shut down any potential of his staying on at the club. 
      All eyes turned to his replacement and Deportivo Mundo claim the following names are in the frame.
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      Mikel Arteta
      Mikel Arteta has recently been criticised for over-celebrating Arsenal’s victory against LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      The Arsenal boss is a logical proposition seeing as he came through Barcelona’s academy himself and his attacking style of play already suits the Nou Camp club. 
      But Arteta recently shut down rumours of a potential move to Barca as ‘fake news’, not to mention his contract at Arsenal doesn’t officially expire until 2025.
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      Luis Enrique
      Paris Saint-Germain manager has been touted to replace XaviCredit: Rex
      The Paris Saint-Germain manager is an attractive prospect given he coached the club when they won a Treble in 2015 and is aligned with the attacking Barca style of play.
      But he’s in the same boat as Arteta, currently sitting on a contract that does not expire until next year, and Mundo reckons he ‘usually fulfils his commitments.’
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      Arteta speaks out as Arsenal seal crucial win over title rivals Liverpool
      Roberto De Zerbi
      Roberto De Zerbi has led Brighton to new heightsCredit: Getty
      The Italian has masterminded the meteoric rise of The Seagulls which landed them in sixth place last season and bang slap into the Europa League.
      De Zerbi’s dynamic style suits Barca, but Mundo point out his lack of experience managing players of the very top calibre might stand against him.  
      Xabi Alonso
      Xabi Alonso is top of the betting to replace Jurgen Klopp at LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      Alonso is having something of a golden hour as he leads the Bundesliga table with Bayern Leverkusen as well as the betting to replace Klopp at Liverpool, where he used to be a star player.
      He ticks all the boxes in terms of style of play, but might be hindered by his links with other clubs; firstly Liverpool, and also Real Madrid, where he spent five years coaching.
      Hansi Flick
      Hansi Flick was the first manager ever to get fired from the German National teamCredit: Getty
      The ex-German coach has ‘personality and good taste for the game’ , although it did not prevent him from being the first German coach ever to get the sack after the national team lost 4-1 to Japan.
      He does have an impressive record with Bayern Munich under his belt, and president Joan Laporta is reportedly ‘attracted to the German school of technicians.’
      Unai Emery
      Unai Emery is currently sitting fourth in the Premiere League with Aston VillaCredit: Getty
      Emery’s having a brilliant season with Aston Villa, and his hefty coaching experience at Almeria, Valencia, Arsenal and Villarreal will add to his cause too.
      But his disaster at PSG in the Champions League in 2017, when he threw away a 4-0 lead to lose 6-1 to Barcelona, may still hang over him.
      Jurgen Klopp
      Jurgen Klopp shocked the sporting world when he announced he would be leaving LiverpoolCredit: Rex
      Earlier this season Klopp made the bombshell announcement that he would be leaving The Reds come the end of the season, citing burnout as the reason. 
      This makes him a far-fetched option, but Mundo notes that Laporta still admires the intensity of Klopp’s game as well as his character.
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      Sergio Conceicao
      Sergio Conceicao is one of the least likely candidatesCredit: Getty
      The current Porto manager’s contract will expire in June and the Portugese club are assuming he will not be staying on.
      However, his reputation as being an ‘unflexibe’ coach with a ‘volcanic’ personality that he does not hide from the media is a factor that could put Barca off. More

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      Kylian Mbappe ‘hands Real Madrid 3 transfer demands’ as he’s ALREADY dubbed ‘most insufferable player in their history’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has allegedly handed Real Madrid three transfer demands after ALREADY being dubbed the “most insufferable player in their history”.The 25-year-old Mbappe is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain this summer and reports have emerged that he has decided to join Real on a sensational free transfer.
      Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe has reportedly issued Real Madrid three transfer demandsCredit: AFP
      The World Cup winner, who has 29 goals so far this campaign, could soon be lining-up in a star-studded attack with Brazilian Vinicius Jr and England star Jude Bellingham.
      But despite technically being a free, Mbappe’s signing will not come cheap for Real with experts claiming he is set to earn MORE than Jude Bellingham’s entire £114m transfer fee with his signing-on bonus.
      Now Cadena SER have claimed that the forward has made three staggering financial demands in order to complete the move.
      The first starts with his eye-watering £42.6m per year salary – which is almost double the likes of what Vinicius and Bellingham earn.
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      Mbappe also allegedly wants a signing on bonus that is worth an incredible £106m.
      This report states that the huge fee would be split between the star and his mother and agent, Fayza Lamari.
      And the third demand he is said to have made is that he retains a significant percentage of his image rights.
      The LaLiga giants usually prefer to retain the full rights of players.
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      However, this update claims that Real would be willing to cede 60 per cent of them in order to finally get their man after a two-year chase.
      While speculation continues over his future, Mbappe is adamant that he is fully committed to PSG – at least for now.
      PSG and Real Madrid set for summer battle for Kylian Mbappe, with Frenchman wanting huge money to join Los Blancos
      However, some Madrid fans are already sick of the striker before he has even signed.
      After Mbappe’s previous Madrid rejections and now the high demands he is allegedly making, Spanish journalist Tomas Roncero said: “Whatever he does, he is already the most insufferable player in Real Madrid’s history. It’s really tedious.
      “The debt that he owes to Real Madrid is almost impossible to pay. He must own up to his error and know that money is not the most important thing.” More

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      Jude Bellingham ‘set to appear in new signature Adidas logo as sportswear giants use iconic celebration’

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM is allegedly set to be the subject of Adidas’ new signature logo.The ex-Birmingham City, 20, ace joined Real Madrid in a £115million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in June.
      Jude Bellingham’s iconic celebration is set to be Adidas’ new signature logoCredit: Rex
      Since then he has smashed a number of records in a stunning start to life in Spain.
      Bellingham has 18 goals in 28 games so far for Los Blancos with fans already comparing him to the club’s legendary former star Zinedine Zidane.
      He capped off 2023 by winning the Golden Boy in recognition of his startling performances for Real and Dortmund.
      And now adidas are set to release a signature logo in his name, according to Footy Headlines.
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      Bellingham’s profile has risen significantly with his displays for England and Real and he is fast becoming one of the game’s most marketable players.
      He is already the elite ambassador for the Predator boots silo and even helped create the 30th anniversary edition of the iconic adidas footwear.
      Now he will feature heavily on the next release with his iconic goal celebration due to be the main graphic of a signature logo.
      The German sportswear company is not the only big brand interested in snapping up Bellingham.
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      We reported how he was set to land a multi-million-pound endorsement deal with Louis Vuitton.
      The French fashion giants have previously worked with superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of last year’s World Cup and also ran a campaign ahead of the 2010 tournament fellow greats Pele, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane.
      New footage shows Jude Bellingham losing it with referee in Real Madrid clash and swearing at him in heated scenes
      Bellingham has a keen interest in fashion and was spotted in a Louis Vuitton suit at the Ballon d’Or awards in Paris last year. More

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      Dani Alves denies ‘nightclub toilet rape’ & says ‘I’m not that type of man’ as ex-Barcelona star faces 12 years in jail

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      EX BARCELONA star Dani Alves has denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a young woman in a nightclub.After two days of testimonies from the alleged victim, witnesses, and experts, the 40-year-old defender told a Spanish court that their encounter had been consensual. 
      Dani Alves has testified in court on the last day of his three-day trialCredit: Reuters
      Model Joana Sanz said her ex-husband “stank of alcohol” when he went home the night of the alleged attackCredit: EPA
      The verdict is expected to be delivered in weeks
      The Brazilian footballer is accused of raping a woman in the toilet of  Sutton nightclub in Barcelona in the early hours of December 31, 2022.
      He has denied any wrongdoing, telling his defence lawyer that he is “not that type of man”.
      His accuser told the prosecution that she had been dancing with the footballer and had willingly entered the bathroom with him, but that he forced her to stay after she wanted to leave.
      She claims that he was aggressive with her, slapping her and insulting her, and then forced her to have sex with him.
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      In response, Alves said: “She never told me to stop. We were both enjoying ourselves.”
      He claimed that the woman never asked to leave the bathroom and also denied having been aggressive with her.
      State prosecutors are seeking for him to be jailed for nine years if convicted while the lawyers representing his accuser want 12 years.
      Alves was escorted in handcuffs into the small courtroom of Barcelona’s Audiencia Provincial Court for the trial that is expected to conclude today.
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      A verdict normally takes weeks to be delivered.
      The alleged victim testified on Monday behind closed doors on order of the court.
      State prosecutors asked for the court to take extra measures to protect her identity after a video circulated on social media last month that allegedly identified the woman.
      During the first day of the footballer’s trial a friend and cousin of his accuser claimed he also groped them in the VIP area.
      The two women claim he then invited their friend, the alleged rape victim, to follow him through a separate door after flirting with her.
      The dad-of-two has previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.
      His ex-wife Joana Sanz told the court Alves Sanz told the court Alves “smelled of alcohol” and “he bumped into several pieces of furniture and collapsed on the bed” after arriving home the night of the alleged assault.
      But she said she didn’t want to talk to him because of “the state he was in”.
      Alves initially claimed he had never met his female accuser before telling a judge in a court hearing he had lied to cover up his “marital infidelity.”
      The footballer was ordered to stand trial last November.
      He was sacked by Mexican side UNAM Pumas following his arrest after he flew back to Barcelona to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral.
      He has made repeated bail requests but they have all been turned down, with judges saying his alleged victim’s version of events was coherent and pointing out Alves had changed his story several times as the evidence authorities have against him has emerged.
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      As well as two spells at Barcelona, Alves has played for Seville, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo.
      He is widely considered one of the greatest full-backs of all time and became the oldest player to represent Brazil at the World Cup in December 2022 in Qatar.
      Alves’ family speaking to a court official in Barcelona
      Alves has denied any wrongdoingCredit: AFP
      He has been accused of raping a woman in the toilets of Sutton in BarcelonaTimeline of Dani Alves’s case

      December 30, 2022: A woman alleges she was sexually assaulted in the toilets of Sutton nightclub
      January 1, 2023: Cops in Barcelona are investigating an alleged sexual assault in a nightclub involving Dani Alves.
      January 5, 2023: Dani Alves’s alleged victim makes a formal complaint claiming she was sexually assaulted
      CCTV footage shows Alves had been alone for 47 seconds in a toilet at the nightclub with his accuser
      January 20, 2023: Alves had been remanded in custody by a judge in Barcelona
      He initially denies ever meeting his accuser but later confirms they had sex in the nightclub’s toilets – but insists was consensual
      January 31, 2023: His wife Joana Sanz, 29, demands divorce
      February 8, 2023: It emerges that Alves is said to be receiving ‘VIP treatment’ in prison
      March 17, 2023: Alves is going on hunger strike following split from wife
      November 14, 2023: The footballer is ordered to stand trial for the alleged assault
      November 24, 2023: Prosecutors demand nine years jail time and to pay the alleged victim  £130,000, if found guilty
      February 5, 2024: Alves appears in court in Spain facing twelve years in jail
      February 6 2024: Joana Sanz testified in court about a “drunk” phone call her husband made to her after the alleged assault More

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      Iconic stadium looks unrecognisable with army of cranes at work and dozens of builders amid concerns over progress

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      THE NOU CAMP looks unrecognisable as work on its £1BILLION renovation project continues.Barcelona’s home ground has been one of football’s most iconic stadium for more than 60 years.
      The Nou Camp looks unrecognisable as work continues on the groundCredit: Rex
      The renovations are set to cost around £1billionCredit: Rex
      It is hard to believe it is the same iconic venueCredit: Rex
      Barcelona are not set to move back into the stadium until the 2025/26 seasonCredit: Rex
      It is expected to hold around 105,000 peopleCredit: Rex
      The stadium is a legendary venue in the Spanish cityCredit: Rex
      First built in 1957, it’s played host to numerous legendary matches in front of a bumper crowd of nearly 100,000 people.
      But the project to modernise the facilities has left it utterly decimated.
      The construction has seen the third tier of the stadium completely removed.
      All the seats have been torn out as dozens of workers use cranes to work in the dusty surroundings.
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      Barcelona have been forced to relocate for this season and are playing their home games at the Estadi Lluis Companys Stadium – which holds a maximum of just under 56,000 people.
      Work began on the Nou Camp renovations in June last year and it is not expected to be completed until the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
      However, there are concerns it may not be done in time after a setback with obtaining the necessary licence.
      Barcelona’s plans will see the capacity of the ground expanded to an incredible 105,000 people.
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      CGI mock-ups showed how the stadium will eventually look with a roof being added and a modernised vibe given to the ageing arena.
      Previously the upper tier of the Camp Nou only sat on 50 per cent of the stadium, but the new works will see the new stand curve all the way around the ground.
      Designs released by the club also showed the roof will be plastered with the name of their stadium sponsor, Spotify.
      Cash-strapped football giants selling tufts of iconic stadium’s GRASS for £340 as fans say ‘how the mighty have fallen’
      But manager Xavi will not lead Barcelona out at the newly-renovated Nou Camp.
      The iconic midfielder confirmed last month that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
      Barcelona are eight points adrift of Real Madrid at the top of the LaLiga table and out of the Copa del Rey.
      The will face Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League, but Xavi has already insisted he will depart in the summer.
      He said: “I will leave Barcelona in June.
      “We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change.
      “As a Cule, I think that it’s time to leave. I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June.”
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      He went on to add: “I took this decision days ago. I already knew it. But it’s time to make it public.
      “I think the players could not free themselves up. I don’t want to be a problem for the club, but the opposite.”
      The third tier of the stadium has been completely ripped upCredit: Rex
      A roof is also being added the the groundCredit: Rex More

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      ‘I felt like I was drowning’ – Sergio Aguero reveals horror final Barcelona match and told opponent ‘stop the game’

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      SERGIO AGUERO has opened up on what he was feeling during his last game for Barcelona.The Argentine suffered from chest pains and dizziness before he was taken off the pitch.
      Sergio Aguero suffered from dizziness and chest pains in his final matchCredit: Getty
      The striker hung up his boots after the gameCredit: EPA
      He announced his decision in an emotional press conferenceCredit: Getty
      Aguero, 35, was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia after he was forced off just 41 minutes into his first start for the LaLiga giants.
      He had joined the Spanish giants in the summer of 2021 on a free transfer from Manchester City.
      However, on his first start for the club against Deportivo Alaves, he had to have treatment on the pitch as he felt like he was “going to faint”.
      He told Clank Media: “I felt like I was drowning, I didn’t feel pain.
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      “I had a lot of pressure in my head. I figured it was because I was physically ill and I thought, ‘S**t, I’m so bad.’
      “I jumped for a header. They went to counter and I started to get dizzy.
      “I felt like I was going to faint and I wanted to calm down. I wanted to say something and the words didn’t come out.
      “I grabbed the hand of the Alaves captain as if to say, ‘Stop the game.’
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      “He started screaming and they stopped the game.
      “When I calmed down, I felt like my heart started beating faster.
      Watch Sergio Aguero SCORE in first game back since retiring with heart condition then copy pal Messi’s celebration
      “That’s where the arrhythmia attack caught me.
      “A week before, it had happened to me in training but it had only been for 20 seconds.”
      Aguero officially retired from football at the Nou Camp in December 2021.
      He announced his decision in a press conference attended by his former manager Pep Guardiola.
      Aguero’s career by numbersSergio Aguero enjoyed a hugely successful career in which he won 20 titles and scored 427 goals in 756 appearance
      Career honours: Uefa Europa League, Uefa Super Cup, Premier League x 5, FA Cup, Carabao Cup x 6, Community Shield x 3, Fifa Under-20 World Cup x 2, Olympic Gold Medal, Copa America

      Independiente (2002-2006) – 56 games, 23 goals
      Atletico Madrid (2006-2011) – 234 games, 102 goals
      Manchester City (2011-2021) – 390 games, 260 goals
      Barcelona (2021) – 5 games, 1 goal
      Argentina (2006 – 2021) – 101 games, 41 goals More

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      Barcelona ‘face missing out on Mason Greenwood transfer to fierce rivals’ with Man Utd forward set for summer move

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      BARCELONA face missing out on signing Mason Greenwood this summer.The on-loan Getafe winger has emerged as a transfer target for fierce rivals Atletico Madrid.
      Mason Greenwood is on Atletico Madrid’s shortlist of summer striker targetsCredit: Rex
      Greenwood has caught the eye in Spain since joining Getafe on loan from Manchester United back in September.
      He has been strongly linked with joining Barcelona, who have been monitoring him all season.
      However, the Telegraph now report that the 22-year-old is on Atletico’s shortlist of summer striker targets.
      Greenwood is expected to secure a permanent transfer in the summer once his Getafe loan expires.
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      Atletico remain in the market for a forward after missing out on Moise Kean in January, the report adds.
      Barca are said to remain interested in Greenwood, but are at a disadvantage compared to Atletico due to their reduced spending power.
      The Spanish champions had hoped to tie up a deal prior to Atletico reportedly stepping up their interest.
      Greenwood, who sees joining Barcelona as a “dream move”, would have linked up with the club in June as part of the proposal.
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      However, his summer destination now remains up in the air, with Valencia and Real Sociedad both previously linked.
      Since joining Getafe, Greenwood has scored seven goals and provided four assists in 22 appearances.
      Mason Greenwood reveals ‘best feeling so far’ in rare interview after Getafe aces ‘take Man Utd loanee under their wing’
      He is currently the club’s second top scorer this season behind former Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral on 16. More