Jude Bellingham eclipsed Lionel Messi and his Real Madrid co-star Kylian Mbappe to make more Champions League history when taking on Liverpool on Tuesday evening. At just 22 years and 128 days old, the former Birmingham City prodigy smashed club legend Iker Casillas’s long-standing record as the youngest player in history to reach 50 appearances in Europe’s elite club competition. It is a staggering achievement for someone who has been commanding Real Madrid’s midfield like a veteran since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund a few years back.
England boss Thomas Tuchel and his assistant Anthony Barry have opted to skip the chance to watch Jude Bellingham in action for Real Madrid against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League in another blow to the 22-year-old just days before the latest England squad is announced. Bellingham was omitted from Tuchel's most recent squad and will have to wait and see if he's done enough to earn a recall.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was labelled a "rat" as his famous Liverpool mural was vandalised ahead of the defender's return to Anfield with Real Madrid. After two decades in red, Alexander-Arnold’s exit in the summer left a bitter taste on Merseyside. Having joined Liverpool’s academy at just six years old, he went on to make 354 appearances and lift every major club trophy available.
Alexis Mac Allister's father has shed light on rumours linking the midfielder with Real Madrid and urged the Liverpool star to "do what he thinks best" regarding his future. Los Blancos have been looking to rebuild their midfield after the exits of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and reports from Spain claimed that Xabi Alonso had made Mac Allister a key target, admiring his composure and creativity under pressure.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is reportedly interested in a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. The Norwegian forward is seen as a potential replacement for Brazilian star Vinicius Jr if he is sold at the end of the season. Madrid are understood to be open to offers of around €200 million should Vinicius decide against extending his contract with the club.
Jude Bellingham has been hailed as the "best player" at Real Madrid alongside Kylian Mbappe, but ex-Real Madrid star Pedja Mijatovic claimed that Arda Guler has established himself in the lineup as an undisputed starter, thanks to his lethal partnership with the French forward. The talented Turkish international has become one of Xabi Alonso's most trusted men after spending much of the 2024-25 season on the bench.
Real Madrid have reportedly decided to sell their forward Vinicius Junior following his outburst during El Clasico against Barcelona, marking a major shift in president Florentino Perez’s stance on one of the club’s biggest stars. The fallout with coach Xabi Alonso, coupled with repeated controversies, has pushed the Spanish giants to plan for a 2026 exit.
Former Bayern Munich defender Markus Babbel believes that Harry Kane is currently the most complete forward in world football, ranking him above Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. Babbel claimed that he wouldn't have wanted to face the Englishman – who has scored a staggering 22 goals in 15 games this season – as a defender, while also hailing his all-round displays.
The list of top goal-scorers through the early weeks of La Liga's season is full of familiar faces. Kylian Mbappe is well out in front having netted 13 times in just 11 games, while Julian Alvarez, Vinicius Jr and Ferran Torres are among the chasing pack. But in amongst those household names is a player in Karl Etta Eyong who has emerged from complete obscurity to being on the transfer radar of Europe's biggest clubs; the true personification of a Hidden Gem...
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was in contact with Real Madrid through his entourage last season regarding a potential free transfer in the summer. Van Dijk rejected offers from several other clubs, including Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, as his priority was to join Madrid. However, the Spanish side chose to look elsewhere and instead signed defender Dean Huijsen.
Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen has leapt to the defence of his team-mate Vinicius Junior following his temper tantrum during the 2-1 win over Barcelona. The Brazilian was enraged after being asked to come off in the second half by Xabi Alonso, with the reaction drawing significant backlash. Huijsen, however, blamed the media for making a "huge fuss" over the incident.
Roberto Firmino has weighed in on some of football’s biggest debates ahead of Liverpool’s blockbuster clash with Real Madrid, picking Mohamed Salah over Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr over Luis Diaz. The ex-Liverpool star praised both rivals but revealed his admiration for Vinicius’ energy and Salah’s unmatched consistency ahead of Champions League clash.
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso says it is just a "matter of time" before Florian Wirtz delivers for Liverpool after a tough start to life at Anfield. The Germany international swapped Bayer Leverkusen for the Reds in a £116 million deal in the summer but so far he has flattered to deceive for Arne Slot's team. Ahead of a reunion with ex-Leverkusen boss Alonso, the Spaniard has backed the 22-year-old to come good.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has played down concerns about a potential rift between Lamine Yamal and Dani Carvajal after their heated exchange following El Clasico. The Roja boss insists there is “no strange behaviour” in the squad and confirmed he has spoken to the Barcelona and Real Madrid players, stressing unity ahead of Spain’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The build-up to Liverpool's Champions League meeting with Real Madrid on Tuesday has unsurprisingly focused on Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is returning to Anfield less than six months after bidding an emotional farewell. The right-back is not certain to start for the visitors - nor is it clear how he will be received by the hosts, given the acrimonious nature of his exit.
The conspiracy theorists were on it immediately. Less than 10 minutes into Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Marseille, Trent Alexander-Arnold went down holding his hamstring. He had that resigned look on his face, combined with the shake of the head, the pained expression and the acceptance that something wasn't right, nor could it be immediately fixed.
Real Madrid striker Endrick is set to leave the club on a temporary basis after failing to impress head coach Xabi Alonso following his arrival at the club in the summer. The Brazilian had been linked with a loan move to the Premier League, with both Manchester United and Aston Villa interested in the young forward. But reports now suggest the 19-year-old will make a move to Lyon in France.
Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to Anfield with Real Madrid and paid a touching tribute to his late former team-mate Diogo Jota, laying flowers and leaving an emotional handwritten message at the Liverpool memorial. The heartfelt gesture came as the English defender revisited his old home ahead of Los Blancos' Champions League clash with the Reds on Tuesday night.
Carlo Ancelotti has called out Vinicius Jr for his angry reaction after being substituted by Xabi Alonso during Real Madrid’s 2-1 Clasico win over Barcelona, describing the forward’s behaviour as “a mistake”. The Brazil boss revealed that he has since spoken directly with the 25-year-old, confirming the issue is now resolved as both player and coach look ahead to next month’s international fixtures.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s emotional return to Anfield is set to take a dramatic twist, with the Real Madrid defender ‘highly unlikely’ to start against his former club. The 27-year-old, still recovering from a hamstring injury, remains short of full fitness and is expected to watch from the bench as Federico Valverde continues to deputise at right-back for Xabi Alonso’s side.
Real Madrid’s preparations for their Champions League showdown with Liverpool have been dealt a blow after teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono has been ruled out indefinitely with pubalgia. The 18-year-old Argentine has been a key rotational player under Xabi Alonso, but his absence comes at a crucial point in Madrid’s campaign, forcing tactical adjustments ahead of their high-stakes European clash this Tuesday.
Levante's young forward Etta Eyong is in sublime form in La Liga and has garnered attention over the past few months from major Spanish clubs. On one hand, there is Real Madrid, whose decision-makers view Eyong as a promising prospect, and on the other hand, there is Barcelona, who had wanted to sign the Cameroonian in the previous window. The 22-year-old has now made a decision over which club he would prefer to join, if bids are tabled.
The latest round of action across Europe's 'Big Five' leagues has predictably produced a plethora of talking points, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid all in fine form. The Gunners are six points clear at the top of the Premier League after scoring yet another set-piece goal, and keeping another clean sheet, in their 2-0 victory at Burnley. Meanwhile, both Bayern and Real have five-point leads in Germany and Spain, respectively, after comfortable wins over the weekend.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their home comforts 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.
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