Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has offered his full support to teammate Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Ballon d'Or, claiming the Frenchman stands alone as the world's best individual performer. The Belgian shot-stopper also took the opportunity to question the consistency of the voting process, suggesting that the criteria for football's most prestigious individual prize remain confusing for players and fans alike.
Barcelona have been dealt a significant injury blow with the news that Dani Olmo is set for a spell on the sidelines. The Spanish playmaker sustained a muscle problem during the Catalan club's 4-2 Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, and will now miss a crucial run of fixtures for Hansi Flick's side.
Liga president Javier Tebas has flatly refused to apologise to Real Madrid after comparing the club's communication strategies to those of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. The Spanish football chief dismissed demands for his immediate resignation and insisted his controversial comments were completely misinterpreted.
Kylian Mbappe has been chasing the Ballon d’Or dream since he was a teenager, with Gilles Grimandi telling GOAL why he was left “embarrassed” when first being made aware of that ambitious Golden Ball target. The ex-Arsenal star formed part of transfer talks at the time, with Mbappe’s family making it clear to the Gunners that the flying frontman intended to become the best player on the planet.
Real Madrid are reportedly seeking financial compensation from the Premier League's 'Big Six' following the dramatic collapse of the European Super League. The Spanish giants believe that the English clubs who initially signed up for the breakaway project remain liable for a significant portion of the start-up expenses.
Manfredonia
