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      Marco Reus wanted career as a PILOT and was inspired by Arsenal cult hero as Borussia Dortmund legend eyes fairytale end

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      MARCO REUS is getting ready to play the final big game of his career when he steps out at Wembley on Saturday.The Borussia Dortmund legend will bid farewell to his boyhood club in what promises to be an emotional night.Marco Reus is bidding farewell to Borussia DortmundCredit: APHis final game is the Champions League final at Wembley – 11 years on from heartache in the same matchCredit: GettyReus lifted two DFB-Pokals but never the BundesligaCredit: GettyAnd very few outside the Real Madrid fanbase could begrudge him bowing out in style.Even former team-mate Jude Bellingham, one of the men trying to stop him, would deep down be delighted for Reus. For a win in the Champions League final the day after his 35th birthday would be the crowning moment for Dortmund’s local-boy-done-good – and one who has endured his fair share of heartache over the years.Make no mistake about it, Reus is a living legend in the German city. READ MORE ON MARCO REUSHe secured that status a long time ago – thanks to a mutual love, connection and loyalty between the player, the club, the fans and the city. But the adoration has been clear to see in recent weeks during Reus’ goodbye.He announced earlier this month that his expiring contract would not be renewed so after 12 years back at Signal Iduna Park, the popular star is leaving at the end of the season.Reus received a resounding reception as he was subbed off late on in Dortmund’s final home game of the season – a 4-0 thrashing of Darmstadt.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe club legend marked his departure with his 170th goal for the club – second on the all-time club list – after treating all 81,000 fans to a free beer, accompanied with hand-written notes in the concourse reading: “Thanks for everything! The farewell beer is on me. Yours, Marco.”After blowing kisses to the partizan crowd, including the iconic Yellow Wall, he was given a guard of honour by his team-mates who sent him off in style. Watch emotional moment Marco Reus says goodbye to Dortmund as stadium and players all give him incredible send-offJadon Sancho, back on loan at Dortmund from Manchester United, said: “He’s the GOAT, the legend, he is him… love you Marco.” And that leaves one final game in the famous yellow and black… the biggest one of all against the 14-time European champions. And it presents Reus with the chance to secure the most significant trophy of his career. BAYERN’S BRILLIANCERemarkably, he has been limited to just two DFB-Pokals and three German Supercups – with no Bundesliga title or Champions League crown… yet.Borussia Dortmund finished second to Bayern Munich in seven of Reus’ 12 seasons – with both the 2018-19 and 2022-23 seasons going down to the final day.In 2023, Edin Terzic’s side came within a whisker of ending their long wait to be national champions.Reus scored in his final home game for DortmundCredit: GettyFormer team-mate Jude Bellingham will try and deny Reus the dream finaleCredit: GettyKnowing a win at home to Mainz would be enough to secure the title, they could only manage a 2-2 draw allowing Bayern to pip them thanks to Jamal Musiala’s 89th-minute winner.Then there was the 2013 Champions League final as Dortmund lost to their bitter rivals at Wembley.Oh how sweet it would be for Reus to bury those demons for good against Los Blancos on the very same pitch 11 years later.INTERNATIONAL HEARTACHEBut while his Dortmund career has been a series of near misses, for superstitious Reus – who always puts his right sock, shin pad and boot on first but steps on to the pitch with his left – his international one is more about sheer bad luck.His superb 2011-12 form not only earned him Bundesliga Player of the Season and his move back to Borussia Dortmund from Borussia Monchengladbach – six years after he was released by Dortmund aged 16 for being too small.But it also earned him a spot in Joachim Low’s Euro 2012 squad, scoring in the 4-2 quarter-final win over Greece.Two years later, he looked on course to be a key man at the 2014 World Cup.However, heartbreakingly, Reus injured his ankle in a 6-1 warm-up friendly win over Armenia on June 6, just seven days before Germany’s opening game in Brazil. It forced him to withdraw from the squad and he watched on from home as best-mate Mario Gotze scored the dramatic extra-time winner in the final – before holding up a ‘Reus 21’ Germany shirt on the pitch amid the trophy celebrations.Reus injured his ankle against Armenia a week before the 2014 World CupCredit: AFPMario Gotze paid tribute to his close friend after his heroics in BrazilCredit: X @woodyinhoThe forward got his one and only World Cup goal in 2018 against SwedenCredit: GettyThen to make matters worse, Reus suffered a groin problem just before Euro 2016 so missed that tournament, too.He was fit to play at the 2018 World Cup – grabbing a goal and an assist in the 2-1 win over Sweden – but it was a nightmare tournament for the defending champions who were booted out in the group stages.Reus needed time for his body to recover from another injury-hit campaign and that saw him left out of the delayed Euro 2020 then an ankle problem ruled him out of the 2022 World Cup in further devastation. WOODY YOU BELIEVE ITIronically, that solo World Cup goal means Reus has one more than the man he was named after: Marco van Basten.Born in May 1989, Thomas and Manuela Reus were planning to call their baby son Dennis – but Dutchman Van Basten’s sensational volley in the Euro 1988 final convinced them otherwise. But Marco is not his only name with a story behind it. Plenty of his friends dub him Woody – after Woody Woodpecker thanks to his spikey hair – while Prince of Dortmund is another of his nicknames. DORT-MAN OF THE PEOPLEBorn in the city in western Germany and a stalwart for their football club, Reus is a hero in Dortmund.He has only added to his glowing reputation by regularly visiting children in the city’s hospitals, donating the profits of his own MRXI clothing brand to charity and donating a staggering €500,000 to local small businesses during Covid to help keep them afloat. Reus is cheered on by his doting wife Scarlett GartmannCredit: Getty – ContributorMarco and Scarlett married in 2019Credit: GettyScarlett is a glamorous supermodelCredit: Instagram @scarlettgartmannShe has racked up more than 273,000 followersCredit: Instagram @scarlettgartmannGartmann was in Russia in 2018 with the Germany Wags to cheer on her then-boyfriendCredit: Getty – ContributorHe did that alongside his stunning supermodel wife and YouTuber Scarlett Gartmann.The couple got together in 2015 and married in 2019 – the same year they welcomed their first child before No2 came along in January 2024. Glamorous Scarlett has modelled for various big-name brands including car manufacturers Hyundai and Volkswagen.But away from her work, she adores horses and regularly posts on Instagram to her 273,000 followers videos of her riding or tending to the animals – as well as workout videos, photoshoots, holiday snaps and dog content. Reus remains close to his parents and siblings – literally.TATT’S AMAZINGThat is because he has each of their initials tattooed on his arm – just four of the various inkings across his body.Just in case he forgets, Reus has “Marco 31.05.1989” as well as various illustrations including a lion, a flower and half a clock.Scarlett loves horse riding and is often in the saddleCredit: Instagram @scarlettgartmannShe posts plenty of content with their dogCredit: Instagram @scarlettgartmannThe couple keep their children’s faces private on social mediaCredit: Instagram @marcinho11They gave €500,000 to local small businesses in Dortmund during CovidCredit: Instagram @marcinho11He also has Opray Winfrey’s quote “the biggest adventure you can take is to live out your dreams” permanently etched on his skin.Asked about the artwork, Reus said: “I just love tattoos and I have a good tattoo artist. There’ll probably be some more in the future. It might even become an obsession.”A DIFFERENT FLIGHT PATH?However, Reus’ life could all have turned out very differently indeed had he pursued his first passion.Because before he wanted to become a footballer, young Marco dreamed of being a pilot.He told Bild in 2012: “I’ve been fascinated by flying since my early childhood.“Back then I always wanted to become a pilot. I loved flying as a child and still do today.”CZECH HIM OUTInstead, though, the flying forward soared in the Dortmund academy – taking flight through the age groups, inspired by a certain Czech midfielder who went on to star for Arsenal.Reus explained: “My idol was always Tomas Rosicky. “He used to be phenomenal. He had such a good eye for an opening and knew where his teammates were, and he was so quick.Reus has a load of tattoos including his name and date of birth on his left armCredit: GettyReus shone at Rot Weiss Ahlen and Borussia Monchengladbach before his Dortmund returnCredit: AP:Associated PressReus partially tore his cruciate ligament in 2017Credit: Instagram @marcinho11A young Reus idolised Tomas Rosicky and was desperate to emulate the Czech aceCredit: EPA“Rosicky had great technique and was so intelligent and mature even though he was still young at Dortmund. I copied everything about him, right down to his sweatbands.”Both Rosicky and Reus left Dortmund in 2006 in very different circumstances – Arsene Wenger snapped up the former while the latter headed to Rot Weiss Ahlen’s second team.BORUSSIA GLAD-TO-BE-BACHBut his strong performances quickly saw him promoted to the first team and then in 2009, Reus signed for Monchengladbach and three years later made his homecoming.The past 12 years have seen plenty of accolades including two further Bundesliga Player of the Year awards, two German Footballer of the Year gongs and a place in the Champions League Team of the Season. He was the third player to reach 100 goals and 100 assists in Germany’s top flight and captained Dortmund for five years, forging a special bond with plenty of team-mates over the years marked by his famous custom handshakes.Reus even beat the likes of Eden Hazard, James Rodriguez and Anthony Martial to be the face of EA Sports’ FIFA 17 cover.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut would the self-confessed Justin Bieber superfan trade that all in for the chance to lead Borussia Dortmund, his beloved Borussia Dortmund, to Champions League glory in his 429th and final appearance?What do you mean? Of course he would. He has been named Bundesliga Player of the Season three timesCredit: AFPInjuries have plagued the star’s careerCredit: REUTERS/Michael DalderReus played with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Erling Haaland and Robert LewandowskiCredit: Getty – PoolJadon Sancho declared his love for Reus and labelled his team-mate as the ‘GOAT’Credit: EPAReus was the cover star for FIFA 17The Dortmund fans showed their appreciation for a true club legendCredit: GettyReus was given a wonderful send off with a guard of honour in his final home gameCredit: Getty More

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      We had 5 hours of hell as Siena had life-saving op…but she’s fixed now. She’s our heart warrior, says Jack Wilshere

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      FORMER Arsenal and England star Jack Wilshere suffered “five hours of hell” as his five-year-old daughter Siena had life-saving cardiac surgery.And he said he had been “100 per cent” sure she would die during the operation to fix a hole in her heart in February.Retired football star Jack Wilshere suffered ‘five hours of hell’ as his five-year-old daughter Siena had life-saving cardiac surgery, pictured with wife Andriani, leftCredit: Eleven Miles.Siena had a rare kind of heart issue which required swift actionCredit: Eleven Miles.Jack, 32, also recalled how he and his wife Andriani spent 45 minutes crying as they were gripped by the fear of losing her.Only a month earlier, doctors had told the father-of-four that Siena — his second-youngest child — had the heart condition.While it can be fatal, it often does not need surgery — but Siena had a rare kind which required swift action.Arsenal ace Jack, who played 34 times for his country, told The Sun how he lost almost a stone due to stress during the month between her diagnosis and the surgery.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSEven worse was the moment when Siena, now six, was given an anaesthetic just before the op began.He said: “When I took Siena down to the surgery I had to drag my wife out of the anaesthetic room and we went to a room upstairs and we were just crying, both of us, for about 45 minutes.Heart murmur“It was five hours from hell, waiting for the phone to ring. It was a blur.”Jack and Andriani have now become ambassadors for the British Heart ­Foundation, and he praises the charity’s work in helping to keep poorly children like their daughter alive.Most read in FootballHe also hopes to alert other parents to the signs of heart problems.In Siena’s case the early symptoms for a congenital heart defect, which means it was present from birth, were not ­obvious.Four Arsenal stars confronted Arsene Wenger after huge stars sold to bitter rivals, reveals Jack Wilshere Jack said: “She was probably a bit more out of breath than her friends when she was on a trampoline, and chest infections hung around for longer.”Medics thought it may be due to asthma, because Andriani had ­it as a child.But it took two years for the real cause to be discovered, during a family holiday in Cyprus, where many of Andriani’s relatives live.Jack said: “My kids got ill — nothing serious — ear infections. The doctor listened to her heart and said, ‘I don’t want to worry you, but I can hear a bit of a murmur in her heart’, and said, ‘You should get it checked when you get back to the UK’.“That doctor saved my daughter’s life.”A cardiologist carried out a series of tests on Siena, and days later, rang Jack, who coaches Arsenal’s under-18s, just as he was about to go away with his squad.He recalled: “At the time I found out I was with my assistant.“I was at the training ground and I virtually broke down in his arms when I told him. All my staff were brilliant.”The hole in Siena’s heart was so serious that surgery was arranged for just a month later.Tests had revealed the gap in the muscle wall between the lower ­chambers of her heart meant it had to work much harder, which is why she was so out of breath.A tearful Andriani, 33, said: “I remember just falling to the floor and crying, I just couldn’t believe the news. It was shocking.”Siena after the life-saving February operationCredit: BBC SportOnly 40 per cent of people born with a heart defect need heart surgery.Often the issues are spotted while the child is in the womb.But the worst cases carry the chance of sudden death, and it is necessary to carry out the operations while patients are still young.Siena had a rare condition in which, Jack said, her veins had rerouted because they were leaking into her lungs.The wait for the day when she would be “fixed” was almost impossible for the doting dad to bear.And there was also the fear of his daughter undergoing a precarious operation.He said: “I remember the date she got diagnosed — the 27th of January — and she eventually had the surgery on the 27th of February, and that whole month I lost six kilos.Bag of nerves“I can’t even remember it, it was so stressful, because obviously there were risks involved in the surgery.”There was a one per cent chance she wouldn’t wake up.”His wife was equally anxious.Andriani said: “The night before, we were a bag of nerves. I remember having this feeling in the pit of my stomach.”A team of medics had to close the defect in Siena’s heart, which could have caused sudden death.She had surgery on Monday and we were back home on Friday. She was laughing, she’s really bubbly, she loves lifeJack WilshireAfter crying with his wife, Jack went for a coffee with his parents and took a walk around the block.Thankfully, they got the message that Siena had pulled through.Andriani recalled: “When we went down to the intensive care unit, it was all such a blur.“I heard Siena cry and it was then that I knew she was going to be OK.”Jack is in awe of the way his brave daughter had dealt with the terrible ordeal.He said: “I have been through surgery. I had a lot of injuries as a player, and it took me ages to recover.“She had the surgery on the Monday and we were back at home on the Friday and she was laughing.“She’s really bubbly, she loves life. It’s great to have her fixed.”And he added: “We call her our heart warrior. The bravery and strength she’s shown has been incredible.”Three months on, it seems that Siena is making a good recovery.Jack said: “The surgery has made all the difference and she has so much energy now.”Up against itThe breathlessness and coughing fits have relented.The couple are far from alone, because every day 13 babies in Britain are diagnosed with congenital heart disease.It was the British Heart Foundation which helped Jack and Andriani to understand what they were up against.Andriani said: “We didn’t know anything about congenital heart conditions and never thought our daughter would ever require open- heart surgery.“Turning to the BHF made us feel less alone and gave us the answers and support we needed.”The charity has been funding research into heart conditions for more than 60 years and put £99million into the field during 2022-2023.Wilshere and partner Andriani have become ambassadors for the British Heart FoundationCredit: BBC SportProud dad Jack says: ‘We call her our heart warrior’Credit: Eleven Miles.Jack said: “We’re supporting the British Heart Foundation because without life-saving research keeping children’s hearts beating, we might not have Siena here with us today.”It is not the first time the star has faced a health crisis with one of his children.His eldest son, Archie, 12, from his relationship with Lauren Neal, often had to be rushed to hospital in the middle of the night, suffering from seizures.Under controlJack, who also has daughter ­Delilah, ten, with Lauren and a four-year-old son, Jack Junior with Andriani, said in 2019: “My wife and I would sit up most nights because most of the seizures were happening at night.”Fortunately, doctors got the ­condition under control.Now Jack’s aim as a British Heart Foundation ambassador is to raise awareness of the charity’s important work and to encourage people to have any problems or concerns properly assessed.Many adults don’t even know they have a hole in the heart.Jack said: “There are people ­suffering cardiac arrests who have gone undiagnosed.”And he added: “You know your child better than anyone. If you think something isn’t quite right, don’t take no for an answer.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It is the most common defect you can be born with.”
      To donate £5 please text FIVE to 70507 and help British Heart Foundation fund more life-saving research.
      Jack played 34 times for EnglandCredit: Getty More

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      Welcome to Mount Wank: Inside the German town where Scotland are staying & locals are backing Tartan Army at the Euros

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      THE whole country will be hoping the Scotland National Team will have a pleasurable experience when they head for Wank.If ever there was a place for the players to enjoy some me-time in peace and quiet, it’s in this little corner of Germany.Colan with Mayor, Elisabeth Kochat, at the top of Mount WankYou can take a cable car up Mount WankThere are stunning views over Garmisch-PartenkirchenSteve Clarke and his side will actually be based in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a 30,000 population resort town at the base of Mount Wank.The team will train in seclusion surrounded by snowcapped mountains at their Bavarian base.But the holiday spot for skiing, snowboarding, and hiking is far from a tourist trap. The region is most famous for its stunning scenery, especially when your vantage point is thousands of feet in the air.Visitors begin their journey at Wankstüberl, a fun-filled eatery next to the Wankbahn, a cable car system that lifts you 5,840 feet to the summit.Once you’ve reached the ride’s climax, it would be rude not to enjoy a wiener at Wank-Haus, the perfect bar and restaurant for a pint and plate of Bavarian Cuisine.The views of the Loisach valley, close to the Austrian border, rival anywhere else on the planet.Just 55 miles from Munich, around 200 miles from Milan and 175 miles from Switzerland’s Bern, there’s a real edge-of-the-world feel to the frozen terrain.But Elisabeth Koch, 61, the mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, reckons the Scotland side will be at home in her stunning ski town.Most read in Euro 2024There will be a special public screening of the first game against Germany with hundreds of supporters expected to gather.She said: “We are doing a lot for the players, fans and tourists. We have two traditional bands who will play together for a very warm welcome.“The best team should win, whether it’s Scotland or Germany. Two hearts are beating in my chest.“But Steve Clarke told me he expected to win.”The national team are staying at the plush Obermuhle Hotel, a 250 euro a night spa resort with a history dating back to 1634.The stunning streets of the German villageThe side will stay at the plush Hotel ObermuhleManagement are clearly excited to welcome the team as they prepare for the country’s first foreign showpiece tournament in 26 years.But they’ve promised to keep the ball on the deck as the Tartan Army pins its hopes on their footie heroes.The same can’t be said for any fans who decide to follow the side to Wank.There’s a plethora of watering holes across the town where visitors can embrace traditional Bavarian culture complete with shoe flats, yodels and schnitzel. There’s also a handful of ex-pats ready to reclaim their national pride partying the night away.John Gourlay, 63, from Maryhill in Glasgow, is restaurant manager at Hotel Rheinischer Hof and has been waiting for a moment like this since emigrating 40 years ago.John has stayed in town for almost 40 yearsHe said: “This is the biggest event I’ve ever experienced here.“I wanted to offer to be a translator because they’ll have Americans doing it who won’t know what the Scottish people are talking about.”John added: “The biggest qualification success was beating Spain, that was a real highlight for me with my wife being Spanish. My son Tom sticks with his dad. He supports Scotland. I’m looking forward to the Tartan Army coming over, with kilts, bagpipes and hopefully some black pudding for me too.”Iain McNab, 84, lives in one of the town’s grandest homes after moving 30 years ago.Iain’s family are all backing ScotlandThe pensioner, from Uddingston, Glasgow, said: “It was an unbelievable surprise to have the Scotland national team choose us as a base.“Hopefully the fans come and it’s good for Garmisch-Partenkirchen.“My wife is German but supports Scotland and so do my children. I’m very patriotic.”Meanwhile, Andrew Syme, 51, swapped Aberdeen for the Austrian border at the age of 18 and ran his own restaurant for years.Andrew says there’s a buzz about the team comingNow he’s part of the team that looks after the dining scene surrounding Wank and hopes to welcome lots of his compatriots.He said: “Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a nice town and it’s not too big, if you walk through town you need to account for an extra ten minutes because you bump into people you know.“I’m so excited about Scotland coming. I think this will be our tournament and we will get to the next stage. I can’t walk through town without being asked by locals how many fans are coming and what they are like.“I hope lots of fans come. It’s a beautiful place only an hour away from Munich so is a great base.“It’s got that small-town feel but still with tourists and a lot happening, there’s always sporting events and beer tents and markets.”And if the Tartan Army are worried about laughing at the name Wank, they won’t be alone.John joked: “I still laugh at Wank more than 40 years later.“There’s going to be so many photos that fans get with signs that say Wank.”IF Scots want a taste of home, local whisky connoisseur Alexander Rhein is ready to host guests at The Dram Shop.
      He’s rooting for his second favourite nation to succeed in his homeland and reckons tourists will feel right at home having a tipple in such a traditional town.
      The expert, 63, below, said: “I am particularly pleased that the Scottish national team will be our guests in Garmisch for three weeks and that many Scots will be travelling with them.
      “The opening match between Scotland and Germany is of course the crowning glory. We won’t be stingy with the saltire in the store and will have a really delicious Bavarian whisky ready for our visitors.
      “We have had a cask bottled exclusively for our store at the Ardnamurchan distillery. The label documents the opening game between Scotland and Germany.
      “In addition, we will be holding a special tasting of six Ardnamurchan bottlings in a Bavarian pub.”
      Alexander, who usually roots for Italy due it being his wife’s homeland, added: “Since Scotland is also playing in the European Championship this year, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a big success. I think I would be very happy about Scotland beating Germany 2-1.”

      Meanwhile, Andrew quipped: “When I came here at 18 my friend and I had a real chuckle about that.“There’s stickers saying ‘I love Wank’ and they do quite well.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSo I’m proud to be a Wank convert after such a wonderful time in Garmisch. Just remember, the letter W is pronounced like a V in Germany. A tiny change that can make a massive difference.Remember, the letter W is pronounced like a V in GermanyThere’s some brilliant merch available More

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      in Soccer

      I faced Jude Bellingham on his debut, we were warned about him but after 5 minutes I’d seen enough – he was exceptional

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      FORMER Portsmouth player GARETH EVANS had the perfect view of Jude Bellingham’s pro debut as a 16-year-old kid for Birmingham.Here, Evans, now 36, exclusively tells SunSport what he witnessed on that August day in 2019…Jude Bellingham has impressed his opponents since day oneCredit: GettyThe Real Madrid star has enjoyed a meteoric rise to reach the Champions League finalCredit: GettyI had never known there to be such a fuss about a player who had not played a minute of professional football before.We were preparing for a Carabao Cup first-round game and there was a deafening buzz surrounding some 16-year-old lad that was making his first appearance for Birmingham City that night.“He’s quick, agile, has lightning-fast feet and he can pick a pass”, I remember was the memo in our team talk from boss Kenny Jackett.I thought it was all a bit over the top but given that I was on the bench I had the perfect view of what this kid was all about.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAfter five minutes I’d seen enough.His name? Jude Bellingham.You could just tell that he was going to be exceptional, albeit nobody could have predicted what he would go on to achieve.I remember being amazed at his ability to turn with the ball and cruise past players like they weren’t there.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThis was a lad that hadn’t played a minute of pro football before and in a few instances, he made established EFL players look like the teenagers.He was on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat that night at Portsmouth but all our lads talked about after the game was the No 22 in midfield.Roberto Carlos says Jude Belingham is as good as Zinedine ZidaneNobody could quite believe how young he was, his confidence on the ball was that of a player in his prime.Everybody was raving about him and rightly so. Ben Close played against Bellingham in midfield that night and scored a 25-yard volley that the Jude of today would be very proud of.Close recalled: “We’d heard that he was highly-rated but I was happy to be playing against a 16-year-old. I thought he would be nervous as the game was on TV as well.”Midfielder Close, now 27, was impressed with his ability to carry the ball as well — but it was his attitude that shone through most of all.He added: “I didn’t expect him to be so quick and sharp.“It was his belief and confidence though that stood out for me. He showed no signs of nerves or fear which is very rare.”His shirt number was retired by Birmingham at the end of that debut season as Borussia Dortmund paid £30m for him.That’s how good he is. Nothing seems to faze him.Could he cut it in the Bundesliga at the age of just 17? No problem.He was a mainstay in midfield for three years and was voted Bundesliga player of the year.His performances were nothing short of astounding and that led to Real Madrid paying £85.5m for him last summer, rising to a possible £115m.Questions were asked on whether he could cut it at the Spanish giants as the pressure mounted.But he has just won LaLiga by TEN POINTS in his first season and after scoring 19 times was yesterday voted player of the season in the Spanish top-flight.He is also playing the Champions League final on Saturday against his old team Dortmund. Just remarkable. His maturity on the pitch is there for all to see.His trademark celebration has been copied by his peers and kids alike all around the world.To go to Real Madrid and have Zinedine Zidane’s famous No 5 on his back takes a huge amount of confidence and courage.But it is not just his character on the pitch that has impressed the football world so much but his personality off it as well.He comes across so level-headed and down-to-earth. It’s hard to imagine the pressure that he is under playing for the biggest club in the world and on the biggest stage but no one would ever know. Rio Ferdinand recently interviewed Jude and said that he’s the kind of lad that you want your daughter to bring home. Compliment indeed.I played against Dele Alli when he broke through at MK Dons and I remember thinking that he would go on to big things which he did for a time.But Bellingham is something else.He has gone on to take over the world of football and I feel privileged to have witnessed Jude play his first game of professional football.I’m disappointed now that I didn’t get on to share the pitch with him that night at Fratton Park.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut the flair, the charisma and the confidence will be there for everyone to see at Wembley.Don’t be surprised if you see his celebration as well. More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd cult hero who saved Sir Alex Ferguson from sack told his tragic story in lost tapes found years after his death

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      LES SEALEY helped save Sir Alex Ferguson from the Manchester United sack.But it came at a cost when a shocking Wembley injury nearly proved fatal.Les Sealey came in for the FA Cup final replay to beat Crystal PalaceCredit: Action ImagesSealey tragically died aged 43 in 2001 following a heart attackCredit: RexSealey got into a furious row with the United physio after suffering a horror knee injuryCredit: RexNow his story has been unearthed thanks to lost tapes found 23 years after his death.Sealey joined United on loan from Luton in 1990 and had played just twice under Ferguson – with Jim Leighton the clear No1.However, Fergie decided to drop his Scottish compatriot for the FA Cup final replay after he shipped three in the initial 3-3 draw.Ferguson said: “Sealey was cocky and sometimes downright arrogant, so I did not foresee a failure of his nerve at Wembley.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDThat decision permanently wrecked Leighton’s relationship with the boss but proved to be a smart call as United ran out 1-0 winners, in turn landing Ferguson his long-awaited first trophy since taking over at Old Trafford in 1986. His heroics earned Sealey a permanent transfer to Manchester United and he became first choice in 1991.But another Wembley appearance 11 months later would change his life forever. United faced Sheffield Wednesday – led by captain Nigel Pearson – in the 1991 League Cup final.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJohn Sheridan gave the Owls a half-time lead but it was an incident in the 78th minute that had a far greater impact.Sealey was caught in a challenge with Wednesday striker Paul Williams which “sliced right through to the bone” of his knee.Fans say ‘this man breathes Man Utd’ as emotional footage of Sir Alex Ferguson at full-time of FA Cup win emergesHe revealed: “You could actually see the workings of my knee inside the skin.”The animated shot-stopper got into a furious row on the pitch with the United physio, as skipper Bryan Robson tried to calm him down, while blood poured from the joint.Incredibly, though, Sealey CARRIED ON – because there was no sub goalkeeper on Fergie’s two-man bench to call upon and replace him.He was treated after full-time but his condition deteriorated on his way to hospital as an ambulance was called.And that quick intervention may have saved his life.Sealey went under the knife but woke up in the early hours of the morning and recalled in the tapes dug out by his family: “I always remember him saying, ‘Who’s a lucky boy then?’”But it then transpired that the wound had been stitched up with dirt inside and subsequently got infected.Any further delay getting to hospital could have been life-changing – by virtue of needing his leg amputating – or even life-ending if he contracted blood poisoning.The FA Cup success was Sir Alex Ferguson’s first trophy as United bossCredit: AlamySealey started in the European Cup Winners’ Cup 24 days after his horror injuryCredit: GettyWithin 24 DAYS, though, Sealey made a dramatic and extraordinary comeback and started in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final against Barcelona in Rotterdam – with Leighton exiled by Fergie.So the East Ender began between the sticks despite no training sessions and not “handling a ball” since his Wembley ordeal.Mark Hughes scored twice for United in the second half before Ronald Koeman curled home a free-kick 11 minutes from time – but the Red Devils held on for Ferguson’s second major honour. On Koeman’s free-kick, Sealey said in his memoirs: “I’d have saved it with my nose if I’d have been fit, but I just couldn’t get across the goal.”The pair were reunited after the game when they were called in by drugs testers and Koeman saw the extent of the damage to the goalkeeper’s knee, prompting a “total look of amazement” from the Dutchman. Another voice recording from Sealey said: “He just said to me, ‘Les, I don’t know how you played with it.’”A cult hero at Old Trafford, then-33-year-old Sealey rejected a one-year contract extension because he wanted two more years and ending up leaving United for Aston Villa at the end of the 1990-91 season.Two years later, though, he returned as Peter Schmeichel’s understudy and was drafted into the starting XI for the 1994 League Cup final against Villa as the Great Dane served his red-card suspension. Jim Leighton on FA Cup final snub
      SIR ALEX FERGUSON ditched his regular No1, Jim Leighton, for the FA Cup final replay in 1990.
      Leighton was in goal for the 3-3 draw at Wembley – but was ditched for loanee Les Sealey for the replay.
      It was a big call – but one that proved to be the right call as Ferguson ended his long wait for his first United silverware.
      But it came at the cost of his relationship with Leighton.
      The former goalkeeper told the BBC in 2018: “It got pretty frosty over the period, sort of about the last six months I was in the team.
      “And then it went to zero about a couple of weeks after the final.
      “And we’ve never spoke since and never will do again.”
      Asked why, he said: “I didn’t like a lot of the things that he said and he done.”
      Ferguson later explained: “Sealey was cocky and sometimes downright arrogant, so I did not foresee a failure of his nerve at Wembley.”

      It turned out to be his final United appearance – meaning three of his last four United games were cup finals – and again ended up on the losing side, just like three years earlier.Sealey had stints with Blackpool, West Ham and Leyton Orient but continued to be plagued by his knee never fully recovering – even revealing in his tapes he visited a faith healer recommended by his United team-mate Robson.The goalkeeper said: “Robson swears blind that he had a small, hairline fracture on his shinbone.“She’d put her hands on his shinbone and he had an X-ray the following day and the fracture had gone.” He added that it felt “like a red-hot iron” when she touched his knee. Fittingly, Sealey made the last appearance of his career for the Hammers away at United on the final day of the 1996-97 season.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe was kept on the West Ham playing squad all the way until 1999-2000, by which time he was working as a goalkeeper coach for the club. And Sealey remained in that role until his tragic death in August 2001, passing away following a heart attack aged just 43. Sealey collided with Wednesday striker Paul WilliamsCredit: YOUTUBE / officialswfcBryan Robson tried to calm the goalkeeper downCredit: YOUTUBE / officialswfcBlood was pouring out of the gash and he could see the boneCredit: YOUTUBE / officialswfcSealey somehow carried on to play the remaining 12 minutesCredit: YOUTUBE / officialswfcSealey, pictured with Shaka Hislop, was still coaching at West Ham when he diedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Inside Russell Martin’s emotional journey from living next to a bookies with an abusive dad to Premier League manager

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      RUSSELL MARTIN has spent his life proving people wrong.From growing up with an abusive dad to being told he was not good enough to make it as a pro.
      Russell Martin led Southampton to promotion on SundayCredit: Rex
      Ending up as a Premier League skipper and international footballer, Martin squeezed every last drop of talent out of his system.
      There were question marks when Saints appointed him on the back of relegation and being forced to sell £140million worth of players.
      So Sunday’s 1-0 win over Leeds — which sparked joyous celebrations on the south coast — was particularly sweet.
      It saw Martin get one over on Daniel Farke, the manager who banished him to Norwich’s Under-23s before terminating his contract.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      It also made Martin a Premier League manager at the age of 38.
      He has long been a trailblazer. He was Peterborough’s youngest captain at 21, took over as MK Dons’ boss at 33 and became manager at Swansea at 35.
      Last summer, he arrived at a club in turmoil after a wretched season in which Southampton went through three bosses — Ralph Hasenhuttl, Nathan Jones and Ruben Selles.
      Some fans wanted him axed after four straight losses in September.
      Most read in Football
      Some fans wanted the manager axed back in SeptemberCredit: Rex
      Russell Martin’s managerial career
      MK Dons (2019-21): 80 games, 30 wins, 19 draws, 31 losses – 37.5 win %
      Swansea (2021 – 23): 99 games, 36 wins, 27 draws, 36 losses – 36 win %
      Southampton (2023-present): 54 games, 30 wins, 11 draws, 13 losses – 55.5 win %

      But Martin never deviated from his strong principles of possession-based football and his team went a club-record 25 games unbeaten.
      For much of this season, Southampton had the highest possession percentage of any team in Europe’s top five leagues.
      Inside Russell Martin’s amazing journey from living at bookies with an abusive dad to Premier League manager
      That is Martin’s way. In March 2021, his MK Dons team set a British record 56 passes for a move leading to a goal — scored by Will Grigg.
      He stubbornly demands improvement on his gameplans, rather than resorting to any Plan B, and says: “If it doesn’t work and I get sacked, at least I get sacked doing something I believe in.”
      The second youngest of four brothers, Martin grew up in the Hollingbury area of Brighton.
      Late father Dean was violent towards mum Kerry and had stints in prison.
      The family home was lost to his gambling debts — and he moved them next door to a bookies.
      Little wonder that Martin dislikes gambling sponsorship in football.
      Through his dad, Martin qualified to play for Scotland and he won 29 caps.
      But one of his nans was Italian and cooked pasta for the boys when food ran out at their dysfunctional home.
      Martin won 29 caps for ScotlandCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Martin is proud of that heritage — his children have Napoli shirts and regularly go on holiday to southern Italy.
      He excelled at school where he was head boy and took A-levels in history, PE and drama.
      The Brighton fan, with a soft spot for Spurs, was turned down by a string of professional clubs.
      Starting at non-league Lewes, he cleaned windows and pub toilets in the mornings with his uncle and did shifts at a Spar supermarket across the road in the evenings.
      He got his break under Tony Adams at Wycombe before moving on to Peterborough and Norwich — whose manager at the time, Paul Lambert, has been a huge influence on his career.
      He was a Canaries stalwart, captaining them to a play-off final victory over Middlesbrough in 2015.
      But Farke brought about a bitter end to an eight-year spell in Norfolk. He was loaned to Rangers before being shown the door.
      After a brief spell coaching at Walsall, he managed MK Dons and Swansea — where he overcame a rocky spell that left him one game from the sack — before landing the job at Southampton.
      Martin captained Norwich to play off promotionCredit: Getty
      He got his breakthrough under Tony Adams at WycombeCredit: Getty
      He also became Peterborough’s youngest ever captainCredit: Getty
      Martin has remained very much his own man throughout.
      Now vegan as he suffers from ulcerative colitis — an inflamed bowel — Martin also meditates, has read up on Buddhism and was a member of the Green Party before becoming disillusioned with politics.
      Every day at Southampton he has an ice bath, uses a cryotherapy chamber near his home and swims in the sea at Hove — all year round.
      At the age of 30, he set up the Russell Martin Foundation to help youngsters in Sussex.
      What started out as a football academy now also helps kids struggling in mainstream school.
      Martin told SunSport: “Two of my brothers did not finish school and something like this would have made a huge difference.”
      Here is a man making a huge impact on and off the pitch.
      At his post-match Wembley press conference, a shattered-looking Martin said: “For them to give me the job in the first place, I felt like I had to do this to validate it.
      “I am so pleased for them because it wasn’t an exciting appointment for them.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “It’s up to us to prove ourselves in the Premier League next season.
      “The style is something myself and my players believe in. I won’t change and I love what I do.” More

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      I was banned for ten years for alleged spot-fixing in the FA Cup, Lucas Paqueta should get a 40-year ban if he’s guilty

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      FORMER non-league star Kynan Isaac called on the FA to smash Lucas Paqueta with a 40-YEAR ban for alleged spot-fixing.Isaac was banned for ten years in October 2022 after being found guilty by football’s ruling body of deliberately getting himself booked in an FA Cup tie.Kynan Isaac reveals he got depressed after his ban ‘but nobody from the PFA or FA got in touch to see how I was’West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been charged in relation to four bookings but denies doing anything wrongCredit: RexIt was claimed full-back Isaac’s caution for Stratford Town in a 5-1 loss to Shrewsbury in November 2021 was part of a betting scheme with pals.West Ham and Brazil midfielder Paqueta, 26, has been charged with deliberately getting himself booked in FOUR separate Prem matches so that he and/or his friends could benefit by betting on that happening. He denies any wrongdoing.Isaac, 31, said: “It will be very interesting to see what they do to him, there’s no point in me sitting here and letting everyone else get away with it.“It’s basic maths — if I got done for ten years for doing it once, by the same book he should get 40 years for doing it four times.READ MORE ON LUCAS PAQUETA“I can’t wait to see what they give him — it will be something pathetic like about a year or two, because he’s got money and an expensive lawyer.“If that happens they won’t be able to ignore me and the ban they gave me.”Isaac was also hit with a further 18-month ban after being found guilty of placing, or enabling, almost 350 bets on matches over a five-year period. The combined rap ensured he could not play until after his 40th birthday.Most read in FootballOne allegation against Brazil international Paqueta concerns this booking for a foul on Boubakary SoumareCredit: PAThe FA stopped him from playing immediately after his charges were announced and referred the case to police. He added: “The police came to my house and told  me there was a  warrant out for my arrest for X, Y and Z. I had my kids with me,  so I asked if I could hand myself in at a certain time.Top 10 highest paid footballers in the world revealed with no Premier League players making the top five“I went there the next day at about midday with my lawyer and the police threw it out. I got a ten-year ban, even though they threw it out.“It will be interesting if they do the same with Paqueta, will he get the police turning up at his door. If not, why not? Why should he be treated any differently to me?“Also, even though I don’t know the exact details about what bets we’re talking about, it’s bound to be in the thousands. With me it was pennies.”Isaac — who passed his test to be a driving instructor  — was tempted to speak out when Brentford and England star Ivan Toney escaped with an eight-month ban a year ago after admitting 232 breaches of betting rules.The FA literally stopped me from playing any football, even seven-a-side or Sunday League. No-one worried about my mental health.He was also angered when Nottingham Forest’s Harry Toffolo was given a suspended five-month ban in September for 375 breaches of betting rules.Toffolo claimed he made the wagers when his “mental health was at a very low ebb”.Isaac said: “It was mentally awful for me. “Non-league footballer gets a ten-year ban and then you see a big-name star Toney — who was putting thousands of pounds on — still being allowed to play when he had been charged  and getting an England call-up.“His ban was really only six months, because it included the off-season. And he’ll be at the Euros.“The FA literally stopped me from playing any football, even seven-a-side or Sunday League.READ MORE SUN STORIES“No-one worried about my mental health after getting such a huge ban.“I was depressed and it hit me hard but nobody from the PFA or FA got in touch to see how I was.”Paqueta was booked for a challenge on John McGinn in one incidentCredit: RexHe tripped Crysencio Summerville to receive another cautionCredit: Sky SportsThe fourth Paqueta yellow in question involved a handballCredit: Sly Sports More

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      Eintracht Frankfurt ‘fear sex-mad Wag Izabel Goulart is distracting Trapp with bizarre demands like how to exit a car’

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      EINTRACHT FRANKFURT are reportedly concerned that Kevin Trapp is being “distracted” by his sex-mad Wag.The German goalkeeper is in a relationship with Brazilian supermodel Izabel Goulart.Eintracht Frankfurt are concerned about Kevin Trapp’s relationship with Izabel GoulartCredit: SplashThe German’s Wag is sex madCredit: GettyShe has previously admitted they have sex four or five times a weekCredit: The Mega AgencyFrankfurt believe Trapp is ‘distracted’Credit: GettyTrapp, 33, has been with Izabel, 39, since they met during his stint at Paris Saint-German in 2015.German outlet Bild has claimed that their couple’s relationship is a regular topic of conversation in Frankfurt.The Bundesliga club are believed to be concerned that Trapp is being distracted from football by her demands.One of the mentioned demands includes how Trapp can “best get out of a car” for photographers.READ MORE ON WAGSThe report suggests that Trapp’s performances in training have dropped.It is said that he is no longer “throwing himself” to stop every shot from close range.Izobel is a fashion model and previously worked as a Victoria’s Secret Angel.The couple’s intimate sex life has often been publicised, as Trapp once had to ban sex after a loss.Most read in FootballIzobel has previously claimed that they are often close with each other.She said: “Kevin and I make love a lot – four or five times a week.Izabel Goulart is the super hot wag of German player Kevin Trapp “But if he has played in an important game and his team loses, I can make myself beautiful, have my nails done and wear my best lingerie – and there still won’t be any sex.”The couple got engaged in 2018 but are yet to tie the knot.Izobel regularly treats her 4.4million followers on Instagram to raunchy and glamorous snaps from photoshoots and holidays.Her fans were left in awe as she celebrated her 39th birthday back in October last year.Stripping down to a bikini for the celebrations, Izabel smiled and showed off her figure as she wowed in front of a balloon display.Trapp last played on Wednesday, but in a new position.The goalkeeper was used as a striker before the club’s summer break, and he netted twice against amateur side VfL Germania 2894.Izabel is a Brazilian supermodelCredit: The Mega AgencyShe is a former Victoria’s Secret AngelCredit: instagram @izabelgoulartShe has 4.4million followers on InstagramCredit: GettyThe couple started dating in 2015Credit: SplashThey got engaged in 2018Credit: @izabelgoulart More