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      Samir Nasri claims Deschamps ‘took the p***’ and ‘screwed’ up his dream after axe from the 2014 France World Cup squad

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      FORMER Premier League star Samir Nasri has opened up about his infamous row with France manager Didier Deschamps in 2014. The fallout stems from then-Manchester City star Nasri being left out of the French squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
      Samir Nasri and Didier Deschamps fell out after the midfielder was left out of the France squad for the 2014 World CupCredit: AFP
      Nasri and Deschamps are no longer on speaking terms following their fall outCredit: https://twitter.com/ZackNaniProd/status/1645499587413647384?cxt=HHwWsIC9nYLK_tUtAAAA
      Nasri had played a key role for City that year as they won the Premier League and League Cup.
      And the former midfielder admits he “blew a fuse” after his omission from the squad.
      He subsequently retired from international football at the age of 27 and took public a swipe at Deschamps.
      At the time Nasri said: “Let’s be honest, as long as he is going to be the manager I don’t think I have a shot.” 
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      Having retired from football in September 2021 the former Arsenal man, 35, has revisited his fallout with Deschamps.
      Speaking on the Zack en Roue Libre show Nasri said that Deschamps was “taking the p***” by not picking him for the squad.
      He said: “He screwed up my dream. Playing a World Cup in the country of football [Brazil] was my thing. I had a crazy good season.
      “I thought I was going to Brazil to destroy the World Cup. I believed it. We [Manchester City] were crowned [Premier League] champions and I scored in the League Cup final.
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      “When you see the names of the players called up, I blew a fuse. I thought he is taking the p*** with me.”
      Nasri revealed that he and Deschamps are still not on speaking terms.
      And he refused to talk to his former manager even when they were both eating in the same restaurant in Dubai.
      Nasri added: “I can only wish him the best, but I don’t care.
      “He’s not my friend and I won’t say hi to him because I don’t like him as a person.”
      France got knocked out in the quarter final by hosts Brazil before going on to win the 2018 edition in Russia under Deschamps guidance. More

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      Sarina Wiegman’s unbeaten run with Lionesses is over after England’s 2-0 loss against Australia in World Cup warning

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      SAM KERR struck as Australia served a World Cup warning consigning England to a disappointing 2-0 defeat.On a drizzly night in Brentford the Chelsea hotshot rained on the Lionesses’ parade to end their 30-game unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman.
      Sam Kerr opened the scoring for AustraliaCredit: Getty
      Kerr scored in the first half after a defensive error and Charlotte Grant doubled the advantage in the 67th minute to hand Wiegman her first loss as England’s coach.
      England’s unbeaten run of 26 wins and four draws had included winning the European Championship last summer.
      Kerr, the Australian captain, pounced on a weak backpass by defender Leah Williamson and one-on-one with Mary Earps deftly flicked the ball past the goalkeeper’s left shoulder and into the net in the 32nd.
      Williamson was trying to deal with a long ball and after a bounce tried to head it back to Earps.
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      But the England captain left it short and Australia’s all-time leading scorer took advantage for the Matildas.
      Grant got on the end of Kerr’s cross and beat Earps with a header that deflected into the net.
      It was the first match between the teams since a 1-1 draw in a friendly in London in October 2018.
      Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting the World Cup this summer.
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      England beat Brazil in a 4-2 penalty shootout victory last Thursday in front of 83,132 fans at Wembley Stadium.
      Charlotte Grant smiles at her goalCredit: Getty More

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      I was £10,000 in debt before hunting down Ronaldo and Messi to launch collectibles empire… now I’m a millionaire

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      PETER JOHNSON has struck gold with his sports memorabilia empire.The collectables geek was £10,000 in debt when he founded his business, Firma Stella.
      Peter Johnson was £10,000 in debt before starting his collectibles businessCredit: Mike Sewell
      After finding success he is now a millionaireCredit: Mike Sewell
      And after finding great success selling signed gear, pictures and other items, he is now a millionaire.
      Peter “got the buzz” for collecting sports memorabilia after getting former Australia cricket captain Steve Waugh’s signature as a nine-year-old.
      He told the Daily Mail: “Instead of a paper round as a teenager, I would chase autographs and collect stuff to sell it.
      “I loved the buzz of selling them for a lot of money. I started travelling around the world to chase stuff.
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      “I went to the F1 in Asia, the Rugby World Cup in Japan, Manchester City pre-season tours. Then I decided, ‘let’s make this an empire’.
      “I was in £10,000 debt… Now I’m a millionaire. All with four and a half years’ work.”
      Firma Stella, based in Worcestershire where Peter grew up, is going well, and he has 12 full-time employees working for him.
      The business sells a wide variety of items from £10 photos to £5,000 signed shirts.
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      The shop has pictures of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and Mo Salah signing items to be sold, but Peter is confident that meeting Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is the highlight.
      He added: “Real Madrid were playing Manchester United, and I found out about Ronaldo’s flight.
      “I followed their bus from the airport to a hotel and quickly booked a room. I knew they were staying on the top floor, and their team room was on the second floor.
      “I saw the lift was on the top floor so I waited for it to come down.
      “No joke, the first lift that opened… imagine it, Ronaldo is just standing there! So I jumped in and he was like, ‘what the hell?’.
      “He signed some stuff and we went from there.”
      The shop currently has four Man United shirts with the number seven on the back signed by Ronaldo. However, none are for sale for less than £1,400.
      After Argentina’s success at the World Cup in Qatar, there are no Messi shirts for sale, despite Pete meeting the PSG star.
      He said: “With Messi, I had to take a big risk – this whole game is about risks. I found out Barcelona flew out of a public airport, so I flew over there from Birmingham.
      “Then I booked a “fake flight” from Barcelona just to get into the terminal. All of a sudden, the team just walked through security – Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez… they signed all our stuff.
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      “We took a risk and it paid off. It all comes down to research, knowing where the players and the team will be, then hedge your bets slightly, it usually pays off”
      Peter also revealed that the biggest sale he has made is an England 1966 signed shirt which fetched a fee of £10,000.
      Firma Stella is going well, as Peter has 12 full-time employees working for himCredit: Mike Sewell
      The business sells a wide variety of items from £10 photos to £5,000 signed shirtsCredit: Mike Sewell
      Peter ‘got the buzz’ for collecting memorabilia after getting former Australia cricket captain Steve Waugh’s signature as a nine-year-oldCredit: Mike Sewell More

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      Germany goalkeeper reveals 2014 team won World Cup despite bingeing on ‘six caipirinhas a night’ after matches

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      GERMANY’S 20124 World Cup heroes downed up to six caipirinha cocktails after matches, keeper Roman Weidenfeller has revealed.The Borussia Dortmund legend admitted it was “not easy” drinking so much but says the squad lapped up Brazilian beach life.
      Roman Weidenfeller, left, had one of the best times of his life at the 2014 finals in Brazil, despite only being Germany’s back-up keeperCredit: Reuters
      Germany players let their party side out as they celebrated winning the World Cup for the fourth and last time so far, beating Argentina in the finalCredit: AFP
      Weidenfeller’ girlfriend then and now, Lisa Rossenbach, is seen watching the 2014 final with Julian Draxler’s then-partner, Lena Terlau, rightCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Weidenfeller looks back lovingly on his all-time great experience, despite only being back-up stopper to Manuel Neuer.
      The tournament is best remembered for an especially rummy result for the hosts – beaten 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals.
      In contrast, the post-match antics of Joachim Löw’s men proved a huge tonic as they relaxed, courtesy of Brazil’s most popular party drink.
      Portuguese outlet OJOGO report Weidenfeller as recalling: “It was one of the best moments of my life, going to Brazil and playing in the World Cup. 
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      “We had a great time, we got to know the Brazilian people. 
      “We left [the hotel] several times, went to the beach. The weather was always sunny. 
      “After the games, we sat together at a bar and drank a few caipirinhas. We spent time at the bar. 
      “Then we woke up in the morning to go to the field and train. It’s not easy when you drink five or six caipirinhas. 
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      “But it was a great time, there was a great connection with the Brazilian people.”
      Germany went on to beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at Rio de Janeiro, Mario Gotze scoring.
      It gave sub Weidenfeller his most special piece of silverware.
      But he’s better known for 16 years at Dortmund, winning the Bundesliga twice under Jurgen Klopp.
      First-choice keeper Manuel Neuer lifts the World Cup in Rio de JaneiroCredit: Getty
      Germany’s 2014 tipple Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail, made with cachaca, sugar, and lime – commonly associated with football, samba and the Rio CarnivalCredit: Alamy

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      Chris Gunter to hold talks with Robert Page over his future Wales coaching role

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      CHRIS GUNTER will hold talks with Wales boss Robert Page over whether he will remain part of his coaching staff.The 109-cap defender, 33, retired from international duty last month but then joined the Dragons’ backroom team for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia.
      Chris Gunter won 109 caps for Wales and was involved in three major tournaments
      Gunter attended a McDonald’s Happy Readers Fun Football Session in CardiffCredit: Mark Robinson
      Gunter is still playing for League Two side AFC Wimbledon and now the pair will have a chat to see if he has a future role for the June internationals with Armenia and Turkey and beyond.
      Gunter told SunSport: “I need to speak to the manager. My main focus after the recent camp was finishing the season.
      “In terms of moving forward, I think the manager was keen to see how I got on and stay a part of it.  We will cross that bridge when we come to it.
      “For myself, if the opportunity is ever there to work for Wales, with the feelings I’ve got for the country and our football, it could not be any higher.
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      “Helping Wales is something I’m passionate about. I tried to be the influence that I was for the latter stages of my Wales playing career and help the group in any way I could.
      “We had a really good ten days, good performances and results and it went perfectly. 
      “There’s a couple of things that need to be decided but, any opportunity I do get, I will feel very lucky to have it.”
      Gunter’s future as a coach is likely to depend on whether the former Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Cardiff and Reading right-back opts to continue playing next season.
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      Gunter, who will turn 34 in July, added: “That’s something when the time comes to sit down, think about and speak to the people who are close to me.
      “One thing I have learnt in football is to take everything in the short term. I don’t know exactly what is going to happen moving forward. I am back training and trying to finish the season as well as possible.”
      Gunter played for Wales in two Euro finals before he became the first male player to reach a century of appearances.
      He ended his Dragons stint as a player by being part of the World Cup squad in Qatar – the nation’s first global finals since 1958.
      Then Gunter joined Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Jonny Williams from the golden generation to bow out on the big stage.
      Gunter said: “It was tough because it’s something I have done for so long. But the timing felt right. I thought about it for some time and it felt natural after the World Cup in November for that to happen.
      “I’m really grateful for the opportunities, experiences and the memories I shared with such good people. It has been the best 17 years of highs and lows but doing it with people I value and for our country.
      “The support I have had all the way through has been incredible. On reflection, the very best of times I could have wished for.
      “The nights where we qualified will always stick out. The achievement of getting to a major tournament and then some of the experiences at the tournaments. 
      “But my best memory would be to say I made 109 appearances for Wales – that was something I could ever have dreamt of.”
      Gunter was in Cardiff launching McDonald’s brand-new Fun Football and Happy Readers event this Easter.
      Gunter said: “It has been incredible to come down and have a kick about with the kids and get some reading time in.
      “Every child deserves the chance to learn and play no matter their circumstance.
      “The work McDonald’s is doing with Reading and Football is amazing, giving away 10 million books and 2 million hours of free fun football is just incredible”
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      Chris Gunter was speaking at the Cardiff Happy Readers and Fun Football event celebrating McDonald’s pledge to distribute over 10m books and over 2m hours of free Fun Football coaching to families in the UK this year. Find out more visit mcdonalds.co.uk/family More

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      Messi superfan Miss BumBum Suzy Cortez films herself getting Argentina star’s autograph tattooed on her famous bum

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      LIONEL Messi superfan and former Miss BumBum Suzy Cortez has revealed she has got another tattoo to showcase her love for the legendary footballer.Suzy, 32, has long used her public profile to demonstrate her obsession with the diminutive Argentina and PSG forward.
      Lionel Messi superfan Suzy Cortez has flaunted her latest tattoo tribute to the footballerCredit: Splash
      The 32-year-old showed off her inking on her famous bumCredit: Suzy Cortez/Xavier Piercing Tattoo
      The tattoos were in response to Messi and Argentina’s World Cup triumph last yearCredit: EPA
      The curvy Brazilian brunette with the world-famous rear already has several tattoos in tribute to Lionel Messi, including a very cheeky tat of his face just above her hips.
      She also got Messi’s name tattooed on her bum in 2019 as a confident prediction that he would win his sixth Ballon d’Or the following year.
      As it turned out, the 2020 contest didn’t go ahead due to the Covid-19 pandemic, although Messi went on to collect his sixth award when it resumed in 2021.
      Now, Suzy has revealed not just one but a further three new tattoos on her bum celebrating the 35-year-old Messi.
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      She told The Sun that the fresh tats were in honour of Messi and Argentina’s stunning World Cup Final triumph over France in Qatar last December.
      The three tattoos, which were pictured on her rear, include one of Messi’s autograph, three stars representing Argentina’s three World Cup Titles, and a number ten reflecting his shirt number.
      Suzy said that the tattoos were fulfilling a promise she had made during the World Cup if Argentina triumphed.
      As it turned out, the South American side successfully defeated the reigning champions France 4-2 in a penalty shootout, after a thrilling contest ended 3-3 following extra time.
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      It was Argentina’s first World Cup win since 1986 when they were captained by Diego Maradona.
      Suzy said that her new tattoos mean she is entering the Guinness Book of Records for having the largest number of tattoos of Messi on various parts of her body.
      She also shared two short clips of her having the tattoos applied at Xavier Piercing Tattoo.
      Suzy was invited to watch the final in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires – despite being from arch-rivals Brazil.
      She announced her plans at the time for future tattoos if Argentina secured their third World Cup, and Messi’s first.
      Suzy said: “I plan to get tattooed like Messi, with the ball and the number 10 on his leg.”
      She celebrated Argentina reaching their sixth World Cup Final by delighting her fans with photos of her getting covered in body paint in the blue and white colours of the flag.
      The latest inkings may not go down well with Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo.
       Messi previously blocked her on social media after being bombarded with saucy pictures.
      Antonela – who has three children with Messi – also blocked Suzy after she tagged her husband in a series of provocative posts.
      Suzy then launched an online campaign to encourage her fans to support her and convince Messi to unblock her.
      Her famously eye-popping assets won her the coveted 2015 Miss BumBum and Miss Butt World titles, beating competition from beauties all over the world.
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      The winner of the title of Miss Bum Bum in both 2015 and 2019, she has declared herself the world’s number one Lionel Messi fan.
      Suzy is the self-proclaimed greatest Messi superfanCredit: Splash
      She promised to get the tattoos if Argentina won the World CupCredit: Suzy Cortez/Xavier Piercing Tattoo
      They include a print of Messi’s autograph, three stars for the World Cup wins, and a number 10Credit: Suzy Cortez/Xavier Piercing Tattoo More

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      Man Utd hold ‘exploratory’ Benjamin Pavard transfer talks with World Cup-winning right-back unsettled at Bayern Munich

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have held “exploratory” talks on Benjamin Pavard as they discuss options at right-back, according to reports. The Red Devils are looking to invest in the team during the summer to build on an a positive first season under Erik ten Hag.
      Pavard has appeared in 23 of Bayern’s 26 league games this season, including Saturday’s crucial win over DortmundCredit: Getty
      While the hunt for a new striker remains the priority, the club are also believed to be looking at other positions.
      A central ‘No8’ style midfielder is high on the agenda, while a new right-back is also something the club want to get sorted.
      While Aaron Wan-Bissaka has impressed since getting more football this calendar year, United are still willing to listen to offers.
      And a replacement in the form of World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard could be lined-up.
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      The Athletic report that initial talks over the full-back have taken place at Old Trafford.
      The Frenchman’s contract expires in 2024 meaning the Bayern Munich star could be available on the cheap this summer if he does not extend his deal.
      The 27-year-old has excelled at both club and international level in recent years and was a key part of the French squad who won the 2018 World Cup.
      But he was limited to just one appearance in Qatar amid reports of a dressing room rift.
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      United have also been linked to another international star in the form of the Dutch flying full-back Denzel Dumfries.
      The 26-year-old, currently at Inter Milan, has recently changed agents and ten Hag is known to be an admirer of the star.
      Meanwhile, talks are ongoing at the club over a new deal for Diogo Dalot who has emerged as a starting right-back this season after a few inconsistent years at the club. More

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      Russia must be stopped from forcing their way back into football and all sport until Putin ends massacre in Ukraine

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      RUSSIA must be stopped from forcing their way back into football — simple as that.Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine invalidates a return to humanity and should do so until he removes the troops he unleashed a year ago, who are still causing massive loss of life.
      Putin’s invasion of Ukraine means Russia must stay in the sporting wildernessCredit: AFP
      Gianni Infantino has displayed worrying signs he might let Russia back inCredit: Reuters
      For football fields, read killing fields. Any government with even a glimmer of morality must support Ukraine and their courageous people.
      That goes for all sport. Yet Fifa president Gianni Infantino is showing signs of relenting, while rogue states such as Syria and Iran are cuddling up to the Kremlin.
      Even more embarrassingly, Uefa are also said to be considering lifting the suspension, although Russia were not included in the current Euro qualifiers.
      Maybe both bodies are looking forward to the conclusion of the war, an eventuality that doesn’t seem to have affected Russian considerations so far, and certainly hasn’t Ukraine’s.
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      Why should it? The massacres in Ukraine make nonsense of the late Liverpool manager Bill Shankly’s dry half-joke that people think football much more serious than life and death.
      Five of the Stans of central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — once possessions of the Russian empire — have already agreed to play their former landlords.
      The whole quintet are in arid, just-about-inhabitable lands so no wonder the Russians weren’t too bothered about handing them independence.
      Like them, Syria and Iran are in Fifa.
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      Indeed, Iran beat Syria in the qualifying rounds for the Qatar World Cup, in which Iran played.
      Fifa have to juggle their politics but it would be a breach of responsibility were they to stand at the touchline of the current war and open competition for the evil Putin’s teams.
      Putin is the rotten core at the heart of Russia.
      But now, incredibly, the IOC are considering whether the country’s athletes should be allowed to compete under the national flag at the Paris Games in 2024.
      Lord Sebastian Coe, president of World  Athletics, is having none of this. He didn’t win two Olympic golds to watch his sport descend into hypocrisy.
      Gianni ‘I feel like a woman’ Infantino has not committed to official Russian entry into the bloated World Cup 2026 in North America.
      Football must have nothing to do with the Kremlin until the bombs stop dropping, the kidnapped children are sent home and the tanks trundle back.
      Awarded the Russian Order of Friendship, it seems that the friendship might have become less friendly, although not enough for Gianni to return the medal pinned on him by Putin himself in 2019.
      Infantino has practically been voted president unanimously (how does he do that?) and continues to see himself as a well-dressed world leader in white shoes with an even whiter reputation.
      He failed though when he tried to silence the bloody sounds of war for the month of the Qatar competition.
      Gross naivety, gross vanity.
      Neither Putin nor Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s leader, appear to have given a moment of thought to a truce.
      Putin has all the principles of a starving rat and would have used the month to rebuild his stock of weaponry.
      Poor repressed Belarus would have helped and Iran-made drones flown in by the thousand.
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      Ukraine, the excellent Shakhtar Donetsk and others, continue to play to a background of war.
      Football must have nothing to do with the Kremlin until the bombs stop dropping on factories, schools, hospitals and homes, until all the kidnapped children are sent home and until the tanks trundle back over the border. More