LaLiga news

Didier Deschamps has launched a passionate defence of Kylian Mbappe, insisting the Real Madrid superstar will never run "11 kilometres per match" but remains a "true captain" for his country. The France boss hit back at ongoing criticism of the forward’s work rate, claiming his explosive profile requires a different tactical approach to get the best out of him for Les Bleus.

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi has responded to speculation that he is a player Real Madrid need amid a difficult season for Los Blancos. The Spanish giants have already sacked manager Xabi Alonso and brought in Alvaro Arbeloa, but sit second in La Liga and face a playoff against Benfica to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Flamengo’s sporting director has jokingly suggested that Vinicius Junior is next on his transfer wishlist following the return of Lucas Paqueta. During the playmaker’s official unveiling in Rio, the club chief could not resist a dig at Real Madrid regarding a free transfer for their superstar, hinting that the "project" to reunite the academy graduates is on his mind.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reignited the fierce war of words with bitter rivals Real Madrid, publicly mocking the penalty that gifted Kylian Mbappe a late winner against Rayo Vallecano. The outspoken Catalan chief was spotted openly ridiculing the decision, labelling the incident a "dive", suggesting that Alvaro Arbeloa's side are benefitting from favourable officiating as tensions between the two clubs reach boiling point.

Ahead of the transfer window closing, GOAL grades the USMNT-related deals completed during January.

Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta has tipped teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to reach the very pinnacle of world football, insisting the winger possesses the natural ability required to become an all-time great. The legendary midfielder also offered fascinating insight into his future, revealing his plans to return to the dugout soon as he completes his coaching badges in Dubai.

Real Madrid wonderkid Franco Mastantuono has been told he must toughen up and show significantly more bravery if he wants to succeed at the Bernabeu. Argentina legend Mario Kempes believes the 18-year-old is currently failing to reach his potential and has urged him to emulate Barcelona rival Lamine Yamal while outworking superstars like Kylian Mbappe to survive at the club.

And there we have it. The January transfer window is closed for another year, and though it was a relatively quiet month when it came to big-money deals, that does now mean we could be set up for another blockbuster summer in terms of comings and goings.

Former Manchester United and Portugal winger Nani has had his say on some of the top attacking talents in European football, offering his backing to the likes of Marcus Rashford and Antoine Semenyo. The four-time Premier League winner was eventually forced to choose his ultimate forward in a bracket that included Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham and Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal - scroll on to find out who won!

Manchester United flop Donny van de Beek has announced his engagement to Estelle Bergkamp, the daughter of Arsenal legend Dennis. The Dutch midfielder endured a tough time on the field at Old Trafford, leading to an inevitable departure in 2024, but has had plenty to celebrate off the pitch. He and his fiancee are now preparing to draw up wedding plans.

The 2026 winter window closed on Monday, with Jorgen Strand Larsen's $66 million move from Wolves to Crystal Palace the biggest deal done on deadline day. Truth be told, though, it was a pretty tame end to what's been a fairly quiet month in the transfer market. Indeed, aside from Manchester City, most of Europe's top teams did next-to-no mid-season business, while there was very little movement at all in France, Germany or Spain - which wasn't that surprising, given January is traditionally a tough time to find good value for money.

Lamine Yamal has made a huge statement on his future at Barcelona, with the teenage wonderkid revealing that he hopes to be a one-club man as he stays at Camp Nou “forever”. There is every chance of that happening, having quickly achieved icon status, but Lionel Messi has shown that not everybody gets their wish when it comes to career-long stints in Catalunya.

Famously, the January transfer window is the more difficult of the two to operate in. It's hard to persuade other clubs to give up assets mid-season, sometimes even harder to convince players that they're better off making a move immediately rather than waiting until the following summer. But that doesn't mean deals are impossible, or that you can't get good value for your buck.

Obed Vargas is set for a major step forward, leaving the Seattle Sounders to join Atlético Madrid. While several LaLiga clubs had expressed interest in a potential loan move, Atlético plan to keep the 20-year-old midfielder in Madrid, where he is expected to join the first team. Vargas impressed as a homegrown player for Seattle, making 91 appearances.

January is a notoriously bad time for buyers because nobody ever wants to sell top talent midway through the season. There are, however, exceptions to the rule. Some clubs need to raise funds to balance the books, while others can be left with not option but to unload an unhappy player who has made it clear that he wants to join a stronger side.

Marcus Rashford does not want to return to Manchester United this summer, and hopes to resolve his future ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The winger is currently on loan at Barcelona and the Catalan club have negotiated an option to sign the forward for £26 million ($35m). Michael Carrick is said to want Rashford back if he takes charge permanently but that's not enough to tempt Rashford to return.

GOAL spoke with the American in January to reflect on a whirlwind 2025 as he prepares for an even bigger 2026