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      in Soccer

      Ex-Barcelona star Ilaix Moriba’s dad reveals he ‘cancelled flight to Manchester’ to seal Man City transfer before debut

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      THE father of Ilaix Moriba has revealed he cancelled his son’s flight to Manchester City so the teen could remain at Barcelona.Moriba, 18, burst into Ronald Koeman’s team last season and was tipped for a bright future with the Catalans.
      Ilaix Moriba, 18, was set to agree a deal with Man City two years ago before staying at BarcelonaCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
      However, he chose to leave the Camp Nou last summer and joined RB Leipzig for around £16million after a row over his contract.
      But, Moriba came close to joining Pep Guardiola at City two years ago when doubts emerged over a Barca deal back in 2019.
      The Spain youth international, who is playing for Guinea at AFCON, had even booked a plane ticket to the Etihad as he searched for his first professional contract.
      However, Moriba’s dad Mamady Kourouma cancelled the ticket on the morning of the flight after a breakthrough in contract talks with Barca.
      He told Sport: “With Barcelona, the negotiations did not advance. We met with Txiki Begiristain [City’s sporting director] and he explained his entire project to us.
      “We liked it because they bet a lot on him. A few weeks later we had the tickets to travel to Manchester and sign the contract.
      “I cancelled it the morning that we had to go there. I wanted Ilaix to be an example and a reference for the next generations of Barcelona.
      “His friends were gone. If he stayed, it was proof Barca was betting on the youth players. We managed to reach an agreement where we all came out winning.”
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.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-zkaekv{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-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::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);}
      Barcelona indeed proved their determination to keep Moriba, making him the best-paid player in the history of their academy while handing him an £90million release clause.
      Manchester United were thought to be eager to sign him as Paul Pogba’s long-term replacement.
      While Chelsea are also said to be keeping tabs with N’Golo Kante not getting any younger.
      However, he chose to continue his development in the Bundesliga, and has made six appearances for Leipzig this term.
      Workers remove picture of Lionel Messi from mural outside of Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton called greatest ever driver is ‘difficult to justify’, according to F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart

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      FORMULA 1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart called it ‘difficult to justify’ saying Lewis Hamilton is the greatest ever driver.The Brit failed to beat Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles after losing out to Max Verstappen for the World Championship.
      Sir Jackie Stewart called it difficult to compare Lewis Hamilton’s achievements to those of the pastCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Lewis Hamilton missed out on winning his EIGHTH F1 world championshipCredit: Splash News
      He has already overtaken the German’s record of 91 race wins.
      But Stewart, who won the driver’s championship three times, described it as near-impossible to compare Hamilton’s achievements to speedsters of yesteryear.
      The 82-year-old said last year that the modern-day racing calendar being busier, as well as Hamilton having a ‘so superior’ car and engine to other competitors, makes comparison tricky.
      Speaking on the In The Fast Lane podcast in October 2020, Stewart said: “I don’t think that you can account [for] that sort of level of success.
      “Just because today there are 20, 22 races, whereas in the old days when for example Juan Manuel Fangio, raced maybe sometimes six, eight or nine races a year in Formula 1.
      ‘To say that Lewis is the greatest driver of all time, would be difficult for me to justify, in the sheer power of what the other drivers were doing.
      “Lewis drives extremely well, make no mistake, I’m not in any way diminishing his skills, but it isn’t the same.
      “Lewis made a very good decision when he left McLaren at that time and went to Mercedes-Benz. And I take my hat off to him for making that decision.
      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “But frankly, the car and the engine are now so superior that it’s almost unfair on the rest of the field.”
      Due to difficulties comparing the modern-day car and calendar with that of the past, Stewart doesn’t even have Hamilton in his top three racing drivers of all time.
      He added: “Juan Manuel Fangio in my mind is the greatest driver that’s ever lived.
      “With Jim Clark as the second-greatest, even ahead of [Ayrton] Senna.”
      Fangio won five world titles in the 1950s. Scottish racer Clark won two world titles in 1963 and 1965.
      At the time of his death, at the age of 32, Clark had won more F1 races and achieved more podiums than any other driver.

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      Senna won three world titles in 1988, 1990 and 1991 before tragically losing his life when crashing at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
      SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt disagrees with Sir Jackie however, putting Hamilton at No1.
      Senna bags second spot with Schumacher, winner of seven world titles, in third.
      Clark is fourth with Fangio in fifth.
      Inside the new-look Mercedes car Lewis Hamilton is bidding to win record eight F1 title in ahead of new season More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd wonderkid Anthony Elanga idolises Thierry Henry, has already scored first senior goal and signed bumper deal

      by

      BRILLIANT Anthony Elanga is well on his way to becoming Manchester United’s next youth success story.The Swedish winger, 19, has been tipped to join a Championship side on loan in the January transfer window, with first team experience the goal.
      Anthony Elanga, 19, scored his first senior Man Utd goal against WolvesCredit: Paul Marriott – The Sun
      The Swedish winger scored a bullet header any target man would be proud ofCredit: Getty
      Of course, Red Devils fans will already know about his prowess from last season.
      The flying youngster scored his first senior goal for United with a bullet header against Wolves on the final day of the campaign.
      The youth star has impressed for the Under-23’s again this season, but has found game-time limited.
      However, some fans are calling for him to start ahead of England international Marcus Rashford.
      Elanga made his senior debut against LeicesterCredit: AP
      Elanga has four goals in eight games for the Under-23s this seasonCredit: Getty
      Football is something that is very much in his blood.
      His dad Joseph Elanga was a professional footballer, who earned 17 caps for Cameroon and was called up to the 1998 World Cup squad.
      Anthony was previously handed the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award, which has been won by first-teamers Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood in the past.
      While back in March, Elanga was rewarded for his rapid progress with a new long-term deal at Old Trafford.
      Anthony Elanga is the latest promising talent coming through the Man Utd ranksCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      19-year-old forward and Swedish youth star Elanga won the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award last seasonCredit: Sportsfile
      KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
      Anthony’s father Joseph could say he taught him everything he knew.
      But the elder Elanga, now 42, wasn’t a forward like his son. He was a defender, who made a career for himself in Europe – in countries including Greece, Sweden and Denmark, before retiring in 2012.
      His best years were with Malmo from 2000-2005, who he won the Swedish championship with in 2004. He would join the club for one season again in 2010 and win a second league title.
      Joseph was a member of the Cameroon 1998 World Cup squad, but didn’t play a game.
      During his career, however, he did manage to gain 17 caps for his country.
      Joseph Elanga played in Europe for clubs including Malmo and Brondby (pictured here)Credit: Getty
      Elanga Sr played 17 times for Cameroon and was picked for their 1998 World Cup squadCredit: Alamy
      A THREAT UPFRONT
      United’s youth sides are blessed with promising forwards, with the likes of Shola Shoretire, Charlie McNeill and Dillon Hoogewerf all showing they have a bright future in the game.
      Like them, Elanga has the ability to play out wide or though the middle as a No9.
      Predominantly right-footed, he uses his pace and skill to beat his man, often cutting in before unleashing a shot on goal.
      His solo runs are reminiscent of a young Ryan Giggs, who could take three or four players out of a game in one swashbuckling gallop.
      Elanga has been with the Red Devils since the U12s, joining the academy from Sunday League side Hattersley FC.
      In 2019-20, after a prolific season with the U18 side with who he scored seven times in nine games, he was the recipient of the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award
      In March Elanga signed a long-term deal with the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
      Elanga has an eye for goal and was previously named Utd academy player of the yearCredit: Getty
      Predominantly right-footed, Elanga likes to drift to the left and cut in towards goalCredit: Getty

      HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE
      Elanga – who scored two goals in five matches for Sweden’s U17s – had excited Solskjaer in training before his first-team debut.
      “He’s got an X factor, some attributes, it’s not like a gift, but he’s got the acceleration, pace, speed, that’s a given for wingers and he’s got qualities I like,” the Norwegian explained.
      “He’s a goalscoring winger, he’s confident, he likes to beat men, right foot, left foot, he’s got a great attitude.”

      Humble Elanga understands he has to work hard to achieve regular first team footballCredit: Instagram anthonyelanga
      Elanga can see a pathway to the United first team after seeing the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood flourishCredit: Getty
      Elanga is equally as positive for his future, and knows what he has to do to impress his boss.
      Back in November he told PA, “You look at the likes of Mason and Rashy, there is a pathway there.
      “It just shows you that if you’re willing to put the work into it and continue to work hard day in, day out in training there’s a pathway for you there.”
      HEROES IN THE GAME
      In an interview with The Athletic last year, Elanga revealed who he models his game on.
      “Thierry Henry was my idol and I tried to match my game with his,” he said.
      “He was quick. He could play anywhere across the front three – striker, left wing, right wing – and that’s how I want to replicate my game.”
      Solskjaer said Elanga has an X-Factor about him and a promising futureCredit: Getty
      Elanga idolises Thierry Henry and tries to copy his hero’s gameCredit: Getty
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      Manchester United legend Gary Neville caught a glimpse of Elanga in full flight, when he co-commentated on United Under-21s 6-0 win over Salford City in the EFL Trophy last year.
      He said the youngster was a “nightmare to play against” and called his goal “Thierry Henry-esque.”
      If he’s half the player Henry was, United have got themselves a real talent.
      Solskjaer says Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford in doubt for Granada match More

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      in Boxing

      Jake Paul sent UFC star Conor McGregor a message on Instagram urging him to ‘take the fight pussy’ after $50m offer

      by

      JAKE PAUL continued his relentless pursuit of a boxing match with Conor McGregor by direct messaging the UFC superstar on Instagram.The YouTuber revealed his eagerness to take on McGregor a few days after scoring a sensational second-round KO victory over Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr late last year.
      Jake Paul slid into Conor McGregor’s direct messages on Instagram
      Jake Paul launched a foul-mouthed tirade at Conor McGregor earlier this week
      And last July, the 24-year-old doubled down on his desire to box McGregor in a foul-mouthed tirade on Instagram, in which he claimed his team have sent the UFC’s poster boy a whopping £37million ($50million) offer.
      McGregor refrained from responding to the x-rated call-out, in which Paul made derogatory comments about the Irishman’s fiancee, Dee Devlin.
      And in another attempt to get the former two-division UFC champion’s attention Paul – whose older brother Logan stepped in the ring with Floyd Mayweather – sent a short and sweet direct message to The Notorious on Instagram.
      Paul’s message read: “Take the fight pussy.”
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      After sharing his DM to McGregor, Paul launched a blistering rant at UFC president Dana White, who revealed he was willing to let women’s bantamweight and featherweight queen Amanda Nunes fight the former Disney star.
      He said: “Alright, Dana, let me try to understand your logic here: So you’re saying you don’t want me to fight Conor McGregor because he’s one of the greatest fighters in the world and I’m just like a YouTuber of whatever.
      “But then, in a statement today, you say: ‘Oh, I’m thinking about just having Amanda Nunes knock him out.’ But she’s also one of the greatest.
      “Dana, you seem to have this thing where you sort of hate on videogamers or YouTubers and influencers and us boxing and all this stuff.
      “But then, you spend half your time hanging out with the Nelk Boys. And I know why. It’s because they have hella influence over the male audience and you know that’s gonna promote the UFC.
      “And right now, baby, there’s nobody in this f***ing world who is promoting the UFC as much as me.
      Tens of millions of views, number one search result on Google when you type in Conor McGregor, when you type in UFC, when you type in Dana White. So you’re not making sense here.
      “Dana, I know the world doesn’t really know this because the UFC is this huge company. But we all know it’s not doing that well.
      Jake Paul knocked out Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s exhibition bout with Roy Jones JrCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “Anyone who is involved in WME and all the public stocks and everything that went south there, we know the company is not doing well. And I’m the biggest money fight you can do unless Khabib comes out of retirement.
      “So if you want the UFC to make the most amount of money, you better start to wake the f**k up and realise that Jake Paul vs Conor McGregor is going to happen at some point.”
      Paul’s rant at White came shortly after he ambushed McGregor’s team-mate Dillon Danis and pelted him with water balloons.
      Paul may very well be a combat sports novice, but he’s well and truly at the centre of the boxing and MMA worlds at this moment in time.
      Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50m contract for boxing fight and blasts UFC legend and Dana White are ‘f***ing scared’ More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Man City’s players thought the club would sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after takeover, reveals Pablo Zabaleta

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY legend Pablo Zabaleta has revealed how his ex-team-mates joked they’d be playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after the takeover.The Premier League side became one of the richest clubs in world football overnight when billionaire Sheikh Mansour purchased the club in 2008.
      Man City players joked they would sign Messi and RonaldoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      They wasted no time in signalling their intentions by smashing the British transfer record to land Robinho for £32.5million.
      A host of huge money signings would follow over the years including Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Yaya Toure.
      And Zabaleta, who was the club’s final signing before the takeover, claimed how the rest of the dressing room were left nervous over their futures.
      He told La Nacion last year: “Ten days after my arrival, the purchase of the club by the people of Abu Dhabi is executed.
      “Four days later, they invest £40million for Robinho and there I said, ‘Now what do I do? I’m going to last six months here’.
      “We took it a bit as a joke and… in the locker room we started putting ‘Messi’, ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’. We were s******g ourselves.”
      The Etihad club tried to make their dream of signing Messi a reality in 2017 by offering Barca a then-world record £100m move.

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      But City’s chief executive Ferran Soriano was forced to admit defeat when the Argentine magician signed a new deal at the Nou Camp.
      Zabaleta would become a huge favourite during the new era at City making over 330 appearances in nine years.
      He won five major pieces of silverware including two Premier League titles before joining West Ham.
      Pablo Zabaleta is considered a legend at Man CityCredit: AFP or licensors
      Jack Grealish is left stunned as he finds out he will wear No10 shirt for Man City More

    • 263 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t let Gary Neville give up ‘f***ing’ captaincy as he feared Ronaldo and Rooney row

      by

      SIR ALEX FERGUSON didn’t let Gary Neville give up the captain’s armband at Manchester United – as he feared a Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney row.Neville revealed he felt “unworthy” of being captain but was forced into it by Ferguson in order to keep the peace in the Old Trafford dressing room.
      Neville says he was only made captain to stop Rooney and Ronaldo from rowing
      Ferguson gave Neville the captaincy after Keane’s departureCredit: PA:Press Association
      Fergie feared Rooney would “kick off” if Ronaldo was made captain so decided to keep his long-serving defender as team leader.
      Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Football Show, Neville admitted: “I got injured a year after taking the captaincy and I felt I didn’t contribute as a captain should do.
      “I went to see Sir Alex in pre-season, we had an amazing team of great personalities and players, and said I don’t feel worthy of being captain.
      “And he said, ‘You’ll keep that f***ing armband, son. You and Giggs will rotate it’.
      “He said ‘if I give it to Ronaldo, Rooney will kick off. If I give it to Vidic, Ferdinand will kick off’.
      “It was for camaraderie, we were the policemen in the dressing room, keeping things together but I felt unworthy at that stage.”
      Neville was handed the Man Utd captaincy shortly after Roy Keane’s shock departure midway through the season in November 2005.
      I think Sir Alex chose me ahead of Giggs because he was in and out of the team and I was playing every single week.Neville on being made Man Utd captain
      The former England star recalled: “I had Roy Keane as captain for ten years and Roy left really quickly and unexpectedly part-way through the season.
      “It was a huge shock and you couldn’t replicate Roy. I worked with him, Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce and they were special characters, with influence over a dressing room.
      “I couldn’t take over from Roy and be Roy, I’m not the same in character and influence.
      “I wanted to be true to myself, I was PFA union rep from the age of 23, I believed in players sticking together.
      “I think Sir Alex chose me ahead of Ryan Giggs because he was in and out of the team as Sir Alex liked to rotate his players and I was playing every single week.
      “In the five or six years I was captain it was me, Ryan and Scholes as captains. We worked together to make sure we set the tone and standards in the dressing room.
      “It was a different approach to Keane and Robson, they had influence. Roy was the most influential player I’d seen on and off a football field.”
      Rooney also opened up on his relationship with Ronaldo following the Portuguese star’s infamous wink at Euro 2004, saying it ultimately made them CLOSER.
      Ronaldo ran over to the referee in a bid to get Rooney sent-off for his stamp on Ricardo Carvalho.
      Rooney recalled: “When he ran over to ask Elizondo to send me off I pushed him away. In that moment I couldn’t believe what he was doing.
      “But sitting in that dressing room gave me time to calm down and think.
      “I put myself in Ronaldo’s shoes. Would I do the same? Probably. Would I be in the ref’s face to make sure he got sent off?
      “If he deserved the red, if it would help us win — yes, no question. I’d do it tomorrow.
      “I thought, ‘Actually, I tried to get him booked in the first half for diving’.
      “And the wink thing, I didn’t see anything in that at all. It was nothing. So I calmed down.”

      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.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-zkaekv{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-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::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);}MORE MAN UTD STORIES.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);}
      Rooney added: “In the dressing room we were always really close. It was always the two of us doing pranks on the manager or other players.
      “And what had happened brought us closer together on the pitch.
      “The next three years were our best as a partnership and brought three titles and the Champions League. My red card in Gelsenkirchen was the starting point.”
      Fans think Jadon Sancho drops Man Utd transfer hint during Instagram live after ‘sipping water in secret code over move’ More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Liverpool missed out on Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo just a week before transfer after ‘fee trebled’ overnight

      by

      LIVERPOOL failed to sign Cristiano Ronaldo only a week before he joined Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson gazumped his rivals, according to Phil Thompson.The then-Reds assistant boss has revealed that his team were one of many English clubs interested in the Portuguese forward.
      Ronaldo went on to become a mega star at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association
      Ronaldo had already declared that a move to Anfield was “a dream” with agents Paul Stretford, Jorge Mendes and Tony Henry negotiating his exit from Sporting CP.
      In recalling the 2003 transfer to The Athletic, Thompson states that a £4million fee was required.
      He noted: “I asked what kind of salary he would want and they said it was £1 million per year after tax. That was a lot for an 18-year-old kid but they said that was negotiable.
      “It was a Sunday and I explained to them that I needed to go back to Liverpool and speak to Gerard Houllier and see what we could do. I fed all the information back to Gerard, who said he would speak to [chief executive] Rick Parry.
      “Lo and behold, the following week I’m at Melwood when the yellow ticker on Sky Sports News says: Manchester United sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting for £12.2m.
      “I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
      As Thompson says, United had not paid the £4m fee earlier touted and he was left shocked at how the figure changed overnight.
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      The former defender continued: “Tony told me that when he’d got off the plane on the Monday he had got a call to say he was off the deal. It was down to Stretford and Mendes instead.
      “It was astonishing that the fee trebled.
      “He was clearly a big talent but no one could have predicted back then how great he was going to be.”
      Ronaldo went on to win a treble of Premier League titles in Manchester with 118 goals in almost 300 appearances in his first spell with the club.
      Cristiano Ronaldo posts video celebrating reaching record 200m Instagram followers More

    • 275 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Spurs owner Joe Lewis lives on a £112m boat, is friends with Tiger Woods and gave The Nolans their first ever gig

      by

      JOE LEWIS owns Tottenham Hotspur, but you’ve probably hardly ever seen him. The East End-born self-made billionaire rarely visits the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to cheer on Harry Kane and Co, preferring life on a superyacht in the Caribbean to trips to North London.
      Billionaire Joe Lewis is the very private owner of Tottenham HotspurCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Spurs owner Joe Lewis has an estimated worth of £4bnCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Residing mostly in the Bahamas on his £112m boat called Aviva III, he also has a home next door to Sean Connery’s former estate and is friends with Tiger Woods.
      Over the years, he launched the careers of Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock founder Robert Earl and 70s pop sensations The Nolans.
      And according to the Forbes rich list, he has an estimated fortune of a whopping £4.3bn.
      Let SunSport take you through the world of the man nicknamed “The Boxer” because of his sporting namesake.
      Who is Joe Lewis?
      Joe is true cockney who was born within the sound of the St. Mary-le-Bow church bells in 1937, which makes him 84 years old. He is thought to have been raised in a flat above the Roman Arms pub in East London.
      Roman Road in Bow, East London, where Lewis was reportedly raisedCredit: Google Streetview
      Credit: Alamy
      Joe Lewis was born within the sound of the St. Mary-le-Bow church bells
      He left school at 15 to work in his family’s cafe as a waiter, earning £6 a week.
      He later established more businesses in London’s West End under the name Tavistock Banqueting.
      Joe opened restaurants including the Northumberland Grand, which was the first fancy dress-themed eaterie in London aimed at tourists.
      From there he developed the Beefeater, the Cockney, the Caledonian and the Hanover Grand.
      He managed his first super club called The Talk of the Town in the 60s, where the likes of Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross and Tom Jones performed.
      At the Hanover Grand, Joe granted The Nolans their first ever live show and he gave Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock founder Robert Earl his first job.
      The Talk of the Town was London’s super club of the 60sCredit: Alamy
      Joe Lewis launched the career of The Nolans handing them their first gigCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Joe Lewis gave Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock boss Robert Earl his first jobCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Joe even delved into the world of tourist shops, selling souvenirs and laying on bus tours of London for foreigners and dropping them off at his restaurants.
      He sold the business in 1979 for an incredible £30m and moved to the Bahamas as a tax exile.How he turned his millions to billions… 
      After moving to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, Joe entered the world of currency trading.
      It’s there he made tens of millions, gambling on stock, as he looked to continue accumulating his massive wealth.
      And it was in September, 1992 when he became a billionaire, thanks in part to one shrewd investment on a day called Black Wednesday.
      Joe teamed up with investor George Soros believing the Pound was overvalued and would collapse as Britain attempted to align it with other Euro countries.
      He bet on the Pound crashing out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism and as it did he became a billionaire overnight.
      Joe repeated the trick many years later betting against the Mexican peso and landed himself even more dough.
      After selling his business Joe Lewis moved to the BahamasCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Joe Lewis made his first billion on Black Wednesday in 1992Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Joe Lewis gambled on the pound crashing out of the European Exchange Rate MechanismCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      He lives on one of the most luxurious boats in the world…
      Well, for most months of the year… and it’s not just any old boat.
      The Aviva III, built in 2007, is Joe’s mobile private office and it’s 223ft in size with an estimated value of £112m.
      It was crafted by German builders Abeking and Rasmussen and designed by Reymond Langton.
      The large yacht can host up to 16 people and in sea trials reached up to 20 knots (23mph).
      Joe is a keen sportsman, with the ship boasting a full-sized tennis court.
      Joe Lewis owns the Aviva III which is worth £112mCredit: Jeremy Young – The Sunday Times  
      The mega yacht has a full-sized tennis court and can reach 23mphCredit: Alamy Live News
      In May 2013, Spurs went on a trip to the Bahamas and were welcomed on board the vessel by host Joe.
      Michael Dawson, who was skipper at the time, said: “I had never met him before, so it was nice to go over there and a great experience.
      “What a really nice guy. And that yacht is unreal! But he’s just a normal guy.
      “You could chat to him about anything. He tunes into all the games, he loves it.
      “We just sat there chatting. He made us feel so welcome over there. It was relaxed. A lot of team-bonding together.
      “It helps to be able to put a face to the person investing so much in this club he wants to be successful.
      “He’s always watching. He knows what goes on. He would remember every game, every little thing.”
      Joe Lewis welcomed Spurs players onboard his boat in 2013Credit: PA:Press Association
      Michael Dawson waxed lyrical about meeting Joe LewisCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Joe has friends in high places…
      Of course, when you’re as wealthy as Joe you’re going to attract the creme de la creme of society.
      His best mate is Tiger Woods, who has called Joe “my business mentor” in the past.
      Each year, when he’s not injured, Tiger takes part in Joe’s Tavistock Cup competition in Florida.
      It’s held on two of Joe’s developments in Orlando called the Isleworth and Lake Nona.
      Tiger Woods has called Joe Lewis “my business mentor”Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Joe Lewis and Tiger Woods regularly play golf together in FloridaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Incidentally, when Tiger Woods had his infamous 2009 low-speed car accident it was at Joe’s Isleworth complex, where the golfer has a home.
      Joe, who also owns property in Argentina and Bulgaria, boasts Ernie Els is another pal, and the pair are said to regularly dine together.
      Being mates with golfers gives you the hint that Joe is a keen golfer himself.
      He is believed to play off a 14 handicap and has practised with Woods and Els in the past.
      Joe Lewis and Ernie Els often have dinner togetherCredit: PA:Press Association
      Pablo Picasso is one of the artists Joe Lewis lovesCredit: AFP – Getty
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      He has an epic art collection…When you’re a wealthy man, you need hobbies aside from golf and relaxing on yachts.
      That’s why Joe has an art collection that’s the envy of every Premier League owner.
      Said to be worth around £1bn, he owns works by post-expressionists Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, and Miros.
      However, in 2008 Joe made headline news, at least in the art world, with one extravagant purchase.
      The businessman splashed £26.3 million on Francis Bacon’s Triptych 1974-1977 painting.
      And you’d never guess where he keeps all his art? Yeah, that’s right.. the paintings adorn the walls of his mega yacht.
      Joe Lewis spent £26.3 million on Francis Bacon painting Triptych 1974-1977Credit: Christie’s
      Joe Lewis keeps most of his art collection on his luxury yachtCredit: Reuters
      And now for something personal…
      Joe has been married twice, his first wife was Esther Browne who he met at his greasy spoon.
      She now lives in Ireland.
      They had two children, Vivienne and Charlie, before they divorced.
      Joe then married his former assistant Jane, however they don’t have any kids.
      But before you go thinking life has been all rosy for Joe, he has been touched by loss.
      He lost his dad to cancer, so he wanted to give something  back.
      Joe set up a foundation to help fund research, and the charity is run by daughter Vivienne.
      Joe Lewis has been called a regular guy by anyone who meets himCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More