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      Man Utd and Liverpool must SMASH transfer record to land Enzo Fernandez as Benfica name their price for World Cup star

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      BENFICA have reportedly slapped a whopping £105million price tag on Enzo Fernandez.The midfielder was one of Argentina’s standout performers in their triumphant World Cup campaign, catching the eye of many with a string of solid performances.
      Enzo Fernandez was one of Argentina’s star performers at the World CupCredit: GETTY
      But Benfica reportedly won’t let him go for anything less than his £105million release clauseCredit: GETTY
      Premier League big boys Liverpool were understood to be admirers of Fernandez before his stellar Qatar 2022 displays, which have reportedly piqued the interest of Manchester United.
      But it’s claimed the duo will have to shatter the Prem’s record transfer fee to acquire his services as Benfica have no intention of selling him for a penny less than his mammoth £105m release clause.
      If Liverpool were to push through for a deal to sign Fernandez, it would shatter the club record £85m fee they paid Benfica for Darwin Nunez last summer.
      United, meanwhile, would top their former world-record £89million fee for the recently-departed Paul Pogba.
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      The reported interest in Fernandez, who scooped the World Cup’s Young Player of the Tournament award, hasn’t shocked his international skippe Lionel Messi.

      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner said of 21-year-old: “I’m not surprised by Enzo.
      “I know him and I see him train every day.
      “He deserves it because he’s a spectacular player.”
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      Newcastle United are also said to hold an interest in signing Fernandez, although manager Eddie Hearn recently suggested a swoop for the Argentine might be too pricey.
      He said: “I apologise to Alan [Shearer], I think I was on the other channel. I’m aware of and I know him, but I think the transfer fee might be quite lumpy.
      “From a recruitment perspective, I don’t think you ever just analyse the World Cup and sign a player off the back of those performances.
      “There’s a huge body of work that goes into signing a player, so it’s never off four weeks.
      “There will be a period of work that goes into that.
      Enzo Fernandez scooped the Young Player of the Tournament award in QatarCredit: Rex
      “That’s not to say we won’t use the World Cup as a recruitment tool to look at those players, but just solely on those games? No, we wouldn’t do that.”
      Fernandez joined Benfica from River Plate in the summer for £9million plus add-ons, although he could’ve found himself playing for Manchester City.
      City Football Group director Joan Patsy told: Què T’hi Jugues: “Manchester City could’ve signed Enzo Fernandez.
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      “But what do we do if we have Gundogan, Bernardo and Rodri in the squad?
      “He would’ve cost us less than he did Benfica. But we didn’t have a place and we knew he wouldn’t play.” More

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      Gary Neville claims Marcus Rashford looks ‘more enthusiastic’ for Man Utd after spotting star’s ‘happy’ warm-up

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      GARY NEVILLE has praised Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford for his return to action.Making his first appearance since exiting the World Cup the Red Devils forward scored against Burnley in the Carabao Cup tie.
      Marcus Rashford was on target against BurnleyCredit: Reuters
      Gary Neville believed Rashford seems more ‘enthusiastic’ after he was all smiles during the warm-upCredit: Getty
      Rashford enjoyed a good World Cup campaign with England, in which he scored three times.
      But it was not enough to make it past the quarter-final stage as the Three Lions lost to France.
      Rashford did have a chance to force the game into extra time with a free-kick in the final moments but was off target.
      And Neville was happy to see that the disappointment had not got to him as he was smiling during the warm-up ahead of their win at Old Trafford.
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      He told Sky Sports: “I think that is the hardest of the positions on the right that Marcus plays.
      “He is better centrally and he is better on the left certainly.
      “On the right, I think it is difficult for him at times but he looks more enthusiastic and more willing to play there at this moment in time and he makes the best of it.
      “I thought generally he was happy in the warm-up, he looked like he was ready to come back.
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      “You think about the World Cup and the impact will have had on some of these teams, you have got the Brazilians out there and some of the English lads out there that have been knocked out in the quarter-final games.
      “He has come back and looks like he is happy, and I think it is a good warm-up game to get back into the Premier League”.
      Rashford scored during his side’s 2-0 win over the Clarets with a brilliant finish following a powerful run with the ball.
      After the game, the 25-year-old admitted he was disappointed about being knocked out of the World Cup.
      He said: “To be honest, it is more just emotion-wise because it is so disappointing feeling to get knocked out and you have to just pick yourself up.
      “There’s no time to feel sorry for yourself when you come back here so it’s just about getting results.” More

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      Pele, 82, ‘will spend Christmas in hospital’ after his cancer worsens as daughter asks fans to ‘pray’ for legend

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      PELE will spend Christmas in hospital as his cancer worsens, according to reports.His daughter pleaded for fans to pray for the three-time World Cup winner’s health during this troubling time.
      Pele is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Sao PauloCredit: Refer to Caption
      The Brazilian football legend, 82, has been suffering with colon cancer since September 2021.
      He was readmitted into hospital in November for treatment on a respiratory infection aggravated by Covid-19.
      And an update from the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on Wednesday evening confirmed the icon is still under the watchful eye of nurses and doctors.
      Now, as reported by Sky News, he is not expected to be released before Christmas Day on Sunday.
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      The latest statement from medics said: “Admitted since November 29 for a reassessment of chemotherapy therapy for colon tumour and treatment of a respiratory infection, Edson Arantes do Nascimento [Pele] presents progression of the oncological disease and requires greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions.
      “The patient remains hospitalised in a common room, under the necessary care of the medical team.”
      Pele’s daughter begged fans to rally round the all-time great.
      Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram: “Your love for him, your stories and your prayers are a HUGE comfort because we know we are not alone.
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      “Let’s turn this room into a Sambadrome (just kidding), let’s even make caipirinhas (not kidding!!).”
      There was widespread support for Pele on display during the World Cup with Brazil’s players and fans revealing banners and images of their greatest star.
      And despite being in hospital the legendary striker revealed he was “rooting” for the Samba Boys before their last-16 clash against South Korea.
      In an earlier social media post, Pele added: “My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive.
      “I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual.
      “I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received.
      “I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup too!
      “Thank you so much for everything.”
      Pele won his record three World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970Credit: Getty More

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      Tottenham 1 Nice 1: Doherty scores as Kane is rested for final friendly before Premier League return against Brentford

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      HARRY KANE was given some extra rest – as close pal Matt Doherty kept up his friendly hot streak against Nice’s familiar faces.Striker Kane, 29, returned to Spurs training on Monday after a week’s holiday which followed England’s World Cup campaign that ended with his penalty agony.
      Matt Doherty was on the scoresheet for TottenhamCredit: Reuters
      Harry Kane was rested following his return from the World CupCredit: PA
      Son Heung-Min made his playing return for Spurs in the matchCredit: Getty
      Ross Barkley was among the former Premier League stars on the Nice sideCredit: Getty
      The Three Lions went out at the quarter-final stage, losing to eventual finalists France but it was particularly tough on captain Kane as he ballooned a second-half spot-kick over the bar.
      He was allowed to put his feet up here, having started every match in Qatar.
      Whereas England team-mate Eric Dier, who only played a few minutes at the World Cup, came on as a sub against a Nice side boasting a number of ex-Premier League stars.
      Kasper Schmeichel, Ross Barkley, Joe Bryan and Nicolas Pepe – on loan from Arsenal – were playing in black and red, though there was no Aaron Ramsey.
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      Former Chelsea and Everton man Barkley drew a smart early stop from Fraser Forster.
      While Pepe received some pantomime booing for his connection to Tottenham’s arch-rivals.
      Doherty has netted three goals in two exhibitions at the club’s training ground, bagging a brace against Motherwell and another versus Peterborough’s Under-21s.
      The Irishman broke the deadlock here too, crashing in at Schmeichel’s near post after being teed up by Dejan Kulusevski.
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      Doherty, 30, struggled for regular game time in the period before the World Cup as he battled back from a serious knee injury.
      He has put in the hard yards during the mini ‘pre-season’ over the last six weeks, claiming the physical work Antonio Conte has put those left behind through has been even more gruelling than what they faced in actual pre-season.
      The ex-Wolves wing-back said: “I can’t really explain the training any other way than it has just been tough. It has been like pre-season all over again. It feels like it has almost been worse this time around, mind.”
      The hard work certainly seemed to be paying off for him here.
      Though Nice, bossed by Lucian Favre who once turned down Crystal Palace, levelled early in the second half through Antoine Mendy.
      Former Bayern Munich defender Dante, 39, headed a corner against Doherty, allowing the ball to rebound to Mendy who found the net from 12 yards.
      World Cup participants Dier, Ben Davies and Son Heung-min all came on after the break to warm applause from the 8,000 Spurs fans attending.
      In the end, a winner could not be found, but it was still a decent workout before the stuff that matters starts up again at Brentford on Boxing Day. More

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      Brazil star Raphinha and pregnant fiancee stranded for three hours inside plane and have two bags of luggage lost

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      RAPHINHA and his pregnant fiancee Natalia Belloli were left stranded inside a plane for three hours.The Brazil star was trying to get back to Barcelona from his homeland via Lisbon, Portugal.
      Raphinia has announced that he and his fiancee Natalia Belloli are having a babyCredit: INSTAGRAM
      They posted a picture of the two of them along with the ultrasound of their babyCredit: INSTAGRAM
      And they even got their dog involved in the announcementCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Raphinia had been on a break following Brazil’s exit from the World Cup at the hands of Croatia.
      However, due to travel delays, he will now be late arriving back for training with the La Liga side.
      Raphinia revealed that the delays on his TAP Air Portugal flight occurred because of some lost luggage on Instagram.
      The former Leeds star posted on a story: “I would like to thank TAP for leaving us on the plane for more than an hour.
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      “And now they inform us that we are going to be sitting on the plane for another hour without being able to get out, so it’s been two hours on a stopped plane.
      “Detail: many people had a layover and could not have lunch, I’m one of those people, and they said they’re not going to give us lunch or anything.
      “What a beautiful lack of respect on TAP.
      “Thank you, TAP once again, besides delaying a flight for three hours (sitting inside the plane). They managed to lose two bags.”
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      To make matters worse for the footballer, he was travelling with his fiance, who they have just announced is pregnant.
      He posted the announcement on Instagram alongside the message: “Realization of another dream in our life”.
      He joined Barcelona in the summer and has played 13 times for the club in La Liga, scoring two goals and assisting two more. More

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      Man Utd name five World Cup stars in starting XI to face Burnley including Rashford and draft in emergency centre-back

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have named five of their World Cup stars in their EFL Cup starting eleven.Manager Erik ten Hag has recalled Marcus Rashford, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Tyrell Malacia to take on Championship side Burnley in the round of 16 tie.
      Marcus Rashford is back after his World Cup with EnglandCredit: PA
      Casemiro has been picked to play at centre-back for Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters

      One shock for the Red Devils team was that midfielder Casemiro was picked to play as an emergency centre-back.
      This is despite England star Harry Maguire being back at the club, but he did not make the squad.
      He was left out of the team by Ten Hag due to illness.
      The manager explained he took the decision to play Casemiro in defence because he has played there before.
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      He told MUTV: “We chose Case. He has played more often in this position.
      “Luke Shaw has also offered, which is good because they want to play, they are hungry.
      “Rhys Bennett did very well against Everton [in a friendly]. We have options, but it will be Casemiro.”
      Maguire enjoyed a good World Cup campaign as he was one of the Three Lions best players at the tournament.
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      Other defenders Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are still not back at the club after they made it all the way to the World Cup final.
      It is the first game for the side without Cristiano Ronaldo since his contract was mutually terminated following his interview with Piers Morgan.
      The club wrote a blunt 81-word goodbye to the attacker in the matchday programme.
      Full Man United line-up is as follows: Dubravka, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Lindelof, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho and Martial.
      The move for Casemiro to go at the back worked and United won the tie 2-0.
      Eriksen and Rashford were on target as the side cemented their spot in the quarter-final. More

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      Emiliano Martinez branded ‘biggest son of a b**** in football’ by former France star and Pamela Anderson’s ex Adil Rami

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      ADIL RAMI has slammed Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after he taunted Kylian Mbappe.Martinez has openly mocked the France star, having held a minute’s silence for the “dead” Mbappe during the team’s celebrations in the changing rooms after the World Cup final.
      Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been slammed by former France international Adil RamiCredit: Getty
      The defender has called Martinez ‘the most hated man’Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Martinez taunted Kylian Mbappe by holding baby doll with his face during Argentina’s open top bus celebrationsCredit: @ESPNFC
      The goalkeeper also mocked the attacker by clutching a baby doll with his face on it during the bus parade in Buenos Aires.
      The Aston Villa goalkeeper was also criticised for his antics during the penalty shootout in the final and labelled a “s***house”.
      But former World Cup winner and France defender Rami has had enough of Martinez as he took to social media.
      He said on an Instagram story: “The biggest son of a bitch in football.
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      “The most hated man.”
      The current Troyes player then suggested that Martinez should not have won the Golden Glove award.
      Rami, who is the ex-fiance of Pamela Anderson, instead believes the best goalkeeper at the World Cup was Morocco’s Yassine Bounou.
      In his last post, he insisted that Mbappe has left his opponents “traumatised” with his performances.
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      The PSG star put the ball past Martinez four times in the final.
      Mbappe scored a hat-trick in the game before converting from the spot in the shootout.
      Overall, the Frenchman took three penalties against the Argentine in the game, coming out on top each time.
      Mbappe fired past Martinez four times during the World Cup finalCredit: EPA More

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      How lucky ribbon tied around Lionel Messi’s leg given to him by emotional reporter inspired Argentina to win World Cup

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      LIONEL MESSI wore a lucky ribbon as he helped inspire Argentina to a third World Cup win.The superstar was given a red ribbon by a reporter following Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Iceland at the 2018 World Cup.

      Lionel Messi was given a good luck ribbon in 2018
      Eagle-eyed fans spotted Messi wearing the ribbon as he won the World Cup
      Messi wore the ribbon above his trusty left foot
      The journalist explained that his mother gave him the ribbon, which he carried for good luck.
      Messi wore the ribbon for the next group game against Nigeria, a 2-1 win, much to the delight of the reporter who pointed to the sky and became emotional at the gesture.
      Now eagle-eyed fans have spotted the ribbon on Messi’s left ankle as he celebrated winning the Qatar World Cup.
      A photo shows Messi posing with the World Cup trophy alongside Enzo Fernandez with the ribbon sitting above his foot.
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      The means the PSG star has likely worn the ribbon for the past four-and-a-half years.
      And in that time Messi has not only won the World Cup with Argentina, but also the 2021 Copa America.
      Several fans had an emotional reaction to Messi accepting the reporter’s request.
      One said: “Brought a tear to my eye. How someone can be both humble and great in equal measures Is truly beautiful 🥲.”
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      Another added: “There isn’t anyone like him in any sporting arena… simply the best! 👌
      And a third said: “That’s how my goat is not a footballer … He is also a nice and humble person.” More