City Madrid, county Real Financial News

Competition is hardwired in all competitive sports. But a competition can be rendered mediocre if the outcome is a 'foregone conclusion'. Which is why this season, international football has been so rich. Take English Premier League that's going into its last leg with Arsenal and Manchester City neck to neck in the title race. Across the channel, Champions League has also thrown up the finest to reach the final, but without the 'same old, same old' algorithm at play. This time, CL 'giants' Real Madrid are pitched against 'giant killer' Borussia Dortmund. In EPL, two top sides are duelling it out to the end. This is unlike last year's 'monopoly' when City claimed the crown, with Arsenal No. 2 by a distance. It was only in the latter stages of this year's tournament that Liverpool fell out of contention, and marquee sides like Man Utd and Chelsea made to languish behind the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle. This is what makes EPL the most exciting football league in the world. Borussia Dortmund ploughing through the CL final on June 1, after beating fellow German giants Bayern Munich and others deemed 'Europe's best', has also catalysed the tournament. The irony isn't lost that in Germany's domestic league, Dortmund languishes at No. 5, with relatively unheralded Bayer Leverkusen having already won their first Bundesliga title, significantly ahead of 32-times winner Bayern. This, too, is good for the league.

Bayern Munich had subjected the Spanish champions to the sort of experience Real Madrid have done to so many. They dug in, they frustrated, they scored a crucial goal out of nothing amid favourable refereeing decisions. Real Madrid then threw it all in, including a supposed stand-in.

Berlin: Six-time Champions League winners Bayern Munich head into Wednesday's second semi-final at Real Madrid ever more reliant on striker Harry Kane amid swirling off-field crises entirely of their own making.

Sixth Street, the investment firm that owns a 20% stake in the San Antonio Spurs, is planning to raise its first fund dedicated to the sports ecosystem, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Jude Bellingham snatched Real Madrid a dramatic 3-2 Clasico win over champions Barcelona on Sunday with a «fundamental» goal to take them 11 points clear at the top of La Liga. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed the England midfielder's decisive intervention to take Los Blancos to the brink of the Spanish title. Madrid twice came from behind with Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vazquez netting to level Andreas Christensen and Fermin Lopez strikes, before Bellingham rammed home the winner in stoppage time.

Real Madrid will take on arch-rivals Barcelona as top two teams of Spanish La Liga are set to square off in the ongoing season's final El Clasico. While Madrid are at the top with 78 points off 31 games, Barcelona have 70 points off 31 matches.

Xavi Hernandez said winning Sunday's «El Clasico» in the Spanish capital is the only way his side can hold off Real Madrid's run to the LaLiga title — the only remaining major silverware Barca could win this season. Real, brimming with confidence after their statement Champions League win at Manchester City midweek, sit comfortably on top of LaLiga on 78 points, ahead of Barca on 70 and Girona on 65. A win on Sunday would give Real an 11-point lead with only six games left. «On Sunday we are playing for the league title. We have to win,» Xavi told a press conference on Saturday.

Antonio Rudiger stared down the goalkeeper, took a deep breath, and drilled home the decisive penalty, proving once again there is no tougher task in club soccer than beating Real Madrid in the Champions League. Madrid’s victory over Manchester City after a penalty shootout on Wednesday sent it to a record 17th semifinal appearance and kept it on course to add to its unequaled haul of 14 European Cups. It was fitting that Rudiger finished off City after he anchored a spirited defensive effort by Madrid that weathered wave after wave of attacks by Pep Guardiola’s side.

Real Madrid will travel to Manchester City to play UEFA Champions League Second Leg Quarterfinals on Wednesday. First leg was a blockbuster between Spanish and English giants both are favourites to bag domestic silverware. Manchester City versus Real Madrid Champions League match will kick off at 3 pm (ET) on Wednesday, April 17. The soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City will be live streamed on Paramount+.

Barcelona will take on Kylian Mbappe's Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Champions League first-leg on Wednesday. Barcelona are at the second position in La Liga, trailing 12 points off leaders Real Madrid. PSG, meanwhile, are leading the chart in French Ligue 1. Champions League first-leg soccer match between PSG and Barcelona is scheduled to kick off at 3 pm (ET) on Wednesday, April 10.

Arsenal will play host Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals first-leg on Tuesday. While Arsenal are very much in contention for Premier League, Bayern Munich's proposition in German Bundesliga is all but over. UEFA Champions League quarterfinals game between Bayern Munich and Arsenal is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, April 9 at 3 pm (ET). The soccer match will be live streamed on Paramount+.

Real Madrid will take on Manchester City in the first leg of Champions League quarter-final match on Tuesday. While City are looking to defend their maiden Champions League title, Madrid are aiming to win the competition for the record-extending 15 times. Manchester City versus Real Madrid Champions League match will be held at Santiago Bernabeu in Spain. The soccer match is scheduled to kick off 3 pm (ET) on Tuesday, April 9.

Real Madrid will host Athletic Club at Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid on Sunday. Real Madrid have 72 points off 29 games and topping the La Liga table. Athletic Club have 56 points from 29 matches. A victory for Real Madrid will ensure 36th La Liga title. Real Madrid versus Athletic Club La Liga game is scheduled to kick off at 3 pm (ET) on March 31, 2024. The La Liga match will be live streamed on fuboTV.

McDonald’s will become the title sponsor of the French soccer league from July for the next three seasons

Real Madrid will take on Osasuna in a crucial La Liga match on Saturday as a win can further bolster Carlo Ancelotti’s side' march towards the coveted trophy. Real Madrid is leading the La Liga with 69 points off 28 games. It has a lead of seven points over Girona, eight points over Barcelona. Osasuna has 36 points off 28 games.

La Liga leaders Real Madrid will host RC Celta de Vigo, who are facing relegation battle, on Sunday at Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid have 66 points off 27 games, RC Celta de Vigo secured 24 points from 27 matches. Real Madrid vs RC Celta de Vigo La Liga game is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, March 10 at 1.30 pm (ET). La Liga game between Real Madrid vs RC Celta de Vigo will be live streamed on ESPN+.

The fight between Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the honorific title of “best player in the world” is a tight one

Mbappe is ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their battle for the honorific title of «best player in the world.» But ahead of his expected move to Real Madrid, Mbappe is already leading the pair of multiple Ballon d'Or winners when it comes to intellectual property protection. In a sign of his immense commerical power, the PSG striker owns seven EU trademarks, including his iconic crossarmed goal celebration pose, his name and the logo of his company. According to the European Union intellectual property office, Messi and Ronaldo have six trademarks registered each. Mbappe has also registered two of his famous quotes — «Le football, il a change (Football has changed)» and «Moi, tu m'parles pas d'age (You don't talk to me about age)» for products including electronic games, mobile apps, posters, handbags, footwear, cosmetics or jewelry.

Kylian Mbappé was 14 years old when Real Madrid first brought him in for a tryout—and the club was determined to impress him. Real sent Mbappé’s fellow Frenchman Zinédine Zidane to meet him at the airport. It introduced him to his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Paris St.-Germain, his hometown team, might have carried with them an unmistakable sense of deja vu. They might, uniformly, have carried not a single direct quote from anyone involved, ensuring that all sides have precious room to maneuver should the situation change in the weeks ahead. They might have been copied and pasted, almost verbatim, from the last time this happened, and the time before that. But this is different. This is not a negotiating ploy. This is not a power struggle. He's going. No, really. On the count of five. Given the background, of course, the cynical response is also the sensible one. Mbappé has form here, after all. It is less than two years since he and PSG last came to the brink, his boxes packed, his desk emptied, his goodbye card signed.