Among a host of well-documented problems lurks the granddaddy of them all: a gaping lack of visionary, technically exceptional, creative, physically dominant footballing leadership in the middle of the pitch. The sequential departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, exacerbated by a certain degree of tunnel vision in Madrid's recruitment, has left the squad with loads of youthful promise, endeavor, know-how, height and power.
Regarding the sending off, the Porto bench person who was also sent off called me a traitor 50 times in the tunnel. I'd like him to explain: traitor to what? I was at Porto, I gave my soul to Porto. I went to Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, and Fenerbahce. I turned things around.
That night, the artist donned a Celta Vigo jersey with [former Celta defender Jose Manuel] Espinosa's number 5 on the back. This moment, captured by photographer Víctor de las Heras, became an iconic image in the history of the club and the city. After the performance, the jersey vanished, its whereabouts unknown ever since.
Two consecutive league defeats at a club like Real Madrid, defeat is always difficult to deal with. But right now, the only thing we're thinking about is tomorrow's match. We know the level we need to reach if we want to win. It will depend on our performance, our composure and confidence. The past doesn't exist.
Of course, I speak to [Mbappé] every day. It's under control, every day he's better. I've said it's a process where we'll go day by day according to his feelings. Right now, it's all good news.
Ancelotti is the right person at this moment for Brazil, which, given its history, is always considered amongst the favourites. Maybe not in the top three, but it's a good team, and Carlo is Carlo. I'm confident, I've been lucky enough to play at three World Cups, and I know how exciting it can be.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has told Sky News that footballers who cover their mouths in confrontations with rivals should be sent off on the presumption they are being offensive.
At 18, he was already an unmistakable star. The Brazilian was scoring at an astonishing rate down the road in Eindhoven, a heady mix of swashbuckling stepovers and dazzling dribbles complemented by the coldest of finishes for PSV earning him world-record moves to Barcelona and then Inter before he hit 21.
We are offering the most comprehensive Spanish-language World Cup experience ever produced in the United States. Soccer is better in Spanish. Telemundo announced its production teams will be present at all 104 matches, with live coverage from the stadiums. Telemundo Center, the company's headquarters in Miami, will serve as the main operations center, complemented by teams in the host cities.
