Unai Simón compared the goalkeeper of the two most powerful clubs in the world, as he ranked Thibaut Courtois and Joan García highly.

Spain has a shortlist of top goalkeepers who could fit in any club in the world. Unai Simón plays for a less glamorous side with Athletic Club, but he has earned his place in the national team. His role has been important for Spain, and he compared his colleagues at Real Madrid and Barcelona, Thibaut Courtois and Joan García.

Simón praised them in an interview with El Partidazo: “Courtois is a goalkeeper who is always at the highest level. García is the one who comes closest because of the level he is showing and the points he is earning for his team. Barcelona are right up there because of performances like the one he had against Rayo Vallecano last weekend.”

His role in Luis de la Fuente’s team has been key in establishing Simón among the best. He looks ready to take the main spot for Spain at the World Cup, but he faces competition from Arsenal’s David Raya and Real Sociedad’s Álex Remiro.

Simón picks the best goalkeepers in the world

The Athletic Club player is a leader for his club, and also for Spain. His humility also showed when he was asked who the best goalkeepers in the world are, and he did not include himself in the list. Instead, he first chose the best in La Liga.

For Simón, the best three goalkeepers in his own league come from the three biggest clubs, as he picked Courtois, García and Atlético Madrid’s Jan Oblak to complete the podium.

As for the best three in the world, he replaced Oblak with another Spanish goalkeeper ahead of names like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Manuel Neuer and Emiliano Martínez. Simón said: “The best three in the world are Courtois, García and Raya.”

Simón on the Finalissima

The current conflict in the Middle East led to the cancellation of the Finalissima. There was strong anticipation for the match in which Spain was set to face Argentina.

Simón said: “It’s a special title and a perfect test of how you are arriving at the World Cup. It’s a shame it could not happen for whatever reason. I don’t know the exact motive, but I would have loved to play it.”

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger explained in a interview what Germany must change for the World Cup, as talent isn't enough.

The most important part of the season is coming for a big club like Real Madrid. But this year is different, with the World Cup also approaching. Antonio Rüdiger shared his thoughts on what Germany must change to become champions.

Rüdiger said in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: “We must go back to being a team that’s uncomfortable for others. We have a lot of talent and technique, everybody knows that. But talent alone doesn’t win World Cups. We must regain that mentality.”

For the defender, the mental side of the game seems to be the main point. Rüdiger said: “We must be so hard to face that rivals don’t even want to leave the tunnel. If we move that limit and each one is willing to do the dirty work for the other, then we would be extremely hard to defeat.”

Rüdiger on the criticism of his playing style

As most defenders probably do around the world, Rüdiger knows his job is partly to be feared. His style shows that every time he is on the field, but sometimes he has gone too far in that regard.

The main example that drew criticism toward his physical style came in a play against Getafe. In that match, which ended in a loss, Rüdiger went with his knee directly to Diego Rico’s face. Despite the impact, he did not face any consequences.

This has led to criticism because a red card can affect his team, and Rüdiger said: “I know there have been instances when I went over the line. That also influenced me in being even more concentrated. I don’t want to be a point of problem. I want to give stability and security. The debate reminds me I have a responsibility.”

Rüdiger on dealing with injuries

Rüdiger has not played every match he could have because he has dealt with injuries at different times in the past. Fortunately for Real Madrid, the defender has shown he is ready to play at full speed in the next matches.

The defender explained his current situation while reflecting on those issues: “I feel really good and I’m relieved that my medical treatments are over. Since August-September 2024, there’s always been something wrong. Things got worse this year in January, and I knew I had to take a break because the World Cup is coming up in the summer. But now I’m back at 100%.”

Juventus set a high price for Andrea Cambiaso if Barcelona want to give Hansi Flick his preferred target.

Barcelona always look for the best players on the market when they identify someone they like. However, they are often outbid because of their financial situation, even when players are open to joining them. That could be the case with Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso, whose price tag may leave Hansi Flick frustrated.

It will not be cheap for Barcelona if they want to buy the left back. Juventus have reportedly put a $50 million price tag on him for any interested club, as he remains an important player for the team, according to Marca.

The idea of replacing Alejandro Balde has grown lately, as the young player has not been able to provide much security on the left side. Cambiaso has a contract with Juventus for three more years, so Barcelona will not be able to get him cheaply.

Cambiaso’s career

Cambiaso has established himself at a major Italian club like Juventus. However, the journey was not easy for the 26-year-old defender. His career includes loans to smaller clubs such as Albissola, Savona and Alessandria, where he played in Serie D and Serie C.

He was also loaned to Empoli to play a few matches in Serie B before returning to his parent club, Genoa. Another loan spell at Bologna followed, helping him become a more complete player before taking a major step forward.

Curiously, the club where he played the most is the one where he has performed best so far, as he joined Juventus in 2023 with much more experience. He established himself as a promising player ready to become a reliable option, and in 2024 he made his debut for Italy, where he has already collected 19 appearances.

More options for the defense

Spanish reports suggest Cambiaso is Flick’s preferred target for the next transfer window. However, Barcelona must also consider options that fit more comfortably within their budget, as Gerard Martín’s future is uncertain, which forces the club to have backup plans for the left side of the defense.

Alessandro Bastoni is another importante target despite his price, and the player who fits that mold perfectly is Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi, as the center back could arrive on a free transfer.

Barcelona want to keep Joao Cancelo with the team, but Al-Hilal has set a high price for the Portuguese.

Teams rarely make major moves at the start of the year. Being in the middle of the season means most competitive clubs are already settled by then, but Barcelona made a strong signing in João Cancelo’s loan from Al-Hilal.

The Portuguese defender arrived for free after pushing for the move to Spain, even if only temporarily. Barcelona seem ready to keep him for next season too, partly because he can offer versatility at the back.

However, it may not be that simple, as local reports suggest Al-Hilal will not let him go easily. Even if he did not have much of a role there, the fee Barcelona may be asked to pay would be $15 million. While that figure could discourage them from keeping Cancelo next summer, there is still plenty of time to negotiate for the experienced player.

Hansi Flick was not very firm on Cancelo’s stay

Before Sunday’s victory against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, Hansi Flick had given a press conference touching on several topics. One of them was the future of players like Cancelo and Marcus Rashford.

With still too much to happen before Barcelona have to decide whether to keep these players, it was somewhat surprising that the manager was not more certain. He may want to keep them if the conditions are right.

Flick has liked what he has seen from them, but he is not ready to confirm they will stay with the team: “We’ll talk at the end of the season and we’ll see what happens. Now it’s not the time to say, ‘I want this player’ or ‘I don’t want this player.’ Anything can happen.”

Cancelo’s season with Barcelona

Cancelo arrived at Barcelona last January to give Flick more versatility at the back. With Jules Koundé playing too many matches and Alejandro Balde showing some inconsistency, the Portuguese has filled those roles. His season includes seven La Liga matches and one goal, three in the Copa del Rey and two in the Champions League, for a total of a dozen appearances for the club.

A new report suggests that a potential exit from Inter for Barcelona's target Alessandro Bastoni may be likely.

Barcelona are looking for a reliable center back to pair with Pau Cubarsí. Finding a left-footed defender with technique for that role is not easy, since players like that are hard to come by. Their preferred option appears to be Inter‘s Alessandro Bastoni, and a new report suggests good news for Hansi Flick.

According to Diario Sport, Inter are already looking for defenders to replace Bastoni in the next transfer window. The publication says Napoli’s Alessandro Buongiorno, Roma’s Evan Ndicka and Bologna’s Jhon Lucumí are among the names they are considering as possible replacements if their star defender leaves.

This is great news for Barcelona, since a few weeks ago the possibility of Bastoni joining the club seemed too distant. He is a very important part of a team that wants to win every competition. With the player seemingly open to a move to Spain after liking posts related to his transfer on social media, this adds to the excitement of fans who want to see him wearing the Barcelona shirt.

Alternative to Bastoni

This negotiation does not seem easy, as Barcelona have struggled financially for many years. Every major name in the market appears out of reach for that reason, so the club needs backup plans.

The loss of Iñigo Martínez last year was strongly felt in a team that needs a very specific set of qualities from its defenders under Flick. The gap was covered with some solid performances from Gerard Martín, who is not certain to return to the team.

A player to keep an eye on is Marcos Senesi. The Argentine has become a dependable piece for Bournemouth with strong Premier League experience. His biggest advantage as an option for Barcelona, even if Bastoni is signed, is his price, since he could arrive on a free transfer.

Bastoni’s price tag

Inter will not let a key player leave easily for a team that competes with them in the Champions League. For now, there is optimism in Barcelona that they could reach an agreement with the Italians, possibly offering a player as part of the deal to lower the fee. His reported price tag is around $75 million, or 70 million euros, which could put the Spanish club out of the race.

Hansi Flick was optimistic about the international break not affecting Barcelona players playing for their countries.

Many teams around the world see this next week as a problem in their schedules because their most important players are leaving to represent their countries. Barcelona has plenty of talent in that situation, but Hansi Flick does not see it as an issue for them.

Flick said: “We’ll train and give some rest to the players who stay, as always. I don’t think about what may happen to the international players, I don’t think about potential injuries. There’s a World Cup and everybody wants to play. It’s going to be good for them to disconnect from this routine and come back with more energy. It’s positive for us.”

Barcelona have most of their regular starters traveling around the world to represent their countries. Before that happens, though, they have an important match against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday to keep Real Madrid behind them in La Liga.

Flick on Rashford, Cancelo and Martín’s continuities

Three talking points for the summer in Barcelona involve current players who may leave the club. The main topic is Marcus Rashford, with the English forward’s dip in form making the purchase clause seem too high for the Spanish club.

Rashford arrived at Barcelona on loan from Manchester United, with €30 million as the price to make the move permanent. There have been reports of talks between the clubs about the fee, but the forward will need to improve if he wants to stay with Flick’s team.

About Rashford, João Cancelo and Gerard Martín, the manager said: “We need everybody until the end and then we’ll see. There’s a World Cup. I believe in my players. Cancelo, Rashford and Martín give us quality. We’ll talk at the end and we’ll see what happens. Now is not the time to say, ‘I want this one, I don’t want this one.’ Anything can happen.”

Flick on the number 9

One spot in the lineup that could change in the future is the number 9 position. With Robert Lewandowski nearing the end of his contract and Ferrán Torres not performing at the same level as his teammate, the question about the Spanish forward has come up.

Flick backed the younger player after being asked by the media: “The important thing is to be dynamic, to be active. Ferran was good in the training session. I see him with confidence. He’s making the effort to get back to his best level.”

Real Madrid won't be have five players with injuries in the match against Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

After taking Manchester City out in the round of 16 of the Champions League, Real Madrid look to finish a perfect week with another huge match. In La Liga the race is close, so the derby against Atletico Madrid is a hard obstacle to leave behind in their title chase. While Thibaut Courtois won’t be available, he’s not the only one out.

For this match, manager Álvaro Arbeloa won’t be able to put five players in the lineup. The main absence from the team logically comes in goal, as Courtois got injured in England last Tuesday, with a timetable for return of six weeks. Andriy Lunin replaced him a few days ago in a change that should be repeated.

The other four players have important names while not being usual starters for the manager. Rodrygo, Éder Militao, Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy are the players Arbeloa can’t put on the field or the bench in this heated match.

Huge return for Arbeloa

The list of absences seems important mainly because a top goalkeeper like Courtois can’t be present. However, the names that are returning clearly stand out, as several talented players have left injuries behind.

Fans may be thrilled to know that Jude Bellingham was already allowed to play again after a muscle injury that saw him on the stands for over a month. His presence in the midfield should give Real Madrid a boost.

Arbeloa has a pair of players that join Bellingham in the list of returns. A return that may be very noticeable is Álvaro Carreras’, while defender Raúl Asencio is also ready again, as they can give more flexibility to the manager in the last line of the team.

Real Madrid seek revenge

The standings say that Real Madrid sit four points behind Barcelona, which is the objective. Atletico Madrid are nine points behind, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous, especially considering what happened in their previous La Liga meeting, when Atletico Madrid demolished their rivals 5-2. Real Madrid won 2-1 in the Super Cup in January.

Carlo Ancelotti won't have Alisson in the team for Brazil's matches.

Carlo Ancelotti continues his preparation for a new challenge. As Brazil’s manager, the only expectation is for the country to win the World Cup soon. With friendly matches ahead, he will not have his starting goalkeeper available because Alisson got injured.

The Brazilian Confederation confirmed the news, stating that his absence forced the player to withdraw from participation. This comes at an unideal time, as Brazil has the final window of matches next week.

Alisson being out of the list opened the door for a new call-up. The decision made by the Italian manager was to give his place to Hugo Souza. With Liverpool’s player injury still unknown, the Corinthians goalkeeper joins the team. The spot in the lineup could go to Bento (Al-Nassr) or Ederson (Fenerbahçe).

Brazil’s friendlies

Teams are ahead of a great opportunity to see players that may be on the biggest stage in a few months. There should be some more friendlies approaching the World Cup, but those may already have the squads set.

The next step for the Brazilians should be very important as they are seeing another huge team like France in a match coming next Thursday, March 26, in Boston, where Gillette Stadium is located.

Days later Brazil should have one more test against Croatia on Tuesday, March 31, in Orlando, with Camping World Stadium as the place where fans can enjoy some of the best players in the world.

Liverpool’s side of the injury

While Brazil may be affected by Alisson’s injury, the most interested one can be Liverpool. The English club looks at this situation with some worries as the goalkeeper just returned from an injury that kept him out of the first leg against Galatasaray in the Champions League.

There isn’t any clarity as to when Alisson can be available again for manager Arne Slot, as he missed the trip to Brighton. The important thing comes right after the international break for some teams. Liverpool has Manchester City in the FA Cup as their next challenge before seeing PSG.

Pep Guardiola gave a strange answer when asked about 'dark arts' used by Arsenal, their Carabao Cup rivals in the final.

England has a major matchup this weekend between two of the country’s best teams. While the Premier League title race seems headed to London, Manchester City is looking to lift the Carabao Cup trophy on Sunday. At the pre-match press conference, Pep Guardiola was asked about Arsenal’s tactics, especially on set pieces like corner kicks.

Guardiola said: “Dark arts? When someone does something like that, the referees must stop it. Or people behind stage. Look what happens in the world. We are in the middle of chaos, and nobody moves a finger. The world is going to collapse, and we are talking about whether a team uses dark arts. There are more important things than that.”

Manchester City could be one win away from its best chance at a title this season. It is still in the Premier League race, but trails Arsenal by nine points with one game in hand. The Champions League is no longer an option after its elimination against Real Madrid. In the FA Cup, it faces Liverpool in the quarterfinals.

Guardiola on his relationship with Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has become a key part of Arsenal’s future over the past few years, despite a rough start at the club. His team’s playing style is not exactly what he saw up close while working as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, which created a good match for fans.

The rivalry between these clubs has grown more intense every time they meet. Things between the Spanish managers do not seem especially warm either, though Guardiola kept things simple by praising Arteta’s team.

Guardiola said: “I don’t have time to go to London, and I don’t think he has time to come to Manchester with four competitions. They control many aspects of the game after years without titles. That has given them an edge. They are organized, they defend deep, they have a good build-up. They are an exceptional team.”

Guardiola on the AFCON controversy

This week also brought a different controversy in the sport. Senegal had been crowned AFCON champions after beating Morocco 1-0 in the final. However, the African Confederation decided to award the title to the losing team because the winning side had briefly left the field in protest.

Guardiola said: “It was a surprise. I don’t know the reason, but it seems the decision was taken behind the scenes, as happens everywhere. What we see happens all over the world. In soccer and in other places.”

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente put all the responsibility of the Finalissima's cancellation on Argentina.

The military conflict in the Middle East led to the cancellation of the Finalissima that was set for Qatar. The match between Spain and Argentina, featuring Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, was expected to be a major showcase, but it was ultimately called off. Luis de la Fuente pointed to their opponents as the reason in a press conference.

De la Fuente said: “Everybody knows my disposition was to play the Finalissima. I have always said it. Playing against Argentina, winning a title. Me and the RFEF (Real Federación Española de Fútbol) were aligned to play this match. Two don’t play if one doesn’t and we wanted to play. We wanted to play in Doha, in Buenos Aires…”

Talks between the federations began once it was confirmed that the Middle East was not an option. Several European capitals were mentioned, but the executives did not agree on the conditions needed to make it happen.

Spain’s alternative plan

Once the Finalissima was confirmed to be off, the RFEF moved to give de la Fuente more opportunities to evaluate players. The European champions are set to face Serbia on March 27 as the replacement for the canceled match.

The manager had planned to use the pair of games to reconnect with the squad, since they have not been together since November. Another important African team, Egypt, completes the window on March 30.

De la Fuente said: “I want to thank the Federation for trying to play against Argentina and for the two matches we are playing now. It was a peculiar match. We wanted to play it with the players that are going to give us a chance in the World Cup. It was important to get this window back.”

De la Fuente on calling four goalkeepers

Spain have had a strong goalkeeper for some time, with Unai Simón giving the team confidence under the posts. The Athletic Club player was joined by Arsenal’s David Raya and Real Sociedad’s Álex Remiro recently, and Barcelona’s Joan García was also added.

De la Fuente said: “He’s a great goalkeeper that we have known for a long time. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He can provide confidence, work, professionalism, quality, competitiveness. He’s going to challenge the rest to give their best. I don’t see it as a problem. It’s great news.”

Marc Bernal surpassed Lionel Messi and trails Lamine Yamal after his Champions League goal with Barcelona.

Barcelona rolled past Newcastle in the Champions League round of 16 with a 7-2 win that erased any doubt left after the first leg. In the match, Marc Bernal scored a goal that moved him ahead of Lionel Messi and put him just behind Lamine Yamal in a goalscoring record.

Bernal became the third-youngest player in Barcelona history to score in a knockout-stage match, doing it at 18 years and 296 days old. That puts him behind Yamal, who sits in second place after scoring at 17 years and 241 days.

The record for Barcelona’s youngest scorer in a Champions League knockout match may surprise some. That honor belongs to Bojan Krkic, whose early promise saw him score at 17 years and 271 days, still enough to keep the top spot.

Messi does not crack the top five

Messi broke almost every record there was to break, especially at Barcelona. His four Champions League titles were matched by 120 goals for the club in the competition. But his first goal in a knockout round came when he was 20 years and 241 days old, in a round-of-16 match against Celtic in which he scored twice.

The rest of the list includes some even more surprising names, with players ahead of major figures in the club’s history. In fourth place is Argentine Javier Saviola, who was 20 years and 119 days old when he scored his first knockout-stage goal.

Rounding out the top five is a player many may have forgotten because of his short spell at the club. That spot belongs to Cristian Tello, who scored at 20 years and 209 days for a team that has long been known for bringing through young talent.

Players who could join the list

La Masía is a global brand closely tied to Barcelona and the results speak for themselves, with academy products regularly reaching the first team. One current player who could move up the list is Pau Cubarsí, who is only 19. Roony Bardghji also looks like a name to watch at 20.

Endrick explained why it's harder to play for Real Madrid than for Lyon.

Real Madrid made a major investment when it agreed to pay $60 million for Endrick in a deal that became official in 2024. After a promising start, the Spanish club sent him on loan to Lyon so he could get more minutes.

Endrick explained the challenge of playing for Real Madrid in an interview with Winwin: “The sequence of matches is very important. It’s not the same to play 90 or 60 minutes as 30 or 15. It lets you take more risks and lowers the pressure of making mistakes. They always bring in young talent and fans want to see them right away, but sometimes that is not possible.”

Lyon were eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday in a surprising result against Celta. Even so, Endrick has been important to the team, including scoring a late goal in the first leg in Spain.

Endrick on his potential Real Madrid future

Signing a player like him from Palmeiras showed how much potential Real Madrid saw in him. That became even clearer when they loaned him to Lyon last December instead of selling him to several interested clubs.

The Brazilian has been a key player for manager Paulo Fonseca, with his movement across different positions in the lineup. He has scored six goals in 13 matches for his new club.

That suggests he may have a role when he returns to Real Madrid next season, but he is not thinking about that yet: “I haven’t talked to Álvaro Arbeloa. I’m focused on Lyon. I’m going to cheer for Real Madrid in the Champions League, but I’m committed to this club.”

Endrick’s chances with Brazil

Competition for a place in Brazil’s squad is fierce. High-profile names like Neymar may not even make the cut, while Raphinha and Vinicius appear to be locks. Even so, the forward trusts that his former manager Carlo Ancelotti will call him.

Endrick said about the Italian coach: “I learned a lot with him at Real Madrid. I scored in every competition we played. His job now is different, there is no day-to-day conversation, but I’m sure we can do something good. We can’t think about anything other than the title.”

Harry Kane described Bayern Munich's perspective for the Champions League quarterfinals against Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich looked like the strongest team in the Champions League quarterfinals. The draw gave them a tough matchup against Atalanta, which they handled easily in the first leg. After the second leg, which pushed the aggregate score to 10-2, Harry Kane previewed the meeting with Real Madrid.

Kane said: “It’s going to be a tough match. Every time you see Real Madrid in the Champions League, you know you have to fight. We are prepared. We are not afraid of anyone, even if it is difficult. We will study their strengths and weaknesses. We have a style of play that does not change much depending on the opponent. In the quarterfinals, it will not be different.”

The 6-1 win in Italy ended the tie almost as soon as it started, but that did not stop Bayern Munich from continuing to dominate Atalanta. After scoring twice, including a brilliant goal of his own, the forward made it clear how his team plans to approach the next round.

Kane’s best goal yet

Kane has scored more than 500 goals in his career, so it is probably hard for him to remember which one was his best. Still, he chose his recent Bayern Munich goal against Atalanta as the best of his 50 Champions League goals.

The England striker reached that milestone with a superb finish after opening the scoring from the penalty spot. The move came inside the box, where he is at his most dangerous. A half-turn to get past Isak Hien and Ibrahim Sulemana put him in front of goal before he sent the ball into the back of the net.

Kane said: “It was probably my best goal in the Champions League. I am trying to think of others that come to mind, but it is one of my favorites of my entire career. The way the play developed, my movement, it was a combination of all my training and ability.”

Vincent Kompany’s comment on Kane’s goal

Vincent Kompany has helped Bayern Munich remain the best team in Germany while also competing impressively abroad. Kane has kept posting outstanding numbers, although the manager does not take credit for the player’s production.

Kompany said: “There is no credit for the manager. We have a player at a great stage of his life and career. He did what he has done in the past, but I must say I am just as happy with ugly goals. It does not always have to be like this. If the ball hits his leg and goes in, I feel the same.”