Tag: La Liga

Alejandro Balde is feeling the wrath of the Swifties

The Barcelona left back might not be able to shake this one off

Alejandro Balde’s chances of winning the Golden Boy Web award have been severely compromised by his taste in music.

The Barcelona left back is among the top candidates for the award given to the top men’s player under the age of 21 at a European club.

But an offhand comment the 19-year-old made in an interview with Mundo Deportivo looks to have proven costly — at least when it comes to the award decided on a fan vote. Balde, you see, offended fans of Taylor Swift by having the temerity to suggest he wasn’t a fan of her music.

The Swifties, known to be a devoted and very online bunch, struck back with a vengeance.

Within minutes on Tuesday, Balde went from having the lead in the voting to falling way behind Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. As of this moment, Bellingham leads Balde by a nearly two-to-one margin.

It should be noted that the Swifties only have so much power here. The voting is for the Golden Boy Web award, which is strictly decided by a fan vote. The actual Golden Boy award, meanwhile, will be determined by a jury of journalists from around Europe.

Balde can only hope that group of media members doesn’t contain too many Swifties.

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The top 25 highest-paid La Liga players in 2023-24

Looking at the 25 highest-paid La Liga players in 2023-24 by annual salary

The 2023-24 La Liga season is underway, with the league’s most powerful sides looking once again like the heavy favorites to challenge for the title.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have formed something of a duopoly in the Spanish top flight, with Real’s city rivals Atlético Madrid occasionally threatening to make it a three-way battle.

The last time any team outside that trio won the league? That would be Valencia, all the way back in 2003-04.

This dominance is reflected in salary data from La Liga, with the league’s highest-paid players overwhelmingly coming from the big three sides.

In fact, out of the top 25 highest-paid players this season, only one (Athletic Club’s Iñaki Williams) comes from outside of the big three.

Let’s take a look at the 25 highest-paid La Liga players in 2023-24 by annual salary. All data is provided by Capology.

Could Sergino Dest actually be staying at Barcelona?

The club’s financial situation and lack of depth at right back could offer Dest another chance

It’s long been assumed that Sergiño Dest has no future at Barcelona.

Head coach Xavi made it abundantly clear last summer that he had no desire to see the U.S. national team right back continue at Camp Nou.

That was followed by Dest joining AC Milan on loan in a move that ultimately did not work out, to say the least. Dest made just eight league appearances for the Rossoneri, and his last appearance of any kind for the Italian club came in January.

Upon his return to Barcelona, the consensus was that Dest would be quickly sold by the La Liga champions. But a combination of the club’s dire financial situation and its thin depth chart at right back could offer the 22-year-old an unlikely route back into Xavi’s good graces.

Jules Kounde featured at right back for Barcelona last season, but the France international is naturally a center back. Sport reported this week that Barça is looking to sign a right back this summer, with Valladolid’s Iván Fresneda the top candidate. But as with any Barcelona signing these days, actually getting a deal done is somewhat complicated.

Enter Dest, who has returned to the club for preseason training.

Sport said that Xavi is willing to try Dest out in the preseason to see if he can prove his ability to help Barcelona this season. Should the USMNT right back fall short, he’d then be sold.

The report goes on to say that the Barça staff believes if Dest is “100 percent and focused, he can be a player who can contribute to the first team. Nobody has doubted his level, but they have doubts about tactical issues or consistency.”

A report from The Athletic echoed that message, saying that Dest’s “profile is interesting to [Barcelona], as a very fast player who can play on both sides of the defense. They believe that if the player is at 100 percent, his attributes are very useful to snuff out any problems from counter-attacks.”

Dest has been a regular at the Camp Nou before, making 30 league appearances in 2020-21 and 21 the following season. His stock may be down, but he appears to have a somewhat unexpected chance to once again be a key figure for the Spanish giants.

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Barcelona wishes Messi luck in his nice little retirement league

Messi’s former club threw some real shade at MLS after being turned down

Barcelona has thrown some real shade toward MLS in a statement acknowledging Lionel Messi would be joining Inter Miami.

Messi confirmed he will move to the Herons on Wednesday in a landmark deal for MLS and North American soccer on the whole.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport, the 35-year-old admitted that he actually wanted to return to Barcelona, but said the club’s financial uncertainties led him to seek out another destination after leaving PSG.

Barcelona responded to Messi’s decision by releasing a statement that could not fully hide its disdain for the North American top flight.

On Monday, June 5, Jorge Messi, the player’s father and representative, informed Club President Joan Laporta of the player’s decision to join Inter Miami, despite having been presented with a proposal from Barça, in consideration of the desire of both FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi for him to once again wear blaugrana.

President Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years.

Both Joan Laporta and Jorge Messi also agreed to work together to promote a proper tribute from Barça fans to honor a footballer who has been, is, and always will be beloved by Barça.

Sounds like Messi is really going to enjoy his little vacation in south Florida. He may even play a little soccer if he ever gets bored of the beach.

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Eden Hazard’s very depressing Real Madrid career is over

Hazard managed four La Liga goals in four seasons with the club

Eden Hazard’s time at Real Madrid is over.

The La Liga giants announced on Saturday that they have agreed to terminate the Belgian’s contract one season before it was due to expire.

“Real Madrid Football Club and Eden Hazard have reached an agreement whereby the player will leave the club as of 30 June 2023,” read a club statement.

“Eden Hazard has been part of our club for four seasons, during which time he has won 8 titles: 1 European Cup, 1 Club World Cup, 1 European Super Cup, 2 La Liga titles, 1 Copa del Rey and 2 Spanish Super Cups.

“Real Madrid would like to express our affection to Eden Hazard and we wish him and his family the best of luck for the next stage of his career.”

Don’t be fooled by the trophies, though: Hazard’s time at Madrid was a nightmare.

When he joined in a €100 million transfer from Chelsea in 2019, Hazard was one of the best players in the world. But he was unable to come close to recapturing his Premier League form during his time in Spain.

At first, a seemingly never-ending series of injuries severely limited the 32-year-old’s minutes at Madrid but eventually, he simply fell out of favor. This season, Hazard has started just two La Liga games and played a total of 196 league minutes.

Midway through the season, Hazard admitted he wasn’t even on speaking terms with head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Hazard’s final Chelsea season saw him score 16 Premier League goals. In four seasons, he scored a grand total of four La Liga goals.

According to multiple reports, Hazard is mulling over retirement.

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Real Madrid players and fans rally around Vinicius at Santiago Bernabeu

The Brazil star has been at the center of a firestorm after he was racially abused over the weekend

Real Madrid players and fans came together to show their support for Vinícius Jr. in their first match after the Brazil star was racially abused.

On Sunday the Real Madrid forward was subject to a host of racial abuse from fans at Mestalla Stadium during Valencia’s 1-0 win over Madrid.

The incident has ignited a firestorm in Spain. Vinícius, who has been subject to racial abuse on multiple occasions this season, charged that “racism is normal in La Liga,” and added: “The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] Messi today belongs to racists.”

La Liga president Javier Tebas was initially defensive in his response to Vinícius, telling the Real Madrid star “it is necessary that you inform yourself.” Tebas would eventually back down from those comments, issuing an apology on Wednesday.

Vinícius was sidelined with an injury on Wednesday as Madrid hosted Rayo Vallecano in a La Liga match, but he watched on from the stands as his teammates and fans at the Santiago Bernabéu paid tribute.

Madrid players entered the pitch all wearing the Brazilian’s No. 20 jersey, while fans unveiled a large banner that read: “We are all Vinícius. Enough is enough.”

In the 20th minute of the match, fans gave Vinícius a standing ovation, which he acknowledged from the stands.

Here are some of the best images from Wednesday’s game at the Bernabéu.

Musah offers Vinicius support after racist abuse from Valencia fans

The USMNT midfielder condemned the actions of several of his Valencia side’s fans

U.S. national team and Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah has offered his support to Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. after the Brazilian was racially abused by Valencia fans during Sunday’s La Liga match.

Fans at the Mestalla Stadium targeted Vinícius during the game, which was suspended for several minutes after the Madrid winger pointed out Valencia supporters who were abusing him.

It was hardly the first time Vinícius has been racially abused this season, which has featured a number of ugly incidents involving the 22-year-old winger.

After the game the Brazil international highlighed the fact that he’s been targeted repeatedly, and that the Spanish authorities have thus far failed to do anything to stop it.

“It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga,” he said on Twitter. “The competition thinks it’s normal, the [Spanish Football] Federation does too and the opponents encourage it.

“I’m so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] Messi today belongs to racists.”

Musah responds

On Tuesday, the USMNT midfielder issued a message of support for Vinícius on Instagram.

“The incidents that occurred on Sunday, a day which should have been marked by the performance of the team and amazing fans, have been marked by the racist remarks made by the few people, who ultimately ruin it for all. Valencia CF strongly forbids racism,” Musah said.

“My support to @vinijr and all the people who have been and are going through this in their lives. IF YOUR RACIST TO HIM YOU ARE RACIST TO ME!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CslWktxIe4D/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D

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Real Madrid USA tour 2023: Schedule, tickets, stadiums and more

Los Blancos are returning to U.S. soil to play four high-profile preseason games

Real Madrid will embark on a preseason tour of the U.S. in 2023, with four high-profile fixtures on the agenda.

Madrid will take part in the Soccer Champions Tour, which also includes Barcelona, Juventus, AC Milan, Arsenal and Manchester United.

The most high-profile match of the tour will see Madrid face arch-rival Barcelona in a preseason El Clásico at the 105,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

It will be the second consecutive preseason Clásico on U.S. soil, after the teams met in Las Vegas last year.

Here are Real Madrid’s fixtures for its 2023 summer tour of the United States, including how to purchase tickets.

Real Madrid USA tour 2023

Sunday, July 23: Real Madrid vs. AC Milan at The Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, Calif. TICKETS.

Wednesday, July 26: Real Madrid vs. Manchester United at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas. TICKETS.

Saturday, July 29: FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas. TICKETS.

Wednesday, Aug. 2: Juventus vs. Real Madrid at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla. TICKETS.

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Barcelona USA tour 2023: Schedule, tickets, stadiums and more

Barcelona returns to the U.S. for a second straight preseason, including another match versus Real Madrid

Barcelona will once again return to the United States this summer as the club embarks on a four-game preseason tour.

The Blaugrana will focus on the western portion of the country, with two games in California, one in Las Vegas and a much-anticipated El Clásico matchup with Real Madrid in Texas.

This summer’s U.S. tour will be part of the Soccer Champions Tour, which also includes Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Barcelona has toured the U.S. on 13 previous occasions, including 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022. Last summer saw another El Clásico on U.S. soil, which took place in Las Vegas.

Here are Barcelona’s fixtures for its 2023 summer tour of the United States, including how to purchase tickets.

Barcelona USA tour 2023

Saturday, July 22: FC Barcelona vs. Juventus at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. TICKETS.

Wednesday, July 26: Arsenal vs. FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif. TICKETS.

Saturday, July 29: FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas. TICKETS.

Tuesday, Aug. 1: AC Milan vs, FC Barcelona at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev. TICKETS.

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