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      Mystery as missing North Korean footballer dubbed The People’s Ronaldo ‘REAPPEARS’… but it could spell tragedy

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      A FOOTBALLER dubbed The People’s Cristiano Ronaldo has mysteriously “reappeared” after vanishing from the spotlight years ago.Former Juventus striker Han Kwang-song reportedly left Italy last month and returned to his native North Korea – but he might not have the warmest welcome back.
      Former Juventus striker Han Kwang-song, from North Korea, mysteriously ‘reappeared’Credit: Getty
      The 24-year-old reportedly left Italy last month and returned to his homelandCredit: Getty
      Han’s return could spell tragedy as he re-enters Kim Jong-un’s ruthless regimeCredit: Getty
      On Tuesday, sports expert Marco Bagozzi updated Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the Pyongyang-born’s latest whereabouts.
      “I recently spoke with Han Kwang-song’s close friend in Italy and he confirmed that he left mid-August,” he said.
      Marco added that Han’s Facebook Messenger account has been “unusable” ever since.
      Another source, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Asian news outlet that the footballer had left for Beijing in August and returned to his homeland with fellow North Korean residents.
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      The insider claims that on August 22, Han was one of 200 North Korean passengers returning from China in a state-owned Air Koryo flight.
      Jorn Andersen, who coached the North Korean national team, also told RFA: “He has not been in contact with me since last year.”
      The 24-year-old’s enigmatic “comeback” could spell some tragedy as Han re-enters Kim Jong-un’s ruthless regime.
      The promising striker could likely be deemed as a North Korean “defector”, meaning he could face harsh interrogation, a prison camp sentence, or worse – the capital punishment.
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      Lee Hyun-seung, a North Korean defector currently residing in the US, told Radio Free Asia that overseas workers or civil servants would be subjected to months-long political ideological training once back to their homeland.
      “When the border is opened and overseas civil servants and worker re-enter North Korea, there is a high probability that these people will receive intensive ideological training from various Government bodies for at least three months,” he said.
      “These include units of the Organization and Guidance Department, Propaganda and Agitation Department, State Security Department, and Party cells.”
      Han’s trip to Rome from Doha in 2021 was his last known journey, CNN reports.
      That same year, Han was accused of breaching UN sanctions as he may had been funnelling his £20k-a-week wage to Kim’s nuke programme, experts believe.
      Han, the first North Korean to score in Serie A, was considered a promising young talent and was previously linked with big money moves to Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Everton.
      But Al-Duhail released him from the multi-million-pound contract he signed in 2020 amid a sanctions-busting probe by UN officials.
      Athletes are not exempt from international rules that stop North Koreans earning money overseas in case it goes to fund Kim’s nuclear programme.
      Experts told The Sun it is likely Han would have been forced to send most of his hefty pay packet back to the North Korean regime – which would have been in a blatant breach of UN sanctions.
      The promising striker could likely be deemed as a North Korean ‘defector’Credit: Getty
      Han could face harsh interrogation, a prison camp sentence, or capital punishmentCredit: Getty More

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      I’m known as the David Beckham of Asia but I quit football to make rice wine… now I’m worth £28million

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      WHEN thinking of glam footballers like David Beckham, many fans may think about the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo or Antoine Griezmann.However, Hidetoshi Nakata is perhaps more comparable to Beckham than any other footballer.
      Hidetoshi Nakata quit football to pursue a career in Japanese rice wine makingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Nakata has been dubbed the David Beckham of AsiaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Nataka retired at Bolton weeks after the 2006 World CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      On the football pitch, Nakata made a name for himself in the Serie A with an eight-year spell in Italy yielding a league title and Italian Cup.
      The Japanese attacking midfielder also holds the record for most goals by an Asian player in Serie A history.
      But it is his work away from the pitch which truly distinguishes him, although it was far from a straightforward journey.
      Nakata retired from the beautiful game when at Bolton under Sam Allardyce aged just 29, after admitting his passion for the sport had evaporated.
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      His decision rocked Japanese football, coming just weeks after the nation’s exit from the Brazil World Cup in 2006.
      However, the former Japan footballer of the year and three-time Ballon d’Or nominee realised after hanging up his boots that he had an alarming lack of knowledge about his home country.
      Nakata had left Japan aged 21 to pursue his career in Europe, and insisted he needed to educate himself to “become a better Japanese person.”
      He told CNN in 2018: “I played because I loved [it], but I was losing a bit of passion for football.
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      “My people came to stop me but I said: ‘Please cut my contract. I don’t need any money anymore, just let me leave.’
      “All my life I just played football, basically. Every country I went, people asked me about Japan but I didn’t know anything about it.
      “That’s a part of my life, so I need to become a better Japanese person.”
      During his deep dive into Japan’s culture, which took over seven years to complete, Nakata visited all 47 of Japan’s prefectures – equivalent to an English county.
      His mission yielded the desired results, with Nakata finding a particular interest in sake, otherwise known as Japanese rice wine, and turning it into a business with his own label “N”.
      Fashion guru Nakata is a regular at Louis Vuitton showsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Nakata strikes various sponsorships to promote the Japanese sake industryCredit: AFP – Getty
      “There are most amazing crafts and agricultural products all over Japan, but I was especially fascinated by the uniqueness of sake,” he explained to Forbes.
      “It is distinctively Japanese, made with the Japanese national mould koji for the last 2000 years. I thought sake deserved much more global attention.”
      Nakata visited over 400 sake producers, around 40 per cent of the total operating breweries at the time, before launching his brand at the Takagi Shuzo brewery in 2013 in the Yamagata prefecture.
      At launch a single bottle of sake cost between £1,570 and £2,350 a bottle from his brewery.
      As it turned out, he would be entering the industry shortly before an international demand boom, with Japanese sake recording the highest number of exports by both value and quantity in 2021.
      Indeed, between 2009 and 2021, Japanese sake saw a 590 per cent increase in value and a 269 per cent jump in quantity.
      Nakata was named by Pele’s list of the top 100 footballersCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Nakata has rubbed shoulders with legends such as RonaldinhoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      However, the industry is not without its troubles, with figures from the Japanese government showing at least 70 per cent of the nation’s breweries to be operating at a loss or small profit annually.
      Nakata says his brewery is one such business in the red, but insists his love for the industry is all the motivation he needs.
      He said: “I have devoted my last ten years to find ways to support the sake industry. And I have not made any money.
      “I am doing this because I love doing it. It just does not feel right to do something simply for making money or for reputation.”
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      It is Nakata’s love for sake that seems to be the driving force behind his motivations, striking a number of partnerships with global brands to promote the industry.
      One such sponsorship came with Kit-Kat, as they created a sake-flavoured Kit-Kat chocolate bar.
      Fashion is also high on his list, with Nakata being pictured at a Louis Vuitton Cruise show in early 2023, managing to stand out even among the plethora of Hollywood A-listers at the event.
      His appearance even had GQ salivating, describing Nakata as “low-key the best-dressed footballer on the planet”.
      ‘Low-key the best-dressed footballer on the planet’
      Nakata, who was named by late Brazil legend Pele as one of the best 100 footballers in the world, has not stopped with his sake passion project or fashion outings either.
      He has taken an interest to Japan’s tea industry – which is in a similar state to sake – and also enrolled as a faculty member at Rikkyo University.
      In 2020, Nakata taught marketing in traditional craft industries for a semester.
      On the move, he added: “I provided a space for the next generation to explore what they could do to support traditional Japanese culture.
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      “I learned from their fresh perspectives too.”
      And all of this has helped him cultivate a £28million fortune.
      One of Nakata’s sake sponsorships saw him create a sake-flavoured Kik-KatCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      World Cup winner and AC Milan Hall of Famer became top rally driver after hanging up his boots

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      AC MILAN legend Daniele Massaro became a rally driver after retiring from football.The attacker enjoyed a decorated playing career with the Rossoneri while also featuring for giants like Fiorentina and Roma.
      Daniele Massaro became a rally driver after ending his football careerCredit: AFP
      He was part of a star-studded AC Milan team that won the Champions League twiceCredit: Getty
      Massaro won four Serie A titles during the late 80s to early 90s and the Champions League twice in 1990 and 1994.
      He also lifted the World Cup with Italy in 1982 and was inducted into the AC Milan Hall of Fame after hanging up his boots.
      Massaro ended his time as a footballer at Japanese side Shimizu S-Pulse but continued to compete in other sports.
      He swapped his studs for bare-feet when he captained the Italian beach football team soon after retiring.
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      The legend then had enough of scoring goals and became a top rally driver.
      Massaro raced in the Italian division for the Opel team.
      He competed twice in the prestigious World Rally Championship’s at the Sanremo Rally in 1998 and 1999.
      Massaro won two lesser races in 2000 while driving a Subaru Impreza.
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      The 62-year-old is now back working in football with AC Milan.
      He has taken a role at the San Siro involved in public relations.
      Massaro has had a go at punditry and is an avid golfer. More

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      I have the second-highest Fifa rating EVER but I bounced around between 12 clubs and have an accounting diploma

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      MATTEO BRIGHI possesses the second-highest Fifa rating of all time.The former Juventus midfielder was given a stunning 97 score on Fifa 2003.
      Matteo Brighi signed for Juventus in 1999.Credit: Alamy
      The midfielder starred against Juventus for loan club BolognaCredit: Reuters
      Despite the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Paolo Maldini being in their pomps, it was Brighi that was somehow the best player on the game.
      Brighi signed for Juve in 1999, and was not your typical wonderkid.
      Juventus had intended to have the teenage Brighi play for their youth team during the 1999-2000 season – but he insisted on staying at hometown club Rimini… because he wanted to finish his diploma in accounting.
      This meant that he remained in Italy’s fourth-tier, despite being among the country’s biggest talents.
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      After finally arriving in Turin he would feature just 12 times during the 2000-01 campaign, leading to him being loaned out to Bologna.
      His campaign at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara proved to be a defining one, as he earned Serie A’s Young Player of the Year award under future Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin.
      Brighi’s performances somehow earned him a 97-rating on Fifa 2003, making him the best player on the game.
      Oliver Kahn was second with 95, and Edgar Davids third on 94.
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      Only Ronaldo the following year with 98 ever earned a higher Fifa rating than Brighi.
      Despite the hype which led to frequent Fernando Redondo comparisons, Brighi wasn’t given another chance at Juventus.
      Instead 50 per cent of his rights were sold to Parma, where he struggled to maintain the same kind of form.
      A shy character, Brighi lasted just a year at Parma before being loaned to Brescia.
      Juventus bought him back in 2004 only to include him in a package to sign Roma star Emerson.
      Rather than give Brighi a chance, Roma then included him in another deal that saw them land Simone Perrotta – sending the former wonderkid to Chievo on loan.
      Brighi would spend three seasons with the Verona-club – even helping them to Champions League qualification.
      And after 94 appearances for his loan side, he was finally given a chance at Roma.
      He eventually earned a new contract in the capital and even helped them finish second in Serie A – going on to play 141 times for them before leaving in 2013.
      The rest of Brighi’s career saw him become something of a journeyman – turning out for Atalanta, Torino, Sassuolo, Perugia and Empoli, finishing his career with the latter in 2019.
      From the human point of view he is a splendid boyMarcello Lippi
      He even made a brief return to former loan club Bologna, but couldn’t recapture the magic of his previous spell there.
      While he didn’t win the big trophies that his peers did and only appeared for his country four times, Brighi still had huge supporters within the game.
      Legendary Italian boss Marcelo Lippi said of him: “From the human point of view he is a splendid boy, and from the technical point of view he is one of those diligent midfielders that every trainer would want to have.
      “To my warning, at the beginning of his career, he was praised so excessively that too many expectations were created around him.”
      Now 42, Brighi has previously admitted that perhaps he didn’t big himself up enough during his career.
      In 2013, he told Sky: “I like to work, not talk. Other players talk and sell themselves, certainly better than I do. I don’t blame them for it. It’s just not me.”
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      Carlo Ancelotti reckons Brighi could have gone even further in his career.
      His former Juventus boss said: “In some ways he looks like me – he’s a simple, linear player. He should only be less shy.”
      Brighi played against Arsenal in the Champions League for RomaCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      He also faced off with David Beckham in Serie ACredit: AFP More

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      Paul Pogba’s agent breaks silence on his failed drugs test after Juventus star is suspended

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      PAUL POGBA’S agent has broken her silence on the Juventus midfielder’s failed drugs test. The former Manchester United star has been provisionally suspended by anti-doping officials after they found traces of testosterone in his system.
      Paul Pogba could face a lengthy ban if found guiltyCredit: Getty
      Agent Rafaela Pimenta took on Mino Raiola’s clients after his death in 2022Credit: INSTAGRAM/Rafaela Pimenta
      Pogba has three days to respond to the test.
      In the meantime, his agent Rafaela Pimenta has issued a statement on the situation.
      She said: “We are waiting for the counter analysis and until then we can’t say anything.
      “The certain thing is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break the rules.”
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      The banned substance was supposedly found in the 30-year-old after Juventus’ first game of the season against Udinese.
      If found guilty to have broken the rules, Pogba could reportedly face a ban for up to four years.
      The length of the suspension will depend on whether there is evidence of him taking the substance deliberately.
      Testosterone is a hormone which makes bones tougher and increases muscle mass, therefore making you stronger.
      Most read in Football
      It has also been known to boost haemoglobin, which is the protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the working muscles.
      And it can help people recover from injuries.
      Testosterone is found in various over-the-counter products at pharmacies and it occurs naturally in men.
      Tests on athletes look for unnatural forms of testosterone in people’s systems.
      Pogba re-joined Juventus in a free transfer last summer after his Man Utd deal expired.
      Injuries led to him playing just ten times last season and manager Max Allegri revealed the 2018 World Cup winner has already picked up another problem just three games into the new campaign.
      Pogba also admitted he considered retiring from football after he was the target of an £11million blackmail plot by his friends. More

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      Leonardo Bonucci ‘to sue Juventus’ after ugly transfer exit following 12 trophy-laden years at club

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      LEONARDO BONUCCI is “set to sue Juventus” following his summer exit, according to reports.The veteran defender left Juve to join German side Union Berlin.
      Leonardo Bonucci signed for Union Berlin over the summerCredit: Getty
      Bonucci, 36, believes that his treatment from Juve during his final months in Turin led to him suffering “professional and image damage”.
      According to Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, the centre-back is now set to take legal action against his former employers.
      The Italy star claims that he was not given appropriate conditions for training and preparation ahead of his Juventus exit.
      Bonucci alleges that he was not given access to the Serie A club’s gym, swimming pool or restaurant.
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      And he adds that he was made to train away from the rest of the squad.
      The Euro 2020 winner is alleged to not be seeking personal gain from the legal action, and sees it more as a matter of principle.
      It’s claimed that any money he is awarded will go to children’s hospital Neuroland.
      Prior to leaving Juventus, Bonucci hinted that he will retire in 2024.
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      He told the club’s YouTube channel: “When I stop playing next year, it will be the end of a defensive era.”
      Bonucci then paid tribute to fellow Juventus legends Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Gianluigi Buffon, adding: “I hope lots of future defenders, just as we had [Franco] Baresi, [Paolo] Maldini, [Alessandro] Nesta, [Fabio] Cannavaro, will see us four as idols.”
      The 121-cap star initially joined Juventus from Bari in 2010.
      He played for Juve for seven years during his first stint, before spending the 2017-18 season at AC Milan.
      Bonucci returned to Juventus in 2018, spending a further five seasons in Turin.

      He played 502 times for the Old Lady, winning eight Serie A titles and four Coppa Italias.
      The decorated defender was an unused substitute during Union Berlin’s 3-0 defeat to RB Leipzig prior to the international break, and is yet to make his debut for the Bundesliga side.
      Bonucci, 36, won numerous trophies with JuventusCredit: Getty More

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      Paul Pogba ‘tests positive for doping after traces of testosterone found following Juventus’ opening game of season’

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      PAUL POGBA has reportedly tested positive for doping.Corriere Della Serra claims traces of testosterone were discovered in Pogba’s system following Juventus’ first game of the new season.
      Paul Pogba has reportedly tested positive for testosteroneCredit: Getty
      Neither Pogba or Juventus are yet to comment.
      The former Manchester United midfielder, 30, was an unused sub in his side’s 3-0 win against Udinese last month.
      Testosterone is a hormone which can increase muscle strength and is found in various over-the-counter products at pharmacies.
      If found guilty of doping, Pogba faces a ban of up to two years.
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      And if a tribunal finds him guilty of taking the product intentionally, a ban could last up to four years.
      Pogba rejoined former side Juventus in a free transfer last summer following the expiration of his Man United contract.
      But injuries limited him to just ten appearances in all competitions.
      He’s featured twice from the bench this term since sitting out the Udinese win.
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      Pogba’s last appearance came earlier this month in Juventus’ 2-0 win at Empoli.
      THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Serie A winners Napoli leave fans astonished as they post X-rated tweet about star player

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      NAPOLI have blasted reports of contract renewal talks with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as “bulls***”.The Georgian star burst on to the scene last season, helping to inspire Napoli to their historic Serie A triumph.
      Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is yet to score this seasonCredit: Rex
      He has had a quiet start to this season, however, leading to some dramatic reports in Italy.
      Over the weekend it was claimed that Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis had snubbed a meeting with Kvaratskhelia’s agent Mamuka Jugeli – with contract talks in limbo.
      Napoli have since taken to social media to strongly condemn these reports, claiming that there have been no contract talks and that stories have come solely from their star man’s agent.
      Posting in Italian to their 2.1million Twitter followers, Napoli wrote: “Some media continue to tell, having the footballer’s agents as their only source, of alleged negotiations in progress for the renewal of Kvaratskhelia.
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      “It’s about “bulls***”.
      “No one from Napoli has ever talked about the possible renewal of the player (whose contract expires in 4 years).
      “Neither Mauro Meluso, nor Maurizio Micheli, nor Aurelio de Laurentiis, nor Andrea Chiavelli did it.”
      Kvaratskhelia joined Napoli from Georgian side Dinalo Batumi last year for a fee in the region of £10million.
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      He penned a five-year deal with the Italian giants, running until June 2027.
      The 22-year-old scored 12 Serie A goals last season, also laying on a further 13 in 34 appearances.
      He did not score in their last 11 matches last term, however, and has so far failed to net this time around.
      Kvaratskhelia was linked with Newcastle and Arsenal earlier this summer.
      His agent Jugeli insisted earlier this year that there was no rush to get a renewal done.
      He said: “We are not in a hurry either. Khvicha likes everything about Naples and for the moment there is nothing.
      “If we decide something, Giuntoli (former Napoli director) will be the first to know.”
      Kvaratskhelia, 22, has been a revelation at NapoliCredit: Rex More