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      Major hint Mason Greenwood will stay at Getafe after loan spell ends as ex-Man Utd striker impresses on the pitch

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      MASON Greenwood’s future could be in Spain as the former United striker looks to be setting down roots in the capital. The striker, 22, has netted four times in 11 matches since joining Getafe on loan, including a wonder strike against Almeria on Saturday.
      Greenwood is now playing for Getafe FC after being traded by Manchester United in SeptemberCredit: Getty
      In what could be a major hint about where Greenwood’s future lies, the forward has a Spanish teacher.
      A senior source at the club, speaking on anonymity to The Athletic, said that if Greenwood continues on his current form then the Spanish club would look to discuss his future staying in Madrid.
      After coming off the bench in three of his first four games Greenwood is now a starting player.
      When Greenwood first arrived at the club at the start of September he hadn’t played first-team football in 18 months.
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      Greenwood was taken off the United pitch after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour in January 2022.
      Greenwood denied all the charges.
      Key witnesses eventually withdrew from the case and the Crown Prosecution Service announced in February 2023 it had discontinued the charges.
      Manchester United then started their own internal investigation with the plan to bring Greenwood back into the team.
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      That investigation ended in August, but after huge fan pressure and internal backlash, Greenwood was sent to the La Liga side on a season-long loan.
      A cloud hung over Greenwood and whether he would have the mental strength or physical fitness to get back to top-flight football.
      Rival fans, such as those from Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao, have sledged Greenwood on the pitch with whistles and shouts of, “Greenwood, die!”
      Decision-makers at Getafe don’t think he will reach peak fitness again until January, but Saturday’s screamer from the edge of the box suggests he is back on his way.
      He has also begun to integrate with Spanish life and is happy in Madrid with his partner and daughter, as well as with the weather, food and house, The Athletic reports.
      He is also gradually catching on to the jokes of his Spanish and Argentine teammates with the help of a Spanish teacher, the Athletic reported.
      But, a spanner in the works of Greenwood’s footballing redemption could be United’s ownership drama.
      With British chemical multinational INEOS buying into the storied club, they could see Greenwood as a liability and see to trade him away properly.
      Greenwood’s contract at United goes for another two years, with an option to extend for another year.
      But, playing away from the most intense scrutiny of the footballing press, Greenwood’s future might just again depend on how well he plays.
      Greenwood celebrates after scoringCredit: Getty
      Greenwood scored a screamer on Saturday from the corner of the boxCredit: EPA More

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      Fans have ‘tears in their eyes’ after Sergio Ramos gets TWO red cards for lunge as they say ‘this is football heritage’

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      FANS declared “this is football heritage” after seeing veteran defender Sergio Ramos TWO red cards for a reckless lunge.The defender, 37, went diving in with a shocking tackle in Sevilla’s 2-1 defeat at Real Sociedad.
      Sergio Ramos received TWO red cards for a shocking challenge during Sevilla’s defeat to Real SociedadCredit: Alamy
      VAR overturned the initial decision to give Ramos a second yellow, with the ace shown a straight red insteadCredit: Getty
      And the foul was deemed so bad that VAR overturned Ramos’ second yellow card, changing it into a straight red instead.
      The crazy moment occurred late on in Sunday’s LaLiga game.
      Struggling Sevilla fell behind to an own-goal by Marko Dmitrovic in the fourth minute.
      And they found themselves two down after 22 minutes thanks to a strike from Umar Sadiq.
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      Sevilla did manage to pull one back in the 60th minute through Youssef En-Nesyri.
      But with just moments remaining in the match, Sociedad pounced on the ball outside Sevilla’s box looking to add a third goal.
      Brais Mendez appeared set to pull the trigger and potentially end the contest.
      But he was brutally wiped out by Ramos, who came in from behind with an old-school lunge that had no intention of winning the ball.
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      Ramos has now been sent off an incredible 29 times throughout his careerCredit: Alamy
      Teammate Jesus Navas also saw red for protesting the decisionCredit: Alamy
      The centre-back was initially shown a second yellow card by the referee, leading to his dismissal.
      But a VAR check showed the tackle was so bad that it led to the decision being reversed.
      Instead, Ramos received a straight red card — the 29th of his professional career.
      And he wasn’t the only Sevilla ace to be sent off either.
      In the aftermath, ex-Man City flyer Jesus Navas was also given his marching orders for protesting the decision.
      Unlike Ramos, it was the FIRST of his career — despite Navas being a year older at 38.
      But fans were left over the moon at seeing Ramos reel back the years to receive a straight red for one of his classic takedowns.
      One said: “Seeing a Ramos red makes me feel young again. Tears in my eyes.”
      Another declared: “This is football heritage.”
      One noted: “Vintage Ramos.”
      Another added: “Sergio Ramos and red cards, name a more iconic duo.” More

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      Jude Bellingham breaks Cristiano Ronaldo record as stats show he has enjoyed best start at Real Madrid in history

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM has smashed a record previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo as he continues his flying start to life at Real Madrid.Bellingham, 20, joined the Spanish giants in a £115million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in June.
      Jude Bellingham scored his 14th goal of the season on SundayCredit: Getty
      The midfielder now has the most goals by any Real Madrid player in their first 15 gamesCredit: Getty
      The midfielder scored his first La Liga goal on the opening day of the campaign in a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
      And he went on to hit the ground running, scoring in each of the club’s first four games.
      Bellingham matched three records set by Ronaldo within his first two months at Real Madrid.
      But on Sunday he smashed a major record previously held by the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
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      The England international scored his 14th goal of the season in a 3-0 win over Cadiz to help Los Blancos return to the top of La Liga.
      It proved to be a milestone moment as he has now scored more goals than any other Real Madrid player in their first 15 games.
      Club legend Ronaldo, Alfredo Di Stéfano and Pruden all scored 13 goals in their first 15 games for Los Blancos.
      Ferenc Puskás scored 11, Raul and Hugo Sanchez both scored seven and Karim Benzema scored five.
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      Bellingham is the only Real Madrid player to score 14 goals in his opening 15 games
      Bellingham returned to action at the weekend after missing the international break due to a shoulder injury.
      The midfielder dislocated his shoulder during a match against Rayo Vallecano earlier this month.
      He subsequently had to withdraw from the England squad due to the issue. More

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      Amazing picture of 15-year-old Pep Guardiola with Terry Venables goes viral after legendary manager’s death aged 80

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      FOOTBALL fans were moved as an old picture of the late great Terry Venables and Pep Guardiola emerged.Former England manager Venables died this weekend at the age of 80 following a long illness and tributes poured from all around the world.
      A picture showing Terry Venables and a young Pep Guardiola has emerged
      Venables and Guardiola coexisted at Barcelona during the 1980sCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Guardiola was part of Barcelona’s La Masia academy when Venables managed the senior teamCredit: Getty
      People remembered El Tel with various blasts from the past and one of them had to do with his three-year stint as Barcelona manager.
      A photo went viral showing the Dagenham legend being hoisted up by Barca heroes Paco Clos and Migueli.
      That was when Venables led the Blaugrana to the 1986 European Cup Final by beating Goteborg in a dramatic semi-final second leg that saw him winning 5-4 on penalties after a 3-0 win at the Nou Camp.
      But what makes this pic so special is the fact that a 15-year-old Guardiola, who was then part of the famous La Masia academy, can be seen celebrating in awe of the Tottenham legend.
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      The Manchester City boss is a Barcelona legend himself as he started out at the club at the tender age of 13 and went on to spend 11 years in the senior squad, most of which saw him wear the armband.
      And Gary Neville believes the Spanish tactician learned a lot during Venables’ brief stint in Catalonia as he insists they both had a “very same capability”.
      Neville played under the ex-Leeds boss for England and was part of the team that made it to the Euro 1996 semi-finals.
      Neville tweeted: “When we hear people that play for Pep Guardiola now say that he can call the outcome of a game in training a few days before the match arrives, Terry Venables had that very same capability, he’d come through the Barcelona system.”
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      Venables didn’t win the European Cup in 1986 as Barcelona lost on penalties to Steaua Bucharest in the final.
      However, the former Crystal Palace boss won a domestic Cup that year and LaLiga the season before.
      Barcelona issued the following statement and reached out to his family: “FC Barcelona is deeply saddened of the death of Terry Venables, coach of Barca from 1984 to 1987. Our condolences go to his loved ones. Rest in peace.” More

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      Terry Venables death updates — Lineker, Shearer & England pay tributes as legend dies aged 80 after long illness

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      TRIBUTES have flooded in following the death of English football icon Terry Venables aged 80.Venables had a long and successful career in European football both as a player and coach, managing England, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur during his time in the game.
      As a coach Venables would begin an era of success for Barcelona, where he earned the nickname ‘El Tel’, winning La Liga and the European Cup, while as manager of Spurs, he would win the FA Cup in 1990.
      Speaking about Venables’ time as England coach, current Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate, said: “Terry opened my eyes to things that no one else has. He has fantastic tactical awareness. Every senior player in the group went away having learnt a lot from him, which is an achievement.”
      In a statement, Terry’s family said: “We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness. We would ask that privacy be given at this incredibly sad time to allow us to mourn the loss of this lovely man who we were so lucky to have had in our lives.”
      Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates…
      Venables – ‘A great football man’
      Mark Crossley has hailed Terry Venables and said that Brian Clough is waiting for him in heaven.

      Inside Venables’ former hotel
      Terry Venables once owned a hidden Spanish hotel – complete with a lawn doubling as a football pitch.
      “El Tel” fell in love with Spain after taking the helm at Barcelona in 1984.
      Venables and his wife Yvette returned to Spain after he retired from football management.
      The couple opened La Escondida hotel and restaurant in Penaguila near Alicante in 2014.
      Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      United pays tribute to Venables

      Carragher spots Pep picture
      Jamie Carragher has spotted a picture of a young Pep Guardiola looking at Terry Venables.
      The snap was taken after Venables led Barcelona to victory over IFK Goteborg in the semi-final of the 1985/86 European Cup.
      The now Manchester City manager was only 15 years old at the time.

      Terry and Yvette
      Here are some more snaps of Terry and Yvette.
      Credit: Getty
      Credit: PA:Press Association

      Venables leaves behind wife
      Terry Venables has left behind his wife Yvette after a 32-year-long marriage.
      Venables met his wife Yvette in his father’s pub in Chingford, Essex in 1984.
      She accompanied the footballing icon to Barcelona when he was appointed as their manager, with the couple marrying in 1991.

      Stevens ‘learned so much’ from Venables
      Former Tottenham star Gary Stevens has admitted that he learned so much from Terry Venables despite being let go from the club by the manager.
      He also revealed that Venables helped him gain his Uefa pro licence a few years later.

      Foxes send condolences
      Leicester City have posted their tribute to Terry Venables on social media.

      Bruno takes to social media
      Boxing legend Frank Bruno has recalled a story of being called “big man” by Terry Venables in his tribute.

      Gazza’s ostrich story with Venables
      Paul Gascoigne was once able to get out of a telling-off from Terry Venables thanks to an Ostrich in a Tottenham shirt.
      Paul Stewart recalled the story after Steve Sedgley, nicknamed “long neck”, joined the club.
      In an extract with The Chronicle, he said: “One day, whilst Venners was taking training, all the players were on the pitch in a circle around the halfway line. Gazza was late.
      As always, the boss was asking me where he was, like I was his minder. Just as I was about to make an excuse, Gazza turned up with someone alongside him, carrying a brown sack. The sack was moving as if something was in it.
      “And just as Venners was about to rollick Gazza for being late, the bag opened and an ostrich ran out wearing a Spurs shirt. There was a number seven and Sedgley written on the back. The lads just fell about laughing.
      “Everyone, the kids, the training staff, the apprentices, stood open-mouthed or in hysterics. Venables’ face was a picture. The bird went running off in a panic and he had some job getting it back.
      “I am not too sure what the animal rights people would say if they knew that Gazza had a bird from the local zoo dressed in a Spurs shirt loose on the training ground. He claimed that he had ‘borrowed’ it from Broxbourne Zoo. We were never able to verify if that was the case.”
      Credit: PA
      Palace release statement
      Crystal Palace have released a statement on the passing of Terry Venables.
      Crystal Palace are mourning the loss of influential former midfielder and manager Terry Venables, who has passed away at the age of 80.
      A statement released from the Venables family confirmed he passed away on Saturday after a long illness.
      Hailing from east London, Venables signed for Palace from Tottenham in 1974, playing 16 games for the club before being handed a coaching role by Malcolm Allison. Palace subsequently reached the 1976 FA Cup semi-finals and, that summer, Venables rose in rank to become manager.
      In 1976/77, Palace gained promotion from the third to the second division, a major accomplishment considering Venables’ short tenure.
      Furthering his success, Palace won promotion to the top-flight as Second Division champions in 1978/79, as Venables built the youthful, exciting team hailed the Eagles’ ‘Team of the Eighties’ – one of the most exciting epochs in the club’s rich history.
      In Venables’ first season as a top-flight manager, Palace topped the English football pyramid for the first and only time in September 1979. They ended the 1979/80 season in 13th place, at the time the club’s highest-ever league finish.
      Following spells with Queens Park Rangers, Barcelona, Tottenham, England and Australia, Venables returned to Palace for a brief second spell as manager in summer 1998.
      The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Terry’s family at this time.Crystal PalaceClub statement
      More players pay tribute

      Venables ‘great man’
      Former England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has paid tribute to Terry Venables in which he has hailed him as a “great man”.

      Wolves join tributes
      Wolverhampton Wanderers have joined the host of Premier League clubs that have paid tribute to Terry Venables.

      Spurs clap for Venables
      Terry Venables won the FA Cup as a player and a manager of Tottenham.
      Here are some more images of how he has been remembered ahead of the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.
      Credit: Reuters
      Credit: PA
      Venables remembered at Tottenham
      Terry Venables’ image was displayed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of the clash against Aston Villa.
      Players also paid tribute before the game by wearing black armbands.
      There has also been a minutes appulse for the footballing icon.
      Credit: Reuters
      Credit: Getty
      Kammy left ‘gutted’
      Chris Kamara has said he is “gutted” following the news of Terry Venables’ death.

      Southgate shares heartwarming tribute for Venables
      England manager Gareth Southgate has shared a heartwarming tribute for Terry Venables.
      Venables managed England between 1994 and 1996.
      Any player will have great affinity with the manager that gave them their opportunity, but it was quickly evident playing for Terry Venables that he was an outstanding coach and manager
      He was open minded, forward thinking, enjoyed life to the full and created a brilliant environment with England that allowed his players to flourish and have one of the most memorable tournaments in England history.
      A brilliant man, who made people feel special, I’m very sad to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with Yvette and all of his family.Gareth Southgate

      FA Cup statement
      Terry Venables won the FA Cup as a player and as a manager.
      Both achievements came while he was at Tottenham.

      More from Neville
      Gary Neville has spoken on more on the passing of Terry Venables.
      He said on Sky Sports: “One of my great disappointments was that he was unable to continue after Euro 96. That was a great sad thing.
      “He was onto something special with talents like Gascoigne and Ince.
      “I had never played under a coach like Terry Venables, he would almost predict the outcome of games.
      “I think I have no doubts that he was the most technically gifted cosh that England have ever produced.
      “I think he will be remembered as an England man.”
      Credit: Sky Sports More

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      Fans left stunned after Lewandowski slammed to floor by ex-Newcastle star.. but referee and VAR fails to award penalty

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      FOOTBALL fans were left astonished after Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski was thrown to the floor by a Rayo Vallecano defender… but did NOT get a penalty.The LaLiga champions were held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday as they slipped to fourth place in the table.
      Robert Lewandowski, right, did not get a penalty for the clear foul by Florian Lejeune, leftCredit: Rex

      Lejeune grabbed hold of Lewandowski in the box
      The defender then hauled the Barcelona striker to the ground
      Lewandowski did not earn a penalty for the incident
      But Xavi’s men will feel aggrieved they were not awarded a spot kick for a bizarre incident involving Lewandowski, 35.
      With the ball nowhere near the Polish forward, Vallecano defender Florian Lejeune, 32, decided to aggressively slam Lewandowski to the floor.
      Yet despite the former Newcastle man’s moment of madness, he was not penalised for the offence.
      Both the referee and VAR did not award a penalty as Vallecano went unpunished.
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      Reacting to the incident, one person said: “These people are in wrestling in the UFC, where is the f**king VAR?
      Another added: “He HURLED him to the ground.”
      While a third replied: “Lejeune to Lewandowski is really nothing? It’s just incredible.”
      However, there was some form of justice later in the game as Lejeune – who played 46 games for Newcastle between 2017 and 2021 – turned a Barcelona cross into his own net.
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      Lejeune later scored an own goal to hand Barcelona a pointCredit: Rex

      The goal came eight minutes from the end as Vallecano’s defence was finally breached by one of their own players.
      After the game, Xavi took aim at the officials for a separate incident, claiming Raphinha had been been brought down in the box in the second half.
      He said: “Then I’m told I’m looking for excuses, but the foul on Raphinha is a clear penalty.
      “It happened to us in Getafe, in Granada and today.
      “We lost because we weren’t good in the first half, and that’s no excuse, but it’s a clear penalty.”
      Lejeune spent four years at Newcastle before he left in 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Jude Bellingham to bag multi-million pound deal with fashion giants who only work with sport stars like Messi & Ronaldo

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM is reportedly set to land a “a multi-million-pound endorsement deal with Louis Vuitton” after his incredible start at Real Madrid.The French fashion giants have previously worked with superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of last year’s World Cup.
      Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is wanted by fashion giants Louis VuittonCredit: Reuters
      And they also ran a campaign ahead of the 2010 tournament fellow greats Pele, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane.
      Now the Daily Mail says that they are targeting 20-year-old England midfielder Bellingham.
      The former Birmingham City ace “has a keen interest in fashion” and was spotted in a Louis Vuitton suit at the Ballon d’Or awards in Paris last month.
      He has so far not penned any personal endorsement contracts aside from his package with Adidas – although he appeared in a photoshoot for Gucci as part of their collaboration with the German sportswear company during his time with Borussia Dortmund.
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      The Italian company also reportedly wants to work with Bellingham again.
      They have already secured his England colleague Jack Grealish on a package worth over £1million.
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      The potential endorsement deal with Louis Vuitton will be the latest chapter in the starlet’s rise onto the world stage.
      He has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances so far for Real Madrid since his summer arrival from Dortmund.
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      And his form led to him being named LaLiga’s player of the month in both August and October.
      Bellingham then collected the Kopa Trophy for most talented player under 21 at this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony and then got the 2023 Golden Boy award.  More

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      Barcelona legend Dani Alves faces nine years in jail after being accused of rape

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      PROSECUTORS will accuse footballer Dani Alves of rape and demand he spends nine years in jail, paying his victim £130,000, court papers have revealed.The married 40-year-old former Brazil and Barcelona defender has been held in custody without bail since his arrest in January.
      Dani Alves faces nine years in jail after being accused of rapeCredit: Getty
      Claims against him had been referred to as a “sexual assault” until the seven-page pre-trial indictment was released in Spain yesterday.
      The dad-of-two has previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in a private toilet at a ­Barcelona nightclub last December, but insisted it was consensual.
      She said he refused to let her leave the cubicle and slapped her face.
      He has publicly apologised to his wife, model Joana Sanz, for cheating on her.
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      A trial date is still to be set.
      In an exclusive interview from his prison cell he claimed: “The only person I have to ask for forgiveness is my wife, Joana Sanz.
      “I have already done that here in prison, but I have to do it publicly.
      “Because the story is public, the offence I caused her is public and she deserves that public apology.”
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      Last December in Qatar he became the oldest player to represent Brazil at the World Cup. More