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      What is Lando Norris’ net worth?

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      LANDO Norris is one of the fastest drivers in the world, having excelled at every level of motorsport and holding numerous records.But who are his family, what’s his salary, and what is his net worth?
      Lando Norris finished seventh in the 2022 F1 World ChampionshipCredit: Splash
      Who is Lando Norris?
      Lando Norris was born in November 13, 1999 in Bristol, England.
      He set a brilliant fastest lap on the final lap of the 2021 Australian Grand Prix, earning himself the nickname ‘Last Lap Lando’.
      His first proper year at club level karting came in 2008 and in 2009 he claimed pole position at his first national event — to date he is still the youngest driver to ever get pole at a national meeting.
      For the 2010 season, Lando entered the two main national championships in cadet class racing against drivers up to three years older than him, where he finished third overall in the Super One Series, as well as winning the coveted ‘O’ Plate during the season.
      READ MORE ON LANDO NORRIS
      In 2012 the 12-year-old was crowned champion in the Formula Kart Stars series and runner-up in the MSA Super One British Championship.
      Lando entered the WSK Euro Series, the Winter Cup, the Rotax Super One and the Euro Max in 2013, showing his class to become the CIK-FIA European KFJ champion, WSK Euro Series KFJ champion and CIK-FIA KFJ Super Cup champion.
      Norris was also vice-champion in the WSK Master Series and seeded fourth in the World Championship.
      In 2014 Lando moved up to KF, the premier senior Karting category, coming third overall in the Championship — an impressive achievement against older and more experienced drivers — where the 14-year-old made history by becoming the youngest ever CIK-FIA KF World Championship winner.
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      In 2015 He notched up an impressive eight wins across the season to be crowned the FIA Formula 4 Champion of Great Britain.
      2016 was Lando’s most successful year to date as he won three Championship crowns, the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver and the British Racing Driver of the year awards.
      The McLaren Young driver continued his meteoric rise through the motorsport ranks, becoming the youngest FIA Formula Three European Champion in history in 2017 — and in November of that year was announced as the official McLaren Formula one test and reserve driver for 2018.
      Lando stepped up to a full season in Formula Two in 2018, winning the opening race in Bahrain and racking up a further eight podiums throughout the season, making him Vice-champion.
      He was announced as a driver for McLaren in the 2019 F1 World Championship alongside Carlos Sainz Jr in September 2018, finishing his debut season in 11th with 49 points.
      Lando remained with McLaren for his second year in F1 and finished ninth in the drivers’ championship on 97 points — helping his team to third place in the 2020 constructors’ championship, the team’s best result since 2012.
      In 2021 he racked up podiums at Imola, Monaco, Austria and Monza, coming sixth in the drivers’ standings — his second place at Monza helped McLaren take home the season’s only one-two finish — and signing a new contract with McLaren until 2025.   
      2022 brought along a new era of Formula One, introducing entirely new cars, with Lando finishing seventh on 122 points.
      What is Lando Norris’ net worth?
      Norris’ net worth is reportedly around $30million.
      He attained his fortune from his racing career, endorsements and sponsorships.
      But with his big-money contract at McLaren, it is set to rise significantly.
      What is Lando Norris’ salary at McLaren?
      In 2022 Lando signed a new contract with McLaren, reportedly earning $20million a year.
      This makes him the fourth-highest earning racer in F1.
      The three drivers ahead of him are Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and  Charles Leclerc.
      Who are Lando Norris’ family?
      Lando’s parents are Adam and Cisca Norris.
      Read More on The Sun
      His father Adam is one of the richest people in Bristol and 501st in the UK — he earned his fortune working as a pensions manager before creating electric scooter business Pure Electric.
      Norris Lando has three siblings — older brother Oliver and younger sisters Flo and Cisca. More

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      What is Charles Leclerc’s net worth?

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      CHARLES Leclerc is one of the top competitors in Formula One, having finished as runner-up in the drivers’ standings for the 2022 season.Here we look at the Ferrari man’s salary, career and net worth.
      In 2023 Charles Leclerc has the third-highest salary in Formula OneCredit: Splash
      Who is Charles Leclerc?
      Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc was born on October 16, 1997 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
      His nickname in Italy is ‘il Predestinato’, which translates to ‘The Predestined’, and was given to him by F1 commentator Carlo Vanzini.
      He competed from an early age in karting, becoming French Champion in 2009, winning the Monaco Kart Cup in 2010, the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy and the Junior World Cup in 2011.
      Leclerc was the top rookie in Formula Renault in his first season, and then also in Formula Three the following year.
      READ MORE ON CHARLES LECLERC
      In 2016 he won the GP3 Series before dominating the 2017 season of FIA Formula Two.
      He was spotted by Nicolas Todt in 2010 and joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016.
      Charles entered Formula one in 2018 with Alfa Romeo Sauber F1, before moving to Ferrari in 2019, where his teammate was four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
      Following seven pole positions, 10 podiums and two victories, Leclerc finished fourth in the 2019 World Championship and extended his contract with Ferrari until 2024.
      Most read in Motorsport
      The 2020 season was below the Monegasque driver’s expectation as finished on the podium on just twice, finishing 8th in the drivers’ classification.
      In 2021, Charles secured two more pole positions and a podium.
      In 2022 he had an excellent season, finishing as runner-up behind Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.
      Aside from racing, Leclerc has recently hit the headlines after embarking on a career in the music business.
      He released his debut single titled AUS23 (1:1) in April.
      The four-minute classical song features Leclerc, 25, playing the piano.
      And the Monegasque driver has enjoyed a fast start after venturing into the world of music.
      According to ESPN, Leclerc spent time inside the Top 10 of the Worldwide iTunes song chart following the release of his song.
      The title of the track, AUS23 (1:1) is a tribute to the Australian Grand Prix, where the song was born.
      Leclerc did not start playing the piano until the Covid-19 pandemic, but has “fallen in love with the instrument” after spending time playing it.
      The Ferrari star said on his Spotify page: “I’m excited to share with you a piano song that I’ve been working on, born out of my passion for music and created as a way to disconnect from racing and relax in between races.
      “I’ve created this song around the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix which is why I called it AUS23 (1:1). This is the way we call the Australian Grand Prix in my Formula One team and thought it would be a nice connection to the racing world.
      “After posting a story on Instagram of me playing that piano piece I had composed, I had a lot of positive feedback from the fans that inspired me to record it, making it easier for fans to enjoy my music.
      “My love for music has always been there, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that I started playing the piano.
      “With more time at home, I decided to buy a piano and learn to play. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the instrument and find myself playing it whenever I’m at home.”
      Charles has also hilariously put himself forward to represent Monaco at next year’s Eurovison.
      The country withdrew from the 2007 edition due to poor results and three failures to qualify.
      But on hearing the news Monaco could be back for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest due to the launch of TV Monaco and its membership with the European Broadcasting Union, Leclerc took to social media to offer his services.
      On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “I’m ready 🎤.”
      What is Charles Leclerc’s net worth?
      Reports of Leclerc’s net worth vary dramatically.
      At the bottom end EssentiallySports puts it at $12million (£9.7million).
      In the middle CelebrityNetWorth judges it to be $40million (£32.3million).
      Whereas at the other end of the spectrum Sportskeeda believes Charles has amassed a whopping $125million fortune (£101million).
      What is Charles Leclerc’s salary at Ferrari?
      Leclerc’s 2023 salary at Ferrari is reportedly $36million (£29million).
      Read More on The Sun
      This makes him the third-highest earning racer in F1.
      Unsurprisingly, the two drivers ahead of him are Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. More

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      What is Fernando Alonso’s net worth?

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      FERNANDO Alonso is widely considered to be one of the most talented drivers ever to grace the sport of Formula One.Here we take a look at the racing man’s career, net worth and current salary at Aston Martin.
      Fernando Alonso is currently in contract with Aston Martin until 2024Credit: Splash
      Who is Fernando Alonso?
      Fernando Alonso Diaz was born in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain on July 29, 1981.
      After a period as Benetton test driver, Alonso made his Formula One debut with Minardi in 2001, at the time becoming the third-youngest ever driver in the sport at 19 years and 218 days — he is now ninth on the list.
      In 2003 the Spaniard joined Renault, winning his first world championship in 2005 and ending five straight years of dominance from Michael Schumacher.
      Fernando claimed made it back-to-back world championships by also winning the crown in 2006.
      READ MORE ON FERNANDO ALONSO
      Alonso moved to McLaren in 2007, where he endured a fractious rivalry with Lewis Hamilton.
      Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen went on to beat the Spaniard to the title by one point that year.
      Alonso then replaced the Finnish driver at Ferrari in 2010 and spent four years there before returning to McLaren in 2015, where he stayed until he took a break from F1 in 2019.
      In 2015, Alonso opened his own museum in Oviedo, with a circuit named ‘Museo y Circuito Fernando Alonso’, dedicated to his racing career.
      Most read in Motorsport
      In 2021 Fernando returned to Formula One following a two-year hiatus driving for the Alpine — the rebranded French team formerly known as Renault where he won his two world championships.
      “Coming back into the sport,” Alonso observed, “is never a guarantee that you will be okay and competitive and still enjoy everything in F1.”
      He then moved to Aston Martin for the 2023 F1 season, were he replaced Sebastian Vettel, and currently remains in contract with the team until 2024.
      On the subject of joining Aston Martin the Spaniard said: “No one in Formula One today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me.”
      “I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front, and I want to be part of an organisation that is committed to learn, develop and succeed.
      “We all appreciate that there is much to be done to get to the front, and that we must apply all our energies in working together to find performance.
      “The passion and desire to perform that I have witnessed convince me to maintain my enjoyment and commitment to the sport.
      “I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take the opportunities that feel right to me.”
      As well as the 2005 and 2006 F1 world championship, Alonso won 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 on his debut in the Toyota team, alongside Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi, and then won it again in 2019 with the same team and co-drivers.
      The Spaniard now only requires the Indy 500 to complete motorsport’s Triple Crown, which has only previously been won by Graham Hill.
      Alonso attempted to win the race at Indianapolis in 2017 but crashed out late on despite an impressive drive, and then again in 2019.
      Alonso remains a huge hit with fans throughout his career due to his aggressive and exciting racing style.
      What is Fernando Alonso’s net worth?
      Fernando has been one of F1’s highest-paid drivers over the years.
      He has reportedly amassed a whopping net worth of £213million.
      Business magazine Forbes listed Alonso as the third-highest paid driver on the grid in 2022.
      What is Fernando Alonso’s salary at Aston Martin?
      Alonso’s salary at Aston Martin has not been publicly released, leading to confusion around the subject. 
      According to RacingNews365, he has a base salary of £4million in 2023.
      Read More on The Sun
      But Spanish newspaper AS claims the Spaniard may earn up to £17.8million at his new team.
      Whereas in 2022 The Sun reported Fernando could expect £25million a year at the British manufacturer. More

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      How Jim Ratcliffe went from council house to astonishing net worth of £30bn – and why he almost risked everything

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      MANCHESTER United investor Jim Ratcliffe went from a council house upbringing to an astonishing net worth of £15billion – after almost risking everything.One of Britain’s richest people grew up on a council estate before amassing a fortune which has just enabled him to take a major stake in Premier League football giants United.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe has gone from humble beginnings to vast wealthCredit: PA
      His turnaround hinged on taking a gamble in 1998 by mortgaging his home and buying an Antwerp-based chemical company, which he and two friends transformed into Ineos.
      He says he deliberated for a year over whether to go ahead, fearing he and his family could lose their home if the firm failed.
      Sir Jim climbed to second in this year’s Sunday Times Rich List, with his fortune put at £29.688billion.
      Top place went to Indian-born British businessman Gopi Hinduja and his family, with estimated wealth of £35billion.
      Read More On Manchester United
      Sir Jim is looking to finalise a 25 per cent stake in United, with reports suggesting he could invest £245million towards improving the club’s infrastructure.
      His potential plans for the Red Devils have sparked speculation over whether Dutch manager Erik ten Hag could be at risk of losing his job.
      United have lost eight of their 15 matches so far this season, including consecutive 3-0 defeats this past week to Manchester City and Newcastle United.
      An unpromising start in Sir Jim’s life included being sacked from his first job only three days in, when bosses at BP found he had ezcema.
      Most read in Football
      Sir Jim, son of a joiner, was born in the Greater Manchester town of Failsworth and lived in a council home until aged ten.
      The family then moved to Hull in East Yorkshire and he was educated at Beverley Grammar School before studying chemical engineering at the University of Birmingham.
      He now lives in exotic Monaco and owns luxury items such as a £130m yacht named Hampshire II with its own beach club and a helipad.
      He has said: “You should see a picture of the council house where I started out.”
      Sir Jim, now 71, later set up his own company Ineos – a chemicals multinational which employs 26,000 people worldwide.
      It sells 60million tons of chemicals each year, with an annual turnover of £45billion.
      He used high-yield debt to fund deals before buying unwanted operations from groups such as BP, whose refining and petrochemical arm Innovent was snapped up by Ineos in 2006.
      That gave his firm refineries in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Scotland.
      Sir Jim relocated Ineos’ head office to Rolle in Switzerland in 2010 in a move which cut its annual tax bill by £100million.
      Sir Jim has said: “I did have this inkling that I wanted to be successful — that I wanted to be a millionaire one day. But I was just dreaming, really.”
      He also recalled his dismissal by BP when just 21.
      He said: “I was told, ‘You can’t work here with eczema. We can’t spend the money on training you for five years then find you’ve got an allergy, so you’re on your bike’.”
      ‘ORDINARY BACKGROUND’ TO ‘EXTRAORDINARY WEALTH’
      He secured a role with rival petrol giant Esso, who sent him to the London Business School helping him become an expert in turning around failing firms – later prompting his move for Ineos.
      The company has been based since 2016 in offices opposite upmarket store Harrods in Knightsbridge, west London.
      The entrepreneur, on his second marriage and with three children, has homes in London and in Hampshire.
      The boyhood Manchester United supporter revealed an interest in buying the Old Trafford club in January this year after the Red Devils were put up for sale by the US-based Glazer family.
      He faced competition from Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, looking to bid £5billion – but this remained short of the Glazers’ £6billion valuation.
      The Qatar bid was scrapped last month after their attempts to secure a 100 per cent takeover were resisted by the Glazers.
      Sir Jim previously tried to buy Premier League rivals Chelsea last summer when Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was forced to sell by sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
      But his £4.25billion bid was rejected, before US investor Todd Boehly and his consortium took charge instead.
      Ineos owns France’s top-flight Ligue 1 club Nice, as well as Swiss side Lausanne and a third of F1 motor racing team Mercedes.
      His Team Ineos cycling team has won seven Tour de France titles, with stars riders such as Sir Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas.
      Sir Jim was knighted for services to business and investment in the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 2018 Birthday Honours list.
      Rich List compiler Robert Watts has said of him: “This is a guy from an ordinary background who has created extraordinary wealth very quickly. He seems unaffected by the wealth.
      Read More on The Sun
      “He’s calm, quiet and doesn’t have the brashness you might think a billionaire would.
      “Ratcliffe shows you don’t have do well in the classroom or be anything special early in your working life to make it as an entrepreneur.”
      The new Manchester United investor owns a luxury yacht named Hampshire IICredit: YouTube / Feadship
      Sir Jim owns French club Nice, who he watched take on Monaco in April last yearCredit: AFP
      The billionaire led a relaunch of Land Rover Defender in 2017Credit: Jon Bond – The Sun
      Chemicals entrepreneur Sir Jim is on the verge of investing in Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters More

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      What is Kevin Magnussen’s net worth?

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      KEVIN Magnussen has been an F1 fixture since debuting with a podium finish in 2014. But who is he? Here’s what we know about the Danish driver and his family life.
      Kevin Magnussen has been driving for the Haas F1 Team since 2017
      Who is Kevin Magnussen?
      Kevin Magnussen is a Danish Formula One racing car driver, who drives for the Haas F1 Team. 
      He is the son of former F1 driver, Jan Magnussen.
      Kevin followed in his father’s footsteps and started his career through the McLaren Formula One team’s Young Driver Programme.
      He drove for McClaren for the first time in the 2014 Formula One World Championship, before moving to Renault for one season in 2016.
      on motosport
      Magnussen drove for the Haas team from 2017 to 2020, before being dropped and replaced by rookies Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher.
      Russian driver Mazepin’s contract was terminated following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and Magnussen was brought back in to fill his seat, signing a multi-year deal.
      In 2022, Kevin was responsible for Haas’ first-ever F1 pole position for the short sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
      At the Mexican Grand Prix in October 2023, Kevin’s car burst into flames, causing the race to be suspended.
      Most read in Motorsport
      The incident came after a suspected suspension failure, which caused Kevin to lose control and collide with the wall.
      Magnussen walked to the medical car to be taken for standard procedure checks. 
      Haas F1 team said: “An update on Kevin: He’s at the medical centre and after a check-over is ok, but is being kept a little while longer just for observations.”
      What age is Kevin Magnussen?
      Kevin was born on October 5, 1992, in the city of Roskilde, Denmark.
      He is the son of four-time Le Mans winner and former Formula One driver Jan Magnussen, born in 1973.
      His mother, Britt Petersen was born in 1975 — little is known about her. 
      Kevin has two half-siblings, that his father Jan had with his second wife, Christina: Luca, born in 2009, and Millie, born in 2011. 
      Kevin’s cousin Dennis Lind, born in 1993, is also a racecar driver. 
      Dennis competes in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, driving for JP Motorsports.
      As teenagers, the cousins competed together, with Dennis coming in second behind Kevin in the 2008 Formula Ford Danish Championship.
      Is Kevin Magnussen married and does he have any children?
      Kevin Magnussen is married to Louise Gjørup.
      Kevin revealed that he had proposed to Louise after the Mexico Grand Prix in October 2018.
      The pair tied the knot on October 10, 2019, in a private ceremony in their home country of Denmark.
      The new bride posted photos of the wedding day on Instagram, with her 18,600 followers: “One month with the most important, loving, caring and absolutely perfect husband! Love you.”
      Kevin and Louise have two daughters together.
      Their first child, Laura, was born prematurely on January 11, 2021.
      Louise posted the news on Instagram, writing: “The day my entire world changed forever you are our tiny little miracle!”
      “You gave your mom and dad a big shock by coming 7 weeks earlier than expected”, Louise said.
      “But ever since you came into this world we have loved you,” she added.
      The couple’s second baby was born in August 2023.
      Kevin shared the news with his 1.2 million Instagram followers: “Laura is now a big sister. Welcome to the world Agnes. We love you so much”.
      What is Kevin Magnussen’s net worth?
      Kevin Magnussen’s net worth is estimated at $30 million. 
      He earns a yearly salary of $6 million from Haas. 
      Read More on The Sun
      Kevin’s team, Haas, is worth $780 million. 
      Also on the Haas team is German driver Nico Hulkenberg. More

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      What is Toto Wolff’s net worth?

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      TOTO Wolff has made a name for himself as the CEO of the Mercedes F1 team.The Austrian executive has a huge net worth. Here’s what we know about him.
      Toto Wolff has been married to former racecar driver Susie since 2011.Credit: Getty
      Who is Toto Wolff?
      Torger “Toto” Wolff was born on January 12, 1972, in Vienna,  to a Polish mother and a Romanian father. 
      Wolff, who lives in Monaco, is the Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes F1 team. 
      As Mercedes F1 boss, Wolff has won eight constructors’ titles with the team and has built a strong working relationship with Lewis Hamilton.
      The Austrian attended the prestigious French school, the Lycée Francais de Vienne, and speaks fluent German, English, French, Italian, and Polish.
      Read more in motorsport
      Wolff lost his father at the age of 15 after he died as a result of brain cancer. 
      In 2023, he spoke about the significant effect his father’s death has had on him, and how the loss has fuelled his drive for success.
      Wolff said: “It [his father’s death] has an impact until today. Since I can remember my father was ill with the brain cancer and suffered with it for 10 years and then eventually died when I was 15.
      “That is a time when as a boy you need the father. That wasn’t the case with me. We were in financial difficult circumstances that didn’t help either.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      “So that certainly is part of how I am today with all the bad sides that come with it, the trauma, but also on the other side, I think ambition and eagerness to do well.”
      Is Toto Wolff married and does he have any children?
      Wolff is married to Susie Wolff—née Stoddart—a Scottish former racecar driver. 
      The pair met in the 2008 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters series, where Susie was racing. 
      Susie and Toto married in 2011 after a few years together, in a ceremony in Capri, Italy, attended by the great and good of the motorsports industry.
      On April 10, 2017, after six years of marriage, Susie gave birth to their first child, a boy called Jack.
      Susie took to Twitter to share the news of their newborn, writing: “Yesterday Toto & I welcomed a healthy Baby Wolff to the world. Could burst with happiness & love!”
      After stints living between Oxford and Switzerland, the couple currently live in Monaco.
      Wolff has two other children, Benedict, born in 2001, and Rosa, born in 2004, from his first marriage with Stephanie. 
      He was married to Stephanie for ten years and remains on good terms with his ex-wife.
      “I am in the very lucky situation that we are a true ‘patchwork family’,” Wolff said.
      “Now we spend Christmas and holidays together. And as tough as a divorce is, we all grew,” Wolff added.
      What did Toto Wolff do before taking over as Mercedes Principal?
      Before stepping into his current role as CEO and team principal at Mercedes, the Austrian had a short career in racing, competing in Austrian Formula Ford, and won the Nurburgring 24-hour race in 1994.
      After the 1994 win, he was offered an F1 seat but opted to move away from professional racing, and towards business. 
      He studied briefly at the Vienna University of Economics and Business before founding his own investment companies, Marchfifteen in 1998, and then Marchsixteen in 2004. 
      Merging his two passions, Wolff invested in the William F1 team in 2009, and by 2012, he was the team’s executive director. 
      Later in 2012, Wolff was appointed Managing Partner of the Mercedes F1 Team and bought a 30% stake in the team.
      He now has a 33.3% stake in the company. 
      What is Toto Wolff’s net worth?
      Wolff became a billionaire in 2023, with a net worth of $1.6 billion according to Forbes. 
      Read More on The Sun
      In the first half of 2023, Wolff’s net worth increased dramatically by 60%.
      This boost to his net worth is likely a result of the increasing valuation of the Mercedes team, which is now estimated at $3.8 billion.  More

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      Major update in hunt for gang who kidnapped Liverpool star Luis Diaz’ parents as cops ‘closing the net’ on suspects

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      COLOMBIAN police say they are closing the net on the gang who kidnapped Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s parents after identifying some of the suspects.Alejandro Zapata, deputy director of the country’s Policia Nacional, said he was not in a position to name names.
      Colombian authorities have provided a major update in the search for the dad of Liverpool forward Luis DiazCredit: Rex
      Luis Manuel Diaz has been missing since Saturday after being kidnapped by armed gunmen in ColombiaCredit: AFP
      Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was also taken but was later rescued after being found in the city of Barrancas the same nightCredit: Supplied
      But he said investigators were “clear about people who could be linked” to Saturday’s abduction of Luis Manuel Diaz and Cilenis Marulanda in their home town of Barrancas.
      Mr Zapata confirmed investigators were treating the kidnap as a “premeditated crime” which had been meticulously planned.
      He added: “When something like this happens, it is generally not spontaneous and there has been previous planning, people that draw people to a certain place, that is, who place them somewhere so that others arrive and that’s what we are investigating.”
      He also spoke about the possibility that Luis Manuel was smuggled into Venezuela following the rescue of the Liverpool striker’s mum just hours after the abduction.
      Read more Sports News
      Mr Zapata said: “What we know is that the kidnap occurred in La Guajira and it’s close to the border of course.
      “We don’t have any evidence at the moment indicating he has been taken across the border, we can’t say that’s what’s happened, but we can’t rule it out either.
      “It’s very possible his captors look to the possibility of fleeing to Venezuela.”
      Appearing to support the idea the gang who have Luis Manuel are in hiding and have not managed to cross into Venezuela, Mr Zapata’s boss William Rene Salamanca Ramirez told Colombian media: “I can’t give any information on that and I want to be very prudent.
      Most read in Football
      “I myself flew over an area you’d cross in and they would have to cross the Perija Mountains and I don’t think a human being could survive that.
      “We were trying to put some commando units into that area and we couldn’t because of the dense jungle vegetation.
      “An army blockade has been in place in the lower part of the mountains which would be the normal route into Venezuela.”
      Colombia’s Attorney General Francisco Barbosa had confirmed earlier it was possible the winger’s dad could already be across the border.
      He said Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro would be asked to help free Luis Diaz’s dad if it emerged that was the case.
      A reward of up to £40,000 has been offered by the authorities for information.
      A man described as the best friend of Luis Manuel Diaz told a Colombian radio station the footballer’s dad and his wife had been heading to the home of a relative of Cilenis.
      Victor Medina said: “It was 5.30pm local time on Saturday. They had filled up with petrol and then went to a neighbourhood nearby to collect something from a relative of Celinis.
      “There the captors arrived, four men on motorbikes.
      “They threatened them with weapons, made them get into the same vehicle and sped off with the other two on a motorbike tailing them.
      “They headed for a rural area. The authorities were informed and there was a chase.”Luis’ mum has yet to speak publicly about her ordeal.
      Read More on The Sun
      She was abandoned by her captors by the roadside as the hunt to catch them intensified.
      The men holding the footballer’s father are said to have fled with him on motorbikes.
      Portuguese forward Diogo Jota held up Diaz’s shirt after scoring the opening goal in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on SundayCredit: EPA More

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      Ultimate Ballon d’Or rich list – from Ronaldo’s eye-watering net worth to star who splashed £435k on a watch

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      IT’S football’s most prestigious award given to the best player in the world.And with this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony taking place on Monday October 30, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi are the hot favourites to take it home.
      Along with Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi has been tipped to win this year’s Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or an impressive five times and tops the rich listCredit: Instagram / @cristiano
      Argentinian superstar Messi has been tipped to win for the eighth time, while Haaland is also in the running after scoring 52 goals in his first season with Manchester City.
      Since it first began almost 70 years ago, 64 players have won the prize – and with it has come, mostly, great fortune.
      Here, we reveal the biggest earners in our Ballon d’Or rich list.
      Cristiano Ronaldo – £363million
      As well as being the most popular athlete – with over 876million social media followers – Cristiano Ronaldo is also the best paid sportsman in the world.
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      The Portuguese star, who has won the Ballon d’Or an impressive five times, has an estimated net worth of a whopping £363million.
      In December 2022, Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, earning £62million a year.
      And thanks to the various commercial opportunities involved within the deal, it’s thought that he could earn as much as £173million for every year he is with the team.
      The 38-year-old also has a lifetime contract with Nike, which began in 2003, worth an eye-watering £1billion.
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      As well as lending his name to other brands, Ronaldo has his own business empire. It includes two hotels, underwear, CR7 blankets, facial fitness devices and shampoo.
      Lionel Messi – £105million
      Lionel Messi, who has won the award seven times, is considered one of the greatest footballers of all timeCredit: AP:Associated Press
      His business ventures include a hotel empireCredit: Instagram @leomessi
      He’s considered one of greatest footballers of all time, so it’s no surprise that Lionel Messi is tipped to win the Ballon d’Or – after already bagging the award a record seven times.
      The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player moved to David Beckham’s Inter Miami in June after signing an initial deal for two and a half years. He’s believed to be earning around £35-£47million per year.
      Messi’s net worth at the start of 2023 was estimated to be £105million, according to Forbes. It has no doubt increased since his move to Inter Miami.
      Along with his football salary, the 36-year-old has a range of sponsorship and brand deals that help boost his earnings.
      He signed a lifetime contract with Adidas in 2017, worth £20.4million a year, and is also a global ambassador for Pepsi.
      When it comes to his personal ventures, Messi released his luxury clothing label with Tommy Hilfiger’s sister Ginny Hilfiger in 2019.
      He also became a hotelier in 2017 after buying the MiM Sitges in a coastal resort near Barcelona for £26million.
      MiM has since opened other establishments in Ibiza, Mallorca, Baqueira and Sotogrande.
      Kaka – £74million
      AC Milan and Brazil playmaker Kaka holds the 2007 Ballon d’Or trophy in Paris
      He helped Milan overcome Liverpool in the Champions League final that same yearCredit: Getty
      Before Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi hogged the trophy for over a decade, the last player to beat them to it was Brazilian legend Kaka.
      The playmaking superstar, 41, won the award in 2007, the same year he set up the winning goal for Milan in the Champions League final against Liverpool.
      Two years earlier, he had tormented the English giants once again in Istanbul, only for them to turn it around in one of the most dramatic games of all time.
      After retiring in 2017, Kaka is still reported to be worth £74million, thanks in part to his huge social media following.
      He was the first athlete to gain over 10million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, and has 22.7million fans on Instagram.
      The savvy star has struck up lucrative deals with Global smart technology company OPPO, American Tourister and Playstation, whom he recently starred in a promo for alongside Gareth Bale.
      Karim Benzema – £62.5million
      Karim Benzema won the prestigious award last yearCredit: Reuters
      He isn’t afraid of flaunting his wealth on social mediaCredit: Instagram / @karimbenzema
      Former Real Madrid player Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 and is worth around £62million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
      The French national reportedly earned £275,000 a week playing for the Spanish team, before leaving the club in June after 14 years.
      He signed a megabucks deal to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, and now earns £3.3million per week.
      He clearly likes to flash the cash, rocking up to last year’s awards bash wearing a Richard Mille watch worth a staggering £435,000.
      In his victory speech, Benzema, 35, said: “To see this prize in front of me makes me really proud. It was a childhood dream for me and all the work I have done, I never gave up.”
      Michael Owen – £54.4million
      Michael Owen took home the award in 2001Credit: Presse Sports
      The TV pundit has invested his fortune in racehorsesCredit: themichaelowen/instagram
      Michael Owen, who took home the award in 2001, has a reported £54.4million fortune.
      The 43-year-old former striker played for the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City during his glittering career before retiring in 2013.
      Since then, he has gone on to work as a pundit for BT Sport.
      He’s also involved in breeding race horses and founded Manor House Stables, a racehorse training facility in Cheshire, with his wife Louise.
      Zinedine Zidane – £52million
      Zinedine Zidane’s net worth is reportedly £52millionCredit: AFP
      The French legend knows how to live in styleCredit: zidane/instagram
      French star Zinedine Zidane inspired his side to their World Cup victory in 1998, the same year he won the Ballon d’Or.
      Following his successful football career as a player, he went into management, first with Real Madrid Castilla and then the senior squad.
      He announced his retirement in 2018, before returning 10 months later. But he left for a second time in the summer of 2021.
      Zidane, 51, earned £2.3million a year as Real Madrid’s manager, which doubled when he revived the team at the end of the 2015/2016 season.
      While he’s currently without a job, his net worth is reportedly £52million.
      Endorsement deals with brands such as Adidas, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior have contributed to his income.
      Luís Figo – £41million
      Portugal and Real Madrid star Luis Figo with his prestigious 2000 Ballon d’OrCredit: AFP
      The 50-year-old is married to model Helene SvedinCredit: luis__figo/instagram
      Portugese player Luís Figo’s controversial transfer from Barcelona to rival Real Madrid in 2000 – the year he bagged the Ballon d’Or – set the world record fee of £50million.
      He enjoyed a great success at the club, where he earned £3.74million a year, with 45 goals and 58 assists in 249 appearances throughout a five-year stint.  
      The 50-year-old, now worth around £41million according to Idol Net Worth, joined UEFA in 2017 as he took on an advisory role, promoting its competitions across the world.
      “Luís Figo was a fantastic player who was exemplary in the way he conducted himself both on and off the pitch,” the UEFA president said.
      “He is a highly respected figure within the game and I am very pleased he is joining our team. His tremendous football experience will be a very valuable asset to UEFA.”
      Fabio Cannavaro – £36million
      Fabio Cannavaro is now a professional football coachCredit: L’Equipe
      Fabio is now a coach and earned millions in the Chinese Super LeagueCredit: fabiocannavaroofficial/instagram
      Former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, who won both the World Cup and Ballon d’Or in 2006, is said to be worth £36million.
      The 50-year old was regarded as one of the best defenders of all time before retiring in 2011.
      He’s now a professional football coach and has coached teams in the Middle East and China.
      He was briefly appointed as manager of the China national team in 2019 and more recently, he was the head coach of Serie B club Benevento.
      It was previously reported that he was the highest paid manager in the Chinese Super League, where he managed for five seasons, and the fourth highest paid in the world, earning £10.6million a year.
      Ronaldinho – Unclear
      Ronaldinho was reported to have just £5 in his back account in 2018Credit: Reuters
      He was the face of football in the early NoughtiesCredit: ronaldinho/instagram
      Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho has previously had a net worth reported up to £80million, but has lose thousands to crushing debts.
      He was reported to have just £5 in his back account in 2018 – the same year he announced his retirement from football – while owing up to £1.75million.
      The 43-year-old was heavily fined for illegal construction in a protected area in his home country.
      After remortgaging his property, he was still unable to cover the debts due to the high interest rate and a judge ordered for his passport to be seized.
      In 2020, he was detained in a prison in Paraguay for allegedly attempting to enter the country with forged documents.
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      Ronaldinho, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2005, has had endorsements with companies including Nike, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, EA Sports and Danone.
      He currently works for sponsorship and development firm Nooke, and he’s also the co-founder of Footsider, which is described as an “application that facilitates and digitizes recruitment in the world of football”. More