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    Lionel Messi speaks English for first time in ‘awe-inspiring’ advert with Ted Lasso… but not all is as it seems

    LIONEL MESSI has joined Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudekis and NFL icon Dan Marino in a football-themed advert for the Superbowl.The World Cup winner is the main star of the ad, showcasing his iconic skills on a beach in front of awestruck fans.
    Lionel Messi stars in a superbowl advert for Michelob Ultra beerCredit: Youtube / Michelob ULTRA
    Jason Sudekis also features in the adCredit: Youtube / Michelob ULTRA
    NFL icon Dan Marino also makes a cameoCredit: Youtube / Michelob ULTRA
    After approaching a bar, Messi asks for a Michelob Ultra beer but is stopped when the tap breaks.
    The barmaid in the advert then asks if he would like a different beer, but the 36-year-old responds: “No no no, Michelob Ultra.”
    Fans have been left stunned by Messi’s appearance in the advert, with some highlighting his apparent reluctance to speak in English.
    One person tweeted: “Messi’s utter refusal to force out even a ‘hello’ and do a Superbowl ad in pure Rosarino Spanish is just awe-inspiring.”
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    Another added: “He’s determined never to speak a non-Spanish word in public and I respect the hell out of that.”
    While a third wrote: “Lionel Messi’s Super Bowl ad with Jason Sudeikis and Dan Marino is simply PERFECT.”
    According to The Mail, the Michelob Ultra Superbowl advert cost around £11million to make.
    It also features Ted Lasso star Sudekis, who joked that he and Messi ‘go way back’.
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    NFL Hall of Famer Marino is another big name that features.
    Messi has become a huge star in the US since joining Inter Miami last summer.
    The forward has scored 11 goals in 14 games since making the move to the MLS side. More

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    Tom Brady watches Birmingham vs Rotherham at St Andrew’s as fans call for NFL legend to be ‘added to EFL Hall of Fame’

    FANS called for Tom Brady to be “added to the EFL Hall of Fame.”That’s after the NFL legend jetted in to watch Birmingham’s Championship clash against Rotherham.
    Fans want Tom Brady in the EFL Hall of Fame as he showed his support for BirminghamCredit: Getty
    The NFL legend jetted in for Saturday’s Championship game against RotherhamCredit: X @TomBrady
    Brady, 46, owns a minor stake in Brum after announcing his shock investment in August.
    The American played a big role in appointing Wayne Rooney as John Eustace’s successor in October.
    And Brady made sure he watched Birmingham’s latest match as he flew to the Midlands for Saturday’s game against Rotherham.
    The iconic quarterback posted a picture on social media showing himself St Andrew’s before kick-off, having visited the club’s training ground earlier.
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    With the sun shining and a bright blue sky in the background, Brady must have felt like victory was inevitable.
    The seven-time Super Bowl champion captioned his snap “St Andrew’s” alongside a heart emoji.
    However, the result did not go to plan for either Brady or Birmingham.
    Rooney’s men could only muster a 0-0 draw against Rotherham, who are second-bottom in the Championship table.
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    Brady watched Wayne Rooney’s side stumble to a 0-0 drawCredit: Getty
    The result also leaves Brum in 15th place, with Wazza winning just one of his eight games so far.
    But fans were still delighted by Brady’s epic support, with one saying: “The GOAT has come all the way from America to watch Birmingham vs Rotherham.
    “Get him in the EFL Hall of Fame now.”
    Another declared: “Great to see you back at St Andrew’s. Enjoy the game, you’re our lucky mascot.”
    One noted: “Welcome home GOAT.”
    Another added: “Up the Brady Blues.” More

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    I earn more per minute than Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland for kicking a ball but you may not have heard of me

    MATT GAY earns more per minute than Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland.The Indianapolis Colts star signed the largest contract for a free-agent kicker in NFL history earlier this year.
    Matt Gay earns more per minute than Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling HaalandCredit: Getty
    Ronaldo’s income per minute he plays is dwarfed by Gay despite his £175million salaryCredit: Getty
    His four-year deal sees him earn £7.5million-per-season following previous spells with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and LA Rams, where he won the Super Bowl in 2022.
    Research from Action Network has now shown that Gay’s salary means he is paid more per minute he is on the field than a host of high-profile footballers.
    Having spent just 560 seconds on the pitch taking 14 field goal attempts this season, the 29-year-old has earned £133,000-per-minute.
    Those earnings have also made him the highest paid NFL kicker per minute with Gay making £1.24million and scoring 12 field goals this season.
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    The research shows he earns almost four times as much as five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo for every minute they play.
    Ronaldo has played 1,076 minutes for Al-Nassr and is paid a reported salary of £175,000,000 by the Saudi Pro League side.
    This equates to just under £41,000-per-minute across the season so far.
    Raheem Sterling comes closest to Gay of the Premier League stars appearing in the research.
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    Haaland has earned £4,000-per-minute he has played this seasonCredit: Getty

    The Chelsea winger has earned £4,800-per-minute across his 743 minutes of action so far this term, with the Blues paying him a salary of £17million.
    As for Haaland, the Manchester City striker makes £19.4million-a-year and has played 1,041 minutes for the treble winners this term.
    However, his earnings-per-minute are dwarfed by Gay, with the Norwegian making £4,000 every minute he plays.
    It is not just footballers Gay out earns, though, with the NFL star making even more than Jeff Bezos per minute.
    According to Bloomberg, the Amazon founder has a net worth of £61.5billion, meaning he earns £117,000-per-minute of the day.
    This is £16,000 less than Gay is paid by the Colts for each minute he has played this season.
    Amazon founder Jeff Bezos makes £16,000 less per minute than GayCredit: Getty More

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    Injured Neymar strips to boxers and shows off his tattoos as he poses to plug Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS underwear

    INJURED Neymar stripped to his boxers and showed off his tattoos in an advert for Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS line. Reality TV star Kim launched the clothing brand in 2019 and it is now valued at over $4BILLION (£3.2bn).
    Kim Kardashian posing for SKIMS’ end of summer saleCredit: Instagram/Skims
    The Brazilian showed off his tattoos in the adCredit: Instagram
    Neymar modelled for SKIMS new mens lineCredit: Instagram
    Neymar posed in coloured boxersCredit: Skims
    And she has just brought out a news SKIMS for men line and Neymar joined NFL defensive end Nick Bosa in modelling the underwear selection.
    The Brazilian – set to miss the rest of the season – posed in coloured boxers and had his ink on display in snaps taken before his injury.
    Neymar, 31, suffered an ACL injury while on international duty against Uruguay.
    The ex-Barcelona and PSG attacker was left in floods of tears after being stretchered off during Brazil’s 2-0 defeat.
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    His Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal confirmed the injury on social media – but bizarrley did so by using a picture of Neymar in distress.
    The Champions League winner later spoke out on social media.
    He posted: “It’s a very sad moment, the worst.
    “I know I’m strong but this time I’ll need my (family and friends) even more
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    “It’s not easy going through injury and surgery, imagine going through all that again after 4 months of recovery.
    “I have faith, even too much… But the strength I put in the hands of God so that he can renew mine.
    “Thanks for the messages of support and love.”
    Neymar is set to be out for the rest of the seasonCredit: Reuters More

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    Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rory McIlroy, Anthony Joshua and NFL stars buy stake in F1’s Alpine after Hollywood investment

    TOP sports stars including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rory McIlroy, Anthony Joshua and the NFL’s Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have joined as co-investors in the Alpine F1 team.Otro Capital bought a 24 percent share in the team for £164m in June, with Hollywood actors and Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney part of the consortium through their Maximum Effort Investments business.
    Trent Alexander-Arnold has shown his interest in F1 in the past, previously attending racesCredit: Getty
    Ryder Cup winner Rory McIlroy is part of the group investing in AlpineCredit: EPA
    Anthony Joshua said it was ‘an opportunity I couldn’t ignore’Credit: AP
    Patrick Mahomes is also involved in the Alpine investmentCredit: Getty
    Now a number of sportsmen have joined the investment group, although it has not been disclosed how much each star has invested.
    Liverpool right back Alexander-Arnold, who has attended F1 GPs in the past, said: “I am delighted to lead an investor group investing in Alpine F1.
    “The opportunity is very exciting, F1 is growing massively worldwide and I look forward to contributing to that growth.
    “The sport brings together teamwork, pinpoint accuracy and innovation in a pressure-filled environment, these are aspects of my game we have in common.”
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    Joshua added: “The chance to strategically invest in Alpine was an opportunity I couldn’t ignore.
    “I am excited to start this journey with a great group of fellow investors and hope to help the team achieve its full potential.”
    Alpine are based in Enstone in Oxfordshire and is the name of Renault’s racing brand.
    The French giant remains the majority owner of the team.
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    They made their F1 debut in 2021 and have achieved four podiums and once race win since then.
    Their sole victory came at the Hungarian Grand Prix in their debut year as Esteban Ocon pipped Lewis Hamilton to the chequered flag.
    Ocon and Pierre Gasly are the team’s current drivers.
    Travis Kelce is involved in the ventureCredit: Getty
    Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are already involved in the teamCredit: Getty
    Alpine have won one GP beforeCredit: AP More

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    Wayne Rooney in for awkward Tom Brady meeting after Man Utd legend’s old tweets emerge

    WAYNE ROONEY may be in for an awkward meeting the next time he sees Birmingham co-owner Tom Brady.That’s after some of Rooney’s outspoken old tweets resurfaced about how much he dislikes American Football.
    Wayne Rooney wasn’t the biggest fan of NFL in his playing daysCredit: PA
    Brady is the new co-owner of Birmingham CityCredit: Getty
    Rooney was a prolific tweeter during his playing days and one of the pioneers of footballers posting on the platform.
    Many loved his stream of consciousness approach to Twitter which allowed followers to dip in and out of the striker’s mind as he documented every passing thought.
    And among these was the ire he felt for American football and the country’s sports in general.
    Followers have discovered some classics from the archive such as this from 2012: “Trying to watch the Super Bowl Final, how do they call this football. Like watching paint dry. Looking forward to the adverts and music.”
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    He continued his rant by saying: “Seen more guys in studio than the players at the Super Bowl. Zzzzzzz hurry up music.”
    He then expressed that he much preferred rugby league to its American cousin when he wrote: “Rugby league is far better than super bowl. Leeds rhinos to win again. I know its mad but im a rhinos fan.”
    Its awkward for Rooney that he will now call seven time Super Bowl winner and NFL legend Tom Brady his boss after his role in the takeover of Birmingham.
    Brady fronted up Knighthead Capital’s takeover of Birmingham back in August and it is said that he is taking an active role in the day to day running of the club.
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    Wayne Rooney confirmed in his first press conference at the club that he has been in contact with the NFL legend and said: “I have spoken to Tom, he is very ambitious to move this club forward.
    “It’s great to have him here, it’s important for the players to see Tom Brady have an involvement. It’s very clear that Tom is fully involved in the club.”

    Rooney will have the international break to get his players up to speed with his methods and implement his play style at the club.
    His first game is against former Manchester United team-mate Michael Carrick as Birmingham take on Middlesbrough on Saturday October 21. More

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    Wayne Rooney reveals conversation with NFL legend Tom Brady and plans to bring him into Birmingham dressing room

    WAYNE ROONEY wants NFL GOAT Tom Brady to deliver some team talks and help guide Birmingham to the Premier League.Former England and Manchester United striker Rooney was unveiled yesterday as the new Blues boss on a 3½-year deal following John Eustace’s axing on Monday.
    Wayne Rooney wants Tom Brady to help him guide Birmingham back to the Premier LeagueCredit: PA
    The former England striker was appointed as Birmingham’s new manager earlier this weekCredit: PA
    And Roo wants to tap into the experience and knowledge that retired quarterback Brady brings as a seven-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
    The Californian, 46, became a minority owner of Brum following their acquisition by US-based Shelby Companies Limited in July.
    Rooney, who spent 15 months as manager of MLS side DC United, had a quick chat with the legendary Brady before arriving at St Andrew’s.
    Asked about that initial conversation between two sporting greats, Rooney, 37, said: “We spoke about the Super Bowl in February.
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    “I went to the one in Phoenix this year and it completely changed my view on the game.
    “I also spoke to Tom about the football club, the role in which he will play.
    “His enthusiasm for it is refreshing.
    “We’re both on the same page. We’re excited for what this club can achieve in the future.
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    Tom Brady became joint owner of Birmingham in the summerCredit: Getty
    “He is one of, if not the greatest athlete of all time!
    “So I’m sure he has a lot of advice and a lot of things which worked for him throughout his career.
    “One of the things I want to do when he is over next is to get him in front of the players and sharing his story.
    “It would be great for me to listen to and I’m sure it will be really inspiring.
    “I’ve had Kevin Sinfield and Tony Bellew, different athletes from different sports, come into my team to discuss their journeys of how they get to  that level.
    “Ultimately, at the end of every talk it comes down to the same thing — dedication, work and desire.”
    Brum were relegated from the Premier League in 2011.
    And when asked if promotion back to the top flight this season was a realistic target, Roo answered: “We will push for it, of course.
    “The players we have brought in over the summer, it’s an ambition of ours.
    “There is a plan in place to reach  the targets we have set to get to the Premier League. It’s a goal, it’s a challenge and something we will push for.”
    It was Saturday, October 19, 2002, that 16-year-old substitute Rooney scored THAT goal for Everton to end Arsenal’s 30-game unbeaten run.
    Over the past 21 years, the Scouser has been a massive part of our sporting consciousness.
    Not only his excellent club exploits at Old Trafford but the fact he played at three World Cups and became England’s record goalscorer with 53 — until he was overtaken by Harry Kane in March.
    Rooney has lived under a spotlight all his adult life but working in the United States’ capital over the past year reminded him how lucky he really is.
    He said: “There’s pressure in everyday life.
    “I’ve just come back from Washington, DC and driving down the street you see people living on the road.
    “That’s pressure to live, eat and get through that day.
    “This is a big responsibility, from the fans, board, owners but I’m confident I can lead this club forward.”
    Many of Rooney’s contemporaries — including the likes of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Jamie Carragher — are earning a decent living talking about football from the comfort of a TV studio.
    But he is not yet ready to swap a tracksuit for a microphone.
    Rooney added: “I love football. The second best thing to being involved in it is watching and talking about it and they’re comfortable doing that.
    “That might be something for me in the future but if I have an opportunity to develop myself and that feeling when you win and you are part of it is  second to none.
    “It’s a desire I’ve had since I was a young kid. I started doing my coaching badges at the age of 19.
    “Then I stopped because of the schedule. I’ve picked it up over the past seven years.
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    “I wanted to push myself to be the best manager I can be. Ultimately, it’s because I love football.
    “The goal for the club, for myself, is to get back to the Premier League.”
    Rooney was in charge of DC United before joining BirminghamCredit: Reuters More

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    Wayne Rooney named Birmingham manager after NFL icon Tom Brady lures Man Utd legend back to England

    WAYNE ROONEY has been appointed as Birmingham City’s new manager.The Manchester United legend replaces John Eustace at St Andrews following his sacking earlier today.
    Wayne Rooney has been appointed as Birmingham managerCredit: Alamy
    Blues co-owner Brady was eager to bring him to the clubCredit: Getty
    John Eustace was sacked on MondayCredit: PA
    Birmingham co-owner and NFL legend Tom Brady had been in regular talks with Rooney over the position in recent weeks.
    The sporting icon believes he will be able to attract big names to the Blues and eventually lead them back to the Premier League.
    He has brought in Ashley Cole and former Manchester United team-mate John O’Shea as coaches.
    Both will retain their positions as coaches in their respective national teams, with Cole England’s Under-21 assistant coach and O’Shea the assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland.
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    And his first match in charge will be against another Red Devils pal, Michael Carrick, who is in charge of Middlesbrough.
    The 37-year-old is expected to take charge of his first training session tomorrow.
    A Birmingham statement said: “Birmingham City Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Wayne Rooney as Manager, agreeing terms on a three-and-a-half-year contract.”
    Birmingham chief executive Garry Cook famously tried to sign Rooney for Manchester City from Man Utd in 2010.
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    And now, 13 years on, Cook has finally got his man, albeit in a different capacity.
    On his appointment, Rooney said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City Football Club at such an exciting time.

    “It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realising their ambition for the club. We are fully aligned on what is expected.
    “I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments, to get me ready for this opportunity.
    “It’s a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can’t wait to get started.”
    Cook also expressed his “excitement” at Rooney’s arrival.
    Fans will be eagerly anticipating the England legend’s first starting XI at St. Andrews and how it may progress in the coming windows.
    Rooney began his managerial career in the Championship with Derby County.
    When he took over at Pride Park in November 2020, the Rams were rock bottom of the table, but they escaped relegation at the end of the campaign under the ex-striker’s guidance.
    Rooney resigned at the end of the following campaign after Derby were relegated to League One and went on to join MLS side DC United.
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    He was in charge of the Washington-based team for 52 games, racking up just 13 wins and 26 defeats.
    Rooney previously managed Derby in the ChampionshipCredit: Getty
    How Rooney’s Birmingham could line up in the future
    More to follow.
    THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More