Real Madrid Archives

Marcelo bids emotional farewell to Real Madrid after spending 15 years

MADRID: Marcelo said an emotional goodbye to his 15 years of association with Real Madrid after winning the highest number of titles in the club’s history, in a farewell ceremony attended by his teammates held here in Valdebebas.

Marcelo won 25 trophies for Real Madrid, including five Champions League, six La Liga, and two Copa del Rey titles, during his stay at Santiago Bernabeu.

“When I signed for Madrid, in my head I thought I could reach the top, and here I am the player with the most titles in its history,” said Marcelo who broke down in tears.

The 34-years-old footballer will be a free agent after his term expires at the end of this month as he announced not to hang up his boots without revealing which club he might join after leaving.

“I haven’t thought about retiring, I think I can still play,” he said. “I don’t think playing against Madrid will be a problem, I couldn’t have done any more. I’m very professional.”

Marcelo joined Real Madrid from Brazilian club Fluminese in 2007 and made 545 appearances for the club in all competitions.

READ: Australia secure FIFA World Cup spot after beating Peru on penalties

UEFA apologizes football fans over disarray on UCL final

LAUSANNE: UEFA apologized for the first time over the distressful and chaotic events outside the Stade de France stadium on the day of the Champions League Final- a much-celebrated European football event of the year- between Real Madrid and Liverpool.

The European Football’s governing body in a statement issued on Friday offered an apology for the ‘frightening’ and ‘distressing’ events on the UCL final as thousands of spectators were denied entry into the stadium and witnessed the use of tear gas by the police.

“UEFA wishes to sincerely apologise to all spectators who had to experience or witness frightening and distressing events in the build-up to the UEFA Champions League final at the Stade de France on 28 May 2022 in Paris,” said UEFA in its published statement.

UEFA also published the terms of reference of the commission which it had announced immediately after the event for the independent review of the incident.

“UEFA commissioned an Independent Review to identify shortcomings and responsibilities of all entities involved in the organisation of the final, and has today published the Terms of Reference for this review.” further added in its statement.

The independent review announced by the UEFA will be led by Dr. Tiago Brandao Rodrigues from Portugal to determine what happened leading up to the final and what lessons should be learned to guarantee the acts and events of that day are not repeated.

The review will go through the planning, ticketing, and security of the final while also looking at fan meeting points.

It will engage with UEFA, fan groups, including the Liverpool and Real Madrid, the French Football Federation (FFF), the police, the stadium operator, and other public authorities.

“Further information on how relevant parties can submit their testimonies (via a dedicated email address or an online questionnaire) will be communicated shortly,” added UEFA in its statement.

The body also confirmed that the review would start immediately and would be concluded within the shortest possible time frame.

Once completed, the Report will be published on UEFA’s website.

It is pertinent to mention here that Real Madrid has defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the Champion League final on May 29.

READ: Women’s Tests ‘not part of future landscape’ ICC chairperson Barclay

Vinicius Jr bags hat-trick as Real Madrid blunt Levante

MADRID: The 2022 La Liga winners Real Madrid cruised to a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Levante at the back of Vinicius Junior, here on Friday.

In a clash between the top and the bottom, Madrid made sure that their standings’ difference remained evident on the field as the already crowned championship hammered Levante and tested the side’s defences, which was reflected in the scoreline as well.

The hosts took an early lead in just the ninth minute of the game as Ferland Mendy surged forward to slot the ball home.

The Madrid skipper Benzema, who is back into the side after being rested for the La Liga derby against Atletico Madrid, soon found himself amongst the goals, getting on the end of a Vinicius cross at the back post.

Madrid then walked in their third goal before the half-time as Rodrygo combined with Luka Modric before the youngster tapped in from close range.

Modric then again provided the assist, this time to Vinicius, who tucked home from a tight angle.

The second half was all about Vinicius, who netted twice more to complete his hat-trick – first for the Madrid.

He scored his second in the 67th minute following a close assist from Benzema, who danced around the goalkeeper before passing to him. The final blow came in the 83rd minute when he took advantage of a Luka Jovic pass before netting the ball away with his left foot.

It is pertinent to mention here that with his 19th-minute goal against Levante, Benzema has equalled Raul’s record of the second-most goals (323) for the club, with only Cristiano Ronaldo (450) scoring more.

READ: Djokovic thumps Auger-Aliassaime, storms into the Italian Open semi-finals

Atletico thrash weakened Real Madrid in La Liga derby

MADRID: Atletico Madrid sealed an important 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the La Liga derby for the first time in six years, here on Tuesday.

Atletico, up against the weakened Real Madrid made the most of the situation as the prior defeated the current La Liga champions 1-0 to consolidate their fourth spot in the league’s standings.

The important victory against the weak Real Madrid has put Atletico on the brink of securing the Champions League Qualification.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, which recently made an astonishing comeback in the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City, took the field without their key players like Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Thibaut Courtois.

The first-half penalty from Yannick Carrasco proved enough for Atletico to edge past Real Madrid in the derby. The side, however, missed a string of chances which may be a matter of concern for the side in the upcoming fixtures.

Atletico, which currently sit at fourth, are six points clear of Real Betis in the fifth place, with three games to play. Atletico’s better head-to-head record over Betis, however, guarantees the side to finish among the top-four if Betis fails to win against Valencia on Tuesday.

If Betis defeat Valencia, Atletico then can still secure a spot in the top-four by beating Elche in Thursday’s fixture.

It’s worth mentioning that Atletico could not beat Real Madrid in La Liga since 2016, and at home since 2015, with two goals and no victory in their last eight meetings against their city rivals in all competitions.

READ: Cricket South Africa withdraws racism charges from Mark Boucher

Real Madrid crush Espanyol to lift their 35th La Liga title

MADRID: The home side Real Madrid put on a show as they hand a crushing 4-0 defeat to Espanyol and lift their 35th La Liga title, here on Sunday.

The home side Madrid, which just needed one point from their last five games secured two goals as Rodrygo Silva netted the ball twice and put the side close to the glory.

Espanyol pushed hard to cut the gap but Madrid’s Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema bettered the lead to 4-0 with a strike each in the 55th and 81st minutes.

With a convincing 4-0 victory, the home side moved 17 points clear of the second-ranked Sevilla and four matches to play. Barcelona, on the other hand, have a game in hand but are 18 points shy.

With La Liga’s conclusion, Madrid will turn their attention to the second leg of their semi-final against Manchester City in the Champions League, where the La Liga champions will have to overturn a 4-3 defeat in the first leg to make their way into the final.

Furthermore, Madrid’s coach Carlo Ancelotti, on the other hand, has become the first coach to win all five major European titles. He has also won the Premier League with Chelsea, Serie A with AC Milan, Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain and the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.

READ: ‘I Bowled Two Balls More Than 160 kph, but they were not counted’ Sami

Man City beat Real Madrid in a seven-goal Champions League classic

MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola said he had to reiterate to his players they had beaten Real Madrid 4-3 in a Champions League classic on Tuesday despite the disappointment of not killing off their semi-final tie at the Etihad.

Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were on target for Guardiola’s men, who held a two-goal lead three times.

But Karim Benzema’s double and a brilliant individual effort from Vinicius Junior gave Madrid hope of another famous Champions League fightback at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 4.

Guardiola lamented letting Liverpool escape “alive” in the Premier League title race after a 2-2 draw at the Etihad nine days ago and will have similar regrets after a blistering opening that could have seen City go 4-0 up inside half an hour.

Madrid, the record 13-time European champions, were playing in their 30th semi-final to City’s third, but the English champions lived up to their tag as pre-tie favourites early on.

Only 92 seconds had passed before the Madrid rearguard was breached by Riyad Mahrez’s quick feet and perfect cross for De Bruyne to stoop and head past Thibaut Courtois.

Jesus pounced to make it 2-0 after just 10 minutes when David Alaba failed to deal with De Bruyne’s cross.

The Spanish champions-elect were without Casemiro and his absence showed as City cut through midfield on the counter-attack at will.

Guardiola was furious with Mahrez after he selfishly smashed into the side-netting with Foden awaiting the cross for a tap-in.

Moments later it was Foden who was guilty of wasting a glorious chance when he dragged wide another pinpoint De Bruyne through the ball.

READ: Netherlands blunt Pakistan 4-1 in the second match of the Europe Tour

Legendary Real Madrid skipper Ramos to quit club

Madrid: Legendary captain Sergio Ramos is to leave Real Madrid after a glittering, trophy-laden career spanning 671 games and 16 seasons, the club announced Wednesday.
Real said there would be an “act of tribute and farewell” to the four-time Champions League winner on Thursday in the presence of club president Florentino Perez.
The announcement follows an injury-wracked 2020/21 campaign where the 35-year-old Ramos appeared in only 21 games in all competitions, his fewest in a 16-year career at Madrid. He has played just five times since the start of the year.
The veteran defender and national team captain was omitted from Spanish coach Luis Enrique’s Euro 2020 squad because of his lack of playing time.
Ramos joined Real Madrid from Sevilla in 2005, the sole Spaniard brought in during Perez’s first stint as president, the first Galacticos era that saw a major superstar signed every season.
A towering presence at the back, Ramos was also a prolific goalscorer, netting 101 times for Real including the 93rd-minute equaliser in the 2014 Champions League final against bitter rivals Atletico Madrid.
They went on to dominate their city rivals 4-1 after extra time, first of Real’s stunning run of four Champions League triumphs in five years.
He is one of the club’s most decorated players, having won five La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and two Copas del Rey.
He won the World Cup with Spain in 2010, and the European Championship in both 2008 and 2012, but has often been a polarising figure outside Madrid.

Red card record

Ramos holds the record for the most red cards in La Liga history at 20, and was sent off 26 times in all competitions for Madrid.
A fierce competitor, he has come under fire for his harsh tackling including the infamous takedown of Mohamed Salah during the 2018 Champions League final that left the Liverpool star with a dislocated shoulder.
This season Ramos missed games after catching Covid-19 and also because of a series of injuries to his right thigh, left calf and left hamstring.
He was in Madrid’s squad for the final La Liga game against Villarreal but did not play.
According to Spanish media, Real and Ramos had not been able to reach an agreement on an extension of his contract, which will expire on June 30.
The club wanted to offer him a one-year deal with a 10 percent cut in salary in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, while Ramos wanted a two-season extension, according to reports.
The absence of record Spain appearance holder Ramos means there is not a single Madrid player in Enrique’s squad at Euro 2020.
Ramos has played 180 times for his country, scoring 23 times a tally that puts him eighth on Spain’s all-time goalscorers’ list.
He represented Spain at four World Cups and three European Championships and was a key member of the squads that lifted the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 Euros.
Ramos will become a free agent after June 30 with a host of top European clubs, including Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, reported to be interested in signing the veteran.

Ancelotti returns to Real Madrid for second spell as coach

Madrid: Carlo Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid for a second spell as coach on Tuesday, re-joining the club from Everton, after agreeing a three-year deal at the Bernabeu.

The Italian was previously in charge of Real between 2013 and 2015, and replaces Zinedine Zidane, who left the La Liga club last month.

“While I have enjoyed being at Everton I have been presented with an unexpected opportunity which I believe is the right move for me and my family at this time,” Ancelotti said in a statement on the Everton website.

Ancelotti has one of the most-decorated CVs in world football and won the Champions League with Real in 2014, helping the Spaniards to their fabled ‘Decima’ (10th) European crown, before being sacked 12 months later.

Read: Zinedine Zidane resigns as Real Madrid coach

The 61-year-old is one of three coaches, along with former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley and Zidane, to have won the European Cup or Champions League on three occasions, having also led AC Milan to glory in 2003 and 2007.

His honours list includes league titles in four different countries at Milan, Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich over a 26-year managerial career.

“Carlo Ancelotti will be the new first team coach for the next three seasons,” a brief Real Madrid statement read.

Ancelotti will sign his contract and be presented to the media on Wednesday.

The move comes following Zidane’s decision to step down five days after his team were pipped to the La Liga title by city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Real finished two points behind Atletico, were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-finals by eventual winners Chelsea and suffered a humiliating Copa del Rey exit to third division minnows Alcoyano during a rare trophy-less season.

Zidane subsequently hit out at the club in an open letter, saying: “I’m leaving because I feel the club no longer has the faith in me I need, nor the support to build something in the medium or long term.”

It brought an end to a second spell in charge of the club that was fraught with tension.

The end of the Frenchman’s tenure was surrounded by questions over his reliance on players the wrong side of 30 like Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema and his willingness to oversee the rebuild the club felt it needed.

Ancelotti was considered something of a coup when Everton announced his appointment on a four-and-a-half year contract in December 2019, and he guided the club to a 12th-place Premier League finish in his first season.

The Italian then oversaw an impressive summer transfer window, signing Colombian star James Rodriguez from Real Madrid as well as the likes of Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ben Godfrey, and Everton started the campaign in superb form, winning their first seven games in all competitions.

The Toffees remained in European contention throughout the season but a dip in form towards the end of the campaign, when they picked up three wins from their final 12 league games, saw them slide to a disappointing mid-table finish.

“The club will begin the process of appointing a new manager immediately and will provide updates in due course,” read an Everton statement.

Tag: Real Madrid