Atletico Madrid is about to come under American ownership. Apollo Sports Capital, an asset management company, will become the Spanish club's majority shareholder early next year, Atletico announced on Monday. No financial details were disclosed. Chief executive Miguel ngel Gil and president Enrique Cerezo will stay in their positions to ensure continuity of vision and leadership, the two parties said in a joint statement. Gil's position at Atletico has elevated its influence in soccer, as he is a member of the executive committees at both the influential European Football Clubs group and UEFA. The statement also said the deal for Atletico is not part of a multi-club control ownership strategy. The investment by ASC will reinforce the club's position among football's elite and support its ambition to deliver long-term success for millions of fans worldwide, Atletico and Apollo said. As long-term investors, ASC and the existing shareholders will partner with Atltico de Madrid's ...
Robert Lewandowski scored a hat trick to help Barcelona gain ground on Real Madrid in the Spanish league. After Madrid was held by Rayo Vallecano to a 0-0 draw its second consecutive setback following a Champions League loss at Liverpool Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal led Barcelona to a 4-2 victory at Celta Vigo to move the Catalan club within three points of the lead. Villarreal, which won 2-0 at Espanyol on Saturday for its third league victory in a row, stayed in third place, five points behind Madrid. Atletico Madrid, which beat Levante 3-1 at home on Saturday, was fourth, six points off the lead. Barcelona's offensive struggles continued it has conceded 16 goals in its last eight matches and hasn't had a clean sheet since September but the attack came through again to secure the team's victory on the road. We made some mistakes, but we did much better in the second half, with more control of the ball and the game, and we defended much better, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick ...
Antoine Griezmann showed his vintage scoring form by netting two goals to help Atletico Madrid beat Levante 3-1 in the Spanish League, while Villarreal provisionally moved ahead of Barcelona into second place. Atletico's all-time leading scorer came on in the 61st minute and needed only a few seconds to score the go-ahead goal on Saturday. He added another with 10 minutes remaining to seal the victory. Those were goals No. 202 and 203 at Atletico for Griezmann, who at age 34 is playing a reduced role for Diego Simeone's side but still contributing with his playmaking and scoring. Griezmann became Atletico's top scorer with his 174th club goal in January 2024. He has scored five times this season, including in a historic 5-2 rout of Real Madrid. Atletico went ahead against Levante through an own goal by Adrin de la Fuente in the 12th before Manu Snchez headed the visitors level in the 21st. Griezmann had an immediate impact when sent on by Simeone. First he sped forward to drive in
The altercation didn't remain limited to the two forwards. As the situation grew heated, members from both benches got involved, with players like Dani Ceballos and Fermin López seen exchanging words
The Spanish league is finally playing a regular-season game in the United States. La Liga confirmed Wednesday that Villarreal and Barcelona will face each other at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Dec. 20. This match is a historic step that takes La Liga and Spanish football to an all-new level, Spanish league president Javier Tebas said in a league statement. He and the league had been pushing for a regular-season game abroad for some time, with the first attempt coming in 2018 with a match between Barcelona and Girona, but the idea was dismissed after criticism from some players, fans and clubs. Its subsequent attempts to play there also failed but the plan moved forward this time after UEFA on Monday gave consent for the game despite opposition from fan groups across the continent. The European governing body did not oppose the plans by both the Spanish league and the Italian league, which wants to have AC Milan face Como in Australia next year. UEFA blamed a lack of clear rules f
Lamine Yamal was out injured, Robert Lewandowski missed a potential equalizing penalty kick and Barcelona lost its second straight match with a disheartening 4-1 defeat at Sevilla in the Spanish league on Sunday. Combined with a midweek loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Barcelona is not entering the international break in a positive mood. The result also meant that Real Madrid remained atop the Spanish league standings, two points ahead of previously unbeaten Barcelona. Madrid beat Villarreal 3-1 on Saturday. Sevilla, which beat Barcelona in La Liga for the first time in a decade, moved up to fourth. Yamal aggravated an injury in his groin area against PSG and will be sidelined for two to three weeks. Alejandro Balde earned a penalty for Barcelona in the 74th but Lewandowski shot wide left from the spot after two stutter steps as he saw Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos move where he was aiming. Isaac Romero scored one goal and earned another for Sevilla
The last time Julin lvarez faced Real Madrid, his mishap in a penalty shootout led to another painful loss for Atletico Madrid. lvarez redeemed himself on Saturday when he scored two goals to fuel a memorable 5-2 rout of Atletico's fiercest rival in a La Liga derby. It was the first time in 75 years that Atletico scored five goals against its crosstown rival. The Argentina striker stole the show from Kylian Mbapp, who scored as Madrid built a 2-1 lead. lvarez converted a penalty to put the hosts ahead 3-2 early in the second half before he added a second goal with a curling free kick. Diego Simeone's Atletico dealt Xabi Alonso his first loss of the season after Madrid had won all six La Liga games and its Champions League opener. Alonso's only other loss since taking over as Madrid's coach in the summer was against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinals in July. Barcelona can overtake leader Madrid with a win at Real Sociedad on Sunday. Atletico moved into fourth plac
Real Madrid maintained their flawless start to the season with the midweek win, extending their run to six wins from six matches.
Barcelona overcame a blunder by goalkeeper Joan Garca to come from behind and win 3-1 at promoted Oviedo in the Spanish league. Barcelona trailed after Garca gave the ball away when he left the area and Alberto Reina scored for the hosts with a shot from near the midfield circle. The Catalan club rallied in the second half with goals by Eric Garca, Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo to secure its fifth win in six league matches. The result left Barcelona two points behind leader Real Madrid, which won 4-1 at promoted Levante on Tuesday to maintain a perfect record after six rounds. In the first half we struggled with the scoring opportunities but in the second we picked up the pace and got the three goals and the victory that is very important for us, Lewandowski said. Joan Garca's mistake came as he ventured outside the area to intercept a long pass in the 33rd minute. He used his right thigh to get the ball over one opponent and then his left foot to clear another Oviedo playe
Dani Olmo scored and set up one of Ferran Torres' two goals with a neat backheel flick as Barcelona beat Getafe 3-0 in the Spanish league on Sunday. It was the second straight game for Barcelona at its training facility as the newly renovated Camp Nou Stadium lacks the required permits. Olmo's clever flick inside the area led to Torres scoring for Barcelona in the 15th minute, and Raphinha's assist to Torres in the 34th allowed the Catalan club to increase its first-half advantage. Olmo then closed the scoring with a shot from near the penalty spot in the 62nd after a setup by substitute Marcus Rashford. A man carrying a Palestinian flag entered the field just before Olmo scored but did not affect the goal. The man was taken away by security. We had to focus on our own performance," Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said. "We controlled the match. It's never easy to score three against Getafe. The victory moved defending champion Barcelona within two points of leader Real Madrid, which
Vincius Jnior and Arda Gler scored back-to-back goals to help Real Madrid rally for a 2-1 win over Mallorca and make it three wins in as many games in the Spanish league. Xabi Alonso's team saw three newcomers make key plays in the victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Mallorca struck first when Vedat Muriqi muscled Dean Huijsen out of the way to reach a corner kick by Pablo Torre, redirecting the cross with the back of his shoulder past Thibaut Courtois in the 18th minute. The 20-year-old Huijsen played a part in leveling in the 37th. The new Madrid central defender headed a cross from a set piece across the goalmouth for Gler to smash home. Vincius only needed another minute to put Madrid in front after Mallorca lost the ball in midfield. The Brazil forward had room to romp forward before cutting back to his left foot and firing in his second goal of the campaign. Mallorca pressed for the equalizer in an open second half. Midfielder Sergi Darder came close to delivering a b
While many clubs are already done with their business, some clubs are still looking to fill in their puzzles with many big names still up for grabs in the market.
Antonio Rüdiger is now available for Madrid after completing a six-match suspension. Despite his return, Éder Militão is expected to partner with Dean Huijsen at centre-back.
Marcus Rashford made his first La Liga start since joining on loan from Manchester United, featuring as a left-sided forward
Kylian Mbapp got off to a scoring start in his second season with Real Madrid, leading the team to a 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their Spanish league opener Tuesday. Mbapp, the leading scorer in his debut with Madrid last season, converted a 51st-minute penalty kick to give the hosts the victory. A nice run by Mbapp through the right side of the area, followed by a neat cutback move, prompted the foul. The goal gave new coach Xabi Alonso a winning debut in his first full season with the club. The former Madrid player arrived before the Club World Cup to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who left to take the Brazil job. It was special to be back here as a coach, unforgettable, Alonso said. Hopefully it was the first of many victories celebrated here. Alonso started the match with three of the club's new signings for the season left back lvaro Carreras, right back Trent Alexander-Arnold and central defender Dean Huijsen. Teenage forward Franco Mastantuono came off the bench to replace Brahim
Real Madrid begin the season under new manager Xabi Alonso, who brings fresh energy and tactical ideas.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andr ter Stegen underwent successful back surgery on Tuesday, the club said. Barcelona did not say how long Ter Stegen will be sidelined, but the player had said the recovery time would be about three months. Ter Stegen needed the operation to address persistent lower back problems. The 33-year-old German missed nearly all of last season because of a tendon rupture in his knee, and in 2023 he missed about two months because of another back operation. Barcelona added Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garca to its squad last month. Iaki Pea was the team's reserve goalkeeper last season.
Spanish soccer club Barcelona is paying tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant with its second uniform launched Tuesday. The five-time European champion said its new jersey will replace the usual Nike swoosh logo with the Kobe Sheath' the sword in the sheath logo that identifies the Kobe Bryant brand. Barcelona said the club had a special relationship with Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in Southern California in 2020. He made appearances alongside club members and first-team players during his visits to Barcelona and when the club visited the United States. The shorts are black with Persian violet details and a textured snakeskin outline, a reference to the Black Mamba alter ego of Kobe, Barcelona said. The change, made in collaboration with Nike, will last three seasons. All in all, it is part of a brand collaboration between the NBA legend and FC Barcelona that is born out of a shared culture of sporting excellence that characterized Bryant and is also part of FC Barcelona's
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andr ter Stegen will undergo more back surgery and be out of action for about three months. Barcelona said Thursday that Ter Stegen will have the surgery next week to address lower back problems. Today is a personally difficult day for me, the goalkeeper said. Physically and athletically, I feel in very good shape, although unfortunately I am not free from pain. After intensive discussions with the FC Barcelona medical team and external experts, the quickest and safest way for me to fully recover is through back surgery. The 33-year-old Ter Stegen missed nearly all of last season because of a tendon rupture in his knee, and in 2023 he missed about two months because of another back operation. This time, the doctors believe that about three months will be necessary as a precaution, to avoid any risks, Ter Stegen said. Emotionally, it hurts a lot not being able to support the team during this time. Fortunately, the rehabilitation is manageable and the road b
Real Madrid reached a deal to sign lvaro Carreras from Benfica on Monday, bringing back the young left back who came through the Spanish club's youth squads. Madrid said the 22-year-old Carreras is arriving on a six-year contract. Financial details of the transfer were not immediately released. Carreras played in Madrid's youth academy from 2017-20. The Spaniard joined Benfica from Manchester United after being named the English club's best under-23 player of the 2021-22 season. He won this year's Portuguese League Cup with Benfica. Carreras will be officially introduced by Madrid on Tuesday. Madrid was eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals of the Club World Cup. Madrid had a disappointing season by its standards, finishing runner-up to rival Barcelona in La Liga and being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Champions League despite having signed France star Kylian Mbapp last summer.