Real Madrid & Barcelona News

Xavi Espart to change position? Barcelona star talks playing pivot for Spain’s Under-19s

DENBIGH, WALES - JULY 04: Xavi Espart Font of Spain arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2026 match between Spain and Germany at Central Park on July 04, 2026 in Denbigh, Wales. (Photo by Harry Murphy - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images Xavi Espart has been shining for Spain’s Under 19s this summer and has switched roles for his stint on international duty. The full-back has been playing in midfield and has been among the goals as Spain have booked their place in the final of the Under-19s Euros against Germany. Espart has been asked about his position switch and if Hansi Flick should be trying him in midfield next season for Barcelona. “Hansi will decide what needs to be done. Right now, the important thing is Saturday. We’ve fought hard to be here, and I’m fully focused on the final,” he told Marca. “At Barça I was able to make my debut as a full-back, and here I play as a defensive midfielder, which is where I played until I was a youth player. “I feel very comfortable in both positions, and I think that could be one of my strengths. Wherever they put me, I’ll give 100%.” Flick has previously compared Espart to Germany legend Philipp Lahm and he will certainly be one to watch next season at Barcelona.

Survey results: Who will win World Cup 2026 and will Lionel Messi claim the Golden Ball?

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after the 3-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images Ahead of the quarter-finals of World Cup 2026, we asked you for your predictions regarding who will win World Cup 2026 and which player will take home the Golden Ball, as part of the latest edition of SB Nation Reacts. France, Spain, Argentina and England are the four seeded teams in the competition but it’s the defending champions who came out top in the vote ahead of their quarter-final tie with Switzerland on Sunday. Argentina scooped 46% of the vote to finish top of the pile and ahead of France and Spain. Our second question related to the Golden Ball – the trophy given to the tournament’s best player – and perhaps unsurprisingly it’s Lionel Messi who wins our poll. The 39-year-old has been in inspirational form once again for Argentina, scoring eight goals in five games, and takes the No. 1 spot ahead of Kylian Mbappe. Once again a big thank you to everyone who took the time to take part in our survey. There may be more to follow in the future. This poll and the graphics are sponsored by Fanduel.

Should Barcelona be concerned about Pedri’s struggles at World Cup 2026?

Photo by Europa Press Sports/Europa Press via Getty Images Spain successfully booked a spot in the World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a thrilling win over Belgium in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles, but the performance of Barcelona midfielder Pedri was once again a cause for concern. Pedri’s inconsistent displays throughout the tournament led to his benching against Belgium, with Fabián Ruiz taking his place in the lineup and scoring the opening goal of the game. The Wizard did come on at the hour mark but was nowhere near his best, and his presence in the starting XI for Tuesday’s gigantic semi-final against France is certainly in question. Pedri’s World Cup performance comes after a subpar (by his very high standards) end to his club season, which had a couple of injury absences that caused him to lose rhythm and not be able to replicate the extraordinary form shown for the majority of the last two years for club and country. So today’s Barca Blaugranes Question of the Day is: Should Barcelona be concerned about Pedri’s struggles at the World Cup? Now it’s over to you! Feel free to share your thoughts, predictions, opinions and answers in the comments section below!

Vinicius, Real Madrid will negotiate contract extension later this month -report

Vinicius Junior will meet with Real Madrid’s board in late July to keep negotiating a contract extension, according to a report published on AS. The Brazilian attacker is set to become a free agent and will be able to sign a deal with other clubs on January 1st if the two parts can’t reach an agreement. Vinicius wants a significant salary raise and he rejected Real Madrid’s last offer. Still, it looks like he wants to stay in the club and sources inside the club appear to be optimistic about the upcoming negotiations, per that same report. Leadership appears to be breathing a collective sigh of relief following recent messages. A transfer of the Brazilian was never under consideration, with the focus instead on finalizing a contract extension. Source. Diario AS Odds of Vinicius signing this extension seem high, although the same was said a few months ago and the two parts couldn’t reach an agreement.

Bayern keen on Jules Kounde but need to sell before making a move for Barcelona star

Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona during the La Liga EA Sports 2025/26 match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium on May 17, 2026, in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Bayern Munich are being credited with interest in Barcelona defender Jules Kounde but can’t move for the Frenchman unless they make room in the squad. German reporter Christian Falk has offered an update on the situation on his blog and says it is true the Bundesliga giants have been tracking Kounde for some time. “They like the player and have followed his progress, but there is no option at the moment to buy him right now, as they have to sell players. As I’ve mentioned previously, Sacha Boey is still on the list,” he added. “They have too many players available in this position; Konrad Laimer can play it, as can Josip Stanišić. So, if FC Bayern can sell Boey, perhaps they can make a move for Koundé. But, at the moment, there is no opportunity to do so. Givairo Read is obviously another name the club has looked at for the right-back position. But if they can’t sell anyone here, it’s getting difficult.” Barcelona are believed to be open to offers this summer for Kounde who is no longer considered to be untouchable at Camp Nou. However, Kounde has hinted he is not interested in a move. When quizzed on his future a World Cup 2026, the defender pointed out he has a contract with the club until 2030 and hopes to stay with the Catalans.

Football Daily | Belgium and the End Of The Golden Generation Klaxon

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! Look at it up there on the hill, shining in the sunlight, an almost imperceptible aura of melancholia surrounding it like a halo. Look at the ornate carvings, the faces etched across its flanks. There’s Davor Suker! Preben Elkjær! Ferenc Puskas! Is that … it is! It’s Danny Mills, his face almost entirely worn away by the years of tourists rubbing it for luck. Yes, it’s the End Of The Golden Generation Klaxon and it’s sounding its low mournful drone across the California plains as Belgium’s best depart following their quarter-final loss to Spain in Los Angeles. Though in truth it has been whining in the background for a while now. The Red Devils’ real recent high point was probably all the way back in 2018 when peak De Bruyne, Lukaku and Courtois were joined by Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Kompany, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Hazard, Carrasco, you know, Mertens, Dembélé … Sessions. But there was no escaping the symbolism of the botched torch pass – a tearful Courtois heading off with an injury in the second half at SoFi Stadium, his replacement Senne Lammens fluffling his lines and handing Mikel Merino Spain’s winner on a plate. “I gave him a big hug. He’s a great goalkeeper. You only get stronger from this,” Courtois said of his hapless teammate. “Eventually you cannot say much more to him or give him much more advice. He is a strong guy, strong personality. I’m sure he’ll be fine. You know, he will have some holidays and then regroup in Manchester and have a great season.” Belgium – who were further hamstrung by the loss of their captain, Youri Tielemans, to knack in the warm-up – have a rebuilding job to do, although those waters are slightly muddied by reports suggesting Courtois fancies an unhelpful year off from the international game before returning for the Euro 2028 qualifiers. Spain, meanwhile, can look forward (if that is the right phrase) to a semi-final meeting with France. “They’ll be just as worried as we are,” roared Luis de la Fuente, perhaps slightly being stitched up in translation. I can only hope that when Jürgen Klopp flew Team Mbappé around for what turned out to be no good reason, he at least booked the flight on Trivago” – Scott Pratt. As the Bayeux Tapestry was being unloaded at the British Museum in the dead of night I couldn’t help thinking ‘it’s coming home.’ An omen perhaps? 1,000 years of hurt?” – Allastair McGillivray. This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...

Courtois Backs Real Madrid’s New Era: ‘Now It’s Up To Us’

Thibaut Courtois has publicly endorsed Real Madrid's summer overhaul, urging collective responsibility as the club enters a new era with fresh signings and a new manager. The post Courtois Backs Real Madrid’s New Era: ‘Now It’s Up To Us’ appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona considering two replacements in case Ferran Torres leaves for PSG

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 14: Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Club Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on April 14, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona are reportedly not ruling out signing a replacement for Ferran Torres in case the Spain star leaves for Paris Saint-Germain this summer. There is speculation currently that Torres is in talks with PSG and could leave Barcelona to link up with Luis Enrique again in the French capital. According to Diario Sport, Barcelona remain determined to bring in Julian Alvarez but could also sign a replacement for Ferran as well. The two names mentioned are Dusan Vlahovic and Fisnik Asllani. Both players have been linked with Barcelona over the summer and are seemingly still in the club’s thoughts. Vlahovic is out of contract this summer and looking for a new club, while Asllani is thought to be keen to move to Barca. He has been linked with a move to Dortmund but a deal is yet to be done and his agent has previously admitted Barca have been in touch. Hamza Abdelkarim is also a potential candidate, although he is expected to play for Barca Atletic next season. The Egypt star will get a chance to impress during pre-season but may not be quite ready for first-team action just yet. Who would you like to replace Torres if he does leave Barcelona this summer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Barcelona still pushing to sign Club Brugge starlet Jesse Bisiwu after €10m bid rejected

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 17: Jessi Pedro Da Silva and Jesse Eugen Bisiwu of Club Brugge celebrate victory following the UEFA Youth League Semi-Final match between SL Benfica and Club Brugge KV at Stade de la Tuiliere on April 17, 2026 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images Barcelona are reportedly stepping up efforts to land Club Brugge’s Jesse Bisiwu as they aim to bring in the exciting 18-year-old this summer. Club Brugge have rejected Barcelona’s first bid of €10 million for Bisiwu but negotiations between the two clubs are set to continue, according to Het Nieuwsblad. The report adds that Barcelona are “willing to go to great lengths” to sign Bisiwu who is into the last year of his contract with the Belgian side and looks set to leave this summer. Club Brugge sold Kaye Furo to Brentford earlier this year for €10m but inserted a sell-on clause into the transfer, and there’s speculation a similar formula could see Barcelona finally land Bisiwu. Barcelona have been monitoring Bisiwu for some time now and remain keen to add him to the ranks. However, they will have work to do to convince Club Brugge to part ways with the teenager this summer.

Real Madrid Tie Down Tchouaméni to 2031 With Mourinho’s Backing

Aurélien Tchouaméni has committed his future to Real Madrid until 2031, with Mourinho's arrival credited as a key factor in sealing the renewal. The post Real Madrid Tie Down Tchouaméni to 2031 With Mourinho’s Backing appeared first on Football España.

FC Barcelona News: 11 July 2026; Spain advance to World Cup semi-final, Barça agree deal for Karim Adeyemi

Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images Barça’s 26/27 season about to begin – FC Barcelona Monday sees Barça’s 2026/27 season get under way with a 9am CEST start for Hansi Flick and his squad. The return to action for the squad with the usual medical and fitness tests in preseason marks the beginning of a third campaign under the German coach. Kounde in top form on his way to the semi-finals – FC Barcelona Barça’s French defender puts in an almost perfect display as Didier Deschamps’ team reach the last four of the World Cup. Spain 2-1 Belgium: Merino books Spain semi-final with France – FIFA Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino got the goals as Spain edged Belgium 2-1 in FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals, securing them a showdown with France. Barcelona near deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi – ESPN Barcelona are closing in on the signing of Karim Adeyemi after a breakthrough in negotiations with Borussia Dortmund, sources confirmed to ESPN. Adeyemi plans to travel to Barcelona next week – Mundo Deportivo Barça have a verbal agreement to sign the German striker, who plans to travel to the Catalan city early next week to sign his contract as a Blaugrana player. Fermín and Bernal, tireless at the Ciutat Esportiva and hungry for the spotlight – Mundo Deportivo Fermín is accelerating his recovery from the injury to his fifth metatarsal, while Marc Bernal has brought forward his physical preparation with a common goal: to earn an important role from day one. Al-Ahly, Barça’s rival at the Gamper – Mundo Deportivo Barça will debut on Spotify Camp Nou on August 19th against the Egyptian side.

Ferran Torres in advanced talks to leave Barcelona for PSG

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 22: Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona celebrates after the second goal of his team during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at Spotify Camp Nou on April 22, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images Ferran Torres is reportedly in advanced talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a potential move to the French capital before the start of the season. The Spain star is into the last year of his contract at Barcelona and is yet to pen an extension with the Catalan giants. PSG may be about to take advantage of the situation, with Mundo Deportivo reporting “negotiations are at an advanced stage” between the two parties. Sky Sport reporter Luca Bendoni even says that Torres has already given the move the green light: “Ferran Torres has given his green light to a PSG transfer after the World Cup, he wants the move. His contract extension with Barcelona looks now very difficult, while Barça agree Karim Adeyemi signing.” The news comes during a summer where Barcelona have signed Anthony Gordon and are expected to land Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund. Barca are also hoping to bring in Julian Alvarez as well to revamp their attack. What do you think about the possibility of Ferran moving to PSG? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Hey Jude: Bellingham's return to England indispensability

Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel charts Jude Bellingham's remarkable resurgence with England at the World Cup.

‘A good conversation’ – Marc Casado reveals talks with Hansi Flick over his Barcelona future

Madrid, Spain - February 12: Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona and Marc Casado of FC Barcelona gestures during the Copa Del Rey match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on February 12, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Manu Reino/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images) | DeFodi Images via Getty Images Marc Casado says he’s already spoken with Barcelona boss Hansi Flick about his future amid talk that he will be sold by the club this summer. The midfielder has made it clear that his preference is to stay at the Camp Nou, but he’s also aware that he is one of seven midfielders battling for a starting spot at present. Casado and Flick spoke at the end of the previous campaign and the midfielder told La Vanguardia: “It was a good conversation. As long as the club and the manager want me, I’ll give my all to help the team.” Flick is said to have told Casado “to consider a move to get more playing time” but the 22-year-old will wait until the end of pre-season before making a final decision. “If I ever leave, I’d definitely like to come back. As long as the club and the coach want me, my first choice will be Barça,” he added. Casado seems to have attracted plenty of interest already but one thing seems clear – he’s in absolutely no rush to leave the club he joined when he was just 13.

‘No final decision’ – Eli Kroupi Junior’s agent offers update amid Barcelona & Tottenham talk

Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth gestures during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth at City Ground in Nottingham, United Kingdom, on May 24, 2026. (Photo by Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Eli Kroupi Junior’s agent has said a final decision on the Bournemouth star’s future is still yet to be made amid continued speculation about his future. The rumor mill has claimed Kroupi Junior is seen as a potential Plan B for Barcelona if they can’t lure Julian Alvarez away from Atletico Madrid. Premier League side Tottenham are also keen on the forward who is expected to cost around 100 million euros if he does move on this summer. Moussa Sissoko says talks are still taking place and it’s not known yet what will happen, per Sport. “We continue to debate its future. We will see what happens in the coming days; at the moment there is no final decision,” he said. Barcelona remain focused on Alvarez and are expected to bid again for the Atletico star soon. Alvarez has publicly said he wants out of the club which has led to optimism that a deal can be done. As for Spurs, the Premier League side are in the midst of a busy summer. Roberto De Zerbi’s side have signed free agents Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson but have also splashed out on Matheus Fernades and Sandro Tonali.

Claude Makelele backs Tchouaméni, defends Mbappé, and outlines what Real Madrid still need

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 4: Claude Makelele is interviewed before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Paraguay and France at Philadelphia Stadium on July 4, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images Former Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele has shared his thoughts on several of the club’s biggest talking points in an interview with DAZN, praising Aurélien Tchouaméni’s performances, defending Kylian Mbappé from criticism, and identifying the type of midfielder he believes Los Blancos are still missing. Asked about Real Madrid’s recent campaign, Makelele singled out Tchouaméni as the team’s most reliable performer and defending the club’s decision to extend his contract. “Tchouameni was the only consistent player from beginning to end.” The French legend also expressed confidence in José Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabéu, while stressing that even one of football’s elite coaches will need the right squad to challenge for domestic honors. “Mourinho isn’t stupid, he’s a good coach, one of the best coaches. He knows he’s going to need a strong team to win La Liga.” Makelele also came to the defense of Mbappé, arguing that the French forward has been unfairly criticized and reminding observers of a striker’s natural mentality. “I don’t agree (with the Mbappe criticism). A lot of people are criticizing Mbappé. He’s for the team, but he’s a striker. A striker always wants to score.” The former midfielder believes Real Madrid’s biggest tactical need lies in the center of the pitch, pointing to the absence of a player capable of carrying the ball through midfield and accelerating attacks. “At Real Madrid, there isn’t that type of midfielder who carries the ball and breaks lines. They need a player like that, who can deliver quick passes to the attackers, to himself, to Vinicius Junior, and to the players up front.” He also suggested that Mbappé has occasionally been forced to drop too deep in search of possession, reducing his effectiveness in the penalty area. “Mbappe often comes to collect the ball in midfield, and who’s going to be up front? When he’s up front, he’s scoring.”

Thibaut Courtois suffers injury in Belgium’s World Cup defeat to Spain

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 10: Thibaut Courtois #1 of Belgium reacts with medical staff after being substituted during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Spain and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with a hamstring injury during Belgium’s World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Spain, raising fresh concerns for both club and country. Courtois had been one of Belgium’s standout performers at SoFi Stadium, producing several important saves to keep his side in the contest before his night came to a premature end in the 72nd minute. The Madrid shot-stopper left the pitch visibly emotional after attempting to play through the injury. The problem first emerged just after the hour mark when Courtois went down following a routine play. After receiving treatment during a hydration break, he initially signaled that he was able to continue. However, only a few minutes later, the discomfort worsened, forcing Belgium to replace him with Senne Lammens. Speaking after the match, Courtois explained how the injury developed. “It was a bit of a pain, but oh well. On a long ball, I felt something, I thought my hamstring was tight because I’d played 30 long balls. I felt it a little on some saves, and on another long ball, I felt it getting worse. I sat down for a moment so the doctor could check it out, and I wanted to keep playing, but I couldn’t hit the ball, and the manager told me that if I wasn’t 100%, he’d substitute me. I said I felt bad, that I couldn’t play long balls, but I wanted to continue to see how it went. If I didn’t have to play long balls, I could continue, but it’s fine. If the manager wants someone who’s 100%, it’s no big deal.” The injury is an unwelcome development for Real Madrid, particularly given Courtois’ recent history with muscle problems. The Belgian had only recently put a right quadriceps injury behind him after returning to action in May and had enjoyed an injury-free run until Friday’s setback. Courtois also suggested he could take a step back from international duty after the World Cup, leaving the door open to a temporary break from Belgium. “Regarding my future with the national team, we’ll see. I’d perhaps like to take a break from the Nations League, as it’s not the most important thing. And maybe return for the Euro qualifiers. But ultimately, it’s a decision the federation has to make. If not, then perhaps today was my last match.” Reflecting on Belgium’s elimination, Courtois felt his performance had given his team every chance to remain in the game. “It’s bad luck that the rebound went to Fabián. In the second half they had more chances. I felt good about the saves, the balls over the top, Lamine’s crosses. I felt it was going to be very difficult to score a second goal against me.” He also came to the defense of substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens after his costly error led to Mikel Merino’s goal, urging supporters not to blame his teammate. “It’s true that the pitch is very dry, it’s bad luck, in the end that’s football, you shouldn’t crucify the guy, he’s a great goalkeeper, he’s had a great season at United and he doesn’t deserve this.” Real Madrid will now await the results of further medical assessments to determine the severity of Courtois’ injury, hoping the issue proves to be only a minor setback ahead of the new season.

Thiago Pitarch focused on Real Madrid future after breakthrough year

DENBIGH, WALES - JULY 04: Thiago Pitarch of Spain during the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2026 match between Spain and Germany on July 04, 2026 in Denbigh, Wales. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images) | Getty Images Real Madrid midfielder Thiago Pitarch has reflected on his rapid rise through the club’s ranks, his experiences training alongside the first team, and his ambitions for the future in an interview with AS. After progressing from Juvenil A to Castilla and earning opportunities to train with the senior squad, Pitarch said he has tried to remain grounded throughout his development. “I started with the Juvenil A team and thought, ‘I’ll see how it goes.’ Then I started playing well with Castilla and later I began training with the first team. I’ve taken it all very calmly. I still surround myself with the same people. The only thing that matters to me is enjoying playing football.” The midfielder admitted that adapting to the level at Real Madrid is a challenge, but believes every opportunity is a chance to grow. “At Real Madrid, the best players in the world play, and you have to adapt. The important thing there was to enjoy every match and learn a lot from them because you never know when it might be your last.” Pitarch also praised coach Álvaro Arbeloa and national team coach Gallardo for the confidence they have shown in him. “I have a very good relationship with both Arbeloa and Gallardo. They’ve given me all the confidence they could, and I try to repay that on the field. It’s very important for a player to have so much confidence in his coaches.” Asked about speculation surrounding his future under José Mourinho, Pitarch insisted his attention remains solely on Spain’s upcoming European Championship final. “Mourinho has not contacted me yet. I’m focused on the European Championship final and that’s all I’m thinking about. We’ll see what happens after that.” Although he has received messages of support from Real Madrid, he revealed he is trying not to be distracted. “I’ve spoken to several people at the club who wished me luck in the final, but honestly, I’m not really checking my phone. I’m really enjoying the experience with my teammates because you never know when you’ll get another chance like this.” Despite acknowledging the fierce competition for places at the Santiago Bernabéu, Pitarch believes the academy continues to prepare players to step up whenever they are called upon. “The best players in the world play for Real Madrid, which makes it harder to break into the first team, but we’re proving that when we get the chance, we’re ready. That’s why they train us in the youth academy, to help the first team.” The 18-year-old also named the midfielders who have inspired his game, highlighting two club legends as well as one current Madrid star. “I’ve always admired quality midfielders like Kroos and Modric, and the midfielders of Iniesta’s Spain. Now I really like Bellingham.” Training alongside Real Madrid’s biggest names was initially overwhelming, he admitted, before becoming part of his daily routine. “The first few days with the Real Madrid stars are a bit dazzling; it feels like you’re wearing virtual reality glasses. But little by little you get used to it and it becomes second nature.” Pitarch reserved special praise for the first-team players who welcomed him, singling out several Spaniards and particularly Brahim Díaz. “Everyone, I have no complaints about anyone. They’re all exceptional teammates. In the first few days, the Spaniards like Carvajal, Brahim, and Carreras were very attentive. Brahim helped me a lot from day one, and he’s a teammate I talk to quite often.” Looking ahead, the midfielder’s objectives are clear: stay healthy, continue playing at the highest level, and keep competing in Europe’s biggest competition. “My priority is to avoid injury. I also want to continue enjoying playing football in the top division and, if possible, keep playing in the Champions League.”

Real Madrid to receive €10 million as Mario Gila completes AC Milan move

MILAN, ITALY - JULY 10: (Editor's note: image has been retouched) AC Milan new signing Mario Gila signs his contract with the club at Casa Milan on July 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty Images) | AC Milan via Getty Images Real Madrid are set to receive a financial boost following Mario Gila’s permanent transfer from Lazio to AC Milan. The Rossoneri officially announced the signing of the Spanish center-back, who has put pen to paper on a five-year contract running until June 2031. According to reports from Italy, Gila will earn around €4.5 million per season with his new club. While Gila never made a competitive first-team appearance for Real Madrid, the club negotiated a valuable sell-on clause when he joined Lazio in the summer of 2022. That clause entitled Madrid to 50 percent of the fixed transfer fee from any future sale. Negotiations between Milan and Lazio were not entirely straightforward. Lazio reportedly turned down an initial offer worth €25 million plus €2 million in bonuses before eventually agreeing to a deal valued at €28 million. As a result of the agreement between Real Madrid and Lazio, Los Blancos are expected to receive approximately €10 million from the transfer. The move had been in the works for some time, with Milan identifying Gila as a defensive target before the club’s recent managerial changes. The 25-year-old quickly agreed to personal terms, effectively ending interest from other Serie A sides including Napoli and Atalanta. Gila arrived in Milan on Thursday after saying his goodbyes to teammates and staff at Lazio’s training ground in Formello. He completed his medical examinations on Friday before officially signing his contract and is expected to join Milan’s preseason preparations, which begin on July 13. For Real Madrid, Gila’s transfer represents another example of the club benefiting financially from the strategic clauses it has included in deals involving former academy graduates, adding another €10 million to the club’s coffers without having to sell a current first-team player.

Borussia Dortmund include hefty sell-on clause in Karim Adeyemi deal with Barcelona

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 14: Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg at Signal Iduna Park on March 14, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund have agreed a deal for Karim Adeyemi to swap the Bundesliga side for the Camp Nou in a deal worth up to €29 million. The Catalans will pay a €22m fixed fee and an extra €9m in add-ons which are considered to be highly achievable. Dortmund have also inserted a sell-on clause into the transfer but there are conflicting numbers flying about. Sky’s Patrik Berger says the sell-on clause is 35% but reports in Spain claim it’s 20%. There’s also a bit of detail about Adeyemi’s salary. The winger will earn €6m net per season at Barcelona and is set to pen a five-year contract with the Catalans. Adeyemi is Barcelona’s second signing of the summer transfer window but is not expected to be the last. The Catalans remain keen to bring in Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid and are expected to bid for the Argentina international again after the World Cup. Joao Cancelo is also expected to join on a permanent transfer from Al-Hilal, following a successful loan spell. There was also speculation Barca would sign a defender earlier in the transfer window but such talk has since gone quiet.

OPEN THREAD | JULY 11, 2026

Welcome to The Daily Merengue! THESE ARE YOUR MODS: Ezek XI, Valyrian Steel, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho LOOKS LIKE SPAIN Somehow spain got past belgium but now they have france to beat. NORWAY V ENGLAND Norway have the tendency top shock. so we’ll see ARGENTINA’S DAYS ARE NUMBERED

Merino the unlikely hero again - as Spain wait for Lamine Yamal show

Mikel Merino came off the bench to send Spain into the World Cup semi-finals - but Lamine Yamal is still waiting for his moment to truly shine.

How Jude Bellingham is defining England’s World Cup run so far

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JULY 05: Jude Bellingham #10 of England celebrates after the team's victory and progression to the Quarter-Final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after the Round of 16 match between Mexico and England at Mexico City Stadium on July 05, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) | The FA via Getty Images There has been so much strange dialogue surrounding England during this World Cup run that it’s hard to make sense of it all. Media debates about Jude Bellingham’s presence in the team took unnecessary attention just before the campaign started. They complained about his attitude and his fit within the team. But one of the most refreshing things about this tournament has been Bellingham himself, and the way he’s done all of his talking on the pitch — putting to bed any nonsensical noise about whether or not he should start as part of Thomas Tuchel’s blueprint. England head into the quarter-finals against Norway on the back of the game of the tournament — a thrilling 3-2 win against Mexico at the Azteca — overcoming the conditions and atmosphere. If England are to win the World Cup, that’s the game they will look back on. More than a tactical test, it was a physical and mental battle. The degree of difficulty of that game should not be understated — prior to the England game, Mexico hadn’t lost at the Azteca since 2013, and had conceded just nine goals since that loss 13 years ago. England needed a leader, and that leader emerged in Bellingham. He dribbled out of ravenous pressure, won challenges in midfield, had a goal-saving block just before half-time, and, oh, there’s a couple more key points: he scored England’s first two goals within a two-minute block, and, to close the game, he helped a 10-man England survive the onslaught of Mexican attacks. By the end of the 90, Bellingham had the most touches of any player on his team as well as the most dribbles and shots. He also had three tackles, four clearances, and was masterful in his ball carrying. As a little cherry on top, he also won the Man of the Match award — his third of the tournament. Any conversation about Bellingham’s place in any scheme should be preemptively ignored and annulled. It doesn’t make any sense for a variety of reasons: Bellingham is probably the most complete and versatile player in the world, and his array of specialties makes him a tactical fit in any system. He can defend like a defensive midfielder, attack like a 10, drop in as a central midfielder, attack the box like a striker, and create from the wings. Conversations about whether or not a player can fit within a team should be reserved for limited players that are defined into one singular role — not unicorns like Bellingham that have a deep bag of tools. He is elite at several things. The Bellingham question is very easy to answer. ‘Does he fit’ is rhetorical. A more complicated question would be: ‘Should Trent Alexander-Arnold have been called up?’ With England’s current situation, it’s hard to answer ‘no’ to that question. Reece James is elite when healthy and played under Tuchel at Chelsea, but he’s already out and Tuchel also knew that it was a risk relying on James to be stay injury-free. When James’s backup, Tino Livramento, went down injured before the tournament started, Tuchel had the opportunity to call up Trent as an emergency reinforcement, but opted not to, going for a Trevoh Chalobah, who is primarily a center-back, instead. Now Tuchel faces a crisis: James is out, Jarell Quansah, who played right-back against Mexico, is suspended, and Djed Spence is not 100% either. The most likely scenario here is that Dan Burn comes into the team. It’s hard to see the justification for leaving Trent home. Tuchel’s reasoning will be that he wants wing-backs who can defend, and Trent clearly does not fit that profile. But it’s still hard to rationalize. Trent, when healthy, was very good for Real Madrid this season, and his long range passing and runs down the right unlocked a lot of good offensive sequences for Real Madrid. Not having him in the squad as an option, especially given the health of James as well as the injury to Livramento, could come back to haunt Tuchel now. But England will have enough talent still to get past Norway, who are a difficult matchup. One of the keys will be to make sure Bellingham doesn’t pick up a yellow card, which could see him miss the semi-final against (probably) Argentina.

Spain boss explains why he dropped Pedri for World Cup quarter-final vs Belgium

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 10: Pedri Gonzalez of Spain looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Spain and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Europa Press Sports/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has explained why he dropped Barcelona midfielder Pedri to the bench for Friday’s World Cup quarter-final against Belgium. Pedri was a surprise absentee from the starting XI for the match, with PSG star Fabian Ruiz getting the nod instead for the key match. De la Fuente was quizzed on his team selection after the game and offered up the following response. “It’s unfair that Mikel Merino isn’t playing, but it would be equally unfair if someone else were left out. Only eleven can play, and they understand that role, the part they have to play at any given moment. “When they come on, they know what they have to do, which is why it’s a pleasure to be their coach. Fabián is training very well, as is Pedri, but any of them could play. “We were looking to give the team a different feel; Fabián has more control of the game, he’s different from Pedri. We understood that’s what we needed: more attacking threat, while Pedri is left out for the final stages with his freshness and vision.” Ruiz did go on to score the opening goal in the match which ended in a 2-1 victory for Spain and set up a semi-final tie against France.

‘They should be afraid’ – Lamine Yamal sends message to France ahead of Spain clash

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 10: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain looks on before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Spain and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona star Lamine Yamal says France should be afraid of Spain after La Roja booked a semi-final date with Les Bleus at World Cup 2026. A late winner from Mikel Merino completed a 2-1 win for Spain over Belgium and set up a mouth-watering semi final against Kylian Mbappe and Co. France have looked almost unstoppable so far at the tournament but Yamal says they should fear Spain. “We’re very happy to be in the semis. Very pleased with the qualification. We’ve been far superior,” he said after beating Belgium. “All the other teams are behind us. We came here to win, and that’s all that matters. “They should be afraid of us; we’ve beaten them twice. We’re not afraid of them. I think we’re the two best teams.” Spain face France on Tuesday at World Cup 2026 in Dallas. Who will win? Share your predictions in the comments below!

'Influential' Lamine Yamal has 'more to give' to Spain

BBC Sport World Cup pundits Cesar Azpilicueta and Wayne Rooney look at how Lamine Yamal performed against Belgium and feel there is "more to come" from the Spain forward.

Marc Cucurella’s Spain book semi-final spot with late win over Belgium

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 10: Marc Cucurella #24 of Spain is congratulated by Thibaut Courtois #1 of Belgium after the 2-1 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Spain and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) | Getty Images Spain have booked their ticket to the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup courtesy of an 88th minute goal from Mikel Merino in a game marred for Madridistas by an apparent injury to Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Marc Cucurella continued at left-back and remains one of only two outfield players to have played every minute of the tournament so far for Luis de la Fuente’s side. He had the challenging task of stopping in-form Arsenal winger Leandro Tossard but was effective, with two possession recoveries and one duel won, but was largely untroubled by a Belgium side with few chances. Spain took the lead in the first half as Fabian Ruiz scored on the 30 minute mark, but Charles de Ketelaere equalised on the stroke of half-time courtesy of a cross down Cucurella’s flank from Timothy Castagne with the leveller coming against the run of play. La Roja had the better chances, with 2.10 xG compared to 0.37 xG for Belgium, but failed to convert until Merino appeared at the death to give Spain a dramatic late winner as he reacted fastest to a spill from Senne Lammens, who replaced Courtois after he went off with a thigh problem. The result means Spain remain unbeaten and with five consecutive wins after the disappointment of a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in their opening group stage fixture. Spain will now take on France on Tuesday in Dallas, with the victor set to face either England, Norway, Argentina or Switzerland in a potential final on July 19th in New Jersey.

Merino puts Spain into World Cup semi-finals as Belgium rue costly Courtois injury

Mikel Merino’s amazing moment arrived once more, an entire country circling the corner flag with him as football, which somehow always finds a way, provided another absurdly tall tale. The man who came on to score the late, late goals that took Spain into a European championship semi-final two years ago and a World Cup quarter-final four days ago, only went and did it again. And this time it was even better, his two-month old son Marco, who he has hardly seen, in attendance here. “As he wasn’t there for the quarter-finals, I had to do it in the semi-final too so he could experience it as well,” Merino said. It is some experience, some hat-trick, some story. What Merino did doesn’t make any sense. For this to happen once is dramatic enough, for it to happen twice messes with your mind, for it to happen a third blows it to bits; what is this sorcery? It was 1-1, the seconds were slipping from them and Spain were desperately seeking a way through when he was introduced as a sub again. Continue reading...

Spain vs Belgium, World Cup 2026: Late Mikel Merino strike sends La Roja into semi-finals

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 10: Mikel Merino #6 of Spain celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Spain and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) | Getty Images Spain left it late once again at World Cup 2026 but are through to the semi-finals after beating Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles. Super sub Mikel Merino was the hero yet again for La Roja with an 88th minute winner to keep Luis de la Fuente’s side in the hunt for glory. The Spain boss raised a few eyebrows with his team selection, dropping Pedri to the bench and starting Fabian Ruiz in the Barcelona midfielder’s place. It looked to be an inspired choice by the Spain boss as Ruiz put Spain in front on the half hour mark. Pedro Porro played a one-two with Lamine Yamal and raced down the right, sending in a cross for Dani Olmo. The Barcelona star’s shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois but Ruiz was quickest to react and slotted home his first ever World Cup goal on the rebound. Yamal then went close with a free-kick that curled around the wall but was pushed clear by a diving Courtois and then had sight of goal again five minutes before half-time. The teenager jinked past his defender and let fly with a shot that flew just wide of the near post. The action then switched to the other end and Spain conceded for the first time at World Cup 2026. Kevin De Bruyne crossed in from the right and Charles De Ketelaere stooped to head past Unai Simon for 1-1. The start of the second half saw Belgium have a good chance through Maxim De Cuyper before De la Fuente threw on Pedri and Ferran Torres. Belgium responded by sending on Romelu Lukaku, Axel Witsel and Joaquin Seys. The action started to ramp up with Yamal having chances and Ferran heading over the bar. The drama continued as Courtois was forced off with an injury and left the game in tears to be replaced by Senne Lammens. Both sides had sights of goal but it was another substitute – Mikel Merino – who won it late on. Cubarsi’s shot from range was only parried by Lammens, and Merino was on hand to smash it home from close range to send Spain into the semi-finals and a date with France.

Salah demands put Saudi switch in doubt - Saturday's gossip

Mohamed Salah's financial demands putting off Saudi clubs, Bayern Munich rebuff Real Madrid move for Michael Olise, Barcelona agree to sign Karim Adeyemi, plus more.

Football's best bromance: Why Bellingham and Haaland break the mould

The two players have won an army of admirers from social media clips for their honesty in interviews.

OPEN THREAD | JULY 10, 2026

Welcome to The Daily Merengue! THESE ARE YOUR MODS: Ezek XI, Valyrian Steel, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho FRANCE Another world cup semi final. 3 semi’s in a row. whomever will take over from deschamps has an uphill battle to climb. BELGIUM I’m hoping they progress today ARGENTINA I’ll reserve my comments on them

Kylian Mbappé embraces leadership role for France to urge team humility

Didier Deschamps’ decision to give the inspirational forward the captaincy has paid off with no complacency on their run to the semi-finals The driving force behind France’s semi-final win over Morocco in 2022, Antoine Griezmann, was watching on from the stands this time as Les Bleus powered past the Atlas Lions to reach a third consecutive World Cup semi-final. The 35-year-old, who recently completed a move to Orlando City, had not attended a France match since his international retirement in 2024 following a brief stint as vice-captain. Continue reading...

Lamine Yamal starts for Spain against Belgium LIVE!

‘He’s very misunderstood’ – Barcelona’s Anthony Gordon sticks up for Marcus Rashford

(Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) | The FA via Getty Images The situation has painted Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford as rivals, but they are, in fact, team-mates. Both compete for the same spot on the wing for England in the FIFA World Cup, and one essentially replaced the other at Barcelona. Still, there are no hard feelings – far from it. “We’re in competition for a place. That’s football. At elite level, you’re always going to have that and that usually serves me well, so I’m completely fine with that, and I’m sure he is,” Gordon said in a new interview. England are preparing for a momentous clash against Norway, the dark horses of the tournament, in the quarter-finals. Manager Thomas Tuchel has swapped between Gordon and Rashford, but has recently committed to Gordon as a starter. Rashford is known for his charitable work and activism on social issues. Despite that, he has been criticized in the media – some would say unreasonably so – as being flashy or arrogant and for his hefty wage demands. “He is very misunderstood, I think, from the outside,” Gordon said. “I just think he has always got a bit of stick. From my point of view, he has always had a bit of a negative view, just a bit of stick. From when I met him and from all the camps I have been on with him, he is a really nice person, as most footballers are, by the way. “He is very humble, just quite kid-like. He just loves playing football. You see him, he’s always got a ball doing kick-ups and stuff. Lovely guy [who has] been well brought up, a nice family from what I know.” Gordon recently completed a move from Newcastle United to Barcelona, at the same time as the Catalan club decided not to make Rashford’s loan move permanent. There are players who may have felt cold feelings towards their teammate in such a situation, but not Rashford. Gordon says Rashford congratulated him right after the move to Barcelona got announced. “To be honest, he has been really helpful. I am trying to look for a house and he has helped me with things about the club, which is helpful, as I have not been there yet. He has been really helpful,” Gordon said.

Spain v Belgium: World Cup 2026 quarter-final – live

⚽ Kick-off time: 12pm local/3pm EDT/8pm BST/5am AEST ⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email Billy Spain make one change to the team that beat Portugal, with Fabián Ruiz coming in for Pedri in midfield. Kevin De Bruyne returns to the XI for Belgium after watching the win over the USA from the bench – he replaces Amadou Onana, who ruptured his ACL in that match. Jérémy Doku is also back in from the start in place of Dodi Lukébakio. Spain (4-2-3-1): Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal. Subs: Raya, J García, Pubill, Grimaldo, E García, Llorente, Merino, Torres, Gavi, Pino, Williams, Zubimendi, Muñoz, Iglesias, Pedri. Continue reading...

Spain vs Belgium, World Cup 2026: Match Thread, Live Updates

Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images WELCOME TO SoFi STADIUM!!! The spectacular home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers is the site of a huge World Cup 2026 quarter-final clash between Spain and Belgium as Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Co. face another tough European test as they look for a place in the semi-finals against France. This should be all kinds of fun, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos! LINEUPS SPAIN Starting XI: Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal (4-2-3-1) Substitutes: Raya (GK), Joan (GK), Pubill, Grimaldo, Eric, Llorente, Merino, Gavi, Zubimendi, Pedri, Ferran, Pino, Williams, Iglesias, Muñoz BELGIUM Starting XI: Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Raskin, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere (4-2-3-1) Substitutes: Lammens (GK), Penders (GK), Theate, Meunier, De Winter, Seys, Witsel, Moreira, Vanaken, Saelemaekers, Lukaku, Lukebakio, Fernández-Pardo MATCH INFO Competition/Round: 2026 World Cup, Quarter-Finals Date/Time: Friday, July 10, 2026, 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 9pm CET (Barcelona), 8pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 12.30am IST (India, Saturday) Venue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, United States Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG) HOW TO WATCH On TV: FOX (USA), BBC One (UK), United8 Sports 1 (India), SuperSport (Nigeria), TVE La 1 (Spain), others Online: FuboTV (USA), BBC iPlayer (UK), ZEE5 (India), DAZN (Spain), others Matchday Thread Rules We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads: Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another. Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!

The Managing Madrid World Cup 2026 Predictions Survey (Part III)

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 04: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates the team's 1-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France at Philadelphia Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) | Getty Images The 2026 World Cup is down to its final eight teams, and while many Real Madrid players have already seen their campaigns come to an end, five representatives remain with their sights set on lifting the trophy. Now it’s your turn to decide who you think has the best chance of finishing the tournament as a World Cup winner. France are represented by Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, England still have Jude Bellingham, Morocco are led by Brahim Díaz, Belgium have Thibaut Courtois, and Spain’s Marc Cucurella rounds out the list of players with Real Madrid ties still alive in the competition. Each faces a different path to the final, but only one of them can end the tournament as a world champion. Cast your vote in the poll below and let us know your reasoning in the comments. We’ll reveal the results once voting closes to see which remaining Madridista the Managing Madrid community is backing to go all the way. Please take our survey

Barcelona agree €29m Karim Adeyemi deal with Borussia Dortmund

BERGAMO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 25: Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund celebrates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona have reportedly reached agreement with Borussia Dortmund to sign Karim Adeyemi in a transfer worth up to €29 million. Fabrizio Romano reports that Barcelona will pay an initial €22m plus €7m in add-ons based on title wins and appearances. Adeyemi will sign a five-year contract with the Catalan giants and become the club’s second signing of the summer transfer window. 🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona agree deal to sign Karim Adeyemi, HERE WE GO! 🔵🔴 Deal agreed club to club for €22m plus €7m add-ons based on title winning and also appearances. Adeyemi only wanted Barça and will sign a five year deal in blaugrana. 💥🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/7nfy0uSTxU — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2026 Barcelona have managed to wrap up the transfer quickly just days after sending in an opening bid for Adeyemi in a move that caught most fans by surprise. Dortmund turned down Barcelona’s initial offer but the Catalans have returned to seal the deal quickly and before the start of pre-season next week. Adeyemi was keen to make the switch to Catalunya and will play under Hansi Flick once again. The two worked together previously during Flick’s time in charge of the German national team. What do you think of Barcelona’s latest signing? Good deal? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Real Sociedad Captain Rules Out Barcelona Move: ‘I’m Where I Want to Be’

Mikel Oyarzabal has firmly shut down Barcelona transfer speculation, insisting Real Sociedad is home and that rejecting the Blaugrana is entirely possible. The post Real Sociedad Captain Rules Out Barcelona Move: ‘I’m Where I Want to Be’ appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona preparing new and improved offer for Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi

STUTTGART, GERMANY - APRIL 4: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund smiles prior to the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund at MHPArena on April 4, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images) Barcelona are reportedly preparing a new and improved offer for Karim Adeyemi after seeing an opening bid of €20 million turned down. According to Sky’s Patrick Berger, Barcelona are planning to offer Dortmund €20 million plus €10m in bonuses and the deal will include “an improved bonus structure to make the add-ons easier to achieve.” Barcelona apparently don’t want to go higher then €30m, with previous reports claiming that Dortmund were hoping for €40m for the Germany star. Berger also reports that Adeyemi has already agreed terms on a five-year deal with Barcelona, meaning if the two clubs can agree a fee, the rest of the deal should be straightforward. Barcelona’s cause is also helped by the fact that Adeyemi only has one year left on his contract. Dortmund are also reportedly already looking for a replacement, with FC Koln’s Said El Mala emerging as a target for the Bundesliga side.

Luis de la Fuente: Lamine Yamal must be motivated, not anxious

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 06: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images) | Getty Images Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has revealed some finer points about his star player’s psyche. Speaking ahead of the quarter-final against Belgium in the FIFA World Cup, De la Fuente shared his insight into FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. De la Fuente praised the young star’s motivation, but warned that it was a fine line for the forward to walk. “If you see the motivation Lamine has, he is very dangerous for opponents, but we need to calm him down so that motivation doesn’t turn into anxiety.” he said. The World Cup has been called the “World Cup of stars” as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland have banged in the goals for their respective countries. Yamal hasn’t joined the party yet, though he did score in his first start. “The best is yet to come, because he hasn’t yet reached the level of brilliance we expect. The other day, he showed tremendous maturity, working hard in defense until he was completely exhausted,” the manager said. Yamal was injured while playing for his club towards the end of the season, an injury that made him arrive at the World Cup without much sharpness. He couldn’t start the first game and is still settling in. Despite that, Spain have rolled on in the competition, in large part because they have yet to concede a single goal. “We have always been a very solid defensive team, and at the same time, we are the side with the most shots on target in the tournament. We frequently get into the opposition’s box while conceding very few chances. That speaks to a very serious and well-organized team,” De la Fuente said.

Real Madrid to face Fiorentina on August 1st

Real Madrid have published a statement on their website announcing that they will face Fiorentina on August 1st in what will be one of the team’s preseason games. Real Madrid will play a friendly match against Fiorentina on Saturday, August 1, at 6:00 pm CEST. The match will take place at the Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt (Austria), a stadium with a capacity for 30,000 spectators and home to SK Austria Klagenfurt. Real Madrid has already visited this Austrian city, located in the southern part of the country near the border with Slovenia, during the 2021 preseason to face Milan. The team returns to Austria a year after defeating WSG Tirol in Innsbruck last summer in another friendly. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, July 15. Source: Realmadrid.com Los Blancos will also face Deportivo La Coruña on August 12th, and they should be announcing a few more preseason games shortly.

Football Daily | Mbappé and France are on the march. Who’s going to stop them?

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! Marchons, marchons. Fans of France’s remaining rivals at the Geopolitics World Cup – and lovers of business-end big tournament jeopardy – were left sorely disappointed as the favourites steamrolled Morocco. Didier Deschamps’ cohort of strutting roosters had their feathers ruffled by Paraguay’s spectacular heel turn in the last 16, but were largely back in cruise control for their 2-0 quarter-final victory in (a venue near) Boston on Thursday. With the wealth of signings (Cerci, Stanway, Reuteler) already this summer, I wasn’t expecting any more. But then Arsenal follow in Hollywood’s footsteps and get Ona Batlle after another!” – James Vortkamp-Tong. Please don’t refer to the USA USA USA as ‘Trump’s boys’ (yesterday’s Football Daily). From what I understand, they are sane, good sportsmen, well-liked, and a team to be proud of, quite unlike the person in question” – James Driskell. A fellow reader of the France v Morocco MBM commented on how inevitable France look at the moment. This made me wonder, could this team go down in history as Les Inévitables?” – Peter Oh. That was a rather touching last line reference to Bonnie Tyler (yesterday’s Football Daily, full email edition). One would like to read a story about the England team – average year of birth around 1998 – playing her classic tune in the locker room and singing along. Until they got to the hooky lyric, ‘Every now and then, I fall apart’. Good luck on Saturday, lads!’ – Mike Wilner. This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...

Mourinho speaks in first interview since signing for Real Madrid

After completing his first morning session at the club’s Valdebebas training ground, José Mourinho, the newly appointed Real Madrid manager, visited the club’s television network for his first official interview since taking charge. “Words are not enough because this feels like a mission. It’s not about worrying about myself or whether I’ll win a lot or a little. I’m here to help everyone become better: players, staff… Creating a culture of work, responsibility, ambition, and something I know well—responsibility and the honor of working for Real Madrid. I really like this concept. It’s not about working at Real Madrid; it’s about working for Real Madrid. And it’s with this mission-driven spirit that I am here,” said Mourinho. The Portuguese coach revealed his plan for the 2026-27 pre-season stage. “Taking advantage of the next two weeks with positivity because, obviously, I would like to have all the players here. You have to look at it positively—it’s about getting to know the boys I’ll be working with and giving them the opportunity to get to know me. During the preseason, many of these boys will be here with Castilla, and I also enjoy participating and helping in the growth of this area. Here we are, and some world champion will join us. With great confidence, with a strong feeling that I love this club, and ¡Hala Madrid y nada más!” he added. Mourinho also said that he has been working with the front office for quite some time. “We are working a lot. It’s not like I arrived here today and everything starts now. We’ve been working hard for a long time with the club’s structure at different levels. Today, you can work without being physically present because technology helps us a lot, and today has basically been about arriving and ‘checking’ everything that has been done and what we still need to do,“ he concluded.

Should Barcelona up their offer for Karim Adeyemi or walk away?

Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images Barcelona are back in the transfer market with a surprise bid sent to Borussia Dortmund to sign winger Karim Adeyemi, with talks set to continue over the weekend. The club’s opening offer of €20 million was rejected, and Barça are reportedly not willing to go up to Dortmund’s asking price of €40 million. A new bid is expected to be sent in the coming days, with the club hoping to seal the deal without any drama and without having to exceed their budget. One could argue that Barça have already made a good enough offer of €20 million for a player entering the final year of his contract, however, and it’s worth wondering if the Catalans should even considering going higher given their other big plans in the window. So today’s Barca Blaugranes Question of the Day is: Should Barcelona up their offer for Karim Adeyemi or walk away? Now it’s over to you! Feel free to share your thoughts, predictions, opinions and answers in the comments section below!

Liverpool latest: Klopp lifts lid on failed Mbappe pursuit

Arsenal sign Batlle from Barcelona

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Ona Batlle from Barcelona.

‘The best is yet to come’ – Spain boss sends Lamine Yamal warning ahead of Belgium clash

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 06: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain celebrates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images) | Getty Images Spain boss Luis de la Fuente says the best is yet to come from Barcelona star Lamine Yamal at World Cup 2026 ahead of their quarter-final tie with Belgium. Yamal returned from injury at the beginning of the tournament and scored on his first start for La Roja against Saudi Arabia. The teenager hasn’t found the back of the net since but has remained influential, and De la Fuente says he is raring to go ahead of the game in Los Angeles later. “If you look at Lamine’s situation, I think he’s a very dangerous player for opponents today because he’s very eager and motivated. But what we’re trying to do is calm that down so it doesn’t turn into anxiety, and that’s not positive. We want him to be motivated, with enormous desire, and he is,” he told reporters. “We know that the best Lamine, the offensive one, the most flashy and highly valued, is yet to come. Because he hasn’t yet made that leap to the level of brilliance we’re used to seeing from him. He will, for sure.” Yamal and Spain are favorites heading into the match and know victory will set up a semi-final clash with France following their victory over Morocco.

Arsenal sign Spain defender Batlle on free transfer

Arsenal sign Spain international Ona Batlle on a free transfer following her exit from Barcelona.

Arsenal hail signing of ‘winner’ Ona Batlle after Barcelona summer exodus

Batlle is fourth arrival after Stanway, Cerci and Reuteler Full-back is one of four big Barça free transfer departures Arsenal have confirmed the signing of the Spain full-back Ona Batlle on a free after her departure from Barcelona, continuing the London club’s busy start to the transfer window. The 27-year-old is their fourth signing, after Georgia Stanway, Selina Cerci and Geraldine Reuteler, who arrived from Bundesliga teams on free transfers, and the club are understood to have been determined to complete lots of their business early. Continue reading...

Ferran Torres and Roony Bardghji doubts emerge after Barcelona make Karim Adeyemi move

Ferran Torres left winger of Barcelona and Spain celebrates whit Roony Bardghji after scoring his sides first goal during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on January 7, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Barcelona’s decision to move for Karim Adeyemi has brought fresh speculation about what will happen with Ferran Torres and Roony Bardghji this summer. The Catalans have seen an opening bid for the Dortmund star rejected but could return with a better offer. Adeyemi is out of contract next summer and is thought to be keen to head to Barcelona. In the wake of the Adeyemi news, reporter Florian Plettenberg has posted an update and claims that there are fresh doubts over whether Roony and Ferran will continue at Barcelona. Bardghji spoke of his frustrations at his lack of game time last season and an exit has been talked about for a while now. It wouldn’t be too much of a surprise, therefore, if the arrival of Adeyemi finally pushed him out of the door at Barcelona. 🚨🆕 Not only is Roony Bardghji could leave FC Barcelona this summer if a suitable offer arrives, as reported today. Ferran Torres’ future is also open. He has received several top offers, with his situation currently being assessed. pic.twitter.com/iPgxvfdNqU — Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 10, 2026 Ferran’s situation is slightly different but Plettenberg claims he has “received several offers” this summer. Torres is into the last year of his contract and is yet to agree an extension with the club. He’s often been linked with a move away from Barca over the years but has always insisted he does not want to go anywhere. Which player(s) do you think might leave Barcelona if Adeyemi arrives? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Courtois: Two-on-One Is Belgium’s Best Hope Against Yamal

Thibaut Courtois says numerical superiority is Belgium's most realistic tactic to contain Lamine Yamal in Friday's World Cup quarterfinal against Spain. The post Courtois: Two-on-One Is Belgium’s Best Hope Against Yamal appeared first on Football España.

FC Barcelona News: 10 July 2026; Pere Romeu signs new deal as Barça Atlètic coach, Barça continue talks for Karim Adeyemi

Photo by Leon Kügeler/Getty Images Pere Romeu: “I love being able to do my job at my lifetime club” – FC Barcelona Barça Femení coach officially signs contract extension at ceremony attended by president Joan Laporta and members of the Board of Directors. New turf for the Spotify Camp Nou – Mundo Deportivo Barça have begun the process of changing the pitch to ensure it is in optimal condition for the start of LaLiga and the Joan Gamper Trophy match. Dortmund reject the first offer for Adeyemi but remain willing to negotiate – Mundo Deportivo Barcelona offered €20 million upfront for the German winger, but Borussia Dortmund said no. Barça expand their treasury for signings with a bond issue of 210 million – Mundo Deportivo This amount is an advance on television revenue, and an injection of 105 million is expected this July and another 105 million in November. Gavi: “I dream of scoring the winning goal in the World Cup Final with a bicycle kick” – Mundo Deportivo “I never like to talk about favorites because you have to prove it on the field,” the Barcelona midfielder said. Official: Pacífico returns to Barça Atlètic on loan – Mundo Deportivo The Catalan club agreed a new loan with an option to buy for the Uruguayan defender, who is seriously injured in his left knee.

‘Give me another medal!’: meet the hair stylist who has taken over the World Cup

Jayèma on working with England stars, a new look for Raphinha and forging a friendship with Lamine Yamal’s family Jayèma has had a World Cup like no other. Who else but the London hair stylist has worked with footballers from England, Brazil, the United States and Canada, and hung out with Lamine Yamal and his family, while having no idea who Lionel Messi is until recently? Who else but Jayèma has been to her first game of men’s football and left before the end of a tumultuous match between Mexico and England at the Azteca Stadium because the atmosphere was too “rowdy”? Who else has made so many footballers feel especially good about their hair and themselves, but the hardest-working stylist and male groomer in elite sport? Continue reading...

Haaland and Bellingham: Dortmund friends taking centre stage in Norway v England battle

The attacking players spent two years together at BVB, forming a friendship on their way to the very top This World Cup has been about the biggest names from the beginning but as Miami welcomes back its new favourite sporting pleasure on Saturday night, the man in with a shout of the Ballon d’Or probably won’t be the headline. With apologies to Harry Kane, in a football world moving past its two-decades-long domination by the Lionel Messi/Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly, a pair of younger world-class stars will be drawing the majority of the glare as England take on Norway. Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland have met regularly in the Champions League for Real Madrid and Manchester City over the past three years, but this is different. Their first encounter at international level is news in the front pages of the tabloids and gossip mags alike, Hello! running a feature entitled “Inside Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland’s unlikely friendship before fierce Fifa showdown” before Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final in Florida. If Bellingham and Haaland were the game’s next superstar rivalry in the years to come (again, with apologies to Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal) they would define the competition in starkly different parameters to their Argentinian and Portuguese predecessors. Continue reading...

How De la Fuente's Spain are closing in on greatness

Before Spain's World Cup quarter-final against Belgium, Guillem Balague talks to Spain boss Luis de la Fuente about their identity and Lamine Yamal.

Khedira set to be Mourinho’s assistant coach at Real Madrid

Former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is set to join José Mourinho’s coaching staff as an assistant ahead of the upcoming season, club sources told Managing Madrid. The former German international was spotted in Madrid on Thursday alongside several of Mourinho’s longtime staff members. Mourinho signed Khedira in the summer of 2010 and the German player was a crucial starter during The Special One’s three-year tenure in the Spanish capital. Khedira has no coaching experience and spent some years as a commentator after retiring as a player in 2021. Having an assistant coach who knows the club has always been important for Mourinho. Former Real Madrid defender Aitor Karanka was his assistant during his years at Real Madrid and now Khedira will be the one taking over that role.

‘That’s how you try to stop him’ – Thibaut Courtois offers Belgium advice on Lamine Yamal

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 06: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images) | Getty Images Belgium and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has offered his team-mates some advice ahead of their World Cup quarter-final tie against Spain and Lamine Yamal. The two teams will meet on Friday night and battle for a place in the last four of the tournament. Yamal will once again be tasked with providing attacking inspiration for Spain, and Courtois says his team will need to double up on the Barcelona star. “Lamine is Lamine; we know he’s very talented in one-on-one situations,” he told reporters. He’s very quick and very agile. He can dribble two players and then he also plays through balls. “I think ultimately it’s about marking him very closely, and when we can create a two-on-one situation, I think that’s how you try to stop him, but he’s a star, he’s a great player and it really is difficult to stop him.” Yamal spoke before the tournament about how he’s getting used to being marked by two or three players at a time, saying that he eventually expects to move into a more central role as “the only place where three players can’t mark you is in the middle.”

Spain vs Belgium, World Cup 2026: Team News, Match Preview

Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images Spain vs Belgium Competition/Round: 2026 World Cup, Quarter-Finals Spain Outs & Doubts: Yeremi Pino, Nico Williams, Victor Muñoz (doubt) Belgium Outs & Doubts: Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana (out) Date/Time: Friday, July 10, 2026, 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 9pm CET (Barcelona), 8pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 12.30am IST (India, Saturday) Venue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, United States Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG) How to watch on TV: FOX (USA), BBC One (UK), United8 Sports 1 (India), SuperSport (Nigeria), TVE La 1 (Spain), others How to watch online: FuboTV (USA), BBC iPlayer (UK), ZEE5 (India), DAZN (Spain), others Following a hard-fought victory over Iberian rivals Portugal on Monday, Spain return to action for a huge World Cup quarter-final clash against Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon. La Roja come into this one looking to reach the semi-finals and meet Kylian Mbappé’s France in what could be one of the most epic Final Four matches in World Cup history, but they first need to get past a Belgium side that somehow, someway reached the quarter-final stage despite an incredibly inconsistent tournament. After two draws in the first two games against Iran and Egypt that required a big win in the group finale to advance to the knockouts, the Belgians were all but eliminated against Senegal before a remarkable comeback in the final 10 minutes of regulation completed by a 125th minute winner in extra-time to secure a spot in the next round. Belgium then faced the United States and all of the controversy that surrounded the game in the Round of 16, and showed remarkable poise and mental strength to not only win but dominate the hosts and move on to the quarter-finals. The remarkable comeback against Senegal and the dominant win over the USA had one thing in common: Kevin De Bruyne was not on the pitch. His World Cup has been very poor so far, and the team has looked more compact and athletic without its best playmaker who is clearly not fully fit after an injury-riddled season at club level. It’s very hard to think De Bruyne won’t be involved against Spain, however, which makes it impossible to know which version of Belgium will show up in Los Angeles. If it’s the one that destroyed the US, then Spain must be ready for a very tough battle. If it’s the one that struggled mightily with De Bruyne on the pitch, this could be much easier for La Roja. This is a fascinating clash, one that Spain will be favorites to win as the world awaits a spectacle against France. But Belgium are too talented to be taken for granted, and this should be a fun one in Hollywood. Let’s dance. (Be careful, Lamine.) POSSIBLE LINEUPS Spain (4-2-3-1): Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere PREDICTION Belgium have been at their best without De Bruyne, but there’s no way he won’t be on the pitch on Friday. It’s hard to predict which Belgium will show up, but I’m betting on Spain anyway: 2-1 to La Roja.

France’s attacking evolution under Didier Deschamps passes latest Morocco test | Raphaël Jucobin

With the head coach having released the handbrake, his side were far superior compared with four years ago in Qatar against the same opponents The scorelines may have been exactly the same, but the stylistic gulf in France’s two World Cup knockout performances against Morocco could not have been greater. In the space of just a single tournament cycle, Didier Deschamps has embraced a vastly different style, one based on a freeform attacking line. As a one-two punch from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé sent the team into this year’s semi-finals, the 57-year-old’s tactical reinvention was once again vindicated. Continue reading...

What's going on with penalties - is it time to end the stutter?

Kylian Mbappe's penalty miss in France's win against Morocco is the latest example of a player missing a penalty after stuttering in the run-up.

Mbappe mirrors Messi magic as World Cup's greatest storyline rolls on

This summer's World Cup has been one of the most fascinating on the pitch in recent memory. Not because of the teams. Because of two men.

Mbappe magic sees off Morocco as France skipper shrugs off penalty miss

Kylian Mbappe shrugged off a missed penalty to star as France beat Morocco 2-0 in Boston to clinch their spot in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Klopp reveals how Liverpool tried to sign Mbappe

Jurgen Klopp says he "flew around in a circle" in a private plane with Kylian Mbappe and his family when he tried to sign him for Liverpool a decade ago.

‘You can say no’ – Mikel Oyarzabal sends strong message amid Barcelona links

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 02: Mikel Oyarzabal #21 of Spain celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Spain and Austria at Los Angeles Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) | Getty Images Mikel Oyarzabal seems to have effectively shut the door on a potential move to Barcelona for good after making it clear it is possible to turn the Catalans down. Barcelona have been linked with Oyarzabal this summer but the Real Sociedad star has made it repeatedly clear he is happy where he is and is not thinking about a transfer. That hasn’t spotted journalists continuing to ask the Barcelona question, with Oyarzabal’s latest response suggesting he’s had enough of the speculation about a potential Camp Nou transfer. “Can you say no to Barcelona? Yes, you can. Of course you can. There are players who have told them no,“ he told El Chiringuito. “I’m immensely happy in San Sebastian, I consider Real Sociedad my home, it’s a place where I can live the life I want with my family. I’ve always said that I’m where I want to be.” Julian Alvarez remains Barcelona’s top choice even though Atletico don’t want to sell. Eli Junior Kroupi has been mentioned as a potential alternative, although he has also been linked with several other clubs this summer.

France into semi-finals after comfortable win over Morocco

Kylian Mbappe scores his eighth goal of this World Cup to make up for an earlier penalty miss with Ousmane Dembele adding a second as France prove too good for Morocco and move into the semi-finals.

Managing Madrid Podcast: REACTION: Mbappe, France Eliminate Morocco

AUDIO: View Link VIDEO: On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani reacts to France beating Morocco 2 – 0 in the World Cup quarter finals, including: – The penalty call – The eternal VAR review – Kylian Mbappe’s penalty + his inevitable golazo – A reflection on Morocco’s run, specifically Bonou, Brahim, and Bouaddi – And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Kiyan Sobhani (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@KiyanSo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

Mbappé stunner ends Morocco resistance to send France into World Cup semi-finals

There is a relentlessness to this France that might make them irresistible. Morocco no doubt had the best of intentions, ideas of how they could hurt the side that had beaten them in the semi-final in Qatar, but France press so well that they soon accepted they had no option but to retreat and endure. France have such attacking quality that simply surviving isn’t really a viable option. Kylian Mbappé, once again, was the key figure, missing a penalty, scoring a stunning opener and then teeing up Ousmane Dembélé for the second. He went off with 13 minutes remaining to a deserved ovation: the game had seemed to be drifting, and there had just been a sense that Morocco might conceivably pull off an implausible rearguard action, when he produced a goal from nowhere. Continue reading...

Mbappé misses penalty, scores, assists and gets injured as France beat Morocco

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 09: Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 09, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images) | Getty Images The headlines in Boston surrounded Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé as he took his World Cup 2026 goal tally to eight goals as he scored France’s first goal in a 2-0 against Morocco just before the hour mark in a hard fought quarter-final with limited chances for either side. The French captain had enjoyed the best chance for his side as he stepped up to take a spot-kick win by the number 10 in the first half. Mbappé went down early after a diving challenge from Manchester United’s Noussair Mazrsoui. A three-and-a-half minute VAR review followed, with Mbappé made to wait before stepping up. His penalty was then saved by Yassine Bounou, previously of Atlético Madrid and Sevilla, diving down low to his left. It was Mbappé’s first penalty miss since October’s Clásico and his first for his country since June 2023. He made amends 30 minutes later as he broke the deadlock with a curling effort from the edge of the box leaving Bounou with no chance as it hit the side netting and gave France the lead. Mbappé turned provider minutes later as he teed up Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé to add a second for Les Bleus, again from outside the penalty box, before the second period’s hydration break. Beyond the goal involvements, Mbappé was pivotal to offensive play, creating a match-high four chances, more than any other player on the field, and missing two big chances with the penalty and a shot worth 0.45 xG from eight yards out just minutes before his goal. The 27-year-old attacker’s involvement then ended early on 77 minutes as he went down with what appeared to be a relatively minor knock to be replaced by Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta. He was then pictured with ice on his right ankle on the bench. France were without Aurélien Tchouameni, who was rested on the bench as he continues to nurse a thigh injury, and stuck with Roma’s Kouadio Koné in midfield. New Real Madrid signing Ibrahima Konaté was also an unused substitute. Didier Deschamps’ side will now face the winner of Spain’s quarter-final against Belgium on Friday in a semi-final match-up to be played in Dallas on Tuesday.

'Absolute perfection!' Mbappe fires France ahead against Morocco

All the angles of Kylian Mbappe's opener for France against Morocco in the 2026 World Cup.

Mbappe penalty SAVED with Morocco holding on vs France LIVE!

Gavi dreams of scoring a bicycle kick in the World Cup final for Spain vs Lionel Messi’s Argentina

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES - JULY 2: Gavi of Spain during the World Cup match between Spain v Austria at the Los Angeles Stadium on July 2, 2026 in Los Angeles United States (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona midfielder Gavi has revealed he’s always dreamed of scoring the winner in the World Cup final with a bicycle kick. Gavi is currently preparing for a quarter-final tie with Belgium and spoke about how he’d love to face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the final. “Of course I hope to be important in the World Cup. I dream of scoring the title-winning goal. I’ve always dreamed of scoring a bicycle kick in the World Cup final,” he told reporters. “They’re dreams, and I hope they come true. The opponent? I’d like Argentina because of Leo Messi, but as long as we reach the final, it doesn’t matter who it is.” Gavi started Spain’s opening game of the World Cup but has only featured once since as a substitute. He admits he wants to play more but that the team comes first. “I came here to win the World Cup. The manager knows me better than anyone. We all want to play more, but what really matters is winning the World Cup. He knows he can count on me for anything he needs,” he added. “I don’t like to talk about that. Belgium has magnificent players, as does Portugal. We have to do our job very well. If we do, things will surely turn out well. The important thing is to beat Belgium. France or Morocco? They are two great teams, but I would say Morocco, because they eliminated us in Qatar.” Spain take on Belgium on Friday and know a victory will see them progress to a semi-final against France or Morocco.

Spurs make offer for Kolo Muani - Friday gossip

Tottenham make an offer for Randal Kolo Muani but Juventus remain favourites to sign the forward, Arsenal are ready to finalise a deal for Christos Tzolis, Marcus Rashford's future at Barcelona could be in doubt, plus more.

Barcelona won’t pay €40m for Karim Adeyemi after seeing opening bid rejected

Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund) looks on during match day 33 1.Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt, Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany on May 08 2026. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Barcelona have seen an opening bid for Karim Adeyemi of €20 million rejected by Borussia Dortmund but won’t match the Bundesliga side’s asking price. The Catalans are interesting in bringing the Germany star to Camp Nou and are confident they can get a deal done. However, they won’t pay the €40m that Dortmund are hoping for this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. 🚨🔵🔴 Barcelona will not match €40m price for Karim Adeyemi and remain confident to get deal done well under that fee. Adeyemy only wants Barça and will not sign new deal at Dortmund, eventually free to sign on a free from January. 🎥➕ https://t.co/E6frOy5yBf pic.twitter.com/XcOPDUZMNo — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 9, 2026 Dortmund are said to be willing to negotiate for Adeyemi, with the forward not expected to sign a new contract at the club and keen to make the move to Barcelona. It seems that negotiations for the forward are likely to continue as Barcelona seek to add another attacker to the squad in time for the 2026-27 season. Barcelona have already signed Anthony Gordon and remain in the hunt for Julian Alvarez. The club’s pursuit of Adeyemi is not expected to change Barca’s stance towards Alvarez. A new bid is expected for Alvarez after he’s finished international duty with Argentina at World Cup 2026, with Barcelona seeking a €210 million loan to fund their summer spending spree.

Will Barcelona pay a price for neglecting the defense this transfer window?

Vinicius Junior left winger of Real Madrid and Brazil and Eric Garcia centre-back of Barcelona and Spain and Pau Cubarsi centre-back of Barcelona and Spain compete for the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on May 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images It been a quiet summer for Barcelona on the defensive side of things. In comparison, Real Madrid has been busy with the signings of Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, and Ibrahima Konaté. Three big name defenders for a combined price of only 75 million euros, which is less than what Barcelona spent on Anthony Gordon. Meanwhile, the talk in Catalonia has been around the possibility of bringing in Karim Adeyemi as a new winger. There’s plenty of time for Barcelona to do business before the September 1st transfer deadline, but it’s fair to ask the question whether Deco’s priorities are in the right place. So far, Barcelona are set to bring back João Cancelo for about 10 million euros. It’s an important signing, but it’s not going to move the needle to put the team in a stronger position to win trophies. Cancelo is not a full-back of the future. He is a temporary depth piece who can make a nice impact in certain games and in certain situations. The question going forward is whether there are moves being cooked up behind close doors that we aren’t privy to. The Gordon signing came out of nowhere, which is part of what made it successful. There are benefits to keeping big news under wraps. Let’s hope that’s the case, and that in reality Hansi Flick is making it clear that he needs defensive reinforcements in order to build a team that repeats as Spanish champions, while at the same time getting closer to a Champions League title. The alternative is doubling down on the theory that Flick simply needs the right attacking players in order to be successful. Good defense comes from being dominant offensively. Last season, it could be argued that Barcelona had the best defense in Spain. They only surrendered 36 goals, while achieving a goal differential of 59. The only team better defensively were Real Madrid with 35 goals allowed, but their GD was a distance away from the Blaugrana at 42. The Champions League is a different story. It’s a competition where defense is typically the deciding factor, and in Flick’s first two seasons in charge at Barcelona, the struggles in this area can’t be denied. The strategy in the boardroom is anyone’s guess, but it seems clear that Barcelona still need an adequate left center-back replacement for Iñigo Martínez. Gerard Martín was commendable last season, but it would be a risk to depend on him so much going forward. The full-back picture is also far from convincing. Jules Kounde and Eric García are able deputies, but not ideal permanent fits. Alejandro Balde will have a lot to prove in the year ahead after falling off the radar for both Flick and Luis de la Fuente of Spain. Going forward, let’s hope that the focus turns towards the defense. It would be amazing to see Barcelona strengthen the forward line by acquiring the services of Karim Adeyemi and Julián Alvarez, but not if it comes at the cost of prioritizing improvements to the backline where trophies are often won and lost. This is the beginning of the Flick 2.0 era. The first version will always be remembered as a big success, but for it to continue, Barcelona will have to be a more complete team. Their rivals are getting stronger, and they will be desperate to knock the Blaugrana off the throne. In order to keep their place at the top, Barcelona will have to improve in all areas. So far so good in the attack, but let’s hope that equal focus is placed where it’s needed most. Barcelona are just one or two great defenders away from being perhaps the best team in Europe.

Barcelona agree to extend Patricio Pacifico’s loan for another season after ACL injury

Uruguay's defender #06 Patricio Pacifico celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2025 South American U-20 football championship match between Uruguay and Peru at the Metropolitano de Lara stadium in Cabudare, Lara state, Venezuela on January 29, 2025. (Photo by EDILZON GAMEZ / AFP) (Photo by EDILZON GAMEZ/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Barcelona have confirmed they have reached agreement with Defensor Sporting Club to extend Patricio Pacifico’s loan deal for another season. Pacifico arrived in the winter transfer window and was making a good impression at Barcelona but then sustained a torn ACL that saw him sidelined The defender is not expected to play for a year but Barca are keeping the faith. Here’s the club’s statement: “FC Barcelona and Defensor Sporting Club have reached an agreement to extend the loan of player Patricio Pacifico for another season, until the end of the 2026/27 season. The agreement includes maintaining the purchase option that already existed for the Uruguayan defender at the end of the season.” The news should be a boost for Pacifico as he recovers from an awful injury that will keep him out of action for a very long time. Let’s hope he makes a full recovery and can make an impact at Barcelona when he returns.

Anthony Gordon: ‘I have always been very intrigued to see who I can become’

England winger on his thirst for self-improvement, triumph at the Azteca and the ‘spiritual’ Thomas Tuchel It was a lighthearted moment – despite the language used – and Anthony Gordon saw the funny side. But trust the England winger to find a way to use it as fuel. It is what he does, what he has always done, since his childhood in Liverpool. It has helped him to reach the point where he completed a £60.7m transfer to Barcelona from Newcastle at the end of May. And it is driving him before Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami. Most people have seen the clip. There were 26 minutes on the clock at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday; England goalless against Mexico in the last 16. The Mexico manager, Javier Aguirre, who admits that swearing is second nature to him during matches, was in the mood to show off his English. He called out Gordon’s name and when the player turned around, he had a piece of advice. “Fuck you,” Aguirre shouted, before creasing up with laughter. Gordon did the same. Continue reading...

Barcelona’s €20m bid for Karim Adeyemi rejected by Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund's German forward #27 Karim Adeyemi reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match between BVB Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in Dortmund, western Germany on May 8, 2026. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO | AFP via Getty Images Barcelona have seen an initial €20 million bid for Karim Adeyemi rejected by Borussia Dortmund, according to Marca. The Catalan giants have made the surprise move for the Germany star but will have to raise their offer if they are to bring him to Camp Nou. Marca say that Dortmund want at least the €33m they paid for Adeyemi, while previous reports have claimed the German side are holding out for €40m. Mundo Deportivo are also reporting the offer has been rejected but say Dortmund are willing to negotiate. Adeyemi is into the last year of his contract at Dortmund and is said to be unwilling to renew. The situation means that Dortmund must therefore sell him this summer or face losing him on a free transfer next year. The 24-year-old is also said to be eager to make the move to Barcelona and play under Hansi Flick again, but we’ll have to wait and see how far the Catalans are prepared to go to land Adeyemi.

Managing Madrid Podcast: Wild Argentina Discourse; Fede / Arda Fit Next Season. MAILBAG!

On this Members-only episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Lucas Navarrete discuss: Argentina vs Egypt discourse — a full reflection on what’s been happenning When is Jose Mourinho’s first press conference? If we had a blank check to sign any CB in the world, who would it be? How will Fede Valverde and Arda Güler fit into next season’s lineup A reflection on Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt and the dominoes from it. Pedro Martinez appointment. What’s the football equivalent?  And more. CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS Thanks for being a Member. We hope you enjoy the show! The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Kiyan Sobhani (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@KiyanSo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM)

Dani Olmo: Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 6: Dani Olmo of Spain looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images FC Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo has hailed Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as the best in the world as the two are set to meet again, this time at international level. Olmo’s Spain are looking to continue keep racking up clean sheets while trying to put goals past Courtois in the Belgian goal, as the two European countries clash in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. “We are thinking solely and exclusively about that match … and we have to beat a great team,” Olmo said. “Belgium is a complete, tough squad, and it has the best goalkeeper in the world. They staged a comeback in the previous round, which shows they have game-changing players,” he added, referencing the Red Devils’ dramatic 3-2 win over Senegal after trailing 0-2. In addition, Belgium made light work of the USA despite playing in hostile territory in the round of 16, winning 4-1 with relative ease. Spain, for their part, beat Portugal 1-0 after having beaten Austria 3-0. Spain still have yet to concede in any match this tournament. “We all attack and we all defend. It starts with the number nine, and the rest follow suit. It’s a team effort, including the defensive line,” he said. To win against Belgium, Spain will likely have to call upon their weapons, including Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, and young superstar Lamine Yamal. Yamal was injured at the end of the club season and made it to the World Cup just in time. He scored one goal in his first start, but has yet to find his usual electric form. “I see him doing well, growing in confidence, building momentum, and eager to keep playing and proving himself. The connection is evident on the pitch, both with and without the ball. He is contributing a great deal and will give us even more,” he said.

Bellingham unlocked? How Tuchel has helped him find a new level

England's strength lies in the collective according to Thomas Tuchel. "If any team has heart and belief, then it's this team," he said after the victory over Mexico. But Jude Bellingham, together with Harry Kane, is showing the value of star quality too.

Would Karim Adeyemi be a good signing for Barcelona?

TOPSHOT - Dortmund's German forward #27 Karim Adeyemi celebrates after scoring the 3-0 goal as Villarreal's Ghanaian midfielder #16 Thomas Partey (L, background) reacts during the UEFA Champions League league phase day 5 football match between Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal CF in Dortmund, on November 25, 2025. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Barcelona are reportedly closing in on a deal for Borussia Dortmund attacker Karim Adeyemi who could become the club’s second transfer of the summer window after Anthony Gordon. The Catalan giants have reportedly made an opening bid for the Germany star and hope to tie up a deal quickly as he is keen to make the switch to Camp Nou. Adeyemi has worked with Hansi Flick previously and would offer the Barcelona boss further depth out wide for the 2026-27 season. There’s speculation already that Roony Bardghji may leave if Adeyemi does arrive, while Raphinha’s future remains in doubt with Barcelona also expected to move for Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. So today’s Barca Blaugranes Question of the Day is: Would Karim Adeyemi be a good signing or should Barcelona steer clear? Now it’s over to you! Feel free to share your thoughts, predictions, opinions and answers in the comments section below!

Flick Personally Messages Álvarez to Promise Barcelona Will Fight for Signing

Hansi Flick contacted Julián Álvarez via WhatsApp urging patience and promising Barcelona will do everything possible to sign him this summer. The post Flick Personally Messages Álvarez to Promise Barcelona Will Fight for Signing appeared first on Football España.

‘He’s a great fit’ – Lamine Yamal talks Julian Alvarez and ‘incredible’ Lionel Messi

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 06: Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images Lamine Yamal has once again called on Julian Alvarez to make the move from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona in the summer transfer window. Barcelona are expected to make a new bid for the Argentina international after his involvement at World Cup 2026, and Yamal says he’d be a great signing for Barcelona. “Everyone knows he’s a top player, the kind everyone wants,” he told Mundo Deportivo. “I’ve already said it: we’re open to welcoming him, and if he comes, we’ll all be very happy. I think he’s a great fit for Barça’s style. I have no idea what the situation is, but I hope so.” Argentina and Spain are both preparing for quarter-final ties at World Cup 2026, with Yamal admitting that he’s been impressed by Lionel Messi’s performances for the defending champions. “Incredible. Everyone knows who Messi is, but no one expected him to be playing at such a high level. I’m so happy for him. I’m happy for Neymar and Cristiano too,” he added. “They’ve shaped the childhoods of everyone playing now. Anything good that happens to them will be good for me. And if I make it to the final, I want to win it.” Spain take on Belgium for a place in the last four on Friday, while Argentina are up against Switzerland on Sunday.

INTO THE VOID | OPEN THREAD | JULY 9, 2026

Welcome to The Daily Merengue! THESE ARE YOUR MODS: Ezek XI, Valyrian Steel, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho ADDRESS THE STATE This world cup has given us everything, the good, the bad and now the ugly. I believe, though i have not proof, that this match against Morocco will be a statement game for France. Due to the very vile, ugly and racist statements of the government official from Paraguay. If Mbappe is exactly who we know he is, he’ll look to send a stronger message in this game by his performance. The last thing Morocco needed is an angry and charged up Mbappe/France playing against them. It’s time for the commander to come out!!!!!!!!! UNLEEASSSHHHH THE COOMANNNDDEEERRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STRIKER? Is the Alvarez deal still on?, behind the scenes? because we still need a striker who can also play on the wings when needed in game IMO. AFTER TODAY One or more of our players is coming home. Lets see the outcome of the France/Morocco match. It’s most likely going to be brahim that comes home, unless there’s a huge upset. Brahim’s stock is very high also. wink wink

Barcelona seek €210m loan to fund summer spending spree amid Karim Adeyemi, Julian Alvarez transfer talk

STUTTGART, GERMANY - APRIL 04: Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund celebrates following the team's victory during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund at MHPArena on April 04, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona are reportedly seeking to secure a loan of €210 million to fund a summer spending spree to strengthen the first-team squad. The Catalans have already signed Anthony Gordon in a deal worth €80m and are also said to be hoping to land Karim Adeyemi and Julian Alvarez. According to Cadena SER, Barcelona want to secure a “€210 million loan against its television rights payments for the coming seasons” to help when it comes to transfers. The Catalans are hoping to be back at the 1:1 rule this summer but expect to exceed La Liga’s Financial Fair Play regulations again next season. The reports adds that “delays in the Camp Nou renovations” have caused “some cash flow problems” which has seen Barcelona seek a loan to cover “expenses in the coming months.” Dortmund are said to want around €40m for Adeyemi, although that price may come down as he’s in the last month of his contract, while Atletico are reportedly asking for €150m for Alvarez.

Hansi Flick hoping to have Karim Adeyemi at Barcelona for start of pre-season

05 September 2021, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Stuttgart: Football: World Cup Qualification Europe, Germany - Armenia, Group Stage, Group J, Matchday 5, Mercedes-Benz Arena. Germany coach Hansi Flick (l) discusses with Karim Adeyemi before his substitution. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa (Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images) Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is reportedly hoping his club can sign Karim Adeyemi quickly and have the winger available for the start of pre-season on Monday. The Catalans have caused a stir by making a bid for the Borussia Dortmund forward who is said to be eager to make the switch to Camp Nou. According to Gerard Romero, Flick “hopes that Adeyemi will be with the group on Monday at the start of the Blaugrana preseason.” Barcelona are due back next week to start pre-season, altough Flick will be without a host of big names as many of his players are still at World Cup 2026 or on holiday after their involvement in the tournament. Adeyemi has reportedly already agreed terms with Barcelona and the Catalans now just need to agree a price with Dortmund for the winger. Flick and Adeyemi have worked together previously. The German coached Adeyemi during his stint in charge of the national team and seems to be eager to be reunited with the 24-year-old at Barcelona.

Flick Drives Barcelona’s Move for Adeyemi as Raphinha Questions Linger

Hansi Flick is the driving force as Barcelona make an official approach for Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi, with the player already backing the move. The post Flick Drives Barcelona’s Move for Adeyemi as Raphinha Questions Linger appeared first on Football España.

France national team uses ICE deportation planes for World Cup travel

The plane that French team used after match with Paraguay flew 44 deportation-related flights this year alone The French men’s national soccer team, whose star Kylian Mbappé is one of the world’s most outspoken athletes against far-right politicians, has been using a charter airplane company that is at the heart of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign. Images of the team posted on social media and flight tracking data show the French team have used Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) for at least three domestic flights between their World Cup games and base camp in Boston. That same airline charter company has operated more than half of ICE’s removal flights in 2024 and 2025. Continue reading...

FC Barcelona News: 9 July 2026; Alexia Putellas joins London City, Barça in advanced talks for Karim Adeyemi

Photo by Leon Kügeler/Getty Images 10 Blaugranes in the World Cup quarter-finals – FC Barcelona Luis de la Fuente’s squad features eight FC Barcelona players and there is also Kounde with France and Gordon with England. Lamine Yamal: “I can be better, what I’m doing isn’t enough for me” – Mundo Deportivo “People remember these moments, from the round of 16 and the quarterfinals onwards. That’s when I’m most motivated,” he says, with the match against Belgium just around the corner. Lamine Yamal explains why he would like to have Julián at Barça and praises Messi – Mundo Deportivo “We have him with open arms and, if he comes, we’ll all be very happy. I think he’s a player who fits perfectly with Barça’s style,” he said about the Atlético Madrid striker. Calm with João Cancelo at Barça – Mundo Deportivo There’s an agreement with the player, Mendes is looking for creative solutions to sign him, and Barcelona aren’t desperate because they know it could take a while. Flick’s Xavi Espart shines again – Mundo Deportivo He started as a midfielder in the Under-19 European Championship semi-finals, completed the full 90 minutes, and scored the first goal against Croatia. Barça open the door to Adeyemi – SPORT According to ‘Jijantes’, the club is in advanced negotiations to finalize the signing of the German winger in a deal that has been handled with the utmost secrecy. Alexia Putellas Lands in London – London City Lionesses London City are proud to announce the signing of two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, marking a landmark moment for the club.

Revealed: Hansi Flick sends WhatsApp message to Barcelona target Julian Alvarez

VALENCIA, SPAIN - MAY 23: Hans-Dieter Flick head coach of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadi de Mestalla on May 23, 2026 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Omar Arnau/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has reportedly been in touch with Julian Alvarez during the World Cup to reassure the forward his club will do all they can to recruit the Argentina international this summer. Alvarez went public with his desire to leave Atletico Madrid during the tournament, with Barcelona having made the forward their top transfer target following the departure of Robert Lewandowski. Atletico really don’t want to sell Alvarez, particularly to La Liga rivals Barcelona, but Flick has told the attacker to be patient, according to Marca’s Pedro Morata. “Trust in us. We’re going to be there fighting for your signing as far as we can,” he is said to have messaged Alvarez via WhatsApp. Alvarez is currently focused on a World Cup semi-final against Switzerland on Sunday in Kansas. Barcelona are reportedly set to make a fresh offer for the Atletico man after the conclusion of the tournament.

Barcelona told how much to pay for Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MAY 8: Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund reacts during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at Signal Iduna Park on May 8, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Leon Kügeler/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona are making waves in the transfer market again after making a surprise bid for Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi. The transfer has seemingly come out of nowhere, but multiple outlets are reporting that Adeyemi has agreed terms and it’s now down to the two club to reach an agreement. 🚨🔵🔴 BREAKING: Karim Adeyemi agreed terms with Barcelona and informed BVB he only wants Barça move. Adeyemi, out of contract in June 2027 and not planning to sign new deal. ❗️ Barcelona sent an official bid to BVB to get Adeyemi now, working to get it done. pic.twitter.com/7zHJQIeflr — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 9, 2026 Adeyemi is into the final year of his contract at Dortmund and has reportedly failed to reach an agreement over a new deal, per Sky Sport Germany. The Germany star is represented by super agent Jorge Mendes who has offered Adeyemi to Barcelona on several previous occasions but a deal has been impossible due to the club’s financial situation, according to Diario Sport. Adeyemi has now been offered again and is keen to head to Camp Nou, with Dortmund having told Barcelona they want 40 million euros for the 24-year-old. The report says that Barcelona will try to negotiate a lower fee and could also offer to include players in the deal. Roony Bardghji and Guille Fernández are the two players mentioned by Sport. Rooney is expected to leave this summer after becoming frustrated by his lack of minutes, while Fernandez has been linked with Dortmund in the past. Is Adeyemi a good signing for Barcelona and what would be a good price for the Dortmund star? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Tchouameni signs contract extension with Real Madrid until 2031 -report

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has signed a contract extension with the club, one which will keep him in the Spanish capital until the summer of 2031, according to reports from the Spanish press and Fabrizio Romano. The deal will likely be official after the World Cup. Tchouameni’s previous deal was set to expire in the summer of 2028, so Real Madrid wanted to reach this agreement this year. The French player bounced back from two difficult debut seasons and actually became a crucial player for the club last year, earning a spot as an undisputed starter in Real Madrid’s midfield line. Los Blancos will now want to extend other players, according to Fabrizio Romano. Most of the attention will go to Vinicius Junior, who hasn’t signed an extension yet and will be free to negotiate with other clubs in January 1st, 2027.

Anthony Gordon: A solution to a Raphinha problem at Barcelona

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 1: Anthony Gordon of England celebrates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) | Getty Images Anthony Gordon is perhaps the most traditional type of English winger. He’s strong, fast, with an ability to whip a cross into the box and a work rate that goes toe-to-toe with Raphinha. He comes to Camp Nou with a hefty price tag, something that has made some fans skeptical, but there is a method to the madness. Firstly, Gordon is a younger, fitter and more intense variant of the profile Barca experimented with last season with Marcus Rashford. Secondly, sheer pace in the final third is a trait Barcelona have lacked. While technically breaking down an opponent is the Barcelona way, the brute force of a fast winger will solve situations when tactically things get slow. Gordon has been clocked as one of the fastest players at World Cup 2026, hitting a top speed of 37.9 km/h.  What Gordon lacks in final product compared to Rashford, he brings in energy off the ball, a trait that fits the Flick system perfectly. This signing will need time to pay off. We might see Gordon struggling with fewer touches, and the more technical nature of La Liga compared to the Premier League, but that’s what was said about Raphinha when he signed from Leeds. The good thing is that Gordon can be a real handful due to his physical nature in attack, an area where experienced Premier League forwards always stand out, especially when compared to La Liga’s more technical forwards. Last season, Raphinha missed many important games due to injury and one thing that could not be replaced in his absence is work rate. Barca without Raphinha looked toothless without the ball, with no leader in pressing. Gordon certainly brings that profile over Rashford. Any team that wants to compete for all titles needs the ability to replicate similar profiles when squad rotation is necessary. Gordon’s work rate will be even more important when the calendar becomes dense as we move deeper into the season. This will also allow other forwards to be fresh and ready to go when the Champions League knockouts come around. Another thing that is noticeable is that there were moments last season where, in Pedri’s absence, Barca could not progress the ball forward with conviction. Having a ball-playing goalkeeper in Joan Garcia and a forward as pacy as Gordon can help in such situations. As seen at the World Cup, Gordon’s runs on goal kicks and other set pieces, along with a desire to put the ball in dangerous areas, have been important to England’s success. From an analysis standpoint, we will never be able to truly appreciate his quality if we simply look at goals and assists, but his ability to win the ball back and his intensity in pressing is what convinced Deco and Flick to move so swiftly to sign him. Gordon can also play both left wing and striker, which makes rotations in the final third smoother. Raphinha has a knack of dropping into the CAM or ST position and Gordon’s versatility to cover him on the left flank will reduce the Brazilian’s responsibility and allow him more freedom in attack. This is because Raphinha will not have to think about dropping deep to cover for his full-back, and transitions won’t have to be slowed down, creating more clear cut chances on the counter. The concern will always be the numbers and the end product. Quality without a great end product is often detrimental, as seen with a number of Barca forwards in the recent past. Gordon is a signing who will be judged harshly due to his high price tag, and he has his work cut out in proving that he is a forward worth €80 million. Another major concern is that technically, he is not elite. Often times we see him take one touch too many, or take a heavy touch when there is no space. This could be a frustrating aspect of seeing him play, but it certainly isn’t something that should be a deal breaker. In fact, Luis Diaz for Bayern could have faced similar problems but he has had a strong season at Bayern. Hopefully we see the same thing from Gordon in the coming years. So while it remains to be seen how exactly Gordon will fit in, it can be safely said that his signing was made with the system in mind. For Gordon, this is a new chapter in a new league, and he could be a treat to watch in Blaugrana

Courtois Relishing First Competitive Meeting With Spain As Belgium Prepare For World Cup Quarter-final

Belgium's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois pictured during a press conference of Belgian national soccer team Red Devils, on Wednesday 08 July 2026 in Carson, Los Angeles County, California, USA. The Rode Duivels - Diables Rouges qualified for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they'll meet Spain in the round of 8 on July 10th. BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM (Photo by DIRK WAEM / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty Images) | BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says he is looking forward to facing Spain in an official match for the first time as the two nations prepare to meet in the World Cup quarter-finals. The Real Madrid shot-stopper spoke to the media ahead of the clash, acknowledging Spain’s impressive form while outlining what Belgium must do to pull off an upset. For Courtois, the occasion carries extra significance given his familiarity with many of Spain’s players through club football. “It’s a special match. I’ve played against them in a few friendlies, but facing them for the first time in an official match is going to be great.” Courtois also praised Spain’s style of play, describing Luis de la Fuente’s side as one of the tournament favorites while stressing that Belgium must remain disciplined throughout the contest. “They are playing well, managing the game’s tempo as they should. Our job is to try to score a goal and then hold on. We know that if we want to win, we have to be focused for a hundred minutes or more. In the end, people have also been a bit wrong about us. We already saw what Egypt was capable of against Argentina, who for me are one of the favorites along with Spain, France, and England. Spain is sticking to their possession game. They also press after losing the ball; we have to find space behind their defense, which they leave open, and play our own game, which is different from theirs.” The Belgian goalkeeper was also asked about Spain’s attacking threats, singling out Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal while also complimenting new Real Madrid teammate Marc Cucurella. Although Belgium plan to pay particular attention to Yamal, Courtois made it clear that Spain’s quality extends well beyond the teenage star. “Cucurella is defensively solid. Lamine Yamal is a star, we’ll double-team him, but he’s a great player, and it’s not just him. The coach hasn’t told us what the plan is yet, but we can’t focus solely on Lamine. We’ve already worked a bit on attack, and we’ll watch some video footage to learn how to defend against them.” Courtois and Belgium will now attempt to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals by overcoming one of the tournament favorites in a highly anticipated quarter-final showdown against Spain.

Marcus Rashford set to start season with Man Utd after end of Barcelona loan

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JULY 05: Marcus Rashford #11 of England arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Mexico and England at Mexico City Stadium on July 05, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images FC Barcelona did not execute Marcus Rashford’s purchase clause, and the player has already returned to Manchester United. Now, a new report makes it clear, the English club expects that he will start the season as a Red Devil, barring an unforeseen twist. The 28-year-old joined Barcelona on loan last season, and though the management was generally happy with his performances, his salary was a stumbling block. Even though his transfer fee was not too high, Barça preferred to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United instead. Even though Gordon’s fee was higher, his salary was preferable to the Catalan club. What’s ironic is neither Rashford nor United seem thrilled with each other. It’s understood the Manchester club would be willing to part with him for the right price, but so far, no club has taken the deal. Rashford himself made overtures towards Barcelona, showing he wanted to stay, but ultimately, Barcelona would not agree to keep him at a salary Rashford was comfortable with. Despite this, United are not interested in another loan. Thus, unless positions soften or another club comes calling, Rashford will be reporting for duty with his current club after the FIFA World Cup ends. He will have three weeks off after England finish their campaign. United are due to start their pre-season campaign on Thursday. England will play Norway in the quarter-finals of the World Cup this Saturday.

Barcelona “submit official bid” to Borussia Dortmund for Karim Adeyemi

Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images So this one is out of nowhere… Barcelona have sent an official bid and are in talks with Borussia Dortmund for the signing of winger Karim Adeyemi, according to both Gerard Romero of Jijantes and Fabrizio Romano. Barça are seemingly not done after signing Anthony Gordon and want another winger in Adeyemi, who missed out on Germany’s squad for the World Cup due to injury but has been a fixture of the German team over the last few years. The 24-year-old finished a strong season with Dortmund with 10 goals and 6 assists and plenty of other contributions that go beyond the numbers. He is one of the fastest players in Europe and has improved his playmaking and finishing year after year, and he’s also — no surprise — a relentless pressing forward. Adeyemi has already given his OK to the move and it seems like this could become reality sooner rather than later, with Barça working in silence with Dortmund to avoid any leaks just as they did with Gordon and Newcastle. Beyond what Adeyemi’s arrival means for Barça’s depth at the wing position, which really suffered last season with Raphinha’s injuries and Marcus Rashford’s inconsistent performances, we have to wonder if Deco, Joan Laporta and Hansi Flick — who is apparently the driving force behind Adeyemi’s signing — know about potential exits. Raphinha’s future has been in question for several weeks and his World Cup is now over, allowing him time to consider a potential move to Saudi Arabia. Could Adeyemi’s arrival be a reaction to something the club already knows about Raphinha? Time will tell, but this is certainly a shock. What do you think of Adeyemi’s potential signing, Barça fans?

Pedri: Spain are favorites for the World Cup

PUEBLA, MEXICO - JUNE 08: Pedri of Spain celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the international friendly match between Peru and Spain at Estadio Cuauhtémoc on June 08, 2026 in Puebla, Mexico. (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images) | Getty Images FC Barcelona midfielder Pedri has not shied away from the “favorites” tag as Spain advance into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. In a new interview, Pedri wasn’t shy: “We said from the start that we came here to win it. We were tagged as favorites, and we had no problem accepting that. We are well aware that we are playing very well, but from now on, nothing is going to be handed to us.” Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 in the round of 16 and are due to play Belgium next. Pedri said that the Spanish team has “shown” that they can be considered favorites. “We haven’t conceded a goal yet, and we are a very reliable team. We all work for the team, no one stops running, and that makes us a big family. We have to keep it up,” he said. Belgium are fresh from handing a beating to the United States, who had made some noise – at least for local media – as a potential dark horse candidate playing at home. The Red Devils made a mockery of such a prediction, swatting away the US like they were mere minnows. “Belgium has very good players, and Thibaut Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. It is always difficult to score against him, but we also have players who have already scored against him in La Liga, so we know him well,” the midfielder said. Pedri did not shy away from a potential final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina either, saying he would gladly take part in such a game – but only because that would mean that Spain were in the final. “But first, we have to focus solely on Belgium and not get overconfident,” he said.

Rashford dilemma for Man Utd - Thursday's gossip

Manchester United are in a quandary over Marcus Rashford's future, Arsenal and Tottenham eye Antonio Nusa, Barcelona shortlist Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi, plus more.