ESPN FC - Real Madrid Blogs
Could Cristiano Ronaldo go to jail? Understanding his complex tax case
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...
In a battle between not only two teams but two identities, El Clasico comes to Miami in the match that transcends sport.
Gab Marcotti breaks down the latest in PSG's pursuit of Neymar and explains what it would take for him to leave Barcelona.
Toni Collins provides an update on Barcelona's ongoing Neymar saga and how they're handling it throughout the ICC.
ESPN FC's Sid Lowe and Julien Laurens reveal the truth behind the Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid reports.
Gab Marcotti and Shaka Hislop talk Clasico as the La Liga fixtures were released on Friday.
MIAMI -- We're a month away from the start of the European season, training camp is in full swing, and we could see, in the space of a few days, two of the greatest front threes -- and perhaps the most recognizable acronyms in football -- blown apart just as Real Madrid take on Barcelona in the Miami Clasico. And if they come, the seismic changes will be driven by money and market forces as much as sporting decisions by management.
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It would take shattering -- more than doubling, in one case --...
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
Stewart Robson thinks Manchester United would be wise to continue their pursuit of Gareth Bale this transfer window.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has ruled out a move for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.
ESPN FC's Steve Nicol is adamant that Gareth Bale is the clear-cut starter over any possible challengers and won't want to leave 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: United have clear path to Bale
Manchester United could finally be set to land Gareth Bale after being given encouragement from Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane that "anything can happen" before the transfer window closes on Aug. 31.
United have failed in attempts to sign Bale before. Sir Alex Ferguson missed out when...
Gab Marcotti and Ale Moreno break down the latest surrounding Neymar's future, but is he worth the reported transfer fee?
MIAMI -- For many, it did not matter: The ICC Miami version of El Clasico was not going to be overshadowed. 65,000 plus, clad in the colors of Barcelona and Real Madrid's eternal rivalry, braved the soupy South Florida night to see the stars they usually only see in HD and in two dimensions and were treated to a show.
But for the rest, particularly those whose blood runs Blaugrana or who simply are fascinated by the sport's journey through time, there was a question haunting the heavy air over Miami's...
ESPN FC is "OnScene" in the United States for the International Champions Cup preseason tournament.
Stay in touch with everything we've been getting up to ahead of a Real Madrid vs. Barcelona Clasico in Miami.
FRIDAY, July 28
Neymar's nice moves
Paparazzi Collins =L
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.
You know, El Clasico is not just about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, even if those two have almost come to define the Barcelona-Real Madrid rivalry in recent years.
In fact, there's dozens of others who deserve to be in an all-time combined XI; that's just the way it goes when you're looking at 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 the...
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.
Jonathan dos Santos to LA Galaxy
MLS side LA Galaxy are on the verge of completing a deal for Mexico midfielder Jonathan dos Santos. Villarreal have reportedly...
Sid Lowe and the rest of the ESPN FC team discuss the developments in the Kylian Mbappe transfer saga.
Sid Lowe and the rest of the ESPN FC team discuss the developments in the Kylian Mbappe transfer saga.
Sid Lowe and the rest of the ESPN FC team discuss the developments in the Kylian Mbappe transfer saga.
Sid Lowe and the rest of the ESPN FC team discuss the developments in the Kylian Mbappe transfer saga.
Sid Lowe and the rest of the ESPN FC team discuss the developments in the Kylian Mbappe transfer saga.
This article originally appeared on ESPN FC on June 23, 2017.
Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe is the most sought after man in world football.
Marca claimed on Tuesday that Real Madrid had clinched a deal for the 18-year-old but Manchester City remain in the hunt.
Here, we've selected the clubs Mbappe has been linked to the most this summer and ESPN FC's correspondents make their sales pitch as to why Mbappe should choose the team they cover.
You can vote for the club he should join by having...
The ESPN FC panel believe Gerard Pique's admission that he's persuading Neymar to stay has blown the doors off this transfer saga.
ESPN FC is "OnScene" in the United States for the International Champions Cup preseason tournament.
Stay in touch with everything we've been getting up to ahead of Barcelona vs. Manchester United in Washington, D.C., and Manchester City vs. Real Madrid in Los Angeles.
Talking transfers?
Wonder what Neymar and his dad are chatting about pic.twitter.com/gfMZJfTLJ4— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) July 25, 2017
Neymar on the spot
Neymar practicing penalties on his own (with a goalkeeper) at the end of Barca's session pic.twitter.com/iDNejxntMO— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) July 25, 2017
Mark on the streets of LA
8.30pm, Downtown LA, in all its faded glory... A post shared by Mark Ogden (@markogden_) on Jul 25, 2017 at 8:39pm PDT
A post shared by Mark Ogden (@markogden_) on Jul 25, 2017 at 8:40pm PDT
Danny boy trains with his new team
Danilo was training with his new City team-mates in LA today... pic.twitter.com/JuXp41CYYf— Jonathan Smith (@jonnysmiffy) July 26, 2017
Madrid Sunset
Madrid training at UCLA just now - most interesting today prob seeing pitch actually just off the Sunset...
ESPN FC's Julien Laurens breaks down Man City's plans to beat Real Madrid to Kylian Mbappe.
ESPN FC's Sid Lowe and Julien Laurens reveal the truth behind the Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid reports.
Wednesday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending...
MONACO: Marca reports that Real Madrid have agreed a fee worth up to €180 million for Kylian Mbappe -- but sources have told ESPN FC that Manchester City are making a late bid for the Monaco striker.
- Arsenal have reportedly increased their bid for Monaco's Thomas Lemar. More in Transfer Talk.
- ESPN FC's Julien Laurens on whether Monaco will keep Mbappe or continue their profitable summer.
- WATCH:...
Gareth Bale reveals how his fitness is coming along this preseason, playing the UCL final in Cardiff and his competition with Isco.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has ruled out a move for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane delves into Alvaro Morata, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and managing such a talented squad.
Manchester United are prepared to make an attempt to sign Gareth Bale this summer, if Real Madrid indicate that he is available, but they made their first offer for him way back in January 2007.
Bale was then 17, a regular in Southampton's first team and already the youngest player to represent Wales.
United never got as far as announcing on their website that they had agreed a deal, as they did with another 17-year-old Welshman, Aaron Ramsey, before he joined Arsenal from Cardiff in 2008.
But there...
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane delves into Alvaro Morata, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and managing such a talented squad.
Theo Hernandez arrived this summer from Atletico and is poised to fill many gaps on the left.
This time last year Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, preparing for the new season in the United States, was unsure what to do with a young attacker who had just returned to the club following a season on loan at Espanyol.
Marco Asensio made such an impression on Zidane that he started last August's European Supercup against Sevilla, marking his competitive Madrid debut with a spectacular long-range strike. By the end of the season, Asensio (still just 21 years old) was a key member of the squad...
Watch as Real Madrid and Man United's ICC match ends in a bizarre penalty shootout with an astounding seven misses.
With both sides combining to miss seven attempts, Man United escaped with a 2-1 penalty shootout win over Real Madrid.
International Champions Cup: Marouane Fellaini (83') Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester United
International Champions Cup: Casemiro (69') Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester United
International Champions Cup: Jesse Lingard (45'+1') Real Madrid 0-1 Manchester United
International Champions Cup: Keylor Navas (7') Real Madrid 0-0 Manchester United
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has ruled out a move for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.
Monday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending...
INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP: Manchester United's David De Gea was the penalty shootout hero in Sunday's International Champions Cup win against Real Madrid at Levi's Stadium.
- Ogden: Observations from Man United's 1-1 draw with Real Madrid
MAN UNITED: Jose Mourinho praised Anthony Martial's improving work ethic at Manchester United, but insisted that the French forward must still do more following his performance...
Watch as Real Madrid and Man United's ICC match ends in a bizarre penalty shootout with an astounding seven misses.
With both sides combining to miss seven attempts, Man United escaped with a 2-1 penalty shootout win over Real Madrid.
More than a few quizzical eyebrows were raised at the very start of Manchester United and Real Madrid's friendly meeting in San Francisco on Sunday night as the two sides emerged from the tunnel.
At the behest of the matchday sponsors, the two sides were escorted out onto the pitch at the Levi's Stadium by none other than Ronald McDonald himself.
Ronald McDonald made a surprise appearance before Manchester United and Real Madrid kicked off in Santa Clara.
The red-haired fast food clown then joined the line-up to shake hands with the two teams during the prematch formalities.
Mercifully, McDonald didn't...
ESPN FC is "OnScene" in the United States for the International Champions Cup preseason tournament.
Stay in touch with everything we've been getting up to ahead of Real Madrid vs. Manchester United in Santa Clara (5 p.m. ET, ESPN / WatchESPN).
News from the Man United press conference
Mourinho on De Gea: I guarantee that he will not leave this season.— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) July 23, 2017
A visit from the president!
Florentino visits pic.twitter.com/XNIuYJcMqW— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) July 22, 2017
Real Madrid's manager meets the media in LA
Zidane speaks at UCLA pic.twitter.com/091CRXidZv— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) July 22, 2017
It's going to be hot!
California sun. No hiding place in Santa Clara. Will be 86 degrees at kick-off team on Sunday for Real Madrid v Manchester United.. A post shared by Mark Ogden (@markogden_) on Jul 22, 2017 at 2:26pm PDT
The scene is set...
Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara. Venue for Real Madrid v Man Utd. The Theatre of Jeans? A post shared by Mark Ogden (@markogden_) on Jul 21, 2017 at 7:55pm PDT
For all the latest on the ICC, which features some of the biggest club teams in Europe,...
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane delves into Alvaro Morata, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and managing such a talented squad.
The FC panel talk the Alvaro Morata deal from a Real Madrid standpoint.
With the departures of James and Morata, the FC panel debate if it makes room for Real to scoop up Kylian Mbappe.
Zinedine Zidane's quiet efficiency in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout, which led to a league and European double last season, is being matched in the Real Madrid boss' summer transfer dealings.
The less noise the better has been Zidane's mantra since he assumed the reins from Rafa Benitez in Jan. 2016 and remarkably considering the depth of the presidential pockets he has at his disposal, the Frenchman has still only signed off on three permanent acquisitions: Alvaro Morata, Theo Hernandez...