Tag: Real Madrid

The 5 biggest Real Madrid transfer flops since 2010
Features, LaLiga

The 5 biggest Real Madrid transfer flops since 2010

Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world by Champions League titles, incoming revenue, and social media followers. In order to reach that level, you pretty much have to nail most of your big transfers. That has definitely been the case for Real Madrid over the last several windows, as they have brought in no-doubt world-class players like Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, and now Kylian Mbappe for free. However, before that, Real Madrid had more mixed success in the market, and that came back to bite them with a few poor seasons in the Champions League that were very un-Madrid like, such as early exits in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons. Real Madrid had a few ghastly transfer errors as a result of desperate move...
Euro 2024 Takeaways: You already knew about Ollie Watkins, Kylian Mbappe’s hunger, farewell to Cody Gakpo
Features

Euro 2024 Takeaways: You already knew about Ollie Watkins, Kylian Mbappe’s hunger, farewell to Cody Gakpo

Here are the biggest takeaways after the Euro 2024 semifinals in which Spain defeated France 2-1 and England took down the Netherlands 2-1. Ollie Watkins was always this good With a bit of individual brilliance and a perfectly-tucked finish into the far corner, Ollie Watkins wrote his name in the history books by firing England back into a European Championship Final with a 90th-minute winner against the Netherlands. After Jude Bellingham unforgettably played the role of the hero with his late bicycle kick against Slovakia, it was now a more underrated player's turn to prove the Three Lions' proverbial "clutch gene" in the semis. Watkins didn't have the over-the-top Adidas commercial and wasn't hyped up as some sort of a savior or a Ballon d'Or candidate before the Euro 2024 tourna...
Ranking the 10 best center midfielders of the 2010s
Champions League, Features

Ranking the 10 best center midfielders of the 2010s

Throughout the 2010s, Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi was the most heated debate on the lips of world football fans, but as time has passed and the discussions have become more retrospective, much of the discussion has moved towards the midfield. It isn't just Real Madrid and Barcelona fans getting into it about their elite midfields that dominated the 2010s, as Premier League supporters, Serie A fans, and, of course, the Bayern Munich faithful are wondering where their midfield stars stack up. When looking back at the best center midfielders of the 2010s, it is no surprise to see that the teams that dominated the Champions League that decade - Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich - also dominate this list. It's fair to say that this observation is yet another endorsement ...
Ranking the 11 best young center midfielders in world football right now in 2024
Champions League, Features

Ranking the 11 best young center midfielders in world football right now in 2024

It isn't easy for a young player under the age of 23 to make a major impact in the center midfield positions, because it's a position that requires a combination of technical quality, tactical intelligence, defensive grit, energy, work rate, veteran know-how, and all-around footballing quality. Here are 10 young players under the age of 23 who have been standouts for their clubs in midfield. To be considered one of the best young center midfielders in the world, a player must be a 6 or an 8 and cannot only play as a 10. Players who are No. 10 playmakers but have a past history of success as a 6 or 8 are able to qualify for this list, because they have shown a history of success in this role. 11. Johnny Cardoso, Real Betis Johnny Cardoso is the least-known name on this list outside ...
Ranking the 10 best center backs in world football right now in 2024
Champions League, Features

Ranking the 10 best center backs in world football right now in 2024

The center back position is becoming more of a premium position in world football these days with elite European clubs trying to lock down the world's best attacking players. Here are the 10 best center backs in the world right now in 2024. 10. Giorgio Scalvini, Atalanta Atalanta star Giorgio Scalvini gets overlooked because of all the top-class defensive talent in Serie A, and Atalanta tend to get a whole lot less press than, say, Juventus or Inter Milan. Furthermore, it doesn't help that Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori is the young Italian center back soaking up all the media attention and social media fanposts. That's for good reason, but before Euro 2024, Scalvini was seen as THE young center back to watch in Italian football after putting together a second excellent season ...
A Real Madrid starting lineup with Leny Yoro to repeat as Champions League winners
Features, LaLiga

A Real Madrid starting lineup with Leny Yoro to repeat as Champions League winners

Although a transfer is far from official, Real Madrid look increasingly like the favorites to sign coveted Lille center back Leny Yoro ahead of interest from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, and PSG. Real Madrid have beaten top Premier League clubs and PSG to elite French talent before, signing world-class center midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in previous transfers, with Camavinga joining for far less than market value at 30 million euros. The Merengue club are hoping to get a similar deal with Yoro, who, like Camavinga, has thus far been holding out for a transfer to Real Madrid and Real Madrid only. If all goes to plan, Juni Calafat will secure the signing of a player he views as a generational talent for around 40 million euros. And if he does, ...
This is what makes Real Madrid the most successful club in the world
Features, LaLiga

This is what makes Real Madrid the most successful club in the world

While Real Madrid fans often joke about the Champions League being their competition, I think we can all assume that not even Real Madrid‘s number one member thought that winning the Champions League this season would be a serious possibility. While there was a lot of excitement around the signing of Jude Bellingham, the team would begin the season without a starting striker after Karim Benzema’s departure to Saudi Arabia took even the club’s hierarchy by surprise. It was so unexpected that Real Madrid could only sign Joselu on loan from RCD Espanyol, who had been recently relegated. As the league season was about to begin, things would go from bad to worse after both Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militão ruptured their ACLs in the same week. Later in the season, David Alaba also suffere...
Manchester United want to steal away Real Madrid’s new top target after Kylian Mbappe
Features, Premier League

Manchester United want to steal away Real Madrid’s new top target after Kylian Mbappe

Lille’s Leny Yoro is one of the most in-demand young players heading into the summer transfer window. The right-footed center back is reportedly one of Real Madrid’s biggest transfer targets.  Now, reports say Manchester United are also interested in the 18-year-old Frenchman.  Man Utd need a center back One of the worst-kept secrets in football right now is that Manchester United are interested in Everton center back Jarrad Branthwaite. The 21-year-old has been one of the brightest young players in the Premier League this season and has earned a place on England’s provisional Euros squad. The Red Devils have reportedly been tracking Branthwaite since he made his professional debut with Carlisle United four years ago.   However, according to ESPN’s Rob Dawson, the 21-year-old’s ...
Joselu Mato: From Struggles to Champions League Glory
Features, LaLiga

Joselu Mato: From Struggles to Champions League Glory

In the annals of football history, stories of redemption and resurrection are not uncommon. But few tales rival the remarkable transformation of Joselu Mato, a journeyman striker who has gone from the depths of despair to reaching the summit of success. A feat that seemed improbable only a few seasons ago as he struggled to showcase his goal-scoring skills.  It’s remarkable how quickly a player’s perception in football can change. In 2022, Joselu Mato was just another Real Madrid fan cheering in the stands of the Stade de France as the team won its record-extending 14th Champions League title. Now he’ll be taking part in one after leading Real Madrid to the Champions League final with two goals in three minutes. While his career has taken him to various places, his journey began in R...
Ranking the 10 best dribblers in world football right now in 2024
Champions League, Features

Ranking the 10 best dribblers in world football right now in 2024

Few player profiles captivating the world football audience's attention more than fleet-footed dribblers. Whether they are explosive progressors who eat up space before putting defenders on skates or playmakers who subtly weave their magic to carve up an entire defense, those superstars who can create something out of nothing but their own genius and athletic ability are more coveted an anyone. That holds true for managers, too. Pep Guardiola has become infatuated with elite dribblers, and a couple of these recent additions will show up on this list of the best dribblers in world football today. Other managers feel the same, as Carlo Ancelotti, for example, has always had a soft spot for flair dribblers like current superstars Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior. (Spoiler: They will sho...