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      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton could have been 2021 champion but Mercedes ‘missed a trick’ in Abu Dhabi GP, reveals Bernie Ecclestone

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      FORMER F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone believes Lewis Hamilton would have won an eighth world title if Mercedes had deployed a smarter strategy. Hamilton was pipped to the championship by Max Verstappen on the final lap of the last race at a dramatic Abu Dhabi GP last season.
      Ecclestone reckons a better Mercedes strategy would have seen Hamilton win the titleCredit: Getty
      Instructions could have been sent to Bottas to wind the engine down, which would have resulted in the Safety Car staying on the trackCredit: The Mega Agency
      Hamilton was beaten at the death by Dutchman Verstappen in dramatic and controversial circumstancesCredit: Getty
      But Mercedes could have possibly made sure the Safety Car stayed on the track until the end of the race after it was called out with five laps left to go.
      That would have meant the leading driver at the time, Hamilton, would have won the race and also the 2021 title.
      Ecclestone was asked by Swiss outlet Blick whether Mercedes could have “radioed to [Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri] Bottas to let the car coast because they want to preserve the engine.”
      Had they done so, in all likelihood the Safety Car would have stayed out and Hamilton would have won the race.
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      And Ecclestone responded: “Pretty clever. I thought of that too, and it would have been ideal to make sure the Safety Car stayed out and the race wouldn’t have been restarted.
      “Many people would have been upset, but there wouldn’t have been any changes to the final result.”
      He was then asked if they failure to make the call to Bottas had been costly in handing the championship over to Verstappen.
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      Ecclestone replied: “Right, and I don’t know if Toto Wolff, with a third of the team shares, is still in the same strong position as before.
      “But we will find out at some point.” More

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      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo v Wayne Rooney, from outstanding Man Utd careers to glam Wags, huge wealth and rows like ‘Winkergate’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Wayne Rooney are at loggerheads… AGAIN.Forget “Winkergate”, the DC United boss says Ronaldo is becoming an “unwelcome distraction” at Manchester United following a series of hissy fits.
      Ronaldo and Rooney have both been successful on the football pitch
      Rooney’s comments resulted in his former team-mate hitting back in a brand NEW exclusive interview with SunSport columnist Piers Morgan on TalkTV.
      Ronaldo took aim at Rooney’s early retirement as well as making personal attacks on the England all-time top scorer’s looks.
      CR7 slammed: “I don’t know why he criticises me so badly… probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level.
      “I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true…”
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      Rooney had previously questioned whether Ronaldo re-signing for United was a success.
      When asked if Ronaldo’s signing has worked out for United, Rooney said: “You’d have to say no, at the minute.
      “I think he’s scored goals, he’s scored important goals in the Champions League early on in the season. He scored the hat-trick against Tottenham.
      “But I think if you look to the future of the club you would have to go with younger, hungry players to do the best to lift Manchester United over these next two, three years.
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      “And obviously Cristiano is getting on a bit. He certainly isn’t the player he was when he was in his 20s. And that happens, that’s football.
      “He’s a goal threat but I think the rest of the game they need more, they need young, hungry players.”
      Ronaldo has since hit-back, although it may have been tongue in cheek, by sharing a photo from MNF on Instagram and commenting “Two jealous” alongside an eyes emoji.
      Fired barbs aside, there’s no doubt the pair have had amazing careers, built up huge wealth, scored glam Wags, and have a lifestyle that’s enviable of the football world.
      And, of course, there’s been controversies along the way…
      Lethal pairing
      Ronaldo might not have played the best football of his career at United, but when he played alongside Rooney from 2004-2009 they formed a lethal partnership.
      They won three league titles together, as well as the Champions League in their five years at Old Trafford leading the Red Devils front line.
      A counter-attacking goal against Arsenal at the Emirates in a Champions League semi-final epitomised the chemistry the pair had on the pitch.
      Ronaldo managed 118 goals in 292 games, scooping the Golden Boot in 2008.
      Rooney would go on to become United’s all-time top goalscorer with 253 goals from 559 matches.
      When Ronaldo left United, he grew into a bigger superstar – scoring 450 goals for Real Madrid in just 438 games and adding four more Champions League titles to his name.
      He would then win Serie A with Juventus twice, before returning to United where he reached 700 career club goals.
      Internationally, his career knows no bounds. With 117 goals for Portugal he’s scored more than anyone else in international football, as well as lifted the European Championships.
      Rooney did become England’s all-time top scorer, but looks likely to lose that mantle to Harry Kane.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney formed a lethal partnership for Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo and Rooney won three Premier League titles together in just five yearsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      After leaving United, spells at Everton, then DC United wound down his career.
      Derby County gave Roon a return to our shores, but went back across the pond to manage DC United following the Rams’ relegation.
      Wags
      Rooney and Ronaldo, because of their high-profiles, were always going to have their love-lives splashed on the front pages.
      Rooney went for his childhood sweetheart, Coleen. After growing up together in Croxteth from the age of 12, they married in a glitzy ceremony in Portofino, Italy.
      The wedding was paid for by OK! Magazine who were said to have secured the rights to details and pictures of the nuptials for a cool £2.5million.
      They have four sons together, Kai, Klay, Kit, and Cass.
      Ronaldo was linked to a string of beautiful women in the past, and dated Russian supermodel Irina Shayk.
      But, after playing the field, he fell in love with former shop assistant Georgina Rodriguez.
      The Spanish stunner has since blossomed into a marketing man’s dream, inking a reported five-figure Instagram deal with fashion house Pretty Little Thing, and is ambassador for the group alongside Kourtney Kardashian and Molly-Mae Hague.
      Coleen Rooney is Wayne’s high-school sweetheartCredit: Splash
      Ronaldo fell for the charms of former shop assistant Georgina RodriguezCredit: The Mega Agency
      Rodriguez was pregnant with twins but sadly lost the sonCredit: Instagram / @georginagio
      The Rooneys pose for a Christmas snap
      And if that’s not enough, she’s the star of her own Netflix reality TV series I Am Georgina.
      Not to be outdone, Coleen appears in Rooney – an Amazon Prime documentary – and talks about the early stages of their romance as well as claims of cheating in their relationship.
      Like the Rooneys, Cristiano and Georgina have their own brood. She gave birth to Bella earlier this year to join Cristiano Jr, Eva Maria, Alana Martina and Mateo, but sadly lost Bella’s twin while giving birth.
      Glam lifestyles
      Money is certainly no object for the pair, who boast incredible fortunes.
      Rooney is said to be worth around £144m, while Ronaldo has amassed a pot worth £425m.
      That’s meant off the pitch they live a life of luxury, from living in mansions, driving expensive cars, owning super yachts and flying in private jets.
      After four years of delays, the Rooneys finally moved into their £20m Cheshire home.
      Called ‘Mini-Versailles’, the six-bedroom home sits on 40 acres of land.
      It houses a television room, bar, wine store, snooker room, cinema, gym, hot tub, swimming pool, plunge pool and steam room.
      There is also not one but two lifts – one for the family to use and another for visitors.
      Outside it boasts stables, a six-car garage, an orangery and two man-made fishing lakes.
      Rooney’s £20million Cheshire mansion was finally completed last year
      Ronaldo has amassed a fortune of around £363mCredit: Instagram
      This stunning villa in Marbella is one of Ronaldo’s prized possessions
      Ronaldo is back in Manchester and renting a mansion that used to belong to Andy Cole.
      However, the jewel of his property empire is in Marbella.
      In 2019, Ronaldo reportedly spent £1.4m on a holiday home in the Costa del Sol.
      The area the lavish house sits in is called ‘The Superstars Cul-De-Sac’ because of the number of famous residents who live there.
      UFC star Conor McGregor is also believed to own a property nearby.
      It’s got four bedrooms, high-vaulted ceilings and incredible views of the sea.
      There’s a private golf course, the driveway is lit up by LED lights, it has a private gym, an in-built cinema and infinity pool.
      Ronaldo has also spent his well-earned cash on a luxury £5.5m yacht and a £20m private jet.
      And his £17m car collection is one of the best in sport – boasting high-profile motors including a Bugatti Centodieci worth £8.5m.
      Most recently, he was seen in a £200,000 Aston Martin DBS driving into Carrington.
      Rooney has the old footballers’ favourite – a £150,000 Land Rover, among his fleet.
      His old Lamborghini Gallardo from 2007 was recently listed on AutoTrader.
      Ronaldo and Rodriguez sit on board their luxury £5.5m yachtCredit: Instagram / @georginagio
      Rodriguez, Ronaldo and Cristiano Jr relax on a private jetCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      Ronaldo has a collection of Bugatti’s as part of £17m fleetCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      Rooney is a fan of Land Rover and has had several through the yearsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Controversies
      Off the pitch, Ronaldo has more or less kept himself out of trouble.
      On it, the pair were famously embroiled in “Winkergate” – when the Portuguese superstar saw his then team-mate sent off in a World Cup quarter-final between England and Portugal, and delivered a nod to the cameras.
      Incredibly, the two brushed the incident under the carpet when they returned for Man Utd.
      Two years prior to that moment, Rooney would find himself on the front pages of the papers after admitting having sex with prostitutes after he was caught on CCTV visiting a backstreet brothel.
      Rooney was said to have paid £45 for the services of a 48-year-old grandmother in a rubber catsuit and a mother-of-six dressed as a cowgirl 10 times.
      “Foolish as it now seems I did on occasions visit massage parlours and prostitutes,” he said.
      Rooney has had his fair share of front-page headlinesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Most recently, Rooney was seen in a hotel room with a group of women
      “I now regret it deeply and hope people may understand that it was the sort of mistake you make when you are young and stupid. It was at a time when I was very young and immature.”
      In 2008 prostitute Jennifer Thompson claimed her and fellow sex worker Helen Wood were also paid £1,000 to have a threesome with him, while wife Coleen was five-months pregnant.
      Almost 10 years later, Rooney would again get himself in bother – when he was stopped by police for drink-driving while partying with reveller Laura Simpson.
      A move to the States failed to curb his appetite for fun. He was seen enjoying a drink with barmaid Vicki Rosiek, although nothing untoward happened.
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      And last year, he was pictured with a group of young woman in a hotel room having fallen asleep. Again, nothing was said to have happened.
      A rape claim against Ronaldo made by Kathryn Mayorga in Las Vegas from 2009 has always been firmly denied and was recommended for dismissal in late 2021. More

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      in Boxing

      George Foreman ranks the four heaviest punchers of all time including Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis

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      LEGENDARY former boxer George Foreman has revealed his four heaviest punchers of all-time… and has not included himself.The two-time heavyweight champion, 73, was asked about his opinions on the hardest punchers to ever grace the ring.
      Heavyweight great George Foreman has offered his opinion on the four hardest punchers of all-timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson are two of Foreman’s four hardest punchers of all-timeCredit: PA:Press Association
      And with great humility, Big George omitted himself from the running.
      Asked to list his biggest hitters, he replied: “Joe Louis was the hardest puncher ever; Liston make the cut as well as Lennox Lewis. Mike Tyson.
      “Nothing special about me.”
      One man that will feel aggrieved to be omitted, you would imagine, is Deontay Wilder.
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      The Bronze Bomber is renowned for his huge knockout power.
      When asked about Wilder, even prior to his defeat to Tyson Fury, Foreman didn’t believe that the-then WBC champion had yet entered the pantheon of the greats.
      He told TMZ Sports: “He’s good but he hasn’t approached Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson. No, he hasn’t approached that kind of recognition yet. No way.
      “For me, he has to have a performance like Mike Tyson did over Trevor Berbick. Boy, when I saw that, I was down visiting Vegas, and I thought, ‘This guy is a nightmare!'”
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      At the time, Wilder hit back: “I understand Foreman and all these guys, they got to let their era go in the past, I am the hardest hitting puncher in boxing history period.
      “I’m 42 and 0 with 41 KOs and the numbers speak for itself, I’ve got a 97 per cent [KO] ratio and I’m above everybody, numbers don’t lie.
      “I don’t know what Foreman’s talking about, they got to learn how to give me my credit, there’s no denying because over and over I’m going to prove them wrong each and every time. You’re going to be looking silly.”
      Fury could yet be ordered to fight Deontay Wilder for a FOURTH time, according to reports.
      The WBC have confirmed Wilder vs Andy Ruiz Jr as a final eliminator for Fury’s WBC title.
      Deontay Wilder referred to himself as the ‘hardest hitting puncher in boxing history’ back in NovemberCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      in Motorsport

      Toto Wolff wants salary cap to be LOWER than what £40m-a-year F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen earn

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      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff says F1’s plans to impose a salary cap on drivers should be LOWER than what top earns Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen currently get paid.The sport’s bosses are keen to reduce drivers’ wages as part of their push to reduce costs.
      Toto Wolff reckons the new salary cap should be LESS than Lewis Hamilton’s £40m a yearCredit: Getty
      How much F1 stars earn
      Hamilton and Verstappen earn around £40million a year, with their contracts running until the end of 2023 and 2028, respectively.
      Drivers reacted angrily to the proposal in Baku in June but Wolff, who is a three-way owner of the Mercedes team, says he is in favour of the cap.
      He said: “It certainly has come up as a controversial topic. We can see that we are facing a very difficult situation in F1 overall.
      “The sport is booming and F1 is earning more money and that trickles down to the teams.
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      “But we have a cost cap. We have $140million for 1,000 people. With inflation, we haven’t been able to even pay the inflation.
      “The talk about $30 or $40m salary allowance is inadequate when you take that perspective.
      “Clearly the drivers will have an opinion on that. Maybe as a driver I would say the same thing, but the US American leagues that are the most successful in the world have introduced salary caps 15 years ago. It works pretty well over there.
      “We need to find a way of how we can act sustainably and become independent from sovereign funds or state-owned teams.
      Mercedes had a rainbow badge in BakuCredit: AFP
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      “Therefore it is certainly clear that this is going to be one of the main areas because you can’t simply have a salary bill in some of the top teams that is 30, 40, 50m when the rest of the team needs to be divided in 140m.
      “But having said that, they are tremendous superstars, they deserve to be among the top earners in the sport.
      “In terms of direct salaries they already are and then we need to find a way of unlocking the capability of doing endorsement deals which is two-thirds if not more for US American sports teams.
      “But certainly, direct salaries, F1 drivers are paid the most.” More

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      in Soccer

      Arsenal star Ben White reveals he doesn’t watch football and NEVER saw Patrick Vieira despite taking legend’s No4 shirt

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      ARSENAL star Ben White didn’t watch football when he was growing up.And old habits die hard as the defender still doesn’t watch the sport he’s devoted his life to.
      Ben White has revealed he hardly watches football because he’s always playing itCredit: Getty
      The Arsenal defender hasn’t even seen Gunners legend Vieira in actionCredit: Getty
      The England international, who was today named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man World Cup squad, explained that because he was always playing the game, there was no time to sit down and see it on TV.
      The 25-year-old told Sky Sports: “No I never watched football when I was younger, still don’t now.
      “I just loved the game, I was always playing it – never watching it. So I don’t know too much about older generations.”
      And that explains why White isn’t aware of Gunners legend Patrick Vieira, despite donning his iconic No4 shirt since joining Arsenal for £50million from Brighton last year.
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      White added: “I know [Vieira] was a very good player.
      “But I wouldn’t know the details. I’m quite busy, I’m always doing something.”
      Although watching football isn’t one of his hobbies, White did admit that he does reflect on games he’s played in, to assess his performances or catch a glimpse of the Three Lions in action – albeit just for a short moment.
      He went on to say: “I watch myself for analytical reasons. I watch England, maybe. I just wouldn’t just sit down and watch a game.”
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      White also claims that because he dedicates so much to football, it’s the last thing he wants to focus on when he gets home.
      The ex-Brighton star continued: “It’s so intense, you come in every day and give 100 per cent.
      “All I want to do is go home and not think about it. Come in fresh and ready to give 100 per cent again.”
      White, 25, is set to represent England at the World CupCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo keen to play until he’s 40 but he will RETIRE as soon as body slows down, claims Portugal manager

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO will play until he’s 40 – but will retire as soon as his body slows down, according to Portugal boss Fernando Santos.The Manchester United star, 37, has dominated headlines over recent months as he looked to force a move away from Old Trafford before his now infamous refusal to appear as sub against Tottenham.
      Cristiano Ronaldo will play into his 40s if his physical levels don’t dropCredit: Instagram / @cristiano
      Cristiano Ronaldo has been angling for a move away from Man UtdCredit: AP
      However, Santos has revealed Ronaldo will keep on playing until his physical level finally drops.
      In 2020, Santos told TVI24: “Cristiano is ready to play until he’s 40, but he doesn’t know if it will happen.
      “At some point he may feel that he no longer has the same conditions.
      “He’s not a player who will lower his level, when he feels like he can’t be Ronaldo, he won’t.”
      READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
      Ronaldo was surprisingly handed the armband as the Red Devils slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Villa Park on Sunday.
      He has started each of United’s last four games but it appears Erik ten Hag is happy to let him leave at the beginning of next year.
      A report this week has also claimed that a return to Sporting Lisbon could be on the cards.
      The veteran is also preparing for what will most-likely be his last World Cup with Portugal this month.
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      But one thing is for certain, Ronaldo is not planning to retire any time soon – and his incredibly detailed fitness regime makes that all possible.
      In 2020, Ronaldo revealed his desire to play until he’s 40 after celebrating his 35th birthday.
      Quizzed on how long he can keep going, the Portuguese icon told Marca: “Much will depend on what I feel, on my motivation.
      “Physically it will never be a problem.
      “I am treating myself well and I think can play safely up to 40 years.
      “The most important factor, honestly, will be more psychological – that will be the one that makes the difference.
      “In any case, everything has a beginning and an end. I won’t last a lifetime but I still feel strong enough to continue winning. I will stop if I have no incentives.” More

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      in Boxing

      Inside Floyd Mayweather amazing car collection worth over £2m from a Rolls-Royce Phantom to Ferrari 488

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER is not nicknamed the ‘Money Man’ for nothing.The former world champ, 45, became the first £1billion boxer following an illustrious career that saw him finish undefeated with a 50-0 record.
      Floyd Mayweather’s stunning car collection is worth over £2mCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      Mayweather retired in 2017 after knocking out Conor McGregor and it’s fair to say he’s been enjoying throwing his money around.
      Not shy in flaunting his wealth on social media, an upload from 2020 had car enthusiasts in a spin.
      It includes a whole garage of luxury vehicles including FIVE Rolls-Royces worth over a staggering £2million.
      The other vehicles include a Ferrari 488 worth around £238,000 and a Mercedes-Maybach – the cheapest of the bunch valued at £172,000.
      Mayweather is obviously used to travelling in luxury and would be stuck for choice with his all-black collection of Rolls-Royces.
      One of those is the classic Phantom costing £355,000, a Phantom Drophead Coupe coming in at £367,000, a Dawn valued at £264,000 and a Wraith costing £364,000.
      There’s also the largest of the vehicles, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan which costs £300,000.
      Alongside an image of his garage lined up with ten of the stunning vehicles, he wrote: “My garage looking like an indoor dealership with a few light toys.”
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      Unbelievably, his car collection doesn’t end there.
      He’s been snapped posing inside a Bugatti Chiron that’s reportedly worth a staggering £2.82m and a £140k Mercedes G-Wagon.
      It is believed that his amazing car collection reaches around 100.
      Mayweather is currently preparing to enter the ring again in an exhibition fight against YouTuber Deji.
      Floyd Mayweather poses in his remarkable Bugatti Chiron
      It is believed the boxing champ owns over 100 vehicles
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