MANCHESTER CITY cheekily reminded Vinicius Jr of the Ballon d’Or saga with a brutal Oasis-inspired banner.

City star Rodri won the prestigious award given to the world’s best player ahead of the Real Madrid man back in October.

@ManCity

City also posted a snap of Vinicius walking past a Rodri mural[/caption]

EPA

Rodri won the prestigious award in October[/caption]

Getty

Real Madrid boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony in protest a Vinicius’ snub[/caption]

Los Blancos were left fuming over the snub and decided all members of the club would not attend the glamorous ceremony in protest.

Ahead of tonight’s Champions League play-off clash between City and Real Madrid, the hosts cleverly taunted Vinicius.

The Premier League champions posted a snap of their opponents arriving at the Etihad, which included a picture of the Brazilian winger walking into the stadium.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed he was cheekily pictured next to a display of Rodri kissing the iconic Ballon d’Or trophy.

Supporters found it hilarious, with one saying: “I saw what you did here.”

Another added: “We all see it, right?”

The taunting did not stop there as City fans welcomed Vinicius to the pitch ahead of kick-off with a brutal tifo.

Those sat next to the away end behind the goal held up a banner of Rodri with the trophy along with the Oasis lyrics: “Stop crying your heart out.”

BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS

City supporters called it “superb” and “phenomenal” – but others were worried it was “all the motivation Real needs”.

A defiant Vinicius, who was booed by City fans, tweeted at the time of the boycott: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”

And he will be desperate to get one over the injured Rodri as he even reportedly had a Ballon d’Or party planned for 50 people to celebrate.

Meanwhile, Nike had to scrap the specially designed boots they made and Real Madrid TV were forced to ditch the five hours of programming they had in place to to commemorate the success.

The club were fiercely criticised for not showing up to the ceremony but boss Carlo Ancelotti doubled down ahead of tonight’s game, saying: “I don’t think it was the wrong decision.

“We thought Vini was the winner of the Ballon d’Or.

“It doesn’t mean we don’t respect Rodri because he is a fantastic player. I think Rodri deserved to win it the year before.”

Pep Guardiola said there was “absolutely not” any resentment at Real over the incident.

A viral thread on Reddit highlighted some older skins that have gone missing that players are attempting to identify.

The Try Guys have given fans an update regarding their content and how the launch of 2nd Try affected their YouTube channel.

Kai Cenat just lost out on a recurring Twitch guest after his new relationship with Gabrielle Alayah went viral.

DRIVERS are paying the price for Britain’s crumbling roads as skinflint councils reject up to 96 per cent of pothole compensation claims.

Nearly half of the 1,552 who lodged a claim for damage to their vehicles suffered on England’s major roads received a payout from National Highways last year.

Alamy

Councils are rejecting up to 96 per cent of pothole compensation claims[/caption]

But on local roads, councils are dodging responsibility, some rejecting more than nine in ten applications.

The AA’s Luke Bosdet said of National Highways: “A road authority that takes responsibility for the condition of its roads and doesn’t wriggle out of it is hugely refreshing, unlike so many councils.

“Driving to somewhere in one piece should not be a matter of pothole luck.”

In Essex only four per cent of pothole claims — 283 out of 7,036 — were successful over the past four years.

Meanwhile, in Kent, 92 per cent of drivers were rejected.

The county council received 2,508 pothole- related claims between January 2023 and February 2024 but only 190 were accepted.

The cost of bringing pothole-plagued local roads in England and Wales up to scratch has been estimated at £16.3billion.

This year’s local road funding is being boosted by £500million, rising to nearly £1.6billion, but a quarter will be withheld until councils prove they are using the cash effectively.

Shadow transport minister Gareth Bacon said: “Labour needs to get to grips with it.”

Essex Highways said last night that all claims are “investigated fully in line with legal criteria”, adding “we invest millions into our road maintenance”.

Alamy

In Essex only four per cent of pothole claims — 283 out of 7,036 — were successful over the past four years[/caption]

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

MINISTERS were accused of “crawling on their stomachs to China” over a controversial North Sea turbine deal with Beijing.

The Sun revealed on Tuesday that the Treasury had “brushed off” spying and energy security concerns over allowing Chinese firm Mingyang Smart Energy to provide windmills for a North Sea filed due to be approved in weeks.

Alamy

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith branded the move by ministers a ‘desperate attempt to crawl on their stomachs to China’[/caption]

The MoD and Energy department raised major national security concerns with the project but are said to have been overruled by the Treasury.

Last night No10 insisted wind farms are subject to the “highest levels of national security”

Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman said: “We will always act in the national interest to protect our national security.

He added: “And when it comes to China, we’ve been clear that we’ll cooperate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.”

But amid accusations the Treasury had “brushed off” security concerns for investment, there was a major backlash.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart described the decision as: “More madness from Rachel Reeves and co-jeopardising national security for a bunch of windmills.”

He added: “When such serious concerns are being raised, the government has to explain how on Earth this was approved. Why is the Chancellor risking national security?”

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith branded it “yet another weak and desperate attempt to crawl on their stomachs to China.”

He added: “The Labour government is going to approve a North Sea wind farm powered by Chinese turbines, handing over control of a vital resource to a brutal and threatening regime. How China is laughing at us.

“This decision flies in the face of warnings from the Energy dept that they could be turned off and from MoD over eves-dropping and spying.

“We have become the weak underbelly of the Western alliance and at this rate of project Kow Tow, no longer trusted by our allies like the USA.”

DONALD Trump has been pushed to rename Greenland as “Red, White and Blueland” and enter negotiations to seize the ice island.

A Republican congressman warned the Danish territory was vital as a “national security priority”.

AFP

Donald Trump has been urged to rename Greenland[/caption]

Getty

Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., unveiled a new legislation to rename the island ‘Red, White and Blueland’[/caption]

Reuters

Trump floated taking over the ice island before his second inauguration[/caption]

Georgia Republican Buddy Carter, 67, unveiled a new legislation to encourage Trump to start negotiations to “purchase or otherwise acquire” Greenland.

The congressman even proposed which patriotic name should be bestowed on the island.

“America is back and will soon be bigger than ever with the addition of Red, White, and Blueland,” Carter told The New York Post.

The Red, White, and Blueland Act of 2025 would require the secretary of the interior’s team to update federal paperwork with the new name for Greenland.

This department would have just six months to complete the drastic update.

“President Trump has correctly identified the purchase of what is now Greenland as a national security priority, and we will proudly welcome its people to join the freest nation to ever exist when our Negotiator-in-Chief inks this monumental deal,” Carter added.

The Commander-in-chief has long set his sights on the frozen island and even sent his son there for an unofficial visit before his second inauguration.

Denmark, which owns Greenland, has strongly insisted the island is not for sale, but this has not stopped Trump from eyeing the land.

The US President refused to rule out using military force to seize the island.

Trump previously boasted that the people of Greenland wanted to be part of the US, telling reporters in Air Force One on January 25.

The President said: “I think the people want to be with us.”

Trump had been putting pressure on PM Mette Frederiksen despite reportedly being told to “f*** off” by the Danes.

Greenland is a vital strategic asset bursting with natural resources and sits bang in the middle of the main Arctic trade routes.

Greenland sits in the middle of the Arctic Ocean and among the key trade arteries in the region.

The Arctic is increasingly the object of a struggle between international superpowers.

Russia and China have both ramped up efforts to take control of the region, and concerns exist that America has been caught off guard.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also defended Trump’s goals with the island as he highlighted a 1951 treaty which promised to defend the island in the event of an attack.

“If we’re already on the hook for having to do that, then we might as well have more control over what happens there,” Rubio said on The Megyn Kelly Show.

“This is not a joke,” he added.

“This is not about acquiring land for the purpose of acquiring land. This is in our national interest and it needs to be solved.”

RENAMING JOB

AFP

The Gulf of Mexico and Gulf of America are now displayed on Google Maps[/caption]

EPA

Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland on January 7, 2025[/caption]

AFP

Trump has put pressure on Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen[/caption]

This has not been Trumps only shock international land grab idea.

The President declared February 9 “Gulf of America Day” after he signed a proclamation to rename to basin.

He confirmed the change while flying over the waters, while on his way to the Super Bowl.

The President had signed an Executive Order on his inauguration day which renamed the basin.

As Trump signed the document on Sunday, his Secretary of the Interior – Doug Burgum – explained what the proclamation was.

Burgum said: “The button was pushed, it became official with this proclamation to call today Gulf of America Day, but now it’s going out as we’re sitting here right now.”

Google Maps has since caved into the President’s wishes and renamed the basin on it’s site.

The name has also changed to “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)” on international Google Maps too.

The Gulf is shared between the US, Mexico, and Cuba.

Getty

Trump and other Republicans have argued Greenland is a national security priority[/caption]

THE draw for tonight’s National Lottery EuroMillions (February 11, 2025) has taken place, with life-changing cash prizes at stake.

Check the results to see if you have just won a fortune and bagged enough to start that jet-set lifestyle you always dreamed of.

Every EuroMillions ticket also bags you an automatic entry into the UK Millionaire Maker, which guarantees at least one player will pocket £1million in every draw.

You can find out if you’re a winner by checking your ticket against tonight’s numbers below.

Tonight’s National Lottery EuroMillions winning numbers are: 03, 21, 36, 41, 46 and the Lucky Stars are: 01, 06.

The UK Millionaire Maker Selection winner is: HTXG00209.

Tonight’s National Lottery Thunderball winning numbers are: 12, 13, 14, 24, 29 and the Thunderball is 13.

The first EuroMillions draw took place on February 7, 2004, by three organisations: France’s Française des Jeux, Loterías y Apuestas del Estado in Spain and the Camelot in the UK.

One of the UK’s biggest prizes was up for grabs on December, 4, 2020 with a whopping £175million EuroMillions jackpot, which would make a winner richer than Adele.

Another previous UK winner who’s whole life was altered with their jackpot was a player who wanted to remain anonymous on October 8, 2019. They walked off with a cool £170,221,000.

Colin and Chris Weir, from Largs in Scotland, netted a huge £161,653,000 in the July 12, 2011.

Adrian and Gillian Bayford, from Haverhill, Suffolk, picked up £148,656,000 after they played the draw on August, 10, 2012, while Jane Park became Britain’s youngest lottery winner when she scooped up £1 million in 2013.

The odds of winning any EuroMillions prize are 1 in 13.

Could tonight’s jackpot of £43million see you handing in your notice and swapping the daily commute for slurping champagne on a super yacht or lying back on a private beach in the Bahamas?

KYLIAN MBAPPE suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction in Real Madrid’s clash against Manchester City.

The LaLiga giants faced the Cityzens in the Champions League play-off round.

amazon Prime

Kylian Mbappe’s laces snapped against Manchester CIty[/caption]

Amazon Prime

He had to go off the pitch to deal with the issue[/caption]

Amazon Prime

Hen had to redo the laces[/caption]

Mbappe, 26, started the game but need to leave the pitch inside just nine minutes.

The forward could be seen fiddling with his boots on the touchline while the action continued.

It was then realised that his laces had snapped on his boot and a replacement was needed.

The commentators could not help themselves but poke a bit of fun at the Galactico.

One said: “Surely he has sponsors for this.”

Fans were also unforgiving as they reacted to the wardrobe malfunction on social media.

One posted: “Mbappe’s laces are off haha.”

A second wrote: “Mbappe needs his mum to tie his laces.”

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

A third commented: “State of them laces on Mbappe.”

A fourth said: “Mbappe’s laces are cooked.”

Another added: “Mbappe broke his laces and needs a new shoe LOL.”

Manchester City took the lead in the match as Erling Haaland smashed his effort past Thibaut Courtois.

However, fans complained at the length of time that was needed for VAR to check the goal.

Minutes later Jack Grealish was forced off with an injury in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney was in attendance as he made his debut for Amazon Prime.

And he was quick off the mark to make a dig against the host team due to his background as at Manchester United player.

JUSTIN Bieber today looked gaunt in his baggy sweats as he joined his wife Hailey at pilates.

The singer, 30, stepped out in LA amid reports that the couple have “marriage troubles”.

BackGrid

Justin and Hailey Bieber put on a united front today in LA[/caption]

BackGrid

The singer’s gaunt frame was drowned by his sweat pants[/caption]

BackGrid

The couple were seen heading out to pilates[/caption]

BackGrid

The star’s appearance has been worrying fans lately[/caption]

The What Do You Mean? singer’s thin frame was drowned in his jogging bottoms and yellow hooded top.

He was unshaven and he wore a blue woolly hat.

Justin was joined in his outing out by his model wife Hailey, 28, who was dressed in shorts and an oversized sweater.

She completed her causal look with her slicked back and a pair of black sunglasses.

Although Justin still looked dishevelled, today’s look is a vast improvement on earlier this week.

The megastar stepped out of his New York home wearing a dressing gown and slippers.

Again his face looked sunken as headed out onto the street wearing a beany hat.

‘MARRIAGE TROUBLES’

Recently, Justin has been hit by rumors of marital problems with wife of six years, Hailey.

Insiders claim the couple, who welcomed son Jack Blues in August 2024, have been struggling behind closed doors.

A source has previously said of his alleged marriage problems: “Some of Hailey’s friends have advised her to leave him.

“His behaviour is sometimes unacceptable.

“She’s put up with a lot.”

Another source said: “Hailey’s been struggling with Justin almost since the start of the marriage.

“She loves him madly but he’s a loose cannon.”

Speculation intensified after Justin unfollowed Hailey on social media, before quickly refollowing her and blaming it on hackers.

GC Images

The couple have been married for six years[/caption]

CONCERN FOR JUSTIN

Meanwhile, this latest sighting of follows growing fears over Justin’s wellbeing.

Fans have expressed concerns over his increasingly erratic public appearances in recent weeks.

Many have also commented on him looking weary and unshaven.