Nacho Fernandez Signs New One-Year Contract with Real Madrid

Nacho Fernandez isn’t going anywhere…

The 33-year-old Spanish soccer player and captain of Real Madrid has signed a new one-year contract at the club.

Nacho Fernandez The defender announced earlier this month that he’d decided to accept Real Madrid’s offer of a new deal, having previously considered a move away from the club in search of more playing time.

club statement said: “Real Madrid and Nacho Fernández have agreed an extension to our captain’s contract, keeping him tied to the club until the 30th of June 2024.

“Nacho has represented Real Madrid for 22 years, ever since joining the club’s Under-11s academy side back in 2001.

“He has made 319 appearances for the Real Madrid first team, winning 23 trophies: three European Cups, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, three LaLiga titles, two Copas del Rey and four Spanish Super Cups.”

Fernandez, a Spain international, has taken on the role of club captain since the departure of Karim Benzema earlier this month.

“There are always offers from elsewhere, but I’ve decided to stay for one more year,” Nacho told TVE on June 11. “I’m really happy and excited about staying.”

The versatile defender, whose favorite position is centerback but can also play at full-back on either flank, has fallen behind Eder MilitaoDavid Alaba and Antonio Rudiger among coach Carlo Ancelotti‘s options in central defense.

Nacho played 27 LaLiga games last season, starting 18 of them, but became increasingly important over the course of the campaign, which convinced him to continue at the Bernabeu.

Rafa Benitez Reaches Preliminary Agreement to Coach LaLiga Side Celta Vigo

Rafa Benitez is preparing for a homecoming of sorts…

The 63-year-old Spanish professional football manager and former player who most recently managed Premier League club Everton, has reached a preliminary agreement to coach LaLiga side Celta Vigo, the Spanish club has announced.

Rafa Benitez Benitez takes over the vacant coaching position after Carlos Carvalhal left the club earlier this month by mutual consent.

Benitez has agreed a deal that’ll keep him at the club until June 2026.

“Real Club Celta has reached an agreement in principle with Rafa Benítez so that the Madrid-born coach can lead the team in this very special year and two more campaigns,” a club statement said. “Both parties are confident that the signing will take place in July, coinciding with the start of the team’s preseason.”

Benitez had been out of a job since being dismissed by Everton in January 2022 after just six-and-a-half months in charge.

The former Valencia coach is best known in England for guiding Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005.

He also guided Chelsea to the Europa League crown in 2013 and Newcastle United to promotion to the Premier League in 2017.

Benitez, who won two LaLiga titles and a UEFA Cup with Valencia, has also managed Inter MilanNapoli and Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional.

He last coached in Spain after taking over Real Madrid in the summer of 2015, although the Spanish giants relieved him of his duties six months later.

Benitez inherits a Celta team that was saved from relegation on the final day of the season with a 2-1 win over Barcelona at their Balaidos stadium.

The club finished 13th in the table, three points ahead of relegated Real Valladolid.

The 2023-24 season will revolve around the club’s centenary.

Benitez is unlikely to have Celta star Gabriel Veiga next season.

The Spanish midfielder expected to leave this summer.

A reported target of Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli, Veiga, 21, is under contract until June 2026 but has a €40m release clause that clubs are willing to meet.

Joselu in Advanced Talks to Leave  Espanyol for Real Madrid

Things could soon get pretty Real for Joselu

The 33-year-old Spanish professional footballer is in advanced talks with Real Madrid for a season-long loan from Espanyol, a source has told ESPN.

JoseluJoselu joined Espanyol after suffering relegation with Alaves last season but included a clause in his contract, which would allow him to move on loan to another club if Espanyol were relegated.

Espanyol’s relegation was confirmed last weekend after a draw against Valencia, which has accelerated negotiations for the Spain international to return to the Bernabeu.

The striker played for Castilla between 2010 and 2012, winning promotion to the second division in his second season at the club. He also made his first-team debut under Jose Mourinho that season and scored in an 8-1 victory over Almeria.

Joselu, who has scored 16 goals in LaLiga this season, would arrive at Madrid to fill the void left by the departure of Mariano.

Madrid could also look to bolster their attacking options this summer with ESPN reporting that Karim Benzema is mulling his future after receiving a million-dollar offer from Saudi Arabia.

Real Madrid have already signed Fran Garcia to bolster their left-back position but a busy summer is expected at the club after a disappointing end to the season in which they failed to compete in LaLiga with Barça and were knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester City.

Marco Asensio In Advanced Talks to Join Paris Saint-Germain as Free Agent

Marco Asensio is looking to switch sides

The 27-year-old Spanish professional footballer and Real Madrid attacker is in advanced talks to join Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, according to ESPN sources.

Marco AsensioThe Spain international, whose contract expires this summer, received a proposal to renew with Real Madrid that convinced him financially but he has decided to move on after a season in which he has started less than half of the club’s LaLiga games.

Aston VillaJuventus and AC Milan have also reportedly shown interest in Asensio in recent months, but the PSG proposal is currently the one that’s proving most tempting to Asensio.

The good relationship between Jorge Mendes, Asensio’s agent, and Luis Campos, PSG’s sporting director, has been key in the negotiations, sources added.

PSG are planning an overhaul in the summer that will include the departure of Lionel Messi and the hiring of a coach to replace Christophe Galtier.

The Parisian team also want to part ways with Neymar and are looking for forwards to accompany Kylian Mbappe in attack, sources said. As a result, Asensio has emerged as an intriguing option because at 27 years old he would arrive with the best years of his career ahead of him and as a free agent.

More than the economic aspect, Asensio understood that his role at Real Madrid, in terms of minutes, was not going to change next season, hence his decision to leave the Santiago Bernabeu on June 30.

Ronaldinho to Co-Host Celebrity Soccer Match “The Beautiful Game” in Orlando This June

Ronaldinho is organizing a legendary match…

The 43-year-old Brazilian retired professional footballer has co-created and will co-host The Beautiful Game, a celebrity soccer match, with fellow legend Roberto Carlos.

RonaldinhoIn partnership with Loud and Live, the match will take place on Friday, June 23, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The gam is set to kickoff at 7:30 pm ET.

The match will feature a star-studded lineup of players from around the world, coming together to celebrate the diversity, connection and passion that centers around the global love for soccer.

Fans can purchase tickets to the match here, with more information including additions to the roster announced at a later date.

Ronaldinho, a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner, is known for his mesmerizing footwork, incredible ball control and signature ‘joga bonito’ style. The former FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain icon has a legion of fans worldwide and is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

Roberto Carlos, a former Real Madrid star and World Cup winner, is known for his trademark runs down the left flank and powerful left foot. He has featured for some of the world’s most prominent clubs, including Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe and Corinthians.

“Following the amazing success in South Florida last year, it is great to take this experience to Orlando. We are looking forward to meeting the fans and to making a lifetime memory for everyone,” said Carlos.

“I had the opportunity to play in many parts of the world, but being able to reunite my friends and our families in Central Florida for a soccer fest in Orlando, with many legends, is a dream coming true. This place is magical and I am sure the soccer fans in Orlando will showcase how passionate they are for the beautiful game,” said Ronaldinho.

“We’re excited to host this fantastic game and give our fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this collection of legends play, all on one field, at Exploria Stadium,” said Orlando City President of Business Operations Jarrod Dillon. “We’ve been able to host so many fantastic events at Exploria Stadium and really solidify ourselves as Florida’s home for the world’s game. We look forward to once again showcasing our fantastic venue and The City Beautiful to the world.”

In addition to the action-packed match, the event will also feature pre-game and halftime entertainment.

Rodrygo Helps Lead Real Madrid Into Champions League Semifinals

Rodrygo has helped his team advance…

The 22-year-old Brazilian professional footballer scored a second-half brace for Real Madrid in a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to seal a spot in the Champions League semifinals for the defending champions by a final aggregate score of 4-0.

RodrygoIt’s the first time Chelsea have lost four games in a row since 1993.

A cagey opening 45 minutes looked similar to Madrid’s 2-0 win in the first leg of the quarterfinal tie as Chelsea came out strong before the visitors settled into the game and were largely in control up to half-time.

Marc Cucurella should have scored just before the half, but a scampering Thibaut Courtois blocked his close-range strike after the Spaniard was left all alone at the far post and the teams went into the break tied 0-0.

“It isn’t easy to get to the semifinals or a final. In the last three years we’ve got to a lot of them,” Courtois said following the win. “Obviously when you play a semifinal and lose, like against [Chelsea] three years ago, you don’t celebrate it.

“We’re happy to get to a semifinal, which isn’t easy, but once you’re there, if you lose, it doesn’t feel like much. Our target is to go through and win.”

Any hopes Chelsea might have had of an improbable comeback were dashed when Rodrygo scored shortly before the hour mark — the celebrations starting well and truly in Madrid a little over 20 minutes later when the Brazilian doubled the lead for Carlo Ancelotti‘s side.

“I don’t know how to explain it. I always say it’s a very special competition for me, every time I play I can help the team,” Rodrygo said after the match. “I’m happy and I hope to carry on like that, scoring more goals, providing more assists and winning the Champions League again.”

Rodrygo finished off a sweeping counter-attack against a helpless Chelsea, who have lost all four games since Frank Lampard returned as interim manager, skipping past Trevoh Chalobah‘s wild lunge with his cross eventually played back to him by fellow Brazi international Vinicius Junior for him to slot home.

The closing stages were almost academic and Real turned on the style with Federico Valverde teeing up Rodrygo’s second that was the catalyst for a mass exodus of Chelsea fans from their home ground.

“It’s a pleasure to be here at Real Madrid, the biggest team in the world,” Rodrygo added. “We know we have almost the obligation to get to semifinals and finals and to win the Champions League. Since I arrived we’ve had that in our heads, we have to go far, we have to play well, and that’s what we’ve done since I’ve been here: we’ve gone far in this competition.”

While Chelsea’s season will end trophy-less under their new American owners despite a £500 million pounds ($621 million) outlay on new players, 14-times European champions Madrid march on with Ancelotti eyeing the trophy for a fifth time.

“We knew you have to suffer in this kind of game,” Ancelotti said. “They gave everything In the first half they caused us problems especially on the left, we fixed that in the second half. It’s normal to suffer, we had a good level, solid at the back. A good game, a deserved win, we’re very happy.”

Madrid did pick up one bit of bad news on an otherwise joyous night when Eder Militao picked up a yellow card that will keep him out of the first leg of the semifinals due to accumulation.

Ancelotti said: “A bit worried, going down to 10 men would have been difficult, but after that he had a spectacular game at the back. He’ll miss the first leg of the semifinal, but let’s hope we’ll have [David] Alaba back.”

Madrid will likely face Manchester City in the semifinals, with Pep Guardiola‘s team leading Bayern Munich 3-0 in their quarterfinal with one leg to play.

Rosalia to Become First Artist Featured on FC Barcelona’s Men’s & Women’s Team Home Kits

Rosalia is picking sides

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the 30-year-old Spanish singer and songwriter’s Motomami, the Grammy-winning album’s logo will be emblazoned on FC Barcelona’s jerseys for their El Clásico match against Real Madrid.

Rosalia, FC Barcelona JerseyRosalia becomes the first artist to be featured on both the men’s and women’s teams home kits as part of Barcelona’s partnership with Spotify.

The limited-edition shirt with the Motomami logo will also be available for fans to purchase.

Rosalia, FC Barcelona JerseyRosalía follows Drake who, in October, had his OVO brand owl logo placed on the front of the FC Barcelona men’s jerseys for the match after becoming the first artist to surpass 50 billion streams on Spotify.

“We’re honored to give up our space on the FC Barcelona shirt to celebrate Rosalía – the most streamed Spanish artist on Spotify in 2022,” Marc Hazan, vice president of partnerships, Spotify said in a statement. “It’s a chance to continue the celebration of our unique partnership with FC Barcelona and continue to bring the worlds of football and music together.”

FC Barcelona Rosalia JerseyIn 2022, Rosalía was the most-streamed Spanish artist in the world on Spotify, with streams of her tracks growing by more than 110% year over year, and she was also the most-streamed female artist in Barcelona, according to the company.

Juli Guiu, vice president of marketing, FC Barcelona, added: “Seeing such a renowned artist as Rosalía on the beloved Barça jersey is a wonderful surprise for our fans around the world. Music and football form a special partnership with a long future ahead of them and we are happy to add another chapter to the story alongside the world’s most popular music streaming platform, Spotify.”

FC Barcelona Rosalia JerseyBarcelona’s El Clásico match will take place on March 19. The women’s team will then also wear the Motomami jerseys at their match on March 25.

Both team’s players will also be curating the El Clásico Matchday playlists featuring the top songs to motivate the players in the build up to the matches, which will, of course, include their favorite Rosalía songs.

Rosalía’s Motomami peaked at No. 3 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart. It won the Latin Grammy for album of the year. Most recently, Rosalía confirmed a joint three-song project with boyfriend and fellow artist Rauw Alejandro titled RR, set for release on March 24.

Lionel Messi Named Best FIFA Men’s Player

Lionel Messi is this year’s Best

The 35-year-old Argentine professional footballer was named Best FIFA Men’s Player at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, beating Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid‘s Karim Benzema.

Lionel MessiMessi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina in December — the country’s first in 36 years — ending his wait for the only major honor to have eluded him in his career.

“It’s amazing. It was a tremendous year and it is an honor for me to be here tonight and win this award,” said Messi, who sat next to Mbappe throughout the ceremony at the Salle Pleyel.

Monday’s award was Messi’s second FIFA The Best title, his first coming in 2019. He has also won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards.

“I want to express my thanks to [coach Lionel] Scaloni and my teammates; without them I would not be here,” Messi added. “I achieved a dream I had been hoping for so long and finally I achieved it. It’s a dream for any player; very few people can achieve that and I was lucky enough to do so.”

Messi scored seven goals at the World Cup in Qatar — including a brace in the thrilling 3-3 final victory on penalties — finishing one behind Golden Boot winner Mbappe.

Messi has scored 16 goals in 27 games in all competitions this season, as well as registering 14 assists, as he chases his second Ligue 1 title in two years at PSG.

Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas won the Best FIFA Women’s award for the second year running, while Argentina’s Scaloni and Emiliano Martinez got the honors for top men’s coach and goalkeeper, respectively.

Rodrygo Helps Lead Real Madrid Past CP Cacereno in Copa del Rey Play

Rodrygo has helped Real Madrid notch an important win… 

A second-string Real Madrid side edged fourth-tier CP Cacereno 1-0 in the Copa del Rey last 32 with a late goal from the 21-year-old Brazilian professional footballer as they bid for their first triumph in the competition since 2014.

RodrygoReal Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti made nine changes to the team that won 2-0 at Real Valladolid on Friday, resting several key players including Karim Benzema and Vinícius Junior.

Real Madrid went into the break locked at 0-0 versus Cacereno, with a crowded stadium seeing little action in the opening period.

It took 69 minutes for Real to break the deadlock when Rodrygo eluded the Cacereno defence to get into the box where he elegantly placed his shot into the top-right corner.

The Santos youth product celebrated by honoring the late Pele, replicating his iconic punch in the air.

Cacereno mounted a late push to get an equalizer, but Real Madrid went into defensive mode and ran down the clock.

Real Madrid Has Agreed to Sign Endrick on Five-Year Contract from Palmeiras

Things are about to get Real for Endrick

Real Madrid has agreed a deal to sign the 16-year-old Brazilian soccer wonderkid on a five-year contract from Palmeiras, according to ESPN.

Endrick,Sources said the transfer is worth €72 million, although Endrick will only be able to move to Madrid in 2024, when he turns 18. The deal will begin when the transfer window opens in July 2024, according to sources.

The official announcement depends on Endrick signing the contract and other details thought to be formalities, given both sides have reached an agreement on the terms of the transfer.

Endrick’s release clause was set at €60m, and sources said Real Madrid added €12m to that figure to ward off competition from other clubs and account for taxes.

Sources had told ESPN the forward was being pursued by Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, but the 14-time Champions League winners now appear to have won the race for his signature.

ESPN previously reported that Real Madrid were using a similar strategy to the one which helped them sign Vinicius Junior in 2017 to incorporate another young Brazilian into their squad.

Endrick only made his senior Palmeiras debut on October 6 but helped the Sao Paulo team win this year’s Brasileirao title and became the youngest goal scorer in the club’s history when he scored twice against Athletico Paranaense on October 25.