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      in Soccer

      Fears for Marcus Rashford after boozing, split from childhood sweetheart and ‘warning’ from Ten Hag

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      IT WAS only last summer that striker Marcus ­Rashford had the world at his feet — but critics say he’s now out of control.The boyhood Manchester United fan had just signed a new five-year, £325,000-a-week contract running until 2028 — giving him a guaranteed £84.5million in salary.
      For the first time, Marcus Rashford’s Old Trafford future is being seriously questioned by fans and critics after he went out clubbing the night before training and rang in sickCredit: Getty
      The news of Rashford’s split with his fiance Lucia Loi, his childhood sweetheart, after he was pictured walking back into a Miami hotel with personal trainer Courtney CaldwellCredit: Getty
      Marcus now faces some time off the pitch as he tries to regain Ten Hag’s trust and simplify his life away from footballCredit: Getty
      All he had to do was keep ­performing on the pitch.
      Smiling for the camera with boss Erik ten Hag, he said at the time: “I will give everything to help the team reach the level we are capable of. I couldn’t be more excited for the future under this manager.”
      But for the first time, his Old Trafford future is being seriously questioned by fans and critics after he went out clubbing the night before training and rang in sick.
      Ex-Premier League star and BBC pundit Chris Sutton yesterday told the It’s All Kicking Off podcast: “He thinks he’s untouchable.
      READ MORE ON MARCUS RASHFORD
      “This hasn’t been the first time he’s had a misdemeanour. It’s been continuous. He has no respect for the manager and no respect for his teammates. That’s the bottom line.
      “He’s probably thinking he is going to outlast Ten Hag, but he’s out of control as far as I can see.”
      Fellow BBC pundit and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer added: “Something is wrong — either at home or in his relationship with the club.
      “He can’t keep doing this, he can’t keep wasting his talent. He needs strong management, someone to get hold of him and tell him there’ll be huge regrets come the end of his career if he continues doing this.”
      Most read in Football
       Rashford’s latest actions have presented a huge challenge for disciplinarian Ten Hag, who has already put his foot down with stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho and forced them out of the club.
      The only thing that may save his longer-term future at the club is a heartfelt apology to the Dutchman and the fact United are in dire need of attacking options.
      An Instagram apology to the fans will no doubt follow and a promise to improve on his total of four goals in 26 appearances this season.
      But the signs of a troubled life off the pitch were there before United announced in July last year that the 26-year-old had signed a new deal after a superb season saw him score 30 goals in 56 games.
      A month earlier, The Sun told how Rashford had split with his fiancée Lucia Loi, his sweetheart from school. The news emerged after he was seen walking into a Miami hotel with personal trainer Courtney Caldwell during a holiday.
      Rashford then appeared to be among players warned by Ten Hag ahead of this season that they needed to live their life right, on and off the pitch.
      He said: “When you are not living the right life, you get killed. What is important? Sleep, recovery, nutrition. Three key areas and when you don’t do this right, you can’t perform.
      “So when you ask me about Rashford, the same also counts for Rapha Varane and for every player. You will not reach the levels when you don’t do the things right.”
      When asked directly, “Is there a concern that Marcus or any other player has a problem with their lifestyle?”, Ten Hag refused to take a backwards step.
      He responded: “In general, when I came in at Man United, the standards were not right. That’s true.
      “I demand the highest standards in sleep, recovery and nutrition because that makes the difference if you can perform every third or fourth day. At Man United we are demanding the highest standards.”
      Rashford should not have been surprised by the warning as Ten Hag previously dropped him from the starting line-up against Wolves in December 2022 for being late for a team meeting.
      He responded by coming on as a sub and scoring the winner, and later insisted in an interview he understood the decision.
      He said: “I never made a thing out of it because if I was a coach, I’d have done the same.”
      But in June, 2023, his personal life was being questioned when he was spotted in Malibu, California, with American Caldwell and Love Island’s Natalia Zoppa.
      And three months later, he pranged his £700,000 Rolls-Royce.
      Then, in October 2023, he incurred Ten Hag’s wrath again when he decided to go out to ­Chinawhite nightclub in Manchester to celebrate his birthday after United were beaten 3-0 by rivals Man City.
      Ten Hag later said: “I spoke with him about it. It’s unacceptable. He apologised and that is it. For us it’s an internal matter. He’s very motivated to put things right.” That night out came nine days after his brother Dane was arrested on holiday with his partner in Miami on suspicion of battery.
      The Rashford family closed ranks but Dane’s mugshot emerged online the following month — causing a split between Dane and Marcus’ other brother Dwaine Maynard, who looks after his career.
      A source said: “The arrest was embarrassing and has caused a lot of problems within the family. Marcus is firmly in the middle of it and trying to keep everyone happy, which is making him unhappy.” Dane has since been cleared of any wrongdoing.
      But the Rashford family were dealt a further blow when a cousin passed away, with Marcus paying tribute to him by looking up to the sky after scoring. Marcus now has to regain Ten Hag’s trust and simplify his life away from football.
      Many fans are baffled how it has gone so wrong for the footballer, who could do no wrong in the public’s eyes early on in his career.
      He earned widespread praise for his charity work and campaigning on food poverty. This led to him being awarded an MBE in 2020, when he was 22. He successfully lobbied the Government during the pandemic to U-turn on its policy of stopping free school meals for primary kids at the summer holidays.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      And his motivational children’s book You Are A Champion won Book Of The Year in 2022.
      The star was snapped partying with pals in Malibu, CaliforniaCredit: Apex
      The star was involved in a late night crash in his £700,00 Rolls-RoyceCredit: Ketts News – The Sun More

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      in Soccer

      The most bizarre England game ever against eighth-tier minnows… who nearly put Gary Lineker to shame

      by

      ENGLAND’S football stars once played a bizarre friendly against eighth-tier minnows – who almost put them to shame.Sir Bobby Robson’s squad were preparing for the 1988 European Championships when they came up against a non-league side.
      A packed crowd watches the friendly at the Buckingham Road StadiumCredit: Alamy
      Gary Lineker had just finished his second season at Barcelona, while the likes of Stuart Pearce and John Barnes were also playing in the top-flight every weekend.
      Just a week earlier, Lineker gave England a 1-0 win over Switzerland in Lausanne.
      A walkover was was therefore largely expected when they took to the pitch for a friendly against lowly Aylesbury United.
      Sir Bobby agreed to take part in the friendly after being convinced it would be good preparation for the upcoming tournament in West Germany.
      Read more sport
      Little over 6,000 fans packed out their tiny Buckingham Road ground to get up close to their England heroes.
      But what was meant to be a one-sided encounter nearly saw the non-league outfit take a humiliating lead.
      Cliff Hercules was supposed to be on holiday in Ibiza, but flew back for the game and missed a huge opportunity to score an historic goal.
      He made was left free in the penalty area after England’s defenders failed to track his run, but was mortified as his close-range header sailed over Peter Shilton’s goal.
      Most read in Football
      David Brown, 52, was one of the spectators in attendance on June 4, 1988.
      He told The Sun: “I have been a fan of the club since 1985 and joined the board to help try and bring it back.
      “My grandad used to take me as a kid, then I grew up and moved into a house round the corner from the ground – I was able to cycle there.
      “I was there when we played against England. Six thousand people went to the match and today it is still the only time and England team has played a non-league ground.
      “We even nearly scored a couple of goals.”
      Ultimately England went onto win the friendly 7-0 thanks to four goals from Peter Beardsley and strikes from Lineker and Everton pair Dave Watson and Trevor Steven.
      Hercules himself also recalled what could have been a life-changing moment.
      He told the BBC: “I was in Ibiza and had to interrupt my holiday to fly home. When I told everyone I was going back to play against England, they were like ‘yeah, whatever’.”
      “I had a great chance to score. If it had gone in it would have changed my life.
      “We’d first heard about the prospect of facing England a few months earlier, but we put it to the back of our minds because we were concentrating on promotion,” he adds.
      “Aylesbury paid to fly me back on the Friday, I played on the Saturday, we had a meal with the England players afterwards, before I flew back to Spain.
      He added: “I had a great chance to score. If it had gone in it would have changed my life.”
      The friendly did little to help England’s preparations based on their subsequent performance at Euro ’88.
      The Three Lions failed to win a single point after losing to Ireland, the Netherlands and the Soviet Union.
      Meanwhile, the Buckingham Road site had been left to rot since 2006.
      It was intended to be redeveloped into housing, but 17 years later a rotting stand and overgrown pitch still occupies the site.
      Damaged walls, cracked seating and shattered fence panel also fill the ground – a far cry from the glory of 1988.
      Aylesbury currently have to ply their trade at Chesham FC while attempts are made to bring football back to the town.
      David, a marketing director, added: “The owner wanted to build houses on the ground, but it is on a flood plain and there’s not enough access.
      “The owners have done nothing with it for 17 years. It would cost several million to get the site up and running.
      “We aren’t giving up hope on the ground but there’s enough land around Aylebsury for us to build something new. We want to build a complex with 4G pitches.
      “We are currently having to play in Chesham and get 150 to 200 people. If we were playing in the town again then we’d expect that number to be between 500 and 1,000.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      A new planning application to redevelop the stadium into 42 houses and a new public open space was heard by Buckinghamshire Council last month.
      Planning documents detailed how the stadium is now “dilapidated, overgrown and has been subject to some anti-social behaviour”, before councillors voted to defer the matter to the Director of Planning and Environment for approval. More

    • 175 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Fulham 0 Newcastle 2: Alan Shearer breaks 39-year tradition during Toon’s FA Cup win

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      SEAN LONGSTAFF and Dan Burn gave their fellow Geordies the last laugh with the goals that lifted the Newcastle gloom.The travelling fans insulted by the ridiculous kick-off time dictated by the demands of television went home happy after cameras of a different kind failed to rule out Longstaff’s controversial first-half opener.
      Alan Shearer watches Newcastle’s win over Fulham in the away end with children Will, centre, and Chloe
      Alan Shearer and Lee Clark watched Newcastle make the fifth round of the FA CupCredit: Rex
      And then another local hero, Burn, scrambled home the second goal just past the hour mark to seal a win that could yet prove highly significant.
      Victory keeps alive Newcastle’s hopes of having a trophy to show for a so-far disappointing season.
      It also eased the pressure, for a few hours at least, on beleaguered Toon boss Eddie Howe.
      The coming days are likely to be difficult, with the threat of a player or players being sold to help balance the books of the richest club in the world.
      Read More on Football
      The sound you can hear is the world’s smallest rabab – the ancient Saudi Arabian ancestor of the violin.
      But if it’s hard to feel sorry for Howe and Newcastle, it is important for them not to feel sorry for themselves as they face up to their current problems.
      They have a lot of work to do to secure a second consecutive season of Champions League football.
      But perhaps an FA Cup run (or even better a win), plus a place in European football of some description, would be sufficient to demonstrate a direction of travel. 
      Most read in FA Cup
      It was clearly a big game for the visitors. Among the black and white hordes in the Putney End were a number of celebrities, including Alan Shearer and fellow former Newcastle team-mate Lee Clark.
      Shearer said: “Ah man. What a f——— night that was. In the away end for the first time since 1985. I bloody loved it. TOON TOON. 🖤🤍”
      On the face of it, Howe’s team selection was that of a man who knew his season and probably his job depended on it.
      Injuries undoubtedly restricted his options but the Newcastle boss picked the strongest starting 11 available to him.
      Not so Marco Silva. The Fulham boss made seven changes to the side that had tried and narrowly failed to overcome Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg three evenings earlier.
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      Sean Longstaff opened the scoring for Newcastle against FulhamCredit: Alamy
      But if those decisions suggested an attitude of “That’s enough cup runs for this year, lads”, the players in white on the pitch did not get the memo, in the first half at least.
      Fulham started brightly and second-string centre-forward Rodrigo Muniz fired a shot high into the Putney End inside three minutes.
      A defensive mix-up at the other end gifted Jacob Murphy a chance but he hit his shot straight at stand-in Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak, who made a meal of saving it.
      Rodak was in action again to stop Fabian Schar touching in a Kieran Trippier free-kick at the near post and Anthony Gordon fired wide.
      But Fulham were holding their own. Muniz might have done better than force a decent save out of Martin Dubravka in a promising opening to the game which suggested, if nothing else, that neither side wanted a replay.
      The visitors were showing purpose but struggling in the final third to turn it into chances. 
      Dan Burn sealed Newcastle’s victory at Fulham in the second halfCredit: Getty
      Muniz again went close when his shot on the turn was deflected just wide by Sven Botman.
      But six minutes before half-time the home side fell controversially behind.
      Fulham had only themselves to blame, having failed to deal with a Trippier cross after a corner.
      The ball fell into Longstaff’s path after being diverted there by Bruno Guimaraes’ hand but the VAR officials must have deemed it accidental – check the laws, nothing to do with me – and so saw no reason to chalk off the fine finish.
      Dan Burn started at left-back and dominated the wing against Fulham
      Newcastle made it to the next round even though Fulham dominated possession
      Newcastle were noticeably more confident coming out for the second half.
      Fulham chances dried up and Alexander Isak tested Rodak before the Fulham keeper was unable to prevent the visitors doubling their lead.
      The Slovak kept out Botman’s header from Trippier’s corner but the ball fell for Burn to jab in from close range.
      Silva brought on more first-choice players with 20 minutes to go but it was too little, too late.
      The Fulham momentum had been halted by Longstaff’s goal and Burn’s strike seemed to have robbed them of belief.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Substitute Raul Jimenez headed over the bar but there was to be no comeback and no more cup heroics from Fulham, as he and Tom Cairney fired wide in stoppage time.
      Newcastle and Howe live to fight another day. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Xabi Alonso’s glamorous life, from wife who Liverpool team-mate tried to pull to model shoots and love of cars

      by

      XABI ALONSO is the talk of the town in Germany and Liverpool.The Bayer Leverkusen manager has the club seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
      Xabi Alonso is top of the Bundesliga and is the man linked to replace Jurgen KloppCredit: Getty
      But how about the man away from football?
      This has firmly put them on course to land their first Bundesliga title in their 120-year history.
      Alonso has grown a strong reputation in coaching for his innovative and attractive brand of football.
      Whether he is the man to replace the departing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield remains to be seen, given there are a number of other candidates to consider.
      But what about the man away from the pitch and tactics board?
      READ MORE IN LIVERPOOL
      Star crossed lovers
      Alonso is married to Nagore Aranburu.
      The couple tied the knot all the way back in 2009, a month before Alonso left Liverpool for Real Madrid.
      They met when Alonso was still a teenager and playing for boyhood club Real Sociedad.
      Alonso and Nagore have had three children together, Jontxe born in 2008,  Ane, born in 2010 and Emma, born in 2013.
      Most read in Football
      Xabi Alonso married wife Nagore Aranburu in 2009Credit: AFP
      They first met when Alonso was a kid at Real SociedadCredit: Getty
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      Nagore has worked as a model, actress and fashion designer.
      But one hilarious tale came while she worked as a hotel receptionist in Liverpool.
      Ex-Reds ace and Alonso team-mate Peter Crouch recalled the first time he met Nagore.
      Crouch confessed his love at first-sight reaction to meeting Nagore, before Liverpool team-mates including Jamie Carragher broke the news to him that she was with Alonso.
      He said: “On signing for Liverpool I stayed at the Hope Street Hotel.
      “On reception was a girl so good-looking I couldn’t quite believe she was smiling at me all the time.
      The couple have three children togetherCredit: AFP
      Despite busy work schedules they have always made time to enjoy days out togetherCredit: Splash News
      “I told the lads in training, ‘honestly, she’s beautiful, I think I’ve got a shout here.’ Jamie Carragher called a few other senior players over, ‘tell them again, Crouchie.’
      “So I did, ‘amazing. Dark-haired. Spanish-looking. I’m in there.’ It turned out she was Xabi Alonso’s partner.
      “She was doing a bit of work to practise her language skills. He was nice about it. So was she. Carra less so.”
      Despite their busy lifestyles, Alonso and Nagore have always been sure to make time to spend with one another.
      While at Bayern Munich Alonso and Nagore were a regular sight during Oktoberfest celebrations.
      Following Alonso’s retirement from football in 2017 the pair were spotted enjoying a walk on the beach during a family holiday to California.
      Alonso has also revealed the pair love a trip to the museum and going for a mountain drive with the family.
      Alonso and Nagore were often sighted at Oktoberfest celebrationsCredit: AFP
      Alonso revealed the family used to enjoy mountain car ridesCredit: Getty
      Petrolhead and modelling
      Perhaps it is an echo of his sleek playing style, but whenever Alonso is pictured in a car it is one of elegant design.
      And his fashion sense goes in the same direction.
      Alonso loves getting behind the wheel of classic beamers, with a number of Instagram posts showing him driving a variety of classic cars.
      During his time in Munich, Alonso modelled for Porsche and Adidas as they launched the Porsche Design Sport SS17 and sportswear range.
      Alonso modelled for the launch of the Adidas Porsche Design Sport SS17Credit: Adidas / Porsche

      Alonso and Nagore living the high life
      The pair, seen posing for Adidas Porsche Design Sport SS17, really are the model couple
      However, when going to training he would drive a rather inconspicuous Audi, rather than his classic Mercedes 190 SL convertible.
      Cost estimates for that car today put it between £70,000 to £166,000.
      In an interview with Mr Porter, Alonso – who has been likened to James Bond – is seen driving a Porsche 356 and not looking one bit out of place.
      One thing Alonso can’t stand is the idea of tattoos on his body.
      In a 2016 interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Alonso said: “They [friends] know that they have zero chance with me.
      “By the way, I am not against tattoos in principle. It may well be that this looks cool on others.
      “But not for me. I just can’t imagine myself with piercings, chains or anything else. Obviously, I’m hopelessly old-fashioned.”
      Alonso has always championed a sleek fashion styleCredit: Adidas / Porsche
      One thing he can’t get behind are tattoos on his bodyCredit: Adidas / Porsche
      Alonso is also pretty fed up of the idea that footballers have bad taste in music and TV shows, saying: “It’s the eternal cliché that footballers don’t have taste.
      “I think that’s pretty unfair. But I already know that, I’ve gotten used to it.”
      He has previously raved about hit shows like True Detective and Fargo, describing them as “masterpieces”, while also revealing bands he has listened to.
      The Shins, The Flaming Lips, The Delgados, The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed to name a few.
      Special moments are like watch links
      Despite his often suave appearance, Alonso is not one who often dresses to impress.
      But when he does, he goes all out, and watches are the crown jewel of his wardrobe.
      Alonso has likened special moments in his life and career to links in a watch.
      He told The Journal: “For me, every special moment is bound to be linked to a particular watch, and whenever I put it on I’m transported back to that moment – such as when we won the Champions League with Liverpool or the World Cup with Spain.”
      Jurgen Klopp’s successor?By Dan King
      XABI ALONSO ticks almost every box to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, and if Bayer Leverkusen don’t let their lead at the top of the Bundesliga slip the case for him to do so will be irresistible.
      The former Kop idol knows the club inside out after five seasons at Anfield and has made no secret of his enduring affection.
      Alonso has already forged a reputation as an innovative coach playing an attractive, pressing style, usually in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.
      He has taken Leverkusen from second bottom of the Bundesliga to seven-points clear at the top, putting them on course to be crowned German champions for the first time in their 120-year history.
      It’s worth remembering that both Rafa Benitez and Klopp arrived at Anfield with proof they could dethrone clubs who dominated their leagues
      For Alonso to do the same, in only his second season as a top-flight manager, would mark him out as something special.
      It is that lack of long-term experience that would still make appointing him to replace Klopp a gamble.
      But otherwise, he looks like the perfect candidate as Liverpool are forced to plan a future without the man who made them champions of England, Europe and the world.

      A IWC Steel Ingenieur Automatic 40, £10,500, similar to the one Alonso was givenCredit: IWC
      Alonso shows off one of his many watches on a trip to London with Nagora
      Watches in his collection include Rolex, Patek Philippe, Franck Muller, Audemars Piguet and Panerai – not that he has a particular desire to show off such accessories for fear of coming across as vulgar.
      However, his favourite and most special member of his watch collection was a gift from Nagora on their wedding day – an IWC Ingenieur – worth £10,500 according to Watches of Switzerland.
      For Alonso, the stunning watch “represents the fact that I had found a woman who thought about me, about what I like, and my personality.
      “I don’t wear it much, just on really special occasions.”
      Alonso says he likes IWC watches in general because “they’re not overly showy, attention-grabbing watches” and “have a certain sophistication without being flashy”.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The old saying goes: “You can tell a lot about a man from the shoes he’s wearing and the watch he has on.”
      And it seems for Alonso, simple but beautiful efficiency is runs through everything he does. More

    • 288 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      My dad is an F1 legend – now I’m the sport’s most famous Wag, modelling for Vogue and selling my own make-up range

      by

      KELLY PIQUET has been surrounded by Formula One royalty all her life, but now she firmly has her own crown as the sport’s most famous Wag.The Brazilian beauty, 35, has been dating three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen since the end of 2020.
      Kelly Piquet is F1’s most famous WagCredit: Rex
      Kelly often stuns in front of the cameraCredit: Getty
      She is dating Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
      However, thanks to a career in modelling and PR she has risen to have star power in both a financial and influence sense.
      Kelly’s professional career has helped her cultivate a huge following on social media.
      While she is not a driver, motorsport flows through her veins.
      Kelly is the daughter of a disgraced F1 legend and has had previous relationships with former drivers.
      READ MORE IN F1
      Start your engines
      Kelly was born in Germany on December 7, 1988 as the second child of Nelson Piquet and Sylvia Tasmsa.
      Brazilian hero Piquet won three F1 titles in the 1980s and continued to be a presence in and around the paddock for years after.
      However, in 2022 Piquet was banned from the F1 paddock and ordered to pay £780,000 in damages after using a derogatory term referring to Lewis Hamilton when speaking about the 2021 Silverstone Grand Prix.
      Kelly has six siblings including ex-F1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. who was a key player in the infamous “Crashgate” scandal of 2008.
      Most read in Motorsport
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      Although Kelly was born in Germany, she spent much of her childhood in France.
      Her studies saw her spend 12 monthsat St Clare’s Oxford in England before heading back to Brazil.
      She eventually found her way to New York, where she graduated in International Relations from the Marymount Manhattan College with a major in Political Science and Economics.
      Kelly is the daughter of disgraced F1 champion Nelson Piquet
      Kelly has six siblingsCredit: Splash
      Previous relationship
      Kelly was previously in a relationship with Russian Daniil Kvyat.
      The pair began dating in January 2017 and had a daughter together, Penelope, months before they split up in December 2019.
      And around a year later, Verstappen entered into a relationship with Kelly, going Instagram official in January 2021.
      Ironically, Verstappen replaced Kvyat at Red Bull in the second half of the 2016 F1 season.
      Verstappen says he gets on well with the three-year old, regularly sharing images with her online.
      But has also firmly stated he has no intention of becoming her father figure.
      Kelly had a three-year relationship and daughter with Daniil KvyatCredit: Getty
      She began dating Verstappen at the end of 2020Credit: Instagram / @kellypiquet
      Speaking to TIME magazine, he said: “I’m not the father, that’s not the aim.
      “It’s always very important that she has a good relationship with her own father, which she has.
      “But I see her every day when I’m at home. We get on very well. She’s very cute.”
      Kelly and Verstappen live together in Monaco, a stone’s throw from a host of other drivers who have made the glamorous country their home.
      Taking a Piq
      When she is not looking after Penelope or seen track-side, Kelly tries her hand at a number of different jobs.
      As well as being a model and PR specialist she is also an F1 columnist.
      Her work in front of a camera has helped her attract a following of more than 1.4 million fans on Instagram.
      Kelly has modelled for the likes of Vogue and has her own make-up range.
      Her exploits have seen her top the rich list of F1 Wags when it comes to Instagram earnings.
      She often stuns both at trackside and while at red carpet events.
      Kelly has revealed that sometimes she has to remind petrol-head Verstappen to get take his mind off the F1 circuit.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      She said: “There have been times where I’ve been like, ‘OK, time to switch off’.
      “You have to give a gentle reminder that the sun is shining outside and, you know, there are other things to do.”
      Kelly tops the rich list of F1 Wags
      Kelly has more than 1.4 million followers on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/kellypiquet/
      Kelly revealed she sometimes has to remind Verstappen to ‘switch off’Credit: instagram/@kellypiquet/ More

    • 288 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      I’m a 6ft 9in former basketball star but I quit the sport… now I’m a boxer who could secretly help dethrone Tyson Fury

      by

      SIX years ago Darren Sealy walked away from professional basketball to pursue boxing – now he is involved in the world’s biggest fights. The 6ft 9in heavyweight shot hoops in Spain and Lithuania before returning to the UK to play for London-based sides.
      Sealy is now a professional heavyweight boxerCredit: Instagram @darrensealy
      But after picking up personal training as a side hustle due to a lack of funding on the court, Sealy soon began coaching full time.
      That is when he was introduced to boxing, and given the chance to put his towering frame to use in a whole different way.
      Sealy told SunSport: “I was always in a team sport, but I knew I’d love to give it a go one day. 
      “I would always train, I always knew what I had to do, just with the basics, but I never took it seriously until I was in my mid to late 20s.” 
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      Sealy had 14 fights before turning pro, five in the white collar circuit and eight as an amateur.
      He was then granted a professional licence from the British Boxing Board of Control in August of 2022.
      But Sealy’s life would change forever when a year later heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury signed to fight MMA star Francis Ngannou.
      Realising a gap in the market for 6ft 9in sparring partners to replicate Fury’s size, Sealy reached out to Ngannou’s camp.
      Most read in Boxing
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      And following talks in London after a press conference, Sealy was invited to spar the ex-UFC champ.
      After a successful rehearsal, he would later travel with Ngannou for two weeks of sparring in Saudi Arabia.
      He revealed: “I was in contact with Dewey Cooper, his head coach and obviously he had his fight with Fury. I’m relatively the same height, same build. It just made sense really. 
      “The sparring partners they were looking for needed to be the same height and same build and, speaking to Dewey, I went out to Saudi and finished up camp with them.” 
      Ngannou, 37, almost caused the mother of all upsets when he floored Fury, 35, only to lose a controversial decision.
      But the performance did not surprise anyone in the Cameroonian’s camp, including Sealy.
      He said: “I wasn’t shocked by the performance whatsoever because I saw the work rate that they were putting in. 
      “I saw his performances in the sparring and saw how much he was putting in, which was great.
      Francis Ngannou brought Sealy into his campCredit: instagram @darrensealy
      Ngannou finished up his sparring with Sealy in SaudiCredit: Instagram @darrensealy
      “I wasn’t shocked on the night as well because the man’s power cannot be uncredited. 
      “You don’t want to be hit clean by him, and when Fury was we saw what happened.”
      Fury’s split-decision meant his undisputed title decider with Oleksandr Usyk remained intact, although postponed from December to February 17.
      One of Ngannou’s sparring partners was also recruited by Usyk, 36, who then recommended Sealy to the Ukrainian.
      Before long, Sealy was back in camp tasked with the job of mimicking the Gypsy King.
      He said: “It’s all about connections, building connections and relationships and being confident to put yourself out there and put a good performance on. 
      “Putting your best foot forward and putting the best Darren on like I did in Saudi it enabled me to come into camp with Usyk because he’s fighting the same opponent.” 
      Usyk’s southpaw skills and eccentric personality remains somewhat of an enigma in boxing – but Sealy revealed he is as down to earth as they come.
      Sealy is now in camp with Oleksandr UsykCredit: instagram
      He said: “If someone walked in the room that didn’t know boxing you’d almost have to tell them, ‘That’s the heavyweight champ.’ 
      “Because he doesn’t carry himself with any type of, ‘Hey, look at me.’ Or, ‘You can’t come near me.’ He’s a very, very relaxed person, has time for everybody. 
      “You can always ask for a little bit of advice from him, English might be a different language to him but he still respects you and wants to listen to you. 
      “For someone of his credibility, his accolades and achievements, I think he’s one of the nicest people in boxing that I’ve ever met.” 
      Fury and Usyk will meet in what is the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification bout.
      So the historic occasion is not lost on Sealy, who said: “I reflect on it when I’m not sparring, when I’m having my own personal time.
      “I think it’s important to reflect and live in the moment because if I’m thinking too far ahead or thinking what’s next then I’m not soaking up the atmosphere, not relishing the opportunity. 
      “I know there’s not too many people that are my height and have the privilege to be a part of these camps. 
      “So by all means I am living up to the opportunity but I am living up to the expectation. It’s been two amazing experiences, two amazing camps.” 
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      Sealy, 32, suffered defeat on his pro debut last March against experienced journeyman Phil Williams, 38.
      But he gets the chance to exact revenge and right the wrong in a rematch on February 10 in Brentwood. More

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      I won the Euros with Man Utd hero but then suffered depression before finding spiritual guru

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      NEVER mind a game of two halves, for 60-year-old former Denmark striker Lars Elstrup it’s been a life of two halves.For the first 30 years his passion was playing football and living out his dream by becoming a professional.
      Lars Elstrup for Denmark in the 1992 EurosCredit: Rex
      Elstrup believes he reached his utopia by helping his country win Euro 92, playing a major part by scoring the decisive goal in their 2-1   victory over France — their must-win final group game.
      But after quitting the game aged just 30, the last three decades have seen him battling depression and subsequently being diagnosed as bipolar.
      But through the darkness he has discovered spirituality and is smiling again thanks to his Indian guru, His Holiness Parama Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.
      Elstrup said: “It’s true that since retiring from football I’ve been looking for this place in my mind where I am without anxiety and fear.
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      “I believe I have now found it with my Indian guru. I stopped playing when I was 30. I was worn out, my body and mind was damaged.
      “What I have learned in the last 30 years is to look elsewhere to find myself again.
      “My Indian guru has a higher consciousness and helps me escape from a busy world. Somewhere I can enjoy a happy and joyful life.
      “When I quit football I looked at all different ways of getting my mental strength in a spiritual  world with exercise from yoga and meditation.
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      “I keep my body and mind right. My last depression ended on  January 1, 2022.”
      As kids growing up, Elstrup and his older brother, Peter, would be forever playing football.
      Elstrup followed his sibling from their local team Randers Freja to Brondby, before being quickly  spotted by Dutch club Feyenoord.
      He spent two seasons at the Dutch club before moving back home to Odense, where he scored 17 goals in 28 league games in the 1988-89  season.
      His impressive scoring abilities caught the attention of Ray Harford at Luton, who were in England’s top flight the old Division One back then, and they signed him for £850,000 in 1989.
      Elstrup said: “When I joined Luton it was for a club-record fee.
      Elstrup playing for Luton against Crystal Palace in 1990Credit: Rex
      “When I look back to my time at Luton, I cannot convey my thanks to the players and management enough.
      “It took me ten games before I scored my first goal at Millwall but the camaraderie and team spirit and help they gave me was unbelievable.
      “I knew very little about the Hatters when I joined, apart from the fact they won the Littlewoods Cup in 1988.
      “The club was in transformation with players when I joined.
      “We had to win the last game of the season at Derby to stay up, which we did.
      “The following season, I scored 19 goals — 15 in the league, including three hat-tricks — the highest  number of goals in a single season by a Danish player in the English top flight, a record that still stands to this day.
      “In an identical twist, we also had to beat Derby to stay up at home that season. It was my last game for the club at Kenilworth Road.
      The Dane retired from football at 30Credit: Alamy
      “I scored the second goal to win the match. I left at the end of the 1990-91 season.
      “I was homesick and wanted to go back to Odense in 1991, which I did.”
      But Elstrup was about to experience a footballing fairytale as Denmark were given a late call-up to Euro 92 in Sweden.
      He said: “I was on holiday, staying at my parents’ summer house.
      “It was two or three days before the Euros when I was contacted and asked to be part of the squad.
      “Yugoslavia had qualified ahead of us but a civil war had caused them to pull out of the tournament. We had to beat France in our final group game.
      “They were unbeaten in 22 games. I came on in the 68th minute and scored the winner ten minutes later. We qualified to the semi-finals. It was quite unbelievable.
      ‘It was very emotional for me’
      “Peter Schmeichel then saved a penalty from Marco van Basten in the semi-final shootout with Holland.
      “I converted one of the penalties and we beat Germany in the final. It was an absolute fairytale.
      “The day after we went to Denmark to an unbelievable reception.”
      On  April 24, last year, the former Hatters favourite made a surprise appearance at Kenilworth Road for the first time in 32 years.
      Elstrup was the Hatters’ guest  of honour for their 2-1 win over Middlesbrough.
      He added: “It was very emotional for me — to be welcomed back with such warmth by the management and fans.
      “I was met in reception with great smiles and chief executive Gary Sweet cancelled a meeting to  see me.
      “I had never met him before. I wanted to shake his hand but he said, ‘Come here, Lars, that is not enough’ and gave me a big hug. I felt very humbled.
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      “Being back at Kenilworth Road brought back so many fond memories.”

       The Unhappy Hero is published by Pitch, priced £25. More

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      Football stars who broke Hollywood – from snogging A-list sex icon to Arsenal legend who refused to utter Spurs line

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      FOOTBALL is a notoriously short career, with most players forced to retire before they are 35.It’s not surprising, then, that some turn to the big screen to launch a second career – with many Premiership legends heading to Hollywood to make their fortune.
      Ian Wright with director Daniel Kaluuya and co-star Kane ‘Kano’ Robinson at the launch for The KitchenCredit: Getty
      Vinnie Jones cracked the movie world in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking BarrelsCredit: Alamy
      But the movie world is a tough nut to crack – and only a handful of footballers have made it.
      Ian Wright is the latest to make movie news starring in the Netflix film The Kitchen, released this weekend.
      He follows in the footsteps of fellow player Vinnie Jones whose hard man roles, in the likes of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, are now more memorable than his football.
      Here we look at the football stars who have made it to Hollywood – and one who has a THIRD career as a singer.
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      Vinnie Jones
      Vinnie Jones famously broke into America by appearing in Guy Richie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
      The 59-year-old, from Watford, was still playing football when he was cast in the 1998 British gangster film.
      Vinnie, who is worth at least £7million, used his reputation for aggression on the pitch to help him land hardman roles on the silver screen.
      He was infamously pictured grabbing Gazza’s testicles during a 1988 game between Wimbledon and Newcastle.
      Most read in Football
      Eric Cantona starred with Oscar winners Cate Blanchett and Richard AttenboroughCredit: Rex
      He was infamously pictured grabbing Gazza’s testicles during a 1988 gameCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But Vinnie is now best known for his acting after appearing in Hollywood hits such as Mean Machine, Gone in 60 Seconds and X-Men: The Last Stand.
      David Beckham
      David Beckham made America his home in the final years of his footballing career after signing a £128million five-year contract with MLS team LA Galaxy in 2007. 
      And rubbing shoulders with Hollywood A-Listers obviously inspired Golden Balls to try out a bit of acting himself.
      Just like Vinnie, Becks, 48, worked with Guy Ritchie on the 2017 blockbuster King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
      Becks worked with Guy Ritchie on King ArthurCredit: Alamy
      He had a cameo role as a grumpy knight in the film, which grossed £116million at the box office. 
      And he also made an appearance as a projectionist in Ritchie’s 2015 film The Man From U.N.C.L.E. 
      Eric Cantona
      Eric Cantona was never short of confidence during his footballing career.
      And he was no different when he turned his hand to acting as he had no qualms about playing himself in the 2009 Ken Loach film Looking for Eric.
      In 2003, King Eric was voted Manchester United’s best ever player for his time at the club between 1992 and 1997. 
      Eric played a courtier in the movie ElizabethCredit: Alamy
      The star played himself in Looking For EricCredit: Alamy
      The Frenchman’s reputation took a hit when he kung fu kicked a fan at a Crystal Palace game in 1995.
      However his popularity endured thanks to the 57-year-old’s charismatic personality. 
      That same charisma translated on screen when he played the role of a French diplomat alongside Cate Blanchett in the 1998 smash hit Elizabeth. 
      The move led to a slew of acting roles in his native France, most recently in the miniseries Inhuman Resources and the action thriller AKA. 
      He recently launched a singing career, releasing a single, The Friends We Lost, in May 2023. 
      Ian Wright
      Wrighty’s first role was the 2011 movie Gun of the Black Sun
      Ian Wright stars in The KitchenCredit: Netflix
      Arsenal legend Ian Wright has become the latest footballer to bag a Hollywood role with his upcoming part in the Netflix film The Kitchen.
      Wrighty, 60, is already a familiar sight on our TV screens thanks to his weekly appearances on Match of the Day.
      And his latest appearance in The Kitchen, which is being directed by Hollywood A-Lister Daniel Kaluuya, is not the first time he has acted. 
      He also starred in the 2011 film Gun of the Black Sun and appeared as himself in the popular Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso. 
      But Hollywood has clearly not changed the former England striker after he reportedly refused to praise Tottenham on the show. 
      He apparently demanded the line “Tottenham are a great side” be changed as he knew if he said it he would never be able to return to north London.
      Stan Collymore
      The former Liverpool player wanted to be 007Credit: AP:Associated Press
      He romped with Sharon StoneCredit: Planet Photos
      Striker Stan Collymore once admitted in an interview that he wanted to be “the first black James Bond”.
      And although the 52-year-old didn’t bag the 007 gig, he did land a top role alongside Sharon Stone.
      In 2006 he appeared alongside the A-Lister in Basic Instinct 2, which grossed more than £30million. 
      In the film, Collymore, who played for Nottingham Forest and Liverpool in the 90s, shared a hot and steamy scene with Stone.
      In it, the pair become frisky in a car before Collymore crashed into the River Thames.
      Stone tipped Collymore for Hollywood greatness after his appearance in the film – but he never bagged another big role again.
      Zinédine Zidane
      Zidane was a Real Madrid legendCredit: AP:Associated Press
      He looked very different in his Asterix role
      Zinédine Zidane is widely known for his skills on the pitch – and the headbutt that marked the end of his career as a player.
      However, he also starred in a couple of films, proving he has more about him than football alone. 
      The Real Madrid legend enjoyed a cameo role in the 2008 film Asterix at the Olympic Games, which grossed more than £100million.
      The 51-year-old also played himself in the 2005 film Goal! The Dream Begins, starring alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham.
      But Zizou reportedly became peeved when he was left waiting for Becks to turn up to film their scene together for the flick.
      Paul Breitner
      The German player scored in two World Cup finalsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Potato Fritz was not so legendaryCredit: Alamy
      German midfielder Paul Breitner is one of only four players to have scored in two different World Cup final matches.
      He also belongs to another tiny club of players who have starred in films during their careers.
      The 72-year-old landed parts in two German films.
      His first flick, a Spaghetti Western called Potato Fritz, was filmed in 1976 while he was still playing for Real Madrid. 
      Breitner took on the role of a bandit-hunting Sergeant in the film, which was panned by critics. 
      He appeared again on the silver screen with the 1983 German flick Der Zappler.
      And he returned one more time with the 1986 film called Kunyonga – Mord in Afrika.
      Sadly none of the movies enjoyed the kind of success he achieved on the pitch.
      Pelé
      Escape to Victory was among the first to feature playersCredit: Alamy
      The Brazilian legend also starred in a bizarre TV series about aliens
      Brazilian football icon Pelé was one of the first to make the jump from football to films. 
      He starred in the 1981 sports movie Escape to Victory, appearing alongside Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone.
      The legend also landed a role in Os Estranhos – a 1969 Brazilian TV drama about humans making first contact with aliens. 
      His successful acting career continued with a cameo role in the 2001 film Mike Bassett: England Manager – a mockumentary about a small-time football manager who is put in charge of the national team. 
      Pele, who died in 2022, also became the face of many brands in television adverts throughout his life.
      He filmed commercials for American Express, Mastercard, Pepsi, Atari, Emirates, Louis Vuitton and others. 
      Zlatan Ibrahimović
      The Swedish ace played for Man UnitedCredit: Getty
      Zlatan cut his famous hair and donned Roman armour for his debutCredit: Pathe
      Footballing superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović made his big screen debut last year as a Roman warrior. 
      The Swede played a Roman called Caius Antivirus in the 2023 French-language film Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom.
      Ibrahimović also recently appeared in the Italian TV comedy series Vita da Carlo. 
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      The former Manchester United player has the potential to enjoy a glittering career in Hollywood thanks to his unbelievable confidence. 
      During his time as a player, the 42-year-old earned a reputation for being cocky and was often accused of arrogance.  More