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    Most successful Premier League club on Boxing Day revealed – and they’re not even in the top half of this year’s table

    THE most successful Premier League club on Boxing Day has been revealed and they’re not even in the top half of this year’s table.Analysts looked at more than 32 years of data to work out a host of fascinating stats to reveal the teams with the most wins and losses.Take the quiz hereCredit: gettyIt turns out that Manchester United fans have it best at Christmas – as they’ve won more Premier League Boxing Day games than any other club.United have not only won the most games with a whopping 21 victories, but they’ve also scored the most goals, hitting the net 76 times on December 26th.At the other end of the table, Newcastle have lost more than any other side when playing on Boxing Day, going down 15 times in 32 games played – and conceding as many as 45 goals.Four teams – Manchester City, Everton, Chelsea and Aston Villa – feature in both top 10 lists due to having a high number of wins and losses from the festive fixture over the years.read more in premier league The findings come after research of 2,000 footie fans found four in 10 look forward to Boxing Day football more than any other day on the footballing calendar.The festive footie beat out transfer deadline day (13 per cent) and even the Carabao Cup final (10 per cent) as the day in the season fans enjoy most.Among the best things about the day are the fact almost every side plays and being able to chow down on turkey sandwiches while watching.It also emerged the typical football fan will watch as many as five matches over the packed festive schedule, racking up more than 10 hours of live sport in total.Most read in FootballA spokesperson for Lottoland.co.uk Sportsbook, which commissioned the study and also created a tool to allow fans to try and predict the scores for this year’s matches, said: “It’s truly a late Christmas gift to football fans.“While the occasional player may moan about having to train and eat pasta throughout the festive period, fans get a feast of football to enjoy.Man Utd player ratings: Tyrell Malacia hooked after first-half disasterclass as Bruno Fernandes offers glimmer of hope“There’s just so much to love about it, and the Boxing Day fixtures are among the first people will look out for when they are released.”The research found most fans don’t have a huge amount of sympathy for Premier League players who have to ‘work’ on Boxing Day, unlike most of the rest of the country having the day off.With 27 per cent admitting they don’t have very much sympathy, while 34 per cent feel none whatsoever.Other reasons people love the season’s sport include having people around the home to watch games with (22 per cent) and finally saying goodbye to “Christmassy” TV and films (17 per cent).While 13 per cent see switching off from family duties and on to 90 minutes of sport as a great way to have a break from their nearest and dearest.It also emerged 29 per cent are even likely to tune into games their team isn’t playing, just because they’re on TV.And 34 per cent are particularly looking forward to this year’s December 26 fixtures because the title race is so intriguing.Nearly a fifth (17 per cent) even enjoy the sport on the day after Christmas more than they do opening presents.But three in 10 claimed their favourite team losing on Boxing Day has the power to ruin the entire festive season for them, according to the OnePoll.com figures.Lottoland.co.uk Sportsbook’s spokesperson added: “Of course, watching loads of football is lots more fun if your team happens to be winning.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Losing two or three games in quick succession is nobody’s idea of a good time.“But for the neutrals who don’t have a particular horse in the race, the endless supply of action can only be a good thing.”TOP 10 TEAMS WITH THE MOST WINS ON BOXING DAY:Manchester United (21 wins)Liverpool (17 wins)Arsenal (16 wins)Chelsea (13 wins)Tottenham Hotspur (13 wins)Everton (11 wins)Manchester City (11 wins)Blackburn Rovers (7 wins)West Ham United (7 wins)Aston Villa (5 wins)TOP 10 TEAMS WITH THE MOST LOSSES ON BOXING DAY:Newcastle United (15 losses)Aston Villa (14 losses)Leicester City (11 losses)Everton (10 losses)Middlesbrough (9 losses)Manchester City (7 losses)Sunderland (7 losses)Norwich City (7 losses)West Bromwich Albion (7 losses)Chelsea (6 losses) More

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    ‘It’s our job’ – Blunt Pep Guardiola forcing his Man City strugglers to sleep at training ground on Christmas Day

    PEP GUARDIOLA has revealed that his Manchester City side will be staying overnight at the club’s training ground on Christmas Day.The Spanish gaffer told the media that his struggling squad will be spending the night at the facilities ahead of their clash with Everton on Boxing Day.Pep Guardiola has revealed that Manchester City’s players will be staying at the training ground on Christmas DayCredit: ReutersCity extended their dismal run of form at the weekend with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa and will be hoping to bounce back against the Toffees tomorrow.And Guardiola is making sure that he doesn’t break the usual pre-match routine by ensuring his players spend the night at the training ground prior to the 12:30pm kick off at the Etihad Stadium.When asked about his side’s preparations, he said: “We train today (Tuesday), we train tomorrow (Wednesday) night, we will stay over here and we are going to play on Boxing Day.”City’s stars were given time to spend with their families earlier in the week and were able to spend Christmas morning and afternoon with their loved ones before heading to the Etihad Campus for their evening training session later in the day.READ MORE ON MAN CITYGuardiola claimed he hoped his players wouldn’t mind being at work for the evening, explaining it’s part of their job.He added: “Hopefully they want to be here, because it’s our job.”It’s common practice for squads to get together on Christmas day, especially when playing on Boxing Day.City will be hoping that a home clash against 15th placed Everton will give them an opportunity to rediscover some form after a torrid run has seen them win just once in their last 12 GAMES in all competitions. Most read in FootballMan City are bottom of the form table since NovemberFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe four-in-a-row champions have been the Premier League’s worst performers since the start of November, picking up only FOUR POINTS in the last two months.While they currently sit seventh in the league table, some 12 points off league leaders Liverpool.’We played like under-15s,’ fumes Bernardo Silva as angry Man City ace admits ‘we deserved’ Man Utd loss Despite getting the team in for Christmas Day, Guardiola has done his best to keep moral high amid the club’s rough patch this season.The experienced manager and his team allowed the squad to bring their partners to the Christmas party.Pictures shared on Instagram showed Ilkay Gundogan posing with wife Sara alongside Bernardo Silva and his partner Ines Degener Tomaz.And in another snap Kevin de Bruyne shared a kiss with wife Michele Lacroix.Premier League clubs’ Christmas parties do not usually include players’ partners, though it is not known whether this is the custom for Man City.Guardiola emphasised that the whole club is trying to get to grips with the task of reigniting their season, highlighting Everton as an opportunity to get the ball rolling.“This situation is new for all of us. It’s about us, everyone. The guys are running and making an effort more than ever,” he said.“People say we are not running, fighting, it’s this player, this manager – it is not about that.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It is about many little details or some big details that make us not as good as we were. But we have another opportunity on Boxing Day.“We have players coming back and at a certain time we will be better.”Manchester City’s players celebrated their Christmas party with their partnersCredit: INSTAGRAM / INES DEGENER TOMAZBernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan posed for photos with their other halvesCredit: INSTAGRAM / INES DEGENER TOMAZIt comes amid Man City’s dreadful run of form on the pitchCredit: INSTAGRAM / INES DEGENER TOMAZKevin de Bruyne shared a kiss with wife Michele LacroixCredit: INSTAGRAM / INES DEGENER TOMAZManchester City need to turn their shocking form aroundCredit: Getty More

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    Former England international eyed by Hollywood-owned Wrexham for sensational January transfer

    WREXHAM are planning a January swoop for Patrick Bamford, SunSport can reveal.The Welsh club believe the former England international – who earned his only cap in 2021 – could help propel them to the Championship.Patrick Bamford has not scored in nine games for Leeds this seasonCredit: GettyHe could be looking for a way out of the Championship club in the January windowAnd with the forward out of favour at Leeds, Wrexham are confident they will be able to get a deal over the line.The League One high-fliers are thought to be pushing for a loan deal which would include a clause to sign Bamford permanently in the summer.But owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will have to dig deep to bring the club.Bamford’s wages will impact the structure at the club so the celebrity owners will have to help out to land the striker.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWrexham certainly need a new striker with recent draws coming because of their failure to take chances.Phil Parkinson would have once called upon Paul Mullin to kill games off, but he has scored just once in League One.Wrexham think a striker who can make a big impact in League One and potentially score goals at Championship level will take them to the next level and Bamford fits that bill when at his best.The only snag could be concerns about his injury record and his lack of game time, and Wrexham will want assurances he is able to play straight away.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFor Leeds, offloading Bamford from their wage bill is a priority due to his high salary and limited playing time.His current wages represent a significant financial burden, particularly since he has only played in eight of Leeds’ league matches, contributing no goals or assists.Wrexham clash descends into huge brawl at full-time as tempers flare after fiery League One clashGiven his injury record and the team’s depth in forward positions, moving him out could free up funds for other squad investments or financial stability. More

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    Desperate Man City call on Wags to attend Christmas party to save faltering season with club BOTTOM of form table

    MANCHESTER CITY allowed their players’ partners to attend the club’s Christmas party as they look to resurrect their disastrous season.Pep Guardiola’s men have won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions and have lost their last three.Manchester City’s players celebrated their Christmas party with their partnersCredit: INSTAGRAM / INES DEGENER TOMAZBernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan posed for photos with their other halvesCredit: INSTAGRAM / INES DEGENER TOMAZIt comes amid Man City’s dreadful run of form on the pitchCredit: INSTAGRAM / INES DEGENER TOMAZKevin de Bruyne shared a kiss with wife Michele LacroixCredit: INSTAGRAM / INES DEGENER TOMAZPep Guardiola will be hoping to turn his side’s fortunes around after ChristmasCredit: PAIt means they sit bottom of the Premier League form table since the beginning of November, picking up just four points from eight games.Dropping to seventh at Christmas, Guardiola recently admitted he is “not good enough”.But he will be hoping the Christmas party went some way to improving morale in the squad.Pictures shared on Instagram showed Ilkay Gundogan posing with wife Sara alongside Bernardo Silva and his partner Ines Degener Tomaz.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd in another snap Kevin de Bruyne shared a kiss with wife Michele Lacroix.Premier League clubs’ Christmas parties do not usually include players’ partners, though it is not known whether this is the custom for Man City.Nevertheless, Guardiola will be eager to ensure his squad is in the right frame of mind for their clash with Everton at the Etihad on Boxing Day.A fifth successive Premier League title already seems out of reach for the defending champions.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMan City are bottom of the form table since NovemberMan City sit 12 points adrift of table toppers Liverpool and have played one more game.However, they do now have a more favourable set of fixtures as they prepare to face Premier League games against Everton, Leicester, West Ham, Brentford and Ipswich.Fans ask ‘how’s Henry spotted that?’ as they are left stunned by Arsenal icon’s analysis of Man Utd star’s goal vs Man City Guardiola isn’t taking any chances with their Boxing Day clash against Everton either.The Spanish tactician revealed that he and his players will be STAYING OVER at the club’s training ground on Christmas Day ahead of the 12:30pm kick off on the 26th.When asked about his side’s preparations for the Toffees game, he said: “We train today (Tuesday), we train tomorrow (Wednesday) night, we will stay over here and we are going to play on Boxing Day.”City’s stars were given time to spend with their families earlier in the week and were able to spend Christmas morning and afternoon with their loved ones before heading to the Etihad Campus for their evening training session later in the day.Guardiola claimed he hoped his players wouldn’t mind being at work for the evening, explaining it’s part of their job.He added: “Hopefully they want to be here, because it’s our job.”It’s common practice for squads to get together on Christmas Day, especially when playing on Boxing Day.Manchester City’s underperforming stars will be training and staying over at the training ground on Christmas DayCredit: GettyPep Guardiola has said it’s his players job to be around on Christmas DayCredit: PA More

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    Marcus Rashford enjoys Christmas dinner with his family with Man Utd future up in air after ‘new challenge’ admission

    MARCUS RASHFORD shared a picture enjoying Christmas with his family amid uncertainty surrounding his Manchester United future.The Red Devils star, 27, has been absent from Ruben Amorim’s last three squads and recently revealed he was “ready for a new challenge”.Marcus Rashford smiled for a photo ahead of a Christmas Eve meal with familyRashford’s Manchester United future is up in the airCredit: ReutersBut question marks over a potential January departure from Old Trafford have rightly not stopped him from enjoying the festive period.On Christmas Eve he shared a snap of him and 17 of his loved ones sitting down for a meal.It appears to be at a pub or restaurant due to the menus on the table.Alongside the picture, Rashford added the caption: “Family time – Happy Christmas everyone 🎄.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDReacting to the photo, one fan replied: “We love you Rashy ❤️.”Another added: “Big family bro🔥… Merry Christmas.”While a third said: “Seasons Greetings Marcus ❤️😍😍.”And a fourth responded: “Merry Christmas GOAT ❤️.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSRashford spoke earlier this month about his future, telling journalist Henry Winter: “Personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”After Man Utd’s 4-3 defeat to Tottenham last week, Amorim said: “We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple, and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past. ‘Not just Marcus’ – Ruben Amorim has theory on who’s behind bombshell Rashford interview and will ‘forget it.. for now'”This kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.”Nothing has changed. We believe in Marcus. Marcus is a player of Manchester United, so there’s no change.”Man Utd academy product Rashford has scored 138 goals and assisted 63 in 426 appearances.This season he has scored seven goals and assisted three in 24 games.Man Utd travel to Wolves on Boxing Day seeking a first win in three matches. More

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    EFL club’s former stadium now a Morrisons supermarket after ground saw disastrous back-to-back relegations

    IT’S been a tale of hope to despair and back again.In 1990, a West Midlands club, that once played host to Liverpool great Alan Hansen, left their stadium after 94 years following back-to-back relegations down the footie pyramid.A current EFL club was forced to leave their iconic ground in 1990The stadium was called Fellows ParkThe site is now occupied by a Morrisons supermarketBut anyone visiting the spot where it once stood these days will be greeted by a much-different sight – a Morrisons supermarket.Relocation plans were put in place after a perimeter wall collapsed during a League Cup semi-final clash against Liverpool in 1984.In fact, Liverpool captain Graeme Souness joined in the rescue by memorably carrying an injured child to safety before the Reds won 2-0.In truth, by 1989 Fellows Park had seen better days before it was demolished in 1991.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSEven by that decade’s standards, the toilets were the stuff of legend.The Hillary Street roof flapped in high winds and showered fans with rusty water during matches on wet days.The ground was home to Walsall – who currently sit top of League Two and are odds on to go up.But in 1990, Walsall had dropped from the second to the fourth tier, in fact finishing bottom of the table each time.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Saddlers are one of only seven clubs to have suffered relegation in both of their final two seasons before moving home.By the time the last game at Fellows Park came around it was certain that Walsall would start life at Bescot in Division Four.Inside Arsenal’s new £300m+ stadium plans with futuristic Emirates project set to dwarf Spurs groundThe site was situated next to a railway line but now hosts one of the four big supermarketsIn their final campaign at Fellows Park they sacked John Barnwell as manager in March and brought former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw for the last three months, but it was too late to save them.Despite its shortcomings, however, for Walsall’s 6,000 or so regular fans Fellows Park was home.Walsall’s record home attendance was when 25,453 fans flocked in to watch them play Newcastle in the Second Division on 29 August 1961.And the new ground at the Bescot Stadium was anything but a high-end product in 1989.Walsall fans were sorry to leave Fellows Park – but in truth, it was falling apart by 1983In fact, owner Terry Ramsden was effectively shifting them to a brownfield site underneath the M6.Walsall’s current digs were built in 1989–90 by GMI Construction, with a reported build cost of £4.5m.It was opened on 18 August 1990, by Sir Stanley Matthews, prior to a friendly against rivals Aston Villa in front of 9,551 spectators. Matthews was the inaugural winner, and first English player, to win the Ballon d’Or in 1956.But the arrival at the Bescot Stadium saw some stability brought back to the club as it was taken over by Jeff Bonser in 1991.Kenny Hibbitt managed the Saddlers for four years, setting the groundwork for a golden era that would follow soon after his dismissal in September 1994.New manager Chris Nicholl led the club to promotion back to the third tier in his first season.And Bonser only left Walsall in 2019, as current owner Leigh Pomlett acquired his 76 per cent majority stake.Ironically, in 2024, the ground was renamed the ‘Poundland Bescot Stadium’ for sponsorship reasons.READ MORE SUN STORIESA reminder of Fellows Park remains in the Bescot ground, in the name of the H.L. Fellows Stand.Harry Leslie Fellows was a club director during the 1930s.Liverpool legend Alan Hansen played at Fellows Park in 1984 when a wall collapsedIts record attendance was 25,453 spectators in 1961 More

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    I’m former Newcastle striker who filled ex-England star’s car with ROTTEN FISH as revenge for him cutting up my clothes

    KIERON DYER was the subject of a pungent revenge prank by a former Newcastle team-mate.Back in 2004, the 33-cap England international pulled a prank on Michael Bridges, who had been signed to the Magpies on loan from Leeds in the latter half of the 2003/04 season.Kieron Dyer was the subject of a mental revenge prank by a team-mateCredit: GettyMichael Bridges put rotten fish in Dyer’s car after the ex-England star had cut up £5k worth of clothesCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdSpeaking on the Under the Cosh podcast in 2020, Bridges recalled how a birthday prank by Dyer ended up with a fishy surprise.Bridges revealed how he had been to London and brought around £5,000 worth of clothes, but was well aware his old clothes would be messed up as part of a traditional prank.But as it turned out, his new clothes had also ended up being trashed.He said: “I knew the gear I was wearing would get cut up because you’ve got your new clothes. That was normally the banter on your birthday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I came in after training that day and, sure enough, all my sleeves were cut off. I had an Umbro sign cut out in the middle of my top and the jeans had been ripped up.”So I go into my bag to get my clothes out, and I remember getting out my leather jacket and the sleeves just fell off it. “And my jeans, whoever had done it had gone through five grand worth of clothes and destroyed the lot, so my head was gone.”Bridges recalled how there were only four left players in the dressing room, but managed to identify the culprit by asking Andy O’Brien, whom he described as someone you would never want to go to court with.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe continued: “I’ve turned to O’Brien and gone ‘Who’s done this?’ and he went ‘I can’t tell you, but Kieron Dyer’.”So I remember ringing Kieron and saying ‘You’re in trouble you mate’ and he denied it, but I knew it was him.”Football icons’ strange hobbiesBridges then hatched a plan for his revenge inspired by a Paul Gascoigne joke he had read in his book not long beforehand.Using the fish markets he lived by, Bridges went and brought a lot of fish guts to put into Dyer’s car and was incredibly even goaded on by the fishmonger.He said: “Mate, you’re probably going to read about it in two days, I’m going to put it in Kieron Dyer’s car.”I read Paul Gascoigne’s book recently. He put a fish in the glove box, he put one under the spare tyre of somebody’s car, and he put one on the bonnet. I’m going to do the same thing to Kieron.”And he said, Ah brilliant I’ll give you some extra heads.”Local lad Bridges then got help from the Newcastle staff, who Dyer was apparently rude to by flicking his Porsche car keys at them and without saying his please and thank yous.And when he told security guard, Davey, about the prank he was about to pull, the staff were more than willing to help out by handing the keys to Bridges to carry out his fish prank.He added: “When I told Davey and the lads who I was going to get, I said when Kieron comes today bring his car keys to me I’m going to put fish guts and everything in it’.”Davey said ‘Brilliant, I’m going to change the cameras on to his car so we can see it’.”Dyer was then late for training, and Davey came and told Bridges in the treatment room he had the keys.Vomit-inducingBridges went outside to Dyer’s car, popped open the bonnet and poured some of the fishy contents on the engine, which he recalls was like a barbeque with the smell being vomit-inducing.He then opened up the glove box and put some of the contents in there, with the leather dashboard of the car then soaking it up like a sponge. Despite Bridges reacting, “I’ve taken it one step too far here”, he then did the same thing to the spare tyre before a twist of fate saw the prank get even worse for Dyer.He continued: “Davey said ‘You’re not going to believe this, the bus has left and Kieron hasn’t gone to his car. They’re not going to be back until Saturday night, it’s going to stink’.”On Saturday afternoon Davey then sent a screenshot of the security cameras on his phone showing a white cat sitting outside smelling the car.Dyer eventually returned to his car with the security footage capturing his reaction as the smell hit him and knocked him back before he slammed the door.He then phoned Bridges and said: “‘I know it’s you I’m going to kill you’. So I said, ‘Did you do my clothes? I warned you that if you play with fire, you’re going to get burned. So, I’ve done you’.”Bridges also recalled how former BBC presenter Jermaine Jenas mentioned the prank was one of the best he had seen.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe now 46-year-old went on to play for the likes of Bolton, Sunderland and Hull before retiring in 2014.Meanwhile, Dyer stayed at Newcastle until 2007 before going on to play for West Ham, Ipswich, QPR and Middlesbrough. More

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    Inside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez’s Christmas trip to Lapland with snowmobiles and reindeer

    CRISTIANO RONALDO has gotten into the festive spirit by whisking his family off to Lapland.The Portuguese forward, 39, has made perfect use of his winter break by treating his partner and kids to an incredible trip.Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed himself in the cold weatherBut things were about to take a sharp turn on his trip to LaplandNever one to turn down a challenge, Ronaldo starts his descent into the poolThe former Man Utd man seemed to enjoy the icy waterGeorgina Rodriguez shared a snap of herself skiingCredit: Instagram @georginagioRonaldo took to Instagram earlier to send his 645 million followers a festive message.He posted a picture of himself topless and flexing in front of a snowy background, captioning it: “Merry Christmas, everyone!”His partner Georgina Rodriguez shared several pictures and short video clips from their trip.Their kids Cristiano Jr, 14, Alana Martina, eight, Eva Maria, seven, Mateo, seven and Bella, two, appeared to love the holiday.READ MORE ON RONALDOGeorgina shared snaps of the group in their skiing gear.While she also uploaded a short clip of herself skiing.The kids enjoyed hot drinks and marshmallows.These treats will have been much appreciated, given the weather, with Georgina revealing that the temperature had been as low as minus eight degrees.Most read in FootballRonaldo and Georgina took their kids to LaplandCredit: Instagram @georginagioRonaldo enjoyed a festive trip awayBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe group huddled around the fire with their snacks.Ronaldo has been off since scoring in Al-Nassr’s 2-1 defeat at Al-Ittihad – a game in which Karim Benzema and Steven Bergwijn netted for the hosts.Ronaldo poses next to some deerOne of Ronaldo’s kids was curious about the fake bearCredit: Instagram @georginagioGeorgina poses outside their accommodationCredit: Instagram @georginagioRonaldo’s partner also shared a snap of their foodCredit: Instagram @georginagioCristiano Ronaldo squeezes Georgina Rodriguez’s bum on holidayHe will return to action on January 9 when Al-Nassr host Al Arkhoud in the resumed Saudi Pro League.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been on a quest to score 1,000 goals.He bagged his 900th back in September, and is currently on 910.Last month, Ronaldo admitted that he may not be able to reach the next big milestone.The veteran forward, who turns 40 in February, said: “I now face my life living in the moment. I can’t think long term anymore.”I can no longer think about what I said publicly that I wanted to reach 1,000 goals.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But it seems that everything is easy now, just last month I reached 900. It’s about living in the moment, enjoying the moment, seeing the response that my legs will give me in the next few years.”One thousand goals is great, but if it doesn’t come, I’m already the player in history with the most goals.”Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible lifeAS arguably the greatest player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo lives a life befitting such a superstar. More