CHELSEA showed that pre-season might be merely a formality as they rolled over AC Milan by four goals to one, lifting the coveted VisitMalta Weekender trophy for the second time in three days.
The Blues have made two supposedly decent teams look like amateurs, in what were hardly tough tests for Enzo Maresca’s young team before playing Crystal Palace in the opening game of their season.
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Joao Pedro was on target again to cement his place in the Chelsea XICredit: Shutterstock Editorial
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But he has Liam Delap breathing down his neck after a brace against AC MilanCredit: AFP
New signing Jamie Gittens announced himself to the world against AC Milan for Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago, who may well be his favourite opponents as he gave their defence, Yunus Musah in particular, a torrid time today.
The electric Englishman was perhaps overshadowed by Estevao against Bayer Leverkusen, but put in a performance today that showed he could nutmeg a mermaid in a telephone box if ever put to the test.
It was his direct running and trickery that won the free-kick for Chelsea to open the scoring through an Andrei Coubis own goal on the stroke of the 5th minute, after a calamitous mix-up between the Italian and Mike Maignan in the Milan goal.
Moments later and Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto combined for the Brazilian to head home his fifth goal in five games.
A driving run from Neto down the right was followed by an inch perfect cross, met by a header that could’ve ripped a hole in the net to add Chelsea’s second in as many minutes.
He’s proving exceptional value for his £60m fee.
The Blues continued to dominate until the half-time whistle, helped out on the way by Milan defender Andrei Coubis’ afternoon going from bad to worse with a straight red card for bringing down Joao Pedro who was through on goal.
The Italian booted a water bottle as he stormed down the tunnel, and rightly so, you may not see a worse 17 minutes at Stamford Bridge this season than that.
Cole Palmer went close twice from first-half free-kicks, one that left the post rattling and another which left former Chelsea target Mike Maignan being ridiculed as a ‘s*** Robert Sanchez’.
The Blues’ number ten almost went on to recreate Gus Poyet’s famous 1999 ‘scissor volley’ minutes later, but his effort just sailed over the bar.
Unsurprisingly, it was Rafael Leao who lead the AC Milan charge.
He was denied by Robert Sanchez, Tosin and Reece James before finally beating the Spanish stopper, only to see the offside flag raised on the near side.
Half-time brought the introduction of six-time Champions League winner, Ballon D’or winner and Swansea part-owner Luka Modric into the middle for Milan.
The Croatian was left chasing the shadows of Chelsea’s young and energetic midfield throughout the second half, his only highlight being a tame shot claimed by Robert Sanchez.
After the disastrous news that future captain Levi Colwill required surgery on an ACL injury, Enzo Maresca will have winced as Trevoh Chalobah was forced off with a knock in the 56th minute and replaced by Josh Acheampong,
Milan grew into the game in the second half, and simply had to score when Yunus Musah rolled the ball past Robert Sanchez before Reece James arrived on the scene to put that fire out.
Expectedly, a flurry of Chelsea changes came with 30 minutes to go, and unsurprisingly it was teenage prodigy Estevao replacing Cole Palmer that drew the biggest cheer at Stamford Bridge.
It took the 18-year-old exactly five minutes to be involved in another Chelsea goal, as he was brought down inside the box, allowing Delap to rifle a penalty into the bottom left corner.
The rest of his touches brought an expectant gasp out of everyone in the stadium, as he danced and dazzled with fancy footwork in front of the Matthew Harding stand.
AC Milan got a consolation goal, courtesy of Youssaf Fofana who smashed the ball past Robert Sanchez at the near post with 20 minutes to go, assisted by Alexis Saelemaekers.
Just when fans thought that would be game, set, and match, Chelsea added a fourth and final goal.
Andrey Santos’ perfectly weighted ball into the path of Liam Delap allowed the English striker to make it a brace with a fine finish into the bottom left corner.
It’s been just 18 days since Inter Milan played its last game, losing to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final. But a lot has happened since then.
The team parted ways with manager Simone Inzaghi, who led it to two European finals in three seasons, and replaced him with Cristian Chivu. It temporarily lost the services of forward Mehdi Taremi, who had returned to his native Iran earlier this month and became stranded there when Israeli attacks closed the airspace over much of the Mideast.
Then the rest of the second-best club in Europe traveled 6,000 miles from Milan to Los Angeles, where it opened the FIFA Club World Cup on Tuesday in a 1-1 draw with Mexican club Monterrey before an announced crowd of 40,311 at the Rose Bowl.
“We’re trying to focus. And it’s not easy every day, I’m not going to lie,” said forward Marcus Thuram, whose 18 goals in all competition was second on the team this season. “But it’s part of what we do, we love what we do and we’ll continue doing what we do.”
Only doing what they do has become far more complicated and exhausting in recent years as the competition schedule for both club and country has expanded.
Thuram’s father, Lilian, was widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his era during an 18-year career that saw him win two Serie A titles, a European championship and play in two World Cup finals, winning one. But he appeared in 46 or more club matches in a season just four times before retiring in 2008.
His 27-year-old son has done that in each of the past two seasons. And if Inter makes it to the final of the Club World Cup, he’ll wind up playing 55 games in 11 months. That doesn’t count his 10 appearances for the French national team since last June.
Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram stands on the field during a loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final on May 31.
(Luca Bruno / Associated Press)
“We were prepared for that at the beginning of the season. It’s not like they announced that at the end of the season,” Thuram, who came off the bench early in the second half Tuesday, said of the Club World Cup. “We knew it was going to be a long season.”
But how long is too long? In their ravenous quest for revenue, soccer clubs, leagues and governing bodies have crowded the calendar with invented competitions that have drained both fans’ bank accounts and players’ energy levels.
The Club World Cup is a perfect example. Although the tournament has been around since 2000, before this summer it never had more than eight teams and was held at one site during a 10-day break in the European season. This year it’s expanded into a 32-team, monthlong competition that will be played in 11 cities spread across a continent.
“The goal is to tell the American public who we are and what values have always guided us. It’s not about proving how good we are.”
— Giuseppe Marotta, CEO of Inter Milan, on the team’s participation in the Club World Cup
If Inter Milan makes it to next month’s final, its players will have just a couple of weeks off before reporting to training camp for the next Serie A season, which opens Aug. 23. With the World Cup also expanding next summer, national team players such as Thuram could play more than 70 games in 44 weeks and more than 120 games over two seasons.
That’s clearly unsustainable.
“A serious dialogue is needed between FIFA, UEFA, leagues, clubs and players to redesign an international calendar that protects the health of players and maintains the quality of games,” said Giuseppe Marotta, chairman and chief executive officer of Inter Milan. “With the introduction of the new Champions League format and the new Club World Cup, the workload on teams and players has clearly increased significantly.”
Yet clubs such as Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain (which played 58 games this season) and Manchester City (57 games) are drawn to the extra competitions for the same reason as the organizers who put them on: the money. The Club World Cup, now the largest and most ambitious global club tournament in history, is also the most lucrative, with a prize-money purse of $1 billion. The winner could take home $125 million, more than PSG got for winning the Champions League.
But it was forced into a gap in the schedule that really didn’t exist before.
“It’s undeniable that this event, positioned between two different seasons, is forcing us to do extra work and rethink what the traditional summer periods looks like for a football club,” Marotta said. “However these competitions also represent a huge opportunity in terms of visibility and revenue, often exceeding that of traditional competitions.”
The Club World Cup allows teams to face rivals from other continents, expanding their international following and generating additional revenue streams by planting the team’s flag in new markets and introducing its players to new fans.
“The goal is to tell the American public who we are and what values have always guided us,” Marotta said.
“It’s not about proving how good we are,” he added of the tournament. “It’s about contributing to the development of global football.”
To accommodate it, Marotta said, changes will have to be made. For example Italy’s Serie A could compact from 20 to 18 teams, the same as in the German Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1. That would mean four fewer league games per year; not a dramatic reduction, but a start.
Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, left, and Monterrey’s Victor Guzman battle for control of the ball during Tuesday’s FIFA Club World Cup match at the Rose Bowl.
(Gregory Bull / Associated Press)
Until that happens, Thuram said the players will continue doing what they do for as long as they can do it.
“It’s about doing everything every day to prepare your body for these extreme games and extreme competition. Because soccer at the highest level is extreme for the body. It’s tough,” he said. “But we have a lot of coaches, we have chefs, we have everything that is set up for us perfectly.”
As for the game, Milan dominated statistically, controlling the ball for more than 55 of the 90 minutes and outshooting Monterrey 15-9. But it couldn’t make that advantage count.
All the scoring came in a 20-minute span of the first half with the ageless Sergio Ramos putting Monterrey in front with a header in the 25th minute and Lautaro Martinez pulling that back for Milan three minutes before the intermission.
Some reports suggested the pair refused to travel to Asia for the money-spinning trip.
The Dane playmaker stayed to tie the knot with long-time partnerSabrina Kvist Jensen. Whilst, Lindelof’s wife Majais currently heavily pregnant with the pair’s third child.
He added: “When I moved from Tottenham to Inter, it wasn’t my plan to go back to England either.
“After that I’ve been there for three and a half years again, so you should never say never.
“But my priority is that I have to leave.”
Danish bookies installed home-country club Odense as favourites to be Eriksen’s next employer. He spent three years in their youth ranks.
But the midfielder insisted: “It’s football’s rumour mill. I hope no-one has put money on it being now, because then they will lose.
“Right now there is nothing. There is interest all around, but there is nothing where I am close to signing.
Eriksen’s move to Manchester United was brought about after his cardiac arrest in the 2021 European Championship prevented him from playing football in Italy due to the implantable defibrillator inserted in his chest.
His Inter contract was subsequently terminated following the ruling from of the Italian Football Association and he joined Brentford on a short-term deal before signing for United.
The installed defibrillator means that Eriksen is still unable to play football in Italy therefore sign for an Italian club.
“My focus is on playing international matches, and then go on a good summer holiday,” he concluded.
MARCUS RASHFORD has emerged as a target for Inter Milan – as they look to bounce back from their Champions League final horror show.
The Manchester United forward, 27, spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa, with his red-hot form securing him a place back in the England squad.
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Marcus Rashford is wanted by Inter Milan after rediscovering his top form at Aston VillaCredit: Getty
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Rashford reportedly fell out with Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim and is expected to leaveCredit: PA
But Villa, who narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot for 2025-26, are unlikely to make a permanent move for Rashford due to the player’s sky-high wages.
Unai Emery and Co are now firmly focused on other targets and hope to keep hold of Ollie Watkins, who has been linked with an exit from Villa Park.
Sources close to Rashford told SunSport he doesn’t see a future at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.
The pair reportedly fell out last season with the Portuguese manager unhappy with Rashford’s attitude during training and off the field.
And that means Rashford is frantically searching for a new club, which has put Inter Milan on red-alert.
The Italian giants are looking to rebuild their side in the wake of the Champions League final demolition at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
Inter were thrashed 5-0 in a defeat which came on the back of them throwing away the Serie A title late in the season, opening the door for Napoli.
Club chiefs believe that Rashford could be a key acquisition and would excite supporters.
And although Man Utd would prefer a permanent deal, Inter are also exploring the option of a long-term loan move.
A source said: “Marcus is open-minded to a move abroad, and a fresh start.
Aston Villa star Marcus Rashford hits the race track as he works out on holiday in St Tropez
“Lots of players have made the move from the Premier League to Serie A in recent years and performed very well. That’s why the idea of such a switch excites both the player and Inter.”
Rashford is one of a number of players in limbo at United.
Team-mates Jadon Sancho and Antony both ended the campaign on loan at other clubs and are deemed surplus to requirements.
But United face a challenge in offloading all of them due to their massive wages.
Kate Abdo was involved in an awkward exchange with Khabib Nurmagomedov live on TVCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazo
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Abdo was snubbed by a handshake from the UFC legend for religious reasonsCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazo
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Abdo was joined in show by usual suspects Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards.Credit: X/CBSSportsGolazo
The match ended in a record-breaking defeat as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Inter Milan 5-0.
The quartet was joined by special guests Khabib Nurmagomedov, and streamer IShowSpeed immediately after the final whistle.
Nurmagomedov embraced each member of the crew before Abdo, 43, held out her hand in a greeting.
However, the unbeaten UFC star declined the offer by holding his hand on his chest instead, with Abdo quickly reclining it and offering an apology as she welcomed him to the show.
The reason for this is due to the 36-year-old’s religious beliefs as a devout Sunni Muslim.
In Islam, it is a forbidden to touch a member of the opposite sex that they are not related to.
A similar incident occurred back in 2020 with fellow MMA fighter Cynthia Calvillo, who revealed that Nurmagomedov refused to directly train with her.
She explained to theScore: “It’s a little bit weird because of their religion… they won’t train with women.
“(Khabib) is still showing technique and stuff like that. So I still get to watch it.
“But it doesn’t bother me … because they’re not really being directly rude to me.”
Kate Abdo ‘subbed off’ CBS Sports Champions League final coverage as new presenter leaves Micah Richards ecstatic
Fans on social media praised Abdo’s response to the awkward exchange with the Dagestani native.
One user said: “Mad respect to Kate for understanding afterwards and issuing an apology.”
Another said: “Massive respect to Kate for understanding Khabib’s decision and not making a fuss of it in front of other pundits.”
A third added: “Love how Khabib respectfully declined Kate’s handshake and she respected his approach. Love that from both of them.”
Once that hurdle was cleared, Abdo asked the retired UFC fighter who he was supporting tonight, revealing he was there in support of PSG – despite him previously describing himself as a Real Madrid fan.
In another crossover that nobody would have had on their Champions League bingo card, IShowSpeed was playfully confronted by Nurmagomedov about them possibly having a race or fight.
Carragher, who hilariously tried resorting to cheating when he lost a race against Speed – real name Darren Hawkins – asked Nurmagomedov: “Do you think you could beat Speed in a fight or a race?”
Nurmagomedov said he would be humble and conceded that Speed had the better of him in running, but declared he could easily outdo him in football IQ, before joking: “Don’t forget, between us there is nobody right now.”
Abdo then suggested that Richards, ever the brunt of a few jokes on the show, was the “arm wrestling champion” of CBS.
However, before the presenter – who married boxer Malik Scott last year – could finish her sentence, the ex-England international said: “No thank you.”
The forward made a claim of £46.5million against his former club, believing he was owed a signing bonus, his final three months’ salary and an “ethical” payment.
MUNICH — Paris Saint-Germain, Champions League winner.
At long last the club that was transformed by Qatari billions and bought and sold a succession of the world’s greatest players in an extravagant bid to get to the top has its hands on the big one.
European club soccer’s grandest prize has a new home after PSG thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in Saturday’s final in Munich.
The trophy that not even Lionel Messi, Neymar or Kylian Mbappe could deliver to the French club was finally claimed by Luis Enrique, the Spanish coach who has overseen PSG’s shift from the era of galactico signings to one of genuine team-building.
Fitting then that Désiré Doué, the 19-year-old French forward emblematic of the club’s new generation, was the chief inspiration on a balmy night. He became the third teenager to score in a Champions League final, following Patrick Kluivert and Carlos Alberto.
Doué scored twice and set up another goal in little over an hour on the field before being substituted in the second half.
Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and substitute Senny Mayulu, the fourth teenager to ever score in a final added to Doue’s double as PSG recorded the biggest win in a final in the Champions League’s 69-year history.
Now PSG can truly sit alongside the royalty of European soccer. Not by virtue of turnover or merchandizing, but on the merits of its achievements on the field.
The Champions League is the ultimate barometer of the continent’s elite clubs and up until now PSG has been a flashy contender that always came up short.
That all changed at Allianz Arena, the home of Bayern Munich, one of the titans of Europe, and a fitting stage for PSG’s crowning moment. Not least because it was against Bayern that it lost its only other Champions League final in 2020, leaving Neymar in tears in an empty stadium in Lisbon where fans were locked out because of the pandemic.
On this occasion, thousands of PSG supporters were there to revel in the moment, waving flags, lighting flares and drowning out their rivals from Inter, many of whose supporters left the stadium long before the final whistle.
They’d been partying in the streets of Munich throughout the day, but that was nothing compared to the scenes of joy when Marquinhos held the trophy aloft in front of teammates, with fireworks and golden confetti exploding behind them.
PSG truly delivered when it mattered after so many setbacks in this competition. If there were any nerves from Luis Enrique’s players it did not show as they dominated Inter from the start.
It took just 12 minutes for the French champion to go ahead with a move of speed and precision when Vitinha’s threaded pass into the box found the feet of Doué. The forward could have shot, but instead slid in Hakimi to tap into an open net.
Former Inter player Hakimi’s celebrations were muted but PSG’s fans erupted.
Eight minutes later and the lead was doubled — though this time it relied more on luck than precision as Doué’s shot from the right of the box deflected off Federico Dimarco and past Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
He got his second in the 63rd, sliding the ball into the bottom corner when through on goal.
Kvaratskhelia added a fourth 10 minutes later and Mayulu then found the back of the net in the 86th, just two minutes after coming on to add his name to the list of teenage scorers in a final.
29. PSG record a seventh attempt of the game, five of which have been on target.
As for Inter, it’s just one wayward Francesco Acerbi effort so far for them.
From Dan King in Munich
As Paul Merson would say, only this time it’s probably true: game over.
PSG have been utterly dominant and are good value for their lead.They are superior in every department. Inter have barely laid a glove on them.
PSG’s full backs are giving them such a platform by pushing forward into midfield that you would hardly know Inter have five there.
And the PSG front three have produced, again.
PSG 2-0 Inter
25. Inter manage the game’s first corner, but that doesn’t count for much at the moment – particularly when the Parisians defend it so well.
It’s just not happening, not sticking, for the Italians at the moment. They simply must change something.
PSG 2-0 Inter
23. It’s a long, long way back for Inter now.
The last side to come back from a two-goal deficit to win the Champions League final was Liverpool in 2005.
But miracles such as Istanbul don’t happen every day. It’s unlikely that they even happen every 20 years.
PSG 2-0 Inter
20. Is that the Champions League won?!
Twenty minutes in and Paris Saint-Germain lead by two, and they are good value for such a margin.
It all stems from that long throw at the other end, which Willian Pacho does brilliantly to keep in play when others would have settled for an Inter corner.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia takes over on the left, and he pushes on to find Ousmane Dembele. The forward then switches play to the right for Desire Doue to take aim just inside the area.
The teenager’s shot isn’t the best, but it it loops up off Federico Dimarco, who has turned his back on the effort, and beats Yann Sommer at the near post.
The French club now have one hand on the Champions League trophy!
IT’S the most glamorous fixture on the football calendar – but the glitziest stars will be the ones cheering on from the sidelines.
As Paris Saint-Germain prepare to take on Inter this evening, the players’ stunning WAGs will be getting dressed up to the nines as their partners prepare for potential Champions League glory.
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Kleofina Pnishi, 30, is engaged to Inter star Benjamin Pavard, 29Credit: Instagram/@kleofina
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Portuguese television and film star Madalena Aragão, 19, with her PSG boyfriend João Neves, 20Credit: getty
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Nitsa Tavadze, 23, wife of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 24, studied medicine at uniCredit: instagram/@nitsatavadze
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Nitsa and Kvaratskhelia tied the knot on October 16, 2023Credit: Instagram/@nitsatavadze/
While PSG’s roster has included superstars including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in recent years, this year’s team is full of young, hungry talents ready to make their own names on the world stage.
In 2023, they tied the knot at the historic Samtavro Monastery in Mtskheta, celebrating with Georgian traditions, attire, and customs.
Although the couple were introduced by a mutual friend in 2021 sparks didn’t fly until a month later.
Due to Nitsa’s demanding studies, the pair would write to and call each other, and would meet up during their time off or when Kvaratskhelia was on an international break.
When Nitsa didn’t have lectures to attend, she would go to Naples and attend matches at his former team, Napoli.
They made their first appearance at a basketball game between Italy and Georgia and by 2022 they were official. Now, they share a son, Damian, one.
Golf Wag Jena Sims ‘test drives her bikinis for summer’ with fans unable to pick between skimpy outfits
Océane Toussaint and Warren Zaire-Emery
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Océane Toussaint, 21, girlfriend of Warren Zaire Emery, 19, is a professional goalkeeper for PSGCredit: INSTAGRAM
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The young couple have been dating since 2024Credit: INSTAGRAM
French goalie Océane Toussaint, 21, has been in a relationship with her fellow PSG star Warren Zaire-Emery, 19, since 2024.
They were first papped together at a Louis Vuitton event in January and later confirmed their relationship at a gala in May.
Océane was the first goalkeeper to win the Titi d’Or – a fan award for PSG’s most promising academy player – in 2023 and took to social media to share her success with fans.
She wrote: “Very proud to be the first Titi gold keeper, thank you again for all your messages.”
During their short time together so far, Océane and Warren have already jetted off for glamorous holidays and were seen visiting Zoomarine in the Algarve.
Madalena Aragão and João Neves
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Madalena Aragão, girlfriend of João Neves is a Portuguese TV and film starCredit: Instagram
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The young actress has moved countries to be with her boyfriendCredit: instagram
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The couple have made the most of life in ItalyCredit: instagram/@madalena_aragao_
Portuguese television and film star Madalena Aragão, 19, has been in a relationship with João Neves, 20, since 2024.
Madalena made her acting debut in 2016 when she was just 10 years old in the soap opera Rainha das Flores.
The talented actress is also a popular blogger and creator of a YouTube channel, where she shares her thoughts on teenage life and growing up.
Since embarking on her new relationship with João it’s been go go go. She even moved to Paris to be with him after his move from Benfica to the French giants.
The pair have also been quite active on social media, sharing several adorable pics together.
In response to one of Madalena’s recent Instagram posts, Portuguese actor and model Diogo Amaral replied: “My favourite couple.”
Carol Cabrino and Marquinhos
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Brazilian Instagram star Carol Cabrino, 32, is married to Marquinhos, 31Credit: Instagram
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The couple share three children but recently suffered a heartbreaking miscarriageCredit: getty
Influencer Carol Cabrino, 32, carved out a successful singing career before her marriage to Brazilian centre back Marquinhos, 31.
After he proposed to her underneath the Eiffel Tower, the pair had a civil wedding in June 2016.
Together they share three children – Maria, eight, Enrico, six, and Martina, 3 – but tragically, Carol recently opened up about losing her fourth child after suffering a miscarriage.
Taking to Instagram to share the distressing news in March, she said: “I’m going to talk about something that is not very good.
“But I’ve accepted what happened to me and I’ve come to share it with you.
“I can’t get on with my life if I don’t come here and explain to you a little of the things that have been happening in my life for a while now.”
Alessia Elefante and Gianluigi Donnarumma
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Alessia Elefante, 27, fiance of Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, was born in Naples, ItlayCredit: Instagram
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The couple share a son Leo, one, and a dog CocoCredit: Instagram
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A little known fact about Alessia is that she has a twin sister, DanielaCredit: Instagram
Italian bombshell Alessia Elefante, 27, is the fiancée of Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, and the couple have been together for over seven years.
Alessia is an interior designer and mum to one-year-old Leo, whom she shares with Gianluigi. The Italian pro footballer proposed to her a month after their son was born.
They also share a dog named Coco that Alessia has referred to via her Instagram as her “favourite baby boy” and “a prince” – before her son was born, of course!
Despite such a significant height difference, the couple seem super loved up and often share photos together on social media.
Another little known fact about Alessia is that she’s a twin. On May 27, 2024, she took to Instagram to share a birthday pic with her sister Daniela.
The caption wrote: “Since 1998. Love you.”
Shocked fans were quick to spot the similarities between the pair. One person wrote: “I thought there was a mirror in the 1st pic.”
Inter Milan
Agustina Gandolfo and Lautaro Martinez
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Argentinian Agustina Gandolfo, 29, is the wife of Lautaro Martinez, 27Credit: Instagram
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The entrepreneur and wellness advocate met her match in 2016Credit: instagram/@agus.gandolfo/)
Model Agustina, 29, has two children with Inter’s star striker Lautaro, 27, Nina, four and Theo, two.
Agus has developed a career as a mumfluencer in recent years, with her candid posts about the realities of motherhood.
Alongside her personal updates, she has launched her own lifestyle brand, Coraje, as well as partnering with trendy fashion and fitness labels like Cloter Official and Tropical Sweat.
She met her Argentine husband around 2016 when he was playing for local club Racing, at a party hosted by fellow stars Mauro Icardi and Wanda Nara.
They were initially pals but later fell in love. They had their first child, a daughter named Nina, in 2021 and had a son in 2023.
The pair had a lavish wedding in Villa d’Este on Lake Como Italy in 2023 with 120 guests.
Agus has three tattoos: one of birds flying on her upper back, a heart on her arm and a quote on her ribs.
She also made headlines in 2021 after claiming a Milan restaurant had handed her a menu that didn’t have any prices on during a romantic meal out with her man.
She claimed on her Instagram story that the practice is sexist – because it assumes the man is going to pay for the meal, not the woman.
Kleofina Pnishi and Benjamin Pavard
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Bombshell Kleofina Pnishi is married to Benjamin PavardCredit: Instagram/@kleofina
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Benjamin proposed to her on the coast of Saranda in a beautiful romantic atmosphere with flowers and candlesCredit: Instagram
Kosovo-born actress and model Kleofina, 30, was elected Miss Provence 2017 and ran in the Miss France competition the following year.
But life hasn’t always been easy. When she was just five years old, her family fled their homeland due to the war and arrived in France in 1999.
She graduated from the School of Journalism and Communication of Aix-Marseille, before meeting Benjamin Pavard, 29, with the pair getting engaged in July last year.
Benjamin got down on one knee on the coast of Saranda, Albania, in a beautiful, romantic proposal made special with flowers and candles.
Federica Schievenin and Nicolò Barella
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Federica Schievenin, 35, wife of Nicolò Barella, 28, is a sports scientistCredit: instagram/@fede_schievenin
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The blonde beauty is also a model and certified personal trainerCredit: instagram/@fede_schievenin
Stunning sports scientist Federica Schievenin, 35, met childhood sweetheart Nicolò, 28, over a decade ago.
Like her beau, she has had a passion for sports since a young age thanks to thanks to her dad, who was into motocross.
She earned a PT CFT3 certification from the International Sports Scientists Association in 2019 and is now said to be studying nutraceuticals and naturopathy.
The pair tied the knot in 2018 and are now parents to four children: daughters Rebecca, eight, Lavinia, five, Matilde, four and a baby son, Romeo.
Federica keeps her children’s faces hidden on social media, usually with an emoji.
Claudia Scarpari and Francesco Acerbi
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Claudia Scarpari, 38, wife of Francesco Acerbi, 37, has never missed a matchCredit: Instagram
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The pair met in early 2020 and went public with the relationship later that yearCredit: Instagram @claudiascarp
Claudia Scarpari, 38, is the wife of defender Francesco Acerbi, 37, who she met in early 2020.
Speaking of their early romance, the glamorous lawyer said she found it “enchanting” to watch him play, but admitted she didn’t follow football before they met.
However, since falling in love with the defender, Claudia has revealed she had never missed a match, and will always be cheering on her partner.
Claudia already has a daughter and a son from a previous relationship, and has had more children with Francesco.
Their daughters are named Vittoria, four and Nala, two.
On top of being a supportive WAG, Claudia is a successful lawyer and has spoken of the similarities between the couple’s careers, explaining they are both “defending and protecting what we believe in”.
The couple married in early 2025 in Cassina Rizzardi, Italy.
Sinem Gündoğdu and Hakan Çalhanoğlu
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Sinem Gündoğdu, 30, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, 31, grew up together in Turkey before falling in love and tying the knot in 2017Credit: instagram
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The couple made headlines in 2018 after Hakan filed for divorceCredit: getty
Hakan Çalhanoğlu, 31, and Sinem, 30, grew up together in Turkey before tying the knot in 2017, but their relationship has not always been plain sailing.
In 2018, the midfielder sensationally announced the decision to divorce his wife after a “very serious and unforgivable situation occurred”.
Sinem’s response was speedy, and came with another bombshell, as she announced: “I never cheated on you. By the way, I’m pregnant.”
Fortunately, the couple appear to have resolved their issues and now seem better than ever.
Together they have three children: Liya, six, born in 2019, Ayaz, four, born in 2021 and Asil Can, two, born in 2023.
But Inter head to Munich still thanking their old-timer for keeping their Champions League dream alive, desperate to be crowned Kings of Europe for the fourth time.
But that cute, near-post effort to get in front of Ronald Araujo and find Wojciech Szczesny’s top corner may well be his own personal crowning moment of a career that has seen it all.
Born in the outskirts of Milan in February 1988, Acerbi is now 90 minutes away from completing the circle by leading I Nerazzurri to European glory.
But his road to the San Siro – the site of his goal that will live long in the memory of all Inter fans – is far longer than the 15 miles from suburban Vizzolo Predabissi.
And it features battles on the pitch with the world’s best strikers but more importantly off the pitch, too, with cancer, depression and alcohol.
JOURNEYMAN CAREER
Acerbi started out in Serie C at Pavia in 2006 and even featured in the semi-professional Serie D on loan at Renate.
A loan to Spezia’s youth team followed before permanent spells at Reggina, Genoa and Chievo, where he eventually made his top-flight debut.
AC Milan came calling in 2012 and he was briefly team-mates with the likes of Robinho and Mario Balotelli.
Inter Milan hero Frattesi drops F-bomb live on TV after win over Barcelona leaving CBS Sports studio in hysterics
But after just six months of struggling for minutes, he was sold to Genoa, who immediately loaned him back to Chievo.
It wasn’t until Acerbi signed for Sassuolo in 2013 that he finally had stability, spending five seasons there before four at Lazio.
He initially joined Inter on loan in 2022-23 where he was reunited with ex-Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi and made the move permanent the following summer.
That transfer took his tally to 14 spells with ten different clubs.
FRAN THE MAN
Acerbi scored an all-important header against bitter rivals and former employers AC Milan in April 2024.
That helped his side to a 2-1 win which saw them confirmed as Serie A champions for the 20th time.
A year earlier, towards the end of his loan season, Acerbi came in for huge praise for his performance in the Champions League final.
However, Acerbi’s toughest challenges have come away from football.
His father died during his short stint at AC Milan, triggering depression which led to him turning and even relying on alcohol to numb the pain and suffering.
Then upon signing for Sassuolo in 2013 at the start of the next season, Acerbi was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
A regular health check-up flagged unusual blood test results and he immediately underwent surgery to remove the tumour.
But having returned to training and competitive action, he failed an anti-doping test.
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Acerbi kept Erling Haaland quiet in the 2023 Champions League finalCredit: Reuters
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His header against AC Milan helped secure Inter the Serie A titleCredit: Getty
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Acerbi’s journeyman career settled after he beat cancer twice at SassuoloCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Acerbi got his kit off to make the Euro 2020 victory over EnglandCredit: Getty
Acerbi denied taking any banned performance-enhancing drugs and it transpired the irregular hormone levels were because the cancer had come back again.
As a result, the defender had two months of chemotherapy at the start of 2014.
But Acerbi actually credits the two bouts of cancer for “saving” him from the depression and alcoholism.
He candidly explained to La Repubblica in 2019: “After my father died, when I was playing for Milan, I hit rock bottom.
“It was as if I’d forgotten how to play, or why I was playing. I started drinking and, believe me, I’d drink anything.
“It might seem like a terrible paradox, but the cancer saved me. I had something new to fight against, a limit to overcome.
“It was as if I got to start life all over again and saw the world in a way I’d completely forgotten. I stopped being scared.
“I was thinking to myself, ‘What will you do if it comes back again?’ ‘I’ll face it again,’ I replied.
Symptoms of testicular cancer
The most common sign is a lump or swelling on one of your testicles, which is normally about the size of a pea.
Not all testicular lumps are cancerous, while only four per cent of scrotal lumps are, but you should still always get your GP to take a look.
Here are the signs to look out for:
A lump or swelling in the testicle
A heavy scrotum
A dull ache or sharp pain in the testicles and scrotum
A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
A difference in the texture or increase in firmness of the testicle
A difference between one testicle and the other
To know if you have any signs of changes in your testicles, it’s important to know what feels normal.
It’s a good idea to have a hot shower before checking them, then gently roll your testicle between your thumb and finger.
Then repeat for the other testicle.
Repeat this every week so you get a feel for their shape and size.
“Chemotherapy was like stepping into a parallel world, the entrance to which is closer than you could possibly think, so you never leave it again. It’s a world of pain and of courage.
“I think having that illness improved me as a person, cancelling out remorse and regret.
“I became an observer of my surroundings. I eliminated the superfluous, the negative, but also the illusions. I stopped dreaming big and started to focus on simple targets.”
EURO HERO
Incredibly, Acerbi made his senior Italy international debut later in the same year he underwent the chemotherapy.
But by 2019, he had still only managed to add two further appearances – one in 2016, one in 2018 – before being brought back into the fold by Roberto Mancini.
And while Acerbi won’t go down as one of the all-time great Italian defenders with the likes of Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini et al, he was awarded the top Order of Merit in Italy after being part of the Euro 2020-winning squad.
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Francesco Acerbi has two children with Claudia ScarpariCredit: Instagram @claudiascarp
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The couple got married in January 2025Credit: Instagram
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Acerbi has tattoos across his torso, arms and legsCredit: Instagram @claudiascarp
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Claudia regularly attends Inter matches to cheer her husband onCredit: Instagram
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Acerbi opened up on his struggles with depression and alcohol after his father diedCredit: Instagram
He set up the extra-time winner against Austria in the round of 16 then was an unused sub in the quarters, semis and final, where the Azzurri beat England on penalties.
Acerbi, though, has not added to his 34 caps since 2023 and pulled out of the squad in March 2024 after allegations he made racist comments to Napoli’s Juan Jesus during a Serie A match earlier that month.
A Serie A sports judge dismissed the case, citing a lack of evidence, as Acerbi escaped punishment – a decision furious Napoli labelled “astonishing”.
BARCA DRAMA
Acerbi hit the headlines for all the right reasons, though, with his goal against Barcelona – four months on from marrying Claudia Scarpari, the mum of his two daughters.
Incredibly, that was his very first career goal in European football in his 66th appearance across the Champions League and Europa League.
To make the finish even more impressive and remarkable, the left-footed 6ft 4ins unit scored with his right foot.
So it was no wonder he ripped his famous black-and-blue shirt and then his underlayer off in sheer unbridled delirious delight to reveal his tattooed torso.
Acerbi’s many inkings will tell their own stories.
But the image of the seasoned and battle-scarred pensioner unsure how to celebrate his magic moment other than jumping gleefully on to his knees punctuates a truly turbulent tale of football with the most emphatic of exclamation marks.
Now can he write one more chapter in his rollercoaster novel at the Allianz Arena?
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He got in front of Ronald Araujo to fire past Wojciech SzczesnyCredit: AP
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His goal sparked wild scenes among his team-mates, coaches and fansCredit: Getty
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Acerbi soaked up the adulation from the adoring crowdCredit: AP
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Acerbi won the Coppa Italia in 2019 with Lazio then in 2023 with InterCredit: Instagram
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Will he add another tattoo to mark a famous victory in Munich?Credit: Instagram
PSG and Inter battle it out to be crowned the Kings of Europe in Saturday’s Champions League final.
The European showdown has the potential to be one of the best in recent history with both sides showing incredible attacking intent in the run-up to the Munich final.
SunSport have enlisted the help of their betting experts to preview the game and select the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.
The crowning moment of the European domestic season is here as PSG and Inter go toe-to-toe for ultimate glory.
Despite Mikel Arteta’s strange claims, these two have been the two best sides in the knockout rounds and have come through difficult ties to reach this point.
A disappointing league phase for PSG who finished 15th and meant they actually had to come through the play-off round, only just as a seeded side.
But that 10-0 aggregate win over Brest was a sign of things to come and when beating Liverpool on penalties in the round-of-16, things opened up for them.
Beating Aston Villa the next time around, PSG were dominant in winning both legs against Arsenal in the semi finals to set up this final.
First scorer: Marcus Thuram 15/2 with talkSPORT BET – HERE
Having wrapped up Ligue 1 some time ago, everything has gone into finally getting over the line in this competition.
Inter have had a huge league battle on their hands, falling short to Napoli in last Friday’s final game shootout.
They need to pick themselves up now and show why they deserve to be here, after knocking out powerhouses Bayern and Barcelona in the knockouts.
The 7-6 semi final aggregate win over Barca was up there with one of the best Champions League ties in memory, and the 4-3 win over the German champions in the round prior showed they’ve to be taken seriously.
It also showed they’re pretty open at the back but have goals in abundance. The perfect mixture for the neutral….
PSG vs Inter latest odds
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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PSG vs Inter prediction
Hak down
How on earth is Hakan Calhanoglu so far down the booking markets? I assumed at first he must be suspended as he wasn’t near the top of the list.
Has a tough midfield battle in there against technicians and was booked in both legs against Barcelona. But also booked in FIVE of his last seven appearances – including all of his last FOUR starts.
Incredible value – take it before it goes!
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Make his mark
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has six goals and six assists since moving to PSG in January and is one of the big reasons their second half of the season has improved so greatly.
A constant threat down that left side, he’s had eight shots on target in the knockout stages, averaging over one per game (1.28) and over two shots taken in the competition since joining (2.08).
Inter’s last couple of rounds show that chances will be created by the French side, no surprises to see him at the heart of that.
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