TheNewsGuru

Tag: Real Madrid

  • Chelsea co-owner sends Super League message to Real Madrid, Barca

    Chelsea co-owner sends Super League message to Real Madrid, Barca

    Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali has hinted they’re unlikely to join the new Super League.

    Chelsea were one of the clubs, along with Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Atletico Madrid to exit the plans to launch the ESL in March of 2021 less than 48 hours after the project was revealed.

    Chelsea co-owner and Clearlake Capital co-founder Eghbali, who was appearing at the Sportico Invest in Sports conference in New York on Wednesday, told football.london: “I think the sport needs more premium high quality matches and content but it doesn’t have to be a Super League.

    “Todd [Boehly] went there on an All-Star Game, the baseball talent competition or draft generates £200million to £300million of revenue on a Monday or Tuesday each year, none of that exists in the EPL. Could there be an EPL versus Serie A game? Could you see pre-season matches producing more premium content on the pitch? You could.

    “But structurally, given how botched that episode was does anybody have any appetite for something like that? A couple of teams in Spain do and they are vocal about it, but everyone else doesn’t want to go there anymore.”

    For the moment, the new Super League is being driven by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.

    Tribalfootball

  • Real Madrid star, Benzema reacts after first Ballon d’Or win

    Real Madrid star, Benzema reacts after first Ballon d’Or win

    Real Madrid and France forward, Karim Benzema has reacted after winning the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his footballing career, saying anything is possible if one never gives up on his dreams.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d’Or award for the best men’s player in the world on Monday.

    Benzema, who played a pivotal role in Real’s run to the Champions League title last season, is the first French player to win the trophy since Zinedine Zidane in 1998 and the fifth after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini and Jean-Pierre Papin.

    “This prize in front of me makes me really proud. When I was small, it was a childhood dream, I never gave up… Anything is possible,” Benzema said on stage at the ceremony.

    “There was a difficult period when I wasn’t in the French team but I never gave up. I’m really proud of my journey here.

    “It wasn’t easy, it was a difficult time for my family as well.”

    Benzema beat Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane of Senegal and Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne after Argentina’s Lionel Messi won the award for a record seventh time last year.

    Benzema had a stellar season with Real, scoring 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions as he helped guide them to a LaLiga and Champions League double.

    His 15 goals in the Champions League guided Real Madrid to a record-extending 14th title.

    Real Madrid made remarkable comebacks from losing positions in the last-16, quarter-finals and semi-finals against Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City respectively — with Benzema scoring in each of the second legs.

    The highlight of their European campaign was the 3-1 win in the second leg against PSG when the Spanish club were 2-0 down on aggregate, with Benzema grabbing a 17-minute hat-trick in the second half to stun the Ligue 1 side.

    Meanwhile, Spanish international and FC Barcelona’s midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for a second straight year, beating England’s European Championship winner Beth Mead and Australia’s Sam Kerr.

    Putellas, who was also named FIFA Best Women’s Player earlier this year, was top scorer in the Champions League last season with 11 goals and scored 18 in the Primera Division.

    The 28-year-old missed the Euros for Spain, however, after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury on the eve of the tournament in England.

    Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois won the Lev Yashin award for the best goalkeeper last season, with the towering shot stopper making nine saves in the final to keep a clean sheet against Liverpool in a 1-0 victory in Paris.

    However, the teams in the Champions League final lost out on the Best Club award, which went to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City who won a fourth Premier League title in five years.

    FC Barcelona’s 18-year-old midfielder Gavi picked up the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player, while Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane won the inaugural Socrates award, with the Senegal international recognised for his humanitarian efforts.

    Lewandowski did not go home empty handed either as he picked up the Gerd Muller Trophy for the best striker after scoring 50 goals in all competitions for Bayern last season.

  • BREAKING: Karim Benzema wins 2022 Ballon d’Or award

    BREAKING: Karim Benzema wins 2022 Ballon d’Or award

    France international Karim Benzema has won the 2022 Ballon d’Or award for the first time.

    Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane came second behind Benzema.

    Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne came third and Robert Lewandowski came fourth.

    The Real Madrid striker scored 44 goals in 46 games as he helped the Los Blancos win the Champions League and La Liga in 2021-22.

    Lionel Messi (seven) and Cristiano Ronaldo (five) had won the award on 12 of the previous 13 occasions.

    Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas retained the Women’s Ballon d’Or, awarded to the best best female footballer of 2022.

    England Euro 2022 winner and Arsenal forward Beth Mead was second.

    Premier League champions Manchester City, who had six nominees at the ceremony, were awarded Club of the Year ahead of Liverpool.

    The Ballon d’Or is awarded to the best footballer of the year, based on performance over the 2021-22 season.

  • El Clasico: Real Madrid win after goals from Benzema, Valverde and Rodrygo

    El Clasico: Real Madrid win after goals from Benzema, Valverde and Rodrygo

    Real Madrid leapfrogged FC Barcelona at the summit of LaLiga as goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo sealed a 3-1 triumph in El Clasico on Sunday.

    Barca had conceded just one goal in eight league games this season prior to the visit to the Santiago Bernabeu.

    But two clinical finishes from Benzema and Valverde saw them two goals down at the interval.

    Xavi’s side pulled one back with seven minutes remaining through Ferran Torres, but the hosts restored their two-goal advantage in stoppage time courtesy of Rodrygo’s penalty kick.

    The result marked Barca’s first league defeat of the campaign, with victory for Los Blancos moving them three points clear of their great rivals at the top of the table.

    Real Madrid went ahead in the 12th minute when Benzema fired home from 12 metres via a deflection from Sergi Roberto.

    That was after Marc-Andre ter Stegen had raced off his line to deny Vinicius Junior.

    Barca were presented with a golden opportunity to restore parity in the 25th minute.

    But a stretching Robert Lewandowski somehow managed to scoop the ball over the crossbar from just a few metres out following Raphinha’s cross.

    Xavi’s men were punished for that miss 10 minutes before the interval when Valverde whipped into Ter Stegen’s bottom-right corner from 20 yards.

    Benzema thought he had scored a wonderful second shortly after half-time, but his curled effort was ruled out for offside.

    Substitute Torres reduced the deficit with a simple finish at the back post after superb work from Ansu Fati.

    But Rodrygo wrapped the win up for Real Madrid from the penalty kick spot after he had been tripped by Eric Garcia —- the decision given following a VAR review.

    Real Madrid managed just four shots on target, but that proved enough to score three goals against Barca and seal an eighth win in nine LaLiga games this season.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s side have now won six of their past seven matches against Barca in all competitions —- more than they achieved in the previous 18 meetings.

    After failing to find the back of the net in LaLiga last season, Valverde has now scored four in nine appearances this term.

    The Uruguay international’s fine strike was the first Real Madrid have scored at home against Barca from outside the area since Raul did so during the 1998/1999 season.

    Both sides are in LaLiga action in midweek, with Real Madrid away to Elche on Wednesday and Barca at home to Villarreal a day later.

  • El Clasico: We’re ready for Barcelona – Real Madrid defender, Militao

    El Clasico: We’re ready for Barcelona – Real Madrid defender, Militao

    Real Madrid defender Eder Militao says they’ll be ready for Barcelona today.

    Real will host Barca in the first El Clasico of the season.

    Militao said, “We have to be prepared and fully focused at all times because it’s a very special match and anything can happen in the Clásico.

    “The team is ready. We’ve started the season really well and we’re all focused and committed to this game.

    “(Carlo) Ancelotti has encouraged me to score goals when I get the chance. I kept trying until it came off in the Getafe game.

    “From a defensive perspective you have to make sure you don’t come under too much pressure, and that way you’re a step closer to victory. We always play with commitment and respect for our teammates in defence. It doesn’t matter who plays, whether it’s Nacho, Militão, Rüdiger or Alaba, we’re well covered. We’re going to give it all we’ve got to win games.”

  • El Clasico: Raphinha sends warning to Real Madrid

    El Clasico: Raphinha sends warning to Real Madrid

    Barcelona attacker Raphinha has sent a warning to rivals Real Madrid ahead of the El Clasico.

    Barca are reeling after this week’s 3-3 draw with Inter Milan left their Champions League round 16 hopes hanging by a thread.

    But Raphinha says: “I’m a little anxious about the Clásico, but I’m fine with my head.

    “We’re leaders. I’m not saying fear, but if someone has to be a little careful, it’s them.

    “We’re confident and we’re going to do everything possible to win.”

  • My players get angry with squad rotations – Ancelotti

    My players get angry with squad rotations – Ancelotti

    Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that his players get angry with squad rotations and it is very tough for him.

    Ancelotti is eager for victory over Shakhtar Donetsk tonight to secure Champions League progress to the knockout round as soon as possible.

    He explained: “The challenge for us is to make sure the players recovery properly and we then assess whether they’re tired. Tonight’s training session will be important and I’ll name the right team to win the game. We’ve got the chance to, and will be looking to put the group stage to bed. That’ll be important for us.

    “Getting out of the group stage is our first objective of the season and the sooner we do that, the better. That can help to give you more energy for the league season, but you’ve got to realise that when it comes to the Champions League, Real Madrid can’t possibly consider not putting in a strong performance. If we’re lucky enough to qualify tomorrow night, we’ll then go on to put in two strong performances and will want to win both games.

    “Vini is one of the players I’ll have to take a look at. He’s played every game and played on Saturday night too and he’s had the travelling today on top of that. Benzema is doing fine and will obviously play tomorrow night, as will Kroos and Mendy. They’re rested and fresh and will play.”

    On squad rotation, Ancelotti added: “It’s very tough. The players become angry and everyone expresses that in their own way. The reaction from every member of the group has been very positive. The reaction shows that they’re all focused on our work and nobody has thrown in the towel up until now. They’re very respectful when it comes to my decisions and that’s the most important thing. You’re entitled to be angry with the coach, but it’s best not to be cross with the individual.”

  • After taking Internet by storm, Iker Casillas denies being gay

    After taking Internet by storm, Iker Casillas denies being gay

    Former Real Madrid goalie, Iker Casillas has denied being gay and tendered an unreserved apology to the LGBT community.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Iker Casillas claims he was hacked after deleting a tweet that said: “I hope you respect me. I’m gay”.

    The tweet from the 41-year-old former FC Porto player, regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, took the Internet by storm and generated diverse reactions from different quarters.

    He wrote: “I hope you respect me: I’m gay.” before using the hashtag felizdomingo, which means happy Sunday in Spanish.

    Casillas, who was married to journalist Sara Carbonero for five years before their separation in March 2021, received a wave of support following the post.

    Barcelona legend, Carles Puyol responded, saying: “It’s time to tell our story, Iker” followed by a love heart and kissing emoji.

    However, shortly after, the former Los Blancos goalkeeper deleted the post, saying his Twitter account was hacked.

    “Hacked account. Luckily everything in order. Apologies to all my followers. And of course, more apologies to the LGBT community,” a tweet made by Casillas in Spanish translates.

    Last month, Casillas rejected claims he was dating Gerard Pique’s ex-wife Shakira.

    He announced his retirement from football in 2020, a year after since he suffered a heart attack in training with Porto in May 2019.

  • Guardiola rejects claims on Haaland joining Real Madrid

    Guardiola rejects claims on Haaland joining Real Madrid

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says reports in Spain that Erling Haaland’s contract contains a special release clause for him to join Real Madrid in 2024 are “not true”.

    Speaking after the 22-year-old Norway striker had continued his incredible start at City by hitting two goals against Copenhagen in the Champions League, Guardiola denied rumours that Madrid have engineered an exclusive agreement to sign him.

    “It’s not true,” Guardiola said. “He has not got a release clause for Real Madrid, or any other team.

    “Am I annoyed by the rumours? No, absolutely not. Rumours, and people talking, you cannot control it – so always we have to worry about what we can control.

    “The important thing is that he has adapted [since joining City] really well. I have the feeling he is incredibly happy here, and this is the most important thing.”

  • La Liga: Barca return to top after 833 days

    La Liga: Barca return to top after 833 days

    Barcelona lead the La Liga table on goal difference after Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Osasuna on Sunday.

    It’s the first time Barca have done so at the end of a game week for 833 days – back in June 2020.

    Their draw with Sevilla then handed Madrid the lead in the title race, when Barcelona were under Quique Setien.

    Barcelona have the same points as Madrid but are ahead on goal difference, with plus 18 to Madrid’s plus 11.

    Madrid could have won their game but Karim Benzema missed a penalty late on.