La Liga

GARY LINEKER was shocked when he joined Barcelona and found out the team would drink wine pre-match.The former England striker played for the Catalan giants from 1986 to 1989.
Gary Lineker was allowed to drink wine just hours before a big game at BarcelonaCredit: Getty
And when Lineker arrived from Everton, he was left stunned by the Spanish drinking culture.
The 62-year-old revealed that players would sit on tables of four and finish a bottle of wine the night before and again in the afternoon with lunch prior to going out at the Nou Camp.
He told the Rest is Football podcast: “I remember we went down, me and Mark Hughes, and we sat at the table, saying: ‘There’s wine on the table, that’s a bit weird’.
“It was the same routine every match. There was a salad put on the table, one of the players would mix that salad with olive oil, vinegar and salt.
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“Then we would get our pre-match meal and you’d finish off the bottle between the four of you.
“Hughes and myself just thought ‘imagine this at home’.
“But the reasoning for it is that you’d have a glass-and-a-half each, then you’d have a two or three hour siesta because in those days the earliest you’d play would be five o’clock or later.
“We just could not believe it. It can’t still be a thing now, I don’t imagine it is.”
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Alan Shearer then joked: “I’d imagine half of my Newcastle team having a glass of wine with a pre-match meal – there’s no way they are staying at one glass.
“Honestly, half the time they would have been p***ed.”
Micah Richards also chimed in to say he did similar during his spell with Fiorentina.
He was with the Italian side from 2014 to 2015 and revealed that the whole team would go for a glass of wine in the afternoon following a training session, with the players’ Wags even allowed to join them.
And the night before a match he was also allowed to have a sip of booze.
Richards said: “The lifestyle is completely different to what we are used to and it opened up my eyes.
“People all ask me: ‘Why are you always so happy?’ Now I know how to enjoy life to the max.”
The ex-Manchester City defender, 35, said: “I don’t tell lies, if I was on the bench I was having a bottle to myself.”
Gary Lineker played for Barcelona for three seasonsCredit: Getty
Micah Richards spent one season at FiorentinaCredit: Getty More

BARCELONA wonderkid Marc Guiu made his dream come true after scoring just 33 seconds into his debut for the club.The 17-year-old made his family proud as they watched on from the stands.

Marc Guiu’s mother burst into tears after his goalCredit: X @postunited
His father applauded proudly as he beamed from ear to ear
Guiu described his debut goal as ‘unimaginable’Credit: EPA
The striker scored just 33 seconds after coming on against Athletic BilbaoCredit: Getty
His mother burst into tears of joy while his dad triumphantly applauded – both in shock at what they had witnessed.
Guiu was brought on in the 79th minute with Barcelona in search of a winner against Athletic Bilbao.
Moments later, a slick passing move put Guiu through on goal and he showed brilliant composure to find the back of the net.
The goalkeeper rushed out to close down the space available to the youngster, who could have squared to Ferran Torres for a tap-in.
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But he saw his chance to fulfill a dream of scoring on his debut, and with his first touches of the match he brought the ball under control before firing past the keeper.
Barca stars Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong also cheered on from the stands – both had huge smiles on their faces after watching Guiu’s winner in the narrow 1-0 victory.
Guiu’s strike means he is the youngest player to score for Barcelona on his debut in LaLiga this century.
He described his debut as “unimaginable” and was still in shock at what he achieved when interviewed after the match.
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INCREDIBLE!! 🤩It’s a fairytale start to life in LaLiga for 17-year-old Marc Guiu who scores 30 seconds into his Barcelona debut! 🔥He was born in 2006… 👀 pic.twitter.com/1YmZHKTfbT— ITV Football (@itvfootball) October 22, 2023

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Guiu told Esports 3: “I can’t believe it. I’m out of breath, enjoying the moment.
“This is unimaginable. I’ve been working all my life to take advantage of opportunities and it’s come to me.
“Joao Felix controlled the ball, I saw that there was space behind the defence, he gave it to me and I beat Unai Simon.
“It’s an honour to have scored a goal against a goalkeeper of his calibre.” More

MOST football fans and players dream of one day representing Real Madrid. And for Juanfran Moreno even just donning the shirt once was enough to feel like he’d seen his dreams become a reality.
Juanfran Moreno has retired at the age of 35, but is happy to have lived his dream of playing for Real MadridCredit: Getty
Juanfran has recalled playing alongside Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AFP – Getty
The 35-year-old full-back has called an end to his career after spells with Real Betis, Alanyaspor and Getafe.
But it’s his singular La Liga appearance for the Real Madrid first team that he treasures so highly when looking back on his time on the pitch.
The Spaniard played 138 times for Real’s B team, Real Madrid Castilla, before earning a spot alongside Europe’s best players at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking to Marca, Juanfran recalled the “dream” of being called up to train with the first team.
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He said: “I saw that it was an opportunity to enjoy the players that Real Madrid had, Raúl, Guti, Cristiano [Ronaldo], [Karim] Benzema… It was a dream.
“I took it as the opportunity of my life, it was incredible and I stayed training with them until the end of the season.”
But training with players of that quality was a reality check for Juanfran who immediately knew he was out of his depth.
“It makes you dizzy. You know you’re not at that level. For me it was unforgettable, it was like a title.” He explained.
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Juanfran made 138 appearances for Real Madrid CastillaCredit: Getty
The Madrid born defender made his debut for Los Blancos during a 3-2 win over Osasuna in 2010.
And gracing the same pitch as Cristiano Ronaldo was something he won’t forget in a hurry.
The retired pro recalled Ronaldo’s stunning 89th minute winner, he said: “I went in because we needed an offensive change and it was won with a magic jump of Cristiano. I still have a photo there with [Sergio] Ramos and Cristiano. It was unforgettable.”
Juanfran ultimately left Real Madrid in 2013 in favour of regular first team football at Betis.
Some 47 appearances later and he earned himself a move to Watford, but things didn’t work out as he would have hoped.
Despite spending three years with The Hornets, he never played a single game for them.
Instead he was sent back to Spain on loan for three consecutive seasons at Deportivo de La Coruña before making a permanent switch in 2017.
Juanfran was loaned out to Deportivo three seasons in a rowCredit: Getty – Contributor More

SERGIO RAMOS and Antonio Rudiger had a bizarre row during Real Madrid’s draw at Sevilla.That’s after Ramos pulled Rudiger’s cheeks, leaving the German laughing.
Antonio Rudiger and Sergio Ramos had a bizarre clash during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw at SevillaCredit: Getty
Ramos pulled the cheeks of Rudiger in a heated clashCredit: AP
Rudiger laughed in response to Ramos’ behaviour
Real travelled to Sevilla looking extend their lead at the top of LaLiga.
Jude Bellingham seemed to have the visitors off to a flyer with his 11th goal in as many games.
But the strike was controversially ruled out for an apparent foul on Lucas Ocampos in the build-up.
Sevilla ended up taking the lead in the second half through a David Alaba own goal.
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Yet Real came away with a point thanks to a timely equaliser from Dani Carvajal.
The clash also marked Ramos’ first appearance against Real since leaving them for Paris Saint-Germain in July 2021.
But the 37-year-old showed no signs of lying down for his old side as he clashed with fellow centre-back Rudiger, 30.
The German joined Real in 2022, a year after Ramos’ departure, but was effectively the veteran’s replacement.
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The pair later made up after the clashCredit: Getty
Both men were all smiles following the strange incidentCredit: Getty
And Ramos made sure to ruffle Rudiger’s feathers during a strange clash at the end of the first half.
The defenders clashed with each other after an incident involving several players from either side.
And Ramos ended up pulling Rudiger’s cheeks as the situation threatened to escalate.
Luckily for him, the ex-Chelsea star was not fazed and simply issued a loud laugh in response.
The duo then later embraced, with Ramos showing there were no hard feelings about Rudiger taking his spot.
Fans reacted to the incident online, with one saying: “Lovely bromance between Ramos and Rudiger.”
Another declared: “Rudiger is f*****g crazy because I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone laugh in Ramos’ face.”
One noted: “Why is Ramos fighting with Rudiger?”
Spain legend Ramos played 671 games and scored 101 goals during 16 seasons at the Bernabeu.
He won five LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues during a glittering era.
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Ramos is also Spain’s most capped player in history, representing his country 180 times.
He won two Euros and a World Cup with Spain before retiring from international duty in February. More

REAL MADRID forward Vinicius Jr has praised Sevilla for removing a fan that allegedly displayed “xenophobic and racist behaviour” on Saturday.The 23-year-old was among a group of Real Madrid players that endured abuse from rival fans during the LaLiga match.
Vinicius Jr was targetted by Sevilla fans during a LaLiga match on SaturdayCredit: Getty
The Real Madrid star shared an image of a supporter allegedly racially abusing himCredit: Instagram @vinijr
Security at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium took action by removing a fan.
An official statement from Sevilla, which was issued after the match, read: “Sevilla FC condemns all racist and xenophobic behaviour and will work closely with the authorities to ensure that action is taken accordingly. This behaviour does not belong at Sevilla FC.
“The individual will also be subject to the club’s vigorous internal disciplinary protocols and have their membership revoked.”
Despite the club’s efforts to prevent fans abusing the Real Madrid players, a video – which emerged on social media hours after the match – appeared to show a child making discriminatory gestures towards Vinicius.
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The Brazilian winger took to social media to praise Sevilla for attempting to take action, but he also condemned the racism that could be seen in the social media video.
He took to X to write: “Congratulations to Sevilla for their quick positioning and punishment in yet another sad episode for Spanish football.
“Unfortunately, I had access to a video of another racist act in this Saturday’s match, this time carried out by a child.
“I am very sorry that there is no one to educate you. I invest, and I invest a lot, in education in Brazil to form citizens with attitudes different from these.
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“The face of today’s racist is plastered on websites as on many other occasions.
“I hope the Spanish authorities do their part and change the legislation once and for all. These people must be criminally punished too.
“It would be a great first step in preparing for the 2030 World Cup. I’m available to help.
“Sorry to seem repetitive, but this is isolated episode number 19. And counting…”
Vinicius has endured horrific racial abuse from rival fans on several occasions in recent years.
In January, an effigy of the Real Madrid winger was hung from a bridge near the club’s training ground before a Copa del Rey clash with Atletico Madrid.
And on a separate occasion La Liga said that “intolerable racist behaviour was once again observed against Vinicius” in a game against Barcelona.
Despite the abuse he has endured, Vinicius has bravely continued to fight for change. More

JUDE BELLINGHAM scored his 11th goal in as many matches for Real Madrid.But the England star was left devastated after discovering his latest effort did not count.
Jude Bellingham netted his 11th goal in as many games for Real MadridCredit: Twitter / @ViaplaySportsUK
The Real Madrid star was left distraught when he discovered the goal did not countCredit: Getty

Bellingham, 20, completed a £115million to Real from Borussia Dortmund in June.
The midfielder rejected a Premier League move to test himself at the highest level in Spain.
And Bellingham has not looked back since after firing in 10 goals in 10 games for his new club.
The Birmingham City legend lined up in Saturday’s clash against Sevilla looking to make it 11 from 11.
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Bellingham was once against deployed as an attacking midfielder, allowing him to burst into the box from deep.
And Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid tactics worked wonders yet again as Bellingham pounced onto a loose ball outside Sevilla’s area before driving home for 1-0.
Bellingham toasted his 11th goal in as many games in style, waving his arms outstretched to adoring supporters.
But the playmaker was left completely deflated as the referee blew his whistle to rule the goal out due to a foul in the build-up.
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Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos was left in a heap after being tackled by Dani Carvajal down the other end of the pitch.
The ref had gone over to sort the mess out without blowing his whistle, allowing Real to break and Bellingham to score.
The Three Lions hero looked distraught as he realised his latest effort was not going to count.
Things got worse for Bellingham when Real Madrid went behind in the 74th minute through a David Alaba own-goal.
But Carvajal made amends with an equaliser in the 78th minute, with the game ending 1-1. More