LaLiga news

Barcelona maintained their four-point lead at the summit of La Liga with a gritty 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano, but the match was partially overshadowed by a moment of apparent friction between Lamine Yamal and Hansi Flick. Yamal was visibly angry after being withdrawn in the closing stages of the game at the Spotify Camp Nou. This rare show of dissent from the 18-year-old has sparked immediate debate regarding the dynamic between the manager and his star pupil.

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has finally addressed long-standing claims regarding Lionel Messi's alleged influence over club transfers during his final years at Camp Nou. Bartomeu debunked myths about the Argentine's power while shedding light on the financial turmoil that engulfed the club before his departure.

The former Argentine midfielder, who played for Inter, Lazio and Parma, is no longer the manager of the Spanish club.

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has hit back at "untrue" speculation regarding his fitness following a month-long injury layoff. The forward addressed concerns over his knee and defended his decision to seek specialist medical advice in Paris.

UEFA has formally dismissed a proposal from Premier League clubs to expand Champions League squad sizes following a significant backlash from their La Liga counterparts. The rejection comes despite concerns over player burnout and the increased physical demands of the newly expanded tournament format.

Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Sydney Schertenleib are the winners of NXGN 2026 after coming out on top in GOAL's annual lists of football's top teenagers (players born on or after January 1, 2007). It marks the second straight year that Barca have provided the No.1 player on both lists, following Yamal and Vicky Lopez's triumphs in 2025.

The annual NXGN lists are back for 2026, as GOAL ranks the world's top teenage talents in men's and women's football, crowning winners that will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Vicky Lopez in being recognised as the best young footballers on the planet.

Antonio Rudiger has hit back at accusations that his highly aggressive defensive style makes him a liability for his clubs and country. Following severe backlash over an unpunished challenge during a recent La Liga match against Getafe, the veteran defender firmly defended his on-pitch mentality while also acknowledging that he occasionally crosses the line and must take responsibility.

Jurgen Klopp has strongly dismissed repeated speculation linking him with the managerial position at Real Madrid, labelling the reports as complete "nonsense" invented by "idiots". The former Liverpool manager, who is currently enjoying his executive role at Red Bull, insisted he has had no contact with the Spanish club. However, he also revealed that his coaching career might not be over yet.

Amidst growing speculation regarding a summer departure from Stamford Bridge, Enzo Fernandez has publicly addressed the persistent rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid. The Argentine midfielder firmly denied that any negotiations have taken place with the Spanish giants, though his comments regarding his commitment to Chelsea have left the door wide open.

Jude Bellingham has delighted Real Madrid fans not just with his return to the pitch after a seven-week injury absence, but with his impressive linguistic skills. Following the recent Madrid derby victory, the talented midfielder conducted a two-minute interview entirely in fluent Spanish, discussing his frustrating spell on the sidelines, praising his teammates, and lauding the fans.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his England debut in 2018 but has only taken his tally of caps to 34, with Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel taking to snubbing Real Madrid’s former Liverpool defender on a regular basis. Michael Owen, who also spent time at Anfield and Santiago Bernabeu in his playing days, has told GOAL why the buccaneering full-back may have seen his 2026 World Cup dream dashed.

Wayne Rooney has expressed his shock after Trent Alexander-Arnold was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s latest 35-man England squad. The Real Madrid defender is a high-profile absentee for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, leading the former Manchester United captain to suggest a deeper issue. Rooney sparked controversy by questioning if the snub is a tactical move to dismantle a perceived "clique" involving Jude Bellingham.

Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrated Real Madrid's victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday night and posted a cryptic update on his England future on Instagram after being left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest Three Lions squad. The right-back, who has endured a stuttering international career, is facing a battle to be included for the 2026 World Cup despite enjoying a more productive second half of the season.

Alvaro Arbeloa has admitted to being "intentionally unfair" after leaving superstars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham on the bench for Real Madrid's thrilling 3-2 derby victory over Atletico Madrid. Despite declaring both players fully fit before the clash, the head coach opted for a cautious approach following their recent injury lay-offs. The decision sparked debate at the Bernabeu as Los Blancos continue their pursuit of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Real Madrid have again criticised the state of refereeing in La Liga after star midfielder Federico Valverde was sent off during Sunday night's 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid. The Uruguayan was handed a straight red card for a cynical trip on Alex Baena and will now serve a two-game domestic suspension, ruling him out of the upcoming clashes with Mallorca and Girona after the international break.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including big moments from two key USMNT creators