Real Madrid is assembling one of the deepest attacking groups in European football after adding Yan Diomande, securing Carlos Espí and renewing Vinicius Junior‘s contract, giving the club an increasingly formidable collection of young and established forwards heading into the new season.

The centerpiece of Madrid’s attack remains Vinicius, whose new contract keeps one of the world’s most dangerous wingers at the Santiago Bernabéu for the long term. His combination of speed, dribbling and ability to create chances has made him one of the club’s most important players, and retaining him removes uncertainty surrounding one of the team’s biggest attacking stars. Reports indicate the new agreement keeps Vinicius at Madrid through 2032.

Madrid’s addition of Yan Diomande adds another explosive option to the attack. The teenager arrived from RB Leipzig in a club-record deal reported at around €135 million, becoming the most expensive African player in football history. His arrival gives Madrid another versatile wide attacker capable of playing on either side of the field and provides the club with a player who can grow alongside its younger core.

The Diomande signing also changes the complexion of Madrid’s forward depth. Rather than relying heavily on a small group of established stars, the club can now rotate its attackers while maintaining speed and creativity. His ability to operate from wide positions could also allow Madrid’s coaching staff to alter formations depending on the opponent without sacrificing attacking quality.

Carlos Espí represents another piece of Madrid’s long-term planning. The young forward adds further depth and potential to a group that is increasingly built around players capable of contributing immediately while also developing into future stars. Madrid’s willingness to invest in young attacking talent reflects the club’s broader strategy of preparing for the next generation rather than waiting for its current stars to reach the end of their careers.

The depth could become particularly important over a long season. Madrid will compete across La Liga, the Champions League and domestic cup competitions, creating a demanding schedule that requires rotation. Injuries, suspensions and fatigue can quickly expose a lack of depth, but Madrid now has more options capable of changing matches from the bench as well as from the starting lineup.

The attacking group also gives Madrid greater tactical flexibility. Vinicius can continue operating as a primary threat from the left, while Diomande provides another option capable of stretching defenses from the opposite side. With additional young forwards competing for minutes, Madrid can create different combinations without completely changing its attacking identity.

The challenge will be managing those players and ensuring that the competition for minutes remains productive. Young stars need consistent opportunities to develop, while established players need enough playing time to remain sharp. How Madrid’s coaching staff distributes those minutes could ultimately be as important as the quality of the players themselves.

For Real Madrid, however, the direction is clear. The club has secured its most recognizable attacking star for the long term while adding younger players capable of becoming future cornerstones. With Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe remaining at the center of the project and Diomande and Espí joining an already talented group, Madrid’s offensive arsenal appears designed not only to compete for trophies now but to remain dangerous for years to come.

The race for Rodri has developed into one of the most intriguing transfer battles of the summer, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both pursuing the Manchester City midfielder and potentially turning his future into another major chapter in one of Spanish football’s biggest rivalries.

Rodri is one of the most accomplished midfielders in world football and has established himself as a central figure for both Manchester City and Spain. His ability to control possession, dictate tempo and protect the defense makes him an especially valuable target for clubs seeking a player capable of immediately transforming their midfield.

Real Madrid’s interest carries an obvious sporting and emotional dimension. Rodri is Spanish, has already proven himself at the highest level and would fill a position that Madrid has continued to evaluate as its midfield evolves. Adding him could provide the club with an experienced defensive midfielder capable of controlling matches while complementing its younger midfielders.

Barcelona’s interest, however, makes the situation considerably more significant. The Catalan club has entered the race and reportedly submitted an opening bid for Rodri that Manchester City rejected. Barcelona’s pursuit could provide the midfielder with an opportunity to return to Spain while also becoming a centerpiece of the club’s midfield project.

The financial aspect could ultimately determine how the battle develops. Manchester City has little reason to sell one of its most important players without receiving a significant offer, while Barcelona must continue managing its finances carefully. Reports indicate that Barcelona’s initial proposal fell short of City’s expectations, meaning the Catalan club may need to increase its offer or explore alternative structures to complete the transfer.

For Real Madrid, allowing Barcelona to win the race could carry consequences beyond the loss of a transfer target. Rodri would immediately strengthen one of Madrid’s biggest domestic rivals, potentially giving Barcelona a player capable of controlling the midfield in El Clásico. Signing him would therefore represent not only an acquisition for Barcelona but also a potential strategic loss for Madrid.

Rodri’s qualities make the battle particularly important because neither club is simply looking for another attacking star. Both Madrid and Barcelona already possess considerable offensive talent. What Rodri offers is control. His ability to receive the ball under pressure, dictate the rhythm of a match and provide defensive cover could allow either team’s attacking players to operate with greater freedom.

The midfielder’s history in Spanish football adds another layer to the story. Rodri previously played for Villarreal and Atlético Madrid before moving to Manchester City, where he developed into one of the world’s premier midfielders. A return to Spain would therefore represent another major stage in a career that has already included domestic titles, European success and international honors.

For Barcelona, completing the signing could represent a statement that the club is capable of competing with Madrid for elite players despite its financial constraints. For Madrid, winning the race would reinforce its ability to attract established Spanish stars while denying Barcelona the opportunity to strengthen its midfield.

Manchester City, meanwhile, remains in the position of control as the clubs compete for its midfielder. Until an agreement is reached, the transfer remains uncertain, but the growing interest from both Spanish giants has transformed Rodri’s future into one of the summer’s biggest stories.

Whether Rodri eventually chooses the Santiago Bernabéu, Camp Nou or remains in Manchester, the outcome could have implications well beyond one transfer window. If he joins Madrid, the club could gain an elite midfielder while keeping him away from Barcelona. If Barcelona succeeds, the Catalan side could acquire one of the world’s best midfielders while simultaneously denying Madrid a major target. Either outcome would reshape the balance of power in Spain.

Several of Europe’s biggest football clubs are entering the 2026-27 season under new leadership, with managerial changes expected to play a significant role in shaping the competitive landscape across the continent’s top leagues.

The offseason has brought notable movement on the sidelines, as clubs in England, Spain, France and other major European leagues have evaluated their long-term direction following the conclusion of the previous campaign. For many organizations, managerial appointments are among the most important decisions made during the summer, as clubs seek to improve results and establish a clear identity moving forward.

In England, one of the most closely watched situations involves Liverpool FC and the reported arrival of Andoni Iraola. The manager earned praise for his work developing competitive teams and implementing an aggressive style of play. His approach could influence Liverpool’s transfer activity and tactical direction as the club seeks to compete for major honors both domestically and in Europe. His style of play is similar to that of the previous Liverpool coach, Jürgen Klopp. This reported direction for Liverpool is a clear shift in strategy towards a tested and proven tactical vision.

Spain has also experienced managerial developments involving some of its most prominent clubs. Real Madrid continues to navigate a new chapter following changes to its coaching structure, with Alvaro Arbeloa leaving the club and Jose Mourinho‘s reported arrival, while other clubs throughout La Liga have pursued managerial appointments aimed at improving consistency and competing for European qualification. New managers often bring different tactical philosophies, creating additional intrigue heading into a new season.

In France, reigning European champion Paris Saint-Germain remains under the leadership of Luis Enrique, whose tactical system has helped establish it as one of Europe’s strongest teams, with the club recently winning its second consecutive Champions League. While PSG has maintained continuity, several other Ligue 1 clubs have made coaching changes in hopes of narrowing the gap with the league’s dominant force. Some major managerial moves in Ligue 1 include LOSC Lille appointing Davide Ancelotti, the son of Carlo Ancelotti and his former assistant manager during his time at Real Madrid.

Managerial changes often carry implications beyond tactics alone. New coaches can influence recruitment strategies, player development plans and the futures of current squad members. Players who may have struggled under one manager can find new opportunities under another, while transfer targets are often selected for how well they fit a coach’s preferred system.

As preseason preparations continue across Europe, attention will increasingly focus on how quickly new managers can implement their ideas. The success or failure of these appointments could have a major impact on domestic title races, European qualification battles and the overall direction of some of the continent’s most recognizable clubs.

The summer transfer window is underway across Europe, with many of the continent’s biggest clubs already making moves to strengthen their squads ahead of the 2026-27 season. Teams in top leagues like the Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1 are expected to remain active throughout the coming months as they pursue signings aimed at improving depth, addressing weaknesses and preparing for another demanding campaign.

In England, several Premier League clubs have entered the market with significant ambitions. Liverpool FC continues to be linked with multiple additions following the arrival of manager Andoni Iraola, while Manchester City is expected to evaluate reinforcements following a period of transition within the club. Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC have also been connected with several high-profile targets as they look to strengthen squads capable of competing for major honors.

In Spain, Real Madrid has continued to be linked with defensive and midfield reinforcements, like Manchester City’s Rodri and Joško Gvardiol, despite maintaining one of the strongest squads in Europe. Reports have also linked the club to additional young talent as it continues its long-term strategy focused on building around emerging stars. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona is expected to remain active despite financial constraints, with the club reportedly targeting affordable options to add depth across several positions. The Catalan club has already signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle as an offensive addition to their squad. They are also heavily linked to Atletico Madrid’s Argentine forward, Julián Alvarez

France could once again become a major focus of the transfer market due to the activity expected at Paris Saint-Germain. Fresh off a second consecutive Champions League title, PSG is reportedly evaluating additions that fit manager Luis Enrique‘s tactical system. The club has frequently been linked with versatile midfielders, defenders and young attacking players as it attempts to maintain its position among Europe’s elite.

Several of the most discussed players on the market include Florian Wirtz, Viktor Gyökeres, Benjamin Šeško and Rodrygo, all of whom have been linked with moves involving some of Europe’s biggest clubs. While many negotiations are ongoing, the futures of several high-profile players are expected to shape the market’s direction throughout the summer.

As negotiations continue, clubs across Europe will attempt to balance immediate needs with long-term planning. The transfers completed during the coming weeks could play a major role in determining the competitive landscape of domestic leagues and European competitions next season.

Spanish soccer club Leganes was just acquired by an investment group led by former Houston Astros GM Jeff Luhnow. The purchase comes just two years after Luhnow and then-Astros manager AJ Hinch were suspended, then subsequently fired, in the sign-stealing scandal.

Luhnow and his investment group Blue Crow Sports purchased the team from Victoria Pavon and Felipe Moreno for an undisclosed amount. Blue Crow is a group that contains investors from the United States, Mexico, El Salvador and Canada. The group recently purchased the Mexican club Cancun FC.

Leganes is a club based out of Southern Madrid in the Spanish League’s Second Division. They finished 12th in Spain’s Second Division this past season. The club was acquired in 2008 by Pavon and Moreno when it was in the third division and in debt. Since then, Leganes has reached the first division, La Liga, in 2016 and spent four seasons there before being relegated after the conclusion of the 2020 season. The club most notably beat Real Madrid on the way to the Copa Del Rey semifinals in 2018.

Luhnow says his plan as team president is to build the youth and women’s teams and push the club further forward technology-wise. “All sports have used technology to create advantages, and that is what we want to do. We have a group of people with experience including the Premier League and the MLS who know how to use technology, and Leganes can take advantage of that. Soccer is a bit behind other sports … but that is going to change in the coming years,” Luhnow said.

Luhnow noted that his purchase of Leganes was due to the belief that Spanish soccer has the greatest growth potential in Europe, especially due to the strict cost-control measures Spanish soccer employs and a recent investment deal with a private equity firm. “We will do all we can to improve this club,” Luhnow said.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that the club’s debt has risen to €1.35 billion.

Laporta took over as president at Barca in March after winning elections that followed Josep Maria Bartomeu‘s resignation in October 2020. Laporta was left to deal with a series of off-the-pitch crises as the club struggled with financial problems which were worsened by the coronavirus pandemic.

“As of March 21, 2021, the debt was €1.35bn,” Laporta said in a news conference on Monday. “Bartomeu was plugging holes in the short term and mortgaging the club in the long term. That leaves us a dramatic inheritance. To the initial debt of €617m, you have to add €389m on players, €90m in litigation, €79m in advance television rights, and €56m from the ‘Espai Barca’ project. In total, it’s €1.35bn.”

Laporta was very open about the financial issues for the club. The club lost superstar Lionel Messi, who joined Paris Saint-Germain last week. Laporta described it as “sad, but necessary,” after Barca was unable to agree to a new contract with Messi within the club’s strict La Liga imposed salary cap.

Only Gerard Pique‘s acceptance of a last-minute pay cut allowed Barca to sign Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia this weekend.

“We’re happy we resolved it with Pique, and we’re hugely grateful,” Laporta said. “Some players are more than just players. Pique is a club man who loves Barca above all. He’s seen that we’re in a difficult situation, and he’s done something that deserves praise.”

Laporta blamed the previous board of directors led by Bartomeu for the increased wage bill. Laporta said that Barcas’ wage bill had reached an unsustainable 103% of the club’s income.

“It isn’t true that the salaries rose to be able to compete with the ‘state clubs’ [referring to PSG and Manchester City] and the Premier League,” he said. “They spent the €220m from the Neymar deal disproportionately and at light speed. That is when the salaries shot up. We’ll have to change the model and invest in [Barcelona’s academy] La Masia, making more proportionate investments with more sporting logic.”

Last week, Bartomeu wrote an open letter in which he defended his administration and criticized Laporta’s running of the club.

“I have read [the letter] carefully, and it is full of lies,” Laporta said in response to Bartomeu’s letter. “It is an effort to justify unjustifiable management. It is an exercise in desperation, that looks to take advantage of a moment of unrest among Barcelona fans. They say they are not responsible for the 2019-20 accounts, but they are responsible until March 17, 2021. The numbers are [Bartomeu’s] board’s responsibility. Nobody will escape from that.”

On Tuesday, Lionel Messi flew to Paris on a private jet to finalize his move to Paris-St. Germaine (PSG). The Argentinian has signed a two-year contract with PSG that includes an option for a third year. But many now are wondering if the club will be able to keep its star player Kylian Mbappe, who had been long rumored to be leaving for another team.

Hundreds of fans gathered to greet Messi at the Bourget airport in France and at PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium. Upon Messi’s arrival, he wore a shirt that said: “This is Paris.”

At the airport, Messi’s father, Jorge, was asked if his son intended to sign with PSG and Jorge provided confirmation. Jorge was then asked who was at fault for Messi leaving Barcelona, to which he replied, “Find out at the club.”

It is reported that Messi will earn more than PSG’s Brazilian star, Neymar. Neymar and Messi were formerly teammates at Barcelona.

Messi’s contract with Barcelona expired on June 30 and another deal was unable to be agreed upon due to financial restrictions of the league. In an emotional press conference, Messi explained his desire to stay and his willingness to take a pay cut of up to 50%, but even this was not sufficient as the club had not properly managed its finances.

At the farewell press conference, Messi had spoken about his interest in other clubs, “[PSG] is one possibility. There’s nothing closed at the moment, but we’re talking about a lot of things. After Barca’s statement, a lot of clubs showed an interest. There’s nothing final but, of course, there are talks.”

When asked about the possibility of going to a club that rivals Barcelona Messi said, “There is no doubt that I will go to a team that will compete with Barca. I didn’t want to leave, but I have to. And I want to keep winning. That’s my mentality. I want to win.”

Lionel Messi will remain with Barcelona after agreeing to a five-year deal. The deal includes a 50% wage reduction and the phenom will be under contract until June of 2026. An official announcement is expected in the coming days.

Messi was a free agent after his contract with the Catalan club expired. His previous contract worth €500 million over four years expired at midnight on June 30. As a free agent, he received heavy interest from Machester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Last summer, Messi attracted the attention of the two aforementioned clubs after revealing his desire to leave Barcelona after two decades.

However, that feeling changed when former Barcelona president Joan Laporta returned as president of the club. Laporta’s return caused Messi to become more open to staying with the team. Laporta hoped to finalize a contract with the forward before his deal expired, but Barca’s financial problems made it difficult. However, Laporta’s confidence never wavered. He knew he could get the forward to remain in Barcelona.

La Liga president Javier Tebas warned Barca they will not be allowed to register Messi’s new deal if they do not reduce spending to comply with the league’s Financial Fair Play rules. Since the coronavirus pandemic, Barcelona’s spending limit has been reduced from over €600m to €347m. Further reductions are expected to be imposed for the upcoming season.

Barca must continue to reduce the wage bill and move players to register Messi’s new deal. The club refuses to rule out the departure of Antoine Griezmann, who signed a five-year contract worth €120m in 2019.

Messi is currently on vacation after helping the Argentine national team win the Copa America.

FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi sat down with Jordi Evole for a very candid and personal interview for La Sexta.

After the problems he had in the summer with the Catalan club, Messi did not hold back from expressing his love for FC Barcelona. He claimed, “Barça is my life. I love Barça and Barcelona. I have always given my all for this club. I feel everything for this shirt. Barcelona is my life. I grew up both in the club and in the city. I learned everything here. The club has given me everything, trained me as a footballer and as a person. I have a love affair with Barça and the city.”

Messi started playing for FC Barcelona at a really young age. He spoke on his arrival from Argentina to the Catalan club and claimed, “It was a difficult time, I left everything behind. My life changed completely. But I was just thinking about trying to achieve my dream. And that’s why I focused on training, matches and school. Little by little, I made friends.”

The Barca superstar discussed his troublesome summer with the club and the reasons why he wanted to leave after so many years. Messi claimed that he “had been telling [Bartomeu] for six months that I wanted to leave and asking for his help and he just said ‘no, no, no,” As a result, Messi sent a burofax to the club to make his decision about leaving the club official. 

Messi also claimed that Barotmeu started to leak things to the public to make the player look like the “bad guy” in front of everyone. 

When asked about current head coach Koeman’s project, he said, “With Koeman, the team and the club have a seriousness about them and an idea. He is doing things very well, and has been a great success. However, it’s not an easy situation because there are new and young people.”

Messi also did not give a clear answer on whether he will leave FC Barcelona in June or not, but expressed his desire to play for the MLS “one day.” 

During this week’s La Liga fixtures, Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid all clinched victories. 

Atlético Madrid defeated Real Sociedad, 2-0. In the first half, neither side managed to score. In the second half, Atlético Madrid’s Mario Hermoso scored his side’s first goal assisted by Yannick Ferrera Carasco. In the last 15 minutes of the game, Atlético Madrid’s Marcos Llorente scored his side’s second goal assisted by Carasco. Atlético Madrid is currently on top of La Liga. 

FC Barcelona defeated Real Valladolid, 3-0. In the first half, FC Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet scored the first goal assisted by FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. Shortly after, FC Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite scored the second goal assisted by Serginho Dest. In the second half, Messi scored a brilliant third goal for FC Barcelona assisted by emerging young star Pedri. Messi has now scored 644 goals for FC Barcelona and has surpassed soccer legend Pele’s record for scoring the most goals for a single club. FC Barcelona is currently fifth in La Liga.

Real Madrid continued their winning streak after defeating Granada, 2-0. In the second half, Real Madrid star Casemiro scored the first goal assisted by Marco Asensio. In the added time, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema scored his side’s second goal assisted by Real Madrid outcast Isco. Real Madrid is currently second in La Liga, having the same number of points as Atletico, but the Galacticos have played two more games. 

The players are now on Christmas break and La Liga will return on Dec. 29. FC Barcelona is scheduled to face Eibar at the Camp Nou. Atletico Madrid is scheduled to face Getafe at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano. Real Madrid is scheduled to face Elche at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. 

The La Liga race is still far from over and there will likely be many twists as games return after Christmas break. 

In La Liga, FC Barcelona suffered a defeat against Cadiz while Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both clinched victories.

Cadiz defeated FC Barcelona, 2-1. Cadiz’s Alvaro Gimenez scored an early goal after a mistake by FC Barcelona defender Mingueza. In the second half, FC Barcelona equalized after an own goal from Cadiz’s Pedro Alcala. Shortly after, a mistake from FC Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet allowed Cadiz striker Alvaro Negredo to score the winner. FC Barcelona’s terrible defending and organization was exposed in this game. 

After the game, head coach Ronald Koeman told the media, “It’s a huge step back in terms of winning La Liga. It’s disappointing but we must accept it, even though being 12 points back from a strong team like Atletico is a lot.”

FC Barcelona player Sergio Busquets also commented on the team’s disappointing display. “Individual errors have cost us a lot of points,” he said “In the last few games, mistakes have defined the match and it becomes more difficult.”

FC Barcelona is currently ninth in La Liga after dropping more points after the defeat. In contrast, the Catalan club is doing quite well in the UEFA Champions League. The club is in first place in the competition’s Group G and earned a spot in the competition’s last 16 round. 

Real Madrid clinched a winner against Sevilla. In the second half, a mistake from Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou gave the Galacticos a narrow win in the league after a disappointing defeat in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk. Real Madrid head coach Zidane’s job is probably safe for now. 

Atletico Madrid continued its winning run this week as well after defeating Real Valladolid, 2-0. In the second half, Atletico’s Thomas Lemar scored the first goal followed by the second from Marcos Llorente. Atletico Madrid is currently in first place in La Liga. 

In this week’s La Liga fixtures, Deportivo Alavés humbled La Liga giants Real Madrid, while rivals Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona both clinched victories. 

Deportivo Alavés defeated Real Madrid, 2-0 at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. Alavés were awarded an early penalty in the game after the ball hit Real Madrid defender Nacho’s arm. Lucas Perez took the penalty and scored the first goal. Before the end of the first half, Alavés’ Joselu scored after a mistake by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. 

In the second half, Real Madrid’s Casemiro scored. In the last minute of the game, Real Madrid’s Isco fired a shot that hit the post. Real Madrid has not won any of their three last games in La Liga. Also, during this game, Eden Hazard was subbed off after an injury, which is bad news for the injury-stricken club. 

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid defeated Valencia CF at the Mestalla after an own goal from Valencia’s Toni Lato in the second half. Atletico Madrid is currently second in the La Liga table.

FC Barcelona also defeated Osasuna, 4-0 at the Camp Nou. In the first half, FC Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite scored the first goal, followed by a brilliant goal from Antoine Griezmann. In the second half, Philippe Coutinho scored the third goal, followed by a disallowed goal from Ousmane Dembele. Lionel Messi scored his side’s fourth goal and paid tribute to late Argentina soccer legend Diego Maradona by wearing Maradona’s Newell’s Old Boys shirt under his FC Barcelona jersey. 

La Liga giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona both have not performed as well as expected this season. So far, the La Liga competition is open as teams like Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad are also competing for the title.

However, the La Liga competition is long and anything can happen.

Atletico Madrid defeated a tired-looking FC Barcelona, 1-0 at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano for the first time in a decade.

Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Ferreira Carrasco scored the game’s only goal after a costly mistake from FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen. FC Barcelona had some opportunities to score including one from defender Clement Lenglet, but Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak did a good job to save them. 

The game was also bad news for the Catalan club as defender Gerard Pique and midfielder Sergi Roberto came off injured. Roberto will reportedly be out for two months and Pique will also face several months out. Losing Roberto and Pique during this critical time will definitely give head coach Ronald Koeman a headache. Ousmane Dembele also reportedly suffered a shoulder injury.

FC Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho returned to action after recovering from an injury. Nevertheless, Coutinho’s return did not impact the game’s outcome.  

Antoine Griezmann did not play well against his former team. Griezmann’s struggles at FC Barcelona continue this season as he failed to prove himself as a world-class player at the club after transferring from Atletico Madrid. 

FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi looked way below his star level. Despite a great performance with the Argentina national team during the World Cup qualifiers. 

After the match, Koeman said, “The coach is the number one person responsible for a team’s results and I have to keep on believing in the players I have. But we have to improve things defensively and in the attack.”

Despite the loss, Koeman still defended his players and said, “The players did everything they could until the last second to equalize and we have to maintain that attitude in our next few games.”

FC Barcelona is currently twelfth in the La Liga table. The club is scheduled to face Osasuna on Nov. 29.  

El Clasico is one of the most-covered and watched fixtures in world football. The fixture is also between two of the most famous football clubs in the world, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

In Saturday’s Clasico fixture at the Camp Nou, Real Madrid defeated FC Barcelona, 3-1. The controversial game was FC Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman’s first classico. 

Real Madrid opened the scoring after midfielder Federico Valverde scored a stunning goal assisted by Karim Benzema. Shortly after, FC Barcelona bounced back into the game after young star Ansu Fati scored a goal assisted by Jordi Alba. 

During the second half, Real Madrid was awarded a controversial penalty after a VAR check because FC Barcelona’s Clement Lenglet pulled Sergio Ramos’ shirt. Ramos took the penalty and scored to give his side an advantage. 

Substitute Luka Modric scored the third goal assisted by Rodrygo in the dying minutes of the game. Real Madrid’s third goal surely ensured their win over their fierce rivals. FC Barcelona also had opportunities to score more goals in the game, but the team missed the final touch. 

After the game, head coach Koeman complained about VAR and told the press, “I don’t understand VAR, I think it is only used to make decisions against Barca.” When asked about the penalty decision, he claimed, “I haven’t spoken to Lenglet but I did see the move. It was a foul by Ramos on Lenglet. Then Lenglet grabbed Ramos, but not to pull him back, in any case he should have fallen forward, not back. Once again, it’s not a penalty for me.”

The spotlight was also shed on FC Barcelona legend Lionel Messi because of his current form. The player is currently not looking as effective as he usually does. 

FC Barcelona’s upcoming fixture is against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on 10/28, while Real Madrid will face Borussia Monchengladbach on Oct. 27.

Things are not looking good for FC Barcelona’s current manager Quique Setien as he has not seemed to mesh with players and according to reports, he may not retain his position entering next season, barring some massive improvement. 

Setien took over as the club’s manager back in January, where Barcelona had a lead in the La Liga standings. Following a 2-2 draw to the fourth worst team in the league in Celta Vigo, as well as a Real Madrid win Sunday, Barcelona now trails their rival by two points with both teams having six matches left on their schedule. 

Following Saturday’s draw, Barcelona forward Luis Suarez commented on the club’s recent struggles saying, “What is wrong with us? That is what coaches are for, to analyze the situations. We gave everything on the field of play and yet you are left with the feeling that we are dropping lots of points away from home which we did not drop in other seasons.”

Barcelona has 15 wins and a draw in 16 matches at home, while on the road this season they have only been able to muster six wins in 16 matches.

On Monday, Setien commented on Suarez’s remarks, trying to mitigate the situation. “These little controversies will always exist. Everyone has their own way of seeing things,” he said. “It’s normal. I wasn’t an easy player, either. We have to convince the players that the common idea is what’s important. The communication between us is good and I don’t give it any importance. When you don’t win, because of an isolated play at a certain moment, like the foul for Celta’s equalizer, everyone sharpens the knives. This is the circus we’re involved in. But the relationship we have with the players is good. It’s true there are sometimes disagreements, but I don’t see any problems worthy of talking about.”

Barcelona’s next match is Tuesday at home against Atlético Madrid.

As the race for the La Liga title gets tighter between Real Madrid and Barcelona, every match matters. Whether it be a win, a draw or a loss, each will prove crucial in determining a winner. For the first 69 minutes of Barcelona’s match Tuesday against Athletic Bilbao, it looked like they would have just a one-point lead over Real Madrid in the standings. Enter Ivan Rakitic.

In the 71st minute Rakitic, who had been subbed into the match six minutes earlier, got a nice feed from Lionel Messi, to put his squad up 1-0. Rakitic’s goal was his first since March 2019. Post-game, Rakitic commented on his team’s victory and him getting his first goal of the season. “It was very tough for us to take control of the game, Athletic are a very tough side and did not make it easy for us, but I’m delighted to score my first goal of the season. Thirty-one league games is a very long time to wait, and I’m angry it has taken so long, but I’m happy I was able to help the team.

Despite the win, Barcelona’s big-three in Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann did not play up to par, and it showed. It seemed that there was still a little bit of rust for the three of them. With their club having just a three point lead in the standings over their rivals from Madrid, with seven matches remaining, the success of all three of those guys will be crucial if they want to win their third straight lead title. 

Griezmann especially has not played well in recent weeks. Against Athletic Bilbao, Griezmann got one unenthused shot off in the 54th minute and was then subbed off nine minutes later.

On June 11, La Liga returned to action after its season was halted amid the coronavirus pandemic. One of the titans of the league, Real Madrid, played their first game since the season was stopped against Eibar. After one goal, one of Madrid’s players took the opportunity to acknowledge what is going on in the world.

Madrid left back Marcelo scored his squad’s third goal of the match and instead of celebrating with some crazy dance or running around the stadium, the Brazilian dropped to one knee and raised a fist in the air, acknowledging the various movements around the globe since the death of George Floyd on May 25.

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Marcelo is not the first soccer player to take a stance supporting the anti-racist movements around the world, as numerous European soccer players have worn shirts that read “Black Lives Matter.” The Premier League will inscribed “Black Lives Matter” on the back of all jerseys for one week. 

Spain was one of the countries impacted the most by the coronavirus pandemic, and although they tried to continue playing sports, it simply was not possible. The premier soccer league in Spain, La Liga, has had its season suspended since March. On Saturday, the league got some good news.

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez announced that La Liga will be allowed to resume its season starting June 8. 

In a speech, Sanchez said that it is the right time for the return of La Liga. “The time has come to resume many daily activities,” he said. 

Although La Liga is free to resume its season starting June 8, they are eyeing a resumption to its season starting June 11. There are still a lot of details that needs to be ironed out, as it is unclear as to whether or not teams will play the final 11 games in their season, or if they will play a modified schedule. 

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Following a two-week suspension, La Liga has decided to postpone league play indefinitely as Spain copes with the increasing number of people infected with COVID-19. League officials met with the Royal Spanish Federation resulting in a statement released on Monday that claimed La Liga will resume operations when the Spanish government proclaims it is safe to do so. There are 110 matches remaining this season, not including UEFA European fixtures.

“The Monitoring Commission established by the current RFEF-La Liga Coordination Agreement AGREES [to] the suspension of professional football competitions until the authorities of the Government of Spain and the General Administration of the State consider that they can be resumed without creating any health risk,” La Liga’s statement read, “Both the RFEF and La Liga wish to express our greatest public gratitude to all those who are dedicating their best efforts to provide essential services to the Spanish people and also share our condolences for all the deceased and a warm embrace from the world of soccer to the many families that are losing loved ones.”

UEFA announced a plan on March 17 regarding scheduling for certain matches and tournaments once play is allowed to continue in Europe. Here’s a summarized version of the results following their meeting last week, according to CBS Sports:

National team competition

• Euro 2020 is postponed until the summer of 2021.
• The Euro 2020 qualifying playoffs, originally set for March, will now be played in the international window in June, pending final review.
• European qualifiers matchdays scheduled in June of 2021 will be rescheduled.
• UEFA Nations League finals, UEFA U-21 Euro and UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 will be rescheduled.
• Clubs will release players to national teams for all rescheduled tournaments.

cLUB COMPETITION

• The goal is to complete all domestic and continental club competitions by June 30, 2020, at the latest, assuming the coronavirus situation improves and playing be deemed appropriate.
• Explore and accept the possibility that some league matches may need to take place during the week and some UEFA club competition matches may need to happen on weekends to make scheduling work.
• A possibly change to the qualifying round of the next UCL and Europa League in case of a late completion to the 2019-20 season.

As of Monday, Spain has reported 33,089 people have been infected and 2,206 have died due to health complications caused by the Coronavirus. Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died at the age of 76 due to complications that stemmed from contracting the disease on March 22.

Cristiano Ronaldo has landed himself in hot water again: the Portuguese forward has been handed a five-game suspension after receiving two yellow cards and shoving a referee in the back at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo suspension news

Ronaldo, 32, was given a red card after being introduced as a second-half substitute during Real Madrid’s 3-1 road victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the Supercopa of champions. The four-time Ballon d’Or winner — who recently appeared in a Spanish court following allegations of tax evasion — played for just 24 minutes but managed to give his team a 2-1 lead by scoring in the 80th minute. Ronaldo took off his shirt to celebrate and was issued his first yellow card of the game.

Three minutes after his goal, the forward was given another yellow card and sent off for diving in the box to try to win a penalty after competing with Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti to chase a ball. Ronaldo protested but was unable to convince referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea that he had done nothing wrong, and he retaliated by pushing Begoetxea in the back, a move that raised his suspension from one game to five games.

“Once shown the red card, said player (Ronaldo) pushed me lightly as a sign of his disapproval,” Bengoetxea wrote in his post-match report.

It marked Ronaldo’s tenth red card of his career. The Portuguese forward has ten days to appeal his ban, which means he will miss the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona on Aug. 17 as well as Madrid’s four opening La Liga games against Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad.

Ronaldo will thus return to play on Sept. 20, when Los Blancos host Real Betis. According to ESPN FC, he will be eligible to play in Real Madrid’s Champions League group stage opener a week before and the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy friendly against Fiorentina on Aug. 23.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said following the game that he believed the punishment Ronaldo received was too strict.

“Ronaldo’s sending-off annoys me because even if it is not a penalty, the card is harsh,” said Zidane. “We will see if we can do something so that he is available on Wednesday.”

Ronaldo has also been fined €3,805 ($4,481) for his actions, while Madrid were fined €1,750 ($2,061).

BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 13: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid reacts during the Supercopa de Espana Supercopa Final 1st Leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on August 13, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images,)