More stories

  • in

    Biggest bromances in football, including Rice and Mount and Messi’s emotional note when Suarez left Barcelona

    THESE are the ballers who became bezzies.While there are relationships in any team, from centre-back partnerships to strike duos, this lot took things much further.
    Childhood friends Mason Mount and Declan Rice have emerged as one of football’s biggest bromancesCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Here, SunSport rounds up football’s biggest mates.Messi & Suarez
    In the summer of 2020, Uruguay ace Luis Suarez said an emotional goodbye to his team-mates and cleared out his locker in the dressing room after six seasons at the Nou Camp.
    He was joined by an emotional Leo Messi, who slammed the club’s treatment of his pal in the past, to wish Suarez all the best at rivals Atletico Madrid.
    Messi even took time to share a snap of the pair together one final time in the dressing room, and you can bet there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
    He captioned the photo: “I was already getting the idea but today I entered the locker room and the card really fell.
    “How difficult it is going to be not to continue sharing the day to day with you, both on the pitch and outside. We will miss you so much. It was many years, many mates, lunches, dinners … Many things that will never be forgotten, every day together.
    “It will be strange to see you with another shirt and much more to face you. You deserved to be fired as what you are: one of the most important players in the club’s history, achieving important things both as a group and individually.
    Lionel Messi poses with Luis Suarez in the Nou Camp dressing room one final timeCredit: Instagram
    MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
    “And not to get kicked out like they did. But the truth is that at this point nothing surprises me.
    “I wish you all the best in this new challenge. I love you very much, I love you very much. See you soon friend.”
    Later that summer Messi shocked the world by announcing he wanted to quit the club himself. Eventually he stayed, but left a year later anyway when Barcelona could not afford to pay his wages.
    Lingard & Rashford
    FROM quirky handshakes to holiday snaps, the two stars regularly give the world an insight into their bond through social media.
    Jesse Lingard once said he saw Marcus Rashford, five years his junior, as a little brother in the United squad, before moving on to Nottingham Forest.
    Jesse Lingard sees Marcus Rashford as like his little brother and nicknamed him ‘beansprouts’Credit: Instagram @marcusrashford
    He has nicknamed him ‘beansprouts’ and says their friendship stemmed from defending him during a feisty Manchester derby in 2016.
    “He got into a little bit of beef and I had to be there for him, and from then it’s carried on and I’ll always be there for him no matter what,” Lingard said.Lovren & Salah
    FOR Dejan Lovren and Mohamed Salah, there was an instant connection.
    When Salah arrived at Liverpool in 2017, the two men discussed their tough upbringings and, from there, they were virtually inseparable.
    Lovren revealed: “From day one, we felt this connection.
    Dejan Lovren and Mohamed Salah had an instant connection at LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association
    “We have been talking a lot, we were talking about private things and we have a similar background, a tough life from the beginning.
    “And then with his normality, how he can talk to you and when you see how he thinks… we are good friends, coffee, jokes!”
    Lovren now plays for Lyon while Salah is still starring at Anfield.Alli & Dier
    WHEN Dele Alli signed for Tottenham from Milton Keynes Dons in 2015, he quickly bonded with his fellow newbie.
    Eric Dier had signed from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon and the two quickly formed a friendship that culminated in appearing alongside each other on the Gogglebox sofa.
    Dele Alli and Eric Dier became close mates at Tottenham and ended up on Gogglebox togetherCredit: Channel 4
    The Channel 4 programme gave fans an insight into their friendship as the pair bickered over a cuppa on telly.
    But they’re not afraid to talk about their bond either, with Dele once saying: “Love’s a strong word but we do really like each other.”
    Dier has become a first team regular at Spurs, while Alli was sold to Everton. He has since tried to rebuild his career on loan in Turkey.Pogba & Lukaku
    IF it wasn’t for ‘Agent Paul Pogba’, Romelu Lukaku wouldn’t have ended up at Manchester United.
    In the summer of 2017, when the Belgian was choosing between a transfer to Chelsea and United, he was holidaying with Pogba in an LA mansion.
    There was little doubt where he would end up.
    Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku holidayed together in LA before the Belgian signed for Man United
    After that, the two superstars were virtually inseparable, hanging out, playing basketball and sharing private jets.
    The bromance was brought to an end in 2019 when Lukaku switched to Inter Milan. Pogba has since left the Red Devils for Juventus, while Lukaku is back on loan with Inter after flopping at Chelsea. Perhaps they can enjoy a nice Italian together at least now.
    Aubameyang & Lacazette
    THEY were always Gunner be mates.
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed for Arsenal in January 2018 and immediately struck up a friendship with fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette.
    Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang formed a partnership both on and off the pitch at ArsenalCredit: Reuters
    Aubameyang remembers: “I came to Arsenal and there he was. It was good to see him. It was love at first sight!”
    Their bond off the pitch helped them on it, with the duo helping the club win the FA Cup in 2020.
    However, the best buds have since moved.
    Aubameyang was first to go, after a fallout with manager Mikel Arteta, to Barcelona. He since moved to Chelsea.
    Lacazette returned to Lyon and is flying this season, even without his close pal at hand.
    Mount & Rice
    IT was in Chelsea’s academy, at the age of seven, that Mason Mount and Declan Rice began their friendship.
    Both families holidayed together and travelled Europe, watching the boys play for the Blues, and their bond endured Chelsea’s decision to release Rice at the age of 14 – which made Mount’s mum cry.
    Childhood mates Rice and Mount have gone on holiday together for many yearsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/masonmount10/?hl=en
    Now the two midfielders have been able to team up again while playing for their country after being selected by Gareth Southgate.
    And Mount provided the most hilarious video when he surprised a sleeping Rice while they were on holiday together.
    Kolasinac & Ozil
    IF any star has proved their bezzie loyalty it’s Sead Kolasinac to Mesut Ozil.
    In the face of knife-wielding moped thugs, Kolasinac leapt from Ozil’s car and defended his pal with whom he had formed a strong bond.
    Sead Kolasinac and Mesut Ozil became best buds at Arsenal while their wives have connected tooCredit: Instagram/ m10_officia
    Sead Kolasinac fought off moped muggers armed with a knifeCredit: Enterprise News and Pictures
    German Ozil vowed to take Kolasinac under his wing when he arrived at Arsenal in 2017, and since then the two men — and their wives — have become best friends.
    In the summer of 2019, both couples got married and attended each other’s wedding while the two men dyed their hair blonde after losing a bet.
    Ozil retired from the game this year, after a spell in Turkey. Kolasinac was sold to Marseille.
    Fabregas & Suarez & Messi
    IT is the friendship group football fans would dream to be a part of.
    Messi, Suarez and Cesc Fabregas, who all met at Barcelona, have formed a small clique of some of the world’s greatest footballing talent.
    Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Luis Suarez and their wives have become close friends and regularly holiday togetherCredit: Instagram @antonelaroccuzzo
    With their respective partners ⁠— Antonella Roccuzzo, Sofia Balbi and Daniella Semaan ⁠— all friends as well, the group regularly holiday together in giant luxury villas and yachts.
    There was even a suggestion in 2017 that the group racked up a £32,630 bill during a dinner on the Spanish island of Ibiza.Firmino & Coutinho
    THEIR time together at Anfield was relatively short but extremely sweet.
    Fellow Brazilians Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho formed a formidable partnership in Jurgen Klopp’s fierce attack.
    Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino formed a close bond while at Liverpool togetherCredit: Instagram, @roberto_firmino
    So it came as a blow to Firmino when Coutinho made the £142million switch to Barcelona in January 2018.
    Firmino said: “He made his decision to join Barcelona, but every time we play for the Seleção we have a chat and maintain that friendship.
    “He’s an exceptional guy – one of the best friends football has given me.”
    Coutinho returned to the Premier League with Aston Villa, so the pair rekindled their bromance.
    However, with Firmino leaving Anfield this summer, expect an emotional goodbye.
    Nolan & Carroll
    WHEN Andy Carroll was bailed for an assault charge in 2010, he turned to his best mate Kevin Nolan.
    Having become close friends at Newcastle, Nolan allowed his pal to live with his family on two conditions — reading Peppa Pig to his kids and being in bed by 11pm!
    Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll are such good mates that Nolan let Carroll live with himCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    But it still came as some surprise when the former Liverpool striker named Nolan in his dream 5-a-side team alongside superstars such as Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.
    Nolan responded by saying: “Well, me and Andy are mates so he’s looking after his mucker!”And when bromances go bad… Owen and Shearer
    A lethal strike partnership, the darlings of England’s first-team, whose relationship spiralled from good mates to a public spat.
    Michael Owen’s autobiography Reboot: My Life lifted the lid on a bitter feud that began during his time at Newcastle.
    The two English heavyweights went toe-to-toe on Twitter after Owen’s book claimed Alan Shearer had questioned his professionalism at St. James’ Park.
    Shearer took aim at Owen by highlighting his hefty wages at Newcastle before Owen shot back by questioning Shearer’s loyalty to Newcastle.
    Let’s hope the other bezzies in this list aren’t slinging mud at each other in ten years’ time.
    Alan Shearer and Michael Owen’s friendship has fallen apart and spiralled into a public spatCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

  • in

    Footballers strange contract demands, from no space travel to weight clauses and free moves for Catalan independence

    PLAYERS are valuable commodities.So when they thrash out contracts with the world’s biggest clubs, it’s important to get everything right and nothing’s left to chance.
    Footballers like Lionel Messi reportedly have bizarre clauses written into their contractsCredit: Getty
    But there are times when stipulations are put in place by player and club to protect their interests, to let them fulfil their hobbies, or managers just don’t trust them.
    SunSport looks back at the wackiest clauses added by players and clubs.Messi business
    Back in 2020, with Lionel Messi’s future STILL up in the air before his free transfer move to Paris Saint-Germain, talk of what he would look for in his new contract away from Barcelona began to surface.
    Some of the clauses in that deal were leaked by El Mundo.
    They included an agreement to learn how to speak Catalan, he must ‘adopt an adequate personal conduct and pace of life’ and not engage in doping, and if Catalonia became its own country he could leave on a free transfer.
    LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
    Lew the outdoor adventurer
    When Robert Lewandowski was running down his contract at Borussia Dortmund both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were jostling for his signature.
    And in leaked documents, Real Madrid’s offer seemed far more lucrative.
    Alongside a £166,000-per-week deal and a £10m signing-on fee were several requests they didn’t want daredevil Lewandowski to do while he was their property.
    Skiing, paragliding, climbing, going on a motorboat and even riding a motorbike were big ‘no-nos’ for Madrid’s hierarchy… so that’s why signed for Bayern instead.
    Robert Lewandowski was able to continue his outdoor adventures at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
    Reina toyed with
    When negotiating a contract, it’s important to be 100 per cent clear about what is being stipulated.
    When German forward Giuseppe Reina moved to Arminia Bielefeld in 1996, he demanded the club build him a house for every year of his contract.
    The club accepted.
    However, Reina didn’t specify what size he required.
    And Arminia provided him with a house made of Lego for the next three years.
    Giuseppe Reina in action for Arminia Bielefeld, who only joined under strict circumstances
    Redondo locked out
    Former Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder Fernando Redondo was excluded from Argentina’s 1998 World Cup squad for a bizarre reason.
    Manager Daniel Passarella had refused to pick homosexuals or players with earrings and long hair.
    Redondo was ‘guilty’ of the latter.
    He said: “I was in great form. But Passarella had particular ideas about discipline and wanted me to have my hair cut.
    “I didn’t see what that had to do with playing football so I said no.”
    Fernando Redondo’s long hair cost him his international career
    Cooking up a treat
    Congolese midfielder Rolf-Christel Guie-Mien moved from Karlsruher to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1999.
    However, he had one simple request: that his new club pay for his wife to have cooking lessons.
    We’re not sure Mrs Guie-Mien took too kindly to this demand.
    She was not available for comment at the time.
    Rolf-Christel Guie-Mien made it very clear to his wife he kitchen skills needed improvement
    Brought down to Earth
    Swede Stefan Schwarz moved to Sunderland in 1999 — but the Wearsiders had one stipulation the former Arsenal man had to adhere to.
    Schwarz was told that any potential flights into space would not be tolerated.
    The Black Cats chief exec John Flicking said at the time: “One of Schwarz’s advisers has, indeed, got one of the places on the commercial flights [into space, due to take place in 2002].
    “And we were worried that he may wish to take Stefan along with him. So we thought we’d better get things tied up now rather than at the time of the flight.”
    In fact, rather than managing to go up, his career ended when Sunderland went down in 2003.
    Stefan Schwarz is presented as a Sunderland player, alongside Peter Reid in 1999
    Razor weighed down
    Former Premier League and England defender Neil Ruddock once admitted to eating 212 steak and kidney pies every year.
    And Crystal Palace were advised Razor did come with some extra baggage when they signed him on a free in 2000.
    Ex-Eagles chairman Simon Jordan wrote in his autobiography: “On approaching West Ham I discovered he was a free transfer, although he did have a weighty salary — which was not the only weighty thing about him.
    “Harry Redknapp, the West Ham manager at the time, told me to put in a weight clause.
    “So I decided to put a 10 per cent penalty on the contract we were proposing to offer him if he was over the recommended weight of 99.8kg, which by the way was still frigging huge.”
    Ruddock’s Palace debut was allegedly delayed because the club couldn’t find a pair of shorts big enough for him.
    Neil Ruddock has never been one of the slimmest footballers
    Driving a Honda
    Japanese legend Keisuke Honda joined Botafogo in January 2020.
    But moving to Brazil’s crime-ridden city of Rio de Janeiro had the midfielder fearing for his safety.
    So he stipulated he would need an ARMOURED VEHICLE as part of the deal.
    More incredibly, Botafogo agreed.
    But his stay in South America did not last long and the now 36-year-old left the same year for Azerbaijan.
    Honda ended his career in Lithuania – and is now coach of Cambodia’s U23s.
    Keisuke Honda signed for Brazilian side Botafogo – but only after an unusual request was grantedCredit: AFP or licensors More

  • in

    Former Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink believed 2009 Champions League semi-final vs Barcelona could have been ‘fixed’

    GUUS HIDDINK thought Chelsea’s 2009 Champions League semi-final defeat to Barcelona might have been fixed – even though the referee owned up to making mistakes.The Blues were denied a spot in the final after the official Tom Henning Ovrebo made a series of blunders.
    Guus Hiddink had to hold back a furious Didier Drogba after the 2009 tieCredit: AP:Associated Press
    Hiddink, manager of Chelsea at the time, branded the officiating as ‘the worst refereeing I have ever seen’.
    He told Ziggo Sport in 2020: “The referee performance surprised me, because in the past he’d had perfect performances.
    “Is it the worst refereeing I’ve ever seen? I think so.”
    The Dutchman alleged: “This is the only time I thought a match could’ve been fixed.”
    Barca went on to beat Manchester United in the final with the Blues waiting until 2012 to claim their maiden crown – a tally they doubled in 2021.
    Hiddink claims football chiefs would not have wanted a repeat of the all-English final between Chelsea and United the year before, won by the Red Devils on spot-kicks.
    But in an interview with SunSport in February 2018, Norwegian whistler Ovrebo admitted to making genuine mistakes during the match.
    Ovrebo, who works as a psychologist in Oslo now, turned down FOUR Blues’ penalty claims before Chelsea were cruelly eliminated by Andres Iniesta’s 94th-minute strike for Barca which put them through on away goals.
    MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
    Death threats were made after the game, while straight after the match Blues striker Didier Drogba verbally attacked the ref, and later received a five-match ban.
    Ovrebo said: “I was happy with 95 per cent of my decisions. But there were some decisions that were not dealt with in the correct manner.
    “One handball earlier in the game should have been a penalty. People will always have different opinions about the game.
    “But everyone agrees the refereeing that night was not optimal. And I am the first to agree with them.”
    At the time Uefa dismissed the conspiracy theories around the game.
    Uefa general secretary David Taylor said: “If anything it’s a media conspiracy against Uefa.
    “It does make me angry. It really annoys me because it’s a load of rubbish.” More

  • in

    Tom Cleverley reveals he received Man Utd hate mail, got Fergie rollickings and Liverpool killed his Old Trafford career

    TOM CLEVERLEY has lifted the lid on his Manchester United career – and how losing to Liverpool was the beginning of the end of his time at Old Trafford.Watford star Cleverley, now 33, realised a dream when he played for the club he supported as a boy and helped them win a Premier League title.
    Tom Cleverley has opened up on his Manchester United career and the ruthless instincts of Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The Championship midfielder still has vivid memories of this time with United, the good and the bad.
    And he shared them with the club’s fans in a frank article on their website in March 2019, detailing how leaving the club hit him hard mentally.
    He said: “I was looking forward to 2012-13. The whole squad had a big boost, actually. Robin.
    “For longevity, I have to say that Scholesy and Wazza are the best two players I’ve played with in my career so far, but if that Premier League winner’s medal in my trophy cabinet was owed to someone, it would have to be Robin van Persie.

    “He was unbelievable. As an individual season, you’ll struggle to find many better than him in 2012/13.
    “Games where we didn’t even play well, that were such stalemates, you could just give him the ball and he would make a goal out of nothing. Just an unbelievable finisher.
    “For me, I couldn’t have imagined his move going as well as it did. Everything he struck that season seemed to find the back of the net.
    “How 2011/12 ended. It doesn’t get much worse.

    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    FERGIE’S KILLER INSTINCT
    “I wasn’t in the squad at Sunderland that day, but I was on my way down from the directors’ box at the Stadium of Light and as soon as Dzeko scored City’s equaliser, I knew. I could see it unfolding and that it was meant to be theirs.
    “It was a terrible, terrible day in my career.
    “I still can’t listen to Martin Tyler’s commentary when the clip comes on Sky Sports.
    “I’ll never forget in the dressing room after that game. The manager said to us all: ‘I told you. That’s why I wanted you to be more ruthless and really kill teams, because you can lose leagues on goal difference.’
    “And he was right. We’d gone in after beating teams 3-0 or 4-0 that season and he still hadn’t been happy with us in the dressing room.
    “That’s how much of a winner he was, how ruthless he wanted us to be.”
    HOW LIVERPOOL KILLED MY CAREER
    “When I look back on 2013/14, two games were massive in, well, my downfall, I suppose.
    “Liverpool away at the start of the season, we got beat 1-0, and it was a flat performance from myself. I’d already had a man-marking job on Hazard in our previous game against Chelsea, and that day I had the same job on Coutinho at Anfield.
    “For me to show the other side of my game, it was tough. Then you start hearing whispers.
    “It’s hard to get away from it all when you’re living in Manchester, your mates are all United fans and you’re playing for the biggest club in the world. Looking back, I probably wasn’t mentally ready for everything that was going to come my way.
    “I struggled with the mental side of things. In the mix of it all I had a couple of good games – the manager still had the faith in me to play and I played a lot that year – but then the Olympiacos away game killed me, really. I was poor that night.
    “The snowball had already started, but now it had real momentum.
    “I remember my next start, four weeks after Olympiacos, going into the City game at home when we got beat 3-0 and I’ve never, ever been lower on confidence.
    “For me, confidence is the biggest attribute a footballer can have, and that night I had none of it.”
    HATE MAIL
    “I’m not going to lie and say that I was enjoying my life at that time. Football was my life.
    “I was playing for a club that I loved, I’d worked so hard to get there and I could see it falling apart. It was devastating.
    “You get letters at the training ground. You try to respond to fan mail, but in the end it gets to a point where you’re better off not reading it.
    “Social media was just a hindrance, so I closed my accounts. Having a lot of followers on Twitter meant a lot less to me than my mental health and my football career.
    “I just got rid of it all and I’ve never gone back on since. I think that’s been good for me.” More

  • in

    Man Utd were refunded for Chinese disaster Dong Fangzhuo after the infamous striker flopped with the Red Devils

    MANCHESTER UNITED were given a full refund for Dong Fangzhuo after the Chinese striker flopped at Old Trafford.United infamously signed Fangzhuo from Chinese club Dalian Shide in 2004 for an initial fee of £500,000, which could have risen to £3.5million, depending on appearances.
    Man Utd were given a full refund for Dong Fangzhuo after the infamous Chinese striker flopped at Old TraffordCredit: Getty – Contributor
    But the forward only played three matches and failed to score a goal before his contract was terminated four years after moving to England.
    The Premier League giants were not out of pocket for the gamble signing, though, due to a clause inserted when they signed Fangzhuo.
    According to The Athletic, Dalian Shide agreed to refund United if they were not satisfied two years after the striker completed the move to Old Trafford.
    The flop moved back to his ex-club after leaving Manchester, and retired aged 29 after spells in Poland, Portugal and Armenia.
    Fangzhuo’s spectacular fall from grace culminated in appearing on a Chinese reality TV show undergoing plastic surgery.
    In 2015 Fangzhuo was without a club and was struggling to stay fit.
    Overweight, he appeared on a Chinese TV show where he underwent plastic surgery on his jowly face.
    Despite the cruel twist of fate in his career, his former United team-mate Darren Fletcher claimed Fangzhuo had all the attributes to be a success in England.
    Fletcher said: “Listen, it was difficult for Dong. You’re talking about a stage and a time at Manchester United where the competition for places was crazy.
    “But there was something there with Dong. He was aggressive, he was quick, he had a great shot. He had attributes. But he was still learning the game and things like that.
    manchester united news
    “Confidence is a massive part of it for any young player, especially when you struggle with the language and the cultural changes.
    “It’s difficult to say someone wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t like he was miles off it at Manchester United.
    “I didn’t see any reason why he wouldn’t have been a success elsewhere. But I think he went back to Asia and we never really saw or heard of him again.”
    United signed Fangzhuo from Dalian Shide in 2004 for an initial fee of £500,000, which could have risen to £3.5 million, depending on appearancesCredit: Getty – Contributor
    However, a spectacular fall from grace culminated in Fangzhuo appearing on a Chinese reality TV show undergoing plastic surgery More

  • in

    Footballers who were rich before becoming famous like Vialli, Bamford and the Sultan of Brunei’s nephew

    THERE is a lot of money to be made in football.Indeed, even middle-of-the-road stars in England’s top flight are making £50,000 each week on average.
    Gianluca Vialli sadly passed away earlier this yearCredit: Instagram @lucavialli
    However, this lot were already from wealthy backgrounds before they made it to the big league.
    Let SunSport guide you through the football stars that were already swimming in riches and didn’t need the beautiful game.GIANLUCA VIALLI
    Chelsea and Italy legend Vialli was always recognised as a gentleman of the game.
    And it’s probably got to do with his upbringing.
    He was raised by his father, a self-made millionaire, in a 60-room castle called the Castello di Belgioioso in Cremona, along with four siblings.
    The Champions League and Serie A winner also loves a posh round of golf.
    He took part in the Alfred Dunhill links championship pro-am event, which is one of the richest golf tournaments played in Europe.
    He then worked alongside manager Roberto Mancini with the Italian national team.
    But Vialli tragically passed away earlier this year after a brave battle against cancer.
    Vialli grew up in a 60-room castle called the Castello di Belgioioso in CremonaCredit: Alamy
    Dignified Vialli had a far from modest upbringingCredit: Instagram @lucavialli
    Gianluca Vialli scores for Chelsea against Nottingham Forest in 1996Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    FRANK LAMPARD
    The interim Chelsea manager didn’t have to go into football, although it was an easy step for him to make.
    Lampard came from a football family, with uncle Harry Redknapp and dad Frank Lampard Snr showing him the way at West Ham United.
    He intended the posh Brentwood School in Essex that would’ve cost a fortune in school fees.
    There, he scored 11 GCSE’s and could’ve been an accountant, according to a former teacher.
    Frank Lampard went to posh Brentwood High SchoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    GERARD PIQUE
    Being formerly half of a celebrity couple (his ex-missus is Colombian singer Shakira), Barcelona defender Pique has made his own fortune.
    However, growing up life was easy for the defender who had a spell in England at Manchester United as a youth.
    He lived a comfortable existence in Catalonia. Dad Joan is a successful attorney and businessman, while mum Montserrat is the director of a hospital in Barcelona.
    Even Pique’s grandfather Amador Bernabeu was minted – as a former director of the La Liga champions.
    Gerard Pique’s dad Joan is a successful attorney and businessman, while mum Montserrat is the director of a hospital in BarcelonaCredit: Alamy
    FAIQ BOLKIAH
    Formerly of Leicester City, currently playing in Thailand for Chonburi, Bolkiah is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, who has a fortune estimated to be worth £15bn.
    His dad is Jefri Bolkiah, a brother of the oil tycoon, so that makes Faiq a member of their royal family and in line to receive a nice inheritance.
    At his 50th birthday, to impress his son, he hired Michael Jackson to play a private gig just for them.
    Faiq Bolkiah is a former Leicester City trainee and nephew of the Sultan of BruneiCredit: Instagram @fjbolkiah
    AL-SAADI GADDAFI
    The third son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Al-Saadi played for Perugia, Udinese and was on the books at Sampdoria.
    In 2011, he retired and became the commander of Libya’s Special Forces and led the army in the Libyan Civil War. In 2018, he was cleared of murder charges after he was extradited from Niger back to Libya.
    During his playing days he once employed Diego Maradona as a technical consultant, and Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson as his personal trainer.
    Al-Saadi Gaddafi was the son of Colonel GaddafiCredit: AFP – Getty
    Gaddafi played in Italy before becoming an army generalCredit: Getty – Contributor
    HUGO LLORIS
    The Spurs goalie comes from an affluent background.
    Growing up in Nice in the South of France, his mother was an attorney, while his dad was a banker.
    He took tennis lessons as a kid, and was ranked high in his age range as a youngster.
    It meant football played second fiddle in his life until the age of 13.
    Lloris famously played through the pain of losing his mum, refusing bereavement leave to play for Nice.
    Hugo Lloris could have been a tennis star instead of a footballerCredit: AFP – Getty
    ROBIN VAN PERSIE
    Wealthy and artisanal, Van Persie’s parents afforded the former Arsenal striker a comfortable life growing up in Rotterdam.
    His father Bob is a renowned artist and sculptor, while his mother Jose Ras is a painter, teacher and jewellery designer.
    Van Persie’s parents split up when he was younger, and he was a troublesome teen.
    His dad expected him to become an artist too.
    Robin Van Persie’s parents were artisticCredit: Instagram @robinvanpersie
    Mother Jose Ras is a painter, teacher and jewellery designerCredit: Instagram @robinvanpersie
    MARIO BALOTELLI
    The fiery Italian wasn’t born wealthy.
    Balotelli originally comes from Palermo and his parents were Ghanaian immigrants.
    But he was adopted by Francesco and Silvia Balotelli when his mum and dad couldn’t afford him.
    They were a wealthy pair, who lived in an affluent part of Brescia called Concesio.
    His birth and adoptive parents fought for custody, but it was decided it was in Balotelli’s best interests to stay put.
    Mario Balotelli was adopted when he was a kidCredit: Instagram @mb459
    Francesco and Silvia Balotelli lived wealthily in BresciaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    ANDREA PIRLO
    An elegant footballer and man, Pirlo learned about the finer things in life when he was a kid.
    His dad Luigi set up a steel company in Brescia in 1982, which Andrea still has a stake in.
    The former Juventus star enjoyed an upper class life, which he later put to use in his own way.
    Pirlo, who ended his career in the MLS, also owns his own vineyard, as rich people do.
    Andrea Pirlo learned about the finer things in life as a youngsterCredit: Instagram @andreapirlo21
    Today, refined Pirlo owns his own vineyardCredit: Instagram @andreapirlo21
    PATRICK BAMFORD
    He doesn’t have to play centre forward for Leeds, you know.
    Bamford isn’t your typical footballer, being a skilled violin and piano player and attended fee-paying Nottingham High School, got five A*s at GCSE and went on to study French, history and biology at A Level.
    Bamford was even offered a scholarship at Harvard in the US, who recognised his academic prowess.
    However, he’s not related to JCB founder Joseph Bamford, as was once claimed.
    Patrick Bamford went to private school and was offered a scholarship to HarvardCredit: Instagram @patrick_bamford
    Bamford is a not relative of JCB founder Joseph Bamford as was once claimedCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
    KAKA
    Most of Brazil’s best footballers lead a life that tells a rags-to-riches tale. But former Ballon d’Or winner Kaka is different.
    He was raised by father Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite, who was an engineer, while his mother Simone dos Santos was a school teacher.
    It has been reported that Kaka lived comfortably, and wasn’t raised in poverty like many of his teammates for his country.
    Brazilian legend Kaka lived a comfortable existence growing upCredit: Instagram @kaka
    Kaka’s father Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite was an engineerCredit: Instagram @kaka More

  • in

    Fabio Paim was dubbed ‘better than Cristiano Ronaldo’ but love of cars and disastrous loan to Chelsea ended his career

    CRISTIANO RONALDO marked people’s cards when he first arrived at Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon.He cheekily said to those around at the time: “If you think I’m good, wait until you see Fabio Paim.”
    Fabio Paim was supposed to be a bigger star than Cristiano Ronaldo
    The attacking midfielder was at Sporting Lisbon the same time as RonaldoCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Incredibly, Paim was more highly regarded at Lisbon than either Ronaldo or now-Wolves star Joao Moutinho.
    Ronaldo has established himself as one of the greatest players in history with 198 international caps as Moutinho closes in on 150 matches for his country.
    Unfortunately for Paim, despite winning 42 international caps at youth level for Portugal’s Under-16’s all the way through to the Under-21’s, he faded completely into obscurity.
    He didn’t earn a single senior international cap, and as he admitted, he didn’t deserve to either.
    Because Paim’s story is an educational one for youth players who get bumper contracts when they’re kids and think they’ve already made it.
    He joined Sporting at the age of six, and by 14 Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United were regularly checking on his progress.
    Even the French Football Federation offered him the chance to move to France so he could represent their country.
    To warn everybody off, Sporting tied Paim down on an £18,000 per week contract.
    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
    MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
    He was tied down to a £18,000 per week contract at the age of 16Credit: Getty – Contributor
    But he squandered it all on fast carsCredit: Getty – Contributor
    However, little did they know they would be sowing the seeds for his eventual downfall.
    He told Globoesporte in 2017: “I spent a lot of money on cars. I love cars. I spent lavishly on the ones I wanted. All of them.
    “Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Maserati and even a Punto. Every car you could imagine.
    “When you have a lot of money, you need a support system around you. I would have done it differently, if I could.
    “I knew what I was doing. I believed I had more talent than everyone else.
    “Like everyone, I wanted to feel good, wear nice clothing, drive a nice car and behave with no humility.
    “But, it’s normal, that’s what people work for, to be satisfied. On the field, I did what I had to, in order to retreat to my place. I spent time with people I wanted to and did what I wanted.
    “At the time, no one criticised me when things were going well. But when I stopped playing, they started pointing the finger. I just wanted to be with my cars.”
    Paim was born in the luxurious surroundings of Estoril, a famed luxury entertainment destination on the Portuguese Riviera.
    Paim had a loan spell at Chelsea in 2008Credit: Chelsea FC – Getty
    Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes acted on Paim’s behalfCredit: Reuters
    However, he didn’t come from money. Paim added: “I was not used to having money. When I started playing, I didn’t even have proper boots. I wasn’t ready for it.
    “I didn’t have what young players have now which is an example to follow. You need role models. I feel proud and a little ashamed to pass along this message to them.”
    After failing to break into the Sporting Lisbon team, super agent Jorge Mendes brokered a loan deal for Paim to try his luck at Chelsea in 2008.
    Playing for the Blues’ reserve side under Brendan Rodgers, it was hoped the move would kickstart his career again.
    But, if anything, it was the final nail in the coffin, as he revealed: “It was there where I stopped training and doing my work.
    “I started drinking. I had money and I started doing a lot of things I didn’t do before. The doors were open for me to do what I felt like.”
    After a season in West London he returned to Portugal and was eventually released by Sporting in 2010.
    Paim then became a footballing journeyman, joining 12 different clubs in seven different countries, playing in countries including Angola, Qatar, Malta and even Lithuania.
    More recently, he was looking for game time with Portuguese second division side, Leixoes S.C in 2018, before moving to fourth tier side AD Sao Pedro da Cova on a free.
    In 2019, Paim was arrested for possession of narcotics, but was later acquitted as wire-tapping is not admissible in a court of law.
    While there was hope Brendan Rodgers could get the best out of Paim at the BluesCredit: Getty – Contributor
    His career is now a case of what could’ve beenCredit: Instagram / @projetofabiopaim
    But Paim knows where he went wrong and where Ronaldo went right.
    He said: “At one point, I could do more than him but I did not have what he had, which is the strength and desire to be what I wanted to be.
    “He had a great work ethic and I didn’t have that. I had the quality, at least as much as him, but I did not have the rest.
    “I would have preferred to have less quality if I had more of the other part. I would have been one of the best in the world.
    “But, no one is born perfect. I thought having talent was enough but it’s not.” More

  • in

    Real Madrid flop Eden Hazard is keen to play for Fenerbahce before retiring, claims former chief of Turkish giants

    EDEN HAZARD has vowed to play for Turkish giants Fenerbahce before he retires, according to former club chief Hasan Cetinkaya.The Belgium talisman, who moved to Real Madrid from Chelsea in a £150million deal in 2019, has told Cetinkaya he will play for the Turkish Super Lig side one day.
    Eden Hazard has vowed to play for Fenerbahce before his career ends, claims the club’s former chief
    Cetinkaya revealed last year: “Eden Hazard is an old friend of mine, I’ve known him since he was 15 or 16 years old and still played for Lille.
    “He had incredible sympathy for Fenerbahce and gave me his word: ‘Hasan, one day I’ll play for Fenerbahce, I just do not know when that will be.'”
    Cetinkaya, who is now vice-president of Belgian club Westerlo, revealed that Fenerbahce were interested in Hazard, 32, at the start of his career.
    He also revealed that Fenerbahce were interested in Hazard at the start of his career.
    Cetinkaya said: “He was 16 when he played for Lille, they had him, Gervinho and Sow, but we could only attract Sow to us.
    “And then Hazard reached a different dimension, he was one of the greatest talents in Europe, and I wish he had, time will tell, Eden Hazard will one day play for Fenerbahce.”
    Most Read in Football
    Hazard has endured a frustrating time at Real after being hit by countless injuries.
    He even APOLOGISED for his flop spell at the Santiago Bernabeu last year.
    And he also admitted he could seek a transfer exit next summer – which could be Fenerbahce on red alert.
    Hazard told Marca: “I’m sorry. I’m trying, but … I’m sorry.
    “I have one more year and I have to show [what I can do] but it isn’t easy. I’m not playing, I want to play more. I’m really sorry about what has happened.
    “In January it’s impossible (to leave, because I have my family and I like the city)
    “But in the summer it’s possible that I leave. I have a year left on my contract and it’s a decision for the club.
    “If the club says ‘Eden, thanks for these four years, but you have to go’ I’ll have to accept it.

    “[I’d give myself] a zero in terms of playing, because I haven’t played,” he said, when asked to grade his time at Madrid. “But a 10 in terms of how I feel in this moment with the team. I’m not playing, but being a Real Madrid player was my dream as a kid. I want to play for this club.” More