Real Madrid news

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Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has delivered a worrying fitness update on Blancos superstar Kylian Mbappe. The World Cup-winning Frenchman was forced to sit out the second leg of a Champions League knockout phase play-off clash with Benfica. Arbeloa is unsure when his leading goalscorer will be ready for a return to action, with a knee complaint holding him back.

Jurgen Klopp is seeing questions asked of his future at Red Bull, with reports in Germany claiming that the former Liverpool boss could be axed from his role as Head of Global Soccer. The experienced coach has seen a return to the dugout speculated on, with La Liga giants Real Madrid said to have the Bundesliga and Premier League title winner on their managerial shortlist.

Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Benfica, progressing 3-1 on aggregate. However, the celebrations at the Santiago Bernabeu have been heavily dampened by a disgraceful incident involving a supporter that was broadcast to millions watching around the world. The club moved swiftly to address the situation, confirming that a fan was identified and removed from the premises after being caught on television cameras performing a Nazi salute.

Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo is involved in Spanish football again, with it being announced that the Portuguese superstar - through his CR7 Sports Investments company - has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Almeria. They are currently competing in the second tier, but ambitious plans for the future are already being drawn up now that Ronaldo is on board.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly intervened to ask Erling Haaland to ‘stop talking’ to Real Madrid amid growing concerns over his future. The Catalan coach is anxious that constant speculation regarding a move to Spain could destabilise the striker during a critical phase of the season. While the 25-year-old remains a key figure at the Etihad, Guardiola wants all negotiations shelved until the current campaign concludes.

Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a spirited 2-1 comeback victory over Benfica on Wednesday, but the post-match talk was dominated by a powerful message of defiance. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni insisted that the 3-1 aggregate win represented "a victory for everyone who stands against racism" following the ugly incidents that marred the first leg of the tie. The build-up to the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu was overshadowed by allegations that star forward Vinícius Jr had been racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during the first encounter, an act that led to a one-match ban for the Argentine youngster.

Alvaro Arbeloa was in a reflective mood at the Santiago Bernabéu after guiding Real Madrid into the Champions League round of 16 following a hard-fought victory over Benfica. The former Madrid defender, now leading the Spanish giants from the dugout, oversaw a mature performance as his side secured a 2-1 win on the night, progressing with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline. Despite the celebrations in the capital, the focus quickly shifted to the potential heavyweights awaiting them in the next phase, with a familiar English opponent looming large in the mind of the Madrid head coach.

Jose Mourinho was nowhere to be seen when returning to Santiago Bernabeu with Benfica for a Champions League clash with Real Madrid. The Portuguese was serving a suspension after collecting a red card during the first leg of that European play-off contest, so was never going to be on the touchline, but he is said to have watched the game from a “mystery location”.

Vinicius Jr danced and Real Madrid overcame an early deficit to see off Benfica in the Champions League playoff round, 2-1. Los Blancos fell behind early, before goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius gave them a comfortable lead, and sealed a 3-1 aggregate win. There were some uncertain moments, but Madrid were otherwise good value for the result.

Benfica's appeal against the provisional suspension handed to Gianluca Prestianni has been rejected, meaning the Argentine will miss the second leg of the Champions League knockout round play-off against Real Madrid on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old has been accused of racially abusing Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior during the first game last week.

Get three Real Madrid vs Benfica predictions from our soccer expert, before Wednesday’s 12:00pm ET Champions League clash (25/02).

Florian Wirtz's agent has revealed that he called Xabi Alonso and asked him to take the Germany star with him to Real Madrid before he signed for Liverpool. Wirtz ended up joining the Reds instead in a deal worth £116 million ($156m). Alonso has since departed the Santiago Bernabeu, and been replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa, but the player's agent is still hoping he can go on and play for Los Blancos in the future.