Football news round-up: Messi highest earning Latin American entertainer, Ronaldo Nazário reveals the real reason behind iconic World Cup haircut - 29th December 2017
Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's football round-up where we take a look at all the major football headlines from the day.
Lionel Messi the highest-paid Latin American entertainer, Francesco Totti and Carles Puyol win lifetime achievement awards, Adriano's return to football, Ronaldo Nazário's real reason behind his cult haircut at the World Cup, SpongeBob SquarePants' role in football - we have got it all covered, just for you!
1. A Spanish club has unveiled their new mascot that looks like SpongeBob SquarePants
Spanish third-division side Racing Santander have unveiled their new club mascot Bob Sobao which strikingly resembles SpongeBob SquarePants.
However, Los Racinguistas claim that the mascot is a tribute to the famous sobao treat that has its origination from Valles Pasiegos in Cantabria. The dish comprises of ingredients such as bread dough, sugar and rum.
Hmm... interesting!
2. An interesting fact about Virgil van Dijk's transfer to Liverpool!
Liverpool drew severe criticism on themselves when they signed defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for a world-record fee of £75 million. Now, an interesting fact has come to the fore: Bayern Munich's entire defence of Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Jérôme Boateng, Mats Hummels and David Alaba cost £70 million, £5 million less than van Djik's record move.
The effect of the Premier League or football's market inflation? You decide.
3. LaLiga named the best league in the world!
LaLiga was named 'Best League of the Year’ at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai yesterday. The league was recognized with the award for being “the most dominant league in Europe since the turn of the millennium, winning 9 Champions League and 8 Europa League titles since the year 2000”. La Liga president Javier Tebas received the award from Fabio Capello.
"We're a global, professional, modern and socially responsible organisation that is a leader in the leisure and entertainment sector, so winning this internationally renowned prize is a source of great pride for everyone connected with LaLiga and particularly the fans who follow our football matchday in, matchday out," Tebas said on receiving the award.
4. Arsène Wenger reveals what Thierry Henry said to him before leaving for Barcelona
Arsène Wenger has lifted the lid on what Thierry Henry said to him when he decided to leave Arsenal for Barcelona. Speaking to Sky Sports, Wenger said, "He told me, 'Look, we have a young team, we cannot win the Premier League. I'm 31, I need to go, I need to win, and I cannot wait for the young players to be good enough.'