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Scottish Sun
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I tried Lionel Messi's £53 GOAT 10 wine to see how it compared to grapes of other football greats including Prem legend
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOOTBALL has given us some of our most memorable moments… and one man in particular has grasped the hearts of millions around the globe. He's won LaLigas, Champions Leagues, a record eight Ballons d'Or and lifted the World Cup in 2022 - he is arguably the greatest of all time. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 25 Lionel Messi launched his own range of wines, the GOAT 10 collection Credit: MM Winemaker 25 The Argentine great opted against a wine produced in his native homeland Credit: MM Winemaker 25 The GOAT 10 Sicilia Syrah IGT costs just north of £50 Credit: MM Winemaker 25 SunSport's Joshua Jones put the footballers' wines through a blind taste test Credit: SunSport It's safe to say Lionel Messi has crushed it on the pitch… now he's crushing grapes off it, with his own line of wines. Messi has followed the likes of Andres Iniesta, David Ginola, David Silva and Andrea Pirlo in releasing his own bottle of plonk - linking with award-winning MM Winemakers to launch the GOAT 10 Lionel Collection. His adoring fans are able to get their hands on a bottle of his premium Sicily Syrah or Puglia Primitivo reds for just north of £50. SunSport had grape expectations once we got our hands on some of the wine. Read more football news STRIPPIER Blonde who partied with Trippier before he announced wife split is OnlyFans model And we thought we should put the GOAT 10 through its paces and see how it plays in the glass... whether it has that shirazzmatazz worthy of a Ballon P'Our. A blind taste test was in order so SunSport headed to WSET School London - one of the UK's leading wine schools - and drafted in top ref, wine connoisseur and Principal Richard Harding to provide some much-needed expertise. So how does Messi's vino stack up against the footballing competition? And can we guess the player from the taste of his wine? SunSport found out... CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS ANDREA PIRLO - Pratum Coller Nitor IGP Montenetto (£23) The first hidden bottle we tested was a white wine that had an immediate early impact. Richard showed us what to look for, smell for and ultimately taste for - and I (somehow) correctly identified citrus as one of the key notes, albeit suggesting grapefruit instead of lemon and lime or even peach. Chelsea legend Gullit becomes 'instant meme' as video of him staring at wine drinker who shakes waiter's hand goes viral Then I scored my first own goal of the testing session… swallowing down a big gulp of the vino rather than swirling it around my mouth and back out into a spittoon as the pros do. This was a fresh, classy wine that one could easily enjoy for a full 90 minutes with the acidity a clue it is Italian - and for that reason, I guessed Andrea Pirlo, a classy footballer, a crowd pleaser and perfect on a summer's evening. Get a bit too much of it, though, and Pirlo's wine might leave you down on your backside looking a little silly - a la Joe Hart at Euro 2012. The Italian maestro owns the Pratum Coller vineyard which has 15 acres of vines and produces 25-30,000 bottles per year. SunSport guess: PIRLO, Richard guess: PIRLO 25 Andrea Pirlo's Nitor IGP Montenetto from Pratum Coller was a classy white wine Credit: oip 25 The former midfielder's vineyard produces 25-30,000 bottles per year Credit: Alamy 25 Drink too much and you could end up like Joe Hart at Euro 2012 Credit: AFP - Getty DAVID SILVA - Tameran Malvasia Volcanica 2022 (£41) As the first half progressed, I grew into the game and thought I was getting a good grasp. Richard seemed genuinely quite surprised and impressed when I correctly identified the vanilla notes in wine No2. This delicious darker white had honey, smoky and even explosive tints - in part due to the grapes growing in volcanic Gran Canaria. This wine has aged well and reflects its owner who kept going until 37, David Silva - and like the four-time Premier League winner, deserves more accolades than it is given credit for. Silva teamed up with winemaker Jonatan Garcia to launch a new winery in his home island in 2019, Bodegas Tameran, when he bought the vineyard. SunSport guess: GINOLA, Richard guess: SILVA 25 David Silva's Tameran Malvasia Volcanica is produced in Gran Canaria Credit: Gourmet Hunters 25 The ex-Manchester City star bought the vineyard in 2019 and has a range of wines Credit: DAVID GINOLA - Coste Brulade Provence Rosé 2023 (£14) As we hit half-time, it was time to shake things up with a rose - Richard informed me wine tasting is done by starting with whites, then roses and then finally reds. This floral, red-fruity and summery number had Wimbledon vibes - but more the All England Club rather than the Crazy Gang at Plough Lane. Spurs fan Richard's expertise suggested this elegant rose was from Provence in the south of France… and that was a tell-tale sign who could be responsible for being the footballer behind it. David Ginola certainly has produced award-winning wine with Coste Brulade in the past - but it is unclear if he is still involved. SunSport guess: GINOLA, Richard guess: GINOLA 25 The Coste Brulade Provence Rosé 2023 had a taste of summer Credit: General Wine Company 25 David Ginola helped make award-winning wines with Coste Brulade in the 2000s Credit: PA 25 The rose was a French number oozing with elegance - fitting for Ginola Credit: PA ANDRES INIESTA - Corazon Loco Tinto Joven 2022 (£15) Well into second half, now, and this is where the reds come into their own. This one was so deep in colour it looked like it had parked the bus - Jose Mourinho would be proud. Straight off the nose, I could detect the flair and creativity and we picked out flavours of cherries, blackcurrants and blackberries. Whoever made this had clearly put plenty of time in perfecting his craft in the vineyard… just like they did on the pitch. This is a consistent wine that can step up at any occasion - Champions League semi-finals at Stamford Bridge to World Cup finals in Johannesburg. Impressing in red with his Corazon Loco - which means 'crazy heart' - Andres Iniesta certainly played with his heart and went crazy in red (well, it was the blue away kit!) when he scored the winner as Spain were crowned world champions in 2010. Andres' father Jose planted ten hectares in the 1990s and the family winery Bodega Iniesta opened in Albacete, Spain in 2010, now grows 14 grape varieties across 300 hectares. SunSport guess: INIESTA, Richard guess: INIESTA 25 The Corazon Loco Tinto Joven 2022 is a red from Andres Iniesta Credit: Vinissimus 25 The Spaniard showed 'crazy heart' when he won the World Cup for his country in 2010 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 25 Bodega Iniesta was established in the same year as Spain's triumph in South Africa Credit: 25 The family business now grows 14 grape varieties across 300 hectares Credit: LIONEL MESSI - Sicily Syrah IGT (£53) And lastly, sneaking in during injury-time was the fifth and final wine - and a real showstopper, too. I got hints of earthiness - not dissimilar to the smell of the Nou Camp pitch from my visit to Barcelona. And Richard cleverly pointed out that this could mean it is from a player who is used to leaving opposition defenders in the dirt. So while Lionel Messi may not be renowned for his physical strength or height, he has certainly left a powerful impression on football. And his smooth and silky GOAT 10 Syrah wine does the same with its full-bodied complexity, good acidity and spice, dark fruitiness and subtle floral and oak flavours… this wine can do a bit of everything - sound familiar? The quality number has plenty of velvety tannins - natural compounds from skins, seeds and stems - and the high alcohol content (14 per cent) leaves a slight burning sensation in the mouth. The good long finish stays in the mouth - an indicator of the footballer's lengthy career and red-hot ability to find the back of the net more than 850 times. Interestingly, the Lionel Collection is produced from grapes grown in Italy… for a player born in Argentina and made his name spending most of his career in Spain. SunSport guess: MESSI, Richard guess: MESSI 25 Lionel Messi's GOAT 10 Sicily Syrah IGT is a showstopper Credit: MM Winemaker 25 A long finish is fitting for a man still playing at 38 with more than 850 career goals Credit: MM Winemaker 25 As well as the Sicilia Syrah, there is also a Puglia Primitivo in the Lionel Collection Credit: MM Winemaker 25 Despite dazzling in pink for Inter Miami, Messi's GOAT 10s are reds rather than roses Credit: Getty FULL-TIME SCORE SunSport 4-5 Richard Cheers! A huge thank you to Richard Harding and everyone at WSET School London. WSET is the global leader in drinks education, with courses in wine, spirits, beer and sake taught in over 70 countries. Head to to find a course provider near you. 25 The five wines all showed plenty of class and creativity - much like the famous footballers behind them Credit: SunSport 25 SunSport's Joshua Jones leaned on the expertise of WSET School London Principal Richard Harding Credit: SunSport 25 The pair assessed the colours, notes and flavours of the wines Credit: SunSport 25 Getting the technique right is an important part of wine testing Credit: SunSport
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I tried Lionel Messi's £53 GOAT 10 wine to see how it compared to grapes of other football greats including Prem legend
FOOTBALL has given us some of our most memorable moments… and one man in particular has grasped the hearts of millions around the globe. He's won LaLigas, Champions Leagues, a record eight Ballons d'Or and lifted the World Cup in 2022 - he is arguably the greatest of all time. 25 Lionel Messi launched his own range of wines, the GOAT 10 collection Credit: MM Winemaker 25 The Argentine great opted against a wine produced in his native homeland Credit: MM Winemaker 25 The GOAT 10 Sicilia Syrah IGT costs just north of £50 Credit: MM Winemaker 25 SunSport's Joshua Jones put the footballers' wines through a blind taste test Credit: SunSport It's safe to say Lionel Messi has crushed it on the pitch… now he's crushing grapes off it, with his own line of wines. Messi has followed the likes of Andres Iniesta, David Ginola, David Silva and Andrea Pirlo in releasing his own bottle of plonk - linking with award-winning MM Winemakers to launch the His adoring fans are able to get their hands on a bottle of his premium Sicily Syrah or Puglia Primitivo reds for just north of £50. SunSport had grape expectations once we got our hands on some of the wine. Read more football news And we thought we should put the GOAT 10 through its paces and see how it plays in the glass... whether it has that shirazzmatazz worthy of a Ballon P'Our. A blind taste test was in order so SunSport headed to So how does Messi's vino stack up against the footballing competition? And can we guess the player from the taste of his wine? SunSport found out... Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS ANDREA PIRLO - Pratum Coller Nitor IGP Montenetto (£23) The first hidden bottle we tested was a white wine that had an immediate early impact. Richard showed us what to look for, smell for and ultimately taste for - and I (somehow) correctly identified citrus as one of the key notes, albeit suggesting grapefruit instead of lemon and lime or even peach. Chelsea legend Gullit becomes 'instant meme' as video of him staring at wine drinker who shakes waiter's hand goes viral Then I scored my first own goal of the testing session… swallowing down a big gulp of the vino rather than swirling it around my mouth and back out into a spittoon as the pros do. This was a fresh, classy wine that one could easily enjoy for a full 90 minutes with the acidity a clue it is Italian - and for that reason, I guessed Andrea Pirlo, a classy footballer, a crowd pleaser and perfect on a summer's evening. Get a bit too much of it, though, and Pirlo's wine might leave you down on your backside looking a little silly - a la Joe Hart at Euro 2012. The Italian maestro owns the Pratum Coller vineyard which has 15 acres of vines and produces 25-30,000 bottles per year. SunSport guess: PIRLO, Richard guess: PIRLO 25 Andrea Pirlo's Nitor IGP Montenetto from Pratum Coller was a classy white wine Credit: oip 25 The former midfielder's vineyard produces 25-30,000 bottles per year Credit: Alamy 25 Drink too much and you could end up like Joe Hart at Euro 2012 Credit: AFP - Getty DAVID SILVA - Tameran Malvasia Volcanica 2022 (£41) As the first half progressed, I grew into the game and thought I was getting a good grasp. Richard seemed genuinely quite surprised and impressed when I correctly identified the vanilla notes in wine No2. This delicious darker white had honey, smoky and even explosive tints - in part due to the grapes growing in volcanic Gran Canaria. This wine has aged well and reflects its owner who kept going until 37, David Silva - and like the four-time Premier League winner, deserves more accolades than it is given credit for. SunSport guess: GINOLA, Richard guess: SILVA 25 David Silva's Tameran Malvasia Volcanica is produced in Gran Canaria Credit: Gourmet Hunters 25 The ex-Manchester City star bought the vineyard in 2019 and has a range of wines Credit: DAVID GINOLA - Coste Brulade Provence Rosé 2023 (£14) As we hit half-time, it was time to shake things up with a rose - Richard informed me wine tasting is done by starting with whites, then roses and then finally reds. This floral, red-fruity and summery number had Wimbledon vibes - but more the All England Club rather than the Crazy Gang at Plough Lane. Spurs fan Richard's expertise suggested this SunSport guess: GINOLA, Richard guess: GINOLA 25 The Coste Brulade Provence Rosé 2023 had a taste of summer Credit: General Wine Company 25 David Ginola helped make award-winning wines with Coste Brulade in the 2000s Credit: PA 25 The rose was a French number oozing with elegance - fitting for Ginola Credit: PA ANDRES INIESTA - Corazon Loco Tinto Joven 2022 (£15) Well into second half, now, and this is where the reds come into their own. This one was so deep in colour it looked like it had parked the bus - Jose Mourinho would be proud. Straight off the nose, I could detect the flair and creativity and we picked out flavours of cherries, blackcurrants and blackberries. Whoever made this had clearly put plenty of time in perfecting his craft in the vineyard… just like they did on the pitch. This is a consistent wine that can step up at any occasion - Champions League semi-finals at Stamford Bridge to World Cup finals in Johannesburg. Impressing in red with his Corazon Loco - which means 'crazy heart' - Andres Iniesta certainly played with his heart and went crazy in red (well, it was the blue away kit!) when he scored the winner as Spain were crowned world champions in 2010. Andres' father Jose planted ten hectares in the 1990s and the SunSport guess: INIESTA, Richard guess: INIESTA 25 The Corazon Loco Tinto Joven 2022 is a red from Andres Iniesta Credit: Vinissimus 25 The Spaniard showed 'crazy heart' when he won the World Cup for his country in 2010 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 25 Bodega Iniesta was established in the same year as Spain's triumph in South Africa Credit: 25 The family business now grows 14 grape varieties across 300 hectares Credit: LIONEL MESSI - Sicily Syrah IGT (£53) And lastly, sneaking in during injury-time was the fifth and final wine - and a real showstopper, too. I got hints of earthiness - not dissimilar to the smell of the Nou Camp pitch from my visit to Barcelona. And Richard cleverly pointed out that this could mean it is from a player who is used to leaving opposition defenders in the dirt. So while Lionel Messi may not be renowned for his physical strength or height, he has And his smooth and silky GOAT 10 Syrah wine does the same with its full-bodied complexity, good acidity and spice, dark fruitiness and subtle floral and oak flavours… this wine can do a bit of everything - sound familiar? The quality number has plenty of velvety tannins - natural compounds from skins, seeds and stems - and the high alcohol content (14 per cent) leaves a slight burning sensation in the mouth. The good long finish stays in the mouth - an indicator of the footballer's lengthy career and red-hot ability to find the back of the net more than 850 times. Interestingly, the Lionel Collection is produced from grapes grown in Italy… for a player born in Argentina and made his name spending most of his career in Spain. SunSport guess: MESSI, Richard guess: MESSI 25 Lionel Messi's GOAT 10 Sicily Syrah IGT is a showstopper Credit: MM Winemaker 25 A long finish is fitting for a man still playing at 38 with more than 850 career goals Credit: MM Winemaker 25 As well as the Sicilia Syrah, there is also a Puglia Primitivo in the Lionel Collection Credit: MM Winemaker 25 Despite dazzling in pink for Inter Miami, Messi's GOAT 10s are reds rather than roses Credit: Getty FULL-TIME SCORE SunSport 4-5 Richard Cheers! A huge thank you to Richard Harding and everyone at WSET School London. WSET is the global leader in drinks education, with courses in wine, spirits, beer and sake taught in over 70 countries. Head to to find a course provider near you. 25 The five wines all showed plenty of class and creativity - much like the famous footballers behind them Credit: SunSport 25 SunSport's Joshua Jones leaned on the expertise of WSET School London Principal Richard Harding Credit: SunSport 25 The pair assessed the colours, notes and flavours of the wines Credit: SunSport 25 Getting the technique right is an important part of wine testing Credit: SunSport 25 Richard got all five guesses spot on, while Joshua got one wrong Credit: SunSport
Pink Villa
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kartik Aaryan fears ‘Argentina aunty will hit me' as he engages in hilarious Messi vs Ronaldo debate, reveals his favorite
Kartik Aaryan is currently shooting for his new movie in Croatia, where he was seen debating over Messi vs. Ronaldo with Argentine women. The actor shared a hilarious video on his Instagram where he is seated between two women and funnily instigates them over Ronaldo being the better player than Messi. Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are football giants who are not only known in their respective countries but across the globe. The players have left quite an impression on the game, as well as the industry, where every other fan wants to be like them. The duo have played football for nearly two decades and have a winning record of 13 Ballons d'Or together. While both Messi and Ronaldo left European football a couple of years ago, they still have many laurels to their names. The Argentine native led his club, Inter Miami, to a 2-1 victory against Porto in the FIFA World Cup, while the father of five and his Portugal team went on to win the second UEFA Nations League in June 2025. Kartik Aaryan's fun banter with Argentine women As for the video shared by the Pyaar ka Punchnama star, Aaryan sat on a bench with two women. With the video being shot in Croatia, the Bollywood star went on to ask the ladies if La Pulga was their favorite. When the women nodded in affirmation, the movie star cheekily replied that he was a Ronaldo fan. Aaryan's response got the women riled up as one of them went on to say, "No, no. Messi, Maradona.' At the end of the video, the actor laughed and went on to say, 'This aunty will hit me.' Meanwhile, over the years, many Bollywood actors have talked about their pick between two football icons. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have proved their stance in the football industry over the years. Hence, it is quite impossible for us to decide who is better. Can you?
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Cristiano Ronaldo bodyguard lifts lid on working for him - 'He was threatened'
Cristiano Ronaldo's footballing exploits have raised him to insurmountable fame, and with such notoriety comes an added security risk, as detailed by a former bodyguard Cristiano Ronaldo's former bodyguard has admitted that people and fans would 'threaten' the Portuguese superstar, though his life was never at risk. Having emerged at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo rose to become one of European football's finest and won his first of five Ballons d'Or in 2008 as a Red Devil. A four-time Champions League-winning spell with Real Madrid followed, before a stint with Juventus, a short-lived return to Old Trafford and an unceremonious exit to the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr. Throughout his illustrious career for club and country, in which he has mustered over 900 goals and won countless accolades, the superstar's fame has transcended football. Ronaldo is one of the most recognisable sports stars, if not celebrities, in the world, but such popularity brings with it its fair share of risk. On Wednesday, for example, a fan evaded security before Portugal's match against Germany and invaded the pitch, getting his hands around the 40-year-old before being escorted away by security. The Al Nassr forward has, therefore, often sought the help of a bodyguard, and Hichman, who served him for four years, has given insight into the sort of threats he would aim to deal with and how much he'd be paid. "Our work depends on the client's profile. In the case of Cristiano, with whom I worked for four years, his profile wasn't high-risk because people didn't want to kill him, and he didn't receive death threats," Hichman told Telecinco. "He was threatened by fans or people who wanted to rob him." The 36-year-old Hichman went on to detail the strategies he would employ to keep Ronaldo, his partner Georgina Rodriguez and their children safe. "We always have to know where we're going, who will be there, and have clear entry and exit points, as well as contact points," he continued. "We must always be aware that our lives could be at risk. We have to be willing to protect a person, and sometimes we have to give our lives to protect them. "If I have to use weapons, I will use them. The most important thing is having the ability to think quickly, solve problems, and remain calm in difficult situations." Hichman looks back fondly on his time serving the marksman, claiming that he would earn around £850 per day providing security for Ronaldo, with whom he has a positive relationship despite not working for him anymore. "He is the best boss I've ever had," stated Hichman. "We have a good relationship. Working with him wasn't like working with someone threatened with death or kidnap. We had some silly incidents with paparazzi or crazy fans, but nothing major." Aside from making life difficult for photographers and trying to keep Ronaldo's family out of the public eye as much as possible, Hichman revealed that he never dealt with serious threats to the 40-year-old. There have been many instances of fans running onto the pitch, as occurred during Portugal's Nations League clash this week, to try and get a close-up glimpse of Ronaldo or attempt to take a selfie with him. Yet, in April, Marca reported that Ronaldo had ramped up security efforts after threats were made against his family on social media, allegedly from a group located in Saudi Arabia, where he currently resides.
Daily Tribune
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Yamal Extends Barcelona Stay Until 2031
TDT | Manama Barcelona's teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal has signed a contract extension until 2031, the LaLiga champions announced on Tuesday. The 17-year-old, whose previous deal ran until 2026, has emerged as a global sensation after a stellar season, quashing interest from Europe's top clubs. A Meteoric Rise Yamal's 2024-25 campaign was nothing short of spectacular, with 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches, helping Barcelona secure LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. His dribbling, playmaking, and knack for decisive moments—such as the title-clinching goal against Espanyol—have drawn comparisons to La Masia greats like Lionel Messi. Ballon d'Or Contender Yamal's scintillating form has made him a leading candidate for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, set to be awarded on 22 September. At 17, a win would make him the youngest ever recipient, surpassing previous nominees like Kylian Mbappé. His contract reportedly includes a Ballon d'Or bonus, reflecting his potential to reach the pinnacle of individual accolades. Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho have backed him to win multiple Ballons d'Or, with teammate Raphinha predicting at least three in his career. LaLiga's Rising Stars Yamal isn't the only young talent lighting up LaLiga. Real Madrid's 20-year-old Vinicius Junior remains a dynamic force, with his pace and flair earning Ballon d'Or chatter despite Barcelona's title win. At Athletic Bilbao, 23-year-old Nico Williams has impressed with his direct wing play, contributing to their European push. Gavi, Yamal's 20-year-old Barcelona teammate, combines tenacity with vision, while 18-year-old Pau Cubarsí has emerged as a composed centre-back, also tipped for future Ballon d'Or contention. These youngsters highlight LaLiga's rich pipeline of talent. Securing Barca's Future Locking in Yamal, who debuted at 15 and has already made 106 appearances, signals Barcelona's intent to build around their La Masia star. His new deal, with a reported €15m annual salary and performance bonuses, could see him become the club's highest earner. The agreement, finalised after talks with president Joan Laporta and agent Jorge Mendes, also positions Yamal to inherit the iconic No. 10 shirt. A LaLiga Beacon Yamal's commitment is a boost for Barcelona and LaLiga, where his electrifying displays continue to captivate. As he prepares for Spain's 2026 World Cup campaign, the Rocafonda-born winger is poised to deliver more unforgettable moments, cementing his status as football's next superstar.
