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      Lionel Messi ‘lands back in Paris’ as private jet touches down from Argentina hometown after World Cup celebrations

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      LIONEL MESSI has landed back in Paris to report for club duty again after his World Cup celebrations at home in Argentina.A private jet flew overnight from Rosario, Messi’s hometown, to the French capital, landing at 3.15pm on Tuesday.
      Lionel Messi left Rosario last nightCredit: Twitter
      The private jet flew over the Atlantic into ParisCredit: JETPHOTOS
      The plane touched down at the Paris–Le Bourget AirportCredit: JETPHOTOS
      The Messi family are due back at their home in Paris as dad Lionel returns to PSGCredit: INSTAGRAM
      More than 4,700 fans were tracking the aircraft on popular website Flightradar24 as it made its way across the Atlantic.
      Argentine football reporter Roy Nemer also tweeted on Monday night with a picture of Messi and possibly wife Antonela on the tarmac boarding a plane headed for Paris.
      The Gulfstream G-V jet took off from Rosario at 10pm and touched down 13 hours later at the tiny Paris–Le Bourget Airport rather than the main Charles de Gaulle site.
      It is unclear if the vehicle used was Messi’s own £12million private jet complete with two bathrooms, 16 seats that convert into eight beds and even its very own kitchen.
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      Assuming it was the Messis on board, Lionel and Antonela would have been joined by their three sons – Mateo, Ciro and Thiago – to return to their family home.
      The family enjoyed two weeks back in Argentina after winning the World Cup.
      Messi joined in the dramatic team celebrations as thousands of fans turned out in Buenos Aires to welcome back their Qatar 2022 heroes.
      Messi was, of course, the star attraction as he finally got hold of the one trophy that had eluded him in his illustrious career.
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      The captain scored seven goals and was crowned player of the tournament in the Middle East.
      And after the jubilant scenes in his homeland, Messi carried on the private parties for Christmas and New Year with his family and friends.
      But now he is getting back to work with Paris Saint-Germain.
      The Ligue 1 champions beat Strasbourg last Wednesday despite Neymar’s red card in the first match after the World Cup break.
      However, Christophe Galtier’s side were crying out for some Messi magic as they were stunned 3-1 by Lens – but still sit four points clear at the top of the table.
      PSG face third-tier minnows Chateauroux in the Coupe de France on Friday before Angers and Rennes in league action with Messi surely set to make his return in one of those matches.
      But the forward and his team-mates may already have half an eye on their blockbuster Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich on February 14.
      Messi enjoyed some relaxing time off with wife AntonelaCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy last monthCredit: Getty More

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      Thousands of fans line streets for Pele’s funeral at Santos as Brazil’s president leads tributes to World Cup legend

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      THOUSANDS of fans lined the streets of Santos for Pele’s funeral.And the new Brazil president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was among those to pay tribute to the national icon ahead of his burial.
      Pele’s coffin was driven through the streets of Santos before his funeralCredit: AFP
      It was draped with the famous Brazil flagCredit: AP
      Pele’s coffin was placed in the centre of the pitch of the Santos stadiumCredit: Reuters
      Army soldiers carried the coffin out of the groundCredit: AFP
      Pele won three World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970Credit: Keith Campbell – The Sun Glasgow
      Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and wife Rosangela attended the wakeCredit: AFP
      He comforted Pele’s wife Marcia Aoki at the stadiumCredit: AFP
      Fans lined the streets to celebrate the life of the Brazil iconCredit: Reuters
      Fans queued overnight to see the coffinCredit: AP
      The fire engine drove past Pele’s mother’s houseCredit: Reuters
      Giant Santos flags were waved as the coffin made its way along the roadsCredit: Reuters
      The three-time World Cup winner passed away last Thursday aged 82 following a battle with cancer.
      His body was placed in an open coffin in the middle of the Vila Belmiro Stadium in the Brazilian city where he played for 18 years with 230,000 mourners filing past after a 2km queue.
      The coffin was carried by ex-Brazil midfielder Ze Roberto as well as Pele’s son Edinho, with floral wreaths sent by Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid.
      Edinho was visibly emotional while Pele’s wife Marcia Aoki was comforted by Lula and Fifa president Gianni Infantino also paid his respects.
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      And after 24 hours, it was draped in a Brazil flag guarded by army soldiers this morning for the procession through the city.
      The fire engine drove slowly past the house of his 100-year-old mother before arriving at his final resting place on the ninth floor of the 14-storey ‘vertical cemetery’ with a small ceremony for family members and friends.
      The Memorial Necropole Ecumenica includes crypts, rooms to hold services, a crematorium, and even overlooks Pele’s beloved stadium.
      Brazil also announced three days of national mourning for Pele.
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      But despite the deep sadness at his passing, the public are also celebrating his life with singing, dancing and even fireworks.
      Pele burst on to the global stage in 1958 and helped Brazil win back-to-back World Cups four years later.
      His success in 1970 ensured he became and remains the only person to win three World Cup tournaments as a player.
      At club level, Pele enjoyed 18 sensational years with Santos, the team he made his debut for aged 15.
      Overall, he scored a staggering 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, including friendlies, which is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
      He also managed a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games for the national team – a record equalled by Neymar at the recent World Cup.
      The vertical cemetery overlooks the Vila Belmiro StadiumCredit: AP
      Pele was treated and passed away in hospital in Sao PauloCredit: Refer to Caption
      Pele is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all timeCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Pele spent the majority of his club career with SantosCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

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      Lisandro Martinez arrives back at Man Utd with World Cup medal allowing club to end Luke Shaw centre-back experiment

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      LISANDRO MARTINEZ has returned to Manchester United following Argentina’s World Cup triumph.The defender, 24, lifted the iconic World Cup trophy last month after Argentina defeated France in an action-packed final.
      Martinez returned to training wearing his World Cup medalCredit: https://twitter.com/ManUtd
      The defender won the World Cup with Argentina last monthCredit: Getty

      Following the historic victory he, along with fellow Premier League stars Emiliano Martinez and Alexis Mac Allister, was given extra time off over the Christmas period.
      He returned to Carrington last week, one day after the Red Devils’ 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
      And he rocked up to training wearing his World Cup winners medal.
      Martinez is expected to return to action on Tuesday when United take on Bournemouth.
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      During his pre-match press conference on Monday, Erik ten Hag revealed that he was “optimistic” that the defender will be ready to star.
      He said: “We have to see. Both [Martinez and Scott McTominay, who has been ill] were training yesterday and today, so I am quite optimistic about them returning to the squad, both of them.”
      Martinez will likely replace Luke Shaw, who has been playing out-of-position as a centre-back for the past week.
      Ten Hag also praised Shaw for his “fabulous” performances in defence against Nottingham Forest and Wolves.
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      He added: “We have seen the last two games. I think he did fabulous and was impressing, we know also he is really good as a left full-back but it’s an extra option and [that] is always good for a team.”
      Man Utd currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, 11 points behind Arsenal. More

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      World Cup’s ‘hottest fan’ Ivana Knoll parties with Jamie Foxx in Miami after squeezing into tiny bikini

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      THE World Cup’s ‘hottest fan’ Ivana Knoll partied with Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx in Miami after squeezing into a tiny dress.The model wowed supporters in Qatar last month with her bold outfit choices which went against Qatar’s conservative dress codes.
      Fans were given a treat as the model showed off her frame in a small black bikiniCredit: INSTAGRAM
      It was a New Year’s party to remember for Ivana Knoll as she partied with film star Jamie FoxxCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Foxx smiles for the camera as he enjoys a lively bash in MiamiCredit: INSTAGRAM
      And she’s started off the New Year in equally eye-catching fashion as she attended a big party in Miami.
      Former Miss Croatia winner Knoll kept fans up to date with her night with a series of Instagram posts.
      Before that, she gave followers a treat as she showed off her figure in a black bikini.
      The star later videoed herself in into a small and tight blue outfit as she prepared for a New Year’s bash.
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      The busty influencer would have left jaws on the ground with the sizzling snap where she wore black heels and showed off a lot of leg.
      Knoll then arrived at her party and snapped herself with “friend” Jamie Foxx.
      Ivana Knoll has 3.6m followers on Instagram
      The Croatian beauty has never been shy about showing off her many outfits
      The actor and singer, who has starred in films such as Django Unchained and Spider Man, can be seen sitting next to the beauty at a lively party.
      He smiles and playfully wags his finger while music plays in the background.
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      Later she dances in front of the camera before again giving viewers a glimpse of Foxx.
      Knoll remains stood next to him when he grabs the mic and starts singing along to the music, and later when he wishes partygoers a happy 2023.
      The Croatian stunner has 3.6m Instagram followers and regularly posts snaps of herself enjoying life.
      She regularly went viral at the World Cup with spectacular and revealing pictures which set pulses racing. More

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      Pele mourners line the streets to say final farewell to football legend at his boyhood club before he is laid to rest

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      PELE mourners lined the streets today at Santos football stadium to say a final farewell ahead of the legend’s funeral. Three-time World Cup winner Pele died on Thursday aged 82 after a long battle with cancer.
      Mourners stand in line outside Vila Belmiro stadiumCredit: Getty
      Fans line up to see Pele’s coffinCredit: Getty
      People line up to pay their respects to PeleCredit: AP
      Pallbearers carry the casket of Brazilian soccer legend PeleCredit: Reuters
      Pele’s widow Marcia Cibele Aoki and son Edinho as Pele lies in an open casketCredit: Reuters
      Pele died at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancerCredit: Getty
      His funeral will be held in the stadium where he played some of the best matches of his career.
      Pele had been receiving treatment for a tumour in his colon – but stopped responding to care.
      On Thurday evening the news broke that the greatest player in history has sadly passed away due to multiple organ failure as a result of his cancer.
      Pele died with his family by his side and holding his hand.
      Read more on Pele
      The South American nation is now preparing to say goodbye to the football legend as his funeral takes place today and tomorrow.
      His coffin arrived at the Santos pitch early on Monday after travelling from hospital in Sao Paulo.
      Pele will be placed in the centre of the field and fans will be able to pay their respects for 24 hours before a procession through the streets of Santos to celebrate the icon.
      Visitation will start at 10am today and finish on Tuesday at the same time.
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      Pele’s coffin will then be carried through the streets and will pass in front of the home of his 100-year-old mother, Celeste.
      The burial will take place at the Memorial Necropole Ecumenica and only family will attend.
      His final resting place will be in a unique “vertical cemetery” in a 14-floor building which includes 14,000 vaults, a waterfall and a car museum.
      It includes crypts, rooms to hold services, a crematorium, and a mausoleum “for families who want to preserve their legacy in a more personal and private way”.
      It even contains a tropical garden that includes a small rooftop cafe and a waterfall also.
      Brazil also announced three days of national mourning for Pele.
      Nicknamed The King, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970 – the only player in football history to achieve the feat.
      His amazing haul of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which included friendlies, is recognised as a Guinness World Record.
      He also scored a remarkable 77 goals in 92 games for the national team – a record equalled by Neymar at the recent World Cup.
      The current Brazilian No.10 has led the huge outpouring of tributes to the late, great superstar along with modern day greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
      Pele made his debut for his local team Santos aged just 15 and won his first cap for the Brazil national team at 16. 
      He won the World Cup in 1958 aged just 17, and then won it again in 1962 and 1970.
      The South American superstar racked up 643 goals in 659 appearances for club side Santos across his 18-year spell.
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      He also played for the New York Cosmos and retired in 1977, in an exhibition match between the Cosmos and Santos.
      The hearse carrying Pele’s coffin arrives at Santos ahead of the football legend’s funeral in the stadiumCredit: Getty
      The hearse carrying the body of Pele arrives to the Vila Belmiro stadiumCredit: AP
      His funeral will be held in the stadium where he played some of the best matches of his careerCredit: AFP
      Pele will be placed in the centre of the field and fans will be able to pay their respects for 24 hoursCredit: AFP
      Brazil is preparing to say goodbye to the football legendCredit: AFP More

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      World Cup penalty hero Harry Kane rakes in eye-watering sum from sponsorship, image rights and property investments

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      WORLD Cup penalty flop Harry Kane is on target in business, bagging a £22million fortune.Accounts show that the 29-year-old Tottenham and England star is raking in the cash through a pair of companies.
      Kane, 29, investments have risen by a combined £4.3million over the course of the past yearCredit: Getty
      HK28 Ltd, which handles his image rights and sponsorship deals with the likes of Nike and Mars, had its best year and has more than £9million in assets.
      Meanwhile, Edward James Investments holds properties worth £13.1million.
      His investments have risen by a combined £4.3million over the course of the past year.
      The accounts, filed at Companies House last week, are dated up to March 31 2022.
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      The England skipper runs the property firm with his brother Charlie and parents, Kim and Patrick.
      The couple sealed a dream move earlier this year – after moving into a 1million-a-year rented mansion.
      His sprawling seven-bed property has its own spa, cinema room, staff quarters and lift system.
      The Spurs marksman has been on fire once again this season, bagging 14 goals in 23 games for the Lilywhites and equalling Wayne Rooney’s 53 goal record for England during the World Cup.
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      Harry, on £200,000 a week at Spurs, missed a crucial penalty in England’s quarter-final defeat by France in Qatar. More

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      Lionel Messi and stunning wife Antonela end historic 2022 at World Cup winner’s Rosario mansion with water slide

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      LIONEL MESSI ended his World Cup-winning year alongside his stunning wife Antonela and their three kids at their Rosario mansion. The legendary footballer, 35, captained Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in December.
      Messi and his family posed for a picture to celebrate a historic 2022Credit: Instagram @leomessi
      Messi’s Rosario mansion has a waterslideCredit: Instagram @leomessi
      Messi’s wife and kids cheered him on as he won his first and possibly his only World CupCredit: Instagram @leomessi
      Messi scored seven goals and assisted three in Qatar, including a brace in the dramatic final win over France.
      Argentina’s 26 heroes, and staff, then returned home and were met by millions of fans.
      But before returning to Europe to rejoin his club, Paris Saint-Germain, Messi saw out 2022 in his hometown of Rosario in his mansion – that comes complete with a waterslide – alongside stunning wife Antonela and three kids Mateo, Thiago and Ciro.
      They also enjoyed family parties while back in town.
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      The Messi family posed for a photo in their stunning house, celebrating the historic year.
      Messi will hope for more goals, assists and trophies in 2023.
      He is just 26 goals behind long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has played 142 more games.
      Ronaldo’s Champions League goal-scoring records are also up for grabs.
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      Messi is trailing the Al-Nassr new boy by 11 goals.
      And a Champions League win in May alongside Kylian Mbappe and Co would see Messi lift his fifth European title.
      A Ligue 1 title win before that would see Messi draw level with former Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves as the most decorated footballer in history.
      Messi is also one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or, which would be his eighth golden ball.
      Messi scored a brace in the World Cup finalCredit: Getty
      Messi and Antonela are childhood sweetheartsCredit: Getty
      The Messi clan after the finalCredit: Getty More

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      Argentina joker Emi Martinez makes gesture to Hugo Lloris as World Cup finalists meet for first time since Qatar

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      EMI MARTINEZ again consoled Hugo Lloris again as the World Cup final keepers met just two weeks after their shootout drama in Qatar. But if Martinez was seen as a joker in the Middle East, Lloris was judged by some as a clown at Tottenham Hotspur stadium as his error gifted Aston Villa the opener in a 2-0 win.
      Emi Martinez made a point of commiserating with Hugo Lloris once more, this time at club levelCredit: Getty
      Two weeks earlier Martinez was consoling Lloris after Argentina won the World Cup final against France following a shootoutCredit: Rex
      Once more, though, the Argentina No1 showed his more sporting side to his rival stopper.
      Villa sub Martinez sought out Lloris for a knowing handshake.
      Just a fortnight ago, the ex-Arsenal keeper had done the same after Argentina won the World Cup final 4-2 on penalties following a 3-3 draw.
      That epic triumph was thanks in part to Martinez dancing around to distract France’s spot-kick takers.
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      He then spiced up that controversy with suggestive antics when celebrating with his winner’s medal.
      But he only had a watching brief this time as Sweden keeper Robin Olsen had a solid game to help Villa ease into mid-table.
      It left Spurs fifth as pressure mounts on manager Antonio Conte.
      Argentinian winger Emi Buendia punished Lloris’ blunder on 50 minutes and Villa’s linchpin midfielder Douglas Luiz drilled a neat clincher.
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      Martinez was also spotted in the tunnel before kick-off singling out Lloris for their first greeting since returning from Qatar.
      But when Lloris slipped up for Buendia’s simple goal, Paddy Power couldn’t resist a reference to the final in Qatar.
      The bookie posted: “I don’t know how, but, somehow, Emi Martinez is responsible for sh**housing that mistake out of Hugo Lloris.” More