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    Ex-Arsenal star Carlos Vela’s Malibu home destroyed in LA wildfires as his stunned wife shares emotional message

    FORMER Premier League ace Carlos Vela has lost his Malibu home in the Los Angeles wildfires.The Mexican forward’s wife Saioa Canibano confirmed the pair’s family pad had perished in the unfolding disaster. Carlos Vela has lost his Malibu home in the California wildfiresCredit: Getty Images – GettyVela’s wife Saioa Canibano confirmed the family was safeCredit: Instagram @carlosv11_The fires in Palisades are the most destructive in LA’s historyCredit: InstagramVela, 35, has spent the last six seasons in the MLS with Los Angeles FC.He began his career with Arsenal in the Premier League and was also a prolific scorer in Spain. The Mexican international owned a home in the Palisades neighborhood of LA. Wildfires have swept through the area, destroying an estimated 10,000 structures.So far, authorities have confirmed ten deaths but it is feared the toll could be much higher. More than 180,000 residents have been forced to flee – with a further 200,000 warned they may need to quickly evacuate.Vela’s house was among those razed to the ground by the intense flames. “Our beautiful Malibu home burned down yesterday,” Saioa confirmed on Instagram. Most read in Football”We are still in shock with everything that’s happening.”It’s very sad and scary to see everything burning. To all the messages of concern that are being sent to us, we are safe. Scots TV star Ross King emotional over ‘apocalyptic’ scenes around his LA home”Sending much love to all those affected and hopefully they will soon manage to put out the fire.”The former journalist has two children with Vela – son Romeo, 8, and daughter India, 4.All of the family were confirmed to be safe following the disaster. Vela wasn’t the only LA soccer star to lose their home to the flames this week. Arsenal FC – Season 11-12 Stock. Pic Jamie McPhilimey. 02.08.11. Carlos Vela.Credit: Jamie McPhilimey – The SunAngel City FC defender Ali Riley confirmed her home had been destroyed by the fires.”This was our home. How is this real. It can’t be real,” she wrote on Instagram. Vela is an LAFC legend having helped the team to the MLS Cup in 2022.He also won the MLS Golden Boot and MVP in 2019 and has netted 93 times in 187 games for the club.’War zone’ LA feels ‘broken’ as fires still ravage the city – but we will rebuildThe U.S. Sun’s Assistant Editor for Exclusives Katy Forrester is an LA resident and she witnessed first-hand the horror as flames engulfed the city. She said the city feels like a “war zoneEVERY year Los Angeles braces itself for wildfires. It is not uncommon to see flames torching the hills and even houses burning to the ground.But many residents have never witnessed anything as devastating as this week. And it’s nowhere near over.I spent time near Pacific Palisades, where thick smoke filled the air, and saw desperate families fleeing the city while others begged police to give them access to their properties as roads were blocked off.“Everything is gone” was heard many times, as thousands of people were left homeless and with few possessions.I was lucky to only have the power go out in my home, but I’ll never forget what I witnessed traveling throughout the city. It was like a war zone.During a visit to a shelter, I spoke with a resident who has lived in his home for almost 30 years and is battling cancer. He stayed long after he was told to pack up and go.It was only when flames began leaping around his building that he finally gathered his belongings and ran out.I reported from Altadena, where buildings were still engulfed in flames, and few fire trucks were in sight as emergency services were overwhelmed.Cars and school buses were completely torched, and heartbroken families stood around in shock, not being able to process what had happened.As the sun went down, I drove back home towards the city center, which I felt was safe, until I saw orange flames leaping behind buildings just minutes from my house.I felt sick. I’ve never known wildfires so close to Hollywood, and suddenly, phones were blaring with emergency notifications to evacuate the area.Traffic lights and street lamps were out, and areas filled with fallen trees from the strong winds became gridlocked.I feel extremely lucky I live minutes outside of the evacuation zone, but friends panicked and fled their homes.Although many worldwide will merely shrug when they hear wealthy people have lost their homes, the reality is very different. The city as a whole feels broken, everyone from single mothers to elderly people have been through hell.And people are angry. Dozens have spoken of their insurance policies being canceled just months before the fires, while others are reeling over alleged corruption and mismanagement.They may be angry. But they are also hopeful. The people of Los Angeles are made of strong stuff. We will get through this. And we will rebuild.Vela initially left LAFC after the 2023 season before rejoining them in late 2024. READ MORE SUN STORIESIn November, LAFC declined an option for Vela’s contract in 2025.But the parties remain in discussions over the player’s future. More

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    Michael Owen spotted in Egypt to star in new movie despite claiming he HATES films and has only watched eight of them

    MICHAEL OWEN has been spotted in Egypt as he turns to the big screen to star in a top-10 highest grossing film.The 44-year-old’s surprise acting role in football movie “El Hareefa 2” comes 10 years after Owen first claimed that he “HATED films”.Michael Owen has been pictured in Cairo, Egypt as he prepares to star in a new movieA poster for the film ‘El Hareefa 2’ featuring Owen did the rounds on social mediaA picture on X emerged on Wednesday which showed Owen in Cairo – with a big smile across his face – as he prepares for his special appearance.Footie fans soon uncovered the film’s poster – which showed the last English Ballon d’Or winner front and centre.”El Hareefa 2″ serves as a sequel to the original “El Hareefa'” which hit the screens earlier this year. The plot for that film, as per IMDb’s 6.4 rating, centred around teenage football lover Maged and his transition from private school to a public one – and his adventures in their street football team. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSInterestingly, this shock pivot into the film scene comes a decade after Owen openly stated his disdain for the cinema.In 2014, Owen wrote on X: “Watched my eighth ever film on the flight home. Must have been bored. #HateFilms.”On the same day, he also posted: “Films I’ve been forced to watch: Rocky, Heat, Ghost, Jurassic Park, Cool Runnings, Seabiscuit, Karate Kid, Forest Gump”.But this marks Owen’s second foray into film, having made a brief cameo in the 2007 cult classic “Goal II: Living the Dream”.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe former Real Madrid, Liverpool and Man Utd star reportedly arrived in the Egyptian capital on November 4.The original was among the top 10 highest-grossing films in Egyptian cinema this year.Premier League referee David Coote update after statement from UEFA and revelation that referees don’t get drug tested”El Hareefa 2″ will be premiered in Egyptian cinemas on December 4 and in Arab cinemas on December 5.Owen began his tourist trip by visiting prominent archaeological landmarks such as the Pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza.Since retiring in 2013, the former Prem star has become a well known face within the sport of horse racing as a breeder and owner. He set up the Manor House Stables in Malpas and one of his horses, Zoffee, won the Chester Cup, a £170,000 handicap race, in May.Owen is still a familiar face for football fans thanks to his appearances as a pundit on TNT Sports. Owen was spotted at the Great Pyramids of Giza, soaking in the sights before he goes on set for the ‘El Harifa’ sequelWho are these famous footballers? More

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    I’ve tried for the last three years to join Wrexham but I think my surname will stop me, admits ex-Premier League star

    FORMER Premier League ace James Chester revealed he tried to sign for Wrexham three times but suggested he got knocked back because of his SURNAME.Chester, 35, appears to have been lured by the Red Dragons’ rise under Hollywood celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in the last four years.James Chester tried to sign for Wrexham three times but got knocked back because of his surnameCredit: GettyChester is impressed by Wrexham’s rise under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenneyCredit: GettyThe centre-back, who currently plays for Salford in League Two, seems keen to add his Premier League and international experience to the League One outfit.The-ex Wales international played for Hull, West Brom and Aston Villa in the English top flight and helped his nation make the Euro 2016 semi-finals.However, he suggested a move to Wrexham may never happen due to having the same surname as the club’s most hated rivals CHESTER FC.The Welshman got that impression when he visited the Racecourse with former club Barrow last season as he claims he received immense stick from the home fans.Read More on FootballChester told BBC’s Feast of Football podcast: “The last time I was here last season, I expected that with the Welsh connection I might get a reasonable reception.“But I think because of the name on the back of my shirt, I got more abuse than I did any niceties. “I got a bit of stick along the lines of my name and being on the pitch in Wrexham.”When asked if he ever wanted to sign for the Red Dragons, Chester added: “I’ve tried for the last three seasons.”Most read in FootballThe centre-half started out at Manchester United’s academy but only made one senior appearance in 2009.United loaned him out to the likes of Peterborough, Plymouth and Carlisle.Major A-list celebs Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney expand Wrexham empire with new breweryAfter playing for Hull, West Brom and Villa he had a brief stint with Stoke and Derby.He then moved down the divisions, first signing for Barrow and then Salford. More