THE SUN Manchester City were surprised to hear Cristiano Ronaldo claim he came “close” to a move to the Etihad in the summer of 2021. Lionel Messi and his Argentina team-mates have avoided five-star hotel treatment for World Cup student accommodation so they can host a barbecue. Cristiano Ronaldo has been offered an escape route to Manchester United this Christmas… in Australia. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player In an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored on TalkTV, Cristiano Ronaldo claimed that young players ‘don’t care’ and are different from his generation Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei insists he has no regrets about signing for the Blues despite zero first-team minutes. Former Arsenal midfielder Sadi Cazorla has admitted he would like to return to the club. Peter Crouch has revealed horrific abuse from the stands early in his career prompted him to consider quitting football. A poll has shown that 45 per cent of football fans in England plan to watch matches from home rather than going to pubs and other venues, with most saying the decision is down to economics. Bayer Leverkusen are keeping their fingers crossed Chelsea will not recall Callum Hudson-Odoi from his January loan. John Askey says York City bosses asked him to go to the printer to collect a file which turned out to be a letter telling him he had been sacked as manager. THE GUARDIAN David Beckham is facing further criticism over his role as Qatar’s ambassador after he claimed the World Cup would be a platform for progress, inclusion and tolerance. Liverpool and Juventus are watching growing uncertainty over Mason Mount’s future after Chelsea’s talks with the England midfielder over a new deal were put on hold until after the World Cup. Image: Chelsea attacking midfielder Mason Mount’s current deal expires in the summer of 2024 THE TIMES Just three days before kick-off, hosts Qatar pressured FIFA to do a complete U-turn on its beer policy at the World Cup and stop selling Budweiser at all eight World Cup stages. England are set to debate whether to kneel at the World Cup in Qatar ahead of Monday’s opening group game against Iran. Mauricio Pochettino has said he is “open” to the idea of managing England as Gareth Southgate prepares for the tournament that will define his tenure. Disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has claimed he is still confident Trinidad will avoid extradition to the United States despite losing an appeal at the Privy Council in London. DAILY EXPRESS Gareth Bale is using a golf simulator ahead of the World Cup in Qatar after being banned from playing a course in Doha. Erling Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta has said there are no concrete plans yet for the Norwegian forward’s future amid rumors linking him with a move away from Manchester City before the end of his current deal. Lionel Messi has decided he wants to go it alone at the World Cup in Qatar with Argentina after Sergio Aguero pulled out. Tottenham will have to act quickly to sign Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in January, according to reports in Italy, with Juventus set to make a move for the 26-year-old and Roma also interested. Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino, who has impressed during a loan spell with Championship side Blackpool so far this season. DAILY TELEGRAPH Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group have confirmed Jurgen Klopp’s key ally Michael Gordon is “stepping down” from his day-to-day duties in a major shakeup at Anfield. The Football Association will confront FIFA with a meeting on the eve of the World Cup to ask why it has not acted to improve the rights of migrant workers in Qatar. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player In an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored on TalkTV, Cristiano Ronaldo claims Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag challenged him to leave the pitch against Tottenham. DAILY MIRROR Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed long-time rival Lionel Messi as an “amazing player” – and insisted there is a deep level of respect between the two superstars. Lionel Messi has spoken of his “happiness” in Paris as he appears to have thrown cold water on Joan Laporta’s attempts to bring him back to Barcelona. Co-owner Will Ferrell says Cristiano Ronaldo would be welcome at LAFC if he decides to try MLS before the end of his career, though he admitted “we can’t pay you that much” and hoped they could be great stadiums golf and beaches. replenish this. A cheeky migrant worker persuaded Dutch midfielder Frankie de Jong to join Liverpool in January, the Barcelona midfielder revealed after a visit to the World Cup facilities in Qatar. THE INDEPENDENT Gareth Southgate has dropped Ivan Toney from England’s World Cup squad for “football pitches”, according to Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham. Image: Brentford striker Ivan Toney charged with 232 alleged betting breaches DAILY MAIL Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was left baffled by a congratulatory message from the Spanish FA on his retirement from international duty – despite not yet hanging up his gloves. Arsenal are reportedly set to host Juventus in their final warm-up game before the Premier League season resumes on Boxing Day, while the Serie A side also have another clash with Barcelona scheduled during the World Cup break. Leicester believe they can agree a deal with Youri Tielemans that will prevent the midfielder from leaving on a free transfer next summer. Christopher Nkunku has defended his France team-mate Eduardo Caravinga after he was subjected to nasty racial abuse this week. Australia coach Graham Arnold says a dual battle with Covid-19 has enabled him to become a better communicator and feels his previous “iron-fisted” regime has thankfully ended. Olivier Giroud has given Australia some ammunition ahead of the start of the World Cup next week, admitting France have yet to start doing their homework on the Socceroos and have no idea who is in their squad. FIFA is facing criticism over a decision not to have water fountains in venues, including fan parks and fan zones, sparking fears that the 33-degree temperatures could lead to heatstroke and severe dehydration for visitors as they queue for bottled water. DAILY RECORD Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin is confident loan stars Leighton Clarkson (Liverpool) and Liam Scales (Celtic) will be able to see out the season at Pittodrie despite January recall options.
