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      in Soccer

      The amazing homes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Beckham, but which footballer has the most expensive property?

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      THE life of an A-list footballer is one that’s filled with luxury.The likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have earned fortunes from the game – splashing the cash on some stunning homes.
      David Beckham has a plush pad with wife Victoria Beckham in central LondonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But which footballer has the most expensive house and how much is it worth?
      Join SunSport for the definitive countdown as we give you the most expensive footballers’ homes.
      7. John Terry, £5m
      In 2014, JT  sold his pad in Surrey to Omani royals for an incredible £16m – making a tidy £10million profit.
      But what John bought next was equally as impressive, and literally next door to where he previously resided.
      He splashed £4.35m on Colin Montgomerie’s former home after initially renting it.
      The property has seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, four receptions rooms and a two-bedroom staff annex.
      He has since added an astro-turf pitch, which has boosted the property’s value to £5million.
      All in all, JT boasts a property empire worth around £47million – with his latest venture in knocking down Tandem House in the area and turning it into two homes.
      John Terry sold his previous home for £16mCredit: Reuters
      JT’s new pad, with his former mansion with red brick walls on the right of it in this picture
      6. Nicky Butt, £5.5m
      The former Manchester United star is quids in with the sale of this property.
      Butt did live in a stunning luxury pad complete with an indoor swimming pool and a cinema room in an exclusive area of Greater Manchester.
      However, he just recently sold the six bedroom house for a whopping £5.5million.

      And the buyer is in for a treat with a luxury pad complete with an indoor swimming pool and a cinema room.

      Nicky Butt has sold his £5.5m mansion after two years on he market

      The home boasts an amazing cinema room
      The swimming pool completes the luxurious picture
      5. Lionel Messi, £6m
      Boasting sea views and being in a no-fly zone, Messi’s abode – valued at £5.5milion – in Barcelona offers a tranquil experience.
      Located in the exclusive suburb of Castelldefels, it’s the perfect spot for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to reside.
      Just 12 miles away from the Camp Nou, Messi’s home has a small football pitch, a swimming pool, an indoor gym and a playground for his three children.

      Close friend Luiz Suarez used to live nearby while Philippe Coutinho still does, should a team debriefing be needed.

      The Messis live in a stunning mansion in the exclusive suburb of CastelldefelsCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88

      The home boasts a stunning and spacious loungeCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88

      Messi has a room dedicated to a collection of shirts in his home

      Messi often plays football in his garden with his Dogue de Bordeaux called HulkCredit: Instagram @leomessi
      4. Cristiano Ronaldo, £8m
      In 2018, Ronaldo moved to Juventus.
      And he needed a house that was fit for the new king of Turin.

      His current digs feature two adjoining villas found on a private road guarded by security, which leads to an entrance gate.

      The villas themselves have separate entrances, and are surrounded by lush gardens and vegetation.

      Ronaldo is believed to have fallen in love with the home because of its similarities with his Madrid property.

      There’s a state-of-the-art gym that he and former shop assistant Georgina love to use together. And there’s also a swimming pool, which Ronaldo cools down in by doing a few laps following a strenuous session lifting weights.

      The property is so high up, ‘it’s as if Turin were at the feet of CR7, a tribute of the city to the long-awaited and newly-arrived champion,’ La Gazzetta dello Sport reported at the time of purchase.

      Ronaldo’s home in Turin features two adjoining villasCredit: Instagram

      Ronaldo relaxes on one of the many terracesCredit: AFP or licensors

      The property boasts amazing views of the city of TurinCredit: Instagram

      Ronaldo has found a place to sunbathe in his current Italian homeCredit: Instagram / @cristiano

      The property boasts plenty of space for the whole Ronaldo familyCredit: Instagram

      Ronaldo relaxes in one of the many lounge areas of the homeCredit: Refer to Caption
      3. Kaka, £9m
      The Brazilian great may be retired, but if he’s looking to put his feet up at his luxury pad in Madrid then he may have a fight on his hands.
      Kaka bought this gem, which is situated near Ronaldo’s in the city’s exclusive La Finca area, for £6.4m.
      Since moving to the MLS, Kaka has rented the house out to Gareth Bale for a cool £16k a month and it’s unlikely that the Welshman will hand the keys back willingly.
      The brainchild of leading designer Joaquin Torres, this 16,000 square foot home is built on two-storeys.
      It also has a private indoor pool and a gym. Should Bale return to Spain after his loan move to Spurs, at least he goes back to a home he loves.
      Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos is a neighbour. Even their boss Zinedine Zidane lives nearby.
      Kaka bought this beauty before heading to the MLSCredit: Instagram
      Kaka won the Ballon d’Or in 2007 – the last person other than Ronaldo or Messi to take home the awardCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Bale currently rents this Madrid home off KakaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2. Wayne Rooney, £20m
      Worth around £20million, Rooney’s home has been nicknamed the Morrisons mansion, because it’s so big it looks like a superstore.
      The stately Cheshire pile boasts a garage with his collection of cars, a cinema, swimming pool, and even two man-made fishing lakes.
      Most recently, the Derby County boss laid down a full-size artificial pitch in his back garden – complete with a seating area.
      It was former horse riding arena, but Rooney didn’t need that.
      Instead, he built a brand new pitch with its own dugouts and changing rooms.
      Planners at East Cheshire Council ruled Rooney’s revised plans “onside”after there were no objections from neighbours.
      It also has huge indoor swimming pool surrounded by a glass pavilion, a hot tub, plunge pool, steam room and “his” or “hers” changing rooms.
      Wayne Rooney built his Cheshire home from scratchCredit: PA:Press Association
      Wayne Rooney’s huge football pitch has been builtCredit: Google
      The Rooneys’ new Cheshire home has been mocked for “looking like a Morrisons”Credit: The Mega Agency
      1. David Beckham, £39.5m
      Reportedly worth £339m, Becks can have any home he wants.
      So, it’s no surprise that the former Man United star tops our list with his stunning London abode.
      Bought for an incredible £31.5m in 2013, they added £8m worth of refurbishment on to the property value over the next 3 years.
      It has eight bedrooms, two dressing rooms, a catwalk style runway fit for any fashionista, a playroom, gym, spa and a salon-style room.
      Neighbours include Robbie Williams, Simon Cowell and Elton John, so he’s in good company.
      David Beckham spent an extra £8m renovating his £31.5m homeCredit: Rex Features
      David Beckham tops the property list for footballersCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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

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      MASON MOUNT’S determination to become a 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
      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 in the Blues’ first team this season.
      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 midfielder 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, now excelling under Thomas Tuchel.
      Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is hoping to rely on youngsters Zouma and Mount this season More

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      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo’s family tree, including his late dad Jose Dinis, loving mum Dolores and stunning partner Georgina

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      YOU can take the boy out of Portugal, but you can’t take Portugal out of the boy.Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, has sensationally revealed his desire to return to Sporting Lisbon – where it all began for him – before he retires.

      The Juventus legend has been linked with a move to former club Manchester United, but Lisbon is where his heart is.
      “I will definitely retire at Sporting Lisbon. I have to give them even if it is one season of my service,” he said.
      “Absolutely not in Manchester. Sporting Lisbon scouted me while no one saw something special in me.
      “They made me and Manchester United polished me, Madrid completed me and (I) am independently developed at Juventus.
      “I love all my former football clubs for what they did for me, but the beginning is always the light, without Sporting Lisbon I would probably be working at McDonald’s, because McDonald’s is the place where I used to get help for food when I had nothing to eat. I am always grateful.”
      Ronaldo, who was born in Madeira, has always had a fondness for his homeland – and last year donated life-saving equipment to Portuguese hospitals to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
      His family, including mum Maria Dolores, brother Hugo and sisters Katia and Elma will be delighted to see him return.
      And they’re not the only members of his massive family tree.
      JOSE DINIS
      Ronaldo has made no secret of his heartbreak of losing his father before he could see him become a global superstar.
      Jose Dinis died in 2005 of liver failure, when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was just 20 at a hospital in London.
      Ronaldo’s father Jose Dinis died when Ronaldo was 20 of liver failureCredit: Instagram @katiaaveirooficial
      Jose Dinis, pictured with a young Ronaldo and wife Maria Dolores, suffered with alcoholismCredit: Collect
      Forced into military service, he was scarred by an unpopular war to prevent the colony of Angola winning its independence from Portugal.
      According to reports, he turned to booze – later becoming a kit man for Ronaldo’s local team.
      MARIA DOLORES
      The matriarch of the Ronaldo clan, Maria Dolores is her son’s biggest supporter.
      Regularly, she appears on social media with Cristiano celebrating one of his many achievements.
      Last year, Ronaldo’s world was rocked when his beloved mother suffered a stroke in Madeira.
      He rushed to be by her side, and made sure she received incredible medical care.
      Maria Dolores is the matriarch of the Ronaldo clanCredit: Refer to Caption
      Ronaldo rushed to be by his mother’s side when she suffered a stroke in 2020Credit: Instagram @cristiano
      HUGO
      Like his father, Ronaldo’s brother has also battled his demons.
      Hugo, himself, has had problems with alcohol and has had stints in rehab to manage his addictions.
      Ronaldo has made sure he’s been there for his brother – paying for him get the help needed from professionals.
      To give him a distraction, Cristiano also gave him the responsibility of looking after his museum in Madeira.
      Ronaldo has a tight bond with brother HugoCredit: Instagram, @cristiano
      Hugo, himself, has had issues with alcohol and has gone to rehab in the pastCredit: Instagram, @katiaaveiroofficial
      SISTERS
      Eldest sister Elma is the fashionista of the family.
      She regularly posts images on Instagram wearing designer clobber, and even designed her own jewellery range inspired by her mum called Roya.
      Katia is a singer, who has aspirations to perform at Eurovision Song Contest.
      Last year, she caused controversy when she went on an Instagram rant calling the coronavirus pandemic “the biggest fraud I’ve seen”, following the news Ronaldo tested positive for Covid-19 and would have sit out some games.
      Ronaldo with his sisters Katia and ElmaCredit: Instagram @elma_oficial
      Elma is the fashionista of the family and has her own jewellery lineCredit: Instagram @elma_oficial
      Katia is a singer who dreams of performing in the Eurovision Song ContestCredit: Instagram @katiaaveirooficial
      KIDS
      Ronaldo has four children in total.
      His first to be born was Cristiano Jr, who is now 10 years old ,to a surrogate mother in the US who made the ex-Real Madrid star the sole guardian.
      A keen footballer like his dad, and on Juve’s books, he has also been seen modelling his father’s fashion range, CR7.
      In 2017, Ronaldo welcomed twins Eva Maria and Mateo into his world.
      Again, they were born in the US – reportedly to a Californian surrogate. The Daily Mail reported that the babies were conceived via frozen embryos in a surrogacy clinic.
      Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez share a family snapCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      Cristiano Jr is the eldest at 10Credit: Instagram @Cristiano
      Mateo, Eva Maria and Alana Martina join their parents in bed for a family photoCredit: Instagram
      The same year Ronaldo welcomed Eva Maria and Mateo into the world, it was revealed his partner Georgina was expecting their first child together.
      Five months after the twins were born, Alana Martina came into the world.
      Proud Ronaldo shared the news with a picture of Georgina, the newborn and Cristiano Jr with the new arrival on social media.
      GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ
      Ronaldo’s partner Georgina has become a celebrity in her own right since she began dating the football superstar.
      They reportedly met at a Gucci store in Madrid in 2016, where she was a sales assistant, and made their romance official in 2017 during a trip to Disneyland Paris.
      Since then, Georgina has helped Ronaldo raise his three children, before they welcomed their own.
      She has gone to become a model for fashion brands, including inking a five-figure Instagram deal with Pretty Little Thing.
      Georgina Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo first met in 2016
      Rodriguez has gone on to become a model and appeared in various fashion shoots,
      JORGE RODRIGUEZ
      While not much is known about Georgina’s mum Ana Maria, her father Jorge is a convicted drug trafficker.
      The Argentinian criminal has spent a decade of his life behind bars.
      In 2003, he was sentenced to 11 years for masterminding a failed plot to smuggle more than £100,000 worth of 83 percent pure cocaine from Spain to France.
      He was released five years later, only to fall foul of the law for smuggling £1million of cannabis resin from Morocco to Spain with accomplices.
      Jorge was sentenced to a further two years, and was freed in 2013.
      In 2019, he died in his native Argentina at the age of 70 after a long illness.
      Georgina’s dad Jorge Rodriguez is a convicted drug smuggler
      IVANA RODRIGUEZ
      Georgina has a sister called Ivana.
      Incredibly, Ivana has over 350,000 followers on Instagram, who she shares health and beauty tips with.

      And like her sibling, she often shares pictures of herself working out to keep in shape.
      There’s also a lot of love for Ronaldo on Ivana’s Insta feed, who shows her admiration for her future brother-in-law.
      If he signs for Sporting Lisbon, expect to hear from Ivana too.
      Ivana Rodriguez is the sister of Ronaldo’s partner GeorginaCredit: Instagram
      Ivana has amassed over 350,000 followers on Instagram sharing health and beauty secretsCredit: Instagram
      Cristiano Ronaldo’s mum Dolores breaks down in tears after surviving stroke More

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      in Soccer

      The amazing homes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Beckham, but which footballer has most expensive property?

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      THE life of an A-list footballer is one that’s filled with luxury.The likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have earned fortunes from the game – splashing the cash on some stunning homes.
      David Beckham has a plush pad with wife Victoria Beckham in central LondonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But which footballer has the most expensive house and how much is it worth?
      Join SunSport for the definitive countdown as we give you the most expensive footballers’ homes.
      7. John Terry, £5m
      In 2014, JT  sold his pad in Surrey to Omani royals for an incredible £16m – making a tidy £10million profit.
      But what John bought next was equally as impressive, and literally next door to where he previously resided.
      He splashed £4.35m on Colin Montgomerie’s former home after initially renting it.
      The property has seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, four receptions rooms and a two-bedroom staff annex.
      He has since added an astro-turf pitch, which has boosted the property’s value to £5million.
      All in all, JT boasts a property empire worth around £47million – with his latest venture in knocking down Tandem House in the area and turning it into two homes.
      John Terry sold his previous home for £16mCredit: Reuters
      JT’s new pad, with his former mansion with red brick walls on the right of it in this picture
      6. Nicky Butt, £5.5m
      The former Manchester United star is quids in with the sale of this property.
      Butt did live in a stunning luxury pad complete with an indoor swimming pool and a cinema room in an exclusive area of Greater Manchester.
      However, he just recently sold the six bedroom house for a whopping £5.5million.

      And the buyer is in for a treat with a luxury pad complete with an indoor swimming pool and a cinema room.

      Nicky Butt has sold his £5.5m mansion after two years on he market

      The home boasts an amazing cinema room
      The swimming pool completes the luxurious picture
      5. Lionel Messi, £6m
      Boasting sea views and being in a no-fly zone, Messi’s abode – valued at £5.5milion – in Barcelona offers a tranquil experience.
      Located in the exclusive suburb of Castelldefels, it’s the perfect spot for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to reside.
      Just 12 miles away from the Camp Nou, Messi’s home has a small football pitch, a swimming pool, an indoor gym and a playground for his three children.

      Close friend Luiz Suarez used to live nearby while Philippe Coutinho still does, should a team debriefing be needed.

      The Messis live in a stunning mansion in the exclusive suburb of CastelldefelsCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88

      The home boasts a stunning and spacious loungeCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88

      Messi has a room dedicated to a collection of shirts in his home

      Messi often plays football in his garden with his Dogue de Bordeaux called HulkCredit: Instagram @leomessi
      4. Cristiano Ronaldo, £8m
      In 2018, Ronaldo moved to Juventus.
      And he needed a house that was fit for the new king of Turin.

      His current digs feature two adjoining villas found on a private road guarded by security, which leads to an entrance gate.

      The villas themselves have separate entrances, and are surrounded by lush gardens and vegetation.

      Ronaldo is believed to have fallen in love with the home because of its similarities with his Madrid property.

      There’s a state-of-the-art gym that he and former shop assistant Georgina love to use together. And there’s also a swimming pool, which Ronaldo cools down in by doing a few laps following a strenuous session lifting weights.

      The property is so high up, ‘it’s as if Turin were at the feet of CR7, a tribute of the city to the long-awaited and newly-arrived champion,’ La Gazzetta dello Sport reported at the time of purchase.

      Ronaldo’s home in Turin features two adjoining villasCredit: Instagram

      Ronaldo relaxes on one of the many terracesCredit: AFP or licensors

      The property boasts amazing views of the city of TurinCredit: Instagram

      Ronaldo has found a place to sunbathe in his current Italian homeCredit: Instagram / @cristiano

      The property boasts plenty of space for the whole Ronaldo familyCredit: Instagram

      Ronaldo relaxes in one of the many lounge areas of the homeCredit: Refer to Caption
      3. Kaka, £9m
      The Brazilian great may be retired, but if he’s looking to put his feet up at his luxury pad in Madrid then he may have a fight on his hands.
      Kaka bought this gem, which is situated near Ronaldo’s in the city’s exclusive La Finca area, for £6.4m.
      Since moving to the MLS, Kaka has rented the house out to Gareth Bale for a cool £16k a month and it’s unlikely that the Welshman will hand the keys back willingly.
      The brainchild of leading designer Joaquin Torres, this 16,000 square foot home is built on two-storeys.
      It also has a private indoor pool and a gym. Should Bale return to Spain after his loan move to Spurs, at least he goes back to a home he loves.
      Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos is a neighbour. Even their boss Zinedine Zidane lives nearby.
      Kaka bought this beauty before heading to the MLSCredit: Instagram
      Kaka won the Ballon d’Or in 2007 – the last person other than Ronaldo or Messi to take home the awardCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Bale currently rents this Madrid home off KakaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2. Wayne Rooney, £20m
      Worth around £20million, Rooney’s home has been nicknamed the Morrisons mansion, because it’s so big it looks like a superstore.
      The stately Cheshire pile boasts a garage with his collection of cars, a cinema, swimming pool, and even two man-made fishing lakes.
      Most recently, the Derby County boss laid down a full-size artificial pitch in his back garden – complete with a seating area.
      It was former horse riding arena, but Rooney didn’t need that.
      Instead, he built a brand new pitch with its own dugouts and changing rooms.
      Planners at East Cheshire Council ruled Rooney’s revised plans “onside”after there were no objections from neighbours.
      It also has huge indoor swimming pool surrounded by a glass pavilion, a hot tub, plunge pool, steam room and “his” or “hers” changing rooms.
      Wayne Rooney built his Cheshire home from scratchCredit: PA:Press Association
      Wayne Rooney’s huge football pitch has been builtCredit: Google
      The Rooneys’ new Cheshire home has been mocked for “looking like a Morrisons”Credit: The Mega Agency
      1. David Beckham, £39.5m
      Reportedly worth £339m, Becks can have any home he wants.
      So, it’s no surprise that the former Man United star tops our list with his stunning London abode.
      Bought for an incredible £31.5m in 2013, they added £8m worth of refurbishment on to the property value over the next 3 years.
      It has eight bedrooms, two dressing rooms, a catwalk style runway fit for any fashionista, a playroom, gym, spa and a salon-style room.
      Neighbours include Robbie Williams, Simon Cowell and Elton John, so he’s in good company.
      David Beckham spent an extra £8m renovating his £31.5m homeCredit: Rex Features
      David Beckham tops the property list for footballersCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      in Soccer

      Meet Roma owner Dan Friedkin, who is worth £3bn, is working with Scorsese and has huge collection of vintage warplanes

      by

      WHEN it comes to being box office nobody beats Jose Mourinho.The Special One was the star of the show on Amazon’s All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur series released last year.
      Jose Mourinho’s new boss at Roma is Hollywood billionaire Dan FriedkinCredit: Getty
      𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 🤝The club are delighted to announce an agreement has been reached with Jose Mourinho for him to become our new head coach ahead of the 2021-22 season.#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/f5YGGIVFJp— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 4, 2021

      With his movie star looks, the 58-year-old wouldn’t look out of place in a Hollywood blockbuster.
      And if he wants to try his luck in the movies, luckily his new boss is a film-maker.
      Mourinho will take charge of Serie A’s fallen giants Roma next season, after getting sacked by Spurs.
      He will answer to the Italian club’s owner Dan Friedkin – a film director and producer, owner of a distribution company, as well as several other businesses that have earned him a £3billion fortune.
      And what has he spent some of that wealth on… a massive collection of vintage warplanes.
      WHEN IN ROME
      Back in August, Friedkin, 55, agreed to buy the faltering team – who haven’t won a league title since 2001 – off a fellow American.
      James Pallotta had failed to deliver the good times he promised, and was tempted into a sale.
      The deal was made for around £512million, and Friedkin described how it felt to finalise all the paperwork.
      “It was a wonderful, humbling moment, and we were delighted to join the AS Roma family,” he told the official Roma website.
      Back in August, Friedkin paid around £512m for RomaCredit: AP
      Dan Friedkin runs Roma with vice-president son RyanCredit: Rex
      “It was also a moment of great seriousness, as we have a tremendous responsibility; a moment that we couldn’t linger on, as there is so much work to do.”
      The first serious decision Friedkin has had to make is relieving current boss Paulo Fonseca from his duties, following an alarming slump in form that saw Roma fall from third in February to seventh and battling Sassuolo for a Europa League spot.
      HE’S HOLLYWOOD
      Friedkin, who is also CEO of Gulf States Toyota Distributors, doesn’t just do deals with the major stars of the football world, he’s also ensconced in the movie business.
      His first foray into the world of entertainment came in 2014, when he co-founded production house Imperative Entertainment in Santa Monica, California.
      Their critically-acclaimed 2017 film The Square won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
      Ridley Scott thriller All the Money in the World and Clint Eastwood’s The Mule soon followed.
      In 2017, he set-up 30WEST – a financing company which gained a majority ownership in NEON, a theatrical marketing and distribution company, in 2018.
      Friedkin seen with Ridley Scott on the set of All the Money in the World in 2017Credit: Mega
      Friedkin distributed Oscar-winning South Korean movie ParasiteCredit: Getty
      Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are currently working with Friedkin on Killers of the Flower MoonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      A year later, they distributed the Academy Award-winning South Korean film Parasite.
      Currently, Friedkin is working with legendary movie director Martin Scorsese on Killers of the Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
      FILM IS HIS PASSION
      As well as financing and producing, Friedkin has stepped behind the lens himself.
      In 2019, he directed war epic The Last Vermeer starring Aussie actor Guy Pearce.
      He was steered into the role by Ridley Scott, who thought he would be able to capture the drama needed to tell the story.
      It was pal Ridley Scott who convinced Friedkin to direct a movieCredit: Rex
      Friedkin directed Phantom Thread actress Vicky Krieps in The Last VermeerCredit: Getty
      The film follows an artist suspected of selling a valuable painting to the Nazis and is a true story.
      His debut was generally met with good reviews – and has a 6.7 out of 10 rating on IMDB.com.
      PLANES, NOT TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES
      Aside from film, Friedkin is obsessed with aviation.
      Incredibly, his hangars play host to over 40 aircraft of all types, including the North American F-86 Saber fighter jet and four Supermarine Spitfires produced on British shores in the 1930s.
      He’s also one of 10 civilian Heritage Flight pilots qualified to fly in formation with US Air Force single‐ship demonstration teams.
      Friedkin regularly participates in air shows throughout North America and Europe, flying right wing for the Horsemen Flight Team, the world’s only P‐51 formation aerobatic team.
      WHICH LEAD TO THIS…
      In 2017, Friedkin was able to combine his love of film and aviation by flying a WWII-era Spitfire in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winner Dunkirk.
      His big moment came in the crucial final beach scene, in which Tom Hardy’s plane runs out of fuel and attempts one final circle to attack a German plane.
      Over the years Friedkin has amassed hangars full of vintage warplanesCredit: Getty
      Friedkin, himself, is a skilled pilot and is one of only 10 pilots qualified to fly in formation with US Air Force single‐ship demonstration teamsCredit: Getty
      In the Oscar-winning Christopher Nolan movie Dunkirk, Friedkin was Tom Hardy’s stunt double – flying a SpitfireCredit: Alamy

      A year later, Friedkin performed a stunt in a Gulfstream for US TV series Lethal Weapon.
      If Jose needs reminding who’s ‘Hollywood’ now, he should look no further than his new boss.
      And for his sake, he better get off to a flying start.
      Jose Mourinho named Roma manager on three-year contract More

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      in Soccer

      The amazing homes of Messi, Beckham and Ronaldo, but which footballer has the most expensive property?

      by

      THE life of an A-list footballer is one that’s filled with luxury.The likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have earned fortunes from the game – splashing the cash on some stunning homes.
      David Beckham has a plush pad with wife Victoria Beckham in central LondonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But which footballer has the most expensive house and how much is it worth?
      Join SunSport for the definitive countdown as we give you the most expensive footballers’ homes.
      7. John Terry, £5m
      In 2014, JT  sold his pad in Surrey to Omani royals for an incredible £16m – making a tidy £10million profit.
      But what John bought next was equally as impressive, and literally next door to where he previously resided.
      He splashed £4.35m on Colin Montgomerie’s former home after initially renting it.
      The property has seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, four receptions rooms and a two-bedroom staff annex.
      He has since added an astro-turf pitch, which has boosted the property’s value to £5million.
      All in all, JT boasts a property empire worth around £47million – with his latest venture in knocking down Tandem House in the area and turning it into two homes.
      John Terry sold his previous home for £16mCredit: Reuters
      JT’s new pad, with his former mansion with red brick walls on the right of it in this picture
      6. Nicky Butt, £5.5m
      The former Manchester United star is quids in with the sale of this property.
      Butt did live in a stunning luxury pad complete with an indoor swimming pool and a cinema room in an exclusive area of Greater Manchester.
      However, he just recently sold the six bedroom house for a whopping £5.5million.

      And the buyer is in for a treat with a luxury pad complete with an indoor swimming pool and a cinema room.

      Nicky Butt has sold his £5.5m mansion after two years on he market

      The home boasts an amazing cinema room
      The swimming pool completes the luxurious picture
      5. Lionel Messi, £6m
      Boasting sea views and being in a no-fly zone, Messi’s abode – valued at £5.5milion – in Barcelona offers a tranquil experience.
      Located in the exclusive suburb of Castelldefels, it’s the perfect spot for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to reside.
      Just 12 miles away from the Camp Nou, Messi’s home has a small football pitch, a swimming pool, an indoor gym and a playground for his three children.

      Close friend Luiz Suarez used to live nearby while Philippe Coutinho still does, should a team debriefing be needed.

      The Messis live in a stunning mansion in the exclusive suburb of CastelldefelsCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88

      The home boasts a stunning and spacious loungeCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88

      Messi has a room dedicated to a collection of shirts in his home

      Messi often plays football in his garden with his Dogue de Bordeaux called HulkCredit: Instagram @leomessi
      4. Cristiano Ronaldo, £8m
      In 2018, Ronaldo moved to Juventus.
      And he needed a house that was fit for the new king of Turin.

      His current digs feature two adjoining villas found on a private road guarded by security, which leads to an entrance gate.

      The villas themselves have separate entrances, and are surrounded by lush gardens and vegetation.

      Ronaldo is believed to have fallen in love with the home because of its similarities with his Madrid property.

      There’s a state-of-the-art gym that he and former shop assistant Georgina love to use together. And there’s also a swimming pool, which Ronaldo cools down in by doing a few laps following a strenuous session lifting weights.

      The property is so high up, ‘it’s as if Turin were at the feet of CR7, a tribute of the city to the long-awaited and newly-arrived champion,’ La Gazzetta dello Sport reported at the time of purchase.

      Ronaldo’s home in Turin features two adjoining villasCredit: Instagram

      Ronaldo relaxes on one of the many terracesCredit: AFP or licensors

      The property boasts amazing views of the city of TurinCredit: Instagram

      Ronaldo has found a place to sunbathe in his current Italian homeCredit: Instagram / @cristiano

      The property boasts plenty of space for the whole Ronaldo familyCredit: Instagram

      Ronaldo relaxes in one of the many lounge areas of the homeCredit: Refer to Caption
      3. Kaka, £9m
      The Brazilian great may be retired, but if he’s looking to put his feet up at his luxury pad in Madrid then he may have a fight on his hands.
      Kaka bought this gem, which is situated near Ronaldo’s in the city’s exclusive La Finca area, for £6.4m.
      Since moving to the MLS, Kaka has rented the house out to Gareth Bale for a cool £16k a month and it’s unlikely that the Welshman will hand the keys back willingly.
      The brainchild of leading designer Joaquin Torres, this 16,000 square foot home is built on two-storeys.
      It also has a private indoor pool and a gym. Should Bale return to Spain after his loan move to Spurs, at least he goes back to a home he loves.
      Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos is a neighbour. Even their boss Zinedine Zidane lives nearby.
      Kaka bought this beauty before heading to the MLSCredit: Instagram
      Kaka won the Ballon d’Or in 2007 – the last person other than Ronaldo or Messi to take home the awardCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Bale currently rents this Madrid home off KakaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2. Wayne Rooney, £20m
      Worth around £20million, Rooney’s home has been nicknamed the Morrisons mansion, because it’s so big it looks like a superstore.
      The stately Cheshire pile boasts a garage with his collection of cars, a cinema, swimming pool, and even two man-made fishing lakes.
      Most recently, the Derby County boss laid down a full-size artificial pitch in his back garden – complete with a seating area.
      It was former horse riding arena, but Rooney didn’t need that.
      Instead, he built a brand new pitch with its own dugouts and changing rooms.
      Planners at East Cheshire Council ruled Rooney’s revised plans “onside”after there were no objections from neighbours.
      It also has huge indoor swimming pool surrounded by a glass pavilion, a hot tub, plunge pool, steam room and “his” or “hers” changing rooms.
      Wayne Rooney built his Cheshire home from scratchCredit: PA:Press Association
      Wayne Rooney’s huge football pitch has been builtCredit: Google
      The Rooneys’ new Cheshire home has been mocked for “looking like a Morrisons”Credit: The Mega Agency
      1. David Beckham, £39.5m
      Reportedly worth £339m, Becks can have any home he wants.
      So, it’s no surprise that the former Man United star tops our list with his stunning London abode.
      Bought for an incredible £31.5m in 2013, they added £8m worth of refurbishment on to the property value over the next 3 years.
      It has eight bedrooms, two dressing rooms, a catwalk style runway fit for any fashionista, a playroom, gym, spa and a salon-style room.
      Neighbours include Robbie Williams, Simon Cowell and Elton John, so he’s in good company.
      David Beckham spent an extra £8m renovating his £31.5m homeCredit: Rex Features
      David Beckham tops the property list for footballersCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      in Soccer

      Man City new signing Kayky, 17, has been thrown in at the deep end at Fluminense, appearing in the Copa Libertadores

      by

      LIAM GALLAGHER made it very clear last week on social media that he is not a fan of Neymar, which amusingly made Spanish TV.But the former Oasis frontman may prove better disposed to the so-called ’17 year old Neymar’ who will be joining Manchester City at the end of the year.
      The Premier League leaders have completed a deal for the Brazilian wonderkid, 17, in what is seen as a major coup by Pep Guardiola’s side – said to be for a fee of £9million
      Teen wonderkid Kayky has been called the ‘next Neymar’ and is Man City’s latest Brazilian acquisition
      His name is Kayky, and he has come through the ranks with Fluminense of Rio.
      He was a youth star – City have had him on their radar screen for a while – and in the last two months he has been promoted to the first team.
      The start was relatively gentle. Fluminense’s opposition in the Rio State Championship has mostly consisted of tiny teams.
      Even so, the promise was impossible to ignore. He scored a magnificent solo goal against Nova Iguacu, cutting in from his favoured position wide on the right, dribbling through the defence and beating the keeper with rare composure.
      The striking thing was the gift of time – like Robert de Niro as Jake La Motta in the film ‘Raging Bull’, it was as if he was seeing the options in slow motion, thinking his way through the massed ranks of defenders.
      Fluminense coach Roger Machado was so enthused that he has thrown Kayky into the deep end.
      The club have qualified for the Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League, for the first time since 2013. The group is tough, but the 17 year old winger has gone straight into the starting line up.
      Kayky has appeared in the Copa Libertadores this campaign for FluminenseCredit: Reuters
      Kayky was part of Fluminense’s ‘dream generation’ of talent coming throughCredit: Instagram / @kaykysc10
      Kayky celebrates winning last year’s U17 Brazilian championshipCredit: Instagram
      The front pairing are both old enough to be his father – 2014 World Cup centre forward Fred, now 37, and playmaker Nene, who once had a brief spell with West Ham and is now 39.
      Fielding these veterans puts a strain on the younger members of the side. Kayky, a slightly built adolescent, has to put in a full defensive shift as well, running back to mark the opposing full back.
      Pep Guardiola would be very pleased with the way that Kayky stuck to his task, both in the 1-1 draw at home to River Plate of Argentina and the 2-1 win away to Independiente Santa Fe of Colombia.
      And he would be just as delighted with the flashes of attacking talent – the quick bursts into space, the tight dribbling and the ability to combine. He had a hand in both of Fred’s goals against Santa Fe.
      There were a couple of dives, though, which might not be to the liking of Mr Gallagher.
      On a personal note, Kayky was top scorer in the Brazilian U17 championshipCredit: Instagram
      Liam Gallagher’s tweet on Neymar, who Kayky has been compared to, made it live on to Spanish TV

      In both Libertadores games he was substituted around the hour mark – no reflection on his performance, but a recognition that a lot is being asked of him very soon.
      This Thursday night Fluminense are in Libertadores action once more.
      They are still in Colombia, this time in the coastal city of Barranquilla against Junior – another opportunity for Kayky to show that he already belongs in the senior ranks. More