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      in Soccer

      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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      in Soccer

      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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      in Soccer

      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

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      in Soccer

      Footballers’ most expensive cars, from Ronaldo’s Bugatti to Aubameyang’s Ferrari and Benzema’s famous rides

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      FOOTBALLERS love to splash their cash on their motors.The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are all petrol heads of the highest order.
      Cristiano Ronaldo shows off a £2.5m Bugatti Chiron
      And they love sharing images of their fancy cars on social media for all the world to see their prized possessions.
      From Ferraris to Lamborghinis to Bugattis, there isn’t a fast car that these high-earners haven’t sat in the driving seat of.
      Join SunSport and let us guide you through the most expensive cars owned by footballers.
      Sergio Aguero, Lamborghini Aventador – £262k
      Sergio Aguero had his car customised by Yianni CharalambousCredit: Instagram @yiannimize

      The ex-Man City star, who has just signed for Barcelona, will want to take this one with him to Spain.
      He drives a customised Aventador wrapped in black matte by car customiser Yianni Charalambous.
      We’re sure it’ll fit nicely into the Barcelona’s training ground car park.
      Francesco Totti, Ferrari 599 GTO – £342k
      A Ferrari 599 GTO would set you back £342kCredit: Handout
      Roma legend Totti loved buying Ferraris when he was playing.
      He owned a fleet, including a Ferrari 456 which the forward sold in 2013.
      But his favourite Ferrari, which we imagine will never find its way to auction, is his 599 GTO that he paid £342k for and is probably worth more now.David Beckham, Rolls Royce Phantom – £350k
      David Beckham drives his Rolls Royce Phantom around Beverly HillsCredit: Pacific Coast News
      Becks also has an incredible garage of luxury cars, and even has a penchant for fast bikes.
      But when the former Manchester United legend is looking for a ride, he’s eyeing up luxury.
      That’s why he has a Rolls Royce Phantom, souped up to the nines, that set him back £350k.El Hadji-Diouf, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren – £420k
      El Hadji-Diouf poses with his Mercedes-Benz SLR McLarenCredit: Bernard Ashton – The Sun
      He was known for his pace and tricky dribbling down the wing for Liverpool and Bolton, so it’s no wonder he had a fast sports car.
      Hadji-Diouf bought his SLR McLaren back in 2009 and immediately got it wrapped in silver chrome, like you do.
      However, he reportedly had the supercar repossessed after he failed to keep up with the payments.Samuel Eto’o, Maybach 57 Xenatec Coupe – £600k
      Samuel Eto’o sits on his rare £600k Maybach
      The former Barcelona forward can spot a rare find when he needs to.
      The Cameroonian legend splashed £600k on this comfy limousine back in 2007, when it was thought only 200 Xenatec Maybach 57 cars were being made.
      But when the company went into liquidation, only 8 were ever completed.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Porsche 918 Spyder – around £650k
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic paid £650k for a PorscheCredit: PA:Press Association
      The Porsche 918 Spyder sold out in 2015
      Of course, Ibrahimovic has one of the best motors in the world.
      The Porsche 918 Spyder was sold in 2014, selling out completely a year later to car enthusiasts all over the world.
      It was the second plug-in hybrid car Porsche ever produced.
      Samuel Eto’o, Aston Martin One-77 – £1.25m
      Samuel Eto’o is the proud owner of a Aston Martin One-77
      Only 76 Aston Martin One-77 cars exist in the worldCredit: Handout
      The second car on the list owned by Eto’o who retired in 2019.
      It’s another luxurious motor, this time a two-door, two seater flagship sports car that Aston Martin showed first in 2008.
      Production was limited to just 77 cars, and one of those cars was reportedly written off in 2012 leaving just 76 in the world.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Bugatti Veyron – £1.7m
      Karim Benzema lives for Bugattis
      He owns a 1.7m Bugatti Veyron
      They were once teammates, so they must’ve swapped car tips at the Real Madrid training ground.
      Ronaldo and Benzema are fans of French car manufacturer’s Bugatti, more on that later.
      They both own the fantastic Veyron, which can reach a top speed of 254 mph.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, LaFerrari – £2m
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shows off his brilliant LaFerrari
      Cristiano Ronaldo is also a proud owner of the electric car that’s capable of reaching 217 mphCredit: Getty – Contributor
      After scoring a brace against Fulham back in 2018, Arsenal star Aubameyang showed off his new car – Ferrari’s incredible LaFerrari.
      It’s the definitive Ferrari, as the name suggests, and it’s worth an incredible £2m. Of course, Ronaldo has one too.
      Running off an electric motor, it’s capable of reaching an incredible 217 mph.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Bugatti Chiron – £2.5m
      With a wealth reported to be a whopping £350m, it’s no surprise Ronaldo owns the most expensive car on this list.
      But he shares top spot alongside Benzema, who’s showed his passion for the Bugatti label once again. The Chiron is the fastest, most powerful, and exclusive production super sports car EVER.
      According to the manufacturer, it can reach 0-60 mph in just 2.4 seconds and has a top speed of 261 mph.
      No wonder whenever Benzema and Ronaldo get the opportunity, they’re showing off their Chirons on social media.
      Karim Benzema shows off his £2.5m supercar
      Cristiano Ronaldo’s Chiron sits parked in Madrid
      Karim Benzema’s car collection is to die for
      Cristiano Ronaldo, Bugatti Centodieci – £8.5m
      Last year, it was reported that Ronaldo upped his Bugatti game with a very limited edition Centodieci worth a staggering £8.5million, according to German publication Bild.
      This new model is believed to be a tribute to the legendary Bugatti EB110 – Centodieci is Italian for 110.

      The Centodieci boasts an 8 litre W16 engine, with special models having 1600hp – some 100hp more than the Chiron and, overall, three times the price of that model.
      It can do 0-62mph in just 2.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 236mph.
      Bild contacted Bugatti directly and they did not deny that Ronaldo was a buyer, while offering no official comment on the rumour.
      Georgina Rodriguez shares video of Cristiano Ronaldo training on controversial rooftop of luxury £6m Lisbon apartment More

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      in Soccer

      Managers who returned to ex-clubs from disasters like Keegan and Dalglish to second comings from Mourinho and Capello

      by

      ARE they gambling with their legacies?Italian bosses Carlo Ancelotti and Massimiliano Allegri have returned to the clubs where they scored lots of succes.
      Carlo Ancelotti has returned to Real Madrid, where he won the Champions LeagueCredit: EPA
      Ancelotti has ditched Everton for Real Madrid, where he won the Champions league in 2014, while Allegri will be leading Juventus again with fans dreaming he will bring the Serie A title back to Turin.
      Of course, they’re not the first managers to go back for seconds – and some of those have had mixed success.
      SunSport reveals the best and worst manager returns to former clubs.
      THE BEST
      Jupp Heynckes, Bayern Munich
      The German boss has enjoyed FOUR spells with Bayern Munich.
      From 1987-91, Heynckes won the Bundesliga twice – but was fired after failure in Europe – if you can call reaching back-to-back semi-finals in the European Cup a failure.
      He returned in a caretaker role in 2009, taking over from the departing Jurgen Klinsmann with the club threatened with missing out on Champions League qualification.
      A run of four wins and one draw in his five games saw Bayern finish second.
      Jupp Heynckes celebrates winning the Bundesliga in 1990Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Heynckes enjoyed four spells with Bayern Munich winning the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal CupCredit: AFP or licensors
      Heynckes’ third spell with the Bavarians was his best – delivering the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal Cup and the Champions League in the 2012-13 season.
      Then, for the 2017-18 season he came back yet again to win the Bundesliga after the club fired Ancelotti.
      Jose Mourinho, Chelsea
      ‘The Special One’ was a hero in West London after winning back-to-back Premier League titles in his first spell from 2004-07.
      However, things turned sour during the 2006-07 season between owner Roman Abramovich and Mourinho and the Portuguese boss was fired following a Champions League defeat to Rosenborg.
      Jose returned in 2013 and the following season brought another championship to Stamford Bridge.
      Again, though, it would all unravel in 2015 when Mourinho found himself out of work for Christmas.
      In 2005, Jose Mourinho delivered Chelsea’s first title win in 50 yearsCredit: Reuters
      Mourinho won the Premier League title in his second spell as Chelsea boss 10 years laterCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Fabio Capello, Real Madrid
      Like his fellow countryman Ancelotti, Capello had two spells at Real Madrid too.
      In his first spell that lasted just one season from 1996-97 he landed the LaLiga title, before an epic fallout with chairman Lorenzo Sanz over Spain legend Raul and what position he should play.
      The Italian returned for the 2006-07 season with Los Blancos enduring their longest spell without a trophy in their history.
      And he galvanised the Galacticos, albeit in pragmatic style, to win LaLiga on the final day of the season ahead of Barcelona with a dramatic win over Mallorca.
      Fabio Capello landed the LaLiga title in 1997Credit: Getty – Contributor
      In the 2006-07 season Capello galvanised the ‘Galacticos’ to win the league again after enduring the worst trophyless run in their historyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Harry Redknapp, Portsmouth
      In 2003, Harry took Pompey to the Premier League.
      Somehow, he managed to keep them in the top flight the following season, before a disagreement with owner Milan Mandaric led to his departure.
      He then did the unthinkable – managing Portsmouth’s fierce rivals Southampton, so it was incredible to think he was welcomed back for a second term.
      In 2005, he returned to Fratton Park, and in his second stint won the FA Cup in 2008.
      Harry Redknapp returned to Portsmouth in 2005 and won the FA Cup in 2008Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      THE WORST
      Kevin Keegan, Newcastle
      Toon hero Keegan did an exceptional job as Newcastle boss from 1992-97.
      First, he got them promoted to the Premier League in 1993 after completing reshaping the club, including paying for the clean up of the training ground with his own money to encourage a more professional outlook.
      Then, he built one of the most entertaining teams in Premier League history, just falling short of winning the championship in the 1995-96 season – famous for Keegan’s “I’d love it if we beat them” rant aimed at Manchester United.
      He walked away from the job in 1997, only to return in 2008. However, he lasted just eight months after disagreements with the board over new signings.
      Kevi Keegan’s second spell at Newcastle ended after just eight months after disagreements with the boardCredit: Reuters
      Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool
      Liverpool’s favourite son, Dalglish made becoming a player-manager trendy when he took over the reigns at Anfield in 1985.
      The Scot delivered a league and cup double in his first season, and then First Division titles in 1988 and 1990.
      He walked away from the job in 1991, only to return 20 years later as interim manager.
      His second spell started off well, earning Dalglish the job on a full-time basis, but – despite League Cup success, an eighth place finish in the Premier League saw him sacked in 2012.
      Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish’s second spell with the Reds wasn’t as successful as his firstCredit: AFP
      Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid
      For Frenchman Zidane, it really was a case of setting such a high standard he was destined to fail second time around.
      The World Cup winner was first appointed by Real Madrid in 2016, and in his first season he won the Champions League.
      Then came a period of European dominance – two more consecutive Champions League trophies, LaLiga, two Super Cups and two World Club Cups were won between 2016-18, until Zidane decided to resign.
      A year later he returned, and although he won the LaLiga again – coming short in Europe and then LaLiga in his second season (losing out to crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid) saw him resign again – this time after a trophyless season.
      Zinedine Zidane resigned from the Real Madrid job for a second time after ending the season without winning a trophyCredit: PA

      Claudio Ranieri, Valencia
      In 1997, ex-Leicester boss Ranieri took over at un-fancied Valencia and turned them into a European force.
      He guided the club to a fourth-placed finish in 1999 and Champions League qualification, as well as won the Intertoto Cup in 1998 and the Copa del Rey in 1999.
      He left as a hero in 1999, and was credited with putting the club back on track during his time there.
      But, his return was ill-timed in 2004. He was sacked six months into a three-year contract after eliminations in the Champions League and then UEFA Cup, and with Valencia in a disappointing sixth in LaLiga.
      Claudio Ranieri went from hero to zero at Valencia in six months after he returned to the clubCredit: EPA
      Juventus confirm Massimiliano Allegri return as boss to the club More

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      in Soccer

      Sonny Pike trained at Ajax, was called the ‘next George Best’ but suffered a mental breakdown after pressures of fame

      by

      HE was touted as the biggest prospect of his generation, with sponsors throwing cash at him, various TV appearances under his belt and a trial at Ajax in the 1990s.But for football prodigy Sonny Pike trouble was brewing as his star began to overshadow his dream of becoming the next Paul Gascoigne.
      Sonny Pike had the world at his feet as the Coca-Cola and McDonalds kidCredit: Action Images via Reuters
      AJAX wonderkid Sonny Pike wows fans of footie TV show Fantasy Football League
      Suffocated by the pressures of making it professionally, his parents’ divorce, a financial disagreement with his dad and a brush with fame, he broke down.
      In his book, My Story: The Greatest Footballer That Never Was (released last week) he reveals all the struggles that led to his sad demise.
      Now 37-years-old, Sonny spoke with SunSport about his mental anguish – revealing he didn’t know who to turn to when he was at his lowest ebb.
      The North Londoner, who had his legs insured for £1m, spoke about parents hurling abuse on the touchlines, telling opposition players to injure him during youth games.
      He recalled the moment he suffered a mental breakdown during a trial game at Crystal Palace, walking off the pitch in front of bemused coaches.
      Sonny Pike poses with Ian Wright after winning ‘The Sun Schools Champion’ for football in 1995Credit: Photshot
      Sonny, who now drives a black cab, also issued a warning for young kids hoping to make it at the top level.
      He believes his story should be used as an example of the pitfalls of what can go wrong and is urging professional clubs to do more to protect their talent.
      In fact, when Sonny isn’t taking fares he’s visiting schools to give talks to wannabe professional footballers.

      Looking back at his life, the prodigious starlet remembered the moment he first became interested in the beautiful game.
      “I began playing football when I was 5-years-old. What made me fall in love with the game was watching Paul Gascoigne in the 1990 World Cup,” Sonny told SunSport.
      “I wanted to be Gazza, I even wanted to outdo him and win the World Cup for England.
      “At that point in time it was all I wanted to do. I loved playing and dreamt of being a professional.
      “I played for various youth teams, including Enfield F.C., and I played for the Red Team, which was the best players from the Echo Junior Football League.
      Sonny Pike is now a black cab driverCredit: LAPS
      “I went on to East Anglia when I was about 12, and that’s when teams started to become interested in me.
      “Norwich, Ipswich, Manchester United, Tottenham, Blackburn… it was a only handful of clubs that didn’t ask about me.”
      The long-haired number 10 was aware he had a special talent at a young age, but was trying to stay grounded.
      “I knew I had a knack for scoring goals. I was scoring more goals than anyone else,” he said.
      “I thought I must be quite good when I use to play in the park, the lads who were 18-years-old would pick me in their team first, and I was only small.
      “When I was 10-years-old, I appeared on London Tonight,” he continued.
      Sonny Pike appeared on various 90s TV shows including Fantasy FootballCredit: YouTube
      Sonny Pike became a TV star because of his footballing prowessCredit: YouTube
      “I filmed a segment for them, and I thought I must be quite good because I’m on the news.”
      Sonny’s footballing talent began to take centre stage and he was soon being interviewed on 90s shows like Fantasy Football League and The Big Breakfast.
      He had the world clamouring at his gifted feet and he was labelled the next George Best and Diego Maradona by the media.
      He also inked huge sponsorship deals with McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Mizuno and was a child model for Paul Smith.
      “I was happy to be compared to George Best and Diego Maradona, but with fame comes pressure,” Sonny divulged.
      “I was the Coca-Cola kid, I did McDonald’s adverts… At the 1996 Coca-Cola Cup Final between Leeds and Villa I was introduced to the crowd before the teams came out.
      “I ran out to the centre spot and did some kick-ups to entertain all the fans.
      “I was sponsored by Mizuno, who made me a pair of boots that had a gold tongue.
      “Only me and Dwight Yorke had the boots in the country at that time.
      “I became a model for Paul Smith, and before that I had a lot of local companies who wanted me to promote their products.
      Sonny Pike was given tags like ‘the next Ryan Giggs’ in the mediaCredit: Twitter
      “There was even a four-page spread in Hello magazine… I remember flicking through that, then seeing a spread about the royal family on the next page.”
      At the age of 12, Sonny was invited to Amsterdam for trials at the prestigious Ajax academy.
      The Dutch club were producing the best players in the world, so it seemed like a natural fit for the wonderkid.
      “I remember walking towards the main ground and the training pitch was right and behind that was the academy,” he recalled.
      “I was welcomed by Ajax legend Ton Pronk, it was surreal, and as we walked towards the academy the first team was training.
      “I saw Jari Litmanen, the De Boers, Kanu, Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Rijkaard… it was like all my Christmases had come at once.”
      Sonny Pike loved seeing Dennis Bergkamp train at Ajax when he was on trial in 1995Credit: Action Images via Reuters
      A media furore followed Sonny to De Meer Stadion as he set about dazzling the Dutch coaches with his technique and skill.
      “I played two games with them, including one that was televised. There were two Dutch camera teams, Blue Peter and Football Mundial were there too.
      “The last game I played in was a 1-1 draw, and I scored from outside the box. But it was a really strange experience.
      “In the changing room only one boy could talk English, so it was really difficult to mingle.
      “I wasn’t too worried about the cameras being there at that age, because from the ages of 10-12-years-old I had got used to that then.
      “It was only towards from about 14-years-old onwards that it got too much for me and I struggled to concentrate on my football.”
      Sonny confirmed that despite flirting with the idea of playing for Ajax, it was in the Premier League where he really saw his future blossoming.
      Sonny Pike shows off his ball juggling his skills during the 1996 Coca-Cola Cup FinalCredit: Sonny Pike
      He said: “I came home, I never got offered a contract, but they did say I could come back quarterly and they’d keep their eye on me.
      “It might have progressed from there, but I wanted to play football at home, even though my style was more suited to a more technical game playing abroad.
      “I really wanted to turn out for Liverpool, that was my plan so I stayed in England to try and make it here.”
      Although playing in England was tough for a kid who had a life well-documented off the pitch.
      When it was reported that his legs were insured for £1m, he copped wicked abuse from jealous parents.
      “I would get loads of that from the dads on the touchline,” Sonny claimed. “Because I had long hair they use to say, ‘he’s only a girl, break his legs.’
      “Not just that, off the pitch and at school I got different treatment that didn’t help me either.
      “Once I remember a guy came up to me on the street to tell me he put a bet on me to play for England. It was scary.”
      Although he’s reluctant to blame his father for his downfall, one telling moment did have a hand in stalling Sonny’s promising career.
      Today Sonny Pike is a black cab driver and has his own familyCredit: Sonny Pike
      Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne reveals Liverpool are his favourite team in first interview as a child
      While he was signed to Leyton Orient, dad Mickey pushed his boy to appear in a documentary called ‘Coaching and Poaching’ presented by Greg Dyke.
      He didn’t know he was doing anything wrong, but the Enfield-born lad was stung turning out for Chelsea and was banned from football for a year by the FA who declared he had broken the rules.
      His relationship with his father became further strained when he began to believe Mickey was making money off his name. His parents also divorced and he was left without a club.
      “When it got to the end of it, it started to become clear what was going on. And it started to cause a divide in my family,” he told SunSport.
      Sonny Pike hopes his story can become a lesson for younger playersCredit: LAPS
      “Parents can get carried away with the money side of things in football.
      “Bright lights can attract an adult, let alone what it can do to a kid. It is an easy trap to fall in to.
      “I haven’t spoken to my father for 20 years coming up this year. I don’t know an exact figure, but I missed out on hundreds of thousands. Today, it would’ve been millions.”
      With no one to turn to, Sonny began to feel the strain. Mentally he was shot to pieces and he struggled to voice his problems.
      “I did start to feel pressure. My dad was the one who use to help me, but when I stopped talking to him it became really hard,” he said.
      Sonny Pike admits the pressures of fame took its toll on his mental healthCredit: LAPS
      “The mental health effect was the biggest issue. I struggled with that and I didn’t even know what was wrong with me.
      “We’re starting to have those conversations now, but back then you couldn’t talk about it.
      “I remember looking up at the coaches, and not physically saying it, but pleading with them to help me out.
      “I was in a bad way, I didn’t know what to do and everything around me was happening so quickly.
      “A lot had gone on. I was in a state of confusion and I was just suffering because I had no one to talk to.
      “I didn’t know how to get round it, especially being famous, because no one could understand what I was going through.”
      Sonny Pike was an advertiser’s dream in the mid 90sCredit: Sonny Pike
      Sonny was in danger of falling onto the football scrapheap, but after his ban was up he was given a chance at Crystal Palace aged 15.
      But he admitted, by then his love for football had waned and his mind wasn’t right.
      “I played for Crystal Palace in a game against Tottenham,” he said. “I thought it could’ve been my last chance.
      “I pretty-much had a mental breakdown on the pitch. I came on for 15 minutes, I was given the opportunity and I just walked off.
      “The ball would come to me, and I always prided myself on my first touch, but it was bouncing off my foot, I couldn’t control it.
      Sonny Pike appears on TV show Fantasy Football League in 1996Credit: YouTube
      “The pressure of me going on, it was just too much. I looked at the coach and just walked off.
      “I broke down and I knew it was all over from then.”
      Sonny spent two years at non-league Stevenage till he was 18-years-old on a YTS scheme.
      But for him, he was just going through the motions and his heart wasn’t in it anymore.
      Sonny wants his cautionary tale to be a lesson for aspiring footballers the world over.
      However, he feels professional clubs need to do a lot more to protect the mental health of players that suffer hiccups along the way in striving for their dream.
      “The chance of becoming a professional is around 0.12 percent, so all these kids might have the great support, but some won’t,” he said.
      Sonny Pike was a natural in front of the cameras because of his TV interviewsCredit: YouTube
      “And in the clubs they have to have someone who deals with that aspect of things.
      “I know a lot of dads who have their kids at a lot of professional clubs and they come to me and ask for advice.
      “I think I’m the first person of my age that’s able to come out and tell a story like this, because of the Premier League and how now fame and money are all part of it.
      “If anything, my story is going to be more common. So I feel the clubs need to put more money into that side of things.
      “For example, I read that Manchester City spent £2m on finding players in London.
      “So they’re spending millions and millions on bringing players in and selling the dream.
      “But when it comes to helping them on their way out, I’m not too sure if they’re spending too much money. I think that needs to be highlighted.
      “My advice, and this is to any kid, is to take his dream and do the best he can. But you’ve got to understand the position you’re in at the time.
      “I think that’s a big thing with the parents, making sure they have a stable environment.
      “They’ve got to sort of understand that it can go wrong.”
      Sonny Pike believes it’s up to parents of promising youngsters to make sure they’re stableCredit: Action Images via Reuters
      Sonny admitted that his crisis of confidence did make him feel suicidal and he points out, “The most common way for a male 35 or under to die is through taking their own life.
      “It’s more prevalent than cancer.”
      After he hung up his boots, Sonny was approached by Sky One to appear in their football TV hit, ‘Dream Team’.
      “When I stopped playing, I ended up going to drama school. They asked me to go on Dream Team on Sky,” he laughed.
      “They wanted to bring me in as ‘Sonny Pike’, they asked me to go to drama school and I went for a couple of weeks.
      “By that age my mates were going to the pub, so I kind of knocked the acting thing on the head.”
      Today, Sonny drives a London taxi around central London and admits he enjoys being able to work to the sound of his own drum.
      Sonny Pike could have been a member of the Dream Team on Sky One

      It also allows him to shares his traumatic life story at schools, warning youngsters of the dangers pressure can cause.
      “It took me three years to do the knowledge, and the best thing about it is I can do my own thing,” he said.
      “I love London, I enjoy cabbing and it gives me a lot of freedom. I can still work on going into schools and football clubs to give talks about my experience.
      “I’m definitely not as mad about football as I use to be.But the more I’ve started to talk about my life, it’s like I’ve got what I’ve needed to get off my chest.
      “I’m starting to watch games now, but compared to what I was like when I was a kid it’s black and white.” More

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      in Soccer

      Seven England players who missed out on European Championship selection, from Ian Wright to Frank Lampard

      by

      WHEN Gareth Southgate names his squad, there will be some players who will feel unfortunate to have missed out on the Euros.But, with competition for places, it’s not a given right you’ll make the final 26-man squad.
      Gareth Southgate has some hard decisions to make in picking a squad for the Euros and risks upsetting some playersCredit: PA
      And injury can always disrupt your plans to serve your country in the summer too.
      Here’s seven stars who missed out representing the Three Lions in the European Championships.
      IAN WRIGHT
      Wrighty can count himself unlucky to have been disregarded for Euros in 1992 and 1996.
      In ’92, the former Arsenal hit-man was at the peak of his powers – and finished the season winning the First Division Golden Boot.
      However, Graham Taylor went with team-mate Alan Smith – who managed just 12 goals that season – and Nottingham Forest’s Nigel Clough.
      Wright did earn 33 caps for his country, but criminally never in a major tournament.
      Ian Wright could count himself unlucky to miss out on selection for Euro ’92 after winning the First Division Golden BootCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      FRANK LAMPARD
      Fresh after delivering his greatest high as a professional by winning the Champions League at Chelsea, Lampard suffered footballing heartbreak ahead of Euro 2012.
      His exertions for club meant country had to suffer, and he was struck down with a thigh injury.
      Liverpool star Jordan Henderson was brought into the squad for the then-33-year-old, in what was a big blow for the squad.
      Frank Lampard suffered heartbreak when he broke down with a thigh injury ahead of Euro 2012Credit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
      RIO FERDINAND
      Again in 2012, Rio was (perhaps) at the peak of his powers at 33.
      But Ferdinand was left “gutted” to have been left out of England’s Euro 2012 squad.
      Manager Roy Hodgson explained the decision was made for footballing reasons, but Ferdinand’s omission did avoid any potential conflict with the selected John Terry, who months later faced allegations in court that he racially abused Rio’s brother, Anton.
      Rio Ferdinand was ‘gutted’ to have been left out of the Euro 2012 squadCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      MATT LE TISSIER
      Arguably, the most naturally talented player to have come from our shores – Les Tissier was never given a chance by England in major tournaments.
      Forever Southampton’s talisman, the Guernsey-born forward would only make eight appearances for the Three Lions.
      There were clamours for his inclusion at Euro ’92 and Euro ’96, but competition was fierce.
      Many will consider a man who managed 209 goals for Southampton but was never included in a squad slightly unfortunate.
      Matt Le Tissier earned just eight caps for England, none in a major tournamentCredit: Allsport

      GARY PALLISTER
      The 6ft4in centre half was one of the first names on Sir Alex Ferguson’s team-sheet.
      But for England, when it came to European Championships in 1988 and 1992, he just wasn’t fancied by Bobby Robson or Graham Taylor.
      It was, perhaps, more surprising in 1992 he wasn’t selected given he was awarded the PFA Player of the Year that season.
      Cruelly he might’ve started alongside Tony Adams in Euro ’96 had it not been for a chronic back problem.
      How England’s path to Euros glory could look
      Gary Pallister missed out on three European Championships, including 1988, 1992 and 1996Credit: Empics
      LAURIE CUNNINGHAM
      Good enough for Real Madrid, but not for England.
      The brilliant winger, whose life was tragically cut short aged just 33 after a car crash, joined Los Blancos after starring at West Brom for £950,000 in 1979.
      A year later, he should’ve been dancing down the touchline for Ron Greenwood’s side.
      However, Greenwood just didn’t fancy him and he was left at home.
      Laurie Cunningham was a star for Real Madrid, but couldn’t break into Ron Greenwood’s England for the 1980 EurosCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      ANDY COLE
      It was an era when England were blessed with great forwards.
      And despite Cole’s impressive goalscoring records at both Newcastle United and Manchester United, he never really got a look in at international level.

      Teddy Sheringham, Les Ferdinand and Robbie Fowler all got the nod instead for Euro ’96, along with Alan Shearer of course.
      In the run-up to Euro 2000 Cole enjoyed his most prolific season for the Red Devils in the Premier League with 19 goals in 28 games.
      However, a persistent toe injury robbed him of his chance.
      Andy Cole had fierce competition in leading the line for EnglandCredit: Action Images
      Paul Gascoigne football kit from Euro 96 and two of his Adidas Predator football boots up for auction More