All posts tagged: El Clasico

What one Spain player thinks of teammate

What one Spain player thinks of teammate

Published by Webster

3 min readJun 19, 2026 08:44 PM IST Coming into the FIFA World Cup, there was no Real Madrid player in the Spanish squad – an unthinkable proposition earlier. But when the tournament gets over, there will be one, and that’s causing a lot of heartburn. Defender Mark Cucurella, a Barcelona academy graduate and a player on the Catalan club’s rolls till 2020, moved from Chelsea to Real Madrid on the eve of the tournament, blindsiding most people – including his eight teammates in the national squad who play for the Camp Nou club. In fact, Cucurella – who said that the Real Madrid move was a “huge step” up and he identifies with that club’s DNA – is now assured of an interesting reception when he goes to Barcelona for El Clasico. He has already been booed by the Barcelona contingent of the Spanish fans during their opening match against Cape Verde, despite being one of the team’s better performers in the disappointing goalless draw. “We only found out in training the day before, …

Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup chances under scanner after hamstring injury | Cricket News

Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup chances under scanner after hamstring injury | Cricket News

Published by Webster

2 min readApr 27, 2026 08:16 PM IST France captain and talisman Kylian Mbappe’s chances of playing at the FIFA World Cup is under a bit of a cloud of doubt with the Real Madrid striker suffering a hamstring injury. While the Spanish giants said that they are “awaiting progress”, local media reports indicate that Mbappe could be out for the rest of the season. “Following the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappé by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. Awaiting progress,” said Real Madrid in a statement on Monday. Initial tests had suggested that it may not have been a major problem but further examination reportedly confirmed the extent of the injury, The 27-year-old had suffered the injury during Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Real Betis on Friday. It has been further reported in Spanish media that while his availability for Real for the remainder of the season is in doubt, Mbappe is expected to be fully fit …

Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup chances under scanner after hamstring injury | Cricket News

Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup chances under scanner after hamstring injury | Football News

Published by Webster

2 min readUpdated: Apr 27, 2026 08:18 PM IST France captain and talisman Kylian Mbappe’s chances of playing at the FIFA World Cup is under a bit of a cloud of doubt with the Real Madrid striker suffering a hamstring injury. While the Spanish giants said that they are “awaiting progress”, local media reports indicate that Mbappe could be out for the rest of the season. “Following the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappé by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. Awaiting progress,” said Real Madrid in a statement on Monday. Initial tests had suggested that it may not have been a major problem but further examination reportedly confirmed the extent of the injury, The 27-year-old had suffered the injury during Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Real Betis on Friday. It has been further reported in Spanish media that while his availability for Real for the remainder of the season is in doubt, Mbappe is expected to be fully …

Vinicius leaves out Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s name from apology after outburst at being subbed in El Clasico | Football News

Vinicius leaves out Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s name from apology after outburst at being subbed in El Clasico | Football News

Published by Webster

Brazilian star Vinicius Junior blamed his “passion” and “competitive nature” for his outburst directed at Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso after being replaced in the El Clasico against Barcelona over the weekend. Vinicius also apologised for the incident. But what was interesting is that while he named the fans, the club president and teammates in his apology, he left out coach Alonso. “I want to apologize to all Madrid fans for my reaction after being substituted. Just as I already apologized in person during today’s training session, I also want to apologize again to my teammates, the club and the president,” the footballer posted on his X handle on Wednesday. The incident had happened in the 72nd minute of Madrid’s 2-1 league win over Barcelona on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium when Alonso opted to take Vinicius off the pitch and send Rodrygo out instead. Story continues below this ad Cameras caught Vinicius storming off the pitch, while opening his arms in exasperation and muttering to himself. Vinicius went straight to the changing room, …

Before El Clasico, referee breaks down following Real Madrid row

Before El Clasico, referee breaks down following Real Madrid row

Published by Webster

Hours before Saturday’s Copa del Rey final, the referee who is in the eye of the storm broke down, saying his family has been ‘targeted and abused’. Real Madrid are set to lock horns with Barcelona in the final but the clash has been overshadowed by allegations of poor officiating by Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who will officiate in the match. Ahead of the match, Real Madrid TV highlighted what they felt were ‘mistakes’ involving de Burgos when he officiated in matches involving the club. The Spanish giants’ in-house channel claimed the club’s win rate was 64 under his refereeing while Barcelona had 81 percent success rate. The debate reached a stage where it was speculated that Real Madrid would boycott the final before the club confirmed they would take the field for the crucial clash. Story continues below this ad However, the referee spoke out, getting emotional and claiming that his family has been subject to abuse after Real Madrid’s allegations and his son faced bullying at school. “When your son comes back from …

When Figo passed to Morientes

When Figo passed to Morientes

Published by Webster

The player taking the corner looks familiar. Never mind the face; the swing of the right foot is a dead giveaway. It’s the kind of fluid and kinetic motion that, seen even once, is not easily forgotten. The swing of the foot is low and slow, stopping in mid-air for a fraction of second, as it wraps itself over the ball. The movement is so smooth it seems effortless, yet the power behind it is unmistakable. The ball soars, drops and curves, precisely into the head of Fernando Morientes. But the striker’s header balloons over the crossbar. Morientes flashes an apology; Figo grudgingly accepts. The moment could have been composed in Nou Camp or Santiago Bernabéu, sometime at the stroke of the century, but here it was at the DY Patil Stadium, in the blistering Mumbai heat and humidity, in 2025. They swayed and swung as they celebrated a night etched in the past, watched countless times on the television. The footballers, agile and athletic in their peak years, their tissues and muscles ravaged by …

When Figo tore up the flanks, Xavi played delicate back flick from edge of box at Navi Mumbai

When Figo tore up the flanks, Xavi played delicate back flick from edge of box at Navi Mumbai

Published by Webster

It wasn’t just a football match. It was a love letter to the past. On Sunday, under the glowing floodlights of the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, El Clasico returned. Not in its blistering, modern-day form though, but through the lens of memory. Indian football fans got a taste of the storied rivalry as legends, who once lit up the Santiago Bernabeu and the Camp Nou, battled it out on Indian soil. The energy was unmistakable. Tens of thousands gathered outside the stadium, draped in the crisp whites of Madrid or the blaugrana (red and blue) stripes of Barcelona. These were fans who once stayed up through the night to catch glimpses of Carles Puyol diving into tackles, Luis Figo ghosting past defenders, or Fernando Morientes slotting it past goalkeepers with ease. Story continues below this ad Long before the players stepped onto the field, the air was already electric. Children zipped through the crowd in their favorite jerseys, dragging their parents along, or maybe it was the other way around. While the kids …

Pepe reflects on epic rivalry ahead of Legends match in Navi Mumbai

Pepe reflects on epic rivalry ahead of Legends match in Navi Mumbai

Published by Webster

As soon as the footballing calendar is announced, fans across the globe – regardless of their favorite league or teams –  typically circle one date above all others: The El Clasico. The showdown between Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona isn’t just a match. It is a spectacle. And few players experienced its most intense, emotionally-charged era quite like Pepe, the Portuguese warrior who was the mainstay of Real Madrid’s defense. Now, as he eases into retirement, far from the deafening roars of the Santiago Bernabeu or Camp Nou, Pepe finds himself in a new rhythm — playing in Legends matches. The 42-year-old will lace up his boots this Sunday, this time at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, where icons from Real Madrid and Barcelona will rekindle football’s fiercest rivalry. Leading Real Madrid will be the iconic Luis Figo, joined by Fernando Morientes, Michael Owen, and, of course, Pepe. On the other side, Barcelona will be captained by Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning skipper Carles Puyol, who’ll reunite with Xavi, Rivaldo, Jose Edmílson, Javier …

Barcelona Legends and Real Madrid Legends unveil squads for ‘Legends Faceoff’ match | Football News

Barcelona Legends and Real Madrid Legends unveil squads for ‘Legends Faceoff’ match | Football News

Published by Webster

The ‘Legends Faceoff’ match between FC Barcelona Legends and Real Madrid Legends which is scheduled for April 6 at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium had their squads unveiled on Tuesday with Indian fans set to get a taste of the famed El Clasico. Barcelona will be led by Carlos Puyol while Luís Figo will captain Real Madrid. Both teams will be full of stars like Fernando Morientes, Pepe, Michael Owen, Javier Saviola, Xavi and Rivaldo. Speaking on the occasion, Puyol said, “The ‘Legends Faceoff’ is going to be special. I am really excited to play in India for the first time. The passion of the fans here is incredible, and I can’t wait to experience it first-hand.” “Barcelona vs. Real Madrid is the biggest rivalry in football, and I am excited to be part of this historic match. Mumbai, get ready for a footballing spectacle like no other!” his Barcelona teammate Xavi added. Story continues below this ad “The love for football in India is growing every day, and it’s a privilege to bring this …

How Hansi Flick’s Barcelona laid the perfect trap to turn Kylian Mbappe’s Clasico debut into a nightmare | Football News

How Hansi Flick’s Barcelona laid the perfect trap to turn Kylian Mbappe’s Clasico debut into a nightmare | Football News

Published by Webster

At the stroke of 30 minutes, Kylian Mbappe skated to the corner flag, roared, spread his arms and struck the pose for cameras and fans to soak. He had just authored his first El Clasico goal—a sumptuous strike at that. He lured the goalkeeper, Inaki Pena, towards him and swept his shot over and across him into the bottom left corner. But his celebrations turned to anguish when semi-automatic offside technology judged he was marginally offside. He had bisected the gap between the centre-backs Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi but mistimed his run by millimetres. In disbelief, he held his hands over his mouth. This was not an exception; rather the theme of the night at the Bernabeu. The regimented and devastating high line of Barcelona caught Real Madrid’s attackers offside 12 times. Mbappe, the jewel in the Madrid crown, fluffed his lines eight times alone. His first five touches raised the assistant referee’s flag. Twice, it came as a relief as he had flayed his shot wide. But this one hurt, he had scored, …