Tag: Real Madrid

  • Courtois signs new 5-year contract with Real Madrid

    Courtois signs new 5-year contract with Real Madrid

    Thibaut Courtois has signed a fresh five-year deal with Real Madrid, the Spanish giants confirmed on Monday.

    Real Madrid have allowed experienced defenders Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane leave the club, as they look to ease financial difficulties compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.

    However, the former European champions have decided to secure the long term future of goalkeeper Courtois, who has signed a deal running until June 30, 2026.

    Courtois joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2018, having impressed for Belgium at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia where he won the Golden Glove.

    He has gone on to establish himself as Los Blancos’ number one after what was an initially tricky start to a second stint in La Liga.

    Courtois has previously played for Atletico Madrid on loan from Chelsea.

    The 29-year-old has helped Real Madrid to three trophies, winning La Liga in 2019/2020, that season’s Supercopa de Espana and the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup

  • Sergio Ramos to leave Real Madrid after 16 years

    Sergio Ramos to leave Real Madrid after 16 years

    Ace footballer, Sergio Ramos will leave Real Madrid on Thursday after failing to agree on a new contract with the Spanish giants.

    The Spanish defender, 35, has spent the last 16 years at Real. During that spell, he notched 101 goals in 671 appearances, winning four Champions League and five La Liga titles. 

    However, Ramos and Real have now called time on his period in the Spanish capital. Ramos will leave ahead of his contract expiring at the end of the month.

    The defender who struggled for fitness over the last year, making just 15 appearances for Real in La Liga, also missed out on the Spain squad for Euro 2020, suggesting he has dipped down a level as he has gotten older.

    In a statement, the club said: “Real Madrid CF announces that tomorrow, Thursday, June 17, at 12:30 pm, there will be an institutional act of tribute and farewell to our captain Sergio Ramos, with the presence of our president Florentino Pérez.

    “Next, Sergio Ramos will appear before the media at a telematic press conference.”

  • Zidane Resigns As Real Madrid Manager

    Zidane Resigns As Real Madrid Manager

    Zinedine Zidane has resigned as Real Madrid manager with immediate effect, according to media reports, just days after the club were beaten to the La Liga title by Atletico Madrid.

    The Frenchman’s reported departure comes at the end of a disappointing campaign for the 13-time European champions, who also lost to Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals as they failed to win a trophy for the first time in 11 seasons.

    Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano broke what he called  “exclusive” news in a tweet that was picked up by Spanish sports outlets including Madrid sports dailies Marca and AS, and the radio station Cadena Ser.

    An official announcement of his departure, said Romano, would be made “in the next hours/days”.

    Only 10 days ago Zidane, who has a contract until 2022, denied media speculation that he had already told his players that he would be leaving at the end of the season.

    “How am I going to tell my players that I am going now? It’s a lie,” he said after a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao.

    “I focus on this season. There is a game left and we are going to give everything. I only care what happens in this finale.”

    But, perhaps tellingly, he added: “The rest, we will see at the end of the season.”

    If confirmed, it marks the end of Zidane’s second spell in charge of the Spanish giants.

    The 1998 World Cup winner first took the helm in January 2016 and guided Real to the 2017 La Liga title and an unprecedented hat-trick of Champions League titles before abruptly quitting on May 31, 2018.

    He returned in 2019, winning a second La Liga crown in 2020 and the Spanish Super Cup.

    -AFP

  • Chelsea beats Madrid 2-0 to qualify for UCL final

    Chelsea beats Madrid 2-0 to qualify for UCL final

    Chelsea are into their third Champions League final after beating Real Madrid 2-0 on Wednesday night.

    Chelsea will now play in their third Champions League final, in Istanbul on Saturday May 29.

    They have set up just the third all-English Champions League final as Manchester City look to complete a Treble.

    Mason Mount delivered the second goal that sealed the team’s victory 85 minutes into the match.

    Timo Werner had headed in from close range to give Chelsea the initial 1-0 lead at the 28th minute.

  • UCL Quarter final draw: Real Madrid vs Liverpool,  Bayern Munich Vs PSG

    UCL Quarter final draw: Real Madrid vs Liverpool, Bayern Munich Vs PSG

    The draw for the UEFA Champions League Quarter final has been revealed. 

    Holders Bayern Munich will face last year’s beaten finalists Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League, while Friday’s draw for the last eight also threw up a clash between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

    The draw also pitted Premier League leaders Manchester City against Borussia Dortmund, with Chelsea set to play Porto in the other tie.

    Bayern defeated PSG 1-0 behind closed doors in Lisbon last August to win their sixth European Cup and remain the team to beat in Europe, having won 18 and drawn one of their 19 games in the Champions League since the beginning of last season.

    The first leg is set to be played in Germany on April 6 or 7, with the return in Paris a week later.

    Meanwhile, the meeting of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Real is another re-run of a recent final, with the Spaniards beating the Reds 3-1 in Kiev in 2018 to win the last of their record 13 titles to date.

  • ‘Liverpool a better option for Wijnaldum than Barcelona & Real Madrid’ – Crouch

    ‘Liverpool a better option for Wijnaldum than Barcelona & Real Madrid’ – Crouch

    Peter Crouch concedes that Barcelona and Real Madrid can be seen as “the Holy Grail” for some players, but the former Liverpool striker believes remaining at Anfield would be “a better option” for Georginio Wijnaldum.

    Speculation regarding a possible switch to Spain continues to rage around Netherlands international midfielder Wijnaldum.

    Ronald Koeman has made no secret of the fact that he would like to be reunited with his fellow countryman at Camp Nou.

    Barca started to sound out a raid for Wijnaldum over the summer, as he prepared to enter the final year of his contract at Liverpool, and those terms continue to run down, with no extension agreed as yet.

    That is keeping the rumour mill ticking over, with the talented 30-year-old remaining coy on his future plans.

    Crouch believes Wijnaldum should be committing to fresh terms with the reigning Premier League champions, with the grass on Merseyside considered to be greener than that in Catalunya or Madrid.

    The ex-Reds frontman told Amazon Prime Sport: “You look at Barcelona and Real Madrid and they’re the Holy Grail for some teams but sometimes it doesn’t work out. Liverpool are a better option than them.”

    Wijnaldum further underlined his value to Liverpool on Sunday when finding the target in a 4-0 victory over Wolves.

    Jurgen Klopp is aware of how important the Dutchman is to his plans, with the Liverpool manager saying of contract talks: “I hope [that he signs], to be honest.

    “You can see that, he plays all the time. We have a pretty good relationship. I hope so.”

    While the likes of Crouch and Klopp are urging Wijnaldum to put pen to paper, the man himself is giving little away when it comes to his intentions.

    He said when quizzed again on deal discussions with Liverpool: “I already said it in my previous interviews, I don’t speak about my contract situation.

    “I speak about the games. The club should speak about my contract.”

    Wijnaldum has been with Liverpool since 2016, taking in 204 appearances for the Reds as they have savoured Champions League, Club World Cup and Premier League title triumphs.

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  • Barcelona and Real Madrid’s rivalry has dropped in quality – Rummenigge

    Barcelona and Real Madrid’s rivalry has dropped in quality – Rummenigge

    Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says his side’s Klassiker fixtures against Borussia Dortmund are of a higher quality than the Clasico games between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

    Bayern have won four of their last five games against Dortmund, with the teams sharing 17 goals between them in those fixtures.

    The last five Clasico games, by comparison, have produced only 10 goals – but, with two wins and a draw apiece, the Spanish giants’ rivalry has been more evenly matched.

    READ ALSO: Ramos to miss Sevilla trip as he continues recovery from hamstring injury

    “It’s become a Klassiker,” Rummenigge told Bundesliga.com of the fixture. “We all looked a bit jealously at Spain when Real and Barca were playing each other in the Spanish Clasico, but I think now Dortmund-Bayern is a Klassiker in itself.

    “I think we saw that recently when we played, a great game by the way, 3-2, it could have been 5-4 looking at all the chances.

    “It was just a great game, and the day after I think it was Real vs Barca, and it wasn’t comparable in terms of the quality. So you can say the Bundesliga version is just a level above at the moment.”

    Both Bayern and Dortmund have been widely praised for their work in the transfer window over recent years, though both take different approaches to squad-building.

    Bayern’s dominance in 2019-20 – once Hansi Flick took over from Niko Kovac – seemed difficult to beat but, with the marquee signing of Leroy Sane from Manchester City, they looked to strengthen even further.

    “In these times, when finances are tighter too, we had a good transfer window, I think,” Rummenigge said.

    “Without doubt, we lost an important player in Thiago, but it was his wish and, among friends, you have to be able to give them the chance to say goodbye, and you should do that. I think we handled that well from our side.

    “We signed a very important player in Leroy Sane, but then the coach also wanted to make up for the loss of loan players [Philippe] Coutinho and [Ivan] Perisic, and at the end of the day we decided that in [Douglas] Costa and Leroy, we’d signed two wide players that bring that level of quality that we need.

    “Our style of play is obviously very focused on the wide players, the left and right wingers, and that’s an important element for us: they have to be quick, they have to be able to dribble, they have to create goals or goal-scoring chances, or score themselves.

    “We’ve done a bit there, and I think overall we’ve got a good squad. The players we’ve brought in, I think the squad is absolutely ready to challenge and that was our aim.”

  • ‘Sacking Zidane would be very hasty by Real Madrid’ – Sanchez

    ‘Sacking Zidane would be very hasty by Real Madrid’ – Sanchez

    Sacking Zinedine Zidane would be a “very hasty” decision by Real Madrid, says Hugo Sanchez, with the Blancos urged to stick with their current coach despite recent struggles for form.

    The reigning La Liga champions have found the going tough in 2020-21 at home and abroad.

    Inconsistency proved to be an issue at times last season, only for a remarkable post-lockdown run to deliver another domestic crown.

    Defending that prize is not going to be easy, with Zidane’s side dropping 13 points through 10 games.

    Struggles are also being endured on a European stage, with Madrid in danger of missing out on a place in the last-16 of the Champions League.

    A 2-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk last time out has the Blancos sat third in Group B with one game left to take in – against table-topping Borussia Monchengladbach.

    Real’s fate remains in their own hands there, while time is on their side in La Liga, but questions are being asked of Zidane’s ongoing presence and his ability to build on successes of the recent past.

    He has vowed not to walk away from Santiago Bernabeu, with there a desire on his part to put things right, and Sanchez believes faith should be shown in an iconic Frenchman.

    The legendary former Blancos striker told ESPN when quizzed on whether Zidane should be sacked: “No, I don’t think so yet; it would be very hasty right now.

    “You have to wait until after the remaining [Champions League group] game, which is complicated by being dependent on others. 

    “There will be a certain pressure, nervousness and obviously waiting for the result against Borussia Monchengladbach, too.”

    While calling for patience from Real, Mexican legend Sanchez – who hit 208 goals in 283 appearances for the Blancos in his playing days – concedes that standards are slipping in the Spanish capital.

    He added: “There have been serious criticisms of Zidane.

    “He is bearing it stoically, but I note his nervousness because his players aren’t rising to the expectations placed upon Real Madrid players.”

    Real will be back in domestic action against Sevilla on Saturday, before then taking in a crucial home date with Monchengladbach on December 9 which will determine their continental fate.

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  • Zidane backs Lucas Vazquez for new Real Madrid contract

    Zidane backs Lucas Vazquez for new Real Madrid contract

    Zinedine Zidane says Lucas Vazquez “has Real Madrid in his heart” and deserves to be offered a new contract by the club.

    The Spain international has started seven games for Madrid this season but is due to be out of contract at the end of the campaign.

    He played the full 90 minutes of Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Inter in the Champions League and impressed with his direct attacking display.

    As well as setting up substitute Rodrygo for his side’s second goal, which deflected off Achraf Hakimi, adding to Eden Hazard’s early penalty, Vazquez also had more shots (four) than any player on the field.

    Vazquez has showed his versatility by also featuring at right-back at times and Zidane wants the 29-year-old academy product to be rewarded with fresh terms.

    “He always gives everything for us. I have always valued him and what he gives to us on the pitch,” Zidane told Movistar+.

    “Now he is having the opportunity to show us what he is all about. He was a youth player for us and has Madrid in his heart. I’m happy for him and the team.

    “He is an important player and the club knows it. I think it will happen that he will renew.”

    Hazard’s seventh-minute penalty was his first Champions League goal since November 2017 on his fourth start of another disrupted campaign.

    He got 78 minutes under his belt, having also started the 1-1 draw with Villarreal last weekend, and Zidane hopes the Belgium forward can soon find his rhythm.

    “I’m happy because he’s playing. He needs to play and get his football back,” Zidane said. “For the good of the team, let him keep growing, because we need him.”

    Madrid’s two goals came either side of Arturo Vidal being issued quick-fire yellow cards for dissent 33 minutes into the game after being denied a penalty.

    The victory for Zidane’s men was their first ever away at Inter in European competition and put them a point behind Group B leaders Borussia Monchengladbach, with Shakhtar Donetsk and Inter three and five points worse off than Madrid respectively.

    “We played a great game from the beginning to the end,” Zidane said. “We played serious and with character. They were three very important points and we got the best of us.

    “I’m happy with the players. When they have to turn it on, they turn it on.”

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  • ‘Ramos is writing his name into Real Madrid’s history books’ – Casemiro

    ‘Ramos is writing his name into Real Madrid’s history books’ – Casemiro

    Sergio Ramos is “writing his name in the history books” at Real Madrid, says Casemiro, with those working alongside an iconic defender delighted to have him on their team.

    A World Cup winner moved to Santiago Bernabeu from Sevilla back in 2005.

    Since then he has taken in 660 appearances for the Blancos, hitting 100 goals, and has played a leading role in five La Liga title wins and four Champions League triumphs.

    Many of his outings for Real have come as captain, with records tumbling around him as Ramos has also taken his collection of Spain caps to 178.

    It has been suggested that the clock is ticking on a legendary spell in the Spanish capital, with a contract running down towards free agency in 2021, but Casemiro is among those looking to make the most of every opportunity to learn from a modern-day great.

    The Brazilian midfielder told reporters of Ramos ahead of a European clash with Inter on Wednesday that the Blancos’ skipper will sit out through injury: “Sergio is a leader in the dressing room and on the field. It’s a pleasure to have shared all these years with him. What he’s doing now is writing his name in the club’s history books.

    “He’s a player who never gives up. He always wants to fight and he always wants to win. He pushes the team forward, and he’s a leader and a role model for us.”

    While Ramos is the undoubted on-field leader for Real, Casemiro is among the others filling vital roles.

    He said of the importance now placed on a holding midfield post: “I always say that a footballer, whatever his age, is going to learn something new every day, even if it’s small details.

    “The role of the defensive midfielder was quite common in the past, especially in Brazil.

    “We had a lot of players, like Mauro Silva, Gilberto Silva and Dunga, who felt comfortable playing that number five role, as we say in Brazil. That ceased to exist, but now it’s returning because formations themselves have changed.

    “Today we’ve returned to the old formation where the full-backs are coming up high and then backing away, and the defensive midfielder plays a vital role in this. He provides balance and must keep an eye on the other players and fill any gaps they leave.

    “The defensive midfielder is the centre of everything in the midfield and is essential for any team.”

    Casemiro will be looking to prove that point when Real take in a trip to San Siro, with Zinedine Zidane’s side having already claimed a dramatic 3-2 win over Inter in this season’s Champions League.

    “We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game but mentally we were very strong and focused on victory. And then Rodrygo confirmed it with a goal,” Casemiro said of an eventful game at the Bernabeu on November 3.

    “The mental work and concentration that we maintained throughout the whole match were very important. We’re aware that there is still a long way to go, but that victory was very important.”