ESPN FC - Real Madrid Blogs
Marco Asensio's brace helps Real Madrid salvage a draw against Valencia
Valencia looked as if they would steal three points in the Bernabeu, until Marco Asensio produced another moment of magic.
Valencia looked as if they would steal three points in the Bernabeu, until Marco Asensio produced another moment of magic.
Real Madrid pulled out a 2-2 draw at home against Valencia, with Marco Asensio netting a classy brace along the way.
Real Madrid and Valencia played out a scintillating 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu as Marcelino's work in progress took the game to the champions. Marco Asensio scored a wonderful solo goal and a late free kick to earn Madrid a point after Carlos Soler and Geoffrey Kondogbia had given the visitors a brief second-half lead.
Positives
Zinedine Zidane's side created plenty of chances and had 22 shots overall despite the absence of key personnel at both ends. Real did not flinch after Kondogbia's 77th-minute...
The ESPN FC crew discuss the Champions League draw.
The ESPN FC crew discuss the Champions League draw.
The ESPN FC crew discuss the Champions League draw.
The ESPN FC crew discuss the Champions League draw.
Now that the Champions League draw has been completed, here's a preview for Group H. Who do you think will go through?
Predicted finish
1. Real Madrid
2. Borussia Dortmund
3. Tottenham
4. APOEL
Real Madrid
The champions are back and suitably buoyant after their Spanish Super Cup mauling of a troubled Barcelona. That came on the back of a UEFA Super Cup win over Manchester United and while high-profile arrivals have been thin on the ground so far this summer, they will start as favourites...
With Real Madrid the clear favourite, Gab Marcotti breaks down who will claim the second spot in this season's toughest group.
The Champions League is back, and the race to dethrone Real Madrid starts all over again. Zinedine Zidane's men have won the past two Champions League trophies, but can they make it three in a row this season?
With the draw made for the 2017-18 tournament, ESPN FC's club bloggers give their take as they plot the route to Kiev next May.
Real Madrid
Hopes of advancing: The current champions, still in intimidating form, should make it to the next round. Anything different would be a major disappointment.
The...
The FC boys talk what the potential signing of Kylian Mbappe would mean for Karim Benzema.
The FC crew discuss how Mbappe's potential move to Real would affect reported Man United target Gareth Bale's future.
Zinedine Zidane avoided journalists questions about a move for Monaco's Kylian Mbappe.
In a summer of transfer activity fueled by the billions in television revenue flowing through the European market, Leicester City signed 20-year-old Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho for £25 million.
The Nigeria international had 64 career senior appearances under his belt and had scored 21 goals, at a phenomenal per-minute rate, which was seen by the Foxes as sufficient promise to part with a fee that fell just shy of the club record £27m forked out a year earlier for Islam...
Cristiano Ronaldo has lent both his name and likeness to many weird and wonderful products over the years, from underpants to electric stomach-toning pads to utterly bizarre Japanese "facial fitness" devices.
However, the Real Madrid star may just have struck his strangest commercial partnership to date with a ringing endorsement of the Egyptian steel production industry.
Have you ever related steel to eco-friendly? I did.. that's why I've partnered with the most safety-oriented steel brand #Egyptian_Steel pic.twitter.com/8MoFjuALNK— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) August 23, 2017
Ronaldo has shared a promotional video across his various social media channels to commend Egyptian Steel and profess his admiration...
The ESPN FC crew evaluate Sergio Ramos' behaviour after he tied La Liga's all-time record with his 18th red card.
The ESPN FC crew flip the script and examine the possible benefits of Cristiano Ronaldo's five-game ban for Real Madrid.
You may have noticed a tremendous outbreak of indefensible stupidity in Spanish football over the last few days, which centres upon two intertwining trends: Refereeing mistakes and wholly unnecessary red cards.
There have been stories aplenty about clubs appealing against officials' decisions and an outright lack of condemnation from the coaches toward the players who let them down and the hard fact is that it is time to put the microscope on the footballers in question, not the fallible referees.
It...
Real Madrid cruised to three points in their opening La Liga fixture of the season, as a Ronaldo-less Madrid still netted three.
Real Madrid cruised to three points in their opening La Liga fixture of the season, as a Ronaldo-less Madrid still netted three.
Real Madrid opened their La Liga campaign in comfortable fashion, winning 3-0 away to Deportivo, despite Sergio Ramos' late red card.
Real Madrid ran out as comfortable winners in a 3-0 victory at the Riazor that did little to dispel the notion that Zinedine Zidane's side are anything other than heavy favourites to retain their La Liga title. Gareth Bale, Casemiro and Toni Kroos hit the net for the visitors as Deportivo La Coruna found themselves outclassed.
Positives
This was a professional performance in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and a game that could have proven tricky for Madrid on paper. It seems that whatever changes...
The ESPN FC crew discuss whether anyone can stop Real Madrid in La Liga.
Having conquered the first two trophies of the official season -- the European Super Cup against Manchester United and the Spanish Cup against Barcelona -- Real Madrid will open their La Liga campaign Sunday against Deportivo in La Coruna.
Things have changed of late, but a couple of decades ago, the Riazor stadium became a synonym for humiliating defeats.
Those were the "Super Depor" times. That outstanding team revelled in showing their flair with overwhelming displays against the Madridistas....
Don Hutchison joins Layla Anna-Lee to explain why a move for Jonny Evans would be 'no bad thing' for Manchester City.
Real Madrid are to reward Marco Asensio with a new contract.
The football world is awash with gossip. Transfer Talk is monitoring the whispers ahead of all the summer moves. Check out the latest deals and potential deals here.
TOP STORY: Asensio set for €500m buyout clause
With Marco Asensio's star rising, Real Madrid are set to offer the 21-year-old a lucrative new contract in order to ward off potential suitors, according to Marca.
Madrid hope to insert a huge buyout clause in Asensio's new deal to ensure they won't be in danger of losing him.
The...
Mark Ogden reacts to Jose Mourinho's comments about David De Gea's Man United future ahead of their match with Real Madrid.
The football world is awash with gossip. Transfer Talk is monitoring the whispers ahead of all the summer moves. Check out the latest deals and potential deals here.
TOP STORY: Real back in for De Gea
Manchester United might want to be on their guard -- Real Madrid are lining up another attempt to lure David De Gea to the Bernabeu, says The Sun.
Madrid tried and failed to sign De Gea two years ago -- reportedly due to a dodgy fax machine -- but are hoping to be more successful this time around.
With...
The latest transfer rumours from around the world.
Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the whisper.
Here are today's top five emerging whispers for the summer. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for all the latest gossip.
Liam Bridcutt to Nottingham Forest
Bridcutt may have been Leeds United captain under Garry Monk in their nearly successful bid for the playoffs, but the midfielder...
Sid Lowe explains why he doesn't think any clubs will pose a challenge to Real Madrid in the La Liga title race.
Real Madrid's quest to maintain supremacy over Barca in Spain looks likely this season but then again, you never know what to expect. Graham Hunter previews the 2017-18 La Liga season.
Key storylines
With all due respect to Neymar's quest to persuade us that his move to Paris has more to do with ambition than finance -- good luck with that one, kid -- the three biggest storylines in world football all reside in Spain.
They are the narratives of Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.
A...
In the wake of Real's convincing win over Barca in the Super Cup, the FC panel wax lyrical on Zidane's flawless management.
A sensational strike from Marco Asensio and a fine volley from Karim Benzema capped off a 5-1 aggregate Super Cup win for Real Madrid.
The FC crew previews title favourites ahead of La Liga kicking-off this weekend, and discuss the odds of the major contenders.
Spanish Super Cup: Marco Asensio (4') Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona
Spanish Super Cup: Karim Benzema (39') Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona
Real Madrid racked up a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate scoreline in the Spanish Super Cup with a 2-0 victory in the Bernabeu on Wednesday to lift a second title in 2017-18, as Zinedine Zidane's side attempt to pull off an unprecedented single-season sextuple. Marco Asensio added another belter to his opening-leg strike, and Karim Benzema scored a pure striker's goal to hand Madrid victory.
Positives
Real reduced Barca to one shot in the first half and Ernesto Valverde to stunned despair on the touchline...
Real Madrid cruised to three points in their opening La Liga fixture of the season, as a Ronaldo-less Madrid still netted three.
Real Madrid cruised to three points in their opening La Liga fixture of the season, as a Ronaldo-less Madrid still netted three.
The guys respond to your tweets about Manchester City, possible Liverpool purchases and Real Madrid's dominance.
Real Madrid opened their La Liga campaign in comfortable fashion, winning 3-0 away to Deportivo, despite Sergio Ramos' late red card.
In Sunday's away 3-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna, Real Madrid's defensive midfielder Casemiro scored. This type of event stopped being news at some point last season, as the industrious Brazilian progressively has added a remarkable offensive effectiveness to his well-regarded defensive skills.
The most outstanding aspect of Casemiro's goal is that it happened after his team put together a string of 44 consecutive passes. The whole squad participated, moving the ball for almost two full minutes...
Real Madrid opened their La Liga campaign in comfortable fashion, winning 3-0 away to Deportivo, despite Sergio Ramos' late red card.
Few observers were shocked when Sergio Ramos became the most sent-off player in La Liga history late in Real Madrid's 3-0 La Liga opening weekend win at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday evening. But a look back through the record books shows surprisingly how the Bernabeu outfit have rarely been too troubled by his subsequent absences through suspension.
Ramos was quite lucky just to be booked midway through the second half at Riazor after an entanglement with Depor centre-back Fabian Schar that...
Despite being suspended for the second leg, Cristiano Ronaldo took to the pitch to celebrate Real Madrid's Super Cup win.
In the wake of Real's convincing win over Barca in the Super Cup, the FC panel wax lyrical on Zidane's flawless management.
A sensational strike from Marco Asensio and a fine volley from Karim Benzema capped off a 5-1 aggregate Super Cup win for Real Madrid.
Thursday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending...
BARCELONA: The Uruguay national team has announced Barcelona striker Luis Suarez will be out of action for "at least four to five weeks" after suffering a knee injury playing for his club.
- Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has acknowledged the club are in a "very difficult situation" as they look to secure deals for Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele.
- Vice-president Jordi Mestre says the...
Despite being suspended for the second leg, Cristiano Ronaldo took to the pitch to celebrate Real Madrid's Super Cup win.
In the wake of Real's convincing win over Barca in the Super Cup, the FC panel wax lyrical on Zidane's flawless management.
A sensational strike from Marco Asensio and a fine volley from Karim Benzema capped off a 5-1 aggregate Super Cup win for Real Madrid.
Thursday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending...
REAL MADRID: Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema scored brilliant first-half goals as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-0 on the night to register a resounding 5-1 aggregate Spanish Super Cup win.
- Corrigan: Asensio stars as Real Madrid stroll past Barca
- WATCH: Ronaldo joins teammates to lift Super Cup
BARCELONA: The club are close to completing deals for Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, the...
A sensational strike from Marco Asensio and a fine volley from Karim Benzema capped off a 5-1 aggregate Super Cup win for Real Madrid.
Despite being suspended for the second leg, Cristiano Ronaldo took to the pitch to celebrate Real Madrid's Super Cup win.
In the wake of Real's convincing win over Barca in the Super Cup, the FC panel wax lyrical on Zidane's flawless management.
MADRID -- Three quick thoughts from the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-0 for a 5-1 aggregate victory in the Spanish Super Cup.
1. Asensio stars as Madrid stroll to another trophy
Real Madrid strolled to the 2017 Super Cup with a 2-0 victory over Barcelona at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, sealing a thumping 5-1 aggregate win over their rivals to start the Spanish season in the best possible way.
Suspended Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was barely missed as a Marco Asensio screamer...
Zinedine Zidane admits he will have to rotate his side in the coming weeks, but Bale and Asensio will play a key part. At the moment, things are going so well with Real Madrid that their average fan suspects all this can't last.
The team, inspiring at times and resilient others, steps it up whenever required and keeps winning trophies, no matter how transcendent or unimportant they are. The squad have assimilated Zinedine Zidane's simple but effective philosophy and Antonio Pintus' fitness principles and always show a competitive face, no matter who plays.
The midfield generates envy among supporters of any team...
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a wonder goal, was booked for diving, and sent off all in a short window. Relive it here.
The ESPN FC crew flip the script and examine the possible benefits of Cristiano Ronaldo's five-game ban for Real Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial sending off in Sunday's Spanish Super Cup first leg at Barcelona has again turned the spotlight on some of the less happy moments of his eight years at Real Madrid.
The five-match ban handed down by the Spanish authorities on Monday (one for the sending off, four for pushing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea) means that, barring a successful appeal, Ronaldo will have missed 15 games through suspension in total for the club.
Ronaldo has now been sent off six times...
After a 0-0 first-half, Leg 1 of the Spanish Super Cup produced dives, several golazos, and a highly controversial red card.
Alejandro Moreno reflects on Barcelona's loss to Real Madrid in the Super Cup and the highs and lows of Ronaldo's display.
The controversial, remarkable and admirable events which lit up Real Madrid's 3-1 Spanish Super Cup victory over Barcelona on Sunday stand a good chance of diverting focus away from fundamental and pretty startling elements of a match which started like a tepid friendly and finished like the Hunger Games.
Of course the eye is drawn to the absolutely fabulous goals, first from Cristiano Ronaldo and then Marco Asensio, that sealed one of the most comprehensive and merited wins Los Blancos have registered...
After a 0-0 first-half, Leg 1 of the Spanish Super Cup produced dives, several golazos, and a highly controversial red card.
Real Madrid took a giant step toward winning the Spanish Super Cup after defeating Barcelona, 3-1, at the Camp Nou. With a combative performance and aided by some top-class finishing, Zinedine Zidane's squad showed their remarkable depth, as well as an impressive physical strength at this point of the summer. The second leg, on Wednesday in Madrid, will give Zidane some room to rest players and the chance to try new approaches against Real Madrid's biggest rivals.
Barcelona
Real Madrid
1
3
FT
Leg 1
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Positives
Several players such...
After a 0-0 first-half, Leg 1 of the Spanish Super Cup produced dives, several golazos, and a highly controversial red card.
Spanish Super Cup: Marco Asensio (90') Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid
Spanish Super Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo (82') Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Three quick things as Sunday evening's Spanish Supercopa first leg at the Camp Nou finishes Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid.
1. Madrid in full control in dramatic night for Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo only needed 24 minutes to steal the show in Sunday's Spanish Supercopa first leg at the Camp Nou, scoring a dramatic lead goal for his team before being sent off.
After Gerard Pique's own goal was followed by Lionel Messi's controversial penalty, Ronaldo struck a superb goal to put his team in control...
Raf Honigstein suggests Ousmane Dembele moving to Barcelona is no guarantee, and explains Dortmund's looming predicament.
The football world is awash with gossip. Transfer Talk is monitoring the whispers ahead of all the summer moves. Check out the latest deals and potential deals here.
TOP STORY: Madrid enter race for Dembele
Barcelona's attempts to replace Neymar are not proving to be easy, and now, according to Catalan broadcaster RAC 1, Real Madrid look to be adding to their rivals' problems by registering an interest in Ousmane Dembele.
The 20-year-old forward was suspended and fined by Borussia Dortmund...
With Isco having another standout performance for Real Madrid, the FC panel debate if he and Gareth Bale can coexist or not.
Real Madrid will face Barcelona over two legs in the Spanish Super Cup after successfully defending the European equivalent against Manchester United in Skopje, the first trophy of six in play for manager Zinedine Zidane's side this season.
The only team in history to complete a clean sweep of the league, Champions League, domestic cup, two super cups and Club World Cup was Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in 2009, although that achievement was spread over two seasons. Zidane has the opportunity to...
Real Madrid win back-to-back UEFA Super Cups as their attention now turns to Barcelona and the Spanish Super Cup.
With Isco having another standout performance for Real Madrid, the FC panel debate if he and Gareth Bale can coexist or not.
The FC guys discuss the areas in which Man United were exposed against Real Madrid and deliver their expectations for United this season.
Wednesday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending...
MAN UNITED: Jose Mourinho has given up on his pursuit for Gareth Bale after the Wales forward started for Real Madrid in their 2-1 UEFA Super Cup win over Manchester United on Tuesday.
- Mourinho said a video review would have ruled out Real Madrid's opening goal and led to extra time in the UEFA Super Cup.
- Nemanja Matic was solid but Paul Pogba disappointed in Musa Okwonga's player ratings.
- WATCH: Manchester...
The latest transfer rumours from around the world.
Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the whisper.
Here are today's top five emerging whispers for the summer. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for all the latest gossip.
Samir Nasri to Antalyaspor
Nasri has emerged as the latest summer target for Turkish outfit Antalyaspor according to reports in The Sun. The Manchester City...
With Isco having another standout performance for Real Madrid, the FC panel debate if he and Gareth Bale can coexist or not.
Real Madrid win back-to-back UEFA Super Cups as their attention now turns to Barcelona and the Spanish Super Cup.
Zinedine Zidane says Gareth Bale is fit for Real's Super Cup clash, but offered little else on his future with the club.
It wasn't just another match, despite its date. It was a final and Zinedine Zidane's starting XI showed that the French manager wanted to win it. Ten of the 11 players who started in the Champions League final in Cardiff made the lineup, the only difference being Cristiano Ronaldo waiting on the bench, and Gareth Bale taking the Portuguese's place.
Even though it's obviously premature to speak about the end of the "BBC" (Bale, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo) as a unit, injuries and form issues impacting...
Shaka Hislop says Real Madrid's subpar preseason should not warrant concerns for the club heading into the 2017-18 season.
By the time the transfer market closes, Real Madrid could have won another two trophies, which would hypothetically constitute the sixth and seventh of Zinedine Zidane's 19-month, apparently anointed reign as manager. Not a bad ratio if he can pull it off.
If that happens, it would take a braver (or more foolish) man than I to state definitively that because they begin this season in a slightly more anaemic shape than they finished the last, Madrid won't be able to punch as powerfully between...
Zinedine Zidane says Gareth Bale is fit for Real's Super Cup clash, but offered little else on his future with the club.
Jose Mourinho confirms that he is interested in bringing Gareth Bale to Man United should Real Madrid choose to move him.
The FC crew discuss how Mbappe's potential move to Real would affect reported Man United target Gareth Bale's future.
Tuesday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending...
MAN UNITED: Jose Mourinho has confirmed he will pursue Gareth Bale in the remaining weeks of the transfer window if he is not Zinedine Zidane's plans at Real Madrid next season.
- Mourinho has said Inter Milan "put up a good defence" as Manchester United sought to sign winger Ivan Perisic.
- WATCH: Sid Lowe says it is unlikely Manchester United will be able to sign Bale.
- Juan Mata says the gap between Manchester...
Sid Lowe assesses how much stock Real Madrid are putting into their Super Cup clash with Man United.
Paul Mariner addresses Man United's injuries and whether they will limit them against a potent Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.
Zinedine Zidane says Gareth Bale is fit for Real's Super Cup clash, but offered little else on his future with the club.
ESPN FC's La Liga correspondent Sid Lowe explains why Gareth Bale is more likely to remain at Real Madrid than go to Man United.
Jose Mourinho confirms that he is interested in bringing Gareth Bale to Man United should Real Madrid choose to move him.
The rational side of every Real Madrid fan understands Zinedine Zidane's rotation policy, even more after last season's successful finish, when most of the squad looked very close to their best in May and June.
Following that policy, it's very likely the French manager will pick a mixed starting XI for the UEFA Super Cup match against Manchester United on Tuesday evening. Real Madrid's lineup, with a few regular starters and a number of bench players, should be the result of applying the most relevant...
The FC crew discuss how Mbappe's potential move to Real would affect reported Man United target Gareth Bale's future.
The football world is awash with gossip! Transfer Talk is monitoring the whispers ahead of all the summer moves. Check out the latest deals and potential deals here.
TOP STORY: Chelsea to orchestrate Bale's Premier League return
Chelsea are ready to step up their interest in Gareth Bale after Real Madrid became open to selling the Welsh star to part-fund a move for Kylian Mbappe, reports the Express.
Antonio Conte is a known admirer of Bale, and despite the 28-year-old's happiness in the Spanish...
Shaka Hislop says Real Madrid's subpar preseason should not warrant concerns for the club heading into the 2017-18 season.
Zinedine Zidane is looking forward to welcoming back Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid training soon.
Shaka Hislop and Alexis Nunes reflect on Nemanja Matic's debut and how Man United might line up moving forward.
Manchester United and Real Madrid do battle for the prestigious UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday in the unlikely setting of Skopje, Macedonia. A sellout crowd will watch the Champions League and Europa League winners go head-to-head, with the first major piece of European silverware of the 2017-18 season up for grabs.
The Red Devils have enjoyed a decent preseason, having lost just once in seven outings. They played out a 1-1 draw with Los Blancos in the U.S. earlier this summer before prevailing...
Barcelona and Manchester City are also reportedly trying to target Mbappe.Madrid, having been informed they are the favoured destination, are reportedly content to make a late move in the transfer window for the 18-year-old.For more on Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid, as well as other rumours, check out Transfer Talk by clicking here.
Shaka Hislop says Real Madrid's sub-par preseason should not warrant concerns for the club heading into the 2017/18 season.
"The preseason is over, the tour is over. We need to be ready in four days."
Those were Zinedine Zidane's last words in his news conference on Friday, after he was asked whether the apparently struggling squad would be able to compete against Manchester United next Tuesday in the UEFA Super Cup.
Real Madrid
Manchester United
ESPNDeportes
6:45 PM UTC
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Lineups and Stats
The question is relevant. During this preseason, the team, winless since Fabio Coentrao left for Sporting of Portugal, hasn't resembled the victorious side of May and June. In fact, and even bearing in...
Shaka Hislop believes a PSG move is still in the cards for Alexis Sanchez despite Arsene Wenger's latest comments.
The football world is awash with gossip! Transfer Talk is monitoring the whispers ahead of all the summer moves. Check out the latest deals and potential deals here.
TOP STORY: Monaco launch shock Alexis move
The Sun reports that Monaco are ready to make a shock £45 million offer for Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.
With just one year remaining on his deal at the Emirates, the Chile international has been linked with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
But he could instead...
Here's what you can buy for the price of one Neymar.
Neymar's €222 million (£198m) release clause was supposed to be prohibitive, but PSG have paid it. And that begs the question: who else might be ripe for a mega transfer?
Spanish clubs are really the only ones who deal in release clauses at such a high level, so what are the top players of Real Madrid and Barcelona reportedly available for?
Note: None of these amounts are officially revealed by the clubs and are based on reports.
BARCELONA
Source: Sport
The superstars
Lionel Messi...
The FC panel weigh the merits of who could replace Neymar better at Barca, young starlet Kylian Mbappe or Philippe Coutinho.
The football world is awash with gossip! Transfer Talk is monitoring the whispers ahead of all the summer moves. Check out the latest deals and potential deals here.
TOP STORY: Barca, Madrid to battle for Mbappe
Neymar's impending move to Paris Saint-Germain has shocked European football, and the madness of the transfer market is likely to intensify in the next few weeks as French publication L'Equipe reports Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe is ready to push for an exit.
Barcelona, who appear...
Real Madrid netted all four of their penalties to defeat the MLS All-Stars 4-2 in a shootout at Soldier Field.
Steve Nicol explains why he likes the MLS All-Star Game the way it is as the FC crew debate the future of the annual match.
ESPN FC's Sebastian Salazar and Herculez Gomez reveal their takeaways from the 2017 MLS All-Star Game.
Real Madrid were perfect from the spot as they defeated the MLS All-Stars 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
CHICAGO -- Michael Parkhurst has seen the growth of the MLS All-Star Game.
Twelve years ago, Parkhurst, then with the New England Revolution, played in his first ASG. That year's match saw a Fulham side that included Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra lined up as opponents. The MLS All-Stars prevailed 4-1, but that's not what Parkhurst remembers.
"We came out [to Columbus], we had a game, some people showed up, but it was kind of low key," he said.
Compare that to Wednesday's encounter. A...
ESPN FC's Paul Mariner says it's unfortunate the way Neymar's name is being tainted by this drawn-out transfer saga.
With Neymar's Barca future still in doubt, the FC panel look at rumours claiming Griezmann could be the man to replace him.
Gab Marcotti provides an update on Cristiano Ronaldo's tax fraud case after the Real Madrid star's first court appearance.
Wednesday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending...
BARCELONA: Barcelona have confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain target Neymar intends to leave the club but insisted his €222 million buyout clause must be paid in full.
- Lionel Messi bid farewell to Neymar after Barcelona confirmed the Brazil star told the club on Wednesday of his desire to move to Paris Saint-Germain.
- La Liga president Javier Tebas has said he is ready to file a complaint about...
Chicago Fire's Bastian Schweinsteiger looks ahead to facing Real Madrid in the MLS All-Star Game and discusses how much the league is growing. CHICAGO -- ESPN FC is "OnScene" for the MLS All-Star game, in which the league's finest take on the might of European champions Real Madrid.
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2
Real Madrid go home winners after their 4-2 shootout advantage
Goodnight from Chicago. #MLSAllStar pic.twitter.com/pQrh6OGGn5— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 3, 2017
Real Madrid emerge for the second half with the score level at 0-0
Ready for the 2nd half. #MLSAllStar game. pic.twitter.com/Sld2NORDEl— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 3, 2017
The walkout ...
It's #MLSAllStar time. pic.twitter.com/DWpd2BKwz0— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 3, 2017
The MLS All Stars have taken the field for warm-ups
The #MLSAllStar team takes the pitch for warmups. pic.twitter.com/ew4N0CTqKD— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 3, 2017
Three-time NBA Finals champion Dwyane Wade is here
Dwyane Wade in the 
Gab Marcotti explains Cristiano Ronaldo's tax-fraud case, and Herculez Gomez and Max Bretos discuss the impact at Real.
Cristiano Ronaldo avoids commenting on his future with Real Madrid following Portugal's win over Russia.
This article was first published on July 8, 2017
On July 31, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo appeared in a Spanish court to testify in a case in which he is accused of evading taxes.
A Spanish state prosecutor claimed Ronaldo failed to pay €14.7 million on image rights earned between 2011 and 2014 and that he used a shell company in the Virgin Islands to "create a screen in order to hide his total income."
A judge will decide if there are grounds to charge him with a crime and, if there...
ESPN FC was "OnScene" in the United States for the International Champions Cup preseason tournament, as Barcelona saw out a 3-2 win against rivals Real Madrid in front of a packed house in Miami. If you weren't there or watching, here's what you missed.
SATURDAY, July 29
The winning goal and more right here
Goals were at a premium in the Miami El Clasico with Gerard Pique's tidy finish proving to be the winner for Barcelona.
A full house in Miami, to no surprise
Tonight's attendance at #ElClasicoMiami: 66,014. Sold out. pic.twitter.com/WLH558DwT6— Sebastian Salazar (@SebiSalazarFUT) July 30, 2017
Messi's day is done
#Messi within reach. #ElClasicoMiami #ElClasicoxESPN #ElClasico #Barca #FCB #Barcelona pic.twitter.com/kbWoh5IIDu— Sebastian Salazar (@SebiSalazarFUT) July 30, 2017
A (good) weird mix of fans in Miami
Weird - but not in a bad way - seeing Barca and Real shirts so intermingled in the stands here in Miami.— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) July 30, 2017
Well that escalated quickly
And. Just. Like. That. #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/66GFynQYyE— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 30, 2017
Your Clasico starting XIs
Starting XI! #ElClásico pic.twitter.com/QWZxRRkMgS— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 30, 2017
Barcelona takes the...
This article has been updated since it was first published on March 10, 2017
The first Clasico to be played on U.S. soil, with La Liga rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona meeting at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 29, is sure to generate a lot more excitement than the only previous occasion when the two giants met on the other side of the Atlantic back in 1982.
The International Champions Cup (ICC) fixture on July 29 will be eagerly awaited by many fans in America and elsewhere, with local press...
In a battle between not only two teams but two identities, El Clasico comes to Miami in the match that transcends sport.
For the first time in history, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid bring their epic rivalry to the United States.
Former France midfielder Christian Karembeu joins the FC crew to discuss Mbappe's link to Real Madrid and the Neymar saga.
When Real Madrid take the field at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday evening for a friendly against Barcelona, they will do as the reigning La Liga and European champions for the first time in 60 years.
Barca, meanwhile, are without either one of those titles having achieved four domestic and continental doubles over the course of the last 12 years. While it is far too early to talk of a seismic shift in power at the summit of European football, there are plenty of indicators...
Sid Lowe rationalizes his decision to leave Ronaldo, Messi and more out of his all-time combined XI for Barca and Real.
Gab Marcotti and Shaka Hislop talk Clasico as the La Liga fixtures were released on Friday.
El Clasico is not just about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, even if the two players have almost come to define the Barcelona-Real Madrid rivalry in recent years.
In fact, there are dozens of others who deserve to be in an all-time combined XI; that's just the way it goes when you're sifting through the long histories of two of the planet's biggest and most successful clubs. So take this with a pinch of salt by all means -- the formation would be fluid, to say the least! -- but here are 11 of...
Another day, another commercial starring Cristiano Ronaldo in his underwear.
This time we see Real Madrid's finest accidentally locking himself out of his hotel room while wearing nothing but his smalls, only to be snapped by a mischievous maid.
It's good to see how fast I'm "shared" in the United States >#=M