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      in Soccer

      Inside the controversial Dubai zoo visited by Man Utd stars Maguire and McTominay, which has angered the RSPCA

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      PRIVATE farm Fame Park, owned by Emirati entrepreneur Saif Ahmad Belhasa, is an open door for the rich and famous.Man Utd stars Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay were the latest footballers to take advantage of some time off and mix with exotic animals, including handling pythons, feeding giraffes, and cuddling baby tigers.
      Man Utd star Harry Maguire and England team mate James Maddison were recent guests of Saif Ahmad Belhasa at Fame Park
      Maguire was seen handling exotic birds and other animals
      Man Utd’s Scott McTominay also visited the private farm in Dubai with girlfriend Cam Reading and familyCredit: Instagram / @scottmctominay
      While in the past, the likes of Lionel Messi, Anthony Joshua, Floyd Mayweather, Paul Pogba and more have visited the grounds – meeting with Belhasa’s son Rashed, better known as YouTuber Money Kicks, for a grand tour and photo op.
      But, Fame Park has its critics for its practices. Especially because it’s seen as a way for many influencers to get more followers and likes on Instagram.
      And Scotland international McTominay, himself, has come under fire for enjoying a tug-of-war with a tiger.
      The RSPCA has slammed Fame Park for using wild animals for the purpose of “public entertainment”.
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      Inside Fame Park
      Fame Park is a private zoo, so unless you are incredibly wealthy or a celebrity – chances are you won’t get an invite.
      Owned by Saif Ahmed Belhasa, with an estimated fortune of £4billion, you’ll find over 500 animals, including lions, tigers, panthers, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and even bears.
      It was built in 2001, originally to house Belhasa’s horse. However, when the billionaire was given a lion cub he turned it into a zoo.
      Many of the animals are named after famous people.
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      There’s two giraffes named after Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie, a monkey called Paris Hilton, and Ronaldo, Jackie Chan, Rihanna and Mariah Carey have also had animals named after them, as well as made the pilgrimage to the astonishing grounds you need a go-kart to negotiate around.
      Footballers come in their droves, wowed by Belhasa’s wealth and the opportunity to feed a beast they’d never otherwise encounter.
      Jesse Lingard, John Terry, David Luiz, Luka Modric and more have all fed a tiger or a cub some milk for a photo op.
      Even boxers Anthony Joshua and Floyd Mayweather have gone toe-to-toe with some bears and orangutans.
      The zoo itself can be seen from the lavish home’s living room and was featured on Channel 4’s World’s Weirdest Homes in December 2018.
      Belhasa’s son, who goes under the moniker Money Kicks, confirmed that the zoo isn’t open to the public, the family don’t make a profit from it and the animals aren’t badly treated.
      “We take care of all our animals,” he said.
      “When I went to Kenya, I see a lot of lions dying because they eat once a month and here they eat every single day.”
      Because of his wealth, Belhasa Jr – who once had a £200k Ferrari F12 Berlinetta wrapped in Louis Vuitton logos – rubs shoulders with celebrities who make him their first port of call when they arrive in Dubai.
      “They all want to spend time on our family farm and see our tigers,” he told Dubai’s English-speaking newspaper, The National.
      Chelsea star Reece James was one of many footballers who visited in the past yearCredit: https://www.instagram.com/rjames/?hl=en
      Croatia legend Luka Modric poses with Rashed Belhasa – better known now as YouTuber Money KicksCredit: Refer to Caption
      Liverpool’s Diogo Jota feeds a giraffeCredit: Instagram @diogoj_18
      England legend Wayne Rooney plays with a monkey
      Jesse Lingard takes in the exotic animals and poses for a photo op
      “Wiz Khalifa is my friend. Steve Aoki is my friend. They have all come to our farm.
      “But sometimes I have to say no to celebrities who want to come here. I don’t have the time and it is tiring.”
      Animals rights groups are unhappy
      Despite Belhasa Jr’s claim, animal rights groups have been left bewildered by images showing Red Devils star McTominay in a tug-of-war with a tiger.
      The midfielder was filmed alongside girlfriend Cam Reading with a selection of animals at Fame Park, and shared images with a tiger cub, a snake and an iguana on social media.
      Fans online were livid.
      One vented: “Why is he playing tug of war with a tiger? Disgusting.”
      Another wrote: “Scott, I love you but this is wrong. Taking selfies with captive wild animals contributes to their suffering.”
      The RSPCA shared their views with SunSport.
      A spokesperson told SunSport: “Zoos often state that their aim is to educate the public and have a positive influence on visitor behaviour in ways that will directly benefit conservation. 
      “Whilst we understand that some zoos may feel that a ‘tug of war’ provides physical enrichment for big cats, there are many alternative ways of doing this. 
      “We don’t feel this activity promotes respect for these wild animals and should not be marketed for public entertainment.
      Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather is a friend of the Belhasa family and regular guest
      Paul Pogba has visited Fame Park several times
      McTominay was slammed for a video showing him playing tug-of-war with a tigerCredit: Instagram / @scottmctominay
      McTominay and other celebrities have been accused of using exotic animals to drum up likes on social mediaCredit: Instagram / @scottmctominay
      “The RSPCA would always urge the public to consider their impact on animals when travelling abroad and engaging in such activities.
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      “Instead, we’d urge people to avoid some of the cruel entertainment practices they may see when on holiday.
      “It is important for holidaymakers to research the activities they are taking part in first and if they are in any doubt, look for ethical alternatives.” More

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      in Soccer

      Inside the glam life of Kylian Mbappe’s rumoured girlfriend Rose Bertram, the mum of two model who dated Dutch star

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      WHILE Kylian Mbappe was gearing up for the World Cup final, his rumoured girlfriend was showing fancy footwork of her own.Stunning model Rose Bertram, 28, appeared at a fashion show in Qatar on the eve of the biggest game in world football – giving her one million followers on Instagram a glimpse into her glam life.
      Rose Bertram is the rumoured girlfriend of France ace Kylian MbappeCredit: rose_bertram/instagram
      On the eve of the World Cup final, Bertram was spotted modelling in QatarCredit: rose_bertram/instagram
      Model Bertram shows off her stunning figure
      Sharing photos wearing a red and white football shirt-inspired ensemble, there was no Mbappe.
      Just a mention of the organisers and a thank you.
      She captioned the snaps: “What a beautiful night walking for Qatar Fashion United! Big thank you to Carine Roitfeld, CR Runway and Vladimir Roitfeld.”
      In recent months, reports in his homeland have claimed Mbappe is smitten by the Belgium beauty.
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      Their paths crossed on one of their fashion jaunts in Paris, although either is yet to confirm a romance.
      But Bertram is known to the football world…
      Her ex played
      Just five months ago, Bertram opened up about her painful split with Gregory van der Wiel, once of Ajax and capped 46 times by the Netherlands.
      The two got together when she was just 19, and had a whirlwind romance – where she followed his career from Paris to Istanbul to Sardinia and Toronto.
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      They would welcome two children in their time together.
      But cracks began to form in their relationship as van der Wiel suffered some mental health problems such as anxiety and panic attacks, which began to affect the couple.
      Earlier this year, Rose said: “There are a lot of people who deal with this.
      “It’s not talked about enough and in my case if you don’t know enough about it, it’s very difficult to understand that person.
       “It hasn’t always been easy to deal with. It breaks my heart that he feels this way and that I can’t help it.”
      After eight years together, they sadly parted ways.
      She says she still has a good relationship with Gregory .
      Rose said: “He is the father of my children and I would be very sorry if we broke up in a bad way.”
      Five months ago Bertram explained her painful split with a former footballerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Bertram split with Gregory van der Wiel after eight years
      Bertram’s relationship with van der Wiel suffered as he struggled with his mental healthCredit: rose_bertram/instagram
      As a footballer’s Wag, Bertram was well travelled before her mid-20s and had lived in several countriesCredit: rose_bertram/instagram
      A career to fall back on
      However, despite van der Wiel’s problems off the field – Bertram’s career went from strength-to-strength.
      At 13, it was her mother who managed to sign her on to a modelling agency.
      By 16, she was cast by the Dominique agency at 16 and appeared in a photoshoot by famed German photographer Juergen Teller.
      Through the years, Bertram has starred in ad campaigns for H&M, L’Oréal, Hunkemöller, Primark and Agent Provocateur.
      Keen-eyed Netflix viewers will have noticed she was one of the models used to promote the doomed music event Fyre Festival.
      Bertram, right, was one of several stunning models who promoted the Fyre Festival, as documented in the new film on NetflixCredit: Netflix
      Bertram, right, appears with some of the world’s top supermodels in promo shots for the Fyre Festival in 2017Credit: Instagram @rose_bertram
      Bertram has become synonymous with the fashion world and a celebrity in her own rightCredit: Getty
      Earlier this month, Bertram attended The Fashion Awards in LondonCredit: Getty
      Bertram first signed for a model agency aged just 13Credit: rose_bertram/instagram
      In 2015, Bertram was photographed exclusively by US rapper Tyler, the Creator for pop-culture magazine Oyster.
      The same year, she became the first Belgian model to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swim Issue.
      Keeping it private
      Mbappe has always kept his personal life private and remained tight-lipped about his girlfriends.
      For years, it was suggested he dated former Miss France Alicia Aylies.
      But now it appears that mother-of-two Bertram has charmed the PSG forward.
      She admitted she’s ready to move on from van der Wiel.
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      In recent months, Bertram has admitted she’s single and ready for a romanceCredit: Refer to Caption
      Mbappe and Bertram have remained tight-lipped about a romance between them
      “I am currently single and ready to meet someone new,” she said just a few months ago.
      That someone might just be the best thing in football right now. More

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      in Boxing

      How Anthony Joshua lives a lavish life with private jets, holidays and luxury cars – without spending his huge fortune

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA’s social feeds are littered with snaps of exotic holidays on private jets, custom-made sports cars and watches worth more than £350,000.But despite being worth tens of millions and living a life of luxury, the British star is so humble that he still lives in an ex-council house with his mum – and gets everything from his luxury holidays to his clothes for free.
      Anthony Joshua doesn’t spend any of his own moneyCredit: Instagram, @anthony_joshua
      And while Joshua might be one of the few people in the country not to have to worry about the cost of his weekly supermarket shop, it seems he doesn’t even pay for his own cartons of eggs, with his sponsors paying for his meal prep as well.
      The 6ft 6in heavyweight banks all his money, only splashing out on treats for his family, not himself.
      His right-hand man and marketing manager, Freddie Cunningham, says that despite having “a lot of money,” Joshua “doesn’t live the life that he could.”
      The boxing champ dines out at a Paris hotspotCredit: Instagram
      Anthony gets his holidays for free – and his food
      Anthony Joshua is the former IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight world championCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “From the outside, it probably looks like he does. He’s seen in private jets, wearing expensive watches, and driving around in nice cars,” he told Business Insider.
      “But the jets are all sponsored. We’ve never paid for a private jet, or a helicopter, in our life. He gets a signature car from Land Rover.
      “He’s not spending that money. He’s accumulating money.
      “He’s living a lifestyle that probably everyone wants him to live, or see him live, but he’s doing it in a smart way. Tactful.”
      Anthony Joshua is happy living with just the basics in his Sheffield flatCredit: Instagram @Anthony Joshua
      Anthony Joshua and his mum Yeta Odusanya in their humble house
      A free £45million private jet
      AJ is sponsored by US sportswear giant Under Armour – who provide him with a private jet, as well as paying him a seven-figure salary.
      Showing the interior of the £45million black G550 ahead of his trip to the States to face Ruiz for the first time, AJ said: “These type of things aren’t ordinary, in my daily life and in many other people’s daily lives, so it’s a blessing.
      “However, my view is even though I enjoy it and the door has been opened for me, I can’t forget to open the door for people who have come with me and the people who aren’t in a position to enjoy this type of luxury.
      Anthony travels on a £45million private jet provided by one of his sponsorsCredit: Instagram, @anthony_Joshua
      “I never get too lost in the source and get carried away with these types of things.”
      The company also provide the former world heavyweight champion with his in-ring attire and training wear, including all tracksuits and trainers.
      Anthony also has free use of a helicopter, provided to him by Beats by Dre, who he’s been the face of since 2017.
      Free car when his was stolen
      As a 17-year-old, Joshua’s first car was a Vauxhall Astra, which he saved up £1,500 to buy and claimed it was a “stable, sturdy car.”
      Now, thanks to his partnership with Jaguar Land Rover – which is rumoured to be worth £790,000 a year – AJ rolls round London in his choice of a fleet of luxury wheels, including a customised white Jaguar XJR, worth £93,000.
      Anthony has a deal with Jaguar – who give him free carsCredit: Instagram, @anthony_Joshua
      His favourite motor is his personalised black Range Rover, which he says “looks very professional and sets a standard”
      Free trips to Dubai, Miami and Jamaica
      When he isn’t sparring, AJ enjoys exotic holidays with his family and friends, with his Instagram showing him recently in Dubai, Jamaica and Miami.
      Again, most of these trips are sponsored by countries and resorts who want the privilege of having the sporting icon spotted hitting their hottest tourist spots.
      Anthony Joshua takes a ride on the XLine zipline in DubaiCredit: Instagram @Anthony_Joshua
      Cunningham said: “We have a partnership with Dubai Tourism and they really like him and get his philosophy on life, his morals, everything.
      “He resonates with that territory. They want to bring boxing there. Hopefully we can do something there.”
      Anthony has even stayed at the Nobu Miami Beach Private Villa, which costs £5k per night and the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, where luxury villas are rented out for £4k a week.
      A free watch worth more than a house
      Anthony came from humble beginnings on a council estate in Watford.
      He now says he knows the value of the money he’s made.
      “Don’t save what is left after spending, spend what is left after saving,” was the advice he gave his Instagram followers.
      The boxing champ even gets free gym membership and meal plans
      But despite keeping his purse strings shut, he still wears jewellery and clothes worth thousands.
      He was gifted a £350,000 watch worth more than the average house, thanks to his partnership with luxury jewellers Audemars Piguet.
      Free gym, concerts and food
      In 2019, Joshua helped to open state of the art BXR gym in London’s Marylebone along with his promoter Eddie Hearn.
      Joshua said: “I spend the majority of my life in the gym, so I know what is required to make a truly great one.”
      Ahead of his first fight with Ruiz, he returned to train at his former gym, ABC Finchley, for free.
      AJ doesn’t even have to spend much on his weekly shop.
      The boxing champ is worth a whopping £35 millionCredit: Instagram, @anthony_Joshua
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      His high protein diet is funded by his deal with Bulk Powders. He’s also sponsored by Lynx and Axe, so that’s his beauty and hygiene regime sorted.
      And if he wants to treat his family and friends to a free dinner, he can flash his black card at Nando’s and get it for free. More

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      in Soccer

      Croatia legend Luka Modric is an ex-refugee whose granddad was shot dead when he was just six but still became an icon

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      LUKA MODRIC has enjoyed a stunning career, including winning the Ballon d’Or title in 2018, and will lead his country out against Argentina in the semi-final of the World Cup tonight.But his upbringing could not have been tougher.
      Luka Modric endured a tough childhood
      Growing up in Zadar, Modric won accolades for his local teamCredit: Collect
      The burned-out former house Modric lived in with his grandfatherCredit: Getty – Contributor
      When the Croatia and Real Madrid superstar was just six years old, his entire existence was rocked by the shooting of his beloved granddad at the hands of militant Serbian thugs and he was forced to live life as a refugee in his war-torn homeland.
      But despite such hardship, that didn’t stop the ambitious kid from going on to become one of the best players on the planet and still, aged 37, a global superstar.
      In 2018, he was voted the best player on the planet, ending the decade of dominance of the award by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
      But on December 8, 1991, during Croatia’s war of independence, violent Serbian militia stormed Modrici, a small village near the Velebit mountains in northern Dalmatia and wrought terror on Croatian families who hadn’t escaped.
      One of those caught in the crossfire was Luka Modric Snr, who was walking his cattle up an abandoned street when he was cornered by a group of Serbians.
      They brutally executed him along with five other locals.
      The idea behind the barbaric act was to send a message to other Modrici residents that they must leave their town behind, but it robbed the future Real Madrid midfielder of his grandfather.
      Modrici was where Modric was raised before his family fled to ZadarCredit: Getty – Contributor
      An early football club registration card from Modric’s childhoodCredit: Collect
      Modric was just six when his granddad was murdered by Serbian militia
      Modric has gone on to great success with the Croatian national team and Real MadridCredit: AFP or licensors
      Many Croatians were forced out of their villages by Serbian forcesCredit: Ron Haviv
      It hit Luka hard.
      At the time, he was raised by Modric Snr while his parents Stipe and Radojka worked long hours in a knitwear factory to support the family financially.
      And amazing footage emerged during the 2018 World Cup of a young Luka herding goats.
      I was six years old. These were really hard times. I remember them vividly but it’s not something you want to remember or think about
      After the incident, his parents were forced to leave Modrici and they sought refuge at the Hotel Iz in the town of Zadar.
      Without any electricity or running water, the sound of grenades and bullets became a daily occurrence for little Luka and his sister Jasmina, not to mention avoiding landmines potentially buried around any corner.
      But that didn’t stop the boy from kicking a small, punctured football around the hotel car park, dreaming that one day he would be able to leave his war-torn existence behind.
      The family home Modric grew up in still stands todayCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Families were torn apart, while an estimated 140,000 lost their lives during the warCredit: Toni Hnojčik
      The town of Zadar became Modric’s home when he was forced out of ModriciCredit: AFP – Getty
      Modric went from rags-to-riches through hard work and determinationCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Yugoslav Civil War began in 1991 and ended in 2001Credit: Romeo Ibrišević
      The town of Modrici is near Croatia’s Velebit mountainsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      It’s a rags-to-riches tale that’s testament to the five-time Champions League winner’s dedication and determination to succeed in the wake of an awful tragedy.
      Modric rarely talks about his hardship, but when he signed for Spurs back in 2008, he briefly addressed the issues that blighted his childhood.
      “When the war started we became refugees and it was a really tough time,” Modric revealed.
      “I was six years old. These were really hard times. I remember them vividly but it’s not something you want to remember or think about.
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      Croatia’s captain led his team to the final of the 2018 World Cup and now the semi-final four years laterCredit: EPA
      Modric began his footballing education at Dinamo ZagrebCredit: AFP – Getty
      As a young teen, Modric starred in midfield for Dinamo ZagrebCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Serbian military volunteers were responsible for intimidating Croatian familiesCredit: Imre Szabo
      Many children were affected by the events of the Yugoslav Civil WarCredit: Christopher Morris
      Just a stone’s throw away from Modric’s abandoned home, a sign warns of the dangers of landmines nearbyCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “We lived in a hotel for many years as we struggled financially, but I always loved football.
      “I remember my first shin pads had the Brazilian Ronaldo on them and I loved them.
      “The war made me stronger, it was a very hard time for me and my family. I don’t want to drag that with me forever, but I don’t want to forget about it either.”
      It’s that mental toughness that has served Modric well during his career.
      Family man Modric has a son called IvanoCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Modric met his wife Vanja Bosnic in 2007 at the Mamic sports agencyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ivan Rakitić and Luka Modric formed a terrific midfield partnership for Croatia at the 2018 World Cup, but Rakitić retired from international duty in 2020Credit: Instagram @lukamodric10
      In Croatia’s stunning run to the Russia 2018 final, he overcame missing a penalty in normal time versus Denmark in the last-16 to step up in the shootout and send his side through.
      He also took a pen in his country’s second penalty shootout win over Russia in the quarter-finals that ensured their semi-final berth.
      Fast-forward four years and faced with the same pressure situation against Brazil in Qatar, Modric calmly buried another crucial penalty.
      However, when Modric was 10 years old he was written off by a number of coaches who thought he was too frail and shy to make it in the game.
      Hajduk Split passed on him and it was only when Tomislav Basic, a coach of a team that Modric played for in Zadar, stepped in and used his contacts to get Luka a trial at Dinamo Zagreb.
      At Spurs, Luka Modric was a cult heroCredit: PA:Press Association
      In 2012, Modric moved to Real Madrid for a fee of £30mCredit: Getty – Contributor
      During his career with Real Madrid, Modric has lifted the Champions League four timesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      From there his talent flourished, he went on to Tottenham and Real Madrid and is now a star for both club and country, as well as being one of the most respected footballers in the world.
      And his personal life couldn’t be much better either.
      He married Vanja Bosnic, who also acts as his agent, in 2010 in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. The pair first met at Mamic sports agency, where she worked.
      Modric’s former Tottenham and Croatia team-mate Vedran Corluka was the best man at their wedding.
      The couple’s first child, son Ivano, was born just three weeks after their big day.
      Since then, they have had two daughters; five-year-old Ema and Sofia, who was born in 2017.
      Vanja Bosnic poses for a snap with son Ivano and daughters Ema and Sofia
      Modric has been recognised as one of the world’s best playersCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Bosnic and Modric married in 2010 in ZagrebCredit: Instagram @lukamodric10
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      Bosnic is said to have such an influence on his life, she was deemed to be the person responsible for orchestrating his £30m move to Real Madrid.
      Modric’s remarkable rise to the top of world football was confirmed when he won the Ballon d’Or.
      No wonder his father Stipe was so emotional, saying: “I am the happiest and proudest father in the world.
      “You are my genius. I can’t find words.” More

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      in Soccer

      Argentina star Alex Mac Allister’s amazing football family, with dad, two brothers and uncle all playing professionally

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      ARGENTINA’s Alexis Mac Allister was born to do it.The Brighton midfielder, 23, has been instrumental in his country’s march to the semi-final of the World Cup.
      Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina and Brighton boasts a famous family tree in his homelandCredit: Getty
      Dad Carlos Mac Allister, centre, played with Diego Maradona at Boca Juniors
      And his rise as a Premier League star has been helped by having football in his blood.
      Dad Carlos played alongside Diego Maradona, although missed out on the 1994 World Cup squad.
      His older brothers Francis, 27, and Kevin, 25, turn out in the Argentine top flight for Rosario Central and Argentinos Juniors respectively.
      While uncle Patricio also enjoyed a successful career most notably with Estudiantes.
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      Football in the blood
      Alexis began his football education at Club Social Parque in Buenos Aires, alongside his two brothers.
      Famously, it’s where Maradona, Carlos Tevez and Juan Roman Riquelme all honed their skills on the small pitches there.
      They practically lived in the club – with the three consistently training with their own age group and sometimes together.
      A short stint at Club JJ Batista was then followed by a move to Argentinos Juniors.
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      “I think the three of them were born to be footballers, because they grew up with everything that had happened to my brother and me as footballers,” Carlos told The Athletic back in 2020.
      It was the Carlos and his sibling Patricio who paved for the way for the younger generation.
      Steeped in football, they branched into building their own club. This would also see Alexis involved.
      Club Mac Allister
      Not to be confused with a nightclub in Glasgow, Carlos and Patricio launched their own football academy in La Pampa.
      It bore their name and was launched as Club Mac Allister in 1998.
      Alexis played with Francis and Kevin, although they were so engrossed in the world of football – they took on additional responsibilities.
      Uncle Patricio Mac Allister set up a football academy with his dadCredit: YouTube / VIDEOSZONADEPORTIVA
      Kevin Mac Allister currently plays for Argentinos JuniorsCredit: Getty
      Francis Mc Allister also turned out for Argentinos JuniorsCredit: Getty
      Alexis Mac Allister with brothers Kevin, left, and Francis, right
      “I’d do scouting reports for a Spanish side, Osasuna, so they were with me and they helped me to put the report together,” Carlos explained.
      “I was following two or three players; one of the boys would follow one player, another would follow another player, the third would follow a third player — and we’d send reports on the teams from Argentina.
      “So they grew up around football.”
      Alexis, himself, confessed the same.
      “I was playing football [almost from birth],” he told Sky Sports.
      “Everything is about football with my family, we watch it and talk about it. We love football.
      “Growing up, I watched Juan Roman Riquelme because I supported Boca Juniors and he played there. He was amazing. I really liked Pablo Aimar, too, and of course, Messi is a hero as well.”
      They’re not Scottish
      Throughout the years, starting off with Carlos and Patricio, the family have had to field questions about their name.
      The assumption was their family tree would have Scottish links. Carlos put those suspicions to rest.
      Mac Allister has impressed for Argentina at the World CupCredit: Getty
      Carlos Mac Allister has explained where the surname has come fromCredit: AFP
      “According to our family, we came from Ireland, rather than Scotland,” dad Carlos reveals.
      He said: “We came to Argentina, to a place called Pergamino, but that was three or four generations ago, and later my father and mother married and moved to a different place — Santa Rosa in the Province of La Pampa, which is where Alexis was born.
      “Now, when we get together, they always say that our ancestors came from Ireland. I don’t know whether the ones before them were from Scotland, and went to Ireland from Scotland, and then our ancestors came here. But we say that we came from Ireland.”
      Alexis’s rise
      Like his brothers before him, his dad and uncle, Alexis followed family tradition by representing Argentinos Juniors.
      He made his debut for the club aged just 17 – when they played in the second tier.
      Incredibly, all three once played in a game away at San Lorenzo in a 1-0 defeat.
      But, for Alexis, there was a greater calling.
      In 2019, he signed for Brighton, before he was loaned back to Juniors and then Boca, where he once again teamed up with his brother Kevin for regular game time.
      Since 2020, Alexis has been a regular for the Seagulls – establishing himself in their engine room alongside fellow South American Moises Caicedo.
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      It comes as little surprise that he has been recently linked with a move to Spurs.
      Should he become a World Cup winner in the next week, expect that transfer fee to rise significantly.
      Alexis Mac Allister has been a revelation for Brighton since his debut in 2020Credit: AFP More

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      in Soccer

      Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi left poverty behind to become a football superstar with Real Madrid and PSG and Vogue cover star

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      AFTER scoring the winning penalty that sent his country to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, Achraf Hakimi ran straight to the stands to his mum.The devoted son, 24, then jumped into the crowd to share a loving kiss with his mother and give her his shirt, before joining his team-mates in celebration after knocking out Spain on penalties.
      Achraf Hakimi shares an intimate moment with mum SaidaCredit: Getty
      Moments before, Hakimi was celebrating with team-mates after scoring the winning penalty against SpainCredit: Getty
      It was a moment that symbolised the PSG defender’s journey, from a humble upbringing in Madrid to a football superstar and hero for his country.
      Before Hakimi was born, his parents Hasan and Saida moved from Africa in search of a better life.
      She worked as a house cleaner, while his father sold fruit on the street.
      Hakimi himself has spoken of the poverty he grew up in and how thankful he is for their support.
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      “My mother was a house cleaner, and my father was a street vendor. We come from a low-income family that struggled to make ends meet,” he told Bundesliga.com in 2020.
      “Today, I fight for them every day. They gave up their lives for me. They took many things away from my brothers in order for me to succeed.”
      From the suburbs of Madrid
      Hakimi’s parents emigrated from a small Moroccan village near Casablanca to Getafe “to build a better life for themselves,” according to their son.
      “They came from areas where there is hardly any work. They had to fight enormously hard. I have no words to describe my parents.”
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      As a child, Hakimi couldn’t sit still. So his mum threw him into sport.
      “When I was young my mother tried to get me into judo or swimming, I told her it had to be football,” he said.

      Hakimi played for local team CD Colonia Ofigevi, before Real Madrid offered him a trial when he was just seven.
      The offer was received the old-fashioned way – with a letter in the post, although he thought the letter was a joke.
      “I honestly thought that it was a lie and that my father was pulling my leg,” Hakimi would later comment.
      Pitted against the country’s finest players of his age group, Hakimi wasn’t fazed. He excelled in a training sessions, and Los Blancos soon gave him a place in the academy.
      But there would be hardship to come.
      Hakimi and his siblings grew up in a poor suburb of MadridCredit: Instagram / @achrafhakimi
      Aged seven, Hakimi starred for local team CD Colonia Ofigevi before Real Madrid offered him a trialCredit: Instagram / @achrafhakimi
      Hakimi’s beloved mum Saida supported her son’s footballing dreams by cleaning houses to make ends meetCredit: Instagram / @achrafhakimi
      Fifa ban
      In 2016, Hakimi was hit with a Fifa ban following an investigation into whether Real Madrid illegally signed underage players from overseas.
      It was completely unjust, given he was born in Spain and held a Spanish passport.
      “It is a mistake that has never really been fully explained. He didn’t expect it and didn’t understand what had happened,” Hakimi’s brother Nabil recalled.
      “They had a game near Bilbao and when they got there they told him he couldn’t play.”
      Rabie Takassa, a scout in Spain for the Moroccan Football Federation, saw it as racial profiling.
      He said: “They saw a Moroccan name and he was punished without deserving it.
      In 2016, youth star Hakimi faced a ban after a Fifa investigation
      Hakimi was cleared of any wrongdoing and would star the following season for Los BlancosCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “Real Madrid and his family gave all the papers required showing he was born in a hospital in Madrid, that he studied here, that he spent all his life growing up here.
      “It was a complicated time for him because he didn’t know when Fifa would give him the green light to play again.”
      Zidane believed in him
      At the tender age of just 18, Hakimi was handed his Real Madrid debut against Espanyol when that red tape was cleared.
      It was club legend and then manager Zinedine Zidane who gave him his chance.
      “I’m grateful to him for his faith in me and the way he has treated me,” Hakimi revealed.
      “I’ll always be grateful to him.”
      But, with competition for places blocking him from playing regular first team football, the club knew they had to arrange a loan deal that would benefit them and whoever signed him.
      Growth at Dortmund
      A year after making his debut for the LaLiga giants, Hakimi signed for Borussia Dortmund on a two-year loan deal.
      Borussia Dortmund gave Hakimi a platform to growCredit: Instagram / @achrafhakimi
      Sensationally, Hakimi would record the fastest ever running speed in the BundesligaCredit: AFP or licensors
      Immediately, and literally, he hit the ground running.
      His dynamism as an attacking full-back was evident in a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid – where he unlocked Diego Simeone’s tight defence to record three assists.
      While in 2020, speed demon Hakimi recorded the fastest ever speed in the Bundesliga – clocking in at 22.5mph for one particular swashbuckling run in a thrilling 3-3 draw with RB Leipzig. He would later narrowly beat that three months later in a game against Union Berlin.
      After two brilliant seasons in Germany, it was expected he would return to Madrid to cement his place in their first team for years to come.
      Rather surprisingly, Hakimi was sold to Inter Milan for £35million, after Antonio Conte personally called him to explain the role he had in his team.
      As a wing-back, he would score an impressive seven goals in Serie A as Inter landed the scudetto in 2021.
      However, with the club’s financial woes – and being a key asset – he was sold after just one season in Italy. A new challenge beckoned.
      In Hakimi’s only season at Inter he won Serie ACredit: Getty
      PSG paid a staggering £60m for Hakimi’s services in 2021Credit: Getty
      His current adventure
      PSG paid a staggering £60million for Hakimi’s services in 2021, and he won the Ligue 1 title in his first campaign for the club.
      But, for the first time in his career, he struggled for form and there was apparent fallout.
      Reports suggested Hakimi was unhappy with how Mauricio Pochettino utilised him – asking him to concentrate on his defensive duties instead of his natural attacking ones.
      Then, there were suggestions in the French media he was being blanked in the dressing room by the team’s South American contingent, although he has found an ally in Kylian Mbappe in the ego-filled dressing room.
      “Hakimi is going crazy, the South Americans don’t talk to him anymore,” French journalist Daniel Riolo told the After foot show on RMC.
      “He already wants to leave Paris, he is fed up. In this team his qualities have never exploded, so maybe you have to give him up.
      “I criticised Hakimi for his fluctuating form, but it must be said that in this team he struggles to express his qualities.
      “He is angry and that’s normal, he can’t take it anymore.”
      Hakimi in action against Man City last seasonCredit: Getty
      In Kylian Mbappe Hakimi has found an ally in the PSG dressing roomCredit: Instagram / @achrafhakimi
      In the meantime…
      While there may be trouble in paradise professional, privately his life couldn’t be any better.
      Hakimi first met his future wife – the beautiful actress Hiba Abouk – in 2018 when he was at Dortmund.
      A long-distance romance entailed, before she relocated from Madrid.
      Twelve years his senior, she made her name in Spanish crime drama El Principe, and like Hakimi she is a devout Muslim.
      The pair share similar stories – she was born in Madrid to parents who had emigrated from Tunisia.
      Two years ago, they got married in a secret wedding, welcomed their first son and added another boy to their brood this year.
      Back in October, with the World Cup on the horizon, they appeared in a stunning shoot in Vogue Arabia.
      Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Hakimi explained: “Here in Paris you play for the team of the city, but it’s not the same to play with the team of your country.
      Read More on The Sun
      Glam couple Hakimi and wife Hiba Abouk attend the Cannes Film FestivalCredit: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images

      “Millions and millions of people are going to support you because you play for them. It’s like you play for your grandfather and their grandfathers. You play for a lot of people, a lot of Moroccans.”
      Expect Hakimi to bleed for the cause when Morocco take on Portugal on Saturday – with a place in the semi-final up for grabs. More

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      in Motorsport

      Inside Charles Leclerc and Charlotte Sine’s relationship, from lavish Monaco lifestyle to hilarious Twitch live stream

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      IT’S a sad end of one of F1’s seemingly strongest relationships.The Ferrari driver, 25, and his longterm sweetheart Charlotte Sine have called time on their romance after three years together.
      F1 couple Charles Leclerc and Charlotte Sine have split up after three years togetherCredit: https://www.instagram.com/charlottesiine/
      Leclerc and Sine enjoyed a jet-set lifestyle in Monte CarloCredit: https://www.instagram.com/charlottesiine/
      The Monacan revealed he had broken up with the qualified architect on his Instagram story.
      He wrote: “Hello everyone, Charlotte and I have decided to end our relationship and we remain good friends.
      “We have shared so many great moments and she is and always will be a very special person to me.”
      He added: “She is amazing and deserves the best, please respect our decision and her privacy in a time like this.”
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      “Thank you.”
      Sine, 23, echoed Leclerc’s message in her own Instagram story.
      She wrote: “Hello, Charles and I have decided to end our relationship and stay good friends.
      “It’s been three beautiful years together with loads of memories. He is an amazing person and I wish him the best.
      Most read in Motorsport
      “Please respect our decision and privacy. Thank you.”
      During their time together, the pair enjoyed a lavish lifestyle together.
      From sailing on fancy yachts on the Mediterranean Sea to sharing intimate moments in the paddock, they seemed to have it all.
      And there was even a hilarious moment on Twitch that had fans in stitches.
      Leclerc announced their split on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM@CHARLESLECLERC
      Sine released a joint statement with Leclerc about their break up on social mediaCredit: Instagram
      Monte Carlo life
      Charles and Charlotte were born in Monte Carlo, and come from wealthy stock.
      He dreamed of race car stardom, while she got her diploma in architecture.
      Her dad Emmanuel is the director of Bains de Mer, a company that operates the Casino of Monaco.
      They met when they were teenagers, with the former student’s mum living next door to the Leclerc family.
      But they wouldn’t start officially dating until 2019, when he started driving for the Ferrari team.
      As he gradually got more and more successful, Charlotte was seen supporting her man in the paddock.
      The ambitious graduate wasn’t content with being an F1 Wag, though.
      In recent years, she launched her own shoe line.
      However, his £10million-per-year salary helped finance their lavish lifestyle.
      Sine is from wealthy stock – her dad works for a company that operates the Casino of MonacoCredit: Instagram @charlottesiine
      Leclerc and Sine used to take his yacht Monza for a spin on the Mediterranean SeaCredit: Instagram @charles_leclerc
      Sine used to ride in Leclerc’s private jet – laid on by FerrariCredit: Instagram @charles_leclerc
      On Instagram, they regularly shared images on board his stunning £1.5million yacht called Monza.
      While when they flew to different circuits around the globe, Charlotte would join Charles and fellow racer Carlos Sainz on an £18,000-per-hour private jet for the jouney.
      Envious living quarters
      Like plenty of F1 stars who call tax-haven Monaco home, Charles boasts a spacious apartment in the principality.
      Last year, he gave fans a glimpse into his fabulous digs in a video he shared on social media.
      The clip shows Leclerc in his abode playing an expensive handcrafted Steinway & Sons piano – the talking point of his living room.
      In his living room Leclerc boasts an expensive Steinway & Sons grand pianoCredit: Instagram @charles_leclerc
      Leclerc and Sine lived together in Monaco in a glam apartmentCredit: Getty
      We also get a snapshot of his kitchen – complete with a white marble countertop, sleek white cabinets and a wine fridge.
      Charlotte and Charles lived together, which once got him into bother when he forgot she did.
      Getting Twitchy
      Leclerc is an avid gamer, who has a Twitch channel that’s followed by nearly 850,000 fans and shows what video games he’s playing online.
      But that once got him into hot water with his missus.
      Hilariously, when she was locked out of the home, Charlotte had to subscribe to his Twitch channel because he couldn’t hear her as he was playing a racing simulator and had a headset on.
      Charles Leclerc on TwitchCredit: twitch.tv/charlesleclerc
      Sadly, Leclerc and Sine are no longer a coupleCredit: https://www.instagram.com/charlottesiine/
      She was left hanging outside for 25 minutes, before having to subscribe to Leclerc’s channel – costing her £4.99.
      Read More on The Sun
      He tweeted: “My girlfriend had to buy a subcription to my Twitch to be able to ask me in the channel chat if I could open her the front door.
      “She waited 25 mins downstairs as I couldn’t hear my phone, I had the headphones and was very focus on my rally race.” More

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      in Soccer

      Portugal hero Goncalo Ramos is the heir to Ronaldo’s throne, is nicknamed ‘The Wizard’ and was linked to Man Utd

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      AS entrances go, this is up there with some of the best.When Portugal coach Fernando Santos dropped Cristiano Ronaldo for the last-16 clash against Switzerland for 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos, it was a decision that could have backfired spectacularly.
      Goncalo Ramos announced himself on the big stage with his World Cup hat-trickCredit: Getty
      Ramos expertly chips in his third as Portugal run riot against SwitzerlandCredit: Rex
      But, with all the pressure on the young forward’s shoulders, he came to the fore – scoring a stunning hat-trick to banish the Swiss from Qatar in a commanding 6-1 win.
      Ramos was already seen as the heir to Ronaldo’s throne, and it was a performance that cemented that belief, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner looking on as his understudy drew the plaudits.
      The boy from the Algarve was destined to be a footballer, following in the footsteps of his dad Manuel who was capped twice by Portugal’s U21s.
      His rise at Benfica alongside Darwin Nunez was steady, but since the Uruguayan left for Liverpool that ascent has been more rapid.
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      Now the main man with the Lisbon giants, Manchester United are said to be keeping close tabs on Ramos – who ironically could step into Ronaldo’s shoes for club and country.
      Year of the Ram
      Ramos grew up in 0lhao, where he began his football dream at Olhanense in 2009.
      A spell at Loule led to Benfica snapping him up when he was just 12.
      It was in the 2020-21 season in their B team he began to shine – scoring 11 times in 12 games, which got the attention of then-coach Jorge Jesus.
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      Jesus gave him a start in the qualifying round of the Champions League against Spartak Moscow.
      But chances were few and far between, following the arrival of Roman Yaremchuk and the return of Nunez from injury.
      However, when interim manager Nelson Verissimo replaced Jesus in January 2022 – his luck was in.
      Verissimo was his coach for the B team and got the best out of the talent.
      And in the first team, it paid dividends. Ramos played regularly and contributed seven goals. His most memorable was in the 3-3 draw at Anfield against Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
      Already he had garnered a nickname. He was christened ‘The Wizard’ by fans.
      Former Benfica strike partners Darwin Nunez and Ramos catch up in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Ramos has exploded onto the scene at BenficaCredit: Getty
      He’s continued to fly
      Compared to Karim Benzema for his ability to bring others into play, Ramos is comfortable playing as a striker or second striker.
      He likes to drop deep and help his team build their attacks, and at 6ft1in tall has plenty of strength to hold off defenders.
      It’s this season under German manager Roger Schmidt, who has utilised Ramos as his front man, the goals have rained in.
      He scored his first career hat-trick against Midtjylland in a 4-1 win in the Champions League,
      In 21 games this campaign he has 14 goals. Benfica fans are right to ask the question, “Darwin who?’
      Last summer, Manchester United were one of the clubs targeting Ramos – who was then valued at £25million. You can imagine now that fee has doubled.
      His feet are being firmly kept on the ground by dad Manuel, who helped shape his football identity.
      Ramos Sr was a promising talent himself, and played twice for Portugal’s U21 side.
      However, he didn’t hit the heights his son already has – with Farense being the most famous club he played for.
      Read More on The Sun
      At just 21, Ramos has been called the heir to Ronaldo’s throneCredit: Getty
      Supportive dad Manuel Ramos used to be a former player and has kept his son’s feet on the ground
      Man Utd were linked with hotshot Ramos last summerCredit: Getty
      But Manuel is a regular at the Estadio da Luz, watching from the stands as his son’s stock continues to rise.
      Maybe he will be watching him next at Old Trafford, not playing for Benfica, but turning out for the Red Devils in the near future. More