Ex-Everton and Real Madrid player Royston Drenthe is in an "intensive rehabilitation process" as he recovers from a stroke that he suffered in October. The 38-year-old was hospitalised last month and has since entered a crucial phase of his recovery.
Former France international Jerome Rothen has claimed Kylian Mbappe receives “special treatment” which will “cause problems” with his team-mates should they hit a poor run of form. The Real Madrid forward withdrew from Les Blues’ squad ahead of Sunday’s World Cup qualifier with Azerbaijan after picking up an ankle injury in Thursday’s 4-0 win over Ukraine.
Despite their financial constraints, Barcelona remain confident of signing a new world-class No.9 to replace Robert Lewandowski, with Bayern Munich star Harry Kane one of the options being considered. Lewandowski is in the final few months of his existing contract and is expected to leave the club as a free agent next summer as the Catalan giants are unlikely to offer him a new deal.
Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen lashed out at being constantly asked about his fitness as the Denmark international claimed that he has been fit all season. After spending the majority of the 2024-25 campaign on the sidelines due to serious concerns, Christensen has managed to accumulate just 342 minutes on the in the 10 matches he has played for the Catalan giants this season.
Newcastle are ready to put up a fight with Real Madrid as the Magpies eye AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Kees Smit. The 19-year-old is already being viewed as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the Netherlands in recent years and has attracted attention from many of Europe’s elite. However, Newcastle believe they can push themselves into contention for his signature.
Pedri has never shied away from praising talent, but his latest admission makes one thing clear, there’s one player he’d sign for Barcelona above anyone else and that is Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala. The midfielder, currently recovering from injury, openly hailed Musiala as a rare talent who “blows him away,” sparking fresh debate about two of Europe’s most gifted young players.
Carlo Ancelotti believes that England will be "dangerous" at next year's World Cup, while singing the praises of former charge Jude Bellingham. The Italian got to work with the ex-Borussia Dortmund star for two seasons at Real Madrid and has seen his quality at first hand. Not only did he talk up the 22-year-old's strengths, he also lauded his humanity.
Barcelona’s are interested in signing Levante sensation Etta Eyong and with his latest comments, the forward has intensified the transfer rumours as he openly names Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o as his childhood idols, admitting playing for Barca is his dream. With six goals and three assists already this season, Eyong has become one of La Liga’s most talked-about emerging talents.
France have sent Kylian Mbappe back to Real Madrid after the forward reported persistent ankle inflammation, ending his international break early despite scoring twice against Ukraine. The national team captain has returned to the Spanish capital to undergo further tests, forcing Didier Deschamps to adjust his plans for the final qualifier in Azerbaijan.
Giuliano Simeone has spoken candidly about life under his father, Diego Simeone, revealing how he balances the weight of a famous surname with the responsibility of earning his place at Atletico Madrid. With the club preparing a new long-term contract after his breakout season, the 22-year-old reflects on his journey from Calderon ball boy to first-team contributor, and the expectations that come with both roles.
Marcus Rashford has been told that he can steal Lamine Yamal’s crown as Barcelona’s best player, with the England international proving during a loan spell in Catalunya that he remains a “fantastic player”. Dwight Yorke expects the Manchester United outcast to create his own “legacy” with La Liga giants, much like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Xavi once did.
Kylian Mbappe has broken his silence on Real Madrid’s recent slump, admitting the team “played very badly” in the defeats to Atletico Madrid and Liverpool. His comments arrive at a sensitive moment for Xabi Alonso, whose strict methods have unsettled parts of the dressing room and exposed a tactical transition that is proving far more turbulent than expected.
Chema Andres has opened up about his early days in Real Madrid's youth squad under Xabi Alonso revealing the “spectacular” training sessions under the Spaniard and as he revealed he scored the first-ever goal of the Liverpool legend’s coaching career.
Former Barcelona forward Vitor Roque feels he moved to Europe too early in his career as he reflected on his disappointing period with the Catalan club. Now back in Brazil with Palmeiras, Roque believes the return was an important step that will help him move forward professionally. His resurgence has not gone unnoticed, as the Brazilian forward has been selected by Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil’s upcoming friendlies.
After registering the 400th goal of his remarkable career, Kylian Mbappe is ready to aim for "the unreal". The Real Madrid superstar is among those watching on from afar as Portuguese GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo closes in on 1,000 career goals. That milestone feels a long way off for Mbappe, but the France international is prepared to set the most ambitious of targets.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that Lionel Messi will receive a statue outside the Camp Nou. The stadium is currently under renovation, with the men's team expected to return to the famous stadium after the international break. Once that work is completed, the club's attention will turn to immortalising their iconic star. Laporta said Messi's family will be consulted on the design.
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal and Arsenal star Declan Rice are among the 11 nominees for the FIFA 2025 Puskas Award. The global honour recognising the most breathtaking goal of the year kicked off on Thursday as FIFA revealed the shortlists for both the men’s and women’s prizes. The award, named after Real Madrid icon Ferenc Puskas, recognises the finest goal scored between 11 August 2024 and 2 August 2025, and this year’s competition is stacked with elite talent.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has moved swiftly to shut down claims that he urged Endrick to leave Real Madrid in the upcoming transfer window, insisting he never told the young striker that a loan move was necessary to secure a place with the Selecao at the 2026 World Cup. The 19-year-old sensation is on the brink of sealing a January loan switch to Lyon as Los Blancos have reportedly thrashed out a deal with the Ligue 1 outfit.
Former Spain manager Javier Clemente has sent a warning to Lamine Yamal, after the recent controversy surrounding the wonderkid's withdrawal from La Roja's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Clemente added to the furore by questioning the player's personal life, saying he "won't last long" in the game if he "does not behave correctly".
Pedri has opened up on the lessons he learned from Barcelona icons such as Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets as he rose from teenage prospect to team leader and how he now hopes to pass that knowledge on. The 22-year-old is recovering from a muscle injury but remains central to Hansi Flick’s project, reflecting on his evolution while backing Lamine Yamal to thrive under pressure.
Legendary former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos is extremely happy to see talented youngster Arda Guler getting a lot of playing under Xabi Alonso this season. While the ex-German international doesn't necessarily see Guler as his natural successor in midfield, he has absolutely no qualms about the fact that the Turkish international possesses all the tools to mark an era at the Bernabeu.
Lionel Messi was stunned to find 20,000 fans pack the Elche stands to watch him train with Argentina. It was meant to be a simple training session ahead of the Albiceleste's friendly against Angola, but it turned into a football festival unlike anything the Spanish city had ever seen. The Inter Miami star was also handed a special Elche shirt with his name and number on the back to commemorate the occasion.
Bayern Munich have joined the race to sign in-form left-back Alejandro Grimaldo from their Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen, according to reports from Germany. The Spanish international has been enjoying great form in recent years and was linked with a return to Spain over the summer, but eventually opted to stay with Die Werkself for another year.
AC Milan have stepped up their pursuit of Robert Lewandowski, scheduling a new round of talks with his agent Pini Zahavi as the Barcelona striker weighs his future as his contract nears its end. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic pushing internally to bring the 37-year-old to San Siro and Milan rebuilding under Max Allegri, the Rossoneri sense an opening, but salary demands remain a major hurdle.
Interest in Oscar Mingueza is accelerating ahead of the winter window, with Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham joining RB Leipzig and Marseille in monitoring the Celta Vigo defender. The former Barcelona full-back is out of contract in 2026, but Celta’s refusal of €14 million bids last summer and their inability to secure a renewal has created a market opening that rival clubs are now prepared to exploit.
Lionel Messi was reportedly left feeling “deceived and betrayed” by Barcelona after seeing his dreams of making an emotional return to Camp Nou as a player cruelly dashed. The Argentine superstar was forced out of Catalunya in 2021, as he headed to Paris Saint-Germain, but saw an agreement lined up two years later that would have allowed professional steps to be retraced.
Dean Huijsen has stepped forward to defend Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Jr, insisting both stars face unfair levels of scrutiny as media pressure intensifies around Barcelona and Real Madrid. The 20-year-old Madrid centre-back discussed the growing noise around Spanish football, calling for balance as the national team head into crucial World Cup qualifiers without the injured Yamal.
Harry Kane has received more transfer advice from Chris Waddle, with the England captain being told that “Bayern Munich are massive but Real Madrid are even bigger”. It has been revealed that exit clauses in Kane’s contract at the Allianz Arena can be triggered in 2026. A Premier League return is considered to be unlikely, but the prolific striker could end up heading for Spain.
Yan Diomande, the breakout star of the Bundesliga this season, has been sensational for RB Leipzig since making the switch from La Liga in the summer. His performances, per reports from Germany, have attracted the interest of Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. The teenager has been predicted to become as good as Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.
Carlo Ancelotti has lifted the lid on why his final season at Real Madrid unravelled despite Kylian Mbappe’s blockbuster arrival. Speaking from Brazil, the legendary coach detailed the defensive crisis that derailed Los Blancos’ campaign and forced tactical improvisation in key moments as the campaign ended without a major trophy.
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