BARCELONA — Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta announced his retirement on Tuesday after a glittering trophy-laden career spanning 24 years.

Iniesta, 40, was at the heart of the Spain and Barcelona midfield during a period of sustained success for both teams in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

"Please allow me to be a little emotional today," a tearful Iniesta, who most recently played for Emirates Club in the United Arab Emirates, told a press conference.

France's World Cup-winning defender Raphaël Varane announced his retirement from football at the age of 31 on Wednesday, bringing down the curtain on his successful career after suffering a serious knee injury.

Varane made 93 appearances for France from 2013-22, playing a key role in their victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as their runners-up finish four years later in Qatar. He retired from international football in 2023.

Varane retires

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has suffered a muscle injury, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday, casting doubt over the French international's participation in the weekend derby against Atletico Madrid.

Mbappé, signed from Paris St Germain this year, has been in fine form this season, scoring seven goals for Real in nine matches across all competitions.

The 25-year-old was substituted in the 80th minute of the 3-2 home win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga on Tuesday and gestured to his thigh while leaving the pitch.

Kylian Mbappé hamstring injury

Real Madrid survived a late scare as goals by Lucas Vazquez, Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo gave them a 3-2 home win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga on Tuesday.

Carlos Benavidez and Kike Garcia scored in the 85th and 86th minutes for Alaves but Real held on to win a match they had mostly dominated.

Real doubled their lead in the 40th minute when Mbappé played a neat one-two with Jude Bellingham before cutting inside and slotting a tidy finish to the right of the goalkeeper.

Kylian Mbappé goal vs Alaves

The first edition of the annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup for club teams from around the world will have five matches, with European Champions League winners Real Madrid to play in the final on Dec. 18 in Doha, the world soccer body said on Friday.

The tournament, which was announced in December last year, replaces the annual Club World Cup which will now be played every four years with 32 teams from 2025.

2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Coming : The FIFA Intercontinental Cup

The UEFA Champions League has confirmed the fixtures for the new "league phase" format for the 2024/25 season. The draw marks a significant change from the traditional group stage format, with a shift towards a league phase that includes 36 teams, an increase from the previous 32.

Spoiler: Paris Saint-Germain are not liking the new format.

Confirmed: New UEFA Champions League "league phase" draw fixtures

Pot 1 fixtures:

MADRID, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Second-half strikes by Federico Valverde, Brahim Díaz and Endrick gave feeble Real Madrid an unconvincing 3-0 win over lowly Real Valladolid on Sunday, earning the defending champions their first win of the LaLiga season.

Although Real dominated possession, they struggled to breach Valladolid's ultra-defensive approach until breaking the deadlock from a free kick in the 50th minute, with Valverde slotting in a thunderous strike from the edge of the box.