Sport Features

CHELSEA and Liverpool transfer target Josko Gvardiol appears as uncompromising a defender as they come – sporting a brutish facial mask to protect a broken nose suffered before the World Cup.Flying into a last-ditch tackle to thwart Romelu Lukaku, as his country knocked out Belgium in the group stages he showed his courage and tenacity on the pitch – with the interception as good a moment you’ll see in Qatar.
Battle-hardened Josko Gvardiol has been Croatia’s standout star in the World CupCredit: Getty
An emotional Gvardiol hugs his mum in the stands
A goal-saving last-ditch tackle against Belgium on Romelu Lukaku has been one of the great moments of the World CupCredit: EPA
However, an unmasked Gvardiol, who is just 20, dropped his battled-hardened demeanour when Croatia sealed qualification for the knockout stages.
He ran to the stands to greet his mum, and while tears streamed down his face gave her the biggest of hugs.
The heart-warming moment was even addressed by Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic in a press conference, who revealed it was “a true image” of his team.
“When I saw this photo, it warmed my heart,” he said.
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“And that’s why Josko is one of the best defenders in the world. You can’t be a good fighter if you’re not complete as a person, if you don’t have all the feelings.
“I congratulate his mother for raising such a son. Such a man who is a top footballer and at the same time a modest man is the result of upbringing and faith.
“It is very important. Such values are very important to us, and I also represent them.”

From Croatia to Germany
Gvardiol caught the footballing bug when he was just 7.
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His dad, an amateur player, took him to NK Tresnjevka where his passion for the game and determination saw him move to Dinamo Zagreb just three years later.
He learned how to defend, though, playing further forward.
“I played as a striker as a child and that helps me to know the movements of the strikers,” he revealed.
Gvardiol began to stand out for the Croatian giants during the 2018-19 season, helping the club reach the UEFA Youth League quarter-finals. They were knocked out on penalties by Chelsea, but scouts were aware of his special talent.
A year later and he had broken into Dinamo’s first team, helping the club clinch the league title.
By 2021, RB Leipzig – a group known for developing youngsters – splashed the cash to bring Gvardiol to the Bundesliga.
Upon signing, Gvardiol insisted: “I’m very happy to be able to make this step to RB Leipzig. The club is among the best in Europe and has a very clear style of play.
“As a young player, it was important for me to come to a club that can help me take the next step in my career.
“That is exactly what RB Leipzig is all about. The club has shown several times how players can develop and improve here.”
The deal worth £18million, plus £7million in add-ons, now looks a steal – with reports suggesting clubs are going to have to pay a fee in the region of £80million.
That’s after just one and half seasons in Germany, where the left-footed centre back has already established himself as one of the best defenders of his generation – just 66 games into his career in Saxony.
Gvardiol launches into a tackle for Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Youth LeagueCredit: Getty
Versatile Gvardiol moved to Leipzig in 2021 for a fee of £25mCredit: Getty
‘Little Pep’
Gvardiol has been likened to Real Madrid star David Alaba in style because he’s left-footed and is equally as dominant playing at full-back, as he is at centre back or in midfield.
On occasion, he has played further forward and shouldn’t just considered a stopper.
Amusingly, he is nicknamed ‘Little Pep’, after Man City manager Pep Guardiola.
But he’s not the sort of deep-lying playmaker the Barcelona legend was known as.
The similarities are simply because the names sound similar.
Highly-coveted
Nickname aside, Pep is said to be a big fan.
Manchester City were linked with him, until they switched their sights to a cheaper alternative in Manuel Akanji.
Liverpool, Chelsea, and now Tottenham are all reportedly in the hunt for his services.
“Everyone is talking about this boy,” former Bayern and Croatian legend Ivica Olic said.
“All the top clubs in Europe know him. Gvardiol is an extraordinary talent.
“He can play great long balls, is a fine technician and is physically very strong.”
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Gvardiol has been nicknamed ‘Little Pep’Credit: Reuters
Europe’s top clubs are all willing to pay big money for GvardiolCredit: Getty
Starring in Qatar has done Gvardiol no harm in raising his profile further more on the world stage.
Should he take Croatia further than the last-16, expect that price-tag to continue to rise. More

SENEGAL’S World Cup hero Kalidou Koulibaly knows a few things about life’s struggle.Born in the French commune Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, some 50 miles southeast of Nancy to African parents who migrated from Senegal, he understood the challenges faced by those in less privileged positions.
Kalidou Koulibaly has been instrumental to Senegal’s success at the World CupCredit: Getty
Koulibaly has starred for Chelsea since signing in the summerCredit: Getty
Koulibaly arrives in his Porsche to hand out coats to the homeless in Naples
That has encouraged the giant centre-back, nicknamed ‘The Wall’, to never forget his roots and give back when he can.
His acts of kindness know no bounds, as he put his hard-earned salary to use to help others.
Buying coats for the homeless
Salvatore Falco, head of media relations at Arci Mediterraneo, recently revealed he reached out to Koulibaly for his assistance.

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The charity Falco works for helps migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Naples – a subject close to the ex-Napoli star’s heart and part of his DNA.
He had already heard of Koulibaly’s incredible generosity through the local media.
One tale told how he personally handed out coats to the homeless during the winter.
Another story goes that he bumped into a stray boy in a supermarket car park and gave him a £500 note.
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While in 2019, when a 12-year-old boy from Senegal was flown to Naples for reconstructive surgery after suffering terrible burns, Koulibaly made sure he was at the hospital to see him through.
In honour of his charity work, Arci Mediterraneo saluted the local hero, along with his former team-mate Fauzi Ghulam, with the Social Impact Award.
Koulibaly wasn’t done there. Doing more than fulfilling the usual meet and greet requests, he answered questions from the group about his own experiences and what Arci Mediterraneo offers.
As well as helping migrants learn the language and what trades they can get into, it also has a football team.
After inspecting the charity’s facilities, Koulibaly’s first act was to donate training tops, balls and bags.
Better still, he visited the players to meet them on International Migrants’ Day last December. Like him, many were from Senegal and had their own dreams of football stardom.
And, at a time when he had suffered racial abuse from rival fans in Serie A, he wanted to address the group with an important message.
A rousing speech from a leader
The Athletic managed to get a transcript of a speech he delivered to the football team that day.
“I don’t speak much in public,” he said.
Koulibaly was given an award for his charity work by Arci MediterraneoCredit: Instagram
Giant defender Koulibaly gave Arci Mediterraneo’s football team a rousing speechCredit: Instagram
“I’m more of a fact-finder. I can say that you (the team) are stronger than us (professional football players) because at our level we do not experience the same problems as you.
“We have experienced racism, but not as much as you have, because you don’t have the power to make your voice heard and heard like we do.
“We can go on TV. We’re more fortunate because if we’re victims of racist violence, I’ll be on TV and it’ll be shown 10 times more, I’m well known.
“You don’t have the same strength as me. That’s why I spoke out against the discrimination you are going through.
“I will use my voice to speak for you, because if you don’t have a voice, it is my duty to speak, it is my right.
“I don’t care about myself. It hurts when I am the victim of racist abuse, of course.
“But the people who don’t have a voice, who don’t listen… they are insulted, nobody says anything about it.
“Instead tell them, ‘Come on, don’t cry about it. It could be worse.” What could be worse? It could be worse for me, true.
“But I don’t think it could get any worse for these kids. They’ve been on a much tougher journey than me and I know quite a bit about it.
“My African friends have been through the same thing, but this is a journey that none of us could have imagined.
“Their stories have to be heard to be believed. I have friends who try. I didn’t because my parents moved to France. They moved to work. It was easier for them.
“But these guys who had to run away from something or come here dreaming of a life like ours, honestly, I’m amazed.
“I admire them because they took a path that I could not have imagined.
“I was lucky to go to school. My parents gave me a good start in life. I am not from a rich family.
“It was just what I needed and I thank them for it. So I will fight for these children who did not have my vote.
“I hope the team continues to do well, I hope the team changes over time. What do I mean by change?
“I mean, some players are hoping to go on to bigger and better things than they are today. I wish them all the best in life because they are part of the community that I am a part of.”
He left on one final note. “I won’t let you out of my sight, I want to know how things are going.”
Never forgot his roots
Although he was born in France, Koulibaly roots are firmly planted in Senegal – a country he represents internationally.
Back in 2021, he celebrated his 30th birthday by donating two ambulances and medical equipment to hospitals to the African country.
Koulibaly often visits Senegal and is a hero to the people thereCredit: Instagram @kkoulibaly26
Last year Koulibaly donated this ambulance to a Senegal hospital
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport via Football Italia, Koulibaly paid for a number of items to be shipped to Senegal from the port of Naples.
Among those included two ambulances, hospital gowns, stretchers, personal protective equipment and thousands of protective masks.
It’s moments like this that have made him an inspiration for his fans.
One messaged on Twitter: “We are proud of you. I love people who never forget their origin and culture. This is how self-respect is earned.”
Another remarked: “You are a great man, a great player. Your heart is huge.”
Humble origins
Koulibaly’s selfless nature has a lot to do with his upbringing in France.
He grew up playing football and honing his skills on pitches – with stones for goalposts.
Childhood friend Mohamodou Ndiaye has happy memories of their makeshift turf in Saint-Die, an industrial town in north east France.
Koulibaly (second from right, middle row) grew up playing with stones for goalposts
Koulibaly visiting Saint-Die alongside childhood friend Ndiaye
Ndiaye told SunSport: “Kalidou and I have known each other since we were five or so.
“We always used to play football after school on concrete. If you fell over, it hurt but after a while you got used to it.
“Behind his house we created a pitch with big stones to make the goals.
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“Later Kalidou was the class representative at school. He made a request to have proper goals on the playground and we got them.”
Like a true captain, Kouliabaly has led all his life. Expect the same courageousness when Senegal take on the Three Lions on Sunday. More

POLAND hero Wojciech Szczesny has been his country’s star performer at the World Cup.The former Arsenal No1 pulled off a stunning double save to thwart Saudi Arabia, first from the penalty spot, and then from close range.
Wojciech Szczesny has been Poland’s hero at the World CupCredit: Getty
Szczesny saves Lionel Messi’s penaltyCredit: Rex
A young Szczesny hones his skills in his homeland
He followed that up by keeping Lionel Messi out from 12 yards with another incredible spot-kick stop, as Poland qualified for the last-16.
Amusingly, he lost a €100 bet to the little Argentinian over whether the penalty would be overturned by VAR.
But his career could have been over before it had started, following a training ground incident that left his career hanging by a thread.
In a freak accident in the gym, Szczesny broke BOTH arms after slipping during a weightlifting exercise when he was just 17.
That didn’t stop the youngster from breaking into Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal team and establishing himself as first-choice goalkeeper at 20.
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Despite falling out of favour in North London, when he was caught smoking in the changing rooms following a defeat, he rebuilt his career in Serie A at Juventus.
Outside of football, the outspoken footballer, now a more mature 32, is a family man – married to stunning pop star Marina Luczenko.
Born to be between the sticks
Poland has always had a history of mad goalkeepers – check Jan Tomaszewski to the more recent Artur Boruc.
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Szczesny is in that mould. His dad Maciej was also a famous keeper and was capped seven times by his country.
As an athletic kid growing up in Warsaw, his first love, surprisingly, wasn’t sport.
Somewhat apologetically, he admitted he enjoyed ballroom dancing in his early years.
“I’m a little embarrassed to talk about it now but the very first sport that I did, if you can call it sport, was ballroom dancing,” he told The Guardian in 2011.
A young Szczesny (first from the right in the front row) pictured with Lukasz Fabianski (first from the left on the front row) was taught his skills by legendary coach Krzysztof Dowhan
His dad Maciej Szczesny played for Legia Warsaw and PolandCredit: PA
“I was aged seven to nine or 10. I was tall and so I think I was a little bit stiff but I was getting the movements and everything.”
At school, Szczesny excelled at the javelin. But it was football that would soon become his priority.
Under the tutorage of legendary goalkeeping coach Krzysztof Dowhan, who worked with his dad, he rose through the ranks at Legia Warsaw, making his debut between the sticks aged just 15.
Bigger things were just round the corner.
North London calling
In 2006, the promising youngster moved to Arsenal – where he was promoted to the reserve team for the 2008-09 season.
However, a horrific and fluke injury threatened his progress.
While lifting weights at the club’s the training ground, he lost his footing and broke both his arms. It left the teen sidelined for four months during a crucial period in his development.
“I was in the gym doing squats when I lost my balance and the weight fell on my hands and broke both of them,” he recalled.
“It was a little bit bizarre. There was ­actually a few people in the gym at the same time and they said they were about to laugh before they realised my arms were not quite straight!”
Despite the setback, Szczesny was not going to let that stop him from breaking into Arsenal’s first eleven.
After suffering injury heartbreak, Szczesny became a first team regular aged just 20Credit: AP:Associated Press
Rise
After a successful loan at Brentford in the 2009-10 season, Szczesny found himself fighting Manuel Almunia and fellow Pole Lukasz Fabianski for the goalie’s jersey at the Emirates.
He made his debut in a 1-0 loss to Manchester United, accrediting himself well in the narrow defeat.
After a run of games and clean sheets, Wenger made him first choice – insisting, “he’s done nothing for me to take him out.”
There was a blip – a combined error with Laurent Koscielny that allowed Obafemi Martins to tap into an empty net and win the League Cup final for Birmingham City.
But, Arsenal appeared to have found a save pair of hands for the years to come.
The 2013-14 season was Szczesny’s best in North London.
Not only did he share the Golden Glove award with Petr Cech for most clean sheets, he also won his first piece of silverware – the FA Cup.
The following season, as is the case with many young players, a dip in form contributed towards his downfall.
Szczesny cuts a glum figure after his error cost Arsenal the League CupCredit: AP:Associated Press
Demise
In what was probably his worst performance in an Arsenal shirt, Szczesny had a mare during an away day at Southampton.
Two errors led to a 2-0 defeat, and the Gunners were soundly beaten by the Saints at St Mary’s.
What happened next cost him his future at the club.
Upset after the game, he hid in the dressing room shower and lit up a cigarette.
“Back at that time I was smoking regularly and the boss knew it very well,” he told Arsenal podcast In Lockdown.
“He just didn’t want anybody smoking in the dressing rooms and I knew that also. 
“Because of the emotion of the game, I had a cigarette after the game when the team was still in. I went in the corner of the showers, so it was at the other end of the dressing room and nobody could see me, and I lit one up. 
“Somebody saw me, it wasn’t even the boss himself, and just reported it back to the boss. I saw him a couple of days later, he asked me if that was true and I said, ‘Yes’. He fined me and that was the end of it. 
Arsene Wenger ruthlessly dropped Szczesny after he was caught smoking in the dressing room showersCredit: Getty – Contributor
“He then said, ‘Look, you’re going to be out of the team for a little bit’ but there was no big bust-ups or big confrontations. I was very professional about it. ”
Szczesny was replaced by David Ospina for the rest of the season, but was selected to play in the 2015 FA Cup final – a 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa. It would be his last appearance for the club.
Redemption in Italy
When Arsenal signed Cech in preseason, it was the signal Szczesny needed to move on.
He embarked on a two-year loan deal to Roma, where in his second season he kept Brazil’s Alisson out the side.
The 6f5in goalie also kept the most clean sheets in Serie A (14) as Roma secured their highest ever points total (87), finishing second in the league.
In 2017, still on Arsenal’s books, Juventus agreed to pay £10million for his services – seeing him as a successor to Gianluigi Buffon. And they weren’t wrong.
Szczesny found redemption in Italy, first with RomaCredit: Reuters
After moving to Juventus, Szczesny established himself as their No1Credit: Getty
Szczesny ousted the Italian legend in his first year at the Old Lady – winning the scudetto in his debut season.
That was followed by two more consecutive title wins, as he firmly established himself as Juve’s No1.
Family guy
Keeping his feet firmly on the ground are his family, mainly pop star wife Marina Luczenko.
He has admitted in the past it was love at first sight.
“I saw a picture of Marina on the Internet. I really liked her, I was wondering how to get her phone number. Somehow I managed to do it. But I had to fight for her a bit. I don’t hide it,” he told Polish fashion magazine Viva!
They tied the knot in 2015, after dating for two years. Three years later, they welcomed their son Liam into the world.
Both Marina and Luczenko haven’t made the trip to Qatar, but they are cheering Szczesny on from afar.
The four year-old might even follow in his dad’s footsteps – opening up the possibility of three generations of Szczesnys playing for Poland.
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Stunning Marina Luczenko is a famous pop star
Luczenko and Szczesny married in 2015
“He knows everything. He’s so interested in football. Liam’s first steps were to the ball,” Marina told Party.pl.
First, he must learn from his dad as Poland’s World Cup campaign continues when they play France on Sunday. More

PORTUGAL got their World Cup campaign off to a flyer – with a 3-2 win over Ghana.But it will be a tougher test on Monday night when they face off against Uruguay.
Georgina Rodriguez will be cheering Portugal on at the World Cup
Rodriguez is the most popular Wag on InstagramCredit: Getty
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina met at a Gucci store in MadridCredit: Alamy
Cheering the team on will be their incredible Wags, who boast a variety of talents.
From a cabaret dancer in Ibiza to the world’s most popular Wag on Instagram, these might just be the best of the tournament.
Georgina Rodriguez
The Queen of the Wags, Georgina is – of course – the missus of free agent Cristiano Ronaldo, who was recently sacked by Man Utd.
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A bonafide celebrity in her own right, the 28-year-old was born in Argentina and raised in Spain, where she met Ronaldo while working in a Gucci store as a shop assistant in 2016.
Since then, she has become the most popular Wag on Instagram – boasting a whopping 40million followers.
Georgina has also branched out with her own clothing line, starred in a Netflix series and become a mum to girls Alana and Bella.
Ines Tomaz
Tomaz, 23, is a bikini model.
She met Bernardo Silva during lockdown, after they were introduced by mutual pals, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.
Back in May, the blonde beauty revealed that she was engaged to the Man City ace in a gushing Instagram post.
Showing of the her engagement ring with the playmaker, she wrote: “Forever YES. My endless love.”
Ines Tomaz is a bikini model
Tomaz shows off her stunning body on Instagram
Bernardo Silva and Tomaz got engaged in May
Margarida Corceiro
Corceiro, 20, is the girlfriend of Portugal sensation Joao Felix.
She is a soap actress, who first starred in Prisoneira in 2019, and currently appears in Bem me Quer.
While in 2020, she starred in the Portuguese version of Dancing with the Stars.
Earlier this year, Margarida had to deny claims she had been unfaithful after it was alleged she was seen kissing Sporting Lisbon ace Pedro Porro in a nightclub.
Margarida Corceiro is a soap actress
Corceiro met Joao Felix in 2019
Corceiro was alleged to have cheated on Felix, which she denied
Ginevra Festa
Life is a cabaret, old chum for the reported girlfriend of Ruben Dias.
Back in the summer, the defender was spotted with Ginevra – a dancer in Ibiza – during a loved-up getaway to Formentera.
Festa also works in Dubai, where she performs at the ‘world’s most glamorous cabaret’, in which dancers, singers and acrobats entertain dinner guests.
So far, she hasn’t been spotted in Manchester yet.
Ginevra Festa is a cabaret dancer in Ibiza and Dubai
Festa is the reported girlfriend of Ruben Dias
Debora Lourenco
31-year-old Debora began dating Ruben Neves in 2014, before they married in 2019 in a small, private ceremony.
They have three children – a girl called Margarida, and two boys named Martim and Mateo.
She happily shares her family life to 27,000 followers on Instagram.
Debora is in Qatar cheering Ruben on.
Debora Lourenco has 27,000 followers on Instagram
Ruben Neves and Debora got together in 2014 and married in 2019
Ana Pinho
Doting housewife Ana, 28, meet husband Bruno Fernandes when they were both 16.
They got married in 2015 and welcomed their first child, Matilde two years later.
In 2020 they added boy Goncalo to their brood.
Fernandes has repeated that he shared his success with his family – who religiously go to Old Trafford to see him play.
Ana Pinho is the childhood sweetheart of Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes and Pinho met when they were just 16
Daniela Machado
Joao Cancelo’s girlfriend Daniela, 26, is an influencer and blogger.
Also childhood sweethearts, they reportedly began dating in 2011 in Lisbon.
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She has since followed Cancelo on his football journey to Spain, Italy and England.
They are the proud parents of daughter, Alicia.
Daniela Machado is the blogger and influencer
Machado is well-travelled and has lived in Spain, Italy and England
Joao Cancelo poses with partner Machado More

IN their day, they were two of football’s toughest hardmen.Manchester United legend Roy Keane and Liverpool icon Graeme Souness were renowned for bossing the middle of the park with bone-crunching tackles and a physicality that sometimes went beyond the legal limits.
Graeme Souness was a renowned hardman and TV pundit who isn’t afraid to speak his mindCredit: Getty
Equally, Roy Keane doesn’t hold back and has built as a reputation as one of football’s toughest customersCredit: Getty
Souness and Keane squabble at half-time over Argentina’s penaltyCredit: https://twitter.com/itvfootball/status/1595010705593634818
And now, as football pundits, they are fighting it out in the TV studio.
The pair went head-to-head over a penalty decision, when Argentina took on Saudi Arabia, with a Saudi Arabian star guilty of man-handling an Argentinian in the box.
Souness claimed the Saudi player had no interest in where the ball was – only the whereabouts of the player he was tracking – so the decision was rightly called.
He added the call was not down to “opinion” but “fact”, which prompted Keane to respond: “Well I’m here to give my opinion – that’s not a penalty.”
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The disagreemnet between the pair, who normally wage their battles on Sky Sports, prompted us to look back at their careers – and who really is the hardest? SunSport’s conclusion is below.
Biggest bust-ups
Starting with Keane, the 51-year-old Irishman was never the easiest to get along with.
As a player, he was sent off seven times – with controversy following him wherever he went.
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Perhaps his most famous red card was THAT revenge tackle on Alf Inge Haaland in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford in 2001.
Keane had previously accused the Norwegian of causing him a nasty knee injury when United played Leeds four years earlier.
Keane’s retribution was to hit his rival with a high-tackle – causing the ex-City midfielder a knee injury of his own.
Famously, he also slammed Ireland’s preparations for the 2002 World Cup and was sent home by manager Mick McCarthy from Japan.
Keano even took on Sir Alex Ferguson – admitting he wanted to leave the club in 2005/06, before slamming team-mates including Rio Ferdinand following a miserable defeat to Middlesbrough.
During a meeting, Fergie and the player were believed to have had a huge row that almost came to blows. That was the final straw, and his United career was over.
Souness, 69, was no saint either.
He started as he meant to go on. As a 17-year-old trainee at Tottenham, the Scot demanded he be given a chance in the first team in a fiery meeting that ended with Souness storming out and returning to Scotland.
His most astonishing sending off came just 34 minutes into his Rangers debut, after receiving two yellow cards against Hibernian.
Roy Keane’s ‘revenge’ tackle on Alf Inge Haaland caused his rival serious injuryCredit: Sky
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy had a bust-up with Roy Keane during the 2002 World Cup that saw the midfielder sent homeCredit: Sportsfile
Graeme Souness famously planted a flag with Galatasaray’s colours in the centre circle of Fenerbahce’s pitch
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Then there was one of the most shocking tackles in football history against Steaua Bucharest in the European Cup – a vicious lunge on Iosif Rotariu that left his opponent with deep wounds and could have cost him his leg.
Management didn’t exactly mellow Souness either, especially during a spell in charge of Galatasaray.
In fact, he etched his name in Turkish football folklore with one astonishing act.
The setting was the Turkish Cup final in 1996, and Galatasaray had just won the two-legged game against rivals Fenerbahce on their turf.
Cue Souness running on to the pitch and planting a flag with Gala’s colours on in the centre circle – inciting a riot in an angry Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
Success on the pitch
Both Keane and Souness were top class players who enjoyed incredible success and were far more than just hatchet men.
The former won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and a Champions League with Man Utd, as well as a Scottish Premier League with Celtic.
While the latter can boast four First Division titles with Liverpool, and an incredible three European Cups.
In Italy, Souness landed a Coppa Italia with Sampdoria, and when he returned to Scotland with Rangers – two more Premier Divisions.
Keane played 67 times for Republic of Ireland, while his compatriot managed 50 appearances for his Scotland. Neither won anything for their countries.
Keane won seven Premier League titles during a trophy-laden stay at Man UtdCredit: Getty
Keane’s opponents always knew he was aroundCredit: Getty
Souness took no prisonersCredit: Getty
Souness won three European Cup medals during his glittering careerCredit: Getty
During his playing days, Keane shared rivalries on the pitch with players including Patrick VieiraCredit: Getty
Competitive Souness struck fear into his opponents on the pitchCredit: Getty
Punditry gold
As pundits for Sky and ITV, Keane and Souness aren’t afraid to put in a two-footed tackle of an opinion – and they don’t stand for reputations.
France World Cup winner Paul Pogba continuously felt Souness’s wrath.
“He goes out with one thoughts in his mind,” Souness – who now also stars on TalkSport – once divulged.
“I’m going to show everyone how clever I am today and be the star of the show.
“He’d be an absolute doddle to play against.”
Souness has also been critical of Jack Grealish and his £100million price tag, labelling a “good player, not a great player”, which the England midfielder took offence to and called him out over.
To his credit, Souness then offered Jack Grealish a night out – which the former Aston Villa man hilariously accepted, as long as he can bring Pogba as a plus one.
Keane doesn’t suffer fools himself.
During his analysis, Marcus Rashford cracking a smile during a warm-up to players touching the Anfield sign have irked the Irishman.
Kean has caused controversy as a TV punditCredit: pixel8000
Paul Pogba and Jack Grealish have been stung by criticism from SounessCredit: Rex
Where he has the edge of Souey might be his dry sense of humour.
He had TV viewers creasing up when he reacted to Chelsea team mates Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell and Billy Gilmour catching up ahead of England and Scotland’s Euros clash last year for 20 minutes.
“The only thing I would be critical of is why would you want to speak to an opposition player for 20 minutes?
“I don’t care if he’s your teammate or not. For over 20 minutes?
“I very rarely speak to anybody for over five minutes. After a game when you’ve been to war with somebody, why would you want to chat to somebody for that long?
“I think they could have used a bit more common sense. I rarely want to speak to anyone for five minutes.”
Host Mark Pougatch then queried: “I hope your wife gets more than five minutes?”
To which Keane replied: “No, never.”
Expect fireworks when Keane and Souness analyse games togetherCredit: Pixel8000
Although Keane is as fierce as the come, he’s on a par with Souness in the toughness stakes for usCredit: Rex
Verdict
How can you divide them?
Keane took on Fergie, one of the most feared managers of his generation.
Souness took on half of Istanbul with a moment of pure defiance at Galatasaray’s bitter rivals.

As players they won the lot, even on the highest stage in Europe.
While as pundits, Souness isn’t afraid to speak to his mind – and neither is Keane.
For this one, we’re going to have to sit on the fence. Best place, really, to avoid falling out with either. More