Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed his departure from Real Madrid after only four months in charge of the first team. The former defender thanked the club and players for their support as reports continue to link Jose Mourinho with a return to the Bernabeu.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has issued a defiant response to Florentino Perez, describing the Real Madrid chief’s recent accusations regarding the Negreira case as "grotesque." The Blaugrana leader suggested that the explosive claims from the capital are merely a smokescreen to distract from Los Blancos' lack of silverware over the last two seasons.
Albanian international Marash Kumbulla has provided a fascinating insight into the challenge of defending against the world's best attackers. Currently on loan at Mallorca from Roma, the centre-back has experienced the unique difficulty of facing both Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's superstar Kylian Mbappe.
Enrique Riquelme has suggested that the upcoming presidential elections could be the final time members have a say in the club's future. The businessman warned that a transition toward privatisation looms over the Spanish giants unless a viable alternative to the current board's direction is established.