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      in Soccer

      Euro 2004 England team who played against Croatia and where they are now, including Rooney, Campbell and James

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      ENGLAND’S Golden Generation had fans dreaming of silverware when Sven Goran-Eriksson’s side lined up at Euro 2004.And 18 years ago, they managed a 4-2 win over Croatia that had us all believing they could go all the way.
      England lined up in a 4-4-2 against Croatia
      Two goals from Wayne Rooney and one each from Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard saw the Three Lions reach the knockout stages of the Euros on foreign soil for the first time ever.
      The group stage wasn’t without its drama, with Zinedine Zidane putting two past England in injury time to beat Goran-Eriksson’s men 2-1 in their opening game.
      But the painful defeat was soon a distant memory as the Three Lions put three past Switzerland in their next match, before that victory over Croatia.
      With undoubtedly one of the strongest sides since their 1966 World Cup win, the nation was left shattered after penalty heartbreak to Portugal in the quarter-final.
      It was a case of what could have been if Rooney hadn’t broken his metatarsal in the early stages of the game.
      But where are the players that featured in that contest now?
      David James
      Keeper James played for England until the World Cup in 2010 earning 53 caps.
      After a year stint at Bournemouth in 2013, James raised eyebrows with a move to Icelandic side ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar in a player/coaching capacity.
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      He then moved to India with Kerala Blasters as a player and later managed the club in 2018.
      James was eventually sacked as manager 11 months later, and is now an occasional pundit on Sky Sports.
      David James was England’s No1 for more than 50 gamesCredit: Getty
      His post-playing career has seen a foray into managementCredit: Getty – Pool
      Gary Neville
      The former Manchester United right-back hung up his boots in 2011 and has since forged out a successful career as a pundit for Sky Sports.
      Alongside Jamie Carragher, Neville has become a huge hit with viewers on Sky Sports for his in-depth analysis.
      The Twitter regular also had an unsuccessful spell as manager of Valencia and was England’s assistant manager.
      SunSport revealed that Neville is raking in £20,000 a month from the terraces — after buying four Georgian townhouses.
      John Terry
      The Chelsea legend has also gone into coaching and continues to build his reputation on the touchline.
      After ending his illustrious playing career at Aston Villa, Terry took up an assistant manager position to boss Dean Smith but has since left.
      He is now hunting for his first manager’s job and is working as a youth development coach at Chelsea.
      John Terry left Chelsea and finished his playing career at Aston VillaCredit: Getty
      Terry enjoyed a coaching job with VillaCredit: Getty
      Sol Campbell
      Defensive rock Campbell retired from football in 2011 after a final spell at Newcastle.
      He then had a number of years out of the game where he turned to politics and in 2015 confirmed his intention to run for the Conservative Party nomination for the Mayor of London.
      He returned to football in 2017 when he was assistant manager to Dennis Lawrence at Trinidad and Tobago.
      He got a shot of management at Macclesfield and pulled off a great escape to keep them in League Two.
      Campbell was later appointed Southend manager, but left the club in 2020.
      The former defender was in the running for the QPR job, but Michael Beale has pipped him to the post for the role.
      Sol Campbell was a defensive rock for EnglandCredit: Getty
      Sol’s worked as a football manager in recent yearsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Ashley Cole
      After a stint in the MLS, he spent a season at Derby before retiring.
      Now one of England’s greatest left-backs is forging out a career in coaching and was part of the staff working alongside Frank Lampard at Everton before he was sacked.
      Cole is also a pundit for the BBC and covered the Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Leicester City in the FA Cup final.
      David Beckham
      Golden Balls remains one of the most famous names in football and is looking to take the MLS to new levels with his latest venture.
      He retired in 2013 after playing for Paris Saint-Germain and became co-owner of Manchester-based side Salford City.
      Beckham is also president of Inter Miami CF, who recently enticed Lionel Messi to the MLS.
      David Beckham was England’s biggest star throughout his international daysCredit: Offside Sports
      Becks remains one of the world’s most famous facesCredit: Getty
      Steven Gerrard
      Gerrard retired in 2016 after spending a season at LA Galaxy.
      He then returned to boyhood club Liverpool as a youth coach in January 2017.
      He took charge of the Under-18 side before being announced as the manager of Rangers in 2018, where he helped the club win the Scottish league.
      Last season, he was sacked as Aston Villa manager and has been linked with a return to management by Leeds.
      Frank Lampard
      Lampard has enjoyed a meteoric rise as a coach after hanging up his boots.
      After a stint working in media, Derby announced his managerial appointment for the 2018-19 campaign.
      A heartbreaking play-off defeat followed before Chelsea sensationally announced his return as manager following the departure of Maurizio Sarri.
      He finished in the top four in his first season, but was sacked in his second.
      But, he returned to management at Everton – saving the club from relegation in dramatic fashion.
      Lampard was sacked by the Toffees last season and became Chelsea interim manager, until Mauricio Pochettino was brought in to the club.
      Frank Lampard (right) was a midfield regular for EnglandCredit: PA:Press Association
      Chelsea hero Lampard became boss of his old club but was sacked and is now in charge of EvertonCredit: PA
      Paul Scholes
      Goalscorer against Croatia, the once publicity-shy Scholes has emerged into the limelight to become a television pundit.
      He has also become Salford’s co-owner with his Class of ’92 Manchester United team-mates.
      Scholes had a brief managerial stint at Oldham but quit after just seven games in charge.
      Most recently, he was seen playing in Soccer Aid, where he was unfortunately injured.
      Michael Owen
      Once England’s wonderkid, Owen now works as a pundit for BT Sport.
      He also followed up his interest in horse racing by becoming a racehorse breeder.
      Owen also released a book called Reboot: My life, my time.
      Michael Owen was England’s wonderkidCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The prolific goalscorer is now a pundit for BT SportCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Wayne Rooney
      Rooney, who scored twice against Croatia, was the last member of the side to hang up his boots.
      Following time spent in the MLS with DC United, Rooney sensationally made a return to England for a swansong at Championship side Derby.
      He was the Rams boss after retiring from playing, but couldn’t save the club from relegation after being hindered by a points deduction.
      Rooney now manages another former club in DC United.
      Wayne Rooney ended up scoring 53 goals for England – the all-time recordCredit: Getty
      Rooney is now DC United manager
      Subs
      Darius Vassell
      Vassell never played for England again after missing the penalty against Portugal at Euro 2004.
      The striker has gone off the radar after officially retiring in 2016.
      After leaving Man City in 2009, he went to Turkish side Ankaragücü before ending his career at Leicester.
      Phil Neville
      Neville has enjoyed a varied coaching role after retiring from playing.
      From caretaker boss of Salford, he was assistant to brother Gary at Valencia before taking the England Women’s manager role.
      He joined Becks in America to become coach of Inter Miami, but was fired this season following a poor run.
      He is also co-owner of Salford.
      Ledley King
      King remains a one-club man after injuries forced him to retire from football in 2012.
      He is still employed by Tottenham, where he is a club ambassador. More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing legend Ken Buchanan became a joiner after expensive divorce before tragically dying in a care home

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      WHEN the sublime Ken Buchanan fell on  financial hard times thanks to an expensive divorce and failed business ventures, he turned to his old trade as a joiner.Well into his fifties, he was working on a luxury housing development outside of Glasgow.
      The great Ken Buchanan became undisputed world lightweight champion in 1971Credit: Getty
      Buchanan was one of Scotland’s finest ever ambassadors for sportCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Fellow icon Mike Tyson was thrilled to meet his ‘hero’ Buchanan in 2000Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Ken was sitting on a pile of bricks having a lunch break with a group of bricklayers when he was approached by a man who came out of the show house clutching a brochure.
      Believing he recognised the elderly fella drinking his mug of tea, he asked: “Are you Ken Buchanan?”
      Finding he was correct, he said: “Mr Buchanan, I’ve been one of your greatest admirers and I’m honoured to shake your hand. Would you sign my brochure?”
      As the happy fan left with Ken’s signature, one awestruck young workmate said: “F*** me, Kenny —  you must be some joiner.”

      I’ve no idea how good a master joiner Ken was but, covering many of his big fights in the 1960s and ’70s I do know he was a master in the ring.
      Ken, 77, suffered from dementia and died in a care home last weekend.
      And with due respect to Benny Lynch, Walter McGowan and Josh Taylor, he was undeniably Scotland’s greatest-ever fighter.
      Pound-for-pound he was one of the three best British fighters I’ve seen in my near 60 years as a boxing writer.
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      John Conteh and Joe Calzaghe are the others.
      It was a privilege to watch his virtuoso displays which led him to become the undisputed world lightweight champion. In his tartan shorts, he looked  straight out of a boxing textbook.
      With a left jab made in heaven he was all grace, speed and accuracy —  never wasting a punch.
      Ken won his first world title against all the odds, beating Panamanian Ismael Laguna in the blazing heat of a Puerto Rican open-air stadium.
      The Americans were so impressed he ended up headlining five times at Madison Square Garden.
      The hard-to-please New York crowd  loved him. On his first starring appearance there against Canada’s Donato Paduano in a non-title contest, Muhammad Ali — having  a comeback fight with Oscar Bonavena — was on his undercard.
      Ken delighted in telling the story of how Angelo Dundee, Ali’s trainer, asked him if he would let The Greatest share his dressing room as he hadn’t been allocated one.
      He couldn’t agree fast enough but, when Ali arrived, Ken drew an imaginary line down the  room and told him, “Don’t cross that line or there will be trouble.” Ali thought it was hilarious.
      Not one of Ken’s  69 fights was at home in Edinburgh — only fighting in Scotland four times in a 17-year career.
      So, just how good was he? When  Mike Tyson met Lou Savarese in Glasgow 23 years ago  — Savarese lasted 38 seconds  — I told him Ken would be at the weigh-in.
      He lit up and said: “Please introduce me — he is one of my heroes.”
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      I did and he took Ken to his suite, where they talked boxing for hours.
      Kobe Bryant, the late basketball star, was right about sporting giants like Ken Buchanan, when he said: “Heroes come and go but legends are forever.”
      Buchanan was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002Credit: PA
      Cuban-born Frankie Otero was twice beaten by Buchanan in 1973Credit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Man City star is unrecognisable without his iconic haircut in astonishing throwback picture on Instagram

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      THIS England and Man City star has become synonymous with his famous haircuts.Fans have become used to only seeing him with his slick barnet on and off the pitch.
      England favourite pictured long before his more familiar haircut
      But it hasn’t always been this way.
      Grealish and Robinson grew up together in the Aston Villa academy.
      They struck up a great friendship as they rose through the ranks.
      Both made it to Villa’s first-team, although Robinson was sold in 2016 after five senior appearances.
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      However, distance clearly hasn’t harmed their bromance, with Grealish having included plenty of more recent snaps in his birthday post back in March.
      The pair can be seen holidaying together down the years, having a laugh on and off the pitch.
      While Grealish signed for City for £100million in 2021, Robinson has also carved out a good career for himself.
      The forward is now at Cardiff City in the Championship.
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      Grealish has enjoyed great success at City since his move culminating in a treble win this season.
      The England star led the celebrations after winning the Champions League final in Istanbul with his team-mates in the changing room as he started chanting about Rodri’s winning goal.
      He was also part of the team’s short trip to Ibiza when he was pictured looking worse for wear as he had to be helped by Kyle Walker as they headed to the airport to get their flight back to Manchester.
      He was pictured in the same shirt he had worn on the night out as he disembarked the plane back after landing.
      Meanwhile Grealish has been celebrating Man City’s treble winCredit: AFP
      After starting the trophy parade through the City, Grealish was involved in a few hilarious moments, including begging Bernardo Silva to stay at the club.
      Erling Haaland poured champagne over his head, leaving him looking unimpressed.
      Once making it to the stage, the 27-year-old then stopped the proceedings as he demanded to be given more alcohol.
      After his time on stage, he continued the party into the early morning hours at a club in Manchester.
      He was snapped wearing Dolce & Gabbana pyjamas as he entered the club.
      Grealish and Robinson remain great friends
      The pair have shared many laughs together
      They grew up in Aston Villa’s academyCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Best XI of stars who could have played for England but chose another country including Haaland, Bale and McTominay

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      ENGLAND will be aiming to end nearly 60 years of hurt once the Euro 2024 qualifiers are done.The Three Lions came close at the 2018 World Cup when they made the semi-finals as well as Euro 2020 when they were denied by Italy in the final, but came up short in Qatar last year as they crashed out in the quarter-finals by France.

      But there’s still a sense of excitement surrounding the current, youthful squad.
      For decades, England supporters have been forced to put up with uninspiring, humdrum squads – particularly since the so-called “Golden Generation” called time on their careers.
      During those years, a host of big-name, foreign Premier League players were being tipped to swap allegiances and represent England.
      Even more recently, some superstars – including Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland – have been linked with playing for the Three Lions.

      Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Giovanni Reyna was also rumoured to play for England, having been born in Sunderland during dad Claudio’s spell in the Premier League.
      However, Reyna has now represented the USA 12 times to put an end to those rumours.
      But he was by no means the first foreign player to be considered by England.
      Check out our best XI of those who got away…
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      GK – Carlo Cudicini
      Carlo Cudicini was once in the crosshairs of England during his Chelsea daysCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The Italian spent 12 years in England playing for Chelsea and then Tottenham.
      In 2003, Carlo Cudicini was on the radar of the FA but a FIFA rule-change scuppered their plans.
      Cudicini never earned a senior cap for Italy, stuck behind Gianluigi Buffon.
      RB – Victor Moses
      Victor Moses played for England’s youth teams but never made a senior appearance before choosing NigeriaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Victor Moses spent five years working his way through England’s youth ranks – playing 29 matches in total.
      However, the Chelsea man opted for Nigeria in 2012, two years after earning his sole cap for England’s Under-21s.
      Moses had initially opted to play for England and saw his Nigeria debut delayed as his application to FIFA to switch nationalities was submitted late.
      CB – Wes Morgan
      Wes Morgan chose to play for Jamaica in 2013 despite being born and raised in Nottingham
      Born and raised in Nottingham, Wes Morgan spent a decade at Forest before joining Leicester in 2012.
      Morgan would have been in contention for a spot in the England team during Leicester’s incredible 2015-2016 title success.
      But in 2013, the centre-back switched allegiances to Jamaica – for whom he played 30 times until his final game in 2016.
      LB – Sylvain Distin
      England had hoped to pinch DSylvain istin – who never played for France – but saw their plan foiledCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      Snubbed time and time again by France, the former Manchester City, Portsmouth and Everton star popped up on England’s radar in the 2000s and early 2010s.
      Sylvain Distin played more Premier League games than any other foreign outfield player in history.
      But the defender never earned a cap for France – having also failed to feature in any of their youth squads.
      England were believed to be interested but saw their plans scuppered by the Home Nations Agreement.
      CM – Mikel Arteta
      Mikel Arteta never played for Spain but would have been a shoo-in for England but for eligibility rules scuppering the switchCredit: EPA
      Thriving during his time at Everton, Mikel Arteta failed to break into the Spain squad, stuck behind Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas in the pecking order.
      That piqued England’s interest under Fabio Capello but a FIFA rule change in 2010 scuppered any plans of calling up the now-Arsenal boss.
      The FA believed Arteta to be eligible due to the five-year residency rule, but FIFA rejected the claim.
      The high-flying Arsenal manager himself threatened to “go to war” but decided against a battle with FIFA.
      CM – Scott McTominay
      McTominay opted to play for Scotland after a trip from McLeish and some words from FergieCredit: AP
      Born in Lancaster, England, the Manchester United ace would go on to reveal he had always wanted to play for Scotland, having Scottish blood on his father’s side.
      But before that admission, both England and Scotland were chasing the midfielder.
      Alex McLeish battled horrific weather to reach Carrington to speak with Scott McTominay about his allegiance, while Southgate “just sent a text”.
      That – and a nudge from Sir Alex Ferguson – convinced McTominay to opt for Scotland.
      CM – Edu
      Edu contemplated switching allegiance to England after being granted a British passportCredit: AFP
      Edu was close to picking England as his national team after being granted a British passport during his five years at Arsenal.
      The midfielder seriously considered the Three Lions, believing his chance of earning a place in the Brazil squad was limited.
      However, Edu was called up by Brazil in 2004, ending the debate.
      The Arsenal sporting director would go on to play 15 times for the Selecao.
      RW – Adnan Januzaj
      England hoped to convince Januzaj to play for them but the winger fell short of eligibility rulesCredit: Reuters
      In 2013, then bursting onto the scene at United, Roy Hodgson revealed he was looking into the possibility of Adnan Januzaj playing for the Three Lions.
      Hodgson believed the winger fulfilled the requirements to qualify for England – which he didn’t.
      Januzaj would go on to play for Belgium and even scored the winner against England in their 2018 World Cup group game.
      LW – Wilfried Zaha
      Wilfried Zaha swapped England for Ivory Coast in 2017 after four years in the wildernessCredit: Alamy
      Having moved to England from Ivory Coast at the age of four, Wilfried Zaha appeared fully committed to the Three Lions.
      Zaha played 13 times for England’s Under-21s and even played twice for the senior team.
      However, as both games were friendlies the winger was still eligible to switch to Ivory Coast.
      After failing to be called up for four years, Zaha did turn to the African nation in search of international football in 2017 and has gone on to play 28 times.
      ST – Gareth Bale
      Gareth bale never had any intention of playing for England but was eligibleCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Bale was always eligible to play for England through his grandmother.
      Having spent all of his youth career from the age of 10 at Southampton, the Three Lions had hoped he’d play for them.
      However, he was quick to snub England and would go on to play for Wales.
      In 2016, Bale even said: “I wouldn’t care if I never qualified – I would never play for England.”
      ST – Erling Haaland
      Erling Haaland was eligible to play for England before he made his Norway debutCredit: Rex
      Born in Leeds during dad Alf-Inge’s time in the Premier League, Erling Haaland was incredibly eligible to play for England.
      Read more on The Sun
      However, there was never any doubt in Haaland’s mind he would play for Norway like his old man.
      He has since played 23 times, scoring 21 goals – making himself ineligible to play for England, and is starring for Manchester City. More

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      in Soccer

      Meet the Fake footballer who conned Champions League side CSKA Sofia into offering him a £15k-a-month deal

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      A FAKE footballer revealed how he convinced a Champions League club to offer him a £15,000-a-month contract.Frenchman Gregoire Akcelrod, now 40, sent out a fake CV and created a website filled with made-up match reports in a bid to fool some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
      Akcelrod played for PSG’s fifth tier amateur side but pretended he was a professional player for their senior team
      Akcelrod also utilised the fact that he played for Paris Saint-Germain’s amateur side – a level of football he describes as the “worst in France” – to fool other teams.
      And after receiving trial offers from Norwich, Bournemouth, and Swindon, he eventually attracted the attention of then-Champions League side CSKA Sofia in 2009.
      With the Bulgarian club believing he was a PSG reserve team player, a deal looked set to go through before it was scuppered in the final stages when some discrepancies were detected by fans.
      Speaking to The Mail in 2021, he said: “I did the two day trial and on the Sunday the coach told my agent that he wanted to sign me.
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      “They took photos of me in the CSKA official jersey, I signed the contract, they published on the CSKA website that I was signing.
      “But it was the PSG fans who destroyed me. Overnight, one CSKA Sofia fan contacted a PSG online forum and asked, ‘We are about to sign Greg Akcelrod, what do you think about him?’
      “All the PSG fans didn’t know me. They said I was fake, they checked my website. But some of it was true, the video at Swindon for example.
      “The CSKA fan contacted every journalist in Sofia and it was revealed the club were going to sign a fake player.”
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      After the secret was out, Akcelrod was told to head back to France, but that did not stop him pursuing a career in football.
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      He went on to play in Greece and Kuwait, as well as for top tier Canadian team Mississauga Eagles.
      Akcelrod is not the first prankster to fool a top football club.
      The most famous example is Ali Dia back in the 1990s, who conned Southampton and manager Graeme Souness into agreeing a one-month deal.
      Dia signed for the Saints in 1996 after Souness was contacted by someone claiming to be World Player of the Year George Weah.
      He recommended that Southampton sign his ‘cousin’ Dia, who had allegedly played and scored for PSG and Senegal.
      Dia featured in one five-a-side trial and the next day faced Leeds United in a 2-0 defeat.
      He never made a second appearance for Southampton.
      Akcelrod managed to fool an elite European club into believing he was a real player More

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      in Soccer

      Champions League winner is completely unrecognisable 25 years after lifting the cup and now boasts a ripped body

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      THIS former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid ace looks amazing for 48-years-old.Back in 1998, the ex-Brazilian international was a Champions League winner with the Spanish giants.
      Can you guess who this former Brazil international is?
      He’s bulked up since his playing days
      He won 85 caps for his countryCredit: Instagram zr11
      He regularly uploads fitness videosCredit: Instagram zr11
      He won five major European league titlesCredit: Instagram zr11
      During his illustrious playing days, he won two Copa Americas and finished runner-up at the 1998 World Cup.
      The versatile left-back-turned-midfielder made 85 Brazil appearances and scored six times for his country.
      He lifted one LaLiga and the Champions League with Real.
      He also claimed four Bundesliga titles in six years at Bayern spread over two stints in Germany.
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      But can you guess who it is?
      It is, of course, ex-midfielder Ze Roberto who enjoyed a stellar career as a player.
      However, he never looked this buff and has clearly been working out religiously since retiring from the game in 2017.
      He has since stunned fans on social media, showing off his hench body transformation akin to a bodybuilder.
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      The Samba star uploaded an Instagram video of himself during a training session in the park during the Covid lockdown.
      Now a personal trainer, he gave an insight into how he was able to outlast so many of his former team-mates.
      He told local media in the past: “I have no vices. I don’t drink alcoholic beverages, I don’t smoke, I eat very well, I sleep well.
      “I have my family, which is my greatest security.
      “I think those are important factors to reach the age I reached and still continue playing at a high level.”
      And back in 2020 he even claimed he has a better physique than the ripped Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
      He told TyC Sports: “Today I would say that I have a better physique, because I played until I was 43-years-old.
      “If he does [play until then], I will say it is him.”
      Although with Ronaldo revealing he plans to keep playing into his 40s Ze Roberto may well be forced into making the admission.
      That’s of course former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid ace Ze RobertoCredit: Instagram /@fcbayern
      Ze Roberto claims he even has a better physique than Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Instagram / @cristiano
      Ze Roberto pictured in action for Brazil at the 2006 World Cup
      In 1997 Ze Roberto was playing for Real Madrid More

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      in Soccer

      Man City’s wages revealed, with £375k-a-week Erling Haaland second behind captain Kevin De Bruyne who is highest-earner

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      ERLING HAALAND might be best goalscorer in English football but he is still only Manchester City’s second highest earner.The Norwegian forward has taken the league by storm since his £51million summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

      Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland are City’s top two earnersCredit: Rex
      City beat off interest from all of Europe’s elite clubs to secure Haaland’s signature on a five-year, £375,000-a-week contract.
      The 22-year-old instantly repaid them blasting 52 goals in all competitions in his first season at the club.
      Only Kevin De Bruyne earns more than Haaland at the Etihad.
      The City skipper penned a four-year £400,000-a-week deal in April 2021, as per Spotrac.
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      De Bruyne, 31, is the Prem’s highest earning player – having previously only been behind axed Manchester United misfit Cristiano Ronaldo – who pocketed £500k prior to his Old Trafford departure.
      Third on the list is £100m signing Jack Grealish.
      The England international signed a £300,000-a-week deal when he left boyhood club Aston Villa for City in 2021.
      Grealish’s fellow Three Lions ace John Stones, as well as Joao Cancelo, are next, with the defenders reportedly pocketing £250,000 a week each. Although Cancelo’s wages were partly paid by Bayern Munich, who he joined on loan in January.
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      Phil Foden is next on £225,000 a week, having finally penned a new deal last October.
      Midfielder Rodri takes home £220,000 a week, while summer signing Manuel Akanji is reportedly on £180,000 after his switch from Dortmund.
      Ruben Dias signed a six-year deal on £180,000 a week in August 2021.
      Riyad Mahrez and Kyle Walker reportedly pocket £160,000 a week each.
      While summer recruit Kalvin Phillips is claimed to be earning £150,000 a week at Eastlands, with Bernardo Silva pocketing the same amount.
      Last season’s final day title hero Ilkay Gundogan is on a £140,000-a-week deal – with Aymeric Laporte on £120,000.
      No1 goalkeeper Ederson reportedly makes £100,000 a week – with his deputy Stefan Ortega on £55,000.
      Nathan Ake signed a £92,308 weekly deal after his switch from Bournemouth.
      Read more on The Sun
      Promising World Cup-winning forward Julian Alvarez joined on a £50,000 weekly deal – with veteran reserve goalkeeper Scott Carson on £30,000.
      Academy graduate Cole Palmer is on £20,000 a-week
      Jack Grealish and John Stones are among City’s highest earnersCredit: The Times More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Peter Schmeichel claims a Champions League club were on verge of signing son Kasper back in January

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      PETER SCHMEICHEL has claimed that his son, Kasper, was on the verge of joining Bayern Munich.The Manchester United legend revealed the information during an appearance on live television.
      Kasper Schmeichel almost left Nice last JanuaryCredit: Reuters
      His father Peter Schmeichel revealed he was in talks with Bayern MunichCredit: .
      Speaking ahead of Bayern’s Champions League clash against PSG back in March, Peter told CBS Sports Golazo “It could have been my son [playing against PSG].
      “On they very same day that they signed [Yann] Sommer they were also in talks with my son.”
      Bayern were in the market for a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window following an injury to Manuel Neuer.
      It seems as though their options were dwindled down to two, Yann Sommer and Kasper Schmeichel.
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      In the end, the Bundesliga giants opted for the Borussia Mönchengladbach stopper over the former Leicester City star.
      This meant that Schmeichel would see out the season with Ligue 1 side Nice, along with other former Premier League stars such as Ross Barkley and Aaron Ramsey.
      While Sommer played his part in Bayern’s 1-0 victory over PSG at the Parc des Princes.
      After a poor start in France, Nice and Schmeichel finished the season in the top half of the table in ninth. The shotstopper recorded 11 clean sheets and the team only conceded 32 goals, making them the second meanest defence in Ligue 1.
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      However, the 36-year-old hasn’t made many friends in France – because of his reported training regime away from the rest of his team-mates.
      Schmeichel, who only joined the club last summer, could be set to move again – with L’Equipe saying his team-mates are also frustrated with his lack of leadership. More