Football

Real Madrid's legendary midfielder Toni Kroos bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu in his final La Liga appearance for the club on Saturday, as the Spanish champions played out a 0-0 draw against Real Betis.Kroos, 34, announced his retirement from international football after Euro 2024, and his departure from Real Madrid marks the end of an illustrious 10-year spell at the Bernabeu. The German maestro has been an integral part of Real Madrid's success in recent years, winning five Champions League titles, three La Liga crowns, and numerous other trophies."It's not easy, I can only say thanks to Madrid, the club, my team-mates, to the stadium, I've always felt at home here in these 10 years, I can't ask for more, they've been 10 unforgettable years," said an emotional Kroos after the match.The draw against Betis was a fitting end to a triumphant campaign for Real Madrid, who have already secured the La Liga title. Carlo Ancelotti fielded a strong side, but with nothing at stake, the players did not push themselves too hard.Madrid finished the season with only one league defeat and were unbeaten at the Bernabeu. Atletico Madrid, fourth, finished their campaign with a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad, while Athletic Bilbao beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0.Relegated Almeria earned only their third win of the season to move off the bottom of the table, thrashing Cadiz 6-1. Villarreal striker Alexander Sorloth limped off injured in his team's 1-1 draw against Osasuna, leaving the golden boot in the hands of Girona striker Artem Dovbyk, who scored a hat-trick on Friday to move to 24 goals, one ahead of the Norwegian.

Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from all football after the Euro 2024 tournament. The 34-year-old, who won the 2014 World Cup with Germany, made the announcement on Instagram on Tuesday.Kroos has been a key player for Real Madrid since joining the Spanish giants in 2014, forming a formidable midfield partnership with Luka Modric. He has won the Champions League five times with Real, including the upcoming final against Borussia Dortmund on June 1.Before the European Championship, Kroos has a chance to win the Champions League with Real for a fifth time when they face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1. He also won the Champions League with Bayern Munich before joining the Spanish giants.Kroos joined Real in 2014 and quickly formed a formidable midfield partnership with Luka Modric. In a statement on their website, Real said Kroos "will go down in Real Madrid history as one of our club and international football's greatest legends".Kroos has also won the Liga title four times. He announced he was quitting international football in July 2021 but reversed his decision in February after talks with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who persuaded him to play on till the Euro 2024 on home soil."My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level," Kroos said on Instagram. "I am happy and proud that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it on my own."Kroos was one of the key players when Germany won the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and scored twice when they inflicted a 7-1 defeat on the host nation in the semi-finals. But four years later he was unable to prevent Germany from crashing out in the group stage in Russia.

Real Madrid's relentless march towards the Champions League final continued with a resounding 5-0 victory over Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu. Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior were the stars of the show, inspiring Carlo Ancelotti's side to a comprehensive demolition of their Basque visitors.Bellingham opened the scoring with a fortunate goal, directing Toni Kroos' cross towards the far post where Dani Carvajal was running in, but the ball sank directly into the net. The England international then played a pivotal role in Madrid's next three goals, threading a pass through for Eduardo Camavinga to set up Vinicius for a tap-in.Fede Valverde rattled home the third in first-half stoppage time after Bellingham played him in, hammering a strike into the top corner at the near post. Vinicius extended Madrid's lead after Bellingham played him in, lashing home his second of the night with a fine finish.Turkish teenager Arda Guler added a late fifth to put the cherry on Madrid's cake, moving them 17 points clear of second-place Barcelona. The victory was Madrid's 30th consecutive league game unbeaten, a testament to their defensive solidity."We've had just one defeat in the league and I think that a big part of the success is because of (the defence)," Ancelotti said after the match.Despite celebrating their title with an open-top bus parade on Sunday, Madrid remain focused on the Champions League final against Liverpool on May 28. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made a fine double save from Samu Omorodion in the opening minutes, is hoping for a start in the final and boasts three clean sheets in three matches since his return from injury."I knew I'd come back strongly -- I'm the same Courtois, or even better," said the goalkeeper.Alaves, who have enjoyed a strong season and are safely ensconced in mid-table, were dismantled with consummate ease by Madrid. Coach Luis Garcia Plaza lamented, "Every time a small team comes here, it's a torment."

Kylian Mbappé, the prodigious French forward, has been crowned France's Player of the Year for the fifth consecutive time. The prestigious award, presented at the UNFP (French players' union) Trophies gala in Paris, marks the culmination of an extraordinary season for Mbappé, who has scored an astonishing 44 goals in all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain.As Mbappé prepares to bid farewell to PSG at the end of the campaign, the award serves as a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to French football. The 25-year-old captain has been a cornerstone of the national team, leading them to victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.In his acceptance speech, Mbappé expressed his gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the significance of Ligue 1 in his career. "It is a page that is turning, a chapter of my life that is going to close," he said. "Ligue 1 will always have an important place in my life. It is the only league I have known in my career up to now."Mbappé's departure from PSG has been the subject of intense speculation, with Real Madrid widely expected to be his next destination. While he remained tight-lipped about his future plans, he hinted at an exciting chapter ahead. "What is coming next is very exciting but that is something else," he said.Mbappé's final home game for PSG was a bittersweet affair, as the champions suffered a shock 3-1 defeat against Toulouse. However, he managed to score a consolation goal, taking his tally for the season in Ligue 1 to 27, eight goals more than his closest rival.With two more Ligue 1 games and the French Cup final against Lyon still to come, Mbappé's season is far from over. He will be determined to end his PSG career on a high note and cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in French football history.

Kylian Mbappé's tenure at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has come to an end, marked by a tumultuous relationship that culminated in his departure. The French superstar joined PSG in 2017 as a teenage prodigy from Monaco, but his time at the club has been marred by ongoing tensions and a lack of Champions League success.Mbappé's relationship with PSG began to deteriorate after he signed a lucrative contract extension in 2022. The club had promised to sign key players, including a top-class center forward, to accommodate Mbappé's preferred position wide left. However, these promises were not kept, leaving Mbappé frustrated.In June 2023, Mbappé stunned PSG by informing the club that he would not exercise the option for an extra year on his contract. This put PSG in a difficult position, as they faced the prospect of losing their star player for free when his contract expired.Tensions escalated further when Mbappé was left out of PSG's pre-season tour to Japan. The club insisted he would be sold, but Mbappé refused to leave. He eventually returned to the team and scored a penalty in the opening league game.However, relations between Mbappé and PSG coach Luis Enrique became strained. Enrique showed his authority by benching or substituting Mbappé in important games. Mbappé's status as the club's untouchable star was suddenly in question.In mid-February, Mbappé informed PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi of his decision to leave. The club did not comment on the matter, and Mbappé made his departure official on May 10.Mbappé's last match for PSG will be the French Cup final against Lyon on May 25. His departure marks the end of an era for the club, as they have failed to win the Champions League despite investing heavily in star players.

Real Madrid capped off their triumphant La Liga campaign with a resounding 4-0 victory over relegated Granada, setting the stage for their title celebrations in the Spanish capital.Carlo Ancelotti's side, fresh from their midweek triumph over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, fielded a reserve-heavy lineup that proved too strong for the downtrodden Andalusians. Brahim Diaz led the charge with a brace, while Fran Garcia and Arda Guler also found the net for Los Blancos.Despite securing their 36th Spanish title last weekend, Madrid opted to postpone their celebrations to focus on the Bayern clash. However, with the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund looming, Ancelotti emphasized the importance of maintaining squad fitness."The objective is to arrive with the squad all at their best for the day of the final, and we will do it," said Ancelotti.While speculation swirls about the potential arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Ancelotti remained focused on the task at hand. "It's not a topic I'm thinking about at the moment," he added. "We have to celebrate tomorrow with our fans and until June 1 we know exactly what we have to think about."Granada, already relegated before kick-off, gave Real Madrid a guard of honor as the champions demonstrated their unwavering focus. The victory extended Madrid's lead over second-placed Girona to 15 points.Diaz opened the scoring in the 38th minute, followed by Garcia's strike in stoppage time before the break. Guler added to the tally in the second half, and Diaz completed the rout with a neat finish after a team move.Despite the absence of key players like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, Madrid maintained their dominance throughout the match. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois kept a clean sheet in his second game back from injury.The remaining league fixtures will provide Ancelotti with an opportunity to rest and rotate his squad ahead of the Champions League final. They may also offer fans a last glimpse of Luka Modric, whose contract expires in the summer.As Madrid prepares for their title parade on Sunday, Ancelotti hinted at repeating his iconic celebration from their last parade in 2022, complete with a cigar and sunglasses.In contrast to Madrid's joy, Granada players expressed their disappointment. "Thanks to the fans for being with us in this year in which we've done so badly, and sorry," said Granada captain Carlos Neva.

Kylian Mbappé, the French football sensation, has officially announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the conclusion of the current season. The 25-year-old forward made the revelation in a video posted on social media, confirming his decision to end his five-year tenure with the Parisian giants.Mbappé's departure has been the subject of intense speculation for months, with Real Madrid widely considered the frontrunner to secure his services. The Spanish giants have long been admirers of the French international, and his decision to leave PSG has fueled rumors of a potential move to the Santiago Bernabéu.Mbappé's announcement comes as PSG prepare to celebrate their 10th Ligue 1 title in the last 12 seasons. The Parisians have already secured the domestic crown and will receive the trophy after their final home game of the campaign against Toulouse on Sunday.Mbappé's departure will mark the end of an era for PSG, who have relied heavily on his goalscoring prowess since his arrival from Monaco in 2017. The Frenchman has been a key figure in the club's recent successes, helping them win four Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de France trophies, and two Coupe de la Ligue titles.Mbappé's decision to leave PSG is a significant development in the world of football. The French forward is one of the most sought-after players in the game, and his departure from the Parc des Princes will undoubtedly have a major impact on the transfer market.While Mbappé has not yet confirmed his next destination, it is widely believed that he will join Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have been pursuing the Frenchman for several years, and his decision to leave PSG has paved the way for a potential move to the Spanish capital.Mbappé's departure from PSG will be a major loss for the French champions, but it also represents an exciting new chapter in his career. The 25-year-old is one of the most talented players in the world, and his move to Real Madrid could potentially elevate him to even greater heights.

Kylian Mbappe's illustrious seven-year tenure at Paris Saint-Germain is drawing to a close, with the French superstar set to depart the club at the end of the season. Mbappe's final home game for PSG will be against Toulouse on Sunday, a bittersweet occasion following the team's disappointing exit from the Champions League.Despite PSG's dominance in domestic competitions, winning 10 Ligue 1 titles in the past 12 seasons, European glory has eluded them. Mbappe's departure will mark the end of an era for the club, as he has been a key figure in their recent successes.Mbappe's decision to leave PSG was made known to the club in February, but the 25-year-old has remained tight-lipped about his future destination. Real Madrid is widely believed to be his next stop, but no official confirmation has been made.In the meantime, Mbappe and PSG will aim to finish the season on a high note. They have already secured the Ligue 1 title and will receive the trophy after Sunday's game against Toulouse. The French Cup final against Lyon on May 25 remains their last chance for silverware this season.Despite PSG's Champions League disappointment, Mbappe has had a stellar campaign, scoring 43 goals in all competitions. He is on track to finish as Ligue 1's top scorer for the sixth consecutive year, a testament to his exceptional talent.Mbappe's departure will leave a significant void in PSG's attack, but the club will hope to build a new era of success without their star player. The French Cup final will be an opportunity for Mbappe to bid farewell to the PSG faithful and leave a lasting legacy at the club.

Real Madrid's dramatic comeback victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final was a testament to their unwavering spirit and the brilliance of their veteran striker, Joselu.After trailing for much of the match, Real Madrid found themselves on the brink of elimination with just minutes remaining. However, Joselu's twin strikes in the dying moments turned the tide and sent the Santiago Bernabeu into raptures.Joselu's journey to this moment has been a testament to his perseverance and determination. After making his debut for Real Madrid in 2009, he embarked on a nomadic career that took him to several clubs across Europe. Despite his travels, Joselu never lost sight of his dream of making a mark on the biggest stage.On Wednesday night, that dream became a reality. Joselu's first goal came from a fortunate bounce off Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but his second was a clinical finish that showcased his predatory instincts.Real Madrid's victory was also a reminder of their uncanny ability to find a way to win in the Champions League. Despite being outplayed for much of the match, they managed to pull off another miraculous comeback.Joselu's performance was a perfect embodiment of Real Madrid's fighting spirit. The 34-year-old striker never gave up, and his goals ultimately proved to be the difference.