Sport Features

FILL YOUR BOOTS!Neymar has signed a world record Puma boot deal, following his exploits for PSG in leading the French giants to their first ever Champions League final.

He leaves his rivals in his wake, signing a contract worth a world-record £23million per year.
But who else makes a fortune wearing sponsored boots? Let SunSport give the biggest footwear deals in the game, and what these stars earn per year.
1. NEYMAR, £23M
The enigmatic Brazilian forward dropped Nike to join rivals Puma and was rewarded with the largest individual sports sponsorship contract in history.
It’s not known how long the deal will last, but his previous agreement with Nike was for 11 years and was worth half of his new Puma deal.
Neymar posted on social media: “I grew up watching videos of great football legends such as Pele, Cruyff, Eusebio and Maradona, who each played in Puma.
“For these reasons, from today onward, I have the honour to unite with the brand that helped the biggest legends of football become what they are.”
Neymar recently signed the biggest boot deal in historyCredit: Reuters
2. MESSI, £18M
The second footballer to become a billionaire (the first was Cristiano Ronaldo), Messi is now into the second spot on the best boot deals of all time.
In 2017, the Barcelona legend signed an extension to his boot deal with adidas – giving him a lifetime contract with the company.
He was the first footballer to release a sub-brand of adidas boots – the adidas Messi.
As the years pass, and when Messi finally hangs up his boots, that could be just as lucrative for the forward as the Air Jordan brand Nike created for Michael Jordan.
Lionel Messi has a sub brand of boots available through AdidasCredit: Facebook
3. RONALDO, £15M
As Nike’s prize asset, Ronaldo is their top earner.
However, Neymar’s contract now dwarfs his by £8m.
But Ronaldo can take comfort his deal will pay out more than Neymar’s – being reportedly worth £780m over a lifetime.
CR7 is only the third athlete to sign a lifetime deal with Nike, along with Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Cristiano Ronaldo has a lifetime deal with NikeCredit: Rex Features
4. MBAPPE, £14M
Nike’s poster-boy, in 2019 Kylian Mbappe was subject to a bidding war between with his current sponsors and adidas.
He penned a 10-year deal worth around £140m, which is believed to be active as long as he plays in a top league.
The PSG superstar was reportedly buoyed to join Nike, following in the footsteps of his idol Ronaldo.
He is the one who could challenge Neymar’s position at the top in years to come aged just 22.
Kylian Mbappe has the potential to be football’s biggest earner in years to comeCredit: Splash News
5. BALOTELLI, £5M
In 2014, Italian golden boy Mario Balotelli was on top of his game against for AC Milan.
A key member of the Italian national team, he was the country’s best hope of glory.
So when his contract with Nike expired, Puma swooped with a 10-year deal worth around £5m per year.
Now at a crossroads in his career, he’s not as marketable as he once was.
Mario Balotelli receives £5m-per-year from Puma for wearing their bootsCredit: EPA
6. BALE, £4M
The Welsh wizard, who spent last season on loan at Spurs, earns around £18m per year from Real Madrid.
And he has exclusive sponsorship deals with the likes of EA Sports, Lucozade and adidas, to name just a few.
It’s his contract with the German sports manufacturers that is his most lucrative, however, earning Gareth Bale around £4m per annum.
It’s certainly enough to keep Bale in golf clubs.
Bale is still contracted to wear Adidas bootsCredit: PA:Press Association
7. GRIEZMANN, £3.5M
In 2015, Antoine Griezmann extended his boot deal with Puma to the tune of £3.5million-per-year.
In that time, he became a global superstar – leaving Atletico Madrid for Barcelona in a deal worth around £108m.
In 2019, to celebrate Griezmann’s 10-year anniversary with Puma, they released his special boot – a limited edition Future 4.1 NETFIT Grizi priced at £229.
He was one of Puma’s headline players until Neymar came along.
Antoine Griezmann is one of Puma’s headline playersCredit: Reuters
8. POGBA, £3M
The Manchester United midfielder is well worth his £3m per year fee adidas pay him.
Not only does he appear in almost every TV ad the brand brings to our screens, he’s also on every poster advertising the latest Predator boots.
His 10-year deal worth around £30m doesn’t expire till 2024.
Pogba was another Nike were desperate to add to their roster.
Paul Pogba is a poster boy for Adidas
9. VERRATTI, £2.5M
The PSG midfielder’s contract with Puma expired in 2017, at which point Marco Verratti wore blacked out Puma evoTOUCH boots in training.
Eventually, he signed a massive deal with Nike – lacing up a pair of the Hypervenom Phantom III’s.
It’s not known how long the deal is. However, £2.5m is not to be sneezed at.
Puma pay Marco Verratti £2.5m to wear their boots alongside PSG team-mate NeymarCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
10. SALAH, £2.5M
The Liverpool forward has become one of the most marketable faces in the game, especially in Africa and the Middle East.

He is sponsored by Adidas, alongside lucrative deals with the likes of Pepsi and Vodafone in Egypt.
It sees Mo Salah wear the X18 football boots, and get paid extremely well for it.
That endorsement generates £2.5m per year.
Mo Salah shows off his Adidas boots in training Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd More

FAMILY is everything for Neymar Jr, one of the greatest exponents of the beautiful game.The PSG forward grew up in a poor slum in southern Brazil with mum Nadine Santos, dad Neymar Santos Sr, and younger sister Rafaella.
Neymar’s mum and dad were instrumental in his riseCredit: Reuters
While Neymar has always shared a close bond with his sister RafaellaCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
And despite his epic rise in the game – from making his debut aged 17 at Santos to becoming the most expensive player in the world when he signed for the French champions – he’s never forgotten his roots.
Here’s the story behind Neymar Jr’s family life.
MUM – NADINE GONCALVES
In 2016, Neymar Jr’s mum Nadine split from his dad after 25 years of marriage together.
But that brought the superstar even closer to her, and he’s always keen to share pictures and video of them together on social media, and also has her image tattooed on his arm.
And Nadine isn’t afraid to speak her mind when it comes to her son.
She told Spanish newspaper ABC in 2018 she wasn’t happy with PSG’s treatment of Neymar Jr and said he should move to Real Madrid, where he will be treated “as if he were one of the team.”
Neymar loves his mum so much he has her name tattooed on his wrist and her face inked on his bicep.
Neymar Jr dotes on his mum, NadineCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
Neymar has given his approval to the relationship
Nadine Goncalves at a gala night in Sao Paulo
He has her name tattooed on his wristCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
Neymar revealed a tattoo of his mum’s face on his bicepCredit: instagram
Nadine Santos is very protective of her sonCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
Nadine Santos once told a Spanish newspaper she thought her son should leave PSG for Real MadridCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
SISTER – RAFAELLA BECKRAN
Neymar Jr’s best friend is his little sis, Rafaella.
The Brazil star never misses her birthday celebrations, and seems to always be injured or suspended for his club at the end of January so he can jet off and see her.
Unbelievably, that happened five years in a row!
In 2015, the pair showed their love for one another in tattoos when Neymar Jr got a portrait of his sister’s FACE on his right bicep.
She returned the favour and got a tattoo of his EYES on her right arm.
Rafaella is Neymar’s 25-year-old sisterCredit: Instagram / @rafaella
Neymar Jr and his sister are best friendsCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
Neymar Jr has his sister’s face tattooed on his bicepCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
Rafaella also has tattoos on her body in honour of  her famous siblingCredit: Instagram / @rafaella
And their body art for each other doesn’t stop there.
Neymar Jr and Rafaella have matching crowns on their left arms – his has the word ‘Sorella’, which means sister in Italian, while hers reads ‘Fratello’, meaning brother.
Neymar Jr also has her name tattooed on his wrist.
He once wrote about her: “My heart is yours, my love is yours, my smile is yours, my day, my night, my longing, my best company”.

DAD – NEYMAR SANTOS SR
Although the family were poor, the former Barcelona star was never left wanting for anything.
His dad, a former footballer himself, always made sure his son had a ball to practice on the streets with.
Although he was talented, he never made it out of Mogi Das Cruzes – the industrial suburb where Neymar Jr was raised and played for semi-professional teams.
When Neymar Sr retired, he put all his efforts and focus into ensuring his son bettered his career.
After initially hiring Wagner Ribeiro as his agent and manager, it was Neymar Jr’s dad who soon became the person responsible for shaping the footballer’s career.
Ex-Santos coach Muricy Ramalho revealed how Neymar Sr was the driving force in his son’s life.
“We spoke a lot with his father before he went to Barca and he takes great care of Neymar’s professional and commercial life,” he told Goal.
Neymar Santos Sr has always been there for his son and grandsonCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
Before he became Neymar’s agent, his dad was a semi-pro footballerCredit: Getty – Contributor
Insiders in the game say Neymar Santos Sr was the driving force behind his son’s careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
With Neymar Santos Sr’s help his son became the world’s most expensive footballer when he moved to PSGCredit: Getty – Contributor
Neymar’s dad is a celebrity in his own right in Brazil appearing on a float at Rio CarnivalCredit: Rex Features
“He put everything into place for Neymar to become the best in the world.”
In 2017, Neymar Sr secured the record-breaking £198million move from Camp Nou to Paris.
Neymar is said to worship his father, a celebrity in Brazil in his own right now, and once revealed: “My father has been by my side since I was little. He takes care of things, my finances and my family.”SON –  DAVI LUCCA DA SILVA SANTOS
Neymar became a father aged just 19.
His ex-girlfriend Carolina Nogueira gave birth to Davi in 2011 in a Sao Paulo hospital, when she was just 17.
They had split before Davi was born, however Neymar Jr kept a cordial relationship with the blonde beauty, and they are still on good terms today.
Neymar Jr became a dad at 19 to son DaviCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
Davi’s mum is Neymar Jr’s ex-girlfriend Carolina NogueiraCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
Davi could follow in his dad’s footsteps and become a footballerCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
The Neymar family are close knit and always stick togetherCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr

That’s allowed Neymar Jr and Carolina share custody of their son, who may follow in the footsteps of his father and become a footballer.
When Davi was just six, he was enrolled at FCB Escola, a soccer camp run for young kids Barcelona.
He played alongside Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique, and Lionel Messi’s kids… now how’s that for a youth super team?
Inside Neymar’s amazing £7million mansion with helipad where he is spending coronavirus crisis with his pals on Rio outskirts More

TATS all folks for Sergio Ramos at the Bernabeu.The Spain legend, 35, broke down in tears at a press conference as he announced a farewell to Real Madrid.
Sergio Ramos is famous for amazing array of tattoosCredit: Instagram @sergioramos
Spain legend Ramos boasts over 40 tattoos – but what do some of them mean?Credit: Getty
“I would have liked to have said goodbye at the Bernabeu,” he emotionally revealed.
“You are never really prepared for this day, it’s the most difficult of my career.”
The news has reportedly alerted Manchester United and PSG to Ramos’ availability.
With the next chapter in his career to begin, expect the defender to mark the occasion with a new tattoo.
Over the years, Ramos has collected as many tattoos as he has trophies. Here’s a selection of his most prominent and what they mean.
NUMBERS GAME
Found on the knuckles of Ramos’ left-hand are a set of numbers that are dear to the tough-man’s heart.
Etched on there are 35, +90, 32, 19, all with their own separate meanings.
Etched on Ramos’ knuckles are meaningful numbers that include squad numbers and a goal scored in the 2014 Champions League finalCredit: Getty
The rose with the date on is a nod to son Marco and when he was bornCredit: Getty
The +90 signifies his injury-time goal in the 2014 Champions League final against Atletico Madrid.
The rest are squad numbers he has worn through the years.
And the rose above that features the No4. The date 14.11.2015 is a nod to the birth date of his son, Marco.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNER
Of course, being a four-time Champions League winner, Ramos was always going to mark the occasion.
On his left calf to commemorate winning the trophy Real Madrid – he has a reminder inked on his leg.
Below the card of the king are the following cities where he’s been victorious and they read: LISBON 2014, MILANO 2016, CARDIFF 2017, KIEV 2018.
Incidentally, on the back of his right calf is the World Cup, which he won in 2010.
On his left Ramos has a Champions League trophy inked, while above are the cities where he’s won the trophyCredit: AFP
MUM’S THE WORD
On the outside of his left-hand he has the name ‘Paqui’ scribbled on there.
That’s the name of his mother, and is the ultimate dedication to the woman that raised him.
On the other hand he has ‘Rubio’ – a surname for wife Pilar Rubio and his father’s nickname.
‘Paqui’ is the name of his motherCredit: AFP
On Ramos’ other hand is ‘Rubio’ which is a dedication to his wife Pilar Rubio, pictured here
SCRUFF OF THE NECK
On the back of Ramos’ neck he has a tattoo of a heart being stabbed by a dagger with wings.
Below that is the quote: “A Lion Never Loses Over The Opinion Of The Sheep”.
It’s a reference to his playing style, as well his aggressive edge that has meant Ramos has had his critics over the years.
Ramos’ neck tattoo symbolises his courage on the pitch as well as a note to his criticsCredit: AFP
DREAM CATCHER
In the middle of his back Ramos has a dream catcher with his initials in the middle of it and a crown over them.
And there’s a quote with it too. “Only Those Who Went Hungry With Me And Stood By Me Will Eat At My Table,” it reads.
A dream catcher is used as a talisman to protect you from bad dreams or luck.
The dream catcher in the middle of Ramos’ back is his lucky charm – next to that it reads ‘Only Those Who Went Hungry With Me And Stood By Me Will Eat At My Table’Credit: Getty – Contributor
TRUE RELIGION
Ramos boasts several crucifix tattoos on his torso.
All are symbolic of his religious faith – he is a devout Catholic and that shows with his tattoo choices.
“I consider myself to be a believer, and I come from a Christian family, one that always had that belief,” he once said.
“And at the end of the day, it’s about where you’re brought up and the way you take on all that’s around you, so I consider myself religious.”
Religion is a common theme with many of Ramos’ tats
Devout Catholic Ramos has several crucifixes on his bodyCredit: AFP
Faith is very important to RamosCredit: AFP
HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF
Many people would say their favourite animal is a dog, cat or even a bird.
Not Sergio Ramos, though. His is the wolf – because of its fierce nature and courage.
Behind his left ear is a Chinese symbol – and it translates as ‘Wolf’.
The Chinese symbol next to Ramos’ ear translates to ‘Wolf’Credit: Getty
‘I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU’
Incredibly, Sergio is a fan of the Lord of the Rings films/books.
On the inner side of his left forearm he has ‘JM VII P’ tattooed. The VII which is number seven is what Ramos considers his lucky number. JM stands for Jose Marie while P is Paqui for his parents.
There’s also a white dove thrown on there with the meaning of peace.
But quite brilliantly, written in Elvish like in the Lord of the Rings, he has etched ‘I Will Never Forget You’.
On the inner side of Ramos’ left forearm he has ‘JM VII P’ tattooed which symbolises his parents initials and his lucky number sevenCredit: Getty
FAMILIAR FACE
On his left forearm are tattoos of a woman and a young girl.
Beside the face, is a line inked vertically which reads, ‘Amor a mi Familia’ – that translates to ‘Love to my family’.
The faces are of his mother, Paqui and sister, Miriam.
The faces of his mother Paqui and sister Miriam appear on his left forearmCredit: AFP
SIBLING LOVE
Ramos’ left bicep features the quote ‘In  The Memory Of The Ones Alive’ with the number three and XI inked next to the words.
It’s another tattoo that symbolises family for the World Cup winner.
His sister’s birthday is on the 3rd and his brother’s is the 11th… hopefully he remembers the months.
Ramos’ left bicep features the quote ‘In  The Memory Of The Ones Alive’ with the number three and XI inked next to the words to represent his sister’s and brother’s birthdayCredit: Getty
BACK AT YOU
It’s Ramos’ back that certainly has the biggest collection of inkings.
On the left of his lower back there’s a tattoo of a heart with a flame over it being pierced by 8 daggers, which refers to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The right side contains a tattoo of Jesus Christ praying while holding rosemary beads with a crucifix and stars as pendants.
Both of those represent his religious views.
‘MIRIAN 4 RENE’ is his sister, his number and his brother’s name.
Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos are Real Madrid’s top earners
Miriam 4 Rene stands for Ramos’ sister, his squad number and his brotherCredit: Getty More

THE accolades just keep coming for Cristiano Ronaldo.The Portuguese legend netted twice against Hungary in his country’s Euro 2020 opener to bring his international goal tally to a staggering 106 goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his second goal in Portugal’s 3-0 win over HungaryCredit: Getty – Pool

Now, CR7 is just three goals shy of Iranian striker Ali Daei’s all-time international goalscoring record.
However, his brilliant brace wasn’t the only amazing thing about last night’s performance – in a game in which he broke SIX records.

First to play at five different Euros
It’s incredible to think that Ronaldo’s Euros journey started in 2004 in his homeland.
That time it ended in tears for him, as the hosts lost to Greece 1-0 in a tense final.
Some 17-years later, Ronaldo is leading his country’s charge again – as reigning champions.
His appearance against Hungary meant he has played in five different Euros – which no player has ever done.
Ronaldo appeared in his first ever Euros all the way back in 2004Credit: Getty
Oldest player to score for Portugal at a major tournament
When Ronaldo netted from the spot against Hungary, he became the oldest player to score a goal for Portugal at a major tournament aged 36 years, 130 days.
The record was previously set by Pepe at World Cup 2018 (35 years, 124 days).
It’s a record he can keep continually breaking at this Euros if he continues his scoring streak.
With his penalty against Hungary, Ronaldo became the oldest player to score for Portugal in a major tournamentCredit: Reuters
First player to score at five Euro tournaments
Astonishingly, Ronaldo has scored at every single European Championships he’s ever played in.
He scored in his first ever match in the competition in a group stage match against the Greece in a shock 2-1 loss in 2004.
In 2021, his strike from 12-yards meant he has managed to score in five different Euros.
Ronaldo has scored at every single Euros he has played in – all fiveCredit: Reuters
Oldest player at Euros to net a double
When he cooly rounded Peter Gulacsi to net his second goal of the game against the Hungarians, yet another record was broken.
Cristiano became the oldest player to score at least two goals in a European Championship match.
He shattered a record originally set by Ukrainian legend Andriy Shevchenko when he was 35 years, 256 days at Euro 2012.
Ronaldo’s double meant he became the oldest player in Euros history to score twice in a gameCredit: Getty
Euros all-time leading scorer
While his two goals meant he’s closing in on Daei’s all-time goalscoring record, Ronaldo did make Euros history on Tuesday evening.
Going into the Hungary match, he was tied with French legend Michel Platini on nine goals as Euros all-time top scorer.
However, his brace means he now leads that stat alone and has 11 goals in total.
Two goals against Hungary put Ronaldo on 11 European Championship goals – beating Michel Platini’s recordCredit: Getty
Most victories by a player at the Euros
In aiding Portugal’s 3-0 victory over Hungary, Ronaldo achieved his own personal best.

He achieved the most victories by a player in the Euros – recording 12 victories.
The previous record was held by Spanish midfield maestros Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta with 11 a piece.
With Ali Daei’s international goalscoring record firmly in his sights, you wouldn’t put it past Cristiano from shattering in the weeks ahead.
Ronaldo has achieved more victories than any other player in Euros history with 11Credit: Reuters More