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          Coronavirus isolation: Real Madrid's Llorente, Dortmund's Hakimi play cruel prank on partners

          • Chris Wright, Toe Poke writerMar 23, 2020, 03:52 PM

          With almost all football postponed for the next month because of the coronavirus pandemic, star players have found themselves at a loose end.

          With many training grounds off limits, clubs have sent footballers home, where they're adhering to an isolation period for the next few weeks. How are they passing the time?

          ESPN will be keeping a daily eye on what the world's best are getting up to, as well as how clubs are keeping busy by battling in online competitions against each other.

          Marcos Llorente

          The Atletico Madrid defender kept himself amused by pulling a masterful prank on his partner involving a cup of water, a broom handle and a straight face.

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          Achraf Hakimi

          Dortmund right-back Hakimi obviously saw Llorente's cheeky trick and decided to prank his own partner in much the same vein, sharing an almost like-for-like copy on social media.

          Alain Saint-Maximin

          The Newcastle winger took no prisoners while keeping his footwork sharp, making a mockery of his two young children's energetic attempts to dispossess him.

          Jesse Lingard

          View this post on Instagram

          Haters Will Say Its Fake. 🥱😴

          A post shared by JLingz👑 (@jesselingard) on

          The Manchester United player has set a new standard with his entirely legit, in-no-way-suspect entry to the #StayAtHomeChallenge.

          Gerard Pique

          Meanwhile, the #StayAtHomeChallenge seems to have mutated slightly over the course of the past few days, with Pique unveiling a brand new spin on the juggling task by employing his tennis racket.

          The Barcelona star also laid down the gauntlet to several other sportsmen, with former teammates Cesc Fabregas and Carles Puyol challenged to follow suit, as well as tennis champion Novak Djokovic.

          Neymar

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          (PADEL) 🎾

          A post shared by ene10ta Érre 🇧🇷 👻 neymarjr (@neymarjr) on

          Pique wasn't the only footballer to dust off his old racket, with Neymar doing likewise for a game of padel in his back garden.

          Thomas Muller

          The Bayern Munich forward is ensuring he will be operating at maximum fitness upon his return by adhering to an intensive home training program which involves boxing and launching flying kung-fu kicks at punchbags.

          Roberto Firmino

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          Em ti vou confiar 🙌🏼 Não vou me abalar 🙌🏼

          A post shared by Roberto Firmino (@roberto_firmino) on

          Firmino is using his down time productively by brushing up on his piano chops, offering up a soothing rendition of "Eu Creio (Ao Vivo)" by Brazilian singer Gabriel Guedes as a duet with wife Larissa, all shot in moody black and white.

          James Milner

          Elsewhere, Liverpool teammate Mr Milner was studiously preparing his kids for life under their strict new homeschool teacher.

          Lionel Messi

          Altogether less stern, Messi took his kids out into the back yard to help give their humongous dog some much needed exercise.