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      I’ve played with special talents like Cole Palmer and Phil Foden… Ethan Nwaneri can be one of the best in the world

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      GABRIEL JESUS knows a young star when he sees one — and has vowed to help Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri reach the top.The Brazilian watched two of the Prem’s best — Phil Foden and Cole Palmer — come through the ranks at Manchester City.Gabriel Jesus has predicted great things for Ethan NwaneriNwaneri holds the record for the youngest ever Premier League playerAnd he hopes his Gunners team-mate, 17, is on the same route right to the top.Nwaneri gave yet another glimpse of his special talent by scoring a beauty in Arsenal’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win at Preston on Wednesday.Jesus says the playmaker may have to be patient, just like Foden was at the Etihad — but is excited to see how far he can go.He said: “I have been with some very special youngsters, like Phil and Cole — and also James McAtee at City, he is also very good. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“So to see Ethan in training and in the game is good, because I am a fan of football.“So when I see someone young with this quality, I am happy and then obviously I want him to grow, grow, grow.“Then if he needs something from me personally, I am here to help him because I am 27.”Gunners starlet Nwaneri rewrote history as the Premier League’s youngest ever player at the age of 15 and 181 days -smashing the previous record held by Harvey Elliott, who was 16 years and 30 days old.Most read in FootballAnd at 17 years and 223 days, he became the youngest Arsenal player to score on his first two starts for the club — eclipsing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s previous mark of 18 years and 44 days.The Arsenal legend also said Phil Foden had to ‘wait his turn’ before becoming one of the world’s bestJesus watched Chelsea’s Cole Palmer come through the ranks at Man CityCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBoss Mikel Arteta believes he is ready to play more regularly — but he also has a huge array of talent to choose from.Jesus says the youngster should look no further than last season’s PFA Player of the Year Foden for inspiration if he gets frustrated at the wait.’Stay humble,’ Erling Haaland tells Arteta who gives him brutal death stare before Gabriel Jesus confronts Man City ace He said: “I saw people like Phil waiting for his chance and then now, look at Phil. He is one of the best players in the world.“So I hope Ethan keeps his toes on the grass, works, and then it’s a question of time for him to shine.”The wonder strike from the young Londoner overshadowed a good night for Jesus, who ended a 274-day goal drought by opening the scoring in the 3-0 Deepdale victory.The £45million forward admits that is not good enough — but insists there are reasons behind his long wait.He added: “It looks a long time — nine months, I understand. But people need to understand I am starting less, I am playing less.“Last season I had a few issues with injuries and stuff that people don’t understand.“But I am not here to make excuses. I know I am the type of player, with my quality, that has to be there and score more. I want to and I am working really hard to get there.”When he does get his opportunities, Jesus has vowed to try his luck more often.He said: “Now I am more focused on goals. Now I am more focused to shoot.“What has changed for me now is I try to look for the goal.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s good to be back scoring and I want to keep scoring when I have my chance.“I am here to work, try to be fit and, when I get my chance, enjoy playing football and try to help the team win.”Arsenal ratings vs PrestonARSENAL cruised through their Carabao Cup tie at Preston.The Gunners won 3-0 to set up a home tie against Crystal Palace in the next round.Sun Sport’s Sam Dymond reveals who has done enough to feature in the quarter final – and who might be a bit worried.Tommy Setford – 6A clean sheet on debut for the teenager. After a quiet first half, he looked nervous when put under pressure by Preston’s forward.Jurrien Timber – 7Really looking the part in the Arsenal defence after injury. His crosses caused chaos before being replaced at half-timeWilliam Saliba – 7Settled back into the side after suspension, and was rarely troubled on a night where he continually swept up possession.Jakub Kiwior – 8Partnered Saliba admirably in defence, but showed his attacking worth by providing two assists.Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7A solid display before his removal on the hour, perhaps with one eye on the weekend.Jorginho – 7Kept things moving in midfield, and even showed off some sublime skill when the opportunity arose.Mikel Merino – 7A much more confident performance from the Spaniard following his goal on Sunday. Combined well with Martinelli and Nwaneri during the opening 45 minutes.Ethan Nwaneri – 9Serenaded by the Arsenal fans as ‘one of their own’, this talented teenager once again excited Gooners everywhere.The scorer of one sublime strike, he came so close to bagging a second goal too.Raheem Sterling – 7The Carabao Cup king did everything but score. Perhaps let down by his decision making, he’s looking more at home at Arsenal than he ever did at Chelsea.Gabriel Jesus – 8Constantly alive to the ball inside the box, he was rewarded with a first goal since January to get the scoring underway.Gabriel Martinelli – 8Often Arsenal’s biggest attacking threat with his direct running and ability to beat defenders. Replaced after taking a couple of heavy knocks.SubsThomas Partey – 6Replaced Timber at the break and once again did the job asked of him with few complaints.Kai Havertz – 8Scored a superb header shortly after his arrival as a half-time sub, and was an imposing figure in both penalty areas.Bukayo Saka – 6More minutes in the legs for the Arsenal star as he continues the recovery from his hamstring injury.Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6Misplaced a couple of passes after his introduction, but fits in well among the first-team squad.Ayden Heaven – 6Offered a glimpse of genuine pace as he made his senior debut for the final ten minutes. More

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      When football and Halloween collide, from Napoli’s seasonal kit to Barcelona’s scary masks and a sexy Wag as Catwoman

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      HALLOWEEN is here, and even football gets into the festivities.The American tradition has seeped into European culture, with footballers and clubs getting into the spooky spirit.Napoli have got into the spirit of Halloween with creepy limited edition kitsNapoli’s ex-star Dries Mertens promotes their spider web shirt from 2022And it’s not just the players and teams, it’s their Wags too who enjoy dressing up.SunSport looks at when football and Halloween collide. Be prepared to be spooked!Napoli’s seasonal shirtIn 2022, Emporio Armani embraced Halloween with a seasonal footy shirt for the Italian giants.Read more football newsThat kickstarted a trend for the club, who at that point wore an all-black shirt with spiders on it.Last season, their traditional blue shirt featured a load of bats flying up on the bottom of the jersey.As modelled above by Victor Osimhen, it gives you quite the fright. Barcelona’s creepy masksIn 2015, the Catalans got into hot water when they took their Halloween celebrations too far.Most read in FootballSeveral donned creepy masks, including of Shrek and Frankenstein, before gatecrashing a Getafe player’s post-match interview wearing them.Football teams that controversially changed their badgeGetafe captain Pedro Leon was miffed and told Marca that they saw the trick as disrespectful.However, Andres Iniesta reportedly called to apologise on behalf of the club, and all was forgiven.Barcelona’s stars gave Getafe players quite the fright post-matchJack Grealish and Sasha Atwood do GreaseJack and his very own ‘Sandy’ dressed up as characters from Grease in Halloween, back in 2022.Grealish perfected the look which included a slicked-back black quiff and a leather jacket slung over his shoulder.The winger even shaved off his beard to get as close to Danny Zucko as he could.Girlfriend Sasha pulled out all the stops too as she dressed up as Sandy, who was played by the late Olivia Newton-John.The model wore her blonde hair in curls and paired her black outfit and leather jacket with red heels.Jack Grealish and Sasha Attwood enjoyed dressing up for Halloween as Danny and Sandy from GreashGrealish and Attwood’s costumes were on point for the occasionChantelle Heskey is CatwomanIn 2014, footballer’s Wag Chantelle – wife of England legend Emile Heskey – hosted her own Halloween Ball at Alderley Edge’s Festival Hall in Cheshire.The do was done in order to raise money for charity, and was attended by dozens of footballers and their Wags.Tanya Bardsley dressed as slasher villain Freddy Krueger, but it was the host who stole the show.She looked incredibly glam as Catwoman, paying homage to Halle Berry.Glam Chantelle Heskey dressed up as a Catwoman for a Charity Halloween Ball at The Festival hall in Alderley EdgeChantelle loves playing dress up for Halloweenread more sport featuresScary TigresMexican football is mad, and their players and fans are passionate people.So when it comes to Halloween, of course they’re going to get into the spirit.Tigres were playing a game against Toluca on Halloween night, which prompted the players to take action.Before posing for a pre-match photo, they put on masks ranging from Batman to a frightening clown, and a werewolf.Amusingly, not all the players were on board with the idea – with some appearing quite bemused by the whole situation.Not every Tigres player was on board with the player’s scary mask ideaWitching hourBenevento Calcio are a Serie C club with a badge befitting of Halloween.On the club’s crest, front and centre, is a witch riding a broom.It references the legend of the witches of Benevento, a city it has been said witches met at during the 13th century.Thus the club is also nicknamed ‘Stregoni’ and ‘Streghe’ – which translates to sorcerers and witches.Benevento Calcio’s crest features a witch on a broomstickAccording to folklore, witches used to meet in the city of Benevento in the 13th centuryValencia’s batLike Benevento Calcio, LaLiga giants Valencia have also embraced Halloween culture within their badge.A huge bat features on top of the club’s crest, which incidentally also appears on the city’s coat of arms.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis is because bats occupied Valencia well before people did, according to historians.Valence was also built upon a swamp, where mosquitos are prevalent. What do bats feast upon? You guessed it. How gruesome.Valencia have embraced bats because they inhabited the city before humans More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Player burnout is BIG conversation in dressing rooms and strike action can’t be ruled out’, says Tottenham ace

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      BEN DAVIES says player burnout talk among Prem stars has increased since Rodri’s injury.And Tottenham’s long-serving defender refused to rule out future strike action over the increased workload sparked by Fifa’s new Club World Cup next year.Ben Davies attended a McDonald’s Football Fun session at Cheshunt FCDavies admitted Rodri’s injury has stoked up the ‘burnout’ talkCredit: ReutersManchester City’s Rodri warned his peers were close to going on strike over the bursting calendar – days before the Ballon d’Or winner suffered a season-ending knee injury against Arsenal last month.Player welfare is a hot topic across Prem dressing rooms and Davies said: “It’s something that players right now have been talking about.”And it’s become a big conversation – and probably even more of a conversation since we saw Rodri discuss it and then have a pretty serious injury.”Davies, 31, is Spurs’ PFA representative and pleaded recently for a three-week football blackout to help tackle the thorny subject.Read More FootballLiverpool’s Andy Robertson then called for a taskforce of players and managers to be set up in a bid to solve the sport’s crazy fixture pile-up.When asked if Robertson’s idea is a good one, Davies added: “It’s a difficult one right now. It’s probably a sensitive topic.”When you have seen the unions in other sports, especially in the US, come together and in the past they have taken some serious and drastic action with strikes and stuff like that…”Davies is referring to industrial action taken in America which has seen lock-outs in basketball, baseball and hockey.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSo does the Welshman ever see the threat of striking becoming a genuine reality?He replied: “It’s difficult to say never. I don’t know.Top 10 highest paid footballers”That conversation has picked up in the last year or so. In football I’ve never seen it before.”Davies hopes for change but the Tottenham star believes it is down to the governing bodies rather than the players to sort out the calendar.He said: “It’s a tough one. There are times when there are so many games and it feels very continuous. “We wouldn’t mind a solid block of time away from football.”But, ultimately, we are in a situation where there are a lot of games and there are a lot of playing competitions. You do want to be involved in them all.”As much as players will say what they want or would like to happen, it’s probably out of our hands until the competition organisers agree on finding a schedule that works for everyone.”Long-serving defender Davies scores a rare goal for TottenhamCredit: ReutersTV fixtures in DecemberHere are all the games that will be televised in December…Tuesday 3 December19:30 Ipswich v Crystal Palace (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Leicester v West Ham (Amazon Prime Video)Wednesday 4 December19:30 Everton v Wolves (Amazon Prime Video)19:30 Man City v Nott’m Forest (Amazon Prime Video)19:30 Newcastle v Liverpool (Amazon Prime Video)19:30 Southampton v Chelsea (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Arsenal v Man Utd (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Aston Villa v Brentford (Amazon Prime Video)Thursday 5 December19:30 Fulham v Brighton (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 AFC Bournemouth v Spurs (Amazon Prime Video)Saturday 7 December12:30 Everton v Liverpool (TNT Sports)17:30 Man Utd v Nott’m Forest (Sky Sports)Sunday 8 December14:00 Fulham v Arsenal (Sky Sports)16:30 Spurs v Chelsea (Sky Sports)Monday 9 December20:00 West Ham v Wolves (Sky Sports)Saturday 14 December17:30 Nott’m Forest v Aston Villa (Sky Sports)Sunday 15 December14:00 AFC Bournemouth v West Ham (Sky Sports)16:30 Man City v Man Utd (Sky Sports)19:00 Southampton v Spurs (TNT Sports)Monday 16 December20:00 Brighton v Crystal Palace (Sky Sports)Saturday 21 December12:30 Aston Villa v Man City (TNT Sports)17:30 Crystal Palace v Arsenal (Sky Sports)Sunday 22 December14:00 Fulham v Southampton (Sky Sports)16:30 Spurs v Liverpool (Sky Sports)Thursday 26 December12:30 Man City v Everton (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Chelsea v Fulham (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Newcastle v Aston Villa (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Nott’m Forest v Spurs (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Southampton v West Ham (Amazon Prime Video)17:30 Wolves v Man Utd (Amazon Prime Video)20:00 Liverpool v Leicester (Amazon Prime Video)Friday 27 December19:30 Brighton v Brentford (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Arsenal v Ipswich (Amazon Prime Video)Sunday 29 December14:30 Leicester v Man City (Sky Sports)17:15 West Ham v Liverpool (Sky Sports)Monday 30 December20:00 Man Utd v Newcastle (Sky Sports)Davies has made almost 300 Premier League appearances with Swansea and Tottenham.The left-back has also won 90 caps with Wales and played at two Euros finals and a World Cup.But Davies has played the same number of games for his country as his club – four – this season.He has made three Europa League appearances – as well as one in the Carabao Cup.Although, he is waiting for his first Prem action, he could be involved for Ange Postecoglou’s men at home to Rodri’s City in tonight’s Carabao Cup fourth round clash.Davies, who moved to the North Londoners a decade ago and is in the final year of his contract, says Tottenham hold the cards on his future.He added: “That’s probably in the club’s hands and not so much mine.“I’ve been at the club a long time. My wife is from London, my son was born here. “It’s definitely a huge part of my life. I’m very settled here right now.”I do hope I will get more minutes. Sometimes in football you have to bide your time.“All I can do is keep myself in as good nick as I can, work hard every day and when I do get those minutes then I have to do my best to show I am still capable of performing at the highest level.”Davies, who attended a McDonald’s Fun Football session, said: “It’s incredible to see all these kids playing football. “It shows how important programmes like McDonald’s Fun Football are to communities across Wales. READ MORE SUN STORIES”As a parent, I love seeing kids getting active and having fun.”Ben Davies was celebrating the latest free wave of McDonald’s Fun Football sessions this Autumn, available to all children aged 5-11 across Wales. Sign up now for your nearest free session at mcdonalds.co.uk/football . More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Ruben Amorim’s inner circle, from his £4m backroom staff to well-connected wife, as he closes in on Man Utd job

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      RUBEN AMORIM is closing in on the Manchester United job.The 39-year-old Portuguese manager is now planning his backroom staff – with three trusted coaches set to join him in swapping Sporting Lisbon for Old Trafford.Ruben Amorim is closing in on the manager job at Man UtdThat includes his trusted assistant manager Carlos Fernandes, assistant coach Adelio Candido, and goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital.So important are they that Manchester United are understood to be coughing up £4.1m in compensation so they can join Amorim in England.Amorim has made no secret of his biggest mentor in the game – Jose Mourinho.While wife Maria Joao Diogo is related to former PSG sporting director Antero Henrique, who famously brokered deals for Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.Read more Man Utd newsSunSport looks at Amorim’s inner circle and closest confidantes.Carlos FernandesFernandes has been a constant by Amorim’s side, all the way throughout his management career.The 29-year-old didn’t play pro, but began coaching when he was just a teenager.Carlos Fernandes has been with Amorim every step of the way in his coaching careerFernandes shows off the Portuguese league titleHe came through Benfica’s ranks, and was an assistant at the tender age of 18 when Amorim was playing for their first team.Most read in FootballWhen Amorim took on the Casa Pia job, Fernandes joined him.Then, the pair went to Braga B, Braga, and Sporting Lisbon for the past four years.’Ruben Amorim feels like Erik ten Hag all over again – Man Utd missed out on the perfect coach who’s done it already’ says Paul Scholes “My number two is Carlos Fernandes, he’s been my right-hand man right from day one. He’ll be a much better coach than me,” Amorim said of Fernandes in the past.”I often say if I become Bobby Robson, then he’ll be my Jose Mourinho! But there’s plenty of time, we’ve signed a 15-year deal!”Adelio CandidoIncredibly, Candido is even younger than Fernandes.The 28-year-old assistant coach is tipped to follow Amorim and Fernandes to Manchester.Assistant coach Adelio Candido is also expected to join Amorim at Man UtdCandido poses next to Jose Mourinho with the Sporting coaching staffLike Fernandes, he’s followed a similar career trajectory as a loyal stooge to Amorim.Candido was already a youth coach with Casa Pia, when they all crossed paths.A role with Braga soon followed, then he jumped to Sporting where he’s been for the past four years.Again, he didn’t have a playing career at the top level.Jorge VitalBringing the age up is 63-year-old Vital, a goalkeeping coach who did play pro.In the 1980s and 1990s, the shotstopper starred for clubs including Sporting and Gil Vicente in a career that spanned two decades.Jorge Vital, second from the left, is a highly rated goalkeeping coachAt 63, Vital brings up the ages of Amorim’s favourite coaching staffHe is now passing on his expertise to a younger generation, with distribution a huge focus of his training.Vital and Amorim met at Braga, and he was soon taken to Sporting.His appointment could spell the end of current goalkeeper coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar, who only joined United in July.read more sport featuresJose MourinhoThe Special One is somewhat of a mentor for Amorim.He had an internship at Mourinho’s High Performance Football Coaching course.In 2018, just before he took the Casa Pia job, Amorim was an intern on Jose Mourinho’s coaching courseAmorim and Mourinho have since become firm friends in the gameAnd he has previously cited the Fenerbahce manager as his “reference point” in coaching.He has played down any comparisons between the pair, saying of his idol: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”Mourinho has already given his backing publicly to United’s potential appointment in the past.When Amorim was linked with the West Ham job back in May, Mourinho revealed: “It’s also a question I shouldn’t answer, but what can I tell you? I like him [Amorim] as a person, I like him as a coach.”I think he has the conditions to be able to coach in any league and he has the conditions to be able to coach in any club.”But he’s in a good league and he’s in a big club.”The decision is his and it will be up to the clubs that want him or not, to convince him with more or less arguments.”What is clear from my side is that I like the person and I like the coach.”Maria Joao DiogoAmorim is married to Maria, and the pair share one son together.Maria has built her own business in interior design with an academic degree in telecommunications engineering.The couple got married in 2013 in front of 160 guests at a beautiful ceremony at the Palácio de S. Marcos church in Coimbra.Players like Nuno Gomes, Miguel Vítor, Hugo Viana, Luís Filipe and Quim were all present. As was Maria’s brother, Antero Henrique.Antero was famously the former Sporting Director at PSG – and was a Man Utd target – before the Red Devils switched their attention to Dan Ashworth.He was responsible for the most expensive transfer ever – bringing Neymar to the Ligue 1 giants in a record-breaking £198million from Barcelona.READ MORE SUN STORIESAntero also managed to convince Kylian Mbappe to snub Real Madrid, when he moved from Monaco.While Dani Alves, who was fielding several offers from Premier League clubs, was persuaded that his future belonged in the French capital in 2017.
      Her brother Antero Henrique worked as a sporting directer at PSG for club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi More

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      in Soccer

      Inside mad world of Inter Miami changing football forever as billionaires and celebs jump on Messi and Beckham bandwagon

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      WELCOME to Miami — football’s newest frontier.The arrival of David Beckham and, eventually, Lionel Messi in the city sparked an almighty South Florida land grab.Many celebrity’s have shown an interest in David Beckham’s Inter MiamiCredit: INSTAGRAM @intermiamicfLionel Messi is the highest-profile player to have signed for the clubCredit: GettyLeBron James was present for the Argentine’s debut at the clubCredit: InstagramThe club won the Leagues Cup in 2023Credit: GettyBandwagons are being frantically hitched to Inter Miami and Messi in the scramble for American eyeballs and — more importantly — cash.The impact has not just been Stateside. Inter Miami are now a global symbol for the Magic City.Walk in any major city around the world and it will not be long before you see their pink shirt worn or on sale somewhere.Once Beckham — who is part-owner alongside Jorge Mas and Jose Mas — set his sights on the city to start a franchise everyone slowly started following.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLFifa has based its preparations for the 2026 World Cup in Miami before moving to a new huge office, its first outside of Europe, in the Coral Gables area — just five minutes from Miami owner Mas’ MasTec headquarters.Concacaf is just up the road.The Argentinian FA has opened an office in the city and is also building a training facility nearby too, while nations and top club sides continue to visit Inter Miami’s Florida Blue training ground.That high-end base in Fort Lauderdale, will almost certainly host one of the 48 nations competing at the 2026 World Cup.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt will be no surprise if Argentina pitch up there.Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer was the catalyst — his pull is why they are all there.Watch moment raging Lionel Messi ‘calls referee -mean-spirited son of a b****’ in furious rant after Inter Miami drawHollywood star Will Smith is another celeb to attend a matchCredit: InstagramHe and Martin Lawrence had club shirts made on “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” Miami Release DayCredit: GettyBeckham owns the club alongside Jorge MasCredit: ReutersThe Chase Stadium holds a capacity of 21,550Credit: AlamyMiami is the American city most invested in football, with a huge Spanish speaking population and offers a straightforward jumping-off point to South America.There are business arguments for everyone choosing Miami as a base. But the stardust is the real catalyst.Xavier Asensi, the former Barcelona chief who is now president of business operations at Inter Miami, told SunSport: “It’s everything around Miami, the sexiness. Miami has always been aspirational, outside of the US too. Football is global, Messi and Beckham.“After Covid, a lot of celebrities moved here — it is super well-connected.“It is a mosaic and a place that embraces and welcomes people from all over the world. You have the two largest languages in use around the world here.“All this combined creates this aura, which gives a power and, if you know how to action it, the sky is the limit.“The aspiration that Jorge and Beckham have is that when people think about  soccer in the United States, they think about Miami and I think we can proudly say we ticked that box.”Celebrity after celebrity have lined up to witness Inter Miami’s star quartet, with Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets joining Messi on his retirement residency in the Sunshine State.Film stars Will Smith and Idris Elba, as well as NBA legend LeBron James have all taken seats pitchside to witness what has admittedly been a record-breaking season.Inter Miami have set a points record for the regular season, during which they won the Supporters Shield — a nominal league title awarded before the play-offs begin.That achievement allowed Fifa to, incredibly hastily and, to the anger of other MLS clubs, announce that suddenly the Supporters Shield winner would qualify for their Club World Cup next summer.The opening game held, of course,  in Miami.And Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president desperate to ride Messi’s coat-tails into America, was at the club’s Chase Stadium to announce the decision.He said: “Miami loves football. The world loves football, and the world loves Miami.”Whether the world will look to Miami for football or not, the power brokers certainly are. Soccerex, the forum which many senior figures flock to for a back-slap and some free booze each year, has moved its headquarters there and will host the next event in the city.Those with cash to spare in the area are looking to football too.The latest social must-have in the golf and country clubs is not a flash car or watch, but a football club.READ MORE SUN STORIESJohn Textor, the Crystal Palace co-owner who launched a failed bid for Everton, bases his Eagle Football group just north of Miami.The city has long been known as the Gateway to the Americas — many in football are now banking on it being their path to a huge slice of the American market.Xavier Asensi has insisted that the aim is for Inter Miami to become the biggest club in the USCredit: Rex More

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      in Boxing

      Inside the weird world of Mike Tyson from smoking toad venom, blowing $300million and staring death in the face

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      MIKE TYSON’S world has included smoking psychedelics, running a cannabis empire and perhaps most surprisingly of all, now boxing again.The heavyweight icon is on the verge of returning to the ring 15 years after retiring on his stool. Mike Tyson runs a cannabis empire after his retirement from boxingCredit: Refer to CaptionTyson recouped his wealth through cannabisCredit: Social Media – Refer to SourceNow he is back in boxing once moreCredit: GettyTyson faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on November 15 in Texas in a controversial clash slammed by many for the 30-year age gap.The youngest heavyweight champion of all time, aged just 20 when he won the belt, did have an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr in 2020. That was just a year after he first smoked TOAD VENOM in a bid to treat his substance addiction.The practise involves venom being extracted from the glands of the Sonoran Desert toad, dried into a crystalline substance and smoked in a pipe.READ MORE IN BOXINGEffects range from easing depression and post-traumatic stress disorder to panic, dysphoria and the complete loss of one’s sense of self.Tyson’s first toad venom smoking ceremony lasted 20 minutes and left him fearing for his life.Gerardo Sandoval, a pioneer for the practise, told The Times: “At the beginning he thought he was actually dying. He was demanding that I make it stop. “He launched himself towards me. He tried to give me a punch, then the toad fully grabbed him and he fell. It gave him a knockout. Most read in BoxingWhat is toad venom? By Jude EphsonToad venom is an extremely powerful natural psychedelic that is secreted in the glands of Colorado River toads. These toads are also referred to as the Sonoran Desert toad.In the 1980s, people used to lick these Colorado River toads to experience a hallucinogenic effect from the toad’s venom, which contained 5-MEO-DMT.Subsequently, people have now moved on from licking toads for their venom to smoking toad venom, in order to experience the widely-acclaimed psychedelic or hallucinogenic effect associated with the toad venom.The effects of this powerful venom begin within 30 seconds of ingestion and take full effect within 5 minutes.After this period, the user gets physically incapacitated for about 30 minutes.The effects of the fast-acting psychedelic substance take place within five minutes after ingestion.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“What Mike went through was almost like a rebirth. He stoppedtaking antipsychotic and sleeping pills because he wasn’t sad or angryany more. “He started to lose weight, he changed his diet, he shiftedinto a healthier mode of living.”Mike Tyson looks ripped at 58 as former heavyweight champ shows off impressive physique before Jake Paul fightTyson has now smoked the toad over 50 times since his frightening first experience.Iron Mike has also made fortunes from a cannabis empire of his own.There was once a time he filed for bankruptcy having blown through $300MILLION (£230m) during his prizefighting career. But he recouped his wealth in retirement as a pop culture icon, featuring in films like comedy classic The Hangover. He then ventured into the marijuana business and his company’s chief executive claimed they did nine figures in revenue last year.And his wealth is set to rocket up another $40m (£30m) when he shares the ring with 10-1 Paul over eight two-minute rounds. They were initially due to fight on July 20 but Tyson was forced to pull out after suffering a stomach ulcer flare up during a flight.Tyson is boxing’s youngest heavyweight world championCredit: GettyHe blew through $300m in his boxing careerCredit: GettyTyson spent three years in prisonCredit: HandoutIt was also just two years ago that the reformed Baddest Man on The Planet was pictured leaving Miami airport in a wheelchair due to sciatica. But Tyson has been passed medically fit to resume training, which he does six days a week in Las Vegas. He has three fledgling professional heavyweight sparring partners living in a shared house with coach Rafael Cordeiro.Billy White, a childhood friend who was also trained by D’Amato, recently reunited with Tyson.And White said: “Cus always taught us that age was nothing but a number, and Mike has looked 25 years old in that ring.”Tyson – who spent three years in prison from 1992 for a rape conviction – is happily married to third wife Lakiha Spicer. And she is described as as the mastermind behind Tyson’s business ventures, also helping run his current training camp. READ MORE SUN STORIESFlorida-based coach White, who witnessed Tyson’s rise, fall and reincarnation, compared him to a phoenix.White said: “He rises from the ashes, no matter what. There is noobstacle he can’t overcome.”Lakiha Spicer and Mike Tyson pictured togetherCredit: SplashTyson and Jake Paul are set to fight on November 15Credit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      How one journalist got sacked from voting for the Ballon d’Or after his picks showed he’d lost all credibility

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      ARGENTINE journalist Enrique Wolff lost his right to vote for the Ballon d’Or winner after his picks showed “he’d lost all credibility.”Wolff, 75, was removed after voting for FOUR of his compatriots in the top five of the 2023 Ballon d’Or, which was won by Lionel Messi.The voter for Argentina was removed after last year’s Ballon d’OrEnrique Wolff was accused of losing ‘all credibility’Credit: wolffquique instagramFrance Football will hand the Ballon d’Or to the world’s best player in a glittering awards ceremony in Paris on Monday.The coveted award is decided by 100 journalists, one from each of Fifa’s 100 top-ranked member nations (top 50 for the women’s award).Each journalist makes their top 10 pick from the 30-player shortlist and there are different point values for each.The Ballon d’Or is for the previous season and should go to the best player during that specific period, not the journalists’ favourite.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut guidance carries only so much weight.Ballon d’Or organiser and commander-in-chief, Vincent Garcia told The Times: “I am not a dictator. They vote with their heart.”Some prefer attackers or midfielders, this team or that team. The important thing is to be credible. Not everyone passes that test either.”He then went on to explain where Argentine journalist Wolff went wrong.Most read in FootballInter Miami and Argentina’s Lionel Messi won a record eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGarcia said: “Last year the voter for Argentina was removed after he selected four players from Argentina — Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Emiliano Martinez — in his top five spots.”There were four Argentina players available on the shortlist and he picked all of them.Karim Benzema shows off incredible Ballon d’Or watch after responding to Ronaldo snub as he’s tipped for career change”My opinion was he had lost objectivity. We changed the journalist and he no longer votes.”The only non-Argentine player included by Wolff was Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the Qatar World Cup final.Messi’s coronation last October was the first time in 15 years that the Ballon d’Or hasn’t gone to a player from Real Madrid or Barcelona.And Madrid winger Vinicius Jr is the clear frontrunner to win the award for the first time on Monday.Garcia also wanted to clear up accusations about LaLiga favouritism and the supposed unfair power of Madrid president Florentino Perez.He added: “If there was a ‘Perez Effect’, what would it be? Would I be in touch with him? I never spoke to him ever in my life so far. READ MORE SUN STORIES”It would somehow mean he manages to have some influence over us, which is not the case.­­”In the men’s category, six England players – captain Harry Kane, midfielders Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Declan Rice, and forwards Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer – have been nominated.Ballon d’Or nominees in fullMen’s awardJude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Turkey, Inter)Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)Rúben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, Dnipro / Girona / Roma)Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter )Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)Martin Ødegaard (Norway, Arsenal)Dani Olmo (Spain, Leipzig / Barcelona)Cole Palmer (England, Manchester City / Chelsea)Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)Antonio Rüdiger (Germany, Real Madrid)Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)William Saliba (France, Arsenal)Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)Nico Williams (Spain, Athletic Club)Florian Wirtz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)Granit Xhaka (Switzerland, Bayer Leverkusen)Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)Women’s awardBarbra Banda (Zambia, Shanghai RCB / Orlando Pride)Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona)Lucy Bronze (England, Barcelona / Chelsea)Mariona Caldentey (Spain, Barcelona / Arsenal)Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, Paris Saint-Germain / Olympique Lyonnais)Grace Geyoro (France, Paris Saint-Germain)Manuela Giugliano (Italy, AS Roma)Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona)Patricia Guijarro (Spain, Barcelona)Giulia Gwinn (Germany, Bayern Munich)Yui Hasegawa (Japan, Manchester City)Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Olympique Lyonnais)Lauren Hemp (England, Manchester City)Lindsey Horan (USA, Olympique Lyonnais)Lauren James (England, Chelsea)Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France, Paris Saint-Germain)Alyssa Naeher (USA, Chicago Red Stars)Sjoeke Nüsken (Germany, Chelsea)Ewa Pajor (Poland, VfL Wolfsburg / Barcelona)Salma Paralluelo (Spain, Barcelona)Gabi Portilho (Brazil, Corinthians)Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)Mayra Ramírez (Colombia, Levante / Chelsea)Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit)Lea Schüller (Germany, Bayern Munich)Khadija Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City)Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns)Mallory Swanson (USA, Chicago Red Stars)Tarciane (Brazil, Corinthians / Houston Dash)Glódís Viggósdóttir (Iceland, Bayern Munich)Yashin TrophyDiogo Costa (Portugal, Porto)Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, Paris Saint-Germain)Gregor Kobel (Switzerland, Borussia Dortmund)Andriy Lunin (Ukraine, Real Madrid)Mike Maignan (France, Milan)Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia, Valencia)Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Club)Yann Sommer (Switzerland, Inter)Ronwen Williams (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)Kopa TrophyPau Cubarsí (Spain, Barcelona)Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina, Manchester United)Arda Güler (Turkey, Real Madrid)Karim Konaté (Ivory Coast, Salzburg)Kobbie Mainoo (England, Manchester United)João Neves (Portugal, Benfica / Paris Saint-Germain)Savinho (Brazil, Girona / Manchester City)Mathys Tel (France, Bayern Munich)Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)Warren Zaïre-Emery (France, Paris Saint-Germain)Men’s coach awardXabi Alonso (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)Carlo Ancelotti (Italy, Real Madrid)Luis de la Fuente (Spain, Spain national team)Gian Piero Gasperini (Italy, Atalanta)Pep Guardiola (Spain, Manchester City)Lionel Scaloni (Argentina, Argentina national team)Women’s coach awardSonia Bompastor (France, Olympique Lyonnais / Chelsea)Arthur Elias (Brazil, Corinthians / Brazil national team)Jonatan Giráldez (Spain, Barcelona / Washington Spirit)Emma Hayes (England, Chelsea / USA national team)Filipa Patão (Portugal, Benfica)Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands, England national team)Men club of the year awardBorussia Dortmund (Germany)Girona (Spain)Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)Manchester City (England)Real Madrid (Spain)Women’s club of the year awardBarcelona (Spain)Chelsea (England)NJ/NY Gotham (USA)Olympique Lyonnais (France)Paris Saint-Germain (France) More

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      Invincible says don’t judge Kai Havertz on goals as Dennis Bergkamp-like ace becoming ‘major part of Arsenal history’

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      BELIEVE it or not, there ARE similarities between Kai Havertz and Dennis Bergkamp.Arsenal legend and three-time Prem winner Bergkamp was heavily criticised upon signing for the club on June 21, 1995 – taking seven league games to score his first goal.Kai Havertz has become a vital member of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal starting XICredit: GettyDennis Bergkamp was heavily criticised before becoming a club legendCredit: GettyHavertz – a £65m buy from Chelsea on June 28, 2023 – was considered by some a waste of money after he took 10 games in all competitions to open his account in North London.Their positions too. Bergkamp was never considered a conventional goal-getting No.9, while Havertz has so far under Mikel Arteta been used as a central striker, No.10 and marauding midfielder.And importantly, for all of the flair and beauty, aggression and physicality, their influence on their respective Arsenal teams is undeniable, regardless of goals.Deemed one of the club’s and Prem’s all-time greats, Dutch master Bergkamp never scored more than 16 goals in a single league season for the Gunners.read more arsenalAs an integral, world class cog in Arsene Wenger’s Invincible side of 2003/04, he scored just four Prem goals, alongside seven assists for the likes of Thierry Henry and Robert Pires.On the hunt for a first league title since then, Havertz notched 13 Prem goals and seven assists in his debut season as Arteta’s men finished two points behind champions Manchester City.Havertz already has four goals and one assist in eight games this term after a fine start solely as a No.9, while his influence on those around him grows by the week.And ahead of a blockbuster title clash against Liverpool, Jeremie Aliadiere – a member of the Invincibles and ex-teammate of Bergkamp – told SunSport: “I don’t rely on [Havertz] scoring goals.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“The team shares goals from everywhere, and as long as you keep winning games, that’s all that matters. Do you always need an Erling Haaland scoring 20 to 30 goals a season?“You can share it around and still win a Premier League title. I would never judge Havertz on a minimum number of goals because he brings so much more than that to the team.”Did officials cheat Arsenal with dramatic Man City winner and Saliba red card?More often than not right now, when Havertz gets a chance, he takes it – recently on a run of scoring in seven successive home games – while continuing to drive others forward with a cuteness and technical brilliance under pressure.The German international’s 6ft 4in frame sees him dominate duels in the air, his work rate off the ball is relentless and he has recently revealed he has started to “enjoy” physical battles.Bergkamp – occasionally nicknamed ‘Dirty Den’ during his 11-year Arsenal stint – also had a mean streak to him that paved the way for others to grab the headlines.Frenchman Aliadiere – who made 51 appearances for the club between 2001 and 2007 – continued: “I see [the similarities]. Dennis could play anywhere.Jeremie Aliadiere (bottom left) won the title with Arsenal in 2004Credit: Getty“He was a magician, the best footballing brain I have ever seen. He saw things and could read the game quicker than anybody and saw things no one else could. He was the ‘Iceman’.“You would try to copy him in training and it was impossible. He was on a different level, feeding the likes of Henry, Pires, Freddie Ljungberg. He was the conductor, the chief.“I must say, I was not convinced of Havertz initially as a No.9, maybe not sharp or quick enough, but like Dennis, he is not a typical player.“A big lad who holds the ball well and his intelligence and selflessness to get Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard involved.“When you start to feel important in the team, not wondering if you’re going to start, suddenly the confidence grows and he is playing like he has never played before.“He’s slowly becoming a major part of Arsenal’s history and hopefully it is a winning season.”All that is missing is the “aura” that comes from lifting titles and being recognised as one of the world’s best – something a 16-year-old Aliadiere experienced first-hand with Bergkamp.Speaking on behalf of William Hill Vegas, Aliadiere explained: “As a young boy joining the club, the first six months being in the first team, [Bergkamp] never spoke to me. He barely said hello in the morning.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I thought: ‘Oh god, he doesn’t like me’. It made me even more anxious and scared in training, but after that he suddenly completely changed. He accepted me.“He wanted to see if I was good enough to be around him. He had such an aura around him. You couldn’t get his friendship just like that. You had to earn it.” More