More stories

  • in

    Sadio Mane posts emotional message to Senegal team-mates after injured star missed 3-0 World Cup defeat to England

    SADIO MANE penned an emotional message to his Senegal team-mates after they were knocked out of the World Cup.The African champions were swept aside 3-0 by England, who set up a quarter-final meeting against France with the win.
    Sadio Mane missed the World Cup through injuryCredit: Reuters
    Senegal had their World Cup journey ended by EnglandCredit: Reuters
    Mane, 30, missed the tournament through injury.
    The ex-Liverpool star scored the winning penalty in Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations glory in February, and had been set to lead their charge at the World Cup.
    But the Bayern Munich ace was injured just weeks before the tournament kicked off.
    He kept a keen eye on his team-mates’ progress in Qatar, and took to Instagram after their heartbreak at the hands of England.
    Read More World Cup News

    The forward wrote: “Dear brothers, you have fallen into arms.
    “The people are very proud of your journey and you have put the balm in the hearts of Senegalese and all supporters by defending the national flag with dignity.
    “Continue learning and good luck. We will go in search of more Trophies Inshallah. #Allez Lions.”
    Senegal qualified for the last 16 after finishing second in Group A, behind Holland but ahead of Ecuador and hosts Qatar.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    In doing so the Lions of Teranga made it to the knockout stages for just the second time in their history.
    Mane has scored 34 goals in 93 caps for Senegal.
    He was included in Senegal’s World Cup squad, despite his injury, before being ruled out shortly before the tournament kicked off. More

  • in

    Tottenham have ‘concrete interest’ in Club Brugge’s Denmark World Cup star Andreas Skov Olsen ahead of January transfer

    TOTTENHAM are keen on signing Club Brugge ace Andreas Skov Olsen, according to reports. The 22-year-old featured for Denmark at the World Cup as they failed to make it to the knockout stages.
    Andreas Skov Olsen is wanted by Tottenham in the January transfer windowCredit: Getty
    Spurs have supposedly been monitoring him at the tournament alongside multiple other targets.
    Outlet Het Nieuwsblad claim that Tottenham have a “concrete interest” in the winger.
    The club’s director of football Fabio Paratici is a big fan and sees him as similar to Dejan Kulusevski.
    Skov Olsen has impressed at Club Brugge this season, scoring eight goals and registering four assists in all competitions and helping the Belgian side make it to the last-16 of the Champions League.
    READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
    The Dane joined them at the beginning of this year and won the league title in the last campaign following his January move.
    He first burst on to the scene as a teenager impressing in his homeland for Nordsjaelland, before moving to Bologna prior to joining Brugge.
    Skov Olsen has been on Tottenham’s watchlist for some time – they were first linked with him back in 2019 when he was still a teenager.
    Spurs are keen to strengthen their squad in January as they look to finish in the top four again.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Paratici reportedly also has his eye on Juventus and USA star Weston McKennie.
    The midfielder’s minutes have been restricted this season at Juve but his performances in Qatar have alerted a number of top teams.
    Tottenham return to Premier League action after the World Cup on Boxing Day when they face Brentford. More

  • in

    Pele’s family give positive health update but reveal Brazil legend is in hospital with Covid-aggravated infection

    PELE’S family have given a positive health update but reveal the Brazil football legend is in hospital with a Covid-aggravated infection. The 82-year-old, who won the World Cup three times from 1958 to 1970, was hospitalised earlier this week after he stopped responding to chemotherapy as he battles bowel cancer.
    Pele’s daughter provided a positive updateCredit: Instagram @pele

    Pele is fighting a lung infection, his family has revealedCredit: Instagram @pele

    Pele with family and friends in OctoberCredit: Instagram @pele

    Reports had surfaced that Pele had been moved to palliative end-of-life care in hospital.
    However, his family have said that it is not true and the football icon is “in a regular bedroom” but is fighting a Covid-aggravated infection.
    And once he has fully recovered he will leave the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo.
    Daughter Kely Nascimento said in an interview with TV Globo that aired Sunday night: “He is sick, he is old.
    READ MORE ON PELE
    “But at the moment, he is there because of the lung infection. And once he feels better, he will go home again.
    “He is not saying goodbye in a hospital at the moment.”
    Pele’s other daughter, Flavia, added: “It is very unfair for people to say he is in the end of his life, in palliative care. Guys, that’s not true. Believe us.
    “He is not in intensive care, he is in a regular bedroom. He is not in risk, he is in treatment.”
    Most read in Football

    Pele has been moved by the tributes pouring in from across the football world, but his grandson, Arthur, says his time hasn’t come and he will see Brazil lift a sixth World Cup.
    Arthur said: “I see people telling me ‘rest in peace’ (for Pele). One day it will happen, but it is not today.
    “He is going to be well, it is a matter of time. He will see Brazil lift the sixth title.”
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Brazil are one of the favourites to lift the World Cup in Qatar and begin their knockout campaign on Monday.
    They face South Korea, who pulled off a shock win over Portugal in their last group game.
    Superstar Neymar is expected to play after overcoming an ankle injury that ruled him out of Brazil’s final two group fixtures.
    Pele is expected to return home once he has fought off the lung infectionCredit: Instagram
    Grandson Arthur says the football great’s time hasn’t come and he will see Brazil lift a sixth World CupCredit: Instagram @pele
    Pele won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970Credit: AP:Associated Press More

  • in

    Roy Keane uses clever tactic to avoid wild England celebrations in ITV studio after World Cup goal against Senegal

    WHILE Ian Wright and Gary Neville celebrated wildly during England’s win over Senegal, Roy Keane did not.Instead the Irishman was captured quietly jotting down notes while his fellow ITV pundits went mad in the studio.
    Ian Wright and Gary Neville celebrated madly during England vs SenegalCredit: ITV
    Roy Keane was captured taking down notes during the celebrationsCredit: ITV

    The Three Lions eased into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win against the African champions.
    Goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka set up a quarter-final meeting with France on Saturday.
    It’s not clear which of those goals resulted in Manchester United legend Keane turning to his note-pad to avoid getting caught up in the celebrations.
    But the 67-cap Ireland midfielder didn’t crack a smile as Wright and Neville lost their minds alongside him.
    Read More World Cup News

    Instead, footage posted to Wright’s Twitter shows Keane cleverly turning away to jot down notes on his pad in order to avoid the party.
    Never usually one for wild celebrations, proud Irishman Keane was always unlikely to be overjoyed by a goal scored by rivals England.
    And fans watching on TV were left in hysterics by his reaction.
    One wrote on Twitter: “I love the momentary glance at the others.”
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Another said: “Who else wants to know what he wrote?”
    And a third added: “Keane is good TV.”
    It’s unknown what Keane did wrote down while Wright and Neville celebrated wildly, but much of the studio discussion concerned midfield superstar Jude Bellingham.
    The 19-year-old set up Henderson for the first goal and played a major role in Kane’s second.
    Speaking on Bellingham, Keane gushed: “I’ve not seen a young midfielder play like that for years, normally you see one 26, 27.
    “Everything in the game, we talk about what goes on in his brain, he’s like a man, that maturity, what’s going on upstairs is huge for a midfielder, decision-making, final pass.
    “The kid has everything.” More

  • in

    England back training ahead of France clash in World Cup quarter-finals with whole squad raring to go in 28C heat

    ENGLAND stars were all smiles in training less than 24 hours after their romp to the World Cup quarter-finals.Gareth Southgate’s troops booked their place in the last eight of the tournament with a 3-0 win over African Champions Senegal last Sunday.
    England returned to training just hours after their win over SenegalCredit: Reuters
    Gareth Southgate’s second string went through a full session while the starters worked out in the gymCredit: Reuters
    Mason Mount was among the crop of players put their pacesCredit: REUTERS
    As was Jack Grealish, who was all smiles as he chated with SouthgateCredit: REUTERS
    Marcus Rashford cracked a laugh with defender Conor CoadyCredit: PA
    Southgate was the picture of happiness as he oversaw his reserve players’ training sessionCredit: REUTERS
    But there was no rest for the wicked as he had his Three Lions back in training less than 24 hours after the win.
    Southgate and his coaching team put the starters from Sunday’s win through a light workout in the gym.
    But those who started on the bench were put through their paces in 28-degree heat – although they seemingly enjoyed the session.
    Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount all had smiles on their faces during the sweltering session.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL

    But it was Southgate who had the biggest grin of the lot.
    The gaffer was seen laughing and joking with the second string players.
    Southgate’s reserves all got good sessions in – apart from Callum Wilson.
    The Newcastle hitman – who bagged an assist in the group stage rout of Iran – missed the session with the minor niggle.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    It’s not yet known if the knock will keep him out of Saturday’s mouthwatering quarter-final tie with France.
    Defending champions France will provide the toughest test of England’s stellar Qatar campaign – an examination Southgate is relishing.
    He said: “We’ve got a brilliant tie, haven’t we?
    “The two quarter-finals are fabulous football nations, great history, couldn’t be more exciting.
    It wasn’t all smiles for the reserves as they were put through a gruelling sessionCredit: REX
    Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips was among the traineesCredit: REX
    As was Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: REUTERS
    Southgate will have some tough decisions to make ahead of Saturday’s match with FranceCredit: PA
    “Our history is not quite as good as all the others, by the way.
    “But we’re really pleased.
    “I’ve just been told it’s the first time we’ve won knockout games in three consecutive tournaments.
    “That’s another bit of history that this team has managed to achieve and we’ve got to keep trying to do that.”
    Read More on The Sun
    He added: “They’re an outstanding team with a phenomenal tournament record and some outstanding individuals.
    “So without a doubt we’ll have to find our highest possible level.”
    Southgate is relishing Saturday’s clash with the FrenchCredit: Reuters More

  • in

    France’s World Cup Wags ahead of England clash include high-school sweetheart, qualified lawyer and tattoo parlour owner

    SHOUTING ‘Allez Les Bleus’ to the top of the lungs will be France’s Wags, when they face England in the World Cup quarter-final.Didier Deschamps took his side to the top of Group D – with the French seeing off Poland in the last 16.
    France’s Wags include stunning Alicia AyliesCredit: Getty
    Former Miss France Aylies is the girlfriend of Kylian Mbappe
    And joining the stars of the national team at the Al Bayt Stadium when they take on the Three Lions for a place in the final four will be their stunning wives and partners.
    From a qualified lawyer to a tattoo parlour, these women will be getting behind their men.
    Alicia Aylies
    Beautiful 23-year-old Alicia is the long-term girlfriend PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe.
    They reportedly began dating in 2018, and she was spotted in the stands cheering the forward on at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
    READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
    Alicia is a model, who won Miss France.
    As a couple, Mbappe and the beauty prefer to keep their romance private.

    Camille Tytgat
    Raphael Varane’s wife Camille is a law graduate from Lille.
    She married the Man Utd defender in 2015, although the pair were high-school sweethearts.
    Most read in Football
    The pair have two children together, a boy called Ruben and a girl named Anais.
    Camille, 28, is also a World Cup veteran, having watched her other half in Russia four years ago.
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
    Raphael Varane’s wife Camille Tytgat was spotted at the 2018 World Cup in RussiaCredit: AFP
    Qualified lawyer Tytgat is the mother of two children, Ruben and Anais
    Zoe Cristofoli
    Tattoo lover Cristofoli, 26, is the girlfriend of AC Milan star Theo Hernandez.
    She and the defender share a son called TJ.
    The stunner has a love of ink, with her body a canvas for it.
    While she also runs her own parlour Ink Studio Lagrange in Turin.
    Zoe Cristofoli runs her own tattoo parlour in TurinCredit: Instagram @zoe_cristofoli
    Cristofoli dates Theo Hernandez
    Erika Choperena
    Erika, 31, is a child psychologist and wife of Antoine Griezmann.
    The pair were together for six years, before they finally married in an amazing ceremony at the 11th Century Palacio de Galiana in Toledo, Spain in 2017.
    She also runs her own clothing label for kids called Duzama.
    They have three children together, Amaro, Mia, and Alba.
    Erika Choperena runs her own kids’ fashion label
    Antoine Griezmann with wife Erika
    Marine Lloris
    Another children’s fashion designer, Marine owns the clothing label, Manege en Sucre.
    She boasts customers including Jessica Alba and Eva Longoria – who shop for their kids with the luxury brand.
    The 36-year-old has been married to Tottenham shot-stopper Hugo Lloris since 2012.
    The elegant brunette is also a mother of two daughters, Anna-Rose, Giuliana and Leandro.
    Marine Lloris also has a clothing label that’s worn by the kids of Jessica Alba and Eva Longoria
    Hugo Lloris has been married to Marine since 2012
    Mae Guendouzi
    22-year-old Mae is the wife of former Arsenal star Matteo Guendouzi.
    They went public in 2019 when he played for the Gunners, and have been inseparable ever since.
    Read More on The Sun
    Last year they welcomed baby girl Mayleen into their lives.
    They live in Marseille, where Matteo is now making a name for himself.
    22-year-old Mae Guendouzi is another glam French WagCredit: Instagram @rfskmae
    Mae with husband Matteo Guendouzi More

  • in

    ‘World Cup’s hottest fan’ hits back at claims locals ‘disapproved’ of her outfits by posting racy new pic

    A FEISTY football fan who has drawn “disapproving” attention for her racy outfits at this year’s World Cup has hit back at critics in a new racy Instagram post.Croatian supermodel Ivana Kroll wowed in a bikini on Doha’s beachfront ahead of her side’s round of 16 clash with Japan this afternoon.
    Ivana Kroll showed her support ahead of Croatia’s clash this afternoonCredit: The Mega Agency
    The model has already made her mark at this year’s winter tournamentCredit: Instagram
    Her racy outfit during the clash against Belgium earnt her ‘disapproving’ looksCredit: Instagram
    Taking to Insta ahead of the huge tie, she showed off her curves in a tight one piece as she proudly waved the flag for the Vatreni.
    “Let’s party like it’s 1998,” she wrote, referencing the Croatians first successful run to the semi-final.
    She then added a love heart emoji – much to the affection of her 1.2 million adoring fans.
    Ivana has been ever present to cheer on her side in Doha and has already stunned in several plunging outfits bearing Croatia’s synonymous chequered coat of the arms.
    Read more on world cup
    So far, the 30-year-old German born model wore a racy form fitting outfit to her side’s game against Morocco and shared snaps of herself in a revealing swimsuit while posing up by the curved skyscraper in Lusail.
    She then later caught the eye of glancing Qatari locals as she appeared in a red checked bikini top and tight red legging in the final group game clash against Belgium.

    All of which has earnt her the name as the “World Cup’s hottest fan.“
    But now the former outfit has reportedly earnt her criticism as she has attempted to test the limits of the modesty laws in Qatar.
    Most read in Football
    According to the Mail Online, prominent Qatari entrepreneur Mohammed Hassan Al-Jefairi, claimed local men had been snapping away and staring because they disapproved of her outfit.
    Taking to Twitter following the 0-0 draw between Croatia and Belgium last Thursday he wrote: “Just for your info they take a photo not because they like her but because they don’t like the way she is mis-dressed on regards to our culture.
    “You can confirm this with any local Qatari Probably to report it.”
    Visitors to Qatar have been advised to cover their shoulders and avoid short skirts.
    And many glam footie fans have faced risk being slapped with huge fines or even put behind bars if they flash their figures while in the gulf nation.
    But Ivana has continued to poke fun at the coverage and previously vowed to would wear a skimpy thong swimsuit on a Qatari beach before the competition began.
    Speaking previously of the modesty rules she said: “First I was thinking if the World Cup is happening there (Qatar), for sure they will allow us everything to make it comfortable for all fans without any of the restrictions.
    “I’m not a Muslim and if we in Europe respect hijab and niqab, I think they need also to respect our way of life, our religion and in the end me wearing dresses and bikinis because I’m Catholic from Croatia who is here because of the World Cup.”
    Croatia is set to face Japan live on BBC One at 3pm today.  
    Ivana has poked fun at criticism levelled at her for her daring fashion choicesCredit: Rex
    She’ll likely be in the stands again for her side’s knockout tieCredit: Rex More

  • in

    France ‘punished by Fifa for Kylian Mbappe reaction to Man of the Match award just days before England World Cup clash’

    FRANCE have given a warning for Kylian Mbappe’s failure to turn up for his post-match media duties at the World Cup.The superstar was prepared to front up the cash himself if they were fined however.
    Kylian Mbappe was named man of the match against PolandCredit: Getty
    The Frenchman has scored five goals at this World CupCredit: Rex
    According to Fifa rules, players named man of the match must attend a post-match press conference.
    But the the 23-year-old didn’t show up after scooping the awards against Australia and Denmark.
    He finally broke his silence after claiming the accolade for his devastating performance against Poland.
    Mbappe explained his decision, although El Parisien confirmed that FFF have been warned.
    READ MORE FRANCE NEWS

    He said: “People have been asking why I haven’t appeared in front of the media. I just needed to focus on the tournament and on football.
    “When I want to concentrate, that is how I do it.
    “I heard the FFF is going to get fined, so I will pay it as I don’t think the FFF should pay on my behalf.
    “This is the competition of dreams and I’m delighted to be here and I wanted to be ready.
    Most read in Football
    “I’ve been preparing all season, physically and mentally, but we are still a long way from the ultimate objective.”
    Mbappe’s brace in the last-16 means he already has NINE World Cup before his 23rd birthday.
    Those numbers mean the PSG star is only seven behind Miroslav Klose. More