Real Madrid are not, objectively, having that bad of a season. They are within four points of Barcelona atop La Liga - a not insurmountable gap - and are in the Champions League round of 16 despite a tough league-phase slate of fixtures. Yes, they fired a manager in Xabi Alonso and face uncertainty in the dugout, but success is not beyond Los Blancos in 2025-26.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has issued a clear challenge to his squad ahead of their monumental Champions League clash with Real Madrid, insisting that his players must prioritise their identity over the fear of failure. Speaking ahead of the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, the Catalan coach emphasised that success in Europe’s elite competition is not just about the final score, but about the courage to play without restraint on the grandest stage of all.
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has expressed a massive sense of relief as Kylian Mbappe remains sidelined for the upcoming Champions League clash against Real Madrid. While acknowledging the immense talent of his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, the Italian admits facing a Madrid side without their talisman provides a welcome tactical advantage.
La Liga’s Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) has admitted that Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger should have been sent off for violent conduct during a recent clash against Getafe. The incident, which occurred during a heated battle at the Santiago Bernabeu, saw the German international escape punishment on the pitch despite a sickening collision with Diego Rico. However, upon further review in their 'Review Time' program, the governing body conceded that both the on-field official and the VAR room failed to apply the correct disciplinary measures.
Wesley Sneijder’s highly anticipated return to football with Dutch amateur side OSM’75 has quickly turned sour. Following a one-nil victory over league leaders Focus’07, the fourth-tier club now face a potential points deduction. Rivals claim OSM’75 broke the rules by using four substitution windows instead of the permitted three, leaving the KNVB to investigate the matter.
Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal has publicly defended his decision to applaud Celta Vigo legend Iago Aspas during their recent La Liga encounter at Balaidos. Following a wave of unwarranted online criticism from a section of his own fanbase, the veteran defender took to social media to firmly remind supporters that basic sporting values and respect must always come first.
Veteran AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric has responded to rumours he could rejoin Real Madrid in a sensational summer transfer. The 40-year-old left the Santiago Bernabeu in June last year before completing a free transfer to Milan, but it has been suggested he could retrace his steps amid a creativity void in the Madrid engine room.
Alvaro Arbeloa has delivered an update on Kylian Mbappe's fitness ahead of the first leg of Real Madrid's Champions League round of 16 tie against Manchester City. The French forward has been struggling with a persistent knee injury, missing Los Blancos last three games across all competitions.
Brazilian prodigy Endrick has been warned that he must curb his individualistic tendencies after a drop in form at Lyon. Despite a scintillating start to life in Ligue 1, the Real Madrid loanee is currently enduring a goal drought that has drawn scrutiny from fans and pundits alike, including French World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti. Concerns are growing that the teenager is reverting to the same erratic habits that limited his impact in Spain.
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has urged his former club to make a bold move to sign Brazilian teenage sensation Endrick. The highly gifted attacker is currently starring in France for Lyon, on loan from Real Madrid, and Evra believes he would be a great fit for the Red Devils.
Joan Laporta has launched a scathing attack on Real Madrid as he runs for a third term as Barcelona president, accusing them of controlling Spanish refereeing for over seven decades. Amid ongoing scrutiny over the Negreira case, Laporta claims Barca are the victims of a calculated smear campaign orchestrated from the capital.
When Real Madrid were paired with Manchester City in the Champions League last-16, the groans could be heard all the way from Plaza Mayor to Piccadilly Gardens: 'Again?!' The complaints were entirely predictable and, at some level, understandable. By the end of the second leg next Tuesday, the two teams will have faced each other 11 times in the past five seasons, and on 17 occasions since 2012.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has announced that the Spanish top flight intends to implement fully automated offside technology starting in the 2026-27 season. Moving beyond current semi-automated systems, the league aims to use FIFA-approved microchips embedded within match balls to provide instantaneous decisions. This significant change aims to eradicate human error and the contentious manual selection of video frames.
U.S. Men's National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly a candidate to take over as Real Madrid manager ahead of the 2026-27 season. Real Madrid is currently led by Alvaro Arbeloa, who took on the job earlier this year, but the club has reportedly already begun assessing options for a coaching hire in the summer.
Neymar has been included in Brazil's expansive preliminary squad for the upcoming friendlies, giving the Santos star a lifeline ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, with Carlo Ancelotti watching, the legendary forward faces immense pressure. Missing the next match for load control, he has just one game left to prove his fitness and secure his spot in the final selection.
Real Madrid's preparations for their crucial Champions League round of 16 clash against Manchester City have suffered another major setback. Young defender Alvaro Carreras has sustained a calf injury, joining key players like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo on the sidelines. Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa faces severe selection challenges ahead of the Bernabeu tie.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Real Madrid have been handed a major boost ahead of their titanic Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City, as Kylian Mbappe was spotted back on the grass at Valdebebas. The France international has been away in Paris undergoing conservative treatment on a knee injury, but his return to the club's training base signals a potential turning point for manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
Kylian Mbappe is facing a race against time to be fit for Real Madrid's mouth-watering Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash against Manchester City. The French superstar is returning to the Spanish capital on Sunday after spending several days in his homeland undergoing specialist treatment for an injury to his left knee. His participation in Wednesday night's showdown at the Bernabeu remains shrouded in uncertainty as the club's medical staff prepare to evaluate his progress.
Real Madrid have reportedly cooled their pursuit of Manchester City's Rodri, choosing to refine their midfield shortlist ahead of the summer window.The saga surrounding Rodri and a potential move to the Bernabeu has taken a definitive turn on the eve of a massive European showdown. While the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is set to step onto the hallowed turf in Madrid once again, he will do so strictly as a visitor.
Cristiano Ronaldo boasts supernatural qualities, with former Real Madrid team-mate Marcelo billing the Portuguese GOAT as an “extraterrestrial”. Many have suggested down the years that Ronaldo may not be from this world, given his record-shattering exploits, and a Brazilian colleague at Santiago Bernabeu has suggested that CR7 may be an alien from a different planet.
Real Madrid have reportedly entered the transfer battle for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, with the Spanish giants dispatching scouts to St James' Park on Saturday evening for what was ostensibly a reconnaissance trip to study Manchester City ahead of their upcoming Champions League showdown. However, it has emerged that the delegation was actually on a "double mission", with the Italy international featuring on their summer shortlist.
The long-standing mystery of the iconic 1990 Celta Vigo shirt worn by Madonna has finally reached a heartwarming conclusion. The global superstar has officially responded to the Galician club's public search, confirming that the historic garment, which she wore during her "Blond Ambition" tour performance at the Balaidos stadium in July 1990, is not only safe but remains a cherished part of her legendary career archives.
Real Madrid’s preparations for their blockbuster Champions League showdown against Manchester City have been thrown into further disarray. While the club were already reeling from the confirmed absences of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, a fresh injury concern surrounding left-back Alvaro Carreras has left manager Alvaro Arbeloa facing a defensive headache. The Spaniard is now a major doubt for the first leg after picking up a heavy blow to his left calf during domestic action.