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      What happened to the ‘Next Messis’, from youngest LaLiga star Romero to ex-Man City ace Patrick Roberts

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      MORE than a dozen players have been dubbed the ‘Next Messi’ over the years.But none have ever reached the heights scaled by PSG and Argentina World Cup winner Lionel Messi… not even close.
      The ‘Next Messis’ from all around the world
      Luka Romero, the ‘Mexican Messi’, made his debut for Mallorca age 15Credit: EPA
      In 2020, the ‘Mexican Messi’ (we’ve had one before in Diego Lainez) Luka Romero made LaLiga history.
      At just 15, the diminutive teen came on as a sub against Real Madrid in June 2020 and became the youngest player to play in the Spanish top-flight, also showing fans what the fuss is all about with some neat touches, before signing for Lazio in 2021.
      While, Arsenal were once linked with what was then the latest ‘Next Messi’ – Iranian Bayer Leverkusen star Sardar Azmoun.
      In the summer of 2019, Manchester United were said to be monitoring Trabzonspor teenager Abdulkadir Omur, the ‘Turkish Messi’.
      The world map has almost been filled in with different ‘Next Messis’ from around the globe.
      From Peru to South Africa and Japan to Iran, two dozen countries have produced their own version of the little genius.
      Even Scotland had one while England have two.
      Here’s how they got on…
      Lionel Messi is still arguably the best player in the worldCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The English Messi – Patrick Roberts
      Burst on to the scene as a teenager at Fulham and after some impressive performances as a teenager, Man City splashed £12million on him.
      He barely got into the City side before a long loan spell at Celtic.
      Although he won seven trophies under Brendan Rodgers, Roberts had a number of injury issues and did not hit the heights expected of him.
      Another loan spell to Girona last season didn’t really work out – while stints at Norwich and Middlesbrough last term have been uninspiring.
      Roberts went on loan at Derby, who narrowly avoided relegation to League One with a thrilling 3-3 draw on the final day of the Championship season.
      Now, he’s at League One side Sunderland.
      Mini Messi – Fran Kirby
      One of the players most deserving of the tag, the England and Chelsea star is one of the biggest stars in the women’s game.
      Kirby, who stands at just 5ft 2in, is a former PFA and FWA player of the year and has been a vital player in all of the Lionesses’ recent success, including winning the Euros.
      In 2021, Kirby was voted the 10th best player in the world in the Ballon d’Or list.
      England star Fran Kirby has been dubbed Mini Messi – and is one of the best players in the women’s gameCredit: PA:Press Association
      Scottish Messi – Ryan Gauld
      Gauld was 17 when he made his debut for Dundee United and began tearing it up in Scotland, helping The Terrors reach the Scottish Cup final in 2014.
      After being shortlisted for Young Player of the Year, Gauld was snapped up by Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.
      But Gauld only made two league appearances for Sporting, all in 2014 and early 2015, and went on four unsuccessful loan spells.
      He’s now at MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC, after a spell at Portuguese second tier side Farense.
      Swiss Messi – Xherdan Shaqiri
      The Messi comparisons are definitely a step too far but Shaqiri – formerly of Liverpool – is quite obviously a talent good enough for most teams in the world.
      He has played at some of the biggest clubs and scored at two World Cups and the European Championship.
      Injuries limited his impact at the Reds, and he moved to Lyon before plying his trade in the MLS with Chicago Fire.
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      Egyptian Messi – Mohamed Salah
      Speaking of whom, there was a time when Salah being compared to Messi would have been impossible to imagine… namely at Chelsea.
      Now thriving at Liverpool, the Egyptian king isn’t quite at Messi’s level – but he’s pretty damn close.
      This was a tag from when the forward was still at Basel and, in all honesty, it’s quite fair.
      Salah is now one of the best players in the world and will soon have players being dubbed the ‘Next Salah’.
      Mohamed Salah is now at the level were other players are dubbed the ‘Next Salah’Credit: AFP or licensors
      Catalan Messi – Gerard Deulofeu
      Certainly has enough natural talent to earn comparisons to one of the best ever.
      But the winger, now at Udinese following stints at Everton and Watford, does not have the consistency or work rate to compare himself to Messi.
      Deulofeu struggled in two spells at Barca but was instrumental to the Hornets getting to the FA Cup final in 2019.
      German Messi – Marko Marin
      Arrived at Chelsea in 2012 with a massive reputation but – like so many other Blues youngsters – never got a fair chance at Stamford Bridge.
      Was sent on four loan spells in three seasons and managed just six Premier League games in West London.
      Marin has since won trophies in Greece, Spain and Serbia before retiring last year while at Hungarian side Ferencvarosi.
      Croatian Messi – Alen Halilovic
      Another Barcelona graduate, the diminutive Croatian international has the technique but has struggled with the physicality of senior football.
      Loan spells at Sporting Gijon have brought little success.
      He is currently at Croatian club HNK Rijeka, after spells at Championship side Reading and AC Milan, where he failed to play a single Serie A game. Dutch side Heerenveen, Standard Liege, and Birmingham also feature on his CV.
      Norwegian Messi – Martin Odegaard
      One of the most hyped teenagers in Europe, the Norwegian jumped from Stromsgodset to Real Madrid in 2015.
      He initially struggled to live up to the hype and a two-year loan spell at Heerenveen brought inconsistent play.
      But last season on loan at Real Sociedad, Odegaard was excellent – putting himself in the frame to break back into the Madrid first-team.
      The Norwegian signed for Arsenal in a permanent deal in 2021, after a loan spell and his form has fired the Gunners to the top of the Premier League.
      Martin Odegaard was one of the most hyped teenage players everCredit: EPA
      Irish Messi – Alan Judge
      Definitely a tongue-in-cheek nickname, the winger earned the title while starring for Brentford for five years between 2014 and 2019.
      Judge helped the Bees reach the Championship and stay in the second tier, and was named in the PFA teams of the year in 2013 and 2016.
      He was at Ipswich, helping the Tractor Boys to ninth in League One in 2020-21, before signing for Colchester.
      Peruvian Messi – Raul Ruidiaz
      Actually nicknamed ‘Little Messi’, the Peruvian scored a mountain of goals in Peru and Mexico before moving to MLS in 2018.
      The striker has been sensational for the Seattle Sounders, winning the MLS Cup and CONCACAF Champions League.
      Kosovan Messi – Edon Zhergrova
      Edon Zhegrova became a YouTube sensation back in 2014 after compilations of the then 15-year old’s dazzling goals gained thousands of views.
      The Arsenal, PSG and Barcelona moves did not materialise, but a move to Belgium’s Standard Liege and then Genk did, where he is coming through the ranks.
      Basel then decided to take a longer look at him with an 18-month loan deal.
      The No10 played a handful of games for the club before moving to Lille.
      Indian Messi – Lallianzuala Chhangte
      The Chennaiyin winger became the youngest Indian international when he made his debut in 2015.
      But, now aged 24, the hype has died down a bit with Chhangte unable to build on that early promise.
      And he now playing for Indian side Mumbai City.
      Japanese Messi – Takefusa Kubo
      Still just 22, Kubo has the best chance of any player to live up to the moniker.
      The former FC Tokyo forward even came through the ranks at Barcelona, where he was a youth star, before returning to Japan.
      He would have stayed at La Masia but after Barca’s transfer ban he was no longer eligible to play in competitive matches, so decided to return to his homeland.
      He is the youngest player to play and score in the J.League and has been a regular in the FC Tokyo side.
      Kubo was snapped up by Real Madrid, a major coup for Los Blancos – but was quickly loaned to Mallorca before joining Getafe on a short-term deal earlier in 2021.
      Barcelona had wanted the playmaker – but were fooled into thinking he was not available until next January after an error on the Transkfermarkt website.
      Real Madrid knew the correct date his contract was up and swooped.
      Kubo, who has been brilliant in Japan’s successful World Cup campaign in Qatar, is currently at Real Sociedad after joining last summer.
      Takefusa Kubo (left) came through the ranks at Barcelona before joining Real MadridCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Greek Messi – Giannis Fetfatzidis
      The little winger never lived up to the moniker after coming through at Olympiacos.
      Has since played in Italy and Saudi Arabia, but is now at Qatari side Al-Sailiya.
      Iranian Messi – Sardar Azmoun
      A number of European clubs were interested in Azmoun a few years ago, including Arsenal, who offered £2m for the rapid forward.
      Azmoun starred in Russia for Zenit St Petersburg, where he has scored 62 times in just 104 games while winning three Russian Premier League titles.
      However, he’s now at Bayer Leverkusen – where he has scored just once across two seasons.
      Iranian Messi Azmoun has been linked to ArsenalCredit: AFP or licensors
      Indonesian Messi – Egy Maulana Vikri
      Aged just 21, Egy is already a full international having been a prodigy at youth level.
      He had scored 15 goals in 16 matches for Indonesia Under-19s, attracting attention from big clubs in Europe.
      Eventually, Maulana chose Lechia Gdansk where he also impressed for the reserves, scoring 12 goals in 14 matches in the Polish fourth tier.
      He made his full debut in 2020 and is now a 17-cap senior international for Indonesia.
      He moved to Slovenian side FK Senica, and now plays for ViOn Zlaté Moravce in the same league.
      Another Mexican Messi – Diego Lainez
      The 22-year-old has the potential to be a big star and has consistently been named as one of the players to keep an eye on in the coming years.
      The teenager is already a full international for El Tri and was signed by Real Betis for £9m in January 2019.
      This season, he was sent on loan to Primeira Liga club Braga for much-needed first team experience.
      Diego Lainez is already a full Mexican international and moved to Real Betis for £9mCredit: Getty – Contributor
      South Korean Messi – Lee Seung-woo
      Lee was once hailed as South Korea’s great hope of the future and was another graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.
      He moved to Catalonia in 2011, but managed just one appearance for Barcelona B, before moving to Hellas Verona in 2017.
      Now 25, the winger plays for South Korean side Suwon FC but became a national hero for his exploits in the Asian Games.
      Lee provided the assist for Tottenham’s Son Heung-min to score a winner – the goal also meant the Spurs man would avoid national service.
      Malaysian Messi – Faiz Nasir
      One of the smallest players in world football, Nasir stands at just 5ft.
      But there is plenty of talent in those little legs, with the Terengganu FC star scoring on his international debut.
      Nigerian Messi – Stanley Okoro
      Nicknamed ‘Little Messi’, Okoro spent time in Spain with Almeria but struggled to make a breakthrough.
      He certainly likes the nickname, however, stating: “I don’t mind when people call me Little Messi.
      “It’s a pleasant thing to be compared with the best footballer in the world – I don’t have a problem with that.”
      But having played back in his homeland of Nigeria, Okoro is now without a club.
      Thai Messi – Chanathip Songkrasin
      Songkrasin is known as ‘Messi Jay'”or just ‘Jay’ but actually took inspiration from another Argentine legend.
      His father apparently trained him with the intention of copying Diego Maradona.
      He became a fans’ favourite across Thailand for his dribbling skills, with 58 international caps so far, and now plays in Japan for Kawasake Frontale.
      South African Messi – Tebogo Tlolane
      The winger was nicknamed Messi from a young age because of his dribbling skills.
      He even managed a two week trial at Barcelona but failed to make the grade – Tlolane is now back in South Africa with Orlando Pirates. More

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      Former Man Utd star looks completely unrecognisable 25-years on after linking up with old team-mates for Masters match

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      A FORMER Manchester United star looks unrecognisable now after ditching his long locks.Several ex-Red Devils stars reunited for a Masters match in August and posed for a picture in the dressing room.
      (L-R) Wes Brown, Paul Rachubka, Louis Saha, Danny Webber, Darron Gibson, John O’Shea, Karel Poborsky and Quinton Fortune all posed for a pictureCredit: Instagram / @chriseagles.33
      It included the likes of Wes Brown, Paul Rachubka, Louis Saha, Danny Webber, Darron Gibson, John O’Shea and Quinton Fortune.
      But one man who caught the eye above them all was a certain Czech winger.
      Karel Poborsky, who won the Premier League with Man Utd in 1997, could be seen standing behind Fortune and in front of O’Shea.
      But he is no longer rocking the lengthy curls he donned as a player.
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      Instead, he has gone with a more conservative bed of hair, along with a strong beard.
      Poborsky has brought the beard back after shaving it off several years ago.
      The clean-shaven look came after he discovered a tick stuck in his beard in 2016 and was subsequently hospitalised.
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      He was then diagnosed with Lyme disease.
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      In recent years, Poborsky has been spotted playing several charity games, including for Man United legends in 2017.
      He starred alongside the likes of David Beckham at Old Trafford.
      Karel Poborsky won the Prem title with Man Utd in 1997Credit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS
      Poborsky starred for the Czech Republic at Euro 96Credit: GETTY IMAGES
      The Czech has ditched the mesmerising hair for a shorter look, but has grown a beard as a replacementCredit: UEFA
      Poborsky looks incredibly different compared to his playing daysCredit: INSTAGRAM: POBORSKY.KAREL More

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      Football legend Harry Redknapp reveals his two worst transfer signings… and both were for West Ham

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      HARRY REDKNAPP once told a reporter to “F*** off” after being called a “Wheeler-dealer” in a TV interview – but it’s fair to say the former West Ham and Tottenham manager did have a nose for a bargain.Despite bringing Paolo Di Canio to West Ham, Robbie Keane to Tottenham and Niko Kranjcar to three of the clubs he managed, not all of his signings worked out so well.
      Harry Redknapp made a number of shocking signings as managerCredit: PA:Press Association
      Marco Boogers is considered one of Harry Redknapp’s worst signings in footballCredit: Allsport – Getty
      Florin Raducioiu is ranked as one of Harry Redknapp’s worst ever signingsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Sun Sport columnist Redknapp, 75, revealed his worst transfers during his time in the hit show I’m a Celebrity in 2018. Whilst there are a few names that might spring to mind including Paulo Futre, Bongani Khumalo and Titi Camara, it was two other West Ham signings that Redknapp deemed his worst.
      Redknapp was manager of the Hammers from 1994 to 2001 and signed nearly 50 players during his time in East London.
      Marco Boogers was signed by Redknapp for £800,000 from Sparta Rotterdam in 1995 after the manager was shown a video of him looking “different class.”
      The Dutchman featured only four times for West Ham and did not start a single game. He was sent off early in his Hammers career after a horrific challenge on Gary Neville at Old Trafford before going missing soon after.
      Boogers failed to find the net in claret and blue and based on Redknapp’s comments, that is hardly surprising.
      Redknapp said: “Right from the word go Boogers’ attitude stank.
      “He was among the stragglers at the back whenever we went for a run, he didn’t want to work, he was lazy and the players all took an instant dislike to him.
      “I suppose you could say he could play a bit, but certainly he was nowhere near as impressive as the video had made him out to be.

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      “He was declared ‘psychologically unfit for football’ – which only meant he’d persuaded a doctor to come up with some excuse why he couldn’t return – and disappeared somewhere back home.”
      He added: “We eventually found him hiding out in a caravan in Holland and only got him back by reading him the riot act.
      “But his attitude was no better when he returned and we got shot of him to Groningen in the Dutch league.”
      The other man Redknapp wished he had never signed was Romanian striker Florin Raducioiu, who Redknapp bought from Espanyol for £1.5million in August 1996. He had been impressed by his performances for Romania at Euro 96 where he scored his country’s only goal of the tournament.
      Although initially impressed, it quickly became clear to Redknapp that the Romanian was not going to cut it.
      He said: “I worked for a couple of hours with Raducioiu on the first day in training and I must admit he impressed me. He was a quality finisher and I really thought he’d be a success.
      “But the moment we got into anything physical, he didn’t want to know.
      “He just couldn’t face being tackled in any shape or form. Dicksy was anxious to get stuck in to him to see what he was made of, but Raducioiu made it clear that he wouldn’t be challenging for anything.”
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      He added: “In his first two friendlies, Raducioiu did nothing but moan about the rough treatment he was getting from opposition centre-halves.
      “Don’t ask me to explain how a former world class player can suddenly become a fairy, but something had obviously happened to Raducioiu and he’d completely lost it.
      “He’d been used to queuing for three hours in Bucharest for a loaf of bread and suddenly he was wearing a £28,000 watch. Perhaps the transition was too much for him.”
      The Romanian only featured 11 times for West Ham and managed to score two goals but Redknapp was not the only one he struggled to convince.
      Paulo Futre, another Redknapp flop, reportedly called him a “big girl” in a training ground confrontation.
      Redknapp’s patience finally ran out when Raducuioiu failed to turn up for a League Cup tie at Stockport, which the Hammers went on to lose.
      He said: “You can imagine my mood the next day when a friend rang me and told me the previous evening he’d spotted Raducioiu out shopping with his wife in the Harvey Nichols store in London.
      “I knew then I had to get rid of him but it wasn’t easy.”
      Raducioiu finally left Upton Park in January 1997, returning to Espanyol.
      Julian Dicks was keen to “get stuck in” to Raducuioiu according to RedknappCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Harry Redknapp has revealed his worst two signingsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Meet Cody Gakpo’s stunning girlfriend who is set to become Liverpool’s latest Wag after January transfer

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      CODY GAKPO won’t be coming to Anfield alone after agreeing a stunning deal to join Liverpool.Gakpo will be bringing along his model girlfriend Noa van der Bij, who he has been dating since at least December 2020.
      PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo has been dating model girlfriend Noa van der BijCredit: @noavdbij
      Noa van der Bij has followed Cody Gakpo in Qatar to cheer him on at the World CupCredit: @noavdbij
      Noa van der Bij has been supporting Cody Gakpo while playing for the NetherlandsCredit: @noavdbij
      Noa has been working as a junior booker for Cachet Models ever since completing her studies in management at Avans University of Applied Sciences.
      The blonde beauty is very active on social media and that has helped her attract over 17,000 followers on Instagram.
      And she appears to be very much into the high life as she has posted photos of her in various exotic places, such as Monaco, Ibiza, Saint Tropez and Curacao.
      Noa is set for another trip as this time she is coming to the UK with her boyfriend Gakpo.
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      The now ex-PSV Eindhoven star enjoyed a stunning World Cup campaign with three goals in five matches for the Netherlands in Qatar, with Noa cheering him on.
      And now she will be doing so from the stands at Anfield after the versatile forward agreed to join Liverpool.
      The Reds reached a £37million deal with PSV, which saw them hijack Manchester United’s bid.
      United were believed to be preparing a January swoop for the 23-year-old after opening talks with his representatives last month.
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      Cody Gakpo will be bringing Noa van der Bij with him to LiverpoolCredit: @noavdbij
      Noa van der Bij will be cheering on for Cody Gakpo from the Liverpool standsCredit: Instagram / @noavdbij
      The Dutchman was also said to be keen on joining the Red Devils and expressed disappointment at the collapse of his proposed summer transfer to Old Trafford.
      The Manchester giants tried to sign him in the summer but instead got Antony from Ajax.

      Gakpo still had the chance to move to the Premier League but refused to board a private jet to Leeds and wasn’t attracted by Southampton’s club-record bid.
      However, he finally got his chance to play in the English top flight and is now expected to spearhead Jurgen Klopp’s attack with the support of his stunning girlfriend from the crowd.
      Noa van der Bij appears to be loving the high life with some stunning tripsCredit: @noavdbij
      Noa van der Bij has travelled to various luxurious places while in a relationship with Cody GakpoCredit: @noavdbij More

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      I was most expensive defender in the Premier League and won it with Man City… but now I just want to find a new club

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      HE ARRIVED for a British transfer record for a defender.He was part of the team that won the Premier League with a record points tally.
      This former Premier League defender is currently without a clubCredit: Instagram @eliamangala
      He spent the second half of last season at Saint EtienneCredit: Getty
      He was once Britain’s most expensive defender when he moved to England in 2014Credit: AP:Associated Press
      But now the centre-back is a free agent and desperate to find a new club.
      The French star spent the second half of last season with Saint-Etienne – but could not help the club avoid relegation into Ligue 2.
      However, when that deal expired in the summer, he was unable to get a contract with another club, leaving him unemployed and working hard in the gym to stay in shape.
      The defender in question is former Manchester City man Eliaquim Mangala.
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      Speaking to Get French Football News, he said: “My plan is to find a club and to find a club as quickly as possible.
      “It’s my passion, and I’m motivated to give a lot more on the pitch.
      “Football is where I enjoy myself. I want to be on the pitch. In terms of contacts from clubs, at the minute it is calm.”
      Mangala, now 31, joined Manuel Pellegrini’s City from Porto in 2014.
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      The initial deal was said to be worth £32million but it was later revealed the full cost was actually £42m.
      That made him the most expensive defender in Premier League history – just weeks after David Luiz signed for PSG for a world-record £50m.
      He was a first-team regular in his first two seasons but Pep Guardiola’s arrival saw his chances limited as he slipped down to fourth-choice centre-back.
      Mangala was loaned to Valencia in 2016-17 but the eight-cap senior international did make nine appearances for City’s Centurions in 2017-18.
      Midway through that same season he was loaned to Everton but got injured and then joined Valencia permanently in 2019.
      The Belgian and Portuguese title winner had two years back in Spack and then the short stint in France.
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      Reflecting on his mammoth transfer fee and how Guardiola changed things, Mangala added: “Everyone handles it differently. It is true that the value was enormous, and with that came expectations.
      “There is this subconscious side that has its influence. I tried to balance that influence by telling myself to concentrate on what I had to do.
      “I was part of this transition. I was there in the [Manuel] Pellegrini era. The club showed a lot of ambition. I was lucky to play with such important players.
      “When I look at it with hindsight, as a child who wanted to play at the highest level, I achieved it.
      “I had the chance to spend time with Pep, which was a key moment fo me because he showed me completely different things that I didn’t know about before, both in a sporting context and outside.
      “When Pep arrived I was told I should leave. At the end of the transfer window, I was still at City.
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      “The coach came up to me very honestly and said, ‘You’re a very good player, it’s just that regarding the profile I’m looking for, for my style of play, you aren’t what I’m looking for.’
      “After having played under Pep, I had more of a desire to become a manager.”
      Eliaquim Mangala was a Manchester City player for five yearsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      He lifted the Premier League title with 100 points in 2018Credit: Getty
      Mangala has eight caps for the senior France national teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Why Harry Maguire could be handed a lifeline at Man Utd after Argentina win the World Cup

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      HARRY MAGUIRE could be handed a Manchester United lifeline because Argentina won the World Cup.Lionel Scaloni and his side are expected to head back to Buenos Aires for a ticker-tape parade through the capital on Tuesday after beating France to lift the trophy for the third time.
      Harry Maguire could be handed a boost after Argentina won the World CupCredit: Getty
      Lisandro Martinez will fly back to Buenos Aires after beating FranceCredit: Getty
      But that almost certainly rules United defender Lisandro Martinez and four of his squad-mates out of the Premier League resumption from Boxing Day.
      And in turn, an absence of the South American would open the door for Maguire, now back in the Old Trafford fold after his exertions in the desert, to be named in the side for the December 27 game against Nottingham Forest.
      Alongside United chief Erik ten Hag, Spurs boss Antonio Conte, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Pep Guardiola at City and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi are likely to be without key men thanks to Argentina’s win.
      Conte and Spurs fans may be left frustrated if Cristian Romero – who missed the last five games before the World Cup but recovered from his injury to feature in all seven games in Qatar – was unavailable for their Boxing Day lunchtime trip to Brentford.
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      Brighton could be without Alexis Mac Allister for their south-coast derby at Southampton that afternoon, with Emery potentially having to turn to blunder keeper Robin Olsen for the evening clash with Liverpool with final hero Emi Martinez unavailable.
      Guardiola would have an extra 48 hours to get Julian Alvarez back and ready, with City not playing their first festive game until they travel to Leeds on December 28.
      The likelihood of being without key men was something top Prem bosses had been aware of before the tournament.
      Chelsea manager Graham Potter said last month: “I don’t know what the motivation of another human will be after a World Cup.
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      “Most people who have won it celebrate on open top buses – and then need a three-week holiday to get over those celebrations.
      “I could be selfish and say we need them back.
      “But if they don’t go and celebrate and they have to come back here it will be difficult. They have to recover emotionally.
      “And if you’ve lost the World Cup final it’s going to take more than three or four days to get over it.”
      The likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Cristian Romero and Emi Martinez were on the winning teamCredit: Reuters More

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      Italy legend Marco Materazzi says he gave Mario Balotelli ‘a good beating’ after ex-team-mate’s Champions League shocker

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      MARCO MATERAZZI once handed out “a good beating” to then Inter Milan team-mate Mario Balotelli after the Champions League semi-final in 2010.The pair were playing under Jose Mourinho and had just beaten Barcelona 3-1 at the San Siro in the first leg of their semi-final tie.
      Fiery Italian and Inter Milan duo Mario Balotelli (left) and Marco Materazzi had it out in 2010 after the former’s Champions League antics
      However, the game is often remembered for Balotelli’s petulance at the full-time whistle after his lacklustre display off the bench.
      Balotelli, only 19 at the time, threw down his shirt at the end of the 90 minutes causing uproar among the Inter faithful and much to the displeasure of no-nonsense Italian defender Materazzi.
      On Instagram live, Materazzi recalled: “I gave him a good beating, it’s true. I love Mario, but he really deserved it that day.
      “We’ve become friends again now, practically brothers, but he did something that day that he really should not have done. Throwing his shirt to the ground after the final whistle wasn’t even the worst of it.
      “Before the game, on the team bus, he told us: ‘Today I’m going to play badly,’ so I promised to make him pay if he did.
      “When he came off the bench, he tried a shot from midfield rather than going on the counter. Diego Milito wanted to kill him.
      “We believed in Mario, he scored many goals and contributed to the victory, but a week after that, I asked Mourinho to put me against Balotelli in the training ground games between ranks.
      “After a few seconds, I’d sent him back to the dressing room.”
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      Inter Milan’s striker Mario Balotelli chucked his shirt to the floor on his way off the pitch against Barcelona
      The unorthodox relationship between team-mates clearly did no damage to Inter as they went on to win the treble that season, including a 2-0 Champions League final triumph over Bayern Munich in Madrid.
      Materazzi’s disciplining of Balotelli may have made him seem like a father figure to the precocious young talent.
      But the defensive ace – infamous for being on the receiving end of Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt during Italy’s 2006 World Cup final victory – reserved special praise for Balotelli’s own father.
      He said: “I really loved his father, as after a game with Rubin Kazan he told Mario: ‘I didn’t like your performance, you have to play more for your team-mates. And stop going around with girls!’
      “What an idol.”
      Since his spell with Inter, Balotelli has gone on to play for Manchester City, Milan, Liverpool, Nice, Marseille, Brescia and Monza.
      In July 2021 he made a shock transfer to Turkish Super Lig side Adana Demirspor.
      Over the past year he has racked up an impressive goal tally, netting 19 times in 34 appearances for the Turkish side. More

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      Diego Maradona once threatened to have Oasis singer Liam Gallagher SHOT after strange meeting in bar in Argentina

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      LIAM GALLAGHER has revealed that Diego Maradona threatened to shoot him when they met in a bar in Argentina.Oasis were on tour in South America, when they decided to go for a drink after a gig.
      Liam Gallagher met Diego Maradona during an Oasis tour of South AmericaCredit: Twitter

      And they happened to bump into none other than the late, great, Diego Maradona.
      The Argentine, who passed away in 2020 aged 60, was known as a colourful character.
      And his meeting with the Gallagher brothers lived up to that billing.
      Liam, 50, told Noisey in 2017: “We was in Argentina, and we’d done a gig.
      read more maradona news
      “Next minute we’re sat in the bar having a f**king drink, and about 30 people come legging it in, like the Ant Hill Mob.
      “We were going ‘Who the f**king hell’s that?’ Sting was at the bar crying cos he’d had his f**king dressing room robbed, and anyway we found out it was Maradona.
      “He’d gone upstairs with a load of f**king madheads, and a load of f**ing, women of the night.
      “And we were going like, can we go up and meet him, to the interpreter. And the interpreter said ‘Alright cool, let me go and square it with them.’
      Liam Gallagher, 50, opened up about meeting Diego back in 2017Credit: Alamy Live News
      Maradona passed away in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty
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      “He’s gone up, come back down and gone ‘Only the Gallagher brothers can go up.’ So we were like, ‘laters’.
      “We steamed up there and there’s loads of f**king, activity going on, and Maradona’s in the middle of the room doing football tricks with a bottle top.
      “And his eyes were f**king like that [huge], and ours weren’t far off, and I just went like, ‘It’s a bit moody in here, let’s get a quick picture with him and f**k off.
      “And he’s sweating his b******s off, and we turn around [to the interpreter] and he says: ‘He told me to tell you, if yous leave with any of these b*****s, he’ll have you shot.'”
      After news of Maradona’s death, Gallagher later tweeted: “Maradona GOAT rip x.”
      Brother Noel also paid his respects, sharing a picture of that meeting in 1997 along with the words: “What a life. What a legend.” More