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Tag: Real Madrid

  • Barcelona defeat Real Madrid to emerge 2023 Spanish Super Cup champions

    Barcelona defeat Real Madrid to emerge 2023 Spanish Super Cup champions

    Barcelona have emerged champions of the 2023 Spanish Super Cup  after defeating Real Madrid by 3-1 on Sunday night.

    It was the first time the Super cup would be played outside the European soil.

    The match held at the Riyadh, international stadium in Saudi Arabia.

    Barça were the better team for virtually all of El Clásico, created big chances and were extremely efficient in front of goal to beat their main rivals and win the first title of Xavi Hernández’s career as Barça manager.

    Barça were the better team from the very beginning. They were organized, committed, intense, mature and confident in possession, and they defended very well as a team.

    The Blaugrana had the first big chance of the half on a rocket from Robert Lewandowski that was deflected onto the post by Thibaut Courtois, and Alejandro Balde narrowly missed the target on the rebound.

    Madrid did virtually nothing all half but they did have one chance on a cross from Ferland Mendy that found Karim Benzema all alone inside the box but the striker missed an easy header that should have been the opener. That turned out to be Los Blancos’ only dangerous moment of the period, and Barça dominated the rest.

    Barcelona were three goals up courtesy of Gavi, Lewandowsky and Pedri, before Benzema put one back for Madrid at the death to make the scoreline a little respectable.

  • C.Ronaldo spotted at Real Madrid training session

    C.Ronaldo spotted at Real Madrid training session

    Portugal international, Cristiano Ronaldo has been spotted at Real Madrid’s training session on Friday.

    Real Madrid are currently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, making final preparations for their Supercopa de Espana final against Barcelona.

    The five-time Balon d’ or winner is currently at the Four Seasons Hotel located in the Saudi Arabian capital.

    He visited his former club’s training session and was also spotted sharing a moment with Real Madrid boss, Carlo Ancelotti.

    Recall that Ronaldo was under the tutelage of present Real Madrid coach, Ancelloti for two years at the Santiago Bernabeu

    Diario AS reports that the 37-year-old, who recently signed a two and a half years deal with Al Nassr, has been invited by his former club to attend the game.

    Ronaldo is currently under the pay roll of Saudi Arabian clubside Al Nassr and will seek for permission to attend the Supercopa de Espana final in the city.

     

  • Gareth Bale retires from professional football

    Gareth Bale retires from professional football

     

    Former Real Madrid, Tottenham and LAFC forward, Gareth Bale has retired from professional football at the prime age of 33.

    Bale was a member of the Welsh team that participated at the just concluded World Cup in Qatar 2022.

    According to Bale the decision to quit international football is a hard one.

    According to him, his decision to quit International Football is by far the hardest decision he has made in his career.

    He said “My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life, but who l am,” he added.

    Bale wrote on social media: “After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.

    “I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life. The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.

    “From my very first touch at Southampton to my last with LAFC and everything in between, shaped a club career that I have an immense pride and gratitude for. Playing for and captaining my country 111 times has truly been a dream come true.

    “To show my gratitude to all of those that have played their part along this journey, feels like an impossibility. I feel indebted to many people for helping to change my life and shape my career in a way I couldn’t have ever dreamed of when I first started out at nine years old.

    “To my previous clubs, Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC. All of my previous managers and coaches, back room staff, team mates, all the dedicated fans, my agents, my amazing friends and family, the impact you have had is immeasurable.

    “My parents and my sister, without your dedication in those early days, without such a strong foundation, I wouldn’t be writing this statement right now, so thank you for putting me on this path and for your unwavering support.

    “My wife and my children, your love and support has carried me through. Right beside me for all the highs and lows, keeping me grounded along the way. You inspire me to be better, and to make you proud.

    “So, I move on with anticipation to the next stage of my life. A time of change and transition, an opportunity for a new adventure.”

    Bale added: “To my Welsh family,

    “My decision to retire from International football has been, by far the hardest of my career.

    “How do I describe what being a part of this country and team means to me?

    “How do I articulate the impact it has had on my life? How do I put in to words the way I felt, every single time I put on that Welsh shirt? My answer is that I couldn’t possibly do any of those things justice, simply with words. But I know that every person involved in Welsh football, feels the magic, and is impacted in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel, without using any words at all.

    “My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am. The fortune of being Welsh and being selected to play for and captain Wales, has given me something incomparable to anything else I’ve experienced. I am honoured and humbled to have been able to play a part in the history of this incredible country, to have felt the support and passion of the red wall, and together have been to unexpected and amazing places.

    “I shared a dressing room with boys that became brothers, and back room staff that became family, I played for the most incredible managers, and felt the undying support and love from the most dedicated fans in the world. Thank you to every one of you for being on this journey with me.

    “So for now I am stepping back, but not away from the team that lives in me and runs through my veins. After all, the dragon on my shirt is all I need.

    “Together stronger, Diolch.”

    “I’m completely shocked, really, really shocked at the news. I think one year ago I was one who probably said he might be thinking of retiring and it might be in the back of his mind. I know it was, but I still didn’t think it was actually going to happen, especially now that he has moved to LA over the last few months.

    “But he did what he was supposed to do, win trophies, do well and inspire a team. He went and won the MLS, but I actually thought he was going to stay, so I’m very, very surprised.”

     

  • La Liga: Karim Benzema double rescues Real Madrid

    La Liga: Karim Benzema double rescues Real Madrid

    Karim Benzema scored twice in the final seven minutes to earn Real Madrid a 2-0 win at Real Valladolid.

    The late strikes by the Ballon d’Or winner lift Madrid top of La Liga, a point clear of Barcelona.

    Benzema, who missed the World Cup through injury, put Real ahead with an 83rd-minute penalty after a highly disputed handball decision.

    He wrapped up the win six minutes later with a calm finish from Eduardo Camavinga’s pass.

    This was Real’s first game since the World Cup, with losing French finalists Aurelien Tchouameni and Camavinga on the bench.

    Luka Modric started however after leading Croatia to third place as was Benzema, the 35-year-old leading the line after missing out on Qatar having suffered a thigh injury the day before the start of the tournament.

    Both teams had several chances to open the scoring, but superb goalkeeping from Valladolid’s Jordi Masip and Real’s Thibaut Courtois kept the game goalless until the final few minutes.

    Real were awarded a penalty when Javi Sanchez was judged to have handled the ball. The decision sent the home team into a frenzy and striker Sergio Leon was sent off for dissent.

    Benzema shrugged off the distraction and delay, and converted the penalty with ease.

    Then, in the 89th minute, Benzema doubled the visitors’ lead after being left unmarked to fire a well-placed shot home from just inside the box .

    Real retake the league lead from Barcelona, who have a game in hand and host Espanyol on Saturday.

    BBC

  • It will take time to digest this bitterness and frustration – Tchouameni

    It will take time to digest this bitterness and frustration – Tchouameni

    Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni admits losing Sunday’s World Cup final with France is tough to take.

    The France international has released a short message as he takes a break this week after his Qatar 2022 campaign.

    “It will take time to digest this bitterness and frustration,” said Tchouameni.

    “We have tried everything. I took responsibility, it didn’t work and I’m the first to regret it.”

    But he also said: “I am convinced that the future of the French team is bright, especially if we can count on you.”

  • Real Madrid prepares €1 billion to snap Mbappe from PSG

    Real Madrid prepares €1 billion to snap Mbappe from PSG

    Real Madrid has revealed its readiness to splash the whooping sum of €1 billion to sign Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain next season.

    Mbappe scored eight goals to emerge the highest goal scorer and claimed the golden boot at the just concluded FIFA world Cup in Qatar.

    The PSG forward also became the first player to score a hatrick in the final in 56 years.

    PSG have already hinted on letting Mbappe go after the season but it remains unclear if the French man is headed to Real Madrid.

    Mbappe has always indicated interest in playing for Liverpool but the English side is not showing any sign of matching his fee and buy out clause from PSG.

    Real Madrid had  already submitted three bids, the highest of which was €200 million, in the summer of 2021.

    Few months back, Mbappe  committed his future to PSG by signing a huge two-year contract with the option of a third.

    But the former Monaco youngster has looked every bit a Los Blancos player ever since he burst onto the scene and it seems Madrid president Florentino Perez will do absolutely anything to have him play for Los Blancos.

    In fact, Gazzetta reports the La Liga giants are willing to fork out an overall fee of £877 million over a four-year period.

    A large chunk of the sum would be the wages, which are said to be a whopping £552 million, as well as a £132 million transfer fee and other signing-on and commission fees.

    Mbappe is out of contract in 2024 and could walk away from PSG if he wishes as the final year is entirely optional.

  • Real Madrid plan to sign Kylian Mbappe for €1bn

    Real Madrid plan to sign Kylian Mbappe for €1bn

    La Liga giants Real Madrid spy a new chance to prise Kylian Mbappe away from Ligue side Paris Saint-Germain.

    Real president Florentino Perez was already counting on his arrival ahead of the 2022/23 season, but at the last minute the player rejected the proposal and stayed in France.

    This left a bad feeling in the Spanish capital, and it seemed that the possibility of seeing Mbappe in white was completely gone.

    However, Real Madrid may have already forgiven Mbappe, as La Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting that the Spanish side have one billion euros ready to sign the French star in the summer of 2023.

    It is being claimed that Real Madrid would pay 150m euros for the transfer, 630m euros in salary and 220m euros in commissions.

    Nothing has been confirmed in Madrid, and it is hard to believe that the club would pay so much money for a player, and even more so when Florentino Perez felt betrayed by the sudden change of decision in the summer of 2022.

    Still, Mbappe is set to be the star of the next decade and Real Madrid to like to have the best in the world wearing white.

  • Qatar 2022: Soccer legend, David Beckham, picks goals of the tournament

    Qatar 2022: Soccer legend, David Beckham, picks goals of the tournament

    England soccer legend and former Real Madrid and Manchester United star, David Beckham has picked Chavez’s and Richarlison’s goals as his favourite of the tournament.

    Asked about his favourite goal of the tournament and he picked two of the goals scored at the Mundial.

    He said “I think Richarlison’s scissor kick for me was one of the best [goals].

    “There’s been great goals all the way through the tournament, but if I had to pick two it would be Chavez’s and Richarlison’s. I’m going to have to say that was a very special one.”

    Meanwhile, David Beckham has also described Arsenal World Cup star, Bukayo Saka as ‘quality’,  star adding  that he will rule the football world.

    Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties to win the World Cup on Sunday following a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes.

    Manchester United hero, Beckham was asked about England following their run to the quarter-finals where they were beaten by France.

    Beckham told BeanymanSports,”You look at the quality of Bukayo Saka and then you look at the quality of Jude Bellingham and the players that we have coming through in our country.

    “I think it’s a real positive.”

    The former Real Madrid man was asked about his favourite goal at the tournament and he added, “I think Richarlison’s scissor kick for me was one of the best [goals].

    “There’s been great goals all the way through the tournament, but if I had to pick two it would be Chavez’s and Richarlison’s. I’m going to have to say that was a very special one.”

  • Qatar 2022: Benzema to be named in France squad to face Argentina

    Qatar 2022: Benzema to be named in France squad to face Argentina

    Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema could make a shock appearance for France in Sunday’s World Cup Final.

    Rumours swirling that the Real Madrid forward is flying back out to Qatar.

    The Ballon d’Or winner suffered a thigh injury in training on the eve of the World Cup and was expected to be ruled out of the whole tournament.

    But France did not call-up a replacement for Benzema and he is still officially registered in their 26-man squad, so could play a role against Argentina if he has recovered, says the London Evening Standard.

    Benzema has now returned to full training with Real Madrid and, according to multiple reports in Spain, could return to Qatar after France set up a final against Argentina.

    France coach Didier Deschamps refused to rule out a shock return for Benzema after the 2-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday night, saying he “prefers not to answer” when asked the possibility of the 34-year-old re-joining his squad.

    Shock return: Karim Benzema is now fit and is still registered with France’s World Cup squad / AP

    After closing his eyes and puffing out his cheeks, Deschamps said: “I don’t really want to answer that question.” He then smiled and said: “Next question.”

  • Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Real Madrid

    Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Real Madrid

    Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has been using Real Madrid’s training base to keep fit after Portugal’s World Cup exit.

    After his contract at Manchester United was cancelled last month, Ronaldo is free to join another club on 1 January.

    Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr have made a big-money offer for the 37-year-old forward, although it is understood he has other options.

    Ronaldo trained alone at Real’s Valdebebas base and there is no option of a return to the Spanish club.

    Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United was brought to a premature end after a controversial interview in which the five-time Ballon d’Or winner criticised the club and said he had “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag.