Kylian Mbappé described his reaction after the Real Madrid scandal between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.

More issues seem to arise every day for Real Madrid fans. On a day that should have been about the win over Real Oviedo, the focus shifted to Kylian Mbappé’s press conference. Among the topics was his laugh when leaving the training ground after the Federico Valverde incident with Aurelien Tchouameni.

Mbappé said: “I was not there. I was not there when it happened. I cannot confirm whether anything happened or not because I was not there. I left the Ciudad Deportiva without knowing what happened because I was injured. I was not training with the team.”

This was a topic that drew attention last week, as El Chiringuito published a video of Mbappé leaving in a car, laughing in the middle of a scandal. While his injury was real, it may also suggest that he is somewhat disconnected from the team.

🚨 IMAGEN @elchiringuitotv 🚨

🤣 MBAPPÉ ABANDONA VALDEBEBAS 'PARTIÉNDOSE de RISA'.

🇫🇷 El francés ha completado hoy parte del entrenamiento con el grupo. pic.twitter.com/nVcMLKiX1d

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) May 7, 2026

Mbappé on his injury

The forward is not known for recurring injuries throughout his career. If anything, he has played too many matches for his age. However, this season was different, as he had to deal with a few.

Most notably during the most important stretch, when his team was in the Champions League, he was not able to be at 100 percent. The report at the time about his knee injury was that the club had examined the wrong knee, something the forward denied.

Mbappé said: “Real Madrid never make mistakes. It is the best club in the world. It is hard when you have an injury. What hurts the most is people who think I did not want to play. At first, people said I was playing too much, that I wanted to play every match. That is the only thing that does not make sense.”

Mbappé on his trip to Italy

Before the many scandals that put Real Madrid in the news for reasons unrelated to matches, the forward was the first to be involved in one. As he was recovering from an injury, Mbappé traveled to Italy. The issue for fans was his commitment, because even though he was not going to play against Espanyol, he arrived in the country almost at kickoff time.

Mbappé said when asked about his trip: “You do not know what I did in Italy. You do not know whether I was on vacation. That is your opinion. People do not know the context or whether it was authorized by the club, which it was. That sells newspapers and affects people. But the only thing that matters to me is winning titles, and we did not do that.”

Real Madrid can't have easy days as Kylian Mbappé detailed why Alvaro Arbeloa put him on the bench.

Problems never seem to end for Real Madrid fans. They could not even enjoy the win over Real Oviedo because another controversy is already making headlines. In a match where he started on the bench, Kylian Mbappé claimed Álvaro Arbeloa told him something unbelievable, if true.

Mbappé said: “I am at 100%. I did not play because the manager told me I was the fourth forward on the team behind [Franco] Mastantuono, Vinicius and Gonzalo [García]. I was ready to start. It is his decision and you have to respect it. I am not angry.”

This was another unnecessary scandal involving Real Madrid players after the fight between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. The week was not very calm either after Florentino Perez called elections in a press conference. All of this makes the club look even worse than not winning titles.

Mbappé on his relationship with Arbeloa

The French forward spoke to the media to respond to criticism about several issues: “I prefer to talk here, with my mouth, so it is clearer. My only responsibility is to play well and give everything for the badge.”

But the most controversial thing he said was about Arbeloa’s decision, even though he made it clear he has no issue with him. Still, his explanation for being on the bench caused a scandal.

Mbappé said: “I do not have any issue with Arbeloa. You have to respect him. You have to accept the manager’s philosophy, and I need to improve to play ahead of Vini, Gonzalo and Mastantuono. I do not watch his press conferences. I have French TV at home, not Spanish TV.”

Mbappé on Xabi Alonso

The quick exit of Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid in January left the player as the main person responsible for not following what the manager wanted. While he did not confirm any problems with him, his answer was striking given how his spell at the club ended. Mbappé said: “I have a great relationship with Alonso. But that is in the past. We should look forward.”

Real Madrid officially called elections after Florentino Perez's conference.

This week was chaotic for Real Madrid after Florentino Perez called a press conference. While the club president was prepared to criticize journalists and rivals, the most important thing he did for the institution was call for elections.

The club officially announced what Perez had warned about a few days earlier: “The Electoral Board, in accordance with the provisions of Article 38 of the clubs’ bylaws, has decided to call elections for President and Board of Directors. This Electoral Board, under the provisions of Article 40 of the aforementioned bylaws, makes this call public and announces the start of the electoral process.”

Many dates are important, but these are the key ones. From May 14 to May 23, the period to submit candidacies will remain open. The following day, it must be announced whether a new candidate has submitted a candidacy.

If no candidate other than Perez submits a proposal, the current president will remain in his position. If that does not happen, the Electoral Board will call an election. However, the date for the election has not been established. According to Mundo Deportivo, it could take place on June 7. A simple majority would be enough to win the election.

Enrique Riquelme, the other candidate

Fans are not used to voting for the Real Madrid president lately, as nobody has challenged Perez in recent years. This may not change, since the requirements to become a candidate are very restrictive, as the Spanish outlet explains.

A seniority of 20 years as a club member may be a difficult requirement to meet, but the financial one is even tougher, since presenting a guarantee worth 20% of the budget would reportedly amount to around 187 million euros.

That leaves the list of possible candidates very short, with Enrique Riquelme as the main alternative. Riquelme is the 37-year-old CEO of Grupo Cox and a longtime supporter of the club. His emergence came after an open letter in which he said the club needs time.

Riquelme wrote: “Time to discuss how to preserve the values that have made this club eternal: exemplary conduct, institutional elegance, respect for opponents, excellence, unity, and the ambition to continue being the global reference point of sport.”

The fan voting

Vote by mail: members included in the electoral roll may cast their vote by mail, in accordance with the requirements and conditions established in the electoral regulations.

Electoral roll: members may check their inclusion or exclusion in the electoral roll from May 14 to May 18, 2026, inclusive, through the Online Member Support Office (2026 Presidential Elections), or at the Member Support Offices, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Claims regarding the electoral roll: members may submit claims to the Electoral Board regarding their inclusion or exclusion in the electoral roll from May 14 to May 18, 2026, inclusive, in writing via email or at the Member Support Offices, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Pep Guardiola put some calm Rodri missing the World Cup with an injury, but wasn't sure about his participation in the FA Cup final.

Key players often miss major tournaments because of injuries. Questions over Rodri’s availability for Spain in the World Cup were cleared up during a light exchange between Pep Guardiola and a reporter, but his status for Manchester City’s FA Cup final against Chelsea remains uncertain.

Guardiola answered simply “No” when asked whether Rodri would miss the big event. When the reporter replied, “Thank you,” the manager joked that there was still one way it could happen: “Only if Luis de la Fuente doesn’t call him up.”

Rodri’s availability for next Saturday is still a different matter. In his press conference after the win over Crystal Palace, Guardiola was less certain and said he “doesn’t know. We’ll see in the next few days.”

Pep Guardiola on the Premier League

While the FA Cup could still give Manchester City a trophy in an uneven season for Guardiola, the Premier League race is still open, with Arsenal two points ahead and two matches left to play.

The debate over the last few days has centered on Crystal Palace’s role in deciding the title, since they are the final opponent on the schedule. Their UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano has also sparked criticism over the idea that they might field a reserve team.

Asked about Oliver Glasner potentially rotating his squad, Guardiola said: “Leave the managers to do what they have to do. The less the Premier League is involved in those decisions, the better for all of us.”

The final matches

Manchester City need to make up two points on Arsenal in two matches, so they also need help from their rivals. Their fixtures are Bournemouth away and Aston Villa at home, while Arsenal face Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away before the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Inter Miami are ahead against Cincinnati with a Lionel Messi goal.

With Inter Miami looking to move closer to the top of the conference, the road match against Cincinnati was a good test. As has happened in most matches, Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.

The match had started well for Inter Miami, with a link-up between Messi and Berterame that ended in a goal from the left-footed star, but it was ruled out for offside. However, he did not miss the next chance.

Preferring to combine down the left side, Inter Miami moved up the field and created danger, but their goal came from a mistake by Miazga. A through ball by Rodrigo de Paul was slightly too long, and the defender tried to clear it, but the deflection bounced off Messi’s right leg and into the net.

Right place, right time. 😉

Messi capitalizes on the clearance for his 10th goal of the season. 💥

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/8JrzpESVHR pic.twitter.com/kZhyfQtUI1

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2026

Cincinnati came back through a Kevin Denkey penalty late in the first half, before Pavel Bucha made it 2-1 early in the second. However, Inter Miami responded quickly with a move down the right that ended in a de Paul assist for Messi, who only had to steer the ball in for the equalizer.

MESSI BRACE! ✨

A beautiful team goal from @InterMiamiCF finished off by Messi. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/gBZ9CFjgXA

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2026

The celebration did not last long as Evander restored the lead for the home side. However, there was still more from the Argentine, as he assisted Mateo Silvetti for the 3-3 equalizer.

Immediate impact! 😤

Mateo Silvetti with cut back and finish to equalize for @InterMiamiCF. pic.twitter.com/Hb48EazBMX

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2026

Quickly after, goalkeeper Roman Celentano dropped the ball following a collision with Andrei Chirila, allowing Germán Berterame to score Inter Miami’s 4-3 near the end. To cap it all off, Messi completed his hat trick with a right-footed finish from the penalty spot after a good pass from Silvetti.

MESSI HAT TRICK 🎩🎩🎩 pic.twitter.com/r89IPOglLZ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2026

Florentino Pérez put Kylian Mbappé as Real Madrid's best player while he also avoided a question about Erling Haaland.

Florentino Pérez’s press conference on Tuesday raised plenty of eyebrows. His interview with La Sexta was no less notable, as the Real Madrid president touched on several topics, including Kylian Mbappé and a possible move for Erling Haaland.

Pérez said: “I have never spoken with any player. I never talk about sporting matters. I have not spoken with Mbappé. If I see him, I greet him. He is our best player. The one who has scored the most goals.”

His answer was much less clear when asked about a possible signing of Haaland from Manchester City. While Pérez did not say the club is making a move for him, he also did not close the door on the idea: “Well, I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t give my opinion on these things.”

The manager search

A major topic around Real Madrid is who could be the next manager if Álvaro Arbeloa leaves. The name most often mentioned is José Mourinho, who was also addressed by Pérez. He said: “I like many managers. Mourinho gave us a lot. But the president does not choose the manager.” That also brought Xabi Alonso into the discussion.

The other name tied to the club’s chaotic period is Alonso, who was hired last year after major success with Bayer Leverkusen but was dismissed in January after the team failed to deliver the results expected.

Pérez said: “I was not wrong to appoint Alonso. We did not have a preseason and we collapsed physically. We had many injuries. We are running tests to fix that. It has been a very bad season. But it all starts with the Club World Cup. We did not have a preseason.”

Pérez on the Valverde-Tchouaméni scandal

Last week’s biggest topic was also a Real Madrid scandal, as Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni had a disagreement that ended with the Uruguayan in the hospital. For the president, the leak was worse than the incident itself.

Pérez said: “It is very ugly to whistle. They are our players and you should not boo them. There are always fights in teams. And leaking it is very ugly. We know who did it. Fights happen every year. It is something normal.”

Alvaro Arbeloa agreed with Real Madrid president as Florentino Perez claimed the club was robbed of seven La Liga titles.

Florentino Pérez’s surprise press conference on Tuesday sparked another reaction on Wednesday, when Álvaro Arbeloa gave his own. The coach agreed with the club president when asked about the claim that Real Madrid were robbed of seven La Liga titles.

Arbeloa said: “Of course. We all know what has happened over the last 20 years. Surely there are things we don’t know. It’s neither legal nor does it make sense to those of us involved in this competition. It’s unbelievable that only Real Madrid wants to uphold the law in football. It’s a feeling shared by all Madrid fans.”

This is a natural response from someone employed by the club, but his future is uncertain. While the club may already be looking at replacements, Real Madrid must try to improve its image with the fans.

Pérez’s claim

In an explosive press conference from the club president, many topics were discussed. Pérez announced that he is calling an election even if he still has time left after being elected, but he does not intend to leave his position for now.

The main point for him was what he sees as the referees’ repeated decisions against Real Madrid, mistakes that he believes cost the club seven titles in a very controversial period.

Pérez said: “I have been here for I don’t know how many seasons and I just won seven European Cups and seven La Liga titles that could be 14 because they were stolen from me. We made a video of the 18 points they took from us in this one.”

Real Madrid’s future

Real Madrid still have three matches left to finish a poor La Liga season that has them behind champions Barcelona. While those games will not change their position, they still need to improve in a very tense situation. Their remaining opponents are Real Oviedo, Sevilla and Athletic Club.

The acting president of Barcelona Rafael Yuste responded to Florentino Perez's press conference.

Tuesday was marked on the calendar by Florentino Pérez’s unexpected press conference, in which he criticized several people, from the media to Real Madrid’s rivals. Barcelona acting president Rafael Yuste responded.

Yuste said: “It’s pointless to bring up Negreira again when we’ve won two leagues with a project built around players from La Masia and others who came from elsewhere. We’re winning by 14 points, and this is just a smokescreen to justify poor management.”

In Pérez’s lengthy statement, he claimed that Real Madrid had been robbed of seven La Liga titles, which Yuste rejected. However, this may not be a problem for Barcelona as they celebrate another trophy after winning El Clásico.

Yuste questions his counterpart’s claims

The press conference was not expected by the media, as it was an emotional move from Pérez to defend his club. However, Barcelona’s response did not take long, as the club released a statement.

In that statement, the club told supporters it was reviewing everything the Real Madrid president said and would decide how to respond. Yuste also had strong words about Real Madrid’s position.

Yuste said: “Florentino’s words struck me as pathetic and full of falsehoods. The club already issued a statement yesterday considering legal action, but I want to say that this was a move to cover up a sporting disaster that has been going on for two years will get him nowhere.”

Barcelona statement

“Regarding the press conference held by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, we inform that our legal department is carefully examining his statements and accusations. They are currently being reviewed and the steps to be taken are being assessed. When considered appropriate, any positions and decisions that are adopted will be communicated.”

Hansi Flick wasn't very certain about Robert Lewandowski's future with Barcelona.

The trophy already has a name on it, as Barcelona won La Liga after their El Clásico win over Real Madrid with three matches left. However, there are still things to play for. In a strong season for the club, Robert Lewandowski’s future is uncertain for Hansi Flick as his contracts comes to an end.

Flick said in a press conference: “What can I say about Lewandowski? I won titles with him. I’m very proud of managing an incredible player like him, but things are what they are. We’ll see what happens.”

Barcelona are celebrating the title again with a match against Alavés on Wednesday. It may not matter much right now, but it could still mean a lot, as they need three wins to reach 100 points.

Flick on the injuries

Barcelona lost many players during the season at moments that had a major impact. The main one was probably when Raphinha got injured while playing for Brazil in an incident that kept him out of the Champions League matches against Atlético Madrid, which ended their run.

For the manager, that was a big reason the team could not go any further, but Flick praised how they still remained competitive until the end despite missing several important players.

Flick said: “It’s been a difficult season because of injuries. There have been key players who haven’t been available at times, like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha, Frenkie [de Jong]. And it’s incredible the season we’ve had and how we’ve improved in the last two months in attack and defense. We’ve conceded the fewest goals, and nobody expected that.”

Barcelona want history

The title race is over after Barcelona opened up a 14-point lead over Real Madrid with three matches left. Even so, there is still huge motivation as they try to reach the 100-point mark in La Liga. They would become only the third team to do it, with Real Madrid doing so in 2011-12 before Barcelona matched it the following season.

Wesley Sneijder was critical of Kylian Mbappé for his attitude before the match in which Real Madrid lost to Barcelona in El Clasico.

Real Madrid fans are furious with Kylian Mbappé after another disappointing season without a title. To the wave of criticism the forward has received in recent weeks, Wesley Sneijder has now added his voice. The former Real Madrid player questioned him in an interview with Hard Rock Bet.

Sneijder said: “There were decisions like going on vacation instead of staying with the team. That is not right, especially when Barcelona can become champions in El Clásico. That really hurts the fans. You need to be with the team.”

His behavior off the field has drawn criticism, but Mbappé did not stop there, as the forward posted smiling pictures the day after Real Madrid’s rivals lifted the trophy by beating them in an important match.

Sneijder on the next manager

Even if Álvaro Arbeloa has not been dismissed yet, it is almost certain he will not be Real Madrid’s manager for much longer. In Sneijder’s view, the best replacement would be José Mourinho because of his experience.

The former player had plenty of praise for the Portuguese manager, under whom he played at Inter when they won the treble and he enjoyed the best year of his career, with his personality standing out as his biggest strength.

Sneijder said: “Real Madrid are one of the teams that need a great manager, but also a manager capable of handling incredible players with very strong personalities. I think he is the ideal person for that role.”

Sneijder on managing too many players

One of the most important tasks for any manager is keeping all players ready to contribute whenever the team needs them. That could be the main thing the Portuguese coach brings to the club.

Sneijder said: “Mourinho knows exactly how to manage every player, because it is easy to manage the starting 11. Every manager in the world can do that, but it is not just about them. There are more players on the bench or even out of it.”

Iker Casillas posted a message about Jose Mourinho's possible hiring as Real Madrid manager.

These days have not been calm for Real Madrid fans. With Florentino Pérez’s press conference covering several topics, comments from club icons about the next manager have also emerged. Iker Casillas was one of those who spoke out against José Mourinho’s possible return with a message on social media.

Casillas said: “I don’t have any problems with Mourinho. I think he’s a great professional. I don’t want him at Real Madrid. Other managers would be more prepared to manage the club of my life. Personal opinion. Nothing else.”

The former goalkeeper knows the club better than most, so his opinion carries a lot of weight. Even so, it would not be completely surprising if there were some personal issues between them, since Mourinho was manager during Casillas’ time at Real Madrid.

Casillas on the lack of titles

Casillas was part of Real Madrid from 1999 to 2015, a period in which the club added to its history with titles of all kinds. The goalkeeper himself won 18 trophies and was a major part of those successes.

No tengo ningún problema con Mourinho. Me parece un gran profesional. No le quiero en el @realmadrid . Creo que otros entrenadores estarían mejor capacitados para entrenar en el club de mi vida. Opinión personal. Nada mas.

— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) May 12, 2026

Just a few hours before his comments about Mourinho, he had also given his opinion on Real Madrid’s lack of titles, backing the critical view shared by many around the club.

Casillas said: “When Real Madrid goes two seasons without titles, it is worrying. We should look at next year and forget this one. It is curious because I was just reflecting the opinion of a phenomenal former teammate like Toni Kroos. A soccer genius. My opinion, which copies 99% of his, is attacked by a certain sector of the darker side of madridismo, but I don’t care.”

Mourinho’s time with Real Madrid

Mourinho’s spell at the club was not especially memorable because he had to compete with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. He was in charge from 2010 to 2013 and managed 178 matches. His trophy haul was limited, with one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de España.

Cristiano Ronaldo must wait to win his first title with Al Nassr after the draw against Al Hilal.

Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League title race was pushed back after today’s draw. Cristiano Ronaldo had the chance to secure the championship with one match left, but now he will have to wait a few more days after a 99th-minute own goal by Bento led to a tie with Al Hilal.

Ronaldo could still win the title with Al Nassr without even playing, as his next chance comes on Saturday. If Al Hilal fail to beat Neom, the championship will be secured with the current five-point gap and only two matches remaining for their closest rivals.

Saturday could become a celebration day for Al Nassr, as the club also has the AFC Champions League Two final against Gamba Osaka. If they do not secure the league before then, they will have to wait until May 21 for their final match. The team standing in their way would be Damac, which is fighting to avoid relegation, but if Al Nassr win, they will clinch the title regardless of how Al Hilal finish their match.

Al Nassr’s season

After several years in which inconsistency defined their performances, Al Nassr were much stronger this season. Their number of wins shows they were the most dominant side, with 27 victories.

Their fewest results were draws, with only two all season. That suggests they were a high-risk team, always going for the win, even if that sometimes led to defeats.

Al Nassr did not have a perfect season in that respect. Unlike Al Hilal, who finished without a loss, Ronaldo’s team lost four times. Still, the most important thing is that they got the result they wanted.

The goal difference

As is often the case with champions around the world, Al Nassr had a strong goal difference backed by their attacking power. They scored 87 goals and conceded only 27, finishing with a plus-60 goal difference on their way to the title.

Alvaro Arbeloa defended Kylian Mbappé after a video of him laughing amid Real Madrid scandal.

Real Madrid did not have a normal training week before Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona. The Federico Valverde incident with Aurélien Tchouaméni drew most of the attention, but that same day Kylian Mbappé was seen leaving the training ground laughing, and Álvaro Arbeloa defended him.

Arbeloa said: “For a player to leave the training ground laughing is taking things out of context and putting them out of place. We all know the effort he made to come to Real Madrid and what he gave up. We all saw him wearing the shirt as a kid.”

The issue came up after a video posted by El Chiringuito last Thursday, the same day Valverde went to the hospital for stitches after the scandal. While it may not be a major mistake, it is not helpful for a player like Mbappé, who is already under scrutiny, to do something like that, especially after the kind of year the club had last season.

🚨 IMAGEN @elchiringuitotv 🚨

🤣 MBAPPÉ ABANDONA VALDEBEBAS 'PARTIÉNDOSE de RISA'.

🇫🇷 El francés ha completado hoy parte del entrenamiento con el grupo. pic.twitter.com/nVcMLKiX1d

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) May 7, 2026

Arbeloa’s authority under scrutiny

The main takeaway from the incident was not only whether the dressing room is united after a bad year. The clash between the midfielders was not the only issue, since they had already argued the day before.

If a manager wants to be at a club this big, he has to be able to deal with players who have major egos because of their status, which is something Arbeloa could not do after a repeated incident, and also when Mbappé took a short trip while injured.

Arbeloa said about Mbappé’s arrival in Spain when his teammates were about to play against Espanyol: “I feel with the complete authority of a Real Madrid manager. In the end, they are respecting their current manager and as a player that is the most important thing.”

Arbeloa dismisses players having too much power

Dressing room conflicts are the players’ responsibility, but the manager has to be a leader so they do not affect the team. Real Madrid have not played since the incident, but it brought back the topic of how much power players may have, which was also a talking point after Xabi Alonso’s dismissal.

Arbeloa said: “I don’t know what that means. When a Real Madrid player does not play, it is because of a sporting decision. I choose the one I think deserves it most. Fans can be calm with this dressing room and these players. These are difficult situations, but there is nobody more ready to improve this than the president of our club.”

Hansi Flick commented on the Real Madrid scandal between teammates before the match against his Barcelona.

The news of the week centered on the dressing room incident at Real Madrid, as Federico Valverde will miss the match against Barcelona after a discussion with Aurelien Tchouameni. Hansi Flick reacted to the situation.

Flick said: “The most important thing, and I thank this club for it, is that we all move in the same direction. These are not normal things, but they can happen. You have to manage them and talk, communicate, that’s how we do it here. If anything happens, I’ll think about it. These things happen around the world, not just at Real Madrid. It surprised me a bit, but it’s not my team.”

Sunday could be a historic day for the club, with Barcelona trying to clinch La Liga against Real Madrid for the first time ever. With an 11-point lead, even a draw is enough for them.

Flick avoids discussing the Real Madrid crisis

There is no doubt that Real Madrid are in crisis. Their entire season has been poor, with a few exceptions like the Champions League tie against Manchester City. However, a club of this size going a full year without a trophy is something fans do not see often.

The fight between teammates is only the latest issue for a side that had already been producing levels well below expectations, even if Flick is trying to avoid focusing on the situation at their biggest rival.

Flick said: “Our goal is to win at home. We have a fantastic team; the fans support us. But for them, for Real Madrid, it’s also a classic match, and everyone must give 100 percent. They want to win. El Clásico is very important for everyone.”

Flick on the dressing room

The manager did not want to say too much about Real Madrid because he is focused only on his own team. In contrast to what has been happening with their biggest rivals, Flick praised the atmosphere in the Barcelona dressing room for most of the season.

Flick said: “The relationship between all the players is fantastic. The club has to keep following that philosophy of developing young talent. I am not going to say we do not make mistakes, we all do and we are human, but you have to know how to react. I am happy with my team. The communication has been great.”

Former Barcelona player Patrick Kluivert defender Real Madrid players after a year with no titles.

There has not been a season to remember for either Spanish club in terms of trophies. The only one that could still change that is Barcelona, who are about to win La Liga. Real Madrid did not win a single title, but former player Patrick Kluivert defended them in an interview with Erem News.

Kluivert said: “I don’t know what is going on at Real Madrid. When a manager leaves and another one arrives, a certain instability is created. It’s normal. They still have great players and can achieve good things, but this season some things were missing. They are human beings and football players, not robots.”

The Dutch former player was referring more to the managerial changes than to the internal scandal. However, it was still somewhat surprising given the expectations at a club like Real Madrid. For the former Barcelona player, the dismissal of Xabi Alonso in the middle of the season could be the reason they are not celebrating titles.

Kluivert uncertain about Barcelona’s potential forwards

One of the big summer questions for the club is how they will strengthen their attack because there is still plenty of doubt about who will play as the number 9. Robert Lewandowski could leave, so transfer rumors are starting to pick up.

Many players can be offered to the club, although Barcelona look like they are trying everything they can to get Julián Álvarez. Those are both strong options, with Kluivert not putting one above the other.

Kluivert said: “I don’t know what Lewandowski is going to do. He’s fantastic. He has a great impact in the dressing room; he’s one of my favorites. There are also talks about Álvarez, who is special and is playing well for Atletico Madrid. We’ll see what happens in that position.”

Kluivert supports Hansi Flick

The speculation that Hansi Flick could stay long term may soon become reality. Under the German manager, Barcelona have become a force in Europe again even though they were not able to win the Champions League. Flick also has Kluivert’s support to stay.

Kluivert said: “It would be something really good if Flick continues. He’s doing a fantastic job, getting excellent results and showing a great connection with the team. The manager has also given opportunities to the young players, which is very important to the club.”

Iker Casillas prefers Xabi Alonso back than Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid manager.

Real Madrid’s week has revolved around the scandal between players, not Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona. But one topic that keeps coming up is the club’s next manager, and Iker Casillas said Xabi Alonso would be the ideal choice rather than José Mourinho at a Movistar+ event.

Casillas was asked about Mourinho’s possible return to the club and said: “I would hire Alonso again. He’s a manager who succeeded with Bayer Leverkusen, he’s young and he is ready for Real Madrid. He would be the perfect manager with continuity and confidence. But in soccer you never know. Zinedine Zidane came in for Rafael Benítez and things went right.”

It is still unclear whether Mourinho could become the next manager, as he is still under contract with Benfica. His release clause reportedly expires in the last days of this month, so the club would have to decide quickly if they want him. With recent events, it also seems unlikely that Álvaro Arbeloa can keep his job.

Casillas on the Valverde-Tchouameni incident

The last few days in football have been dominated by Real Madrid, but not for good reasons. In a difficult season in which they will not win any trophies, ending it with an internal clash between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni makes things even worse for loyal fans of the club.

The situation, in which the midfielders reportedly had a disagreement on Wednesday before another one on Thursday, drew a lot of attention. It also had consequences for the team, as Valverde was injured in the incident even though he denied any confrontation. The former goalkeeper does not think it cannot be resolved.

Casillas said: “Everything has a solution, it can be fixed. It happened in our time too, but the difference is that it was before El Clasico. It’s something that must be solved from within, but it can happen at a club like Real Madrid. What makes you angry is that a team like this has not won a title.”

Casillas asks for sporting spirit

With all the tension these clubs always carry against each other, it would be normal to expect a heated match in what could be the decisive game in La Liga if it ends in a draw. Real Madrid’s icon does not want that to be the case on Sunday.

Casillas said: “Real Madrid players will shake hands with them if Barcelona win and congratulate them. The guard of honor cannot be part of it now, maybe in the future. If I were a player, If I were a player, I would step onto the field with the goal of preventing them from becoming champions on this day.”

Tony Kroos was very critical with the modern stars as he hailed Ousmane Dembélé's attitude after being substituted.

Last Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain reached the Champions League final after drawing with Bayern Munich, thanks to a goal from Ousmane Dembélé, who was replaced early. Toni Kroos used him as an example while criticizing modern stars on his podcast.

Kroos said: “Luis Enrique substitutes the best player in the world at 65 minutes and he leaves, that’s correct. He high-fives the manager and then he cheers for his teammates from the bench. There are certainly many counterexamples.”

Those were not the only compliments Kroos had to make: “You see how he screams for his teammates from the bench, unlike 90% of the rest who think they are the stars of their teams, making gestures on the field while walking off and then sitting on the bench with a bad expression on their face.”

Kroos on Luis Enrique

The former midfielder also spoke highly of the manager, pointing to Dembélé’s reaction when he was replaced by Bradley Barcola in a match that was still far from over. For the German, the respect Luis Enrique commands is important because he had strong managers throughout his career.

Choosing to keep Desiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the field while taking off the player who was crowned best last year was clearly a decision that could have made a difference, and that is what led to Kroos’ praise.

Kroos said: “Why did he take Dembélé out? Because the manager saw he was tired and that Doué and Kvaratskhelia were better that day, so he took him out. Period. Nobody complains. That shows the respect they have for the manager.”

Kroos also praised Kvaratskhelia

The other player he praised was the Georgian, for his talent combined with effort. Kvaratskhelia made a huge play in Paris Saint-Germain’s goal, carrying the ball half the field before providing an easy assist for his teammate: “He works like crazy, and he is still a world-class player.”

Robert Lewandowski could leave Barcelona this summer with MLS interested in the player as Chicago Fire's sporting director confirmed.

Robert Lewandowski’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain, as his contract expires in June. There are plenty of clubs interested in a player of his caliber, even at 37 years old. While there had been reports that a move to MLS had cooled, Chicago Fire sporting director Gregg Broughton confirmed in an interview with TalkSport that he is still interested in him.

Broughton said: “Lewandowski is a player that MLS is interested in. It’s important to remember that in MLS, players belong to the league, not directly to the clubs. We have shown our interest in trying to bring a player of that caliber to Chicago. Robert is still a Barcelona player, and it wouldn’t be right to talk too much about a player who is under contract with another club.”

Lewandowski has shown that he can still be important in the biggest matches. Injuries have limited him a bit recently, but they have not been a recurring problem throughout his career. What could ultimately decide his departure from Barcelona is whether he agrees to lower his salary, something the club is expected to ask him to do.

Juventus and Milan are also interested

Lewandowski’s suitors could come from several places, with MLS facing strong competition from Saudi Arabia if the forward wants more money. However, those are not the only possible options.

If the Polish striker decides he still wants to continue at the highest competitive level after leaving his current club, Italy is the main country showing interest, with several big clubs already talking to his agent.

Those clubs are Juventus and Milan, both of which could offer a much lower salary than other markets. Barcelona representative Deco is set to meet with the player’s agent, Pini Zahavi, according to Sport. Until Lewandowski decides whether or not to stay, interested clubs will have to wait.

Lewandowski’s numbers

Lewandowski is finishing the season with his weakest numbers since his first year at Borussia Dortmund, when he scored nine goals, well below his usual standard. Barcelona have only used him in 42 matches this season and he has scored 18 goals.

Lionel Messi hailed Lamine Yamal as the most similar player to him from his Barcelona days.

The connection between these players keeps growing, as they are among the most talented to emerge in years. Lionel Messi has always praised the Barcelona star whenever he gets the chance, and this time he chose Lamine Yamal as the player who looks the most like him during an Adidas event.

Messi said: “There’s a new generation of players that’s very good and has many years ahead, but if I have to choose one for his age, for what he has done so far and for the future he could have, it’s Yamal. There’s no doubt, he’s the best.”

Even if these two have not faced each other on the field since the cancellation of the Finalissima, the respect between them is clear as Messi has consistently supported Barcelona’s young heir.

Messi compared to Yamal

Longevity may be a major advantage for Messi, since he is still making a difference 20 years after his debut. But the comparison goes the other way when you look at the start of their careers, where Yamal has been far more productive early on.

Yamal turns 19 in July, but he will not play another match for Barcelona before then, so his current club record stands at 151 appearances and 49 goals. He was also last year’s Ballon d’Or runner-up.

Messi was expected to be great from a young age, but he did not become a regular first-team player until the 2006-07 season, after his 19th birthday. At the same age Yamal is now, Messi had played 34 matches and scored nine goals.

More differences with their respective countries

The gap in club appearances is significant, but it is even larger at international level. Yamal was called up to Spain’s senior team at 16 years and 50 days, and even in a very strong national side he became decisive in their 2024 European Championship title run. Messi was part of Argentina’s 2006 World Cup squad as a substitute, and had played six matches at age 19.

Real Madrid icon Guti defended Kylian Mbappé amid private life discussions.

It was an unusual week for Real Madrid as they prepare for Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona. The scandal involving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni drew most of the attention, but Kylian Mbappe was already on the fans’ radar before that. For club icon Guti, his personal life is not an issue, as he said on Radio Marca.

Guti said when asked about the French forward: “What I care about is that Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham, Carreras, Lunin do things well on the field. Outside of that, I don’t care what they do. It’s their personal life and each person does what they want with their time off. When they are on the field and they are not doing things correctly, let’s criticize them. But when they are out of it, let’s leave them alone.”

These comments came after the controversy surrounding Mbappe’s arrival in Spain at almost the same time his teammates were about to kick off the match against Espanyol, a game that could have decided La Liga. His recent trips with his reported girlfriend angered some supporters, especially as he has been dealing with an injury.

Guti would like Vitinha at Real Madrid

While he was not as famous as some of his teammates during the Galácticos era, Guti was always a respected figure in the dressing room. Coming through the club’s youth system gave him a connection to Real Madrid that others did not have.

His style of play also fit what the club likes to see in its players, as the midfielder had a flair with his left foot that few could match. That makes him a natural person to weigh in on who the best midfielder for Real Madrid might be right now.

Guti said: “In Spain, Pedri is above everybody. If it’s around the world, I think there are other players at his level like Vitinha. He’s a great player. He’s one of the most complete players in the world. Arda Guler is going to grow too. Vitinha at Real Madrid wouldn’t be bad. Great players should be there, he’s the best at his position.”

Guti’s record with Real Madrid

Guti played almost his entire career at Real Madrid. Injuries kept him from reaching his full potential, but he still managed to contribute to the club from 1995 to 2010. He played 542 matches and scored 77 goals while winning 15 titles. His final year as a player was with Besiktas before he retired in 2011.

Aurelien Tchouameni posted a long message after Real Madrid fined him and Federico Valverde.

Real Madrid’s week was expected to revolve around Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona. Instead, an internal clash drew all the attention. Amid the reported dispute between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, and the club’s subsequent 500.000 euros fine, the French midfielder posted a long message.

Tchouameni said: “I am sorry for the image we projected of the club. I know the fans, the staff, my teammates, the management, everyone is deeply disappointed by the way this season has unfolded. But frustration cannot excuse everything. These incidents, even if they can happen in any dressing room, are not worthy of Real Madrid. Especially since Real Madrid is the most talked-about club in the world.”

That comes as no surprise, with Valverde and the club already having expressed their views this way. While Tchouameni could still play at Camp Nou this weekend, the dressing room will need to stay united, since even a draw would crown their rivals.

Aurelien Tchouameni’s full message

What happened this week in training is unacceptable.

I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school. No matter who is right or wrong, we should always look for the calmest solution to resolve a conflict.

Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club. I know the fans, the staff, my teammates, the management, everyone is deeply disappointed by the way this season has unfolded. But frustration cannot excuse everything. These incidents, even if they can happen in any dressing room, are not worthy of Real Madrid. Especially since Real Madrid is the most talked-about club in the world.

The internet loves to invent the wildest stories for the buzz so don’t believe everything that’s being said or the false narrative.

Anyway, now is no longer the time to figure out who did what, who said what, or who was right or wrong. I acknowledge the club’s sanction and I accept it. We remain a family, with disagreements at times, but we must always put our objectives above everything else. I have apologized to the group, and I also want to extend my apologies to all Madridistas.

Now it is time to move forward, and all our focus is on El Clásico and on the season ahead, to bring the club back to the top, where it belongs.

Valverde to miss time

Tchouameni came out of the incident in the best position. Even though Valverde said there was no fight, he was the one who ended up hurt. The Uruguayan needed stitches and will be unavailable for 10 to 14 days.

Reactions around the world were strongly critical of the incident, mainly because they had also had a disagreement the day before and were unable to move past it, leaving the club under pressure.

Real Madrid ultimately chose to hand down a clear warning by fining both players to set an example of what the club will not accept. Sporting sanctions were not applied, so both players can still be available for selection.

Real Madrid may need another left back as Ferland Mendy could miss a long time after muscle injury.

Bad news keeps piling up for Real Madrid in the middle of an internal scandal. This issue has nothing to do with that, but it is still another setback for the club, as it has now been confirmed that Ferland Mendy will undergo surgery.

Mendy was injured in the opening minutes of Real Madrid’s win over Espanyol last Sunday. The injury is to the tendon of his right rectus femoris, and it is not just a simple muscle issue with a short recovery time.

It has now been confirmed that the left-back needs surgery. Monday was the date set for the procedure in France, according to Marca. The expected recovery time is around five to six months, so Real Madrid may need to look for a replacement in the next transfer windows.

Éder Militão also needed surgery

Mendy is not the only player dealing with a muscle-related surgery. The French left-back joins Éder Militão in that unfortunate group, as the Brazilian is also expected to miss about the same amount of time.

His injury happened in a match against Alavés, but it was more serious because he re-injured an area that had already been hurt before. In early April, he was close to returning before this setback forced him out for six months.

Militão underwent surgery with well-known doctor Lasse Lempainen in Finland to repair a rupture of the proximal tendon of the biceps femoris in his left leg. Along with missing the rest of Real Madrid’s matches, he will also miss the World Cup with Brazil. The player decided on surgery because he could not continue at less than full strength.

The retirement rumors

Mendy had started to regain ground later on, but he played in only nine matches all season after suffering several injuries. While the initially reported recovery time was around six months, there are rumors that he could retire.

This was reported by Cadena Cope, which posted that “the French left-back suffers a tear of the tendon of the femoral rectum with bone separation. He’ll go through the operating room and could be on leave for a year and with the option of retirement if it does not go well.”