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      Adriano sold £1.2m mansion and moved into luxury £10k-a-month hotel room – with Brazil legend taking only his trophies

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      FORMER Brazil forward Adriano checked into a luxury hotel after selling his mansion – leaving everything behind but his medals.He lived in the presidential suite of luxury hotel Grand Hyatt in the upscale neighbourhood of Barra da Tijuca in the city of Rio de Janeiro for some time.
      Ex-Brazil striker Adriano sold his mansionCredit: @adrianoimperador/Golders
      Adriano checked into a luxury hotelCredit: @adrianoimperador/Golders
      The former footballer left everything behind but his medalsCredit: @adrianoimperador/Golders
      According to A Tribuna, the ex-Inter Milan forward paid £10,000 every month in rent after selling his mansion for £1.2million.
      Local media say Adriano left nearly all his belongings behind for the new owners and took with him only a number of sentimental items which included awards from his playing days.
      The 41-year-old won four Serie A titles with Inter and two Campeonato Brasileiro trophies, won at Flamengo and Corinthians.
      But Adriano, who last played professionally for Miami United in 2016, has had a turbulent number of years both on and off the pitch.
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      He fell into heavy drinking following the death of his father while he was in Italy and was accused of drug trafficking in 2010, charges which he was cleared of in 2014.
      Following concerns about his health, he was even forced to deny rumours of his death in 2020.
      It is believed the retired footballer invested in a nearby beachside property, following his hotel stay.
      Adriano’s former pad boasts a dining room, swimming pool and full board with gourmet dishes.
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      Adriano enjoyed the good life in the presidential suite of luxury hotel Grand HyattCredit: Royal Hyatt
      The hotel is in the upscale neighbourhood of Barra do Tijuca in the city of Rio de JaneiroCredit: Royal Hyatt
      The ex-Inter Milan forward was believed to have paid £10,000 every month in rentCredit: Royal Hyatt
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      The once lethal finisher, who won the Copa America in 2004, played alongside stars such as Kaka and Ronaldinho back in the day.
      He scored 27 times in his 48 international caps, last playing for his country in 2010.
      The forward scored 27 times in his 48 international capsCredit: @adrianoimperador/Golders
      Adriano last played for his country in 2010Credit: @adrianoimperador/Golders More

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      I played Champions League football for Man Utd in 2003, but now I am a builder and trained plumber

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      ON March 18, 2003 Lee Roche was thrown in at the deep end – handed his Champions League debut against Deportivo La Coruna in a 2-0 defeat.Some five years later, he was left on the football scrapheap and now works on building sites installing cavity wall insulation, and is a trained plumber.
      Former Man Utd youngster Lee Roche made his Champions League debut in 2003Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Today, Roche is a builder and trained plumber

      Now 42, Roche was given a free transfer two months after his bow in Europe’s premier club competition.
      And when a football career petered out after spells at Wrexham, Burnley and Droylsden, the youngster had to come up with a different plan in life with the help of the PFA.
      COMING TO AN END
      At the age of 27, Roche was admittedly fed up of the game.
      He’d bounced from a loan deal at Wrexham to Burnley, then back to Wrexham again.
      read more on Man Utd
      Injuries began to take their toll, and the former England U21 star lost his hunger for playing.
      “I was coming home and not wanting to even watch football on the TV, he told Planet Football.
      After he was released by the Welsh club, he trained with Royal Antwerp and former United youth Warren Joyce.
      But when a move failed to materialise, he signed for non-league Droylsden in 2007.
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      It was there he started to think about a life after the beautiful game.
      Promising youngster Roche was released by Man Utd in 2003 and after bouncing around at different clubs needed to find a different careerCredit: Getty
      Roche, chatting to PFA member Don Goodman, was helped by the organisation to retrain in a new careerCredit: Twitter @PFA
      With the help of the PFA, Roche now has his own cavity wall insulation business
      The PFA supported the lost talent and helped him retrain in another profession.
      Today, Roche is a qualified plumber and has his own cavity wall insulation business.
      “I have had a few fellow workers on the building sites asking me about United and how have I ended up here,” he revealed.
      “It can get pretty tiresome so I don’t go shouting about that I played for United. I do think young players today should be made to train as something, so they know about the real world.
      “Most of them probably don’t have a plan to fall back on if they don’t make it as a professional.”
      BAPTISM OF FIRE
      Roche made two starts for United, but it was always in scratch sides.
      His debut came in 2001 in a Worthington Cup tie against Arsenal – a 4-0 thrashing in a team that featured mainly reserve players.
      In 2001 Roche appeared for Man Utd for the very first time against Arsenal in a Worthington Cup tieCredit: PA
      Roche, up against Arsenal striker Kanu, couldn’t believe the size of his opponents feetCredit: PA
      “Sylvain Wiltord scored a hat-trick and I remember Kanu being a massive handful – I couldn’t get over the size of his feet,” Roche joked.
      “At one point, he flicked the ball over my head and volleyed it, but it went just over the bar, thankfully, otherwise it would have been one of those goals which would have been shown forever.
      “There was no hairdryer from Sir Alex afterwards because he knew we had been up against it. I took what I could from that game and tried to learn from it.”
      A year later, Roche came on as a sub against Newcastle United in front of a packed house at Old Trafford in a 5-3 win.
      “It was unbelievable, coming on in front of 75,000 fans at Old Trafford,” he said.
      “I did okay, but I remember Sir Alex talking to me afterwards because Alan Shearer had beaten me at the far post to win a header, so he told me to get up first and not let the forwards do that to me.”
      THE BIG LEAGUE
      Roche’s third and final performance for United was in the Champions League.
      Roche made his final appearance for United against Deportivo La Coruna in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      At half-time Roche was hauled off as United lost 2-0 to the LaLiga sideCredit: PA
      He appeared against Deportivo, who at the time were LaLiga challengers to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      Playing in a back three with Laurent Blanc and John O’Shea, the Red Devils look disjointed in a different formation.
      Roche, himself, was hauled off at half-time with the Premier League giants trailing 1-0 at the break.
      “I was up against (Albert) Luque and thought I had done alright, but I wasn’t going to come off and start arguing with Sir Alex,” he said.
      “Giggsy told me to keep my chin up and that I had not done anything wrong. Sir Alex didn’t tell me why I had been substituted, but I didn’t want to overthink it.”
      ‘NO REGRETS’
      Despite how his football career turned out, Roche is thankful for his time at Manchester United.
      Although he doesn’t have any regrets, there is one thing perhaps he might’ve done different.
      “I don’t have any regrets,” Roche revealed.
      Despite his career not panning out how he had hoped, Roche was no regretsCredit: Rex
      “The only thing I would point out is that I was known at United for being really quiet, so perhaps I should have been more assertive and mingled more with the lads.
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      “I’d be straight off home after training to hang out with my own group of friends. I look back now at team-mates like John (O’Shea) and Darren Fletcher and think I should have been more like them and gone out and socialised.
      “I think it would have gone down better with United.” More

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      Where Tottenham’s ‘Magnificent Seven’, including Soldado and Paulinho, who were signed with Bale money in 2013, are now

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      IN 2013, Spurs were forced to blow up their squad following the world-record sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.The Welshman had scored 26 goals in the previous campaign, sweeping the Premier League’s various individual awards ahead of the likes of Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard.
      Spurs recruited the ‘Magnificent Seven’ in the summer of 2013
      Gareth Bale was unveiled at Real Madrid in September 2013Credit: AFP
      But there was a problem – Tottenham missed out on Champions League qualification by a point.
      Daniel Levy was bullish that he could keep his star asset, but Real Madrid turned on their charm offensive and it soon became just a matter of when, not if.
      So Spurs got busy, signing seven new players for more than £100million – as the line went, they’d ‘sold Elvis, and signed The Beatles’.
      But while Bale was off winning Champions League titles with Madrid, Spurs’ new signings were producing contrasting performances.
      read more tottenham news
      So let’s take a look at what became of the ‘Magnificent Seven’.
      ROBERTO SOLDADO – £26m
      Spurs thought that they had secured a prolific goalscorer in SoldadoCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Soldado, 37, joined Levante from LaLiga rivals GranadaCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
      Spaniard Soldado was probably the most exciting of the acquisitions, when he arrived from Valencia for £26m, fresh from wowing at the Confederations Cup and banging in 24 goals in LaLiga.
      Despite no lack of trying, his time at White Hart Lane was a disaster, however, as he only managed seven goals in 52 Premier League appearances – with five of them coming from the penalty spot.
      Levy did manage to squeeze £10m out of Villarreal for his services in 2015, and he has since played for Fenerbahce and Granada.
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      Now 37, he plays for Spanish second division side Levante – where he has 10 goals in 47 games across two seasons.
      PAULINHO – £17m
      The Brazilian struggled to make an impact at SpursCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Paulinho played for Saudi side Al-Ahli after reinventing himself in ChinaCredit: AFP or licensors

      Another that arrived off the back of a stellar Confederations Cup, Spurs fans thought they were getting ‘the Brazilian Frank Lampard’ when Paulinho arrived in N17.
      Initial performances were steady, with a late back-heeled winner at Cardiff prompting pandemonium among the travelling supporters.
      Things went downhill very quickly, however, with Paulinho being red carded in Andre Villas-Boas’ final game in charge, before becoming a nervous wreck barely capable of completing a five-yard pass by the end.
      He was offered a career lifeline by Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou Evergrande, where he became a big star – via a very strange, if not totally unsuccessful year at Barcelona.
      Paulinho, 34, linked up with Saudi side Al-Ahli but signed a deal with Corinthians in 2022.
      VLAD CHIRICHES – £8m
      The Romanian struggled to cut down on his mistakes at TottenhamCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Sun
      A considerably scarier-looking Chiriches playing for Sassuolo in Serie ACredit: Reuters
      Fans were excited at Chiriches’ arrival, as they thought they’d unearthed a hidden gem from Steaua Bucharest, with a penchant for playing the ball out from the back.
      And while he was very laid back, it often proved to be to the team’s detriment, as his casual style tended to gift opponents easy goals, while leaving fans’ hearts in their mouths.
      Like Soldado and Paulinho, Chiriches lasted two seasons at the Lane, before being shipped off to Napoli.
      The Romanian managed just 48 appearances across four seasons at San Paulo, before joining Sassuolo on loan two years ago – before making it permanent for just shy of £10m.
      Last summer, he was snapped up by Cremonese – and at 33 still plays in Serie A.
      NACER CHADLI – £7m
      Chadli became a useful player in his three years at SpursCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      One of the more successful acquisitions of that summer, Chadli became a popular figure at Spurs despite an underwhelming start.
      The Belgian joined from FC Twente, having scored against Tottenham home and away in the 2010-11 Champions League campaign.
      But it was not until his second season that he really began to shine, scoring 13 goals as Mauricio Pochettino began to transform the club’s fortunes.
      He left for West Brom in 2017, eventually joining Istanbul Basaksehir in 2020, via stints at Monaco and Anderlecht.
      This season, the Turkish team loaned the now 33-year-old to Belgium side KVC Westerlo, who he has scored five goals in 23 games for.
      ETIENNE CAPOUE – £9m
      Etienne Capoue struggled to make a big impact at SpursCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Capoue helped Villarreal beat Manchester United in the Europa League finalCredit: Getty – Pool
      Neither wildly awful nor outstandingly memorable, Capoue is possibly the most forgettable player of the seven.
      With Sandro having regressed due to knee injuries, Capoue initially seemed to be the perfect foil for Mousa Dembele in his place.
      But the Frenchman fell out of favour despite steady performances, although was hung out to dry following a few awful displays as a makeshift centre-back.
      He lasted one season beyond Pochettino’s arrival in 2014, before joining Watford.
      Capoue made 11 outings in the Championship in the first half of the 2020-21 season, before signing for Villarreal in the January transfer window.
      And his impact was immediate as he helped the Spanish side beat Manchester United in the Europa League final – the club’s first major trophy in their history.
      While he was also crucial in their Champions League run last season to the semi-final.
      CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – £11m
      Eriksen was a talismanic figure at Tottenham for more than six seasonsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Eriksen is now starring for Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Without doubt the most successful acquisition of that summer, Christian Eriksen was an outstanding, indispensable member of the squad for six years, before eventually departing for Inter Milan in January 2020.
      A bargain at £11m, the Dane, 31, papered over cracks during Tim Sherwood’s tenure, pulling out a brilliant goal or moment of genius time and time again to dig the team out of trouble.
      He then became vital to Pochettino’s side, so much so that they struggled to adapt whenever he was absent.
      Eriksen admitted his desire to ‘try something new’ after losing the 2019 Champions League final and joined Inter six months later.
      The playmaker helped Inter win the Serie A title last season, but his playing career hung in the balance after he suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
      However, he returned to the Premier League last season on a short term deal with Brentford.
      His excellent performances earned Eriksen a move to Man Utd, where he has enjoyed a stellar season this campaign, although injury reduced his appearances to 41 games.
      ERIK LAMELA – £30m
      Lamela joined Spurs just two days before Bale’s move to Madrid was confirmedCredit: Action Images – Reuters
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      Erik Lamela became the last of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ to depart North London for Spain.
      Argentine Lamela, 31, actually had a bizarre start at Spurs, starting just three league matches in his first season before disappearing back to his homeland following a back injury early on in Tim Sherwood’s tenure.
      He returned following his compatriot Pochettino’s arrival, wrestling for a starting berth before sustaining a troublesome hip injury in October 2016 that would keep him out for 13 months.
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      Lamela again recovered and returned to action – chipping in with 255 appearances before joining Sevilla in a swap deal with Bryan Gil heading in the opposite direction.
      His most memorable moment will be his ‘rabona’ strike in the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal, with his strike winning the Premier League Goal of the Season award. More

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      Pep Guardiola almost snubbed Manchester City after the Premier League boss demanded a luxury city-centre mansion

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      MANCHESTER CITY almost failed to secure Pep Guardiola as manager after struggling to meet his luxury accommodation demands, a book revealed.Guardiola wrapped up his fifth Premier League title earlier this month after inspiring his City stars to an incredible run of form to overhaul Arsenal.
      The Guardiolas eventually moved to trendy DeansgateCredit: Manchester Evening News
      The Man City manager now lives at the plush City Suites in the city centreCredit: Manchester Evening News
      The City manager can unwind in the private swimming poolCredit: Manchester Evening News
      But the extraordinary spell of success he has might never have happened due to the coach’s specific living requests.
      Guardiola agreed to succeed Manuel Pellegrini in February 2016.
      But Etihad officials were left sweating on whether he may change his mind before the following season.
      In a book entitled Pep’s City: The Making of a Superteam – written by Pol Ballus and Lu Martin – club chiefs were worried the then-Bayern Munich manager would go back on his word.
      Ballus and Martin tell of how Etihad director of football Txiki Begiristain told player liaison manager David Quintana to hold crunch talks in Munich with Guardiola over the situation.
      Begiristain had said ominously: “It seems we’ve got a problem with the German.”
      And in the book, Ballus and Martin confirm: “They did indeed. In Munich, the Guardiola family had lived in a spacious mansion on Sophienstrasse.
      “Pep demanded accommodation of a similar standard in Manchester and the issue was in danger of becoming a deal-breaker.
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      “Quintana and Pep met over a leisurely three-hour lunch in a local Vietnamese restaurant.
      “Lunch was spent discussing key elements of the club’s organisation, infrastructure, players, but the issues around the Guardiolas’ new home remained unsolved.
      “The problem was that Pep was refusing to live anywhere but the city centre and there just wasn’t the right property there to suit him.
      “It didn’t exist. Begiristain could see all his plans going up in smoke. The deal to bring Pep to City was under threat.”
      The in-demand ex-Barcelona manager was assured by Quintana, however: “No worries; if we have to, we’ll build you what you want. It might take a few more months but we’ll make it happen.”
      The Guardiolas eventually moved to a luxurious apartment in the Deansgate City Suites in the centre of Manchester.
      And they were soon joined in the plush building by his first signing Ilkay Gundogan.
      City legend and Sergio Aguero was also tempted in by the true city slicker lifestyle at the time.
      The Argentine swapped his countryside pad to become one of the first residents of the brand new West Tower in the city centre Deansgate development.
      City will be thankful they managed to sort Guardiola’s living arrangements out as the Spaniard has won TEN major trophies to date with the club, including FIVE Premier League titles.
      Guardiola’s men secured their most recent title – winning it for the third year on the bounce – after Arsenal slipped up at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
      City have won their last 12 Premier League games to eliminate an eight-point gap to the Gunners, who had begun to struggle when the pressure was on.
      Now City will be looking to claim the Champions League for the first time in their history after pummelling Real Madrid to reach the final against AC Milan.
      They could claim the treble that night if they also beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final a week earlier.
      The City manager’s eventual choice of home in Manchester means he can keep himself in shape in the private gymCredit: Manchester Evening News
      The City boss can cook up a feast in the kitchen… or rely on the ground floor restaurant’s top chefCredit: Manchester Evening News
      The building Guardiola lives in is a 16-storey high riseCredit: Manchester Evening News
      Guardiola can chill out in the luxurious living areaCredit: Manchester Evening News
      Each apartment has a plush modern bathroomCredit: Manchester Evening News More

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      After Savage Jr plays for Man Utd: Ronaldo, Neville, Zidane, van der Sar sons aiming to fill dad’s big shoes

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      AN EMOTIONAL Robbie Savage had the rare honour of commentating over his son’s debut as Charlie Savage made his Manchester United debut.Savage Jr, then 18, came off the bench for the final five minutes in the Champions League back in December to become the latest boy wonder to follow in the footsteps of their famous father.

      Charlie Savage is impressing for Manchester United’s development teamCredit: Getty
      https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1468702058060693512?s=20 Savage Sr was on co-commentary duty and ‘started to tear up’ as he announced his son’s arrival.
      Charlie, now 20, has taken a further step forward in his career after spending the back end of this campaign at League 1 strugglers Forest Green.
      Wayne Rooney’s son Kai also signed terms with United in 2020. Proud dad Wazza announced the news his then-11-year-old had penned a deal with his old club as he shared a snap of him and Coleen alongside the boy wonder.
      But he won’t be the first son looking to fulfil the great expectations they were born with.
      Offspring of legends like Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Kluivert are also looking to make their own way in the footballing world while dealing with the pressure of their iconic surnames. And Maxim Gullit, son of Ruud and great nephew of Johan Cruyff, is in the same boat and came off the bench for Jong AZ Alkmaar for his first taste of senior action.

      Wayne Rooney’s son Kai signed for Manchester United in December 2020Credit: Instagram
      Justin Kluivert, son of Patrick, is one of a group of young footballers aiming to follow in their fathers’ legendary footstepsCredit: Instagram @patrickkluivert9
      Here, SunSport takes a look at the other youngsters aiming to follow in their fathers’ giant footsteps…
      Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 12
      Cristiano Jr is on the books at Man Utd with dad Ronaldo
      Cristiano Jr has a heavy legacy to live up to if he attempts to emulate his five-time Ballon d’Or-winning father Ronaldo. The youngster was part of Juventus’ academy and impressed in a number of youth tournaments.
      But he moved the United with his dad. And Ronaldo, 37, admitted in the past he would ‘like’ to see Junior follow in his footsteps.
      But the Portugal captain has insisted he will not ‘pressure’ his eldest son into a footballing career.
      Joe van der Sar, 24
      Joe van Der Sar is son of Man Utd legend Edwin
      Joe van der Sar is the son of legendary father Edwin. Joe began his career at Man Utd, where his dad starred for six years, and then moved on to Noordwijk before signing for Ajax in 2013 where Edwin is CEO.
      These are giant gloves to fill and the expectations are high. He was back at Noordwijk aiming to work his way to the top but is now with the Pittsburgh Panthers in the USA.
      Maxim Gullit, 21
      Maxim Gullit, left, is son of Chelsea icon Ruud, right, and great-nephew of Johann Cruyff
      Son of Ruud and great-nephew of Johan Cruyff, Maxim Gullit could hardly hope for better footballing genes. Maxim, a defender and son of Estelle Cruyff, predominantly played for AZ’s Under-19 side in 2018-19 – but was handed an Easter treat – being called up a level.
      The talented teen came on for the final 19 minutes of the AZ second team’s clash with champions Twente in the Netherlands’ second tier and helped his side keep a clean sheet. He went on to become a regular for their Under-21 side, while he made his debut for the first team in the 4-1 Europa League win over HNK Rijeka in the Europa League in October 2020.
      He now plays for Eredivisie side Cambuur and has a few appearances for the Dutch international underage groups under his belt. 
      Zidane (Luca, Enzo & Theo)
      Zinedine Zidane has three footballer sons but Luca, left, was handed a Real Madrid debut by his dad in March last year
      All three of Zinedine Zidane’s sons are aiming to follow in his giant footsteps. Midfielder Enzo, 27, is currently at Spanish side Fuenlabrada, and 20-year-old Theo is looking to develop in Real Madrid’s academy.
      Goalkeeper Luca, 24, made two appearances for Los Blancos, but he left in search of game time. He is now at Segunda Division outfit Eibar after two years with Rayo Vallecano.
      Gudjohnsen (Andri Lucas, Sveinn Aron & Daniel Tristan)
      Eidur Gudjohnsen has three sons aiming to make it in football including Andri Lucas, left, at Real Madrid
      Former Chelsea, Tottenham and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen had one son at Real Madrid, one son at Barca and another in Italy at one stage.
      Sveinn, 24, and the spitting image of his father, plays for Swedish side Elfsborg while younger brother Andri Lucas was in the big time at the Bernabeu but has now joined Norrkoping in Sweden.
      The London-born 20-year-old, who is starring for Iceland, joined Real’s La Fabrica academy in Valdebas in 2018 while 16-year-old Daniel Tristan is at Malmo having previously played for Barcelona and Real Madrid’s youth teams.
      Eidur famously came on for his father, Arnor, while playing for Iceland, in 1996.
      Tyrese Campbell, 23
      Stoke’s Tyrese Campbell, left, is son of former Arsenal, Everton and West Brom striker Kevin
      Stoke’s young star Tyrese Campbell made a huge breakthrough in 2019-20 – appearing 33 times in the Championship for the Potters.
      The forward, who joined Stoke from Man City’s academy in 2016, is son of former Arsenal, Everton and West Brom striker Kevin Campbell.
      Tyrese scored his first goals for Stoke in the FA Cup in 2018-19 before being loaned out to League One Shrewsbury for the remainder of the campaign. In his most recent at Stoke, he has scored nine and assisted five from 41 games. 
      Harvey Neville, 20
      Harvey Neville, left, has good family genes with father Phil, right, and uncle Gary both ex-Man Utd players
      With TWO Manchester United Treble winners as father (Phil) and uncle (Gary), plus England’s netball head coach for an aunt (Tracey), there was little chance of Harvey going into auditing.
      Harvey, who started in midfield or on the wing but now plays at full-back, began his career at United before moving to rivals City where he won the Premier League International Tournament as an Under-13.
      He moved to Valencia when his father and uncle took charge of the first-team before returning to Old Trafford in 2018.
      And earlier this year he followed dad Phil to the USA – joining Fort Lauderdale CF just up the road from his old man’s digs in Miami. Then in October, Phil brought his son Harvey off the bench to make his MLS debut for Inter Miami.
      Maurizio Pochettino, 22
      Watford’s Maurizio Pochettino, left, was (almost) named after his father Spurs boss Mauricio
      Maurizio is the offspring of former Spurs boss and incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.
      And the Argentine youngster, described as a wide player with an eye for goal, continued to play for the Lilywhites in 2019-20 despite his dad getting the sack in November that season.
      He even signed a new contract with the club, but quit to join Watford on a free in January 2021. The Barcelona-born star was released after making just one appearance and now is contracted to third-tier side Gimnastic de Tarragona in Catalonia.
      Justin Kluivert, 24
      Justin Kluivert, left, is already showing the talents of his father Patrick who was a Barcelona striker
      The name may have got him noticed but it is Justin Kluivert’s talent that has seen him thrive at such a young age. Son of Patrick, left winger Justin was nurtured by the Ajax academy and starred in Serie A for Italian side Roma after signing in 2018 for £14.9million.
      Manchester United were also believed to be after the youngster – who bagged five goals and two assists in 2019-20.
      He spent the last two seasons enjoying loan spells with RB Leipzig, where he has enjoyed a return to top form, and Nice before a third temporary switch, this time to Valencia.
      Daniel Maldini, 21
      Daniel Maldini, left, is following in the footsteps of father Paolo, right, and grandfather Cesare at AC Milan
      The Maldini dynasty continues, with Daniel following in father Paolo and grandfather Cesare’s footsteps in Milan. Daniel operates at the opposite end of the pitch to his father and has displayed his talents as a second striker.
      The talented youngster made his first-team debut against Hellas Verona in Serie A in 2019-20 – becoming the third generation of Maldinis to play for AC Milan. He has since played 24 matches for the San Siro side but joined Spezia on loan in the summer.
      Giovanni Simeone, 27
      Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone’s son Giovanni, left, is a winger on loan at Hellas Verona from Italian side Fiorentina
      Son of Atletico Madrid boss Diego, Giovanni is one of the few in this group to have already established themselves. Usually deployed as a second striker, Giovanni has broken into the Argentina team where he has been capped on five occasions – scoring once.
      He joined Cagliari in the summer of 2020 after a successful loan spell where he has scored five goals in six Serie A matches. But he is now on loan at high-flying Napoli from Hellas Verona.
      Erling Haaland, 22
      Former Man City man Alf-Inge Haaland, right, has a son Erling, left, who is starring at Dortmund
      Erling Haaland, son of Man City’s Alf-Inge whose career was ended after a horror tackle from United legend Roy Keane, is one of the best players in world football right now.
      The 22-year-old was mentored by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde, before smashing in the goals for RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund.
      Manchester City came calling in the summer to land the hulking centre-forward amid interest from United and Real Madrid.
      And what a signing it has proven to be already with Haaland breaking the Premier League scoring record with a handful of games to spare in his debut season. 
      Sydney van Hooijdonk, 23
      Sydney van Hooijdonk, left, could be on the move to a British side in January
      Son of former Nottingham Forest striker Pierre, the 22-year-old had been in fine form for NAC Breda in the Dutch second tier in recent seasons.
      The towering centre-forward has chipped in with 23 goals in 70 games since his 2019-20 debut.
      His hot form has seen him linked with Forest, Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday in England. But he instead moved to Serie A side Bologna and is now on loan at Heerenveen, smashing in 12 goals in 25 Eredivisie games. More

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      Benni McCarthy was made to CRY by Jose Mourinho when they first spoke at Porto… then he tried to buy him at Chelsea

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      BENNI McCARTHY has revealed how Jose Mourinho made him cry during their first interaction.And the striker lifted the lid on how the Portuguese failed to bring him to Chelsea – twice.
      Jose Mourinho reportedly failed to bring Benni McCarthy to Chelsea twiceCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The 45-year-old first played under Mourinho while on loan at Porto before he was signed on a permanent deal in 2003 from Celta Vigo.
      Speaking to The Athletic, McCarthy said: “I arrived at Porto in 2001 in a bad state. I scored on my debut and we won, but then the manager (Octavio Machado) was sacked.
      “I couldn’t believe that the man who took me there got fired. This young guy replaced him and said: ‘Benni, I know of you and I have watched you.
      “‘I think you are a fantastic player and I want you to be my guy’. Then Jose Mourinho proceeded to tell me all about me. He knew everything; he’d watched my games at Celta.
      “How did he have this information? Jose told me that I could always speak to him, even if it was to get something off my chest. I started crying, really. I thought ‘Wow!’ This had not happened to me in Europe.
      “He was treating me like a son and I thought, ‘I cannot disappoint this guy, he has given me the lifeline that I want’. I wanted to run through a brick wall for him.”
      After Porto failed to sign him permanently in 2002, the player returned to Celta where he enjoyed a miserable season, and Mourinho managed to nab him a year later.
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      BLUE MOON
      The 2003/04 campaign saw Porto win the Champions League, and Mourinho left to join Chelsea – where he failed to sign McCarthy once again.
      The striker said: “When I went back, Porto’s players laughed and called me Mourinho’s son. I let my football do the talking and did everything I could for this man.
      “I even thought, ‘This guy is going to leave Porto and I want to go with him’. I had a manager I would die for.
      “I scored goals against Manchester United in the Champions League and when Mourinho went to Chelsea they came for me, but Porto would not sell.”
      Blackburn managed to snare McCarthy away from Porto in 2006, and the ex-South Africa international managed to score 18 goals in 36 Premier League games.
      Once again Chelsea – and Mourinho – came calling, but the 1995 top-flight champions were unwilling to part ways with their prized asset.
      I tried to force the move but it wasn’t enoughBenni McCarthy
      McCarthy stated: “I was playing in England for the first time and scoring a lot — 24 goals in my first season.
      “Then Chelsea came knocking on the door again. Mourinho wanted me. He’s always wanted me.
      “I asked Blackburn if they could sell me. I wanted to play Champions League again, to play for Mourinho as he ruffled more feathers in the Premier League.
      “Blackburn said no, which I understand.
      “I tried to force the move but it wasn’t enough. My mental state began to suffer, my football began to suffer.” More

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      in Soccer

      Brazil icon Ronaldinho ‘would take private jet to Cancun after matches and skip training every Monday’, team-mate says

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      A FORMER team-mate of Ronaldinho has revealed that the Brazil legend would “hop on to his private plane after matches” to party in Cancun.Ex-Queretaro forward Patricio Rubio, who played alongside the 2002 World Cup winner in Mexico, also admitted that he “never saw him train on Mondays”.
      Ronaldinho has a reputation for legendary partyingCredit: AP
      Ronaldinho played for Queretaro in Mexico back in 2014-15Credit: AFP – Getty
      Speaking to Mexican TV channel Azteca about his time playing with one of Brazil’s iconic No10s, he said: “We always played home games on Fridays because each club has their own calendar for the championship in Mexico.
      “After the match ended, Ronaldinho would hop on to his private plane and go to Cancun or Playa del Carmen.”
      Following their match on Friday, it was normal for players to get the weekend off before returning on Monday.
      Well, normal for most players, except for one…
      Rubio continued:  “He would come back on Tuesday. I never saw him train on Mondays. He was a top player.”
      The former Barcelona superstar helped the club advance to their first league final in history – but couldn’t prevent them from losing out to Santos Laguna in the showpiece event.
      Ronaldinho’s partying ways are infamous and in 2018 he even had to deny he was marrying two women at the same time.
      PRISON STINT
      Ronaldinho was on house arrest in a hotel room in Paraguay in 2020 while he and his brother Roberto de Asis Moreira were investigated for using illegal passports to enter the South American country.
      They were taken into custody by local authorities before spending over a month in a “Specialised Unit” prison – eventually being granted house arrest.
      Specialised Unit is a term used in Paraguay which refers to a prison where high-profile prisoners such as politicians and other public figures are kept.
      Ronaldinho went to Paraguay to participate in a charity event called “Angelical Fraternity”.
      His defence claimed the passports were given to him as a symbolic gift and he accidentally presented it at the airport thinking it was his Brazilian passport.
      He was released and returned to Brazil, with a judge giving him and his brother a two-year suspended prison sentence.
      Ronaldinho appeared to strike unlikely friendships with his fellow inmates during his prison stint, participating in a football tournament and enjoying a bbq with his new pals.
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      When he was released to go on house arrest after 32 days, some of his fellow inmates even SHED TEARS  that they were losing their high-profile new buddy.
      The former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan star may have a reputation as a solid party boy… but he may not be the biggest of them among his former Brazil team-mates.
      Back in 2017, legendary striker Ronaldo revealed: “Yes, it is true. I was much better at parties.”
      The Brazilian is a popular figure on and off the pitchCredit: Golders/@ronaldinho
      Ronaldinho spent time behind bars in Paraguay in 2020Credit: Golder’s News & Sport Ltd. (Golders) More

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      in Motorsport

      Inside the deserted £540m F1 circuit planned for the Vietnamese GP before it was canned when mayor was sent to jail

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      VIETNAM planned to host their very first Grand Prix back in 2020.The £540million Hanoi motor race circuit was set to welcome the paddock as Formula 1 expanded its reach to new territories across the globe.
      Vietnam was due to host its first F1 GP in 2020Credit: AFP
      The coronavirus pandemic led to the inaugural edition being postponedCredit: AFP
      It has not returned to the F1 calendar since 2020Credit: AFP
      Cyclists now use the Hanoi circuitCredit: AFP
      It has been abandoned as no F1 race appears on the horizonCredit: AFP
      Motorcyclists have also been seen driving through the gates of the fenced off circuitCredit: AFP
      Vietnam signed a 10-year deal with F1 back in 2018 – an agreement which cost around £54million and was to be funded by private conglomerate, VinGroup.
      But the inaugural edition of the Vietnam GP ended up being axed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      Since then, it has not appeared on the F1 calendar.
      In 2021, it was dropped from the schedule after city mayor Nguyen Duc Chung – a major supporter of the race – was arrested.
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      He would later be sentenced to ten years in prison for corruption charges.
      State media then claimed in 2022 that authorities had dismissed any hope of Vietnam staging a race there until at least 2029.
      However, the authorities refused to confirm this to external media outlets.
      F1 released the 2023 calendar last year and once again it missed out.
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      And images of the track – which features a 1.5km straight and street-style third sector – show that the spectator stands have been taken away.
      The 3.5 mile circuit, which is surrounded by grass and weeds, is partly fenced off to the public.
      However, some cyclists and motorcyclists have been seen going through the gates, spilling over from the busy roads in the city.
      And another part of the circuit has been opened up for the Vietnamese people to use as public roads.
      It is not yet known if, when or what the circuit will be used for in the future.
      One side of the circuit has been opened up for day-to-day useCredit: AFP
      It is a sad sight to see the track abandoned three years after its first GP was scheduled to take placeCredit: AFP
      It is unlikely a Grand Prix will take place here before the end of the decadeCredit: AFP
      F1 fans in Vietnam have been left disappointed by the failure to stage a Grand PrixCredit: AFP More