Posts

Real Madrid - 2025

Image
1. Current form & on-pitch performance Real Madrid continue to push in the early part of the 2025-26 campaign under Xabi Alonso, maintaining a perfect start in La Liga despite adversity (for example, going down to ten men and still winning 2-1 vs. Real Sociedad).  However, it’s not all smooth sailing: in a recent goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano (0-0) Real Madrid suffered double injury concerns (Thibaut Courtois and Federico Valverde) which raises questions about squad depth and fitness.  On the discipline/off-field front: the club was fined by UEFA for discriminatory behaviour by fans in a Champions League tie. The fine (≈ €30,000) comes with a warning of possible stadium seat closure if there are repeat offences.  Key players to watch: Kylian Mbappé: continues making major contributions and remains central to Madrid’s attacking identity. Arda Güler: emerging talent who is stepping up in big games; his goal vs. Sociedad was a good sign. Younger fringe...

Which players have the most international minutes in history?

Image
International football splits opinion amongst supporters but it’s undoubtedly still incredibly important to billions across the world. The club vs country argument has raged across the last few decades and realistically, player’s priorities lie with those that ultimately pay their wages. International football, however, remains popular with the World Cup  arguably the biggest tournament in the game, even eclipsing the Champions League . Over five billion viewers tuned in from every continent for the 2022 edition in Qatar and hundreds of millions of supporters will descend on the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer. The amount of international breaks at the start of the season frustrates many supporters, and managers, but some players always turn up for their country, even for friendlies.Which stars have played the most international minutes in history. When it comes to international records, Cristiano Ronaldo reigns supreme. The Portugal international has ...

Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his last.

Image
The 40-year-old, who has scored 953 goals for club and country, also said he would retire from football in "one or two years". Next year's World Cup  , taking place in Canada, Mexico and the United States, would be Ronaldo's sixth.  an interview at the Tourise Summit in Riyadh, when asked whether 2026 would be his last World Cup, Ronaldo said: " Definitely  Yes" . I will be 41 years old and I think [this] will be the moment in the big competition." Ronaldo, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia with, Al Nasser , is the all-time leading men's international goalscorer with 143 - while he continues to pursue a milestone 1,000 career goals. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player said last week he would retire " soon " but confirmed on Tuesday it would likely be in the next couple of years. " Let's be honest, when I mean soon, it's probably one or two years I'll still be at the game,...

Lionel Messi - FC Barcelona

Image
Lionel Messi said he hopes to return to Spotify Camp Nou for the goodbye he "never got" as a player at Barcelona after visiting the revamped stadium for the first time on Sunday. Messi, back in Spain ahead of joining up with Argentina, posted photographs on social media inside Camp Nou just over 24 hours after firing Inter Miami into the next round of the MLS playoffs. "Last night, I returned to a place that I miss with all my heart," he wrote alongside the images on Monday. "It's a place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel like the happiest person in the world a thousand times over. "I hope that one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do..."