Xabi Alonso has explained why he left Manchester City transfer target Rodrygo on the bench in Real Madrid's narrow 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their La Liga opener on Tuesday evening. It was an underwhelming performance from Los Blancos, who edged the contest thanks to a Kylian Mbappe penalty.
Marcus Rashford has been given a strange new nickname at Barcelona that he doesn't understand, with the Manchester United loanee aiming to learn Spanish "as soon as possible". The 27-year-old attacker was part of the infamous “bomb squad” at Old Trafford alongside Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia – a group that Ruben Amorim deemed surplus to requirements. Barcelona swooped for Rashford last month, sealing a season-long loan that includes the option to buy him outright next summer.
Vinicius Junior has reportedly refused Real Madrid's latest contract proposal, casting huge doubt over his long-term future in the Spanish capital. The Brazilian, regarded as one of the brightest stars in the Los Blancos squad, has grown increasingly frustrated with the terms offered and his camp believes the numbers simply do not stack up.
Vinicius Junior is reportedly set to be dropped from the Brazil squad by Carlo Ancelotti for the September World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. Ancelotti, who was once Vinicius' loudest cheerleader at Real Madrid, might rest the star forward during the upcoming international window.
Barcelona were dealt a major injury blow just days before the start of their 2025-26 campaign as star striker Robert Lewandowski picked up an injury that was expected to keep him out for three weeks. However, a new report claims that Lewandowski is set to return much sooner than expected.
Barcelona superstar Robert Lewandowski has stepped in to offer some big-brother advice to teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, as the youngster finds himself under a cloud of controversy just weeks after turning 18. The Spain international, hailed as one of the favourites to lift the Ballon d’Or this year, has been battling some PR nightmares off the pitch.