World Cup

IVANA KNOLL has revealed her bizarre celebrity crush – which has shocked her legion of fans.The Croatian model rose to global stardom during the World Cup with her array of sexy outfits in Qatar last year.
Croatian model Ivana Knoll rose to fame during the World CupCredit: GETTY
The 26-year-old was dubbed the World Cup’s ‘sexiest fan’Credit: ALAMY
Knoll has rubbed shoulders with several celebs as of late – including DrakeCredit: INSTAGRAM@KNOLLDOLL
Knoll says the Klitschko is her ‘ideal’ manCredit: BARSTOOL SPORTS
Knoll – who was dubbed the World Cup’s sexiest fan – has rubbed shoulders with several celebs since the tournament, including Jamie Foxx and Drake.
Her mingling with A-listers recently resulted in her being quizzed about her celeb crush during a recent appearance on a podcast.
And the 26-year-old stunned listeners and her followers by revealing a former world heavyweight champion boxer to be her secret crush.
She said: “I have one guy, who, for me, is the best of the best. Wladimir Klitschko, he’s one, nine, eight, six, six.”
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The podcast host was left stunned by Knoll’s revelation, which she explained further.
She said: “He’s like my ideal [man].”
Through a fit of laughter, the podcast host replied: “Wladimir Klitschko, I mean, he’s good-looking.
“But that’s a scary guy.”
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Klitschko was the man at heavyweight until he ran into Brit Tyson Fury in November 2015, losing the unified titles to the Gypsy King.
And he ended up retiring from boxing in August 2017, just a few months after losing a Wembley war for the ages against Anthony Joshua.
Knoll was somewhat of an unofficial mascot during Croatia’s World Cup campaign, which ended at the semi-final hurdle.
But she was proud of their efforts, taking to Instagram to write: “Sometimes we play amazing, sometimes not so well.
“Sometimes in the semi-finals we have bad referee like yesterday to give penalty for nothing and losing the chance to get the trophy.
“Sometimes we are underrated and then we show the way home to the most favored team, that is football…
“But the most important thing, we are A SMALL COUNTRY WITH A BIG HEART and I am proud to be a Croatian forever and ever!”
But she’s revealed ex-heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko to be her celeb crushCredit: GETTY More

THEIRRY HENRY has broken his silence on rumours he’s after the Belgium job.The Red Devils are currently managerless following Roberto Martinez’s resignation on the back of a woeful group-stage exit at the World Cup last year.
Roberto Martinez walked away from the Belgium job following a dismal World CupCredit: AP
Martinez’s ex-No.2 Thierry Henry has been linked with the vacant Red Devils jobCredit: AFP
But the Arsenal legend insists he hasn’t put his name forward for the roleCredit: GETTY
Reports in Belgium have suggested Henry – who was Martinez’s No.2 – has made a beeline for the vacancy, although the footy great has dismissed that notion.
During an appearance on Sky Sports, the Arsenal and France legend said: “I would like to make it abundantly clear that contrary to written reports, I have never contacted the Belgian FA offering my services as the new first team coach.
“I think it’s vital that the truthful version of facts is always presented.
The Belgium football association have wasted little time in trying to find a successor for Martinez.
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An advert for the job read: “Even after the early elimination at the World Cup in Qatar, the RBFA remains very ambitious for the future.
“The RBFA is looking for a full-time national team coach who knows how to win.
“The new national team coach is extremely ambitious and has the necessary international experience at top level, football tactical knowledge and insights as well as the right personal skills.
“He is a serial winner with experience in managing top players.
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“He knows how to focus on creating a close-knit group and how to integrate young players.
“The football association is looking for a tactical expert who supports his choices with data, technology and objective parameters and draws on RBFA’s sporting expertise and structure.”
The writing was on the wall for Martinez when his star-studded squad failed to qualify for the last-16.
The former Wigan boss said: “That was my last game with the national team and it’s emotional as you can imagine.
“It was going to be the end whether we were world champions or out in the group stage. I has nothing to do with being eliminated at this stage.
“This is the time for me to accept that this day is the last game. I took the decision just before the World Cup.
“I always work in the long term. I believe the long-term projects need to be long term and they need to be set in advance.”
Martinez’s underachieving during his six-year reign as Belgium chief, however, hasn’t held him back as he was appointed Portugal boss this week. More

GARETH BALE is wanted by Wales boss Robert Page in their future set-up despite his retirement.The Dragons most-capped player with 111 appearances and record goalscorer on 41 announced he had called time on his glittering career on Monday and left the door open for a possible return one day.
Gareth Bale has been offered a coaching role with Wales by boss Robert PageCredit: Rex
Bale told Page as well as club side Los Angeles FC in the MLS on Sunday of his decision to retire at the age of 33.
But Page has held talks with Bale and the talisman could make a non-playing comeback ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifiers in March in either a coaching or ambassadorial role.
Page said: “I’ve had that conversation but I would love him still to be involved in some capacity. Now what that role is, we don’t know yet.
“He just needs some time with his family. It’s a big adjustment for him, training every day to go into a normalish life and doing the school run, but we’ll have another conversation with him in a few weeks.
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“We’ll make a plan moving forward because he’s got so much to offer. Even his presence in the dressing room, the hotel environment is something I would be really keen on to keep him involved, but I’ll leave it up to Gareth and what suits him and his family. I think he would be keen as well. 
“You’ve seen Belgium do it with Thierry Henry. Ex-players stepping up, whether it’s a coaching role, an ambassadorial role, or being part of a committee making decisions. I’m sure the FAW (Football Association of Wales) would also be keen to keep Gareth involved in some capacity.”
Bale bows out from playing following a disappointing performance at the World Cup where Wales exited at the group stage.
The ex-Tottenham and Real Madrid star struggled for match fitness and Page was in full agreement of his captain’s decision to hung up his boots.
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Page told BBC Radio Wales: “Gareth messaged me on Sunday to say he needed a conversation. I knew it was something significant, I was out and about at the time but I said, ‘Look, I’ll be back in half an hour and I’ll give you a ring.
“When he announced it to me it didn’t come as a complete surprise. I think he’d just got off the phone to LA and told them of his decision. For him to make the decision was a massive moment.
“I told him, ‘I agree with your decision and I think it’s the right time to bow out. You’ve just scored in a World Cup and got everything on your CV, what you’ve achieved with Wales is incredible. You should be enormously proud.
“I said I respected him for letting me know and giving me a heads up. I wished him all the best and said he’s been an unbelievable servant.
“I have been blessed to have an opportunity to work with him. He’s such a wonderful person, not just a good talented footballer.  He’s a nice person and he will be a loss in that changing room because he’s such a presence.”
Wales face Croatia in their Euro 2024 qualification opener in Split on March 25. Would Bale have started had he not retired?
Page said: “He would have had a part to play. I would have selected him in the squad. The roles might have changed slightly. “Would he be able to play 90 minutes back to back?
“Lessons have been learned from Qatar, the athleticism every team had out there. It’s too big an ask probably for him, he might have been an impact player coming off the bench.
“There’s a mixture of emotions for me. I’m excited now because it’s an opportunity to get some of the young ones through – players like Brennan Johnson to take the opportunity and step up to the plate – and get the next Gareth Bale. There will be changes made in March.
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“But there’s also a hint of sadness because it’s the last time we’ll see Gareth Bale putting a pair of boots on to play for Wales. He’s got a wonderful family that he will now enjoy spending time with. There might be the odd round of golf in there as well!”
Bale’s best moment? Page added: “It’s the free-kick against Ukraine to get us to the World Cup. That celebration after. Wow. It makes me emotional just thinking about it. That’s the best moment for me.” More

CRISTIANO RONALDO is set to DOUBLE his £175million annual salary by promoting Saudi Arabia’s 2030 World Cup bid -taking his earnings to nearly £1m a day.The veteran Portuguese forward signed for Al-Nassr last month after being axed by Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to promote Saudi Arabia’s 2030 World Cup bidCredit: Rex
Ronaldo, 37, penned an astonishing two-year, £175m-a-season contract with the Saudi Pro League side.
And that will be just the beginning of his earnings in the Middle East.
According to news agency AFP, Ronaldo will pocket a further £175m for promoting the Saudi 2030 World Cup bid.
It is unclear if this further £175m will be in one lump sum – but could see him pocket £350m in a year – just shy of £1m a week.
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Any involvement in Saudi Arabia’s attempts to host the 2030 World Cup would see the former Real Madrid star promote a rival bid to that of his own country.
Portugal, alongside Spain and Ukraine, are also preparing to try to earn hosting rights for the 2030 competition.
Spain have hosted a World Cup before, while Portugal and Ukraine are yet to receive the honour.
Saudi Arabia are bidding alongside Egypt and Greece in what would be a bumper three-continent tournament.
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Ronaldo, 37, is set to earn £175m for promoting Saudi Arabia’s bidCredit: Rex
A spokesperson for Ronaldo has denied that he has agreed to promote the 2030 World Cup.
Ronaldo was officially unveiled as an Al-Nassr player last week alongside partner Georgina and the kids, after flying in to Saudi Arabia on a private jet.

AFP report that Ronaldo’s arrival at Al-Nassr was backed by senior Saudi royals – including Mohammed bin Salman.
They add that MBS and his brothers are Al-Nassr supporters – and wanted to give their club global recognition.
Ronaldo was suspended for his new side’s 2-0 victory over Al-Ta’ee, but watched on from the stands.
He has been living in luxury since moving to the Middle East, staying in a super-sized “Kingdom Suite”.
Spanish paper Marca claim that Ronaldo will be given access to luxury rooms in Riyadh – as well as a private plane.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will again have to sit out of his new club’s match this weekend as he serves the second game of his suspension.
He is expected to make his Al-Nassr debut on January 22, when they take on Ettifaq.
But his first match since signing for his new team may not even be for them.
Instead he is expected be part of a team made up of stars from Al-Nassr and fellow Saudi side Al-Hilal in an exhibition game.
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They are set to take on Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly on January 19th.
Messi, 35, penned a £25m a year deal to promote Saudi Arabia last May.
Ronaldo was presented to the Al-Nassr crowd alongside his familyCredit: Rex More