TIG Post

Tag: La liga

  • La Liga reveals Barca lack finances to register Olmo, Pau

    La Liga reveals Barca lack finances to register Olmo, Pau

    La Liga has dropped a bombshell on Barcelona, stating that the club doesn’t have the financial capacity to register forwards Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.

    This development comes after Barcelona was granted temporary licenses to register the duo last summer, only to have their registrations revoked in January due to non-compliance with the league’s financial rules.

    The Catalan giants had announced a deal to sell VIP boxes at the Nou Camp stadium, aiming to raise €100m. However, La Liga claims that this deal was not recorded in the accounts submitted by Barcelona for the 2024-25 season. Moreover, the deal was approved by a different auditor, raising eyebrows.

    La Liga’s statement highlighted that “no amount from the [VIP box deal] is ultimately recorded in the profit and loss accounts, contrary to what had been certified by the club and the auditor at the time of said transaction.” The league also announced that they are reporting the auditor to the Accounting and Auditing Institute.

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta responded, calling the league’s letter “an attempt to damage the club’s image and go against FC Barcelona’s interests.” He assured that the club’s legal team would respond “as forcefully as necessary” and questioned the timing of the letter, given their upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

    Laporta maintained that Olmo and Pau Victor’s registrations were carried out correctly, following all requirements demanded by the Spanish Football Federation and La Liga.

    The club’s financial struggles may worsen unless they resolve this dispute, with a definitive ruling on the pair’s registrations expected by April 7.

  • Ancelotti fumes at Tebas, says he “talks about Real Madrid too much”

    Ancelotti fumes at Tebas, says he “talks about Real Madrid too much”

    Carlo Ancelotti pushed back against Javier Tebas on Tuesday, criticizing the LaLiga president for frequently commenting on Real Madrid. He also accused Tebas of being disrespectful after the latter claimed the club was “crying” over refereeing decisions.

    Madrid has expressed frustration over several recent officiating calls, particularly after dropping points against Espanyol, Atlético Madrid, and Osasuna in successive league matches. In response, the club filed a formal complaint with the Spanish football federation (RFEF) this month, alleging referee misconduct and match manipulation.

    At a talk with the news agency Europa Press on Monday, Tebas said he was “starting to feel ashamed” of being a Real Madrid fan, saying the club was “crying” about officials and creating a “conspiracy theory” which was “an insult to the rest of the clubs.”

    “Tebas talks about Real Madrid too much,” Ancelotti said in a news conference on Tuesday, ahead of Madrid’s Copa del Rey semifinal first leg at Real Sociedad.

    “Since I’ve been here, it’s happened often. It’s a lack of respect to millions of Madrid fans to talk like that. The president of LaLiga should focus more on solving the problems that Spanish football has.”


    Madrid have frequently highlighted officials’ decisions on their TV channel, before and after matches. President Florentino Pérez has called for reform of the refereeing system, and RFEF president Rafael Louzan has even claimed that Pérez told him he’d like to see English referees in Spain.

    “I don’t know what ‘shame’ [Tebas] feels,” Ancelotti said. “I think all Madridistas are proud to be fans of this club.”

    Also on Tuesday, Tebas hit back at Ancelotti’s comments saying on X: “Carlo, it’s a shame that they’re using you for this, given the experience you have.”

    Tebas aimed his comment directly at Ancelotti, saying: “Carlo, everyone knows that institutions are reflected in what their leaders do and say. And in football, even more so. So, when I said that ‘Real Madrid has become a club that cries a lot,’ I was obviously referring to the fact that it is its leaders who are constructing this victim and conspiratorial narrative: ‘an adulterated competition,’ ‘the bias of all referees is anti-Madrid,’ ‘they are all against Real Madrid’…

    “Strange, isn’t it? Because that speech, besides being disrespectful to the competition, is also disrespectful to the clubs that beat you on the field, either because they were better or simply because they were luckier. That is disrespectful to millions of fans.

    “I have been a Madrid fan since I was a child, and this whole narrative that the management is promoting goes against the values ​​that we have always known.”

  • ‘I will choose Champions League refs over LaLiga refs’ – Madrid’s Ancelotti

    ‘I will choose Champions League refs over LaLiga refs’ – Madrid’s Ancelotti

    Carlo Ancelotti prefers Champions League referees, noting that there is “less controversy and fewer VAR interventions.” This comment comes as Real Madrid prepares to face Manchester City in their playoff second leg, amidst ongoing disputes over LaLiga officiating.

    Real Madrid secured a 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium last week, with Jude Bellingham scoring a 92nd-minute winner. Ancelotti described this as giving the reigning champions a “small advantage” heading into Wednesday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu.

    On Monday, Madrid executives met with Spanish refereeing officials to review audio recordings of a contentious decision in Madrid’s recent LaLiga defeat at Espanyol. This meeting followed an open letter from the club, asserting that Spain’s refereeing system was “completely discredited.”

    “Yes,” Ancelotti said in a pre-match news conference on Tuesday, when asked if he “felt calmer” with Champions League officiating.

    “I think there’s less controversy, and fewer VAR interventions. The VAR only intervenes when it’s necessary. In the Champions League, the best referees in each country officiate, so the quality is very high.”

    Madrid have been unhappy with key decisions in their last three LaLiga games: the 1-0 loss at Espanyol, a 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid, and Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Osasuna, where Bellingham was sent off.

    “I’ve given my opinion about what’s happening,” Ancelotti said. “What’s happening is surprising, but I have nothing to add. Obviously we aren’t happy with what happened against Osasuna, Atlético … They were three games where we were hurt by decisions which I still don’t understand.”

    Ancelotti said he was “hopeful” that Bellingham would escape a ban for his red card, with Madrid saying the referee was mistaken in his claim that the midfielder had insulted him.

    The Italian confirmed that defender Antonio Rüdiger will be available for the City second leg — after missing out in Manchester — but said right-back Lucas Vázquez wasn’t ready to start.

    He also rejected Pep Guardiola’s claim that City have a “1%” chance of progressing to the knockout phase.

    “Tomorrow before the game, I’ll ask him if he really thinks that they have a 1% chance!” Ancelotti said. “We don’t think we have a 99% chance. We think we have a small advantage that we have to make the most of.”

    “I’m happy with the game we played in the first leg,” Fede Valverde — who played out of position at right-back — added.

    “I see how the team is playing, how we’ve been training. That makes you feel calm. You know the team will do well. It gives me confidence that we’ll go through.”

    Valverde spoke up for referees in a news conference, which upset many Madrid fans.

    On Tuesday, the versatile Uruguayan player went on social media to explain his remarks.

    “I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me, but above all I want to clarify for our fans: If today I don’t talk about the refereeing we are suffering it is because I am aware myself, and I must focus on tomorrow,” he wrote.

    “Everyone has seen what is happening to us in this league, and I haven’t forgotten it, but now we have to focus on tomorrow, and I will be 100% focused as I have always been.”

  • Barcelona climb back to top of La Liga after narrowly defeating Rayo Vallecano

    Barcelona climb back to top of La Liga after narrowly defeating Rayo Vallecano

    Barcelona managed to scrape through a tense game against Rayo Vallecano and climb back to the top of La Liga, a position they hadn’t held since December.

    Robert Lewandowski scored a first-half penalty, which turned out to be the game-winning goal. This win pushed Barcelona above their rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, both of whom had 1-1 draws on Saturday.

    Lewandowski’s penalty, his 20th goal of the season, came after a controversial decision by the video assistant referee (VAR). The referee awarded a penalty when Rayo’s Pathe Ciss was accused of pulling down Inigo Martinez, although Martinez was nowhere near the ball.

    Rayo Vallecano was furious when they didn’t get a penalty for a similar incident involving Ciss. The tension heightened when Rayo thought they had scored an equalizer, but the goal was disallowed because Randy Nteka, in an offside position, was considered to have obstructed Martinez.

    Barcelona missed several opportunities to extend their lead in the second half and were lucky not to concede when Jorge de Frutos missed a chance for Rayo Vallecano late in the game.

    With this victory, Barcelona now leads the table with 51 points, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference and one point clear of Atletico Madrid, with 14 games remaining in the season.

  • Bellingham sees red in Osasuna clash

    Bellingham sees red in Osasuna clash

    Jude Bellingham was sent off as Real Madrid missed the chance to move four points clear at the top of La Liga in a frustrating draw against Osasuna.

    The England midfielder, who scored Real’s late winner at Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, was shown a straight red in the 39th minute for foul and abusive language towards referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero.

    Bellingham’s only previous dismissal for Real came after the final whistle in a 2-2 draw at Valencia in March 2024, when he received a second yellow for complaining to the referee.

    France forward Kylian Mbappe had given Real the lead at Estadio El Sadar, latching on to Federico Valverde’s inch-perfect cross to fire home his 17th league goal of the season.

    But Osasuna were given a lifeline in the 58th minute after Eduardo Camavinga was adjudged to have fouled Ante Budimir in the box – and the home striker scored from the spot.

    As the second half wore on, Real continued to push for a winner, but Mbappe wasted an opportunity to find Vinicius Jr in acres of space in the Osasuna box.

    The Brazil forward carved out a chance to fire Real back in front with 15 minutes remaining, dribbling past two defenders in the area before his effort was headed off the line by Alejandro Catena.

    Vinicius also dug out a back-post cross with 10 minutes remaining but Luka Modric could not direct his side-foot volley on target.

    Atletico Madrid, who are two points behind Real, will go top if they win against Celta Vigo later on Saturday.

    Hansi Flick’s Barcelona will also leapfrog Real on goal difference if they beat Rayo Vallecano on Monday night.

  • La Liga boss Tebas agrees with Man City’s Rodri’s on players striking over parked fixtures

    La Liga boss Tebas agrees with Man City’s Rodri’s on players striking over parked fixtures

    President of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, has stated that he wouldn’t be shocked if players decided to strike due to the growing issue of fixture congestion, which he described as a “justified” concern.

    The increase in UEFA’s club competitions and FIFA’s updated Club World Cup has resulted in this season being the longest in club history.

    Rodri, a midfielder for Manchester City, has indicated that players are prepared to consider striking, with several prominent footballers echoing his sentiments about the potential for such unprecedented measures.

    Tebas told ESPN: “Yes, it wouldn’t surprise me because we have reached certain limits that we need to say enough already with this situation.

    “When you see players of the level of Rodri speaking out and other players backing him, my experience tells me you have to take it seriously. Otherwise you will find on the table a strike request. The players have a right to strike like any worker, they are free to do so.

    “When you see these wake-up calls given [by players and leagues] that are somewhat justified, you need to pay attention and find solutions.”

    Premier League managers Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have sounded alarm bells over exhaustion, while Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he believes players would be willing to take a pay cut if it meant playing fewer games.

    “This is a maths issue,” Tebas said. “Two plus two is four and you can’t make two plus two equal six.

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lIwHXdyJSps


    “We are not thinking about the mental aspect of the players, who cannot withstand that rhythm of competition.

    “FIFA organises the calendar and has to find solutions. It’s doing the calendar without even consulting others, let alone reaching an agreement which is what it should do.

    “We believe that certain competitions have to be reduced and, in certain cases, eliminated.”

    Tebas also spoke to ESPN about the possibility of playing a La Liga game in Miami in the near future.

    LaLiga has been pushing to take a regular season game to the United States since 2018, but it needs the approval of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) as well as the United States’ soccer federations, UEFA and CONCACAF.

    “It [a regular league game in Miami] will be played, but when it remains to be seen,” Tebas said. “We have to have an agreement with the federation in Spain.

    The federation is still in a significant void [with a president having yet to be elected], and that is causing a delay for it to happen this season. “We will see if it can be done next season.

    “We would look for a moment in the season where there is a perfect break to come and play in Miami, which is the place where we want to come.”

    LaLiga is not considering staging a regular season game outside of Spain other than in the U.S.

  • Fan faces a year jail term, 3-year ban, for racially abusing Chukwueze, Vinicius Jr.

    Fan faces a year jail term, 3-year ban, for racially abusing Chukwueze, Vinicius Jr.

    A supporter of Real Mallorca has been handed a 12-month prison sentence and a three-year ban from attending football matches after racially abusing Nigerian player Samuel Chukwueze during a La Liga fixture.

    The Palma de Mallorca Court delivered the verdict, citing that the fan hurled racist slurs at Chukwueze while at the Son Moix Stadium.

    This act was classified as two offences against moral integrity, according to Real Madrid FC’s statement.

    judgementThe court also noted that the fan had previously targeted Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior with racial abuse, which influenced the final judgement.

    “Real Madrid C. F. communicates that the Court of Palma de Mallorca has today issued a conviction against the person who, from his locality in the stands of the Son Moix stadium, directed racist insults against our player Vinicius Júnior in the match played by Mallorca and Real Madrid on February 5, 2023.

    The accused has been found guilty of two crimes against moral integrity, aggravated by having acted with racist motivations, committed against Vinicius Júnior, and also against the player Samu Chukwueze, at that time a Villarreal player, who suffered similar insults in the Son Moix stadium by the same person two weeks later.

    “The court has decreed the sentence of twelve months in prison against the accused, also condemning him not to access soccer stadiums where matches of the National Professional Football League and the Royal Spanish Football Federation are held for a period of three years,” portions of the statement read.

    Racial abuse has been a significant issue for black players in the Spanish La Liga, with Vinicius Junior being a prominent advocate against it.

  • The referees are so bad! – Getafe’s Uche on racism in LaLiga

    The referees are so bad! – Getafe’s Uche on racism in LaLiga

    Getafe’s Nigerian midfielder, Christantus Uche, has expressed frustration with LaLiga referees for not taking action against the rough play he’s faced from opposing teams. Additionally, Uche, 21, condemned the racist abuse he has endured from fans.

    In his debut season in LaLiga after transferring from lower-league club Ceuta, Uche claimed that referees have not afforded him the same protection as other players on the field.

    “First two matches or three matches, I saw it with my eyes the referees are are so bad, they are so bad,” he told ESPN earlier this week. “They will kick me, the referee will just say I should stand up. No, it’s a foul, you have to blow it.

    “But if they kick another person the referee will just blow it. And it’s so painful, you cannot do anything, you don’t have any power because the referee has power to do anything he wants to do.

    “No, he has to stop it. Me I will fall down, they will kick me and I will fall down in front of the referee and the referee will not do anything. No it’s not good.”

    He added: “Racism is not good, it has to stop. Everybody is the same, everybody is equal.”

    Getafe president Angel Torres believes Uche made “a complete mistake” to talk about the referees.

    He also blamed the journalist who interviewed the player and Getafe’s press officers for not protecting Uche, who is not fluent in Spanish — though the interview was conducted in English.

    “He has made a complete mistake,” Torres told El Chiringuito TV when asked about Uche’s comments regarding Spanish referees.

    “The fact that it is not the right question to ask a young man who has just arrived does not justify him speaking badly of the referees or anyone else.

    “I will talk to him as I haven’t seen the full interview. I don’t want to justify it, but someone who doesn’t speak Spanish, who has a microphone placed in front of him, it seems to me that the journalist is more at fault.

    “Let’s hope that the [Spanish Football Federation disciplinary] committees understand it. The people in charge of my press office who were not there but have listened to it, and the journalists who asks that question to a lad who just arrived a month and a half ago, are just as guilty. That doesn’t justify him having to speak badly of anyone.”

    Uche also spoke out about racist abuse he said he’s received supporters, something that has been a frequent issue at Spanish stadiums.

    “Both the fans, some of the fans, they will be hailing you ‘f—— black,’ you are a ‘black this this, that that.’ No it’s not good. It’s not good.”

  • La Liga president reprimanded after Real Madrid’s appeal in the CVC case

    La Liga president reprimanded after Real Madrid’s appeal in the CVC case

    LaLiga president Javier Tebas has received an official reprimand from Spain’s Administrative Sports Court (TAD) following a complaint filed by Real Madrid.

    The TAD initiated proceedings in July after Madrid accused Tebas of overstepping his authority and lacking transparency during the August 2021 assembly, where LaLiga clubs discussed the controversial CVC investment deal concerning TV rights.

    Though Tebas escaped suspension, LaLiga expressed strong disagreement with the court’s decision and announced plans to challenge the ruling through an appeal, according to a statement released on Friday.

    The statement said: “TAD has ruled on a complaint from Real Madrid CF for having called the General Assembly of 12/08/2021 with eight days’ notice, instead of the required 10 days, using the urgent procedure, without expressly indicating the reasons for the urgency in the call.

    “From LALIGA’s point of view, there is no violation in the conduct of President Javier Tebas Medrano.

    Furthermore, the convening of the General Assembly complied with all statutory requirements.”

    LaLiga clubs voted in December 2021 in favour of a €2 billion ($2.2 billion) investment deal with private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, despite the opposition from Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Athletic Club.

  • Rodrygo expresses disappointment over Ballon d’Or snub

    Rodrygo expresses disappointment over Ballon d’Or snub

    Rodrygo expressed his frustration about being left off the men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, despite his key contributions to Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League triumphs last season.

    Several of his teammates, including Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, Antonio Rüdiger, Dani Carvajal, and new signing Kylian Mbappé, were named on the prestigious 30-man list, but Rodrygo was notably absent.

    “I was upset; I think I deserved it,” Rodrygo told ESPN in an exclusive interview on Sunday. “I don’t want to belittle the players who are there, but I think I had a place in the 30. It was a surprise.

    But there’s not much I can do; I’m not the one who decides these things.”

    The Ballon d’Or winner is set to be revealed during a ceremony in Paris on October 28. Last season, Rodrygo netted 10 goals in 34 LaLiga appearances and added five goals in the Champions League for Real Madrid.

    Despite competition from the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo has remained in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting lineup as part of a three-man attack.

    Recently, Rodrygo took to social media, sharing photos of himself holding trophies with Madrid, accompanied by a laughing emoji. He later admitted the post was meant to poke fun at his omission from the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

    “I made a somewhat mocking post,” Rodrygo said. “Now there’s not much to say. Everyone knows my indignation. Everyone [has supported me], both in the national team and at Real Madrid. People sent messages.”

    Rodrygo admitted that his versatility has inhibited his progress, especially with Brazil, who play Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

    The forward scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Ecuador this weekend.

    “Often, I’m just filling spaces,” Rodrygo said. “Is someone missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is someone missing as No. 9? Rodrygo. That’s it. It may get in my way a little, but I’m a team player.”

    Rodrygo was asked about Madrid and Brazil teenager Endrick, who has been given the ironic nickname “Bobby” by teammates after citing England legend Bobby Charlton as one of his idols.

    “Now he has become Bobby!” Rodrygo told ESPN. “He is no longer Endrick. He’s become Bobby, that’s it. There’s nothing to be done, if he gets angry, it’s worse!”

  • Nico Williams one of 10 La Liga players shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or

    Nico Williams one of 10 La Liga players shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or

    Spain forward Nico Williams, of Ghanaian descent, has been named among the 10 players shortlisted for the 2024 Ballon d’Or from La Liga.

    Williams earned this nomination following his stellar performances for Spain during the 2024 European Championship, where he played a crucial role in helping La Roja secure the title.

    His remarkable form also extended to his club season with Athletic Club, where he was instrumental in their triumph in the Copa del Rey.

    Other La Liga players nominated for the prestigious award include Lamine Yama, Jude Bellingham, Dani Olmo, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and retired star Toni Kroos.

  • Bayern attempted to sign Barca’s Lamine Yamal before his breakthrough

    Bayern attempted to sign Barca’s Lamine Yamal before his breakthrough

    Bayern Munich made an attempt to sign Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal before his breakout in La Liga when he was just 14 years old.

    According to Sky Germany, Bayern had identified Yamal as a ‘top’ target at the time, with former club officials Hasan Salihamidzic and Marco Neppe eager to bring him to the Allianz Arena, seeing his potential to become a Ballon d’Or contender.

    However, Yamal chose to stay with Barcelona.

    Currently, at 16, Yamal is impressing for Spain at Euro 2024. He has started both games against Italy and Croatia and has even been spotted completing his homework in the dressing room.

    Last season, he scored five goals and provided eight assists in 37 appearances for Barcelona in La Liga.

    Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, has openly expressed his admiration for Yamal following the youngster’s strong performances for the national team.

    “We have the ability to continue to impose our style. We played very well with a high press, which allowed us to get the ball back. But one of the characteristics of Spain is our ability to change approaches and that variety is our strength,” he said.

    “We have different qualities, different tactical approaches, and that’s an extra difficulty for opponents. If you have players with the speed of Lamine [Yamal] or Nico [Williams] or Ferran [Torres], that gives you something else. And the players know that. I have always tried to communicate that.”

    Following a 3-0 triumph over Croatia and a 1-0 win against Italy, Yamal and his teammates now lead Group B. With their top spot secured, they are set to face Albania on Monday (June 24) and will likely rest players for that match.

  • Inaki Williams awarded African MVP in La Liga

    Inaki Williams awarded African MVP in La Liga

    Ghanaian striker Inaki Williams has been honored as the La Liga EA Sports African MVP for the 2023/24 season, recognizing his outstanding performance in Spain’s top-tier football league.

    Williams impressed fans by netting 12 goals in 34 league appearances, playing a pivotal role for Athletic Bilbao.

    He secured 46 votes, capturing 24% of the total, while his closest rival, Brahim Diaz, received 37 points, and Youssef En-Nesyri of Sevilla FC followed closely with 30 points.

    At the award ceremony, Williams emphasized the significance of representing the African continent in La Liga.

    “Thank you very much for the acknowledgement. It is an honour to represent all African players in La Liga. My roots in Ghana are as deep as my love for Bilbao and Athletic Club.

    I hope to be in contention for this same award next season,” he said.

    Inaki Williams’ season was marked by more than just league success; he was instrumental in Athletic Bilbao’s Copa del Rey victory, their first in four decades, and also scored his 100th goal for Bilbao this season.

  • FIFA aims to pave the way for La Liga, Premier League matches in the US

    FIFA aims to pave the way for La Liga, Premier League matches in the US

    FIFA is moving towards ending decades of football tradition by reviewing the rules that prevent domestic league games from being played in other countries.

    However, fans may object to their teams’ home matches potentially being moved thousands of miles away.

    The United States and Saudi Arabia are expected to be interested in hosting competitive games from top European leagues.

    FIFA recently agreed to withdraw from an ongoing court case in New York, filed by promoter Relevent, which challenged the current policy.

    In April, Spanish league president Javier Tebas expressed hope that La Liga would soon be able to play games overseas.


    “I don’t know when, but this time LaLiga will play official games abroad. I think it could be from the 2025–26 season,” Tebas told Expansión.

    “An official game in the United States would strengthen our position in the North American market, which is the second [biggest] for La Liga after Spain.

    “Other really competitive leagues are coming, so we can’t always do the same thing. They would jump ahead of us.”

    The new FIFA policy is likely to appeal to the growing number of international owners of European clubs, including the wave of U.S. investors in the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, and France’s Ligue 1, as well as state-backed teams like Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City, Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain, and Saudi-owned Newcastle United.

    FIFA is forming a panel of 10-15 representatives from various football stakeholders to advise on amending the rules regarding “out-of-territory” games within the next few months.

    These rules were last updated in 2014.

    Previous attempts to hold European League games abroad, such as taking Barcelona to Miami in 2019, were blocked. U.S. promoters are seeking to offer fans more than just preseason exhibition games featuring the world’s best club teams.

    FIFA directed its working group, which is yet to be appointed, to consider fairness and give “advance notice to fans who may miss the opportunity to attend a home or away match in the home territory.”

    Other factors for the FIFA panel include “respect for the recognised structure of international football” and potential disruption to fans, teams and leagues in the country hosting “out-of-territory” games.

  • StarTimes secures rights to air La Liga matches

    StarTimes secures rights to air La Liga matches

    StarTimes is thrilled to announce that it has successfully secured the non-exclusive broadcast rights for the highly esteemed Spanish football league, La Liga EA Sports and La Liga Hypermotion, for the next five seasons.

    La Liga EA Sports is the premier football league in Spain and is considered one of the top professional football leagues in Europe and the world, featuring 20 participating teams.

    Each season consists of 38 rounds with 10 matches per round, following a home and away format.

    La Liga also boasts the record for producing the most winners of both the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year awards.

    With this acquisition, StarTimes holds the rights to broadcast La Liga EA Sports and La Liga Hypermotion for the seasons spanning 2024/25, 2025/26, 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29.

    The broadcast will be available in all languages except French, including English, Portuguese, and local languages, reaching audiences across all countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Melcior Soler, La Liga’s Audiovisual Director stated: “Reaching our audience is essential for us, and partnering with StarTimes is key to deliver our best-in-class content to all our fans in the Sub-Saharian region.”

    “We are thrilled to share the news of our successful bid for the La Liga broadcast rights, securing access to one of the most prestigious football competitions globally.

    Soccer is at the heart of StarTimes’ sports content strategy, and this latest acquisition underscores our dedication to delivering top-notch football entertainment to our subscribers,” said Tiffany Shao, Sports Acquisition and Operation Director of StarTimes.

  • Lewandowski and Cancelo suffer ban ahead of El Clasico over accumulated yellow cards

    Lewandowski and Cancelo suffer ban ahead of El Clasico over accumulated yellow cards

    La Liga has confirmed that Robert Lewandowski and Joao Cancelo will each serve only a one-match ban for accumulating yellow cards, allowing them to participate in the upcoming match against Real Madrid later this month.

    Both players received controversial yellow cards in their previous fixture against Las Palmas, bringing their total bookings for the season to five and triggering an automatic one-game suspension.

    There were allegations that Lewandowski and Cancelo intentionally received these cards to avoid suspension for the crucial match against Real Madrid following their upcoming game against Cadiz.

    According to La Liga’s disciplinary rules, any player found guilty of such actions would face a doubled suspension.

    However, after reviewing the evidence, league officials determined that there was insufficient proof to penalize either player for misconduct.

    Consequently, both Lewandowski and Cancelo have been handed one-match bans.

    Although they will miss the match against Cadiz, Lewandowski and Cancelo will be eligible to play against Real Madrid on April 21.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o9jJSStvo4
  • La Liga president has “nothing to say” about Greenwood’s ‘rape case’

    La Liga president has “nothing to say” about Greenwood’s ‘rape case’

    Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has expressed his lack of concern regarding Mason Greenwood’s past and voiced his desire to see the on-loan Getafe forward extend his career in Spain.

    Greenwood joined Getafe on loan from Manchester United last September, following the announcement by the Crown Prosecution Service that criminal proceedings against him over an alleged attempted rape had been dropped seven months prior.

    Prior to this, Greenwood had been suspended by United, and his trial was scheduled for November.

    Despite these circumstances, Greenwood has been well received at his temporary club, having scored five goals in Spain’s top flight. Tebas is eager to see him continue his career in La Liga for the foreseeable future.

    “I’m a lawyer,” he said, speaking at the Financial Times business of football summit. “For someone who has come out of a legal case innocent, there’s nothing to say.

    I think it’s good because he’s another great player. Maybe the circumstances have made it easier for him to come, but he’s a great player and I have no other comments to make.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76lEHq79I3s

    “He’s doing really well at Getafe as a player and I hope he continues to be successful and continues to stay in Spanish football, because that’s always good for us. When someone isn’t condemned, what should we have done? This is what courts exist for. It is not up to me to know his case in detail. He is just another player.”

    Asked about an investigation being conducted into Jude Bellingham after the Real Madrid player was alleged to have called Greenwood a “rapist” during a match on February 1, Tebas said, “La Liga investigated Bellingham and let’s see what happens. It is not the first time we have done a lip-reading investigation and maybe he didn’t say what we think.”

    Tebas’s responses revealed a misunderstanding regarding Greenwood’s legal status.

    Greenwood was cleared of the charges after the CPS dropped them, citing the withdrawal of key witnesses and the emergence of new evidence, which led to the conclusion that there was no longer a realistic chance of conviction by a jury.

  • Valencia, Levante seek a postponement of match following tragic fire in the city

    Valencia, Levante seek a postponement of match following tragic fire in the city

    Valencia and Levante have formally requested that La Liga postpone their respective matches this weekend in light of a tragic fire that occurred in the Spanish city on Thursday.

    The devastating blaze, which engulfed two connected apartment blocks, resulted in the loss of at least four lives, with up to 15 individuals reported missing, according to Valencia’s emergency services.

    Valencia is slated to play an away fixture against Granada in La Liga on Saturday at 2 p.m. local time. Seven hours later, Levante, a second division team, is scheduled to host FC Andorra in Valencia.

    “The club deeply regrets what happened, wants to send a lot of strength to all the victims and publicly thanks the commendable work of the emergency services,” Valencia CF said in a statement.

    “This Friday, the players and coaches of the men’s first team, the women’s first team and the VCF Academy teams will observe a respectful minute of silence at the beginning of their training sessions in memory of the victims.

    “Likewise, the club has processed the request to postpone this Saturday’s match against Granada CF at the Nuevo Los Cármenes Stadium.”

    Valencia also said it would fly flags at the club’s facilities at half-mast in line with the three days of mourning declared by the city.

    Levante said in a statement they had requested for their game to be postponed and added: “We join in the pain of the families and friends of the victims and we express our gratitude to the emergency services for their commendable work in this terrible event.”


    Following the tragic fire in Valencia, several other clubs across Spain expressed their condolences to the affected city.

    “FC Barcelona offers its condolences to the families of the victims of the fire in Valencia and lends its support to those affected,” Barcelona wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

    In a statement on their website, Real Madrid said: “Real Madrid C. F., its president and its board of directors would like to express their deepest sympathy for the victims of the fire that has affected the city of Valencia in the last few hours and express their solidarity with all those affected and with all the people of Valencia.”

  • Jude Bellingham-Greenwood feud appears to evoke ‘unwritten law’ in LaLiga

    Jude Bellingham-Greenwood feud appears to evoke ‘unwritten law’ in LaLiga

    Jude Bellingham and Mason Greenwood have stirred up an unexpected controversy in La Liga, as Getafe challenges Real Madrid over an incident deemed to breach an unwritten code.

    During a Spanish top-flight match on February 1, Real Madrid’s Bellingham and Greenwood, both England internationals, engaged in a fierce duel.

    After a particularly intense challenge, Bellingham was captured on camera mouthing something towards his fellow countryman.

    Getafe promptly reported the incident to La Liga, urging it to be documented in the match referee’s report.

    Lip-readers have since been enlisted to decipher Bellingham’s words amid speculation about whether he uttered “rapist” or “rubbish,” potentially leading to a four-match suspension for the 20-year-old.

    According to Marca, Bellingham will not learn his fate until March, sparking curiosity and debate in Spain.

    There exists an unwritten agreement in La Liga where clubs tacitly agree not to pursue actions on incidents unnoticed by match officials; what happens on the field stays on the field.

    Greenwood, currently on loan at Getafe from Manchester United, is reportedly eager to put the matter behind them.

    The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is reportedly taken aback by Getafe’s deviation from this tradition, opening up a disciplinary process rarely explored.

    The Spanish FA will now determine if further action is warranted, as clubs across La Liga closely monitor the situation.

  • Real Madrid targets Man City’s Couto

    Real Madrid targets Man City’s Couto

    Real Madrid’s quest for the world’s top young talent persists, with their attention now focused on Man City defender Yan Couto, as reported by Marca.

    At 21 years old, Couto is making waves as a right-back for La Liga leaders Girona during his loan spell from City. This marks his second loan stint at the Spanish club since joining City permanently from Coritiba in 2020.

    Girona currently leads the division, securing historic victories against powerhouses like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

    Couto, known for his defensive prowess, also exhibits versatility by contributing to the attack and showcasing promise on the left side of midfield.

    His outstanding form has attracted interest not only from Real Madrid but also from Bayer Leverkusen, especially since earning his debut call-up to the Brazil national team last October.

    While Couto is under contract with Manchester City until 2025, discussions have arisen about the possibility of his return to feature under manager Pep Guardiola next season.

    However, Real Madrid is expected to challenge City’s stance with a bid, viewing Couto as the ideal successor to aging stars Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez—a potential “signing for a decade.”

    Real Madrid’s scouting efforts extend beyond Couto, encompassing other promising young talents like Leny Yoro from Lille, António Silva from Benfica, and Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio.

  • Arda Guler to still be away from Real Madrid matches till next year

    Arda Guler to still be away from Real Madrid matches till next year

    Real Madrid’s Turkish prodigy, Arda Guler, is not anticipated to make an appearance until at least 2024, prolonging his challenging initiation to life in Spain.

    Despite his summer move from Fenerbahce, the 18-year-old has encountered difficulty securing a spot in the first team in the Spanish capital.

    Hindered by injuries and facing stiff competition, especially from standout players like Jude Bellingham, Guler finds himself lower in the pecking order.

    It seems unlikely that Guler will participate in Madrid’s remaining fixtures against Villarreal and Alaves this calendar year.

    The coaching staff, preferring a cautious approach, aims to avoid hastening the ascent of the talented but inexperienced youngster.

    They plan to reserve his debut for upcoming Spanish Supercup and Copa del Rey fixtures, allowing Guler a more gradual introduction to the limelight.

    Guler’s signing marked a notable event, as he became the first Turkish player to join Real Madrid since Nuri Sahin’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

    However, Sahin’s promising career was hindered by injuries and struggles to break into the Madrid lineup, a fate Guler hopes to avoid.

    While Guler must exercise patience before donning the Madrid shirt for the first time, his much-anticipated debut is expected next year.

    The young Turk aspires to emulate the success of his idol and former Madrid hero, Mesut Ozil.

  • Real Madrid appears to want an Ancelotti contract extension, crushing Brazil links

    Real Madrid appears to want an Ancelotti contract extension, crushing Brazil links

    Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti seems to be leaning towards extending his tenure at the Bernabeu rather than pursuing a move to coach the Brazil national team, as contract discussions are set to commence.

    Initially anticipated to part ways with Los Blancos at the season’s end for the Brazil role, Ancelotti’s potential departure is now met with hesitation by Real Madrid, given their La Liga title contention and Champions League ambitions.

    According to Marca, talks regarding Ancelotti’s future are expected to take place with Madrid president Florentino Perez in the upcoming days.

    Despite earlier speculations linking Xabi Alonso, Raul, and Roberto De Zerbi as potential replacements, their services may no longer be sought.

    Ancelotti has steered Real Madrid to second place in La Liga, closely trailing surprise leaders Girona by two points.

    The team’s dynamic performances, spearheaded by players like Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Vinicius Jr., have contributed to their current standing.

    With an impressive track record of four Champions League titles, the most by any manager, Ancelotti aims to secure a fifth title, surpassing his closest active competitor, Pep Guardiola, who has three.

    As Real Madrid faces Villarreal on Sunday evening in an effort to narrow the gap with Girona, Ancelotti’s potential continued tenure beyond this season seeks to solidify his position among the club’s greatest managers by adding more trophies to their extensive collection.

  • Sané is considering the possibility of a transfer to LaLiga

    Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané has reportedly left the possibility of a departure from the Bundesliga champions open, as per Sport.

    The forward, whose contract extends until 2025, has attracted significant attention from LaLiga powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid in the recent months.

    In early November, reports emerged that no concrete agreement had been made between Bayern and the 27-year-old to extend his contract.

    Now, while on international duty with Germany, Sané has said that he “hadn’t thought about it yet; the club wants to have conversations, but for now I want to focus on this season.”


    The ex-Manchester City player seamlessly aligns with Barcelona’s winger criteria, particularly amid speculation of Raphinha departing from Camp Nou.

    On the other hand, Real Madrid is seeking to reinforce their attacking options following Vinícius Júnior’s injury while representing Brazil last Thursday.

  • Viní Jr. faces two-and-a-half-month absence due to injury, according to sources

    Viní Jr. faces two-and-a-half-month absence due to injury, according to sources

    Real Madrid’s forward, Vinícius Júnior, is facing a setback as the LaLiga club confirmed a hamstring injury, adding to the team’s challenges with various long-term injuries this season.

    This injury is considered more severe than the hamstring issue in his other leg, which sidelined him for a month between August and September earlier in the season.

    Vinícius, aged 23, suffered a thigh injury during Brazil’s 2-1 loss to Colombia in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday, leading him to return to his club for additional assessments.

    “[Vinícius] has been diagnosed with a tear in his left femoral bicep which is affecting the tendon in his hamstring,” Real Madrid said in a statement.

    “His recovery will be monitored.”

    “We will come back stronger,” Vinícius wrote on social media platform X.

    Vinícius has six goals and four assists in all competitions for Madrid this season.

    Real Madrid has suffered another blow as midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, aged 21, sustained an injury on international duty.

    Camavinga tore a ligament in his right knee during training with France.

    A key player for Real Madrid, Camavinga has featured in every league game this season.

    His injury adds to the list of Madrid players, including Thibaut Courtois, Éder Militão, and Arda Guler, who have faced knee injuries.

    Despite these setbacks, Real Madrid currently holds the second position in La Liga, trailing Girona by two points.

    They are scheduled to face Cadiz on November 26, when the league resumes after the international break.

  • Barcelona unveils unique Clasico jerseys adorned with the iconic Rolling Stones logo

    Barcelona unveils unique Clasico jerseys adorned with the iconic Rolling Stones logo

    Barcelona has unveiled unique El Clasico jerseys featuring the Rolling Stones logo on the front in preparation for their upcoming match against Real Madrid.

    This distinctive design is a result of the club’s sponsorship agreement with Spotify and will prominently display the iconic Tongue and Lips logo.

    This move is part of a promotional campaign as The Rolling Stones gear up to release their first original album in 18 years, titled ‘Hackney Diamonds,’ on Spotify, scheduled for October 20.

    The unique jersey will also be donned by the Barca Femeni team when they face Sevilla at Estadi Johan Cruyff on November 5.

    Following Barcelona’s partnership with Spotify, the club has engaged in collaborations with various musical sensations, such as ROSALiA, Drake, Daddy Yankee, and Pusha T.

    “We’re huge football fans and honoured that Spotify has brought our Tongue and Lips logo to grace the FC Barcelona shirt to celebrate the release of the Stones’ new Hackney Diamonds album,” The Rolling Stones said about their special FC Barcelona shirt.


    “We’ll be cheering on the players on the pitch as well as fans around the world who will be tuning in to watch this iconic match,” they added.

    Prior to facing Real Madrid on October 28, Barcelona will play Athletic Club and Shakhtar Donetsk in La Liga and the Champions League, respectively.

  • Valencia newspaper accuses Vini Jr. of lying about La Liga racial abuse

    Valencia newspaper accuses Vini Jr. of lying about La Liga racial abuse

    In a shocking front page, a Valencia newspaper has accused Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr of lying about racist abuse he faced in a La Liga match.

    On Friday, the front page of the local Valencia newspaper, Super Deporte, depicted Real Madrid’s Vinicius with a Pinocchio nose superimposed onto his face, branding him a liar.

    This comes after the Brazilian forward testified in the trial of three people accused of racially abusing him at a match between Madrid and Valencia at the Mestalla back in May, according to the Daily Mail.


    Vinicius has been vocal about the racist abuse he has endured during La Liga matches, emphasizing that these incidents are not isolated and expressing frustration over the perceived lack of action taken by authorities.


    Valencia have repeatedly denied the claim that everyone inside the Mestalla abused the 23-year-old, despite the accusation being backed up by various figures, including Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who said “there is something wrong with this league”.

    Now, Super Deporte has taken things to the extreme with their latest headline, accusing the Brazilian of “committing perjury” during his testimony “when he claims that the entire stadium uttered racist insults against him.”


    The legal proceedings concerning the racism case are currently in progress, and the judge has requested Vinicius’ teammate Eder Militao to offer his firsthand account of the events.

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4rk1XMSsewE
  • Bellingham was for Madrid, we are lucky to have him – Nacho

    Bellingham was for Madrid, we are lucky to have him – Nacho

    Nacho commented that Jude Bellingham “was born to play for Real Madrid” following the midfielder’s impressive performance, which included his sixth goal in as many games.

    Bellingham’s goal secured a 1-0 victory for the LaLiga giants over Union Berlin in their opening Group C Champions League match.

    The English midfielder, who made a €103 million move from Dortmund during the summer, capitalised on a loose ball in the six-yard box during the 94th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu. This late strike denied the Bundesliga side a point in their Champions League debut.

    Jude Bellingham has now found the back of the net in five out of six appearances for Real Madrid, with his only goalless match being the 2-1 league victory over Real Sociedad last Sunday.

    “I think Jude was born to play for Real Madrid,” club captain Nacho told Movistar. “We’re lucky to have him here with us. Let’s hope he keeps scoring goals.”

  • Ilkay Gundogan could leave Barca for free if he is not registered in time for La Liga opener against Getafe

    Ilkay Gundogan could leave Barca for free if he is not registered in time for La Liga opener against Getafe

    Spanish journalist Toni Juanmarti has revealed that there’s a significant clause in Gundogan’s contract that could permit him to depart from the club for free if he isn’t registered in time for Barcelona’s initial La Liga fixture against Getafe.

    The midfielder made a free transfer to the Catalan club from Manchester City, even rejecting a contract extension from his previous team, the treble winners, in pursuit of his long-standing aspiration to join the Spanish giants.

    However, the delay in his registration has sparked concerns, particularly due to Barcelona’s financial challenges.

    Should he depart without a transfer fee, Barcelona would still be obligated to cover his annual salary of €10 million (£8.64 million or $11 million) for the first year of his three-year contract.

    At present, Barcelona has only 13 players registered with La Liga. Nonetheless, the departures of Ousmane Dembele to PSG and Franck Kessie to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli are set to infuse much-needed funds into the club’s coffers.

    Furthermore, President Joan Laporta is prepared to sell a 16% stake in Barca Studios, valued at €65 million (£56.15 million or $71.5 million), to a German investment firm, aiming to further bolster the financial standing of the club.

    With the La Liga opener against Getafe merely days away, the pressure is mounting on Barcelona to swiftly conclude Gundogan’s registration process.

    Laporta, the club’s president, is actively engaged in securing player sales and formulating financial strategies to ensure the team’s stability. Meanwhile, whether Gundogan will participate in the Joan Gamper Trophy against Tottenham on Tuesday remains to be seen.

  • Ilkay Gundogan could exit Barca before the start of La Liga – Reports

    Ilkay Gundogan could exit Barca before the start of La Liga – Reports

    Following a remarkable season at the Etihad Stadium, Ilkay Gundogan completed a free transfer to Barcelona, the reigning champions of La Liga.

    The former Manchester City captain, who played a crucial role in the team’s European treble, has reportedly secured an insurance policy worth £7.7 million in the event that Barcelona’s financial difficulties prevent him from participating during the upcoming season.

    Gundogan’s exceptional performances in the final stages of the season were instrumental in securing Manchester City’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title, marking a triumphant end to his seven-year tenure at the club.

    According to reports by Marca, despite Pep Guardiola and his players pleading for Gundogan to stay, he instead opted to move to Barcelona, with the team fresh off winning La Liga and looking to shine once again in Europe.

    Regardless of the Catalans’ financial struggles, which has seen them clash with the Spanish league body numerous times over the registration of players within their spending cap, Gundogan appears excited.

    The same rules by La Liga saw Lionel Messi depart the club in 2021 when his contract renewal was unable to be processed, and Barca also struggled last summer to get a number of signings registered.

    Gundogan’s Barcelona contract clause

    Jules Kounde was unable to join the squad until after the start of the 2022/23 campaign, with president, Joan Laporta, having to sell off assets to free room for new signings.

    Gundogan will not take a risk and has a special clause inserted in his contract that could see him depart Barcelona if the club is not able to register him due to any financial problems.

    The former Man City skipper was reportedly assured this would not happen, per The Athletic, as well as being promised his first year in wages should his registration be impeded.

    The Catalans are currently over La Liga’s spending cap limit ahead of the new season on August 12, but are believed to be confident enough about freeing up space for the midfield veteran.

    Gundogan’s message to Man City

    Sports Brief also reported on Gundogan’s passionate message to Man City and the fans after the former captain completed a blockbuster switch to Barcelona.

    He was Guardiola’s first signing at City in 2016 and captained the club to their first-ever Champions League trophy en route to completing their historic treble.

  • La Liga eager for Real Madrid to sign Mbappe

    La Liga eager for Real Madrid to sign Mbappe

    Real Madrid’s pursuit of Kylian Mbappe this summer has generated optimism within La Liga, as the Spanish top-flight currently lacks prominent star power.

    Mbappe has communicated to Paris Saint-Germain that he will not be extending his contract beyond its expiration in 2024. As a result, Real Madrid has emerged as the frontrunners to secure the services of the 24-year-old forward.

    According to Football Espana, La Liga views the potential signing of Mbappe as crucial in demonstrating that Real Madrid remains an attractive destination, despite the financial might and allure of the Premier League.

    The Spanish topflight is losing star power with the departure of Karim Benzema from Real Madrid another blow, after losses of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar in the past.

    La Liga only have two of the top 10 most-followed players that attended the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and the league hopes the arrival of Mbappe will increase the league’s popularity again worldwide.

    Madrid to table Mbappe bid

    Meanwhile, Real Madrid are ready to bid for Kylian Mbappe this summer rather than waiting to sign him as a free agent when his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires, ESPN reports.

    Mbappe has informed PSG that he would not be exercising his option to extend his deal by another year, meaning his contract with the Parisians would be up in June 2024.

    PSG would be willing to listen to offers of around €150 million for Mbappe this summer to avoid losing the 2022 World Cup Golden Ball winner for free a year later.

    Mbappe speaks amid PSG exit talks

    Earlier, Sports Brief reported Kylian Mbappe has clarified the uncertainty surrounding his future following news of his decision to tell Paris Saint-Germain that he will not be taking up an option to extend his contract until 2025.

    Mbappe’s current contract with the Ligue 1 champions is set to expire at the conclusion of the season, with a potential extension for an additional year.

    However, the Frenchman communicated to PSG via a letter that he unequivocally rejects the prospect of activating the contract’s extension clause for an additional year, regardless of the circumstances.

  • Benzema loses to Barcelona’s Lewandowski in La Liga award

    Benzema loses to Barcelona’s Lewandowski in La Liga award

    In his debut season with Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski concluded the campaign by clinching La Liga’s Golden Boot award on Sunday.

    Despite failing to score in a 2-1 defeat against Celta Vigo, the 34-year-old striker accumulated a total of 23 goals in 34 league appearances.

    Lewandowski’s impressive goal tally placed him four goals ahead of Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, who managed 19 goals in 24 games due to a season riddled with injuries.

    This achievement solidifies Lewandowski’s status as a prolific goalscorer and highlights his impact in his first season at Barcelona.

    Lewa also finished seven goals clear of Espanyol’s Joselu Marto.

    The Polish striker also won the Pichichi award without scoring a single penalty, becoming the first player to do so since Dani Guiza in the 2007-08 season, according to MisterChip.

    It is also the sixth straight season that Lewandowski has finished as the top scorer in his domestic league, having topped the standings in the Bundesliga prior to his move to Barcelona.

    He ended the season with 33 goals across all competitions, including five scores in the UEFA Champions League, two in the Copa del Rey, two in the Supercopa, and one in the Europa League.

    Lewandowski beats Benzema to award

    As reported by Marca, Benzema had won the prize in the previous season with 27 goals, ending a five-year period of dominance by Lionel Messi.

    Benzema and Lewandowski

    Lewandowski has now won 11 Golden Boot awards from his career. The former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern goal-machine ended seven of his 12 seasons in Germany as the leading scorer in the Bundesliga.

    He also won the UEFA Champions League’s Golden Boot prize in 2019/20 when his 15 goals and six assists fired the Bavarians to European glory. His other two Golden Boots were won early on in his career in Poland.

    The first arrived in the 2007/08 campaign after Lewa netted 21 times for Znicz Pruszkow in the Polish second division. Two seasons later, he topped the scoring charts in the first division with 18 goals for Lech Poznan.

    La Liga’s final Pichichi rankings

    1. Robert Lewadowski: 23 goals

    2. Karim Benzema: 19 goals

    3. Joselu Marto: 16 goals

    4. Borja Iglesias: 15 goals

    5. Antoine Griezmann: 15 goals

    Lewandowski wants Messi at Barcelona

    Previously, Sports Brief reported that Lewandoski expressed his desire for Messi to make a fairytale return to Barcelona this summer.

    The Argentine departed Barcelona in 2021 due to the club’s ailing financial situation, joining Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract.

    A seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi has now been urged to make a return to the Camp Nou after departing the French capital.

  • Atletico president wish Messi and Ronaldo would back in LaLiga

    Atletico president wish Messi and Ronaldo would back in LaLiga

    Enrique Cerezo, the president of Atletico Madrid, wants to see a LaLiga matchup between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo before both players hang up their boots.

    Messi spent 21 years at Barcelona before departing on a free transfer to join Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021. He has been frequently linked with a return to the club.

    Prior to playing for Juventus, Manchester United, and the current Saudi Arabian team Al Nassr, Ronaldo spent nine seasons and won numerous trophies with Real Madrid.

    While there has been little talk of Ronaldo heading back to the Spanish top flight, Cerezo believes it would benefit the league for the two superstar forwards to return one day.

    “It would seem fantastic to me if Messi returned to the league, the same as Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said while attending the Barcelona Open tennis final on Sunday. 

    “Both are still playing and it would be fantastic if they returned.”

    Cerezo was speaking ahead of Atletico’s 1-0 loss to Barcelona, which leaves Diego Simeone’s side 16 points adrift of the leaders and five behind second-place Real Madrid.

    Yannick Carrasco played a full part for Atletico, though he may find himself at Barcelona next season as the Catalan giants have the option to sign the versatile wide player.

    “Yannick is a very good player, fantastic,” Cerezo said when asked about Carrasco’s future. 

    “In the world of football, there are people who want to achieve many things and don’t get to, and others who don’t want anything and get it. I don’t know [what will happen next].”

  • Inaki Williams wins man of the match trophy in Bilbao’s victory against Espanyol

    Inaki Williams wins man of the match trophy in Bilbao’s victory against Espanyol

    Inaki Williams was honoured as the game’s most outstanding performer after Athletic Bilbao’s 2-1 La Liga victory over Espanyol on Saturday at the RCDE Stadium.

    Athletic Bilbao had a difficult time in the opening stages of the contest. With a superb long pass from Dani Garca, Inaki Williams scored in the 22nd minute.

    Hugging his brother Nico, the Black Stars forward dedicated the goal to him.

    Athletic was much better and was controlling the game comfortably, but a mistake at the back a few minutes to half-time allowed former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite to score but his goal was canceled by VAR.

    In the second half of the clash, Athletic wanted to score a set piece, Guruzeta almost scored in the 57th minute in a good action and Iñaki had a clear chance to score but his effort went wide in the 68th minute.

    Nico Williams came on in the 69th minute, and the Spanish international scored in the 75th minute from a Gorka Guruzeta pass to make it 2-0.

    Sergi Darder scored the consolation goal for Espanyol in the 90th minute.

  • LaLiga to execute grassroots project in Ghana

    LaLiga to execute grassroots project in Ghana

    LaLiga is about to launch LaLiga Grassroots in Ghana, a program that offers players from all around the country the next step in their football development pathway. 

    This is in keeping with its commitment to talent development and football greatness.

    This was made known during a spirited press conference that LaLiga Ghana and Nigeria representatives had with Ghanaian reporters on Wednesday in Accra.

    The campaign is part of LaLiga’s global effort to build, develop, and promote grassroots soccer in every country.

    Over the last 5 years, LaLiga Grassroots has facilitated 640 projects globally through 900 LaLiga coaches in 48 countries. As a result, more than 200,000 male and female players and more than 25,000 coaches have been trained using the LaLiga methodology. This includes the elements that make Spanish youth academies a global reference.

    With Ghana set to be one of the latest beneficiaries, the LaLiga delegation held positive talks with key stakeholders in the country – the Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

    LaLiga set to roll out Grassroots project in Ghana

    Taking the media through the LaLiga Grassroots concept, Commu­nications and Projects Coordinator, Ayodeji Adegbenro stated:

    “We thought of this stuff in Nigeria and some other parts of Africa but we are keen to actually start with Ghana because Ghana is a very important country to LaLiga and the LaLiga projects.

    “We’ve had the project in South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria and Cameroon. We don’t have Ghana yet but hopefully, very soon Ghana will show up. An example of one of our projects is LaLiga egalite in Cameroon. It is basically a youth league for girls that started about two years ago. We train grassroots female coaches to train these girls.

    “We’ve had meetings with the GFA and the Sports Ministry and we are hoping to replicate some of these projects in Ghana to aid the development of football at grassroots level.”

    LaLiga set to roll out Grassroots project in Ghana

    LaLiga Global Network Delegate for Ghana and Nigeria, Desmond Chiji also said: “The grassroots project is a big project for us. We believe so much in it as the next stage of our development. We would want to go into the cities and try and unearth the younger talents to give them this opportunity. This is something that we’ve experimented in other countries and we believe it is the next stage that we have to take our development to. It is a very interesting project for us, the stakeholders and potential partners to get on board.”

    As part of LaLiga’s frameworks designed to facilitate knowledge sharing, Deportivo Alaves, Cádiz CF, Sevilla FC and Villarreal CF have collaborated with clubs and academies in the host countries, providing a means of sharing training methodologies and practices with grassroots leaders.

    The heart of LaLiga Grassroots is located in Spanish capital Madrid, where the ESC LaLiga & NBA Centre opened its doors in the summer of 2022, becoming the hub of LaLiga’s grassroots football projects.

    The centre’s main focus is LaLiga Academy Madrid — a long-term academic and sporting programme open to young footballers from all over the world. The centre also hosts LaLiga Training Stages, intensive training and coaching stays for clubs and federations from all over the world; LaLiga Camps, summer football training camps; and it also hosts different scouting projects.

  • Been 17 years, Real Madrid release videos of former referee mistakes against them

    Been 17 years, Real Madrid release videos of former referee mistakes against them

    Real Madrid’s complaints against Iturralde Gonzalez have intensified as a result of a compilation of the mistakes made by the former Spanish referee that was shared on social media.

    Real Madrid was upset with Iturralde Gonzalez after he criticised the La Liga champions for making videos of frequent refereeing errors against them.

    Real Madrid’s actions, which come after Barcelona was accused of paying referees by Spanish prosecutors, were described as “gross and indecent” by the former referee, according to SB Nation.

    Real Madrid responded by releasing a video of the former referee’s errors against them over the course of more than 17 years. Iturralde has also defended Barcelona in the Negreira case.

    Real Madrid in their post revealed Iturralde as a referee who has finally taken off his mask and is now dedicated to attacking the club from the media.

    Real Madrid to be involved in Barcelona’s refereeing case

    Meanwhile, Real Madrid has revealed they will be involved in legal proceedings of the Barcelona referee payments scandal after the Catalan club was charged by Spanish prosecutors, Goal reports.

    Los Blancos issued a statement revealing their stance after discussions between president Florentino Perez and the club’s board of directors after their board meeting on Sunday, March 12.

    An investigation revealed Barcelona had made payments to former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.

    Barcelona unhappy with Real Madrid Earlier, Sports Brief reported Barcelona and Real Madrid may be bitter rivals on the field of play, but at a boardroom level, they’re not against working with each other.

    Presidents, Joan Laporta (Barcelona) and Florentino Perez (Real Madrid) have worked together in the past, despite the animosity between the two sets of supporters.

    The Catalan club are deeply upset by Madrid’s latest statement. Los Blancos have since put out a statement that they will be present against Barcelona in the upcoming hearings.

  • Xavi disappointed at hostile Bilbao fans demanding Barcelona’s relegation amid the refereeing scandal

    Xavi disappointed at hostile Bilbao fans demanding Barcelona’s relegation amid the refereeing scandal

    On Sunday, March 13, Barcelona and Athletico Bilbao played in La Liga, and the San Mames Barria was filled with hostile Athletico Bilbao supporters. The game was marred by Barcelona fans who chanted for the club to be demoted as a result of their refereeing scandal, despite the Catalans’ hard-fought 1-0 victory over their hosts.

    The reaction of the Bilbao fans, according to Barcelona manager Xavi, saddened him after the game because, in his opinion, the Catalans are being judged even before they are found guilty.

    “I was surprised at the hostile atmosphere towards Barca. It was sad to see. [Barca] are being judged before time, which I don’t think is good for society.

    Everyone is free to [air their opinion], and I respect all opinions, whether I agree with them or not, but it made me sad.”

    Barcelona has been charged by Spanish prosecutors for paying around €7million to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira’s company between 2001 and 2018 while he was the vice president of Spain’s referees’ committee.

    Laporta assures Barca fans of club’s innocence Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has assured the club’s fans worldwide that the Catalans are innocent of all allegations made against them, Vanguard reports. Laporta made the claim on Twitter following corruption allegations levelled against Barcelona over payments made to refereeing committees in Spain.

    Barcelona’s ex-presidents, Sandro Rosell, and Josep Maria Bartomeu allegedly paid the former refereeing committee chief Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira over €2.9m between 2014 and 2018 which led to the accusations of sports corruption and unfair administration being made.

    Supporters stage protest against Barcelona Earlier, Sports Brief reported Barcelona are at the centre of allegations that they paid the former vice-president of the Referee’s Committee, and their fellow La Liga clubs are not happy about it.

    Athletic Club Bilbao’s supporters were the latest to voice their unhappiness at the allegations and made their feelings known during their side’s clash with Barcelona.

    At the half-hour mark, Bilbao fans threw fake money from the stands onto the pitch as a mark of protest against the Catalan club.

  • Real Madrid, every player’s ‘dreamland’

    Real Madrid, every player’s ‘dreamland’

    Agent to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Rafaela Pimenta, says Real Madrid is still the “dreamland” for all footballers.

    Incredibly, Haaland has 33 goals for City this season, four more than any other player in the top five leagues in Europe. He has also broken numerous records.

    The Norwegian international is currently playing at Etihad Stadium in the first year of a five-year contract, but he is still linked with a transfer to LaLiga powerhouse Real Madrid.

    Haaland reportedly has a release clause in his contract that will allow him to join Madrid at the end of the upcoming season, but City manager Pep Guardiola previously denied those rumours.

    But Haaland’s agent did little to quash talk of a future switch to the Spanish capital when asked about the 22-year-old’s future at the FT Business of Football Summit in London.

    “There is the Premier League, and there is Real Madrid. Real Madrid has something of its own that makes it the dreamland for the players,” Pimenta said. 

    “Madrid keeps this magic going. They don’t have the league competition every week, but they do have the Champions League.”

    Haaland has previously said the attractiveness of playing under Guardiola at a club where father Alf-Inge once played was too much to turn down.

    However, Pimenta suggested the former Borussia Dortmund star already knows which club he will join next.

    “We have to make a plan, we need to have a goal,” she said. “Maybe we won’t achieve it, but if we don’t know where we’re going, then for sure we don’t get there.

    “We make plans, yes, we make plans even if they are a 15-year-old. We cannot be sitting down and waiting.”

    Haaland is one of a number of high-profile clients represented by Pimenta, along with the likes of Paul Pogba, Matthijs de Ligt, Marco Verratti and Ryan Gravenberch.

    All of those players have either played in or been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League, which Pimenta feels is still the elite division in world football.

    “When I started in this business, if I told [a player], ‘you’re moving to England’, they would ask me, ‘what did I do wrong?’,” she said.

    “Now when we talk to players, and ask them what is their goal, they say the Premier League. They don’t say a team, City, Chelsea, Arsenal, they say ‘the Premier League’.

    “This is the first time in 25 years that I hear so many players say I want to go to a league, not to a club. This is the place to be for an agent.

    “An agent needs to be where a player wants to be. It’s a fantastic league. It’s so competitive, every game is a challenge, everyone wants to watch it.”

  • Real Madrid goalkeeper Canizares renews contract

    Real Madrid goalkeeper Canizares renews contract

    Lucas Canizares, the goalkeeper for Real Madrid, has extended his contract with the LaLiga behemoths.

    Canizares hasn’t taken the field for Madrid in a senior match yet, but he has been used as a substitute 10 times this year and was a member of the team that won the Club World Cup.

    The 20-year-old, who is the prodigal son of former Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Santi Canizares, is ranked third in the hierarchy, behind Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin.

    He reportedly came close to leaving the team in January to pursue regular football, but he revealed on Monday that a new contract had been signed on his Instagram page.

    “I’m very happy to expand my link with Real Madrid,” Canizares said. “Eager to return with work the trust deposited. Let’s go!”

  • Spain star reveals ‘Plan’ to buy Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for struggling La Liga

    Spain star reveals ‘Plan’ to buy Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for struggling La Liga

    La Liga club, Celta Vigo are in dire need of the best strikers in the world at the moment as the club is in a relegation dogfight in Spain’s top-tier league. The former league giants are presently in the 16th spot on the La Liga table, having garnered just 20 points from their 19 games this season.

    Celta Vigo striker and club captain, Iago Aspas has now revealed the drastic and costly measures he would take to help the club turn its fortunes around, Sportskeeda reports. “If it were up to me, then [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, we sign before the deadline closes. But I know that the club are trying to bring in another teammate to help us, and if someone comes in, then it will be very welcome.”

    Celta Vigo are looking to reinforce their attack before the January window closes, with the club having scored just 18 times in the league the entire season.

    Celta Vigo deserved their victory Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao coach, Ernesto Valverde admits their performance wasn’t good enough in the defeat to Celta Vigo and admitted his opponents were superior on Sunday, Tribal Football reports.

    Aspas’s strike in the 70th minute proved decisive for Celta Vigo, who claimed maximum points to boost their chances of escaping relegation. Athletic Bilbao had chances to score, including an Alex Berenguer volley that hit the post, but there was no way back for Valverde’s team in the contest.

    Touted as possibly the last time the stars would share the same field, the game was eventually won by PSG in what was a nine-goal thriller. Since Messi and Ronaldo shared a hug in Saudi Arabia however, keen-eyed fans noted the 2022 World Cup winner has dipped in form.

  • LaLiga title would show Barcelona’s recovery is on track, Laporta claims

    According to president Joan Laporta, winning LaLiga this year would demonstrate that Barcelona’s “recovery process is on the right track.”

    In recent years, Barca has struggled with both bad financial conditions and underwhelming field performances.

    A group-stage exit in this season’s Champions League extends their seven-year wait to win Europe’s premier club prize for a sixth time, and they last won the league crown in the 2018–19 season.

    However, Barca is experiencing a domestic comeback under Xavi, who joined the team as a coach after a great playing career.

    Xavi is Barca’s eighth head coach since Pep Guardiola left in 2012 and his team led LaLiga heading into the World Cup break.

    “The priority objective is LaLiga,” Laporta told reporters. “Clear and low.

    “The dressing room, with Xavi at the helm, is clear about it.

    “We want to win LaLiga to show that the club’s recovery process is on the right track.”

    It appears it will be a two-horse race for the title with Real Madrid, who are two points behind Barca but came out victorious when the sides met at the Santiago Bernabeu in October.

    Barca will get their league campaign back underway against city rivals Espanyol on December 31.

     

  • Over 150 people dead in football stadium stampede in Indonesia

    Over 150 people died in a stampede during a Liga 1 match between rivals Arema and Persebaya on Saturday.

    • Fans invaded pitch at full time
    • One of worst football disasters of all time
    • Liga 1 matches postponed

    WHAT HAPPENED? Fans entered the pitch, breaching security at full time after Persebaya beat Arema 3-2. The police then tear-gassed the crowd which led to supporters rushing to the exits. The resulting stampede led to cases of suffocation.

    THE BIGGER PICTURE: President Joko Widodo has declared that this must be the country’s “last soccer tragedy”, and games have been suspended while the Indonesian football association carries out a full investigation. The current death toll stands at least 174.

    AND WHAT’S MORE: Local police chief Nico Afinta said: “It had gotten anarchic. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars. We would like to convey that… not all of them were anarchic. Only about 3,000 who entered the pitch.” Two police officers also died in the disorder.

    WHAT NEXT FOR LIGA 1? The remaining Liga 1 fixtures for the week have been postponed and Arema FC have been barred from hosting matches for the time being.

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  • La Liga condemns abuse of Vinicius Jr

    La Liga has condemned “hate speech” and says it will work with authorities after reports of racist chating towards Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

    Real won at Atletico Madrid on Sunday and some opposing fans allegedly sang racist songs when entering the ground.

    It comes after Vinicius, 22, said “the happiness of a black Brazilian in Europe” was behind recent criticism.

    “We denounce all incidents inside and outside stadiums,” said a La Liga spokesperson.

    “We work with clubs to keep our football friendly and enjoyable.”

    The spokesperson added: “Hate speech has no place in La Liga and we always work with the clubs and the authorities to identify and bring to justice any such case.”

    Vinicius’ celebration after scoring, in which he dances, have drawn comments from pundits in Spain recently.

    Agent Pedro Bravo said during a Spanish television discussion on Vinicius that “in Spain, you have to respect rivals and stop playing the monkey”, leading to accusations of racism. He has since apologised.

    Brazil international Vinicius, who has scored five goals in eight games for the European champions so far this season, listed other stars who danced in their celebrations in a statement on Friday.

    “Weeks ago, some people started to criticise my dancing. But the dancing is not mine alone,” he said.

    “They belong to Ronaldinho, Neymar, [Lucas] Paqueta, [Antoine] Griezmann, Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha… Brazilian funk singers and samba dancers, Latin reggaeton singers, Black Americans. They are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world.

    “They say that happiness bothers. The happiness of a Black Brazilian being successful in Europe bothers much more. But my will to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that.”

    Vinicius was supported by several Brazilian football stars on social media, including Pele and Neymar, while Real Madrid also released a statement condemning the pundit’s comments on Friday.

    The criticism and racism did not stop Vinicius and his Brazilian team-mate Rodrygo dancing after the latter scored the opening goal at Wanda Metropolitano as Real Madrid won 2-1.

    Source: BBC

  • Ghana striker Inaki Williams reveals secret to his La Liga appearance record

    Inaki Williams has revealed the secret to his La Liga record of playing the most consecutive games in competition history.

    The Ghana international striker holds the record for the most games played in the Spanish top flight in a row.

    When Williams suffered an injury last week, many expected him to extend the record, but he surprised everyone by playing in Athletic Bilabo’s defeat to Espanyol over the weekend.


     

    By featuring in the 1-0 loss, the 28-year-old extended the record to 237 games, an incredible feat, and he has revealed his secret to staying fit and not missing a game in six years.

    “Take care of myself, eat well, rest and good genetics,” said Williams.

    “There is a lot of talk about this record. I have not been very aware of what I have been achieving. It is a cluster of things that everything indicates that it is very difficult for it to be repeated. I am happy, I also freak out with these numbers,” he added.

    Williams who has scored one goal this season has been handed a debut Ghana call-up for the friendly matches against Brazil and Nicaragua later this month.

    Source: Ghanasoccernet

  • Renan Lodi: Nottingham Forest signs defender on loan from Atletico Madrid

    Full-back Renan Lodi of Atletico Madrid has been hired by Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan.

    Brazilian player, age 24, is the newly promoted team’s 18th acquisition of the summer.

    Lodi joined Atletico in 2019 and has since played 118 games, winning La Liga in 2021 and participating 27 times in the Champions League for Diego Simeone’s team.

    He has won 15 caps for Brazil since making his debut in 2019.

    Forest are 14th in the Premier League after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by Tottenham.

    Speaking before the game, Forest manager Steve Cooper said: “We want to get to a point when the window closes that we have good cover for every position but also a challenge for every position as well.

    “We want to give ourselves the best opportunity to be able to compete. That is all we are trying to do.

    “I would rather get questions about how many players we have signed than not signing enough, because it shows we have the right ambition.

    “We are still going through the process, when the window shuts hopefully we have enough players in our squad to cover each position, so we have a competitive environment on the training pitch.”

  • Clifford Aboagye’s agent confirms interest from Spanish clubs

    The agent of Ghanaian midfielder, Clifford Aboagye, has confirmed interest from several Spanish La Liga teams.

    The 25-year-old who currently plays for Mexican side Club Tijuana, has emerged strongly on the radar of several European clubs.

    The former Ghana youth star has been on cloud nine since joining Mexican Liga MX side Atlas FC from Spanish outfit Granada in 2017.

    He enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell at Querétaro before joining Club Tijuana on a permanent basis.

    The hugely talented Ghanaian has been linked with a host of Spanish sides including Getafe, Villareal, Valencia and Osasuna.

    “Yes, there are a number of interest for Clifford,” he told GHANAsoccernet

    “There are a number of Spanish clubs especially who are interested but we must understand that he has a contract with Club Tijuana and so that must be respected.

    “A lot will depend on the club and the player on his future. He is playing so well in the Mexican league and so not surprised about the immense interest.”

    Villareal coach Javier Calleja Revilla is determined to bring the highly-rated midfielder to the Estadio de la Cerámica.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • ‘Ramos is a rock’ – Modric hails Real Madrid team-mate as world’s best defender

    The Croatian midfielder spoke warmly of Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema after winning another La Liga title with the capital club Luka Modric has described Sergio Ramos as a “phenomenon” and says the Real Madrid captain is the best defender in the world.

    Ramos led Madrid to his fifth La Liga title, scoring 11 times in the top flight this season – a record for a defender in the 21st century.

    The 34-year-old has won 22 trophies with Los Blancos since joining from Sevilla in 2005 and remains integral to Zinedine Zidane’s plans, with many suggesting he could have been in the running for the Ballon d’Or this year before the 2020 award was cancelled.

    Modric, who has become a good friend of Ramos since moving to the Spanish capital in 2012, says there can be no doubting his quality.

    “My brother Sergio is a phenomenon,” he told Sportske Novosti. “And I’m not just saying that because in eight years we’ve created a really special relationship, we hang out as families, go on holiday together, or because we’ve had fantastic footballing experiences and successes together.

    “Ramos is a 34-year-old rock, a top-level competitor, and when you watch him working on himself, it’s clear how dedicated he is and how hungry he is for success. He’s a team leader and the best defender in the world.”

    Madrid’s title triumph was also inspired by the form of Karim Benzema, who scored 21 goals this season, and Modric believes he is now starting to get the recognition he deserves.

    “Now, everyone has finally realised what we players have known for a long time,” he said. “Benzema is a top striker who is a pleasure to play with. His understanding of the game, movement, disrupting the balance of the opposition defence, is something special.

    “Benzema has always done a great job for the team and I am just glad that he has now experienced a general standing ovation and great satisfaction from people recognising his class.”

    Madrid trailed Barca at the top of the table when La Liga was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but a run of 10 wins in a row and a draw with Leganes on the final day saw them finish five points clear.

    Modric felt there were signs when the team returned to training that they had a good chance of overhauling Barca.

    Ramos dedicates title to Real Madrid fans who suffered during coronavirus lockdown “I’ve already won 16 trophies at Real, four Champions Leagues, but this La Liga title made me especially happy,” he added.

    “We definitely should have had more domestic titles because we threw away some championships in a very clumsy way.

    “While we were shut in our homes, we all trained. I was in contact with team-mates and noticed everyone was working with extra motivation. When we finally got back to training together, I felt an even stronger connection between the players, enjoying being together again and in full swing.”

    Source: goal.com

  • Joseph Aidoo impresses as Celts Vigo secured la liga status

    Ghana defender Joseph Aidoo ended the Spanish La Liga on a high note as he helped Celta Vigo to secure their top-flight status with a draw again Espanyol.

    Aidoo was a rock at the back for the Balaidos side as they drew goalless with already relegated Espanyol to ensure they stayed in the league.

    Despite being doubtful ahead of the game, the former Inter Allies center back shook off his knock and lasted the entire duration of the game.

    The draw kept Celta Vigo in the league with just a point separating them and Leganes who drew 2-2 against Real Madrid.

    Joseph Aidoo joined the La Liga outfit at the beginning of the season from Belgium outfit Genk.

    He featured in 31 out of the 38 La Liga games this season.

    Source: footballmadeinghana.com

  • Ghana defender Lumor Agbenyenu ends Real Mallorca loan stint with goal on final day

    On-loan Lumor Agbenyenu signed for his stay at relegated Spanish La Liga Real Mallorca with a goal on the final day of competition for the 2019/20 season.

    The left-back drilled in a piledriver which slipped through the arms of Osasuna goalkeeper Rubén for his maiden goal for the club and the match’s opener.

    Mallorca could not hold onto the lead as they drew 2-2 on the road on Sunday, 19 July, 2020.

    Agbenyenu joined Mallorca for the entire season from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.

    He managed 23 league appearances despite battling injuries.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ghana defender Lumor Agbenyenu suffers fresh injury at Real Mallorca

    Real Mallorca defender Lumor Agbenyenu has suffered a fresh injury at the club, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively report.

    The 23-year-old, on loan from Portuguese side Sporting CP, has been knocked back against by a recurrent nightmare.

    The Ghana international missed the side’s 2-0 win over Levante today (Thursday) as they fight to avoid the drop in the La Liga.

    Mallorca manager Vicente Moreno has given update on the situation of the left-back.

    “As far as I know, it is better than yesterday and worse than tomorrow, and that does not mean that we can’t count on him, or that he is ruled out, although I already tell you that it will be difficult, things as they are. We will talk to the doctor and also with him and from there we will make a decision. ” he said.

    It’s unclear how long the Ghanaian will sit on the touchlines.

    Agbenyenu has battled several injuries since he joined the La Liga side on loan at the start of the season.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Celta Vigo defender Joseph Aidoo named in La Liga ToTW after imposing display against Barcelona

    Ghana defender Joseph Aidoo has been included in Spanish La Liga Team of the Week following his dominant display for Celta Vigo in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona on matchday 29.

    Aidoo, 24, is gradually becoming a fan favourite at the Balaídos following his all-round performances for the Sky Blues in the ongoing Spanish top-flight.

    After his masterful performance in Celta Vigo’s shocking 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad in midweek, Aidoo repeated an even more distinctive outing when Oscar Garcia’s men encountered Barcelona at the Estadio de Balaídos on Saturday.

    Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 20th minute through Luis Suarez via Lionel Messi’s assist.

    But the lead was swallowed on the 50th-minute mark through Russian international Fedor Smolov before the Catalan giants restored their advantage courtesy, Suarez.

    However, Celta Vigo fought back to stun Barcelona through Iago Aspas’s 88th minute free-kick strike to dent their opponent’s title charge.

    Aidoo, who enjoyed full throttle for his side, proved to be a thorn in the flesh of Quique Setien’s side throughout the encounter.

    His performance has not gone unnoticed as he has been added to the league’s Team of the Week for match-day 29.

    Aidoo has been a stalwart for the side since joining from Belgian side KRC Genk last summer.

    He has a single assist to his credit and is yet to score a debut La Liga goal after 28 games involved.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet