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      Footballers’ strange nicknames, from Messi being called the flea to Paul Pogba known as the octopus and Aguero as Kun

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      THE Atomic Ant, anyone?Footballers are often given nicknames – in his heyday the late Diego Maradona earned the moniker El Pibe de Oro which means the golden boy.
      Lionel Messi has his own unique football nicknameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Even Cristiano Ronaldo’s was cool, often being labelled The Sultan of the Stepover by the press, which sounds more like a band than a term of endearment.
      But nicknames haven’t always been that favourable, as SunSport can happily testify.
      Here’s ten prime athletes at the top of their game that have been given some, quite frankly, bizarre handles.
      Alexis Sanchez A.K.A. The Squirrel
      His current nickname, which is obviously favourable given his current star status, is El Nino Maravilla. That translates as the wonder child.
      But we prefer that he was called La Ardilla, which means the squirrel.
      He was given that gem because as a kid he loved climbing trees.
      Alexis Sanchez was called an unusual nickname when he was a childCredit: Reuters
      Friends would call Alexis Sanchez La Ardilla when he was a kid because he liked to climb treesCredit: Alamy
      Sebastian Giovinco A.K.A. The Atomic Ant
      The former Juventus player, currently playing in Saudi Arabia, was christened Formica Atomica by the Turin faithful.
      Meaning The Atomic Ant, it was a reference to a famous cartoon character that the Juve fans thought he resembled because of his stature, pace and dynamic abilities.
      The name has stuck ever since.
      Sebastian Giovinco playing for former club Toronto in the MLSCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Atom Ant character that Sebastian Giovinco is nicknamed after
      Cesar Azpilicueta A.K.A. Dave
      When Chelsea signed the Spanish defender from Marseille in 2013, many of their players struggled to pronounce Cesar’s name.
      So, according to the man himself, they affectionately called him ‘Dave’ simply because it was easier on their tongues.
      It’s a clear reference to Trigger’s famous name for Rodney in Only Fools and Horses.
      Trigger from Only Fools and Horses coined the name ‘Dave’ for RodneyCredit: Handout
      Chelsea players called Cesar Azpilicueta Dave because they couldn’t pronounce his nameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Sergio Aguero A.K.A. Kun
      For years the Argentine forward has had the name Kun on the back of his jersey.
      But the Man City striker’s name isn’t Kun at all, it’s just a nickname.
      When he was a small child, his grandparents called him Kun because he resembled the character Kum-Kum from his favourite Japanese cartoon.
      “I have grown to appreciate it because it’s unique,” he said. “It’s not every day an athlete is nicknamed after a cartoon character!”
      Kum-Kum bares a striking resemblance to Man City star Sergio Aguero
      Sergio wears ‘Kun’ on the back of his jersey as a reference to a character from his favourite cartoon as a kidCredit: Reuters

      Lionel Messi A.K.A. The Flea
      The Barcelona fans have always supported Messi, but giving him the nickname La Pulga isn’t complimentary at all!
      Fleas are considered filthy specimens, which just isn’t fair on the free-scoring Argentine whizz.
      The nickname stuck because he’s a pest to the opposition, not to mention his diminutive size.
      Lionel Messi is a constant menace for the oppositionCredit: Getty – Contributor
      That’s why Lionel Messi is nicknamed the fleaCredit: Alamy
      Paul Pogba A.K.A. The Joker A.KA. Il Polpo Paul
      The French midfielder has two nicknames, the first one is La Pioche, which in English is The Joker.
      But it’s got nothing to do with Batman and his evil nemesis at all.
      Pogba explained: “I took it. It’s from a movie, but it wasn’t used the same way (as Batman).
      Paul Pogba has two nicknames – The Joker and The OctopusCredit: AFP or licensors
      Paul Pogba is nicknamed The Octopus because of his long limbsCredit: Image Bank – Getty
      “In the film, it’s a con man who tricked the village. I’m tricking you now. I’m doing the Pog Trick.”
      When he starred at Juventus he was also known as ‘The Octopus’ because of his long limbs and gangly frame.
      Philipp Lahm A.K.A. The Magic Dwarf A.K.A Wireless
      The sign of a true worldy, the now retired Bayern Munich legend has TWO weird nicknames.
      Lahm was first called Wireless, not because he had 5G capability, but because he could play anywhere on the pitch.
      He has former Mehmet Scholl to blame for that.
      The Magic Dwarf is a reference to his size. Despite being a giant on the pitch, he’s only 5’6″ tall.
      Philipp Lahm was called Wireless and The Magic Dwarf at Bayern MunichCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Givanildo Vieira de Sousa better known as Hulk
      He’s gone by the name Hulk wherever he’s gone.
      Even commentators call him by that name, but it’s a nickname with his real last name being de Sousa.
      However, he was given the strange moniker because of his resemblance to Lou Ferrigno, who played The Incredible Hulk in the TV series from the 70s.
      It does help that he’s built more like a boxer than a footballer too.
      Hulk’s real name is Givanildo Vieira de SousaCredit: Rex Features
      Hulk got his nickname because of his resemblance to Lou Ferrigno who played The Incredible Hulk in the 70s TV showCredit: Channel 5
      Fitz Hall A.K.A. One Size
      Probably the funniest nickname, and well worth a mention for its comedic quality.
      The former Crystal Palace defender’s mates gave him the ultimate nickname.
      Obviously, because One Size fits all, it stuck with the stopper ever since he was a small child growing up in Leytonstone.
      Mind you, Fitz was a big lad at 6’4″ so it necessarily isn’t totally true, is it?
      Fitz Hall was amusingly nicknamed One SizeCredit: Action Images – Reuters

      Sead Kolasinac A.K.A. The Tank
      When Arsenal added the Bosnian left back to their ranks they thought they were adding some real heavy artillery.
      After all, Kolasinac was nicknamed De Panzer (The Tank) in Germany by the Schalke fans because of his bulky frame.
      He’s now back at Schalke, where he’s probably looking for a war… on the pitch.
      Sead Kolasinac is called De Panzer (The Tank) because of his frameCredit: Reuters
      Paul Pogba and his wife Maria Zulay look loved up as they play toilet paper football and dance in the car More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson transfer flops: Seven worst buys Man Utd icon made including hopeless keeper and last ever signing

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON is widely considered to be the greatest Premier League manager of all time.The Scot absolutely dominated the division with Manchester United, winning 13 of the first 21 editions of the re-branded league before retiring in 2013.
      Not all of Ferguson’s buys were as successful as others…Credit: PA:Press Association

      Legends Alan Shearer and Ian Wright unanimously agreed on a recent MOTD Top Ten podcast that Ferguson was easily the league’s greatest ever boss – and it’s easy to see why.
      A master motivator, a psychological genius, Fergie was a supreme decision maker in the Old Trafford hot-seat.
      From Bruce and Pallister to Ronaldo and Rooney – Ferguson was adept at making perfect acquisitions all over the pitch.
      But not all of them came off…
      We take a look at some of those rough diamonds that could never quite be polished.
      Bebe sadly failed to make the grade at Old Trafford
      BEBE
      Bebe’s whirlwind rise from a shelter in one of Lisbon’s poorest areas to £7.4million Manchester United signing was inspiring… his Old Trafford career was a disaster.
      In just 18 months the 20-year-old had gone from playing amateur football for local club Loures to being a multi-million pound signing for the champions of England.
      After a year starring in the third-tier of Portuguese football, Bebe earned a move to top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes in the summer of 2010.
      Following good performances in pre-season, however, he found himself packing his bags once again just five weeks after arriving – because the Red Devils had matched his release clause.
      He clearly wasn’t ready for the step up, and suffered the humiliation of being substituted as a replacement himself against Wolves in November 2010.
      This quickly lead to Bebe becoming a joke figure at Old Trafford, although he did manage cup goals against Bursaspor and Wolves.
      He was swiftly farmed out on various loan spells before leaving United in 2014, signing for Portuguese giants Benfica but finding their first-team equally hard to crack.
      After a spell at Eibar, the 29-year-old currently resides in the Spanish second tier with Rayo Vallecano – for whom he has scored three goals for this season.
      Kleberson struggled to adapt to the rigours of the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      KLEBERSON
      Brazilian Kleberson arrived at Manchester United amid much fanfare in 2003, having starred in his country’s World Cup win the year before – even playing all 90 minutes of the final.
      The Red Devils beat off competition from the likes of Barcelona, Leeds United and Celtic for his signature – but his time at Old Trafford was an unfortunate failure.
      A lack of fellow Portuguese speakers led to the £6.5m signing growing isolated, swiftly losing the confidence to produce the flair that he had so often illustrated for Atletico Paranaense and Brazil.
      He departed Old Trafford for £2.5m after just two years and 30 appearances, later telling the MEN: “When the team isn’t doing well, it’s hard to change your style, I couldn’t do it, when I came to Man United I tried to change the player I was, more passes, more aggression, more tackles, but it’s too hard and wasn’t what my game was about.
      “From 17 to 24 years old, I was playing that fluent Brazilian style, to move the ball quickly and receive it in space.
      “At Man United I had tough moments a lot of the time, I got a lot of injuries and struggled a lot.”
      Now 40, Kleberson coaches the academy at American side Philadelphia Union.
      Massimo Taibi could never replace the legendary Schmeichel
      MASSIMO TAIBI
      In 1999, Ferguson had a problem.
      In the afterglow of achieving the pinnacle of his career, a historic treble sealed on that famous night in Barcelona, Peter Schmeichel left Old Trafford for Sporting Lisbon.
      The Dane had been a pillar of United’s success and his gloves were always going to be tough to fill.
      Unfortunately, Taibi didn’t even come close.
      It is easily forgotten that he earned man of the match in the first of his four United appearances following his £4.5m switch from Venezia.
      This is because of his horrendous mistake against Southampton, with which he would become synonymous.
      A pee-roller of a Matt Le Tissier effort was trundling harmlessly towards the Italian, before skipping off a divot and farcically bouncing over his hapless frame.
      After also featuring in a 5-0 loss to Chelsea, Taibi was shunted back to Serie A initially on loan less that six months after arriving – and was not seen on these shores again after a £2.5m departure in 2000.
      Now aged 50, Taibi is a director at Reggina.
      Zaha signed for Ferguson… but arrived under Moyes
      WILFRIED ZAHA
      On January 26 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson made his final signing as Manchester United manager.
      A 20-year-old Wilfried Zaha had been tearing up the Championship, illustrating the kind of tricky wing-play that Sir Alex absolutely loved.
      The Ivorian signed for United for £15m before returning to Palace on loan for the remainder of the season.
      He subsequently succeeded in getting his boyhood club promoted, but there was just one problem when he got back to Old Trafford.
      Ferguson was gone.
      Zaha was never fancied by Fergie’s successor David Moyes, only making four appearances before being ditched and eventually allowed to re-join Palace for just £6m in 2014.
      He has since grown and improved as a player,and the Ivory Coast international has a number of top clubs chasing his services again after some impressive displays for the Eagles.
      Many ‘f***ing idiots’ believed that Veron floppedCredit: PA:Press Association
      JUAN SEBASTIAN VERON
      In 2001, United smashed the English transfer record to sign Juan Sebastian Veron from Lazio.
      The £36m deal rocked the Premier League and much was expected of the Argentine.
      There were initially good moments, he won the division’s Player of the Month award in September of that year – showing flashes of brilliance, particularly in the Champions League.
      Fitness struggles followed, however, with Veron failing to cope with the relentless pace of English football.
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      Criticism of his performances began to grow, but Ferguson defended his man, once ranting at the end of a press conference: “He [Veron] is a f***ing great player and you’re all f***ing idiots.”
      But the consensus was that United’s expensive gamble hadn’t come off, and they took an enormous £21m hit on him when he was allowed to move to Chelsea in 2003.
      Former team-mate Rio Ferdinand recently opened up on what may have cost Veron in his time at Old Trafford, telling the Mail: “He was an unbelievable player, great passer.
      “The only thing I think that killed him was Roy Keane was probably a bit more of a dominant personality and was picking the ball up in his positions.”
      Nick Powell’s United career didn’t turn out as hoped…
      NICK POWELL
      At just 18 years of age, Powell had become one of English football’s hottest young properties when he capped off a remarkable season with Crewe Alexandra by scoring an absolute beauty in the League Two play-off final.
      Manchester United, for so long the best place for top English talents to be nurtured and helped to flourish, agreed a deal worth up to £6m to bring him to the Theatre of Dreams.
      The creative midfielder had Old Trafford jaws on the floor when he scored another blockbuster strike on his United debut, belting one in from 20 yards against Wigan Athletic.
      But things quickly began to fizzle out for Powell at United, particularly after Ferguson’s departure in 2013.
      After a number of injuries and loans, the once hotly-tipped talent’s United appearances swiftly became sporadic… and notorious.
      He played 57 minutes of the Red Devils’ humiliating 4-0 defeat by MK Dons under Louis van Gaal – and gained mocking status when brought on for Juan Mata against Wolfsburg with United chasing a crucial Champions League goal.
      Van Gaal’s side lost that match, crashing out of Europe, and Powell found himself moving to Wigan on a free transfer in 2016.
      After playing well in League One and the Championship for the Latics, the now-27-year-old finds himself at Stoke City in the second-tier.
      Djemba-Djemba enjoyed a nomadic career after leaving Old Trafford
      ERIC DJEMBA-DJEMBA
      Cameroonian Djemba-Djemba arrived to little fanfare from first club Nantes in 2003, with Ferguson splashing £3.5m on a man that he saw as a potential successor to Roy Keane.
      While he was certainly willing to put his 5ft 11in frame about in the same manner as the Irishman, Djemba-Djemba lacked the ability to control games like his skipper did.
      He used to share a post-training Nando’s with team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, but the pair’s careers were about to go on very different trajectories.
      After 39 Red Devils appearances, Djemba-Djemba moved to Aston Villa for £1.5m, embarking on a nomadic career that would take him everywhere from Chennai to St Mirren.

      Djemba-Djemba recently told SunSport about playing the Swiss fifth-tierCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Now 38, he turns out for Swiss fifth-tier side FC Vallorbe-Ballaigues, recently telling SunSport: “I understand the game. I don’t have to run a lot and I just have to manage my stamina.
      “But I don’t think I’m any different to my teammates.
      “I just love playing and when I finish training, I’m happy to carry the balls or the water bottles.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Nicky Butt in line for Wayne Rooney reunion at Derby after quitting Manchester United coaching role More

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      Inside the life of Man Utd legend Roy Keane – from 20-year marriage to Theresa to his controversial playing career

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      ON the pitch, he was the enforcer at Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and CelticOff it, he’s a milder family man, loyal husband of wife of 20-years Theresa, father of five kids and a generous son.
      Off the pitch, Roy Keane, pictured with wife of 20-years Theresa, is a mild family manCredit: Getty – Contributor
      On the pitch, Keane was the hardman of British football at Manchester UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      In recent years, Roy Keane, 49, has reinvented himself as a TV pundit on Sky Sports – championed for his sharp analysis, rapport with Micah Richards and wicked sense of humour.
      He has now thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant Celtic manager’s job, and is one of the hot favourites for the role.
      But, away from football, the Ireland legend lives a very private life.
      THERESA DOYLE
      Last month Keane surprised us all when he set up an Instagram page, where he’s uploaded pictures of his family, including his grandchildren.
      Still missing from it, though, is his wife of 20-years, Theresa Doyle.
      The pair met in 1992, when the midfielder was playing for Forest under Brian Clough.
      “I spotted a beautiful girl in a club in town. Her name was Theresa Doyle but she blanked me,” Keane once revealed of his encounter with the Nottingham-born beauty.
      “She was in a steady relationship and didn’t seem at all impressed by Roy Keane, the great footballer. In fact, I think my reputation was as a downer for all kinds of reasons.
      “From time to time we ran into each other around Nottingham. I knew some of her friends, who told me Theresa was a dentist’s assistant.
      Theresa Doyle, far right, has been married to Keane for 20-years and he describes her as his ‘rock’Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Family man Keane joined Instagram and has been sharing pictures of his grandchildrenCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      Since setting up an Instagram account in February, Keane has amassed 1.3m followersCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      “Eventually, after her relationship broke up, she relented and we went out together. I was in love.”
      They got married in a private ceremony at the Church of Our Lady Crowned in Mayfield, Cork, where Keane is from.
      Keane rarely mentions his wife in public, but once opened up about their relationship in a revealing interview with the Sunday Times in the early 2000s.
      “I don’t really mention her in public, but in fairness to her, she has been a rock in my life. Just brilliant. She reads me better than I read myself,” Keane said.
      “I wouldn’t say Theresa likes every part of the package. She knows I haven’t got a halo over my head. Actually, that’s what she likes about me. She also knows I am not the nastiest person in the world.”
      FIVE CHILDREN
      Keane and Theresa have five children together, Shannon, Caragh, Aidan, Leah and Alanna.
      Even though the former footballer has tasted plenty of success on the football pitch, nothing comes close to spending time with his family.
      Even though he enjoyed plenty of success at Manchester United, Keane longed for family time instead of celebrating with team-matesCredit: Reuters
      Keane has five children with wife TheresaCredit: SNS
      In his autobiography, when writing about winning the Champions League in 1999, Keane said he “longed to go home to Theresa and the kids” and wasn’t interested in celebrating with his team-mates.
      However, despite his wish to spend more time with them after hanging up his boots, he previously admitted that they wanted him to get back to work after just two months.
      “My plan when I first stopped was, we’re going to go on some family trips, we’re going to be like the Waltons,” Keane joked.
      “We’re all going to spend time together, go walk in the park and after a month or two they didn’t have the same plan as me so I think they were kind of missing me going to work.
      “I got offered the job at Sunderland and I was away on a family holiday and my family were looking at me… not saying it directly but going we kind of enjoy your company but not too much of it so when the job came back up they were saying you should go for it.”
      MEET THE PARENTS
      Roy’s late father Maurice ‘Mossie’ Keane met his mum Marie at a local dance, and they married in 1963.
      They moved to the Mayfield suburb in Cork, where they raised five children, Denis, Johnson, Hilary, Roy and Pat.
      Keane shared a tight bond with his parents Maurice and MarieCredit: Sky
      Generous Keane bought his parents a home in the countryside in RathpeaconCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      Keane always shared a close bond with his parents and regularly made sure they had tickets to watch his games at Forest and United.
      The generous son also bought them a home in the countryside in nearby Rathpeacon.
      In 2019, Keane was devastated when his Maurice passed away after battling illness. He was 79.
      AS A PLAYER
      When Keane was a schoolboy, he began playing football for local side Rockmount AFC.
      From there, he moved to Irish First Division team Cobh Ramblers of County Cork in 1989.
      Keane was spotted by ex-scout Noel McCabe, who immediately recommended the talent to Brian Clough.
      After impressing on a trial, he moved to Nottingham in 1990 and blossomed into one of the best young midfielders in the country.
      At Nottingham Forest Keane blossomed into one of the country’s best midfieldersCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      In 1993 Manchester United paid a British transfer record fee of £3.75m to buy KeaneCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      Sir Alex Ferguson brought Keane to Manchester United in 1993 for a British transfer record fee of £3.75million.
      Keane went on to become one of the Premier League giants’ greatest captains – winning seven Premier League titles, a Champions League, as well as four FA Cups.
      He retired in 2006, after one season in Scotland at Celtic where he played 10 times.
      IRISH FALLOUT
      Keane’s career has been rocked by scandal over the years.
      But nothing hurt more than missing the greatest football competition in the world in 2002.
      Keane played 65 times for Ireland between 1991-2005, but his international career is unfortunately remembered for his fallout with Mick McCarthy before the 2002 World Cup.
      Keane wasn’t happy with the Irish team’s set-up ahead of the prestigious football tournament and left the training camp.
      Keane’s international career is best remembered for his epic fallout with Mick McCarthyCredit: Reuters
      After he returned home from the 2002 World Cup, Keane was seen walking his dogs nearby his homeCredit: Reuters
      After a confrontation with McCarthy at the team hotel, he flew home and was famously quizzed by reporters about his acrimonious exit while walking his dog near his home.
      Without him, Ireland managed to reach the last-16 before they were beaten by Spain on penalties.
      AS A MANAGER
      Now linked with Celtic, Keane has had previous experience managing a club – all with varied success.
      His first job at Sunderland was actually a success in the light of day. He took over the Mackems in 2006 when they second bottom of the Championship.
      In his first season, they managed to win the league and gain promotion. But he stood down from his post before Christmas – with Sunderland struggling in 18th position in the Premier League.
      Keane has had mixed results as a manager, but could he be the next Celtic boss?Credit: EPA

      Then came a spell at Ipswich, where he failed in a promotion bid and was sacked in 2011.
      Keane returned to the international fold as assistant manager to Martin O’Neill, and was a key member of the coaching set-up that saw Ireland qualify Euro 2016.
      O’Neill and Keane left their jobs after a series of inconsistent results left their jobs hanging by a thread – and reunited briefly at Forest in 2019.
      Niall Quinn says refs were ‘scared stiff’ of Roy Keane as he remembers Man Utd getting an undeserved penalty More

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      Bizarre contract demands revealed, from no space travel to weight clauses and free transfers for Catalan independence

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      PLAYERS are valuable commodities.So when they thrash out contracts with the world’s biggest clubs, it’s important to get everything right and nothing’s left to chance.
      Footballers like Lionel Messi reportedly have bizarre clauses written into their contractsCredit: PA
      But there are times when stipulations are put in place by player and club to protect their interests, to let them fulfil their hobbies, or managers just don’t trust them.
      SunSport looks back at the wackiest requested to and by players:Messi business
      Back in February, with Lionel Messi’s future STILL up in the air, talk of what he would look for in his a new contract away from Barcelona began to surface.
      Some of the clauses in his current deal were leaked by El Mundo.
      They included an agreement to learn how to speak Catalan, he must ‘adopt an adequate personal conduct and pace of life’ and not engage in doping, and if Catalonia became its own country he could leave on a free transfer.
      Should Catalonia become its own country, Messi could leave Barcelona for freeCredit: AFP or licensors
      Lew the outdoor adventurer
      When Robert Lewandowski was running down his contract at Borussia Dortmund both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were jostling for his signature.
      And in leaked documents, Real Madrid’s offer seemed far more lucrative.
      Alongside a £166,000-per-week deal and a £10million signing-on fee were several requests they didn’t want daredevil Lewandowski to do while he was their property.
      Skiing, paragliding, climbing, going on a motorboat and even riding a motorbike were big ‘no-nos’ for Madrid’s hierarchy… so that’s why signed for Bayern instead.
      Robert Lewandowski is still able to continue his outdoor adventures at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      Reina toyed with
      When negotiating a contract, it’s important to be 100 per cent clear about what is being stipulated.
      When German forward Giuseppe Reina Reina moved to Arminia Bielefeld in 1996, he demanded the club build him a house for every year of his contract.
      The club accepted.
      However, Reina didn’t specify what size he required.
      And Arminia provided him with a house made of Lego for the next three years.
      Giuseppe Reina in action for Arminia Bielefeld, who only joined under strict circumstances
      Redondo locked out
      Former Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder Fernando Redondo was excluded from Argentina’s 1998 World Cup squad for a bizarre reason.
      Manager Daniel Passarella had refused to pick homosexuals or players with earrings and long hair.
      Redondo was ‘guilty’ of the latter.
      He said: “I was in great form. But Passarella had particular ideas about discipline and wanted me to have my hair cut.
      “I didn’t see what that had to do with playing football so I said no.”
      Fernando Redondo’s long hair cost him his international career
      Cooking up a treat
      Congolese midfielder Rolf-Christel Guie-Mien moved from Karlsruher to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1999.
      However, he had one simple request: that his new club pay for his wife to have cooking lessons.
      We’re not sure Mrs Guie-Mien took too kindly to this demand.
      Though, she was not available for comment at the time.
      Rolf-Christel Guie-Mien made it very clear to his wife he kitchen skills needed improvement
      Brought down to Earth
      Swede Stefan Schwarz moved to Sunderland in 1999 — but the Wearsiders had one stipulation the former Arsenal man had to adhere to.
      Schwarz was told that any potential flights into space would not be tolerated.
      The Black Cats chief exec John Flicking said at the time: “One of Schwarz’s advisers has, indeed, got one of the places on the commercial flights [into space, due to take place in 2002].
      “And we were worried that he may wish to take Stefan along with him. So we thought we’d better get things tied up now rather than at the time of the flight.”
      In fact, rather than managing to go up, his career ended when Sunderland went down in 2003.
      Stefan Schwarz is presented as a Sunderland player, alongside Peter Reid in 1999
      Razor weighed down
      Former Premier League and England defender Neil Ruddock once admitted to eating 212 steak and kidney pies every year.
      And Crystal Palace were advised Razor did come with some extra baggage when they signed him on a free in 2000.
      Ex-Eagles chairman Simon Jordan wrote in his autobiography: “On approaching West Ham I discovered he was a free transfer, although he did have a weighty salary — which was not the only weighty thing about him.
      “Harry Redknapp, the West Ham manager at the time, told me to put in a weight clause.
      “So I decided to put a 10 per cent penalty on the contract we were proposing to offer him if he was over the recommended weight of 99.8kg, which by the way was still frigging huge.”
      Ruddock’s Palace debut was allegedly delayed because the club couldn’t find a pair of shorts big enough for him.
      Neil Ruddock has never been one of the slimmest footballer

      Driving a Honda
      Japanese legend Keisuke Honda joined Botafogo in January 2020.
      But moving to Brazil’s crime-ridden city of Rio de Janeiro had the midfielder fearing for his safety.
      So he stipulated he would need an ARMOURED VEHICLE as part of the deal.
      More incredibly, Botafogo agreed.
      But his stay in South America did not last long and he has this month joined Portimonense in Portugal.
      Keisuke Honda signed for Brazilian side Botafogo – but only after an unusual request was grantedCredit: AFP or licensors
      Roy Keane perplexed as Micah Richards shows him viral video of Man Utd legend’s Fifa 21 self dancing which went viral More

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      in Soccer

      Watches worn by football managers, from Sean Dyche’s Patek Philippe timepiece to Jose Mourinho’s Hublot sponsorship deal

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      HOW long left, ref?Football managers are always looking at their watches, gesturing to referees to add injury time on or calling out time wasting.
      Managers like Pep Guardiola love expensive watchesCredit: Rex Features
      But some spend an absolute fortune on their timepieces, after all a watch is the most important accessory to a man’s closet.
      Sean Dyche and Jose Mourinho love to keep track on time with an expensive kettle and hob.
      Let SunSport tell you who has the most expensive…
      Jose Mourinho
      The Spurs boss is an ambassador for Swiss company Hublot and a self-confessed watch fanatic.
      He approves of their Big Bang Unico Bi-retrograde Chrono model, which retails at around £25k.
      Jose Mourinho is sponsored by Swiss watchmaker HublotCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Mourinho has also worn the ‘King Power Mourinho’, made with a sapphire dial and crystals, that costs in the region of £17k.
      Incidentally, the Big Bang is the same watch that Diego Maradona once owned before he passed away.
      Jose Mourinho’s Hublot watch costs £25kCredit: Handout
      Arsene Wenger
      Charity is high on ex-Arsenal boss Arsene’s mind when it comes to what watch he wants wrapped around his wrist.
      He has been known to wear an IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Galapagos Islands.’
      Costing around £8,650, sales from this model are donated to a charity that conserves the Galapagos Island.
      Arsene Wenger favours IWC’s range of expensive watchesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Arsene Wenger’s IWC Aquatimer watch costs £8,650Credit: Handout
      Sean Dyche
      A firm believer in modesty, the Burnley boss goes all out there with his watch choice.
      Sean favours Patek Philippe’s 5990/1A which would have set him back an astonishing £45k.
      He switches to digital watches for games, just so he can be extra cautious of time, but it’s personally where he is top of the Premier League.
      Sean Dyche owns a £45k Patek Philippe watchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Sean Dyche owns the most expensive watch out of all the Premier League’s managersCredit: Handout
      Eddie Howe
      He’s use to modest operations, as former Bournemouth coach he had to manage their Premier League aspirations on a modest budget.
      So is it any wonder he shuns expensive jewellery for a simple and effective Apple watch.
      It would’ve set him back somewhere in the region of £200, which means he’s a frugal spender.
      Eddie Howe likes to keep things simple with an Apple WatchCredit: Reuters
      Eddie Howe would’ve paid around £200 for his Apple WatchCredit: PA
      Antonio Conte
      Inter Milan boss Conte is a man who likes the finer things in life, and has a penchant for a classic timepiece.
      And despite not investing his money in expensive cars, he’s keen on having a quality watch.
      Conte is a classic gent who goes with a Rolex Daytona, which can cost around £10k.
      Antonio Conte owns a classic Rolex Daytona watchCredit: Rex Features
      A Rolex Daytona would’ve cost Antonio Conte £10kCredit: Handout
      Sam Allardyce
      ‘Big Sam’ is a fan of the expensive things in life, he has a fondness for driving luxury Bentleys for one.
      And the former England boss likes to be equally as lavish with what he accessorises with.
      That’s why he’s opted for Hublot’s Big Bang Unico Chronograph, titanium, rose gold skeleton dial number.
      It would cost somewhere in the region of £27,000.
      Sam Allardyce owns a lavish rose gold Hublot watchCredit: EPA
      Sam Allardyce spent £27,000 on his Hublot watchCredit: Handout
      Jurgen Klopp
      Like Wenger, Liverpool’s flamboyant boss goes with Swissmaker IWC’s range of watches.
      He prefers the IWC Pilots Chronograph 377701, a modest choice for a man on a bumper contract at Anfield.
      It retails for around £4,000, and is interestingly also the watch of choice for Jeremy Clarkson.
      Jurgen Klopp favours a more modest IWC range of watchesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jurgen Klopp owns the same watch as Jeremy ClarksonCredit: Handout
      Pep Guardiola
      He’s a fashionista when it comes to his dress sense, but he’s not top of the league when it comes to watches.
      Company man Pep keeps track of time on a £1,900 Cimier QNETCity Automatic, among others from the brand.
      There were only 1,880 made for when the club celebrated the year it was founded back in 2016, so in time its value will soar.
      However, he is mostly seen wearing a £9,000 Rolex Deep Sea Dweller.
      Pep Guardiola has an extensive watch collection and loves a Rolex DeepSea DwellerCredit: Reuters
      Pep Guardiola also wore a Man City themed Cimier watchCredit: Handout
      David Moyes
      ‘Moysie’ is in good company.
      The West Ham boss has the same watch as Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney – a Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Moonphase 5396G worth around £30k.
      It’s his trusted go-to, which he wears almost religiously during every game and he has two of them – in gold and silver!
      Moyes does have an enviable watch collection and also likes Patek Philippe’s Nautilus range as well.
      David Moyes boasts a collection of watches in the Patek Philippe rangeCredit: AFP – Getty
      David Moyes owns both gold and silver Patek Philippe Annual Calendar watchesCredit: Handout
      Mauricio Pochettino
      His watch choice isn’t quite as pragmatic as his team’s style on the pitch.
      The PSG boss loves wearing IWC – like his former crosstown rival Arsene Wenger.

      He has worn, in the past, their Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Expedition Charles Darwin’ watch.
      That would’ve cost him around £8,350, which is chump change for a manager on a huge contract with the French champions.
      Mauricio Pochettino is another IWC fan paying £8,350 for a Expedition Charles Darwin watchCredit: AFP or licensors
      Pep Guardiola admits he has no chance of beating trendy Fulham boss Scot Parker in the fashion stakes More

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      in Soccer

      South America faces international fixture backlog of 21 games in just 10 months with risk of club vs country rows

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      THE action is taking place all over Europe, but there are no World Cup qualifiers taking place in South America at the moment.A suspension was forced by the coronavirus pandemic, which is especially severe in Brazil.
      International football has been suspended in South America because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemicCredit: AFP
      Chile and Bolivia managed to meet on Friday, and later today (Monday) there is a game between Ecuador and Bolivia – the first friendlies involving South American national teams since November 2019.
      There has been very little international football on this side of the Atlantic. But all that is about to change.
      Last year just four rounds of the marathon World Cup qualification campaign were completed. There is a lot to catch up on – and there is a Copa America scheduled for the middle of the year, at the same time as the Euros.
      At the moment, then, the calendar looks something like this. The next double header of World Cup qualifiers are set for early June, followed by the Copa America, split between Argentina and Colombia.
      Then there are more pairs of World Cup qualifiers in September, October and November, and then in January and March of next year.
      And somewhere in all that, there is the need to cram in the two rounds of qualifiers – including Brazil vs Argentina, – that should have been played at the moment.
      This will not be easy. In Europe some teams are able to cram three games into the Fifa date period. Distances are so vast in South America that this is a logistical headache.
      But working on the assumption that a way will be found to catch up with the fixture backlog, this points to a clear conclusion; there may have been very little international football in South America over the sixteen months, but there is plenty to come.
      South American countries like Uruguay and Brazil face a backlog of fixtures to catch-up on missed World Cup qualifying gamesCredit: Getty
      Inbetween the World Cup qualifiers, the likes of Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi will be competing for the Copa AmericaCredit: AFP
      Between the start of June and the end of next March, there is a maximum (for the semi finalists of the Copa America) of 21 international games to be played – effectively half the number of a club season.
      That is an extraordinary amount, one which will surely give rise to howls of protest from the European clubs, where most of the big name South Americans make their living.
      The clubs will probably be putting pressure on their players to give the Copa America a miss – especially since the first phase is a huge trial of everyone’s patience.
      The invited teams, Australia and Qatar, have been forced to pull out. So there are ten sides divided into two groups of five, and a grand total of one team per group ends up eliminated.
      There are plenty of potential problems, then, even assuming that the fixtures can be completed. But that, too, may end up being an overly optimistic point of view.
      Australia have already pulled out of the this year’s Copa America due to the coronavirus pandemicCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The pandemic is currently at its worst moment in Brazil, with over 3000 deaths per day. There are hopes that mass vaccination will help bring the situation under control, but this is likely to take some months.
      The rest of the continent fears infection, and as it stands both Peru and Colombia bar the entry of people and planes from Brazil.
      The administrators of South American football may well have to use all of their improvisational skills to make sure the continent can get through its fixture calendar and finish its World Cup qualification process in time for Qatar.
      Ex-Brazil star Adriano is living the good life as he hangs out with friends in his luxury £10k-a-month hotel room More

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      in Soccer

      The tragic story of ex-PSG star Jean-Pierre Adams, who has been in a coma for 39 years after a failed knee surgery

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      IT was meant to be a routine surgery.A minor knee operation, that would’ve left ex-footballer Jean-Pierre Adams out of action for a few months.
      Former French defender Jean-Pierre Adams underwent knee surgery in 1982, but after an anaesthetist’s error he slipped into a coma before the operationCredit: Getty
      However, a near lethal dose of anaesthetic before the procedure left the former French international in a coma.
      Some 39 years later, the defender is still in a long vegetative state – but will not be given up on by his long-suffering wife, Bernadette.
      THE BLACK ROCK
      Born in Dakar, Senegal in 1948, Adams moved to France aged ten and began his professional football career with Nimes in the 1970s.
      Before that he was hardened in the world of the non-league game, juggling a job working for a local rubber manufacturer, until scouts decided he was worth gambling on.
      Within a few seasons, Adams was a first team regular in the Gard helping his side challenge for the league title.
      Between 1972-73, the Crocodiles finished second in the First Division and reached the Coupe de France semi-finals – in what was a golden era for the club.
      Adams, christened ‘The Black Rock’, earned his first France call-up in 1972 and was sold to OGC Nice ahead of the 1973-74 season.
      The 5ft 10 in centre half would spend four years on the Cote d’Azur and play 144 games for the team.
      Nicknamed ‘The Black Rock’ Adams made his international debut for France in 1972Credit: AFP
      Adams in action in a friendly match against Portugal in 1975Credit: Getty
      DREAM PARTNERSHHIP
      During his career, Adams would earn 22 caps for Les Bleus.
      He was regularly paired with French legend Marius Tresor between 1972-76.
      France’s Romanian manager at the time Stefan Kovacs nicknamed the partnership ‘The Black Guard’, after an impressive display shutting out a strong Poland side.
      However, despite their defensive prowess this French side wasn’t as good going forward.
      It was a period of disenchantment for the national team, who failed to qualify for the European Championships in 1976.
      That year saw Adams’ last appearance for his country – in a friendly against Denmark.
      Adams lines up alongside France legend Marius Tresor, who he formed ‘The Black Guard’ withCredit: Getty
      From 1972-76 Adams played 22 games for his countryCredit: Getty
      A BIG CONTRACT
      At 29, Adams signed his last big contract in football with PSG.
      In two years in the French capital, he appeared 42 times, scoring twice, and cemented his name as one of the most important players in the club’s first decade of existence.
      The plaudits about his ability come from international team-mates, including iconic midfielder Henri Michel.
      Michel described Adams as a ‘force of nature, very strong, full of good will and determination’ to Paris United.
      After a brief spell at Division 2 side Mulhouse, he would end his career with amateurs FC Chalon at 33 playing with Polish striker Josef Klose, the father of German legend Miroslav.
      OPERATION HORROR
      Following a ligament rupture injury, Adams checked into the Édouard Herriot Hospital in Lyon in 1982.
      He was booked in for a routine surgery and expected to leave hospital in the following days.
      PSG fans fondly remember Jean-Pierre Adams during his time with the clubCredit: AFP
      However, it all went tragically wrong when an anaesthetist made a near-fatal error and gave Adams the wrong dose ahead of the op.
      The healthy athlete suffered a bronchospasm, which starved his brain of oxygen.
      Adams fell into a coma that he’s still in today, aged 73.
      In the 1990s, a court ruled that both the anaesthetist and trainee were given one-month suspended sentences, as well as a hefty fine.
      A WIFE’S VIGIL
      Loyal wife Bernadette Adams has remained by her husband’s bedside, caring for his needs.
      Bernadette Adams, pictured with Marius Tresor, hasn’t given up hope for her husbandCredit: Twitter
      Jean-Pierre is unable to communicate and express emotion, but he can still breathe, feel, eat and cough without the aid of medical equipment and lives at home near Nimes.
      “People on Facebook say he should be unplugged… But he is not plugged! I just don’t have the courage to stop giving him food and water,” Bernadette revealed.
      “He has a normal routine. He wakes up at 7, eats… He may be in a vegetative state, but he can hear and sit in a wheelchair.”
      EUTHANASIA
      The suggestion of putting her husband’s suffering to an end is not one Bernadette entertains.
      She is against euthanasia and refuses to give up on Jean-Pierre.
      Tresor admitted he doesn’t have the courage to visit his former team-mate and friendCredit: AFP

      But her stance isn’t one that former defensive partner Tresor agrees with. According to Paris United, Tresor hasn’t found the courage to visit his former team-mate since the awful incident.
      He said: “Even if Jean-Pierre woke up, he would not recognise anybody. So is it worth living like this?
      “If a similar thing happened to me, I told my wife not to keep me here.”
      Moise Kean shows off his super skill with training at PSG More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing star Dillian Whyte was shot twice, stabbed three times, and became a dad at 13 – but still achieved his dream

      by

      DILLIAN Whyte is gunning for rematch redemption when he fights Alexander Povetkin this Saturday in Gibraltar.The Bodysnatcher was stunned by the veteran Russian when he was knocked out in the fifth round of their first scrap in August.
      Dillian Whyte’s road to the glory has been anything but smoothCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Now he has his chance of revenge in what really is a career-defining bout on the ‘rock in the sea’.
      The plush surroundings are a long way from how far he has come.
      ‘The Body Snatcher’, as he is frighteningly nicknamed, grew up in the concrete jungle of Brixton as a self-confessed thug, where he had to use his fists to get himself out of bother.
      But that didn’t always work when guns and knives were brought to the fight.
      As a street kid, the 31-year-old British heavyweight boxer was shot twice and stabbed three times on the mean streets of South London, as gangs ran rife.
      And as soon as he became a teenager, Whyte’s life changed dramatically when he became a father for the first time.
      However, that hasn’t stopped the 6ft 4in brawler from succeeding in life – who recently saw his name cleared of any doping charges as he still targets a world championship title fight.
      Whyte was born in Jamaica in poverty, and his mum left the family home in Portland when he was just a toddler to find a job in London.

      The Body Snatcher Whyte was shot twice and stabbed three times before making it in the ringCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Whyte’s mum left the boxer when he was two-years-old in Jamaica and moved to LondonCredit: Instagram

      “Man when I was growing up in Jamaica we suffered, suffered, suffered,” he told BBC Sport last year.
      “Some days we couldn’t eat, we’d go to bed hungry. She left me with people who didn’t take very good care of me.
      “They were taking the money my mum was sending and was telling me she wasn’t sending anything.”
      By the age of 12, Whyte and his brother Dean joined his mother in Brixton. But soon he was wayward, corrupted by the cruel, impoverished surroundings he was growing up in.
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      When Whyte was 12 he moved to Brixton to rejoin his mum
      He was stabbed three times, once sewing himself back together instead of heading to his local A&E at King’s College Hospital in Camberwell.
      Whyte was also shot twice after getting caught in a gang war in Clapham, and painfully had to remove a bullet from his leg because he didn’t want to bother his hard-working mum.
      “I took the bullet out and hid out,” Whyte told The Telegraph.
      “It was out of respect for my mum. I didn’t ever want to bring police to her house.
      “Doesn’t matter what I did or how bad I was, I showed respect for her. If I was ever injured, I couldn’t go to the hospital in case they alerted my mum, so I did what I had to do.”
      TIME INSIDE CHANGED EVERYTHING
      At school and growing up on an estate, Whyte was often asked to take on bullies, who he gladly put on their backsides in exchange for change and sandwiches.
      “I’ve always been a fighter,” Whyte told the Daily Mirror. “I’ve never had a choice. Growing up I had to fight to survive.
      “Kids used to pay me to fight bullies for them, I swear. At schools and around my estate. The bullies were older and bigger than me.
      “Sometimes they gave me food, it could be sandwiches or it could be money. I think £2 was the most I got and £2 was a lot back then. You could buy a hell of a lot of sweets for £2 back then.”
      A threat of spending life behind bars changed Whyte foreverCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
      In his late teens, Whyte found himself in prison in Bristol awaiting trial and facing up to 20 years behind bars.
      An emotional visit from his mum and sister opened his eyes, and he hated seeing them upset.
      “My older brother died and she was saying she didn’t want to lose another son,’ Whyte told the Daily Mail.
      “As bad as I was, I never wanted to disappoint my mum.
      “When she came to the prison in Bristol, she said, ‘Son, we’ve been through so much in life’. I looked at my mum’s face and the tears rolling down her cheeks and I felt bad and I felt ashamed.”
      It made Whyte change his ways for the better.
      Whyte began life as a kickboxer training at Miguel’s GymCredit: PA:Press Association
      Whyte also competed in the MMA, flooring his only opponent Will Riva
      Whyte needed something to channel his anger and aggression growing up, and he found it in the discipline of boxing.
      It’s fair to say that Miguel’s Gym provided him with the platform to build another life for himself.
      “I didn’t do too well at school, to be honest, but boxing saved me and changed my life,” Whyte once said.
      “And it was going well, because I knew it was my best chance in life.”
      But originally, Whyte tried his hand at professional kickboxing. And he was a success too.
      He was a two-time British heavyweight kickboxing champion, claiming the BIKMA Super Heavyweight British Championship title, and was also a one-time European K1 champion.
      He ended his K1 career with an impressive record of 20 wins and just one loss, before turning to MMA.
      In 2008, he fought at the Ultimate Challenge MMA – defeating Mark Stroud with a hugely destructive left hook only 12 seconds into the first round.
      DADDY DAYCARE
      When he was just 13-years-old, Whyte became a father for the first time. He has since had two more children.
      But it was becoming a teenage dad that meant he had to grow up quick.
      “I was a dad at 13-years-old so I have been looking after kids and I had to rush my mental state, growing up a lot faster,” he told 1 News.

      “When you become a dad it changes everything, where most kids were running around I’m working two jobs and doing other things to get money to feed my children.

      “I’m trying to win these fights so my kids have a good life and make sure they don’t have to struggle the way I struggled.”
      At the age of 13 Whyte became a father for the first time. He has since had two more children

      In 2009, Dillian began a career in boxing at amateur level.
      And for his first fight, at the age of 20, he couldn’t have fought anyone tougher.
      Whyte squared off against future heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua, and in truth he battered him.
      Joshua was floored in one round, with his opponent on the front foot throughout their three-round fight. In the end, Whyte was the victor by unanimous decision.
      In another contest, he left another amateur opponent in a coma after knocking him out – thus earning his vicious ‘The Body Snatcher’ moniker.
      But Whyte’s amateur career was short-lived after a dispute with the ABA regarding his kickboxing background, and he was forced to turn pro in 2011.
      As an amateur, Whyte famously defeated Anthony Joshua
      Whyte, posing with Tyson Fury, also one put an opponent in a coma after knocking him out in a amateur fightCredit: Instagram
      In 2012, Whyte failed a drug test after his victory over Hungary’s Sandor Balogh.
      He tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine (MHA), which he claimed he mistakingly took with a nutritional supplement called Jack3D, and was handed a two-year ban.
      Whyte appealed a year later, but the ban was upheld even though a tribunal accepted he didn’t knowingly take MHA.
      Despite a drugs ban in 2012, Whyte has got his career back on trackCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “The supplement was described on the container as ‘an ultra-intense muscle supplement, giving strength, energy, power and endurance’,” Charles Flint QC, the chairman of the appeal tribunal, said in 2013.
      “It was plainly intended to be a performance-enhancing supplement which an athlete should only take after having taken great care to ensure that it does not contain a prohibited substance.
      “The athlete took no steps to make any proper enquiries of his manager or coach, any person with medical or anti-doping expertise, or the sports authorities, as to whether the supplement was safe to take.”
      Although that set him back, Whyte is now stronger than ever.
      From life experience alone, he’s certainly worth it.
      Dillian Whyte says he’s going for the knockout and isn’t considering a loss against Alexander Povetkin More