La Liga

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid draw up three-man shortlist to replace Carlo Ancelotti as manager including ex-star Xabi Alonso

      by

      REAL MADRID have three managerial targets in mind to replace Carlo Ancelotti, according to reports.Ancelotti is safe in his job after guiding the club to LaLiga and Champions League success last season, but Los Blancos are still planning for the future.
      Xabi Alonso is said to be on Real Madrid’s shortlist to replace Carlo AncelottiCredit: The Mega Agency
      Real legend Raul is also under considerationCredit: Getty
      Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is another managerial targetCredit: Getty
      The Italian, 63, recently pledged his future to the club but a period without a trophy could see Ancelotti under pressure and possibly sacked.
      If that happens Real could make a move for Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann, report Le10sport.
      The 35-year-old has built a big reputation in the game in his short career, reaching the semi-final of the Champions League with RB Leipzig in 2020 to earn a move to Bayern.
      He won Bundesliga with the German giants last season and has won 70 per cent of his matches in charge – he was also named Germany manager of the year in 2017 after finishing fourth with Hoffenheim and qualifying for the Champions League.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Nagelsmann knows what it takes to manage a European giant but the two other names on Real’s shortlist would be even more suited to managing at the Bernabeu – Raul and Xabi Alonso.
      Both played for Real Madrid and won the league and Champions League – Raul, 45, won 10 major trophies and scored 323 goals for the club.
      He is also manager of Real Madrid Castilla and has won 40 per cent of his games in charge.
      Zinedine Zidane also gained experience in charge of Real’s B team before taking over the top gig after 18 months with Castilla.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Former Liverpool star Alonso is also said to be in the frame and has similar experience to Raul having managed Real Socidedad’s B team for three years.
      Alonso, 40, left in the summer following relegation but Real are still interested, while German club Borussia Monchengladbach have thought about appointing him in the past.
      Bayer Leverkusen are also believed to be targeting the Spaniard after missing out on former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal star William Saliba was ‘lined up for Barcelona transfer in summer before club opted for Jules Kounde’

      by

      ARSENAL star William Saliba was lined up by Barcelona for a transfer over the summer. Saliba, 21, has hit the ground running since breaking into the Arsenal first team this season.
      William Saliba has been an integral part of Arsenal’s rise up the tableCredit: Getty
      However, speculation over the summer suggested the Frenchman may be allowed to leave due to Mikel Arteta previously snubbing him for involvement at Arsenal.
      Consequently, rumours suggested he may leave the Emirates in favour of a transfer back to previous loan club Marseille or even Barcelona.
      The latter were looking at Saliba as one option to bolster their defensive ranks, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
      But upon beating Chelsea to Jules Kounde, the Spanish giants cooled their interest in the Arsenal man.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      And as it has turned out, both clubs currently sit top of their respective divisions.
      Barca are level on points with reigning La Liga and Champions League holders Real Madrid, while Arsenal have a one-point gap to Man City after beating North London rivals Tottenham in the derby.
      More recently Saliba has been earmarked to sign a new contract at Arsenal.
      When asked if a contractual agreement could be struck, he said: “Yeah, we will see. They talk a little bit. We will see.”
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Saliba first arrived at Arsenal from Saint Etienne in 2019 for £27million.
      After his arrival he was shipped out on loan on three occasions to allow him to develop, capping it off by becoming the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year last season.
      Cesc Fabregas – who is a co-owner of Serie B side Como – also levelled high praise at Saliba, declaring he could be an Arsenal defender for the next 20 years. More

    • 275 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      I played in the 2002 World Cup, scored in this season’s Europa League and am now hosting my own TV talk show

      by

      WHEN a 21-year-old winger played for Spain at the 2002 World Cup, not many fans would have imagined he would still be scoring in Europe TWO DECADES later.Even fewer would have believed the now 41-year-old hosts his own TV show alongside his football career.
      Joaquin played in the 2002 World Cup for SpainCredit: AFP
      The winger has scored in the Europa League this seasonCredit: AFP
      Joaquin even has his own TV talk showCredit: https://www.instagram.com/joaquinarte/?hl=en
      The man in question is La Liga legend Joaquin, who made his professional debut way back in the 1999-2000 season.
      Two years later he was included in the Spain squad for the World Cup in South Korea.
      Joaquin played in Spain’s final group game of the tournament, a 3-2 win over South Africa, and missed a crucial penalty in the quarter-final shootout defeat to hosts South Korea.
      Fast forward 20 years – and 816 club appearances later – and Joaquin is still delivering on the football pitch.
      Read More World Cup News
      The winger scored a stunning goal in Betis’ 3-2 Europa League win over Ludogorets last month.
      And in doing so the 52-cap Spain international became the oldest scorer in the history of the competition.
      Joaquin’s show is set to air on WednesdayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/joaquinarte/?hl=en
      The 41-year-old made his debut in the 1999-2000 seasonCredit: Getty
      Joaquin has spent the majority of his career with Betis, but he also played over 200 times for Valencia and had spells with Malaga and Fiorentina.
      He extended his contract with Betis for a further year over the summer, and was also snapped up by Spanish TV channel Antena 3.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      The first episode of his brand new series ‘Joaquin, the rookie’ airs this Wednesday.
      The programme is a TV talk show, and will see Joaquin joined by various celebrity guests.
      Speaking on his new venture on to the screen, Joaquin said: “I like television very much. I have a great time and I have fun. 
      “I jumped head first at this proposal because it is a very nice opportunity.”
      His current Betis contract expires at the end of the season, and Joaquin has vowed to continue playing on next year if Manuel Pellegrini’s side qualify for the Champions League.
      He told Diario AS last month: “In principle, the intention is for it to be my last year. But, if we qualify for the Champions League? They won’t be able to get rid of me!”
      Joaquin in action for Spain at the 2002 World CupCredit: Getty
      The winger missed a penalty in the quarter-final shootout defeat to South KoreaCredit: EPA More

    • 238 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona’s unrecognisable XI from last visit to Inter Milan three years ago, with NO players remaining in Xavi’s squad

      by

      BARCELONA travel to Inter Milan in a blockbuster Champions League clash on Tuesday night.The Catalan giants have kicked off their European campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich and a 5-1 win over Viktoria Plzen.
      Griezmann is still contracted to Barcelona but on loan at Atletico MadridCredit: AFP
      How Barcelona lined up the last time they faced Inter Milan at the San Siro
      Rakitic left Barcelona for Sevilla at the end of the 2019/20 campaignCredit: Reuters
      Inter have also lost to Bayern and beaten Plzen, so the clash at the San Siro promises to be a pivotal one when it comes to both sides’ Champions League hopes.
      It is three years since these two European giants faced off, with Barcelona going through a huge squad rejuvenation in that time.
      Despite their financial crisis, players have continued to move in and out of the Nou Camp at a frightening pace.
      And SunSport have identified that ALL 11 players who started away at Inter Milan in December 2019 are no longer at the club.
      READ MORE BARCELONA NEWS
      In goal was Brazilian keeper Neto – who is now plying his trade at Bournemouth.
      The back three consisted of Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo.
      Todibo joined Nice last year, while Umtiti and Lenglet are out on loan at Lecce and Tottenham respectively.
      Left wingback Junior Firpo is now at Leeds, while right wingback Moussa Wague joined Croatian side Gorica in the summer.
      Most read in Champions League
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Ivan Rakitic is now at Sevilla after leaving Barcelona in 2020.
      Arturo Vidal and Carles Alena are also no longer with the Spanish giants following transfers to Flamengo and Getafe.
      Then up front, Barcelona played the pair of Antoine Griezmann and Carles Perez.
      Griezmann has since gone back to Atletico Madrid on loan, while Perez joined Celta Vigo, before being loaned to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
      That Barcelona team did get the job done in 2019 as they beat Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro.
      In fact, Inter have not beaten Barca in any of their previous five meetings – a run which stretches back to the 2009/10 Champions League semi-finals.
      Read More on The Sun
      On that occasion, Inter won the first leg 3-1 before losing the return fixture 1-0 – a result which was enough to see them progress through to the final.
      The Italian giants then went on to beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final and lift the trophy for a third time. More

    • 288 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m a former LaLiga star and Lionel Messi gave me sleepless nights… he’s an alien who left me for dead on the pitch

      by

      LIONEL MESSI is often described as inhuman by football fans left in awe by what he can do with the ball at his feet.But even professional stars who the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner plays against are labelling the ex-Barcelona man as an alien.
      Former La Liga star Guilherme Santos has compared Lionel Messi as an alien
      Santos was helpless to stopping Messi when he faced him in his Barcelona heydayCredit: Getty
      Former LaLiga defender Guilherme Santos, 34, who faced Messi with Almeira in the late 2000s, admitted the now PSG man gave him sleepless nights.
      Santos told ESPN Brazil of his time in Spain: “When I went there, I didn’t sleep. I knew it was possible that I will be ashamed. I believed in my potential. But we have to respect [Messi].
      “The man was an ET [extra terrestrial]. The ball was with him at all times.”
      Santos recalled once pressing Messi and managing to steal the ball from him – something he later regretted.
      READ MORE ON LIONEL MESSI
      He continued: “I always had a lot of strength. When I pressed, I won. I thought ‘This guy is not all that’. Why did I poke the guy? Are you crazy?
      “The last ball, he looked at me. In one he cut me, he cut in, out, in and out. I kept looking back like that. Where’s Mano [Messi]? I got lost.”
      Santos added: “Then, just when I thought he was going to kick, he cut. He did some things at the last minute, you know? And he couldn’t. It was really genius.”
      The defender is now plying his trade in the Brazilian lower leagues, but he isn’t the only person to compare the Argentinian superstar to an alien.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde once said on Messi: “He is extra terrestrial in a way, because every time he takes the ball something extraordinary happens.”
      Over a decade on from Santos’ encounters with Messi, the PSG forward continues to produce out of this world performances.
      The 35-year-old has netted six times and provided eight assists in just 11 games to start the campaign.
      And he made it 12 goals for the season with a stunning free-kick past summer signing Kasper Schmeichel in Saturday’s clash with Nice.
      Messi has started his second season at PSG with a bangCredit: AP More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona set to offload three top earners including Busquets in bid to slash massive £546m wage bill by £150m

      by

      SERGIO BUSQUETS will be among the casualties when Barcelona offload three of their highest earners.It comes as Barcelona move to re-establish financial stability within the club after a summer of turmoil.
      Sergio Busquets is set to leave Barcelona when his contract expiresCredit: Getty
      Gerard Pique, left, Busquets and Jordi Alba, right, are all set to leave the Camp Nou next summerCredit: Rex
      The midfield general is set to be joined on the chopping board by defenders Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique.
      According to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona chiefs want to reduce the clubs wage bill by a further £150million.
      The current bill stands at a whopping £546m, with the target figure between £376m and £402m.
      The trio of Barca captains all have bumper deals at the club, but while Busquets remains an integral figure Alba and Pique have been pushed to the side.
      READ MORE ON BARCELONA
      The trio have over 1,700 appearances between them, and a massive haul of trophies to boot.
      However, with the new direction the club are pressing towards under Xavi’s tutelage, their days are now numbered.
      A summer spend of £145m was partially funded by the restructuring of the clubs debt and the sale of the clubs TV rights going forward.
      This movement of capital allowed the club to raise the funds to bring in a host of new stars, including Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      While the loss of three popular veterans will be a big blow to the club and its fanbase, they could be appeased via the return of Lionel Messi.
      Barcelona’s economic vice-president revealed the Argentine’s return was economically viable, amid speculation surrounding the forwards future.
      SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this week Messi had no concrete offers currently on the table. More

    • 263 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘The leaks make me laugh’ – Suarez confirms Messi did demand VIP box for both their families in Barcelona contract talks

      by

      LUIS SUAREZ has confirmed that Lionel Messi demanded a VIP box in his Barcelona contract. Prior to his 2021 move to Paris Saint-Germain, Messi remained locked in contract negotiations with Barcelona.
      Lionel Messi and his wife alongside Luis Suarez and his wifeCredit: Instagram / @leomessi
      The two became best friends while at BarcelonaCredit: Instagram / @antonelaroccuzzo
      Reports had suggested the Argentine had requested a VIP box for both his own and Suarez’s families at the Camp Nou during the talks in 2020.
      And now Suarez appears to have confirmed these rumours.
      When asked about the demands, he said: “These are normal wishes for any elite player.
      “I had my own box in Atletico, and here in Uruguay too. All the leaks make me laugh.”
      READ MORE ON LIONEL MESSI
      As well as these executive boxes, the 35-year-old wanted a signing-on bonus of £8.7million paired with a three-year deal with an optional extension.
      He also asked for a private jet to be laid on to allow he and his family to fly back to Argentina over Christmas.
      This was on top of the £65m in wages he wanted which would rise by 10 per cent every season – on top of a further annual interest worth three per cent.
      The package as a whole ended up being worth a whopping £492m.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Not that this deterred the Blaugrana, who had accepted all the terms except for the signing-on bonus and a release clause which would be set at just £8,700 – which would have given Messi freewill to terminate his deal whenever he pleased.
      With Barcelona struggling during Messi’s latter years, he was becoming unhappy.
      And then with the club selling Suarez to Atletico Madrid the situation only became worse.
      The irony in the present day becomes apparent however, considering Messi wanted to stay in 2021 but was forced out due to the club being over La Liga wage caps.
      Read More on The Sun
      However, with his contract at the French champions up next summer it remains to be seen where he will end up.
      SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this week that Messi had no concrete offers on the table, with Messi set to decide on his future after the World Cup. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Cash-strapped Barcelona have only paid Man City £2.6MILLION of the £48.4m transfer deal they agreed for Ferran Torres

      by

      BARCELONA have paid Manchester City just £2.6million of the £48.4m fee they agreed for forward Ferran Torres, it has been revealed.The Spaniard, 22, left the Etihad to join the Catalan giants back in January.
      Torres joined Barcelona from Man City back in JanuaryCredit: Reuters
      A deal was struck despite Barcelona’s well-documented financial crisis.
      And they then went on to sign Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso in the summer window.
      Yet the Torres transfer payment is still far from complete.
      According to CCMA, less than £3m of the £48.4m fee has been given to Man City.
      READ MORE BARCELONA NEWS
      And the deal for Torres is just one of several fees which have not yet been paid by Barca.
      They owe Ajax £28m for Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong – who they signed back in 2019.
      Juventus are waiting on more than £31m for Miralem Pjanic’s move to the Nou Camp two years ago.
      And Barca also still need to pay Liverpool £12m for the 2018 signing of Philippe Coutinho.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      However, they are waiting for nearly £9m from Aston Villa after they signed Coutinho permanently earlier this year.
      Torres has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 33 appearances for Barcelona.
      But he has started just two of six LaLiga matches so far this season, with the likes of Lewandowski, Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele preferred to the ex-Man City man. More