Barcelona continued to play their role as La Liga’s entertainers as they beat Celta Vigo 4-2 on Sunday to move within three points of leaders Real Madrid. Celta were a constant threat on the counter, catching out the Blaugrana high line constantly, but the Barca attacking trifecta of Marcus Rashford, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal proved too strong for Os Celestes.
Real Madrid endured a miserable afternoon against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday as they offered little attacking threat on their way to settling for a frustrating 0-0 draw. The high-powered attacking corps of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham were kept quiet in a frustrating contest for manager Xabi Alonso as Los Blancos failed to bounce back from their midweek defeat to Liverpool.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal was targeted with 60 per cent of all racist attacks online in Spain, according to a staggering new study of the 2024-25 season. The Blaugrana forward reportedly received twice as much online abuse as Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, in a new publication which highlights the awful extent of the vitriol directed at La Liga's top players.
Real Madrid cult hero Ivan Zamorano has taken aim at Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal over his behaviour before and after the recent El Clasico, claiming the youngster lacks the requisite character to represent Los Blancos and pointed at the behaviour of another Barca legend as a shining example of how he should behave.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has ruled out triggering Marcus Rashford's buy option before next summer and he instead revealed an alternate plan for the January transfer window. Rashford, who joined the Catalan giants on a one-year loan deal after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, has made a bright start to his maiden campaign in La Liga.
Antony is hoping to inspire young children as he shared valuable advice for the next generation of players. The Manchester United flop urged the kids to 'dream big', citing his own example of how he has revived his career at Real Betis. Antony finally ended his nightmare at Old Trafford this summer as he permanently joined Betis after spending the last six months of 2024-25 on loan at the La Liga club.
Xabi Alonso has admitted that Trent Alexander-Arnold is ready to start for Real Madrid this weekend. The England international has endured a testing start to life in Madrid following his high-profile move to the capital from Liverpool, with injuries restricting the 27-year-old to just two league starts. However, the defender is fit to feature from the off against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Former Real Madrid youth player Jacobo Ramon wants to return to his boyhood club one day after first meeting with 'football legend' Xabi Alonso. Ramon left Madrid in the summer to join Como to grow under the tutelage of Cesc Fabregas but the 20-year-old is determined to improve his game as he wants to reach the 'Real Madrid level' and return to Santiago Bernabeu someday.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has backed Lamine Yamal to find his best form despite an ongoing groin problem. The German also looked to diffuse any further disagreement between La Blaugrana and the Spanish national setup, sharing his belief that Luis de la Fuente's coaching staff will "take care" of the 18-year-old superstar when he hooks up with La Roja for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.
AC Milan officials met with Robert Lewandowski's agent as they look to replace disappointing forward Santiago Gimenez next season. The Barcelona forward is nearing the end of his existing contract and is likely to leave the Blaugrana next summer as a free agent as the Catalan giants are yet to offer a contract extension to the veteran Polish forward.
Midfielder Marc Bernal is reportedly weighing up whether to seek a move away from Barcelona in January as he looks to earn more playing time this season. The 18-year-old has made just four appearances for the Spanish giants following his return from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which saw him miss the majority of the 2024-25 campaign.
Kylian Mbappe has been told he has made a “massive mistake” which will “tarnish his image” after the Real Madrid superstar hit back at a new song criticising his controversial ownership of French side Caen. The 26-year-old forward took aim at French rapper Orelsan over social media on Friday after being made the subject of his fiery ‘diss track’.
Leny Yoro is adamant he has no “regrets” over joining Manchester United, saying he is “really happy” with his decision. The France Under-21 international has become a regular fixture for the Red Devils following his £52 million (€59m/$68m) move from Ligue 1 side Lille in July 2024, turning down interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid in the process.
David Alaba has rejoined Real Madrid group training and is expected to be in the squad for Sunday's La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, providing a major boost for Xabi Alonso. The defender returns from a calf injury that has seen him miss four games, as the club continues to cope with injuries to Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Barcelona director Deco has labelled discussion of coach Hansi Flick's style "irrelevant" after a chaotic 3-3 Champions League draw with Club Brugge. Despite defensive frailties, Deco insists the club "know perfectly well" where to improve and will rely on nothing other than hard work, drawing parallels to overcoming difficulties last season.
Kylian Mbappe has hit back at French rapper Orelsan after being mocked in a new track over the Real Madrid star’s ownership of Caen. The French club now sit in the third tier of French football after facing relegation under Mbappe's ownership. The striker issued a fiery reply on social media, accusing the rapper of "begging" for a free stake in the club.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has defended his decision to call up Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for crucial World Cup qualifiers, stating he is in "perfect shape". The selection comes despite recent friction with Barcelona over the 18-year-old's pubalgia injury that has created tension between the Spanish national team and the Catalan club.
Former Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant has defended Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid, stating fans "don't understand" why he left after he received a hostile reception at Anfield. The ex-Liverpool star backed the defender to overcome a difficult start, where he has been hampered by injury, and show his "best" form for the Spanish giants.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes has dismissed the "noise" surrounding the young Spanish talent Lamine Yamal, urging for support for the 18-year-old Barcelona star. His comments come as Yamal himself refutes "lies" about his pubalgia injury after a stunning display in the Champions League, though Hansi Flick confirms the issue is still being actively managed.
Wojciech Szczesny’s journey from retirement to revival at Barcelona continues to be an inspiration for many. Once thought to have hung up his gloves after a decorated stint at Juventus, the Polish veteran was called back in 2024 to fill Barcelona’s goalkeeping void. Now in his second season, Szczesny remains a steady hand and vocal leader, and according to his brother Jan, he still has “a spark in him” that keeps the fire alive beneath the calm exterior.
Antonio Rudiger and Real Madrid have mutually agreed to pause contract extension talks until 2026 as the defender recovers from a significant muscle injury, according to reports in Spain. The 32-year-old’s priority is to stay, but he is not short of options, with a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia on the table and his former club Chelsea monitoring the situation.
Real Madrid “did a great job by not signing Erling Haaland”, according to former Blancos star Wesley Sneijder, with the Norwegian striker considered to be the wrong fit for a team that now has Kylian Mbappe leading the line. Sneijder, who is a big fan of Haaland, has also picked out the obvious heirs to crowns that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have worn with such distinction for so long.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been ruled out of action for Real Madrid and France after he was diagnosed with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg, Los Blancos announced in a statement on Thursday. The news will come as a huge setback for both Tchouameni's club and country, as he had become indispensable under both Xabi Alonso and Didier Deschamps.
Lamine Yamal “wouldn’t suit” Manchester United, according to former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen, with Xavi Simons and Florian Wirtz being used as warnings to the Barcelona wonderkid if thoughts of a Premier League transfer cross his mind. The talented teenager has been told that Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City could be suitable landing spots.
Real Madrid have opened talks with Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano over a potential free transfer next summer. With uncertainty surrounding David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger’s futures, Los Blancos view the French international as a long-term successor and a marquee addition who could arrive without a transfer fee if no renewal is agreed in Munich.
Paris Saint-Germain are exploring a potential move for Barcelona defender Eric Garcia, with Luis Enrique keen on a reunion with his former Spain international. The 24-year-old centre-back has been a standout performer under Hansi Flick this season, and PSG’s growing injury list has accelerated their search for a versatile defensive addition.
Marc Guehi’s dreams of a move to Real Madrid look dead in the water after the Crystal Palace captain’s wage and signing-on demands reportedly forced Los Blancos to walk away. The England international, who is out of contract in 2026 and refusing to extend, is now expected to stay in England, with Liverpool leading the race for his signature next summer, while Bayern Munich remain interested.