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With almost all football postponed indefinitely 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 up to, as well as how clubs are keeping busy by battling in online competitions against each other. - Stream new episodes of ESPN FC Monday-Friday on ESPN+
- Stream every episode of 30 for 30: Soccer Stories on ESPN+ Gareth BaleIn light of the 2020 London Marathon being postponed on Sunday, the "2.6 challenge" swept across social media over the weekend. The aim was to raise money for charities who missed out as a result of the marathon being cancelled by doing 2.6 or 26 of any chosen activity -- 2.6 mile run, 26-minute bike ride, etc. Gareth Bale stepped up to the plate after being challenged by Welsh rugby legend Jonathan Davies and proceeded to do 26 keepy-uppies with an acrobatic finish. We're not sure if Bale specifically intended to faithfully re-create his incredible Champions League final goal against Liverpool, but the Real Madrid man certainly came very close. Douglas CostaJuventus forward Douglas Costa casually revealed that he has a large, fully-functional bowling lane (complete with overhead screen) built into his back room. Thomas MullerBayern Munich star Thomas Muller spent his Sunday horsing around (quite literally) at the stable he owns with his wife. Presnel KimpembeParis Saint-Germain's Presnel Kimpembe showed off his impressive karate prowess by chopping a coconut clean in half. Perhaps a little too cleanly ... Mario BalotelliBrescia striker Mario Balotelli kept himself entertained by doing some impressive ball juggling in his back yard with a miniature football. Miralem PjanicThe Juventus playmaker Miralem Pjanic is obviously missing his teammates having donned Leonardo Bonucci's jersey before venturing out into the garden to perform trick shots. Erik LamelaTottenham Hotspur midfielder Erik Lamela was out in the garden, enjoying a lively skills session in the afternoon sunshine with his son, Tobias. CafuAs fit and agile as ever, 49-year-old Cafu proved he very much still has "it" by pulling off an impressive series of deft sombreros in his hall. MarceloThe Real Madrid veteran managed to combine his daily exercise session with football thanks to the screen he has installed on his treadmill. AdrianLiverpool goalkeeper Adrian made sure to join in with the Feria de Abril (an annual street festival in his hometown of Seville) celebrations despite being over a thousand miles away... Mario GotzePerhaps the most forlorn sight was Germany's 2014 World Cup hero Mario Gotze having to play pingpong on his lonesome, Forrest Gump-style.
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