Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has voiced his support for Neymar Jr., asserting that the Al Hilal player remains Brazil’s “main player.”
Neymar Jr. encountered an incident where a bag of popcorn was thrown at him from the stands following a 1-1 home draw with Venezuela on Thursday.
“It doesn’t change anything if he (Neymar) is 31 or not; he continues with the same quality as always,” Rodrygo said. “He remains our main player and he is very important. And off the field too.
“As much as they always say bad things about him, people who live closely with him know that he is totally different from the image that some people have of him.
“And because I have him as an idol, I’m often sad to see certain comments and to hear the things people say because he helps me a lot. He is always talking to me. Sometimes I’m at my club; he’s there in Arabia and he sends me a message. He says something positive to me. So that off-field advice influences us a lot and helps us a lot on the pitch.
“Of course, when we lose or draw a game, the responsibility will be greater on him but when we win, it becomes clear that he is our best player and we depend a lot on him.”
Karim Benzema’s move to Al Ittihad during the summer was motivated by his long-standing desire to reside in Saudi Arabia and his desire to pick up a new challenge, even though he had good moments while with LaLiga giants Real Madrid.
The France forward left Real Madrid after 14 years “to try a new challenge” and signed in June with the Saudi Pro League champions as a free agent.
“Well, with everything I’ve made and gained with Real Madrid, I think it was a good moment for me to try a new challenge,” 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema told the Saudi Pro League website. “And for a really long time, even before football, I always wanted to come here.
Also, it’s a Muslim country … Straight away, I felt this love for me. On and off the pitch, I feel good. This country welcomed me with open arms. I feel the love of the people here so obviously that makes me happy.”
Benzema, 35, signed a three-year contract with Al Ittihad and has big aims.
“I really want to help Saudi football grow,” he said. “It [Al Ittihad] was a project that was just starting to burst from everywhere so from my side, I wanted to be part of the story. That’s the reason why I came here.”
Real Madrid board member Jose Manuel Otero Lastre says it seems like Kylian Mbappe was destined to wear the club’s jersey.
Mbappe, aged 24, is set to become a free agent in 2024 and the possibility of him joining Madrid without a transfer fee is high.
Although there are negotiations ongoing for a new contract in Paris, this is happening despite his disagreements with the club over the summer and being listed for a transfer.
“Mbappe had and did not have the opportunity to sign for Real Madrid this summer,” Otero Lastre told the Remontada Blanca Twitch channel. “To come, he would have had to give up some very high bonuses that he had already agreed with Paris Saint-Germain. Plus, there was a [transfer] fee to pay.
“The amount that would have had to be paid to have signed Mbappe a year earlier was crazy. It didn’t make sense to sign Mbappe a year earlier, even though Madrid were broken in [Karim] Benzema’s position.
“We hope that Mbappe has the same thoughts as [Jude] Bellingham. I trust that he will come. Mbappe will achieve glory when he comes to Real Madrid. He will win a Champions League someday.
“Now, it seems like PSG is less powerful than before because they no longer have such good players. Madrid guarantees security, a seriousness that brings results. I trust he will say yes when he is a free agent.Mbappe was bornto play for Real Madrid.”
Manchester City is actively pursuing the extension of Erling Haaland’s contract with the intention of eliminating the release clause and minimising the chances of Real Madrid or Barcelona luring him away, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport.
According to sources from ESPN, City has been exploring the possibility of extending Haaland’s contract and aims to finalise an agreement within the next few months.
Currently, the 23-year-old’s contract is set to run until 2027, but it contains a €200 million release clause that diminishes annually over the contract’s duration.
In light of this, Manchester City is prepared to offer Haaland an increase in his salary, extend the contract by an additional year, and remove the release clause altogether.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are closely monitoring developments regarding Haaland’s contract, as both clubs are aware of the release clause.
Real Madrid, in particular, has been in search of a high-profile striker since the departure of Karim Benzema to Al Ittihad.
If Real Madrid fails to secure the services ofKylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer next summer, the club’s president, Florentino Perez, is expected to channel his efforts towards signing Erling Haaland.
Vinicius Junior has provided an update regarding his future that will surely delight Real Madrid fans.
The Brazilian forward, who secured victory for Los Blancos in the 2022 Champions League final, anticipates a long-term stay in Spain.
Since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2018, the 23-year-old has amassed more than 230 appearances, netting an impressive 62 goals during his tenure.
Vinicius has established himself as one of the most promising talents in global football.
Despite the occasional challenges he has faced in the Spanish capital, transfer speculations have inevitably arisen. Clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked with an interest in him.
Although his current contract only extends until the summer of 2024, there have been ongoing discussions about a possible extension.
Vinicius, however, has made it clear that his intention is to remain with the Spanish giants for the entirety of his career.
He has told Real Madrid TV: “It is always an honour the affection I receive from these fans and the one I have for them. I am very happy to play here and I want to continue playing here for the rest of my life.”
Vinicius, who has earned a spot on the 30-man longlist for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, is likely to commit to a new contract with Real Madrid in the near future. ‘
This anticipated agreement will put an end to any discussions about his departure, allowing him to fully concentrate on realising his untapped potential in his game.
In a shocking front page, a Valencia newspaper has accusedReal 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 theracism case are currently in progress, and the judge has requested Vinicius’ teammate Eder Militao to offer his firsthand account of the events.
Jude Bellingham’s impressive start as a Real Madrid player continued as he delivered a remarkable solo goal to put his team in the lead against Napoli, despite initially falling behind.
The match was an intense battle between the two sides, with the home team seizing an early advantage when Kepa Arrizabalaga couldn’t handle a cross, resulting in the opening goal.
Bellingham played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s comeback, first assisting Vinicius Jr. for the equaliser by intercepting a poor pass from Giovanni Di Lorenzo. He then showcased his individual brilliance with a stunning solo effort, skillfully manoeuvring past the entire Napoli defence.
Napoli managed to level the score through Piotr Zielinski’s penalty, but Federico Valverde sealed the victory for the 14-timeUEFA Champions League winners with a breathtaking rocket of a goal.
Bellingham received the Champions League Man of the Match accolade following another outstanding display in only his ninth appearance for Real Madrid, having joined from Borussia Dortmund.
During an interview with CBS Sports Golazo, Ancelotti was humorously queried about whether he believes the player is truly 20 years old, to which the Italian manager offered a lighthearted response.
“No, not sure. You’ll have to check his passport. Fantastic player, strong character, and personality I’m really surprised by this; it is difficult to find a 20-year-old with such strong character and personality. Fantastic signing for us,” he said.
Real Madrid initially paid £88.5 million for the Englishman, with the potential for the fee to reach £115 million based on specific add-on conditions. The former Birmingham City midfielder has already made a significant impact, contributing eight goals and three assists in just nine games for Los Blancos.
One of his standout moments was the winning goal in their first group game against Union Berlin, a dramatic 94th-minute strike that saved the 2022 champions from a spirited debutant’s challenge.
This wasn’t the first instance in which Bellingham’s age had come under scrutiny.
As previously reported by Sports Brief, Rio Ferdinand made a playful remark about Bellingham’s age following his exceptional performance for England during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
At the time, Bellingham was only 19 years old and had just delivered a standout performance for the Three Lions in their round-of-16 victory against Senegal.
The former international jokingly requested to see Bellingham’s birth certificate, suggesting that the young player seemed remarkably mature for his age.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. is hopeful that his partnership with Jude Bellingham will match the connection he once had with former teammate Karim Benzema.
Bellingham has been instrumental in setting up two of Vinicius’ goals in the current Champions League campaign, including the Brazilian’s contribution in Wednesday’s 3-2 victory against Napoli.
“I’m happy that he’s on the right path to help us and that my connection with him is the same as mine was with Karim (Benzema),” Vinicius Jr. told TNT Brasil after Wednesday’s game. “I hope that we can help each other more and more.”
Vinicius revealed that he pushed for Bellingham to join Real Madrid this summer from Borussia Dortmund.
“I’m happy with the way he arrived,” Vinicius said. “I helped him a lot to come to Real Madrid. I sent (him) many messages over several days.”
Real Madrid has issued a response to allegations of referee bribery made by a former police commissioner, who asserted that prosecuting Florentino Perez is a daunting task.
According to The Athletic, Jose Manuel Villarejo recently made these accusations during an interview with the Spanish publication RAC 1.
Villarejo brought up the claims while discussing the ongoing scandal at Barcelona, where the club has been charged with making payments to the former vice president of Spain’s football refereeing committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
Negreira is currently facing corruption charges, along with Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, both of whom served as Barcelona’s president during the final eight years of Negreira’s tenure from 2010 to 2018.
Barca have always denied any wrongdoing, but Villarejo claims that Real have engaged in similar practises, as he told RAC 1: “All presidents have done it. Florentino Perez, too.
“Somehow, at Real Madrid, before this Negreira case, the same thing had already been detected.
“It is impossible to prosecute anything that involves Perez. It would be suicide for anyone who dared to do so. Florentino is untouchable.”
Real Madrid have released an official statement responding to the allegations, confirming that Perez has already initiated legal proceedings against Villarejo for his “false accusations”.
The statement in full reads: “The president of Real Madrid C.F., Florentino Perez, has ordered the immediate filing of the corresponding legal action against the ex-commissioner Villarejo for the false accusations made on the Catalan radio station RAC1.”
Villarejo was detained in 2017 on suspicion of bribery and extortion, and his trial began four years later.
Meanwhile,Real Madrid is presently gearing up for their Champions League group stage encounter against Napoli. The match is scheduled to be held at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Tuesday night.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his concerns on Friday regarding the bribery case involving Spanish champions Barcelona.
“A Spanish judge charged Barcelona and several of their former directors with bribery on Thursday after alleged payments to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, who was a former Spanish refereeing vice president.”
“Negreira allegedly earned over seven million euros ($7.5 million) from Barcelona between 2001 and 2018 through companies supposedly producing refereeing reports for the club.”
“Police on Thursday raided Spain’s football refereeing headquarters on the outskirts of Madrid as part of a probe into the payments made by Barcelona.”
“I am worried like everyone in the football world about such a serious topic, but justice is working on it, and we have to let justice run its course,” Ancelotti told a news conference.
He continued: “I’ve been living for 40 years in this world (of football), and when these types of things happen, everyone is worried.
“I hope that justice can do its job and reach a solution.”
Barcelona coach Xavi said Thursday he had never noticed any preferential treatment in his playing days at the club.
“I never had the sensation that the referees favoured us, ever,” he told reporters at a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Sevilla on Friday.
Ancelotti says defender Antonio Rudiger will be fine after suffering some discomfort in the midweek win over Las Palmas, while he hopes to have David Alaba back for Tuesday’s visit to Napoli in the Champions League.
“We have to do things well to play a complete game, make sure the team has balance, defend well and when we have the ball, show the quality that we have to damage them,” said Ancelotti.
The coach said winger Vinicius Junior, who made his comeback from injury against Las Palmas as a substitute, would start on the visit to Montilivi.
Felix and Cancelo strike in Barca demolition of Betis Girona’s own Brazilian wide man, Savinho, has excelled at the start of the season and helped the Catalan minnows, only in the top flight for the fourth season in their history, to fly.
“He’s a young player who is doing very well… he’s showing a lot of quality,” added Ancelotti.
“(But) I think we have the resources and experiences.
Zinedine Zidane has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement to become the manager of Olympique de Marseille if the club is acquired by Saudi Arabia.
According to France Blue Provence, the former Real Madrid manager has given his consent to take over as the head coach at Stade Vélodrome should the proposed sale of Marseille to the Gulf State come to fruition.
However, this dream may be deferred as the current owner, Frank McCourt, has firmly stated that the club is not available for sale.
Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia has expressed strong interest in acquiring the French club, envisioning a transformation similar to Newcastle’s resurgence in England.
Reports suggest that Zidane has requested a significant £260 million transfer budget to facilitate his return to Marseille.
Additionally, he desires control over recruitment, a request that has garnered approval from the Saudi authorities.
Nonetheless, the ultimate decision lies with Marseille’s owner, McCourt, who must be persuaded to sell for Zidane to return to his former club.
In the meantime, Genaro Gattuso was unveiled as Marseille’s new head coach on Wednesday, succeeding Marcelino.
Brahim Diaz is expected to take his place in the starting XI.
Bellingham, who had started all seven of Madrid’s previous games this season and played 620 minutes, will be on the bench along with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and the now-fit Vinicius Jr.
Madrid has won five of their six La Liga matches and was on a five-game winning streak until their recent loss to Atletico Madrid.
They received a boost from Barcelona’s draw with Mallorca and have the opportunity to take the top spot in La Liga if they return to winning ways.
Following the Las Palmas match, Madrid will prepare for a top-of-the-table clash against Girona on Saturday, possibly with Bellingham being rested in consideration of that important showdown.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that forward Vinícius Júnior is fully fit and ready for the team’s upcoming LaLiga derby against Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Ancelotti assured that there is “zero risk” in including the Brazilian international in the match.
Vinícius had been sidelined since August 28 due to a hamstring injury he sustained during Madrid’s 1-0 victory against Celta Vigo.
Initially, it was expected that he would be out for six weeks, causing him to miss eight matches, including the highly anticipated derby.
However, Ancelotti revealed on Saturday that the player’s recovery had progressed faster than anticipated.
“The injury is forgotten,” Ancelotti said in his pre-match news conference on Saturday. “He’ll be in the squad. Tomorrow we’ll see what role he plays in the game.”
The Italian coach said that right-back Dani Carvajal would be absent as he “isn’t 100%,” while Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos are both available for selection.
“The risk is zero,” Ancelotti said when asked if he was taking a chance by bringing Vinícius back early. “If we think there’s a 1% risk tomorrow, we won’t take it. The important thing is that Vinicius has recovered.
He lacks a bit of conditioning but that’s normal.”
Real Madrid enters the upcoming match leading the La Liga table, having secured five wins in as many games. The team’s top scorer, Jude Bellingham, has already netted six goals in six appearances across all competitions.
Despite Bellingham missing training on Friday due to a stomach issue, Carlo Ancelotti has assured that there are no concerns about his availability for the match.
“It was a small thing,” Ancelotti said. “He felt ill but he’s recovered.”
“Every team has injuries,” coach Diego Simeone said. “I heard [Pep] Guardiola saying it yesterday; even the best team in the world suffers from it. With so many games, the coaches have to deal with these situations.
“Madrid and Barcelona always have great players but even so, we’ve been able to compete. We have to think about us and keep looking for the ways we’ve competed over the last 11 years.”
Jude Bellingham, aged 20, has made an incredible start to his tenure in theSpanish capital with Real Madrid. He scored on his debut and has continued this scoring streak in four of the five subsequent matches.
The English midfielder has netted five goals in as many La Liga games, making a significant impact after his €103 million (£89 million) transfer from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
Real Madrid has maintained a flawless record in its initial domestic matches this season. However, their true challenge begins with the commencement of the Champions League this week.
In the highly anticipated competition, Bellingham, at 20 years old, is poised to make his “second” debut for Los Blancos against Union Berlin on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid places immense value on this tournament, having been defeated 4-0 by Manchester City in the second leg of last season’s semi-final, ultimately losing 5-1 on aggregate.
The acquisition of Bellingham was, in part, a response to that humbling defeat.
Madrid have started reducing minutes for their veteran players in midfield—Luka Modric and Toni Kroos—while allowing Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde more opportunities.
Bellingham adds to the tougher core of Madrid’s sport this season, shorn of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who departed for a new adventure in Saudi Arabian football in the summer.
Facing a Bundesliga side in Europe, Bellingham should feel comfortable, although it has become clear that he has already made himself at home.
In his first appearance at the hallowed Bernabeu, the England international nearly blew the stadium’s new roof off with a last gasp 95th minute strike to earn Madrid a narrow win over Getafe in a derby on September 2.
Jude Bellingham
Wearing the No. 5 on his back in tribute to Zinedine Zidane, Bellingham has quickly become a fan favourite at Madrid.
Celebrating his goals with his arms open wide, as if to share his joy with the supporters, he has instantly taken to him in a way that never happened with Welsh winger Gareth Bale.
Bellingham has been serenaded with the chorus of the Beatles song “Hey Jude”, which he said was a special moment.
“When they sang ‘Hey Jude’ at the end, I got goosebumps,” he told Real Madrid TV after the win over Getafe.
“I just wanted to turn and stand still and listen to it while my legs were shaking.”
Bellingham nodded to Spanish culture with a matador’s flag-waving gesture after dodging an attempted barge by a Getafe player.
“Good players with personalities suffer a bit less than the others,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, when asked how Bellingham had clicked so quickly.
“There’s no other reason. A player with personality, above all, more than quality, means that an important shirt like Real Madrid’s doesn’t weigh so much.”
That personality was on display when he led England to the World Cup quarterfinals last year in Qatar at only 19.
Thus far, Ancelotti has deployed Bellingham as a number 10, providing a strong physical presence in the area behind the nimble Brazilian duo of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, the latter of whom is currently injured.
The only match in which he has not scored was Sunday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Real Sociedad, where he dropped deeper and got stuck in the midfield battle.
“He had a consistent game, he didn’t get into the box until right at the end but he was involved throughout, working a lot,” said Ancelotti.
Bellingham’s goals have replaced Benzema’s; he has played more like the French forward than Les Bleus icon Zidane since joining the club.
However, with Mbappe’s contract due to expire at the end of the season, it would have been a big and potentially unnecessary investment for Madrid, which they thought better of.
Bellingham’s goals were the final nail in that coffin, as he showed he can make the difference in the opposition box in the attacking position Ancelotti has created for him.
Perhaps Mbappe will arrive next summer, and perhaps a new coach will change Bellingham’s role once Ancelotti takes over the Brazilian national team, but in the short term, the current setup has suited coach and player just fine.
The 64-year-old manager ofReal Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, emphasised on Tuesday that his team never regards themselves as favourites to win the Champions League, despite their illustrious history in the competition.
He pointed out that bookmakers are favouring the defending champions, Manchester City.
Real Madrid, who secured their 14th European Cup victory in 2022 but were defeated by Manchester City in the semi-finals last season, are set to kick off their Group C campaign with a home match against Union Berlin on Wednesday.
In addition to Union Berlin, they will also face Napoli, the Serie A champions, and Braga from Portugal during the group stage.
“City are favourites because they have a squad that saw them win it last season and they haven’t changed much.
“However, in the Champions League, like always, there are surprises at the end,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of facing Union at the Bernabeu.
“Real Madrid are a team that is going to fight until the end. We never think of ourselves as favourites, just as I think City don’t. They won it last year, they can win the Champions League.“
Real may be taking on Champions League debutants Union, but Ancelotti stressed they would not take the Germans lightly.
“They’re a new team in the Champions League but the fact they’re here means they’ve done very well. They’re well organised defensively, they’re solid and they play with intensity…,” he said.
“The Champions League is a special competition for us. We’re going to treat tomorrow’s game as something special. We want to get off to a good start in the group stage and we’re playing at home.”
The Italian added that Dani Carvajal (31) would be rested for Wednesday’s game, but said the right back would likely be available for their LaLiga clash at Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
“As things stand today, he has a chance of playing on Sunday. The player’s general condition is pretty good. Lucas Vazquez (32) will play in place of Carvajal (against the Union).”
Real Madrid is closely monitoring Bayern Munich’s wing-back, Alphonso Davies, as reported by Relevo.
Davies, primarily a left-back, is set to become a free agent with Bayern Munich in 2025, and negotiations for a new contract have hit a standstill.
The contractual uncertainty is partly attributed to changes in the club’s administration, particularly the departure of former director Hasan Salihamidzic at the conclusion of the 2022–23 season.
However, Bayern is now looking to reinitiate talks for an extension, as they are committed to retaining the Canadian international at the Allianz Arena.
Davies is aware of Real Madrid’s interest, and Bayern might consider parting ways with the 22-year-old next summer to prevent him from leaving on a free transfer in 2025. Notably, Coach Thomas Tuchel has already identified a replacement for Davies within the Bayern squad, namely Raphaël Guerreiro.
Previous reports from Relevo have suggested thatReal Madrid is willing to expedite a deal for Davies if the right opportunity presents itself, possibly even before his contract expires.
Luka Modric has acknowledged that it feels “strange feeling” not to be a consistent starter for Real Madrid in the current season. However, the 37-year-old midfielder, who recently extended his contract with Madrid for another year, is determined to earn his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield through hard work.
Modric has only been in the starting lineup for one of Real Madrid’s four LaLiga matches this season, specifically in last weekend’s 2-1 victory against Getafe.
In the other three matches, he has entered the game as a substitute.
“Nobody is happy when they don’t play. After the career I’ve had, it’s an especially strange feeling for me,” Modric told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti. “But the coach decided that, for his own reasons.
“My only condition for staying was to be treated as a competitive player, and not to be kept in the squad on the basis of past merits… I am completely calm. I’m aware that I have to work hard and sooner or later everything will fall into place.”
Modric now faces competition for his place from youngsters Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde andJude Bellingham.
“These young guys are top players, that’s why they’re at Real,” Modric said. “We veterans must help them progress and gradually take over the starting roles at the level that this club is looking for.”
Carlo Ancelotti has affirmed his contentment with the Real Madrid squad as the transfer window draws to a close. This is despite the fact that the team is currently dealing with the absence of key players, namely Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, and Vinicius Junior, due to injuries.
Vinicius is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks due to a thigh injury, which has left Rodrygo Goes and Joselu as the only two senior forwards available for Madrid.
Furthermore, the club addressed Courtois’s absence, caused by an ACL tear, by bringing in Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan.
“I’m very happy,” Ancelotti said in a news conference on Friday. “We did what we had to do early. When the season started, everything was done. The squad is competitive, with quality, energy and experience.
“We’ve had [injury] problems as you do during the season, but the squad is good and we can replace those players without any problems… We’ll replace [Vinicius] with a player with different characteristics, so we’ll try to adapt the way we attack.”
Madrid’s biggest signing was Jude Bellingham, who’s made an instant impact so far with four goals in three games, and will make his home debut at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday against Getafe.
“The fans will be happy to see him live in the stadium,”Ancelotti said. “He’s got such a big personality. He’ll be happy to play at the Bernabeu for the first time.”
Vincius Junior is expected to be absent for eight upcoming Real Madrid matches, including their derby match against Atletico Madrid, as sources have informed ESPN.
This comes after he sustained a thigh injury during the 1-0 LaLiga victory against Celta Vigo on Friday.
“Following tests carried out on Vini. Jr. by the Real Madrid Medical Services, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the right biceps femoris muscle,” Madrid said in a statement on Monday. “His progress will be monitored.”
According to information provided to ESPN, Vinicius, who is 23 years old, is expected to be unavailable for around six weeks due to his first-ever senior career muscle injury.
During this period, the forward is likely to miss six LaLiga matches against Getafe, Real Sociedad, Atletico, Las Palmas, Girona, and Osasuna. Additionally, he would be absent for Real Madrid’s initial two group stage matches in the Champions League.
Moreover, Vinicius would also be unable to participate in Brazil’s World Cup qualifying games against Bolivia and Peru scheduled for September.
Vinicius had to be substituted during the 18th minute of the match in Vigo due to experiencing discomfort while sprinting.
Vinícius Júnior suffered a thigh injury during Real Madrid’s win at Celta Vigo. Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
“He wanted to carry on. It wasn’t very serious,” coach Carlo Ancelotti said after the game. “Then he tried [to run] and it hurt, and we took him off. I think he’ll be back after the [international] break. It’s a shame; he started well; he looked unstoppable.”
Madrid went into the 2023–24 season with just three senior forwards in their first-team squad: Vinicius, Rodrygo and summer signing Joselu.
Ancelotti has responded by adopting a 4-4-2 formation rather than his habitual 4-3-3, with Vinicius and Rodrygo paired in attack.
The team’s top scorer so far is another new arrival, Jude Bellingham, who has excelled in a No. 10 role with four goals in three league games.
Ancelotti said on Friday that Madrid would not look to strengthen in the last few days of the transfer market, despite Vinicius’ injury.
“The attack is covered,” Ancelotti said. “The data speaks for itself. We’ve scored six goals. Without Karim [Benzema], without Vinicius, we have resources up front.”
Reportedly, Borussia Dortmund’s players are content withJude Bellingham’s departure to Real Madrid due to the midfielder’s apparent desire to be the focal point of attention.
As per information from Bild, the Dortmund players perceive that Bellingham felt overshadowed by Erling Haaland.
They highlight instances where Bellingham independently acknowledged the fans after matches, rather than with his teammates.
Throughout last season, he was tasked with leading the team on multiple occasions; however, his peers held the view that he lacked strong leadership attributes and displayed a moody demeanor, leading to internal tensions within the squad.
During the 2021-22 Europa League campaign, following Borussia Dortmund’s elimination by Rangers, the report specifies that Jude Bellingham directed insults at Nico Schulz.
According to lip readers, he reportedly said, “You can’t play a fing pass, you’re fing s**t! Every damn time!”
Instances of Bellingham’s reported outbursts towards his teammates were not isolated, as several occasions during the previous season saw him lose his temper.
However, positive changes have been noted since the appointment of the new club captain, Emre Can, who is believed to have injected revitalising energy into the team’s locker room.
Bellingham’s successor, former Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, has also gained favour among his fellow players.
Furthermore, more senior members like Sebastian Haller have taken on weightier responsibilities within the team council, particularly for the English-speaking players.
Having made a move to Madrid for a fee initially set at €103 million (£89 million or $110 million), Bellingham appears to have found his footing in his new environment.
The transfer fee could potentially increase by an additional €30 million (£26 million or $32 million) if certain performance targets are achieved.
He made a notable impact by scoring in Madrid’s La Liga opener against Athletic Club, and he aims to replicate his impressive contributions in the upcoming match against Almeria.
The Frenchman doesn’t just have two elite clubs dancing to his own tune – he also has an incredible level of control over the entire transfer market
Unlike nearly everyone else connected with Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe was in good spirits during Saturday’s Ligue 1 clash with Lorient.
While those seated around him at Parc des Princes were bitterly frustrated watching the champions try – and fail – to break down the team that finished 10th last season, Mbappe was spotted several times laughing and joking with new PSG signing Ousmane Dembele. And why not? The game did nothing other than prove just how important he is to PSG.
The day before, Luis Enrique had stated that he was still hoping to see an amicable resolution to Mbappe’s contract stand-off with Nasser Al-Khelaifi & Co., but the new coach pointedly added: “The philosophy of this club is very clear: that the club is above everything, and I share it 100 percent.”
Undoubtedly admirable and heartfelt sentiments on the part of Luis Enrique – but simply not applicable in this case.
The events of the last few days have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Kylian Mbappe is bigger than Paris Saint-Germain. Right now, in fact, he’s probably the most powerful player in the world.
Acutely aware of his own worth The morning after being given what must have felt like a terrifying glimpse of a future without Mbappe, PSG announced that the France captain had been welcomed back into the fold with open arms.
To casual observers, that would have looked like a remarkable turn of events. PSG, remember, had seemingly stood up to Mbappe at long last. When a letter confirming his intention to leave the club in 2024 was mysteriously – and conveniently – leaked to the press, Al-Khelaifi insisted that Mbappe would have to find himself a new club before the close of the transfer window. PSG understandably had no intention of losing the world’s most valuable player on a free transfer next summer.
Things turned so toxic that PSG rather pettily took down Mbappe posters in and around their stadium, stopped selling his shirt in the club shop, while also resorting to the mother of all guilt trips by claiming that if Mbappe left for nothing, it would result in a “wave of redundancies”.
They even accepted an offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal for Mbappe, in an attempt to force his hand. Mbappe, though, refused to even discuss the transfer. Why? Because he can.
He’s the man in demand, the player holding all the aces here – and he knows it. This is a young, generational talent who is acutely aware of his own worth, particularly to PSG.
mbappe Al Khelaifi(C)Getty Images
‘Cornerstrone of the club’s project’ Al-Khelaifi made Mbappe “the cornerstone of the club’s project” last year for a reason. They are utterly dependent upon him, and not from a sporting perspective. His goals can be replaced.
As former sporting director Leonardo pointed out, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Chelsea have all won the Champions League since Mbappe joined PSG – so it is possible to win the trophy without him.
But PSG’s superstar-obsessed owners clearly do not believe that is possible for a club with no competition in France to maintain relevance on the global stage without a player of Mbappe’s stature – one that is immensely popular with young fans from every background – and certainly not at this moment in time.
With Lionel Messi and Neymar having left this summer, Mbappe is their one remaining icon – and the one most important to their brand. They could build a better, more cohesive and functioning team with the money made from selling Mbappe, one capable of finally realising their dream of conquering Europe, but without the World Cup winner, they would just not be as attractive a proposition in terms of marketing and commercial opportunities, or even just in terms of attracting social media followers.
Mbappe and his team know all that, which is why they could afford to simply sit tight and call PSG’s bluff.
Making Madrid wait too Because it’s not as if Real Madrid are going anywhere. Mbappe led Florentino Perez down the garden path last summer, and yet the Spaniard still clearly wants to sign him. He is even prepared to wait until next year to do so.
Kylian Mbappe
Again, though, Mbappe will decide if or when he moves to Madrid. He may yet sign an extension at PSG, but if he does, it will be once again done on his terms. Indeed, do not be surprised if he manages to ‘persuade’ PSG to put a 2024 buy-out clause into the agreement – and for a fee that he knows Madrid will be willing to meet.
In that sense, Mbappe is displaying an element of control over not only his career – but also the transfer market – that we have never seen before.
He has been a little fortunate in that regard. Cristiano Ronaldo had to move to Saudi Arabia because nobody wanted him in Europe anymore. Lionel Messi was forced out of Camp Nou on account of Barcelona’s financial problems.
Mbappe, though, is in a position to do as he pleases, and while he decides what’s best for him, several other players are stuck in the departures lounge. If Mbappe stays at PSG, Madrid will simply have to sign a goalscorer this summer. And PSG, of course, would need to sign a replacement if he were to leave.
Either way, Mbappe is the potential catalyst for a chain reaction that would see a succession of forwards switch clubs.
Spineless PSG panic under the pressure Not that he’ll care about that, of course. For now, his sole focus will be on seeing what else PSG are willing to offer him to sign a contract extension.
They bent over backwards for him last summer, while this time around they have replaced Neymar, with whom Mbappe fell out, with his France team-mate and good friend Dembele.
Carlo Ancelotti was frustrated but confident after Real Madrid lost to Barcelona
More Mbappe-approved moves yet be made at the Parc des Princes.
Of course, the club have tried to make out that a relationship that appeared broken has now been mended thanks to “very constructive, positive talks” between the two parties led to the player being “reinstat ed into first-team training” on Sunday morning. In truth, though, a desperate and spineless PSG panicked under the pressure and decided to give Mbappe everything he wanted once again.
In the era of player power, not one has more than Kylian Mbappe.
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This unfortunate circumstance marks the third instance in which the club has had to cope with a knee-related issue.
Guler, who was acquired by Real Madrid in July from Fenerbahce, had to cut short his participation in the team’s pre-season tour in the United States due to this injury.
In addition to Guler, Real Madrid has also seen goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Eder Militao sidelined due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
The 28-year-old is set to step in for Thibaut Courtois, who sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a training session last Thursday, leading to several months of absence.
Real Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, stated on Friday that the club is not actively pursuing a new goalkeeper in the transfer market to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois as the new La Liga season approaches.
Courtois is facing an extended absence from a significant portion of the season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which occurred during a training session on Thursday.
However, Ancelotti expressed confidence in Ukrainian backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s ability to step in for Courtois. Courtois, who was honoured with the Yashin Trophy last year as the world’s top goalkeeper, will be temporarily replaced by Lunin.
“We have total confidence in Lunin, who is a great goalkeeper,” Ancelotti told a press conference ahead of Real’s La Liga opener at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
“He’s been very good during pre-season. He’s talented, and what he lacks is what all young players lack – experience, the experience he’s going to gain day by day.” Ancelotti said the club may still look to bolster its goalkeeping options.
“We still have time until August 31,” he added. “We’ll see in the next few days if we’re going to recruit another goalkeeper, to make up the numbers, because we count on Lunin.”
This season will mark the start of a new era at Madrid following the departure of Karim Benzema for Saudi Arabia after 14 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 14-time European champions have not signed an obvious replacement for their second-highest scorer of all-time, although they have brought in striker Joselu on loan from Espanyol, and winger Brahim Diaz has returned to the club following his three-year loan spell at AC Milan.
“Up front, we’re very good. We have different options,” said Ancelotti.
“Two players have arrived, and they bring positives. Joselu, thanks to his different characteristics. He is very good in the box… And Brahim can offer us more solutions between the lines.” Madrid have made an imprint on the transfer window, though, signing England midfielder Jude Bellingham for 103 million euros ($113 million) from Borussia Dortmund.
Ancelotti will be hoping Bellingham can freshen up his midfield, which was still largely reliant on veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos last season.
The Italian hinted that Bellingham could play in a more attacking role than previously seen for Dortmund and England.
“I think he has a greater impact on the opponents if he plays higher. He’s more dangerous if he plays like a centre-forward.”
Madrid are bidding to bounce back from a disappointing season last term, when they finished a distant second in La Liga, 10 points behind Barcelona, and were beaten in the Champions League semi-finals by Manchester City.
Elsewhere this weekend, champions Barca kick off their title defence at Getafe on Sunday, before Atletico Madrid host Granada on Monday.
Real Madrid is pinning their hopes on the arrival of 20-year-old England midfielder Jude Bellingham to reclaim the LaLiga title from Barcelona and mount a serious challenge for their 15th European Cup.
The Spanish giants made a significant investment of 103 million euros plus 30 million in add-ons to secure Bellingham’s signature from Borussia Dortmund, making him the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Bellingham has quickly made an impact in the dressing room, impressing his coach and teammates with his performances during pre-season matches.
The departures of key attacking players, including Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and Spain international Marco Asensio, have left Real Madrid lacking firepower, with only journeyman forward Joselu signed from relegated Espanyol.
While rumors persist about a possible move for France striker Kylian Mbappe, who has expressed his intention not to extend his contract with Paris St Germain, for now, Real Madrid is without a top-level striker to replace Benzema.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti is relying on the versatility of Bellingham, prompting him to change the system he used during his previous successful spells at Real Madrid, when they won the Champions League in 2014 and 2022.
Ancelotti has opted for a 4-4-2 formation in pre-season friendlies, deploying Bellingham as an attacking midfielder and fast-paced Brazilians Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo as centre forwards.
Bellingham’s performances have earned widespread praise in the Spanish media, and his connection with Vinicius has excited Ancelotti.
“Bellingham is a complete midfielder and different from the others we have,” the Italian told reporters during Real’s pre-season trip to the U.S.
“He is a fantastic player. The team has to get used to his quality, which is extraordinary. His arrival in the box is very important for the team.
“He is very important for us because he has a lot of pace and intensity in his game. He moves very well without the ball, he goes into free space and adds another quality to this fantastic squad.”
Real Madrid start their bid for a record-extending 36th Spanish title on Saturday at Athletic Bilbao.
Carlo Ancelotti has indicated that Real Madrid’s recent pre-season tour has highlighted a significant vulnerability for the club as they head into the 2023/24 season, particularly in their defense.
During their pre-season tour, Real Madrid allowed three goals across three matches. Their final pre-season game saw them suffer a 3-1 loss to the formidable Italian team Juventus.
Sportskeeda reports that Ancelotti openly acknowledged that his Real Madrid squad conceded an excessive number of goals during these matches. This followed their earlier match against rivals Barcelona, where they also let in three goals.
“Offensively, there are no problems, but we have to sort it out defensively. It’s an easy problem to solve. There are things we have to try in this period, and it has been quite clear what we need to fix things.”
After defeating AC Milan and Manchester United in their first two preseason games, Los Blancos have been thrashed in their last two games against Barcelona and Juventus.
Fans blast Real Madrid after defeat Fans have taken to social media to lambast Real Madrid after they lost 3-1 to Juventus in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday night in the United States, SB Media reports.
Some disappointed fans claimed Real Madrid would struggle against MLS Franchise Inter Miami, while some also labelled Carlo Ancelotti as ‘the worst manager in the world’ after the 3-1 defeat.
Real Madrid will kickstart their 2023/24 campaign against Athletic Club on August 12 as the Spanish giants try to reclaim the La Liga title they lost to Barcelona last season.
Ancelotti confident of new strikers Earlier, Sports Brief reported Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid are fine in their strikers’ department after the signings of Joseulu and Brahim Diaz following the departure of Karim Benzema.
Recent discussions concerning Ousmane Dembele’s immediate future have taken center stage in the news.
The forward was approaching the final year of his current contract with Barcelona and was reportedly being pursued by French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Amidst the uncertainty and speculations encompassing the forward’s destiny, reports from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirming a verbal agreement between Dembele and PSG caught many off guard.
The French forward’s choice of transfer has sparked mixed reactions, as it was just two summers ago that many were eager to see him depart from the Catalan club.
Three years back, Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi Hernandez, seemed to be the sole supporter of the 24-year-old.
Fast-forward to the summer of 2023, and the forward seems intent on leaving the Spanish club.
Several Barcelona players, including club captain Sergi Roberto, have not held back their thoughts about the swift developments concerning Dembele’s transfer and have publicly voiced their opinions.
Sergi Roberto on Dembele’s transfer The new Barcelona captain had previously expressed his desire for Dembele to continue at Barcelona, and spoke to the media after the club’s 1-0 triumph against Italian giants AC Milan.
As quoted by Barcelona Universal, Roberto said: “We’re all a little disappointed with Dembele. When you love someone, and you want them to be with you, it feels bad if they choose another option.
“After all, this is a job, and he decides what’s best for him and his family.”
While skepticism surrounds thereason for Dembele’s sudden decision to join PSG, Mundo Deportivo reports that the French star told Xavi that he is joining PSG for their sporting project, and not for money.
However, coach Nelson Abadia has confirmed her complete fitness for Colombia’s upcoming match against Morocco on Thursday, stating that she is “100 per cent” ready.
Despite her previous battle with ovarian cancer at the age of 15, Caicedo has been a standout player in the World Cup, showcasing her skills with goals against South Korea and Germany.
Her impressive performance includes a remarkable goal against two-time champions Germany, which was widely regarded as one of the tournament’s highlights.
This comes shortly after she encountered a health scare during training, where she experienced chest discomfort.
During the 2-1 victory over Germany, Caicedo also faced breathing difficulties but remained on the field.
Coach Abadia has reassured that X-rays conducted on Caicedo revealed no underlying issues, ensuring her readiness to continue contributing to Colombia’s success in the tournament.
“She’s here training with us. She was not feeling well in one of our training sessions but it was brief.
“We are always careful with players’ health. We want to make sure that Linda feels that she’s okay… and she is.”
It might prove tempting to rest Caicedo against Morocco.
Colombia only need a draw to top the group and even a defeat might see them through, depending on what happens in the other group game between South Korea and Germany.
“We are not forced to win, but we would like to win,” said Abadia. “When you go for a draw then you might actually lose.
“Every single match is a news story (in Colombia). Expectation is huge.”
Kylian Mbappe has reportedly declined a contract clause proposed by Paris Saint-Germain, which would have ensured his ability to transfer to Real Madrid in the coming summer.
Amid escalating speculation regarding the French player’s future, the passing of the August 1 loyalty bonus deadline suggests he may be more inclined to pursue a departure.
The ongoing saga has taken a new twist, as revealed by Sky Sports’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol. Mbappe turned down PSG’s offer of an inserted clause in a contract extension that would have guaranteed his departure next summer.
Real Madrid has emerged as the probable next destination for Mbappe, with reports suggesting an existing agreement for his acquisition once he becomes a free agent.
By declining the new PSG contract provision, Mbappe appears to signal his intent to explore his options as a free agent, rather than further binding his future to a club that recently listed him for transfer.
The prospect of the 24-year-old departing this summer remains viable, with Premier League outfits like Chelsea striving to secure his services before the deadline.
Solhekol also notes that Mbappe is refraining from commenting publicly on his decision to reject the contract offer.
The global community of fans, players, and coaches remains uncertain about Mbappe’s next moves. If he were to stay at PSG for another season, it would come as a substantial surprise if it didn’t mark his final year in Paris.
Given that the PSG star has declined to comment on the latest twist in his transfer saga, it’s hard to know what’s going on inside Mbappe’s head right now.
However, his position in Paris looks increasingly untenable, and clubs like Chelsea are keenly dialled in to what could be a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sign the World Cup winner at his peak.
In a heartbreaking scene,Real Madrid legend Marcelo was overcome with emotion as he left the field in tears following a red card for a devastating challenge on Luciano Sanchez during Fluminense’s Copa Libertadores encounter with Argentinos Juniors.
During the match, Marcelo unintentionally placed his foot on Sanchez’s shin while attempting to maneuver the ball past him.
The consequence was a harrowing moment as Sanchez cried out in pain due to the impact.
The game came to a halt as the medical team from Argentinos Juniors rushed to attend to Sanchez on the field.
Eventually, he had to be carried off on a stretcher, and the referee brandished a red card to Marcelo for the challenge.
The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, leaving the round of 16 Copa Libertadores tie delicately balanced.
Following the game, Marcelo turned to social media to extend his well wishes to Sanchez for a swift recovery.
He wrote: “Today I have had to live through a very difficult moment on the pitch. I have inadvertently injured a colleague. I want to wish you the best possible recovery, Luciano Sánchez. All the strength in the world!”
Fluminense released their own message of support towards Sanchez, which read:
“Fluminense FC expresses its solidarity and wishes a speedy recovery to Argentinos Juniors defender Luciano Sanchez, who was injured in an accidental move in tonight’s match.”
Argentinos Juniors thanked the Brazilian club before adding: “We are rivals, not enemies.”
Marcelo will be back in action against Palmeiras onSaturday in the Brazilian Serie A but will be suspended for the second leg of the round of 16 tie against Argentinos Juniors on August 8 at home.
As ESPN reports, Sanchez suffered a suspected broken leg and will now face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is reportedly planning to reportReal Madrid to FIFA over their alleged illegal tapping of Kylian Mbappe.
The French international has made it clear that he will not be extending his stay at Parc des Princes, as the extension clause in his current contract expired on July 31. Mbappe is set to become a free agent in the summer of 2024.
There have been suggestions that Real Madrid has already reached an agreement with Mbappe, with the 24-year-old set to receive a €160 million (£137 million or $175 million) signing fee if he moves to Santiago Bernabeu.
Such agreements are banned by FIFA, as they involve approaching a player without seeking the approval of his current club first.
PSG’s patience is wearing thin, and they are reportedly preparing to take their case to FIFA, as reported by The Telegraph.
However, Real Madrid is aware of the risk of missing out on Mbappe if they do not make a move before the 2023 summer transfer window closes. Other clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona are also showing interest in the player.
Mbappe has already turned down a record-breaking offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, who were willing to pay a €300 million (£257 million or $329 million) transfer fee and a €700 million (£599 million or $768 million) salary.
Following Barcelona’s impressive 3-0 victory against Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly in Dallas, manager Xavi Hernandez called for more signings to bolster the squad.
Despite the resounding win, Xavi emphasized the need to strengthen the first-team and fill any gaps in the team with new players.
He expressed the possibility of Barcelona making additional signings to further reinforce the squad.
Speaking to reporters after El Clasico win, Xavi said, “The market closes on the 31st of August. A lot can happen. Hopefully, we can strengthen more.
“We are missing some players. The sports management knows it and the President knows it. Despite the result and the euphoria, we need something more.”
TheBarcelona manager is aware of the challenges the club face in the transfer market due to financial constraints. Despite this, he remains determined to find suitable additions to the squad.
While the team cannot afford all of their primary targets due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, Xavi remains optimistic that more players will be acquired.
He also emphasized the significance of nurturing talent from the club’s La Masia academy, suggesting that home-grown players could play a crucial role in strengthening the team.
The reigning La Liga champions will play their final pre-season friendly game againstAC Milan on August 2 in Las Vegas.
Manchester United has confirmed that midfielder Kobbie Mainoo suffered an ankle injury during the Tour 2023 match against Real Madrid.
As a result of the injury, he is expected to miss the early part of the 2023/24 season.
Mainoo has returned home to the UK from the tour for further assessment of his injury, and a medical decision on the next course of action will be made.
The unfortunate incident occurred during his fourth start in the pre-season match against Real Madrid, when Brazilian forward Rodrygo landed on his leg after a tackle from United midfielder Casemiro.
As a result of the injury, the 18-year-old Academy graduate had to be withdrawn from the game.
Following the incident, Kobbie Mainoo shared an update on his Instagram account.
“I’ll be back stronger and in no time,” he wrote. “Thanks for your messages of support.”
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United in action (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
United team-mates such as fellow Academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho and club captain Bruno Fernandes commented on Mainoo’s post with well wishes.
Mainoo entered 2023/24 on the back of his senior Reds debut last term, handed to him by Erik ten Hag, and having been named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year.
The youngster continued to impress during pre-season, with Ten Hag showing his faith in him by selecting the midfielder to start against Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham expressed his deep respect for Lisandro Martinez, despite having a clash with the Manchester United defender during their friendly match in Houston.
Bellingham took exception to a robust challenge made by Martinez, but he clarified that both players demonstrated mutual respect for each other during half-time.
“The little tiff with Martinez is one of those things. He is a brilliant player. I came in at half-time and I was f’ing this and f’ing that. But when he came over to wish me all the best when he came off, I really respected it,” Bellingham told reporters.
“I know what goes on the pitch stays on the pitch. I saw him at the end of the game and wished him well.
“I can respect that when two players are trying to win for their team and can come together and be respectful after the game.
He is a great competitor and a great player. Just like me, he wants to win. Sometimes it spills over. That is part of the game. I am really respectful. We can have that moment after the game.”
Bellingham scored his first goal for Real Madrid to give Los Blancos the lead in an eventual 2-0 win over United.
The England midfielder said he was settling in well to his new club after his £115 million ($149m) move from Borussia Dortmund. “I was confident coming here because I knew how good the players were.
I know the qualities I can bring and I feel like I have slotted in. The role I am playing is enjoyable. I had a decent game against AC Milan and a decent one today. I just want to keep up the rhythm going into the season,” said the 20-year-old.
In a thrilling match in Houston, Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid, with Jude Bellingham making an impressive impact in only his second appearance for the Spanish giants.
The breakthrough came in the sixth minute, as Antonio Rudiger set up the young midfielder, who executed a beautiful clipped finish from 18 yards out.
Though there were some doubts about potential offside, Bellingham’s exquisite touch and finish left no room for questioning his exceptional abilities on the field.
Bellingham’s first goal for Real Madrid was a thing of beauty, dinking it over Onana on his Man Utd debut.
Under the closed roof of the NRG Stadium, Real Madrid dominated the game throughout.
Andre Onana, their goalkeeper, had a composed debut and left a lasting impression with his exceptional saves.
Despite his impressive performance, Onana couldn’t keep a clean sheet as he was eventually outdone by Joselu’s brilliance late in the match.
The former Stoke and Newcastle striker pulled off an extraordinary acrobatic scissor kick that left Onana with no opportunity to stop the breathtaking strike.
It was a moment of pure brilliance from Joselu, securing a memorable goal for his team.
The French giants have reportedly received more than five offers for the highly talented forward.
Real Madrid, which seems to be Mbappe’s preferred destination, has chosen to remain tight-lipped about the ongoing developments surrounding the player.
Club president, Florentino Perez, recently responded in a somewhat nonchalant manner when asked about the 24-year-old, drawing comparisons to his response in the summer of 2001 when questioned about the signing of then-Barcelona captain Luis Figo.
Florentino Perez speaks on Mbappe
According to Football Espana’s report, during the recently concluded Spanish election where the Real Madrid president was present to exercise his franchise, he engaged in a conversation with the media.
Amidst the questions, Perez was asked about the club’s current progress in securing the signature of Kylian Mbappe, which undoubtedly drew significant interest.
The Los Blancos president told La Sexta: “I am always calm.”
These words are similar to what he said a few days before the club completed the signing of Figo in the summer of 2001.
It should be recalled that Paris Saint-Germain opted to exclude Mbappe from their travelling squad for a pre-season tour of Japan this month as they look for a resolution over his future.
Mbappe has remained firm on his refusal to sign a contract extension until 2025, and PSG are potentially ready to sell him next month, to avoid the forward leaving on a free in 2024.
Mbappe’s potential transfer cost
Sports Brief also previously reported on how much Mbappe would cost Real Madrid if a blockbuster transfer was to go through this summer.
Marca stated it would cost in excess of €400 million, breaking down the figure to include transfer fees, wages, agent fees, and signing-on fees.
Jude Bellingham’s dazzling performance in his debut game for Real Madrid has left coach Carlo Ancelotti in absolute awe of the young English midfielder’s exceptional qualities.
Despite being just 20 years old, the England international stole the spotlight in midfield during Los Blancos’ pre-season friendly match against AC Milan, even though he had been on the pitch for a little over an hour.
Bellingham was immediately thrust into a midfield quartet alongside seasoned players like Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga, and it was the young Englishman who truly captured the attention of both the fans and his manager.
According to reports from Madrid Universal, Ancelotti has showered praise on Bellingham, recognizing him as an important asset for the Spanish giants.
The coach hailed the English midfielder as a complete player, undoubtedly impressed by his outstanding performance and potential at such a young age.
“Jude Bellingham? He’s a fantastic player. He’s very important. He’s a complete midfielder. Very good without the ball. He’s unique, extraordinary.”
Last month, Bellingham became the most expensive British player after sealing a move to Madrid worth a reported fee of £113 million.
Jude Bellingham’s debut goes viral
Meanwhile, a compilation of Jude Bellingham’s highlights during his Real Madrid debut against AC Milan has gone viral following the England midfielder’s stunning performance for the La Liga giants, Sport Bible reports.
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder showed flashes of his abilities, producing some very nice passes and providing energy in the centre of the park for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid fought back from two goals down to eventually win the tie 3-2 against the Serie A giants, with Bellingham instantly becoming the fans’ favourite despite starting in a team of established midfielders such as Toni Kroos.
Earlier, Sports Briefreported Jude Bellingham sent social media into a frenzy with a sensational display on his Real Madrid debut.
Thrown into action by Carlo Ancelotti during Madrid’s first pre-season match, the young midfielder adapted seamlessly, contributing to their comeback victory against AC Milan on July 24.
Bellingham’s impressive performance saw him dominate the midfield effortlessly, as he confidently held his ground for 63 minutes before being substituted for Nico Paz.
However, Mbappe has remained adamant about staying in Paris.
While on Real Madrid’s pre-season tour in the USA, coach Carlo Ancelotti avoided discussing the Mbappe rumors, stating that he will only focus on his current players.
Mbappe is currently in a contract stand-off with Paris Saint-Germain, who are eager to avoid losing him for free next summer.
The club wants him to sign a new deal, but the World Cup winner has expressed his desire to run down his current contract.
Last summer, Madrid came close to signing Mbappe, but he ultimately opted to sign a new two-year deal with PSG.
Despite the extension, reports suggest that his relationship with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi remains strained.
Al-Khelaifi has reportedly given Mbappe an ultimatum to sign a new one-year deal or be sold this summer.
Furthermore, there are rumors that the club might resort to extreme measures, such as benching Mbappe, in an attempt to push him towards an exit.
Ancelotti on Mbappe
According to Mario Cortegana, via Fabrizio Romano, the former PSG manager refused to speak about Mbappe in his interview. He instead said he will only talk about players on his team.
“Mbappé? I have never talked about playerswho are not at Real Madrid”. I can talk about Bellingham, Arda Güler, Fran García & Brahim, who has returned very well from Milan…Talking about players who are not here is not right.”
Al-Khelaifi did not meet Mbappe face-to-face when the French star returned to training last week.
He instead welcomed six new signings to the club – Milan Skriniar, Marco Asensio, Manuel Ugarte, Lucas Hernandez; Kang-in Lee, and Cher Ndour, per Sky Sports.
Madrid youngster Rodrygo said he hopes his club buys Mbappe because he will help them.
Kylian Mbappe Returns to PSG
Earlier, Sports Brief reported amid the prevailing uncertainty surrounding his future, Kylian Mbappe has joined his Paris Saint-Germain teammates for the first time this preseason.
The 2018 World Cup winner has recently been in disagreement with the PSG hierarchy, expressing his dissatisfaction through interviews and a formal letter.
While Mbappe has affirmed his intention to remain with the Ligue 1 champions for the upcoming season, rumours linking him with a potentialmove to Real Madrid persist.
Former Real Madrid and Spain midfielder, Isco ,has expressed his intention to prioritize a move abroad in his next career step, as stated in an interview with Marca.
Isco departed from Sevilla in December, merely four months after joining the LaLiga club.
He revealed that his departure was influenced by a disagreement with then sporting director Monchi.
Additionally, Isco had a potential move to Union Berlin fall through on the final day of the January transfer window.
“I’ve played for Valencia, Malaga, Sevilla, Madrid,” Isco told Marca. I’m excited by the experience of playing in another league, learning a language growing personally outside of Spain… I’m not closing the door to anything.”
Isco also revealed that he was approached by Barcelona earlier in his Real Madrid career.
“[Ex-president Josep Maria] Bartomeu called me,” he said. “And with what Bartomeu was paying at that time… But I was happy atMadrid with my teammates… I wasn’t going to leave Madrid for all the gold in the world.”
Kylian Mbappe has been the center of attention in the summer transfer window, with numerous reports linking him to a high-profile move to Real Madrid, the Spanish giants.
Rodrygo, a forward for Madrid, expressed his hope that the French and Paris Saint-Germain superstar joins Los Blancos, believing that his presence would greatly benefit the team.
As the new season approaches, Mbappe has returned to training, gearing up for the upcoming campaign.
While Mbappe’s contract is set to expire at the end of the following season, PSG has made it clear that they expect him to sign a new deal to avoid losing him for free.
However, reports suggest that the World Cup-winning player is not inclined to extend his current contract.
He has been heavily linked with Madrid, who tried and failed to sign him last summer.
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi insisted they cannot lose the winger for nothing next season during the introduction of new manager Luis Enrique.
“We want him to stay but he can’t leave for free. There was a verbal agreement and he had discussed it in an interview.“ And I was really shocked to learn that he had decided to leave for free. It’s very disappointing,” via Eurosport.
Rodrygo wants Mbappe to join Madrid It seems it is only a matter of time before Mbappe is sold by PSG this summer, considering the rhetoric by Khelaifi.
Madrid are reportedly willing to pay 200 million euros to acquire the services of arguably the best player in the world.
Until then, the saga and power struggles within the club continue, and it remains to be seen how it will play out by the time the season starts.
Even Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez questioned Mbappe’s decisiveness in regard to his strong links to Real Madrid. Los Blancos started the window strongly by signing Jude Bellingham.
Ex EPL star blasts Mbappe
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Mbappe’s recent outburst against Paris Saint-Germain has not gone down well with former Italian and West Ham United player Paolo Di Canio, who has criticized the forward.
In a recent interview, the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner took shots at the club as the fallout of his decision not to activate a contract extension clause with the Ligue 1 champions continues to rain down.
Di Canio has now labeledMbappe as ‘indecent and disrespectful’ towards the Parisians, who have reportedly informed the forward he must extend his deal or be sold this summer.
Together with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the Italian manager is the most well-known player in Spanish football to have recently come under the tax authorities’ attention.
The Real Madrid manager was allegedly charged in 2014 with cheating the Spanish Treasury of €386,361 according to Football Espana.
His image rights at the time are what are covered by the monies.
The charge against Ancelotti will now be moved to the trial stage as the judge believes the Italian manager deliberately hid the money from the country’s tax authorities.
The incident is said to have happened during Ancelotti’s first spell in charge of Real Madrid between June 2013 and May 2015, in a tenure that lasted 693 days.
Madrid hunt for Ancelotti’s replacement
Meanwhile, Real Madrid has begun their search for Ancelotti’s replacement after the Italian confirmed he would be taking charge of the Brazilian national team after the 2023/24 season.
According to the Daily Post, Los Blancos will consider four of their former players to replace the 67-year-old manager, who has entered the final year of his contract with the Spanish giants.
The publication statedReal Madrid will consider Zinedine Zidane, Xabi Alonso, Raul Gonzalez, and Alvaro Arbeloa to succeed Ancelotti when the veteran coach leaves next summer.
Ancelotti drags Everton to court
Meanwhile, Sports Brief reported on Real Madrid manager, Ancelotti suing former club Everton in London’s high court over commercial disputes, two years after he left the English club.
The veteran Italian manager has reportedly filed a legal claim against the English Premier League outfit in a case said to be related to ‘general commercial contracts and arrangements’.
Everton are undergoing a spell of severe financial and administrative struggles, with three of their directors leaving the club and chairman, Bill Kenwright, also ‘on the verge’ of departing.
Real Madrid, who recently secured the second spot in Deloitte’s Money League rankings, are facing the possibility of penalties due to undisclosed expenses worth €122 million in their latest financial statements.
Despite their formidable financial strength, the Spanish powerhouse is currently being investigated for potential irregularities in their financial reporting, which has raised concerns about their fiscal practices.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Real Madrid’s financial report shows a significant amount of €122 million categorized as “other operating expenses” that remains unexplained and unaccounted for.
Allegations have surfaced suggesting that a portion of these expenses may be related to repayments associated with a transaction involving private equity group Providence, which pertains to the sale of future marketing income.
Real Madrid is currently being questioned regarding whether these transactions should be categorized as debt rather than revenue.
As part of their agreement with Providence, the La Liga giants were granted the ability to temporarily halt borrowing in order to cover salary expenses.
Since entering into this agreement in 2017, Real Madrid has failed to provide evidence or confirmation regarding the repayment structure to Providence.
This lack of transparency raises concerns about compliance with UEFA’s financial regulations. Additionally, La Liga enforces stringent salary budgets that rely on club revenue, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding Real Madrid’s financial practices.
Prior to the new season, the Champions League-winning manager reportedly left out a few players from his training session.
Ancelotti is renowned for his excellent man-management abilities, and by putting those abilities to the test, he has been better able to express his actual thoughts regarding departures from the team.
Alvaro Odriozola and Jesus Vallejo have reportedly known for the previous year that the Italian manager doesn’t want them, and this preseason has made that message more obvious than ever, according to sources from Cadena SER.
According to reports from Cadena SER, both Alvaro Odriozola and Jesus Vallejo have been aware that they are not wanted by the Italian manager for the past year and this preseason has seen that message made clearer than ever.
Vallejo, Odriozola contract situation
The Italian used both defenders for a combined 180 minutes last season, and while former Real Sociedad full-back Odriozola is more likely to look for an exit, Vallejo appears quite content at Los Blancos.
While Vallejo is on a contract with Madrid until 2025, Odriozola who previously was on loan atBayern Munich will see his contract end next summer.
The latter has been linked to the club he came through at, Real Sociedad, or a move back to Serie A according to reports from Diario AS.
This news is no surprise to anyone keeping across the situation, but Los Blancos will want to move them on if possible.
Both were promising talents in the Spanish game, but an initial failure to make the step up, followed by a lack of game time which has since stunted their development.
Antonio Rudiger was spotted dancing with some Ghanaian street players, suggesting that he is enjoying his vacation in Ghana.
According to a video, the players applauded Rudiger as he leaped to the middle and performed a freestyle as the slogan was being chanted.
The Real Madrid defender arrived in Ghana for a second time in the wee hours of July 9, 2023, and has since been spotted relaxing with friends.
Rudiger has been spending his vacation with German-born Ghanaian player Kingsley Schindler, who is also in Ghana to spend his off-season.
Prior to his visit to Ghana, Rudiger also visited his native country, Sierra Leone, where he made charity donations through his foundation, the Antonio Rudiger Foundation.
In 2022, the player used his World Cup bonus to cover the surgeries of eleven children in Sierra Leone.
Rudiger first visited Ghana in 2021 when he was with Premier League side Chelsea. The player came to Ghana after the 2020 Euros where he represented the German national team.
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger is currently in Ghana, enjoying a well-deserved vacation after a demanding season that involved commitments for both club and country,
The German international arrived in Ghana over the weekend and has been seen spending quality time with friends during his break.
During his stay, Rudiger was spotted in the company of Ghanaian player Kingsley Schindler, as they both relished their off-season leisure time.
Prior to visiting Ghana, Rudiger also made a trip to his home country, Sierra Leone, where he engaged in charitable activities through his foundation, the Antonio Rudiger Foundation.
Rudiger in Ghana for a vacation
Notably, in 2022, the generous player utilized his World Cup bonus to fund the surgeries of eleven children in Sierra Leone, showcasing his commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.
While Rudiger was instrumental in Chelsea’s victorious UEFA Champions League campaign, he couldn’t replicate that success with Real Madrid as they fell short of reaching the final in the previous season.
Rudiger first visited Ghana in 2021 when he was with Premier League side Chelsea. The player came to Ghana after the 2020 Euros where he represented the German national team.
Real Madrid C. F., its President and its Board of Directors have expressed their sincere sadness over the passing of Luis Suárez, aged 88.
He was one of the greatest legends of Spanish and world football, and the first and only Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or in 1960.
Luis Suárez played for Deportivo de La Coruña, F. C. Barcelona, Inter Milan and U. C. Sampdoria.
He won 2 league titles, 2 Fairs Cups and 2 Spanish Cups with F. C. Barcelona. With Inter Milan he won 2 European Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups and 3 Scudettos. He won 32 caps for the Spanish national team and won the 1964 European Championship.
Luis Suárez was Spanish national team coach between 1988 and 1991, and also Spain U-21 coach, claiming the 1986 U-21 European Championship. He coached clubs such as Inter Milan, U. C. Sampdoria, Como 1907, Cagliari Calcio and Deportivo La Coruña.
Mbappe’s future is uncertain as PSG has given him until the end of the month to either activate a one-year extension in his current contract or depart this summer.
According to Goal, PSG initially set a price tag of €200 million for Mbappe but are open to negotiations if a club matches their valuation in an effort to recoup some of the money spent on the talented forward.
Real Madrid has reportedly offered Mbappe a salary of €50 million if he joins the Spanish side this summer, as they aim to fill the void left by the departure of Karim Benzema.
The proposed contract would span five years and include a €1 billion release clause, deterring other clubs from making a move for the 24-year-old superstar in the near future.
PSG send Mbappe stern warning
Meanwhile, If Kylian Mbappe attempts to join Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer, Paris Saint-Germain has warned they will be obliged to sell some of his teammates, Sky Sports reports.
PSG club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is desperate to avoid the 24-year-old leaving the club for free after he sent a letter to the Parisians last month stating he had no intention of extending his contract, which expires in 2024.
Mbappe has been given a July 31 deadline to commit to staying at PSG until at least the summer of 2025, or he will be sold to the highest bidder the following month.
Kylian Mbappe arrives in Cameroon
Earlier, Sports Brief reported FIFA World Cup winner,Kylian Mbappe has arrived in Yaoundé, Cameroon, for a three-day visit to the Central African nation.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward arrived in the Cameroonian capital on Thursday along with his father, Wilfrid Mbappe, to a rapturous welcome from fans and officials.
Mbappe will spend the next few days touring the country, where he will meet reporters as well as engage authorities in a series of activities.
Despite significant interest from Barcelona, Arda Guler has made the decision to join Real Madrid, following in the footsteps of several other young players who were pursued by both Spanish giants but ultimately opted to wear the white jersey.
This scenario has been repeated in the past with players like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Endrick, all of whom were signed by Real Madrid as teenagers.
Vinicius and Rodrygo have already become key contributors to the Madrid squad, while Endrick is currently in Brazil and expected to join the team in the summer of 2024.
“Another one who chooses the greatest [club],” wrote Vinicius on social media next to the official announcement of the arrival of Guler by Real Madrid.
Given that Vini had to choose between joining what he considers to be the biggest club in the world, Barcelona, or Real Madrid, the message carried symbolic significance.
“Another talent joins our Madridista family! Welcome @10ardaguler,” the former Santos player wrote.
Fine season at Fenerbahce
In the 2022-23 season, he made 35 appearances, scoring six goals and registering seven assists for Fenerbahce.
Sports Brief previously reported on one of his most recent and best performances came in the Turkish Cup final when they defeated Basaksehir 2-0.
He was decisive with an assist and he picked up the Man of the Match award.
Players who snubbed Barcelona for Madrid
Earlier, Sports Brief analysed eight players who decided to snub Barcelona to sign for their eternal nemesis Real Madrid following the signing of Arda Guler.
The 18-year-old, who has emerged as one of the most promising prospects in European football and has been compared to Lionel Messi, penned a six-year deal at the Bernabeu.
Guler had a €17.5 million release clause and Los Blancos paid that transfer fee to beat off competition from rivals Barcelona to sign the teenager.
Theappointment of Carlo Ancelotti (64) as the new Brazil football coach has faced criticism from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who suggested that Ancelotti should focus on resolving the issues within the Italian national team instead.
Ancelotti, an Italian coach with an impressive track record, having won the Champions League a record four times, will assume his role before the Copa America in the United States next June, after fulfilling his contractual obligations with Real Madrid.
President Lula da Silva’s comments reflect his belief that Ancelotti should concentrate on addressing the challenges faced by the Italian national team rather than taking charge of the Brazilian team.
However, it remains to be seen how this criticism will impact Ancelotti’s tenure as Brazil’s coach.
“I admire Ancelotti, but he has never been Italy’s national coach,” Lula told TV station SBT on Thursday.
“Why does he not resolve Italy’s problem, who did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup?” added the 77-year-old.
In the interim, Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz will be in charge of Brazil for their opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
“I am a fan of Diniz,” said Lula. “He has the personality, the creativity and it is he who commands the dressing room.”
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has opted for Ancelotti believing one of the most successful coaches in European football history will deliver them their sixth World Cup trophy but first since 2002.
Brazil were knocked out in the quarter-finals and coach Tite stepped down.
“It is very easy to coach a club in Europe with 11 international players in the team,” said Lula.
“What is difficult is to come here and to coach Corinthians (who are in danger of relegation from the top league).
“I would like to see if Ancelotti did a good job with Corinthians.”
Lula is pessimistic that no matter who the coach is they will have a tough time in the World Cup qualifiers with the present generation of Brazil players.
“The problem is not Diniz, the problem is we do not possess today the level of players we had in previous eras,” said Lula.
Ancelotti will be the fourth non-Brazilian to coach Brazil. The last was Argentine Filpo Nunez who was in charge for one game in 1965.
On July 6, Kylian Mbappe, the striker forParis Saint-Germain (PSG), arrived in Cameroon, the native country of his father.
This visit comes amidst ongoing speculation about his future, with persistent links to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid has long expressed interest in signing the French prodigy, dating back to his time at Monaco before he joined PSG.
Mbappe himself has confessed to being a fan of Real Madrid and has spoken about adorning his bedroom walls with pictures of their former star, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The situation regarding Mbappe’s future at PSG remains uncertain.
He has rejected a contract extension, and the club is eager to secure a transfer fee rather than losing him for free at the end of the season.
Reports have emerged suggesting that an agreement has been reached between Mbappe and Real Madrid for a summer move.
However, no official statement has been issued regarding this matter.
Mbappe featuring for Cameroon team
According to a report Get Football News France,Mbappe’s holiday in Cameroon will involve many activities, including visits to local sites and a special match with the Vent d’Etoudi Football Club, a second-division team owned by former tennis star, Yannick Noah.
It was also reported the former ace would host the footballer for two nights in the country, per Goal.
Mbappe’s holiday ‘tour’ also saw him visit the United States, where he was spotted with celebs and billionaires.
Mbappe arrives in Cameroon
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on French superstar, Mbappe arriving in Yaounde, Cameroon, for a three-day visit of the Central African nation.
The Paris Saint-Germain star arrived in the capital on Thursday along with his father, Wilfrid, to a raucous welcome from fans and officials.
Mbappe will spend the next few days touring the country, with his itinerary including building a recreational facility and new social centre.
