Sport Features

DELE ALLI could be the next English footballer to play in French football.
The Spurs midfielder has been frozen out of Tottenham’s first team by Jose Mourinho, and has been linked with a move to PSG – where he would be reunited with Mauricio Pochettino.

Dele Alli could be set for a move to French football with PSG and a reunion with Mauricio PochettinoCredit: –

And Alli – or maybe that should be Allez – wouldn’t be the first star from our shores to try his hand at Ligue 1.
Here are more players who hopped over the Channel – and whether they were a hit or a miss…
DAVID BECKHAM
In what his final season as a pro, Beckham felt the Louvre at PSG.
He played fourteen times after signing on a short-term deal in January 2013 – memorably playing for free after donating his salary to local children’s charities.

In his final home game for the club, he provided an assist from a trademark corner for a goal from Blaise Matuidi.
Becks was subbed off on 80 minutes to a standing ovation – receiving hugs from his fellow players and managers.
At the end of the season, PSG were crowned champions and Beckham got another winner’s medal.

David Beckham retired at PSG and was given a hero’s ovation Credit: Getty Images – Getty
TONY CASCARINO
The ex-Millwall and Chelsea centre forward joined Marseille in 1994 at the age of 32, apparently with his best years behind him.

However, Cascarino, who was born in England but played for Republic of Ireland, was a major success story in France.
He won the Ligue 2 title with both Marseille and Nancy, where he scored 61 goals in 84 games and 44 in 109 respectively.
He ended his career at Red Star 93, and still holds a Ligue 1 record for oldest to score a hat-trick, which he did aged 37 for Nancy.

Tony Cascarino was a roaring success at MarseilleCredit: AP:Associated Press

Cascarino holds the Ligue 1 record of oldest player to score a hat-trick at 37 for NancyCredit: AFP
GLENN HODDLE
Spurs legend Hoddle was made for playing overseas.
A cultured midfielder, he took Ligue 1 by storm under boss Arsene Wenger, who gave him licence to roam around the pitch as a classic No10 for Monaco.
Hoddle played alongside George Weah, and helped the principality become kings of France in 1988 and they reached the quarter finals of the European Cup a season later.
A serious knee injury curtailed his final season in France, and he was released after scoring 27 league goals in 69 games.

Glenn Hoddle won the league title at MonacoCredit: Getty – Contributor
JOE COLE
After falling out of favour at Liverpool, Cole decided to move to then-French champions Lille on loan in 2011.
The former England international got to play with a young Eden Hazard, before he moved to Chelsea.
And the pair combined well – with Cole being a relative success in France under boss Rudi Garcia, who wanted to keep him permanently after a season he scored nine times in all competitions.
However, Cole felt he had unfinished business at Liverpool -returning to Anfield for a second chance with incoming manager Brendan Rodgers.

Lille wanted Joe Cole to stay but he returned to Liverpool following a successful loanCredit: Reuters

Cole played alongside Eden Hazard at LilleCredit: Reuters
CHRIS WADDLE
A year before the 1990 World Cup, Waddle took a gamble with his career and moved out of his comfort zone at Spurs to Marseille.
The fee, £4.5million, was the third highest sum ever paid for a footballer at that time.
But the winger didn’t buckle under the pressure and won three league titles with the club in his three seasons there, and was a runner-up in the European Cup.
He earned the nickname “Magic Chris” among the fans, and was voted second best Marseille player of the century behind Jean Pierre Papin for the club’s centenary in 1998.

Chris Waddle signed for Marseille for £4.5m in 1989Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Waddle won three Ligue 1 championships with Marseille and was second in a fans’ vote for player of the century in 1990Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
JOEY BARTON
After getting sent off in the final game of the season for QPR against Manchester City in 2012 – receiving a 12-game ban for having a go at several City players – Barton had to get away.
The combative midfielder chose Marseille, who he joined on a season-long loan.
However, his ban was upheld in French football, so he could only play in the Europa League.
But trouble followed Barton overseas, and in 2013 he was suspended for two games for for describing ex-PSG defender Thiago Silva as looking like an “overweight ladyboy” on Twitter.
Barton returned to QPR a season later.

Joe Barton got into bother at Marseille and was suspended for insulting Thiago SilvaCredit: PA:Press Association
RAY WILKINS
The late great ‘Butch’ made a success of himself abroad at AC Milan, where the Italian press eulogised him as a “serious and meticulous professional who was immediately appreciated for his long and precise passes”.
However, he struggled at PSG when he was sold to the Paris club in 1987.
Failing to dislodge Gabriel Calderon and Safet Susic from their midfield, he was limited to just 13 appearances – mostly from the bench.
Wilkins moved to Scotland the same year after he was signed by Glasgow Rangers for £250,000.

Ray Wilkins struggled for game time at PSG and left after a matter of monthsCredit: Offside Sports
MARK HATELEY
Like Wilkins, Hateley had a stint at AC Milan before he moved to French football.
The English centre forward was signed by Arsene Wenger in 1987, and would spend three years there.
Not only did he win the 1987-88 Ligue 1 title, Hateley also scored 22 goals in 59 league games.
He returned to Britain in 1990 in a £1million deal with Glasgow Rangers, and played under Graeme Souness.

Mark Hateley played alongside Glenn Hoddle at Monaco and was signed by Arsene WengerCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

Hateley scored 22 goals in 59 league games in three seasons with MonacoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
TREVOH CHALOBAH
Should Dele Alli make the move to France, he would possibly have a mate there already.
Chelsea loanee Chalobah is currently plying his trade at Lorient, where he is beginning to find his feet at right-back.
So far Chalobah has played nine games for the club, although they sit rock bottom of Ligue 1.
The England U-21 international will still be getting valuable first team football away from Stamford Bridge.

Trevoh Chalobah is currently on loan at Lorient from ChelseaCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
CLIVE ALLEN
Serial goalscorer Allen flirted with French football for a brief moment from 1988-89 with Bordeaux.
But the marksman was never one to stay somewhere he wasn’t happy, and moved back to England with Manchester City after just 19 games.

Still, he managed 13 goals, so wasn’t a total flop, and Bordeaux fans were sad to see him leave.
Allen would then go on to play for City, Chelsea, West Ham, Millwall, and Carlisle.
There was even a short stint as a kicker for American Football team London Monarchs.

Clive Allen’s brief spell at Bordeaux lasted just 19 gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Jose Mourinho insists it is not up to him whether Dele Alli is sold in January amid PSG transfer links More

IT’S no fluke that Cristiano Ronaldo became the best.
After all, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has dedicated his life to football – pushing his body to the limit to get fitter and stronger.

Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his incredible physique achieved through hard work and determinationCredit: AFP

Ronaldo’s work ethic has left former team mates like Dimitar Berbatov in awe of his dedicationCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The 35-year-old has left other pros in awe of his work ethic, as well as his diet – setting the benchmark for others to follow.
Even his partner – the stunning Georgina Rodriguez – revealed she was “ashamed” training next to him.
Ronaldo is a team mate who dictates what players eat and forces his friends to work just as hard as him… if they can!
Here’s what they say about CR7.

ARTHUR MELO
Ronaldo’s Brazilian team mate at Juventus has been in the unique position of working with both the Portuguese superstar and his great rival, Lionel Messi.
Former Barcelona midfielder Arthur revealed how the ex-Manchester United star encouraged him to eat healthily.
Ronaldo also impressed Arthur with his efforts in training.
“He trains like an animal, he doesn’t know when to rest and he encourages you to give your all,” he said.

“He always tells me what to eat, not leaving anything to chance.”

Juventus team mate Arthur revealed Ronaldo encouraged him to eat more healthyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
PATRICE EVRA
As former French left-back Evra once revealed, don’t ever go to Ronaldo’s house if he invites you round… you’ll only end up having to workout!
Speaking to ITV in 2019, Evra said: “I would give advice to anybody, when Cristiano invites you for lunch at his house, just say no.
“He once said, ‘Patrice, come over after training.’
“I went, you know I was really tired, and at the table there was only salad and plain white chicken so I was like, okay, and water, not any juice.
“We started eating and I was thinking some big meat would be coming after that but there was nothing.
“He just finished and he stood up and he started playing with a ball, doing some skills and he said, ‘Let’s do some two-touch.’
Evra added: “I was like, can I just finish eating? He said ‘No, no let’s play two-touch.’
“We start playing two-touch. After that he said let’s go to the pool to swim, I was like okay… after going in the jacuzzi, the sauna, I’m done.

Patrice Evra told a hilarious anecdote of how a dinner invite to Ronaldo’s home became a training sessionCredit: Reuters
“I say, ‘Cristiano why have we come here, have we come here because we have a game tomorrow, or just for lunch?’
“So that’s why I would recommend to anyone when Cristiano invite you to his house, don’t go – just say no because this guy, he’s a machine, he doesn’t want to stop training.”
MEHDI BENATIA
Over the years, Ronaldo has been labelled abnormal for the way he pushes himself physically – and is able to cope with the demands of high-intensity training sessions for club and when he has any downtime.
Just ask his former Juventus pal Mehdi Benatia.
The Moroccan once revealed this brilliant anecdote. “The two of us didn’t play and we were left on the bench because three days later we had another game,” Benatia recalled.
“In the coach, on the way back, Ronaldo said to me: ‘What are you going to do now as soon as we get back?’ I replied: ‘It’s 11pm, I’m going home, why?’
“And he added: ‘Don’t you want to have a small training session with me? I didn’t sweat in the game, I have to train. Don’t you want to keep me company?’
“And again, I had to explain to him that it wasn’t possible, I just wanted to go home, sit myself down, in front of the TV.”

Mehdi Benatia turned down Ronaldo’s invite of a workout session on their way back from an evening gameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
DIMITAR BERBATOV
Bulgarian legend Berbatov spent one season with Ronaldo at Old Trafford
But he left quite the impression on the former Spurs star, saying he increased the competitive atmosphere at the club – and stayed away from alcohol.
“I’ve been a lucky guy to share a season [with Ronaldo],” 
“Training with him was like a war because I didn’t think about anything other than winning everything, including the little games we played,” Berbatov told Diario AS.
“Cristiano was a good kid who increase the competitive atmosphere in the team.
“At the Christmas parties we organised the players had a great time, but he was always very professional. I never saw him even take a drink. He took extreme care of himself.
“You’d come to training and he’d already be in the gym. Then, he’d stay for extra work after training to work on his finishing, before going swimming and then returning the gym.
“He was determined to be the best.”

Dimitar Berbatov said Ronaldo didn’t touch alcohol at Christmas parties Credit: Getty Images – Getty
LOUIS SAHA
Louis Saha was a dedicated pro, who arrived early at Carrington to prepare for rigorous training sessions.
But even the former French striker was stunned to see Ronaldo there an hour before him.
“That guy is insane,” Saha told The Athletic.
“If the session was at 10 am, I would arrive at 9 am, do my stuff. He would be there at 8.30 am doing his [injury] prevention and all that work, elastic band around his ankles.”
“It was all about dribbling, two full pitch-lengths, super-fast,” he continued.
“I couldn’t keep up. After two or three times back and forth I was out of breath.
“The guy was so natural but as well as talent, he has an enormous desire to work hard.”

Try as he might Louis Saha couldn’t beat Ronaldo to being the first person to arrive at trainingCredit: Getty – Contributor
GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ
During lockdown last summer it was his missus Georgina who became Ronaldo’s workout buddy.
They were seen working up a sweat running up their driveway, as well doing punishing weight exercises in their home gym.
In an interview with a Portuguese magazine, the Spanish beauty admitted it was embarrasing training next to him.
“Initially I was ashamed about working out with Cristiano,” she said.
“Imagine having to train in the same space as Cristiano?

Georgina Rodriguez works out from her home gymCredit: Instagram

Rodriguez said she felt ashamed training next to Ronaldo at firstCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez in brutal hill sprints as pair train together while in coronavirus lockdown

“I was used to working out at home when he went to train at his club so we could spend more time together when he returned.
“But afterwards that feeling went and now I love exercising with him.
“He’s become my greatest motivation and inspiration.” More

KARIM ADEYEMI wasn’t going to make it easy for himself.
The talented winger, 19, was on the books at Bayern Munich before suffering heartbreak when he was released by his boyhood club for behavioural issues which he readily admitted.

Talented winger Karim Adeyemi is attracting the interest of ArsenalCredit: AFP – Getty

He is now at RB Salzburg and linked with a move to Premier League sides including Arsenal and Liverpool having snubbed a chance with Chelsea in 2018.
Since making Austria his home, Adeyemi has blossomed into one of the most promising young players in Europe.
He is being tipped to follow in the footsteps of Erling Haaland and Sadio Mane, who used Salzburg to propel themselves to bigger and better things.
GERMAN-BORN MUNICH FAN
Adeyemi was born in Munich to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother.

At eight he was scouted by Bayern Munich, where he rose through the ranks and impressed coaches.
But off the pitch, things began to detoriorate.
There were claims that his behaviour began to become difficult for his coaches to take.
It was also said that Adeyemi’s parents had a strained relationship with Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

“At Bayern it quickly became clear that there was a precise plan. If you, as a player, stepped out of line or did not stick to this plan, you usually received little support,” he told Goal.

Adeyemi has rebuilt his career at RB Salzburg after he was released by Bayern Munich at 16Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Bayern Munich were reportedly unimpressed with Adeyemi’s attitude as a youngster

Adeyemi’s dad reportedly fell out with Bayern Munich’s hierarchyCredit: Instagram
“It remains to be seen whether they [Bayern] felt I had a lack of discipline. I don’t think that was the decisive factor.
“It just didn’t fit with Bayern anymore. We didn’t get along so well anymore. The relationship between my parents and the sports director at the time was no longer as it should be.”
A REBUILDING JOB
A gutted Adeyemi was released by the club he dreamed of playing for when he was just 16, and it would’ve been easy for him to fall by the wayside.
Third-tier Unterhaching offered him another chance, and with Manfred Schwabl – who played at both Bayern and 1860 Munich – he found a mentor.
Schwabl, now the Unterhaching president, saw first-hand the disruptive nature that was hampering Adeyemi’s progress.
He put the talented teen on the right path, even banning him from training sessions if his attitude towards school work didn’t improve.
“I was a very active child who needed a lot of leeway,” Adeyemi recalled.

Adeyemi shows off the quick feet that have attracted Europe’s top clubs in action while playing for Germany’s U17 teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Adeyemi celebrates scoring in a Champions League tie against Lokomotiv MoscowCredit: AFP – Getty
“I couldn’t keep still and always had to move. Then there was the fact that school was never easy for me. That not only got on my parents’ nerves, but also got on his [Schwabl’s] nerves.
“There were often discussions about school, including with the club. At some point we got it right.
“My excuse has always been, ‘The teacher is to blame’. I’m not a guy who can sit and watch at school for hours. I think I have now understood that I was responsible.”
CHELSEA SNUB
In 2018, after impressing at Unterhaching, Adeyemi had began to attract the top clubs, including Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea even invited him and his parents to spend some time at their Cobham training ground
But Adeyemi sensibly chose to sign for RB Salzburg – for a fee believed to be around £3million.
“I think it doesn’t matter which club you play at – football offers a great platform overall,” he revealed.
“If you are a good player who steps on the gas and shows their best in their performance, the clubs will see it.

In 2018 Adeyemi snubbed Chelsea in favour of a move to RB SalzburgCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Adeyemi has become one of the most promising talents in European footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I decided to continue playing at Unterhaching because I felt very comfortable. A move to Chelsea would not have been a sensible step at the time.
“Of course I am happy when such clubs signal interest, but I just wanted to play football. My team-mates were always behind me.

“Of course it is a bit uncomfortable when the other players ask, ‘Is it true that club X is interested?’. I was often asked about it at school. I didn’t really want to talk about that.”
Adeyemi has two goals and four assists in 12 games this season for Salzburg since cementing his place in the first team set-up.
With such a rapid rise, it won’t be long before he’s ready for the bigger stage. And maybe one day he will make Bayern Munich regret their decision to let him go.

Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski delighted with FIFA award after outstanding year More

Boca Juniors won the Argentine title on Sunday night. Even so, it was a tough week for their star man Carlos Tevez, and it could even mark his last one as a professional footballer.
Approaching his 37th birthday, there were times when it seemed that Tevez would not get this far. The former West Ham, Man United and Man City striker looked all washed up in 2019.

Carlos Tevez celebrates winning the Argentina championship with Boca Juniors on SundayCredit: AFP or licensors

Tevez has had a torrid time recently with the death of friend Diego Maradona and his father seriously ill after suffering from CovidCredit: AFP or licensors

He was often a reserve, and was sometimes not even the first attacking option off the bench.
In came coach Miguel Angel Russo, who recognised that Tevez needs to feel important, that he thrives on being the go-to player.
Russo made Tevez the centrepiece of his attack, and the veteran responded with a series of strong performances and vital goals as Boca won the league title for 2019-20.
The real aim, though, was winning the Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League.

Boca’s last triumph had come, under Russo, in 2007. Four years earlier Tevez had made his name in the club’s previous Libertadores win. Another lap of honour this time would be a wonderful way to book-end his career.
And it took on extra importance at the end of November when Diego Maradona died. Tevez and Maradona were very close.
Boca fanatics born on the wrong side of the tracks, they shared a bond – and even shared a kiss last year in celebration of that league title.
In the first game after the passing of Maradona, Tevez scored the only goal, took off his number 10 Boca shirt – and revealed another number 10 Boca shirt, one worn by Maradona back in 1981 that he had given to Tevez.

It was on the wall in his house, and Tevez had to break the frame to take it out.
But last Wednesday the Libertadores dream came to an end. Boca had been held to a goalless draw at home to Santos of Brazil in the first leg of the semi final. In the return game they went down 3-0.

Ex-Man Utd star Tevez had a tight bond with MaradonaCredit: AP:Associated Press

After scoring against Internacional Tevez revealed a jersey worn by Diego Maradona back in 1981Credit: Getty – Pool
Tevez made little impression, and cut a disconsolate figure as he trudged off the field at the end of the game.
He had extra reasons for sadness. His father has struggled for some time with Covid complications, and is currently seriously ill.
Boca were preparing for Sunday night’s final of the latest Argentine league – a tournament improvised because of the pandemic which has taken on the name of the Copa Diego Armando Maradona.
But Tevez was not with them on Saturday when they flew up to San Juan, on the border with Chile, where Boca would face Banfield.
He stayed with his family, making his way to San Juan on the day of the game. This time he would have to settle for a place on the bench.
He was not brought on until the 85th minute, with Boca defending a 1-0 lead. It all went wrong.
Left back Emanuel Mas was sent off, and Banfield squirmed home an equaliser with the last attack of the game. The title would be decided on penalties.
The mind of Tevez must surely have gone back a decade. In 2011 Argentina hosted the Copa America.

Boca Juniors players celebrate their penalty shootout triumph over BanfieldCredit: Getty – Pool

Tevez, now 36, may decide to call time on his illustrious careerCredit: AP:Associated Press

Their semi final against Uruguay was drawn and went to penalties. Tevez was the only man to miss, and Argentina crashed out.
This time he was not willing to wait. He stepped up to take the first penalty, steered it safely into the keeper’s bottom left corner and then watched as Boca won 4-3.
He was sent up to collect the trophy – and must surely be tempted to call it a day.

Watch Carlos Tevez pay emotional tribute to Diego Maradona at Boca Juniors after Copa Libertadores goal More

WHEN Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez turn up to events, they know how to turn heads.
Most recently, the pair were guests at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards in the Middle East, where they showed off their love of expensive jewellery.

Cristiano Ronaldo loves accessorising with diamondsCredit: Reuters

Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodriguez also boasts an expensive jewellery collectionCredit: Georgina Rodriguez/instagram

In fact Ronaldo, 35, had over £600,000 worth of ice all on one hand as he accepted the award for player of the century.
While last September, stunning partner Georgina, 26, was given an incredible £615,000 engagement ring.
We believe their jewellery collection is worth at least £2.6million. Here is what we’ve seen.
THE £1.2M WATCH
In 2018, ahead of his emotional return to Old Trafford with Juventus playing old club Manchester United in the Champions League, Ronaldo made quite the impression at a press conference.

He was spotted wearing a diamond-encrusted Franck Muller timepiece worth an astonishing £1.2m.
Ronaldo’s favourite accessory is finished with 424 glistening white diamonds.
Previously, he had been seen wearing a £100,000 Jacob and Company limited edition H24 on his wrist, which had a total diamond weight of 15.25 carats.
Ronaldo was made a brand ambassador for Jacob and Co back in 2013, when he played for Real Madrid.

In 2018 Ronaldo showed off a diamond-encrusted Franck Muller timepiece

The Franck Muller watch was reportedly worth £1.2million
THE ENGAGEMENT RING
Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than splashing out on priceless jewellery for the missus.
And Ronaldo pulled out all the stops when he reportedly gifted Georgina an engagement ring worth £615,000.
The ring is emblazoned with a large sapphire stone and encrusted with diamonds.
GamblingDeals compiled a list of the most expensive engagement rings in football – and Ronaldo’s was top of the list.
Georgina regularly shows off the sparkler on Instagram to her 23 million followers.

Rodriguez shows off her £615,000 ring

The engagement ring was said to be a present from RonaldoCredit: Instagram
MOST EXPENSIVE ROLEX
A classy timepiece makes the man.
And Ronaldo loves a bling watch – spotted wearing a £380,000 Rolex GMT Master Ice at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards last month.
The flashy watch is thought to be Rolex’s most expensive watch ever made.
It is made in 18 carat white gold and encrusted with hundreds of 30 carat diamonds.

Lately, Ronaldo has been seen wearing a Rolex GMT Master Ice worth £380,000

The Rolex GMT Ice is the most expensive watch the brand sells and is encrusted with hundreds of 30 carat diamonds
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR
Not to be outdone by Georgina in the ring stakes, Ronaldo also has his own sparkler… actually he has two.
Again in Dubai, Cristiano wore a women’s ring (believed to be worth £200,000) for the Globe Soccer Awards.
It featured a huge yellow diamond encircled by a halo of white diamonds and set on a diamond encrusted band.
Next to that, he wore a diamond band on his wedding finger that has an estimated value of £50,000.

Ronaldo wore two rings at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards

The rings are believed to be worth a total of £250,000
£720,000 ON ONE HAND
Last year, Georgina wowed her Instagram fans when she flashed her hand decorated in jewellery.
Alongside her £615,000 engagement ring, she showed off a £33,000 Patek Philippe TWENTY 4 in 18 carat rose gold and featuring a diamond bezel and a brown sunburst dial.
While draped along her wrist were three diamond bracelets valued at £25,000 each.
A REAL STUD
Ronaldo is one of a number of footballers who wear diamond studs.
But the former Manchester United ace, of course, wanted something a little bit different to his contemporaries.

Rodriguez wears a £33,000 Patek Philippe watch and three diamond bracelets estimated at £25,000 each

In 2013, he opted for a very rare pair of earrings with black diamonds.
And how much did he pay for them, you ask? A reported £10,000.
We wonder if he shares them with Georgina?

Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he finds it boring playing in empty stadiums and misses when fans boo him More