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      in Motorsport

      Inside the stunning Monaco lives of F1’s mega rich drivers including Hamilton as Norris makes move to Monte Carlo

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      LANDO NORRIS will join his fellow F1 drivers in moving to Monte Carlo.The Bristol-born star, 22, revealed he was swapping Woking for tax-haven Monaco, after the final Grand Prix of the season.
      Lando Norris is the latest F1 star who has announced he’s moving to Monte CarloCredit: Rex
      He said: “I’m moving to Monaco after [the final race in] Abu Dhabi for the reasons you probably expect.
      “It’s something that obviously a lot of drivers go to do, and especially with how racing is – I think you’ve seen it with a lot of the drivers, how quickly things can also go downhill.”
      Norris will be joining the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, Charles Leclerc, and Valtteri Bottas in the Principality.
      And they all boast incredible lifestyles that are the envy of sports stars around the globe.
      From sailing on the Mediterranean sea to cycling on the streets, these racers have got it made.
      LEWIS HAMILTON
      The seven-time world champion, who has a reported net worth of around £300million, has homes all across the globe.
      But for much of the year, Hamilton snubs his London mansion, New York penthouse and Colorado ranch for a life in Monaco.
      Although not much is known about where his property is, he once shared a snap of his wonderful view.
      He captioned a photo on social media: “A place I call home, Monte Carlo. I am so blessed to live in such an incredible place. God is really shining down on me today.
      “Sending you light & love for your day. On my way to Spa, let’s do this!!!”
      It is believed he resides in the exclusive Fontvieille district.
      Back in 2007, it was reported he was interested in a 2,000sq ft, four-bedroom duplex with views across the Mediterranean in Fontvieille’s Seaside Plaza.
      Speaking of the Mediterranean, Hamilton has been seen enjoying watersports during his time away from the circuit.
      Lewis Hamilton enjoys the high-life in MonacoCredit: Refer to Caption
      Hamilton lives in the exclusive Fontvieille districtCredit: Getty
      World champion Hamilton once shared the view from his penthouse on Instagram
      In his spare time, Hamilton has been known to enjoy watersportsCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      MAX VERSTAPPEN
      The contender to Hamilton’s throne, Verstappen’s lifestyle in Monaco is more paired down than his rival’s.
      But that said, it’s clear he doesn’t skimp either. The Dutch star is said to rent an apartment that’s worth around £16million.
      His home is believed to be in the same apartment block as Felipe Massa and Daniel Ricciardo, which he was once filmed allegedly entering drunk after a night out.
      During the first lockdown, he gave us a glimpse into his home when he shared his workouts from his balcony that overlooks the Mediterranean sea.
      It’s also where girlfriend, Brazilian model Kelly Piquet lives with him.
      Verstappen is said to have a car collection in Monaco to die for, and recently ordered the £2million Aston Martin Valkyrie.
      And like his speedy nemesis Hamilton, he likes watersports to – often seen whizzing around on a Red Bull sponsored jet-ski.
      Max Verstappen shared his favourite workout spot, his apartment balcony, on social mediaCredit: Instagram / @maxverstappen1
      Like Hamilton, Verstappen is a huge fan of watersports and has been seen jet-skiing in the Mediterranean seaCredit: Refer to Caption
      Brazilian model Kelly Piquet is said to live in Monaco with VerstappenCredit: Instagram @kellypiquet

      DANIEL RICCIARDO
      Like Hamilton, Ricciardo has other abodes, most notably in Beverly Hills and in Perth.
      But, when the former Monaco Grand Prix winner is competing he lives in his comfortable one bedroom pied-à-terre in the city.
      And he absolutely loves living in Monaco, as his Instagram reveals.
      He drives a super fast McLaren 720S around time, worth around £215,000.
      And when he’s not on four wheels, he takes his scooter for a drive around the Monaco Grand Prix circuit.
      Of the Grand Prix, the Aussie has revealed how the city changes when it’s race weekend.
      “It feels like a real racetrack, and I’m not thinking ‘there’s a cafe I eat at’ or ‘there’s a street I ride my Vespa down’ or whatever,” he revealed.
      “You wake up in your own bed, kick around your apartment and then start the journey to work.” 
      Daniel Ricciardo shows off the view from the balcony his Monaco apartment complexCredit: YouTube
      Ricciardo drives a £215,000 McLaren 720S around the cityCredit: Instagram / @danielricciardo
      When it’s race weekend, Ricciardo likes to take his scooter for a drive around the trackCredit: Instagram / @danielricciardo
      Aussie star Ricciardo loves life in MonacoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      VALTTERI BOTTAS
      The Finnish driver lives with Australian professional cyclist Tiffany Cromwell in the city.
      However, they opt for a more private life in Monte Carlo, like they do in his homeland, where he owns a beautiful lakeside holiday home.
      He did share his stunning view from his apartment balcony overlooking the harbour once upon a time though, giving fans a glimpse into his lifestyle.
      Bottas also has the cycling bug, often competing in races around Monaco in his spare time.
      When he’s not driving a race car, Bottas is seen driving his £115,000 Mercedes-AMG GT.
      To keep fit, Bottas goes running around the Monaco Grand Prix circuit he races on.
      Valtteri Bottas’ apartment overlooks the harbourCredit: Instagram / @valtteribottas
      Bottas lives together with Australian cyclist Tiffany CromwellCredit: Twitter / @ValtteriBottas
      Bottas often takes part in cycling races in Monte CarloCredit: Getty
      When he hits the road, Bottas travels in style in a £115,000 Mercedes-AMG GTCredit: Instagram / @valtteribottas
      CHARLES LECLERC
      Leclerc is born and bred in Monaco, so he has absolutely no reason to leave.
      He has a luxury apartment, which he lives in with gorgeous girlfriend Charlotte Sine.
      Hilariously, when she was locked out of the home, Charlotte had to subscribe to his Twitch channel because he couldn’t hear her as he was playing a racing simulator and had a headset on.
      “So my girlfriend had to subscribe to my twitch channel to tell me to open the door,” he later revealed on Twitter.
      Leclerc has a gang of friends he loves spending the summers with.

      They hop on board his £1.5million yacht, Monza and cruise around the Mediterannean.
      And when he’s not on sea, he’s on grass on the golf course working on his handicap.
      It’s a glam life that awaits Lando Norris, when he makes his move to Monte Carlo.
      Charles Leclerc lives the ultimate playboy lifestyle in Monte CarloCredit: Instagram / @charles_leclerc
      Leclerc’s family are originally from MonacoCredit: Instagram / @charles_leclerc
      Leclerc and his pals like to hang out on his £1.5m yacht called MonzaCredit: Instagram / @charles_leclerc
      Hilariously, Leclerc’s girlfriend Charlotte had to subscribe to his Twitch channel to tell him to open the front door of their apartment

      Lewis Hamilton reacts to his Qatar GP win More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick had wheel of fortune at Leipzig with forfeits like making stars train in a ballerina’s tutu

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      MAN UTD’S new boss Ralf Rangnick was a disciplinarian at previous club RB Leipzig, where he had a wheel of fortune containing forfeits for disobeying stars.The German manager, 63, was finally confirmed as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s successor this week, and will join the club as interim manager before staying on as a consultant for a further two years.
      Man Utd’s stars could play Ralf Rangnick’s wheel of forfeits if they behave badly
      Ralf Rangnick’s wheel of misfortune with 12 forfeits from his time at RB Leipzig
      And it could mean that Red Devils stars Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo might face punishments like training in a ballerina’s tutu or working in the club shop, if they step out of line.
      Rangnick came up the idea after scrapping fines believing a professional footballer’s time is more valuable than money.
      He said in 2018: “Fines rarely bring anything. It hurts the players more when they have less time.”
      And his assistant Jesse Marsch mentioned the idea of a wheel with he had picked up from America.
      The concept is simple; spin the wheel and await your forfeit. There are 12 outcomes – 11 bad, and one ‘Get out of jail free’ card.
      Here’s the 12 outcomes on Ralf’s dreaded wheel.
      1. Pump up the balls, get them on the pitch, clean them
      For 30 minutes per day for a week, this task will see a player having to make sure balls are pumped up and ready to use.
      Better still, they’ve got to be spotless.
      Footballs will have to be pumped up by misbehaving starsCredit: Getty
      2. Train an academy team
      An essential part of United’s success has been through their kids.
      If a player lands on this, they will have to train one of the academy teams for four hours when they have a free day.
      3. Stadium tour guide
      It would be your lucky day, if you were a supporter and Ronaldo was showing you around Old Trafford.
      But, should a star misbehave they will have to act as a tour guide for the Theatre of Dreams for one hour.
      Players will have to act as tour guide at Old Trafford if they step out of line with RangnickCredit: Getty
      4. Get Lucky
      View it as a get out of jail free card.
      Should a player spin and fall on this, they will face absolutely no punishment and will be counting their lucky stars.
      5. Mow and take care of training pitch
      As you can expect, the pitches at Carrington are perfectly manicured.
      This task would see a player assisting the groundsman in mowing the grass and tending to the training areas for four to six hours within a training week.
      Groundsman at Carrington will be assisted in looking after training pitches by naughty starsCredit: Rex

      6. Wear a tutu
      Possibly the worst on the list and most embarrassing.
      Play up in front of Rangnick, and you’ll be forced to wear a pink ballerina’s tutu for 90 minutes at training.
      7. Fill water bottles
      Rehydration is crucial to athletes when it comes to training.
      This forfeit would mean the naughty player will have to mix drinks ahead of training and fill water bottles for 20 minutes per day for the whole week.
      Filling water bottles for team mates is one of Rangnick’s forfeits on his wheel of fortuneCredit: Getty
      8. Club shop assistant
      Here’s a punishment you wouldn’t want to face during the festive period.
      This would see a player having to work as an assistant at the Manchester United’s Megastore for three hours.
      9. Serve food in team cafe and clean tables
      For 30 minutes per day, a star would have to serve his team mates their dinner cooked by the chef.
      Worse still, he would be expected to clean up after them when they’ve finished.
      Cristiano Ronaldo might be serving up club team mates their dinner, if he misbehavesCredit: Getty
      10. Work as a kit assistant
      Again, not a glam job for a well-paid United star.
      This task would see someone have to take care of dirty shirts, and make sure boots are clean for 30 minutes per day.
      11. Load the team bus
      Man Utd have an amazing team bus, worth £400,000. So, you can imagine you can get a lot of stuff in it.
      And that would be expected of you, if you mess Ralf about.
      For an hour and a half on an away day, you’d have to load the bus with bags.
      Players may have to load up the team bus if they cross RangnickCredit: Getty
      12. Buy gifts for staff
      With the salaries United players are on, this won’t dent their wages too much.
      But, land on this one and you’ll have to buy small gifts for up to 60 members of staff.
      So, will Rangnick enforce his wheel of forfeits on United’s stars?
      Time will tell if you see Paul Pogba training in a tutu.
      Ralf Rangnick’s Man Utd appointment slammed as Souness says he doesn’t get it ‘on any level’ More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Liverpool and Fulham star Ryan Babel is now a rapper, who has released his autobiography as a hip-hop album

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      FORMER Liverpool ace Ryan Babel has released his autobiography… as a rap record.The Dutch star, 34, always held an interest in hip-hop and toyed with the idea of releasing music as he juggled a career in football.
      Ryan Babel has released his autobiography as a rap recordCredit: Alamy
      Dutch star Babel played for Liverpool between 2007-2011Credit: Getty
      But, with the game taking up most of his time, he instead set up a record label when he was 22 and appeared on other artist’s songs.
      Now, with his career winding down, Babel has stepped up to the mic with a truly inventive idea.
      On The Autobiography – Chapter 1, the Netherlands international sings about his relationship with Rafa Benitez, how Louis van Gaal didn’t believe in him and aims a dig at former team mate Ibrahim Affelay.
      BORN OUT OF LOCKDOWN
      It was boredom that inspired Babel, who had two spells in the Premier League with the Reds and Fulham, as he twiddled his thumbs during the first lockdown.
      He was on loan at Ajax from parent club Galatasaray, where he plays today, when a journalist asked him if he planned on penning his memoir.
      At the time he thought he was too young. But when football stopped, last year Babel got creative.
      He rang up his pals in the music industry and told them of his novel plan to detail his life story in a hip hop album.
      “I was aware that, if I wanted to make it authentic, I had to share stuff that maybe isn’t always comfortable to tell,” he told The Guardian.
      “But at the same time I was prepared mentally to do that and the process of writing was very inspiring with the people who were involved. I’m really proud of what I was able to tell in the final product and the way I was able to tell it.
      During the first lockdown, Babel admitted boredom got the better of himCredit: Alamy
      Already interested in music, Babel set out making a record about his careerCredit: Instagram @ryanbabel
      The Autobiography – Chapter 1, album cover shown, is the fruit of Babel’s laboursCredit: Instagram @ryanbabel
      “In the past when I was making little things in the studio it was more like bragging, you know how rappers do in general.
      “It’s easy to lie and say, ‘Oh, I’m rich this and rich that’ but that wasn’t interesting for me and definitely not what I wanted to do. I wanted to be as authentic as possible and share my truth.”
      NO ONE’S SAFE
      During his storied career Babel has played for, and with, some of the most famous names in football.
      Open Letter, the third single to be taken from his debut LP, was the one that caused the most stir in his homeland.
      In the song, he bashes Louis Van Gaal and Rafa Benitez – but saves his more potent venom for Ibrahim Affelay.
      “Open Letter is a song that is divided into two parts and has two different beats,” Babel said.
      “The first part of the song is basically me taking you back on a journey I have walked from the very start. I describe moments where I felt certain coaches didn’t believe enough in me.
      “I describe conversations with old football players like Winston Bogarde, who had a tough conversation with me and told me that if I wanted to make it I needed to step it up.
      “I involve the current head coach of the Netherlands, Louis van Gaal, who at the time was the sporting director of Ajax and didn’t believe enough in me to give me a contract but still did because the coach, Danny Blind, believed in me.
      Babel leaves no stone unturned with some of his controversial lyricsCredit: Instagram @ryanbabel
      Ibrahim Affelay and Babel in better times before the rapper dissed his former team mateCredit: Alamy
      [embedded content]
      “I talk about those things that happened back in 2003-2004 and I have never shared before.
      “There is also a moment where I describe my little relationship with Rafa Benítez at Liverpool, and then you go to the second part of the song which is more about the current time and where I give my opinion on journalism in Holland and a situation with an old colleague who became a journalist (Afellay).
      “People in Holland took it as a diss-song but it was more an expression of my disappointment in this individual because we had been teammates for so long and now he turned into a pundit who, in my opinion, tried to score points to make his position look good in the pundit world.”
      STRUGGLES WITH RAFA
      Babel was signed by Benitez for £11.5million in 2007.
      However, he struggled to set England alight with the Reds – despite an early prediction from Liverpool legends Kenny Dalglish that he had the potential to set the Premier League alight.
      Babel is believes he could have got more support from the Spanish manager during his time at Anfield.
      “It was, in my opinion, a weird relationship [with Benítez] because when he signed me I looked at him as the big uncle who wanted to give me a chance and help me succeed,” Babel divulged.
      “But then as we went on he left me totally on my own and only judged me for the things I didn’t do right instead of telling me how to solve or improve the things I had to improve.
      After arriving at Anfield in 2007 alongside Yossi Benayoun, Babel struggled with boss Rafa BenitezCredit: PA:Press Association
      Babel, still only 34, currently plays for Turkish side GalatasarayCredit: Rex

      “I was very young and I just needed guidance. I don’t want to blame the coach for me not having the ultimate career at Liverpool but I felt it could have been closer in terms of guidance and support.
      “You can compare it to when you’re trying to teach someone something and it doesn’t stick, but then someone else says the same thing in a different way and all of a sudden it clicks.
      “The way the coach at that moment tried to make things click, it didn’t click.”
      Ryan Babel’s The Autobiography – Chapter 1 is out now and available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Deezer. More

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      in Soccer

      Hulk stars for Atletico Mineiro, while Martinelli scores for Arsenal, as clubs in Brazil favour veterans over youth

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      THE same weekend that Gabriel Martinelli scored a wonderful goal for Arsenal, Hulk scored two to take Atletico Mineiro to the brink of their first Brazilian league title since 1971.That was the year Charlie George helped Arsenal to the double and when no one imagined that 60 years later strikers from Brazil would be making a mark in the English game.
      Hulk celebrates firing Atletico Mineiro to the brink of the Brazilian titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Brazil youngster Gabriel Martinelli was also on target for Arsenal over the weekendCredit: Reuters
      The comparison between Martinelli and Hulk is a clear example of some of the trends in today’s football.
      Not so long ago, someone like Martinelli would be living the dream by turning out for one of the giant teams in his home city of Sao Paulo – Corinthians, perhaps, or recently crowned champions of South America, Palmeiras.
      Instead he did not even get close to the Brazilian first division. He chose to play for Ituano, a small club an hour’s drive outside Sao Paulo, because the connection with Juninho would make it easier for him to move to England. A globalised generation have globalised dreams.
      And the big European clubs want to make those dreams come true as early as possible. They want to strip South American football of its best talent while they are still teenagers.
      The idea is to take them across the Atlantic early, to help them adapt to life and to football in a different culture.
      And so these days the outstanding players in the Brazilian game are often the veterans rather than the wonderkids.
      Hulk is an excellent example. He played a grand total of two games in Brazil back in 2004. Still an unknown, he was fixed up with a move to Japan.
      And after a long career taking him on to Portugal, Russia and China, this year he has gone back home to join Atletico Mineiro. Some doubted him. But he has been the best player in the league.
      He is the first division’s top scorer, and after his team had fallen behind against Fluminense on Sunday he added two more to win the game and make Atletico almost certain champions.
      His strike partner is the former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid centre forward, Diego Costa.
      Saturday also staged the showpiece occasion of South American football,  the Copa Libertadores final between two Brazilian giants, Palmeiras and Flamengo. 
      It was striking that the starting line ups featured just two players under 25. Palmeiras sold Gabriel Jesus to Manchester City.
      Flamengo have concentrated on producing future stars for Europe – such as Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Lucas Paqueta of Lyon – and using the proceeds to bring back two types of player from the other side of the Atlantic.
      One is the veterans, those looking to end their careers with a last attempt at silverware – the recently acquired David Luiz is an example.
      Brazil’s top clubs are turning to veterans like David Luiz for successCredit: Getty

      The other is players in their mid 20s who have not been able to find space in the deep European clubs.
      There are several examples of this in the Flamengo line up. A recent one is midfielder Andreas Pereira, on loan from Manchester United.
      But on Saturday this did not have a happy ending. With the match at 1-1 in extra time, it was a glaring error from Andreas Pereira that gifted the game to Palmeiras – an outcome that Gabriel Jesus was certainly celebrating.
      Brazilian national team trains ahead of huge World Cup qualifier against Messi’s Argentina More

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      in Soccer

      Footballers who blew their fortune and ended up broke like Ronaldinho, Paul Merson and Royston Drenthe

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      FROM rags to riches and back again – unfortunately, it’s an all too common trend in football.Here, SunSport takes a look back at several high-profile stars who blew their millions on booze, bets and.. football academies.
      Royston Drenthe was declared bankrupt by a Dutch courtCredit: Getty – Contributor
      ROYSTON DRENTHE
      The former Everton star and Holland international was declared bankrupt last year.
      The 34-year-old is currently plying his trade with Spanish club Racing Murcia, but has had some problems off the pitch.As reported by Dutch news-site AD, a court in Breda handed down the bankruptcy order.
      But Drenthe is confident the matter will be resolved, telling Voetbalzone that he ‘didn’t know exactly what is going on’.
      Drenthe has previously revealed that he had lost £3.2MILLION earned from what looked like a promising football career.
      PAUL GASCOIGNE
      Troubled England icon Paul Gascoigne came close to bankruptcyCredit: Reuters
      Gazza managed to avoid bankruptcy in 2016 despite facing a £42,000 bill of unpaid taxes to HMRC.
      But the England hero went through a troubled patch which saw him reportedly in debts of up to £200,000.
      Gascoigne has struggled with depression and substance abuse.PAUL MERSON
      Paul Merson’s addiction to gambling saw him blow a £7m fortuneCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      Gambling, booze and drugs saw the Arsenal legend blow a staggering £7m fortune.
      The former midfielder has recovered and works as a regular pundit for Sky Sports, although he considered quitting last summer, but he once considered breaking his fingers to prevent him from phoning the bookies.
      Merson went broke after cashing in on his £800,000 pension to allow him to go on a betting frenzy.
      ASAMOAH GYAN
      Former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan was understood to be brokeCredit: Instagram
      The former Sunderland striker used to drive around in a Rolls-Royce but was claimed to have just £600 in his bank account back in 2018 whilst being unable to provide for his family.
      Gyan who was reportedly earning £227,000-a-week at Shanghai SIPG, bizarrely seems to have lost all his money amid a fallout with his family.
      The 36year-old ex-Prem star is now turning out for Legon Cities back in his homeland.
      RONALDINHO
      Brazil star Ronaldinho was said to have just £5 to his nameCredit: CEN / ronaldinhooficial
      Brazil’s legendary star was reported to have just £5 in his bank account back in 2018 while still owing debts of up to £1.75million.
      Ronaldinho was heavily fined for illegal construction in a protected area in Brazil.
      Despite remortgaging his property, the former Barcelona star was still unable to cover the debts which saw a judge order for Ronaldinho’s passport to be seized.
      To compound his misery, Ronaldinho spent time in a Paraguayan prison last year for allegedly attempting to enter the country with forged documents.
      DAVID JAMES
      Former England keeper David James blew a £20m fortuneCredit: The Digital South
      Despite earning an estimated £20m from his career, the former England No1 declared himself bankrupt in 2014.
      As well as a lucrative career at Premier League clubs like Liverpool and Man City, James had modelled for Armani and owned multiple properties.
      But a costly divorce in 2005 saw debts start racking up and courts instructed James to sell off his sports memorabilia, DJ equipment and a Vauxhall Astra van.BRAD FRIEDEL
      A football academy in the US saw Brad Friedel face repossession of his house as £5m of debts mounted upCredit: PA:Press Association
      Ambitious plans to build a football academy in the United States blew up in the American’s face.
      Former Tottenham and Aston Villa goalkeeper Friedel reportedly owed £5m and repossession proceedings began on his £260,000 house.
      This was despite the former head coach of MLS team New England Revolution, who he left in 2019, earning £50,000-a-week at Villa Park.LEE HENDRIE
      Lee Hendrie’s gambling addiction saw him go bustCredit: PA:Press Association
      Depression and a gambling addiction saw one-cap England player Hendrie go broke.
      Despite earning in excess of £30,000-a-week while at Aston Villa, the former midfielder was declared bankrupt in January 2012 as he faced huge debts and repossessions.
      Hendrie later revealed he tried to take his own life ‘five or six times’ after going bankrupt and now works as an ambassador for mental health organisation Young Minds.
      He has also established himself as a popular pundit and commentator on Sky Sports in recent years.
      DIEGO MARADONA
      Argentina legend Diego Maradona was said to have had £42million worth of unpaid taxes in ItalyCredit: Reuters
      He was named Fifa’s Player of the Century and then went bust.
      Argentina icon Maradona, who tragically passed away in November 2020, twice broke the world record for transfers but in 2009 had to file for bankruptcy.
      The Italian Tax Authority demanded he pay back £42m worth of unpaid taxes from his time playing for Napoli in the 1980s.
      JOHN ARNE RIISE
      John Arne Riise was listed as bankrupt despite earning £50,000-a-week at LiverpoolCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Two years after winning the Champions League with Liverpool, the defender was listed as bankrupt.
      Norwegian left-back Riise was just 26 at the time and was believed to be earning £50,000-a-week at Anfield.
      But an unpaid debt of around £100,000 was reportedly linked to an alleged £3m fraud investigation in Norway and Riise was declared bankrupt.ERIC DJEMBA-DJEMBA
      Former Man Utd midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba blew his fortune before retiringCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Having played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs at Manchester United, Djemba-Djemba was declared bankrupt four years after moving to Aston Villa.
      The Cameroonian midfielder spent time at St Mirren and in the Indian Super League to recover funds, before later playing in front of just 88 fans in the Swiss fifth tier before retiring.

      KEITH GILLESPIE
      Former Man Utd man Keith Gillespie admitted he blew more than £7.2m on gamblingCredit: Pacemaker Press
      An addiction to gambling saw Man United product Keith Gillespie blow more than £7.2m.
      After a career that saw him take Newcastle to the Champions League and play 80 times for Northern Ireland, the midfielder was declared broke in 2010 at the age of 35.
      In an interview with the Guardian, he said: “I lost an awful lot of money through gambling over the years, but I also lost money on property and got involved in a film scheme like a lot of footballers did.”
      CELESTINE BABAYARO
      Former Chelsea man Celestine Babayaro was declared bankrupt in 2011Credit: PA:Press Association
      Babayaro was the popular left-back at Chelsea and Newcastle.
      Marauding up and down the left wing at Stamford Bridge and St James’ Park in the 2000s, the Nigerian picked up a healthy pay packet.
      But by January 2011 the defender was declared bankrupt on the public record of the London Gazette.
      Ronaldinho thanks fans for support in jail hell and posts trailer for new film where he opens up on mind-blowing skills More

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      Worst Christmas gifts sold by Premier League clubs, from Man Utd baubles to West Ham aftershave and Brighton crackers

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      HERE are some presents you will be hoping WON’T be under the Christmas tree this year. ‘Tis the season when Premier League clubs get into the festive period and provide fans with stocking fillers to buy for their loved ones.
      Martin Odegaard and Arsenal are getting into the Christmas spirit
      But often, they fill their stores with Xmas tat, from crackers to baubles and kitchen sets with their team’s badge on.
      These are the worst gifts we’ve seen this year.
      MAN UTD BAUBLES, £11.25
      In gold and red, Manchester United’s colours lend well to Christmas.
      Their United Direct store is shifting plastic baubles with the club’s crest on the front, they call an ‘essential item for supporters’.
      You get a pack of five to decorate your tree with… if you must.
      Man Utd fans will do well to avoid these plastic baubles
      ARSENAL JUMPER, £28
      The obsession with the bruised banana print surely has to stop now?
      Fair enough it was an iconic design for a kit, but it really doesn’t lend well to this Christmas jumper.
      Also, since it’s made of acrylic, it’ll be as itchy as a nettle sting.
      Will Arsenal fans believe the bruised banana look works on an Xmas jumper?
      CHELSEA PYJAMAS, £30
      The Blues are peddling ‘Scoring in a Winter Wonderland’ pyjamas, which almost sounds a bit naughty, not nice,
      They feature gnomes on the top, and more gnomes and snowflakes and trees on the bottoms.
      100 per cent cotton, mind, which might explain the inflated price.
      Chelsea’s pyjamas feature a naughty, not nice message this Christmas
      MAN CITY RUBIKS CUBE, £13.95
      Trying to break through City’s defence is like solving a puzzle, so perhaps that was what inspired this potential pressie.
      You can bet plenty of children around the world will receive a Rubiks cube to keep them occupied while the turkey’s being cooked in the oven.
      So, why not give them a special Manchester City themed one.
      Trying to beat Man City is like solving a puzzle, so gift their fans a custom Rubiks cube
      WEST HAM AFTERSHAVE, £12
      Not to be confused with the Hammers’ Cologne fan club in Germany, many West Ham fans will be hoping for a Tom Ford aftershave.
      Instead, their fandom might get them this £12 scent.
      We haven’t smelled it, and there’s absolutely no description of what it whiffs like on their website. But, for that price we can’t imagine it smells like roses and the bottle might be best for blowing bubbles.
      Tom Ford can rest assured he won’t be outsold by West Ham in the aftershave stakes
      LIVERPOOL ELF, £10
      Kids love hiding an elf around the house.
      Where’s he going to be? In the living room, hanging off the TV, munching on a bowl of Shreddies in the kitchen.
      If this elf is anything to go by, it’ll be watching Liverpool on Boxing Day.
      Liverpool’s Elf will no doubt be sat in front of the TV on Boxing Day
      SPURS SANTA HAT, £6
      Supporters love nothing more than dressing up during the festive period at games.
      And you can be sure that you will see loads of Spurs fans wearing these Santa hats.
      It’s navy and embroidered with the famous cockerel.
      Expect plenty of Spurs fans to be rocking their Santa hat in the stands on Boxing Day
      WOLVES REINDEER SOCKS, £2.80
      Plenty of dads will unwrap socks this Christmas.
      And there will be plenty of novelty ones around with Santa Claus on them, or Christmas puddings.
      Wolves fans could wear these featuring a reindeer wearing a club hat. We say could.
      Novelty socks are available online for Wolves fans to treat their loved ones
      BRIGHTON CRACKERS, £4
      Forget posh crackers from Fortnum & Mason, if you are Seagulls fan these would certainly celebrate what’s been a cracker of a season so far.
      Once pulled, you’ll find all the staples; a Christmas hat, a joke, and even a gift of a wristband or key ring.
      Hopefully, the bang won’t begin the start of a bad run.
      A Christmas hat, joke, and a gift can all be found in Brighton’s crackers
      CRYSTAL PALACE SNOW GLOBE, £5.60
      Coming in at the odd price of £5.60 is a snow globe featuring the Crystal Palace eagle crest and a backdrop of Selhurst Park.
      Fun fact; eagles are well suited for the snowiest of weathers, so there’s no danger for mascot Pete.
      Of course, if it was to snow for real in South London the football might get called off.
      Crystal Palace’s snow globes are snow joke
      LEICESTER CITY CHRISTMAS CARD, £2.50
      By now, you have already started writing your Christmas cards and sending them out to friends and family.
      If you’re a sly Fox, then you might just receive one of these in the post.
      Yes, it’s a Leicester City themed card complete with images of Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel, and Youri Tielemans inside a Christmas bauble.
      Leicester City Christmas cards are perfect for Foxes fans
      SOUTHAMPTON WRAPPING PAPER, £3.20
      This gift wrap and tag set is perfect for Saints fans to wrap up their presents in.
      Designed in the club’s traditional red and white colours with the club badge on there, it will make whatever’s wrapped under the Christmas tree even more exciting to open.
      Except if you’re a Pompey fan.
      Southampton wrapping paper is perfect for Saints fans, terrible if you’re a Pompey one

      EVERTON SOFT TOY, £15
      Cuddly toys are all the rage with football clubs.
      But the Toffees have this rather strange one – a Christmas gnome in Everton colours and wearing a hat.
      Strangely, it has a massive beard which makes it look more like a wizard and Middle Earth’s Gandalf.
      Everton’s soft toy looks more like Gandalf than an Everton fan
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      11 wonderkids Jose Mourinho handed debuts to, like Alvaro Morata and Fabinho, after Felix Afena-Gyan shines for Roma

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      JOSE Mourinho gets a bad rep for not giving youth players a chance in the first team.But as last weekend showed, he’s not afraid to give a teenager a shot at glory, if they are good enough.
      Felix Afena-Gyan starred for Roma on his debut scoring twiceCredit: Getty
      Jose Mourinho handed the wonderkid his debut and bought him some Balenciaga trainersCredit: Instagram @ohenegyanfelix9
      The Special One introduced 18-year-old Felix Afena-Gyan into the fray as Roma took on Genoa.
      And the kid became an instant hero, netting twice late on to secure a 2-0 victory.
      The Portuguese later showed his gratitude by gifting Afena-Gyan a pair of £670 Balenciaga trainers.
      Over the years, Mourinho has handed plenty of wonderkids their debuts. Here’s the best of the bunch.
      ALVARO MORATA
      When the Spain star was just 18, Mourinho gave Morata some needed experience in the first team.
      He was introduced in the 88th minute, coming on for Angel Di Maria against Real Zaragoza.
      However, Morata wouldn’t make a first team start until two years later.
      Now owned by Atletico Madrid, the 29-year-old is on loan at Juventus.
      Alvaro Morata was given his debut aged 18 at Real Madrid by MourinhoCredit: PA:Press Association
      FABINHO
      Well before he became Liverpool’s midfield enforcer, Brazilian Fabinho was trying to make his name in LaLiga.
      Mourinho brought the then 19-year-old on for Fabio Coentrao with just 14 minutes left to play against Malaga.
      And he made an instant impression, setting up Angel Di Maria’s goal in a 6-2 rout.
      Now 28, he is a Champions League winner with the Reds.
      Before Fabinho was bossing Liverpool’s midfield, he was a teenager at Real Madrid under MourinhoCredit: Getty
      RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK
      Now featuring in the Chelsea line-up under Thomas Tuchel, it was Mourinho who was the first to have faith with the midfield dynamo at just 19.
      In the 83rd minute of a Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon, Loftus-Cheek, 25, was introduced to proceedings at the expense of Cesc Fabregas.
      But Ruben would only make eight appearances under Jose, with his dad insisting the former Blues coach held his son’s development back.
      Fast-forward six years, and loans away at Crystal Palace and Fulham, he’s even become an England international.
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek receives instructions before making his Chelsea debutCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN
      Another player who Tuchel has benefited from thanks to Jose is Danish centre back Christensen, 25.
      He would play three times under Mourinho, making his debut in a League Cup win over Shrewsbury at 18.
      However, he was in the side for the infamous 4-2 defeat to Bradford in the FA Cup.
      Christensen also featured in the final game of the 2014-15 season, lifting the Premier League trophy in front of his own fans.
      Andreas Christensen was handed his Chelsea bow by Mourinho aged 18Credit: EPA
      SCOTT MCTOMINAY
      The Scottish midfielder, 24, left a lasting impression on Mourinho.
      In 2017, when he was 20, McTominay came off the bench to make his bow against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
      He would then make his first start on the final day of the 2016-17 season in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
      The following season, Mourinho would call McTominay the Manager’s Player of the Season.
      Scott McTominay was a favourite of Mourinho’s at Man UtdCredit: Getty
      NACHO FERNANDEZ
      With a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on the horizon, Mourinho chose to rest first-choice Marcelo for an untried 21-year-old Nacho Fernandez in a game against Valencia.
      He featured again a week later, although Los Blancos fell 3-2 at home to Real Zaragoza.
      Nacho wouldn’t feature in LaLiga for nearly two years, till he replaced Alvaro Arbeloa in the closing stages against, ironically, Zaragoza.
      Since then, the 31-year-old has gone to become a Real Madrid legend – appearing over 240 times for the club and winning the Champions League four times.
      Nacho Fernandez has gone on to become a Real Madrid legend since Mourinho gave him his wingsCredit: Getty
      PABLO SARABIA
      Sarabia is a product of Real Madrid’s youth academy, La Fabrica.
      At 18, he high-fived none-other-than Cristiano Ronaldo to make his way onto the pitch during a Champions League match against Auxerre.
      However, Mourinho clearly wasn’t convinced by Sarabia and shipped him off to Getafe.
      The Spanish winger, 29, is now owned by PSG – but playing at Sportin Lisbon.
      Pablo Sarabia is on PSG’s books after Real Madrid sold himCredit: Getty – Contributor
      DENIS CHERYSHEV
      The Russian forward, 30, was a star of Real Madrid’s B team.
      But he had to wait till 2015 until making his debut for the club – playing 13 minutes in a 1-0 defeat of Granada.
      Before that, he had enjoyed a loan spell at Villarreal, where he showed real promise.
      In 2016, the Yellow Submarine made the deal permanent. But since 2019, Cheryshev has plied his trade at Valencia.
      Denis Cheryshev failed to make the grade at Los BlancosCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      DIEGO LLORENTE
      Leeds United have profited quite beautifully from a Mourinho debut boy.
      Llorente, 28, has impressed at Elland Road, albeit his progress has been halted by injuries since arriving in 2020.
      It was all the way back in 2013, aged 20, he appeared against Osasuna in LaLiga.
      However, it was Real Sociedad he would make his name when he left the Bernabeu in 2017.
      As a 20-year-old Diego Llorente pulled on the Los Blancos shirt with Mourinho in chargeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      DOMINIC SOLANKE
      Now showing his unbelievable promise at Bournemouth, who he has scored 16 goals in 20 games this season, Mourinho vowed he would blame himself if Solanke, 24, didn’t get an England call-up under his management.
      Ahead of the 2014-15 season, he had the forward training with his first team.
      Mourinho would throw him on as a late sub against NK Maribor that campaign as an eager 18-year-old.
      But chances were limited at the Bridge, and he moved to Liverpool in 2017 when his contract expired.
      Dominic Solanke left Stamford Bridge after chances became limitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      JAPHET TANGANGA
      Technically, it was Mauricio Pochettino who gave Tanganga a run out in a League Cup tie.
      But Mourinho gave the defender his first Premier League appearance when he started against eventual league winners Liverpool.

      And the strict boss was delighted with his show.
      “The kid has reason to be very happy with his level, not with the result obviously, but with his first game in the Premier League, it couldn’t be a bigger one and he did it amazingly,” said Mourinho.
      The 22-year-old has gone on to feature regularly for Spurs under Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.
      Japhet Tanganga has grown in the Spurs first team since Mourinho was glowing about him after his Premier League debutCredit: Getty More

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      Who is Ralf Rangnick? Interim Man Utd manager whose football tactics inspired Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel

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      MANCHESTER UNTED have agreed a deal to appoint Ralf Rangnick as their interim manager.The German, 63, will sign a six-month contract with the Red Devils, after the club sacked beleaguered Norwegian boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      Ralf Rangnick is the new interim manager at Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP
      Rangnick has been a big influence on the career of Jurgen KloppCredit: Rex
      Rangnick is recognised as a true-visionary of the game and comes with a hefty reputation in his homeland, which United will hope to cash in on.
      He is said to have inspired Premier League bosses Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Bayern Munich supremo Julian Nagelsman with his tactics.
      Nicknamed ‘The Professor’, he was one of the pioneers of Gegenpressing, a style of play where teams immediately press the opposition after losing possession of the ball.
      His influence has been felt in the modern game, with many teams adopting his philosophy.
      STARTING YOUNG
      Incredibly, Rangnick began his coaching career when he was just 25 in 1983, following a mediocre semi-pro career.
      But his theories were against trend – with the national team adopting a rigid 3-5-2 system and man-marking.

      And to be fair, West Germany tasted success playing that way – winning the 1990 World Cup, after finishing runners-up four years earlier.
      But Ralf had his own ideas how the beautiful game should be played.
      In 1997, he scored his first job at lowly Ulm 1846, who would become fourth division champions with him at the helm.
      In 1998, Rangnick appeared on German TV to explain his football ideologyCredit: Getty
      A year later, he appeared on German TV donning a black suit and shirt revealing his footballing thesis.
      The German media nicknamed him the ‘German Professor’, probably unfairly and with derision.
      He was ridiculed for his geeky look and rimless glasses, while his methods weren’t embraced with teams favouring German legend Franz Beckenbauer’s sweeper approach.
      “The reaction from the media as well as others in football was extraordinary,” Rangnick told ESPN.
      “The main reason for this was that 30 years before, Franz Beckenbauer set the benchmark for most teams in our country when he created a libero-sweeper position for himself.
      “Franz himself even said in the mid-’90s that you cannot play with a zone-marking back four line because German players will not understand how to play it.
      “I asked myself, why should German players be any less intelligent than those in Belgium, Spain or the Netherlands? For me that was simply not logical.”
      GEGENPRESSING
      At the forefront of Rangnick’s belief was what later became coined as Gegenpressing, which itself was a spin off of iconic Ukrainian manager Valeriy Lobanovskyi’s pressing game.
      It’s a tactic that made Jurgen Klopp follow his lead with his own brand of ‘heavy-metal football’.
      Pioneer Rangnick has been credited for creating GegenpressingCredit: AFP
      The Liverpool boss also declared Rangnick as “one of the best, if not the best German coach”.
      Of Gegenpressing, Rangnick describes it as “very simple”.
      He continues: “[Gegenpressing is] a very proactive style of football, similar to the way in which Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool have been playing under Klopp.
      “We like to press high, with a very intense counter-pressure. When we have the ball, we do not like any square or back passes.
      “The goalkeeper also should not be the one with the most contact on the ball. In almost every league and every country, the goalkeeper is technically the most limited football player on the pitch and therefore we have to make sure that he has the lowest contact with the feet.
      “It is a fast, proactive, attacking, counter-attacking, counter-pressing, exciting and entertaining [style of] football.”
      SUCCESS
      From 2001-2004, Rangnick coached at Hannover, who he got promoted to the Bundesliga.
      Then, after missing out on an assistant manager role for the national team working under Joachim Low, he scored the Schalke job.
      It was a season of what could’ve been for Meister der Herzen, who finished runners-up in the Bundesliga to Bayern Munich.
      At Schalke Rangnick finished Bundesliga runners-up and lost a cup final to Bayern Munich
      Despite being championed for his footballing philosophy, major trophies have evaded him as bossCredit: Getty
      They also lost the German cup final to their rivals in 2005.
      But forever enjoying being the underdog, Rangnick took on the Hoffenheim post in 2006, once he was fired by Schalke after a string of disastrous results.
      It was where he, perhaps, achieved his greatest moment as a coach – taking a team from the third division to the Bundesliga with back-to-back promotions.
      He left the club in a healthy state in the German top flight, before returning to Schalke where he felt he had unfinished business.
      He won the German cup, led the club to the Champions League semi-finals, before exhaustion saw him resign in 2011.
      A NEW PROJECT
      Rangnick took a sabbatical from the dugout, but got involved in a new project – one that saw him oversee Red Bull teams, Leipzig, Salzburg and New York as a sporting director of the company.
      Under his leadership, the club – bankrolled by billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz – controversially went from division four to the Bundesliga in just six years.
      German fans didn’t like it, especially since it went against the 50+1 ownership business model. But Leipzig fans didn’t care.
      In his time with the unfashionable side, Leipzig became a top four team, as well as Champions League regulars.
      Rangnick did return to the dugout sporadically with the club, between 2015-16 and 2018-19, but he preferred his more advisory role.
      With his work done, he moved on again – with reports that AC Milan were desperate to have his influence on their football operations.
      Rangnick has been credited with leading the RB Leipzig revolutionCredit: AFP or licensors
      RB Leipzig were promoted from the fourth division to the Bundesliga in just six years under Rangnick’s leadershipCredit: Getty – Contributor
      After his miracle with RB Leipzig, could Rangnick (pictured with Timo Werner) be the answer to Man Utd’s prayersCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Surprisingly, Rangnick joined Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow as manager of sports and development last summer on a three-year deal.
      But the lure of fixing Manchester United is too much to ignore.
      Could Ralf’s Midas touch help restore the fallen giants to former glory?
      RB Leipzig director Ralf Rangnick runs on the pitch at half time against Bayern Munich, to dispute bad call using his phone More