Huijsen has chosen Real and will return to Spain where he grew up, playing for Costa Unida CF academy in Marbella and Malaga’s youth team. Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, who is set to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real manager, has been instrumental in the decision to sign the defender and prioritised signing a young...
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says he has “never had a problem” with the club and does not want to “make a big deal” out of his impending departure for the Brazil national team. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the 65-year-old’s appointment as head coach on Monday but there has not been an official...
Rangers have not as yet established a leading candidate to be their new manager, amid reports Davide Ancelotti is set to be offered the position. Spanish newspaper Marca say the 35-year-old Real Madrid assistant, who is the son of outgoing Bernabeu head coach Carlo Ancelotti, has been identified by 49ers Enterprises, who are in talks...
Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards debate which is the biggest club in La Liga – but can Gary let go of his Barca bias? WATCH: Match of the Day Top 10 on BBC iPlayer LISTEN: MOTD Top 10 on BBC Sounds READ: ‘Suffering makes us strong’ – Barcelona joy despite Mbappe record Read...
A statement from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said Ancelotti was a “legend of the game” and acknowledged the significance of a foreign coach taking charge of the team. “This landmark moment sees the coming together of two icons — the only five-time Fifa World Cup champions, and a coach with an unmatched record across...
Real’s La Liga defence was dealt a decisive blow on Saturday as they lost 4-3 to league leaders Barcelona to leave them seven points adrift with three games remaining. Conversations with Real started months ago when they let Alonso know he would be the replacement if Ancelotti did not continue next season. By March a...
Carlo Ancelotti has called Xabi Alonso “one of the best in the world” amid rumours the Spaniard will replace him as Real Madrid manager. On Friday, Bayer Leverkusen head coach Alonso said he would be leaving the German club at the end of this season. Alonso is set to be announced as the new Real...
On the pitch, the team lost coherence. The dressing room – once unified by Ancelotti’s steady hand – began to fragment. Key players stopped listening to him, others grew weary of his hands-off approach. Perhaps most destabilising was the rivalry between Vinicius and Mbappe. Both wanted to be the face of the team. Mbappe preferred...
Plenty has been said about Lamine Yamal’s impact this season – especially in their Champions League run to the semi-finals where they lost a thriller to Inter Milan. The Spain right winger, aged just 17, has set up 21 goals in all competitions for Barca this season – and scored 14 himself. In his three...
Cristiano’s Ronaldo’s eldest son has been called up to the Portugal Under-15s squad for the first time. The 14-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr is at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia with his father, who signed for the Pro League club in December 2022. Portugal great Ronaldo, 40, posted a picture on social media of his son’s name...
Real Madrid are aiming to complete the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold before the start of the Club World Cup. The England defender has confirmed he will leave Liverpool when his contract expires later this summer and the 26-year-old is expected to join the Spanish club as a free agent. Alexander-Arnold’s contract with Liverpool expires on...
This was illustrated during Draper’s semi-final against Lorenzo Musetti in Madrid. The Briton seemed to be fading in the second set and battled to hang on to his serve – then found another gear in a tie-break to increase his intensity and secure victory. Clay is seen as the most physically demanding surface because its...
British number one Jack Draper missed out on a first ATP Tour clay-court title as Casper Ruud edged an absorbing Madrid Open final. Draper, 23, was beaten 7-5 3-6 6-4 in the Spanish capital. Despite losing the final, he will reflect on an impressive fortnight at the ATP Masters event. Draper had previously never gone...
Aryna Sabalenka overcame a spirited fightback from Coco Gauff to claim her third Madrid Open title with a thrilling 6-3 7-6 (7-3) win. World number one Sabalenka dominated the opening set but squandered a championship point in a fluctuating second set as Gauff forced a tie-break. There was still little to separate them as Gauff...
Jack Draper booked his spot in the Madrid Open final with a hard-fought 6-3 7-6 (7-4) victory against Lorenzo Musetti. The British number one will contest his third ATP final of the year against Norway’s Casper Ruud on Sunday. Draper, 23, was broken in the opening set but claimed a double break of his own...