The bond between former teammates Lucas Paqueta and Vinicius Junior remains unbreakable, and the current Flamengo midfielder has made no secret of his desire to see the Real Madrid superstar back at the Maracana. Following the latest instance of alleged racial abuse directed at Vinicius during last week's Champions League clash against Benfica, Paqueta has publicly offered his "total support" to his close friend. While the winger continues to battle prejudice in Europe, his former partner in crime believes the time is approaching for them to fulfil a long-standing pact to dominate South American football together once again.
The controversy surrounding Benfica starlet Gianluca Prestianni continues to cast a dark shadow over the Portuguese giants following last week's heated Champions League encounter with Real Madrid. While the football world has been incensed by the alleged incident, the suspect’s teammates at the Estadio da Luz have remained largely tight-lipped while the legal process unfolds. However, that silence has finally been broken by Belgian international Dodi Lukebakio, who has provided a candid and stern assessment of the situation currently engulfing the Argentine youngster.
After all that followed it, it may have been forgotten just how good Vinicius Jr's goal to beat Benfica was last week. The Brazil winger has a fine catalogue for Real Madrid, but this was surely among the best. Vinicius cut inside before using the outline of a defender to shape his shot into the top corner. It was a truly wonderful moment of individual expression - one that absolutely should be celebrated.
Kylian Mbappe is expected to miss the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League play-off with Benfica after succumbing to a knee injury in training. Los Blancos host the Portuguese giants at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, with Alvaro Arbeloa's men leading 1-0 from the first leg in Lisbon.
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni is expected to claim he used homophobic language against Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior after allegedly being called a 'dwarf' by the Brazilian. The first leg of last week's knockout round play-off in the Champions League was marred by claims of racist abuse against the Argentine, whose defence is likely to be rejected.
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has heaped praise on Kylian Mbappe, describing the Frenchman as a "game-changer" ahead of Tuesday's pivotal Champions League showdown with Benfica. Despite lingering concerns over a knee injury that has hampered the forward since December, Arbeloa was quick to dismiss any doubts regarding the player's fitness or his suitability in a central role.
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has thrown down the gauntlet to UEFA, demanding that European football’s governing body takes decisive action following the alleged racial abuse of Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian superstar was reportedly targeted by Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni during last week’s Champions League play-off first leg, a match that was halted for ten minutes after the incident. Ahead of the return leg at the Bernabeu, Arbeloa insisted that the time for empty gestures has passed and called for a meaningful investigation into the clash.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has called for a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination, insisting that homophobia should be treated with the same severity as racism. The Belgian shot-stopper made the comments in the wake of a controversial Champions League clash against Benfica, where Gianluca Prestianni was hit with a provisional suspension for allegedly directing a discriminatory slur at Vinicius Jr. during Madrid's 1-0 win in Lisbon. While the initial accusations centered on a racial slur, reports have suggested the abuse may have been homophobic in nature, prompting Courtois to state that both are equally "deplorable" and have no place in the modern game.
Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid may have ended prematurely this year, but former team-mate Sami Khedira is adamant that the Spaniard’s story at the Santiago Bernabeu is far from over. The Basque tactician, who achieved legendary status after leading Bayer Leverkusen to a historic domestic double in 2024, was forced to pack his bags in the Spanish capital after just half a season in charge. However, the legacy he left behind in Germany and his tactical acumen continue to fuel talk of an eventual blockbuster return to the dugout of the 15-time European champions.
Benfica president Rui Costa has launched a passionate defence of Gianluca Prestianni, labelling UEFA’s decision to suspend the winger for the Champions League clash with Real Madrid as 'unfair'. The Argentine youngster has found himself at the centre of a firestorm following allegations of racial abuse directed at Blancos star Vinicius Junior during a heated first-leg encounter at the Estadio da Luz. Despite the gravity of the accusations, the Portuguese giants are standing firmly behind their man as they prepare for a daunting trip to the Bernabeu.
Rio Ferdinand has jumped to the defence of Jose Mourinho amidst a growing firestorm surrounding the Benfica manager's handling of racism allegations made by Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. The Manchester United legend insists the former coach is not a racist and believes he will regret his approach to the incident that marred last week's Champions League showdown.
Jose Mourinho “f*cked up” with his “clumsy” comments on Vinicius Junior, claims former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel. The Portuguese coach attracted criticism following a Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid that sparked another racism row. Mourinho sought to defend his player, Gianluca Prestianni, while questioning the behaviour of Brazilian star Vinicius.
This is Legacy, GOAL’s podcast and feature series tracking the countdown to the 2026 World Cup. Each week, we explore the stories and the spirit behind the nations that define the world’s game. This week, we revisit a moment when two clubs became one nation. In 2010, Spain ruled the world, and its crown was built in both Barcelona and Madrid. The style of one, the strength of the other, blended into the perfect mix. Sixteen years on, and as a new generation rises in Catalunya, can Barcelona now become the sole heart of La Roja?
Flamengo boss Filipe Luis has sought to clarify his recent comments on Vinicius Jr. The Real Madrid star accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during the Champions League tie between the two sides at the Estadio da Luz. An investigation has now been opened by UEFA, while Prestianni has been provisionally suspended for the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has been provisionally suspended by UEFA as an investigation into the events of a Champions League clash with Real Madrid continue. The Argentine stands accused of directing racist comments at Blancos forward Vinicius Junior. He will sit out the second leg of a knockout phase play-off clash at Santiago Bernabeu.
The honeymoon period for Endrick in France appears to be well and truly over. Despite a sensational start to life at Lyon, the Real Madrid loanee found himself at the centre of a storm following a dismal performance in a 3-1 defeat to Strasbourg on Sunday. The 19-year-old, who previously looked untouchable in Ligue 1, was hauled through the coals by former France national team manager Raymond Domenech, who did not hold back in his assessment of the Brazilian's contributions at the Stade de la Meinau.
Manchester United have been warned off a stunning transfer swoop for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior. The Brazil international has been making headlines again of late and former Red Devils defender Paul Parker considers the South American to be a “rage baiter”. He is not convinced that Jarrod Bowen should be taken to Old Trafford either, but would like to see a deal done for Aston Villa playmaker Morgan Rogers.
Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after sharing offensive content to the Asian community. The 20-year-old Spain international sparked immediate backlash after reposting an image on his Instagram that featured derogatory comments. The controversial post, which has since been scrubbed from his profile, included a picture of an Asian person accompanied by captions that Chinese netizens slammed as racist.
Kylian Mbappe has emerged victorious in his lengthy legal dispute with Paris Saint-Germain after the Ligue 1 champions officially decided not to appeal a court ruling ordering them to pay their former star €61 million. The Real Madrid forward had been locked in a bitter stalemate with his former employers over unpaid wages and various contractual bonuses that were withheld during his final months at the Parc des Princes. The conclusion of the case marks the end of a saga that shadowed Mbappe’s blockbuster move to the Spanish capital last summer.
Benfica boss Jose Mourinho has remained tight-lipped regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding Gianluca Prestianni’s alleged racial abuse of Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior. As the Eagles prepare for a pivotal Champions League second-leg showdown at the Bernabeu, 'the Special One' insists his squad's focus remains entirely on their professional duties on the pitch.
The suspicion was that the Premier League title race was about to take a very dramatic turn after Manchester City drew to within two points of an increasingly nervy Arsenal on Saturday. However, the Gunners responded in the best possible fashion by routing north London rivals Tottenham the following day to keep their bid for a first championship success since 2004 very much on track.
Real Madrid find themselves at the centre of a brewing storm regarding the management of teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono. Despite arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu with a massive reputation and a €45 million price tag last summer, the 18-year-old has suddenly become a forgotten man in the Spanish capital. The situation reached a boiling point following Los Blancos' disappointing 2-1 defeat to Osasuna. head coach Alvaro Arbeloa opted not to use the youngster even as his side chased an equaliser in the dying stages of the match.
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.
The magic of the Clasico travelled across the Atlantic at the weekend as Los Angeles played host to a star-studded exhibition between Barca and Real Madrid Legends. While the competitive fires may have dimmed since their professional heydays, the technical quality on display at the BMO Stadium proved that class is indeed permanent. In a contest that balanced high-level nostalgia with genuine entertainment, the two Spanish giants fought out a 1-1 draw in front of a captivated American audience.
Endrick’s highly anticipated loan spell at Lyon hit a major stumbling block this weekend. After arriving from Real Madrid with immense expectations, the Brazilian prodigy initially took Ligue 1 by storm. However, Sunday's lacklustre display against Strasbourg caused some concern, leaving manager Paulo Fonseca thoroughly unimpressed as he searches for immediate tactical solutions to unlock the teenager.
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Real Madrid
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