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      Inside ‘quiet’ and ‘humble’ Ollie Watkins’ rise from sleepy Devon town with Motown singer mum to England super-sub

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      SCREAMING with ecstasy, supersub Ollie Watkins said the world felt like it was in “slow motion” as he celebrated shooting England to the Euro 2024 final.Thrown into the Dortmund bear pit in the 81st minute, Ollie etched his name into English sporting history by firing the Three Lions to their first final on foreign soil.Ollie Watkins, pictured with his partner Ellie Alderson and his kids Marley and Amara, has had a phenomenal rise to the topWatkins scored a last minute winner against the Netherlands to secure England’s spot in the Euo 2024 finalCredit: GettyLater in the stands, the “quiet” lad brought up in a sleepy Devon market town, and who used to play for non-league Weston-super-Mare AFC, was greeted with a kiss by his partner Ellie Alderson before hugging his mum Delsi-May.Interior designer Ellie, mother of Ollie’s children Amara, two, and one-year-old Marley, later said online: “You got your moment and you took it. I’m so proud of you.”Many fans had been clamouring for the Aston Villa striker to get more game time as England progressed through the tournament.Not least of those was his mum Delsi-May, a soul and Motown singer also known by her stage name Ruby Washington.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBefore the game against the Netherlands, Delsi-May said in a moment captured on TikTok that she hoped “they finally let my son come on the f***ing pitch”.Unlike many of his peers, Ollie, 28, wasn’t cosseted as a young player by one of the great clubs of the Premier League.Rewind nine years to the footballing backwater of Basingstoke, in Hampshire.It was a blustery March day at the Ark Cancer Charity Stadium for a National League South clash between Basingtoke and Weston-super-Mare AFC in the sixth tier of English football.Most read in Euro 2024With the teams locked at 1-1 and the game drifting towards full-time, the visitors asked their teenage striker to warm up.In the 80th minute, on jogged Ollie Watkins — on loan from Exeter City. But there would be no last minute heroics. RISE OF WATKINSInstead, it was Basingstoke who scored a 90th-minute winner.Ollie’s familiarity with the tough tackles and rough pitches of non-league football may help to explain why he has managed to remain humble and grounded.Mum Delsi-May said: “Oliver is a man of very few words.“We’ve got a family group chat, and he never brags or anything, we literally have to draw everything out of him. He’s so humble and I love that about him.“He’s quite nonchalant about the fact that he’s doing something he loves. He assumes it’s the norm, but it’s not. I’m immensely proud.”A mark of Ollie’s warm and generous character is his friendship with Woody Stokes.Woody, who has Down’s syndrome and autism, had waited more than 90 minutes for Ollie to sign an autograph when he was playing for Brentford.Since then, Ollie has welcomed the 11-year-old into his box at Villa Park and during lockdown drove to his home to deliver Easter eggs.Ollie said: “It’s more than just him being a fan. We’ve got a close little friendship. He is involved with a charity called Skylarks, so I support them too.”Rising star Ollie playing for his youth sideThe striker performing for Exeter City’s under 16’sCredit: BPMIt speaks volumes of a man who, despite the riches of the Premier League, has remained true to his upbringing. Born in December 1995 in Torquay, Devon, dad Steven and mum Delsi-May split when Ollie was a child.He was raised in the small market town of Newton Abbot, on the fringes of Dartmoor.Bringing up Ollie, his brothers Richie, Dale and Jordan, and sister Charlotte alone, Delsi-May often took the children to her shows.Ollie said: “I got taken along to her gigs with my brother when I was younger. She also used to work on cruise ships and that’s when she was away. My singing? I probably let the family down with that but one thing I got from mum, I think, was a very good music taste.“My grandad listened to Frank Sinatra, mum listened to Whitney Houston, the blues, soul, and I like that stuff.”Ollie had been rejected for a place at Exeter City’s academy aged nine but a year later he made the grade.It meant Delsi-May having to juggle her work with a 40-mile round trip for his football training.She said: “I had to bomb it over to school, bring them back, get them something to eat, get them in the car, bomb it over to Exeter during rush hour. Then I had to make sure I got back in time for me to get to work.”Ollie’s close friend Matt Jay, a fellow pupil at South Dartmoor Community College and Exeter City’s academy, recalls his old teammate failing to initially make the grade.Midfielder Matt, now at League Two Colchester United, said: “I joined Exeter at under-nines.“I think the story is that Ollie didn’t make it that year, but came back the next.“You could tell he had something, but people develop at different rates. Exeter’s academy was all about technical ability.“I’m not saying that Ollie wasn’t blessed with that, but he wasn’t the best player there, for sure.“He was very fast but he was a late developer.”Ollie in action for Weston-Super-MareCredit: BPMOllie eventually did progress through the ranks for Exeter, winning a professional contract, and making his league debut against Hartlepool United in 2014.But he was far from the finished article. When Ollie and Matt were 18, they were sent on loan to non-league Weston-super-Mare AFC on the Somerset coast.Matt, 28, said: “It was difficult. It was our first loan. We probably thought it was going to be a bit easier than it was.“We used to travel up Tuesday and Thursday evenings for training, get back way past midnight.“But that was all part of the learning experience. And I think that helped Ollie a lot to realise that you weren’t going to just walk into a first team.“You see Marcus Rashford or Phil Foden coming through so young at great clubs, and we all think we’re going to do that. But the reality is, it’s not that easy.“There are times where you wonder if you’re going to make it. A lot of it is about timing.”Back at Exeter, Ollie broke into the first team and began banging in the goals.In 2017, Brentford, then in the Championship, signed him for £1.8million.After 45 goals in 132 appearances he was bought by Aston Villa for a £33million fee.In the season just gone, he scored 19 Premier League goals, helping Villa qualify for the Champions League. England had come calling in March 2021 — and Delsi-May was cleaning her car when Ollie broke the news.She said: “I’m glad he did when I was in the car, because I let out the biggest scream. If I’d have let that out in the street, people would have said, ‘Find that woman a mental hospital!’ I still can’t believe it. I’m immensely proud.”Ollie scored with his first shot on target on his England debut in a 5-0 win over San Marino at Wembley.He told the High Performance podcast just how much it means to him to represent his country.He said: “It’s one of the best feelings and one that I relish. I love it when I go out there. I’m standing there and singing the national anthem and I’ve got goosebumps.“Representing your country is one of the biggest honours, especially where the squad is at the moment.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I feel like I can do more, I’ve got a lot to bring to the table. That’s my aim — to achieve something great with them.”For this unassuming lad from Newton Abbot, that golden opportunity may come in Berlin on Sunday.The England star’s family at the EurosCredit: Splash More

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      Euro 2024 final stadium is steeped in twisted history and is home to English football’s most shameful episode

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE and his players will walk in the footsteps of sporting infamy on Sunday.And they also have the chance to wipe out the memories of English football’s most shameful episode by replacing it with glorious triumph.The Olympiastadion in Berlin is where the Euro 2024 final will take place between England and SpainCredit: GettyThe stadium is famous for Jesse Owens humiliating Adolf Hitler at the OlympicsCredit: Hulton Archive – GettyBut for many the venue is also famous for England’s most shameful episodeCredit: RexThe FA shamefully ordered the England team to perform a Nazi salute during a friendly in 1938Credit: Getty – ContributorThe stadium has a capacity of 110,000 fansCredit: RexFor many, the Olympiastadion will always be the place where Jesse Owens humiliated Adolf Hitler in his own backyard.But the 1936 Olympics WERE used by the Nazis as pure propaganda, as a statement about the supposed supremacy of the “Aryan race”.The ghosts of those Games still flit between the towers and the colosseum-style architecture.Fans walking in on Sunday will see the plinth where the Olympic cauldron was lit by Fritz Schilgen – handpicked by propagandist film-maker Leni Riefenstahl – still there, high in the stands above one goal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd two years later, when the FA disgracefully ordered England’s players to raise their arm in the Nazi salute before beating Germany in a friendly, it seemed that the British state was implicitly accepting Hitler’s authority and power.The Three Lions have the opportunity to right that ancient wrong yet nothing can detract from the stadium’s place in the pantheon of sport’s darkest hours.Hitler, coming to power in 1933, two years after the Games had been awarded to Berlin, decided that the entire event had to be homage to his ideology and ambition.He stuck with the site in the Grunewald Forest, to the west of the city centre, that had initially been chosen for the 1916 Games that were cancelled following the outbreak of World War One.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHitler used the Olympics to promote the supposed supremacy of the ‘Aryan race’Credit: Getty – ContributorThe ghosts of those Games still flit between the towers and the colosseum-style architectureCredit: GettyBut from what was originally just a stadium, Hitler demanded more, a sports complex named the “Reichssportsfeld” with the stadium at its heart.The original architect Werner March and his brother Walter were re-engaged.England fans gush ‘my manager’ as incredible footage emerges of Southgate going wild after reaching Euro 2024 final However, the main design changes were under the direction of Albert Speer, the “architect of the Third Reich” who later became Reich Minister of Armaments and War Production and who was handed a 20-year jail sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg Trials.Construction of the 330 acre site took just two years, with the stadium having a capacity of 110,000 fans, including a special stand for Hitler and the Nazi High Command.At the western end stood the 77m high Bell Tower, which gave a view of the entire city from the top and which contained the 9.6 tonne Olympic Bell, adorned with the Olympic Rings, an eagle, the year 1936, a depiction of the Brandenburg Gate and the motto “I call the youth of the world” between two swastikas.The design was deliberate. Hitler’s racial theories postulated that the “Master Race” were the natural inheritors of the Roman Empire.Echoing Rome’s most famous ancient monument leaned into that theory, while the Olympic Rings remain where they were hung between the two huge towers at the stadium site entrance.It was about power, grandeur, history and a warped and twisted view of all of them.Construction of the 330 acre site took just two yearsCredit: GettyIn the build-up to the Games, Hitler demanded that the IOC ban black Jewish athletes from taking partCredit: AP:Associated PressIn the build-up to the Games, Hitler demanded that the IOC ban black Jewish athletes from taking part.That was refused but fencer Helene Mayer, whose mother was Jewish, was the only Jew selected by the host country.The Opening Ceremony, devised and then filmed by Riefenstahl, was an exercise in pure propaganda, with Lithuania banned from taking part in the Games on the direct orders of the German government after the trials and convictions of two prominent local Nazi leaders.A number of countries, including Spain and Ireland, boycotted the Games, along with many Jewish athletes from other nations.When the Games commenced, Hitler was in situ to celebrate German victories as an endorsement of his regime, although he was only interested in shaking the hands of home winners.But those flawed claims of Aryan glory were to be blown apart by Owens, who back home in the Deep South was used to the deprivations caused by Segregation.England vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.In the space of seven days, he won four gold medals, in the 100m, long jump, 200m and 4x100m relay.Hitler, outraged at seeing a black athlete conquer, left the stadium early to avoid the medals ceremony although he was reported to have “saluted” the victor.According to Speer: “The Fuhrer was deeply annoyed by the series of triumphs by Owens.“People whose antecedents come from the jungle were primitive, he said with a shrug.“Their physiques were stronger than civilised whites and hence they should be excluded from future Games.”Enough said. Sickening and a foreshadowing of what was to consume the entire planet within three years.Those flawed claims of Aryan glory were to be blown apart by OwensCredit: GettyIn the space of seven days, he won four gold medals, in the 100m, long jump, 200m and 4x100m relayCredit: GettyYet a year before Germany invaded Poland to start that war, on May 14 1938, English football succumbed to the worst of political cowardice.In the build-up to the game, with Neville Chamberlain having opted for Appeasement rather than instigating the inevitable conflict, the Foreign Office sent a letter to the FA reminding them of the “broader political implications”.The night before the match, the FA and Government agreed to tell the players to perform the Nazi salute when the National Anthem was played – with Hitler’s key lieutenant Joseph Goebbels among the 110,000 crowd.That was not passed on to the players until they were in the dressing room before kick-off.While FA secretary Stanley Rous – later to become Fifa President and be the strongest proponent of allowing Apartheid-era South Africa to remain a member – insisted the players had “no objections”, that was angrily dismissed by some of them.Wolves’ Stan Cullis refused to comply and was omitted from the team and Stanley Matthews claimed: “The dressing room erupted. All the players were livid and totally opposed.”Matthews said the “infamous picture” caused him shame through the rest of his life. England won 6-3.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 1984, four years after his death, the main road leading up to the stadium was renamed Jesse-Owens-Allee in his honour.One stain slightly removed. On Sunday, Southgate and his players can partially erase another. More

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      Lamine Yamal only started playing 11-a-side FOUR YEARS ago and was overshadowed by Oliver Skipp, now he’s Euro 2024 star

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      LAMINE YAMAL confirmed his status as football’s next superstar in Munich – but has only been playing 11-a-side games for four years.Spain’s incredible 16-year-old bent home the goal of the tournament so far against France as La Roja sealed the spot in the final.Yamal scored the goal of the tournament on TuesdayCredit: AlamyAnd announced himself as football’s next superstarCredit: APFans in Barcelona have long known just how good this little winger could be, but that one strike of his left boot was the birth of a global phenomenon.We have seen Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi vacate the stage and leave it to the likes of Kylian Mbappe. Here is another who could well be in that bracket before long – and he’s not even old enough to drive yet.It was not even that long ago that he was considered too young for proper football.READ MORE ON EURO 2024His first five years in Barcelona’s academy were spent playing seven-a-side football, up until the age of 12 in 2020 when he finally got a crack at 11-a-side games.Yamal’s story is baffling, brilliant and barely believable in equal measure.He is a boy born to a Moroccan father and a mother from Equatorial Guinea, who turns 17 tomorrow and was cradled by footballing royalty at just six months old.Staggering pictures of Yamal as a baby being held and bathed by Messi, taken for a Barcelona charity calendar 16 years ago, resurfaced this week.Most read in Euro 2024Yamal was held by Lionel Messi as a baby, leading some to joke that the Argentinian transferred his footballing powers to himCredit: APThey met again when Yamal was coming through Barcelona’s academyCredit: XYamal only started playing 11-a-side football four years agoCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe did not restrict his brushes with greatness to Barcelona either, with footage of Yamal as an academy player walking as a mascot with Spain and Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos at an El Clasico in 2016.There is a touch of fate about this gem, Spain’s “little MVP”, as teammate Nico Williams has dubbed him.Lamine Yamal explains cheeky message he did in Spain v France Euro 2024 match The two wingers have become close at their Donaueschingen base in southern Germany – where Yamal has been doing homework in his spare time and received exam results during the tournament.He passed, obviously.That feeling of destiny was not only evidenced in the fact that it was his goal which got Luis de la Fuente’s men back on course to the final – but that he had scored a near identical one against the same opposition, in a Euros semi-final, a year ago for Spain’s Under-17s.Arguably that one was an even sweeter finish, but nothing will ever compare to doing it on this stage, under this pressure at that age.Spain were a goal down and looking wobbly before that thunderbolt from a now famous left foot, one which has gone straight into the history books.The youngest ever goalscorer at the Euros, also becoming the youngest player to ever start a major semi-final – claiming that title from Pele.But it was not just this moment of magic everyone was delighted by. Yamal’s teammates and manager hailed his work off the ball, while he picked up a card early in extra time for a challenge on the far bulkier Theo Hernandez as France threatened to break.Yamal dummied past Adrien Rabiot before scoring his wondergoalCredit: GettyIt earned Yamal a yellow card and the affection of anyone watching who was not wearing blue. He left to a standing ovation a couple of minutes later.Rodri said: “I am very, very proud of him.“People will hold on to the goal, that sudden starring moment from a kid who is 16.”And you have to have enormous quality to be able to do that, and doing it in a semi-final speaks to the player he is, the incredible future he has.”Very few players can do that.“But I hold on to his defensive commitment, the support he gave teammates, how he closed off spaces, the oxygen he gave us.”How complete his game was, and I told him that personally. Chapeau.”That work rate and focus on the collective over the individual brilliance, moments which can be clipped up and shared, is something that was always noted by academy coaches at Barcelona, the club he joined aged seven.They were impressed by his humble approach on and off the pitch, something which showed around a clash with France’s established stars.Adrien Rabiot probably felt quite embarrassed as he boarded his plane back home from Germany.The France midfielder had tried to intimidate Yamal ahead of their semi-final clash.Rabiot had said: “To reach a final at the Euros, he needs to do more than he’s done up until now.”Was this good enough, then? Yamal responded with a goal for the ages and a man of the match performance.But that is not nearly the best of it, in creating the space for the goal the winger skipped past Rabiot and left him in a spin – powerless to stop this moment of history.Speaking down the camera lens on the pitch at full time, Yamal simply said: “Speak now, speak now.”The wonderkid shouted at the camera ‘speak now’ as he celebrated reaching the finalOliver Skipp stole the show against Yamal’s Barcelona in pre-seasonCredit: ReutersAsked to expand on that afterwards, he added: “The person I’m talking about will know who he is. I’m just happy about reaching the final.”Rabiot and the rest of us know exactly who he was talking about.READ MORE SUN STORIESA season which started with a pre-season game against Tottenham where Yamal excelled but was overshadowed by Oliver Skipp scoring a brace will end on the biggest stage European football has to offer on Sunday.From being outshone by Skipp to eclipsing Pele’s records is not a bad year’s work – just imagine what he will do when he grows up. More

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      Meet incoming Man Utd transfer signing Joshua Zirkzee, who was rejected by Bayern Munich and dates a JD Sports model

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      JOSHUA ZIRKZEE will add much-needed firepower to Manchester United’s attack next season.The Dutch forward, 23, seems destined to play his football at Old Trafford next season, after the Red Devils agreed to pay his £34million release clause to his club Bologna.Joshua Zirkzee has taken Serie A by stormCredit: AFPDutch forward Zirkzee featured for Netherlands in the EurosCredit: GettyZirkzee cut short a holiday in Florida and visit to Disney World to link with the Netherlands squadCredit: instagram @zirkzeePersonal terms have also been reportedly agreed, with Zirkzee set to put pen to paper on a deal imminently.The 6ft 4in striker is on international duty with the Netherlands at Euro 2024, although he has only played three minutes in the tournament.After bouncing around around Dutch clubs Ado Den Haag and Feyenoord as a youth, he was snapped up by Bayern Munich when he was 16.However, he failed to establish himself with the Bavarians and was sent on loans to Parma and Anderlecht, before moving permanently to Bologna.Read more Man Utd newsIn Serie A, he earned his stripes – receiving a glowing endorsement from Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.While he also showed his commitment to his country, cutting short a dream holiday to Disneyland to join Ronald Koeman’s squad, following a late call-up.Off the pitch, Zirkzee featured in a JD Sports ad alongside his beautiful girlfriend, Celina Kerr.He has also appeared as a model for urban leisure wear brand, No Face No Case.Most read in FootballEarly yearsZirkzee has admitted in the past he had no ‘Plan B’. He only wanted to be a footballer growing up.He grew up in Spijkenisse, South Netherlands where he spent most of his time playing on the Johan Cruyff football courts.Watch Man Utd star Antony show off hidden talent as fans say ‘he’s finding another job already'”I think what the USA has with basketball courts, we have in Holland with the five-a-side pitches,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.”It makes you tough, you have to be smarter, you have to find a way to keep up with guys that are bigger and stronger than you. I learned on the streets – and that’s where creativity comes to life.”In 2016, after three years with Ado Den Haag, Zirkzee signed with Feyenoord.His heavyweight boxer stature, even evident then, saw him stand out among his peers.In under a year with the Dutch giants, Bayern Munich made Zirkzee an offer that he couldn’t refuse.It was a bitter split from Feyenoord, as the Germans swooped in – convincing the then 16-year-old his development would be best served with them.But in truth…It really wasn’t.Zirkzee did make his breakthrough into the first team in 2019, and appeared destined to be their next No9.He scored twice in his first eight minutes of Bundesliga action, across games against Freiburg and Wolfsburg at the tender age of 18.As youngster, Zirkzee rose through the ranks at Bayern MunichCredit: GettyBut Zirkzee failed to get a run in the first team and sent out on loan for game timeCredit: GettyHowever, despite playing a small part in Bayern’s treble-winning campaign, he struggled to assert himself as a starter.In 2021, understanding his need to play more football, Zirkzee was sent on loan to Parma.He would play just four games until a knee injury meant he had to return back to Munich.Four months later, he would join Belgians Anderlecht for a season long loan.Not only would it put him in the shop window, it would allow him to build his confidence up playing regularly.SuccessThe move proved to be a masterstroke for both player and club.Zirkzee would find his feet playing under Vincent Kompany, who once blasted him for a poor performance during a team talk in a leaked video that surfaced online.Still, it got the best out of the target man.He was the club’s top scorer with a 16 goals in 38 league games.Vincent Kompany lays into Zirkzee in a video that circulated online of a dressing room teamtalkZirkzee returned to Bayern Munich after his Anderlecht loan, but was surplus to requirementsCredit: GettyZirkzee also showed he wasn’t a selfish player, recording nine assists for his team-mates during the campaign.After his successful loan, there was talk he might get his chance at the Allianz Arena.However, an £8million offer from Bologna, which included a 50 per cent sell on clause was too good to turn down.Big breakZirkzee was brought to the Italian club to partner former West Ham man Marko Arnautovic up front.A month after he was unveiled, Thiago Motta became boss. The Italian had different ideas.Arnautovic got the nod, with Zirkzee confessing: “I wasn’t ready mentally, not like Motta wanted anyway.”The understudy sat on the bench and watched the Austrian forward in action – learning about leading the line and the movement Motta wanted from his lone striker.At the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Zirkzee would get his opportunity after Arnautovic was sold to Inter Milan.”The time came to take a step forward,” he explained to the Corriere, “to take on more responsibility, to demonstrate that I was ready and take advantage of the opportunity.”Zirkzee signed for Bologna where he would go on to get his big breakInitially, Zirkzee played second fiddle to Marko Arnautovic – getting the odd appearanceCredit: GettyAnd he did just thatSpearheading Bologna’s attack, Zirkzee would take his chance.A stunning season in the club’s history saw them earn Champions League qualification for the very first time.The Dutchman’s contribution was integral to their success – scoring 11 goals and providing five assists.Former Torino coach Ivan Juric compared him to Zlatan Ibrahimovic after one encounter between the clubs.”He’s an atypical striker that manages to score a lot of goals,” the Croatian added.Ibrahimovic, a senior advisor with AC Milan, said of Zirkzee: “I like him, he’s a good player with very good potential.”It would prompt I Rossoneri to plot a move for the talent, although it appears he has always had his eyes set on joining Manchester United.Soon, Zirkzee became a fans’ favourite under boss Thiago MottaCredit: Alamy6ft 4in forward Zirkzee was also praised by Zlatan Ibahimovic who recognised his talentCredit: Rexread more sport featuresModel lifeAway from the pitch, Zirkzee reportedly dates the stunning model Celina.The influencer and model boasts almost 100,000 followers on Instagram.She reportedly graduated in Berlin with a degree in Media and Communication Management.They have kept their personal lives private on social media, but they were once seen embracing each other on a Valentine’s Day video shoot with JD Sports.The couple wore unisex tracksuits sold by the sports wear giant in the digital ad campaign, which was shared by Celina on her Instagram feed to her followers.READ MORE SUN STORIESCelina Kerr reportedly dates Man Utd bound ZirkzeeCredit: Instagram @ celinajadakerrStunning Celina is a mode who has over 100,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @ celinajadakerrZirkzee and Celina shot a JD Sports promo campaign on Valentine’s DayZirkzee has also modelled for streetwear brand No Face No CaseHandsome Zirkzee has also modelled streetwear by online brand, No Face No Case.United fans will be hoping the towering frontman is a model pro, too. More

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      in Boxing

      I worked in an ice cream parlour and dreamed of becoming an actor… now I’m following my dad’s iconic boxing footsteps

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      SAMI HAMED is hoping the cream will rise to the top of his boxing career having been inspired to follow his legendary dad into the sport.The 26-year-old is the eldest son of British boxing icon Naseem Hamed – who lit up the sport in the 1990s and early 2000s. Sami Hamed with his famous father Prince NaseemCredit: @princesamihamedSami is now following his dad into boxingCredit: @princesamihamedBrothers Aadam Hamed and SamiBut the Hamed name looks set to remain in the sport for years to come through Naz’s sons Aadam and Sami. Aadam is already 1-0 and signed to Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren – who guided his dad to superstardom decades earlier. Whereas older brother Sami has signed a deal with Misfits Boxing, home to celebrity-style crossover fights. He debuts on August 31 in Dublin on the undercard of YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI and does so as the son of a legend. READ MORE IN BOXINGSami told SunSport: “It’s in my heart and it’s in my DNA. “Obviously, everybody wants to be like their dad but when your dad is knocking everybody out it’s on a another level.”I just want to get in there, I want to show my dad that listen, I can have a good fight as well and pack that dig. “I just want to make my parents proud.”Most read in BoxingSami Hamed: I’m not here to please anyoneSAMI HAMED becomes the latest son of a British boxing legend to try and make his own way in the sport.He follows after Chris Eubank Jr, Conor Benn and Campbell Hatton all followed in the same footsteps. But Hamed will not get drawn into the inevitable comparisons due to come his way. He said: “I’m pretty blessed because my attitude towards the whole thing is, I couldn’t give a c**p what anybody thinks. I’m not here to please anyone.”To be honest, anyone who obviously spends their hard earned money to come and watch me fight, obviously I want to put on a good performance for them.”But in terms of being my dad, me and my brother are never going to be Prince Naseem Hamed, no one’s every going to be that and the sooner people realise that, the better.”CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNeither Sami or Aadam had amateur careers or ever really considered entering the family boxing business.I was forced to flog meat on doorsteps with social media sensation father…now I’m chasing boxing titlesAadam was once a talented tennis player while Sami had his eyes on the big screen – something he is not yet ready to throw the towel in for. He revealed: “We’ve played tennis, football, all of that.”I wanted to be an actor when I was like 12 years old, all the way to like 15, 16. My heart was set, I really wanted to be on the big screen.”I still feel like I’ve got the potential to do that. I could do a couple of years in boxing and even if I carry on fighting but maybe go to Hollywood and chase my dream in that sense.”Prince Naz is believed to have banked over £40million during his prizefighting career – but his sons were made to earn their own cash. I just want to make my parents proud.Naseem Hamed’s son Sami Sami said: “Before this, I was working in retail for like two and a half years, before that I worked in Creams ice cream parlour when I came out of college when I was like 17 or 18.”So for me now, this does really feel like I’m doing something big with myself and I’m cracking on with something that I can love.”Sami believes the work ethic his famous father installed in him as a youngster is what will allow him to excel in boxing.He said: “My dad’s a Yemeni, whether you’ve got lots of money or not he’s still going to raise you like you’re a Yemeni.”He’s always shown me that he’s never just going to give me or let me have my handout. “He’s always going to make me work for my money and to be honest that’s the whole reason I’m here.”I would have never done it if I didn’t have the previous jobs that I’ve had in the past. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I feel like now, this is a massive opportunity to make it for myself.”Sami, who debuts against vlogger Jesse Clarke, has signed a one-year Misfits deal and wants to fight as many as five times in those 12 months.Sami Hamed has signed for Misfits Boxing More

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      in Boxing

      Floyd Mayweather shows off new £1.5million car collection including Rolls-Royce with furry seats – and £85,000 backpack

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER was out to prove why he earned the nickname Money as he showed off his new £1.5million car collection.The boxing legend – who topped Forbes rich list of the decade with over £700MILLION made – has never been shy of flaunting his wealth. Floyd Mayweather showed off his new collection of carsCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweatherHere is a £250,000 Rolls Royce GhostCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweatherAnother Rolls Royce was fitted with Gucci pillowsCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweatherThe seats were all furryCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweatherMayweather also brought a himalayan Gucci backpack worth £85,000Credit: Instagram / @floydmayweatherWhether it’s showing off his multiple mansions, private jets or expensive watches, Mayweather is known to splash the cash. But among his favourite things to buys are cars – and Mayweather has lots of them. In a recent Instagram post, the unbeaten American gave his 29.9m followers a look into just one of his driveways. Parked out front is a black Rolls Royce Ghost, which costs up to £250,000. READ MORE IN BOXINGSitting next to it was a matching black Rolls-Royce Phantom – priced at close to £380,000 – which has £650 Gucci pillows and furry seats. Mayweather was not done there as he revealed his secret purchase, an £85,000 black Mercedes van which is fitted with an Apple TV and espresso machine.He also got himself McLaren GTS, worth £210,000 and had two more black Rolls Royces down the end of the drive. The ring great did not limit his shopping to just cars as he revealed his brand new himalayan Gucci backpack – which fetched for £85,000. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMayweather is the highest-earning fighter of all time with his wins over Manny Pacquiao, 45, and Conor McGregor, 35, making him over £450m alone. And he continues to box in exhibitions even in retirement, boasting of earning up to £15m at a time. His last came against the grandson of notorious New York crime boss John Gotti – which ended in a DQ win before a brawl broke out in the ring. Mayweather, 47, now prepares to rematch Gotti III, 31, on August 24 in Mexico. Inside Floyd Mayweather’s extravagant lifestyle… Mayweather is a regular on his private jetCredit: Instagram @liramsustielHe travels in styleCredit: Instagram @floydmayweatherMayweather earned over £700m in his boxing careerCredit: Instagram @floydmayweatherHe is boxing’s top earnerCredit: InstagramMayweather is never shy of showing off his carsCredit: Refer to CaptionHe has an impressive collectionCredit: Refer to CaptionInside Floyd Mayweather’s gym where boxing legend trained in sweltering heat & forced sparring partners to arrive at 3am More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Spain ace Rodri’s humble world, from living in student halls as a footballer to private life with rarely-seen Wag

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      RODRI has won it all with Manchester City but he remains one of the most humble footballers around.He could claim Euros glory with Spain as he continues to uphold his reputation as one of the best midfielders in the world.Rodri has maintained a humble lifestyle despite being one of the best players in the worldCredit: GettyHe and girlfriend Laura Iglesias prefer to lead a private lifestyleCredit: GettyThe couple met at universityCredit: MANCHESTER CITYLast season Rodri broke the record for the longest unbeaten streak in European football history, with 74 games, before City were beaten by Real Madrid.His performances have led to Ballon d’Or tips, having finished fifth in the voting for the award last year.But Rodri, 28, has remained grounded and enjoys a modest lifestyle, keeping his personal life, including his relationship with Laura Iglesias, away from the public eye.The Spaniard signed for City for £63million in 2019 and is now believed to earn a staggering £220,000-a-week, but he has opted not to adopt an extravagant lifestyle.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead, he has driven old cars and combined his football career with studying at university, all the while staying off social media.Ballon boreRodri has arguably been City’s most important player over the last few years.And as a world class player in a world class team, it is unsurprising the midfielder has been touted as a contender to win the Ballon d’Or.Spain team-mate Alvaro Morata claims Rodri would have picked up the gong after winning the Treble last year if he was more marketable.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut Rodri is not bothered about winning the award or the acclaim that comes with it.He explained in an interview with The Guardian: “I don’t play football for that. Ivan Toney plays Connect Four and reads a book without LOOKING in hilarious England video after his famous penalty”Maybe people would like me to be more marketable and he sometimes says: ‘Mate, you should…’ but I understand football differently. “I know how it works so I don’t get frustrated if [I get overlooked for the award]. If one day someone wants to reward the work, that’s welcome, but it doesn’t bother me at all.”Rodri finished fifth in the voting for the Ballon d’Or last yearCredit: Sunday TimesLiving in uni hallsRodri joined City from Atletico Madrid but began his career at Villarreal where he spent time living in university halls while he was a student.Shunning renting a posh apartment, Rodri lived in a shared space at the Universidad de Castellon in eastern Spain.He studied Business Studies and Economics, and balanced a precarious football career with his degree, never missing a lecture.His friend Valentin Henarejo recalled their time together, telling Marca: “People were shocked when they saw Rodri, who was playing in the top flight but still living at the university residence.”After the first few days of getting to know him, there was normality.”He shared a space with everyone, he liked being with his friends and sitting on the sofa with everyone.”But, of course, at the start it was strange seeing him playing table tennis or doing his washing.”Rodri lived in halls at uni despite being a professional footballerCredit: X @THURBRUYNEHe earned a degree in Business Studies and EconomicCredit: X @City_ChiefPrivate lifeRodri and his partner Laura like to keep their personal life under wraps – with Laura’s Instagram kept private.Laura is a medical student and is believed to be training to become a surgeon, with the pair meeting at university.Rodri revealed she was confused to see a pro footballer in uni studying, but Laura has now become his biggest supporter and often posts videos of her celebrating her boyfriend’s goals.The four-time Premier League winner revealed he often watches those videos back, saying: “When I get to score, I always have a video of Laura celebrating the goal at home and I always watch it in a locker room.”Laura is studying to be a surgeonCredit: GettyShe has become the midfielder’s biggest fanCredit: GettyModest lifestyleRodri’s stellar performances have led to a big pay rise since his move to the Etihad.But he has turned away from the lavish spending lifestyles favoured by many of his team-mates in favour of a more low-key way of life.When he passed his driver’s test Rodri decided against purchasing a Ferrari or Lamborghini, and instead bought a second-hand Opel Corsa from an elderly lady.His friend Valentin said: “One time he told me that some friends were ‘crazy’ for buying nice cars, all that mattered was that it takes you from A to B and that’s all.”READ MORE SUN STORIESRodri has also stuck to a strict regime during his career with training taking precedence above everything else.It has helped propel him to untouchable status for club and country, with many viewing him as the successor to Spain legend Sergio Busquets.Rodri’s first car was an old Opel Corsa he bought off an elderly lady More

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      in Boxing

      I walked away from pro MMA career to become Conor McGregor’s photographer… now he’s helping me make Misfits Boxing debut

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      PHOTOGRAPHER Dave Fogarty was picturing a career in professional MMA – until Conor McGregor came calling. The Irishman was an amateur champion with World and European medals to his name. Photographer Dave Fogarty with Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram Fogarty training for his boxing debutCredit: Instagram And while training to be a fighter, he picked up the camera as a hobby to do while out the gym and snapped in local Irish shows. That is how he was introduced to McGregor – who later became his boss after the UFC icon offered him a job as his personal photographer. Fogarty, 34, told SunSport: “I definitely could’ve turned pro. “It was definitely on the cards and something I thought about but when my amateur career had come to an end is when I started working full time for Conor.READ MORE IN BOXING“The time commitment working with Conor wouldn’t work with the full time commitment of doing pro MMA. “So I obviously chose to continue working with Conor.”Despite walking away from a fight career, Fogarty has never left MMA. That is because he is on call 24/7 with McGregor, meaning he is always in the gym and around the world’s biggest fights. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFogarty is among McGregor’s most trusted confidants. The talented snapper is part of McGregor’s core team who travel around the world with him.Watch disgusting moment Conor McGregor dislocates then resets his toe in training as injury sees him pull out of UFC 303Fogarty joins nutritionist Tristan Kennedy and strength coach Julian Dalby along with a padman and masseuse wherever McGregor goes. He said: “The man doesn’t take holidays, he doesn’t take vacations. He’s always doing something, when he’s away, the team is always away with him. “Like he says, there’s a gym on the yacht. Even if he’s on his yacht, he’s still training. He trains all year round. It’s great to be surrounded by that.” Fogarty – who has continued to train since his last MMA bout in 2017 – has captured McGregor’s meteoric rise through his lens. He revealed: “It’s mad. When you step back and see what it must be like for him. “Because when all that stuff is happening, I’m just in work mode making sure I get the pictures and have it covered.  “So to step back and see that’s what he does, day in and day out. That’s his life, it’s crazy. Conor wears different hats. You can be around him sometimes and he’s Conor, your friend and you’re having a buzz. And then, when it’s time to get to work and he becomes the boss.Conor McGregor’s photographer Dave Fogarty “It becomes normal until you step back and realise that it isn’t normal.” Fogarty teased that an upcoming project he worked on with McGregor is due to be released soon. And he opened up on how his close friend can just as quickly flip to strict boss at any moment. He said: “Conor wears different hats. You can be around him sometimes and he’s Conor, your friend and you’re having a buzz. “And then, when it’s time to get to work and he becomes the boss there’s times when I’m taking pictures and it hasn’t been his vision. “And, he’s told me about it. He’s let me know, that’s when it’s Conor the boss. “But there’s times when he loves the pictures and we’re having a buzz. “There’s times where he’s Conor McGregor, head of McGregor Sports & Entertainment or Claymore Productions.’I’ve soaked it all in’“I don’t want people telling me all the time my pictures are great, they’re not always great, no one’s are. “I think it’s important to have that relationship.” Fogarty will now call on McGregor’s expertise as he prepares to make his fight return – this time in the boxing ring. He has signed to Misfits Boxing – home to celebrity-style crossover bouts – and faces their lightweight champion Deen the Great on August 31 in Dublin. Fogarty will be coached by McGregor’s first ever trainer, Irish boxing great Phil Sutcliffe. When travelling with McGregor, he will work under the same coaches and recovery team hired by the UFC legend. He will then jet back to do his sparring under the watchful eye of two-time Olympian Sutcliffe. Fogarty does not rule out McGregor coming to support on the night and will make use of everything he has learned over the years while observing his boss. He is now preparing to make his boxing debutCredit: @ginger_beard_photosHe said: “I’ve soaked it all in. I’ve structured my training camp the exact same way I’ve seen Conor structure his. That’s where I’ve got the blueprint from. “It’s a very precise, measured and calculated way of doing it and it’s the optimal way of doing it. “Obviously, being around Conor and seeing how he’s done it is the way I’ll do it. He’s one of the best minds in combat sports history. “He’s a phenomenal coach, you saw on The Ultimate Fighter how dedicated he is to it, how dedicated and enthusiastic he is. “I’ve taken in so much from him, being around and seeing how he puts his training camps together. “It’s been a huge inspiration to how I’m going to do this.”Fogarty will challenge for Deen’s lightweight belt and prepares to take on a brash-talking unbeaten American. He said: “I’ve said it from the start, He is good. I’m not going to take anything away from him or discredit him. READ MORE SUN STORIES“He is a good fighter, a bit of a mouth, bit arrogant and cocky, but look, he is a good boxer. He’s got power in both hands, moves his head well, moves his feet well. “So I think it’s a big challenge and the hardest fight in the division being the champion. But I’m here for big fights and big opportunities.” Fogarty at the famed Crumlin Boxing ClubCredit: Instagram More