Lionel Messi‘s move to the MLS came with the costly pain of having to leave the family’s pet Bordeaux Mastiff at his home in Barcelona.

The decision to leave behind Hulk was due in part to the seven-year-old mutt’s health, Argentine comedian Migue Granados revealed this weekend after recording an interview with the 2023 World Cup champion at his home in Miami.

Granados learned of the family decision after joking that he was going to stuff Abu, their pet poodle, into a backpack and ask for a large ransom following last Thursday’s interview for his program on OLGA, a streaming network.

But he was surprised that Hulk was nowhere to be seen.

‘I asked him where that bull was and he told me, ‘He’s in Barcelona, Hulk is there. He is a little old. So, we had to leave him in the house we have there in Barcelona,’ Granados shared.

Lionel Messi plays with the family’s seven-year-old Bordeaux Mastiff, Hulk, who didn’t join them on the move from Barcelona to Miami this summer. The Argentine soccer star told comedian Migue Granados that he took into consideration the pooch’s age and health as the reason why it was better for him to stay behind at his home in Spain where he’s take care of

Lionel Messi welcomed Hulk to his family in 2016

The 36-year-old Messi welcomed Hulk into the family as a pup in 2016, sharing a picture of him hugging the pooch on Instagram.

‘New member of my family,’ Messi wrote at the time. ‘Thanks, love, for this beautiful gift.’

He and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo regularly shared pictures and videos of the dog on social media, but haven’t done so since 2021 when Messi was playing for PSG and traveled back to Spain to recover from an injury.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner took into consideration the amount of stress the cross-continent move in July would take on Hulk at this point in his life.

Messi told Granados that Hulk ‘is on the verge’ of perhaps needing to be put to sleep.

Argentine World Soccer champion Lionel Messi rests at his Barcelona home with the family pet dog, Hulk, a seven-year-old Bordeaux Mastiff

Lionel Messi pet Bordeaux Mastiff, Hulk, is seven years old. They have a life span of five to eight years, but in some cases there are some who live up to 11

Lionel Messi plays with the family’s seven-year-old Bordeaux Mastiff, Hulk, at his home in Barcelona, where the dog remains under the care of a staff

Bordeaux Mastiffs can grow to be 27 inches tall and weigh 110 pounds. They have a life span of five to eight years, although some make it to 11. 

For now, Hulk is being looked after by the staff at the luxurious home in Castelldefels, a suburb 12 miles away from Cam Nou. Messi, meanwhile, has become the face of MLS in the US as he plays for Inter Miami CF.

During the interview, Messi shared the family wakes up on school days at 7am for a group breakfast and drops off his three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.

He and his wife then return home for a nap or to catch up on their favorite shows. On other days he heads over for a morning workout with Inter Miami.  Around 3pm they both pick up the children before taking Thiago and Mateo to soccer practice at the club’s academy.

Messi also revealed the possibility of expanding the family.

‘We would like,’ he said. ‘We are not in the search, but we would like it if the girl arrives.’

Today, all eyes will be on Bank of England policymakers and whether they will once again hike base rate. That comes after inflation data yesterday revealed CPI edged down to 6.7 per cent in August.

Among the companies reporting today are Next and JD Sports. Read the Thursday 21 September Business Live blog below.

> If you are using our app or a third-party site click here to read Business Live

Hearings before Select Committees of MPs rarely raise the roof.

The titanic, televised struggle between the erstwhile ‘King of the High Street’ Sir Philip Green and the campaigning former MP Frank Field over the fallout from the 2016 collapse of BHS, however, was a formidable exception.

Both, in their own way, emerged as victors. Green, by deploying quick wit, repartee and entrepreneurial know-how, was able to show he had been let down by the good and the great.

At the opening

The FTSE 100 index opened at 7731.65.

Inflation was revealed to have dipped again yesterday to 6.7 per cent – a figure that just two years ago would have been seen as horrifyingly high but is now seen as something to be pleased about.

Despite the CPI reading still being a chunky number, it’s an important step on the road back to the ‘old normal’ – where both interest rates and wage rises are higher than inflation.

This is Money readers will not need reminding that falling inflation doesn’t mean life is getting cheaper, just that it’s getting more expensive at a slightly slower rate, says Simon Lambert.

The pound tumbled to a ten-month low and shares rallied as a surprise fall in inflation raised hopes that interest rates may have already peaked.

In a report that caught the City off guard, the Office for National Statistics said inflation dipped from 6.8 per cent in July to 6.7 per cent in August.

The figures sent shockwaves through the financial sector and bucked forecasts that inflation would rise to 7 per cent or even higher.

Economists and business groups said it would be a mistake for officials meeting today to increase rates for the 15th time in a row from 5.25 per cent to a possible 5.5 per cent.

And financial markets, which until yesterday were firmly betting on another hike, saw the decision as being on a knife edge. Experts at Goldman Sachs and a number of other banks now expect the Bank to keep rates unchanged.

Port Adelaide‘s bizarre decision to be inspired by a controversial Hollywood movie about building an atomic bomb that ended the second World War has been lashed by footy fans online.

It follows star midfielder Ollie Wines being asked whether the Power had called on any motivational themes ahead of Saturday night’s Qualifying Final against Brisbane at the Gabba.

Wines’ response – the film Oppenheimer – raised plenty of eyebrows.

‘It’s a little bit about how much work goes into something,’ Wines told SEN Radio this week.

‘So many people have to come together and work hard for a number of years….[in terms of our team], this finals campaign isn’t just something that’s just been building this year — it’s probably been the last four years.

Port Adelaide ‘s bizarre decision to be inspired by a Hollywood movie about building an atomic bomb that ended the second World War has been lashed by footy fans online (pictured, Power coach Ken Hinkley)

‘The general grasp of the movie is many people come together and work hard to reach a common goal, which hopefully for us is a premiership.’

Stunned footy fans couldn’t believe Port’s left-field method of inspiration.

‘They may want to go re-watch the film a few more times, because this is a dreadful take and incredibly insensitive to theme things around,’ one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Another posted: ‘it sounds a bit dodgy to be taking inspiration from a biopic about the development of a nuclear weapon that killed hundreds of thousands of civilians.’

A third stated: ‘The Atomic Bomb!! Seriously??? Tore apart more than it brought together.’

Following an avalanche of criticism, Power coach Ken Hinkley said the collective focus was teamwork under pressure.

Hinkley also bristled at talk the film’s star J. Robert Oppenheimer was an inappropriate role model for his playing group.

Star midfielder Ollie Wines said the key theme derived from the film Oppenheimer is teamwork

Brisbane ($1.50) are heavily favoured to topple Ken Hinkley’s Port Adelaide ($2.70) on home soil in Saturday’s AFL Qualifying Final

‘Every club has some type of theme that they may use at this time of year,’ he told reporters before boarding a flight to Brisbane.

‘The key part about that, as I think Ollie explained incredibly well, is that it’s just a little story around how people had to come together over a long period of time to work really hard on one single thing to get an outcome.

‘We’ve been at this task [winning a flag] for a good period of time — four or five years.’

Hinkley later admitted he hadn’t seen the film himself.

Brisbane ($1.50) are favoured to topple Port Adelaide ($2.70) on home soil, with first bounce at 7.25pm – the winner moves through to the preliminary final.

She openly documents the struggles with parenting her three children.

And Helen Flanagan took to Instagram Stories to jokingly brand herself an ‘idiot’ on Friday after making a hilarious parenting blunder.

The Coronation Street star, 33, revealed she’d taken her two daughters Matilda, seven, and Delilah, five, shopping at The Trafford Centre in Manchester, but opted to let them bring their scooters.

An amusing clip showed the girls speeding away from her on the toys as they walked out of Starbucks.

Flashing a wry smile for the camera,Helen playfully captioned the post: ‘What idiot lets their kids out on scooters at The Trafford Centre.’

Oops! Helen Flanagan took to Instagram Stories to jokingly brand herself an ‘idiot’ on Friday after making a hilarious parenting blunder

Amusing: The Coronation Street star revealed she’d taken her daughters Matilda and Delilah, five, shopping at The Trafford Centre in Manchester, but opted to let them bring their scooters

During the day out, Helen shared a heartwarming clip of her ‘brave’ daughter Matilda touching a starfish in the aquatics section of the centre.

It comes after Helen, who is also mother to son Charlie, two, with her ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair, was cruelly mum-shamed after she shared where she bought her children’s school shoes from.

She took to Instagram to share a sweet picture of herself and her two daughters, unaware to later receive the backlash from it.

She penned: ‘So for once I’m actually organised for back to school. Wish I actually looked so calm and put together for the school run x

‘Picked up the perfect going to back to school shoes for my girls from @schuh that they both love. ( can’t cope with how cute Delilah looks on pic 3… how is she not going into reception and into year one).

‘I always buy my kids shoes from @schuh #wewearschuh #AD.’

Delilah and Matilda looked smart as they stood standing in their uniform preparing to go back into their new school years. 

However, the mum-shamers couldn’t resist to troll when they spotted her spending £149 on school trainers.

Off they go! Flashing a wry smile for the camera,Helen playfully captioned the post: ‘What idiot lets their kids out on scooters at The Trafford Centre’

Matilda’s shoes are by Dr Martens and are on sale in the store for £119, while Delilah donned a pair of black New Balance PE trainers costing £30. 

Critics wrote: ‘You’re organised because it’s been gifted’

‘Being given uniform to advertise, helps’

‘You don’t pay for #AD, you get paid more than you’ll pay for the shoes’

‘Literally using your kids to shill, absolutely shameless behaviour. No doubt to pay for some more lip fillers or some other nonsense for your continuing quest to be somebody.’ 

While some opted for a negative approach, Helen’s fans gushed into her comments to support the actress.

Helen’s post was a paid one, with the actress making that clear by adding ‘AD’ at the end of her caption. 

Cruel: Helen Flanagan was left mum-shamed after she shared where she bought her children’s school shoes from

Fans wrote: ‘Everyone has to make a living… But maybe Helen is really happy with these type of shoes and wants to share with her fans… Please do not forget that Helen is a long standing child actress who worked hard in her career to get her to where she is now… 

‘A professional actress is all glamorous sometimes (normal) And like any other professional actress she is also a parent and a mother … Who adores and loves her children… ( always putting her kids as her 1st priority).

‘Please let’s not put negativity comment when we have no idea what people might be really going through in their lives … Never judge a book by looking at the cover. My heart I love them so much. Adorable’

‘The are both so cute, cannot get over the height of Matilda now xxx’

Manchester United have shelved an announcement on Mason Greenwood’s future until after they kick off the new season.

United were set to reveal Greenwood’s fate following a six-month investigation before Erik ten Hag’s side face Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday night.

However, it’s understood that the club want to consult with sponsors and members of their women’s team currently playing at the World Cup before making a formal announcement.

Sources had said that the investigation – launched after the Crown Prosecution dropped all charges of attempted rape and assault against Greenwood in February – is complete and the findings have been handed to chief executive Richard Arnold.

Greenwood, 21, is hoping to return to the club after being suspended since his arrest in January 2022. He has been training away from Carrington but his data is being sent to United’s fitness staff.

Man United will delay their decision over the future of Mason Greenwood due to the Women’s World Cup

The club will look consult a number of their players currently Down Under, including Lionesses Mary Earps (left) and Ella Toone (centre)

France’s Aissatou Tounkara (centre left) and Estelle Cascarino (centre right) will also be consulted as part of the internal review

It’s understood that the club are now entering a consultation phase with stakeholders, sponsors and women’s players to communicate the decision before making it public.

That was meant to happen before Monday’s game against Wolves but sources say that they will not be held to an arbitrary deadline.

Mail Sport reported in February in the wake of Greenwood’s dropped charges that some of the players in the club’s women’s team were said to be ‘deeply uncomfortable’ about the prospect of the forward’s reintegration to the first team.

At the time, Manchester United’s Women’s Supporters’ Club founder Natalie Burrell shared that she did not wish to see Greenwood in the famous red shirt of United ever again.

Some members of the men’s team reportedly would support his return to the squad, with a senior source sharing that they believed he deserves ‘a second chance’.

Greenwood’s current deal is set to keep him at the club until 2025, with the option of another year available, and a loan move has also been floated alongside a return to Erik ten Hag’s starting XI.

The 21-year-old has been training privately as his club makes their decision on reintergration

Erik ten Hag could decide on a full phased reintegration or sending the player out on loan should United keep him on at Old Trafford

Meanwhile a supporters’ group plans to protest United’s first match of the season vs Wolves

The group released a statement on Friday against the possibility of Greenwood’s return

On Friday, a group of Man United supporters announced that they planned to protest the possibility of his reintegration ahead of the match against Wolves.

A banner is said to have been prepared for display at Old Trafford reading: ‘Female Fans Demand No Greenwood Return – End Violence Against Women.’

The group also shared a statement to X (formerly known as Twitter), stating: ‘The situation is clear – taking Greenwood back legitimises and normalises sexual assault and domestic abuse.

‘It tells other players, and the men and boys that look up to them, that abusing women is acceptable, without consequence, and won’t affect you or derail your career.’

As the Matildas ready themselves to face France in the quarter finals of the Women’s World Cup, Channel Seven has made the huge decision to push back the 6pm nightly news bulletin in order to show the action uninterrupted.

Australia is well and truly on the Matildas bandwagon after TV ratings confirmed the football team are a smash hit across the nation.

More than 3.5million people watched the Aussie team’s 2-0 win over Denmark on Monday night on Channel Seven – with 3.18m watching on TV and 385,000 on the streaming service 7Plus.

It was the highest audience for any TV show this year, out-rating the AFL, NRL and big reality TV shows.

All eyes will be on Tony Gustavsson’s side when they take on France at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday with a potential semi-final berth on home soil on the line.

Channel 7 has made the extraordinary decision to push back the 6pm nightly news bulletin to broadcast the Matildas vs France match

TV ratings for Matildas matches during the World Cup have been enormous

In a first for women’s football in Australia, Channel 7 have made the decision to delay the news broadcast to at least 7pm on its primary channel to broadcast the full match, which kicks off at 5pm.

Seven has also increased its pre-match coverage for the momentous occasion from 30 minutes to an hour. 

Pushing back the 6pm news for a sporting event is something that happens very rarely, but is not unprecedented. 

It occurred when Steve Waugh notched his iconic last-ball ton at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2003, and also when Michael Clarke spun the Aussies to  stunning victory over India in 2008.

However, it is the first time the switch has been made to accommodate a women’s sporting event. 

The decision has caused some disruption for the network, with the Saturday night AFL coverage moved to 7.30pm.

Channel 7 AFL commentator Georgie Parker took to social media to express her surprise at the decision.

‘Before the World Cup I wondered whether Seven would put the Matilda’s on the main channel over the AFL,’ she posted.

‘Well Seven have just said they’re putting the Matilda’s on the main channel, pushing back THE NEWS. Unprecedented.

The 6pm news bulletin is rarely moved – and never before for a women’s football match

The historic match on Seven will kick off at 5pm on Saturday night

‘The news is the anchor of every network. Huge.’

Seven’s coverage of the tournament has now reached a whopping 9.25 million on TV and 1.67 million on 7Plus.

The Aussie side’s next game on Saturday evening may well topple Ash Barty’s monster ratings when she won the Australian Open women’s singles title in 2022.

Sergio Busquets will reportedly make a decision on his future today as he weighs up whether to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami. 

Busquets received an emotional farewell from Barcelona this summer after 15 years with the Catalan club – but he is determined to continue playing. 

The 34-year-old midfielder has, along with his family, been mulling over offers – which include lucrative contracts from Saudi Arabia – and Mundo Deportivo report that he will announce his next move on Friday.  

It is claimed that he is choosing between three teams: Al Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr and Messi’s Inter Miami in MLS. 

A switch to Miami will certainly hold even more appeal than it did before after Messi announced his intention to join on Wednesday, with the 36-year-old leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

Sergio Busquets (right) is expected to make a decision on his next club on Friday

There is the option to go and team up with Lionel Messi (left), who he played with at Barcelona

Busquets and Messi have a close relationship from more than a decade at Barcelona, and it is claimed that the pair have an unwritten pact that they will play one more season together before they retire.

MD report that Busquets is attracted to living in a city like Miami, something that also is said to hold appeal to his wife and two children. 

But it is in Saudi Arabia where Busquets is mulling over the more ‘lucrative’ offers as he faces the final years of his professional career. 

Speaking this week, Ronaldo believes his move to Saudi Arabia earlier this year has opened ‘a box’ for other players, like Busquets potentially, to make the switch. 

Ronaldo left Manchester United before signing a mega-money £175million-a-year deal at Al-Nassr. 

Since then, Saudi Pro League clubs have become more involved in the European transfer market, repeatedly being linked with moves for some of football’s biggest talents. 

Karim Benzema – the reigning Ballon d’Or winner – stunned European fans by joining Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid, becoming the biggest coup for the Saudi Pro League since Ronaldo’s arrival. 

Cristiano Ronaldo believes his move to Al-Nassr in 2023 opened a box for others to follow

Busquets is leaving Barcelona but is determined to continue his professional career aged 34

‘I knew that me going to Saudi Arabia would open a box and I wasn’t wrong,’ admitted Ronaldo.

‘I’m sure in a couple of years or three, this league is going to be one of the most important leagues in the world. 

‘Karim left already and I am 1,000 per cent sure that many more players will.’ 

Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia seemingly has been the turning point in the division’s recruitment drive, with few elite level players having made the switch, with Busquets potentially next.

Rio Ferdinand has slammed Manchester United for losing their ‘lifeblood’ after previously allowing five players to leave the club after Sir Alex Ferguson‘s retirement.

United were last crowned Premier League champions in Ferguson’s final season 10 years ago, with Ferdinand playing a crucial part in the title-winning team.

The Premier League hall of famer subsequently departed Old Trafford after David Moyes‘ failed first season in charge and was later followed out the door by Jonny Evans, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez and Brazilian duo Rafael and Fabio Da Silva.

Ferdinand believes that it was a mistake to let members of United’s academy go under Moyes and his successor Louis van Gaal.

‘They were the lifeblood of Manchester United, they all came through the system, all Man United boys, and that was lost as well,’ Ferdinand told his YouTube channel Vibe With Five.

Javier Hernandez was moved on to Bayer Leverkusen after Man United sold him

Fabio (right) and Rafael da Silva (left) were moved on by United in the years that followed Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement

‘That was a part of what the club had been built on before, people who would come through the academy were integral to everything Man United stood for.

‘And they were getting rid of those players willy-nilly, I couldn’t believe the club even allowed it.

‘What they did at Man United they could’ve done that for the rest of their career.’ 

Welbeck was sold to Arsenal for £16million in 2014 after making 142 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils, scoring 29 goals in the process.

He went on to bag 32 strikes in 126 appearances for the Gunners before moving on to Watford and is now plying his trade at Roberto de Zerbi’s Brighton.

Meanwhile, Hernandez spent a season on loan at Real Madrid before moving on to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in a £12m deal, despite United’s lack of first-team strikers at the time.

The Da Silva brothers were also shipped out with Rafael joining Lyon and Fabio moving on to Cardiff City.

Danny Welbeck (left) was moved on to join Arsenal while Jonny Evans (right) is now at Leicester

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United made an error in letting five players leave the club

Evans was perhaps the most high-profile name to leave United during an unsettling period for the club as he joined West Brom on a permanent deal before moving on to Leicester.

Ferdinand explained his amazement at the club’s decision to let Evans go and added that the Northern Irishman should have kept his place ahead of Chris Smalling.

‘He [Evans] should never have been allowed to leave the club. He was the best centre-half at the club when we all left. 

‘Smalling’s had a great career, don’t get me wrong, but Jonny Evans is a better player, 100 per cent,’ he added. 

Jack Grealish has questioned the decision to award Manchester United a penalty after he was judged to have handed the ball during Man City‘s 2-1 FA Cup final win.

The England star claimed he was ‘not even looking at the ball’ as it flicked his hand after he missed a header.

‘I don’t know how it’s a penalty,’ Grealish told BBC Sport, ‘I’m not even looking at the ball, I’ve missed the ball with my head, but anyway, Gundo saved me.’

Alan Shearer agreed and asked what the 27-year-old could have done instead, while Lee Dixon felt the officials ‘must never have kicked a ball in their lives’. 

Bruno Fernandes converted the spot kick to level the game, but Ilkay Gundogan scored his second of the afternoon to put the Cityzens back in front. 

Manchester United were awarded a controversial penalty in their 2-1 FA Cup final loss to Man City 

Jeack Grealish questioned the decision as he ‘wasn’t even looking at the ball’

It came after the German midfielder scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history with a classy volley after just 12 seconds. 

On the derby win, which keeps City ion track for a famous treble with the Premier League also in the bag and only the Champions League final remaining next weekend, Grealish added: ‘It’s just stuff you dream of when you are young. 

‘I don’t know if the foreign guys do as much but us English guys know how important it is. I lost one with Villa and I really wanted to win this one.’

On the City side he joined for £100 million two years ago, he added: ‘The best thing about this team is we have a mixture of everything. 

‘The older lads are more experienced, we have younger lads and we have so much belief in ourselves. 

Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot to put United level at Wembley

Ilkay Gundogan then scored his second of the game to ensure City can still achieve the treble by beating Inter Milan in next weekend’s Champions League final

‘We’ll enjoy tonight and then straight back on it tomorrow and Monday for a massive game next week.’

‘I can’t wait for next week now, I love this team, the players and the staff.’

The loss will be a crushing one for United, as it not only ends their hopes of a second trophy this season but also gives their rivals a chance of emulating their greatest achievement.

The Red Devils’ treble win in 1999 has never been matched in English football, but City are now just a win away.