Football
World-famous sporting sight crops up in Cork as fans beam while posing for pics
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE final week is upon us – and the trophy has found itself in Cork of all places.
A select bunch of lucky Pepsi employees got the chance to get their picture taken with it ahead of Saturday’s tussle between Real Madrid and Dortmund.
Los Blancos are seeking a record-extending 15th European triumph this weekend.
It would also be an incredible sixth Champions League crown in 10 years and add to the LaLiga title they claimed earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Dortmund have overcome the odds to reach the final having beaten Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain on their way to Wembley.
During Real’s LaLiga parade in Madrid, young phenom Jude Bellingham spoke in fluent Spanish as he set his sights on the Champions League final.
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He said: “Many thanks for your support and the love shown this season.
“We’ve got one more big game at Wembley. We’re going to win. Come on Madrid.”
His transformation into a global superstar has been nothing short of frightening, as are his numbers from midfield this season: 23 goals in 41 games in all competitions, with 19 coming in LaLiga.
England fans have been left drooling over the prospect of seeing him tearing up the Euros in a similar way this summer over in Germany.
Yet for now, all eyes are on a prize that Madrid have lifted a record 14 times in their history.
The 20-year-old said: “It is a game [the Champions League final] I have been dreaming of since I started playing football.
“I always thought I could reach this level and win trophies.
“I probably never realised it would happen so quickly, and probably didn’t realise the potential of my own game when it came to scoring and creating goals.
“But, I understand the opportunity and not many people get to play in a game like this.
“I don’t want to waste a second and I won’t take it for granted. I will enjoy it.
“I have been so fortunate in football and in life to have so many good people around me that have always just wanted me to enjoy the game for how it is and play with freedom.
“I have always been taught to dream as big as possible. That still reflects in the way I play now.”