La Liga

VINICIUS JR has called on football fans found guilty of racial abuse to be banned for life from stadiums.Vile Atletico Madrid supporters aimed racist chants at the 22-year-old Brazilian before and during last month’s derby with Real.
Vinicius Jr has called for lifetime bans for fans who racially abuse playersCredit: Alamy
Hundreds of vile Atletico fans were seen chanting in Spanish “You are a monkey, Vinicius you are a monkey” outside the Civitas Metropolitano stadium.
Similar chants could be heard inside the ground when the match got underway.
The Prosecutor’s Office of Madrid have subsequently opened an investigation into the matter.
And Real superstar Vinicius is asking for strict punishments for those found to have perpetrated the sickening abuse.
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Speaking to Brazilian TV network Globo, he said: “If you hurt other people, you must pay.
“It’s hard to say that [racism in football] will end with so many people still doing it. But I like to believe that there are more good people than bad.
“All the racist people must pay in some way, if they like to watch soccer, so those Atletico Madrid fans should never be allowed to step foot in a stadium again.
“That will make them suffer the consequences and reflect about their actions.”
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The racist abuse from Atletico supporters came just days after Pedro Bravo, president of the Spanish agents’ association, told Vinicius to “stop playing the monkey” on TV in response to the player’s goal celebration.
Real labelled Bravo’s comments “regrettable and unfortunate comments”, before he later retracted the remark but insisted the intent was in relation to the Brazilian “doing stupid things”.
Many football players came out in support of Vinicius following the incident, including his Brazil team-mates Neymar and Bruno Guimaraes. More

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN proved he’s still got a touch of the sublime in his armoury.That’s by scoring a goal directly from a CORNER.
Antoine Griezmann scored directly from a corner in Atletico’s 2-1 win at BetisCredit: https://twitter.com/PremierSportsTV/status/1584206429388296197
Antoine Griezmann’s corner finds its way into the back of the net! 😱Minutes after Betis have a goal disallowed, Atleti hit the front 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/J7YKhf6Jvl— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) October 23, 2022

Griezmann, 31, netted both of Atletico Madrid’s goals in yesterday’s 2-1 win at Real Betis.
But it was his first strike that left supporters stunned.
With neither side yet to find a breakthrough after 54 minutes, Griezmann stood over a corner for Atleti.
Diego Simeone’s gigantic stars lined up in the box ready to get their heads on the end of Griezmann’s whipped cross.
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However, the French World Cup winner took matters into his own hands by firing his corner straight into the back of Betis’ net.
The incredible goal came just moments after the hosts were denied an opener themselves.
And fans hailed Griezmann as he continued his marvellous comeback with a second goal 15 minutes later.
One said: “You can tell he’s happy to leave Barcelona.”
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Another declared: “He’s ballin’ right now.”
One added: “What an incredible finish.”
Griezmann looks to be loving life again after finally making his Atletico return from Barcelona permanent for £21million.
He has scored five times this season – two more than he managed in the whole of the last campaign.
And boss Simeone is confident Griezmann will only continue getting better.
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He said: “I am very happy for Griezmann as he wants to be here at Atletico.
“We’re seeing the Griezmann who left. Or maybe from the six months before he left, as his last six months were not good.” More

FOOTY fans were left blown away after Xavi Hernandez showed off his sublime first touch on the sideline.The former Barcelona midfielder, 42, is now manager after returning to the Nou Camp last year.
The ball looped high into the airCredit: Twitter @PremierSportsTV
Hurtling from the skies, Xavi saw an opportunity to dust off his skillsCredit: Twitter @PremierSportsTV
The former midfield maestro controlled it beautifullyCredit: Twitter @PremierSportsTV

On the domestic front, things are going well for Xavi after a mega summer of spending, with Barca well in the title hunt.
They are just three points behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid after cruising to a 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao last night.
However, supporters were more impressed by Xavi’s skills as he watched the game from the sides.
A wayward kick from Bilbao’s goalie saw the ball spin wildly into the air.
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It then dropped from a great height straight towards Xavi.
But the former playmaker had no fear about extending his leg and controlling the ball delicately in one swift movement, prompting raucous cheers from the crowd.
Fans at home were left blown away by Xavi’s touch too, with the veteran proving he could likely still hack it on the field.
And some couldn’t believe he did it all while wearing an immaculately-clean pair of white trainers.
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One supporter gushed: “This touch from Xavi though.”
Another beamed: “Class is forever.”
One declared: “So good. Every kid that plays should watch this.”
Another yelled: “Man hasn’t played in years and is wearing some designed shoes. Still has a better touch than half his team.”
One laughed: “Maesto’s still got it.”
Another added: “That was super cool.”
Xavi is undoubtedly one of the greatest players ever, having scored 85 goals in 767 games for Barcelona.
He won eight titles and four Champions Leagues at the Nou Camp.
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And after leaving in 2015, Xavi spent a further four years playing for Al Sadd before becoming the Qatari side’s manager.
Xavi also won 133 caps for Spain, winning two Euros and a World Cup in the process.
Xavi showed he’s still got itCredit: Getty More

REAL MADRID star Federico Valverde scored an incredible long-range goal in his side’s win over Sevilla.The Uruguayan midfielder was outside the box on the right-hand side when he received the ball from Marco Asensio, took one touch and fired into the top corner from distance.

Federico Valverde scored a stunner in the win over SevillaCredit: AFP
Lucas Vazquez was wowed by Federico Valverde’s goalCredit: AFP
Valverde’s right footed strike left Sevilla goalkeeper Bono rooted to the spot as he scored the last goal of the game making it 3-1 to the LaLiga holders.
The win extended Real Madrid’s lead at the top of the table to six points but second place Barcelona have a game in hand.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are undefeated this season and it’s not the first time they have been helped by a Valverde screamer.
The 24-year-old is in fine form scoring seven goals this campaign and he has netted a number of powerful long shots.
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He scored from outside the box in the El Clasico against rivals Barca and a thunderbolt with his weaker foot versus Elche.
The effort yesterday against Sevilla has been dubbed a goal of the season contender by fans but Valverde’s latest strike may only be competing with another by him.
He scored fantastically when Real Mallorca took the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu – Valverde dribbled from his own half before curling in from the just outside the penalty area.
Supporters could not believe that he is continuing to add to his catalogue of special goals – one fan in the stands had his hands on his head in shock.
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Teammates David Alaba laughed in the celebrations meanwhile Eder Militao and Lucas Vazquez reacted like they couldn’t believe what they had just seen – again.
Fans responded online: “Fede Valverde what a season he’s having.”
Another said: “He’s got to be one of the best players in the world right now, fantastic.”
More commented: “Valverde shots giving me Roberto Carlos vibes.” More

THIS is the hilarious moment Gerard Pique performs a “shameless” warm-up on the touchline.And the Barcelona star even has a rest on the corner flag as team-mates are put through their paces!
Gerard Pique warmed up for Barcelona by leaning against a corner flagCredit: Twitter @Reydelfutbol__
Barca fans were not happy with Pique’s actions during their win against VillarrealCredit: Twitter @Reydelfutbol__
Pique, 35, was a second-half sub in Barca’s 3-0 win over Villarreal on Thursday.
Two goals from Robert Lewandowski and a third from Ansu Fati – all within seven minutes of each other – sealed victory for the Catalans after just one win in their previous four games.
But the talking point was instead Pique’s laboured performance as he began to warm-up ahead of his late cameo – despite reportedly earning £19million a YEAR.
As other pals ran up and down the touchline, while also incorporating other exercises to prepare for match action, Pique hilariously watched the match with his hands on his hips.
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The former Manchester United defender then proceeded to put in a half-hearted walk to the corner flag.
And brilliantly, Pique propped himself up against the pole while continuing to keep an eye on the action.
At times, the former partner of pop star Shakira even let his gaze drift over towards the fans in the Nou Camp stands.
Perhaps it was the thought of potentially having to wear his Colombian ex’s name on his shirt that put Pique off his stride.
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But Barcelona fans were far from happy with Pique’s actions, with many questioning why he’s still at the club with his best days long behind him.
And as some in the crowd jeered the veteran, others took to social media to vent their anger.
One blasted: “This is how the best-paid centre-back in the world warms up. After the Champions League mess. Go on, keep applauding Pique.”
Another cried: “Shameless. This really p***ed me off. Is this a professional player?”
One yelped: “What kind of warm-up is this?”
However, another came to Pique’s defence, adding: “These guys disrespect the player and are surprised he has no motivation.”
Aside from four years at Man Utd and a season-long loan at Zaragoza, Pique has been at Barcelona since he was 10 years old.
He’s scored 52 goals in 613 games for the Catalans while winning eight LaLiga titles and three Champions League crowns.
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Pique, who has 102 caps for Spain, is also a Euros and World Cup winner.
But he has played just four times in the league this term, hinting that his life as a Barca star could be coming to an end shortly. More