Carlo Ancelotti said Karim Benzema could be available to face Atletico Madrid in next week’s derby, despite being substituted in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday with a hamstring problem. Benzema’s withdrawal in the 17th minute of Madrid’s victory at the Reale Arena raised serious doubts over his chances of featuring in […]
Xavi Hernandez suffered his first defeat as Barcelona manager against Real Betis on Saturday. Eric Alonso/Getty Images Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has said he believes his team can beat Bayern Munich in their crucial Champions League clash next week despite being dealt a reality check by Real Betis on Saturday. Juanmi’s second-half goal earned Betis a […]
6:01 AM ET Alex Kirkland Rodrigo Faez Real Madrid, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao have written to fellow LaLiga clubs proposing a €2 billion investment plan, which they claim is a superior alternative to the league’s own deal with CVC Capital Partners. The CVC deal — which has the support of the other 39 clubs in […]
Brazil legend Ronaldo became the president of Real Valladolid in 2018. David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images Brazil legend Ronaldo has revealed that he considered buying a Major League Soccer franchise before opting to acquire Spanish club Real Valladolid. The former Barcelona and Real Madrid star purchased a 51 percent stake of Real Valladolid in 2018 for €30 […]
3:45 AM ET Sid LoweSpain writer Thibaut Courtois has been superb between the posts for Real Madrid this season and is arguably the main reason they lead LaLiga. Angel Martinez/Getty Images “You can say that we have a goalkeeper,” Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said, smiling. You can, yeah. This was after a game against Sevilla, […]
LaLiga‘s attempt to stage a league game in the United States has had another setback with a Madrid court rejecting its appeal of an earlier ruling that had prevented a Barcelona match at Girona from being played in Miami. A Spanish court had ruled on March 2020 in favour of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), […]
Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti confronted a group of fans after they blocked his car while he left the club’s training ground on Wednesday. Video of the incident showed that three fans stood in the middle of the road and jumped up and down in front of the player’s vehicle. One fan climbed on top of […]
4:00 AM ET Alex KirklandESPN FC MADRID — On a wet November afternoon at Atletico Madrid‘s training ground, Jan Oblak wants to set the record straight about some goalkeeping stereotypes. “We’re not crazy,” he tells ESPN, moments after learning that he has been voted No. 1 male goalkeeper in this year’s FC 100. “We’re normal […]
8:59 AM ET Alex Kirkland Rodrigo Faez Carlo Ancelotti said Vinicius Junior has “all the quality” to compete for the Ballon d’Or after his spectacular start to the season, but rejected the idea that teammate Karim Benzema will be affected by his fourth-placed finish in the 2021 edition. Lionel Messi was named the world’s best […]
For the sixth consecutive year, ESPN presents its annual ranking of the best men’s players and coaches in world soccer! Welcome to FC 100. As always, rankings are broken down into Top 10 lists for positions, plus a countdown of managers, in order to present the most meaningful look at talent on the pitch and […]