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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion - It's not just Trump: The right in Europe is also cracking down on citizenship
President Trump's efforts to end birthright citizenship have not taken place in a vacuum. They are part of a growing pattern of incumbent leaders strategically changing who is allowed to vote and jeopardizing the quality of democracy in the process. This year, the governments of Hungary, Italy, and Germany have similarly proposed or attempted to institute sweeping changes to their citizenship laws. Efforts to reduce or remove citizenship rights are increasingly common. In each case, elected officials presented their efforts as necessary actions to resist the influence of foreign interests and outsiders while restabilizing domestic politics. In a way, it's a win-win for them. If their efforts fail, they have shown supporters they are committed to reshaping their countries around populist and nationalist sentiments that have grown in popularity. When they succeed, they give themselves a meaningful electoral advantage by removing voters who might oppose them. In March, Hungarian Máté Kocsis — a member of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz Party — announced that Fidesz would propose legislation to revoke citizenship from dual citizens whose 'activities endanger the national sovereignty, public order, territorial integrity or security of Hungary.' The legislation was justified as a response to international non-governmental organizations and media outlets whose work was framed as interfering with Hungarian domestic politics. Two weeks later, the Italian government issued a surprise decree that would drastically limit diaspora Italians' ability to claim citizenship through the law that grants citizenship to ethnic Italians around the world. This rule change has been framed as a necessary corrective after an increase in citizenship applications from diaspora Italians in Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. It is also noteworthy because Italian voters abroad consistently support moderate-progressive parties, even as conservative and anti-establishment parties have been gaining a dominant role in parliament. A few days later, in Germany, the newly elected center-right government proposed stripping citizenship from 'terror supporters, antisemites, and extremists who call for the abolition of the free and democratic basic order' as part of their negotiations to form a new government. This proposal was criticized by Human Rights Watch for being 'unclear what, if any, safeguards would exist to prevent arbitrary and discriminatory application, and violations of human rights.' The events we currently see in Hungary, Italy, Germany and the U.S. align with an emerging global pattern of incumbents strategically and selectively pushing for formal changes to citizenship laws. Efforts to choose who votes are nothing new — U.S states in the Jim Crow South famously used a variety of techniques including poll taxes, literacy tests, and whites-only primaries to obstruct Black Americans from voting. Democratic countries have revoked citizenship before — in 1946, roughly 70,000 American citizens living in Canada all lost their citizenship after voting in Canadian elections. But the current trend of laws throttling citizenship started in the mid-2000s. The graph above shows that leaders around the world increased their attempts to decide who gets to vote via changes to citizenship laws around 2008, with substantial increases starting in 2010. Reforms of this type are part of an emerging playbook that incumbents have increasingly used since the fall of the Soviet Union to re-level the electoral playing field to their advantage while minimizing harsh condemnation from their powerful democratic allies. By altering who can access citizenship, incumbents can influence election outcomes by affecting who is allowed to vote in elections. Since the efforts pass through government, incumbents do not attract the same level of negative attention as they would receive for jailing or repressing their opposition or committing observable forms of electoral fraud. Incumbents' efforts to manipulate citizenship and election rules also create opportunities to capitalize on the growing support for populist, nationalist, and nativist sentiments by showing voters that they are willing to neutralize the influence of outsiders by permanently removing them from elections. By attempting to revoke citizenship status from members of their opposition, incumbent leaders can show their supporters that they are committed to obstructing voters who would otherwise influence the future of their countries to their supporters' discontent. In each of these cases, elected officials are taking steps to show their supporters that they are willing to try to incrementally shape the electorate in their image while keeping up the appearance of upholding democratic process. If the attempts fail or are blocked by courts, elected officials have demonstrated their willingness to act against the forces that their supporters oppose. In fact, if these leaders fail to pass these citizenship measures, it might even reinforce the idea that their opponents — outsiders, opposition parties, courts, NGOs, and international media — are too powerful. And of course, if they succeed, elected officials in Hungary, Italy, Germany, and the U.S. will have prevented potential opposition voters from accessing the franchise, which could help solidify their grip on political power in the future. Andrew Foote is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
It's not just Trump: The right in Europe is also cracking down on citizenship
President Trump's efforts to end birthright citizenship have not taken place in a vacuum. They are part of a growing pattern of incumbent leaders strategically changing who is allowed to vote and jeopardizing the quality of democracy in the process. This year, the governments of Hungary, Italy, and Germany have similarly proposed or attempted to institute sweeping changes to their citizenship laws. Efforts to reduce or remove citizenship rights are increasingly common. In each case, elected officials presented their efforts as necessary actions to resist the influence of foreign interests and outsiders while restabilizing domestic politics. In a way, it's a win-win for them. If their efforts fail, they have shown supporters they are committed to reshaping their countries around populist and nationalist sentiments that have grown in popularity. When they succeed, they give themselves a meaningful electoral advantage by removing voters who might oppose them. In March, Hungarian Máté Kocsis — a member of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz Party — announced that Fidesz would propose legislation to revoke citizenship from dual citizens whose 'activities endanger the national sovereignty, public order, territorial integrity or security of Hungary.' The legislation was justified as a response to international non-governmental organizations and media outlets whose work was framed as interfering with Hungarian domestic politics. Two weeks later, the Italian government issued a surprise decree that would drastically limit diaspora Italians' ability to claim citizenship through the law that grants citizenship to ethnic Italians around the world. This rule change has been framed as a necessary corrective after an increase in citizenship applications from diaspora Italians in Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. It is also noteworthy because Italian voters abroad consistently support moderate-progressive parties, even as conservative and anti-establishment parties have been gaining a dominant role in parliament. A few days later, in Germany, the newly elected center-right government proposed stripping citizenship from 'terror supporters, antisemites, and extremists who call for the abolition of the free and democratic basic order' as part of their negotiations to form a new government. This proposal was criticized by Human Rights Watch for being 'unclear what, if any, safeguards would exist to prevent arbitrary and discriminatory application, and violations of human rights.' The events we currently see in Hungary, Italy, Germany and the U.S. align with an emerging global pattern of incumbents strategically and selectively pushing for formal changes to citizenship laws. Efforts to choose who votes are nothing new — U.S states in the Jim Crow South famously used a variety of techniques including poll taxes, literacy tests, and whites-only primaries to obstruct Black Americans from voting. Democratic countries have revoked citizenship before — in 1946, roughly 70,000 American citizens living in Canada all lost their citizenship after voting in Canadian elections. But the current trend of laws throttling citizenship started in the mid-2000s. The graph above shows that leaders around the world increased their attempts to decide who gets to vote via changes to citizenship laws around 2008, with substantial increases starting in 2010. Reforms of this type are part of an emerging playbook that incumbents have increasingly used since the fall of the Soviet Union to re-level the electoral playing field to their advantage while minimizing harsh condemnation from their powerful democratic allies. By altering who can access citizenship, incumbents can influence election outcomes by affecting who is allowed to vote in elections. Since the efforts pass through government, incumbents do not attract the same level of negative attention as they would receive for jailing or repressing their opposition or committing observable forms of electoral fraud. Incumbents' efforts to manipulate citizenship and election rules also create opportunities to capitalize on the growing support for populist, nationalist, and nativist sentiments by showing voters that they are willing to neutralize the influence of outsiders by permanently removing them from elections. By attempting to revoke citizenship status from members of their opposition, incumbent leaders can show their supporters that they are committed to obstructing voters who would otherwise influence the future of their countries to their supporters' discontent. In each of these cases, elected officials are taking steps to show their supporters that they are willing to try to incrementally shape the electorate in their image while keeping up the appearance of upholding democratic process. If the attempts fail or are blocked by courts, elected officials have demonstrated their willingness to act against the forces that their supporters oppose. In fact, if these leaders fail to pass these citizenship measures, it might even reinforce the idea that their opponents — outsiders, opposition parties, courts, NGOs, and international media — are too powerful. And of course, if they succeed, elected officials in Hungary, Italy, Germany, and the U.S. will have prevented potential opposition voters from accessing the franchise, which could help solidify their grip on political power in the future. Andrew Foote is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science at Binghamton University, State University of New York.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
PSG player ratings: Doue and Dembele stake Ballon d'Or claims with all-conquering Champions League final displays
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN blitzed Inter Milan to win their first ever Champions League crown. Luis Enrique's side blew Inter away in the first-half and never looked back against their under-par Serie A opponents. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 27 Paris Saint-Germain lift the Champions League trophy for the first time Credit: Getty Achraf Hakimi scored against his former side to give PSG the lead on 12 minutes. Brilliant wonderkid Desire Doue then doubled his side's tally after just 20 minutes to put PSG firmly in command. Sensational starlet Doue grabbed his second shortly after the hour mark, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu got in on the act late on. On a historic night in Munich, here's how SunSport's Dan King rated each victorious PSG star. Champions League final 24-25 LIVE Follow all the build-up and action from the Champions League final LIVE as it happens with SunSport's blog Gianluigi Donnarumma - 6 A spectator for most of the first half. Whenever Inter had a glimmer of an opening, his defenders shut it down or watched their opponents fail to capitalise. He did not have a save of any kind to make in the first 45 minutes. Pawed unconvincingly at a couple of crosses after the break but still did not make a save until the 75th minute when he got down well to deny Thuram. 27 Gianluigo Donnarumma was largely a spectator Credit: Getty 27 Achraf Hakimi - 8 Put Inter on the back foot from the start by playing high to wipe out the Italians' apparent superiority in midfield numbers. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK So it was typical that he was the one waiting when his team-mates picked apart the Inter defence for the first time. Occasionally his ambition threatened to leave his team open, but it never proved fatal. 27 Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring for PSG Credit: Getty 27 Champions League travel chaos erupts as fans block train and throw rocks and tear gas is deployed on board Marquinhos - 7 The only member of the PSG defence to look a little vulnerable at times in the first half, but even then only for a short while after Marcus Thuram did him for pace. Otherwise formed a solid partnership with Pacho that allowed the full-backs, especially Hakimi to push on. Read the game well to make interceptions. 27 PSG stalwart Marquinhos finally got his hands on the Champions League trophy Credit: Getty 27 Willian Pacho - 9 Let Thuram and Lautaro Martinez know who was boss right from the start. Used his strength and physicality to win balls in the air and to shut doors that were threatening to open. And it was his determination not to let the ball go out for a corner that led to his team's second goal. Made some important interventions as Inter improved (a bit) and kept his concentration and commitment going until the end. 27 Willian Pacho won all of his personal duels Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 27 Nuno Mendes - 7 Laid down a marker early on by winning a 50/50 ball against Thuram that the Inter striker just didn't want as much. Less ambitious going forward than Hakimi, tucking in to create a back three or a midfield overload. Says a lot that Inter's player of the competition Denzel Dumfries was anonymous. 27 Nuno Mendes has been brilliant all season for PSG Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 27 Joao Neves - 8 Worked just as hard as his midfield partners, but on the less glamorous side of the game, without the ball. Used his intelligence to judge when to press and when to block the passing channels as Inter struggled to find any sort of rhythm. The Inter trio Mkhitaryan, Barella and Calhanoglu will be sick of the sight of him 27 Joao Neves was immense in midfield all day Credit: EPA 27 Vitinha - 9 Set the tone of the game even before the absolute peach of a pass that found Doue in the box to tee up the opening goal. The little maestro conducted the game, pulling the strings and creating the shapes that stopped Inter's midfield making any impression. Made important challenge in his own box early in the second half then found Doue perfectly for the third. 27 Vitinha has cemented his place as one of world's best midfielders Credit: EPA 27 Fabian Ruiz - 8 Spain's Euros-winning midfielder was perpetual motion, popping up all over the pitch and offering his team-mates option after option. One moment he was a centre forward, the next a No10, then a midfield pivot, then he dropped into centre back to start the play again. Not as energetic and influential in the second half but still a commanding presence who kept Inter in their box. 27 Fabian Ruiz was a commanding presence in the middle Credit: AFP 27 Desire Doue - 9 Kylian who? Liveliest of the PSG front three from the get go, making a nuisance of himself down the right Yet he suddenly popped up at inside left to receive Vitinha's pass and tee up Hakimi. But he found space again on the right to make it 2-0 after Dembele's pass. Humiliated Bastoni in build-up to another Hakimi chance before taking his second goal superbly to kill the game. A career-defining display - at 19. 27 Desire Doue has the world at is feet aged just 19 Credit: Getty 27 Ousmane Dembele - 9 Started slowly, but gradually became a key figure. Like Ruiz, he was turning up in unexpected places, even appearing at right back on one occasion to retrieve the ball. Worried Inter with his pace and was equally speed in thought to sweep the ball across to Doue for the second goal. Should have made it three when Doue returned the compliment, but his backheel led to Doue's second and his pass to KK's strike. 27 Ousmane Dembele has put himself into Ballon d'Or contention Credit: AFP 27 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - 8 Did not quite live up to the Messi and Maradona comparisons on this particular occasion, but still did his bit, sometimes simply by terrifying Inter with what he might do. Outjumped by Thuram for a rare Inter first-half chance, then failed to hit the target with his own header and a couple of chances in the second half. Finally got his goal to make it four but won't mind being outshone by the other two musketeers. 27 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia bagged PSG's fourth goal on the night Credit: Getty 27 SUBS Bradley Barcola (for Doue, 67) - 7 Was always going to be hard to follow Doue's display. But missed a really good chance from the corner of the six-yard box, then dumped Acerbi on his backside with a brilliant bit of skill only to shoot into the side netting. Dragged another shot well wide before fine pass teed up fellow sub Mayulu. 27 Bradley Barcola missed a brilliant chance to score Credit: EPA 27 Lucas Hernandez (for Mendes, 78) - 6 Did not have much to do, apart from thanking Kvaratskhelia for an incredible bit of tracking back. Goncalo Ramos (for Kvaratskhelia, 84) - 6 The Portugal striker had no time to make the same impression as his compatriots. Senny Mayulu (for Ruiz, 84) - 7 Wonderful finish to make it five and he celebrated properly with virtually every member of the PSG travelling party. 27 Senny Mayulu netted PSG's fifth goal late on Credit: AFP 27 Warren Zaire-Emery (for Neves, 84) - 6 Can at least say he was on the pitch for one of the five goals Subs not used: Matvei Safonov, Presnel Kimpemble, Lee Kang-in, Lucas Beraldo, Ibrahim Mbaye, Arnau Tenas
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
PSG player ratings: Doue and Dembele stake Ballon d'Or claims with all-conquering Champions League final displays
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN blitzed Inter Milan to win their first ever Champions League crown. Luis Enrique's side Advertisement 27 Paris Saint-Germain lift the Champions League trophy for the first time Credit: Getty Brilliant wonderkid Sensational starlet Doue grabbed his second shortly after the hour mark, before On a historic night in Munich, here's how SunSport's Dan King rated each victorious PSG star. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Champions League final 24-25 LIVE Gianluigi Donnarumma - 6 A spectator for most of the first half. Whenever Inter had a glimmer of an opening, his defenders shut it down or watched their opponents fail to capitalise. He did not have a save of any kind to make in the first 45 minutes. Pawed unconvincingly at a couple of crosses after the break but still did not make a save until the 75th minute when he got down well to deny Thuram. 27 Gianluigo Donnarumma was largely a spectator Credit: Getty Advertisement 27 Achraf Hakimi - 8 Put Inter on the back foot from the start by playing high to wipe out the Italians' apparent superiority in midfield numbers. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK So it was typical that he was the one waiting when his team-mates picked apart the Inter defence for the first time. Advertisement Occasionally his ambition threatened to leave his team open, but it never proved fatal. 27 Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring for PSG Credit: Getty 27 Champions League travel chaos erupts as fans block train and throw rocks and tear gas is deployed on board Marquinhos - 7 The only member of the PSG defence to look a little vulnerable at times in the first half, but even then only for a short while after Advertisement Otherwise formed a solid partnership with Pacho that allowed the full-backs, especially Hakimi to push on. Read the game well to make interceptions. 27 PSG stalwart Marquinhos finally got his hands on the Champions League trophy Credit: Getty 27 Advertisement Willian Pacho - 9 Let Thuram and Lautaro Martinez know who was boss right from the start. Used his strength and physicality to win balls in the air and to shut doors that were threatening to open. And it was his determination not to let the ball go out for a corner that led to his team's second goal. Made some important interventions as Inter improved (a bit) and kept his concentration and commitment going until the end. 27 Willian Pacho won all of his personal duels Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Advertisement 27 Nuno Mendes - 7 Laid down a marker early on by winning a 50/50 ball against Thuram that the Inter striker just didn't want as much. Less ambitious going forward than Hakimi, tucking in to create a back three or a midfield overload. Says a lot that Inter's player of the competition anonymous . Advertisement 27 Nuno Mendes has been brilliant all season for PSG Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 27 Joao Neves - 8 Worked just as hard as his midfield partners, but on the less glamorous side of the game, without the ball. Used his intelligence to judge when to press and when to block the passing channels as Inter struggled to find any sort of rhythm. Advertisement The Inter trio Mkhitaryan, Barella and Calhanoglu will be sick of the sight of him 27 Joao Neves was immense in midfield all day Credit: EPA 27 Vitinha - 9 Set the tone of the game even before the absolute peach of a pass that found Doue in the box to tee up the opening goal. Advertisement The little maestro conducted the game, pulling the strings and creating the shapes that stopped Inter's midfield making any impression. Made important challenge in his own box early in the second half then found Doue perfectly for the third. 27 Vitinha has cemented his place as one of world's best midfielders Credit: EPA 27 Advertisement Fabian Ruiz - 8 Spain's Euros-winning midfielder was perpetual motion, popping up all over the pitch and offering his team-mates option after option. One moment he was a centre forward, the next a No10, then a midfield pivot, then he dropped into centre back to start the play again. Not as energetic and influential in the second half but still a commanding presence who kept Inter in their box. 27 Fabian Ruiz was a commanding presence in the middle Credit: AFP Advertisement 27 Desire Doue - 9 Kylian who? Liveliest of the PSG front three from the get go, making a nuisance of himself down the right Yet he suddenly popped up at inside left to receive Vitinha's pass and tee up Hakimi. But he found space again on the right to make it 2-0 after Dembele's pass. Humiliated Bastoni in build-up to another Hakimi chance before taking his second goal superbly to kill the game. A career-defining display - at 19. Advertisement 27 Desire Doue has the world at is feet aged just 19 Credit: Getty 27 Ousmane Dembele - 9 Started slowly, but gradually became a key figure. Like Ruiz, he was turning up in unexpected places, even appearing at right back on one occasion to retrieve the ball. Worried Inter with his pace and was equally speed in thought to sweep the ball across to Doue for the second goal. Advertisement Should have made it three when Doue returned the compliment, but his backheel led to Doue's second and his pass to KK's strike. 27 Ousmane Dembele has put himself into Ballon d'Or contention Credit: AFP 27 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - 8 Did not quite live up to the Messi and Maradona comparisons on this particular occasion, but still did his bit, sometimes simply by terrifying Inter with what he might do. Advertisement Outjumped by Thuram for a rare Inter first-half chance, then failed to hit the target with his own header and a couple of chances in the second half. Finally got his goal to make it four but won't mind being outshone by the other two musketeers. 27 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia bagged PSG's fourth goal on the night Credit: Getty 27 Advertisement SUBS Bradley Barcola (for Doue, 67) - 7 Was always going to be hard to follow Doue's display. But missed a really good chance from the corner of the six-yard box, then dumped Acerbi on his backside with a brilliant bit of skill only to shoot into the side netting. Dragged another shot well wide before fine pass teed up fellow sub Mayulu. 27 Bradley Barcola missed a brilliant chance to score Credit: EPA Advertisement 27 Lucas Hernandez (for Mendes, 78) - 6 Did not have much to do, apart from thanking Kvaratskhelia for an incredible bit of tracking back. Goncalo Ramos (for Kvaratskhelia, 84) - 6 The Senny Mayulu (for Ruiz, 84) - 7 Wonderful finish to make it five and he celebrated properly with virtually every member of the PSG travelling party. Advertisement 27 Senny Mayulu netted PSG's fifth goal late on Credit: AFP 27 Warren Zaire-Emery (for Neves, 84) - 6 Can at least say he was on the pitch for one of the five goals Subs not used: Matvei Safonov, Presnel Kimpemble, Lee Kang-in, Lucas Beraldo, Ibrahim Mbaye, Arnau Tenas Advertisement
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I joined Inter Milan after winning a TV competition then won the Champions League and body doubled for Cristiano Ronaldo
JOSE MOURINHO was the last Inter Milan manager to lead the club to Champions League glory. And an ex-pro golfer turned player-manager in the Isthmian League South East Division had a front-row seat after winning a place in the Italians' squad on a TV talent show. 15 Ben Greenhalgh won Football's Next Star in 2010, earning a pro contract at Inter Milan 15 Greenhalgh filled in as Cristiano Ronaldo's body double Credit: INSTAGRAM @bengreenhalgh17 15 He is now player-manager at Margate in the eighth tier Credit: INSTAGRAM @bengreenhalgh17 15 The winger nutmegged Patrick Vieira as a teenager Credit: Sky 1 And he'd already had a stint as Cristiano Ronaldo's body double. Ben Greenhalgh won the first and only series of Football's Next Star, which aired on Sky in 2010, earning a six-month professional contract at Inter aged just 17. And, only months later, he found himself sitting just behind Mourinho as he masterminded a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final to complete the Treble. Greenhalgh was not part of the matchday squad ,in fact he never made a first-team appearance for Inter. READ MORE ON INTER MILAN SAN SIRO HERO Acerbi beat cancer twice before guiding Inter to Champions League final But he DID get a winner's medal at the Bernabeu. Now a player-manager at non-league Margate, Greenhalgh, 33, told SunSport: 'Looking back, it's absolutely mental. To be part of Inter's best season ever is incredible. 'I sat two rows behind the dugout. 'I didn't celebrate much, I almost wish I'd run on the pitch and got even more involved. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'I jumped at the opportunity to take the Champions League medal. We got given about five extras. 'They might have been for players Mourinho cast out who weren't there like Ricardo Quaresma and Marko Arnautovic. Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers 'It's the best story I'm ever going to have in football. It will stick with me forever and I'm really happy about that.' The Champions League final on May 22, 2010 came 401 days after Greenhalgh made his Welling United first-team debut on his 17th birthday. But his stratospheric rise from Bexley to the Bernabeu came from his victory on the short-lived TV talent show. He was actually unaware of the trials when his Kent FA team went for what they thought was a regular training day in London until spotting cameras, Inter coaches and presenter Jamie Redknapp. Out of 20,000 hopefuls, Inter's scouts whittled it down to 40 before a final ten were invited out to Milan. Greenhalgh admitted: 'No one knew what was going on because a show like this hadn't been aired before. It's the best story I'm ever going to have in football. It will stick with me forever and I'm really happy about that. Ben Greenhalgh 'Now those shows are quite nostalgic. 'I don't know why it's never come back because it did really well. One night it beat Strictly for viewers. 'I watched it in Italy, already playing for Inter. People were trying to contact me and find out if I was the winner. 'I remember my Facebook crashed with friend requests.' Redknapp took 17-year-old Ben under his wing, even giving the youngster his mobile number to mentor him. Ironically, Greenlagh reckons his career could have turned out better had he NOT won the show - because Redknapp said his dad Harry would have signed him at Tottenham. 15 Greenhalgh picked up a Champions League winner's medal in 2010 despite not playing Credit: Getty 15 Jose Mourinho had an 'aura' about him but made the kid feel at ease straight away Credit: AP 15 Greenhalgh impressed the Inter scouts to win out of 20,000 entrants Credit: SKY 1 15 Jamie Redknapp presented the one-off Sky TV show Credit: SKY 1 15 Greenhalgh would love to see another similar series Credit: SKY 1 But the winger would not trade the Inter memories, winning the Champions League and training under the Special One. Greenhalgh, who had Inter kits growing up, said: 'It's pretty surreal given just how monumental Inter Milan are as a football club. 'Meeting Jose was very nerve-wracking. 'He had an unbelievable aura, he was the best manager in the world then. 'He was so respectful to me and put me at ease straight away. 'Suddenly, I was thrown into training with Lucio, Quaresma, Mario Balotelli, Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito, Samuel Eto'o, Javier Zanetti made everything look effortless at 39. 'I nutmegged Patrick Vieira but it didn't make the show!' But Greenhalgh's opening training session at Inter was not his first time rubbing shoulders with footballing stardom. Because aged just 16, he got a gig as Ronaldo's body double through a football choreographer friend who worked on Nike and adidas adverts. Greenhalgh also played the likes of fellow left-footers Mesut Ozil, Robin van Persie and Gareth Bale, protecting the players from going into tackles and risking injury. I nutmegged Patrick Vieira but it didn't make the show! Ben Greenhalgh Greenhalgh said: 'Cristiano was my idol. No one could shock me as much. It was crazy, he'd just won the Champions League at Manchester United. 'We had a couple of funny moments. 'The media got hold we were in a gym shooting an advert and suddenly about 100 cameramen hovered outside. 'I was dressed as Ronaldo so I ran down the street under an umbrella. All the journalists followed and Ronaldo slipped out the back door unnoticed. 'Doing Ozil was probably the best one because we're similar creative players and used to have kickabouts between sets.' Greenhalgh, though, had to give up his job as 'Ronaldo' because he couldn't abandon training to fly from Milan to Madrid to film more adverts. In the end, he stayed at Inter for 18 months, which included a fruitful loan stint at Como, scoring eight goals in 12 games. Como wanted to make a deal permanent when his extended Inter contract expired in 2011 but Italian football's financial disarray meant the club could not afford to pay him. So he returned to England, joining Brighton in League One. 15 Greenhalgh is still playing 50 games per season at 33 Credit: MARGATE FC 15 He had an 18-month stint as a PGA professional golfer alongside non-league football Credit: INSTAGRAM @bengreenhalgh17 15 He got down to a scratch handicap while dropped out of the Inverness team Credit: INSTAGRAM @bengreenhalgh17 15 The winger spent 18 months with the Italian giants Credit: Inter Milan 15 Greenhalgh wants to keep playing until he turns 40, just like Ronaldo Credit: INSTAGRAM @margatefc_ 15 He is hoping to climb the managerial ladder in the long run Credit: INSTAGRAM @margatefc_ The Seagulls were flying on their progression through the leagues and he could not break into the team and suffered a similar struggle at Birmingham. That saw Greenhalgh drop back into non-league, returning to where it all started at Welling, still only 19. It was a stint at Inverness, though, that ironically launched Greenhalgh into a pro career in a different sport. He added: 'I haven't got John Hughes to thank for much at Inverness for dropping me… but he made me a very good golfer. 'I was on the course every day. I went to Scotland a six handicapper and got down to scratch. 'Back in England, I passed my playing ability test to become a PGA professional. 'I did it for 18 months, won one pro competition, breaking the course record at Addington, which I can cling on to. 'But I couldn't play the big tournaments because of my football matches at the weekend. I was a footballer playing golf.' CAN'T JAV IT Now settled as coach of Dartford's academy and 'building something' as player-manager at Margate - who lost in England's eighth-tier play-offs last month - Greenhalgh wants to keep playing like his body double Ronaldo until he is 40 before climbing up the ladder as a gaffer. But whatever else Greenhalgh achieves - whether as a footballer, coach or golfer - he will always have that Champions League medal, even if an Inter legend comes calling again. Greenhalgh explained: 'Zanetti's partner messaged me five years ago asking if he could buy my Champions League medal off me for the Inter museum. 'I might have made money but I knew I'm obviously never again going to top it so it'd be hard to part with it. 'The Libertines sponsor Margate's kit and this year we've gone Inter Milan style because of my links. 'I want to try and get Zanetti a Margate shirt to put it up in his restaurant. 'Hopefully, it's a good year for Inter Milan and hopefully it's a good year for Margate.'
