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      England star Phil Foden became dad at 18 with childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke and bought parents a £2million mansion

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      ALL eyes will be on Phil Foden as a potential England star after an incredible campaign for Manchester City.The outrageously talented midfielder could be set for a starting berth in Gareth Southgate’s first eleven in the Euro 2021 opener, and he has done a lot of growing up since he made his City debut aged just 17.
      Man City hero Phil Foden became a dad at 18 to son RonnieCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden came of age in the Carabao Cup final win over Aston VillaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      On a fishing holiday in Spain Foden caught a a 130lb catfishCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden, now 21, became a dad a year after he made his bow for his boyhood club.
      The wonderkid welcomed a son, Ronnie, with long-term girlfriend Rebecca Cooke, and he dedicated his MOTM display in the Carabao Cup final in 2020.
      And just a few months before he penned a £30,000-per-week deal that ties him to the Etihad till 2024 in 2018, he splashed £2MILLION on a home for his parents.
      There was only one snag to him becoming a dad so young… Foden had to sacrifice his love of fishing, for now.
      FAMILY COMES FIRST
      In January 2019, the birth of his first child changed Foden’s life.
      He had already been dating Wag Rebecca for some time but they kept their romance under wraps.
      Foden – who made his England debut in the 1-0 win over Iceland in 2020 – admitted he shed a tear when his son arrived.
      “I was there for the birth,” he told Manchester City’s official website.
      “I walked out of the room, gave it a little tear and then went back in like nothing happened.
      In January 2019 Foden and long-term girlfriend Rebecca Cooke became teenage parents
      Son Ronnie changed Foden’s life completelyCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      “I’m not one for crying in front of people. I like to be on my own, but I was there in the room, watched it happen and it was a special moment.”
      And fatherhood certainly must agree with him, because back in April Foden revealed he and Rebecca are expecting their second child together.

      GETTING SOME PERSPECTIVE
      His team-mates told Foden that it would be the best thing that ever happened to him, but being a dad wasn’t going to be easy.
      But, if he has a bad game or training session, having Ronnie at home does make things better and puts things into perspective.
      Away matches, however, mean he doesn’t get to spend as much time with his son as he would like.
      Foden revealed: “If you have a bad game or a bad session, you’re disappointed, but now I think about the bigger picture.
      “I go home and see him smiling, so there’s more important things than worrying about one bad session.
      “You look at things in a different way when you’ve got a kid.
      “Honestly, I’m really enjoying it, but I find it quite difficult, always having away games and being away from him. He’s one now, so he’s missing me a bit.
      “There are things you miss when you’re not there because you’ve got an away game.
      “I was there when he started crawling, but I think I was in London when he started to walk.
      “Now he’s getting about and walking everywhere, so you have to have eyes in the back of your head or he starts running off.
      Phil Foden scores amazing free kick for England U21 against Albania
      Fatherhood hasn’t been easy for FodenCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden revealed he misses Ronnie whenever Manchester City are playing awayCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “It’s unfortunate to miss things like that but it’s a sacrifice that he’ll appreciate when he’s older.”
      HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
      Foden was raised by dad Phil and mum Claire in Edgeley, a modest Stockport suburb – far removed from the affluent towns and villages of Cheshire, nicknamed the Golden Triangle, where his team-mates now live.
      But as soon as Foden had established himself in Pep Guardiola’s squad, he set out to repay his parents for helping him achieve his dreams of becoming a footballer.
      The starlet spent £2m on a luxury home in Bramhall, near Stockport, where the family all live together.
      Often, he’s seen walking around the neighbourhood with Rebecca, pushing Ronnie in a pram, while dribbling a ball at his feet on the streets.
      Like any Premier League footballer, he loves gaming and has always preferred nights in playing FIFA over clubbing at one of Manchester’s famous nightspots.
      Foden treated his parents to a £2m home in Manchester months before singing a new dealCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden (left) grew up in modest surroundings in StockportCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      As a boy Foden grew up supporting Manchester CityCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      It was Foden’s dream to play for CityCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      FAST CARS? NO, HE LOVES FISHING
      Modest for a man expected to be England’s next big thing, ‘Pep’s Lad’ also christened the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ by City fans has an unexpected hobby.
      Although he’s had to put his love of fishing on the back-burner, with his time dedicated to Ronnie, he loves nothing more than catching carp with his pals.
      Foden would even trek to Spain, where he once hooked a 130lb catfish.
      “I was probably about six or seven and my dad had a fishing rod of his dad’s and said we should go and try it out,” he recalled.
      “I fell in love with it and we ended up going every weekend. I still remember my first catch.
      “It wasn’t very big, I was just learning, but it’s the excitement of when you get one for the first time.
      “I think that’s the buzz that makes you want to go again, but it’s also a chance to chill and relax and to spend time with my dad.
      “I think it’s really good after games when you have to rest your legs and I just find it really enjoyable.
      Instead of collecting cars, Foden loves fishingCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      When he was six, Foden’s father introduced him to anglingCredit: Instagram @philfoden

      “There’s tactics. Knowing in which spots to fish, knowing where the fish are, fishing at different lengths…
      “There’s a lot behind it but when I get the odd day off, I fish simple. I’m not a specialist at it but I still manage to catch.
      “I generally love all types of sport, but I don’t do any others apart from fishing.”
      Phil Foden sprints to the touchline to celebrate with Pep Guardiola as Man City march on to Champions League semi-final More

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      Why Alan Shearer and Michael Owen went from England friends to bitter rivals after disastrous Newcastle spell

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      ALAN SHEARER and Michael Owen were an England strike-force that breathed fear into the opposition.Built upon a budding friendship, their play was often telepathic as target-man Shearer offered a buffer for the live-wire Owen to pick up the pieces.
      Alan Shearer and Michael Owen were mates who struck fear into the oppositionCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      In 2005, Owen and Shearer became club teammates at NewcastleCredit: PA:Press Association
      But today, the pair don’t see eye-to-eye – as has been highlighted by their Twitter spat following the serialisation of Owen’s book, ‘Michael Owen: Reboot – My Life, My Time’.
      The pair traded insults on Twitter – bringing their simmering differences into the public domain.
      A feud ignited over 10-years ago because of Shearer’s belief that Owen let him down during his ill-fated spell as manager of Newcastle in 2009, when the Magpies were relegated.
      So where did it all go wrong for these two Three Lions legends?
      TEAM-MATES AND ROOM-MATES
      In 2005-06, then-Newcastle manager Graeme Souness splashed £17m on Owen – breaking their £15m transfer record originally set by Shearer.
      It was no-brainer given their partnership for England, and Owen signed a deal for £120k-per-week.
      Shearer, who is now 50, moved Owen into his pad, before Owen then found his own property in Darras Hall, an upland estate in Ponteland, where his strike-partner also lived.
      But after a successful start to his season, scoring seven times in his first 11 games, he broke his foot and was ruled out for the rest of the season.

      When Owen signed for Newcastle, Shearer moved his pal into his homeCredit: Reuters
      Owen then found his own pad in Darras Hall near Shearer’s mansionCredit: Rex Features
      A Twitter spat between Shearer and Owen has highlighted their 10-year feudCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Writing in the book serialised by The Mirror, Owen said: “I’d lived with him in the early days and we saw each other socially when we both lived at Darras Hall.
      “In my eyes, he was not only a strike partner on the pitch from a playing perspective; he was also a good mate.
      “At no time did I get the impression that he saw things any differently. To put it simply, there has been a lot of lies, bulls*** and general mis-information surrounding the end of my time at Newcastle.”
      MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
      Owen and Shearer’s friendship turned sour when the former Newcastle No.9 was brought in to save the Premier League giants from relegation in the 2008-09 season.
      In his eight games in charge – Shearer’s Newcastle recorded just one win and two draws.
      The final nail in the coffin came on the final day of the season against Aston Villa at Villa Park when his side failed to get the point that would’ve saved them from the drop.
      Owen was made the fall guy, with his own fans often chanting, ‘what a waste of money’ when he was on the pitch in his time there – despite scoring 30 goals in 79 appearances for the club.
      It all turned sour for the pair when Shearer became Newcastle bossCredit: Rex Features
      Shearer believes that Owen had one eye on a move away from Newcastle with his contract running down during their relegation run-inCredit: Rex Features
      He failed to score in those games, missing the penultimate game of the season, a 1-0 home defeat to Fulham.
      Interestingly, in the 2017 autobiography ‘The Boy on the Shed’, former Newcastle physiotherapist Paul Ferris wrote that Owen missed that match because he “didn’t want to risk his groin because he was out of contract in the summer and was saying, ‘I’ll not get a contract at another club if I’m injured’.”
      The forward for that book was by… Alan Shearer.
      OWEN’S TOUGH WORDS
      In an extract from his book, Owen writes: “He [Shearer] was brought in at St. James’ Park as the saviour, the local boy. It could have been a great story.
      “But he failed. Newcastle United were relegated. Perhaps rather than examine his own shortcomings, it felt easier to blame Michael Owen.
      “I was a week away from fitness for the final game of the season that saw Newcastle needing a point at Aston Villa to avoid relegation.
      “I told him that I wasn’t fully fit but was prepared to play. As I left his office that day, he made an insinuation that led me to believe he thought I had half an eye on my next contract.
      Owen feels he was blamed by Shearer for their 2009 relegationCredit: PA:Press Association
      In his autobiography, Owen also says Shearer has not spoken to him since he was sacked by NewcastleCredit: PA:Press Association
      Once his mentor, Shearer and Owen are no longer matesCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “I’m not stupid – we both knew I was out of contract in a few weeks.
      “It wasn’t until three months later, I discovered that Alan Shearer was apparently seething with me.
      “Not only that, it transpired that he was telling anyone who’d listen what he thought of me.

      “When you analyse it, it all makes sense. Shearer’s record as manager in the last eight games of that 2008/2009 season was dire: lost 5, drew 2, won 1. These are hardly God-like stats.
      “The truth is, the damage was done long before we went to Villa Park needing to draw. I feel a little sorry for him.
      “I’m gutted for him that it never worked out at Newcastle, Alan Shearer and I still haven’t talked this out face to face and that’s a shame because, as I’ve said many, many times, we were very good friends.”
      Troy Deeney says he and Watford will walk off the pitch if booed by Millwall fans More

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      Robert Lewandowski became Poland’s all-time leading goalscorer, but before his debut his sports-fan father passed away

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      HE’S Poland’s greatest ever footballer and is gearing up to lead their charge at Euro 2020.But behind Robert Lewandowski’s remarkable success story for both club and country is a heartbreaking story.
      Behind Robert Lewandowski’s success is a heartbreaking story
      The Bayern Munich striker, who is his nation’s all-time leading scorer with 66 goals, will have one regret when he steps onto the Krestovsky Stadium pitch in in Saint Petersburg against Slovakia.
      A year before Robert, 32, made his professional debut, his hero and sports-obsessed father passed away, missing the opportunity to see his son play professionally.
      Krzysztof Lewandowski was well recognised for his sporting achievements in his homeland.
      Aside from being a judo champion in the 1970s, Krzysztof played second division football for Hutnik Warszawa.

      And sport was very much the main focus for the Lewandowski family, with mother Iwona a former pro volleyball player too.
      With such a heritage, it seemed inevitable that Robert would follow in his parents’ footsteps.

      He caught the football bug at a young age, so Krzysztof happily accompanied his boy to Partyzant Leszno training sessions, spotting young Robert’s talent with a ball early on.
      By the age of nine, Lewandowski was training with local team Varsovia Warszawa, honing the skills that would serve him well in the future.
      Robert Lewandowski as a baby with his mother, IwonaCredit: Facebook @rl9official
      Playing on hard, sandy, grassless pitches, the close control he’s now known for began to develop in the poor footballing conditions he was first introduced to.
      And if the quality of the turf was lacking, the changing rooms weren’t much better either.
      Unheated old barracks with broken windows while playing during the cold, winter months didn’t deter Robert’s drive and determination to make it to the top.
      Within seven years, he signed for Delta Warsaw – a fifth tier Polish side known to be a direct supplier of players to one of the country’s biggest teams, Legia Warsaw.
      As a boy, Robert Lewandowski, right, was a gifted footballerCredit: Instagram @_rl9
      It was then that a 16-year-old “Lewy”, as he was known to his teammates, started to realise his potential.
      Legia’s scouts were impressed. His attitude and appetite for the game resulted in rapid progress.
      He scored goals for fun, stood out from the crowd and whispers were reverberating around the club that Legia were interested in signing him up.
      However, Robert’s world came crashing down at a critical time when football was starting to become his chosen career path.
      Family man Robert Lewandowski with his grandmaCredit: Instagram @_rl9
      In 2005, his dad Krzysztof underwent a potentially life-saving operation,  bu the long-time cancer sufferer died just a few days after when he suffered a stroke.
      Lewandowski told Bild: “His death was the toughest time for me. 
      “Suddenly, I was the man of the house and had to be a grown-up. The memory of my father still drives me on.”To lessen the financial burden on his mum, brave Robert left his family home and moved into a small flat with his sister Milena in Warsaw.
      Gradually, Robert Lewandowski earned himself a move to Lech PoznanCredit: AFP – Getty
      Whatever he earned with Delta, he shared with his mum and sister, who later achieved her dream in becoming a professional volleyball player.
      Legia decided to give Lewandowski a one-year deal with their reserves, and he often trained with the first team.
      But an increase in training levels, coupled with his then-slight frame, saw him struggle with injuries.
      After a year, Legia decided to cut their losses. Lewandowski was released, without making his senior bow and his football ambitions seemed in tatters.
      As a success at Lech Poznan, Robert Lewandowski attracted interest from other European clubsCredit: AFP – Getty
      Desperate for a goalscorer, third division Znicz Pruszków gave Lewandowski another shot.
      It was a decision that both parties will forever be thankful for.
      In his first season, he put aside his injury problems to fire his new team into the second division – scoring 16 goals in 29 games in all competitions, aged just 17.
      A year later, he was the leading goalscorer in Poland’s second division – finding the net 21 times in 32 league games.
      He was snapped up by Lech Poznań for 1.5 million złotys in 2008, the equivalent today of around £300,000.
      Robert Lewandowski’s skills were honed in the blistering cold of Poland’s wintry conditionsCredit: AFP – Getty
      Sadly for Robert Lewandowski his father never saw him play professionallyCredit: AFP – Getty

      Lewandowski was soon on his way, playing in Poland’s top league, the Ekstraklasa.
      The sad thing was, his proud dad Krzysztof wasn’t around to see his son’s rise to becoming one of the most feared forwards in the world.
      “After his death I quickly had to become an adult,” Robert said in a candid interview on a Polish TV chat show hosted by Magda Molek in 2015.
      In a candid interview, Robert Lewandowski opened up about his father to Polish TV presenter Magda MolekCredit: Facebook
      At Lech Poznan, Robert Lewandowski scored 41 goals in 82 gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Robert Lewandowski has gone to become one of the world’s best strikersCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “He always knew that I would be playing abroad. He said that was why he gave me the name Robert so that no one would mistake my name.
      “I regretted many times that I did not talk to him about something, that I did not say something to him.
      “I regret the most that he did not see my first match in seniors and that he cannot be at my matches live.
      “I hope, however, that he looks down on me and helps me in all this. I believe it.”
      Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski delighted with FIFA award after outstanding year More

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      Rise of Scotland star Andy Robertson, from ‘rubbish’ life as Celtic reject with ‘no money’ to Liverpool title-winner

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      SCOTLAND and Liverpool hero Andy Robertson has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top.A hero of the Reds’ famous title win in 2020, as well as a Champions League winner, the rampaging left-back is gearing up the Euros with his national team.
      Champions League and Premier League winner Andy Robertson has enjoyed an epic riseCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Robertson, left, dreamed of footballing success as a boyCredit: Instagram@andyrobertson94
      When Robertson, 27, was beginning his career in the game with Queen’s Park he moaned that life was “rubbish” and he was skint living off an apprentice wage in his homeland.
      But after moving to Dundee United and winning the SPFA Young Player of the Year, he broke into the international set-up in his first season and showed his hunger and desire.
      Now, he’s one of the first names on the Liverpool team-sheet, as well as Scotland captain, and is famed for his swashbuckling runs and pinpoint crosses, as much as he is for keeping wingers at bay.
      And few could’ve predicted Robertson would become one of the best left backs in the world after his first day training with the new Premier League champions back in 2017.
      MODERN LIFE IS RUBBISH
      Born in Glasgow as a Celtic fan, Robertson was introduced to football by his dad Brian, who played at amateur level, but was held back by a spinal injury that meant he had to wear a back brace.
      Former footballers including Charlie Nicholas and Jim Duffy were family friends, and he would hear tales of their own football legacies that spurred him on to create his own.
      However, that seemed a long way away after he was released by Celtic when he was jut 15 because he was deemed too small.
      He concentrated on his studies and left St Ninian’s High School in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire with decent enough grades to be accepted to an undergraduate degree at university.
      At 15 Robertson, wearing the goalie gloves, was released by Celtic because of his sizeCredit: Instagram@andyrobertson94
      Robertson, right, soon found himself thrust into Queen’s Park’s first teamCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      In his first full season he played 43 timesCredit: Andrew Barr – The Sun Glasgow
      Robertson was on the books at Queen’s Park, and just as he thought he should follow a more academic route he was handed his debut in the first team.
      In a remarkable first season with the Scottish Third Division side he racked up 43 appearances in all competitions, but despite that life wasn’t all rosy.’NEED A JOB’
      Despite the upturn in his football career, Robertson was still adamant he needed to find a job.
      Now earning £2.6million annually at Anfield, back in 2012 he was struggling financially.
      And at 18, when you have youth on your side and you want to do everything and anything, he couldn’t help but moan about a lack of funds to fritter away.
      He took to Twitter and wrote: “Life at this age is rubbish with no money #needajob.”
      The Scot only had his travel expenses paid for by Queen’s Park. 
      He would later have to take a job on the tills at Marks and Spencer in Glasgow and also worked at Hampden Park for the Scottish FA.
      He once showed former Man City skipper Vincent Kompany where he should sit.
      “I once showed Vincent Kompany to his seat,” Robertson told the Guardian. 
      “Scotland played Belgium and I was told to show [the injured] Kompany to his seat and give him a programme.”
      Robertson even worked on the lingerie department of M&S.
      He said: “I was on the checkouts at M&S. My mates got discounts on Percy Pigs so they were delighted. I was only 17, 18.
      “I actually worked a couple of shifts on women’s lingerie. They were short on staff and I got flung up there. You just talk s**t and hopefully they buy it.”
      An impressive season later in Scotland’s third tier, Scottish Premiership side Dundee United signed him.
      There was no need for a job anymore, this was his calling.

      A move to Dundee United followedCredit: Peter Kelly – The Sun Glasgow
      ONE SEASON WONDER
      Under the watchful eye of manager Jackie McNamara, a steady full back in his day with Robertson’s boyhood club Celtic, the young prospect began to prosper.
      Immediately, he was thrust into the first team by his boss, who trusted him implicitly.
      And he rewarded that belief with a stunning goal against Motherwell within months of his arrival – running from his own half, before sending a 20-yard drive into the bottom with his magical left foot.
      Again a first team regular, Robertson played 44 games in all competitions, scoring five times and became a firm fans’ favourite.
      He was awarded the SPFA Young Player of the Year in 2014, and was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.
      Robertson was also handed an International debut in a friendly against Poland by manager Gordon Strachan.
      Afterwards, Strachan purred:  “Andy came on there and the first time he picked it up he drove about 30 yards.
      “I thought ‘that’s fantastic’. Absolutely no grey area, I’m going to do what I do. I loved seeing that first touch.”
      Robertson won the SPFA Young Player of the Year in 2014Credit: Andrew Barr – The Sun Glasgow
      In 2014 Robertson also made his first appearance for ScotlandCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      TO ENGLAND AND A MILLIONAIRE’S EXISTENCE
      In the summer of 2014, Dundee United accepted a £2.85million bid from Premier League side Hull City for their star defender.
      Ironically, as fate would have it, Hull’s chief scout Stan Ternent was checking on another player before being wowed by Robertson.
      Ternent revealed: “I’d been looking at Stuart Armstrong (now at Southampton) but (Robertson) was the no brainer … he’d a history with Celtic and he was always a determined lad given how he’d recovered from his setbacks.
      “You could see straight away he had ability and he can only get better.”
      Robertson quickly settled in East Riding, winning the club’s Player of the Month award in his first month.
      He made 24 appearances in his first season, but was unable to save them from relegation.
      Other players jumped ship, but feeling a sense of loyalty to his employers Robertson stayed with Hull in the Championship, and he helped them bounce back to the Premier League in 2016.
      Robertson is unveiled opposite Harry Maguire after signing for Hull City for £2.85mCredit: Instagram@andyrobertson94
      Robertson became a firm fans favourite in East RidingCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
      ‘SICK BOY’
      Looking for cover for Alberto Moreno, Liverpool signed Robertson for an initial fee of £8million in 2017.
      Moving to a team with such international pedigree, the new arrival could’ve been forgiven for feeling overawed and nervous.
      And unfortunately for Robertson, it didn’t help that he vomited on his first training session in front of his new team-mates – earning himself a unflattering nickname with Klopp.
      “I remember the first day there were only six or seven of us in because the lads were still on pre-season,” Robertson said.
      “We had to do that lactate test, which the Germans love, where you have to run to your maximum.
      “They set up poles all around the pitch and you have to make each pole on the whistle.
      “It gets faster and faster and faster. It’s similar to the bleep test but it’s a lot harder and faster.
      Robertson has established himself as one of the world’s best left backs at LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association
      Jurgen Klopp calls him Sick Boy after he threw up on his first day at trainingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Robertson won the Premier League with the RedsCredit: BBC

      “I remember running alongside Danny Ings and I was just sick everywhere. I tried to hold it in but I had to let it go and it was terrible. Day one.
      “Luckily the gaffer wasn’t there and I thought I got away with it.
      “They were back three days later and he called me Mr Sick Boy. I was gutted.”
      Liverpool fans continue their celebrations as they party through the night after Premier League victory More

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      Croatia hero Luka Modric is former refugee whose granddad was shot dead when he was six but still became a superstar

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      LUKA MODRIC has enjoyed a stunning career, including winning the Ballon d’Or title in 2018, and is set to face England at Euro 2021 on June 13.But his upbringing could not have been tougher.
      Luka Modric endured a tough childhood
      Growing up in Zadar, Modric won accolades for his local teamCredit: Collect
      The burned-out former house Modric lived in with his grandfatherCredit: Getty – Contributor
      When the Croatia and Real Madrid superstar was just six years old, his entire existence was rocked by the shooting of his beloved granddad at the hands of militant Serbian thugs and he was forced to live life as a refugee in his war-torn homeland.
      But despite such hardship, that didn’t stop the ambitious kid from going on to become one of the best players on the planet and, now aged 35, a global superstar.
      In 2018, he was voted the best player on the planet, ending the decade of dominance of the award by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
      But on December 8, 1991, during Croatia’s war of independence, violent Serbian militia stormed Modrici, a small village near the Velebit mountains in northern Dalmatia and wrought terror on Croatian families who hadn’t escaped.
      One of those caught in the crossfire was Luka Modric Snr, who was walking his cattle up an abandoned street when he was cornered by a group of Serbians.
      They brutally executed him along with five other locals.
      The idea was to send a message to other Modrici residents that they must leave their town behind, but it robbed the future Real Madrid midfielder of his grandfather.
      Modrici was where Modric was raised before his family fled to ZadarCredit: Getty – Contributor
      An early football club registration card from Modric’s childhoodCredit: Collect
      Modric was just six when his granddad was murdered by Serbian militia
      Modric has gone on to great success with the Croatian national team and Real MadridCredit: AFP or licensors
      Many Croatians were forced out of their villages by Serbian forcesCredit: Ron Haviv
      It hit Luka hard.
      At the time, he was raised by Modric Snr while his parents Stipe and Radojka worked long hours in a knitwear factory to support the family financially.
      And amazing footage emerged during the 2018 World Cup of a young Luka herding goats.
      I was six years old. These were really hard times. I remember them vividly but it’s not something you want to remember or think about
      After the incident, his parents were forced to leave Modrici and they sought refuge at the Hotel Iz in the town of Zadar.
      Without any electricity or running water, the sound of grenades and bullets became a daily occurrence for little Luka and his sister Jasmina, not to mention avoiding landmines potentially buried around any corner.
      But that didn’t stop the boy from kicking a small, punctured football around the hotel car park, dreaming that one day he would be able to leave his war-torn existence behind.
      The family home Modric grew up in still stands todayCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Families were torn apart, while an estimated 140,000 lost their lives during the warCredit: Toni Hnojčik
      The town of Zadar became Modric’s home when he was forced out of ModriciCredit: AFP – Getty
      Modric went from rags-to-riches through hard work and determinationCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Yugoslav Civil War began in 1991 and ended in 2001Credit: Romeo Ibrišević
      The town of Modrici is near Croatia’s Velebit mountainsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      It’s a rags-to-riches tale that’s testament to the four-time Champions League winner’s dedication and determination to succeed in the wake of an awful tragedy.
      Modric rarely talks about his hardship, but when he signed for Spurs back in 2008, he briefly addressed the issues that blighted his childhood.
      “When the war started we became refugees and it was a really tough time,” Modric revealed.
      “I was six years old. These were really hard times. I remember them vividly but it’s not something you want to remember or think about.

      Croatia’s captain led his team to the final of the 2018 World CupCredit: EPA
      Modric began his footballing education at Dinamo ZagrebCredit: AFP – Getty
      As a young teen, Modric starred in midfield for Dinamo ZagrebCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Serbian military volunteers were responsible for intimidating Croatian familiesCredit: Imre Szabo
      Many children were affected by the events of the Yugoslav Civil WarCredit: Christopher Morris
      Just a stone’s throw away from Modric’s abandoned home, a sign warns of the dangers of landmines nearbyCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “We lived in a hotel for many years as we struggled financially, but I always loved football.
      “I remember my first shin pads had the Brazilian Ronaldo on them and I loved them.
      “The war made me stronger, it was a very hard time for me and my family. I don’t want to drag that with me forever, but I don’t want to forget about it either.”
      It’s that mental toughness that has served Modric well during his career.
      Family man Modric has a son called IvanoCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Modric met his wife Vanja Bosnic in 2007 at the Mamic sports agencyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ivan Rakitić and Luka Modric formed a terrific midfield partnership for Croatia at the 2018 World Cup, but Rakitić retired from international duty in 2020Credit: Instagram @lukamodric10
      In Croatia’s stunning run to the Russia 2018 final, he overcame missing a penalty in normal time versus Denmark in the last-16 to step up in the shootout and send his side through.
      He also took a pen in his country’s second penalty shootout win over Russia in the quarter-finals that ensured their semi-final berth.
      However, when Modric was 10 years old he was written off by a number of coaches who thought he was too frail and shy to make it in the game.
      Hajduk Split passed on him and it was only when Tomislav Basic, a coach of a team that Modric played for in Zadar, stepped in and used his contacts to get Luka a trial at Dinamo Zagreb.
      At Spurs, Luka Modric was a cult heroCredit: PA:Press Association
      In 2012, Modric moved to Real Madrid for a fee of £30mCredit: Getty – Contributor
      During his career with Real Madrid, Modric has lifted the Champions League four timesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      From there his talent flourished, he went on to Tottenham and Real Madrid and is now a star for both club and country, as well as being one of the most respected footballers in the world.
      And his personal life couldn’t be much better either.
      He married Vanja Bosnic, who also acts as his agent, in 2010 in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. The pair first met at Mamic sports agency, where she worked.
      Modric’s former Tottenham and Croatia team-mate Vedran Corluka was the best man at their wedding.
      The couple’s first child, son Ivano, was born just three weeks after their big day.
      Since then, they have had two daughters; five-year-old Ema and Sofia, who was born in 2017.
      Vanja Bosnic poses for a snap with son Ivano and daughters Ema and Sofia
      Modric has been recognised as one of the world’s best playersCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Bosnic and Modric married in 2010 in ZagrebCredit: Instagram @lukamodric10

      Bosnic is said to have such an influence on his life, she was deemed to be the person responsible for orchestrating his £30m move to Real Madrid.
      Modric’s remarkable rise to the top of world football was confirmed when he won the Ballon d’Or.
      No wonder his father Stipe was so emotional, saying: “I am the happiest and proudest father in the world.
      “You are my genius. I can’t find words.”
      Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović parties with national football team after World Cup quarter final win More

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      England star Mason Mount was determined to succeed John Terry as Chelsea academy product after his dad told him to leave

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      MASON MOUNT’S determination to become an England and Chelsea star is shown through a tale that brings a smile to his father’s face.It was 2014 and Mount, one of the most sought after 15-year-olds in the country, had to choose between a scholarship with the Blues and a raft of tempting offers to leave.
      Mason Mount has starred for Chelsea since 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Mount lifts the Champions League trophy alongside dad TonyCredit: Getty
      Uncles, aunts and grandparents offered advice to the talented teenager after dad Tony called a family meeting at their Portsmouth home.
      “I told Mason I thought he needed to move on to get the best opportunity,” Tony told SunSport.
      “I said, ‘No one at Chelsea’s academy has got into the first-team since John Terry — what chance have you got?’
      “Mason shot back, ‘I’ll be the next one.’ He said, ‘I’m not leaving Chelsea, it’s my club. I’ve been here since the age of six and I’m going all the way.’”
      Five years on and Mason — so named by his mum as it means ‘man of stone’ — has fulfilled that promise, having made himself a regular for the Blues, winning the Champions League for his club and is tipped to be a star for the Three Lions at the Euros.
      I’m not leaving Chelsea, it’s my club. I’ve been here since the age of six and I’m going all the way.Chelsea academy product Mason Mount

      Sat in the garden of his Waterlooville home, Tony flicks through photographs on his iPhone which highlight his son’s rise.
      The snaps show him signing for Chelsea aged eight, bonding with best mate Declan Rice, representing England Under-21s and winning the 2018 player of the year at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland while on loan.
      But a photograph of a two-year-old Mason in the arms of his dad, who was a non-League manager in 2001, shows where his footballing education began.
      Mount vowed to become the first academy product since John Terry to make it in the first-teamCredit: Supplied
      An eight-year-old Mount joins ChelseaCredit: Tony Mount
      Mount, aged two, would watch his dad’s non-League side Havant Town
      Mount, with dad Tony, signing with Vitesse Arnhem in Holland on loan in 2017Credit: Tony Mount
      Tony, then boss of Havant Town, said: “I’m old-school and Mason has sat in dressing rooms with me kicking cups and doors while we’re 3-0 down at Kettering, and the language has been blue.”
      In 2004, Tony took a five-year old Mason to a club in Farnham for his first experience of playing on grass.
      “They started age six and Mason was five,” the father-of-four said. “I took him over there and they said, ‘He’s a bit small. Is he six?’ I said, ‘Yeah!’
      “Within two sessions he was playing with the Under-8s and dribbling round all of them.”
      Chelsea quickly spotted his talent. Mason was training with the Blues as well as the club his family raised him to support, Portsmouth.

      SAINT TO WINNER
      So when a friend invited them to rivals Southampton, so coaches could assess their trialists against a Chelsea player, the future starlet was hesitant.
      Tony said: “We were driving there and Mase said, ‘I won’t have to wear that shirt will I?!’ It’s embedded in him. I said he’d just have a bib on.
      “They split the boys into four teams and took them away to get changed. The first team came out wearing black, another in blue and then another in yellow.
      “I’m looking for Mason and thinking, ‘Please don’t come out in red and white! PLEASE don’t come out in red and white!’ And he’s come out in this red and white kit with a face like thunder.
      “He’s going ‘Dad! Dad!’ and pointing at the shirt. He played like a man possessed that night because he was so unhappy about this kit. He scored 14 goals.”
      Mount’s dad Tony told SunSport about his son’s rapid rise at ChelseaCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
      Mount became best mates with West Ham’s Declan Rice, left, in Chelsea’s academyCredit: Tony Mount
      Rice and Mount’s friendship endured as the two holidayed together this summerCredit: Instagram @masonmount10
      Despite attempts by Saints and Pompey to sign Mount, it was too late. He’d fallen in love with Chelsea.
      He signed with the Blues aged eight and met fellow England international Rice at their Cobham academy. The duo quickly became inseparable.
      Tony, now a partner in an electronics manufacturer, said: “When Declan got released aged 14, we were all devastated. [Mason’s mum] Debbie was in tears and Mason was gobsmacked.
      “One minute you’re there and had been with Declan since the age of seven, travelling across Europe with the family and holidaying together, and all of a sudden he’s gone.
      “Declan is very strong mentally and got what he deserved at West Ham.”RAM RAID
      It was at the academy that Mason first met Jody Morris, Lampard’s assistant at Derby and then Chelsea.
      Former midfielder Morris was manager of the youth team when Mason stepped up. He thrived off Morris’ old-school approach and was appointed captain.
      Tony said: “I asked Mason about Jody and he said, ‘Dad, he’s very good. He’s a tough taskmaster, I love him and if I do something well he wants me to do it better.’”
      So when Morris called in 2018 to say Lampard wanted to meet, he jumped at the invite.
      Mount signed a five-year deal at Chelsea last summerCredit: PA:Press Association
      Mount signed a five-year deal at Chelsea in 2019. Both father and son travelled up to a London hotel and listened to Lampard’s pitch about going to Derby.
      “Talk about inspired! I wanted to play for Frank after that,” Tony said, laughing.
      “Frank was brilliant, explaining what he could give Mason. He knew him inside-out, was talking about games he’d watched Mason play.
      “We spoke to Steven Gerrard about going to Rangers, too, and he was similar: ‘I’ve watched Mason, know him and want him to come on a journey with me.’
      “Frank said the same: ‘Come with me and be my player, you’ve got everything I love.’

      “I said to Mason, ‘Don’t rush into it, we’ve got to think about it. I like Werder Bremen, and Norwich was a good meeting.’ He said, ‘No, Dad. I’m going to Derby. I want to work for Frank Lampard.’”
      Mount scored nine goals and got four assists at Pride Park, where he formed a strong bond with the Chelsea legend.
      And Mount asserted himself on the Blues’ first team since being handed his opportunity by his mentor Lampard, and is now excelling under Thomas Tuchel. Can Gareth Southgate get the best out of him for England?
      England squad numbers revealed and hint Jack Grealish will play key role – but what does Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mean More

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      in Soccer

      England star Phil Foden became dad at 18 with childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke and bought his parents a £2m mansion

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      ALL eyes will be on Phil Foden as a potential England star after an incredible campaign for Manchester City.The outrageously talented midfielder could be set for a starting berth in Gareth Southgate’s first eleven in the Euro 2021 opener, and he has done a lot of growing up since he made his City debut aged just 17.
      Man City hero Phil Foden became a dad at 18 to son RonnieCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden came of age in the Carabao Cup final win over Aston VillaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      On a fishing holiday in Spain Foden caught a a 130lb catfishCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden, now 21, became a dad a year after he made his bow for his boyhood club.
      The wonderkid welcomed a son, Ronnie, with long-term girlfriend Rebecca Cooke, and he dedicated his MOTM display in the Carabao Cup final in 2020.
      And just a few months before he penned a £30,000-per-week deal that ties him to the Etihad till 2024 in 2018, he splashed £2MILLION on a home for his parents.
      There was only one snag to him becoming a dad so young… Foden had to sacrifice his love of fishing, for now.
      FAMILY COMES FIRST
      In January 2019, the birth of his first child changed Foden’s life.
      He had already been dating Wag Rebecca for some time but they kept their romance under wraps.
      Foden – who made his England debut in the 1-0 win over Iceland in 2020 – admitted he shed a tear when his son arrived.
      “I was there for the birth,” he told Manchester City’s official website.
      “I walked out of the room, gave it a little tear and then went back in like nothing happened.
      In January 2019 Foden and long-term girlfriend Rebecca Cooke became teenage parents
      Son Ronnie changed Foden’s life completelyCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      “I’m not one for crying in front of people. I like to be on my own, but I was there in the room, watched it happen and it was a special moment.”
      And fatherhood certainly must agree with him, because back in April Foden revealed he and Rebecca are expecting their second child together.

      GETTING SOME PERSPECTIVE
      His team-mates told Foden that it would be the best thing that ever happened to him, but being a dad wasn’t going to be easy.
      But, if he has a bad game or training session, having Ronnie at home does make things better and puts things into perspective.
      Away matches, however, mean he doesn’t get to spend as much time with his son as he would like.
      Foden revealed: “If you have a bad game or a bad session, you’re disappointed, but now I think about the bigger picture.
      “I go home and see him smiling, so there’s more important things than worrying about one bad session.
      “You look at things in a different way when you’ve got a kid.
      “Honestly, I’m really enjoying it, but I find it quite difficult, always having away games and being away from him. He’s one now, so he’s missing me a bit.
      “There are things you miss when you’re not there because you’ve got an away game.
      “I was there when he started crawling, but I think I was in London when he started to walk.
      “Now he’s getting about and walking everywhere, so you have to have eyes in the back of your head or he starts running off.
      Phil Foden scores amazing free kick for England U21 against Albania
      Fatherhood hasn’t been easy for FodenCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden revealed he misses Ronnie whenever Manchester City are playing awayCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “It’s unfortunate to miss things like that but it’s a sacrifice that he’ll appreciate when he’s older.”
      HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
      Foden was raised by dad Phil and mum Claire in Edgeley, a modest Stockport suburb – far removed from the affluent towns and villages of Cheshire, nicknamed the Golden Triangle, where his team-mates now live.
      But as soon as Foden had established himself in Pep Guardiola’s squad, he set out to repay his parents for helping him achieve his dreams of becoming a footballer.
      The starlet spent £2m on a luxury home in Bramhall, near Stockport, where the family all live together.
      Often, he’s seen walking around the neighbourhood with Rebecca, pushing Ronnie in a pram, while dribbling a ball at his feet on the streets.
      Like any Premier League footballer, he loves gaming and has always preferred nights in playing FIFA over clubbing at one of Manchester’s famous nightspots.
      Foden treated his parents to a £2m home in Manchester months before singing a new dealCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden (left) grew up in modest surroundings in StockportCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      As a boy Foden grew up supporting Manchester CityCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      It was Foden’s dream to play for CityCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      FAST CARS? NO, HE LOVES FISHING
      Modest for a man expected to be England’s next big thing, ‘Pep’s Lad’ also christened the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ by City fans has an unexpected hobby.
      Although he’s had to put his love of fishing on the back-burner, with his time dedicated to Ronnie, he loves nothing more than catching carp with his pals.
      Foden would even trek to Spain, where he once hooked a 130lb catfish.
      “I was probably about six or seven and my dad had a fishing rod of his dad’s and said we should go and try it out,” he recalled.
      “I fell in love with it and we ended up going every weekend. I still remember my first catch.
      “It wasn’t very big, I was just learning, but it’s the excitement of when you get one for the first time.
      “I think that’s the buzz that makes you want to go again, but it’s also a chance to chill and relax and to spend time with my dad.
      “I think it’s really good after games when you have to rest your legs and I just find it really enjoyable.
      Instead of collecting cars, Foden loves fishingCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      When he was six, Foden’s father introduced him to anglingCredit: Instagram @philfoden

      “There’s tactics. Knowing in which spots to fish, knowing where the fish are, fishing at different lengths…
      “There’s a lot behind it but when I get the odd day off, I fish simple. I’m not a specialist at it but I still manage to catch.
      “I generally love all types of sport, but I don’t do any others apart from fishing.”
      Phil Foden sprints to the touchline to celebrate with Pep Guardiola as Man City march on to Champions League semi-final More

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      England star Jack Grealish grew up playing Gaelic football but could’ve missed Euro 2020 if he chose to play for Ireland

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      ENGLAND star Jack Grealish is ready for his moment.The Aston Villa midfielder is expected to light up the Euros this summer – with many pundits predicting him to explode on the international stage like Paul Gascoigne did at Italia ’90.
      Jack Grealish is being tipped to be England’s talisman at the EurosCredit: Getty
      Grealish joined Aston Villa aged sixCredit: Twitter @JackGrealish
      Be sure, as a potential talisman for his country, he will be a target for opposition hatchet men.
      However, that shouldn’t be a problem for the 25-year-old who is used to getting a buffeting in the Premier League.
      After joining boyhood club Villa aged six, the playmaker toughened up by playing Gaelic football on the side – something his father says has helped him in anticipating tackles.
      Grealish has also followed in the footsteps of his great-great grandfather by representing the Three Lions and becoming a Villa icon.
      HANDY WITH HIS HANDS TOO
      Grealish was born in 1995 and raised in Solihull by parents Kevin and Karen, who have Irish roots.
      A die-hard fan, it was always his dream to represent the club he loved as a kid. But in the summers, when the football season had winded down, he just loved playing Gaelic football.
      There aren’t many footballers who have scored a point at Croke Park playing Gaelic football and won the Toulon Tournament.
      Grealish with mum Karen and dad KevinCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      As a youngster, Grealish played both football and Gaelic footballCredit: Twitter @JackGrealish
      He lined out for the John Mitchels Hurling and Camogie club in the Midlands, where he excelled.
      In 2009, Grealish scored a point representing Warwickshire GAA at Croke Park during half-time of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final between Dublin and Kerry.

      In the past, dad Kevin spoke about how Gaelic football prepared him for the rough treatment he gets week in/week out in the Premier League.
      “He’d run the show playing Gaelic. It really helped him because he was knocked from pillar to post. It’s brutal compared to soccer,” he told BirminghamLive.
      “Jack, as you know, is good with his feet but you can pick the ball up as well and he’d flick it around everyone!
      “I told Gordan Cowans (Aston Villa coach) that once. He asked why Jack was so good at expecting tackles and stuff and it was the GAA.
      “It really built up his upper body, players would bounce off him. It’s probably why he’s so strong today.”
      Jack, himself, has spoken fondly about his Gaelic football past.
      Grealish poses with carrots at Aston Villa’s club allotment in 2014Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Dad Kevin said Gaelic football helped toughen his son up
      “I wasn’t really into other sports growing up but I loved Gaelic,” he revealed.
      “You can play football in it; you don’t just have to have the ball in your hands, you can just run with the ball.
      “But when I was 13, Villa told me I need to stop because it’s rough. I still played now and then until I was 15.”
      LUCK OF THE IRISH
      It’s easy to forget Grealish was a late bloomer in international football – and didn’t make his full England debut until two days before he turned 25.
      And he could quite easily have been sat at home watching the Euros in his plush Barnt Green, Worcestershire home had he not snubbed Republic of Ireland at the eleventh hour in 2015.
      In 2015 Grealish snubbed an international call-up by Ireland, after he had represented them at U21 levelCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      In 2016 Grealish starred at the Toulon Tournament for EnglandCredit: AFP or licensors
      Capped by Ireland at U17, U18 and U21 level, he seemed destined to play under Martin O’Neill.
      However, O’Neill revealed that Grealish turned down an invitation for a call-up , which alerted then-England U21 coach Gareth Southgate to the possibility he would switch allegiances.
      In September 2015, he confirmed that he would represent England, and at the Toulon Tournament he made his debut.
      Grealish would be instrumental in helping his country win the competition.
      FOOTBALL RUNS IN THE FAMILY
      Every time Grealish puts on an England shirt, he’s bound to think about his great-great-grandfather from his mother Karen’s side of the family, Billy Garraty.
      Aston Villa legend Billy Garraty is Jack’s great-great-grandfatherCredit: Rex
      Garraty won the league and FA Cup with Villa – scoring 112 goals in 260 gamesCredit: Getty
      Between 1898 and 1908, forward Garraty scored 112 goals in 260 appearances for Vila.
      In 1903, he also won an England cap in an appearance against Wales.
      Although Jack has already bettered Garraty’s Three Lions appearance record, he’s still got some way to go to match his medal’s count
      Garraty was a 1905 FA Cup hero for the club – winning man of the match in a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the final.
      Five years prior, he helped the club win the league scoring 27 goals in 33 games.
      CHARITY CRUSADER
      Off the pitch, the classy midfielder, who made his debut aged 18 for Villa in 2014, is generous with his time and money.
      Grealish is renowned for his charity work in and around the Birmingham community.
      Last summer, he raffled off a worn football shirt to raise funds for the NHS – reportedly raising over £55,000.
      Over the years Grealish has raised 100s of thousands of pounds for charityCredit: Reuters
      Last year Grealish donated a shirt to a Twitter follower after his best friend committed suicide
      Grealish also raised over £55,000 for the NHS at the height of the coronavirus pandemic
      Jack was also said to have personally donated £150,000 to a local hospital during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
      And when a Twitter follower contacted him to tell him about the death of his best friend who committed suicide after a battle with mental health, Grealish kindly auctioned off a shirt signed by the Villa promotion-winning squad.

      Money raised was donated straight to a mental health charity.
      Grealish has also been advocate for Saving Lives and Children in Need in the past.
      Should any defences feel charitable at the Euros, expect Jack to reap the benefits.
      England squad numbers revealed and hint Jack Grealish will play key role – but what does Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mean More