The club’s president, Enrique Cerezo, was direct with his rivals, sending a message about the forward’s future: “You are crossing the line a little with Álvarez. He’s an Atletico Madrid player and has a long contract with the club.”

Álvarez was not part of the team. He does not appear to be injured since he was on the bench, but he did not come on. The reason may be that there was not much at stake for Atletico Madrid in this match, while next Wednesday they will play the first leg of the European tie.

Barcelona dismissed the subject

These comments from the Atletico Madrid president came during the courtesy meeting before the match, when club executives spoke with the press. Representing Barcelona was Rafael Yuste, the club’s vice president until Joan Laporta takes over.

The club has been working behind the scenes to sign the forward in the summer, but it will not be easy. Yuste did not add fuel to the fire when asked about the player, giving a simple “good afternoon” to avoid the subject.

In reality, Atletico Madrid have no obligation to negotiate with Barcelona. His contract is not ending anytime soon, and the 500 million euro release clause gives Atletico full control over Álvarez. Reportedly, they would not listen to any offer below 100 million euros.

The first half was very balanced, with Lamine Yamal causing plenty of problems for Nicolas Gonzalez. However, Atletico Madrid went ahead with a long ball to Giuliano Simeone, who controlled it and scored. Barcelona responded shortly after with a fine goal by Marcus Rashford.

The play that changed the match came in the final seconds of the first half, with Yamal beating Gonzalez on a long run that led to a red card for the Atletico Madrid player. Barcelona controlled most of the second half but with little effectiveness. That changed when Robert Lewandowski scored off a rebound a few minutes after coming on to seal the win.

Things are a bit different for Atletico Madrid, whose priority is the Champions League match against this same rival next Wednesday. Their biggest absentee is Jan Oblak, who is injured.

This could be a huge match for Barcelona, as they could nearly clinch the title with a win in Madrid. For this one, Raphinha appears to be the biggest absence after the muscle injury he suffered while with Brazil.

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona lineups

Diego Simeone opted for this lineup: Juan Musso; Nahuel Molina, Clement Lenglet, Robin LeNormand; Giuliano Simeone, Álex Baena, Koke, Obed Vargas, Nicolás González; Antoine Griezmann, Thiago Almada.

Hansi Flick could choose this lineup: Joan García, Ronald Araújo, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Joao Cancelo; Pedri, Eric García, Fermín López; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Marcus Rashford.

Arbeloa said: “Vinicius is tired because my friend Carletto didn’t give him much rest. It’s normal because who would want to rest a player like him. I understand it perfectly. There were two very tough matches for him. I think Real Madrid and Brazil are teams where expectations are very high. He’ll come back with a heavy match load.”

Brazil’s schedule included tough tests against France and Croatia. In the loss to France, Vinicius played the full match, while he was substituted in the 20th minute of the second half in the win, for a total of 155 minutes in which he recorded one assist.

Arbeloa on Mbappé’s present

Another major topic in the press conference before Real Madrid’s match in Mallorca on Saturday was Kylian Mbappé. His last few weeks have been surrounded by uncertainty, as his knee problems were not fully clear to people outside the club.

For the manager, his injuries are behind him, so everyone should focus on his performances. Arbeloa also explained why he left Mbappé on the bench for the derby against Atletico Madrid.

Arbeloa said: “His absence was common sense. I have never had even the slightest complaint from him. We have to forget about the knee and focus on the goals. I’m lucky to have a player of his level with that kind of humility.”

Arbeloa relieved about Bellingham

One tricky issue for the manager was Jude Bellingham’s call-up with England. It was clear that Thomas Tuchel wanted to see the player in person, but returning from injury with the national team was not seen very positively. Still, the manager preferred not to use him.

Arbeloa said: “Bellingham’s case was special. He had played a few minutes against Atletico Madrid, but Tuchel did not want to take any risks. Jude is smart and does well in training sessions. I didn’t have any plans. It was the England manager’s decision. He had been out for too long.”

Flick said: “The injury is nobody’s fault. It’s an injury and you must live with it. It’s part of this. It comes at a bad time. It makes us sad and we’ll have to see how we manage it. It’s not his first injury. He had a low morale. He’s coming back this weekend. On Monday he’ll be with the group.”

The setback came in Brazil’s match against France in Orlando. The forward suffered a muscle injury in his right hamstring that will keep him out for more than a month, so he will miss the Champions League quarterfinal matches against Atletico Madrid.

Laporta had complained to FIFA

For the recently reelected president, it was clear who was to blame, as he did not take the same approach as the manager. Laporta pointed directly to FIFA’s calendar as the main reason for Raphinha’s injury, calling for exceptions for the biggest clubs.

The president made sure to set aside the players’ desire to represent their countries, but he strongly criticized the schedule FIFA put together without considering the demands placed on the sport’s biggest clubs.

Laporta said: “To get one of the best players on the team injured in a friendly match between Brazil and France in the United States makes me very angry. FIFA must make an international calendar that takes into account the competitions the clubs have.”

Flick on Robert Lewandowski

Some players had better luck than others during the break. Aside from Raphinha’s injury, the player who had the toughest outcome was Robert Lewandowski. As Poland’s captain, his team was eliminated by Sweden in the final round of World Cup qualifying.

Flick said this about the forward: “Robert played both matches with the national team. He’s sad and disappointed about not being in the World Cup, but he’s focused on us and what we need.”

Guardiola said about his and Rodri’s future with Manchester City: “I don’t have any opinion. I know his intentions and the club’s, but I don’t know. I’ve also spoken many times about my own future.”

During the week, Rodri gave an interview in which he seemed to leave the door open for Real Madrid. But the midfielder dismissed that after Spain’s most recent match: “I’m used to interviews being cut to what they want. I don’t pay attention to that.”

Guardiola chooses Liverpool as Manchester City’s biggest rival

Guardiola has been among the best managers in the world since he started with Barcelona in 2008. The rivalry with Real Madrid has been as intense as very few, helped by Jose Mourinho being on the other bench.

For Manchester City’s manager, his time with the club has also included a major rivalry with Liverpool, especially with Jürgen Klopp as his main rival. Before the FA Cup match, he explained how difficult it has been to compete with them.

Guardiola said: “We’re playing against a special rival for us over the last ten years, Liverpool. It has been our biggest rival. It’s a team that made a big investment at the start of the season to stay at the top for many years. It’s a great rival, with great players. We will need a performance like the final against Arsenal to reach the next round.”

Manchester City’s difficult April

The most interesting match of the FA Cup quarterfinals will feature these two teams. In the FA Cup quarterfinals, Liverpool are traveling to Manchester this Saturday. However, the schedule ahead for Guardiola is not easy. A trip to Chelsea along with the match against Arsenal are their last chances to close the gap in the Premier League.

In an interview with former Atlético Madrid midfielder Mario Suárez, who hosts the “El camino de Mario” podcast, García said he has always been respectful and that is the most important thing for him, but that time he lost his mind.

García said: “I hate losing. That day it came from my soul. I most likely said something like ‘I will rip your head off.’ It comes from inside. It’s a subject that is in the past. Every time I talked to him, respect was always there. What happens on the field must stay there.”

Ronaldo’s “espaldinha” context

The heated rivalry that has marked these clubs’ history never stops, but the 2010s may have been the best era for this matchup, partly because Atlético Madrid were a rival for Real Madrid like few before them.

The episode García recalled was from a La Liga match in the 2010-11 season. With Real Madrid leading 2-0, Ronaldo crossed from the left and goalkeeper David De Gea punched the ball high back toward the forward.

Ronaldo’s decision was not a conventional one, as he used his back to pass the ball to a teammate in a play that almost ended in a Sergio Ramos goal. Part of what García told him at the time was believed to be a complaint that the Portuguese would not have made if the score had been 0-0.

Fernández said on Luzu TV when asked which city he would like to live in: “I always tell my wife that if I had to choose a European city, it would be Madrid. It’s like Buenos Aires, the food, everything…”

His form at Chelsea has not been the same since Enzo Maresca was fired. That, along with reports that the dressing room does not like some of his complaints with teammates on the field, could open the door for him to leave the club, according to Marca.

Fernández on Kroos and Modrić

Speaking well about Madrid could also be seen as a nice gesture toward Atlético Madrid, not just Real Madrid. However, when he had to choose the best players he has faced, the names he picked are icons of one club.

As a midfielder, it was not just another match for Fernández when he faced perhaps the best duo of the last few years. His style of play also resembles some of the things they do, so his choice was an easy one.

Fernández said: “Because I play in the same position, I always try to watch the midfielders on the other team and I choose Kroos. I play against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu and he and Modrić are incredible. They have a lot of quality.”

Fernández’s contract

Even if Fernández would like to leave Chelsea, it will not be easy. The club has been known for signing very long contracts with young players, and he is no exception. His deal does not expire until 2032. His price also will not be low, as 100 million euros seems to be the floor, with Chelsea having invested 120 million euros to sign him from Benfica.

During a live broadcast on TikTok, Mounir Nasraoui said: “I don’t like what happened. Viva Spain. Viva the Muslims, the Catholics, the Jewish, and the entire world equally. What’s the problem? If you respect, you will be respected.”

Mounir sent a message of unity after an incident in which his religion was mocked. Yamal’s father was born in Morocco, while the player was born in Barcelona and follows the Muslim faith.

The context of the incident

During the international window, one match in particular sparked controversy. Spain was supposed to play the Finalissima against Argentina, but instead organized friendlies. Serbia and Egypt were the rivals, with the latter becoming the target of the incident.

The match was played at RCDE Stadium, home of Espanyol. Unlike isolated moments where individual fans insult a player, this was a widespread show of disrespect.

During the match, a discriminatory chant was heard that said, “the one who does not jump is a Muslim.” This sparked anger, especially from Yamal, who left the field without taking part in the usual lap of applause to the fans.

Espanyol’s statement

The episode prompted criticism from many sides. Some pointed to Espanyol fans as responsible for the chant, which led the club to respond in a statement: “RCD Espanyol also wants to express its deep concern over the gratuitous and widespread smear campaign that has been affecting its fans in recent hours.”

The match was played at RCDE Stadium, home of Espanyol. Criticism spread everywhere, from the country as a whole to those who pointed at the Espanyol fans as the only ones singing. Many also speculated that the chants against Muslims were aimed at Yamal, something the club condemned.

The statement read: “RCD Espanyol also wishes to express its deep displeasure at the gratuitous and widespread smear campaign that has targeted our fans in the past few hours. It is worth remembering that the match, organized by the RFEF, brought together supporters of the Spain national team from very diverse geographical and footballing backgrounds.”

It then addressed the criticism the club received: “Therefore, it is profoundly unfair, excessive, and disproportionate to attribute these behaviors to the RCDE Espanyol fanbase, which, throughout its more than 125-year history, has been characterized by its diversity, respect, and commitment to the values of sport. The club does not and will not accept having its reputation called into question by the isolated actions of a small group of people who represent neither the club nor our fanbase.”

Egypt will not complain about Spain to FIFA

The unfortunate act by the Spanish fans mainly affected the Egyptian team. This has led to criticism from different sides, with Egypt being the most important voice as the one targeted by discrimination.

While the Egyptian embassy released a statement condemning these acts, the federation also issued a long communication expressing its thoughts. The curious thing is that it will not file a formal complaint.

The report said: “The Egyptian Football Federation wants to emphasize that what happened by a minority of fans in the stands at Espanyol’s stadium will not affect in any way the strong relationship between the Egyptian and Spanish football federations.”

Benfica are expected to offer the player a new contract that would include a higher release clause or they will sell the player in the next window, according to the newspaper A Bola. If Schjelderup agrees, his price would go up. With his contract running until 2028, the club does not have much room to maneuver.

What Barcelona want is for Schjelderup not to accept this renewal. With that decision from the player, pushed by agent Rafaela Pimenta according to Sport, the price could go down as Benfica are not ready to extend this negotiation for long.

Schjelderup’s price

Rejecting a higher release clause would make negotiations easier for Barcelona. The counterpoint to getting a better price is how highly the player is regarded by others, so what could drive his price up are the clubs that may try to sign him this summer.

The Spanish club have not been able to make major investments for a long time because their financial situation is still not ideal. They would not be able to pay the release clause, so waiting is their best option.

Benfica set a 100 million euros release clause in Schjelderup’s contract. On the other hand, local reports say Benfica may even accept 20 million for him. While that does not seem very likely given the player’s valuation, they have already received a 12 million euro offer from Brugge.

Schjelderup’s playstyle

Schjelderup would be a bet for the future, not just an immediate boost to the team. He has not played too much for Benfica, with fewer than 100 matches there, but his profile could be ideal to replace Marcus Rashford. If the English forward does not improve in the final stretch of the season with Barcelona, they may decide not to buy him from Manchester United.

That would be a better role for someone younger like the Benfica player, who is only 21 years old. The winger could bring even more fresh energy to a team that already has talented young players. Despite his age, he is already part of the Norway national team, so his upside could make him a perfect fit looking toward the future.

Capello said in an interview with Marca: “I couldn’t sleep all night; I still can’t believe what happened. We are talking about a four-time World champion. It’s a sports tragedy. It’s embarrassing. It’s some of the worst that has happened to Italian soccer in its recent history.”

Italy had to go through two rounds to reach the World Cup again for the first time since 2010. They defeated Northern Ireland to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in their final match. Despite taking a 1-0 lead, they allowed the equalizer with a few minutes left after spending most of the match with 10 men following Andrea Bastoni’s red card. The penalties later decided that they would miss the event for the third straight time.

Capello wants a change

The manager has worked at clubs like Real Madrid, Milan and Juventus, so he knows well what should be expected in organizations of that level that aim for the biggest titles in their respective competitions.

For Capello, the blame should not fall only on the current manager Gennaro Gattuso or even the players. In his opinion, something must change at the highest levels of the federation.

Capello said: “Here nobody resigns, and that’s the most concerning thing. The first person that should take responsibility is the president of the Federation (Gabriele Gavrina) with the executive directors. The problem isn’t just results, it’s structural.”

Capello on what the elimination means for Italy

Even if this has happened recently as well, missing the World Cup is not taken lightly by the fans. Capello said: “Italy is mourning. For a country so tied to the sport, it’s very hard to accept.”

The better team won on Tuesday night as Brazil were sharper than Croatia. In the first half, they had a few clear chances that Dominik Livakovic stopped. However, a great counterattack from Vinicius left Danilo open in the box for the opening goal.

Not much happened in the second half until a long pass allowed Croatia to tie through Lovro Mayer, with the help of Bento’s poor intervention. Luckily for Brazil, they responded quickly with a penalty scored by Igor Thiago, after a foul won by Endrick, who also assisted Martinelli for the final goal to give the fans some relief.

Watch Brazil vs Croatia live on Fubo

The Brazil team that left a few days ago was not a good one in its loss to France. Raphinha’s injury, which is expected to keep him out for more than a month, adds to the absences, with Carlo Ancelotti also without Alisson and Gabriel, who had been called up but did not travel with the team due to injuries.

It was a different showing for the other side, with Croatia beating Colombia 2-1 in convincing fashion. Luka Modrić came off the bench in that match, but the veteran midfielder could be in Zlatko Dalić’s lineup this time.

Brazil vs Croatia lineups

Ancelotti chose these players, with several key names out: Bento; Ibañez, Marquinhos, Leo Pereira, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Danilo; Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, Vinicius; João Pedro.

Dalić opted for this lineup with three defenders: Dominik Livaković; Josip Stanišić, Duje Caleta-car, Luka Vušković; Josip Sutalo, Martin Baturina, Petar Susić, Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić; Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir.

Brazil and Croatia World Cup groups

The group stage picture is now set for both sides as they look ahead to the World Cup. Brazil are in Group C with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland, while Croatia are in Group L alongside England, Panama and Ghana.

The USMNT will be looking to move on from a disappointing performance after fans were left unhappy with the 5-2 loss to Belgium. Mauricio Pochettino had ruled Chris Richards out for this window, but the defender could be back. Jonny Cardoso is not available after returning to Madrid with an injury.

Much of the attention will be on Ronaldo’s absence from the squad. The forward was not called up for this window because of a lingering issue with his right hamstring, which led Roberto Martínez to give him more rest. Players such as Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva are also out of the team because of physical issues.

USMNT vs. Portugal lineups

Pochettino elected this lineup: Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Auston Trusty; Timothy Weah, Weston McKennie, Aidan Morris, Antonee Robinson; Sebastian Berhalter, Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman.

Martínez opted for this lineup: José Sá; João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Tomás Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio; Samú Costa, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes (C); Francisco Trincão, Pedro Neto; Gonçalo Ramos.

USMNT and Portugal World Cup groups

With the World Cup approaching, both teams already know the path they will need to navigate in the group stage. The USMNT will be in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey, while Portugal are in Group K alongside Uzbekistan, Colombia and either DR Congo or Jamaica.

Ronaldo’s absence was not a last-minute decision from manager Roberto Martínez. The forward was not even called up for the international window because he is dealing with a lingering right hamstring injury that led the staff to give him some rest.

Portugal did not have Ronaldo in Saturday’s match against Mexico, which ended in a scoreless draw. His place in the team could go to João Félix or Francisco Conceição as they look to make an impact in attack.

A huge task for the USMNT

As for the other side of this match, the USMNT still have plenty to prove after ending a promising stretch with a heavy defeat. Belgium’s 5-2 win put the spotlight on the team’s defensive issues, as they conceded four goals in the second half.

The person who needs to improve quickly is Mauricio Pochettino, who has not been able to push the team to deliver the performances many were expecting. For the manager, there could be an interesting decision ahead as he may choose a more cautious approach.

A player who could help bring more solidity at the back is Chris Richards, who may be available after Pochettino initially ruled him out. The absence to keep in mind is Jonny Cardoso’s, who returned to Madrid with leg discomfort that forced him to leave the team early.

After a promising first half where the USMNT had the better scoring opportunities, everything fell apart. Weston McKennie had put the team ahead with a set-piece goal, but a long-range strike just before halftime leveled the score and shifted the momentum.

Belgium dominated the second half, scoring three goals in 15 minutes to pull away. The rest of the match saw just one more goal for each side, making the final score 5-2 in a disappointing outing for the U.S.

The USMNT have some missing players, as Mauricio Pochettino confirmed in his press conference. The defense is the main area affected, with Miles Robinson and Chris Richards ruled out through injury.

Belgium are entering what could be one of the final chances for some players from their golden generation to win a trophy. Even if that will not be easy, they have improved with an attack that still looks as dangerous as ever.

USMNT vs Belgium lineups

Pochettino uses this lineup for the match: Matt Turner; Timothy Weah, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Tanner Tessmann, Johnny Cardoso; Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic; Folarin Balogun.

Rudi García opts for this lineup: Senne Lammens; Thomas Meunier, Zeno Debast, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper; Nicolas Raskin, Amadou Onana; Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Alexis Saelemaekers; Charles De Ketelaere.

USMNT and Belgium World Cup groups

The World Cup draw has already defined the groups and opponents for both national teams. The USMNT are in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and the winner between Türkiye and Kosovo, while Belgium are in Group G with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.

For the Italian club, the Argentine’s presence has been a major boost in their push toward the Champions League. That is why their sporting director left the door open for Paz to stay in an interview with Radio Radio TV, even though a return to Spain still appears likely.

Carlalberto Ludi said: “There’s a complete syntony between Cesc Fàbregas’ ambitions and ours. We are putting in more resources every time we can at his disposal to work in the best possible way. Until something that we can’t control happens, we’ll continue together. Given what we can offer him, we are not concerned about his departure.”

Como’s ideal plan to keep Paz

Paz’s talent has always placed him on the radar of top clubs. With limited space at Real Madrid, he moved in search of minutes, which allowed him to show his quality at Como and help turn them into a competitive side.

Fàbregas has built the team around him to maximize his potential, leading to steady improvement and a current fourth-place position in Serie A. Qualifying for the Champions League could be key to keeping Paz at the club.

Ludi said: “Paz is happy here. The possible participation in European competitions may convince him to stay. There’s a chance he stays. This is an ideal environment for young players: welcoming, ambitious and centered around improvement.”

Real Madrid could bring Paz back for low fee

Paz’s development at Real Madrid allowed him to leave under favorable conditions. A buyback clause gives the club the option to bring him back again under similar terms.

Real Madrid would have to pay around 9 million euros, which could represent a strong move regardless of whether they keep him. Even if he returns, a sale is not ruled out, as offers reaching 60 million euros have reportedly arrived, according to Marca.

Inter Miami have introduced what they call the Leo Messi Stand ahead of the inaugural match at the new stadium on April 4 against Austin FC. A similar tribute also exists at Newell’s, the Argentine club, even though he never played for their first team.

The club said in a statement: “Inter Miami CF is excited to announce Leo Messi’s stand, with our number 10 and captain set to become part of a rare and unique case in global sports: an athlete regularly playing at his home stadium with a stand named in his honor.”

Other Argentine players with similar honors

The Leo Messi Stand in the new stadium runs from sections 117 to 121 on the lower level and from sections 217 to 223 on the upper level. But he will not be the only Argentine player with a structure named after him.

Diego Maradona may be the clearest example, as the Argentinos Juniors stadium was originally named after him while he was still alive, while Napoli’s stadium left behind San Paolo to use his name after the historic player died.

A well-known name in MLS that also carries this honor is former Inter Miami and Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino. Martino has a stand named after him at Newell’s stadium, which, fittingly, is also named after another famous manager, Marcelo Bielsa. Other major Argentine names with this honor include Ricardo Enrique Bochini and Mario Alberto Kempes.

Messi with Argentina

While most players are getting some rest, Messi is ready to play for Argentina. With the Finalissima against Spain canceled, they arranged two lower-level friendlies in their country. Mauritania are the opponent today, before they face Zambia next Tuesday, and he is expected to be involved in those matches even if he does not play 90 minutes.

Morocco have been in the headlines lately because of a huge scandal around the Africa Cup of Nations, which they lost in the final to Senegal. However, the Confederation of African Football gave them the title after they appealed because their rival had abandoned the field.

Ecuador were the most solid team in the South American qualifiers, allowing the fewest goals with five in 18 matches. That put them in second place in the standings and secured qualification comfortably.

Morocco vs Ecuador lineups

Mohamed Ouahbi set this lineup in his first match as manager after Walid Regragui’s firing: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui; Azzedine Ounahi, Neill El Aynaoui, Mohamed Hrimat, Ismael Saibari; Brahim Diaz, Abde Ezzalzouli.

Sebastián Beccacece set this lineup: Hernán Galíndez; Alan Franco, Joel Ordóñez, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapié; Moisés Caicedo, Pedro Vite; John Yeboah, Gonzalo Plata, Alan Minda; Enner Valencia.

Morocco and Ecuador groups in the World Cup

These teams have good expectations for the World Cup, where they will be in the following groups: Morocco are in Group C with Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, while Ecuador are in Group E with Ivory Coast, Curaçao and Germany.

Kroos said: “I retired because I didn’t want to get to the moment where I wouldn’t feel very well and started to have physical issues. The feeling with the ball never goes away. I still have it. I always knew I wanted to leave as I deserved, and how I wanted to be remembered by the club and the fans. The last image is very important for me. I’m very happy with the decision.”

This part has no doubts when it refers to the level of play Kroos had in his final year in the sport. Despite his country couldn’t go past the quarterfinals in his retirement match, Real Madrid was once again the king of the continent. With huge protagonism from the former midfielder, they won the Champions League days after celebrating La Liga.

Kroos on Real Madrid’s exigence

Real Madrid may be the most popular club in the world. What is certain is that they are the winningest institution with a dominance in the Champions League that was evident since the first edition.

Coming from a giant like Bayern Munich probably helped the midfielder adapt quickly to the standards from the fans. A nice story he told about this was the talks he had with club president Florentino Perez after lifting a trophy.

Kroos said: “I was hungry until the end. Besides, when you won the Champions League, the next day the president told you to go for the next one. You can enjoy for a few hours to the following day, when he tells you: ‘Well done and see you next year here again, at the same place with the same trophy.’ You can’t relax.”

Kroos praised Real Madrid’s current team

After some irregular stretches this year, Real Madrid looked the best against Manchester City in the Champions League. The figure of the series was Federico Valverde, who scored a hat-trick that sealed the match in the first leg. The German praised his number successor.

Kroos said: “The team has been able to improve their level, adapting to the rival and the importance of the match. They have done two very good matches. At home the number 8 also helped us very much. I really like him.”

Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund updated the status of several players who could be back for that match. That includes possible returns for Neuer, Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies and Aleksandar Pavlovic.

Freund said, according to Marca: “Things are looking good. Davies and Musiala will use these days to get back to their best form and hopefully return. That’s our main goal. Neuer’s absence was precautionary. He’ll be back at 100% from the first training session.”

Musiala sets sights on Real Madrid

Neuer looks ready to return as Bayern’s goalkeeper after missing four matches. The situation is different for the outfield players, since they need time to regain rhythm, especially Musiala, who has played just 11 matches this season, and Davies, who has played 13 because of injuries.

The talented midfielder may be the biggest boost Bayern’s attack could get, after showing his quality in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, when he scored in the 6-1 win over Atalanta.

German newspaper Bild reports that Musiala is doing everything he can to be ready for the Real Madrid match, training eight hours a day. While his target is clear, the player will not rush anything, and he may only see short spells of action until the pain in his ankle goes away.

The date for Bayern Munich-Real Madrid

A major classic is already building as two powerful clubs meet in the quarterfinals. The first leg is set for Tuesday, April 7 in Madrid, while the return leg comes the following Wednesday, April 15 in Munich.

This could be a good test for both managers to see their teams against rivals of a similar level. However, they will also face strong opponents in the next few days, with both teams set to play countries with major quality.

For Colombia, the other rival in this break will be France at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The concern from their side is that they will not have much time to rest, since that match comes next Sunday.

Croatia also have a tough challenge ahead, with a game against Brazil at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, just like today. They will get a better look with more days between matches for the game set for Tuesday.

Colombia and Croatia’s lineups

Néstor Lorenzo decided to use this lineup: Camilo Vargas; Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sánchez, Jhon Lucumí, Johan Mojica; Jefferson Lerma, Richard Ríos; Jhon Arias, James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz; Luis Javier Suárez.

Zlatko Dalić inclined for this team: Dominik Livaković; Luka Vuscović, Martin Erlić, Marin Pongračić; Nikola Vlasić, Nikola Moro, Marco Pasalić, Petar Sucić, Mario Pašalić; Ivan Perišić, Igor Matanović.

Colombia and Croatia groups in the World Cup

The World Cup draw has already defined the groups and opponents for both national teams. Colombia are in Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan and the winner of the playoff between New Caledonia, Jamaica and DR Congo. Croatia are in Group L with England, Panama and Ghana.

The decision was not based on the incident between the players, but on the actions of Benfica fans, who made gestures toward Vinicius. UEFA sanctioned Benfica by closing a section of nearly 500 seats at Estadio da Luz for their next European match, with a probation period of one year.

Benfica were also fined 40,000 euros by the relevant ethics committee for racist chants and insults directed at the Real Madrid player in that match. On top of that, they received a 25,000 euro fine for throwing objects onto the field. Assistant coach Pedro Luis Ferreira Machada will also be banned from taking part in their next match.

Benfica-Real Madrid conflict’s context

The Champions League playoff to decide the eight teams moving on to the round of 16 made this one of the most anticipated ties. The two sides had already met in the final match of the league phase, with Benfica scoring a late goal through their goalkeeper to secure a place among the top 24 clubs.

Even if Anatoliy Trubin’s goal was celebrated by everyone in the stadium for a long time, the rematch in the next round was different. The first leg was played in a tense atmosphere that saw Real Madrid leave with an important victory.

Vinicius scored in the 51st minute before celebrating in the corner. That led to a series of exchanges between the players, with the Brazilian complaining to the referee that Prestianni had insulted him. The match was stopped for eight minutes, as VAR could not find any camera angle that confirmed the insult.

What made the sanction less severe

Immediately after the incident, the club backed its player. However, what may have helped reduce the severity of the punishment was how quickly they acted against their own supporters. Days after the match, Benfica suspended the fans they identified making racist gestures toward the players.

De Boer said this during the ‘Legends Trophy’ in Milan: “Yamal is the most decisive player in the world, especially for his age. He’s incredible. I also like Raphinha, Mbappé and Vinicius. There are many good players, I saw a few at Bayern Munich. But if I must choose one, I pick him.”

De Boer played just one season for Barcelona in a long career that also saw him spend many years with a strong Netherlands team. Even though he only won La Liga with the club in 1999, he also has a Champions League title with Ajax.

De Boer previews Barcelona – Atletico Madrid

While players are now in the international break, what comes after that with their clubs looks huge for everyone involved in important matches. The quarterfinals of the Champions League include some interesting ties, but Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid may be the most heated.

The Spanish clubs are renewing what was a dramatic Copa del Rey semifinal in which Barcelona almost came back from a 4-0 first-leg defeat before ultimately being eliminated by just one goal.

De Boer said: “It’s going to be very hard for Barcelona. Playing against Atletico Madrid is always hard. Barcelona must do their own game in both matches. I think they can win both matches if they are in shape and concentrated. With my Blaugrana heart, I cheer for them.”

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid is set

If there were no surprises the round of 16, there were some potential classics to be seen in the quarterfinals. In the end, all the teams expected to advance did so. That left Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. The first match is set for April 8 in Barcelona, while the second leg should come on April 14 in Madrid.

Simón praised them in an interview with El Partidazo: “Courtois is a goalkeeper who is always at the highest level. García is the one who comes closest because of the level he is showing and the points he is earning for his team. Barcelona are right up there because of performances like the one he had against Rayo Vallecano last weekend.”

His role in Luis de la Fuente’s team has been key in establishing Simón among the best. He looks ready to take the main spot for Spain at the World Cup, but he faces competition from Arsenal’s David Raya and Real Sociedad’s Álex Remiro.

Simón picks the best goalkeepers in the world

The Athletic Club player is a leader for his club, and also for Spain. His humility also showed when he was asked who the best goalkeepers in the world are, and he did not include himself in the list. Instead, he first chose the best in La Liga.

For Simón, the best three goalkeepers in his own league come from the three biggest clubs, as he picked Courtois, García and Atlético Madrid’s Jan Oblak to complete the podium.

As for the best three in the world, he replaced Oblak with another Spanish goalkeeper ahead of names like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Manuel Neuer and Emiliano Martínez. Simón said: “The best three in the world are Courtois, García and Raya.”

Simón on the Finalissima

The current conflict in the Middle East led to the cancellation of the Finalissima. There was strong anticipation for the match in which Spain was set to face Argentina.

Simón said: “It’s a special title and a perfect test of how you are arriving at the World Cup. It’s a shame it could not happen for whatever reason. I don’t know the exact motive, but I would have loved to play it.”

Rüdiger said in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: “We must go back to being a team that’s uncomfortable for others. We have a lot of talent and technique, everybody knows that. But talent alone doesn’t win World Cups. We must regain that mentality.”

For the defender, the mental side of the game seems to be the main point. Rüdiger said: “We must be so hard to face that rivals don’t even want to leave the tunnel. If we move that limit and each one is willing to do the dirty work for the other, then we would be extremely hard to defeat.”

Rüdiger on the criticism of his playing style

As most defenders probably do around the world, Rüdiger knows his job is partly to be feared. His style shows that every time he is on the field, but sometimes he has gone too far in that regard.

The main example that drew criticism toward his physical style came in a play against Getafe. In that match, which ended in a loss, Rüdiger went with his knee directly to Diego Rico’s face. Despite the impact, he did not face any consequences.

This has led to criticism because a red card can affect his team, and Rüdiger said: “I know there have been instances when I went over the line. That also influenced me in being even more concentrated. I don’t want to be a point of problem. I want to give stability and security. The debate reminds me I have a responsibility.”

Rüdiger on dealing with injuries

Rüdiger has not played every match he could have because he has dealt with injuries at different times in the past. Fortunately for Real Madrid, the defender has shown he is ready to play at full speed in the next matches.

The defender explained his current situation while reflecting on those issues: “I feel really good and I’m relieved that my medical treatments are over. Since August-September 2024, there’s always been something wrong. Things got worse this year in January, and I knew I had to take a break because the World Cup is coming up in the summer. But now I’m back at 100%.”

It will not be cheap for Barcelona if they want to buy the left back. Juventus have reportedly put a $50 million price tag on him for any interested club, as he remains an important player for the team, according to Marca.

The idea of replacing Alejandro Balde has grown lately, as the young player has not been able to provide much security on the left side. Cambiaso has a contract with Juventus for three more years, so Barcelona will not be able to get him cheaply.

Cambiaso’s career

Cambiaso has established himself at a major Italian club like Juventus. However, the journey was not easy for the 26-year-old defender. His career includes loans to smaller clubs such as Albissola, Savona and Alessandria, where he played in Serie D and Serie C.

He was also loaned to Empoli to play a few matches in Serie B before returning to his parent club, Genoa. Another loan spell at Bologna followed, helping him become a more complete player before taking a major step forward.

Curiously, the club where he played the most is the one where he has performed best so far, as he joined Juventus in 2023 with much more experience. He established himself as a promising player ready to become a reliable option, and in 2024 he made his debut for Italy, where he has already collected 19 appearances.

More options for the defense

Spanish reports suggest Cambiaso is Flick’s preferred target for the next transfer window. However, Barcelona must also consider options that fit more comfortably within their budget, as Gerard Martín’s future is uncertain, which forces the club to have backup plans for the left side of the defense.

Alessandro Bastoni is another importante target despite his price, and the player who fits that mold perfectly is Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi, as the center back could arrive on a free transfer.

The Portuguese defender arrived for free after pushing for the move to Spain, even if only temporarily. Barcelona seem ready to keep him for next season too, partly because he can offer versatility at the back.

However, it may not be that simple, as local reports suggest Al-Hilal will not let him go easily. Even if he did not have much of a role there, the fee Barcelona may be asked to pay would be $15 million. While that figure could discourage them from keeping Cancelo next summer, there is still plenty of time to negotiate for the experienced player.

Hansi Flick was not very firm on Cancelo’s stay

Before Sunday’s victory against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, Hansi Flick had given a press conference touching on several topics. One of them was the future of players like Cancelo and Marcus Rashford.

With still too much to happen before Barcelona have to decide whether to keep these players, it was somewhat surprising that the manager was not more certain. He may want to keep them if the conditions are right.

Flick has liked what he has seen from them, but he is not ready to confirm they will stay with the team: “We’ll talk at the end of the season and we’ll see what happens. Now it’s not the time to say, ‘I want this player’ or ‘I don’t want this player.’ Anything can happen.”

Cancelo’s season with Barcelona

Cancelo arrived at Barcelona last January to give Flick more versatility at the back. With Jules Koundé playing too many matches and Alejandro Balde showing some inconsistency, the Portuguese has filled those roles. His season includes seven La Liga matches and one goal, three in the Copa del Rey and two in the Champions League, for a total of a dozen appearances for the club.

According to Diario Sport, Inter are already looking for defenders to replace Bastoni in the next transfer window. The publication says Napoli’s Alessandro Buongiorno, Roma’s Evan Ndicka and Bologna’s Jhon Lucumí are among the names they are considering as possible replacements if their star defender leaves.

This is great news for Barcelona, since a few weeks ago the possibility of Bastoni joining the club seemed too distant. He is a very important part of a team that wants to win every competition. With the player seemingly open to a move to Spain after liking posts related to his transfer on social media, this adds to the excitement of fans who want to see him wearing the Barcelona shirt.

Alternative to Bastoni

This negotiation does not seem easy, as Barcelona have struggled financially for many years. Every major name in the market appears out of reach for that reason, so the club needs backup plans.

The loss of Iñigo Martínez last year was strongly felt in a team that needs a very specific set of qualities from its defenders under Flick. The gap was covered with some solid performances from Gerard Martín, who is not certain to return to the team.

A player to keep an eye on is Marcos Senesi. The Argentine has become a dependable piece for Bournemouth with strong Premier League experience. His biggest advantage as an option for Barcelona, even if Bastoni is signed, is his price, since he could arrive on a free transfer.

Bastoni’s price tag

Inter will not let a key player leave easily for a team that competes with them in the Champions League. For now, there is optimism in Barcelona that they could reach an agreement with the Italians, possibly offering a player as part of the deal to lower the fee. His reported price tag is around $75 million, or 70 million euros, which could put the Spanish club out of the race.

Flick said: “We’ll train and give some rest to the players who stay, as always. I don’t think about what may happen to the international players, I don’t think about potential injuries. There’s a World Cup and everybody wants to play. It’s going to be good for them to disconnect from this routine and come back with more energy. It’s positive for us.”

Barcelona have most of their regular starters traveling around the world to represent their countries. Before that happens, though, they have an important match against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday to keep Real Madrid behind them in La Liga.

Flick on Rashford, Cancelo and Martín’s continuities

Three talking points for the summer in Barcelona involve current players who may leave the club. The main topic is Marcus Rashford, with the English forward’s dip in form making the purchase clause seem too high for the Spanish club.

Rashford arrived at Barcelona on loan from Manchester United, with €30 million as the price to make the move permanent. There have been reports of talks between the clubs about the fee, but the forward will need to improve if he wants to stay with Flick’s team.

About Rashford, João Cancelo and Gerard Martín, the manager said: “We need everybody until the end and then we’ll see. There’s a World Cup. I believe in my players. Cancelo, Rashford and Martín give us quality. We’ll talk at the end and we’ll see what happens. Now is not the time to say, ‘I want this one, I don’t want this one.’ Anything can happen.”

Flick on the number 9

One spot in the lineup that could change in the future is the number 9 position. With Robert Lewandowski nearing the end of his contract and Ferrán Torres not performing at the same level as his teammate, the question about the Spanish forward has come up.

Flick backed the younger player after being asked by the media: “The important thing is to be dynamic, to be active. Ferran was good in the training session. I see him with confidence. He’s making the effort to get back to his best level.”

For this match, manager Álvaro Arbeloa won’t be able to put five players in the lineup. The main absence from the team logically comes in goal, as Courtois got injured in England last Tuesday, with a timetable for return of six weeks. Andriy Lunin replaced him a few days ago in a change that should be repeated.

The other four players have important names while not being usual starters for the manager. Rodrygo, Éder Militao, Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy are the players Arbeloa can’t put on the field or the bench in this heated match.

Huge return for Arbeloa

The list of absences seems important mainly because a top goalkeeper like Courtois can’t be present. However, the names that are returning clearly stand out, as several talented players have left injuries behind.

Fans may be thrilled to know that Jude Bellingham was already allowed to play again after a muscle injury that saw him on the stands for over a month. His presence in the midfield should give Real Madrid a boost.

Arbeloa has a pair of players that join Bellingham in the list of returns. A return that may be very noticeable is Álvaro Carreras’, while defender Raúl Asencio is also ready again, as they can give more flexibility to the manager in the last line of the team.

Real Madrid seek revenge

The standings say that Real Madrid sit four points behind Barcelona, which is the objective. Atletico Madrid are nine points behind, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous, especially considering what happened in their previous La Liga meeting, when Atletico Madrid demolished their rivals 5-2. Real Madrid won 2-1 in the Super Cup in January.

The Brazilian Confederation confirmed the news, stating that his absence forced the player to withdraw from participation. This comes at an unideal time, as Brazil has the final window of matches next week.

Alisson being out of the list opened the door for a new call-up. The decision made by the Italian manager was to give his place to Hugo Souza. With Liverpool’s player injury still unknown, the Corinthians goalkeeper joins the team. The spot in the lineup could go to Bento (Al-Nassr) or Ederson (Fenerbahçe).

Brazil’s friendlies

Teams are ahead of a great opportunity to see players that may be on the biggest stage in a few months. There should be some more friendlies approaching the World Cup, but those may already have the squads set.

The next step for the Brazilians should be very important as they are seeing another huge team like France in a match coming next Thursday, March 26, in Boston, where Gillette Stadium is located.

Days later Brazil should have one more test against Croatia on Tuesday, March 31, in Orlando, with Camping World Stadium as the place where fans can enjoy some of the best players in the world.

Liverpool’s side of the injury

While Brazil may be affected by Alisson’s injury, the most interested one can be Liverpool. The English club looks at this situation with some worries as the goalkeeper just returned from an injury that kept him out of the first leg against Galatasaray in the Champions League.

There isn’t any clarity as to when Alisson can be available again for manager Arne Slot, as he missed the trip to Brighton. The important thing comes right after the international break for some teams. Liverpool has Manchester City in the FA Cup as their next challenge before seeing PSG.

Guardiola said: “Dark arts? When someone does something like that, the referees must stop it. Or people behind stage. Look what happens in the world. We are in the middle of chaos, and nobody moves a finger. The world is going to collapse, and we are talking about whether a team uses dark arts. There are more important things than that.”

Manchester City could be one win away from its best chance at a title this season. It is still in the Premier League race, but trails Arsenal by nine points with one game in hand. The Champions League is no longer an option after its elimination against Real Madrid. In the FA Cup, it faces Liverpool in the quarterfinals.

Guardiola on his relationship with Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has become a key part of Arsenal’s future over the past few years, despite a rough start at the club. His team’s playing style is not exactly what he saw up close while working as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, which created a good match for fans.

The rivalry between these clubs has grown more intense every time they meet. Things between the Spanish managers do not seem especially warm either, though Guardiola kept things simple by praising Arteta’s team.

Guardiola said: “I don’t have time to go to London, and I don’t think he has time to come to Manchester with four competitions. They control many aspects of the game after years without titles. That has given them an edge. They are organized, they defend deep, they have a good build-up. They are an exceptional team.”

Guardiola on the AFCON controversy

This week also brought a different controversy in the sport. Senegal had been crowned AFCON champions after beating Morocco 1-0 in the final. However, the African Confederation decided to award the title to the losing team because the winning side had briefly left the field in protest.

Guardiola said: “It was a surprise. I don’t know the reason, but it seems the decision was taken behind the scenes, as happens everywhere. What we see happens all over the world. In soccer and in other places.”

De la Fuente said: “Everybody knows my disposition was to play the Finalissima. I have always said it. Playing against Argentina, winning a title. Me and the RFEF (Real Federación Española de Fútbol) were aligned to play this match. Two don’t play if one doesn’t and we wanted to play. We wanted to play in Doha, in Buenos Aires…”

Talks between the federations began once it was confirmed that the Middle East was not an option. Several European capitals were mentioned, but the executives did not agree on the conditions needed to make it happen.

Spain’s alternative plan

Once the Finalissima was confirmed to be off, the RFEF moved to give de la Fuente more opportunities to evaluate players. The European champions are set to face Serbia on March 27 as the replacement for the canceled match.

The manager had planned to use the pair of games to reconnect with the squad, since they have not been together since November. Another important African team, Egypt, completes the window on March 30.

De la Fuente said: “I want to thank the Federation for trying to play against Argentina and for the two matches we are playing now. It was a peculiar match. We wanted to play it with the players that are going to give us a chance in the World Cup. It was important to get this window back.”

De la Fuente on calling four goalkeepers

Spain have had a strong goalkeeper for some time, with Unai Simón giving the team confidence under the posts. The Athletic Club player was joined by Arsenal’s David Raya and Real Sociedad’s Álex Remiro recently, and Barcelona’s Joan García was also added.

De la Fuente said: “He’s a great goalkeeper that we have known for a long time. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He can provide confidence, work, professionalism, quality, competitiveness. He’s going to challenge the rest to give their best. I don’t see it as a problem. It’s great news.”

Bernal became the third-youngest player in Barcelona history to score in a knockout-stage match, doing it at 18 years and 296 days old. That puts him behind Yamal, who sits in second place after scoring at 17 years and 241 days.

The record for Barcelona’s youngest scorer in a Champions League knockout match may surprise some. That honor belongs to Bojan Krkic, whose early promise saw him score at 17 years and 271 days, still enough to keep the top spot.

Messi does not crack the top five

Messi broke almost every record there was to break, especially at Barcelona. His four Champions League titles were matched by 120 goals for the club in the competition. But his first goal in a knockout round came when he was 20 years and 241 days old, in a round-of-16 match against Celtic in which he scored twice.

The rest of the list includes some even more surprising names, with players ahead of major figures in the club’s history. In fourth place is Argentine Javier Saviola, who was 20 years and 119 days old when he scored his first knockout-stage goal.

Rounding out the top five is a player many may have forgotten because of his short spell at the club. That spot belongs to Cristian Tello, who scored at 20 years and 209 days for a team that has long been known for bringing through young talent.

Players who could join the list

La Masía is a global brand closely tied to Barcelona and the results speak for themselves, with academy products regularly reaching the first team. One current player who could move up the list is Pau Cubarsí, who is only 19. Roony Bardghji also looks like a name to watch at 20.

Endrick explained the challenge of playing for Real Madrid in an interview with Winwin: “The sequence of matches is very important. It’s not the same to play 90 or 60 minutes as 30 or 15. It lets you take more risks and lowers the pressure of making mistakes. They always bring in young talent and fans want to see them right away, but sometimes that is not possible.”

Lyon were eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday in a surprising result against Celta. Even so, Endrick has been important to the team, including scoring a late goal in the first leg in Spain.

Endrick on his potential Real Madrid future

Signing a player like him from Palmeiras showed how much potential Real Madrid saw in him. That became even clearer when they loaned him to Lyon last December instead of selling him to several interested clubs.

The Brazilian has been a key player for manager Paulo Fonseca, with his movement across different positions in the lineup. He has scored six goals in 13 matches for his new club.

That suggests he may have a role when he returns to Real Madrid next season, but he is not thinking about that yet: “I haven’t talked to Álvaro Arbeloa. I’m focused on Lyon. I’m going to cheer for Real Madrid in the Champions League, but I’m committed to this club.”

Endrick’s chances with Brazil

Competition for a place in Brazil’s squad is fierce. High-profile names like Neymar may not even make the cut, while Raphinha and Vinicius appear to be locks. Even so, the forward trusts that his former manager Carlo Ancelotti will call him.

Endrick said about the Italian coach: “I learned a lot with him at Real Madrid. I scored in every competition we played. His job now is different, there is no day-to-day conversation, but I’m sure we can do something good. We can’t think about anything other than the title.”

Kane said: “It’s going to be a tough match. Every time you see Real Madrid in the Champions League, you know you have to fight. We are prepared. We are not afraid of anyone, even if it is difficult. We will study their strengths and weaknesses. We have a style of play that does not change much depending on the opponent. In the quarterfinals, it will not be different.”

The 6-1 win in Italy ended the tie almost as soon as it started, but that did not stop Bayern Munich from continuing to dominate Atalanta. After scoring twice, including a brilliant goal of his own, the forward made it clear how his team plans to approach the next round.

Kane’s best goal yet

Kane has scored more than 500 goals in his career, so it is probably hard for him to remember which one was his best. Still, he chose his recent Bayern Munich goal against Atalanta as the best of his 50 Champions League goals.

The England striker reached that milestone with a superb finish after opening the scoring from the penalty spot. The move came inside the box, where he is at his most dangerous. A half-turn to get past Isak Hien and Ibrahim Sulemana put him in front of goal before he sent the ball into the back of the net.

Kane said: “It was probably my best goal in the Champions League. I am trying to think of others that come to mind, but it is one of my favorites of my entire career. The way the play developed, my movement, it was a combination of all my training and ability.”

Vincent Kompany’s comment on Kane’s goal

Vincent Kompany has helped Bayern Munich remain the best team in Germany while also competing impressively abroad. Kane has kept posting outstanding numbers, although the manager does not take credit for the player’s production.

Kompany said: “There is no credit for the manager. We have a player at a great stage of his life and career. He did what he has done in the past, but I must say I am just as happy with ugly goals. It does not always have to be like this. If the ball hits his leg and goes in, I feel the same.”

Griezmann has an offer from Orlando City that tempts him to leave the continent. However, Tuesday’s result gave the striker a new goal with the potential of a trophy, and that was the deciding factor in putting the transfer on hold for now, according to ESPN.

The report states: “Antoine Griezmann has put a potential move to Orlando City on hold this season now that Atletico has advanced to the Copa del Rey final. Diego Simeone and the front-office team were keen to see Griezmann stay on for the season to give him the best potential farewell possible, including a shot at the Copa del Rey trophy.”

Atletico Madrid’s executive addresses Griezmann’s contract

This information backs what was said by an Atlético Madrid executive. Last Friday during the Champions League draw, Mateu Alemany referred to Antoine Griezmann’s situation and reinforced the idea that his stay remains likely.

The executive made it clear that, despite the speculation surrounding the forward’s future, the club remains calm about his contract status and trusts his commitment at this stage of the season, especially with important matches ahead.

Alemany said: “This is a topic that sparks much journalistic speculation. Antoine has two more years left on his contract with us; he’s focused on the things that are coming for the club. His performance has been great.”

Griezmann’s deadline to make a move

With the European transfer window closed, any departure would depend on the destination league’s rules; in MLS the registration deadline is March 26, a date that falls during a crucial stretch of the season and makes an immediate move unlikely even if a future transfer cannot be ruled out.

The Chilean played for the German club from 2015 to 2018, during which they were eliminated by Real Madrid twice in the Champions League. In the podcast “Show en el Fútbol” he was asked if he felt robbed every time they faced Real Madrid.

Vidal jokingly said: “Yes. They eliminated me two times. In the semifinal and in the quarterfinals with Bayern Munich. That’s why they invented VAR then. Because it was already too much.”

The background for those eliminations by Real Madrid

It is common for players to feel referees do not favor them when they lose, but the ties Vidal mentioned are widely remembered. The matches took place in the 2017-2018 semifinals and the quarterfinals the year before.

In the semifinals the tie opened with a Real Madrid 2-1 victory in Germany and finished with a 2-2 draw in Madrid, which sent the Spanish side to the final, where they went on to defeat Liverpool.

Particularly the 2016-2017 quarterfinals are remembered for Vidal’s controversial red card late in regulation and for two offside goals by Cristiano Ronaldo in extra time that sealed the series.

Vidal on Lionel Messi

Vidal spent three seasons at Barcelona while Lionel Messi was still at the club. During that time he saw the Argentine up close and experienced all his talent. Vidal said: “He’s an amazing player. He’s above everybody else. I was also surprised by Frank Ribery for his strength.”

Mbappé had a knee injury that bothered him for several matches until the club chose to take a cautious approach by sitting him out for the Benfica rematch in the Champions League. Even if the English midfielder is dealing with a muscle injury, the plan may be similar for them.

Real Madrid has decided to take Bellingham to get a second opinion on his hamstring injury. The player currently is in England with Doctor Nico Mihic, following the same step Mbappé previously took of seeking an external medical evaluation, according to Marca. The idea remains looking for ways to see him come back earlier than planned.

More about Real Madrid injuries

The list of injuries gets longer every time Real Madrid plays. With Rodrygo out for the rest of the year with a torn ACL in the La Liga match against Getafe, the attacking options for manager Álvaro Arbeloa are very reduced.

Bellingham has been out since February 1 after leaving the field in victory over Rayo Vallecano. His time to recover was expected to be around five to six weeks, so it is not a good sign that he still does not seem close to returning.

Mbappé has been working with traumatologist Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet and the club’s trainers in Paris with a return date to the capital on Friday as reported by the Madrid outlet. His presence in the Champions League match with Manchester City on Wednesday remains unlikely for them.

Raúl Asencio nears his return

Real Madrid’s victory to Benfica in the Champions League playoff left a problem for the defense. Raúl Asencio had to leave with a head injury after a severe hit. Fortunately for the manager’s lineup plans, he was partially part of Wednesday’s training session after missing one match.

On “The Good, The Bad & The Football” podcast, the club legend named his preferred candidate for the job. The Italian’s experience and the number of trophies he has won make him ideal for the position Carrick currently holds.

Scholes said: “The perfect one out there, I say perfect, Ancelotti is still out there. I know he is the coach of Brazil. He is the perfect one for Manchester United, you think he will make players feel a million dollars. And he has the experience of winning trophies.”

Scholes’ main doubt

The former midfielder was clear in his view, but Ancelotti is not currently available. He has committed to leading Brazil in their attempt to win another World Cup, and the project could continue beyond the tournament.

For Scholes, the main question is not Ancelotti’s contract but his age, which raises debate about whether he would be the right long term fit for such a demanding club.

Scholes said about Ancelotti joining Manchester United: “But the question is, is he too old now? That’s the only thing. Is there anyone else of that ilk, with more experience? They need presence as a leader.”

Scholes questions Carrick’s experience

Ancelotti’s résumé is what makes him attractive to top clubs, particularly his track record in major competitions. In that sense, Scholes compared him with current manager Carrick.

Scholes said about his former teammate, even with the club in a Champions League spot: “The question is, has Michael got the experience? Can we see Michael winning the Premier League? I don’t know yet.”

Manchester City suffered the worst outcome in the draw by being paired with Real Madrid while Bodo/Glimt was the other option. The schedule will be tight for both clubs, but the Football Association was not kind with the FA Cup programming, which the Spanish manager loudly complained about.

Guardiola said without prompting: “We have Nottingham Forest. After that, three days for the FA Cup in Newcastle at 8 PM. Thanks so much for that time to go battle Real Madrid with less recovery. It’s different if you return to Manchester at 7 or 8 PM than at 1 or 2 AM. Also for Newcastle. It’s not the same one time than the other.”

Manchester City’s calendar

The calendar gets tight for every top club at this time of year. In this case Guardiola appears to have a point, because most other teams play their FA Cup matches at 3 PM local time while City must travel to play at a much later hour.

Manchester City’s next challenge is a Premier League match with Nottingham Forest this Wednesday, followed by a trip to Newcastle for the FA Cup on Saturday, and then the Champions League first leg against Real Madrid in Spain the following Wednesday.

Guardiola added: “I know every team plays at 3 PM, but we play at 8 PM. Those details make the difference. Just like a corner kick, a free kick or a throw-in. We are going to have less recovery and then go to Madrid.”

The fixture before the rematch

Manchester City’s attempt to overtake Arsenal in the Premier League continues with a favorable home match against West Ham after the first leg of the round of 16. That match was moved back a few hours to give them extra rest, which means the second leg will arrive sooner. The club will try to secure a place in the quarterfinals on the following Tuesday.

In the context of the Laureus Awards nominations, which honor individuals and teams in sport, Desailly described what makes Vinicius a victim and called for change.

Desailly said: “I’m happy to see Vinicius play. He can celebrate, he did it the last time he scored. There’s no problem with that part. The problem is the perception of him, we must end this and accept things must change. It’s unacceptable when this happens inside stadiums.”

Desailly on Real Madrid’s problems

It’s not been a normal season for Real Madrid since the start. The hiring of Xabi Alonso raised expectations in the capital that the team has not met. A brief surge under Álvaro Arbeloa has turned into another crisis.

The loss at the Santiago Bernabéu to a modest Getafe angered the fans amid a run of disappointing performances, which the former French international described as more about mentality.

Desailly said: “They are not calm, but they have individuals who can raise the level to help the team collectively reach what is expected of the famous Real Madrid. Meanwhile, they need calm.”

Desailly on the level of the World Cup

Desailly was a key part of the France team that won the World Cup in 1998. Although he saw red in the final against Brazil, he was an indispensable player in defense. His experience provided useful context to assess the tournament’s level.

The Frenchman said: “As to the matches, we’ll see how much the players give of themselves. But generally, the World Cup delivers great games. In Qatar the level was exceptional. This summer there could be even better matches than then.”

Once Real Madrid’s victory over Benfica was confirmed, many voices from the club predicted the English side would be the opponent. In the end, they were right. After the event it was club legend Emilio Butragueño who complained about the pairing.

Guardiola had a different approach to the match. “For our club, the more we play against the best teams of this competition, the better. We’ll learn more, we’ll improve and we’ll be better in the future,” he said.

Guardiola’s description of Real Madrid

Real Madrid have not had the season they expected and even made an early managerial change, appointing Álvaro Arbeloa as interim for Xabi Alonso. That does not change Guardiola’s view.

The Spanish manager has had historic matches against Real Madrid, including epic El Clásico nights. This tie will not be new to him either, since he has faced European giants many times even after leaving his country.

Guardiola was respectful of his rivals even if they are not producing dazzling performances: “Since I was a player and a manager with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, Real Madrid have always had great players. It’s different than our last match because it was Alonso before, now it’s Arbeloa. We’ll see.”

Guardiola isn’t thinking about Real Madrid yet

The most important match of the Champions League could be this one, and everyone is anxious to see who moves on to the final eight. That is not Guardiola’s focus right now.

He laid out the immediate schedule to explain his priorities: “In the middle of the week we have Nottingham Forest, then Newcastle in the FA Cup. We have time to think about Real Madrid.”

In a match against Villarreal that promised to be difficult, Barcelona solved the problem with a 4-1 victory. The standout player of the day was the winger, who scored three goals to keep his team in first place in La Liga.

Yamal showed his emotion after the match. The young player told Movistar that his injury had stopped him from enjoying his football: “People want you at 16 years old to score 100 goals. I wasn’t fine. It was a mix of everything, the groin pain. I wasn’t happy before, it showed. Since last week I have felt better, I smile while I play. I’m happy when I’m playing.”

Yamal on staying longer on the field

A long run of matches awaits Barcelona, with Atletico Madrid already waiting for the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal where Hansi Flick’s side need to overturn a four-goal deficit.

For that tie Barcelona must produce a perfect performance to reach the final. To help with that, it was important to close the victory quickly so Flick could rest some players.

Yamal did not want to leave the field until he completed his hat-trick, as he told journalists after the game: “I told Flick to wait to substitute me out for the goal, the third one. Not the team’s third goal, luckily it was mine.”

Yamal’s emotional gift

Every player who scores a hat-trick receives the match ball from the referee. For players who have many, the gesture may not be very emotional, but for Yamal the ball was special. He gave the gift to his mother, as shown by Fabrizio Romano on social media.

The former midfielder has chosen Víctor Font as his preferred presidential candidate. Even if he previously served as Barcelona manager while Laporta was president, his departure from the club was not smooth.

Xavi had already supported Font in the past, and on Saturday he confirmed his endorsement by signing in favor of him. With many important matters for the first team at this time of year, the March 15 elections are especially relevant to supporters.

Former players supporting Laporta

Xavi remains one of the club’s most influential figures. His name carries weight, so it is understandable that other candidates find it hard to match that support. Two former players closely associated with Laporta’s administration have backed his candidacy.

Deco was the most prominent former player to back Laporta’s return to the presidency, which was unsurprising given his current role as sporting director under this administration.

The other supporter was Bojan Krkic, who signed the petition at Laporta’s headquarters. While his career did not ultimately match the early expectations set during his youth, his backing is likely meaningful for the candidate.

Barcelona’s minimum signs required

Voting has not yet taken place. What these former players did was sign to show their support for their chosen presidential candidate. Barcelona requires each candidate to collect at least 2,337 signatures from supporters to be eligible to stand in the election, and Monday is the deadline to submit them.

Friday determined the Champions League draw for the remainder of the competition, with many important people attending. One of them was Mateu Alemany, an executive from the Madrid club, who spoke about this.

Alemany said: “This is a topic that sparks much journalistic speculation. Antoine has two more years left on his contract with us; he’s focused on the things that are coming for the club. His performance has been great.”

Simeone on Griezmann’s stay with Atletico Madrid

Following the news that Tottenham are the rivals awaiting Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16, Diego Simeone met with journalists to address several topics.

The continuity of Griezmann with Atletico Madrid has been the main topic in the club’s most recent press conferences. This has led the manager to show his exhaustion each time he is asked about the player.

Simeone said after avoiding the subject many times before: “I’m going to repeat it. We are talking with Antoine. We shouldn’t put pressure on or talk too much to him. He knows how important he is for us. We focus on the good things coming. There is no space.”

Griezmann’s deadline to join Orlando

The transfer window is not open in Europe for incoming players. However, the time limit depends on the league the player would join. This creates a problem for Atletico Madrid if Griezmann leaves for Orlando City.

In MLS, March 26 marks the last day teams can sign players. This is where a move looks more complicated, because it would mean leaving the club during the most important stretch of the season. Not moving now does not mean the Frenchman will not leave Spain, only that it may not happen immediately.

Real Madrid had Manchester City and Sporting CP as their potential rivals, with a clear idea of which was the tougher opponent. As many neutral fans expected, they were paired with Pep Guardiola’s side. Butragueño represented the club at the event and delivered a pointed remark after the draw concluded.

Butragueño said he was not surprised in a particular way: “It’s curious that we have been playing against them every season. I think it has been five consecutive years with Manchester City. We know each other very well.”

Butragueño shares prediction for Real Madrid vs. Manchester City

Butragueño was not part of any European Cup winning team, as Real Madrid had struggles being the dominant club outside Spain that they are today. However, he was a cornerstone for more than a decade after coming through the club’s youth system.

The former striker understands what it means to represent Real Madrid. He offered a broad view of how the tie against Manchester City might unfold, noting that both teams usually seek to attack.

He predicted a high-scoring series, as in previous encounters: “Every time we play against them they are matches of attacking soccer, of two teams that want to dominate, normally with many goals. One of the best matches you can see around the world.”

Real Madrid’s injuries

Butragueño trusts his club to overcome the English side in this round. The styles promise a great spectacle, but he believes player form and availability could be decisive. He commented on Real Madrid’s absences for the tie.

The Spanish icon said: “We have injured players that are very important for us. We trust they can be ready for the series because we are going to need everybody considering the exigence of the rivals. We live it with hope.”