Real Madrid & Barcelona News

Hansi Flick confirms when Barcelona expect Frenkie de Jong to return from knee injury

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 29: Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona poses during the official UEFA Champions League 2026/27 portrait session on August 29, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images Hansi Flick says Barcelona could have Frenkie de Jong available again for their next La Liga match against Real Betis on Saturday, October 17th. De Jong has not featured for the club this season due to a knee injury but is now back in full training and closing in on a comeback. Flick has been asked about the current plan for De Jong and says he’s not too far off being able to play again. “He might be available against Betis,” he told a press conference on Friday. “His recovery is progressing well, there’s no pain, but he needs time and we’re going to give it to him.” The return of De Jong will give Flick yet another midfield option at a busy period in the season. Barca face Getafe, Betis, Real Madrid and Alaves in La Liga in October, while they must also play Paris Saint-Germain and Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Jose Mourinho talks Negreira Case and ‘bad luck’ with referees

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 20: Jose Mourinho, head coach of Real Madrid CF, looks on during the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium on September 20, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has spoken about the Negreira Case after UEFA confirmed receiving a dossier of information from Los Blancos. The Portuguese has given a new interview where he has discussed his “bad luck” with referees and his experience of being at Madrid during the Negreira years. “I don’t think the problem is me,” he told the Corriere dello Sport. “The problem is the bad luck I have when I arrive at a particular club. I experienced Negreira’s important period here at Real Madrid. Nobody knew it, but we lived through it. It happened. It happened. “I left afterwards, now everyone knows. But I was thinking about something: in Turkey, after a big Turkish scandal, this kind of situation happened to me often.” The Negreira Case has been back in the headlines recently after Madrid’s latest move, with Los Blancos believed to be ‘convinced’ action will be taken against Barca. The events have led La Liga president Javier Tebas to respond and to criticize Madrid. Tebas said the Negreira case is “extremely serious” and needs investigating but blasted Madrid for continuing with a “narrative that Negreira continues to influence Spanish refereeing today.”

Former Barcelona goalkeeper Arnau Tenas: ‘If I said I wouldn’t want to return to Barça, I’d be lying’

VILLARREAL, SPAIN - MAY 24: Arnau Tenas of Villarreal CF celebrates during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Villarreal CF and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio de la Ceramica on May 24, 2026 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) | Getty Images Former FC Barcelona Atlètic goalkeeper Arnau Tenas has revealed he dreams of returning to Barcelona. He currently plays for RCD Mallorca in the second division, having gone through spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal. Mostly a backup with those latter clubs, he has become a standout at Mallorca, keeping six clean sheets in eight starts. In a new interview on Catalan radio, Tenas said he was “very happy in Mallorca” and his mission now is to “to take Mallorca where it deserves to be—that is, in the First Division.” Having previously played in Ligue 1 in France and La Liga in Spain, both top divisions, going to the second division could be seen as the wrong move. Tenas disagreed, saying, “People have a lot of prejudices, but for me, it’s not a step backward—it’s a huge step forward.” Despite his satisfaction at his current club, Tenas admitted, “If I said I wouldn’t want to return to Barça, I’d be lying; it would be like coming home.” During his time at La Masia and the B team, Tenas played alongside current Barça stars like Gavi, Pau Cubarsí, Xavi Espart, and Eric Garcia. He also played alongside Kylian Mbappé at PSG. “He is a very good teammate, personable, and trained well,” Tenas said. Speaking about the current team at Barcelona, Tenas singled out Brazilian star Raphinha. “I’m really happy for Raphinha. Really happy for him,” he said. “Some people don’t see everything going on behind the scenes, and there were times when he was really struggling. What is he doing this season so far? What’s gotten into him? It’s incredible. He’s a beast.” Tenas joins Diego Kochen as another former Barcelona goalkeeper publicly stating their dream of a homecoming this week. Kochen recently debuted for the United States national team, first as a substitute. He then got his first start, where he kept a clean sheet against Mexico. He currently plays club football for Lyngby Boldklub in the Danish Superliga. “It’d be any kid’s dream to go back to such a big club,” Kochen said about a possible return to Barcelona.

No decision on JJ Gabriel future amid Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern & PSG interest

JJ Gabriel and his family are yet to make a decision on his future but it is increasingly likely his next club will be in Europe.

A season, not seven games, should define Mourinho’s Madrid

Marc Cucurella says the Real Madrid project needs time after two defeats left the club six points behind Barcelona in LaLiga. The post A season, not seven games, should define Mourinho’s Madrid appeared first on Football España.

FC Barcelona News: 3 October 2026; Raphinha named La Liga Player of the Month (again)

Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images | NurPhoto via Getty Images Raphinha, EA SPORTS LaLiga Player of the Month for September – LALIGA The FC Barcelona captain has won the award again after also being named the competition’s best player last month. Barça breathes a sigh of relief after Raphinha’s tests: he’ll be available against Getafe – Mundo Deportivo After returning from Australia with edema in his right thigh, the club confirmed that the Brazilian is not injured and will be able to play in the league’s return to action. Cubarsi: “Working on your mental health is the most important thing” – Mundo Deportivo “When someone feels the need to raise their hand because they are going through a difficult time, they shouldn’t be judged,” the Barcelona defender explained to Reuters. Mbappé is eyeing a return against Barça – Mundo Deportivo Real Madrid want the French striker to be fully fit for El Clásico, although the expectation is that he will be recovered before then. 6-0: Lewandowski can’t stop scoring and nets a hat-trick against Romania – Mundo Deportivo The former Barcelona striker, now with the Chicago Fire in MLS, was the star of Poland’s rout, which secured their first victory in theNations League.

The student playing in La Liga: Introvert Rodri's unique rise to top

Rodri is already playing a key role at Barcelona after turning down Real Madrid this summer. Guillem Balague looks at his journey so far.

Barcelona Await UEFA Review After Real Madrid Sends Negreira Documents

UEFA investigation into Barcelona will assess Real Madrid’s Negreira case documents, with no finding, sanction or timetable announced. The post Barcelona Await UEFA Review After Real Madrid Sends Negreira Documents appeared first on Football España.

Real submit 'substantial' dossier in Barca payments case

Real Madrid have sent Uefa "evidence of extraordinary gravity" relating to payments made by Barcelona to a former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee.

OFFICIAL: UEFA open investigation into Barcelona over Negreira case

UEFA have published a statement announcing that they’ve opened an investigation into FC Barcelona over the documents that Real Madrid sent their way in recent months. UEFA can confirm that it has received from Real Madrid CF a substantial amount of documents related to the ongoing investigation into FC Barcelona in the matter involving José María Enríquez Negreira , former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (the so-called “Negreira case”). UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have also received these latest documents, which they will assess as part of their ongoing review of the case. Real Madrid believe that some kind of punishment will be handed to Barcelona, according to reports published in the Spanish press. However, fans should not expect a quick resolution on this case.

Open Thread: September 29, 2026

The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods you’d totally do a UCL night with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Kung_Fu_Zizou (AKA KFZ), Juninho, Ezek and, of course… yours truly. “Ball’s in Your Court” 🚨 BREAKING: Florentino Perez has been called up to court over Barcelona's defamation lawsuit, after the president said "Barcelona robbed me of many league titles" If Florentino retracts his statement during this hearing, Barcelona will drop the lawsuit. If Florentino refuses… pic.twitter.com/JhifYZfv1y — Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) September 28, 2026 Banter 🚨🚨💣 BREAKING: Real Madrid have MISDIAGNOSED Kylian Mbappe again, by checking his ELBOW instead of his KNEE. The player will return to Valdebebas for more tests. [RMTV] pic.twitter.com/KpzxcnjEVB — Madrib Central (@MadribCentral) September 29, 2026 ZZ Passion For those who missed it, Zizou rocketed the ball in celebration after Olise won the game in almost-last-minute fashion. 🚨🗣️ Zinedine Zidane: “The last player I remember that had me celebrating like this was Cristiano Ronaldo. That tells you how amazing Michael Olise is.” 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/yE1TTpa2dQ — 90Minutes Report (@90MinutesHQ) September 29, 2026

Top 10 players: England 2-3 Spain

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Jude Bellingham of England is fouled by Rodri of Spain leading to a penalty during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between England and Spain at Wembley Stadium on September 26, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) | The FA via Getty Images England supplied seven of the leading 10 players for xT created from open-play passes. Jude Bellingham generated 0.505 xT from open-play passes, more than any other player. Elliot Anderson played 13 progressive passes, the joint-highest figure in the match. Spain supplied four of the leading six players for long-ball completion. Rodri completed 83.3% of his long balls. Lamine Yamal made 12 progressive carries, more than any other player. Jude Bellingham contributed 0.505 xT from open-play passes, the highest figure in the match. He also recorded 13 progressive passes, the joint-highest figure in the match. Alongside that, he added five key passes, the highest figure in the match. Those contributions came over 95 minutes for England. Marc Cucurella had a long ball completion rate of 66.7%, third in the match. He also recorded one take-on. He added 11 touches in the final third, ninth in the match. Rodri contributed 13 progressive passes, the joint-highest figure in the match. He also recorded 92 touches, the highest figure in the match. He added 18 defensive actions, the highest figure in the match.

Bayern target Barcelona's Olmo - Sunday's gossip

Bayern Munich target Dani Olmo, Trent Alexander-Arnold is staying at Real Madrid, Premier League clubs show interest in Spurs' Micky van de Ven, plus more.

BREAKING: Mbappé escapes serious injury, out two weeks

TOPSHOT - France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League (League A, Group 1) first leg football match between Turkey and France at the Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit, on September 25, 2026. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé has escaped a serious injury and will only need to miss around two weeks after being diagnosed with an hyperextended knee, Real Madrid announced on their official website. Mbappé can be considered doubtful for the team’s next match against Villarreal but should definitely be ready to face Barcelona in El Clásico on October 25th. This is very good news for Real Madrid, as Mbappé’s injury appeared to be very serious when he needed to be taken out of France’ s match against Turkey.

OFFICIAL: Mbappé suffers tendon injury on his left knee

The French Football Federation have announced that Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé has suffered a tendon injury on his left knee. Sur sa frappe victorieuse, Kylian Mbappé s’est blessé au genou. Il souffre d’une lésion tendineuse et est forfait pour la suite du rassemblement. Bon rétablissement Kylian 💙 pic.twitter.com/S3YV9oscSO — Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) September 25, 2026 This is the same knee that bothered him throughout most of the 2025-26 season. Mbappé will get more tests on his injury at Valdebebas, where he should get some clarification about how much time he will need to miss in order to properly recover from it. Real Madrid face Barcelona in a decisive El Clásico on October 25th, so the French striker potentially missing that game should not be entirely ruled out depending on the extent of his injury. Los Blancos should release their own injury report during the weekend.

Vinícius Júnior et al land in unlikely outpost of Townsville as Brazil reboot begins | Joey Lynch

The Seleção’s rebuild after their latest World Cup exit begins against the Socceroos in a place better known for rugby league than joga bonito It’s a safe bet that Vinícius Júnior, who plays week in and week out for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, doesn’t know about North Queensland Fury. Why would he? Indeed, it is likely that none of the Brazil side that landed in Townsville on Thursday are aware of Australian football’s history in the region. Nor, perhaps, the city itself, until recently. Maybe in the spirit of cultural exchange, then, Raphinha will be posting #BringBackTheFury on his Instagram page by the time the Seleção departs the Sunshine State next week. Such a post would only feel slightly more surreal than the Barcelona attacker rubbing shoulders at Townsville airport with almost 80 junior rugby league sides from around Queensland, jetting in for the Gordon Tallis Cup. Continue reading...

Cavan Sullivan’s City pathway attracts Real Madrid and Barcelona

Cavan Sullivan is set to join Manchester City at 18, but Real Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly monitoring the USMNT teenager's progress. The post Cavan Sullivan’s City pathway attracts Real Madrid and Barcelona appeared first on Football España.

Man Utd wonderkid Gabriel attracting interest from top European clubs

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, along with several Premier League clubs, are interested in Manchester United forward JJ Gabriel.

Mourinho asks why Barcelona and Atlético penalties went unmentioned

Mourinho penalty comments questioned why reporters ignored Barcelona and Atlético Madrid decisions as he wrapped up his Real Madrid press conference. The post Mourinho asks why Barcelona and Atlético penalties went unmentioned appeared first on Football España.

Kane on target, Barcelona stay perfect and Ballon d’Or debate – Football Weekly

Max Rushden is joined by Philippe Auclair, Sid Lowe, Nicky Bandini and Mark Langdon to discuss the weekend’s action around Europe Max Rushden is joined by Philippe Auclair, Sid Lowe, Nicky Bandini and Mark Langdon to discuss the weekend’s action around Europe. On the podcast today: Harry Kane scored his 150th goal for Bayern Munich against Bundesliga newcomers Elversberg, while Ballon d’Or rivals Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé both scored doubles in La Liga. Continue reading...

Euro Debrief: Ballon d'Or candidates Kane, Mbappe and Lamine Yamal all deliver

Fit, Finances and Playing Time Ended Silva’s Barcelona Move

Deco has explained why Bernardo Silva’s Barcelona move collapsed before the former Manchester City star joined Real Madrid as a free agent. The post Fit, Finances and Playing Time Ended Silva’s Barcelona Move appeared first on Football España.

LaLiga salary limits underline Real Madrid’s financial dominance

LaLiga salary limits put Real Madrid well clear at €832.7m, while Barcelona rise to €582.7m and Sevilla have the lowest figure in the table. The post LaLiga salary limits underline Real Madrid’s financial dominance appeared first on Football España.

Camp Nou to Host First 2026-27 El Clásico on October 25

The first 2026-27 El Clásico will see Barcelona host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on October 25, with kickoff scheduled for 9pm CET. The post Camp Nou to Host First 2026-27 El Clásico on October 25 appeared first on Football España.

Camp Nou to Host First 2026-27 El Clásico on October 25

The first 2026-27 El Clásico will see Barcelona host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on October 25, with kickoff scheduled for 9pm CET. The post Camp Nou to Host First 2026-27 El Clásico on October 25 appeared first on Football España.

Real Madrid announce squad for La Liga opener against Espanyol

Real Madrid have published their squad list for Saturday’s match against Espanyol in La Liga, which will be the first official game for José Mourinho’s team. REAL MADRID SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, and Sergio Mestre. Defenders: Huijsen, Trent, Konaté, Cucurella, Á. Carreras, Rüdiger, Dumfries, and Mario Rivas. Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Arda Güler, Bernardo, Cestero, and Alexis Ciria. Forwards: Vini Jr., Mbappé, C. Espí, Brahim, and Yan Diomande. No big news in this squad list. Mourinho had already announced that both Endrick and Tchouameni would miss this one as they recover from the muscle injuries they suffered during the summer. Neither one of those injuries appears to be serious and they should be back soon. The same can’t be said about Militao, Rodrygo or Mendy, who are still recovering from their long-term injuries. HOW TO WATCH, STREAM LA LIGA Date: 08/22/2026 Time: 21:30 CEST, 03:30pm EST. Venue: Cornellá-El Prat, Barcelona, Spain. Available TV: DAZN La Liga (Spain), ESPN Deportes (USA). Available Streaming: ESPN+ (USA) Managing Madrid has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.

Puyol praises Mourinho: “We’re talking about a great coach”

FC Barcelona legend Carles Puyol praised José Mourinho and talked about those infamous Clásicos where Real Madrid and Barça collided. “We’re talking about a great coach in Jose Mourinho. I met him at Barcelona when I was in the youth academy and I moved up to the first team. We could already see that he knew a lot about football. Then he built a great career and went on to Real Madrid. We were at a very strong point in our careers; I remember a great rivalry,” said the former Barça captain. “Back then, aside from Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, and Messi and Cristiano, they were two great teams. We’ll see how they do. I still think Barcelona has a very good team and will be able to have a good season. With Mourinho, Real Madrid can be even stronger,” he added. Real Madrid are hoping to see an improved version of the team now that Mourinho is in charge. Will he be able to change the culture like he did during his first stint?

Barcelona lead Rodri race but must bridge £60m valuation gap

Barcelona lead the race for Rodri after Real Madrid talks ended, but Manchester City want more than £60m for the midfielder. The post Barcelona lead Rodri race but must bridge £60m valuation gap appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona? Real Madrid? Man City's Rodri has a decision to make

Midfielder Rodri may have a huge decision to make this summer on whether to join Real Madrid or Barcelona, should he decide to leave Manchester City.

Jude Bellingham receives hero’s welcome on return to Birmingham City

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Jude Bellingham, England International and former Birmingham City player, acknowledges the fans as he takes his seat during the during the pre-season friendly match between Birmingham City and FC Barcelona at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on July 31, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images Jude Bellingham enjoyed an emotional homecoming on Friday as he returned to St Andrew’s Stadium to watch Birmingham City’s preseason friendly against Barcelona. The Real Madrid midfielder, who began his professional career with Birmingham before making his move to Borussia Dortmund and eventually Los Blancos, was back at the club where his rise to stardom first began. His appearance in the stands did not go unnoticed, with supporters giving the England international a rousing ovation in recognition of everything he has accomplished since leaving his boyhood club. Jude. He's home. 💙 pic.twitter.com/4pb6UvXa5x — Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 31, 2026 Bellingham made his senior debut for Birmingham as a teenager and quickly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in English football. His rapid development earned him a move to Borussia Dortmund, where he became one of Europe’s premier midfielders before joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2023. "He's one of our own." 💙 What a reception for Jude Bellingham. Special moment at St. Andrew's. #BCFC #KRO pic.twitter.com/6mivDdB6rf — Inti Official – Co‑Founded Blues 4 All (@Inti_Official) July 31, 2026 The warm reception highlighted the lasting affection between Bellingham and the Birmingham faithful, whose admiration for their former academy graduate remains as strong as ever.

The mysterious origin story of why Real Madrid wear white

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Champions League 02/03 Viertelfinale, Madrid; Real Madrid - Manchester United 3:1; Jubel Zinedine ZIDANE, Claude MAKELELE, RAUL/Real Madrid (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images) | Bongarts/Getty Images The club began as Madrid Football Club in March 1902, with the Englishman Arthur Johnson among its founders. Johnson played centre-forward (and even in goal), scored Real’s first goal, and later became the club’s coach. He also shaped how it looked. The accepted story traces the white shirt to Corinthian, the London amateur side admired across the game for their conduct as much as their football. Corinthian declined to compete for trophies, played for years at The Oval, and were said to miss penalties on purpose rather than take an unfair advantage. Johnson, so it goes, wanted something of that spirit for his new club, and white was part of it. It is a clean story, and it may well be true. But as Nick Miller sets out in The Guardian, the evidence is thinner than the repetition suggests. It is often said Johnson turned out for Corinthian, yet his name does not appear in the club’s match records before he left for Spain, so it cannot be confirmed he ever played for them, or even that he watched them at The Oval. What can be said is that he admired the club and pushed Real Madrid toward white. One detail worth noting – Corinthian wore white shirts with black shorts, whereas Madrid’s first strip was white shirts and shorts, with a red-and-yellow trim and black socks. The shirt was Corinthian white; the rest looks more like Spain than London. The only time Madrid moved away from white shows how lightly the tradition was held, and how quickly it hardened. In 1926, two players, Félix Quesada and Perico Escobal, watched Corinthian while travelling through England, most likely at Crystal Palace by then, and came home determined to copy them. They persuaded president Pedro Parages to switch to black shorts. He was unconvinced but allowed it. The experiment lasted a year. After heavy defeats, among them a 5-1 loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final, Parages judged the shorts unlucky and put the white back on for good. By the middle of the century the colour had become something other clubs wanted. Leeds United are the clearest case. As Ben Hayward notes for FourFourTwo, Don Revie changed Leeds to all-white in 1961, inspired by the great Real Madrid side of the era. Out went the blue and yellow, in came white, and the most successful spell in the club’s history followed. Revie made no secret of the influence. He wanted Leeds to become what Madrid already were, and he started with the shirt.

How De la Fuente and Scaloni outperformed Tuchel and Ancelotti

Sunday's World Cup final will be a meeting of stars but the two managers overseeing Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal and the rest do not share the high-profile status of many of their players.

Time for Lamine Yamal to ignite? Or another Mbappe World Cup masterclass?

France face Spain for a place in the World Cup final on Tuesday, meaning a showdown between Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. Who comes out on top?

Lamine Yamal? Mbappe? Kane? Pick your World Cup semi-final XI

As we look ahead to the World Cup semi-final, BBC Sport pick their last-four combined XI. Do you agree?

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.

Real Madrid’s La Liga opener against Real Sociedad will be postponed

Real Madrid’s home match and La Liga opener against Real Sociedad initially scheduled for August 15th will be postponed due to either Brahim or Mbappé, Tchouameni and Konaté playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals. “On the opening day, teams with players who advanced to the semifinals or finals of major competitions—in this instance, the World Cup—would play their matches during the final midweek slot. The remaining teams would compete. Statistically, it appears unlikely that Barcelona and Real Madrid would compete on the weekend of August 16, given player commitments to international duties. Athletic Bilbao, in particular, has numerous players with the Spanish national team, who are anticipated to reach at least the semifinals or final. However, other clubs could commence their seasons, with an estimated six to seven matches scheduled for that weekend,” said La Liga president Javier Tebas when asked about the situation. It is expected that Real Madrid and Real Sociedad will instead play this game on August 26th.

Olmo Hits Back at Real Madrid: ‘Two Barren Years Explains the Noise’

Dani Olmo tells RAC1 that Real Madrid's criticism of Barcelona is a predictable reaction to two years of Blaugrana dominance and Los Blancos going empty-handed. The post Olmo Hits Back at Real Madrid: ‘Two Barren Years Explains the Noise’ appeared first on Football España.

La Liga confirms 2026-27 fixture list: Dates set for El Clásicos, Madrid derbies and Real Madrid’s opening match

La Liga has officially released the full fixture list for the 2026-27 season, confirming the schedule for all 380 matches of the upcoming campaign. The new season will kick off on the weekend of August 14, with the final round of fixtures scheduled for May 30, 2027. For Real Madrid, the campaign begins at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Sociedad, while the club will also finish the season at home, taking on Deportivo La Coruña on the final matchday. The dates for both editions of El Clásico have also been confirmed. The first meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid will take place at Camp Nou on October 25, 2026, before the rivalry returns to the Santiago Bernabéu on May 9, 2027, in what could prove to be a decisive fixture in the title race. The Madrid derby dates are also now set. Real Madrid will make the trip to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano to face Atlético Madrid on September 20, 2026, while the reverse fixture at the Bernabéu is scheduled for April 4, 2027. Real Madrid key La Liga fixtures (2026-27) Opening day Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad El Clásico October 25, 2026: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (Camp Nou) May 9, 2027: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona (Santiago Bernabéu) Madrid derby September 20, 2026: Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid April 4, 2027: Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid Final day Real Madrid vs. Deportivo La Coruña

Marc Cucurella reveals Mourinho contact, Florentino request, and Real Madrid excitement

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - JUNE 26: Marc Cucurella #24 of Spain looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Uruguay and Spain at Guadalajara Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images Marc Cucurella has opened up about his impending move to Real Madrid, discussing José Mourinho, Florentino Pérez, the Spanish national team, and what awaits him at the Santiago Bernabéu in an extensive interview with AS. The Spain international admitted he is eager to begin the next chapter of his career. “I still haven’t fully processed it. My life is still the same. We’re with the national team and it feels like everything is unchanged because we’re isolated from the outside world. Hopefully that moment takes a while to arrive because it would mean we’re doing well here. But I’m looking forward to starting a new life, meeting my teammates, seeing the training ground and the Bernabéu. It’s a big change after so many years at Chelsea, but I’m excited to experience it.” Cucurella also revealed he has remained in contact with José Mourinho since agreeing to join Madrid. “We’ve stayed in touch. He congratulated me after the first victory and has sent me a few short messages. Staying in contact is always positive, and now I’m looking forward to meeting him in person and starting to work with him.” The 27-year-old also shared an amusing story involving Florentino Pérez before his unveiling. “I haven’t had the chance to speak with him. The only thing they told me was not to even think about putting on a Real Madrid shirt because the president wanted my first photo wearing the shirt to be with him. I’m happy to follow orders and start on the right foot. The presentation will be a special moment for me and my family.” Cucurella admitted hearing one of Florentino’s famous lines would be special. “Hearing him say that I was born to play for Real Madrid would be incredible.” Asked about the possibility of Enzo Fernández joining him in Madrid, he replied: “He congratulated me. We’re great friends and have built a very good relationship. If the rumors are true, I wish the best for my friend. If he wants to take that step, he’s welcome. I don’t know anything, we’ll see. Keep an eye on the news!” Looking ahead to future Clásicos against Lamine Yamal, the left-back insisted club rivalries will not affect friendships. “I’ll fight against Lamine in a Clásico, but when we’re with Spain everything will be exactly the same.” Finally, Cucurella had a message for Spain supporters ahead of the World Cup. “Keep believing in us. We want to make history and achieve something special. Maybe we didn’t start the tournament exactly how we wanted, but this team is highly motivated, very confident, and we’ll give everything we have to make the fans proud.”

Atlético Block Álvarez Exit to Both Madrid Giants — €500m Clause the Only Way Out

Atlético Madrid are refusing to sell Julián Álvarez to Barcelona or Real Madrid, with only his €500m release clause offering any route out this summer. The post Atlético Block Álvarez Exit to Both Madrid Giants — €500m Clause the Only Way Out appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona sending warning to Brazil over Raphinha injury

Brazil's forward #11 Raphinha reacts after a goal disallowed for offside during the 2026 World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Haiti at the Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia on June 19, 2026. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Barcelona are reportedly feeling pretty pessimistic about Raphinha’s latest injury after seeing the Brazil international sidelined at World Cup 2026. Brazil have confirmed that Raphinha is undergoing “intensive treatment” after sustaining another hamstring injury but otherwise haven’t offered much detail on his condition. According to AS, Raphinha has “a small tear in his right hamstring” and the injury is a little more serious than Brazil are letting in. Barcelona have seen Raphinha already suffer two relapses of the same injury this season and are said to be warning that the risk of another one is “extremely high if the player is rushed back.” The decision on when Raphinha will play again is down to Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti and Barca will be hoping the Italian makes the right decision when it comes to the forward. Raphinha won’t feature in Brazil’s final group game against Scotland, but it hasn’t been ruled out yet that he could feature later in the tournament if his recovery goes well. There’s also been speculation that Raphinha is hoping he could return in time for the quarter-finals, if Brazil make it that far.

‘He was crying’ – Raphinha’s wife reveals Barcelona star’s emotional reaction to latest injury setback

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 19: Raphinha #11 of Brazil leaves the pitch after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Haiti at Philadelphia Stadium on June 19, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) | Getty Images Raphinha’s wife has revealed how the Barcelona star was left in tears after suffering another injury setback while on international duty with Brazil at World Cup 2026. The forward was forced off against Haiti with another hamstring issue and it’s not yet known if he will be able to feature again at the tournament for Brazil. Natalia Belloli says that the couple were both initially devastated by Raphinha’s latest injury issue. “Honestly, it was one of the first times I was speechless. He was crying, and so was I,” she told Domingão com Huck. “We spoke on the phone; the next day he underwent medical tests and came home for a while, where we were able to talk about the situation. “Now he’s doing well: strong and sure of his purpose. That’s what matters: maintaining the right mindset and believing that better days are coming.” Brazil have confirmed that Raphinha will undergo “intensive treatment” and stay with the squad at the tournament, but we’ll have to wait and see if he can play any further part for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Brazil confirm Raphinha injury in fresh update on Barcelona star

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 19: Raphinha of Brazil looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Haiti at Philadelphia Stadium on June 19, 2026 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) | Getty Images Brazil have offered a fresh update on Barcelona forward Raphinha after he underwent tests on a hamstring injury sustained at World Cup 2026 against Haiti. Carlo Ancelotti’s sde have confirmed Raphinha has a muscle injury and will now undergo “intensive treatment,” per Globo. “On Saturday, athlete Raphinha underwent an imaging exam that confirmed a muscle injury in the posterior region of his right thigh,” said CBF in a statemanet. “The player will follow an intensive treatment protocol, monitored by the Brazilian National Team’s medical team, aiming for his recovery and return to activities as quickly as possible.” According to AS, the injury will keep Raphinha out of Brazil’s final group game against Scotland at the very least, but he has not been ruled out of the World Cup as things stand. The report adds that “his participation in the tournament is in doubt, but he is not expected to be dropped from the squad.” The hope seems to be that Raphinha could return if Brazil make it through to the latter stages of the tournament, but we’ll have to wait and see how he recovers. Get well soon, Raphinha.

Güler, Türkiye crash out of the World Cup after second consecutive defeat

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 19: Arda Guler #8 of Turkiye walks off the pitch at half time during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Türkiye and Paraguay at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 19, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Matt McNulty - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler and his Türkiye side succumbed to a second defeat in the World Cup group stage and are now eliminated from the tournament. Paraguay struck inside 65 seconds at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Galarza curling a long-range effort into the bottom-right corner after a clever flick from Julio Enciso set him up. However, Almirón was sent off with a straight red in stoppage time after a VAR review, having covered his mouth while speaking to Müldür. Türkiye controlled possession after the break thanks to their extra man, but they couldn’t break down Orlando Gill, who produced some impressive saves. Türkiye had 32 shots in this game but could not find a way to the net. Arda Güler played the full 90 minutes. He had 99 touches and completed 58 out of his 70 attempted passes. He also created three chances. Despite the effort, his World Cup dream ended in despair.

Marc Cucurella: ‘I Had No Doubts’ – New Real Madrid Man Sends Message to Barcelona Fans

Cucurella: 'I Had No Doubts' About Real Madrid Move The post Marc Cucurella: ‘I Had No Doubts’ – New Real Madrid Man Sends Message to Barcelona Fans appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona urge La Liga and the RFEF to take action against Florentino Perez after ‘grave attack’ from Real Madrid president

OSLO, NORWAY - MAY 23: Aleksander Ceferin, President of UEFA, Rafael Yuste i Abel, President of FC Barcelona and Joan Laporta in attendance prior to the UEFA Women's Champions League Final 2026 match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes at Ullevaal Stadion on May 23, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images Barcelona have issued a statement and called on LaLiga, the RFEF and the CTA to take action against Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. The Catalans have already called on Perez to retract “slanderous” statements about Barcelona and La Liga referees after the 79-year-old’s angry rant last month. Barcelona have now issued a fresh statement and called on the authorities to “defend the honour, integrity and prestige of the institutions that they represent” from the “grave attack” from Perez. Here’s the statement in full: “The FC Barcelona president, Rafael Yuste i Abel, today has addressed a formal letter to the presidents of LaLiga, Javier Tebas; the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rafael Louzán; and of the Referee’s Technical Committee (CTA), Francisco Soto, in relation to statements made by the president of Real Madrid CF, Florentino Pérez, in various public appearances on 12 and 13 May.  “FC Barcelona considers that these comments, aside from being untrue, are a grave attack on the honour and image of the league competition in the First Division and also on the refereeing community as a whole and that they damage the reputation and credibility of professional football in Spain.   “The Club urges the joint organisers of the competition and the referees to defend the reputation of their respective organisations, as the Club has done recently with its request for conciliation, and also asks the bodies in question that, in the area of their respective powers, they adopt urgent the requisite coordinated legal measures against Mr. Pérez to defend the honour, integrity and prestige of the institutions that they represent and the competitions which they organise.” The statement comes just hours after Real Madrid confirmed they had sent a report to UEFA about Barcelona and the Negreira Case.

More than the Score

Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé and Yamal prepare to compete at the biggest men's World Cup ever

Barca & Real Madrid eye Cucurella - Tuesday's gossip

Chelsea's Marc Cucurella linked with a return to Spain, Liverpool keen on teenage RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, and Newcastle face competition for Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra, plus more.

Marc Cucurella eyeing Chelsea exit as Barcelona and Atletico circle

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Marc Cucurella of Chelsea during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Manchester City on May 16, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images Marc Cucurella’s future is once again in the spotlight amid speculation he is considering his future at Chelsea and could leave the Premier League club. According to The Athletic, Cucurella “is willing to leave Chelsea after a frustrating season” and the Blues “would not block his departure if an offer matched their valuation of the full-back.” Deco has reportedly been in touch with Chelsea already but the only way Barcelona would move for Cucurella is if a defender were to leave the Camp Nou this summer. The report states that Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde are two players Barcelona could be willing to sell if acceptable offers arrive. Cucurella did speak about a possible return to Barcelona this season, saying: “If those situations arrive, they are difficult to reject. I would have to consider it. It’s not just me, I also have to think about my family. “Between all of us, we would decide what is best for us. Right now I’m not thinking about that. If it comes, it will come, and we’ll see what decision is made.” Elsewhere, the report adds that Atletico Madrid are said to have Cucurella “very high on their wish list” as they seek a new left-back, while Real Madrid and Manchester City are also mentioned as possible destinations for the defender. Would you like to see Cucurella back at Barcelona this summer? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Real Madrid named football's most valuable club

Real Madrid are named as the most valuable club in world football, with Barcelona overtaking Manchester United to go second.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants Barcelona legend Xavi to be new AC Milan manager

SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 26: Xavi, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 26, 2024 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona legend Xavi is being tipped to return to management in Italy with Serie A giants AC Milan. According to the Corriere dello Sport, Xavi is top of the list to replace Massimiliano Allegri and has been recommended to the club by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The former striker works as a special advisor to the club and thinks Xavi would be a good choice. Outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is also in the club’s thoughts as they ponder their next move. Milan are said to be looking to a future and a coach who will provide an “attacking style of play and innovative ideas” after a season where they finished down in fifth place in the table. Xavi has been out of work since leaving Barcelona but has been linked with several top jobs since then, most recently Chelsea. The Blues have since appointed Xabi Alonso as their new coach but it seems Xavi could still have a chance of returning to management imminently in Italy. Would Xavi be a good fit for Milan? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Zero Real Madrid players in Spain World Cup squad as injured Lamine Yamal makes cut

Luis de la Fuente names 26-man squad for tournament Real Madrid players miss Spain squad for first time Spain will go to the World Cup without a single Real Madrid player for the first time in their history as Luis de la Fuente named his 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament. While Real stars such as Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal and Gonzalo García miss out, De la Fuente included Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who tore his left hamstring on 22 April and missed the rest of his club’s La Liga campaign. Continue reading...

Real Madrid star takes shot at Spain manager after World Cup squad omission

For the first time in history, Spain will go to the World Cup without any Real Madrid players among their ranks. Luis de la Fuente named his Spain squad on Monday, but none of the eligible Real Madrid options made it in. La Roja’s 26 players are nearly made up of a third of Barcelona […] The post Real Madrid star takes shot at Spain manager after World Cup squad omission appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona have €25m replacement in mind should Jules Kounde leave this summer

Barcelona once again secured the LaLiga title this year, after outperforming Real Madrid across the campaign, but manager Hansi Flick has admitted that it was a ‘difficult season’ with a number of things not going to plan. Much of that was down to injuries, but in terms of performance, they struggled to hit the heights […] The post Barcelona have €25m replacement in mind should Jules Kounde leave this summer appeared first on Football España.

Lamine Yamal in Spain squad but no Real players

Injured forward Lamine Yamal is named in Spain's World Cup squad, which does not feature any Real Madrid players.

WATCH: Lamine Yamal posts wild Gavi celebrations after Spain World Cup call

Spain have named their squad for the 2026 World Cup, with eight Barcelona players included. Perhaps the most celebrated was that of Gavi though. La Roja have revealed the 26 names that will be going to the World Cup this summer, which for the first time ever will not include a Real Madrid player. Gonzalo […] The post WATCH: Lamine Yamal posts wild Gavi celebrations after Spain World Cup call appeared first on Football España.

Lamine Yamal headlines Spain World Cup squad without Real Madrid players

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has named his 26-man World Cup squad, as La Roja seek their second ever star on their shirt. De la Fuente himself has described Spain as one of the favourites for the tournament, and the Euro 2024 champions certainly part at the front of the peloton with France, England […] The post Lamine Yamal headlines Spain World Cup squad without Real Madrid players appeared first on Football España.

Real Madrid approve candidacy of Florentino Perez rival for upcoming election

Real Madrid are about to follow Barcelona in holding presidential elections in 2026, with Florentino Perez set to be challenged over the position he has held for the last 17 years. Earlier this month, Perez called for elections to be held during an explosive press conference, despite the fact that he was only re-elected last […] The post Real Madrid approve candidacy of Florentino Perez rival for upcoming election appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona President elect Joan Laporta – ‘Negreira complaints are smokescreen for Real Madrid failure’

Barcelona President elect Joan Laporta has dismissed Real Madrid’s complaints about the Negreira case, which continues to rumble on in the background of Spanish football. Three years after becoming public knowledge, the authorities continue to take testimony from those involved in the case. The latest development is that former Vice-President of the Referees Committee (CTA) […] The post Barcelona President elect Joan Laporta – ‘Negreira complaints are smokescreen for Real Madrid failure’ appeared first on Football España.

Alvaro Arbeloa leaves out Vinicius Junior for final Real Madrid match of 2025-26 season

Real Madrid face Athletic Club this week in their final match of what has been a desperately disappointing 2025-26 season. Having already lost out on the La Liga title to arch rivals Barcelona, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side go into the fixture with nothing to play for, and this will influence the team selection at the Bernabeu. […] The post Alvaro Arbeloa leaves out Vinicius Junior for final Real Madrid match of 2025-26 season appeared first on Football España.

‘Sometimes we get heated’ – Barcelona’s Raphinha reveals how he gets on with Real Madrid stars on Brazil duty

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF argue with Raphinha of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images) | Getty Images Raphinha has revealed how he leaves his club rivalry aside when he meets up with Real Madrid stars while on international duty with Brazil. The Barcelona forward plays alongside the likes of Vinicius Jr, Eder Militao and Rodrygo for the Selecao but insists there’s no problem between the players when they are away from their clubs. “I never noticed that, at least not in the cases of Vini and me, or Rodrygo, Militão, and Endrick. When we join the national team, the club rivalry practically disappears because we know we’re here defending our country regardless of where we play. I don’t think it’s forced. It’s not a case of, ‘I have to get to the national team and I have to exclude that part.’ No. It’s something that happens naturally,” he told TNT Sports. “We arrive at the training camp and we get along well. Even in the Clásicos, we respect each other; each of us defends our team with whatever we have to offer, but when we get to the national team, the rivalry ceases to exist. “We leave the clubs aside and focus on the national team. Sometimes we get heated, yes, but that’s normal. If a Clásico didn’t get heated, it wouldn’t be a Clásico.” Raphinha has been named in the Brazil squad for this summer’s tournament. Vini Jr and Endrick are also on Carlo Ancelotti’s list along with Neymar.