Real Madrid

Real Madrid

I'm still not entirely convinced that a side with Kylian Mbappé, Vini Jr. and Bellingham in it can function consistently well, especially against elite opposition. It goes without saying that all three are top players. But in the season-and-a-half that the trio have been together at Madrid, how often have we seen the team play really well? It's happened in flashes -- in some Champions League games last season, for example, or last October's Clásico.

Real Madrid are once again casting a close eye over the Premier League's emerging talent pool, with reports from Fichajes claiming the Spanish giants are closely monitoring Myles LewisSkelly, one of the most highly rated young prospects currently on Arsenal's books. At just 19 years of age, Lewis-Skelly has already established himself as a special young talent within Arsenal's academy system and first-team environment. His development has not gone unnoticed beyond England, with Real Madrid now tracking his progress.

Real Madrid dramatically stayed within a point of Barcelona at the top of LaLiga after Kylian Mbappe scored in the 10th minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Vinicius Junior's stunning opener was cancelled out by Jorge de Frutos early in the second half and looked likely to drop points at home even after the visitors were reduced to 10 men.

The problem is we aren't consistent in our play, we have to fix that, you can't have one day [playing well] and another not, a champion team does not do that, Mbappe told reporters. We deserve to be in this situation today. Benfica were better. Now we have to play two more playoff games. It hurts to have to play those. We wanted to have the time in February to work on our game.

They were dubbed "The Billion Generation." A group of attacking talent, and three youngsters in particular, who came up through the ranks at Palmeiras in Brazil and were destined for great things. But where? The terminology is important. This group of players -- Endrick, Luis Guilherme and Estêvão -- was not named after the senior titles they were going to win for the São Paulo-based club. It was assumed that they would not linger long enough to bring in much silverware.

Real Madrid could face trial for alleged environmental offences after a Spanish judge ruled there was sufficient evidence that loud concerts held at the club's Bernabeu stadium, which has been dubbed the torture-drome by local residents, could have broken the law. The Residents' Association for those Affected by the Bernabeu (AVPB) began legal action against the football club and the city council in 2024, saying a series of punishingly loud concerts held that spring and summer had made their lives a misery.

Real Madrid will attempt to put the misery of their Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Segunda Division side Albacete to one side and remain in touch with La Liga leaders Barcelona. It was a nightmare start for new Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa as he watched his team go out of the Copa in midweek in his first game since replacing Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid are willing to sell David Alaba in the January transfer window, according to . Alaba is out of contract at Los Blancos at the end of the season, and the Spanish powerhouse are ready to cash in on him now. The report in the Spanish news outlet has reported that Besiktas have 'initiated formal contacts' for Alaba, who has had injury problems throughout his time at Estadio Bernabeu.

Although Klopp is currently working as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, a role he assumed after leaving Liverpool in 2024, those close to him insist he has never lost the itch for elite coaching. Real Madrid remain a dream for Jurgen Klopp Red Bull provides him with strategic responsibility and a multi-club sporting vision, but it lacks the emotional, competitive intensity of day-to-day management, something Klopp has admitted he still feels deeply connected to.