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      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘to team up with long-time rival Messi as he becomes Saudi Arabia ambassador’ after joining Al-Nassr

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO will try and help Saudi Arabia land the 2030 World Cup with an ambassador role after joining Al-Nassr, reports say.The legendary 37-year-old joined the Saudi side on a free transfer on Friday after giving up on his dream of continuing to play Champions League football.
      Ronaldo will try and help Saudi land the 2030 World CupCredit: Reuters
      Ronaldo had his contract ripped up by Manchester United following his bombshell interview with SunSport columnist and TalkTV main man Piers Morgan.
      In that sit-down chat, Ronaldo accused Man Utd of betrayal, while also revealing he did not respect manager Erik ten Hag.
      United released Ronaldo on the eve of Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner then endured a torrid tournament, scoring just once, and was dropped for Portugal’s knockout campaign, which ended in the quarters at the hands of dark horses Morocco.
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      Ronaldo will earn an eye-watering £173million-a-year in the Middle East on a two-year contract.
      But the 819 career-goal forward will stay on for a further five years as an ambassador for Saudi football.
      That means Ronaldo would pocket as much as £1.2BILLION over the course of the contract.
      And according to Marca, part of Ronaldo’s ambassadorial role will see him try and help Saudi land the 2030 World Cup in a joint bid with Greece and Egypt.
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      Should such a bid be successful, it would see three continents host the major tournament.
      It will also see Ronaldo team up with long-time rival, Lionel Messi, in promoting the Gulf state.
      Despite backlash, Messi signed a lucrative deal with the Kingdom in May.
      And the Argentina captain even lost to Saudi in the group stages of the World Cup, a tournament they later went on to win.
      Saudi have faced fierce criticism for its human rights record, as well as crackdowns on women’s rights activists, LGBTQ+ people and those who speak out against the rule of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
      Qatar faced similar criticisms before the November-December tournament. More

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      Card-crazy World Cup ref Antonio Mateu Lahoz dishes out 15 yellows and two reds during fiery Barcelona vs Espanyol clash

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      CARD-CRAZY World Cup referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz is back in action.. and playing the pantomime villain this festive season.The Spaniard, 45, was sent home from Qatar after showing 15 yellows and a red card in the heated quarter-final between Holland and eventual champions Argentina.
      Card-crazy World Cup ref Antonio Mateu Lahoz showed 15 yellow cards and two red in the fiery 1-1 derby draw between Barcelona and EspanyolCredit: Getty
      Mateu Lahoz sent off Barcelona’s Jordi Alba and Espanyol’s Vinicius Souza and also got carried away with his yellowCredit: AP
      Mateu Lahoz stole the show in Argentina’s penalty shootout win over Holland in the World Cup quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
      And he was at it again in his first match back in LaLiga just three weeks on.
      Mateu Lahoz took charge of Saturday’s fiery clash between Barcelona and Espanyol and couldn’t help but steal the show yet again.
      He brandished 15 yellow cards, TWO reds and even awarded a late penalty to visitors Espanyol as they stole a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp.
      Barcelona had taken a seventh-minute lead thanks to ex-Chelsea star Marcos Alonso.
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      The wing-back, 32, nodded home to give Xavi’s side hope of increasing the gap over Real Madrid at the top of the LaLiga standings
      But things quickly unravelled for Barca – who last won the league title in 2018-19.
      Alonso went from hero to villain in a chaotic finale as he stood on Espanyol star Joselu’s heel.
      The former Los Blancos striker made no mistake from the spot to ensure they made the short trip home across the city with a share of the spoils.
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      Soon after, Jordi Alba was sent off for Barcelona following a furious protest against a booking from Mateu Lahoz.
      And Espanyol’s Vinicius Souza was also sent for an early bath for a foul on Robert Lewandowski minutes later.
      Incredibly, Mateu Lahoz actually brandished THREE red cards in the feisty derby – with the one shown to the visitors’ Leandro Cabrera overturned by VAR.
      Following a check, Cabrera’s challenge – a kick to the head of Robert Lewandowski – was deemed to only be worthy of a yellow.
      But as both sides pushed for a winner, Mateu Lahoz once again produced a flurry of cards.
      He booked THREE players in the sixth minute of added time – two of whom weren’t even on the pitch, including Barca sub Raphinha – as well as Xavi for heated protestations on the touchline.
      The result leaves Barcelona top of LaLiga – but now only level on points with Real Madrid following their 2-0 win over Real Valladolid on Friday night. More

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      Real Madrid ‘ready to offer £89m for Jude Bellingham transfer’ but refuse to pay ‘crazy money’ for England World Cup ace

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      REAL MADRID are ready to offer £89million for Borussia Dortmund and England ace Jude Bellingham, according to reports.Bellingham, 19, has impressed in Germany since his £25million 2020 transfer from Birmingham City.
      Real are willing to offer £89m for BellinghamCredit: PA
      And he took the World Cup by storm for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.
      Bellingham played five times in Qatar and scored in the 6-2 group game win over Iran.
      The teenager’s performances have reinforced his place on the wishlists of a number of Europe’s elite clubs.
      And according to ESPN, Spanish and European champions Real are ready to offer Dortmund £89m for the midfielder.
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      However, they will refuse to pay “crazy” money for Bellingham, which could come as a boost to other interested parties.
      As SunSport exclusively revealed, Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City hierarchy are determined to win the fight for Bellingham.
      Etihad sources reckon the prospect of working with Guardiola will swing the Dortmund star’s decision in their favour.
      The likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen.
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      Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson tried to convince Bellingham Anfield was the place for him while they were in Qatar for the World Cup.
      Asked about a January move, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said: “I’m the wrong person to ask about whether Jude is available in January.
      “The January window? We are looking and if something happens, we’ll see. From a sports side, we are always prepared.” More

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      I filmed myself getting huge Messi tattoo across my forehead after World Cup win – two weeks later I hate it

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      A LIONEL Messi fan says he regrets tattooing the footballer’s name on his forehead following Argentina’s victory in the World Cup.Colombian influencer, Maicol Quinonez, shared the shocking moment he got ‘Messi’ tattooed in huge letters across his head in a social media post.
      Colombian Maicol Quinonez says he regrets getting the tattoo
      He got the footballers name, three stars and D10s on his face
      Now only two weeks later, the influencer more widely known as Mike Jambs says he hates the tattoo.
      The bizarre inking was a tribute to World Cup champion Lionel Messi and Quinonez captioned his post “Fulfilling the challenge. I love you @leomessi’.
      The digital creator also had three stars tattooed on one of his cheeks representing Argentina’s World Cup wins and D10s on the other – a play on the Spanish word for ‘God’ and the footballers famous shirt number.
      Quinonez has racked up over 143,000 followers on Instagram, many of whom mocked the influencer for his latest ink.
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      Viewers commented their thoughts on the influencers tribute tatts, one wrote: “People for likes do very stupid things, I don’t know why I follow you”.
      Another commented: “People are so backwards”.
      A third said: “Hopefully one day you won’t have to regret it and it’ll actually be worth it, I doubt it”.
      Initially, he defended his decision to get the tattoo, telling his followers: “I’m not harming anyone, I’m not doing anything illegal.”
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      But now he has admitted in a recent social media video that he wishes he could turn back the clock, saying: “I regret having done the tattoo because instead of bringing me positive things, it’s led to lots of negative things, both personally and for my family.”
      “I didn’t think I would say this so soon. I was very proud [of it] the first few days, but I regret it.”
      “They just say that I am not a positive example for society.”
      “Be careful with your words. You don’t know the damage you can do to someone because of social media. You don’t know how you can destroy your life,” he added.
      Tattooists in Argentina were flooded with requests for Messi tributes following the triumphant World Cup win.
      Many fans were also left in hysterics after one fan got a tattoo of the Paris Saint-Germain striker on his back that was labelled the ‘worst ever’ by some viewers.
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      The ink showed Messi holding up the World Cup trophy but his giant head seemed unnaturally large for his body.
      One critic joked: “When the tattoo artist is a Brazil supporter”.
      A second said: “Looks like Messi in 2026 being 39 and overweight”. More

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      Pele was paid huge $120,000 just to tie his laces at 1970 World Cup due to furious Adidas-Puma row

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      THE LEGENDARY Pele was paid a whopping $120,000 to tie his laces at the 1970 World Cup amid a bitter row between Adidas and Puma.The world of football is in mourning after it was announced yesterday that the Pele had passed away aged 82 in his homeland.
      Pele once earned $120,000 in a crafty marketing move by Puma, whose boots he has on hereCredit: Rex
      He got the huge sum for tying his boot laces at the start of the 1970 World Cup quarter-finalCredit: YouTube
      The icon, who will be laid to rest in a “virtual cemetery”, had been receiving treatment for a tumour in his colon but stopped responding to care.
      However on Thursday 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.
      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.
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      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.
      And since then a host of heartwarming, glorious and magical stories have been revealed about Pele’s incredible career.
      Now footage of a remarkable incident from the World Cup quarter-final against Peru in 1970 has resurfaced which shows the ex-forward bending down to tie his shoelaces after being paid $120,000 – worth around £50,000 in 1970 exchange rates – by boot manufacturers Puma.
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      Brothers Adolf and Rudolf Dassler went into the shoe manufacturing business together in the 1920s but a bitter family feud led to them going their separate ways in the 1940s.
      That led Adolf to create Adidas and Rudolf to set up Puma as the siblings battled to secure top names to market their brands.
      Pele had already shot to stardom after winning the 1958 World Cup and it was decided by the brothers that he would be too expensive to sign up for endorsements, an agreement that was dubbed the “Pele Pact”.
      But that all changed in 1970 when Puma offered the Brazilian $120,000 to wear their boots – as long as he asked the referee for some time to bend down and tie his laces before kick-off.
      They even went as far as to pay the cameraman to zoom in as Pele carried out the act.

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      Football world pays tribute to icon Pele after World Cup hero’s death aged 82

      Adolf Dassler and Adidas were left furious at Puma’s antics – although his brother will hardly have cared as he went on to register record annual sales.
      And Pele, with his nice earner too hand, went on to fire Brazil to World Cup glory again for a third time.
      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.
      He also played for the New York Cosmos and retired in 1977, in an exhibition match between the Cosmos and Santos. More

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      Lionel Messi and Wag Antonela enjoy another party to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup triumph as PSG edge win without him

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      LIONEL MESSI enjoyed his latest party as he continues his post-World Cup break.The Argentine hero is in hometown Rosario still basking in his glory.
      Lionel Messi and wife Antonela pose with his parents Celia and JorgeCredit: Instagram / @jorge.sole
      Celia and Jorge pose with Angel Di Maria and his wife Jorgelina CardosoCredit: Instagram / @jorge.sole
      Messi’s parents pose with Leandro Paredes and wife Camila GalanteCredit: Instagram / @jorge.sole
      Messi’s club Paris Saint-Germain returned to action this week, but the 35-year-old is still on an extended break.
      He initially travelled to Buenos Aires from Qatar with his team-mates immediately after their triumph, before heading to Rosario a day later.
      The attacker has been spending plenty of time with wife Antonela, as well as parents Jorge and Celia.
      All were present as Messi hosted another post-World Cup bash last night.
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      Many of his team-mates have now returned to their clubs, including penalty shoot-out hero Emi Martinez.
      But others were at Messi’s bash, including his former PSG pals Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes.
      Di Maria, 34, and wife Jorgelina Cardoso posed with Messi’s parents for a snap together.
      While Paredes attended with wife Camila Galante.
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      Ex-Liverpool ace Maxi Rodriguez was in attendanceCredit: Instagram / @jorge.sole
      The party took place in Messi’s hometown RosarioCredit: Instagram / @jorge.sole
      Former Argentina stars Maxi Rodriguez and Javier Mascherano are also said to have been in attendance.
      Di Maria and Paredes are set to return to Juventus on January 2.
      While Messi is due back in Paris on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.
      Christophe Galtier’s side were back in action without him on Wednesday night against Strasbourg at Parc des Princes.
      While Messi was missing, fellow World Cup finalist Kylian Mbappe was back and in the starting XI.
      The match began in straightforward enough fashion, with Marquinhos heading home a 14th minute set piece to give his side the lead.
      He went from hero to villain in the second-half, however, when he deflected Ludovic Ajorque’s cross beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma and into his own net for the visitors’ shock equaliser.
      PSG were given another scare just after the hour mark, when Neymar was sent off for a second yellow card after a theatrical dive.

      They managed to find a winner deep into stoppage time, however, when Mbappe tucked away a 96th minute penalty after being fouled in the box.
      The win saw PSG move seven points clear of second-place Lens at the top of the Ligue 1 table, with a trip to face their title rivals scheduled for Sunday.
      Kylian Mbappe bailed PSG out against StrasbourgCredit: Rex More

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      Salt Bae slammed for ‘lifting World Cup without playing a match’ after sharing another unrecognisable throwback photo

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      FAME hungry Salt Bae has been slammed for “lifting the World Cup without playing a match” after sharing another throwback photo. The celebrity chef has been under fire ever since he was accused of hijacking Argentina’s celebrations at the World Cup.
      Salt Bae touched the £17m 18-carat World Cup trophy breaking FIFA etiquetteCredit: instagram
      Salt Bae shared a throwback photo from his childhoodCredit: Instagram
      He shared a throwback photo from his childhood days looking unrecognisable without his trademark sunglasses and slicked-back ponytail.
      The Turkish social media star – real name Nusret Gökçe – uploaded the snap to his Instagram.
      The chef was pictured looking fresh-faced as a young boy without his signature props to hide behind.
      Gökçe simply captioned the photo: “No salt no life.”
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      But Salt Bae’s World Cup antics have sparked relentless trolling from his followers – even on unrelated social media posts.
      He faced a storm of criticism after badgering Lionel Messi and grabbing the trophy from Argentina players after the final.
      One commented on the throwback picture: “Grew up to lift the World Cup without playing a match, legend.”
      Another said: “No salt, better life, and do not get back to the World Cups.”
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      A third wrote: “The face you make when you need to ask Messi three times for a picture and he finally gives in to get you away from him.”
      A fourth commented: “Next time don’t touch the World Cup and you won’t be banned.”
      It comes after he was accused of chatting on his AirPods while serving customers a steak that cost them £500.
      Gökçe was seen with his AirPods in as he carves up a steak tableside with his trademark swagger.
      But an angry customer took to TikTok to complain – rating the internet star’s restaurant a dismal 1.7 out of 10.
      Ehtisham Aziz shared the video – saying he paid £500 to have the musclebound butcher carve up his steak at his restaurant Nusr-Et in Doha, Qatar.
      But he was left unimpressed when Salt Bae appeared disinterested as he seemed to be chatting to someone via his AirPods.
      During the final in Qatar, footage showed the chef pestering the Argentina squad as they celebrated their World Cup glory with their families after the tense shootout.
      In a series of videos posted on his own Instagram, he interrupted the likes of Angel di Maria, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez as they posed with the World Cup trophy, leaving the trio looking awkward.
      He was seen grabbing hold of Lionel Messi by the shoulder at least twice as the baffled megastar tried to shrug him off.
      His persistence paid off as he finally got a selfie with the striker, hailed the greatest of all time.
      The chef was also seen forcing himself into lineups with other stars as they clutched the famous golden trophy.
      He has now been barred from attending The US Open Cup, the equivalent of England’s FA Cup.
      Action will be taken against staff who allowed him access after social media footage showed his cringeworthy exchanges with players, who did their best to avoid Salt Bae.
      Fifa is conducting an internal investigation to see how the chef got onto the pitch.
      FIFA boss Gianni Infantino even unfollowed Salt Bae in the wake of his shameful antics.
      The Turkish cook has courted a years-long friendship with Fifa president Infantino.
      They have been pictured together several times, and the football chief has been gushing in his praise for the flamboyant Instagram star.

      However the bromance seems to be over after he unfollowed Salt Bae on Instagram. More

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      Pele made all of us want to be Brazilian for a month every four years, he was the complete footballer, says Tim Vickery

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      PELE’S last lucid days were spent while the World Cup was taking place – which was entirely fitting.  With so many connected to the game gathered in one place, football could send out a message of love and respect to Pele – the man who did more than anyone else to turn the World Cup into the most gripping sporting event on the planet.
      Pele died after a battle with colon cancerCredit: AFP
      Born just 52 years after Brazil abolished slavery, Pele became the undisputed king of the global game – a tribute both to the democratic nature of the sport and to his own extraordinary talent and drive. 
      He was a machine for playing football, possessed of every technical, tactical and psychological virtue.
      Right foot, left foot, headers, acceleration and sustained pace, close control, vision and awareness, strength and impulse, imagination and daring plus huge doses of the great twin motivating factors, pride and fear – Pele had the complete package. 
      Watching him at his best is like time travel, as if a modern day player, with all the benefits of contemporary physical preparation, had been transported back to show the oldies how it’s done.
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      Pele holds up the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1970 – the third time he managed to lift the World CupCredit: Rex
      Pele made us all want to be Brazilian for a month every four yearsCredit: Rex
      His fame catapulted Pele to global icon statusCredit: Rex
      All of this made him a global icon long before football had gone through the globalising process. 
      He is without doubt the greatest diplomat that Brazil has ever produced. 
      Pele made all of us want to be Brazilian for a month every four years. 
      We all wanted to win, to win in style and to win in style with that easy going smile.
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      Football world pays tribute to icon Pele after World Cup hero’s death aged 82

      The story takes shape when a nine year old Pele is shocked to see his father in tears as he listens to the radio. 
      Brazil, still wearing white, let the final of the 1950 World Cup slip and lose 2-1 to Uruguay. 
      The child promises his father that he will put things right. 
      Twenty years later, after overcoming Uruguay in the semi final, Brazil beat Italy 4-1 to win the World Cup for the third time. 
      Mission accomplished.
      Pele wheels away after downing Italy in 1970Credit: Rex
      As an ambassador for the beautiful game – Pele will be sorely missedCredit: EPA More