More stories

  • in

    Faiq Bolkiah is the richest footballer in world, whose uncle is Sultan of Brunei, and is heir to £13bn fortune

    MEET the world’s richest footballer Faiq Bolkiah, the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei.Faiq Bolkiah now plays for Thai League 1 club Chonburi., following unsuccessful spells with Leicester City and Portuguese side Maritimo.
    Faiq Bolkiah is the richest young footballer in the world and was formerly of Leicester CityCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Faiq Bolkiah is the nephew of the Sultan of BruneiCredit: Instagram @fjbolkiah
    The dynamic winger, 24, is one of the heirs to Hassanal Bolkiah’s £13billion fortune.
    That dwarfs the worth of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – making Bolkiah the wealthiest living footballer.
    His dad is Jefri Bolkiah, a brother of the oil tycoon, so that makes Faiq a member of their royal family.
    But that hasn’t stopped Faiq from shunning his family’s billions to pursue a career in football.
    Let SunSport introduce you to the man who really doesn’t need to work for a living.
    Competition was fierce for him in his youth days…
    After playing youth football for AFC Newbury, Faiq signed a one-year deal with Southampton’s famed youth academy in 2009.
    He didn’t quite turn enough heads to secure a full-time contract and went on trial at Arsenal in 2013, playing for the Gunners in the 2013 Lion City Cup.
    Faiq Bolkiah could have lived in a palace like the Sultan of BruneiCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Faiq Bolkiah was once on Chelsea’s booksCredit: Chelsea FC
    Faiq Bolkiah playing for Leicester City’s reservesCredit: Getty – Contributor
    A Rolls Royce like this could have been a chariot for Faiq BolkiahCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Faiq got himself on the scoresheet in that tournament against a Singapore youth selection.
    Alerted to his availability, Chelsea then swooped and offered him a two-year deal in 2014. But he left Stamford Bridge in December, 2015 to sign for Leicester in a three-year deal.
    He captains his international side…
    Despite not playing a professional game in England yet, Faiq has pulled on the international shirt of Brunei six times, finding the net once.
    Faiq Bolkiah has captain the Brunei international football teamCredit: Getty – Contributor
    He even captained the side in the 2017 Aceh World Solidarity Tsunami Cup.
    Incidentally, he was born in Los Angeles, so he could’ve represented the United States. But he was loyal to his family and stayed close to his roots.
    Faiq Bolkiah was loyal to his family and turned down a chance to play for the USCredit: AFP – Getty
    Faiq’s dad is quite the character…
    He may have an innocent demeanour, but his father Jefri Bolkiah was known as the playboy of the Brunei royal family.
    Jefri reportedly lived quite the life of excess, reportedly blowing around £10billion in 15-years as head of the Brunei Investment agency.
    At one point, he was said to be spending £35m a month on cars, watches, erotic white gold pens and up to a £1m a hit on karaoke parties with a swarm of beautiful women.
    Jefri Bolkiah celebrates his birthday with his sonCredit: Instagram @fjbolkiah
    Jefri Bolkiah was the playboy of the Brunei royal familyCredit: Rex Features
    Faiq Bolkiah might have had an easier life and lived like a prince if he wasn’t a footballerCredit: 1998 Julian Parker
    Faiq Bolkiah’s cousins enjoy a lavish lifestyle in their own countryCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Jefri was also believed to have owned 2,300 cars at the height of his wealth, including a fleet of Bentleys, Ferraris and Rolls-Royces.
    However, his pride and joy is a yacht inappropriately called ‘Tits’ which had tenders called ‘Nipple 1’ and ‘Nipple 2’.
    Faiq Bolkiah stands to inherit a boat called TitsCredit: Big Pictures
    The Tits has tenders called Nipple 1 and Nipple 2Credit: Big Pictures
    Jefri wasn’t afraid to embrace erotica either, once commissioning artist J. Seward Johnson to create a £500,000 sexually-explicit statue of himself and his ex-fiancee.
    Amusingly, he once splashed around £5million on a rug that was woven with gold thread and jewels.
    A £5m rug bought by Jefri BolkiahCredit: PA:Press Association
    A set of erotic pens in white gold owned by Jefri BolkiahCredit: PA:Press Association
    An erotic watch owned by Jefri Bolkiah made of white gold and platinumCredit: PA:Press Association
    Michael Jackson was on speed dial when he needed him…
    Being a rich kid has its perks, especially if you’re Faiq.
    When dad Jefri wanted to celebrate his milestone 50th birthday, he also wanted to impress his then 7-year-old son.
    Michael Jackson performed a private concert for Faiq BolkiahCredit: Getty – Contributor
    So what did he do? He only flew in the ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson to perform a private concert for him and his family.
    Jefri paid Jacko around £12.5 million for the privilege, which was chump change for the Brunei royal family.
    The privilege of having Michael Jackson perform privately cost Jefri Bolkiah £12.5mCredit: Reuters
    Faiq Bolkiah has shunned a throne like the Sultan of Brunei for a rainy night in LeicesterCredit: AFP – Getty
    Making sure Michael was suitably catered for, Jefri also built an entire stadium for the occasion.But Faiq is determined to shun his riches to make it as a professional footballer…
    “I’ve played football since as early as I can remember and from a young age I’ve always enjoyed going out on the field and having the ball at my feet,” he once said in a rare interview.
    latest football features
    Ex-Wolves boss Nuno Espirito was said to be interested in signing Faiq BolkiahCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    “My parents have always been supportive in helping me to achieve my dreams of being a footballer.
    “They trained me hard both psychologically and physically through my childhood years, so I have to say they are my role models.”
    Faiq Bolkiah turned his back on a lavish lifestyle full of goldCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Sultan of Brunei has an estimated worth of £22bnCredit: Reuters
    Faiq Bolkiah insists his family have had a big influence on his careerCredit: AFP or licensors
    With determination like that, he might just succeed in the game.
    However, if it doesn’t work out for him, it’s not as if he’s got nothing to fall back on. More

  • in

    Most costly Man Utd failures and what happened after their Old Trafford nightmares including Di Maria, Lukaku and Sancho

    MANCHESTER UNITED are still the most-successful in the Premier League era – but they have made several expensive mistakes along the way.With 13 Prem titles in the bank, the Red Devils have had countless superstars pull on their famous jersey over recent years.
    Massimo Taibi was a complete disaster for Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    United have a history of making some incredible signings.
    Even as recently as last summer, they also have a knack for spending big on flops with £86million Antony still struggling to make an impact.
    From Alexis Sanchez and Angel Di Maria to Juan Sebastian Veron and Romelu Lukaku, check out our best XI of United mega-money failures.
    And we start in goal:
    GOALKEEPER – Massimo Taibi
    Cost: £4.5m from Venezia (1999)
    Sir Alex Ferguson was struggling to replace Peter Schmeichel and forked out £4.5m to Venezia for the Italian back in 1999.
    After flapping at a free-kick on his debut against Liverpool that allowed Sami Hyypia to score things failed to get better.
    In September he famously allowed a weak shot from Southampton’s Matthew Le Tissier slip through his legs and into the net, leading to him being dubbed ‘The Blind Venetian’ by a newspaper.
    Taibi only played once more for United, which was a crushing 5–0 defeat at Chelsea that October, before he headed back to his homeland.
    MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
    Matteo Darmian cost United nearly £13m from TorinoCredit: AP:Associated Press
    DEFENDER – Matteo Darmian
    Cost: £12.9m from Torino (2015)
    Darmian has played 60 times in the Premier League in four years at United, but never made the right-back slot his own.
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s arrival saw his surplus to requirements, and he joined Parma on a four-year deal in 2019.
    Most recently, he became a Serie A winner with Inter Milan on loan.
    Daley Blind did not have much to smile about during his stint at UnitedCredit: Getty – Contributor
    DEFENDER – Daley Blind
    Cost: £14m from Ajax (2014)
    Always a tough one to judge, Blind both proved he was a good footballer and failed to shine while at Man Utd.
    After four years at the club, Blind opted to head back to Ajax where he has gone on to become a key player once more – and helped his side reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
    Marcos Rojo was plagued by injuries while at Old TraffordCredit: Getty – Contributor
    DEFENDER – Marcos Rojo
    Cost: £16m from Sporting Lisbon (2014)
    Rojo was plagued by injuries and lack of form in his five years at the club.
    Back in February 2021, the Argentinian finally ended his Old Trafford nightmare by signing for Boca Juniors.
    Morgan Schneiderlin failed to hit the heights at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    MIDFIELDER – Morgan Schneiderlin
    Cost: £24m from Southampton (2015)
    After seven years at Saints, Schneiderlin was supposed to be United’s midfield maestro for years to come.
    But after just two years, the France star was shipped off to Everton with 32 very underwhelming appearances under his belt.
    He’s now at Nice after his three-year stint on Merseyside.
    Sir Alex Ferguson splashed out £28m to sign Juan Sebastian VeronCredit: Getty
    MIDFIELDER – Juan Sebastian Veron
    Cost: £28m from Lazio (2001)
    Arguably one of the best midfielders of his generation, the only positive about Veron’s time at United was that at least it was better than his time at Chelsea.
    Both transfers frequently pop up in ‘worst Premier League transfers of all-time’ lists – and with good reason.
    The ex-Lazio man could have helped United be as unstoppable in Europe as they were domestically, but alas, it wasn’t to be.
    Antony has not lived up to the hype of an £86m signingCredit: Alamy
    WINGER – Antony
    Cost: £86m from Ajax (2022)
    Antony was signed with much fanfare by his former coach Erik ten Hag for a staggering £86m fee.
    And he got off to the best possible start by scoring on his debut against Arsenal at Old Trafford in a 3-1 win earlier in the campaign.
    However, since then he’s been labelled one dimensional.
    Eight goals in 39 games is a huge disappointment in his first campaign.
    Still time to turn it around, though.
    Angel Di Maria started well but soon dipped at the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
    WINGER – Angel Di Maria
    Cost: £59.7m from Real Madrid (2014)
    Superb at Real, brilliant at Paris Saint-German… bang average at United.
    Yes, we all remember his blistering first few weeks and that goal against Leicester, but what else did Di Maria do at Old Trafford? Very, very little.
    His single season at United, in which he and his family suffered a traumatic burglary while at their home, was worth nowhere near the £59.7m spent, before he went on to thrive in Ligue 1.
    Alexis Sanchez had an absolute stinker at UnitedCredit: Reuters
    FORWARD – Alexis Sanchez
    Cost: Free from Arsenal (2018)
    A free signing. What could possibly go wrong?
    Well, throwing £505,000-a-week down the drain and struggling to sell him due to his wages, that’s what.
    Former Barcelona and Arsenal star Sanchez scored three – just THREE – goals during his 18 months at Old Trafford… that’s roughly £40m in wages.
    After a loan spell, he left United for Inter Milan permanently in 2020.
    Romelu Lukaku failed to sparkle after his big move from EvertonCredit: Getty
    FORWARD – Romelu Lukaku
    Cost: £75m from Everton (2017)
    Both Chelsea and United were chasing Lukaku and Alvaro Morata in the summer of 2017.
    Maybe things would have been different for the two flop strikers had they switched destinations.
    But Lukaku – save for a few brief matches where he showed his unstoppable potential – was dreadful at United… at least, by the standard we now hold him to.
    Shipped off to Inter, Lukaku became one of Europe’s most-feared strikers thanks to his knack for scoring goals and that form secured him a £97.5m return to Chelsea.
    Although he has since struggled there and was loaned back to Inter.
    Henrikh Mkhitaryan only played 39 times for the Red Devils in the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association
    FORWARD – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
    Cost: £30m from Borussia Dortmund (2016)
    Sought-after by a host of Europe’s giants during his days in Ukraine and Germany, Man Utd won the race for Mkhitaryan’s signature.
    But after 39 disappointing Premier League appearances he was part of the ill-fated swap deal with Arsenal for Sanchez.
    He’s now performing admirably at Serie A side Roma. More

  • in

    Where are Gareth Bale’s ex-Tottenham team-mates from 2007 debut against Man Utd, including Malbranque and Chimbonda?

    GARETH BALE called time on his stellar career in 2022.The Welsh winger, still only 33, hung up his boots following a final swansong at the World Cup in Qatar.
    Where are Gareth Bale’s team-mates from his Spurs debut now?
    But it was at Spurs where he would make his name, before earning a blockbuster move to Real Madrid
    Bale starred at Southampton in the 2006-07 season before securing a move to North London the following summer.
    The golf-mad Welshman has gone from left-back, to left-midfield to world-class right-winger during his career.
    But it was his pacey, attacking displays at Spurs between 2007 and 2013 which caught the eye of Real Madrid.
    read more on tottenham
    In that run, Bale scored 55 times in 203 games after an appalling start to life at the club.
    The Wales winger was infamously considered to be Tottenham’s “jinx”, after failing to win in any of his first 25 games.
    Of course, things turned around quickly for Bale, who – by 2013 – was a bonafide world-beater.
    Bale became a bonafide Spurs legendCredit: PA
    Real Madrid paid a then-world-record £86million to bring Bale to the Bernabeu at the end of the 2012-13 season.
    Most read in Football
    But six years earlier, Bale was still a relatively unknown making his debut for Tottenham in a 1-0 defeat against Manchester United in which Nani scored his first goal for the club.
    SunSport takes a look at Bale’s team-mates from that day and where they are now…
    GOALKEEPER – Paul Robinson
    Robinson started Bale’s debut in goal for SpursCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    AFTER six years at Leeds, Robinson enjoyed arguably his best years at Tottenham between 2004 and 2008.
    The 41-cap England star later enjoyed spells at Blackburn and Burnley before retiring in 2017.
    Robinson is now a football speaker for events.
    RIGHT-BACK – Pascal Chimbonda
    Pascal Chimbonda enjoyed arguably his best season for Spurs in 2007-08Credit: Reuters
    CHIMBONDA is the ultimate footballing journeyman – having already played for Le Havre, Bastia and Wigan before moving to Spurs in 2006.
    Since quitting North London in 2008, the six-cap Guadeloupe and one-cap France international has moved TEN times, including for a second stint at Tottenham in 2009.
    Most-recently, Chimbonda, now 43, has bounced around non-league clubs including Washington, Market Drayton and Ashton Town.
    He is now working towards becoming a coach after earning his UEFA A licence.
    CENTRE-BACK – Ricardo Rocha
    Rocha played just 14 times for Spurs in the Premier League, including Bale’s debutCredit: AP:Associated Press
    THE former centre-back played just 14 times in the league for Spurs following stints at Famalicao, Braga and Benfica.
    Rocha spent a season at Standard Liege before finishing his career with three seasons at Portsmouth.
    The six-cap Portugal ace left the club after attempting to take on a role of dual role of player AND director of football, which was shot down by Pompey chiefs.
    CENTRE-BACK – Anthony Gardner
    Gardner started Bale’s debut but left the club at the end of the seasonCredit: EPA
    THE one-cap England star spent nearly a decade at Spurs, racking up over 100 Premier League appearances after his 2000 move from Port Vale.
    Bale’s first season would turn out to be Gardner’s last as he joined Everton and Hull on loan later that season, before joining the Tigers permanently the following summer.
    Gardner went on to play for Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday before retiring in 2014.
    The former Spurs defender told Crystal Palace’s website he’s got into poker since hanging up his boots.
    LEFT-BACK – Lee Young-pyo
    Lee Young-pyo started just behind Bale on the left flank for the Welshman’s debutCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    THE former full-back played 127 times for South Korea in his superb career, including a spell at Tottenham following his move from PSV Eindhoven.
    After three years at White Hart Lane between 2005 and 2008, Lee played for Borussia Dortmund, Al-Hilal and Vancounver Whitecaps before calling it quits in 2013.
    Lee has since appeared to have quit football altogether.
    RIGHT-MID – Steed Malbranque
    Steed Malbranque started on the opposite flank to Bale against Man UtdCredit: AFP
    HAVING starred at Fulham for five years, Malbranque moved to Spurs in 2008, where he would spend just two seasons.
    The Belgium-born ex-France Under-21s star moved on to Sunderland, Saint-Etienne, Lyon – also his first pro club – Caen and French fourth-tier side MDA Chasselay, before seemingly disappearing from the scene.
    CENTRE-MID – Tom Huddlestone
    Huddlestone started in the heart of midfield for Bale’s debutCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    THE four-cap England star spent nearly a decade in the heart of Spurs midfield between 2005 and 2013.
    Huddlestone later joined Hull – where he would spend four years – before enjoying three seasons at first club Derby, before he was released last summer.
    In 2021, the defensive midfielder returned to Hull City, only to be released a season later.
    Astonishingly, he was signed by Manchester United last summer as a player-coach for their U21 team.
    CENTRE-MID – Jermaine Jenas
    Jenas joined Huddlestone in the middle of the park for Bale’s bowCredit: AFP
    JENAS spent exactly the same amount of time at Spurs as Huddlestone – enjoying eight years in the team between 2005 and 2013.
    The 21-cap Three Lions ace finished his career a year later following a sole season at QPR.
    Jenas has since covered football for ITV, BT Sport and BBC Sport, where he became Match of the Day’s youngest-ever pundit.
    He is also a presenter on The One Show.
    LEFT-MID – Gareth Bale
    Bale made his Spurs debut 14 years ago in the 1-0 loss to Man UtdCredit: PA:Press Association
    BALE’S retirement in 2022 came as no surprise – with the star frozen out by Real Madrid
    Newly promoted Wrexham and their owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney recently tried to get him to reconsider, although he didn’t take the bait.
    STRIKER – Dimitar Berbatov
    Berbatov started up front against Man Utd – whom he would later joinCredit: PA:Press Association
    AFTER kicking off his career at CSKA Sofia and Bayer Leverkusen, Berbatov enjoyed two years at Spurs.
    Often criticised for being “lazy” by armchair fans, the Bulgarian’s eye for goal, intelligence and outrageous first touch attracted the attention of Man Utd.
    Four years at Old Trafford were followed by stints at Fulham, Monaco, PAOK and Kerala Blasters.
    He now works as a football pundit and speaker.
    STRIKER – Robbie Keane
    Keane joined Berbatov up top for Bale’s debut defeat at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association
    THE Ireland legend spent nine years at the club – with a forgettable season at Liverpool shoehorned in the middle – between 2002 and 2011.
    Keane scored 80 times in just under 200 Premier League games, before joining Celtic and Aston Villa on loan.

    The ex-Wolves ace spent five years at LA Galaxy before hanging up his boots after a season at ATK.
    Part-time Sky pundit Keane has recently served as assistant manager to both the Republic of Ireland and Middlesbrough teams and is set to join Leeds as an assistant to Sam Allardyce. More

  • in

    Jurgen Klopp told Egypt prospect Mohamed Zidan he was ‘100 times’ a better player than Liverpool star Mo Salah

    MOHAMED SALAH has excelled since joining Liverpool from Roma back in the summer of 2017.He has bagged a quite brilliant 185 goals in 301 appearances for the Reds and been an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s transformation at the club.
    Mohamed Zidan was told by Jurgen Klopp he was ‘100 times’ better than Mo Salah while at Borussia Dortmund
    But fellow Egyptian Mohamed Zidan once revealed the former Borussia Dortmund boss told him he thought he was ‘100 times’ better than Salah while at the German side.
    Speaking to ON Sport in January 2020, Zidan said: “Klopp told me that I was better than Salah 100 hundred times but I needed to be more professional.
    “Klopp said to me that I have a great talent and skills but I need to concentrate more. If I did this I could be one of the best players in the world.”
    However, while Zidan enjoyed a solid career with teams such as Dortmund, Mainz, Hamburg and Werder Bremen, he admits he lacked a good work ethic, which meant he never hit the heights Salah has.
    “I had to be more dedicated to training and be more professional to reach Salah’s level in the past,” he added.
    “Salah is more professional than me and more dedicated to football like Ronaldo and Messi.”
    Zidan netted 102 club goals in 294 games throughout his 16-year career, but never managed to bag 20 in one season.
    One of his career highlights was scoring the only goal for Egypt in a 3–1 defeat to England in March 2010.
    Salah, on the other hand, scored 44 times in his first season for Liverpool and has 14 already this season in all competitions.
    And upon arriving at Anfield, Zidan said back in November 2018 that Salah was carrying on a long legacy of Egyptians playing in the Premier League.
    Mohamed Zidan scores for Egypt against England in 2010Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Mohamed Zidan celebrates his goal against EnglandCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times

    LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS
    Speaking to Goal, he said: “He’s a good example, as we were before – me and other Egyptian colleagues who played in Europe, like Mido, Ahmed Hassan and many other players who played in top leagues.
    “Now Mo Salah is continuing the legacy of Egyptian players in Europe to make the Egyptian kids keep dreaming, because he’s one of us.
    “Today is Mo Salah time, it is going very well, he is giving hope to all Egyptians and then in the future it will be other kids from Egypt that will play in Europe.” More

  • in

    A punch from Canelo Alvarez is like ‘being hit with a baseball bat’ because of special gloves, Amir Khan claims

    AMIR KHAN revealed Canelo Alvarez’s punches are like ‘being hit with a baseball bat’ due to the Mexican wearing thin but legally padded gloves.Khan, 36, jumped from welterweight to challenge for Canelo’s WBC middleweight title in 2016 – despite the fight taking place at a catchweight 155lb, below the usual 160lb limit.
    Amir Khan revealed Canelo Alvarez’s punches are like ‘being hit with a baseball bat’
    Khan was brutally knocked out in round six by Canelo during their bout in 2016Credit: Reuters
    The Bolton star raced to an early lead against the significantly bigger Alvarez, before being brutally knocked out in round six with a devastating right hand.
    But he since claimed Canelo’s choice of gloves, the Everlast MX, contributed to the knockout.
    The 2004 Olympic silver medallist admitted he would not be able to wear the gloves because his hands are too brittle, though he would have had the choice to as the Nevada State Athletic Commission deemed them perfectly fine to wear.
    Khan, who opted to wear a different type of Everlast glove, told FightHype: “Every glove is different. When I fought Canelo, he had the Everlast horsehair gloves on.

    “When I put my hand in, it was like pushing to the wall, but you’re going to damage your hand as well.
    “They were solid. It was like being hit with a baseball bat.
    “The foam padding ones, the shape always stays the same. With the horsehair, it fades more towards the back of the hand.
    “So that way, your knuckles are more visible. Without padding in the way, that’s going to put more pressure on your knuckle.
    “So you’re going to be hit with a bare hand. I could never do that because my hands aren’t strong enough to do that.
    “I’d break my hand if I fought like that. Some fighters have the hands where they could punch through a wall and wouldn’t break their hands.”

    Floyd Mayweather famously refused to fight Argentinian puncher Marcos Maidana due to the custom Everlast MX gloves he picked to wear in their first bout in 2014. Mayweather got his way and former Khan opponent Maidaa was forced to pick a different pair.
    Khan admitted a boxer’s choice of tools can be a telltale for what their gameplan could be in the fight, indicating a pair of Cleto Reyes, for example, could suggest the boxer is aiming for a knockout.
    He explained: “When you’re fighting someone, and you know they’re wearing a certain glove, you know what their game plan is.
    “You’ve got guys that aren’t really punchers, and they’re going to wear the smaller Reyes gloves. You think this guy is going to try and knock you out.
    “I’m going to have to be smart in this fight and be prepared.
    “Then you’ve got Canelo, who is wearing the MX gloves, and they’ve got nothing in them. I knew that he was just looking for that one big shot. You know the mentality from the type of gloves they’re wearing.”
    Khan announced his retirement in 2022, after a brutal defeat to long-time rival Kell Brook.
    It was later revealed that he had failed a drug test after the fight, and is currently serving a two-year ban from the sport. More

  • in

    Floyd Mayweather’s £19m Los Angeles mega mansion boasts incredible wine cellar and shows off his amazing belt collection

    BOXING legend Floyd Mayweather gave fans a glimpse inside his lavish mansion.The boxing icon, who hung up his gloves in 2017 with an unbeaten 50-0 record, is believed to be worth around £1BILLION.
    Floyd Mayweather captioned this image: ‘My wine cellar in my Beverly Hills castle’Credit: Instagram @floydmayweather
    The undefeated champ showed off his amazing belt collectionCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
    Nicknamed “Money”, he has never been shy in flaunting his wealth, giving an insight into his life of luxury.
    And he’s still making money – fighting exhibition fights with a scheduled fight against John Gotti III coming up in June.
    Mayweather, now 46, splashed out £19m in cash on a stunning Beverly Hills pad, previously taking to social media to show what it’s like on the inside.
    He even shelled out a further £370,000 on top of the sale price, having made an astonishing £74million from his final professional bout against Conor McGregor in 2017.
    Hundreds of expensive bottles of wines line the wall in his cellar, presumably for when he hosts parties with star-studded guest-lists.
    Mayweather has regularly been snapped on nights out drinking with huge wads of cash in his own strip club.
    In another picture, he is laying down on his couch in his spotless lounge area with the caption “relaxing in 90210.”
    Most read in sport

    The 46-year-old is believed to be worth around £1billionCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
    The outside of Floyd Mayweather’s house shows the life of luxury he is livingCredit: Jim Bartsch
    There are ten bathrooms throughout the luxury padCredit: Jim Bartsch
    A large chandelier hangs from the ceiling in his self proclaimed “castle” and a huge marble fireplace is lit on the opposite side of the room.
    But what is more extraordinary is his stunning belt collection.
    With 15 world titles in five weight classes it is no surprise that Mayweather has an extensive array of belts.
    He has also previously shown off his incredible diamond-encrusted timepieces.
    It is a far cry from his earlier life when he grew up amid poverty and drugs in Grand Rapids before his rise to the top.
    And now he boasts mansions across America including in Las Vegas.
    His crib has a private cinema on site to house 20 peopleCredit: Jim Bartsch
    The lounge is open plan with a wine room leading off itCredit: Jim Bartsch
    The master bedroom has walk-in wardrobes and private balcony overlooking the gardenCredit: Jim Bartsch More

  • in

    I partied until 6am the night before my Arsenal debut, then scored a hat-trick after three hours sleep

    JERMAINE PENNANT has lifted the lid on his full Arsenal debut by revealing he was out partying until 6am on the day of the clash.The ex-Liverpool star featured as a late substitute during a 3-2 defeat to Leeds in the 2002/03 season and believed he would not play again for the rest of the campaign.
    Former Arsenal ace Jermaine Pennant has revealed he was hungover on the day he faced Southampton
    Pennant has claimed he could feel the vodka bouncing in his stomach during the Highbury clashCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    However, to his surprise, Arsene Wenger chucked the then 19-year-old into the starting XI, where he rewarded the Frenchman’s faith by banging in a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Southampton.
    But Pennant revealed he could still feel the vodka in his stomach during the clash which was the penultimate game of that season.
    Speaking to Four Four Two, Pennant said: “I’d been out the night before and had a big night, because I really didn’t think I would be playing, never mind starting the game.
    “I’d never started a game for Arsenal and I didn’t think that’d change, especially as Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Ray Parlour were all in the squad. I was guaranteed to be on the bench.

    Pennant netted a hat-trick against the Saints on his full league debut for the GunnersCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Arsenal eased to a 6-1 win against Southampton in the 2002/03 season
    “I thought, ‘Sod it’, went to an FHM party and got home at around 6am. I couldn’t believe it when I saw my name in the starting line-up!
    “I was still so hungover when I was playing; I just did everything in my power not to embarrass myself.
    “I can’t believe I scored. It was just a huge relief – I thought, ‘OK, you can take me off now. Please, Arsene!’
    “I felt so sick and I could feel the vodka still bouncing around in my stomach. You could smell it on my breath, too.
    Most Read in Football
    “I did OK to score a hat-trick: it shows I had talent, though it helps when you’re playing with Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira. That was the first game of Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run.”
    Despite his starring display against the Saints, Pennant failed to make the grade at Arsenal.
    He was shipped off on a season-long loan to Leeds for the entirety of the 2003/04 campaign that the Gunners went unbeaten, before joining Birmingham in 2005 following a loan spell. More

  • in

    Graeme Souness’s finest moments on Sky Sports from Pogba obsession to Mourinho duel as Liverpool legend retires

    IT’S the end of an era.After 15 years as a pundit, Graeme Souness has left Sky Sports.
    Graeme Souness is reportedly set to leave his role at Sky Sports at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
    The fiery Scot, 69, announced the decision as he held back tears following Liverpool’s thrilling 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
    Speaking about hanging up the microphone, he said: “I’m going to miss you guys, the guys behind the scenes, our makeup girl, I’ll miss you all.
    “You know, for me, I decided that football management wasn’t for me anymore. I had the wrong temperament for it, the wrong personality.
    “And then I was given the opportunity to do this and it’s been magnificent. It’s just been the most fantastic time for me, because I love football, I care about football and I worry about it going forward.
    read more football news
    “But in Sky’s hands, it’s in good hands, safe hands, and I think over the years we’ve created a Premier League with great detail and I think we look after football very well.
    “But for me personally, I’ve got the buzz of live football coming to some fantastic games and some fantastic stadiums and some great events.
    “I think I owe 100 apologies to people, but we haven’t got time for that.
    “I think people at home obviously don’t always agree with us, but it’s been great guys it really has.
    “And it’s great right now to be amongst friends and nothing goes on forever, but I’ve got a lot of things coming up, I’m involved in my DEBRA charity and on the 27th of this month I’ll announce the challenge I’m getting involved in.
    “But it’s been great so thank you to everyone.”
    Over the years, Souness has provided much hilarity in the studio with his cutting criticism and honesty – look away if you are Paul Pogba and Jack Grealish.
    And just like his tackling in his hey day, he’s not afraid to pull any punches. Here are his best moments.
    The Pogba affair
    Souness seemingly always had a bee in his bonnet about Pogba.
    But, even though he drew Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville in to heated debates about the World Cup winner, it was a moment with affable Micah Richards that was most surprising.
    It came during a discussion on old comments made by Pogba’s former agent Mino Raiola about the Frenchman’s future at Man Utd. The playmaker would, of course, get his move in the end.
    Most read in Football
    But the pair spoke over each other and gesticulated furiously as they tried to make their points – while Souness even turned his back at one point.
    Richards suggested Raiola had made comments without Pogba’s say-so but ex-Liverpool man Souness was having none of it.
    He blasted: “Not a chance, not a chance. He’s echoing the thoughts of the player.”
    Souness wasn’t having Micah Richards comments about Paul Pogba
    Fiery Scot Souness turned his back on his fellow pundit
    Grealish ain’t all that
    “He’s a good player, not a great player,” Souness has said of Man City’s £100million man Jack Grealish.
    For Graeme, the former Aston Villa playmaker had yet to do it for Pep Guardiola’s side.
    And, during his punditry, he let everyone know it.
    Grealish hit back at those comments while away on England duty, by insisting: “I don’t know what his problem is, he always criticises me.”
    Amusingly, Souness retorted on talkSPORT: “I’d love a night out with him.
    “I’m not sure I could stay with him but I think I would enjoy a night out with him.”
    Grealish has seemingly taken him up on his offer. He wrote on social media, “🤣🤣 let’s do it!! As long as I can bring Pogba as a +1.”
    Jack Grealish has been Souness’s recent targetCredit: Rex
    A case for the defence
    Gary Neville is used to getting his point across when it comes to his beloved Manchester United.
    But Souness didn’t agree with an assessment that former striker Cristiano Ronaldo needed support up front.
    No, the European Cup winner slammed the club’s defence instead.
    Neville said: “The biggest problem United actually have pre-dates Ronaldo. And for me it’s not a Pogba issue either.”
    Souness interjected: “You had to throw him into the mix as well.”
    But Neville carried on: “We can point towards two players, no goals is a mentality issue in a club, it’s a mentality issue in general.
    “United have had just one clean sheet in the last 20 game across all competitions.
    “They’ve conceded 31 goals to Chelsea’s 12, Liverpool’s 16 and Manchester City’s 21.”
    But Souness cut in again and added: “That’s not about having a focal point. That’s not the issue.
    “The issue is you’re too vulnerable.”
    Gary Neville and Graeme Souness got into a heated discussion about Man Utd’s defenceCredit: Sky Sports
    Gary Neville was adamant United’s problems remained upfront and was riled by SounessCredit: Sky Sports
    Neville attempted to diffuse the rising tensions and said: “We’re talking about two different things here, Graeme.”
    But Liverpool legend Souness would not stop. He continued: “It’s not about having a focal point. That’s not the issue.”
    Don’t interrupt him
    North London derby day in 2018, and Arsenal have drawn at home to Spurs 1-1.
    Alongside Souness in the studio is Gunners legend Thierry Henry, who begins with his assessment of the game.
    Henry makes his point about Arsenal stars, their injuries and how unfortunate they’ve been.
    Souness, though, had other ideas. “Arsenal have a lot of players that run with the ball,” he said.
    “That would lend to the idea of stretching more, dribbling with the ball more than anyone else…”
    Souness didn’t like it when Thierry Henry interrupted himCredit: Getty
    Before he can finish, he’s interrupted by Henry – to which Souness barks “I’m talking” at him.
    It was worth noting a season earlier, Souness was interrupted by Gary Neville – also during an Arsenal game at Man City – and gave him a death stare.
    But he got his own back…
    Fed up of being interrupted, Souness got his own back on fellow Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher last season.
    It started with a debate about Romelu Lukaku’s infamous interview on Sky Sport Italy, when the Belgium striker revealed he wanted to return to Inter Milan.
    Souness felt he should have got more than just being left out of the line up for an important televised game by boss Thomas Tuchel.
    Carragher did his best to defend Lukaku, saying he didn’t say he wanted to leave Chelsea.
    Souness interjected, “No, he did in as many words.”

    The interjection alone spun Carragher’s mind, who pulled a hilarious face at the camera – that’s soon become a meme.
    Beef with Mourinho
    The Special One and Graeme clashed over Man Utd’s playing style, as well as fixture congestion.
    “I have seen in the football media that certain pundits cannot understand why our players are tired,” Mourinho moaned his programme notes.
    “A pundit is not honest if they cannot forget their colours or if they try to hide the truth from their audience. It’s not my fault if their managerial career was very poor.”
    But Souness hit back after they beat Ajax in the Europa League final.
    “They have turned up in Stockholm, and dug out a result playing the kind of football that is not Manchester United, that’s my biggest beef with them,” he said.
    “They don’t attempt to get on the ball, and don’t play enough football for me. If you’re one of the big clubs in the world, which they obviously are, you have to play better football.
    “They won’t win the big trophies playing like that, against the better teams they won’t win the big trophies. You won’t win our league playing like that. They don’t play enough football.”
    Souness later said that the only reason Man Utd went with Mourinho was because rivals Man City had Pep Guardiola, and the Red Devils needed a big name manager.
    Jose Mourinho celebrates with the Europa League trophyCredit: Getty – Contributor
    ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
    It’s not just fellow pundits who have faced Souness’s wrath.
    In 2019, Liverpool drew 0-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford – in what many perceived as a flat performance.
    But, the former Anfield hero thought the Reds played well, when asked by host David Jones, and dominated possession.
    With the camera zoomed in on Souness, it’s impossible to see what Jones did to incur such a confrontation.
    But as Souness contined to make his point, he all of a sudden said: “Why are you look at me like that? Are you not agreeing with me?”
    Graeme Souness on Sky’s Super Sunday

    As the camera panned out, Jones looked around at the fellow pundits and said, “I just wonder if they agree with you.”
    Read More on The Sun
    “It was just the way you looked,” Souness added.
    How he will be missed. More