Football

Real Madrid's La Liga campaign got off to a winning start with a 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Kylian Mbappe made his home debut for the Spanish champions but failed to find the net.Madrid struggled to create chances in the first half, but they broke the deadlock after the break through Fede Valverde's deflected free-kick. Substitute Brahim Diaz doubled the lead with a lobbed finish in the 88th minute, and debutant Endrick added a third in stoppage time.Mbappe, who joined Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, had a quiet game. He had a few chances to score, but he was denied by Valladolid goalkeeper Karl Hein.Despite Mbappe's lack of goals, Madrid were comfortable winners. They dominated possession and created several chances. They will be hoping that Mbappe can find his scoring boots soon, but for now, they will be happy with the three points.Valladolid, meanwhile, were unlucky not to get something from the game. They defended well for long periods, but they were eventually undone by Madrid's quality. They will be hoping to bounce back when they host Real Betis next weekend.

Kylian Mbappe's highly anticipated La Liga debut for Real Madrid has raised questions about the team's balance, as the Spanish champions drew 1-1 at Mallorca last weekend. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in terms of defensive stability.Mbappe, who joined Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, is expected to make his first home appearance for the club on Sunday against Real Valladolid. The French superstar is hoping to make a greater impact at Madrid than his predecessor, Ronaldo, who won just one La Liga title and failed to lift the Champions League during his five seasons in the Spanish capital.One of the main challenges for Ancelotti is finding the right balance in his attacking lineup. Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Jude Bellingham have all been deployed in the starting XI, but their preference for playing on the left flank has created some congestion. Additionally, Bellingham's role in midfield has been compromised, as he is forced to drop deeper to accommodate the three forwards."We need to defend better, we need more balance," Ancelotti said after the Mallorca draw. "It's a team problem that they didn't understand was a key aspect in this game."While Real Valladolid may not pose a significant threat on paper, Ancelotti will be eager to see his team improve their performance. Mbappe, who scored against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, will be looking to mark his Bernabeu debut with a goal.However, Madrid's attacking prowess could also prove to be a double-edged sword. Teams may be motivated to rise to the challenge of stopping the "fantastic four," as the attacking quartet has been dubbed."We're going to face the best team in the world, with one of the best coaches in history and the best attack in the world today," said Valladolid coach Paulo Pezzolano. "We know what we're going to face, but we're going there convinced that we're going to compete and bring something back home."

Kylian Mbappé's departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been marred by a financial dispute between the French striker and the club's Qatari owners, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI). Mbappé is claiming unpaid wages amounting to approximately €55 million, prompting him to file a complaint with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).The unpaid wages include three months of salary (April, May, and June), an "ethical bonus" for the same period, and the final installment of a €36 million signing bonus that was due in February. According to French newspaper Le Monde, PSG received an official notice from Mbappé's camp in mid-June.Mbappé's complaint was initially filed with the legal committee of the French Professional Football League (LFP), citing article 259 of France's professional football charter. The matter was subsequently referred to UEFA via the French Football Federation (FFF).The dispute has further strained the relationship between Mbappé and PSG, which ended on a sour note after the striker's seven-year stint at the club. Reports emerged of a verbal altercation between Mbappé and PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi.Mbappé has since joined Real Madrid, where he has made an immediate impact. He won the UEFA Super Cup in his first game and played a role in the team's 1-1 draw against Mallorca in their La Liga opener.The financial dispute between Mbappé and PSG highlights the complexities of player contracts and the potential for disputes when clubs fail to meet their obligations. It also raises questions about the financial management of PSG, which has spent heavily on player acquisitions in recent years.

Kylian Mbappe's highly anticipated Real Madrid debut ended in frustration as the Spanish giants were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Real Mallorca in their La Liga title defense opener.Mbappe, the French superstar, was unable to find the back of the net despite several chances, as Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif stood tall between the posts. Rodrygo Goes had given Madrid an early lead, but Vedat Muriqi's towering header in the second half leveled the score.Madrid's star-studded lineup struggled to break down Mallorca's resolute defense, which came close to snatching a late winner. Los Blancos defender Ferland Mendy was sent off in stoppage time for a reckless challenge on Muriqi."We went ahead, we had chances to score the second, and then in the second half we lacked balance," admitted Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "We conceded counter-attacks, it was not a good game, it was quite a clear game to see that we need to defend better and have better balance on the pitch."Ancelotti fielded the same starting lineup that defeated Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, with Jude Bellingham in midfield behind the attacking trio of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo. However, the team's performance left the Italian coach unimpressed."We have to do better, with more attitude," Ancelotti emphasized. "This game can serve us to learn a lot from, it's a game where it was quite clear where we had a problem. Mallorca had a very good game in a defensive sense, better than us."Mallorca coach Jagoba Arrasate was delighted with his team's performance against the reigning champions. "I'm so tired but it was worth it, it was so important to get a point against a team like Madrid, maybe the best in the world," said Muriqi. "I have to be honest, scoring against Madrid is so beautiful."Madrid's frustration was evident in Mendy's red card, which left them with 10 men in the dying minutes. The draw serves as a wake-up call for Ancelotti's team, who will need to improve their defensive solidity and attacking efficiency if they want to retain their La Liga crown.

Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal shoulders the weight of expectations as Hansi Flick's Barcelona embark on a daunting mission to dethrone the formidable Real Madrid in the upcoming La Liga season. Despite the arrival of Dani Olmo, Barcelona faces an uphill battle against Madrid's star-studded squad, which boasts Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham.Last season's disappointing campaign, which saw Barcelona surrender their La Liga crown, has cast a shadow over the club. However, the emergence of 17-year-old Yamal offers a glimmer of hope. Alongside Pau Cubarsi, Barcelona's financially constrained squad will rely heavily on its young stars to challenge Carlo Ancelotti's Champions League winners.Despite a pre-season victory over Madrid, Barcelona suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat to Monaco in their final friendly. Flick acknowledged the team's shortcomings but expressed confidence in their ability to improve. However, injuries to key midfielders and Ronald Araujo have depleted his ranks.Barcelona's return to their renovated Camp Nou stadium midway through the season could provide a much-needed boost for the demoralized fans. While the club's aspirations remain high, expectations are tempered in Catalonia. The departure of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar has left a void in Barcelona's attacking prowess.Yamal, who made his Barcelona debut at 15, has emerged as a beacon of hope for the club. His impressive performances for Spain's Euro 2024 triumph have drawn comparisons to Messi. With Sergi Roberto's departure, Marc-Andre ter Stegen assumes the captaincy.If Barcelona is to challenge Madrid this season, they must improve their pressing game and find a way to compensate for Robert Lewandowski's advancing age. The injuries to key players will also test Flick's squad depth.

Kylian Mbappe's dream debut for Real Madrid was everything he could have hoped for and more. The French superstar scored a stunning goal, helping his new team secure a comfortable 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup.Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid has been highly anticipated, and he wasted no time in making his mark. After a quiet first half, he exploded into life in the second, receiving a clever pass from Jude Bellingham and unleashing a powerful strike into the top corner.The goal was a testament to Mbappe's exceptional talent and the chemistry he is already developing with his new teammates. It also marked a significant milestone in his career, as he became the latest player to score on his debut for Real Madrid.Mbappe's performance was not the only highlight for Real Madrid. Fede Valverde, who has emerged as a key player under Carlo Ancelotti, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. The victory extended Real Madrid's record as the most successful team in Super Cup history, with six titles to their name.Ancelotti himself made history by becoming the most successful coach in the tournament's history. The Italian has now won three Super Cups with Real Madrid, adding to the two he won with AC Milan.Luka Modric also reached a significant milestone, playing in his record sixth Super Cup. The Croatian midfielder is now the most decorated player in Real Madrid's history, with 27 trophies to his name.Mbappe's debut goal and Real Madrid's Super Cup triumph set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season for the Spanish giants. With Mbappe leading the line, they will be a force to be reckoned with in both domestic and European competitions.

Real Madrid, the reigning UEFA Champions League holders, are poised to dominate the 2024-2025 season across all competitions. The Spanish giants will kick off their campaign with the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw, where they will face Serie A side Atalanta on Thursday.Real Madrid's acquisition of Kylian Mbappe has been the talk of the transfer window, and the French superstar is expected to make his debut in the Super Cup. The club has also strengthened its squad with the signings of Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland, making them the clear favorites for the upcoming season.The UEFA Super Cup is a curtain-raiser for the European season, pitting the Champions League winners against the Europa League winners. Real Madrid will be aiming to clinch their first silverware of the new campaign and extend their record as the most successful club in the competition's history.Last year's Super Cup was won by Manchester City, who defeated Sevilla on penalties. However, the Champions League holders have historically dominated the competition, with 28 wins out of 48 editions.Real Madrid will be making their ninth appearance in the Super Cup, equaling Barcelona's record. The match will be played at the National Stadium in Warsaw, which is the 12th venue to host the event.The Super Cup is a one-off match, with no extra time. If the game is tied after 90 minutes, it goes straight to a penalty shoot-out. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is the most successful coach in the tournament's history, having won it five times.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. has become the latest target of Saudi Arabia's ambitious sports investment strategy. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has reportedly approached the Brazilian forward with a lucrative offer to join the Saudi Pro League (SPL) on a five-year contract.The offer, which arrived before Real Madrid's UEFA Super Cup clash with Atalanta, is said to be worth over one billion euros, including a fixed salary of 200 million euros per season and bonuses. Additionally, Vinicius would become an ambassador for the FIFA World Cup 2034, which Saudi Arabia is bidding to host.According to Reuters, Vinicius is open to considering the offer, which would make him one of the highest-paid players in the world. The 24-year-old has not dismissed the move and has allowed PIF to approach Real Madrid.Vinicius' camp believes that the offer should be carefully considered, despite his contract with Madrid running until 2027. The Saudi league has recently attracted several high-profile players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema.PIF's interest in Vinicius is part of a broader strategy to invest in Saudi Arabia's sports sector. The fund owns 75% of the capital of the country's four premier clubs and has been actively pursuing top talent from around the world.If Vinicius accepts the offer, it would be a major coup for Saudi Arabia and a significant loss for Real Madrid. The Brazilian has been a key player for Los Blancos, helping them win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles in recent seasons.

Kylian Mbappé, the French football sensation, has joined Real Madrid in a record-breaking move that has made him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Despite taking a pay cut to leave Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé's monthly salary at Real Madrid still eclipses the combined earnings of Indian cricket superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.Mbappé's lucrative deal with Los Blancos will see him earn an estimated INR 285 crore in his first year at the Santiago Bernabeu. This translates to a staggering INR 23.7 crore per month, making him the highest-paid player in the Spanish league.In comparison, Kohli and Sharma, two of the most celebrated cricketers in India, are expected to earn around INR 7 crore each per year from the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) annual central contracts. While they are also the faces of their respective teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), their combined IPL salaries still fall short of Mbappé's monthly earnings at Real Madrid.Mbappé's astronomical salary is a testament to his exceptional talent and marketability. The 25-year-old forward has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in the world, winning numerous individual and team accolades. His move to Real Madrid has been highly anticipated by fans and pundits alike, and he is expected to play a key role in the club's quest for more silverware.While Mbappé's salary may seem excessive to some, it reflects the growing financial power of football clubs and the increasing value of top-tier athletes. In recent years, several football players have signed contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, highlighting the lucrative nature of the sport.Mbappé's move to Real Madrid is a significant moment in his career and a testament to his status as one of the most sought-after players in the world. His astronomical salary is a reflection of his exceptional talent and the financial power of football clubs.