Alisha Lehmann has played down her supposed celebrity status, with the Juventus forward insisting that she does not “live like a star”. Instagram WHAT HAPPENED? The Switzerland international has become one of the most prominent figures in the women’s game. That is due in part to her ability on the field, but also the strong social media following that she has built up off it – with the 25-year-old boasting 17 million followers on Instagram and 11m on TikTok. WHAT LEHMANN SAID Despite her fame, Lehmann – who moved to Italy alongside boyfriend Douglas Luiz in the summer of 2024 when both…
Author: DearMama Gurutrends
Brighton are reportedly closing in on the signing of England forward Nikita Parris from Manchester United. WHAT HAPPENED? According to The Guardian, the Seagulls are in advanced talks to sign Parris. The 30-year-old has rejected offers from a number of other clubs and all signs now point to her joining fellow England international Fran Kirby at the Women’s Super League outfit. Getty Images Sport THE BIGGER PICTURE Brighton publicly announced their intentions to become a top four WSL side after hiring Dario Vidosic as head coach in July, and their activity in the summer transfer window is a clear sign of…
Michael Owen believes Cristiano Ronaldo could have been worth £1bn in his prime for the sporting and commercial success he delivered at Real Madrid. Michael Owen believes Cristiano Ronaldo could have been worth £1bn in his prime for the sporting and commercial success he delivered at Real Madrid. AFP THE BIGGER PICTURE With time and a consistently inflating market, transfer fees have hit the ceiling. There have been quite a few £100m transfers in the past decade with Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain for £200m currently being the most expensive deal of all time. WHAT OWEN SAID Owen believes Ronaldo…
Manchester City have been told that making Erling Haaland and Rodri aware of how good they have it will help to fend off interest from Real Madrid. WHAT HAPPENED? The lure of the Blancos is obvious, with Santiago Bernabeu having been home to some of the greatest players of all-time – including the likes of Portuguese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo, World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas and Brazilian striker Ronaldo. Getty Images THE BIGGER PICTURE Real have become famed for their ‘Galactico’ recruitment policy, with Kylian Mbappe ticking that box in 2024. There are many more household names registering on…
The Brazil international provided some spectacular moments during his two years in England to become a fan-favourite at Eastlands ‘The Barclays’. While the Premier League was technically sponsored by the aforementioned bank between 2001-16, the period which is so wistfully looked back upon by fans of a certain vintage is the first decade of the 2000s. After its initial emergence in 1992, the English top-flight enjoyed a secondary boom in popularity following the turn of the millennium, as overseas television deals and a secondary influx of foreign stars gave the league a truly global appeal. It played host to a…
Harry Kane has addressed any talk of reaching “the end” when delivering a passionate speech on the occasion of his 100th cap for England. WHAT HAPPENED? The prolific striker, who now plays his club football in Germany for Bayern Munich, has become the 10th man to become a Three Lions centurion – and the first since Wayne Rooney in 2014. That milestone was reached in a UEFA Nations League clash with Finland. WATCH THE CLIP THE BIGGER PICTURE Kane netted two goals in that contest, taking his record-setting haul for England to 68 and counting. He is now 31 years of age, but has…
Kylian Mbappe has been savaged for supposed transfer demands made at PSG in 2022, with the Frenchman told he does not act like a “great player”. WHAT HAPPENED? The World Cup winner severed ties with Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024 when reaching the end of his contract. After several years of being linked with La Liga giants Real Madrid, Mbappe has become the latest ‘Galactico’ addition at Santiago Bernabeu. Getty Images THE BIGGER PICTURE It has, however, been reported by L’Equipe that Mbappe pushed for a way out of Parc des Princes two years ago after being left disappointed by recruitment…
Erling Haaland could reportedly miss Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Brentford with Pep Guardiola ready to approve a compassionate leave. WHAT HAPPENED? The Haaland family is grieving the loss of Ivar Eggja, a long-time family friend and confidant after he passed away at the age of 59. He played a vital role in Haaland’s career and personal life, offering both guidance and support during the striker’s meteoric rise to football stardom. Haaland, who affectionately referred to Eggja as ‘uncle’ is understandably devastated by the loss. Getty/Instagram THE EXPLANATION According to the Daily Mail, Haaland trained with the team on Thursday but…
Former Barcelona and Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas has named his only team-mate that could match Lionel Messi in the aura stakes. WHAT HAPPENED? The World Cup-winning midfielder played alongside Argentine superstar Messi in the fabled La Masia academy system. He was then reunited with the South American when returning to Catalunya from north London in 2011 – winning the Liga title alongside the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Getty THE BIGGER PICTURE Prior to that, the ex-Spain international had worked with another world champion – French forward Thierry Henry – at Arsenal. Henry went on to enjoy his own spell with Messi at…
Kevin De Bruyne has worn the captain’s armband at times for Manchester City, but he has never pushed to fill that role on a permanent basis. WHAT HAPPENED? The talismanic Belgian midfielder has formed part of Pep Guardiola’s leadership group for some time, with five senior figures asked to take on added responsibility within that pack. De Bruyne is happy to play his part, as a man that has always looked to lead by example. Getty Images Sport THE BIGGER PICTURE De Bruyne prefers to inspire with actions, rather than words, and it is for that reason that he has never sought…
Wrexham have been billed as the “Harlem Globetrotters” under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, while Birmingham are the “Real Madrid of League One”. WHAT HAPPENED? That is the opinion of outspoken Rotherham boss Steve Evans, who is preparing to lock horns with two sides generating plenty of buzz in the third tier of English football. The presence of Hollywood co-owners at Wrexham – alongside an award-winning documentary series – has seen the Red Dragons become one of the most talked about teams on the planet. Getty/GOAL THE BIGGER PICTURE Birmingham, meanwhile, boast NFL legend Tom Brady among their investors, and raised eyebrows with their summer…
Arne Slot lavished praise on Caoimhin Kelleher despite the goalkeeper revealing his desire to leave Liverpool for more minutes elsewhere. WHAT HAPPENED? The signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili was sanctioned by Slot, signalling the club’s intention to secure a long-term replacement for Alisson in the coming years. Although Mamardashvili will remain at Valencia for one more season on loan, his future arrival at Anfield has cast doubt on Kelleher’s role at the club. Getty THE BIGGER PICTURE Speaking openly about his situation, Kelleher did not shy away from expressing his disappointment, admitting that he may now seek to leave Liverpool in search of more…
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has already made history at Anfield – now the goal is for him to become a first-team regular We may only be a month into the new season, but it’s already clear that Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool in rude health. New head coach Arne Slot has certainly made some noticeable tactical tweaks to the team, which have been integral to the Reds making a perfect start to their Premier League campaign, but there have been no significant changes in personnel – as of yet – and the Dutchman has been quick to acknowledge that he is working…
Rio Ferdinand appeared to mock Erik ten Hag’s Carabao Cup trophy success as he laughed after Cristiano Ronaldo mentioned winning it. WHAT HAPPENED? The Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle United at Wembley in February 2023 was the Red Devils’ first trophy in almost six years. Although it was deemed to be the start of a major rebuild, subsequent failures in the Premier League and Europe have led to disappointment. Getty THE BIGGER PICTURE Ten Hag was almost out of Old Trafford at the end of last season after finishing eighth in the Premier League, until a surprising victory over derby rivals Manchester City in the…
Rafael van der Vaart has lamented Harry Kane’s luck after his trophyless season at Bayern Munich, but revealed his relief at the star leaving England. WHAT HAPPENED? Kane moved to Bayern during the summer of 2023, seemingly looking to finally end his career trophy drought. However, Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable unbeaten season, and England’s defeat to Spain at Euro 2024, meant that Kane did not get his hands on a winner’s medal in the 2023-24 season. Getty THE BIGGER PICTURE Van der Vaart, who played for Kane’s former club Tottenham between 2010 and 2012, has bemoaned the striker’s luck but did…
Kyle Walker isn’t back together with Annie Kilner and is reportedly sleeping in a separate bed on the third floor of his £4m mansion. WHAT HAPPENED? Walker was shown the door from the family home during Christmas after it was revealed that he had fathered a second child with his former mistress, Lauryn Goodman. It was previously reported that the defender had moved back into the couple’s £4 million home in Cheshire, but The Sun now claims that the England international and Kilner are not back together as she remains ‘deeply scarred’. Getty/GOAL THE BIGGER PICTURE Previously, after the affair came to light, Walker issued…
Manchester City’s rivals are being warned that trying to stop Erling Haaland has become “mission impossible”, with the Norwegian almost unplayable. Getty WHAT HAPPENED? Premier League defences have been finding that out the hard way since Haaland completed a transfer to the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. His debut campaign in English football delivered 52 goals and a historic Treble triumph – as City landed Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League honours. WHAT DUNNE SAID Another domestic crown was secured last season, along with a second Golden Boot for Haaland, and former City captain Richard Dunne – speaking in association…
Hugo Mallo has been reportedly found guilty of sexual assault after he allegedly groped the breasts of a mascot inside a parrot costume. WHAT HAPPENED? According to AS, the former Celta Vigo captain and current Aris Thessaloniki player, Mallo, has been found guilty following a lengthy legal process that spanned over five years. The incident occurred in April 2019 when Celta Vigo visited Espanyol for a La Liga match. As the teams lined up to enter the pitch, Mallo, who was leading his side as captain, is alleged to have inappropriately touched the mascot, a woman inside a parrot costume known as…
Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo has shared a collection of photos of the couple’s son Mateo on his 9th birthday. WHAT HAPPENED? Mateo turned nine on Wednesday, September 11 and to celebrate, Antonela shared some photos of him on Instagram. Among the three images was one of Mateo, the couple’s middle child, with memorabilia from Argentina’s Copa America success in the summer, including netting from one of the goals, a winners’ medal and a match ball. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_yu2EdJPpX Getty WHAT ANTONELA SAID Messi’s wife wrote as the caption: “Many happy returns of the day Matu. We love you so much!!!! Thank…
Cristiano Ronaldo was a fan favourite during his time at Manchester United, and he has revealed a few of the nicknames he gave his team-mates. WHAT HAPPENED? During Ronaldo’s first stint at Manchester United, the Portuguese forward could do no wrong as he was a major part of the Red Devils’ golden era where he went on to win eight titles in five years including three Premier League titles and one Champions League crown in 2008. Despite his move to Real Madrid in 2009, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner remained friends with some of his old team-mates and has now revealed…