Deontay Wilder’s former boxing coach and Kate Abdo’s husband Malik Scott suggested the ideaCredit: Getty
“Any time boxing gets more attention, it’s a good thing. I want people to enjoy the spectacle, not just critique it.
“Just enjoy the carnival. It would be a global event because these are high-level names that would draw huge numbers.”
Scott is no stranger to the world of football, having married fan-favourite CBS sports broadcaster Kate Abdo in September last year.
His prospective competitors were iconic teammates at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, making over 200 appearances together.
Their relationship was believed to have turned cold following Ronaldo‘s protests to the referee earning Rooney a red card in a 2006 World Cup quarter final, which Portugal would go on to win on penalties.
He also made headlines for his comments on the heated Messi vs Ronaldo debate, backing the Argentinian over his former teammate.
Kenny is himself set to face former Prem footballer Curtis Davies at a charity event next month, and is keen to keep the ball rolling on his new boxing escapades.
OLIVER GLASNER has won his battle with Steve Parish over captain Marc Guehi.
The most successful manager in Crystal Palacehistory slammed his foot down and demanded that he did not lose his skipper this late in the window.
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Marc Guehi is free to agree a pre-contract with foreign clubs from JanuaryCredit: PA
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Oliver Glasner battled to keep his captainCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Glasner made it abundantly clear in public that he wanted Guehi to stay following the win over Aston Villa.
Within the club some feared he could even walk if the defender was sold.
Off the back of the FA Cup win in May and the victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield, this is the prime time for Glasner to throw his weight around.
Not that Palace did not try to land a fee for Guehi, who could now leave for nothing in a year’s time.
Liverpool agreed a £35million deal with the Eagles for the England man and the 25-year-old even completed his medical in London.
The Premier League champions had submitted a deal sheet to give them more time to get the move over the line, but within the hour the deal was dead.
Palace had attempted to sign replacements, including Brighton’s Igor Julio. The defender’s deal was progressing before West Ham swooped and signed the Brazilian.
Guehi spoke to media after scoring against Aston Villa in a 3-0 win on Sunday.
Newcastle United’s Isak joins Liverpool for record £130m
Asked how he has dealt with the speculation, he said: “I can’t say I like the limelight too much.
“A lot of cameras in my face all the time and constantly talking about me. I’m glad I’ve got a good club, good teammates around me.
“When you focus on what’s important, the football, it makes it a lot easier. Glad my family could be there to help me, and the staff, and everyone at Palace, so, yeah it’s good.”
It is a positive end to the summer for Glasner, but there are now huge questions over his relationship with chairman Parish.
Parish has often spoken of how the fiery Austrian has driven the club to new levels, but the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss has not hidden his feelings all summer.
After a slow transfer window a year ago was followed by a desperate start to the season, there were promises things would be different this time around.
But it has taken the Eagles until the final week to act on big signings, once Eberechi Eze had moved to Arsenal.
Glasner hit out at their “passive” summer and suggested he would not entertain talks over a new deal if the window was not to his liking.
Like Guehi, he is out of contract at the end of the season.
Palace did complete a deadline day deal for teenage defender Jaydee Canvot, while Odsonne Edouard joined Lens in a permanent deal.
They also submitted a deal sheet to sign Manor Solomon on loan from Tottenham.
Bilal El Khannouss, a Palace target this summer, joined Stuttgart on loan from Leicester City.
CRISTIANO RONALDO’S fiancee Georgina Rodriguez took social media by storm once more.
Georgina, 31, has amassed a large audience on social media thanks to her relationship with Ronaldo, 40.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s fiancee Georgina Rodriguez took social media by stormCredit: INSTAGRAM
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Georgina posed in a barely-there see-through outfitCredit: INSTAGRAM
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Georgina set up a photoshoot on the beachCredit: INSTAGRAM
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Georgina left her millions of followers in aweCredit: INSTAGRAM
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Georgina left little to imaginationCredit: INSTAGRAM
And the content creator treated her 69.9million Instagram followers with another glam snap.
The Argentinean model posed in a barely-there see-through outfit at the beach.
And Georgina‘s fans were left in awe as they stormed the comments’ section.
One followers posted: “Perfection.”
Another commented: “Wowwww.”
A third wrote: “What a beauty and glow!”
This fan said: “Queen!”
And that one gushed: “You’re glowing.”
Georgina and Ronaldo finally got engaged after a long nine-year relationship.
The couple met in 2016 whenshewas working at a Gucci store in Spain during the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s time with Real Madrid.
Netflix series I Am Georgina sees Ronaldo’s partner balancing motherhood and work
They have two children together – Alana, seven, and Bella, three – and formed a family with the Manchester United legend’s three kids born to two surrogate mothers.
That includes Cristiano Jr, 15, as well as twins Mateo and Eva Maria, both eight.
Inside the glamorous world of Georgina Rodriguez…
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Georgina lives a life to be enviedCredit: Instagram
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The stunning fiancee of Ronaldo offers insights into her world using her social channelsCredit: instagram @georginagio
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She has over 69million followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram
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She met Ronaldo whilst working as a shop girl at DiorCredit: The Mega Agency
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She is now the mother to all of his childrenCredit: EPA
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Georgina now resides in Saudi Arabia following her partner’s move to the countryCredit: Georgina Rodriguez/instagram
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Georgina loves luxury holidays and can often be seen on mega yachtsCredit: Instagram @georginagio
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Boats are a big love of hersCredit: Refer to Caption
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She travels almost exclusively by private jetCredit: Georgina Rodríguez
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The Argentine beauty is a regularly at the Venice film festival where she can be seen turning headsCredit: Getty
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Georgina is loved by fashion magazines for her sense of styleCredit: Alamy
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She models for a range of companiesCredit: georginagio/Instagram
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Georgina has modelled for PrettyLittleThing lingerieCredit: Instagram
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Georgina’s love of travel is something she regularly shares on her social channels, including this trip to IbizaCredit: Instagram, @georginagio
Alan Shearer was in his prime and in the starting lineup for Blackburn when the English Premier League kicked off its first season 33 summers ago.
Shearer scored two goals that day in a 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace. But he had no idea that season would give birth to the most dominant force in the history of club soccer — and perhaps the most dominant force in the history of international sports.
“There’s no way anyone could have predicted back in 1992 that it was going to be this incredible, huge, gigantic force that it’s become,” said Shearer, who would go on to become the leading scorer in EPL history, of the Premier League. “It is sort of chalk and cheese in terms of where it was then to where it is now.”
That’s an English way of saying the league, which kicked off a new season Friday, has progressed.
International soccer is a sport ruled by money, and the Premier League became the best league in the world because it’s also the richest. Six of the 10 wealthiest teams in the world play in the EPL, where the average franchise value is $1.5 billion, according to Sportico. And the 20 teams combined to earn more than $8.5 billion in commercial revenue in 2023-24, according to Deloitte.
That’s allowed the EPL to outbid others for the top talent, resulting in deeper rosters and a level of play no other league can match.
Other leagues may have one or two better teams — France’s Paris Saint-Germain, for example, is the reigning European champion and Spain’s Real Madrid has won 15 continental titles, more than twice what any English club has won — but top to bottom, no league is as competitive as the EPL. That’s why its games are broadcast in 189 countries to a potential audience of 4.7 billion people, part of an international and domestic broadcast package valued at $5.1 billion a season, according to CNBC.
“It is where it is because of the interest and because of how many people want to watch it,” said Shearer, now a soccer pundit for the BBC. “We’ve got, without a doubt, a lot of the best players in the world. We’ve got the best atmosphere in the world. The finances are there.
“Basically everyone wants to be a part of it. And whilst that is the case, it’s only going to get bigger.”
It certainly didn’t start that way. The Premier League formed when English soccer was emerging from a low point that threatened to sink it. In the mid 1980s, hooliganism was rife, English teams were banned from European competition for five years following a deadly clash between Liverpool and Juventus supporters in Belgium, and the Football League First Division, the country’s top level since 1888, lagged well behind Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga in attendance and revenue. As a result, the best English stars, not to mention international talent, played elsewhere.
By 1990 the situation had gotten so bad, England’s top clubs — Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton, known collectively as the “Big Five” — had begun discussions to form a breakaway league that would have commercial independence, allowing it to increase revenue by negotiating its own broadcast and sponsorship deals.
Two years later, the Premier League debuted.
The revenue growth that EPL has enjoyed in the three decades since is well beyond the wildest dreams of the league’s founding fathers. And that’s turned around an exodus of top players out of England; now nearly three-quarters of Premier League players are foreign-born, among them Egypt’s Mo Salah, Norway’s Erling Haaland and Sweden’s Alexander Isak.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring against Wolverhampton on Saturday.
(Dave Shopland / Associated Press)
But what has really made the Premier League great is its relative balance. Although just seven teams have won a title in the league’s 32 seasons, that qualifies as parity in Europe, where Bayern Munich has won 12 of the last 13 German championships, PSG has won 11 of the last 13 French crowns and just one team not named Real Madrid or Barcelona has won the Spanish league in the last 21 years.
In the Premier League, on any given weekend every game is in doubt. That competitiveness is why three EPL teams have won the UEFA Champions League since 2019 and in two of those three seasons, the European champion didn’t win the Premier League title. This summer Chelsea won the FIFA Club World Cup, making it arguably the best team on the planet, two months after finishing fourth in the Premier League table.
“One week the team at the bottom can beat the team at the top and that’s not a fluke,” said Shearer, who played for a Newcastle team that finished second in the EPL in consecutive seasons, then fell to 13th in each of the next two. “I don’t see that jeopardy in other leagues at all. That’s why the Premier League works and why the Premier League is the most watched.”
The challenge now for the Premier League is staying on top. When the EPL came into being, Serie A and La Liga were widely considered the best leagues in the world, winning a combined six Champions League titles between 1990 and 2000. But financial issues, tactical stagnation and a lack of investment in infrastructure combined to sink Italian soccer while La Liga became so top-heavy, with superclubs Barcelona and Real Madrid choking off all competition, that it became a league of two Goliaths and 18 Davids.
Shearer said there are lessons to be learned from those experiences.
“Every huge business has to evolve and keep going forward and keep improving,” he said. “The Premier League is no different. Since that very first day when I ran out for Blackburn against Crystal Palace to what it is now, there’s been improvement. Whilst the interest is there, whilst the finance keeps coming in, whilst we all want to watch, it is getting bigger and better.
“But yeah, you have to keep an eye on your competitors.”
⚽ You have read the latest installment of On Soccer with Kevin Baxter. The weekly column takes you behind the scenes and shines a spotlight on unique stories. Listen to Baxter on this week’s episode of the “Corner of the Galaxy” podcast.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Fabián Ruiz scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain built a three-goal lead in the first 24 minutes and routed Real Madrid 4-0 on Wednesday, advancing to the Club World Cup final against Chelsea.
Ruiz scored in the sixth minute and Ousmane Dembélé in the ninth following glaring mistakes by defenders Raúl Asencio and Antonio Rüdiger, and Ruiz made it 3-0 to cap a counter. Gonçalo Ramos added a goal in the 87th.
Coming off its first European title, PSG plays for the championship on Sunday.
“We’re truly happy to be in another final,” Ruiz said. “Now we have to enjoy it because we’re doing something historic. It’s very difficult to reach every final this season, and now we’re one step away.”
Real Madrid fared no better than Inter Milan, overrun by PSG 5-0 in the Champions League final. The 15-time European champion looked sluggish after traveling to Florida for training between games, and PSG had 76.5% possession in the first half.
A crowd of 77,542 was at MetLife Stadium on a scorching day with a temperature of 91 degrees at kickoff and humidity that made it feel like 101.
Real’s Kylian Mbappé was not a threat in his first game against his former team.
“It’s a painful defeat. We were not up to standard today,” Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said through an interpreter.
Luka Modrić entered in the 64th in likely his last match for Madrid, his team since 2012. Éder Militão came in at the same time in his first game since tearing his right ACL on Nov. 9.
PSG surged ahead after Lucas Beraldo’s cross was mis-hit by Raúl Asencio, Thibaut Courtois tipped the ball from Dembélé and Ruiz slammed it into the empty net.
Dembélé then took possession about 40 yards out after a Rüdiger mis-hit, dribbled and slotted past Courtois.
PSG went the length of the field to make it 3-0. Hakimi exchanged passes with Dembélé, then crossed for Ruiz, who maintained control despite Federico Valverde’s challenge and scored from 8 yards for his third goal of the tournament.
Madrid’s defense was missing Dean Huijsen, who got a red card Saturday against Borussia Dortmund, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had right leg muscle discomfort.
Paris Saint-Germain has earned $88,435,000 to $113,815,000 for reaching the final, the amount depending on a participation fee.
Désiré Doué scored in the 78th minute, and Paris Saint-Germain moved a step closer to another trophy with a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup on Saturday, a game marred by a gruesome injury to young German star Jamal Musiala.
With PSG two men down after a pair of late red cards and Bayern throwing everyone forward, Ousmane Dembélé added an insurance goal deep into stoppage time to send the French powerhouse on to the semifinals Wednesday.
Dembélé, whose goal was set up by Achraf Hakimi’s brilliant dribbling through five Bayern defenders, celebrated by sitting with his legs crossed to honor Liverpool player Diogo Jota, who was killed along with his brother in a car wreck early Thursday. A moment of silence was held before the opening kick.
“We do what we have to do to take the victory,” Hakimi said. “We are really happy. We know Bayern is one of the teams that plays similarly to us. They are a strong team. It was a really good effort today, a really good game.”
PSG, which claimed its first Champions League title with a 5-0 rout of Inter Milan five weeks ago, broke a scoreless deadlock when João Neves stole the ball from Harry Kane near the halfway line to send the French team sprinting toward the Bayern goal.
Neves got the ball back off a give-and-go and found Doué lurking just outside the top of the area. His left-footed shot caught Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer flat-footed as it skidded inside the right post.
But PSG had to hold on for dear life to preserve the win after Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández were both sent off with red cards. Pacho was called for a reckless challenge and Hernandez earned red for doling out an elbow.
Bayern had two apparent goals flagged for offside, including a header by Kane. In the waning seconds, the German club was awarded a penalty kick, only to have it waved off after a video review.
Musiala’s injury marred the outcome. As he chased a loose ball near the end line in first-half stoppage time, PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma darted off his spot and dived for it — only to crash into the left ankle of the 22-year-old German.
As Musiala rolled over, his foot dangled awkwardly, the ankle appearing to be cleanly broken.
Donnarumma walked away with the ball but kneeled down in horror when he looked back and realized the seriousness of the injury.
A stretcher was immediately summoned to take Musiala off the field.
Real Madrid beats Borussia Dortmund
Kylian Mbappé’s spectacular bicycle kick was among three goals in second-half stoppage time, and Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in a Club World Cup quarterfinal match as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois used his fingertips to palm away the potential tying goal on the game’s final play.
Gonzalo García and Fran García scored in the first 20 minutes as Madrid built a 2-0 lead.
Courtois used all of the lengthy arm on his 6-foot-7 frame to tip away Marcel Sabitzer’s shot just before the final whistle.
Chelsea wins, reaches semifinal
Chelsea scored the go-ahead goal on Malo Gusto’s 83rd-minute shot that went in after a pair of deflections, beating Brazilian club Palmeiras 2-1 on Friday night in Philadelphia for a spot in the Club World Cup semifinals. Chelsea will meet Fluminense on Tuesday at noon.
LIVERPOOL could be set to lose a second top star to a Madrid rival after Atletico Madrid reportedly made Andy Robertson their top target.
The Reds are already reeling from the loss of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid and could now be forced to deal with the loss of left-back Robertson in the same window.
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Andy Robertson has been made a top target by Atletico MadridCredit: Getty
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And after helping LAFC win a playoff to replace Club Leon, Lloris will be between the sticks for the Group D opener against Chelsea on June 16.
But his presence is sure to reignite the Blues’ capital rivalry with Spurs.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will see the World’s best players decide which club is the greatest
CB: SERGIO RAMOS (MONTERREY)
Having led Real Madrid to four Club World Cups in the past, Ramos will be feeling confident he can help Mexican side Monterrey get far this summer.
The centre-back is already captaining the team just four months after joining following spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla.
But at 39 years of age, Ramos has shown he has still got what it takes to boss a defence.
And he will need to be at his best to help Monterrey get past Inter Milan and River Plate in Group E.
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Ex-Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos is in townCredit: Getty
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He is now captain of Mexican side MonterreyCredit: Getty
CB: THIAGO SILVA (FLUMINENSE)
Once a Chelsea icon, always a Chelsea icon.
Even at 40 years old, Silva would still likely walk back into the Blues’ XI.
Instead, he is king of the hill at Fluminense, saving them from relegation in his first season.
And Silva’s know-how should help the Brazilians get out of a group which includes German giants Borussia Dortmund.
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Thiago Silva became an icon at ChelseaCredit: Getty
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The veteran is starring for FluminenseCredit: Alamy
CB: NICOLAS OTAMENDI (BENFICA)
A two-time Premier League winner with Man City, Otamendi has gone on to win more trophies since leaving the Etihad.
Having now completed five seasons at Benfica, the 37-year-old has a Portuguese league title to boot.
And he even played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup win in 2022.
Otamendi is just one of several big forgotten names playing at Benfica, who are in a tough group with Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors.
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Nicolas Otamendi has won plenty since leaving Man CityCredit: Reuters
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He has spent five seasons at BenficaCredit: Getty
RWB: JOAO CANCELO (AL-HILAL)
Once regarded as the best full-back in world football, Cancelo’s fall from grace was swift after starring at giants including Inter Milan, Juventus, Man City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
He is now playing in Saudi Arabia, earning a fortune with moneybags Al-Hilal.
At the age of 31, Cancelo is still playing in his prime years.
And he will be looking to inflict damage when Al-Hilal come up against reigning champions Real Madrid in Group H.
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Joao Cancelo will be hoping to upstage old side Man CityCredit: Getty
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The right-back plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
CM: ANDER HERRERA (BOCA JUNIORS)
It’s been six years since Herrera, 35, lit up Old Trafford in a Manchester United shirt.
His tenacity in midfield endeared him to supporters while raking in FOUR trophies including the FA Cup and Europa League.
After playing for PSG and a second spell at Athletic Bilbao, Herrera now finds himself in Argentina with Boca Juniors.
But just six appearances in all competitions since his January switch means Herrera may not be guaranteed a starting spot in the US.
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Ander Herrera won four trophies at Man UtdCredit: Getty – Contributor
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He joined Argentine side Boca Juniors in JanuaryCredit: Getty
CM: RUBEN NEVES (AL-HILAL)
Why he was not snapped up by a fellow Premier League club while at Wolves remains a mystery.
Neves, 28, is only entering his prime now and continues to be a key player for Portugal.
Yet he finds himself playing in Saudi with Al-Hilal, completing a shock move two years ago before leading them to a Treble last season.
Neves would still walk into most European squads and could attract interest with some strong Club World Cup performances — but that’s only if he wants to leave the riches of the Middle East.
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Ruben Neves was a star man at WolvesCredit: Getty
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He has spent two years at Al-HilalCredit: Getty
LWB: ALEX TELLES (BOTAFOGO)
A miserable time at Manchester United saw Telles, 32, fail to live up to the hype as one of Europe’s best left-footers.
After winning trophies galore at Galatasaray and Porto, he left Old Trafford empty-handed after just two years.
But he has enjoyed plenty of success since then, winning trophies at Sevilla, Al-Nassr and now Botafogo.
The Brazilian champs are coming in with a host of experienced homegrown talents and Telles’ deadly free-kicks are likely to cause some damage.
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It didn’t work out for Alex Telles at Man UtdCredit: AFP
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He has helped Botafogo win the Brazilian titleCredit: Getty
CAM: ANGEL DI MARIA (BENFICA)
Man United’s flop winger is returning to boyhood Argentina club Rosario Central this summer — but only after he leads out Benfica for the final time at the Club World Cup.
Ignoring his duff sole season in the north west, Di Maria’s record means he will go down as one of football’s most talented and decorated wingers ever.
His two years at Benfica have not yielded any trophies, however.
And Di Maria, 37, will be desperate to make amends before leaving Europe for good.
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Angel Di Maria’s struggles at Man Utd are well documentedCredit: Getty
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He is leaving Benfica for Rosario Central after the Club World CupCredit: Getty
ST: EDINSON CAVANI (BOCA JUNIORS)
Another former United player, Cavani will feel he did not do himself justice during his two seasons in England.
Having also struggled at Valencia, the 38-year-old is now leading the way for Argentine giants Boca Juniors
20 goals in 39 games last year showed Cavani still has an eye for goal.
And although his pace may have gone, the experienced Uruguayan’s sheer physicality and clever movement will surely see him in the mix for the Golden Boot.
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Edinson Cavani had a mixed two years at Man UtdCredit: PA
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He now bangs in goals for Boca JuniorsCredit: AFP
ST: OLIVIER GIROUD (LAFC)
Last but not least, Giroud will face off against old side Chelsea later this month.
His extra-time assist helped LAFC book their place at the tournament ahead of Club America.
Giroud has already become a talisman for his Californian side, preferring the role of creator to goalscorer.
And his cunning know-how could help the experienced poacher nick a goal when he faces off against a young Blues defence.
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Olivier Giroud will face old side Chelsea in the group stageCredit: Getty
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He helped LAFC qualify for the tournament with a last-gasp assistCredit: Getty
LUKA MODRIC is set to undergo a medical at AC Milan after the Club World Cup, according to reports.
The Croatian, 39, has already announced that he will leave Real Madrid following the conclusion of the revamped tournament in the US.
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Luka Modric is set to wave goodbye to Real MadridCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
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A few years on and ahead of the upcoming 32-teamClub World Cup, Zizou was offered an eye-watering £84million to commit to a one-year contract at Saudi Pro League runners-up Al-Hilal.
And his former team-mate Desailiy has revealed how difficult it is for club’s to persuade him to join, and where he’s likely to go next.
“He likes to travel and always keeps an eye on the France national team. He’s ready because Didier Deschamps has started the transition.
“France will be one of the favourites for the World Cup and win or lose it’s not the end of this era for France.”
Zinedine Zidane suffers embarrassing wardrobe malfunction as he brings out Champions League trophy at Wembley
Zidane is the only manager in the world to have won a staggering three Champions League titles in a row during his first spell with Real.
And he followed that up by lifting two LaLiga titles during his second stint, having only managed the Spanish giants.
Desailiy believes that Zidane is most attracted to the France job because they have a new generation of superstars, including Champions League hero Desire Doue.
He added: Since 2016, France have been growing and growing. New players have come into the team constantly and now they have the right guys.
“There is a squad and a philosophy and Zidane will know how to take that on to rebuild his own team. For another eight years at least France will be at the top level in Europe.”
Zidane made a £4MILLION investment into a new sport project in February, which turned out to be a newpadelcentre in France.
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Zidane won three Champions League titles
Zidane’s managerial career
Zizou spent 18 months in charge of Real Madrid Castilla before being given his shot at the big time following the sacking of Rafael Benitez.
Zidane, 51, took charge of the first team in January 2016 and guided them to a second-place finish in his maiden season at the Bernabeu helm.
But he went one better in the Champions League, sealing Real’s 11th European Cup triumph with a shootout victory over Atletico Madrid.
The former Los Blancos star went one better in the league in the 2016-17 season, in which they also won the Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.
A second successive Champions League triumph also followed, with Real beating Italian giants Juventus at the Principality Stadium.
He would create history the following season by becoming the first manager to win the tournament three times on the bounce.
A 3-1 win over Liverpool saw Real become the first team to win Europe’s elite club competition three times in a row.
Zidane announced his resignation five days after the final, insisting the club needed a “change” of direction.
He would return to the Bernabeu in March 2019 following Santiago Solari and Julen Lopetegui’s short reigns.
A return to the summit of Spanish football would follow in the 2019-20 season, in which Real also scooped the Spanish Super Cup.
Zidane would leave the Bernabeu again in June 2021 after overseeing Real’s first trophyless season in 11 years.
Zinedine Zidane’s Honours:
– La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20 – Supercopa de España: 2017, 2019–20 – UEFA Champions League: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18 – UEFA Super Cup: 2016, 2017 – FIFA Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
CRISTIANO RONALDO’S attitude towards fans can’t be knocked – even when they accidentally knock him!
The Manchester United legend won new admirers for the way he dealt with a supporter catching him on the shin with his wheelchair.
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Cristiano Ronaldo rubbed his leg after being bumped into
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Ronaldo appeared to have fun over the incident
Viewers loved the amusing exchange as Ronaldo ended up with a smile almost as big as his bank balance.
It began an eventful night for Ronaldo, who was outside Portugal’s team hotel at the time of the ‘collision’.
The Al-Nassr striker was later grabbed by a pitch invader as he warmed up at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena to face Germany in the Nations League semi-final.
And he then drilled Portugal’s clincher in a 2-1 comeback win – thanks to his 137th international goal midway through the second half.
Understandably the 40-year-old looked ecstatic.
But he was in high spirits too during his earlier hotel encounter.
Wearing shorts and training gear, Ronaldo walked over to sign an autograph.
And as he was preparing to scribble his name, the fan’s wheelchair nudged forward and hit the five-time Ballon d’Or winner on the right leg.
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Ronaldo later pounced for a semi-final deciderCredit: AP
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.
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.
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