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      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘receives blockbuster transfer offer to leave Al-Nassr and play in Club World Cup’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has reportedly received a mega offer from an unnamed Brazilian club ahead of the Club World Cup.The Manchester United legend’s record-breaking £164million-a-year contract at Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr expires this summer.Ronaldo’s Al Nassr contract ends this summerRonaldo, 40, is in third season in the Saudi Pro League but has missed out on the league title so far.It was Al-Ittihad – with the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Fabinho – who were crowned champions after their 3-1 win last week.And Ronaldo’s extension talks have been delayed after Al Nassr failed to qualify for the Asian Champions League next season.But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been offered a way out.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to Spanish outlet Marca, Ronaldo has been approached by a Brazilian club playing in this summer’s Club World Cup.While the club in question has not been named, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo are the four Brazilian teams competing in the tournament that begins next month.If it were to be Palmeiras, it would set up a reunion against career rival Lionel Messi.Palmeiras are in a Club World Cup group with Messi’s Inter Miami, Porto and Egyptian club Al Ahly.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt’s a competition Ronaldo is extremely familiar with, having lifted the trophy a whopping four times in his legendary career.He won it for the first time with Man Utd in 2008 when the Premier League giants defeated LDU Quito 1-0 in the final, with Wayne Rooney scoring the winning goal.Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 14, given dad’s number and copies iconic pose as he makes Portugal debut with grandma watchingThe striker captured it a further three times with Real Madrid, scoring a hat-trick in the 2016 final against Kashima Antlers in a 4-2 win.The 2025 Club World Cup begins in the United States on June 15 and will run for just less than a month until July 13.Chelsea and Manchester City are the Prem teams taking part, while Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are featuring too.The winner will take home a whopping amount of prize money that is nearly $100m (£75m). More

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      Bilbao’s San Mames stadium was built using human chain from old ground and holds record attendance in ANOTHER sport

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      MANCHESTER UNITED or Tottenham fans will be praising their heroes for securing Champions League qualification in one of Europe’s most fascinating stadiums – dubbed ‘the Cathedral’. The two sides are hoping to put their nightmare Premier League seasons and dreadful form aside to clinch the Europa League crown.The new San Mames Stadium takes pride of place in BilbaoCredit: GettyThe LED lights on the exterior light up in different coloursCredit: GettyThe modern venue has 53,331 seatsCredit: AlamyFor Spurs, the final represents the chance to win a first major trophy since 2008.For United, it is their back-door route back to Europe’s top table in a season where they may well finish 17th – ahead of only relegated trio Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton. But there are as many storylines about the stadium where they will face off as the football itself.United beat Athletic Club in the semi-final to deny the Bilbao side from playing a European final in their home ground.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLUefa awarded this season’s Europa League final to the San Mames Stadium because it was due to host four matches at Euro 2020, including all three of Spain’s group matches.However, high Covid rates in the Basque Country saw the San Mames replaced by the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville instead. So the compensation for missing out on the Euros was Wednesday’s Europa League showpiece and last year’s Women’s Champions League final. HISTORICAL HANDIWORKThe state-of-the-art San Mames Stadium was opened as Athletic Club’s new ground in 2013.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 53,000-seater venue – which has LED coloured lights on the outside like Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena – replaced their predecessor stadium of the same name which opened exactly 100 years earlier. In an incredible touch recognising their history and heritage, a brick and a piece of turf from the old ground were also used in the building of the new San Mames.How Europa League final will be decided – four key Man Utd vs Tottenham tactical battlesThe new ground was built beside the site of the old San Mames stadiumCredit: GettyA human chain of players, fans and club heroes carried a brick from one to the otherCredit: AlamyBut rather than let a construction worker do the deed, a human chain including club legends, members of the women’s team, academy and both its oldest and youngest players and fans were all involved in carrying the brick from its place in the old stadium facade to the neighbouring new site. ORPHAN SHRINEThe name San Mames is a reference to Saint Mammes of Caesarea, a third-century Christian martyr who was born in prison where his parents were jailed.His mum and dad were both killed for their faith, leaving young Mammes an orphan. Mammes himself was persecuted for his own beliefs, including being thrown to lions – but managed to escape before eventually being impaled with a trident which eventually killed him.There is an old shrine to Saint Mammes next to the stadium, giving the ground its ‘Cathedral’ nickname.And it helps explain why Athletic Club are nicknamed the Lions.Athletic Club fans are passionate in their support of their beloved teamCredit: GettyThe club are nicknamed the Lions – after Saint Mammes escaped from being thrown to the lionsCredit: AlamyAthletic are in touch with their history with various statuesCredit: AlamyThe Spanish outfit have won eight LaLiga titles and 24 Copa del Rey tournamentsCredit: AlamyCAPTAINS GIVE THEIR FLOWERSAs we have already seen, the club are steeped in history.But their 98-year tradition is arguably the classiest of all.For virtually an entire century, the captains of teams playing at the San Mames – both the old and new versions – have laid flowers to honour Athletic icon Rafael Moreno Aranzadi, better known as Pichichi.The legendary striker, who played for them in the early 1900s, suddenly passed away aged 29 from typhus.Skippers lay the flowers beside a statue of Pichichi in the tunnel area, with the bust placed outside at the previous stadium. Hungarian side MTK Budapest were the first to make the gesture in 1927.Bruno Fernandes will not participate in the tradition this week, having already played at the stadium multiple times – but Son Heung-min is set to as it is Spurs’ first visit. Away captains lay flowers to pay tribute to Pichichi on their club’s first visitCredit: GettySAN-DWICHESAthletic Club’s away fans are some of the best around – as they demonstrated on their recent visit to Old Trafford with the semi-final already all but over. And their home supporters are just as good – with home matchdays not just about the 90 minutes on the pitch.They gather in their thousands hours before kick-off on the Poza street just across from the stadium.The road is lined with bars and so the fans enjoy some pre-match drinks and pintxos snacks.But they also make sure to buy their sandwiches which they take in and eat at half-time, a wholesome Athletic tradition.Athletic fans flock to Pozo before matches to drink, eat and buy sandwiches for half-timeCredit: AFPThe supporters hold a special connection to the club and the cityCredit: AlamySWITCHING SPORTSBut the San Mames Stadium is not just used for football.In 2019, it was used as the starting point for stage 13 of the Vuelta a Espana as cyclists warmed up by riding around the pitch before setting off and heading out of Bilbao.Three Athletic fans and riders – Jonatan Lastra, Mikel Bizkarra and Omar Fraile – even wore the famous red-and-white shirts as they posed for photos on their bikes inside the stadium. Lastly, the record attendance at the stadium was set in another sport. Read More on The SunA whopping 52,114 fans crammed into the San Mames on April 17 this year for Athletic Club vs Rangers in the Europa League quarter-final, a new highest tally for a football match.However, that was exceeded for rugby union’s Champions Cup final in 2018 as Leinster beat Racing 92 in front of 52,282 spectators. Leinster won the 2018 Champions Cup final in front of the stadium’s record attendanceCredit: Sportsfile – SubscriptionA stage of the Vuelta a Espana started at the San MamesCredit: GettyThe riders cycled inside the stadium around the pitchCredit: RexMan Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash More

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      Man Utd forced to make major kit change for Europa League final thanks to Spurs’ 64-year tradition

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will wear their red home shirts with black shorts and black socks for tomorrow’s Europa League final.The Red Devils have only worn the red, black, black combination once this season.Man Utd wore their red, black, black kit combination against Real SociedadCredit: GettyTottenham famously wear all white in European gamesCredit: GettyOrdinarily Ruben Amorim’s side would wear red shirts with white shorts and black socks.But with Tottenham having been drawn as the home team for the Europa League final, their home kit takes precedence.In the Premier League, Ange Postecoglou’s men wear white shirts with navy shorts and white socks.For European games, however, Spurs wear all-white due to a 64-year-old tradition.READ MORE ON MAN UTDRules dictate that clubs cannot wear the same colour shirts, shorts or socks.So with Tottenham set to wear white shorts, Man Utd will switch to black.The Red Devils have worn their red, black, black combination once this season.That came in the 1-1 Europa League draw with Real Sociedad in March.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMan Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clashJoshua Zirkzee gave United a 57th minute lead on that occasion, with Mikel Oyarzabal levelling 13 minutes later.Man Utd’s goalkeeper will wear green in Bilbao, while Tottenham’s will be in yellow.Welcome to Bilbao’s San Mames stadium ahead of Europa League final between Man Utd and SpursSpurs’ all-white tradition dates back to 1961.Having become the first English side of the 20th century to win the league and FA Cup double, Bill Nicholson’s side entered the European Cup for the first time.The popular story suggests that Tottenham changed to all-white in order to emulate the famous Real Madrid side of the time.But in reality, Nicholson, ever the innovator, made the change for practical reasons – deciding that an all-white kit would help visibility under the dodgy floodlights of the time.The change has served Spurs well over the years, with the Lilywhites having won two Uefa Cups and a Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup.Man Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash More

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      in Boxing

      Jake Paul issues update on Anthony Joshua fight and brutally reveals why he can KO former heavyweight champ

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      JAKE PAUL doubled down on fighting Anthony Joshua in 2026 – and says he even expects to knock out the former heavyweight champion. The YouTuber-turned-boxer brazenly called out AJ on his podcast – prompting Joshua to phone up Paul.Jake Paul doubled down on fighting Anthony Joshua in 2026Credit: SplashAJ and Jake Paul agreed to the fight over the phoneCredit: ReutersAnd the two are said to have struck a verbal agreement to fight next year – with Paul aiming a brutal dig at Joshua while vowing to KO him. He told Ariel Helwani: “Yeah, we talked on the phone for like ten minutes and we’re both down. I said 2026 and he was like, ‘Alright, let’s get it.’ “We’re gonna make it happen so I think that’s going to be a mega-fight next year and something fun to test my skills at heavyweight. “But I think his chin’s gone and especially if he fights another time or two in between the end of 2026. READ MORE IN BOXING”I love Anthony, he’s always supported me, I’ve always supported him but I just do believe I can beat him in a fight.” Paul’s last fight was up at heavyweight when Mike Tyson controversially made a comeback aged 58. But a huge 100 MILLION tuned in to watch on Netflix as Paul won an eight-round decision in Texas. He weighed 227lb (16st 2lb) which is still TWO STONE lighter than Joshua, 35, was before his September KO loss to Daniel Dubois, 27. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNow Paul, 28, returns on June 28 back down at the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb against ex-middleweight champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39.It comes after Canelo Alvarez, 34, walked away from a shock deal to face Paul on May 3 in Las Vegas.Tyson Fury’s DMs to Jake Paul leaked ahead of potential Tommy rematchThe Mexican great instead signed a four-bout deal with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, beating William Scull, 32, to regain his undisputed throne. Now Canelo is due to take the 168lb super-middleweight title into a showdown with unbeaten American Terence Crawford, 37, in September. Paul was also linked with an exhibition bout against Gervonta Davis, 30, despite their SIX STONE weight difference. But Davis is set to rematch Lamont Roach, 29, in the summer after their controversial March draw.And Paul said: “That was on the one yard as well, but he has to rematch Lamont Roach.“He wants to get that back. Then we will be back in discussions with Mr. Gervonta.”But this is the nature of boxing, you have massive fights on the one-yard line and then they fall through.”Read More on The SunPaul revealed an exhibition – where he would weigh 195lb – over ten round is still on the table for Davis later in the year. He added: “We’re working on it behind the scenes to make that happen.” Gervonta Davis is set to rematch Lamont RoachCredit: AP More

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      ‘Deal done’ – Tyson Fury makes major announcement after business meeting with manager and dad John

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      TYSON FURY has inked a “deal” just hours after revealing he had a massive meeting on the cards.The Gypsy King revealed to his 6.4million Instagram followers on Monday that he and dad John were attending an important “business meeting”.Tyson Fury recently attended a business meeting with his dad, John.Credit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONSFURYThe Gypsy King has seemingly hammered out a deal with the help of his old man and manager Spencer BrownCredit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONSFURYIn a video story update, the former two-time heavyweight champion said: “Business meeting today, dad. En-route. Incoming, incoming.”Fury’s update sent boxing fans into a frenzy, with several of them assuming his meeting was about a ring return.The Wythenshawe warrior failed to provide clarity on the topic of the meeting, although he’s since revealed it was a fruitful one.Late on Monday, he posted a picture of himself with his dad and manager Spencer Brown to his story with “done deal” emblazoned across it.READ MORE IN BOXINGFury, 36, has yet to reveal details of the agreement he’s reached.But fight fans will be hoping it’s a deal for him to return to the ring later this year.Fury hung up his gloves for a FIFTH TIME in January in protest at his second-straight defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.But he performed an unsurprising U-turn last month when he campaigned for a trilogy fight with the undefeated Ukrainian.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe fan favourite has ramped up training in recent weeks and has continued to drop hints that he will return to the ring.A long-overdue Battle of Britain with Anthony Joshua is on the cards for Fury should he decide to lace up his gloves again.AJ to have surgery this week as Hearn reveals ‘encouraging’ Fury fightThe domestic dust-up was seemingly a dead cert after Fury’s failure to exact revenge on Usyk in their rematch last December.It appeared to be dead in the water when Fury announced his fifth retirement with a bizarre reference to highway robber Dick Turpin.But it’s back on the table following his latest U-turn, which prompted long-time AJ promoter Eddie Hearn to exclusively tell SunSport: “Tyson Fury is a big tease.”Every day, I open up Instagram, like today, and he’s got his wraps on saying he’s done 12 rounds.”He looks super fit, Tyson Fury. He looks like he’s ready to go now, which is encouraging.”But, obviously, probably the delay that AJ’s got is a blessing, to be honest with you.”One, you’ve got Usyk against Dubois coming up, so that gives you a little bit of time. “Read More on The Sun”And number two, you’ve got Tyson Fury. Who could potentially come back to the ring.”So it’s gonna be interesting to see what plays out.” More

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      Bruno Fernandes is so ‘football sick’ his Man Utd team-mates spotted him watching obscure Polish match on train platform

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      BRUNO FERNANDES watches so much football that he’s been accused of being sickeningly obsessed with it.The Manchester United star was recently caught watching a random Polish match while waiting for a train with his team-mates.Bruno Fernandes was spotted watching a random Polish game on his phone recentlyFernandes is the brains of the good side of Man UtdFernandes’ former Red Devils team-mate Juan Mata called the soon to be 31-year-old midfielder “football sick”.According to The Telegraph, United players spotted their captain glued to a screen while they waited on platform for a train last month.The squad soon saw that Fernandes was watching an obscure match from Poland’s Ekstraklasa while travelling to an away game.No outfield player across Europe’s top five leagues has made more appearances (288) or played more minutes (24,474) than the Portugal midfielder since he moved to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £47 million in February 2020.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut as Fernandes prepares for his 63rd and biggest game of another horror campaign, his team-mates will again look to him for all the answers in Wednesday’s all-English Europa League final against Spurs in Bilbao.This will be Fernandes’ fifth final with United, winning just two and losing the 2021 Europa League crunch clash on penalties to Villarreal.Manager Ruben Amorim, 40, said recently United could do with “two Brunos” to which one insider quipped: “How about 10?”.No midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues has had more goal involvements since February 2020 than Fernandes’s 112.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordManchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is second with 100, while Fernandes also beats the Belgian’s 430 chances created with 535.In another dismal season, Fernandes has 17 goals across all competitions along with 14 assists.Bruno Fernandes matches Cristiano Ronaldo record as he wins Man Utd award – but admits he DOESN’T want itNo outfield player across Europe’s top five leagues has made more appearances since Fernandes joined United in 2020And he equalled Cristiano Ronaldo by winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for a fourth time last week.Amorim’s men have been a different beast in European competition, with Fernandes setting the all-time goal contribution record in Europa League history (41).And club legend Roy Keane believes Fernandes could be the X-factor in Bilbao.Keane, who slammed Fernandes earlier this season, told Sky Sports: “You still have to fancy United. “Someone like Bruno can produce, the history of Manchester United still carries a little bit of weight.”United’s history in finals compared to Spurs’. That might edge it for them, and I think Bruno can produce that bit of magic.”Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that Al-Hilal are ready to pay Fernandes a staggering £65million per season on a three-year deal.Man Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash More

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      What Erling Haaland told Crystal Palace star about why he wasn’t taking FA Cup final penalty

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      ERLING HAALAND told Daniel Munoz that he gave up Manchester City’s penalty in Saturday’s FA Cup final because Omar Marmoush is “also a good kicker”, the Crystal Palace star has claimed.Haaland, 24, is City’s top scorer this season with 21 Premier League goals.Erling Haaland initially grabbed the ballCredit: ReutersHaaland, 24, the handed it to Omar MarmoushCredit: GettyDean Henderson went on to save Marmoush’s penaltyCredit: GettyThe Norwegian has taken seven penalties this term, scoring four of them.Trailing 1-0 on Saturday, City were awarded a spot kick for Tyrick Mitchell’s foul on Bernardo Silva.Haaland initially grabbed the ball, before surprisingly giving it to Marmoush.The Egyptian had never previously taken a penalty for City, but scored four out of four for Eintracht Frankfurt during the first half of the season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPalace’s Wembley hero Dean Henderson, who had been fortunate not to be sent off for a deliberate handball, guessed right and saved Marmoush’s spot-kick, with Palace going on to win 1-0.Colombian Munoz earned the player of the match award at Wembley, having set up Eberechi Eze’s winner.Speaking to 10Sports in his homeland, the wing-back said of the spot kick incident: “I asked him (Haaland) why he didn’t take the penalty, since he was the team’s top scorer.”And he told me that his team-mate was also a good kicker. So, I told him, ‘If you don’t take the penalty, he’ll miss.’ And he missed.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordDaniel Munoz was brilliant in Saturday’s FA Cup finalCredit: AlamyAfter the game, Henderson also suggested that Haaland should have taken it.The Palace stopper told ITV: “To be fair, [Erling] Haaland might have stepped up, I wasn’t sure which way he’d go.How Crystal Palace outsmarted Man City in FA Cup final”He gave it to [Omar] Marmoush, I knew which way he was going. I knew I’d save it.”Wayne Rooney, working as a pundit at Wembley for the BBC, was critical of Haaland’s decision to hand off the penalty.The Manchester United legend said: “I don’t think he’s given it away.”I think it’s been taken off him before the game, I think it’s been decided (pre-match).”When presenter Gary Lineker, who will leave the BBC after this Sunday’s Match of the Day, added “you can’t override the manager”, Rooney insisted: “There’s moments you can. And I think Haaland should have taken the penalty.”Man City ratingsMANCHESTER CITY were stunned by Crystal Palace at Wembley, condemning Pep Guardiola to a first trophyless season in eight years.After the final, Pep Guardiola admitted that he didn’t know why Haaland hadn’t take the penalty.The Man City boss, 54, said: “They decided on the pitch.”I don’t know. I didn’t speak with them. I thought he (Haaland) would want to take it. These are things for them.Read More on The Sun”That moment for the free kick, for the penalty, it’s the feeling and how they feel. They decided Omar was ready to take it. Henderson made a good save.”Haaland extended his streak of never scoring at Wembley to five games, with City set to go trophyless this season for the first time since the 2016-17 season.Crystal Palace ratingsCRYSTAL PALACE secured their first ever trophy with a famous FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. More

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      Arsenal vs Barcelona – Women’s Champions League 2025 final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream

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      ARSENAL and Barcelona meet in a monumental Women’s Champions League final in Lisbon!The Gunners reached the big one after overturning their first-leg deficit to batter Olympique Lyonnais 4-1 in the second leg.Arsenal fought back to down Olympique Lyonnais in the semi-finalsCredit: GettyBarcelona battered Chelsea 8-2 on aggregateCredit: GettyWhile Barcelona THRASHED treble-winning Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate in their semi-final.The Gunners were last in the final for Europe’s biggest prize 18 years ago – when they beat Swedish side Umea in a two-legged playoff with Alex Scott scoring the only goal of the tie.Arsenal face a tough test in Barcelona, who are aiming to win the Champions League for the third year in a row.Barca’s back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati said she’s “surprised” the Gunners have made it to the final, but did say it was deserved.Spain ace Bonmati said: “For me, it was a surprise Arsenal reaching the final.”They absolutely deserve it, because scoring four goals against Lyon in the second leg is not easy at all.”I congratulate them for that because I think it was a big surprise, but a well deserved one.”BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKWhen is Arsenal vs Barcelona?Arsenal vs Barcelona takes place on Saturday, May 24.Most read in Champions LeagueThe match kicks off at 5pm BST.Lisbon’s Estadio Jose Alvalade plays host.What TV channel and live stream is Arsenal vs Barcelona on?Arsenal vs Barcelona will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and DAZN in the UK.TNT and DAZN’s coverage gets underway an hour before at 4pm.DAZN will also be showing the game for FREE on their YouTube channel.What have they said?Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers: “We respect them highly as a team. “They’re very intelligent players, all of them, and technically capable, so it’s going to be a new challenge. I think that it’s a challenge that we haven’t faced yet in the league or in the Champions League.”We’re going to try to replicate as many moments as possible in training and in meetings and prepare the players for everything that’s going to come. “But even the pressure and the day of the final and all the aspects of it, we’re going to try and prepare for. But I think when the moment is there, it’s going to be so special.” More