Whether he’s turning on his club, coach and teammates or not, it cannot be denied that Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most famous people on the planet.
Considering his astronomical levels of fame, you’d think most people would be able to recognise the footballing superstar when they see him. Unless you’re this bloke of course.
For those uninitiated, this seemingly gullible gentleman is YouTuber, Twitch streamer and social media personality, IShowSpeed, who has shot to fame in the past year or so.
One of the reasons he has become so popular online is that he’s prone to the odd viral moment (or two) — for instance, being fooled by a Ronaldo lookalike.
Credit: IShowSpeed YouTube channel
As you can see in the video above, teaming up with crypto-brand ‘The Paradox Metaverse’, IShowSpeed is live streaming to his countless followers when those around him inform the teenager that they have a surprise for him: a Ronaldo lookalike which just so happens to fool him.
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It’s not exactly uncanny, is it? We’d like to believe he’s faking it but the face and overall reaction make us think otherwise. Plus, the fella has form for this kind of thing.
If you’ve ever come across this young man before, you’ll know that he has a track record for this kind of gaffe and despite playing games like FIFA for millions of viewers and becoming more and more engrossed in the world of football, it’s fair to say his knowledge of the game isn’t the best.
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A recent example would be when the impressionable American was pranked by fellow content creators Harry Pinero and Mark Golbridge of The United Stand YouTube channel into thinking they were part of past Manchester United teams.
Again, Speed — real name Darren Watkins Jr. — has so many of these pranks and memes in his locker that he must be joking or playing up to for clicks at this point.
On the other hand, he’s such a puzzling persona that we really can’t tell what’s real and what’s fake anymore and neither can he, apparently.
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He’s either very easily fooled or very good at playing the social media game.
Meanwhile, following his blockbuster interview with Piers Morgan, the real CR7 has ironically had his instantly recognisable likeness stripped from the front of Old Trafford as the club considers taking legal action following his comments.
The 37-year-old has levelled a number of claims at his current club, criticising the Glazers and lack of progression at the club, digging out his own manager in Erik ten Hag, and even taking aim at former teammates like Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney.
We wouldn’t expect to see him in a United shirt again.
Still, they could stick this average lookalike on the pitch and Speed wouldn’t spot the difference.
Pep Guardiola apologises for ’embarrassing’ camera operator confrontation
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has apologised after confronting a cameraman following the Premier League fixture against Newcastle United this past weekend.
The Blues boss was left visibly frustrated as Man City were beaten 2-1 away at St James’ Park by Eddie Howe’s side following a flurry of three finishes in the space of just six minutes.
However, this wasn’t the only action pitchside during the game, as not only have some supporters argued they should have had a penalty as Phil Foden was brought down in the box, Pep was also seen engaging in a loaded exchange with opposition captain Bruno Guimarães, as well as a camera operator.
Guardiola has since apologised for the incident, confessing he was left “embarrassed” by his own conduct and admitting that even “after 1,000 games, I’m not a perfect person – I make huge mistakes.”
As you can see, the Catalan coach approached the member of the broadcasting team following a fairly widespread spat both during the second Newcastle goal and following the full-time whistle.
Despite journalists recognising a natural amount of frustration and passion amidst the narrow loss and speculation over decisions, he went so far as to say he wasn’t “ashamed” of his actions at the time and doesn’t like or condone this kind of behaviour.
He was also seen smacking his seat in the dugout after conceding as well as after missed chances by his own players.
Pep assured that he apologised to the cameraman within seconds, remarking, “I am who I am” and reminding football fans that he is a human capable of acting on instinct just like anyone else.
He also clarified that the bulk of his issues on the day were to do with the officiating, taking umbrage with the referee’s decision-making in multiple instances.
You can see the clip down below:
"I feel embarrassed and ashamed when I see it"
Pep Guardiola apologises for his behaviour towards a camera operator after the defeat at Newcastle. pic.twitter.com/wVYfJDbnLm
As for his conversation with Guimarães, he wouldn’t disclose any details of their conversation, but did insist to one reporter that they share a good relationship, confessing that he is “an emotional guy” and can often appear particularly animated as he is known for gesticulating.
It seems that the 54-year-old was just annoyed over the potential penalty, but match-winner Harvey Barnes’ brace in particular, too.
Not only were there questions of a foul on new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma – whose shot-stopping was otherwise excellent for the majority of the match – but Guimarães was supposedly offside in the build-up to the strike.
Regardless, Pep went on to add that the confrontation with the cameraman, Donnarumma’s booking for dissent, and general disappointment have been “immediately forgotten”, and all eyes are now focused on City’s big European meeting with Bayern Leverkusen.
You can see the highlights from Newcastle vs Man City down below.
Kids can now send their Christmas lists to the North Pole as Royal Mail’s Santa Mail returns for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Children all across the UK can now send their Christmas wish lists directly to the big man himself in the North Pole.
That’s because Royal Mail’s hugely-popular Santa Mail scheme has returned for 2025.
With just over a month to go until Christmas Day is officially here, Royal Mail is once again helping to make festive wishes come true by lending a helping hand to one of its most special customers, Santa, just like it has done for more than 60 years.
The postal service will be sending children’s letters and Christmas wish lists directly to the ‘North Pole’ this year.
Santa’s team of helpers at Royal Mail are gearing up to deliver the hundreds of thousands of letters sent to him by children from all across the UK.
With the very busy Christmas period ahead – one of the busiest times of the year for the postal industry, by far – Royal Mail is encouraging children to get their letters written and sent as soon as they can – with the cut-off date being no later than Wednesday 10 December.
To send your letters to the ‘North Pole’, you need to pop them in a stamped envelope and send them to this special address:
Santa / Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ.
Don’t forget to include your name and full address on your letter, so that Santa knows where to send his replies back to.
Kids can now send their Christmas lists to the North Pole as Royal Mail’s Santa Mail returns for 2025 / Credit: Phil Hearing | Marina Abrosimova (via Unsplash)
“Royal Mail continues to play a cherished role in the nation’s Christmas traditions,” commented Lisa Luveniyali, Royal Mail’s Chief Elf, who oversees the safe delivery of children’s letters to Santa at his magical grotto in Reindeerland.
“For over 60 years, we’ve proudly helped Santa manage the thousands of heartfelt letters sent by children across the UK.
“Our dedicated team of festive elves especially love seeing the wonderful wishes children share, and helping Santa send his replies.
Danny Jones -
17th November 2022 
