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      in Soccer

      Brazil icon Ronaldo would be ‘most expensive player ever’ at £383m, while Maradona could cost £305m in today’s market

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      A COMPUTER has worked out how much the biggest transfers in history would cost in today’s prices and has named Ronaldo Nazario as the most expensive player of all time.Taking into account a wide variety of factors, most crucially Neymar’s mind boggling £196million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain three years ago, the original Ronaldo’s move from Barcelona to Inter Milan is valued at £383m if it happened in 2021.
      What the eight biggest transfer in history would cost in 2021 prices
      Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo was the best striker in the world when he signed for InterCredit: AFP
      Maradona achieved legendary status at Stadio San PaoloCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Coming in behind the Brazil striker’s 1997 switch is Diego Maradona’s signing for Napoli in 1984 – which would be worth £305m today.
      Italian market analysts PlayRatings came up with an algorithm to determine modern day transfer fees for top players of bygone eras.
      The first thing they took into account was how reasonable each fee was at the time, with Ronaldo’s £27million deal considered a bargain.
      Performance data such as goals scored and age are also thrown into the mix before the key multiplier: dubbed the ‘Neymarizer’.
      This is a tool that ups the adjusted price by roughly 220 per cent, the theory being that Neymar was only really worth around £84m before leaving for £186m.
      In just one year at Barcelona, Ronaldo had smashed 47 goals in 49 games to earn him the Ballon d’Or and a world-record transfer.
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      Likewise, Maradona was a superstar before he arrived amid much fanfare in Italy, going on to win a World Cup and two Serie A titles during his time with Napoli.
      PlayRatings have even hypothesised that his market value at the end of the Scudetto-winning 1986/87 season topped £390m.
      Focused on Serie A’s biggest deals, the Neymarizer reckons both Christian Vieri and Michel Platini would today clock in at £296m.
      In 1999, striker Vieri signed for Inter from Lazio with Juventus snapping up Saint-Etienne star Platini back in 1982.
      Unsurprisingly, Marco van Basten also features with the Dutch star costing £291m if he completed his 1987 move to AC Milan from Ajax now.
      The list is completed with Gabriel Batistuta’s 2000 signing for Roma actually worth £249m were it to happen in 2021.
      Neymar still holds the world record transfer feeCredit: Alamy Live News
      And Gonzalo Higuain’s controversial £85m switch from Napoli to Juventus in 2016, a year before Neymar’s market changing transfer, comes in at a mega £234m today.
      Using the same idea, we have calculated what Alan Shearer’s world record £15m move from Blackburn to Newcastle may be worth today – approximately £182m.
      Higuain kicks coach and advertising boards after losing temper during Juventus training More

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      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua would beat Tyson Fury in a rematch and first fight would end in a DRAW, predicts Bernard Hopkins

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA was tipped to beat Tyson Fury in a rematch with their first fight ending in a draw by Bernard Hopkins.Just like in the Gypsy King’s first go at Deontay Wilder in December 2018, Hopkins predicts the Brit will be subject to a controversial draw against Joshua.
      Anthony Joshua has been tipped to beat Tyson Fury in a rematch with their first fight ending in a draw
      Fury threatened to retire after knocking out Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April but is fighting Derek Chisora next
      Fury and Joshua seemingly agreed a Battle of Britain showdown last year completely out of the blue this week.
      Fury was expected to chase a bout with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
      Usyk is the undefeated WBA, IBF and WBO champion after beating AJ in their rematch in Saudi Arabia, but wants to rest and spend time with family.
      And Fury called out AJ back in September, to which Joshua responded.
      The mischievous Gypsy King teased AJ by posting on social media: “I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.”
      And the Watford hero tweeted in reply:  “Yeah calm. I don’t do the online discussions just for clout, so if you’re really about it, shout.  I’ll be ready in December.”
      Fury can cherry pick any of the WBC’s top 15 contenders. And he told Joshua: “You’re coming off a 12-round fight, so you’re match-fit.
      “I’m giving you a few months’ notice. So, if you’re interested, I’ll send you the date over and we can rumble.

      “A Battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
      “Let me know if you’re interested. If not, I will select another opponent.”
      However, when Fury didn’t get the answer he wanted in time – he switched his attentions to for another fight in December. He is now taking on Derek Chisora at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday,

      But should Fury ever pit his wits against Joshua, boxing legend Hopkins has had his say on how he sees the dream blockbuster bout playing out.

      Speaking to iFL TV back in June 2020, the 57-year-old said: “It’ll be a draw and they’ll fight a second time and the second time Joshua would beat him.
      “I’m going to go with this one. The first fight is going to be a draw, I’m telling you.
      “The second fight Joshua wins, but the first fight will be a draw because it’s going to be hard to score and that’s when the controversy comes in with who got the rounds.
      “People will have their own opinion on who will win the fight, but I’m telling you the first fight is going to be so close it’ll be a draw.
      “The second fight will happen and Joshua is going to win.”
      He added: “I figure [Joshua] makes the adjustments, figures him out and realise he’s got to go for the body instead of the head.
      “And then he will fall. The head will hit the knees.”
      Bernard Hopkins reckons Joshua and Fury will draw in their first fight should they ever come to blows More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury was almost knocked out by unknown fighter Neven Pajkic, who says world champion has an ‘ugly face’

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      TYSON FURY’S undefeated record almost ended when he was just 22 after he was knocked down by an unknown Canadian.The Gypsy King has been handed numerous tough tests along the way, including in his epic trilogy win over Deontay Wilder.
      Tyson Fury was floored to the canvas for the first time by Neven PajkicCredit: Rex Features
      On Saturday he takes on Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – a third fight between the pair.
      But one of the most notable came in 2011 when Fury took on little-known Neven Pajkic for the Commonwealth heavyweight title.
      Fury had brushed aside 16 opponents as a professional before his bout with Pajkic but was given a real wake-up call in Manchester in front of his own fans.
      The now 45-year-old is known as the first man to knock Fury down to the canvas when he caught him with a right hook in the second round.
      After the build-up in which Pajkic described Fury as “having an ugly face”, he reminisced to Sky Sports: “I only cracked him with 30 per cent.
      “I didn’t expect him to go down. I practised the right hand, left hook. To my surprise, he fell after the first punch.
      “I hoped he would be groggy with the right hand then I would finish him off with the left hook.
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      “The right hand was supposed to be a set-up. I wish he hadn’t gone down because the left hook was coming and would have put him out.
      “Fury fought a guy I had beaten, Nicolai Firtha. A tough guy.
      “That fight told me everything I needed to know. Guys who study their opponents? I get it. But it’s a dog-fight, that’s it.
      “I did what I always did – head down, move forwards, swing.
      “With the same punch that I dropped him with. I knew that. And I practised that punch.”
      I only cracked him with 30 percent.Neven Pajkic
      Fury would get back on his feet before getting his revenge in the third round when he knocked out his opponent.
      Pajkic then realised at that moment he was fighting a future champion.
      He added: “He overcame adversity on that night and showed his championship mentality.”
      Fury’s most famous comeback came against Wilder in their first fight when he somehow managed to climb up from the canvas after brutally being floored in round 12 to salvage a controversial draw.
      Tyson Fury was handed his first real scare against the CanadianCredit: PA:Press Association
      Fury ended up flooring his opponent in the third roundCredit: Rex Features
      Fury retained his Commonwealth heavyweight beltCredit: PA:Press Association
      He would have to wait 14 months to land his rematch with the American before being crowned WBC Champ.
      It was a similar story in their trilogy as in the fourth round Wilder twice dropped Fury, who scored a knockdown the round before, but got to his feet.
      He then floored Wilder in the tenth and 11th, where the fight was won once and for all.
      Pajkic says Fury’s will to get back up and fight separates him from the rest of the division.
      He added: “There is no man that can’t go down. If 250lbs cracks you on the chin, you are going down.
      “Fury keeps his hands down often and drops the left shoulder when he jabs, so he leaves himself exposed more than he should.
      “But going down? He has a will to come back up. That’s what makes him different.” More

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      in Boxing

      Whyte only claimed he dropped ‘two-sided’ Tyson Fury in sparring after being trash talked

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      DILLIAN WHYTE labelled Tyson Fury a “two-sided guy” and insists he only revealed he floored the Gypsy King in sparring because he was sick of being trash-talked.Whyte lost to Fury via knockout in April in front of 94,000 fans at Wembley.
      Dillian Whyte was beaten by Tyson Fury in April in front of 94,000 fansCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Fury and Whyte exchanged bitter words before the showdown
      Speaking about Fury, Whyte revealed in 2020 that he had “dropped him on multiple occasions” in a sparring session.
      And the Brixton Bodysnatcher then said last year that he decided to reveal all after becoming sick of Fury’s taunts.
      ‘TWO-SIDED GUY’
      Speaking on The AK and Barak Show, Whyte said: “Yeah, well he started saying stuff about me so I said come on you know what happened in the gym.
      “You know what went down. I never went out and said anything he did. But Fury is a very two-sided guy.
      “Like sometimes he says something and you think the dude’s cool and I ain’t got a beef with him then. The next minute he starts talking a load of rubbish.
      “You’re like, ‘Are we cool, are we beefing or are you talking sense. What’s going on?'”
      Fury previously said that he has beaten Whyte in the gym many times, describing him as a “heavy bag on legs”.
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      In 2021, Fury even claimed that Whyte only wanted to face him because he was protected by the coronavirus lockdown.
      The Gypsy King posted on Twitter: “Funny how everyone wants to fight during Covid-19, when there are no sports events happening.
      “Also I have a contract with the @bronzebomber first and when I win that I’ll have the fight with Joshua as undisputed comes before mandatory. Happy hunting.”
      But Whyte ended up getting a shot at Fury after the WBC champion’s 11th round knockout of Deontay Wilder in October last year. More

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      in Boxing

      Inside heavyweight Tyson Fury’s six meal a day diet featuring CURRY which helped body transformation before Wilder fight

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      TYSON FURY’S phenomenal body transformation before he fought Deontay Wilder was down to a diet of six meals a day – including a wholesome CURRY.The WBC champ, 34, lost an incredible 10st before his first fight with the Bronze Bomber back in 2018.

      Apple cranberry stuffed porkloin, with butternut squash, quinoa, walnuts, and spinach is a favourite for dinnerCredit: Instagram
      George Lockhart flew over to the UK to help Fury again
      Tyson Fury still gets his intake of meat and fish – but it’s cooked to perfectionCredit: Instagram
      The nutritionist even makes cauliflower look appetisingCredit: Instagram
      Fury, who faces Derek Chisora in a trilogy fight on Saturday after defeating Dillian Whyte in April, got in shape with his diet after snapping up UFC chef and Conor McGregor nutritionist George Lockhart.
      And Lockhart even took to Instagram to reveal he was flying back to the UK to help Fury back in 2020.
      Along with a picture of his British Airways ticket, he wrote: “Here we go again!!!! #tysonfury #lockhartandleith #cookingforthechamp #ufc #weightcut #takingover”
      Naturally-gifted 6ft 9in Fury has used to appear as though he played fast and loose with the science of the sport.
      Friend and camp manager Timothy Allcock was also his personal cook ahead of his first fight against Wilder in December 2018 and peanut butter chicken was on the menu almost every night.
      Fighting man Fury showed little interest in the diet fads and micro meals that come in and out of fashion among fighters and celebrities.
      But he has handed over the pots and pans to former US marine and MMA fighter Lockhart to get in shape – and stay there.
      Lockhart makes salmon cakes with spicy jalapenos, coriander and Greek yogurt dressing for Fury.
      The heavyweight boxer is encouraged to wolf down Dijon,maple syrup, and greek yogurt dip with flaxseed lavish, black bean brown basmati puree, spinach, lemon juice, wrapped and seared with prosciuttoCredit: Instagram
      Tyson Fury has previously hired in his own artisan butcher to load up on meat before fights
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      The expert cook even managed to make brussel sprouts look appetising in one social media post.
      Fury’s tastebuds would have been left tingling by Sriracha honey salmon laid out on a bed of quinoa and Greek rice and skewered chicken with tzatziki sauce was probably a big hit for the fighter.
      Team Fury were purring over a dish of strawberry and mango salsa with tomato and cilantro rice and chilli bean shrimp patty.
      And the once 28st food lover was allowed to pig out on a stunning pork dish of apple and cranberry stuffed loin with butternut squash, quinoa, walnuts, and spinach and topped with a citrus avocado vinaigrette.
      With Fury’s intense training leading to a calorie deficit, he would have been boosted by a meaty serving of dijon maple syrup seared wild salmon with rosemary, garlic, roasted sweet potatoes, and tomato, spinach and bean chilli.
      Lockhart even manages to make cauliflower appetising by jazzing it up with hummus patties with cilantro lime shrimp and rice, with macadamia nut, avocado, cilantro, lime sauce.
      And Fury might be able to deal with his next opponent a little easier after scoffing a healthy version of sausages.
      The Morecambe-based man had apple and chicken sausage with sweet potatoes, spinach quinoa, cooked in chicken broth with a side of baked kale chips and avocado.
      Even Fury’s favourite, a curry, makes the list, with Lockhart keen to make sure the boxer gets his red meat intake just right.
      Sriracha honey salmon is on the menu for the Gypsy KingCredit: Instagram More

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      in Soccer

      Niclas Fullkrug is Germany’s World Cup surprise success story at 29 after working way up from lower league

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      HANSI FLICK’S decision to select surprise package Niclas Fullkrug paid dividends as he rescued Germany’s World Cup hopes.Fullkrug only made his senior debut aged 29 earlier this month and scored the only goal in an uninspiring 1-0 friendly win in Oman ahead of the tournament.
      Niclas Fullkrug rescued Germany’s World Cup dreamCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      He came off the bench to rifle home a late equaliser against SpainCredit: PA
      Niclas Fullkrug made his Germany debut at 29 just this month and scoredCredit: Reuters
      The striker has been in superb form this season for Werder Bremen after previously starring in the second tierCredit: Getty
      Now he is the toast of the nation after he came off the bench to rifle home against Spain to keep Germany’s qualification hopes alive with a 1-1 draw.
      Fullkrug plays for mid-table Bundesliga team Werder Bremen and is the first player from that team to play at the World Cup in 12 years -the last being midfielder Torsten Frings.
      The striker played in the German second division last season, helping Bremen bounce back to the Bundesliga after relegation in 2020-21.
      Fullkrug also has experience playing in the second-tier from spells with FC Nurnburg and Greuther Furth.

      He earned a shock call up to the Germany squad after scoring ten goals for his team this season and is considered an old-fashioned number nine.
      Fullkrug played at youth level for Die Mannschaft but had never before played for the senior team until his shock World Cup call-up.
      Now he is a national hero after his devastating finish against La Roja.
      Germany knew that defeat to Spain would leave them needing a miracle to make the knockouts in their final group hame.
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      That was after they were upset by Japan in their opener, a match Fullkrug came on for but was unable to make a difference.
      But he made the difference tonight and now he will be chomping at the bit for a start on Thursday.
      Victory over Costa Rica is now highly likely to see the Mannschaft advance into the last sixteen
      Fullkrug is making an impact for Germany in QatarCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Lionel Messi’s $9m Miami apartment has lift for car he’s bought ahead of huge transfer to David Beckham’s MLS side

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      LIONEL MESSI has reportedly already laid down roots in Florida ahead of his reported transfer to Inter Miami.The 35-year-old ace, who inspired Argentina to a World Cup win over Mexico last night, is currently playing for French club Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona.
      Lionel Messi has reportedly bought an apartment at the Porsche Design Tower – which boasts stunning views of the Miami coastlineCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lionel Messi looks set to head across the Atlantic to see out his playing daysCredit: AFP or licensors
      The tower contains a lift for residents’ carsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      A showhome from Porsche Design Tower’s grand opening reveals the luxury withinCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But Messi will be a free agent at the end of the season when his contract expires and a new report states Inter Miami are on the verge of getting Messi.
      According to The Times, he is set to be made the highest paid player in MLS history by joining David Beckham’s franchise at the end of the current campaign.
      Discussing his future plans earlier this year, he told Spanish TV station La Sexta earlier this year: “My plan is to give all I can for the club at the moment.
      “I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there, but ultimately come back to Barcelona in some capacity.
      READ MORE LIONEL MESSI NEWS
      “I’m not thinking too far ahead in the short-term and just want to see how the season finishes.”
      According to Madrid-based radio station Cadena Ser, Messi has already made his first move towards Miami with the purchase of a luxury apartment in the city.
      A pad worth at least $9million was reportedly purchased by the Argentine in 2021.
      The swanky Porsche Design Tower, completed in 2017, sits on the Sunny Isles beachfront in Miami.
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      Branded by the German supercar manufacturer of the same name, the building boasts three car lifts allowing residents to park their vehicle on the same floor as their suite.
      The forward is said to prefer to school his three kids Stateside while seeing out his playing days.
      And that obviously heightens talk of a move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
      Last season, they finished 11th in the MLS Eastern Conference while being linked to a wealth of star names.
      Blaise Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain joined Inter during the 2020 campaign and Olivier Giroud was reportedly offered an apartment in Porsche Design Tower to tempt him into a move.
      Messi, for now, is focused on finally ending his World Cup hoodoo out in Qatar.
      He and Argentina face Poland on Wednesday looking to try and seal a spot in the knockouts.
      Flats inside the tower feature grandiose living areasCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Messi could decide to mix with the great and the good of Miami inside the luxury buildingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The showhome’s dining room shows off the typical decor of the apartment blockCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Messi is reportedly considering a move to MLS in 2023Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Porsche Design Tower was opened in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      in Soccer

      England World Cup star Jack Grealish reveals secret behind his huge calves and why he wears his socks so low

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      ENGLAND’S World Cup superstar Jack Grealish has revealed the secret behind his low socks and large calves.The £100million Manchester City midfielder, 27, has a notable look on the pitch in Qatar, and has lifted the lid on his style.
      Jack Grealish has revealed the superstitious reason behind his famous low socksCredit: AP
      England’s World Cup ace has also opened up over his huge calvesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      On those famous calves, he claimed it is all genetics, saying to the Daily Mail: “I actually don’t do anything. It’s just something that runs in the family.
      “My grandad always had big calves when he used to play football.
      “But I don’t do any calf exercises or calf routines in the gym or anything. Honestly, it’s just something that I’ve had since I was young.”
      And on those well-known low socks Grealish shared that superstition is the reason behind it.
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      He said: “I think I was about 14 or 15 and we were sponsored by Macron at Aston Villa and the socks used to shrink in the wash.
      “In training I couldn’t get them over my calves because the socks were so small.
      “So I started wearing them below my calves in training — and that season I ended up playing really well.
      “So then I started wearing my socks below my calves in games. It was just something that stuck because I’d had such a good season.”
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      Fans have been having their say on Grealish’s calves in Qatar, with one saying: “So like, how big are Grealish’s calves going to get?”
      Another wrote: “Was very into the US-England game until noticing Jack Grealish’s mutant calves, which became my entire focus afterwards.”
      One declared: “Jack Grealish wears his socks so low cause if he pulls them over his calves he’ll lose circulation to his legs.”
      Another added: “Someone hit me up with Grealish’s calves workout.”
      As for England’s World Cup campaign, Grealish is yet to start a match for Gareth Southgate’s side.

      THE GREAL DEAL
      But he did give fans a glimpse of his calves as he came off the bench against Iran and the USA.
      Grealish is now hoping to get a first start against Wales on Tuesday.
      But he has warned his England teammates not to underestimate Gareth Bale and Co in the wake of their drab 0-0 draw against the States.
      Grealish said: “Wales have got some very good players – and they won’t just be playing for pride. In their heads, the Welsh aren’t out yet. They have a game to play and can still qualify.
      “It’s going to be difficult for them, but they can still go through – but it’s also in our hands as well.
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      “We go into the last game top of the group, so let’s see what happens.
      “The game against Wales is going to be an interesting one. You know it’s going to be difficult because of the rivalry.” More