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      Emi Martinez drops major hint on his future as he eyes challenge as tough as winning World Cup

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      EMI MARTINEZ confessed his next challenge could be as tough as winning the World Cup – as he set his sights on ending Aston Villa’s 27-year-wait for a major trophy.The 30-year-old was voted Fifa’s World goalkeeper of the year this week and has won the Copa America as well as the World Cup in a fairytale 20-month period.
      Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez revealed his plans after winning the World CupCredit: Rex
      Martinez wants to win a trophy with Aston Villa after 27 yearsCredit: Alamy
      Rumours persist that Martinez will be chased by a host of European big boys in the summer.
      And he was slammed by Villa boss Unai Emery for his role in the loss to Arsenal last month.
      But Martinez has shot down rumours of a rift between himself and manager Emery and claimed speculation linking him with a move this summer is wide of the mark.
      “I want to achieve something that no one achieves, or it’s been hard to achieve,” the Villa keeper revealed during a BT Podcast – Mike Calvin’s People.
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      “Obviously, people were saying, after the Copa America after the World Cup, Emi is going to go and play Champions League and he’s going to leave.
      “And I’m thinking, yeah, that’s the easiest part. You know that that’s easy leaving now in January going to a club playing the Champions League and all that.
      “It seems everything is easy. Actually, it was a real challenge for me. Winning a World Cup for Argentina after 36 years. Yes. Beating the champions of America after 28 years in the Maracana.
      “That was a challenge. Winning the Finalissima against the champions of Europe was a challenge. 
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      “And now we need something for Aston Villa after 30 years? I don’t know how long it was. 40 years? You know, that’s a challenge.
      “And that’s something I’m made for – for challenges, for not always having the easy way out.”
      Emery was also Martinez’s manager at Arsenal but overlooked his No3 keeper at that time.
      However Martinez praised his Spanish boss, despite Emery criticising his decision to go up for a late corner against Arsenal recently, which cost his side a stoppage time goal in a 4-2 home defeat.
      The Argentine No1 clearly doesn’t hold a grudge and said: “We’ve got one of the best managers for winning things in Europe. So I’m up for the challenge.” More

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      Alexis Mac Allister puts Chelsea on red alert as he reveals plans for next transfer

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      ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER has revealed he would like his next club to be in the Premier League.The World Cup winner has been widely tipped with a move this summer with Chelsea and Juventus interested in him.
      Alexis Mac Allister has admitted he would like his next club to be in EnglandCredit: Reuters
      He worked with Graham Potter before the manager joined ChelseaCredit: Getty
      The Blues have already poached Marc Cucurella, Graham Potter and some backroom staff from the South Coast side in the last year.
      And the Blues will now be encouraged they can beat the Serie A giants to Mac Allister’s signature following his recent comments.
      During his media commitments following his World Cup triumph, he was asked about who he would like to play for next.
      He told Gaston Edul of TyC Sports: “The truth is I don’t have a team in particular where I say they suit my way of playing.
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      “I think that here in the Premier League, there are very strong teams, teams who play very well, like Manchester City and Arsenal.
      “Chelsea, I had (Graham) Potter and I know more or less the idea he has for playing football.
      “Manchester United are returning a bit to what they were and Liverpool are having ups and downs but have still got a very important team and coach.
      “If you ask me, I’d like my next step to be in the Premier League.”
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      However, the 24-year-old did insist that he is currently happy at Brighton and not thinking of a move.
      He added: “But the truth is, as I said before, I am very focused here in Brighton and enjoying the present.”
      His contract at the Amex runs until 2025 having signed an extension before the World Cup in Qatar.
      Brighton will be in a strong negotiating position with potential suitors as they also have an additional one-year option clause on his deal. More

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      ‘It’s baffling and tone deaf’ – Fifa slammed for appointing supermodel Adriana Lima as global fan ambassador

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      FIFA have been slammed for appointing Adriana Lima as a global fan ambassador.The supermodel was given the role in order to “develop, promote and participate in global initiatives” ahead of the Women’s World Cup later this year.
      Adriana Lima has been appointed as a global fan ambassador for FifaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Adriana is a world-famous supermodelCredit: Splash
      The decision has been criticised as ‘baffling’Credit: Splash
      Ex-Fifa council member Moya Dodd has slammed the decisionCredit: Reuters
      However, the decision has been labelled as “tone deaf” by former Fifa council member and Australia international Moya Dodd.
      Dodd believes that it is sending an inappropriate message to players and fans.
      She said via The Athletic: “When a girl plays football, the world sees her differently.
      “Instead of being complimented on her nice looks or her pretty dress, she is valued for her game-saving tackles and brilliant goal-scoring.
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      “She’s admired for what she can do, rather than how she looks, putting her on a more equal footing with her brothers in a way that can alter the whole trajectory of her life’s ambitions.
      “In a Fifa World Cup year, that’s the message that should be ringing loud and true around the world.
      “Where a supermodel fits into this is truly baffling.”
      Dodd was on the committee for the successful World Cup bid to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
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      She also referred to comments made by Lima in an interview with GQ in 2006 in which she said abortion was a “crime”.
      However, Lima’s publicist, Laurent Boye, has insisted that she has changed her views.
      She said in a statement: “We can proudly say that Ms Lima has been promoting a healthy lifestyle for several years and like many people, her position on many LGBTQIA+ and women issues has evolved and she is considered an ally.”
      The Women’s World Cup starts on July 20 as New Zealand face Norway in the tournament’s opening match. More

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      Lionel Messi splashes out £175,000 on 35 gold iPhones for his World Cup-winning team and staff

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      LIONEL Messi splashed out £175,000 on 35 gold iPhones for his World Cup-winning team and their staff.The Argentinian star commissioned the 24-carat devices for every member of the winning squad and had them delivered to his Parisian apartment on Saturday.
      Lionel Messi splashed out £175,000 on gold iPhones for Argentina’s World Cup-winning team and staffCredit: Reuters
      The 24-carat devices have the player’s names, numbers and the Argentinian logo engraved on them
      Each phone has the player’s name, number and the Argentinian logo engraved on it.
      Last night a source said: “Lionel wanted to do something special and blingy to celebrate his proudest moment.
      “He got in touch with entrepreneur Ben Lyons and they came up with the design together.
      Ben, CEO of iDesign Gold, said: “Lionel is not only the Goat but he’s one of IDESIGN GOLD’s most loyal customers and got in touch with us a couple of months after the World Cup final.”
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      “He said he wanted a special gift for all the players and staff to celebrate the amazing win but didn’t want the usual gift of watches.
      “So, I suggested gold iPhones inscribed with their names and he loved the idea.”
      Argentina triumphed in Qatar last year — with Messi, 35, named Player of the Tournament.
      A source said: ‘Lionel wanted to do something special and blingy to celebrate his proudest moment’Credit: Getty More

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      Brazil World Cup winner’s daughter joins OnlyFans after treating fans to series of sexy pictures

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      ROMARIO’S daughter Danielle Favatto has signed up to OnlyFans.Danielle, 25, is a social media star in her own right – boasting over 250,000 Instagram followers.
      Daniell Favato has joined OnlyFansCredit: Instagram
      The 25-year-old is Romario’s daughter
      The ex-striker is now a Senator in Brazil
      And she recently left her supporters stunned, by announcing she’d signed up for adult platform OnlyFans.
      Danielle gave birth to a baby daughter in January, making Brazilian World Cup-winning legend Romario, 57, a grandfather.
      She had her daughter, named Maria Eduarda, with footballer Fabio Henrique – who plies his trade for Atletico Catarinense.
      Explaining her decision to join OnlyFans as a new mum, Danielle said: “I created my profile on OnlyFans to share a little more about my experience of being a first-time mother.
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      “I didn’t want to have a child, but I changed my mind out of nowhere. I had no idea how to deal with kids.
      “I was the type of person who would get upset if a child cried on an airplane.
      “As I’ve been learning daily, I thought it was a cool idea to create a profile on the platform to make videos about the subject.”
      On becoming pregnant, Danielle added: “I stopped taking the contraceptive pill and less than a month later, I got pregnant.
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      Danielle has over 250k Insta followers
      She has explained her OnlyFans decision
      “Being a mother was more of my boyfriend’s dream than mine.
      “After using the contraceptive pill for eight years, I stopped to take a break and think about whether or not to have a child. One month passed and I was already pregnant.
      “It was the biggest hangover of my life during Carnival, and the following week I found out I was pregnant.
      “Funnily enough, I revealed the pregnancy on the day of [football club] Vasco’s game, and Vasco ended up drawing the game.”
      Since his goal-laden career, Romario has gone into polotics.
      The popular former Barcelona ace is now a senator for Rio de Janeiro.
      He also briefly worked as a manager after his playing career, taking charge of Vasco in 2008.
      She is new to motherhood
      The Brazilian is dating footballer Henrique More

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      Watch Lionel Messi ‘send magician into retirement’ as he brutally shuts him down mid-trick at Fifa Best Awards

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      AS if Lionel Messi’s magic wasn’t enough on the pitch, it seems he is more than capable of some off it.While in attendance at the award ceremony for Fifa’s The Best, Messi was confronted by magician Julius Dein.
      Lionel Messi was named Fifa’s The Best Men’s PlayerCredit: Reuters
      Magician Julius Dein attempted a magic trick on MessiCredit: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpNykZ5uwk0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
      But Messi saw through the trickCredit: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpNykZ5uwk0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
      He attended alongside wife Antonella RoccuzzoCredit: The Mega Agency
      The Londoner took Messi’s phone and attempted to play a trick with the flashlight on the phone.
      Dein seemingly took the light off of it directly before putting it in his mouth, chewing it and then blowing it back onto the phone.
      However, Messi was not to be fooled and simply responded: “I know this one,” before producing a gleaming smile.
      The shutdown left Dein joking: “Well that didn’t go according to plan 🤦‍♂️,” before admitting: “I’m retiring.”
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      But fans were left perplexed as to why he would challenge a fellow “magician”.
      One fan said: “U were challenging a magician.”
      A second remarked: “Trying to show magic to a magician.”
      A third wrote: “Mate you can’t fool a magician 😂.”
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      While a fourth asked: “Are you trying to teach magic to the greatest magician ever?”
      The 35-year-old Argentine, who attended the Paris ceremony with wife Antonella Roccuzzo, won his second Fifa Best Men’s Player title following his World Cup heroics in Qatar.
      The gong puts him level with Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of two wins.
      Messi was also named in the FIFPRO World XI alongside Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe.
      In the women’s award, Beth Mead was pipped by Alexia Putellas but was named in the women’s World XI alongside Lionesses team-mates, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh.
      England boss Sarina Wiegman and Manchester United’s Mary Earps won best women’s coach and goalkeeper respectively following their Euro 2022 glory last summer. More

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      Chelsea star Thiago Silva labels Fifa Best voting ‘a joke’ as he fumes at bit-part Man City ace beating Lewandowski

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      THIAGO SILVA has blasted Fifa’s best-player voting as a “joke” after Julian Alvarez came seventh – ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and Robert Lewandowski.Summer arrival Alvarez has struggled for a regular spot at Manchester City but bagged four goals in helping Argentina win the World Cup.
      Julian Alvarez had a breakthrough World Cup but being voted the world’s seventh best player surprised many. including Thiago SilvaCredit: Getty
      Thiago Silva has suggested the voting was more than a bit mixed upCredit: AFP
      Lionel Messi topped the poll of FIFPro players, selectors, journalists and fans with 52 votes.
      And the next four on the list were also no great surprise.
      French hitmen Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema notched 44 and 34 votes respectively.
      Then came Croatia’s evergreen midfielder Luka Modric and Etihad goal machine Erling Haaland.
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      But controversy hit once the list got down to players with fewer than 20 votes.
      Sadio Mane was sixth, ahead of Alvarez and Moroccan stylist Achraf Hakimi.
      The next four places were taken by Neymar, De Bruyne, Vinicius Junior and Lewandowski.
      And Chelsea’s Brazil defender Silva, 38, broke ranks when he saw that ranking.
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      Responding to protests over Alvarez’s bit-part role, Silva wrote: “It’s a joke”.
      But the City man’s Argentina team-mate Messi has defended him, saying: “During the whole World Cup, he was extraordinary.
      “He ran everything. He fought for everything – creating chances, fighting. For us, he was the surprising discovery, and he deserves everything that has happened to him because he is a lovely guy.”
      But to make the Fifa ratings even more embarrassing, Fifa initially listed alvarez under “Spain”.
      In fact, no Spanish players made the top 14, while England’s only representative was Jude Bellingham. More

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      Watch TV reporter’s SAVAGE response after being blanked by Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk at awards ceremony

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      A TV reporter came up with a savage response after being blanked at the Fifa awards ceremony by Virgil van Dijk.The Liverpool defender won another accolade as he was voted in the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World XI for his performances in 2022.
      Virgil van Dijk was not in the mood for questions with the star avoiding one reporterCredit: Getty
      But the journalist from TyC Sports had a sassy reply waiting after being blankedCredit: TyC Sports via Twitter / @TyCSports

      He was one of a number of stars to win gongs at Fifa’s showpiece event with Lionel Messi awarded the Best FIFA Men’s Player award.
      But as van Dijk was attempting to cross the media pen, one reporter from TyC Sports, an Argentine TV station, tried to ask him question.
      He said: “One minute, just two questions, please.”
      The 31-year-old walked right past and ignored the journalist.
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      The reporter then quipped: “Well, Virgil van Dijk told me no… it doesn’t matter. Argentina won the quarter-finals…”
      Some fans loved the sassy exchange but others believed the comment was over of line.
      One person wrote: “This shows that [van Dijk] did very well not to give him statements. Shame [from a] ‘journalist’.”
      It was an incredible 2022 from van Dijk with the defender at the centre of a Liverpool team chasing the quadruple.
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      The Reds did win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup last season but lost in the Champions League final and fell just short in the Premier League.
      Van Dijk managed to bring that leadership to the international team where Holland scrapped their way into the quarter-finals.
      Despite being 2-0 down to Argentina with eight minutes to go, the Netherlands managed to take a fiercely-contested game all the way to penalties before losing 4-3 on spotkicks. More