Real Madrid

MADRID - Real Madrid's Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick as they capped their return to the refurbished Santiago Bernabéu stadium with a thrilling 5-2 comeback win over Celta Vigo in LaLiga on Sunday.

The Frenchman was unplayable at times as Madrid were reunited with their fans for the first time since March 1, 2020.

They played the whole of last season at reserve team Castilla's Alfredo Di Stéfano ground at their training complex.

For the first time, the UEFA Women’s Champions League will feature a 16-team group stage instead of jumping straight into a large knockout phase. And for the first time, the Real Madrid Women have qualified for the Women’s Champions League. 

Imagine traveling back in time to March 1, 2020, for El Clásico at the historic Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. After Sergio Ramos captained his side to a 2-0 win over Lionel Messi’s men, you could’ve stood up and screamed, “Well, I guess I won’t see any of you for 550 more days, and when we meet again here both Ramos and Messi will be at PSG!”

You would’ve been correct, but they would’ve put you in an asylum. 

On Sunday, Sept. 12, Real Madrid finally returns to the Bernabéu with a LaLiga match against Celta Vigo after opening the campaign with three away games.

Real Madrid have increased their offer to sign Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappé to $211.48 million after having an initial $188 million bid rejected, French newspaper L'Equipe reported on Thursday.

MADRID - It might be a new season, but the same old Atlético Madrid are in town. Meanwhile, is Vinícius Júnior finally ready to flourish? And does Manuel Pellegrini have a point about the entertainment value of the league?

Here are the talking points from the weekend's action in LaLiga.

New season, same Atlético

Offensive reinforcements are arriving at the Emirates Stadium in North London, and they couldn't come at a better time. Just a few days after a lackluster opening day defeat to Brentford, Arsenal has signed attacker Martin Ødegaard on a permanent transfer worth nearly $50 million.

The Norwegian had a successful loan spell at the club last season, joining on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021 and making 14 appearances during the second half of the campaign.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus released a joint statement welcoming a Madrid court's decision on Friday asking European soccer governing body UEFA to revoke action against them for planning the creation of the breakaway Super League.