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      Former Brighton Premier League wonderkid Aaron Connolly bravely reveals all about alcohol addiction and treatment

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      EX-PREMIER LEAGUE wonderkid Aaron Connolly has bravely revealed his alcohol addiction fight.The Irish international forward, 24, completed a free transfer to Championship promotion chasers Sunderland last month as he looks to resurrect his career.Sunderland’s new signing Aaron Connolly has bravely revealed all about his alcohol addictionCredit: AlamyConnolly famously burst on the scene in the top-flight aged 19 at Brighton with a brace against Tottenham.He left the Amex – following disappointing loan spells at Luton, Middlesbrough and Italian side Venezia – four years later having featured more on the gossip pages than sport ones.Connolly did score eight times for Hull City last term but that was not enough to stop him from getting released.Now he has decided to tell his story to coincide with World Mental Health Day on Sunderland’s website.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLConnolly had left home for the South Coast aged 16 but he says everything changed after that day against Spurs.He said: “I remember it – 5th of October, 2019, it was a 12.30 kick-off. I’m never going to forget that day. It was one of the best days of my life, but also one of the worst because the following five years was from that.“I just stopped working, stopped doing the things I should have kept doing. I started to believe the hype, and I just didn’t turn into a good person after that. I was tough to be around.“I didn’t know how to deal with it, if I’m being honest. My parents tried, but they weren’t living with me. I was living with my ex-girlfriend at the time, and it’s hard because I didn’t ever feel like I had that authoritative figure to keep me grounded.Most read in ChampionshipIf you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.“My parents did try, but I just let myself believe everything people were saying online and it just took over. I always say to my parents, I started to live the life of a footballer without the football side of it.“That was the hardest thing to admit at the time, that I wasn’t doing all the things that had got me to the position where I could go and get my house and treat my family, and do all that sort of stuff.Brits are more likely to open up at the pub or on a walk than on the phone or over text, study finds“It hurts to look back and speak about it because I know if I had done everything right, maybe I would still be in the Premier League. Maybe I wouldn’t, but at least I’d know I’d given it all I could to try to stay at that level.”Connolly explained how both his on and off-field life began to spiral as alcohol became a bigger and bigger problem.He said: “It was obvious I had a problem with alcohol for a good few years.“I had my parents, who never drank before and were always telling me when I was younger to stay away from alcohol. That was always their thing because of addiction to alcohol in my family.“I didn’t listen, clearly. It got me into a lot of trouble and a lot of problems, and it just became something that I relied on.”It felt like my buzz used to come from football, and winning games and scoring goals, and it got to a point where the buzz was more from drinking alcohol than going out on a football pitch.“I used to look forward to the games finishing so I could have time to go and have a drink and socialise.”I say socialise, but it was just an excuse to go and get drunk, to go straight to alcohol, and that was where I got my buzz from, whereas before, it was always the buzz of football and being around an environment like I am now.”For three or four years, that just wasn’t there.”The star burst on the scene with two goals against Tottenham in 2019Credit: ReutersConnolly managed to rediscover some form at Hull despite his “life being a mess” but he finally realised he needed to take drastic action after he was released in June by the Tigers.He explained: “I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t live the way I was living. It was killing people round me, to be honest. My family, my friends. Mainly, it was killing me, really.“I had one of my best seasons last year at Hull, but off the pitch, my life was a mess. The manager at Hull, to be fair, always looked after me, and always tried to help.”But it just got to a point where, it wasn’t like life wasn’t worth living, it wasn’t a big dramatic thing, but it was just that my life was so unmanageable and I couldn’t control what I could do and couldn’t control my alcohol.“It just got to a point where I had to make a decision where I needed to go to a treatment clinic, and I spent a month there in the summer.”I just said to my agent, ‘I don’t want you to contact any clubs. I’m not doing this for football, I’m doing this so I can get my life back, and if stuff in football comes with that, then that’s a bonus’.“It wasn’t even the football that was taking the biggest battering in the end, it was my life, my relationships, my friends. Everything was just failing and falling apart.”When your parents are calling you and you’re not answering calls because you know you’re breaking their hearts, it’s time to realise that you’ve got a problem.”Now after sealing himself an opportunity at Sunderland, Connolly wants to tell his story in the hope that it might help at least one other person struggling.He added: “It’s an addiction, and the toughest thing I ever had to do was go in there. The PFA helped me pay for my treatment, and I know some people might not be able to afford it, but it’s important to know it’s not just park bench, vodka bottle. Anybody can get affected by it.READ MORE SUN STORIES“There’s no price tag or no amount of money in the world that can cure it. It’s a disease, an illness. But going to the clinic was the best and worst month of my life.“I just hope this might help people. I had everything every young boy would dream, but I couldn’t get hold of my addiction without that help.”The Irish ace was released by Hull City in the summer and decided to check into rehabCredit: PA More

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      I was earning £10,000 a week at Newcastle before I went to jail – I’d still be in the Premier League now if I’d behaved

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      NILE RANGER has been in prison twice and gone from a £10,000-a-week Premier League star to non-league – but insists he still “could play in any team”.And the 33-year-old is adamant he still has “one big move left in me” as he aims to use the FA Cup to fire himself back into the limelight.Nile Ranger is playing for Kettering Town these daysCredit: Instagram / @nilepowerrangerThe former Newcastle United striker played under both Kevin Keegan and Chris Hughton during his time at St. James’ Park as well as England’s youth sides.These days he is banging them in for Kettering Town and hoping to add to his impressive tally of five goals in five appearances when they travel to Farsley Celtic on Saturday to battle for a place in the FA Cup first round proper.Ranger signed a five-year contract worth £10,000-a-week with Newcastle but both Keegan and Chris Hughton could not get him away from his off-field issues.He had already served time for his role in an armed robbery as a teenager, and he revealed how extreme the latter manager’s warnings were.READ MORE IN football Discussing Hughton, Ranger explained: “He said: ‘Listen, if you’re late again I’ll make you pull out your gold tooth and sell it’. He still named me on the bench. It was a different world.“I’d not been long out of the young offenders’ institute – now I was getting changed next to Michael Owen. People would cut their leg off for the opportunity I had.“I would bring all my friends up to Newcastle [from London] for parties. “I had more money than sense. There was no discipline from me. I was living life in the fast lane.Most read in Football“Chris Hughton would say to me ‘you need to focus, you need to tell all your friends to go back to London’ because we used to cause havoc in Newcastle.Ranger runs his own football academy these days but wants others to learn from his own mistakes after serving time in a young offenders’ institute for his part in a robbery, although he denies using weapons. Former Premier League bad boy Nile Ranger returns to football with non-league club after two years unemployedHe ended up back in jail in 2017 for fraud following a spell at Southend.Ranger admitted: “Looking back I’ve realised the many silly decisions that led to the situations I found myself in. I messed up.”However, he still believes that his chance to reach the top has not passed him by as he prepares for FA Cup action.He added: “I could play in any team at my age if I’m fit – any team.“It has to be a fit me, not a rusty me. But the rust is coming off.“I still feel there is one big move left in me. I’m going to roll the dice one more time.”Ranger used to play for NewcastleCredit: Getty More

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      Gareth Southgate breaks silence on Man Utd manager job links as he gives update on future after England exit

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has ruled himself OUT of taking over at Manchester United for at least 12 months.Former England boss Southgate has been a front runner to be the next United choice if the Old Trafford side sack under-pressure Erik ten Hag.Gareth Southgate ruled himself OUT of taking over at Manchester United for at least 12 monthsCredit: AFPBut speaking publicly about his future for the first time since leaving the England job after Euro 2024, Southgate said he has NO intention of taking another coaching job until the back end of 2025 at the earliest.In an appearance at the European Club Association general assembly in Athens, when he was asked about his next potential job, Southgate said: “Firstly I’m enjoying my life…so there’s no rush.“I was 11 years committing myself fully to the FA and I’ve got lots of different experiences.“But I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I’m certain of that.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time.”Southgate made clear he is unlikely to consider another international job – and even that he may look for a role in football OUTSIDE of management.He added: “I’m fortunate that there are lots of different opportunities that are presenting themselves. The business side of football is really interesting.“In my role I’ve dealt with Uefa and Fifa, had to deal with lots of different stakeholders.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“So I’m not just set on being a coach moving forward.Of course I’ve had amazing experiences but to have a project that was from the heart, which it was from the national team, is going to be difficult to find.” Gary Neville tells Gareth Southgate ‘it’s illegal’ again as he repeats fierce criticism of ex-England manager’s tacticsSouthgate went on: “I’m at an age where I want to work with good people.“When you’re younger you probably strive and are a bit more compliant. When you are older you realise the importance of collaboration.“Clubs can only be successful if everything is aligned, right the way through the club.“I also know that maybe the smarter people sit in the boardrooms and the coaches are a little bit more dispensable then you think when you are there.“As a coach you think you’re the most important person. I sat in every boardroom in our country for eight years and realised you’re only a small piece in this whole thing.”Coming just a day after Jurgen Klopp announced his new role at the Red Bull sporting group, Southgate hinted that he might be persuaded by a similar offer.He said: “If you are asking about club football, that’s depending on what that is, what role that is, what that might be.“I’ve been fortunate to work with fantastic players and some of the biggest nights in world football.“You’ve got to have excitement, passion to go to work every day.“That’s unlikely, for me, to be another national federation. Because, again, England was for the heart. I went there originally to help English football, not to become the first team coach.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But, the business of football, the experiences I’ve had working right across the board.“I’m 54 and want to enjoy and be really motivated for the next 10-15 years of my life and the most important thing is to give myself time to make good decisions.” More

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      Chelsea legend reveals boozy Christmas party tactic that stopped him ‘being in a coma for seven days’

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      CHELSEA legend Gus Poyet has recalled the sneaky Christmas party tractic he used to avoid drinking too much booze.The former Blues star jokingly explained how he cleverly avoided “being placed in a coma for seven days” during Chelsea nights out.Gus Poyet recalled his brilliant party trick to avoid getting too drunk at ChelseaPoyet reckons he mastered the practice of safe drinking during his five years in West London between 1997 and 2001.In fact, the Uruguayan finally held his hands up to admit that he would turn up hours late to avoid a deadly hangover.Poyet told The Times:”For Christmas nights out in London the players would get together at two o’clock, so I would get there at seven. “If I start at two — I’m not going to name names but the way some could drink was unbelievable. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”And the next day, they train — no problem. Me, I would be in a coma for seven days.”When asked about his social life at Chelsea, he said: “Top. But the drinking culture — I was shocked. I remember being injured, my first night out.”They gave me a beer and I’m holding it, I don’t know if I’m going to drink. And then they bring me another one and put it in my other hand.”I adapted. I knew you have to give something of yourself and even if I wasn’t a big drinker I needed to be present. Part of the team.Most read in FootballPoyet won the FA Cup and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup during his stint at Chelsea – with Dennis Wise and Roberto Di MatteoFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So I never missed a night out, but did it my way.” When asked about the football, Poyet said: “It was physical. I liked it. Away from home, north, it was always tough. Leeds!Tottenham legend Gus Poyet explains why Ange Postecoglou can end trophy hoodoo and win Carabao Cup despite Coventry horror show”A typical question they ask me everywhere in the world is: ‘who was the toughest player you play against?’ “Well, every time you were facing Roy Keane you needed to be prepared. Because you knew he was coming.”Poyet scored 49 goals in 145 Chelsea midfield appearances after joining as a free agent.He joined Tottenham in May 2021 for around £2.2m and scored 14 goals in his debut season, helping Spurs reach the League Cup final where they lost 2-1 to Blackburn.His time at Spurs was blighted by injuries after he sustained cruciate ligament damage for the second time in his career in August 2002.After hanging up his boots in 2004, Poyet began his coaching career as assistant coach of Swindon Town.He later managed Brighton, Sunderland, AEK Athens and the Greece national team until his contract ended in March this year. More

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      Inside Scott McTominay and Cam Reading’s glam new life in Naples, from date night on the Amalfi coast to strict diet

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      SCOTT McTominay is flying the flag for British footballers overseas.The Scotland midfielder, 27, has taken to Italian football like a duck to water since moving from Manchester United to Napoli in the summer in a deal worth around £26million.Scott McTominay celebrates scoring his first goal for Napoli in Serie AMcTominay and glam partner Cam Reading are loving life in NaplesStunning Cam has admitted she has already ‘Fallen in love with Italy’Date night done McTominay and Cam’s way looks unmatchable on the Amalfi CoastHe was given a hero’s welcome as he was mobbed by fans when he arrived at Naples Airport back in August.And since then he has repaid their faith – scoring twice for Antonio Conte’s side.McTominay netted his first goal for the club in the 5-0 Coppa Italia win over Derby delle Due Sicilie rival Palermo.He followed that up by scoring within 25 seconds in a 3-1 win over Como.Read more football newsNapoli sit on top of Serie A, as McTominay settles into his new life.Joining him in Naples is his stunning girlfriend, Cam Reading.The pair are clearly enjoying their new surroundings, making sure they maintain their romance with incredible date nights on the Amalfi Coast.SunSport takes a look into their glam new life.Most read in FootballTaking the plungeOn August 19, McTominay and Cam were transported to the five star Grand Hotel Parker’s by a convoy, akin to a President or Prime Minister arriving into town.Cam’s glam lifeSoon, they took to social media to share their adventure so far.Already decked in Napoli’s colours, wearing a sky blue sweatshirt, McTominay looked delighted to be there.Cam, too, was bursting with joy.The Grand Hotel Parker’s is the oldest hotel in Naples, having welcomed some illustrious guests in the past.Writers Robert Louis Stevenson, Virginia Woolf, and Oscar Wilde have all stayed there.It boasts suites, rooms and apartments, ranging from £300 to £1,200-per-night.There is also the George Restaurant on site that has received two Michelin stars, serving incredible pasta and seafood, as well as an amazing terrace bar.You won’t find a better base than this.McTominay greets fans from the balcony of the five star Grand Hotel Parker’sCam and McTominay are all smiles in their beautiful room at the expensive hotelThe Grand Hotel Parker’s is the oldest hotel in Naples and the classiestThe stunning lobby that welcomes guests is a work of artInside the hotel you will two Michelin star George RestaurantThe rooftop restaurant and bar is the perfect spot for breakfastread more sport featuresThe unveilingWhen it came to McTominay signing for the club, the former Red Devils star and Cam made it a day to remember.A table was brought out onto the pitch of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, where he would sign his contract.Again, beautiful Cam was by his side – playing the role of supportive Wag.Getting into the spirit of the moment, she took a polaroid snap of McTominay inking his deal.She shared the moment on Instagram to her 60,000 followers.Rather poignantly, she wrote as the caption for the series of photos: “FORZA NAPOLI”.McTominay’s unveiling happened at the Stadio Diego Armando MaradonaClutching a Louis Vuitton handbag, Cam played the role of supportive WagCam also made sure she had her own keep sake of the occasion’Fallen in love with Italy’It didn’t take long for the glamorous Cam to be won over by her new surroundings.Last month, she took to Instagram to share the lifestyle she has now become accustomed to.In a photo, wearing a silky white blouse and a stunning long skirt, Cam beamed with delight.Behind her was the incredible backdrop of the Amalfi Coast.She captioned her snap: “Fallen in love with Italy.” It was easy to see why.In another pic, Cam shared what looked like an epic date night with McTominay.Some fancy nibbles were seen on a table decorated in flower petals, alongside glasses of wine and some mineral water.McTominay and Cam have enjoyed doing some sightseeing while in ItalyMcTominay has been an instant success in NaplesBut be warned…Of course, Italy is the country where amazing cuisine is had.And Naples has it in abundance, from pizza, pasta, ice cream, and limoncello readily available.However, Napoli manager Conte is known as being a strict disciplinarian when it comes to his players’ diets.Famously, he helped Romelu Lukaku shift half a stone when he left Man Utd for Inter Milan.The Italian follows the ‘Bresaola’ diet, which focuses on a Mediterranean menu of vegetables and protein-rich white meats like chicken and turkey.Fried food, mozzarella and alcohol are off the menu.According to reports from Il Mattino via calcionapoli24, McTominay is being monitored so he doesn’t succumb to the temptations of the local Neapolitan cuisine.READ MORE SUN STORIESAccording to reports, Napoli manager Antonio Conte has McTominay on a strict dietLocal Neapolitan cuisine is off the menu for McTominay, including lovely pizzaAmusingly, the story adds that McTominay is handed a note after training that tells him what he can and cannot eat.Admittedly, if it was me, I’d screw the note up and indulge in the best pizza you’re likely to find anywhere. More

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      David Haye’s former boxing rival is now Putin-backing Russian MP who spoke about ‘sinking British Isles’

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      BACK in 2009, Nikolai Valuev went eye-ball to eye-ball with David Haye in the ring.Or maybe, it was Haye’s eyeballs to Valuev’s chest.Russia’s Nikolai Valuev once fought David Haye in 2009Valuev, who stood at 7ft tall and weighed over 300 pounds, was the biggest champion of all timeValuev is now an MP in Russia and an ally of Vladimir PutinCredit: AFPThe British boxer’s then foe stood at 7ft tall and weighed a gargantuan 316 pounds.It was no wonder the fight was billed as David Vs Goliath, with Haye the victor after 12 gruelling rounds by majority decision.But since hanging up his gloves in 2009, the Russian boxer known as the ‘Beast from the East’ surprisingly became a politician.The tallest and heaviest boxing champion in history rose to become a member of parliament for the United Russia party, and is now a henchman for Vladimir Putin’s dictatorial regime.Read more boxing newsChillingly, Valuev recently revealed he was upset Great Britain still existed – saying there would be less problems in the world if it didn’t.”If you imagine that in any of the past six centuries, the British Isles suddenly sank into the ocean, then for the rest of the world, indeed, there would be fewer problems for a certain time,” he said.He added, in warning, if Britain no longer existed “others will take the place that becomes vacant.”Valuev’s life has been nothing short of interesting, if not controversial.Most read in BoxingBoxingFrom 1993 to 2009, Valuev’s life was dedicated to the ring.Farce as 7ft boxing champ Valuev can’t find Russian army uniform that fits as star needs size 16.5 boots for Ukraine warAnd he was a fighter with some pedigree too.In 2005, he took on American John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight title in Berlin, Germany.It was a historic moment for the ‘Russian Giant’ who would earn a 12-round majority decision.He would become the tallest and heaviest boxer of all time.However, he would lose the belt in 2007 to Uzbekistani fighter Ruslan Chagaev by majority decision.Redemption would come again in 2008, when Valuev would regain the belt after defeating Ruiz for a second time.British boxing fans will remember Valuev best for his fight with David Haye in 2009.The Brit managed to outmove and outbox the huge frame of Valuev, winning by majority decision after 12 hard-fought rounds.Haye later revealed he suffered a broken hand in the fight – comparing hitting Valuev’s head to striking a wall.Three days later, the Russian retired from the sport. He underwent a series of operations in 2010, with his doctor saying he treating Valuev for “serious bone and joint problems”.Valuev was a two-time WBA heavyweight championCredit: EPAHaye and Valuev’s fight was dubbed ‘David vs Goliath’Despite Valuev’s height and weight advantage, it was Haye who was the winnerIn 2013, he refused to return to the world of boxing citing medical reasons.A new chapter in politicsBut, by this time, Valuev had already found a new calling.He got involved in politics – using his fame and standing to aide his country.In December 2011, the sports star became a member of the State Duma, the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, through the United Russia Party.Controversies soon followed.In 2012, Valuev supported the law in Russian Parliament banning adoption of Russian orphans by citizens of the US.The same year, following the IOC’s decision to suspend Russia from participating in the Olympics under its flag because of the Russian-state-sponsored doping scandal, Valuev came out firing.He said that Russia should go to the Olympics and “tear everyone apart to spite these bastards who want to kill our sport.”By 2011, Valuev started a new chapter in his life as a politicianIn his short time in Russian parliament, Valuev has caused controversyCredit: Gettyread more sport featuresJoining the fightIn 2022, Valuev revealed he had been summoned to fight for Vladimir Putin’s Russian army in Ukraine.”In my opinion, everyone has received a summons, I also received a summons,” Valuev told Russian outlet Izvestia.”Will I go? Of course, I will go to the enlistment office now.  “My colleagues [fellow MPs] are good, they were registered for military service in the State Duma and received summons here, but I have to go home.”I received the summons right before my trip to Donbas, and I was not at home. Next week I will definitely go and report to the enlistment office.”However, weeks later he was rushed to hospital after complaining about a leg injury.Russian magazine Life revealed the dash to a Moscow medical centre, claiming he received treatment overnight.However, a source played down the severity of the injury.A spokesman for Valuev revealed: “No one broke his legs.”In 2022, Valuev revealed he was summoned to fight for the Russian Army by Vladimir PutinValuev, seen in the lower chamber of Russia’s Parliament, in his guise as an MPCredit: GettyValery Kunzekov, a second spokesman for the sportsman, told Life: “Nikolai Sergeevich jumps, dances. Yesterday he was in the State Duma until late.”No one broke his legs, and no one put him in the hospital. He is alive and well, smiling and walking on two legs. Now he is at home.”Putin’s allyIn 2023, Valuev was seen clapping in the crowd, as Putin claimed Russia is engaged in a “real war” with the West during his Victory Day speech in Moscow’s Red Square.During the 10-minute speech, Putin told the crowd: “Soldiers and seamen, and officers, generals, admirals, fighters and commanders, to all participants of the special military operation, I congratulate you on Victory Day.”It is the celebration to honour our fathers and grandfathers who fought for their motherland and through their sacrifice they saved the world from Nazism.”Putin, who has often referred to the invasion of the Ukraine as a repeat of WWII, revealed that a “special military operation” was needed to free Donbas of the chains of ‘Nazi’ rulers in Kyiv and the West.”Today civilisation is once again at a decisive turning point,” Putin said.READ MORE SUN STORIES”A real war has been unleashed against our Motherland.”He added: “Today we have a real war waged against us but we will be defending ourself from terrorism, we will defend the citizens of Donbas.”Valuev is politically allied to Vladimir PutinPutin addresses the crowd at the 2023 Victory Day paradeCredit: Reuters More

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      Meet the artist inspired by Disney who creates gold-plated Mickey Mouse statues starting at £8k for Real Madrid’s stars

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      NOT many can say they are the personal artist to Real Madrid’s elite.And only one can say that they all love his incredible statues that pay homage to Disney favourite, Mickey Mouse.Former footballer Juan Pablo Restrepo Mejia has become the go-to sculptor for Real Madrid’s starsCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaLuka Modric is just one of the stars who has commissioned Juan Pablo Restrepo MejiaCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaBoxing legend Canelo Alvarez is also a clientCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaColombian artist Juan Pablo Restrepo Mejía is making a killing from his sculptures that start at around £8,000.Luka Modric, Antonio Rudiger and Federico Valverde are just some of the Los Blancos stars who have commissioned Juan Pablo to create art work for them.While boxing legend Canelo Alvarez wanted a gold-plated piece for his Mexican home.It was a journey that stemmed from his artistic background, athough he could have taken a different journey.Read more football newsHow we got hereJuan Pablo played football in his homeland, alongside James Rodriguez and Juan Fernando Quintero at Envigado’s youth teams.But he was at university when he realised his calling in a discussion with his professor, who asked him what he wanted to do.He revealed he didn’t want to follow a career in his chosen degree of civil engineering.Instead, he wanted to be an artist. It was something Juan Pablo had grown up around all his life – coming from a family of painters who taught him the way.Most read in FootballHe told Marca: “I learned to wash brushes, the best classical and abstract techniques, sculpture, from framing a frame, painting it, sanding, filling a background.”First footballer who bought from himMarcos Llorente takes delivery of a gold Mickey Mouse statue from Juan Pablo Restrepo Mejia Spain international and Real Madrid left-back Fran Garcia was the first LaLiga star to show an interest in Juan Pablo’s work.Then Marcos Llorente asked the sculptor to create a piece to sit in the entrance of his home.It was through Llorente, who has since established his name at Real’s cross town rivals Atletico, that Juan Pablo became Real Madrid’s artist in residence.”He’s a great brother, he was the link that brought us closer to the rest of the boys on his team,” he said.Soon, after seeing the art at the club’s Valdebebas training ground, everyone wanted a piece – with prices starting at around the £8,000 mark.”He showed them the work he had done and we ended up getting to Luka Modric, who is one of my idols,” Juan Pablo continued.” Luka, (Andriy) Lunin, (Federico) Valverde, Lucas Vázquez, (Antonio) Rüdiger, they all have a piece of work.”I made sure their work was very personal, I chose the colours for each one that they most identified with.”Amusingly, when France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga saw Fran Garcia’s art work at the training ground, he wanted one too… but, he had one hilarious request.Camavinga was passing by and said, ‘Wow! What is that? Fran García’s. I want one too, but I want it to be super colourful. Mine has to be the most colorful of all,” Juan Pablo laughed.Marcos Llorente, formerly of Real Madrid, was the sculptor’s first clientsCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaFederico Valverde shows off the piece he commissionedCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaPlayers have to be patient for the piecesJuan Pablo is inspired by Mickey Mouse and has created versions of Pinocchio too.He began painting, but soon became intrigued with the idea of sculpting.However, footballers expecting a quick turnaround on their orders will be disappointed.”The manufacturing time depends a lot on the material. I work with bronze, carbon fibre and resin,” he said.”In bronze it takes me three months.”The more colourful pieces can take up to years to create. Juan Pablo explained: “The creation of the work, the idea as such, takes me about two and a half years.”Camavinga will have to wait six months or so. But I already told him and he told me ‘I wait, but colourful, colourful.'”The art pays homage to Mickey Mouse and starts at around £8,000Fran Garcia signs a shirt for Juan Pablo after receiving his pieceread more sport featuresIn terms of Walt Disney’s royalties for his work, Juan Pablo revealed: “Each country can have a permit with the brand. They didn’t know it was going to be scaled that way, but I did the right things and I have the brand’s permit.”And that’s not all…Alongside his work for football’s elite, Juan Pablo can also count Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez as one of his clients.The middleweight icon, naturally, wanted gold-plated pieces made.His work with Alvarez also led him to work with the WBA, who Juan Pablo is now the official artist for.”Every time there is a world champion they use one of my pieces to give them a detail and I am also in charge of making the legendary belts of the boxing organisation,” Juan Pablo revealed.READ MORE SUN STORIESCanelo Alvarez shows off his stunning gold plated artworkCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaCanelo has invited Juan Pablo to his home to decorate his Mexico ranchJuan Pablo has since become a celebrity in his Colombian homelandCanelo has even invited his new favourite artist round to his ranch in Mexico to decorate parts of his home.You can bet it will all be tastefully done. More

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      Emotional Chris Eubank Jr opens up on becoming father overnight after brother’s death and how he won’t copy his star dad

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      CHRIS EUBANK Jr wants to hit the boxing jackpot to give his nephew the life he deserves.In July 2021, Raheem was only a month old when his dad Sebastian  — the younger brother of Chris Jr — died of a heart attack in Dubai, aged 29.Chris Eubank Jr is dedicating the rest of his boxing career to help provide for his late brother Sebastian’s son RaheemCredit: X/ ChrisEubankJrChris Eubank Senior tragically lost his son Sebastian in 2021Credit: GettyKamil Szeremeta will take on Eubank Jr in Riyadh this SaturdayCredit: RexIt meant uncle Chris became a dad overnight and three years on Raheem, who has just started school, is now chasing him around the practice ring ahead of his middleweight clash with Poland’s Kamil Szeremeta in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.At 35, Eubank Jr looks  unlikely to follow in his father’s footsteps by becoming a world champion — with a scrap against nemesis Conor Benn likely to follow.But he explained that the total devastation that struck his family  left him with a new drive in the shape of a nephew he now treats like his own son.He said: “I remember going to my brother’s grave for the first time and that’s where I first met Raheem and I held him in front of the grave and it calmed me down.READ MORE TOP STORIES“His energy and him being very quiet while on my chest gave me peace.“I felt then that everything would be OK.“I felt that we might have a second chance here.“I love that little boy. I use Raheem as a tool to strengthen my will and my soul and my spirit.Most read in BoxingChris Eubank Jr’s younger brother Sebastian was also a boxerCredit: X/ ChrisEubankJrVegasLand welcome bonus100 spins + up to £200 bonus18+; new depositing players only. Welcome package split over 3 deposits:Min. 1st deposit £10. min. 2nd and 3rd deposit £20.35x wagering requirement applies to match up bonus and spins. Spins credited in specific games. Spins expire after 24 hours. Terms and Conditions Apply.SIGN UP“Raheem is going to live a long and fulfilled life and I only have a few years of boxing left.“So I need to do everything I can over the next three or four years to make sure he has the best life he can possibly have growing up.”Chris Eubank Jr shows his boxing skills in brutal punch bag workout Eubank Jr has arrived in the Saudi capital for his middleweight boutCredit: GettyThe death of Sebastian understandably took a terrible toll on his father, Chris Eubank Sr.The  theatrical but granite-hard two-weight world champion was suddenly weak and vulnerable and preyed upon — saying things that caused a rift with his eldest son.The flare-up was exacerbated by Eubank Sr’s disgust at his son stripping  down to 157lb to face Benn, who failed a drugs test before their October 2022 grudge bout was called off.Sadly, especially for little Raheem, who is now three, the gladiatorial gene pool is not fully reunited yet.Dubai-based Eubank Jr said: “We should be able to help Raheem without boxing involved.“But  there is still a wedge between us. Until the day I retire, I don’t ever see that wedge not being there.“It should not be that way but he is set in his ways and he can’t seem to separate the boxing business from being a dad.“I don’t need Chris Eubank Sr the boxer, businessman, coach, mentor, advisor.“He is in a better place now. He was dealing with some demons — and he still is.“But he has got over and through a lot of things and he is in a much healthier state of mind, thank God.Eubank Junior says Chris Eubank Senior believes tears, punishment and discipline are important if you want to ‘flourish’ in sportCredit: Alamy“I am very happy about that. I speak to him whenever I can, I keep up to date with how everything is going. I am hearing good things now, when a year or two ago I was not.“I am very grateful that we have managed to get through that part of our lives.”Eubank Jr makes his heart-breaking overnight transformation from super-cool uncle to doting dad sound like a doddle. But it means he is now in a rush to give Raheem the little sibling he himself adored in Sebastian.And then he has to wrestle with the idea of both of his boys following down the brutally hard path that his dad, brother, cousins and uncles have all walked.He explained: “Once I was put in this position for Raheem,  people saw a different side to me, a softer side.“Spending time with Raheem makes me think more about having my own son, giving him a brother and raising them together.“His dad was my brother and we grew up together and I want to give Raheem that.“My new role means I have to teach Raheem — I cannot be Mr Nice Guy all the time.“He has got to learn that certain things are not good or OK. In a sports setting, tough love and strict rules breed success.My old man would say…‘What are you doing? Get back in the f*****g ring and work and learn and take your licks like a man’.Chris Eubank Junior“Nine times out of ten, if you don’t have the tears, punishment and discipline, then a kid is  not going to flourish in sport, especially boxing.“My old man would watch me get hurt, he would watch me get beaten up and tell me, ‘Get back in the ring’.“There were no hugs, there was no, ‘How are you son, are you feeling OK?’“He would say, ‘What are you doing? Get back in the f*****g ring and work and learn and take your licks like a man’.“That would break a lot of people, let alone kids, but it pushed me.“Not everybody has it but you need it to survive in combat.“I have a very soft spot for Raheem because of our situation, so I don’t think I would want to go through it with him.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Would I love to see him  pursue a boxing career? No, I don’t think I would love it.“I know his mother will not want him to do it — but his father did it, I do it and our father did it, so he has the genes, he’s part of our gene pool.”Conor Benn could come next for Eubank Jr if he wins this weekendCredit: AP More