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PALMEIRAS is seemingly the breeding ground for Brazil’s up and coming talent.Gabriel Jesus came through the ranks there, while Danilo is making strides with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.Palmeiras forward Estevao Willian is being tracked by ChelseaCredit: AFPWillian is the youngest Brazilian footballer to be given a Nike sponsorship dealEndrick has stolen the headlines in recent times – thanks to a £51million transfer to Real Madrid at just 16 – and has undoubted potential to be football’s next superstar.But insiders with the Verdao are now giddy about a new kid on the block who has come through the ranks and caught the attention of Europe’s top clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Man City and Bayern Munich.At just 17, Estevao Willian has the world at his very talented feet.And because of his outstanding ability, he has already earned a very flattering nickname.Read more football newsThose in the know call him Messinho, because of the similarities in his game to Argentine legend Lionel Messi.Standing out from the crowdWillian actually began his youth career at Cruzeiro in 2017, the club who famously launched Ronaldo into the stratosphere.By 2018, aged just 10, the hype about the winger was unparalleled.A year later, he signed a sponsorship deal with Nike.Most read in FootballIt made him the youngest Brazilian to ink a contract with the sportswear giants, surpassing Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.However, in 2021 Palmeiras managed to snatch Willian from their rivals – signing him on a trainee contract.Ex-Chelsea and England wonderkid now unemployedStraight away he made a difference to their youth team.In the 2022 season, he helped the Palmeiras youth teams win the Campeonato Paulista Sub-17, Campeonato Paulista Sub-15, Copa do Brasil Sub-17 and Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-17.In the latter, he scored a hat-trick in the final to defeat Sao Paulo 3-0.A year later, he made his professional debut for the club, coming off the bench in the 78th minute of a 1–1 draw away at Cruzeiro which sealed the Série A title win for Palmeiras.Aged just 16 years and 8 months, he became the club’s fourth youngest player of all-time.Last month, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 win over Liverpool (the Uruguayan less successful version) in the Copa Libertadores group stage.By doing so, he became the third player under 17 to score in the competition, along with Endrick and Angelo Gabriel, who Chelsea snapped up in 2023 for £13million from Santos.Teenage wonderkid Willian joined Palmeiras in 2021 and instantly impacted their youth set-upBy 2023, Willian was celebrating his side’s Serie A title winWillian celebrates scoring his first goal for Palmeiras in the Copa LibertadoresCredit: AFPread more sport featuresHigh praiseBlessed with electrifying dribbling skills and pace, the right-sided player who can operate through the middle has been compared to Barcelona icon Messi.Aside from his flair, Willian also has an innate football intelligence that belies his years.He is nicknamed Messinho because of his likeness to the brilliant Messi.Because he is tipped for greatness, a host of the world’s top clubs are circling around him.Chelsea have seemingly stolen a march on their rivals, but in the past he has stated his love for another club.Messinho once stated: “[My dream is] to play for Barcelona, which is one of the best clubs in the world.”I was born watching Neymar, Messi and Suarez play for Barcelona, and that’s the dream I have.”I watch almost every Barca match. I’m a fan of the club. I have a great admiration for the players who play there, and I hope to be there too. Yes, it would be a dream come true.”Palmeiras’ head of youth coach Jorge Sampaio told FIFA of his protege’s ability: “One thing these kinds of players have is a strong personality, a big ego to say: “I am, I can and I will”.Willian is nicknamed Messinho after Argentine legend Lionel MessiCredit: ReutersTime will well if Willian lives up to the hypeCredit: Rex”And they do it. For these out-of-this-world talents, things come easy. It’s difficult for your average player, who make up the vast majority.”READ MORE SUN STORIESIn terms of the Messinho nickname, Sampaio added: “He prefers Estevao. The Messinho thing was put on hold, but his game is very similar to that of the Argentine.”Time will tell if he goes on to emulate that phenomenon, and where he does it. More

JUDE BELLINGHAM is living his best life right now.Tipped to be the next winner of the Ballon d’Or, at only 20, he has become Real Madrid’s talisman.Jude Bellingham is currently living his best lifeHe is dating stunning Dutch model Laura Celia ValkBellingham, showing off his trademark goal celebration, is tipped as a future Ballon d’Or winnerWhile for England, the midfielder is one of the first names on Gareth Southgate’s team sheet.Away from football, things can’t get any better either.In his personal life, he has found love with Dutch model Laura Celia Valk.She has now become a staple of his Madrid lifestyle, hitting the city’s hotspots while he keeps his low-key persona in check.Read more Bellingham newsHe lives in the exclusive La Finca neighbourhood, where many of his team-mates reside.While he loves nothing more than sipping on cans of Fanta, or visiting his local coffee shop where he’s known simply just as ‘Jude’ and not the superstar footballer he is.Life in MadridWhen Jude moved to Madrid, his family made the very conscious of decision to support their sons in the best way possible.Jude’s younger brother Jobe moved to Sunderland last summer, the same month the Three Lions star completed his dream transfer to the Bernabeu.Most read in FootballTheir mum and dad – Denise and Mark – made the decision to uproot from Stourbridge at the cost of their time together.Mark, who was until 2022 a sergeant with West Midlands Police, moved with Jobe to Wearside.How Jude Bellingham is key to England winning Euro 2024Devoted mum Denise made the sacrifice to leave the UK, spending time apart from her husband, to live with Jude in Madrid.They reportedly settled in a flat in the stunning La Finca neighbourhood, where pop stars, actors and most recently footballers prefer.It was where Cristiano Ronaldo called home during his time at Los Blancos.While France legend Zinedine Zidane returned to La Finca when he became Real Madrid coach.Properties fetch up to £11million in the area, while it offers the privacy that Bellingham craves.According to reports, mum Denise sometimes makes his bed for him.She often drives him to the club’s training too, making sure to manage his accounts, swelled by a £220,000-per-week salary, and affairs, in lieu of using an agent.Those drives in his company car – a BMW XM worth £155,000 – will be comfortable at least.”My mum is there to just keep everything neutral really,” he told the Daily Mail.”Without my mum, sometimes I’d get too low with the lows or too high with the highs and I stay pretty humble because I’ve got her around.”It’s also great to have her there because she’s a great laugh as well. We get on so well and we’re always doing stuff together.”Mum Denise moved with Bellingham when he signed for Real MadridCredit: Instagram / @judebellinghamBellingham’s parents Mark and Denise have had to live separately as their sons achieve their football dreamsDriven to training sometimes by his mum, Bellingham often arrives in a stunning £155,000 electric BMWHumble is the optimum word for Bellingham’s existence.You can’t take the Birmingham out of the boy, he still loves his Fanta.But he’s also now a fan of Madrid’s artisan coffee shops.One particular, he visits regularly, makes him feel very normal.Speaking to RMTV (via Marca), he revealed: “There are times when I go out to have a coffee near my house or go downtown to eat. Then I go back home to rest for a while in the garden if it’s nice and sunny.”If my friends are here, we go out to dinner and back home. It’s really nice. You meet people in the places you go to most.”They don’t see you as Jude Bellingham the footballer, just Jude who comes to have a coffee and that’s great. The people I meet in the city look after me a lot. I feel at home”.Model girlfriendAs we exclusively revealed, Jude has now scored off the pitch with stunning Dutch model Laura Celia Valk.She has been invited from her native Amsterdam to his Madrid home for several dates. His mum must approve.Laura Celia Valk is Bellingham’s current girlfriendCredit: Instagram/lauraceliavStunning Laura has visited Bellingham several times at his Madrid homeCredit: InstagramGlam Laura even took in a Real Madrid game at the Bernabeu to cheer Bellingham onCredit: SplashLaura was seen on a date at the The Madrid EDITION hotel with a mystery companion believed to have been Bellinghamread more sport features
But while Jude has been careful in keeping their rendezvous under wraps, the same can’t be said for influencer Laura, who spilled all the beans during a recent photoshoot.
A source told The Sun: “Laura has been telling everyone about the relationship.”She’s been staying at his place in Madrid over the past few weekends and is completely smitten.”The pair follow each other on Instagram, where Laura posted a string of snaps dining at The Madrid EDITION hotel earlier this month with a mystery companion believed to be Bellingham.She was also seen at the Bernabeu – cheering him on as the hosts beat Athletic Club 2-0 at the end of March.The real dealCutting a fashionable figure away from the beautiful game, Bellingham has been selective about who endorses him.Currently, he is tied up to a multi-million pound deal with Adidas.They already believe he has the power to emulate Michael Jordan, and are reportedly ready to copy Nike’s blueprint by replicating the ‘Jumpman’ logo with one of Bellingham’s trademark goal celebration.Last year, he was pictured at Paris Fashion Week enjoying pop star Pharell’s collection with Louis Vuitton and dressed from head-to-toe in their designer clobber.Currently, Bellingham’s only endorsement is with AdidasBellingham looked the part when he arrived at Louis Vuitton’s show at Paris Fashion Week in 2023After wearing a full LV suit at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony, Bellingham has been tipped to be a Louis Vuitton brand ambassadorCredit: GettyHe repeated the trick by wearing a full LV suit as he was awarded the Kopa Trophy at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat has led to rumours that he is expected to be unveiled as their next brand ambassador.We’re all living in Bellingham’s world, now. More

THE last weekend of the Championship brought scores of Ipswich Town fans to the stunning 4-star Manor House Hotel in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.Not because they fancied pampering themselves, after one too many in celebrating the club’s epic promotion.Look inside the Manor House Country Hotel in Fermanagh Lakelands owned by Kieran McKenna’s familyCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelRooms can cost as much as £280-per-nightCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelStaff joked that Donald Trump had taken over the hotel on April Fools’ DayCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelMcKenna is a hero for Ipswich Town fans after achieving back-to-back promotionsCredit: GettyThe countryside venue, which boasts breathtaking views of Lough Erne’s lakes, put on a viewing party showing the Tractor Boys’ final game of the season against Huddersfield Town.Better still, anyone wearing a Town shirt gets a free pint in the hotel bar.But why is this first class establishment opening its doors to football fans, when usually first class weddings are its bread and butter?The explanation is simple. The Manor House Hotel has been in Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna’s family for 35 years.Read more football newsIt was bought by the highly-regarded coach’s mum and dad Mary and Liam in 1989.The pair turned it into a stunning destination, after overseeing a huge number of developments to the property.They built two extensions – one to turn eight rooms into 80; and the second to house a luxury leisure and spa suite.Now, they are reaping the rewards – with the hotel able to charge as much as £280-per-night and featuring an award-winning AA Rosette restaurant.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd it has attracted celebrity clientele, including Gary Lineker, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Noel Edmonds.Keeping it in the familyWith Kieran McKenna dedicating his life to football, it was up to his siblings James and Rosemary to handle operations.EXCLUSIVE: Kieran McKenna addresses his Ipswich future, what he learned from Jose Mourinho and wanting Premier League footballThey took over the reins of the 18th Century Grade Two Listed building last year, despite joking Donald Trump was taking over on April Fools’ Day, that boasts breathtaking views of Lough Erne’s lakes.“We’re lucky to have such brilliant mentors in our parents,” James McKenna told The Impartial Reporter.“They built the hotel up from eight to 80 bedrooms, constantly making improvements and adding new strands to the business.“But they’ve also purposefully been quite hands-off, allowing us to figure things out for ourselves and encouraging us to put our own stamp on things.”The hotel employs more than 100 staff, and is winning awards just like Kieran McKenna’s side.At the end of 2023, the Manor House Hotel was crowned Ulster Hotel Restaurant of the Year at the prestigious Irish Hotel Awards.That accolades don’t stop there. Executive chef Stephen Greenwood and his team of chefs, who craft fine delicacy at the hotel’s Belleek Restaurant, were also awarded an AA Rosette for culinary excellence.The hotel’s Belleek Restaurant, was awarded an AA Rosette for culinary excellenceCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelGuests can enjoy a variety of breakfasts, including a Full IrishCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelAfternoon tea is catered for at the restaurantCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelThe Grand Ball Room is an award-winning venue for first class weddingsCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelWhile their wedding service has also been heralded as the best in Northern Ireland.Guests of up to 300 can enjoy the Grand Ball Room for a large wedding, while a more intimate setting can be catered for in the Burns Suite.Of course, the nuptials can take place lakeside on manicured lawns, with extensive gardens, and an elegant water fountain as a backdrop.Restaurants Back to dining options, and there are several to choose from.As mentioned, the Belleek Restaurant is the most exclusive.They serve breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner, as well as a roast on a Sunday.Breakfast staples include a full Irish, featuring pork sausage, grilled bacon, black and white pudding, roasted tomato, mushrooms, beans, potato Bread, toasted soda farl and egg. There’s certainly no skimping.While, lighter meals include a grilled ham benedict or fruit salad.For dinner, diners can indulge in pan fried seabass, lamb, Irish beef fillet, or monkfish.Prices are missing from the menu, but with four pound signs attributed to it on TripAdvisor – that suggests it’s pricey.However, the five-star reviews it gets from patrons suggests it’s worth it.The beautiful spa is the perfect place to unwindCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelThe spa boasts a spacious sauna for guests to enjoy with a £15 day passCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelA jacuzzi is also available for guests to enjoyCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelThe Manor House Country Hotel in Fermanagh Lakelands is as luxury as it getsCredit: Instagram @manorhousecountryhotelReviews for the restaurant are usually five starOn Sundays the restaurant offers a carveryFine Irish whiskeys are on offer at the The Watergate BarOn the ground floor, the Cellar Bar and Bistro offers is said to be a more reasonable spot for a bite to eat and enjoy live music at weekends.The Watergate Bar seems the perfect spot to sink an Irish whiskey.SpaIf you’re not a foodie, and prefer health and fitness, the Manor House Hotel has your back.Guests and members have a wealth of amenities to enjoy, including a state-of-the-art gym.For those looking to relax, the spa and sanctuary is just the ticket.Various treatments are available to soothe skin, body and mind.READ MORE SUN STORIESA reasonably priced £15 day pass gives you access to a full size swimming pool with massage jets, hot tub, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.Should Kieran McKenna need somewhere to eat, drink, sleep and recuperate – you can bet the Manor House Country Hotel would be the first on his lift. 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