Tag: La Liga

La Liga president predicts matches in the U.S. by 2025-26 season

Javier Tebas believes U.S. Soccer is set to lose an antitrust lawsuit

La Liga president Javier Tebas has stated his belief that his league will stage official matches in the U.S. as soon as the 2025-26 season.

Tebas appears to believe that FIFA and U.S. Soccer will ultimately lose an ongoing lawsuit that challenges a ban on teams from staging league matches abroad.

“I think it could be in the 2025-26 season, but La Liga will play official matches abroad,” Tebas told Spanish newspaper Expansion.

“An official match in the U.S. will strengthen our position in the North American market, which is the second market for La Liga after Spain.”

Tebas said he expects La Liga will not be the only league to try and hold matches abroad.

“Other very competitive leagues are coming so we cannot always do the same thing, but we cannot allow them to overtake us,” Tebas said.

The La Liga president conducted the interview the same week that the U.S. Supreme Court said it would allow an antitrust lawsuit from soccer promoter Relevent Sports to move forward.

Relevent originally filed the lawsuit in 2019 after U.S. Soccer refused to sanction a regular-season match between Girona and Barcelona that was set to take place in Miami.

Earlier this month, Relevent and FIFA reached an agreement to drop FIFA from the lawsuit, leaving U.S. Soccer as the lone defendant. Though the agreement hasn’t been approved by a judge, it appears to be another step toward FIFA ending its global ban on teams playing official league matches abroad.

“FIFA and Relevent have agreed to resolve this matter as it concerns FIFA, pending FIFA’s consideration of changes to existing FIFA policies with respect to playing official season games outside of a league’s home territory,” FIFA said in a statement. “FIFA has not admitted any liability and continues to deny the legal claims alleged in Relevent’s complaint.”

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Barcelona to request El Clasico replay if ‘ghost goal’ error can be proven

The Blaugrana are feeling aggrieved over a goal that wasn’t in the first half of El Clasico

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said his side will request a replay of Sunday’s Clásico against Real Madrid if an error can be proven on Lamine Yamal’s “ghost goal” in the first half.

Madrid defeated its rival 3-2 in the match at Santiago Bernabéu, as a last-gasp Jude Bellingham goal sealed a win that put the club 11 points clear atop the La Liga table.

An incident in the first half proved controversial, as Yamal’s flick was blocked off the line by Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Though the ball looked like it may have crossed the line, a VAR review determined there was no goal and La Liga does not use goal-line technology.

Laporta released a statement on Monday requesting a full investigation into the game-changing moment.

“There were several debatable incidents in the match, but amongst all of them there is one that is crucial and can change the result of the game,” Laporta said.

“I am referring to the ‘ghost goal’ by Lamine Yamal. As a club, we want to be sure about what happened. It is for that reason we will make an immediate request for a comprehensive collection of footage and audio from the incident.

“If once this documentation has been analyzed, the club understands that an error was made in the revision of the incident, we will take all available measures to reverse the situation, without discounting, obviously, any necessary legal action.

“If it is confirmed that it was a legal goal, we will move ahead and request that the game be replayed, just as has happened in another game in Europe due to a VAR error.”

According to Mundo Deportivo, the other game in Europe that Laporta referenced was a match in Belgium between Anderlecht and Genk in December.

After a review by the league’s disciplinary committee, the game will be played again on May 11 due to a determination that the VAR “applied the rules incorrectly” on a penalty incident.

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Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: How to watch El Clasico, TV channel, live stream

Madrid could essentially lock up a league title with a win at home over its rival

Real Madrid could all but seal a La Liga title with a win over Barcelona in El Clásico on Sunday.

Madrid enters the match in first place, eight points above second-place Barça. Even a draw could be sufficient for Madrid, with both teams only having six matches remaining after this one.

Madrid is coming off a shootout triumph against Man City in the Champions League quarterfinal midweek, while Barcelona suffered a nightmare elimination against PSG.

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These two teams have already met twice this season, with Madrid coming out on top both times.

Jude Bellingham scored a brace in the first league meeting in October, as Madrid won 2-1. Vinicius Jr. would then net a hat trick in Madrid’s 4-1 Spanish Super Cup final win in January.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

  • When: Sunday, April 21
  • Where: Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: ESPN+ (WATCH NOW), ESPN Deportes

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona lineups

Real Madrid predicted XI: Lunin, Carvajal, Nacho, Rüdiger, Mendy, Tchouameni, Kroos, Valverde, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr

Barcelona predicted XI: Ter Stegen, Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo, Gündoğan, Christensen, De Jong, Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha

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Reports: Mexico legend Marquez favorite for Barcelona coaching job

The Mexico legend has been called “the chosen one” in Spanish media

Former Mexico international Rafa Márquez has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Xavi as Barcelona head coach, according to multiple reports.

Xavi announced in January that he will step down at the end of the current campaign, which looks likely to end trophy-less after a stunning Champions League elimination at the hands of PSG on Tuesday.

Márquez is waiting in the wings as the coach of Barcelona’s reserve side Barça Atlètic, which is currently fighting for promotion to the second division. The 45-year-old spent seven seasons as a player with the Blaugrana between 2003 and 2010.

After amassing 148 caps with Mexico and playing in five World Cups, Márquez retired in 2018.

According to various reports, Márquez has become the leading contender for a number of reasons.

Sport, which called Márquez “the chosen one” in its report, said that Barça president Joan Laporta remembers the success Barcelona has experienced in the recent past with two other former reserve team managers, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique (who ironically knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League this year with PSG).

Additionally, the club likes the work Márquez has done with Barcelona’s B team, and also believes his time spent with the club as a player gives him an advantage over other candidates.

Other factors in Márquez’s favor are slightly more practical.

RAC1 journalist Jordi Basté reported that Márquez, who has never served as a senior head coach, would be cheaper than other alternatives and could give Barça more money to spent on players.

ESPN reported that Laporta is only really a fan of two candidates, Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, who are both considered to be unobtainable.

Other names in the mix include Roberto de Zerbi, Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel.

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De la Torre: Red card led to torrent of abuse from angry gamblers

“Football is entertainment for a lot of people and they just want to talk s–t about it online and have a good time”

Luca de la Torre has said his social media was flooded with angry messages from gamblers after a red card earlier this season.

The Celta Vigo midfielder was sent off midway through the second half against Alavés in September. His side was ahead 1-0 at the time of his red card, but the visitors would equalize in a match that would end 1-1.

De la Torre appeared on a recent episode of the Vamos podcast with Herculez Gomez, and detailed how he was on the receiving end of a torrent of abuse in the aftermath of his red card.

“I was sent off this season against Alavés at home,” the U.S. men’s national team midfielder said.

“And it was a game we were winning 1-0 and then we drew, so I think I messed up a lot of people’s bets on the game. And I got a couple hundred direct messages — things like, ‘kill yourself, I hope your mom dies, I hope you break your leg and you never play again.’

“I just turned off my direct messages and now I don’t see that anymore. But that’s not nice that people would lack the empathy for other people to send that type of stuff.”

In addition to turning off his direct messages, the 25-year-old said he copes with the abuse by trying not to take it to heart.

“Remembering that it’s difficult for people probably to have empathy for footballers if they haven’t played professionally like we have,” De la Torre said. “They don’t really understand what it’s like and how difficult it is. Football is entertainment for a lot of people and they just want to talk s–t about it online and have a good time. Just trying not to take things to heart or not seeing things at all I think is the best way.”

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La Liga 2023-24 top scorers: Tracking the Pichichi race

An updated list of the top scorers in La Liga for the 2023-24 season

The race for the Pichichi is on in La Liga.

The trophy given to the league’s top scorer could be wide open this year, after Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski took home the prize last season with 23 goals.

The Poland star is among the favorites this season, but he should have plenty of competition from around the league. The most recent winners before him, Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema, have departed La Liga, leaving an opening for some new blood in the race.

Here is an updated list of the top scorers in La Liga for the 2023-24 season.

All stats updated as of April 7

Camavinga exits France friendly with injury

It doesn’t look good for Camavinga, or for Real Madrid

Eduardo Camavinga exited a France friendly against Chile on Tuesday with an apparent injury.

The Real Madrid midfielder/defender trudged off just before halftime at the Stade Vélodrome with what appeared to be an ankle injury.

Camavinga, having removed his left shoe, slowly walked off under his own power, but was in clear discomfort as he discussed the issue with trainers in the 43rd minute. He would be replaced by Matteo Guendouzi a minute later.

Camavinga’s injury could be a major concern for Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid, who will come out of the international break with some daunting matches on the schedule.

An always-difficult match against Athletic Club is coming up on Saturday, while the club’s Champions League quarterfinal clashes with Manchester City loom on April 9 and 17.

Camavinga has been critical for Real Madrid, appearing in 32 of the club’s 41 matches this season. Ancelotti has relied on the 21-year-old both as a box-to-box presence in the midfield for los Blancos, as well as regularly deploying him at left back.

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Barcelona USA tour 2024: Schedule, tickets, stadiums and more

The Spanish giants will tour the U.S. for a third consecutive summer

For the third summer in a row, Barcelona will tour the United States.

Three high-profile friendlies are on the agenda, as Barcelona will take part in the Soccer Champions Tour for a second straight year. The preseason competition also includes Real Madrid, Chelsea, AC Milan, and Manchester City.

Once again, the marquee event of Barça’s tour will be a preseason El Clásico against Real Madrid, with this year’s edition taking place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

It will be the third consecutive preseason Clásico on U.S. soil, after the teams met in Arlington, Texas last year. Overall, it will be the fourth time Real Madrid and Barcelona have met on U.S. soil

Here are Barcelona’s fixtures for its 2024 summer tour of the United States. Tickets are available now, and more information can be found HERE.

Barcelona USA tour 2024

July 30: Barcelona vs. Manchester City — Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL.

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August 3: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid — MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.

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August 6: Barcelona vs. AC Milan — M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD.

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Real Madrid USA tour 2024: Schedule, tickets, stadiums and more

The Blancos will play three matches in the U.S. this summer

Real Madrid is returning to the United States this summer, with three high-profile friendlies on the agenda.

For a second straight year Madrid will take part in the Soccer Champions Tour, which also includes Barcelona, Chelsea, AC Milan, and Manchester City.

Once again, the marquee event of Madrid’s tour will be a preseason El Clásico against Barcelona, with this year’s edition taking place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

It will be the third consecutive preseason Clásico on U.S. soil, after the teams met in Arlington, Texas last year.

Here are Real Madrid’s fixtures for its 2024 summer tour of the United States. Tickets are available now, and all games can be found HERE.

Real Madrid USA tour 2024

July 31: Real Madrid vs. AC Milan — Soldier Field, Chicago, IL.

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August 3: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona — MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.

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August 6: Real Madrid vs. Chelsea — Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC.

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Kylian Mbappé reportedly picking Real Madrid as his next team stunned soccer fans

Kylian Mbappé is reportedly headed to Real Madrid.

One of the world’s biggest soccer stars has reportedly decided on his next team.

French phenom Kylian Mbappé will reportedly join Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in the sport, after his contract expires with current club Paris Saint-Germain this summer, per French news outlet Le Parisien.

ESPN’s Julien Laurens also reported the news of Mbappé picking Real Madrid as his next club.

Mbappé’s decision will send shockwaves through the professional soccer world, as the France national team’s captain is one of the sport’s truly elite talents.

The news of Mbappé decision also sparked plenty of reactions from soccer fans across the globe, as one of the sport’s shining stars goes to play for the La Liga powerhouse.