More stories

  • in

    World Cup’s ‘hottest fan’ Ivana Knoll stuns as ex-Miss Croatia nearly bursts out of her dress in poolside snap

    THE World Cup’s hottest fan has sent pulses raising once again with a stunning poolside Instagram post.Ex-Miss Croatia Ivana Knoll regularly wowed fans as she shot to fame with frequent snaps in Qatar.
    Ivana Knoll was dubbed the hottest fan at the World CupCredit: Getty
    Ivana wowed her fans once again with a Boxing Day uploadCredit: INSTAGRAM
    The 23-year-old stunned in a turquoise dress
    She gained more than 1m followers on Instagram during the World Cup
    She now has 3.6m followers on Instagram
    Her nation performed well at the tournament, reaching the semi-finals before they were beaten by winners Argentina.
    And the 23-year-old did her bit to keep supporters entertained away from the pitch.
    She uploaded on a near-daily basis and caught the eye of fans around the world.
    Ivana has since gained an Instagram following of more than 3.5m.
    read more on football
    And she sent her fans crazy once again with a late Christmas present.
    Ivana treated her followers on Boxing Day to a poolside snap in a slinky low back turquoise dress that she was nearly bursting out of along with diamante stilettos.
    One said: “You are literally beautiful and a goddess.
    “I love you so much 😩😩❤️.”
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    A second replied: “Ivana you are beautiful I love you so much 😍🔥❤️.”
    A third simply said: “Exquisite 🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
    A fourth added: “You are literally beautiful and a goddess. I love you so much 😩😩❤️.” More

  • in

    Where is Mario Gotze and what happened to him after the 2014 World Cup final?

    MARIO Gotze had the World at his feet after scoring the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 FIFA World cup final.His goal and game changing performance in The 1-0 win against Argentina stole the show that night, but since then things have been a bit more difficult for him. Here’s what we know.
    Gotze called up to the German national team for the first time since 2017 for the 2022 World Cup
    What happened to Mario Gotze after the 2014 World Cup final?
    Gotze had just completed his first season at Bayern Munich when he joined up with the German squad for the World Cup.
    He was previously at Borussia Dortmund, where he won two league titles, the German cup and reached a UEFA Champions league final before joining the Bavarian club.
    Despite his talent, Gotze struggled to fully recapture the form which prompted Bayern to sign him in 2014, missing almost 30 games over three seasons through fitness issues.
    Injury problems and punditry criticisms followed him into EURO 2016, where Germany reached the semi-finals.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    Gotze played only 20 minutes in the knockout stages as the Germans lost 2-0 to hosts France.
    He then returned to former club Dortmund in 2016, but struggled to contribute in terms of goals and assists.
    After this, he was left out of the national team for over a year, and was ultimately not selected in the squad for the 2018 World cup in Russia.
    He eventually made the decision to leave Dortmund for a second time after the expiry of his contract in 2020.
    Most read in Football
    Where is Mario Gotze now?
    After rediscovering his form at PSV Eindhoven, where he won two trophies in two seasons, Gotze returned to German football with Eintracht Frankfurt.
    They signed him for £2.5million in June 2022 on a three-year deal.
    He helped Frankfurt reach the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions league for the first time since 1960, a season where they would reach the final.
    This form was rewarded with a place in Germany’s 2022 World cup squad. He played twice as the team exited in the group stages.
    What illness does Mario Gotze have?
    Gotze suffers with myopathy, which is a muscular disorder which effects the fibres in his muscles.
    He revealed this in 2017, during an already injury-hit season.
    He ended up only making eleven league appearances in the 2016/17 Bundesliga season because of this. More

  • in

    Salt Bae banned from ANOTHER top event after World Cup antics & cringey videos with Mbappe & Messi

    SALT Bae’s World Cup final antics with Lionel Messi have seen him banned from a music festival.The fame hungry chef has been slammed after badgering Messi for a selfie, as well as cringey videos with the Argentina captain, Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewansowski.
    Salt Bae’s was slammed for hounding Lionel Messi for selfieCredit: instagram
    The chef was heavily criticised for picking up the World Cup trophyCredit: instagram
    Salt Bae’s followers said Mbappe looked ‘uncomfortable’ in an awkward videoCredit: Instagram
    His rap sheet also includes picking up the World Cup trophy, a privilege reserved for the winning players, heads of state and FIFA officials, and grabbing and biting a player’s medal.
    The chef, whose real name is Nusret Gokce, has was subsequently banned from attending the US Open Cup football tournament.
    Now the organisers of the Rolling Loud music festival have taken preventative measures to stop the Salt Bae attending.
    “We have also banned Salt Bae from Rolling Loud LA 2023 in March,” they tweeted.
    READ MORE ON SALT BAE
    It’s unclear whether the Turkish chef had plans to go to the event but they’re clearly not taking any chances.
    After the World Cup final, FIFA was forced to make a humiliating admission that he should never have been on the pitch in the first place.
    It’s not the first time the celebrity chef has tried the hog the limelight while rubbing shoulders with football stars.
    His followers have slammed an “uncomfortable” resurfaced Instagram video with Kylian Mbappe.
    Most read in Football
    Sitting alongside the steakhouse magnate, Mbappe can be heard saying: “It was a good night.
    “A pleasure to come with my man.”
    Salt Bae replies: “Always.”
    The pair shake hands and Mbappe winks at the camera before Salt Bae gives the footballer a kiss on the cheek.
    The chef’s followers said Mbappe appeared “uncomfortable” in the awkward footage from July 2021.
    One said: “Mbappe was uncomfortable as f***!!”
    In another video, he can be seen gyrating back and forth while cutting steak for Bayern Munich and Barcelona star Lewandowski.
    His behaviour has landed well among some of his followers with one writing: “What an idiotic restaurant clown.”
    It’s not only celebrities that Salt Bae has cringeworthy moments with – his customers also get to enjoy that privilege.
    His followers blasted him after he posted an awkward clip on his Instagram story spilling juice from a steak all over someone’s phone in yet another embarrassing moment.
    Read More on The Sun
    The cringy footage shows the chef cutting his famous 24 karat gold steak without realising he is dripping on the phone.
    The series of his antics have sparked fury among his followers with one branding him “the clown of the year” and many commenting “unfollow” on his posts. More

  • in

    Karim Benzema’s agent slams France boss Didier Deschamps and shares PROOF star was fit to play World Cup as row rages on

    KARIM BENZEMA’S agent has waded into the war between his client and France boss Didier Deschamps.In an online statement, Karim Djaziri blasted the decision to axe Benzema from France’s World Cup squad.
    Karim Benzema’s agent Karim Djaziri claims the striker was fit to play for France at the World CupCredit: https://twitter.com/KDjaziri
    Benzema has quit international football after another bust-up with Didier DeschampsCredit: Rex
    And he also shared apparent proof that the striker WAS fit to feature from the last 16 onwards.
    Benzema, 35, was initially named in France’s squad for Qatar after winning this year’s Ballon d’Or.
    But the Real Madrid striker was sent home after picking up a thigh injury before the tournament began.
    Reports claimed Benzema’s setback wasn’t serious enough to rule him out of the whole World Cup.
    READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
    But Deschamps refused to bring the ace back in as the competition progressed.
    As a result, Benzema snubbed an invite from France president Emmanuel Macron to watch the penalty shootout final defeat to Argentina.
    And he then stunned fans by announcing his retirement from the international scene.
    It’s since been claimed Benzema fell out with four of his France pals before deciding to call it a day.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
    And his agent Djaziri has now poured fuel on the flames by insisting Benzema was fit to feature for France’s knockout games.
    Taking to social media, he blasted Deschamps’ decision not to recall Benzema – using scans of the thigh injury to apparently prove the striker was fit enough for selection.
    Djaziri said: “I put that there but before that I consulted 3 specialists who confirm the diagnosis that Benzema could have been fit from the last 16 to at least be on the bench! 
    “Why did you ask him to leave so quickly?”
    Benzema and Deschamps already had a rocky history before Qatar 2022.
    Benzema was a regular for France up until 2015, but was banned from playing due to his alleged role in blackmailing team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape scandal.
    In November 2021 he was found guilty of complicity and sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term by a court in Versailles, while also being fined £63,000.
    Just months before that, Benzema was recalled for the first time by Deschamps for France’s Euros campaign, scoring four goals before their last 16 exit.
    It now remains to be seen how long the row rumbles on for, with reports claiming Deschamps could soon be replaced by Zinedine Zidane. More

  • in

    What happened to Roberto Baggio and what is the former Juventus star doing now?

    ROBERTO Baggio was one of the most recognisable footballers in the World in the 80s and 90s.He helped Italy to a World Cup Final in 1994, before a shocking miss which defined his career. Here’s what we know about Roberto Baggio.
    Baggio played in three FIFA World Cups for Italy, missing the decisive penalty in the 1994 shootout.
    Who is Roberto Baggio?
    Roberto Baggio is a former footballer, who played the entirety of his career in Italy.
    Baggio’s nickname was the divine ponytail, which related to the hairstyle he had for most of his career, and his Buddhist beliefs.
    He played for Italy’s three most successful clubs, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan, winning two Serie A titles over the course of his career.
    In 1993, Baggio helped Juventus to win the UEFA cup, scoring two goals in the first leg of the final against Borussia Dortmund.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    That year, he was named FIFA World player of the year and received the Ballon d’or.
    He became the first Italian to score at three different World Cups in 1998, after scoring in 1990 and 1994.
    What happened to Roberto Baggio?
    In 1994, Italy reached the FIFA World cup final in the USA, where they would play Brazil.
    The game finished goalless after 90 minutes, and the two teams could not be separated after 30 minutes of extra time, which led to a penalty shootout.
    Most read in Football
    The score was 3-2 to the South Americans after nine penalties with Baggio stepping up needing to convert to continue the shootout.
    After a long runup, the Italian sent goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel the wrong way, but saw his penalty fly high over the crossbar, handing Brazil their fourth World cup.
    Baggio has since said that the miss was the worst moment of his career, and effected him for years afterwards.
    In the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Baggio stepped up to take his first penalty since the 1994 final, in a group stage match against Chile.
    This time, the Italian ace scored, an experience which he described as “liberating.”
    What is Roberto Baggio doing now?
    After retiring from football, Baggio became president of the technical sector of the Italian football federation in 2010.
    He resigned from this role in 2013 as he suggested that the federation had ignored his ideas about focusing on youth talent.
    Outside of football, Baggio has been praised for his charity work, becoming a UN ambassador in 2002 and helping to raise money for areas affected by earthquakes and illnesses.
    Is Roberto Baggio married and does he have any children?
    He married long-term girlfriend Andreina Fabbi in 1989
    They have a daughter, Valentina, who was born in 1990, as well as two sons, Mattia, born in 1994 and Leonardo, born in 2005.
    Read More on The Sun
    What is Roberto Baggio’s net worth?
    Baggio is believed to have a net worth of over £10million.
    This came from the various clubs he represented in his career, as well as from multiple sponsorship deals. More

  • in

    Evra taunts Harry Kane over missed penalty against France live on Amazon Prime during Tottenham’s draw with Brentford

    PATRICE EVRA trolled Tottenham superstar Harry Kane after his penalty miss in the 2022 World Cup against France.The Three Lions suffered a 2-1 loss to Les Bleus in the quarter-finals and crashed out of the competition after Kane ballooned a second-half penalty.
    Patrice Evra taunted Harry Kane after Tottenham’s draw with BrentfordCredit: PA
    Patrice Evra claims Harry Kane doesn’t want another penalty after his England missCredit: Getty
    The star striker almost stepped up for another spot-kick on his first Premier League match after the World Cup during the 2-2 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
    The 29-year-old appeared to be wrestled to the ground inside the Bees’ area by Ben Mee.
    Spurs stars were up in arms after the referee waived play on but Kane barely contested the decision.
    Manchester United legend Evra insisted that was “100 per cent” a penalty for the North Londoners.
    Read More on Football
    But the former France international poked fun at the England captain claiming he “didn’t need” another spot-kick after his heartbreaking miss in Qatar.
    Evra told Amazon Prime: “It is a penalty. It is a 100 per cent penalty.
    “The only reason, and sometimes I like to make jokes, but maybe Harry is fine with that. I don’t need a penalty right now.
    “This is impossible that the referees couldn’t give a penalty for this. The referee sees the players coming at you. You need to have a look and check. It is a clear penalty.”
    Most read in Premier League
    Kane took full responsibility for England’s defeat to France after he sent his shot over Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris’ crossbar.
    The centre-forward even admitted the result “will hurt for a while”.
    Kane said: “It is a really tough night to take. I am gutted, the team are gutted.
    “We had full belief that we could achieve something special at this World Cup but it came down to small details.
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
    Tottenham star Harry Kane almost won a penalty against BrentfordCredit: Getty
    “I thought on the night we had the better chances and better spells in the game. It comes down to execution. As captain, I take it on the chin and responsibility missing the penalty.
    “It is hard to take for sure but I can be proud of the group, proud of each other for what we’ve done.
    “This will hurt for a while but we will dust ourselves down to get ready in the future.” More

  • in

    Jake Paul joins critics in attacking Salt Bae and reckons he has ‘found someone who annoys him more than KSI’

    JAKE PAUL ripped into Salt Bae for “disrespecting” Lionel Messi at the World Cup final.The TikTok star came under significant criticism for pestering the Argentina captain following his World Cup win.
    Jake Paul slammed Salt Bae for disrespecting sport starsCredit: Reuters
    Salt Bae came under heavy criticism for pestering Lionel Messi after the World Cup finalCredit: Getty
    The chef also posed with an injured Mo Salah after the 2018 Champions League finalCredit: Instagram @nusr_et
    Salt Bae tried to grab Messi’s attention before posing for photos with Argentina stars.
    He even grabbed the World Cup trophy from the players for his own special moment in the limelight.
    YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul was not impressed with Salt Bae’s behaviour and was shocked to realise he has a history of annoying players.
    Paul shared a photo of Salt Bae posing for a pic alongside Mo Salah after he picked up an injury in the 2018 Champions League final, which Liverpool lost.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Salah had his arm in a sling in the photo and looked miserable next to a beaming Salt Bae.
    Paul shared the photo as well as one of Salt Bae and Messi and captioned his Twitter post: “This dude has been disrespecting GOATs way too long.
    “I may have found someone who annoys me more than KSI.”
    Salt Bae has a track record of gatecrashing team celebrations and has posed alongside famous sports stars to boost his own popularity.
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
    In a resurfaced video, he was seen posing with PSG’s Kylian Mbappe at the chef’s Nusr-Et Steakhouse in Mykonos.
    The pair shook hands and Mbappe winks at the camera before Salt Bae gives the footballer a kiss on the cheek.
    And in 2018 the Turkish cook and Instagram star – real name Nusret Gökçe – posed with Cristiano Ronaldo after Real Madrid won the Champions League.
    He was also spotted with Sergio Ramos as the pair mimed the chef’s distinctive salt-sprinkling arm action. More

  • in

    Cristiano Ronaldo slammed as ‘arrogant and cumbersome’ by Fabio Capello for Portugal showing at World Cup

    FORMER England manager Fabio Capello has labelled Cristiano Ronaldo “arrogant and cumbersome” after his poor World Cup showing. The 37-year-old captained Portugal as they crashed out to Morocco in the quarter-finals.
    Fabio Capello has criticised Cristiano RonaldoCredit: PA
    Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup ended in heartbreakCredit: Reuters
    Ronaldo left the pitch in tears, topping off a disastrous period for him after having his contract ripped up at Manchester United, following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
    Ronaldo was dropped by Portugal boss Fernando Santos for the knockout stages in Qatar due to his bad reaction to being subbed off versus South Korea.
    CR7 netted just one goal from the penalty spot and he tried to claim he got a touch on Bruno Fernandes’ cross, despite FIFA ruling that he didn’t.
    Capello has reacted slamming Ronaldo for his antics in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
    READ MORE ON RONALDO
    The Italian said: “He was arrogant. He has become a bit cumbersome for the team.
    “Ronaldo brought it onto himself and for what he’s done in his career, it’s a shame.”
    The five-time Champions League winner is currently without a club and has been linked with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.
    Ronaldo saw his rival Lionel Messi lift the World Cup, the trophy that had eluded both legends throughout their glittering careers.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    And Capello hinted at two Argentinians being the greatest to play the game, saying: “Messi and [Diego] Maradona did things that others couldn’t even imagine.”
    England’s boss between 2007 and 2012 also hit out at Emiliano Martinez for his X-rated antics with the Golden Glove trophy and mind games in the final.
    Capello called him “a fool”. More