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Mbappe, Dembele Heat Up Real Madrid vs PSG Clash in Club World Cup Semifinal

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago22 mins

Football fans are set for a seismic showdown as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain lock horns in the semifinal of the FIFA Club World Cup, with more than just bragging rights on the line. Taking place at the massive MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the clash pits two of Europe’s most dominant clubs — and the last two UEFA Champions League winners — against each other in a battle for a spot in Sunday’s final. For Real Madrid, the stakes are historic: a chance to claim a record sixth Club World Cup title. But for PSG, it’s an opportunity to achieve a rare five-title season, adding the CWC crown to their domestic and continental success. Adding an explosive subplot to the tie is Kylian Mbappe’s dramatic reunion with his former club. Now donning the iconic white of Madrid, the French superstar will face PSG for the first time since making his long-anticipated move to Spain in 2024. Team news, starting lineups, and more details are expected to be confirmed in the hours leading up to kick-off. With two of the world’s richest clubs, a galaxy of stars, and Mbappe’s emotional return, this semifinal promises fireworks — on and off the pitch.

Brazil Coach Carlo Ancelotti Gets One-Year Suspended Sentence in Spanish Tax Case

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago11 mins

A Spanish court has sentenced Brazil national team coach and former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to a one-year prison term for tax fraud relating to his image rights earnings in 2014. The ruling, handed down on Wednesday by a court in Madrid, found the Italian coach guilty of failing to declare revenues from his image rights while managing Real Madrid during his first spell at the club. However, under Spanish law, first-time non-violent offenders receiving sentences under two years are rarely required to serve jail time. This means Ancelotti is unlikely to spend any time in prison. The court also acquitted Ancelotti of a second alleged tax offense from 2015, ruling there was insufficient evidence to prove wrongdoing during that year. Ancelotti, who is set to take charge of Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has not yet publicly commented on the verdict.

Luka Modric Announces Departure from Real Madrid

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

Croatian Luka Modric, Real Madrid player, announced on Thursday his departure from the club after a historic career filled with achievements and trophies. Modric said in an official statement: “The time has come for a moment I never hoped for, but this is football, and everything in life has a beginning and an end. On Saturday, I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabeu.” He added, “I arrived in 2012 with the desire to wear the shirt of the best team in the world and the ambition to achieve great things, but I could not have imagined what would happen next.” He continued: “Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a footballer and as a person. I felt proud to have been part of one of the most exciting periods in the club’s history.” He added, “I would like to thank the club from the bottom of my heart, especially President Florentino Perez, my teammates, the coaches, and everyone who has helped me throughout these years. I have experienced unforgettable moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations, and magical nights at the Bernabeu. We won everything, and I was extremely happy.” He continued, “But beyond the titles and victories, I also carry in my heart the love of all the Real Madrid fans. I don’t know how to describe how connected I am to you, and how much support, respect, and love I have felt and continue to feel. I will never forget every applause and every gesture of affection you have shown me.” He concluded, “I leave with a full heart, filled with pride, gratitude, and unforgettable memories. Although I won’t be wearing this shirt on the pitch after the Club World Cup, I will always be a Real Madrid fan.” The Croatian star joined Real Madrid on August 27, 2012, from Tottenham Hotspur for £30 million.

Real Madrid Beat Premier League Rivals to £50m Signing of Bournemouth Star Dean Huijsen

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago04 mins

Real Madrid have pulled off a major transfer coup by securing the signing of AFC Bournemouth’s breakout star Dean Huijsen, beating strong interest from Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Newcastle United. The 20-year-old defender, who joined Bournemouth from Juventus for £12 million just last summer, has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish giants. The deal, reportedly worth £50 million, will see Huijsen join Los Blancos following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. Sky Sports confirmed on Saturday morning that the contract was formally signed overnight, with Huijsen set to be available for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. Bournemouth later confirmed the news, revealing that Real Madrid activated the centre-back’s release clause. “AFC Bournemouth can confirm that defender Dean Huijsen will join Real Madrid following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season,” a club statement read. “The Spanish side have activated a £50 million release clause.” Huijsen has been instrumental in Bournemouth’s record-breaking Premier League campaign under manager Andoni Iraola, making 30 top-flight appearances and scoring crucial goals against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Arsenal. His standout performances also earned him a call-up to the Spanish national team in March. The highly rated youngster’s calm and composed style has drawn praise from pundits and former players alike. Speaking after Bournemouth’s victory at Arsenal—where Huijsen scored and was named Player of the Match—Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said:“Everybody looks up to this young man. He’s so cool, so composed. For a 20-year-old to be playing at this level and doing what he is— that’s why he’s coveted by pretty much everybody in Europe.” Despite heavy interest from Arsenal, whose technical director Andrea Berta has been active in the market pursuing midfield targets like Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres, the Gunners have lost out to Real Madrid in the race for Huijsen. The defender, speaking to Sky Sports amid the speculation, kept a level head:“I think I’m pretty relaxed. I’m just a chill guy. I don’t really think about it too much. I enjoy my football and enjoy myself. At the moment I’m just having fun playing football and it’s going well, so I’m really happy.” Huijsen will complete the final two games of the season with Bournemouth before making his high-profile switch to the Santiago Bernabéu, marking a remarkable rise for the young Spaniard and a major windfall for the Cherries.

Antonio Rudiger Undergoes Successful Surgery

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has successfully underwent surgery on his knee, the club announced on Tuesday morning. He is set to miss up to two months for Real Madrid, meaning he will not be there for the remainder of LaLiga games. He could return for the Club World Cup, according to COPE. The club’s medical report read: “Our player Antonio Rüdiger underwent successful surgery today for a partial tear of the external meniscus in his left leg. The operation was performed by Dr. Manuel Leyes under the supervision of the Real Madrid Medical Services. Rüdiger will begin recovery soon.” Real Madrid now only have three available centre-backs to end the season with. Raul Asencio, David Alaba and Jesus Vallejo, if you want to count him, will be the only three defenders who will play. Castilla defender Jacobo Ramon may get a few opportunities to shine as well. Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni could also have to go back to being a centre-back, even though he has been great at the pivot.

Back in a 1999 column, my former boss Bill Simmons introduced the "Ewing Theory." It came from a friend of his who believed that Patrick Ewing’s teams — at both Georgetown and with the New York Knicks — strangely played better whenever Ewing was injured or stuck on the bench with foul trouble, as Simmons later explained in an ESPN piece. Ewing, a star center drafted No. 1 overall by the Knicks in 1985, had a long, impressive career. Unfortunately, it unfolded alongside the dominance of Michael Jordan, meaning Ewing's Knicks won plenty of games but never captured an NBA title. In 1999, during the Eastern Conference finals, Ewing tore his Achilles. The eighth-seeded Knicks were tied 1-1 with the second-seeded Indiana Pacers, and most expected the Pacers to cruise to the NBA Finals. Instead, Simmons published his column introducing the Ewing Theory — and right on cue, the Knicks won three straight to clinch the series. Over the past 25 years, the Ewing Theory has been mocked and misunderstood. Critics quip: Oh, so it’s better not to have great players? They point out that the Knicks haven’t been back to the Eastern Conference finals since Ewing left. And they question why Simmons chose Ewing in the first place. But the name wasn’t really the point. As Simmons explained in a 2013 update, the Ewing Theory isn’t about tearing down a player — it’s about what happens when a team recalibrates after losing a star. Sometimes a player is overrated. Sometimes his absence gives other players a chance to thrive in a better-fitting system. And sometimes, losing a centerpiece forces everyone to step up, rediscover urgency, and rebuild momentum — transforming the team in the process. Sound familiar? Imagine if the world’s supposed best soccer player changed clubs over the summer, only for his new team to get worse while his old team thrived without him. Well, that’s exactly what's happened with Kylian Mbappé after his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. So, ahead of the upcoming El Clásico — the Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona (streaming live on ESPN+) — let’s dive into how Mbappé’s departure hurt Madrid, why PSG improved without him, and what it all might say about Mbappé as a player.

How Kylian Mbappé made Real Madrid worse

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago24 mins

Back in a 1999 column, my former boss Bill Simmons introduced the “Ewing Theory.” It came from a friend of his who believed that Patrick Ewing’s teams — at both Georgetown and with the New York Knicks — strangely played better whenever Ewing was injured or stuck on the bench with foul trouble, as Simmons later explained in an ESPN piece. Ewing, a star center drafted No. 1 overall by the Knicks in 1985, had a long, impressive career. Unfortunately, it unfolded alongside the dominance of Michael Jordan, meaning Ewing’s Knicks won plenty of games but never captured an NBA title. In 1999, during the Eastern Conference finals, Ewing tore his Achilles. The eighth-seeded Knicks were tied 1-1 with the second-seeded Indiana Pacers, and most expected the Pacers to cruise to the NBA Finals. Instead, Simmons published his column introducing the Ewing Theory — and right on cue, the Knicks won three straight to clinch the series. Over the past 25 years, the Ewing Theory has been mocked and misunderstood. Critics quip: Oh, so it’s better not to have great players? They point out that the Knicks haven’t been back to the Eastern Conference finals since Ewing left. And they question why Simmons chose Ewing in the first place. But the name wasn’t really the point. As Simmons explained in a 2013 update, the Ewing Theory isn’t about tearing down a player — it’s about what happens when a team recalibrates after losing a star. Sometimes a player is overrated. Sometimes his absence gives other players a chance to thrive in a better-fitting system. And sometimes, losing a centerpiece forces everyone to step up, rediscover urgency, and rebuild momentum — transforming the team in the process. Sound familiar? Imagine if the world’s supposed best soccer player changed clubs over the summer, only for his new team to get worse while his old team thrived without him. Well, that’s exactly what’s happened with Kylian Mbappé after his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. So, ahead of the upcoming El Clásico — the Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona (streaming live on ESPN+) — let’s dive into how Mbappé’s departure hurt Madrid, why PSG improved without him, and what it all might say about Mbappé as a player.

Ancelotti: My Real Madrid Future Could End Tomorrow

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Following Real Madrid’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal, manager Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club. In a post-match interview, Ancelotti stated, “I could be done at Real Madrid tomorrow,” but emphasized his gratitude towards the club regardless of any decision about his tenure. Sky Sports Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss at the Santiago Bernabéu resulted in a 3-2 aggregate defeat, marking a significant downturn for a team that has won the competition twice in the last three seasons. Currently, they trail Barcelona by four points in La Liga with seven games remaining. Amidst this backdrop, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is reportedly intensifying efforts to appoint Ancelotti as the national team’s head coach. Sources indicate that Diego Fernandes, a prominent Brazilian businessman, is facilitating discussions between Ancelotti’s representatives and the CBF. Ancelotti, who extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2026, has previously expressed a desire to honor his commitments with the club. However, the recent Champions League exit and ongoing speculation about his future have fueled discussions about a potential move to manage Brazil. As Real Madrid faces challenges in both domestic and European competitions, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining Ancelotti’s next steps, whether he continues at the helm of Los Blancos or embarks on a new chapter with the Brazilian national team.

Champions League: PSG Survives Thriller at The Villa

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

Paris Saint-Germain beat Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate to move into the semi-final of the Champions League where they will play Arsenal or holders Real Madrid. PSG went into the game at Villa Park leading 3-1 from the first leg at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Morocco international Achraf Hakimi increased the aggregate score to 4-1 when he swept home after 11 minutes. Fellow defender Nuno Mendes got his second goal of the tie mid way through the half to put the visitors 5-1 up and looking set to saunter into the semis. But just before half-time, William Pacho deflected Youri Tielemans’ shot into his own net past goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma to offer Villa a shred of respectability. That transformed into a glimmer of hope 10 minutes after the pause. Villa skipper John McGinn picked up the ball just inside the PSG half and barrelled forward. Unchallenged, he let fly from 30 metres and his shot rose and dipped over a befuddled Donnarumma into the net. Donnarumma pushed away a vicious goal-bound drive from Marcus Rashford for a corner a couple of minutes later but from the ensuing kick, Villa worked the ball back to Rashford who foxed two defenders on the right wing, drove into the penalty area and cut back for Ezri Konsa to steer the ball past Donnarumma for 3-2 on the night and inflame Villa’s dreams. Villa pushed but PSG held off the charge to slink into the semis – 5-4 on aggregate. “Very proud of the boys,” Konsa told broadcaster Amazon Prime. “The two goals at the start killed us but we showed great heart to get back into the game. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.” PSG will take on the winners of the tie between holders Real Madrid and Arsenal who go into the game at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night leading 3-0 from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium. “It’s going to be such a difficult semi-final whether it’s Arsenal or Real Madrid,” PSG skipper Marqinhos told Amazon Prime. “But there’s belief we can go all the way. We knew it was going to be difficult against Villa. The tie is never won in the first leg. They scored the goals in the second-half and it wasn’t easy at times but we did what we needed to do and we are through to the next round.” In Tuesday night’s other quarter-final, Guinea international Sehrou Guirassy hit a hat trick as Borussia Dortmund beat Barcelona 3-1 at the Signal Iduna Park. However, the Spaniards advance 5-3 on aggregate to a semi-final clash with Inter Milan or Bayern Munich who play on Wednesday night. Inter won the first leg in Munich 2-1.