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      in Boxing

      George Foreman names top ten heavyweights of all time, but there’s no room for Fury as Lennox Lewis beats Tyson

      by

      JOE LOUIS has been named the greatest heavyweight of all time by George Foreman – with Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson also on the list but no Tyson Fury.Foreman, who in 1994 knocked out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion of all time aged 45, boxed over FOUR decades.

      And having faced legendary names such as Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield there is arguably no better man to rank the best of all time in the blue ribbon division.
      But it’s a figure Foreman idolised, not faced, who he believes is the No1.
      In an exclusive interview with SunSport, Foreman said: “Joe Louis is greatest of all time heavyweight as far as a boxer is concerned.
      “My number two heavyweight to leave boxing undefeated Rocky Marciano. Number three is John L Sulivan. Four is Jack Johnson. Number five Muhammad Ali.”
      George Foreman named Joe Louis as his greatest heavyweight of all time
      Ali is arguably the most popular heavyweight of all time, and Foreman ranks his influence outside the ring as his greatest gift.
      He explained: “They never even saw a boxing match in their lives, because he was a great man and the greatest personality and overall, to talk about Muhammad Ali from a pure boxing perspective is a put down.
      “He was greater than that. Everybody’s life has been better because of Ali.”
      Here is Foreman’s 10 greatest heavyweights, as SunSport details their legendary careers.10. Jack Dempsey, 68–6–11
      Dempsey reigned as champion from 1919 to 1926 and gained recognition for his punching power and aggressive fighting style.
      Such was his popularity he was the first boxer to bring in first million-dollar gate from ticket sales.
      Dempsey was a major pioneer in boxing hitting mainstream TV channels and can be thanked for his influence in heavyweight headliners going on to become the box office attractions they are today.
      Jack Dempsey reigned as champion from 1919 to 1926Credit: Getty
      9. Evander Holyfield, 44–10–2 (1)
      Holyfield was the first fighter to ever hold cruiserweight and heavyweight world titles, with Brit David Haye then becoming the only man to join him.
      The ‘Real Deal’ is also the only four-time heavyweight champion, reigning during the late 90s and early 2000s.
      Involved in great rivalries with Tyson, Lewis and Riddick Bowe, Holyfield’s explosive speed and power made him a favourite among fans.
      Evander Holyfield was the first fighter to ever hold cruiserweight and heavyweight world titlesCredit: Getty
      8. Mike Tyson, 50–6 (2)
      Tyson still sits as the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, having battered Tervor Berbick in 1986 when he was just 20.
      His devastating punch power and ruthless aggression made his fights a must-see event – but a lack of discipline led to troubles in and out of the ring.
      After being upset by Buster Douglas in 1990, Tyson went on to win the title again in 1996, but after losing key fights against Holyfield and Lewis, the passion was gone and he retired in 2005.
      Mike Tyson still sits as the youngest heavyweight champion of all timeCredit: Getty
      7. Lennox Lewis, 41–2–1
      As a heavyweight Lewis has completed it all with legendary wins over Tyson, Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko.
      The Brit star lost just twice, in shock upsets to Olivier McCall and Hasim Rahman, but avenged both – meaning he beat every man he shared the ring with.
      He is also the last undisputed heavyweight champion, but an asterisk must be be applied as he did not hold the WBO belt, at the time not recognised as a major world title.
      Lennox Lewis was the last undisputed heavyweight champion
      6. Floyd Patterson, 55–8–1
      Paterson, at 21, was the youngest heavyweight champ of all time until Tyson broke the record, but he also became the first man to lose the belt and then regain it.
      He fought but lost to both Ali and Sonny Liston and is celebrated for his softly spoken approach yet heavy hands.
      Patterson was nicknamed ‘The Gentleman of Boxing’.
      Floyd Patterson was nicknamed ‘The Gentleman of Boxing’Credit: Getty
      5. Muhammad Ali, 56–5
      Widely recognised as the most iconic fighter of all time, Ali transcended the sport and inspired generations with his talent and larger-than-life persona.
      He beat the likes of Liston, Patterson, Ken Norton, Frazier and Foreman on his run as a three-time champion that included historic events such as “The Rumble in the Jungle’ and ‘Thrilla in Manilla’
      Not only was he a genius on the mic but his footwork and combination punching qualifies him as one of the best pugilists ever to lace up the gloves.
      Muhammad Ali is widely recognised as the most iconic fighter of all timeCredit: Getty
      4. Jack Johnson, 70–11–11 (3)
      Johnson became the first African American world heavyweight after defeating Tommy Burns in 1908 having been denied a title shot due to his skin colour since turning pro in 1898.
      The “Galveston Giant” became a cultural hero having battled racism throughout his career but never got another shot at the belt after losing it to Jess Willard in 1915.
      Johnson had just 35 KO’s in 70 wins, instead relying on boxing skill and speed.
      Jack Johnson became the first African American world heavyweight after defeating Tommy Burns in 1908Credit: Getty
      3. John L Sullivan, N/A
      Sullivan is both recognised as the first gloved heavyweight champion in history and last in bare-knuckle under the London Prize Ring Rules.
      The Irish-American, known commonly as John L, became a star during the late 1800s and went on to become one of the highest paid sportsman during the era.
      His career also became a catalyst to newspapers first covering boxing and other sports.
      John L Sullivan is recognised as the first gloved heavyweight champion in historyCredit: Getty
      2. Rocky Marciano, 49-0
      Marciano remains the only heavyweight champion to have retired undefeated.
      He made six title defences and was renowned for his come-forward style, power and durable chin, proving too relentless for challengers to come, including an ageing Louis.
      But a lack of high-profile and legendary opponents unfortunately leaves Marciano usually falling short of credit his record and talent deserves.
      Rocky Marciano remains the only heavyweight champion to have retired undefeatedCredit: Getty

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       1. Joe Louis, 371-14
      Louis was heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949 – a period in which he defended his title 25 times in the illustrious 13-year run.
      More than that, he is widely regarded as one of the first black athletes to achieve the status of national hero in the US.
      With 334 KOs in a reported 385 fights, he is regarded as one of the most destructive and hard-hitting punchers of all time.
      Joe Louis reigned as heavyweight champion for 13 consecutive years More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea kid Armando Broja, 20, idolised Didier Drogba as a youngster and joined the Blues from London rivals Tottenham

      by

      CHELSEA striker Armando Broja is a man in demand.The 20-year-old Albanian striker enjoyed a successful loan at Southampton last season – which has prompted interest from London rivals West Ham, who are fighting to sign him in a £30million deal.
      Chelsea striker Armando Broja is a kid in demand
      Broja signed a five-year Chelsea deal in 2021 and his highly rated at the clubCredit: Getty
      Last season Broja played his football at Southampton and excelled
      However, recent reports suggest Thomas Tuchel wants to keep his man at the club, after impressing.
      Last year, Broja signed a five-year deal with the club. He grew up idolising club legend Didier Drogba. And if that’s not enough the powerful striker was plucked from bitter rivals Spurs when he was a youngster.
      TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
      After playing for his local club Burnham Juniors, Broja went on trial to Reading.
      He trained there, but wanted bigger and better things.
      Broja also played with the Fulham academy, and impressed coaches so much he was placed in a team with players on scholarship deals.
      But it was Premier League giants Tottenham who were the first to secure a deal with Broja.
      “I went to a tournament with Burnham Juniors and there was a Spurs scout there watching,” he told Chelseafc.com.
      “He actually came to watch another player in my team but I ended up winning Player of the Tournament and he took me on instead, so I went to Tottenham and signed for them.”
      MOVE TO THE BLUES
      In youth games, Broja starred against Chelsea.
      Immediately, the west London giants wanted the youngster to join their academy after being impressed by his ability.
      “I was at Spurs for two years from Under-8s until the end of Under-9s and in those two years, we played Chelsea a lot and they really liked me as a player and that’s when I joined the Academy,” he said.
      Broja scored 11 goals on loan at Vitesse ArnhemCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      FOOTBALL IDOLS
      Like many aspiring Chelsea star, Broja’s footballing idol is Ivory Coast hero Drogba.
      “My Chelsea idol is Didier Drogba,” he said.
      “He was a machine, very strong, a great finisher and he had an amazing career.
      “At Chelsea, he achieved so much and he was always the one to produce in the big games.”
      Broja also grew up watching clips of Brazilian legend Ronaldo.
      “My dad first introduced me to him and I watched so many of his clips,” he said.
      “He was strong, fast, two-footed, he had everything. That’s who I aspire to be like.”
      At Southampton, Broja scored nine times in all competitions
      Brazilian legend Ronaldo is another striker Broja admiresCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Broja finally made his Chelsea debut under old boss Frank Lampard in 2020.
      He then spent the 20/21 campaign on loan at Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, where he scored 11 times.
      And last season managed nine goals in 38 games in all competitions for the Saints.
      With time still to go until the end of the transfer window, time will tell where his future lies. And it might be away from Stamford Bridge where he will have to flourish.
      Armando Broja joins a list of current Chelsea first team players who could be departing the club this summerCredit: Getty – Contributor More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd and Chelsea transfer target Frenkie de Jong is named after Brit pop group and loves his gran’s meatballs

      by

      DUTCH superstar Frenkie de Jong might have dreamed of playing for Barcelona, but it was a band from Merseyside that influenced his mum’s mind when she named him.Marjon Schuchhard gave birth to the midfielder, 25, enduring a 33-hour long labour, on May 12, 1997.
      Frenkie de Jong with mum Marjon Schuchhard, left, and brother Youri, centre
      Barcelona star de Jong is a target for Premier League giants Man Utd and Chelsea
      The healthcare worker was a fan of the band Frankie Goes to Hollywood – famous for 1980s belter ‘Relax’ – and named her first-born after them.
      Subtly, she replaced the ‘a’ for an ‘e’ as she knew no-one by that name.
      But it’s not the bright lights of Los Angeles for de Jong.
      Instead, Frenkie could be headed to England – with Man Utd and Chelsea declaring their interest in the 44-cap Holland international.
      Reports have suggested Barcelona are willing to sell de Jong, however he is reluctant to leave the Camp Nou because the club owe him wages of around £17million.
      A move to Stamford Bridge, though, could tempt him as de Jong craves Champions League football, despite the offer of a reunion with old Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
      Barcelona move
      It was back in 2019, the Catalan club forked out £65million for de Jong, who comes from the small village of Arkel in South Holland.
      He followed in the footsteps of Dutch icons Johan Cruyff, Ronald Koeman, Patrick Kluivert and Marc Overmars in playing for both Ajax and Barca.
      So crucial was his decision to move to the LaLiga giants he spoke to both Koeman and Overmars before making the decision.
      “I asked [Marc] about Barcelona and he said, ‘It’s amazing, I went there for four years. It was amazing – the players and the people in the city, just to live there. If you get the chance, you have to take it’,” De Jong recalled.
      And he did, signing a five-year deal with the Spanish giants.
      The expectation around him was so great that many compared the youngster to Holland’s most outstanding export, Cruyff.
      “I feel honoured but I don’t think you can compare the two of us,” De Jong told The Guardian.
      De Jong began playing aged four after his grandfather took him to the local club’s open dayCredit: Soccrates Images
      Midfielder de Jong was picked up by Willem II at the age of sevenCredit: Soccrates Images
      De Jong shot to fame at Dutch giants Ajax before embarking on a Barcelona adventureCredit: Getty – Contributor
      De Jong chose Barcelona and signed a £65m move in 2019Credit: EPA
      “He is so much better than me. He had so much quality. I will never reach that level.”
      De Jong’s career began at the age of four when his father, a traffic warden, took him to an open day at their local club.
      “Frenkie outplayed all the eight- and nine-year old boys,” his grandfather Jan de Bruijn told Dutch newspaper NRC.
      Willem II, renowned for developing the likes of Virgil van Dijk, picked up De Jong at the age of seven.
      His grandfather would do the one-hour drive to Tilburg for training while his parents worked.
      Boy to man
      It was there at Willem II that de Jong met his girlfriend, Mikky Kiemeney, a former hockey player who debuted for HC Den Bosch’s women’s team in 2015, aged 17. They became engaged this summer.
      Kiemeney posted a photo of the childhood sweethearts on Instagram in September 2015 when De Jong signed for Ajax.
      Despite the move, De Jong would make the hour-long journey from the Dutch capital to his hometown to visit his mother.
      On the way, he would always stop in at his grandparents for his favourite meatballs.
      De Jong was part of the Ajax side that appeared in the Champions League semi-finals in 2019Credit: Getty – Contributor
      De Jong’s girlfriend is former hockey player Mikky KiemeneyCredit: Instagram
      Kiemeney and de Jong finally got engaged this summer
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#dcdddd;background-color:#ffffff;}.css-14dqn90{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(4px/2);margin-right:calc(4px/2);}.css-12an5ma{font-family:The Sun;font-size:20px;line-height:1.2;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;padding:1px 0px;}.css-12an5ma::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.261875em + -1px);}.css-12an5ma::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:calc(-0.25em + -1.3px);}.css-1tob514{color:rgba(32,134,98,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;margin-right:4px;}.css-1tob514:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}STRONG ARM .css-1efa55o{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1efa55o:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Chelsea kid Broja, 20, idolised Drogba growing up and was plucked from Spurs
      Those trips may not be as frequent today with Barcelona 1,000-miles away.
      And his love for the club might have somewhat waned, following the latest pay row. De Jong agreed to a pay cut during the pandemic, and is still owed £17million in back pay.
      He didn’t get to play with idol Lionel Messi either, who left for PSG last summer. But it’s still the club of his dreams.
      Childhood friend Sander Dekkers told NRC: “Joining the Messi club is very special to him.
      “But it is not enough. Frenkie wants to be the best midfielder in the world, yes, perhaps the best football player in the world.”
      Chelsea? Manchester? Hollywood? Wherever, Frenkie is going places.
      De Jong starred in Willem II’s academy where Virgil van Dijk was developedCredit: Soccrates Images
      The Dutch midfielder stayed until the age of 17 when he left for AjaxCredit: Soccrates Images
      De Jong had a slight frame during his days at Willem II before growing out and shooting up More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man City star Kevin De Bruyne’s secluded retirement home in Belgium includes incredible pool and a basketball court

      by

      KEVIN DE BRUYNE will spend his life after football in a stunning Belgian home that includes a swimming pool and basketball court.The 31-year-old Manchester City star is married to wife Michele Lacroix after the pair tied the knot in 2017.
      De Bruyne with his wife Michele and their three childrenCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      The house has a beautiful swimming pool on displayCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      The Man City man also has a basketball court in his retirement homeCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      He also has three young children with partner Lacroix – Mason, 6, Rome, 3, and Suri, 1.
      And the five-person family often enjoy De Bruyne’s summer breaks from football by going to their house in Bolderberg, Belgium.
      De Bruyne flew out there before Euro 2020 as he attempted to swiftly recover from his broken nose and damaged eye socket.
      And the luxury home seemed to work for the Man City man as he returned to the national team in time for the tournament, only for Belgium to be knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Italy.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}AMA-ZIN JOURNEY .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Zinchenko’s remarkable career, from fleeing war to trophies at Man City
      The Bolderberg-based home is where De Bruyne wants to rest up when his playing career comes to an end.
      It looks like the perfect place for a Premier League great to put his feet up once he is finished with football.
      But that could still be a way away yet as De Bruyne remains focused on delivering Man City more trophies.
      The attacking midfielder is currently in the US on tour with City.
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      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      De Bruyne was in action last night, getting on the scoresheet twice as he side beat Club America 2-1 in Houston.
      New signing Erling Haaland was left on the bench for the friendly, having only started training at the beginning of this week.
      Jack Grealish found himself booed by the crowd after going down in the box expecting a penalty.
      Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa tried to pick the England ace up, leading to Grealish shoving him.
      This sparked a melee, with SIX Club America players quickly surrounding Grealish.
      Michele shared several photos of the house to her InstagramCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      The modern-looking house is a sight to beholdCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      Kevin and Michele have been in a relationship since 2014Credit: Instagram @lacroixmichele More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua reveals Wladimir Klitschko is hardest puncher he has ever faced despite Ruiz Jr and Usyk losses

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA named Wladimir Klitschko as the hardest puncher he has ever faced in the ring.The British star beat the Ukrainian with an 11th round knockout at Wembley in 2017 – but admitted he could have been “carried out on a stretcher”.
      AJ was floored the first time in his career when he came up against Wladimir KlitschkoCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      Joshua, 32, suffered the first defeat of his career when he came up against 25/1 underdog Andy Ruiz Jr in New York back in 2019.
      The British star was left battered and bruised after he was knocked to the canvas four times by the hard-hitting Mexican.
      He was also outpointed by Oleksandr Usyk last year at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      But he has revealed that it was Klitschko, 46, that possessed the most powerful punches he has come up against.
      During a JD Sports Instagram live prior to his first fight with Usyk, he said: “Who hit me the hardest? Yeah, Klitschko.
      “When I went in with Klitschko, yeah, I just knew this could go two ways.
      “I could either win or I’m gonna be laid out on my back. You know when you get carried out on a stretcher?”
      “It was the 15 that came after that as well. This guy’s a beast, he’s a beast.
      Andy Ruiz Jr floored the Brit four times before his shock victory last summerCredit: AP:Associated Press
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      “I was gonna say Ruiz Jr, but when he hit me that like a concussion on the back of my head.”
      Joshua was floored for the first time in his career when Klitschko landed a heavy right hand in the sixth round.
      But the Watford-born bruiser bounced back in spectacular fashion to add the WBA world heavyweight title to his IBF crown.
      Klitschko crashed to the canvas three times before Joshua secured the victory in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley.
      Joshua is determined to win back his belts when he rematches Usyk next month.
      The duo will meet again on August 20 in Jeddah, with Tyson Fury potentially being tempted out of retirement to face the winner.
      Anthony Joshua won the fight after he climbed off the canvas at WembleyCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Jonathan Soriano was prolific forward who matched Messi and Ronaldo’s goalscoring records but missed out on Golden Shoe

      by

      THE name Jonathan Soriano might not be all that familiar to a lot of football fans… but perhaps it should be.The 36-year-old spent the majority of his career playing for unfashionable clubs including Red Bull Salzburg, Girona, and Beijing Guoan.
      Jonathan Soriano, just signed by Castellon, is the journeyman striker you’ve never heard of who rivalled Messi and Ronaldo’s goalscoring records
      But, at one moment in time, he was just as prolific as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – rivalling those two legends for the European Golden Shoe.
      However, because a points system favours players in tougher leagues to win even if they score fewer goals than a player in a so-called weaker league, Soriano missed out on the award.
      Incredibly in Austria, in just six years, the master poacher scored a staggering 172 goals.
      CATALAN BOY
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Stories.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}HOW COULD LEW .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}’Ungrateful’ Lewandowski slammed by model & TV presenter after Barcelona move
      Soriano hasn’t always plied his trade in the lower leagues.
      In fact, he began his youth career playing at Barcelona’s cross-town rivals Espanyol before he was released in 2009.
      Then, he joined Barça with a view to play in the reserves for their third division side.
      Soriano showed promise and was given a run out by the first team – playing in the dying minutes of a 2–0 win at Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa in a Copa del Rey tie.
      .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      Soriano joined Barcelona in 2009 after he was released by EspanyolCredit: AFP – Getty
      At 27 Soriano was left on the football scrapheap when he was released by Barcelona
      It was to prove to be his only appearance with the senior side, despite finishing the following season as top scorer in Spain’s Segunda Division B with 32 goals.
      In 2012, Barcelona refused to renew his contract and Soriano was left on the football scrapheap aged 27.
      REDEMPTION IN AUSTRIA
      With lots to prove, Soriano joined Red Bull Salzburg that same year.
      But in his first season, he needed time to settle and managed a modest five goals in 15 games from January.
      However, his second season was a different story. 26 goals in 32 league games showed his proficiency in front of goal.
      A highlight came in a 6-2 win over Wolfsberger – a game he netted a hat-trick in – just hours after he spent the morning with wife Cristina Sabater in hospital celebrating the birth of his daughter.
      The 2013-14 season was Soriano’s most prolific – with an astonishing 48 goals in 43 games.
      Soriano enjoyed his best years in football at Red Bull SalzburgCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      In 2013-14 Soriano scored 31 league goals which would’ve been enough to win the European Golden Shoe awardCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Soriano once scored a hat-trick hours after his wife Cristina gave birth
      It was the same campaign he was crowned Europa League top scorer – netting a brace against Ajax as Red Bull Salzburg reached the last 16 before they were knocked out.
      His 31 league goals tied him with Luis Suarez and Ronaldo in the European Golden Shoe stakes.
      But it was a technicality he lost out on.
      HE WAS ROBBED
      Since the 1996-97 season, European Sports Media have awarded the Golden Shoe on a points system.
      The weightings are determined by the league’s ranking on the Uefa coefficients, which in turn depend on the results of each league’s clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons.
      So, players who score goals in one of Europe’s top five leagues have the opportunity to score more points than that of a player who plays in a lesser known league.
      Poor Soriano, then, wasn’t even in the running.
      With goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues counting for more in a points system for the European Golden Shoe, Soriano was robbed of the awardCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      In his six seasons with Red Bull Salzburg, Soriano scored 172 goals
      “I understand that the Austrian league is not at the level of that of Spain, England, Germany… but whoever understands football knows that it is not easy to score goals anywhere,” he said.
      Soriano’s tallies of 29, 48, 46, and 32 from 2013-16 would have had him competing with Messi and Ronaldo, if it wasn’t for that points system.
      WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
      172 goals and six seasons later, Soriano moved to China.
      He spent two seasons at Beijing Guoan, following a recommendation by former Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute.
      A return of 31 strikes in 36 games in the Chinese Super League ensured he was a success. He even had a medal to show for his time there – winning the Chinese FA Cup.
      But then, as a free agent, Soriano moved to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal FC, where goals were harder to come by.
      One year later, the poacher returned to Spain with Girona on a short-term deal.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BRANCHING OUT .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}My neighbour has cut down LOADS of my tree – I’m absolutely fuming
      It didn’t quite work out there, with just one goal to his name in 16 appearances.
      He made eight goalless appearances for Castellon, before announcing his retirement from professional football.
      Soriano’s goalscoring touch alluded him at Girona
      In China Soriano won the Chinese FA CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo naps five times a day and lies in foetal position, says Man Utd superstar’s sleep guru

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S secret weapon is that he sleeps five times a day and snoozes in the foetal position, according to a sleep expert.Sleep guru Nick Littlehales has lifted the lid on the amazing routines behind the Portuguese superstar’s success.
      Cristiano Ronaldo takes his sleep very seriouslyCredit: AP
      The Portuguese legend is said to go for a lie-down five times every dayCredit: Splash News
      Sleep guru Nick Littlehales has revealed all about the five-time Ballon d’Or winners sleep secretsCredit: Reuters
      Littlehales landed one of his first gigs in football when he wrote to Sir Alex Ferguson and offered his services.
      The Manchester United chief enlisted the help of the former bed company director to help with Gary Pallister’s back problem.
      Over 20 years on and Littlehales is now helping advise some of the biggest names in world sport.
      Red Devils ace Ronaldo used to need a decent rest after Fergie let United’s stars kick the forward to toughen him up.
      And the 37-year-old proved a sponge for sleep advice when then Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti invited Littlehales to come and work with Los Blancos.
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was told to take five 90-minute sleeps a day and sleep on fresh sheets in the foetal position.
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      During his Madrid days, he was the only player awarded access to their customised sleeping pod at their training centre, meaning that the forward napped alone.
      Ronaldo also stops staring at screens an hour and a half before bed.
      Research shows the blue light emitted keeps your brain ticking during sleep by suppressing sleep hormone melatonin.
      Speaking to the Independent back in 2017, Littlehales said: “Anyone who has ever worked with Ronaldo knows that if you have a discussion in the corner of the room, he will come over and ask what you are talking about.
      “I was invited to Real Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti became manager.
      “I was standing on the edge of the training pitch, talking to the Madrid staff, when Ronaldo ran over.
      “He had been training all day and you would have expected him to run straight to the dressing room for a shower but he asked what we were discussing.
      “He was interested in what I was trying to do because as an athlete he has always invested in himself.
      The only thing he is concerned with is: does it work for him?Nick Littlehales
      “From what I have learned from working with him, Ronaldo is not interested in fad diets, he is not interested in copying others.
      “The only thing he is concerned with is: does it work for him?”
      Former Chelsea ace Michael Essien once claimed he needed 14 hours of sleep a day to ensure he was at his powerful and energetic best in games.
      And 15-time tennis Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras would insist on pristine new sheets every night and banned his wife from even touching him once he got into bed.
      But Littlehales says the key to a good night is sleeping in a mattress with just TEN CENTIMETRES of foam. Aside from his work with football and rugby league clubs, Littlehales has also advised golden British cycling couple Laura and Jason Kenny.
      He added: “Why, when you go camping and start sleeping on a thinner mattress, do you wake up feeling fantastic?
      “I’ve been working with Team Sky for a number of years and during every Tour de France, Giro d’Italia or Vuelta a Espana, we go ahead to the hotels making sure the cyclists sleep on exactly the same mattress every night.
      “All you need is ten centimetres of foam.”
      Littlehales was previously employed by Sir Alex Ferguson at Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Olympic heroes Jason and Laura Trott are two of his clientsCredit: Getty Images More

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      How DC United could line up under Wayne Rooney with Man Utd legend signing Phil Jones, Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison

      by

      WAYNE ROONEY could look to bring his former Manchester United team-mates Jesse Lingard, Ravel Morrison AND Phil Jones with him to DC United.The 36-year-old agreed and signed a $1million-a-year contract to take charge of the MLS side.
      Rooney signed a deal until 2023 with an option for a further yearCredit: AFP
      This is how DC United could look under Wayne Rooney with Jesse Lingard, Ravel Morrison and Phil Jones
      Rooney made a swift return to management after stepping down as Derby’s gaffer last month following their relegation to League One.
      However, Rooney has a “Coleen release clause” in his contract that would see him allowed to leave DC sooner.
      United icon Rooney is reportedly free to head back to the UK and rejoin his family if a Premier League club comes in for him.
      Attention will now turn to who could follow Rooney to the MLS.
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      SunSport recently reported how Lingard could be on his way to the MLS with multiple clubs looking to snap him up.
      The 29-year-old is a free agent following his release by Manchester United.
      He has been linked with Premier League sides West Ham, Newcastle, and Everton, but he could be tempted to link up with Rooney.
      And he could be joined by fellow United team-mate and academy graduate Morrison, who is also currently unemployed.
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      Morrison was signed by Rooney for Derby last year, with the attacking midfielder featuring in 38 games in all competitions.
      It was the most amount of games the 29-year-old has ever managed in a single campaign, with the ex-Hammers ace chipping in with five goals and four assists.
      And having tested himself in Italy, Mexico, Sweden and Holland, Morrison could look to challenge himself in yet another country.
      SunSport also revealed that Rooney is considering handing Jones a chance to revive his career in America.
      Jones, 30, who has suffered a nightmare time at Old Trafford over the past two years.
      Here SunSport takes a look at how DC United could line-up under Rooney in their usual 3-4-2-1 formation.
      Rafael Romo will keep his spot between the sticks having only signed for the Audi Field outfit.
      Centre-backs Steve Birnbaum and Brendan Hines-Ike will likely retain their starting spot and would be joined by Jones.
      Versatile Julian Gressel will slot in down the right channel, with Sami Guediri to be deployed on the opposite flank.
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      A central midfield pairing will likely see Drew Skundrich partner Chris Durkin in the middle of the pitch.
      Lingard and Morrison would then feature in an advanced position behind top scorer Taxiarchis Fountas, who has nine goals from 11 matches in 2022 so far. More