Real Madrid

Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde each strike twice, while Karim Benzema also scores, for Real's 5-3 victory. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Vinicius set up Benzema for Real’s third with a brilliant cross with the outside of his boot in the 54th minute, before Valverde extended their lead from close-range. Valverde extended Real’s lead five minutes later on the rebound, but Al Hilal hit back with a goal from Moussa Marega on the counter-attack. “We’re now getting players back from injuries and I think this title can also be a boost for the rest of the season.

Madrid have edged out Barça thanks to their FIFA Club World Cup win and one 'forgotten' title from the 1990s.

Los Merengues moved 12 trophies ahead (73-61) after winning the Spanish Super Cup in 2003, but Barça then kicked off a period of dominance that saw them move six in front (89-83) before Madrid won the Champions League against city rivals Atlético in Lisbon in 2014. The tournament, also called the Copa Iberia for sponsorship reasons, was jointly-created by the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) and CONMEBOL in an attempt to strengthen ties between the two organisations. The first leg was played on May 19 at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, with Madrid running out 3-1 winners thanks to a brace from José Luis Morales and another goal from Fernando Hierro. Saturday’s victory in Rabat therefore saw Real Madrid clinch their 100th official title. And the race to become the first Spanish club to win 100 official domestic and international titles is over. Los Blancos have become the first of the two rivals to reach that particular milestone thanks to

The games are coming thick and fast for Madrid, but they have their sights set on more titles after success in Morocco.

[The Athletic’s Spanish football coverage](https://theathletic.com/4064085/2023/01/09/barca-barcelona-real-madrid/) has expanded… That approach served Zinedine Zidane well when Real Madrid won their first La Liga title under the Frenchman in 2017, with players such as [Alvaro Morata](https://theathletic.com/football/player/alvaro-morata-RLhobUT25uwxMml5/), Isco and James Rodriguez stepping up to help the established starters. Victory was special for Madrid given they had already won the Club World Cup here in 2015 and knew they could expect a warm welcome from supporters in Morocco. Madrid stayed at the Conrad hotel, about 20 kilometres from the hustle and bustle of Rabat, for all six days they were in Morocco for the Club World Cup. Carvajal and Asensio even raised the issue with the president of the Spanish footballers’ association (AFE), David Aganzo, when he spoke to them at the stadium after their semi-final victory against Al Ahly. But there was still much to lose and little to gain for Madrid at the Club World Cup — anything that wasn’t a procession to the trophy was bound to be labelled a disaster. That almost proved to be the case as Madrid showed their defensive frailties in Morocco, conceding a combined total of 21 chances and eight shots on target against Al Ahly and Al Hilal. As those within the team know, it is the same starting line-up Ancelotti would choose if his side were facing [Liverpool](https://theathletic.com/football/team/liverpool/) rather than Al Hilal. But a worried [FIFA](https://theathletic.com/football/international-football/) official was still pacing up and down. It is not unusual to see him surrounded by Madrid veterans who look at him as if he were another legend, despite the fact Ancelotti only arrived in the Spanish capital for his first spell as coach in 2014. They soon got back on track after an ‘Ancelottina’ — the term that has been introduced by those close to Madrid to describe the team talks in which Ancelotti adopts a harsher tone than usual. The Ukrainian apologised as he boarded the bus — it would be the last time Madrid lost sight of the trophy.

Another name that has been doing the rounds of the rumour mill lately is that of Rayan Cherki. The 19-year-old French wonderkid currently plays for Lyon. As ...

The Spanish giants have the option to match any transfer bid for him. The 19-year-old French wonderkid currently plays for Lyon. It does not look like Real Madrid have any plans of stopping either.

It was a largely one-sided contest at the Prince Moulay Abdallah stadium, with Real never looking likely to cede control despite allowing their opponents to ...

They showed skills and quality. they have done very well. Advertisement

On 13 February 1985, Real Madrid were crowned champions against Zaragoza in Alcora (Castellón).

Real Madrid claimed their first Spanish Super Cup in basketball on 13 February 1985. Lolo Sainz's men, who were participating as champions of the 1983/84 league campaign, got off to a flying start against the Copa del Rey winners opening up a 48-27 lead from the first half. The madridistas continued to boss the proceedings over the next 20 minutes and went on to clinch the first Spanish Super Cup in the club's history.

La Liga champions Real Madrid have reportedly secured a verbal agreement for Rayan Cherki and will have the option to match any bid for him.

Real Madrid and Lyon have struck a verbal agreement for the young Frenchman. [admitted that he dreams of joining Real Madrid in the future](https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/02/11/rayan-cherki-dreams-of-real-madrid-move/). And Lyon will have to keep Real Madrid in the loop about any movements surrounding the teenage whizkid. And the reigning La Liga champions have secured a verbal agreement for the 19-year-old sensation. Real Madrid can potentially sign Cherki to compete with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes for the wide-attacking berths. Such a deal will entail Los Blancos matching any bid for the Lyon wonderkid.

Real Madrid may ignite a transfer war this summer to sign Joao Felix from fierce rivals Atletico Madrid. The Portuguese attacker is currently on loan at ...

[Spanish media outlet Sport report](https://www.sport.es/en/news/barca/mendes-postpones-ansu-fati-future-decision-until-end-of-the-season-82859400): "Mendes, who has a great relationship with Joan Laporta, told the sports department that there were clubs in a position to present very interesting offers for Ansu, and Manchester United would be one of them. Marsch only parted ways with Leeds United last week, but is on the shortlist as the Saints search for a new manager. Ansu Fati's future at Barcelona has reached a crossroads as the 20-year-old is not playing as many minutes as he would like to. Club president Florentino Perez is said to hold Felix in high esteem and is one of his favoured choices. Real Madrid are ready to enter the race to sign Joao Felix this summer. Real Madrid are ready to hijack the Blues' expected summer move for Felix.

Real Madrid are eager to bolster their forward options, with a quality striker wanted to deputise for Karim Benzema. Benzema, who is now 35-years-old, ...

Football Insider reports Southampton and Leeds both want Marcelo Gallardo, while the Mail adds that Saints are also interested in Torino boss Ivan Juric. – Tuttomercatoweb reports that Bayer Leverkusen will compete with Juventus to sign Alex Grimaldo from Benfica. – Barcelona president Joan Laporta is determined to sign Julian Alvarez from Manchester City, reports Fichajes.

Jude Bellingham has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid and is believed to be the Spanish giants' priority for the upcoming summer transfer window.

If that is the case, Real Madrid should definitely consider a move. There is another English midfielder though, who could be a good addition to this team. On the other hand, there have been suggestions that Toni Kroos could hang up his boots after this campaign and he is yet to extend his contract either.

With their relationship worsening, Felix was sent out on loan to Premier League giants Chelsea during the January transfer window, and was replaced by ...

He could operate as a 10 in a 4-2-3-1, and Carlo Ancelotti has switched to that system at times, but it is unlikely to be a permanent tactic for Real Madrid. The Portuguese is better off seeking a move to a team that is more likely to play to his strengths, rather than shoehorn him into a system that doesn’t suit his qualities. He is unlikely to be first choice at striker ahead of Karim Benzema, but would be a very good understudy. Los Blancos are likely to be in the market for a forward this summer, and Felix appears to be a consideration among club officials. As a more deep-lying player, he could bring the two wingers into the game more, but may not have too much of an effect himself. [sent off](https://www.football-espana.net/2023/01/12/watch-joao-felix-sent-off-on-chelsea-debut-for-horror-challenge) on his Chelsea debut, and was subsequently suspended for their next three matches.

Chelsea loanee Joao Felix is a reported target of Real Madrid's, meaning the Blues could find it a tough task if they were keen on signing him permanently.

While there is no option for the Blues to buy him at the end of his loan, they might well be interested in doing so. As such, a player like Felix could be the perfect replacement. What’s more, Felix is already playing for the Blues. Chelsea paid around £10million to bring him in on loan from Atletico Madrid until the end of the season. After around a month suspended, he had an impactful second game. Reports have already tipped the club to be interested in buying him at the end of his loan.

There might not have been much fanfare at Cibeles fountain in Madrid, where Real Madrid traditionally celebrate trophy wins, but the Club World Cup did once ...

Their run over the last decade is rivalled perhaps only by their own exploits in the 1960s. It is a record that runs all the way back to their last Club World Cup final defeat against Boca Juniors in 2000. Curiously, the one defeat in those 18 was against domestic opposition, as they were defeated by Atletico Madrid in the European Supercup in 2018.