La Liga

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares73 Views

      in Soccer

      Horror moment Barcelona star finds his TOOTH on the pitch after losing it in battle with Real Betis defender

      by

      BARCELONA star Dani Olmo lost his TOOTH after clashing with Real Betis defender Marc Bartra during a La Liga match on Saturday.The 26-year-old was fouled by Bartra in the 30th minute at Benito Villamarin Stadium.Dani Olmo was fouled by Marc Bartra during Barcelona’s match against Real BetisCredit: AFPThe Spaniard lost his tooth following the collisionCredit: AFPHe eventually found it on the fieldCredit: AFPAfter being tripped by the centre-back, Olmo fell to the ground, accidentally headbutting the back of his ankle on the way down.He lost a tooth as a result and immediately began searching for it on the grass.Luckily, the Spaniard was able to find it relatively quickly.Visibly frustrated, Olmo appeared to briefly complain to the referee before playing on.Read More in FootballThe match ended 2-2 following a dramatic late equaliser from Betis super-sub Assane Diao.Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Barcelona just before half-time with a tap-in from the edge of the six-yard box.Former Tottenham star Giovani Lo Celso then equalised from the penalty spot, but Ferran Torres restored the visitors’ lead with just under 10 minutes left to play.In the final stages of injury time, Diao equalised with a stunning flick into the bottom-left corner.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe result was enough to see Barcelona remain top of the La Liga table with 38 points.Meanwhile, Real Betis are mid-table in 11th.Spectacular Timelapse of the works in the Spotify Camp Nou More

    • 200 Shares137 Views

      in Soccer

      I wanted to quit football to be a FARMER after Barcelona transfer turned into a nightmare

      by

      BARCELONA ace Vitor Roque considered quitting football at the age of 19 and becoming a farmer due to the pressures he encountered at the Nou Camp.Barca signed Roque, 19, from Athletico Paranaense in January for an initial £30million fee but struggled to impress in Catalonia and that led to a loan move to Real Betis.Barcelona ace Vitor Roque considered early retirement due to the pressures at the Nou CampCredit: GettyRoque considered quitting football and moving back to his farm in BrazilCredit: GettyThe striker only managed a mere two goals in 16 appearances with the Blaugrana and played second fiddle to star man Robert Lewandowski.The Brazil international has claimed the fee Barcelona paid, plus his whopping €500m (£414m) release clause, led to some significant pressure and anxiety.So much so, that Roque even considered early retirement to find peace in his farm in Brazil.However, the talented forward found a way to regroup and is impressing at Betis with five goals and one assist in 19 appearances.Read More on FootballRoque told ESPN: “Yes. I thought I want to go to the farm there [in Brazil] and be calm, without anyone worrying me, because sometimes it’s difficult… a lot of pressure. “But it’s just about moving forward, having mental strength, continuing to work with great humility and things turning out well. “Little by little, I am regaining my complete happiness and confidence, too.”I already had a lot of anxiety about making things work out. I think what created the pressure was the price they paid for me, which was a very expensive investment in recent years. Most read in Football”I wasn’t completely ready to resolve the situation or to help the team in the way I wanted, I would have liked to. “I would have to have time to adapt, have time to get used to the players, and the club, and it didn’t turn out the way I liked. Man City manager Pep Guardiola sings song for Barcelona’s 125th birthday”And it serves as a learning experience for the next season.” More

    • 225 Shares87 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal receive huge transfer boost as star man William Saliba pledges future to club amid Real Madrid interest

      by

      WILLIAM SALIBA has handed Arsenal a massive boost by pledging his long-term future to the club.Spanish giants Real Madrid have made the centre-back, 23, their  No 1 summer target.Saliba joined Arsenal in 2019 and has been a regular for three yearsCredit: GettyBut the Frenchman insisted: “I feel at home here.“I signed for the club five years ago but it’s only my third season and I’m enjoying everything — the players, staff and fans.”And, asked at an Arsenal in the Community visit to Islington’s Ashmount Primary School if he  could envisage staying at the  Emirates for a long time, Saliba replied: “Yeah, of course.”Arsenal splashed out £27million to sign the then 18-year-old from Saint-Etienne in July 2019 before loaning him back.READ MORE TOP STORIESTwo more loan spells at Nice and Marseille followed.But the 6ft 3in ace has now made 102 appearances under Mikel Arteta, establishing himself as one of world’s top defenders.The boyhood Arsenal fan signed  a new four-year  deal at the club last summer.But Carlo Ancelotti’s European champions are battling a defensive injury crisis.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd ex-Bernabeu defender Rafael Alkorta, 56, said: “I love Saliba,  I would definitely sign him.”Meanwhile, the Gunners hope to move four points behind Prem leaders Liverpool with victory at Fulham on SundayArsenal dubbed the ‘new STOKE CITY’ live on Amazon Prime by Man Utd legend after corner masterclassSaliba’s backline colleagues Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori face fitness assessments.Fellow defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still out injured.Arsenal will definitely not have to take on frontman Reiss Nelson.Fulham aren’t allowed to field the loanee against his parent club. More

    • 263 Shares122 Views

      in Soccer

      How I uncovered Real Madrid’s sneaky Gareth Bale pursuit when I met him at airport a YEAR before world record transfer

      by

      Who would have thought the foundations of a £86million world record transfer would be laid in a Balkan city with a population less than 100,000 people.Well, that was the case for Gareth Bale in October 2012.A forgettable Wales clash in Croatia put the wheels into motion for Gareth Bale’s move to Real MadridEleven months later, the then-Tottenham star would complete his transfer to Real MadridCredit: APBale joined Los Blancos for an £85m feeCredit: ReutersIn addition to his five Champions League titles he would go on to guide Wales to a Euro 2016 semi-finalCredit: GettyThe then Tottenham star had been playing in a 2014 World Cup qualifier for Wales in the Croatian city of Osijek.Bale and Wales may have lost 2-0 to Igor Stimac’s well-drilled side in Croatia’s fourth largest city but the result came as no surprise.The scoreline simply proved a sideshow to the main event of flying Spurs winger Bale fast becoming the talk of Europe because of his electrifying displays for both club and country.Here he was no different with his lung-bursting runs catching the eye once again in a struggling Welsh team.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd I stumbled upon a great follow-up which turned out to be the start of Bale’s mega money move to the Bernabeu 11 months later.Back then, I was an agency reporter for Westgate in Cardiff, supplying copy for the nationals.As well as filing for several daily and Sunday newspapers, I was asked to provide post-match analysis for radio station TalkSport.I agreed I would go on air while we waited to board – in quite possibly the smallest airport I’ve ever been in – before we flew with Chris Coleman’s men from Osijek immediately back to Cardiff.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSI was on the radio for probably five minutes, finished the call, turned around and noticed everyone else had gone on to the plane.I was literally the last person to leave departures and head across the tarmac to the waiting plane.I tried following Gareth Bale’s diet to see if I could be as good as himI looked up only to see Wales’ talisman Bale a couple of steps in front of me.Tuesday, October 16, 2012, was a time when he didn’t have a bodyguard standing by his side at every moment.To put his status into context at that time, Barcelona had been keen on the pacy wideman in the previous summer following his emergence under Harry Redknapp and Andre Villas-Boas.But now talk was growing of the mighty Real Madrid.After a rocky start, Bale would go on to become a Real Madrid legendCredit: PA:Press AssociationThough he was, at times, happy to lap up Wales fans’ jokes that he was more loyal to the national teamCredit: Sky SportsOnly an hour or so before this, I’d been speaking to Luka Modric about his close pal Bale with my SunSport colleague Martin Blackburn in the mixed zone at the stadium.Modric had played alongside Bale between 2008 and 2012 before he moved from Spurs to Real in his own £30million deal just three months before.Whispers were quickly doing the rounds in the mixed zone that the classy midfielder had handed over a Real shirt to his former team-mate as a souvenir.Or perhaps a sweetener towards a future move!So fast forward back to the airport and I instantly spotted Bale was clutching a white plastic bag in his hand.There was no time to hesitate.”Is that a Real Madrid shirt in there?”, I asked.Bale replied: “Yes”.Before I had time to say anything else, Bale walked to the rear of the plane and I wandered off to the back where the rest of the travelling press pack were allocated their seats.I couldn’t believe my luck. Confirmation of the rumour mill swirling around post-match.As I went to sit down on the flight back to Wales, I said to a few of my peers; “I’ve got an even better follow up story.”We already had in the bag Modric beaming about Bale being on a par with Cristiano Ronaldo.The usual come and join me plea in journalistic terms.I recall as Modric was moving through the mixed zone, I kept asking him questions as he walked so we had more quotes for the story.A tad embarrassing maybe but it got the job done.And it also made staying at the drab and dreadful Hotel Silver for two nights worthwhile.That night, plaudits were ringing from Bale’s ears – even in defeat – as you could see he was a special world-class talent performing in front of your eyes.The defeat all but ended Wales’ hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup but Bale was on the rise – and he took his country along with him thereafter with their Euro 2016 semi-final heroics.Modric was in no doubt that Bale was good enough to play for Real, he wanted him to make the same move to the Spanish capital and how it would be a treat to have the best two wingers in the world.His comments did not go down well with AVB, who ordered the ex-Spurs player to stop meddling in their affairs.AVB claimed Bale was not for sale. Yeah, sure.Talk of the deal continued for months.The summer of 2013 turned into a Bale transfer saga which went to the wire after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy dug his heels.Eventually the Welshman, then 24, was paraded as Real’s £86million signing on September 1, 2013 infront of 80,000 fans at the Bernabeu.Bale may not have ever reached the heights of Ronaldo or Lionel Messi but the five-time Champions League winner was one of the top five players in world football for a decent period.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe remains British football’s greatest export.And we’ll always remember Osijek. More

    • 200 Shares96 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Absolute joke of a player’ – Lamine Yamal returns to Barcelona after injury with ‘filthy’ assist

      by

      FANS hailed Lamine Yamal’s brilliance after the Barcelona wonderkid laid on a sensational assist last night.The winger, 17, has recently suffered with an ankle injury.Lamine Yamal provided a sensational assist with the outside of his left footCredit: GettyYamal, 17, was in brilliant form for BarcaCredit: GettyYamal was absent from two LaLiga matches as well as Barca’s 3-0 Champions League win over Brest as he recovered from the issue, while he was also forced to withdraw from Spain duty last month.He returned on Saturday with a 45 minute cameo in Barcelona’s shock 2-1 home defeat to Las Palmas.But the teenage sensation looked back up to speed as he played the full 90 in his side’s 5-1 demolition of Mallorca.Ferran Torres had given Barca the lead on 12 minutes, profiting from a shambolic defensive mix-up to score.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVedat Muriqi levelled for the home side on the stroke of half-time, but it was all Barcelona from there.Having missed two chances to score himself, Yamal earned a penalty early on in the second-half as he was fouled in the box.Skipper Raphinha stepped up to convert the spot kick, and would soon be celebrating again.Yamal’s cross for Raphinha’s second of the evening was a thing of beauty, the La Masia graduate sumptuously curling a cross perfectly into the Brazilian’s path with the outside of his left boot.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSImmediately after prodding the ball home, the goalscorer pointed back at Yamal in recognition of his fantastic pass.The winger’s amazing assist quickly gained traction online.ITV pundits gush over Yamal and reveal what they did at 16 from working on building sites to drinking cider in a fieldOne fan wrote on X: “That assist from Lamine Yamal is absolutely filthy.”While a second gushed: “Absolutely superb football player.”A third called him an “Absolute joke of a player”.And another added: “That lad is special.”Barca ran up the score late on, with Frenkie de Jong and Pau Victor adding further goals to cap off a 5-1 win.Hansi Flick’s side are four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga, although Carlo Ancelotti’s men possess two games in hand.READ MORE SUN STORIESBarcelona will be back in action this Saturday when they travel to Real Betis.Yamal and Co then face a tricky Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund next Wednesday.Yamal and Co were in rampant form against MallorcaCredit: Reuters More

    • 163 Shares113 Views

      in Soccer

      LaLiga star HEADBUTTS and punches team-mate in bizarre scenes during capitulation against Barcelona

      by

      MALLORCA star Johan Mojica bizarrely headbutted and punched team-mate Manu Morlanes during their LaLiga defeat by Barcelona.Mojica endured a moment of madness after conceding a penalty, before Mallorca would go on to lose 5-1 at home to LaLiga leaders Barca.Johan Mojica lashed out at team-mate Manu Morlanes after Barca went 2-1 upIt came after the aggressor, Mojica, conceded a penalty after fouling Lamine YamalHe also turned to punch Morlanes during his moment of madnessMojica escaped without any punishment but was booked for the penalty incidentIt had been looking up for the hosts when Vedat Muriqi cancelled out Ferran Torres’ opener on the stroke of half-time. But things quickly turned ugly when Mojica felled Lamine Yamal in the area to concede a penalty inside 56 minutes.And the Colombian left-back, who was booked for his clumsy foul on Yamal, was left fuming.Seconds after Raphinha scored the spot-kick, Mojica, 32, saw the red mist and remarkably lashed out at team-mate Morlanes.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe pair exchanged a war of words, before Mojica HEADBUTTED Morlanes in extraordinary scenes.A shocked and frowning Morlanes verbally responded while covering his mouth.But Mojica’s thuggery continued as punched the 25-year-old midfielder on the arm after screaming in his face.Ref Jesus Gil Manzano had his back turned to the incident as Mojica escaped without any form of punishment.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd fans were in a frenzy after the confrontation between the pals who played together at Villarreal.One wrote: “This is unacceptable 😡.”Man City manager Pep Guardiola sings song for Barcelona’s 125th birthdayA second said: “He’s got to apologise. Why he is lashing out like that?”Before another added: “He shouldn’t get away with this. Manager should drop him.”Mojica’s outburst capped a disastrous night for the Colombian, who struggled throughout against Yamal.He made a costly error for Torres’ opener and was regularly beaten by the 17-year-old Golden Boy.Former Leeds star Raphinha scored again in the 74th minute to extend Barca’s lead to 3-1.Ex-Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong and Pau Victor also got on the scoresheet to leave Barca four points clear of Real Madrid.READ MORE SUN STORIESFormer Prem winger Raphinha, who Barca flirted with selling this summer, has now scored 11 goals in 16 league games this season.And it was the SIXTH time that Barca have exceeded five goals in a league game this term.Raphinha is in the form of his life in LaLiga this seasonBarca are now four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga More

    • 213 Shares147 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid ‘ask Man Utd about shock Diogo Dalot transfer’ as they look for Trent Alexander-Arnold alternative

      by

      REAL MADRID are showing significant interest in signing Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot, according to reports.It comes after the LaLiga giants have repeatedly approached Liverpool for Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract expires in the summer.Real Madrid are eyeing a shock move for Diogo DalotThe LaLiga side have approached Liverpool over Trent-Alexander ArnoldBut with Liverpool flying high at the top the Prem and Alexander-Arnold being a local boy – Madrid could give up on the fantasy of luring him away from a new Anfield deal.Instead, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have reportedly eyed Dalot as an alternative to the England right-back.Madrid value Dalot at around £41million, according to Spanish outlet Relevo.And United were even approached by the 15-time Champions League winners about Dalot while Erik ten Hag was still in charge.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe 25-year-old has played 178 games for the Red Devils and was voted the player of the year by his team-mates last season. Dalot’s importance grew during United’s dismal 2023-24 campaign, as he started 35 of 38 Prem games and scored twice.New boss Ruben Amorim is set to assess which players he fancies moving forward, but Dalot is likely to make the cut.But the Portugal international has four years remaining on his United contract, after putting pen-to-paper on a new deal in May 2023.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMeanwhile, Madrid could land Alexander-Arnold for nothing.The Merseyside star is entering the final six months of Liverpool contract after coming through the youth ranks.How Liverpool’s Jude Bellingham plan backfired with Trent Alexander-ArnoldBut Arne Slot will be hoping to convince him to sign a new deal at Anfield – and if the club continue on this upward trajectory, it would be hard to refuse.Alexander-Arnold has won it all with his boyhood club, including their first Premier League title, a Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.In theory, the 26-year-old is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club in January, with his current contract set to expire in June.But Madrid wanted to respect Liverpool, who defeated them 2-0 in Europe last week, by making their intentions clear.Alexander-Arnold, who has provided an astonishing 84 assists and 23 goals from right-back in 326 appearances in a Liverpool shirt, has long been linked with a switch to Madrid.Los Blancos are currently operating without their usual right-back – six-time Champions League winner Dani Carvajal after he ruptured his ACL.Alexander-Arnold is adored by Liverpool fans – he even has his own mural More

    • 263 Shares93 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m former Real Madrid star who ended up working in a warehouse for £330 a month after bankruptcy and depression battle

      by

      FORMER Real Madrid star Predrag Spasic was once destined for glory.But he ended up working in a warehouse for just £330 a month after battling depression and going bankrupt.Former Real Madrid star Predrag Spasic went bankrupt and suffered from depressionCredit: GettyThe Serbian defender ended up working in a warehouse for £330 a monthCredit: GettySpasic, 59, hails from Serbia, formerly Yugoslavia, and was once tipped to be a world-class centre-back.The ace made his name in his homeland with Partizan Belgrade.And in 1990 Real Madrid came calling in an exciting move.But things did not work out for Spasic at the Bernabeu.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe only played 22 games during his single season at Real.And Spasic achieved infamy by scoring a decisive own-goal in their 2-1 Clasico defeat to fierce rivals Barcelona.It still haunts him to this day, with Spasic saying: “One bad game is to blame for everything. My life changed after meeting Barcelona at Camp Nou. “I didn’t want to score an own goal, I swear, and then it was terrible. I remember every moment. The ball hit me, entered the net, I wanted to die. Most read in Football“Camp Nou buried me as a player. I will never forget chanting in that stadium ‘Spasic, Spasic’. It’s just that it came from the Barcelona fans.”He then spent the next three seasons in Spain with Osasuna.Real Madrid fan BURNS Kylian Mbappe shirt and fumes ‘my hopes and support for him is over’Yet his time there finished with the club being relegated in 1994.Spasic ended up playing just 13 more times throughout his career with Atletico Marbella and Radnicki Beograd.He also won 31 international caps for Yugoslavia.Yet his career fizzled out in 1997 at the age of 32.And Spasic ended up going bankrupt after making some bad investments in a business project that collapsed due to the Yugoslav wars.It forced him to take up a job working in a warehouse which paid just £330 each month.I lived in silence, I locked myself awayPredrag SpasicHe said at the time: “I need financial help, I live one day at a time. I am in a difficult situation. You need to be strong to overcome everything.”Spasic soon spiralled into a deep depression.But he is now on the up after being aided by a group for veteran footballers, with Relevo claiming his former club Real also lent a helping hand.Spasic continued: “I fell into depression, some other bad things happened in my life, so I fought with myself for 10 years. “I managed to stabilise and recover from depression with the help of my family, my brother Bojan and the doctor who helped me a lot.”He added: “I’m very happy now. I’m proud. Maybe that was my mistake before. Everything that happened to me affected me a lot and I didn’t talk to anyone.“I lived in silence, I locked myself away. When I returned to my country I suffered from depression. READ MORE SUN STORIES“I had good friends who helped me through difficult times and thanks to psychologists I managed to get out of it. “It was everything: one thing, another, another… everything came together and in the end I exploded.” More