By: Casey Rhine
Ohhhh El Clásico, where to begin. One of soccer's most heated, yet most deeply cherished rivalries.Few of you readers get to experience El Clasico, in Barcelona, while it's happening. This was my mission on December 23rd and should be your mission on May 6th if you are not lucky enough to go to the game in the Camp Nou.
MADRID — Real Madrid claimed a record-extending 36th LaLiga title on Saturday after Girona's 4-2 thrashing of local rivals Barcelona left Carlo Ancelotti's side with an unassailable lead in the standings.
With four games left, Real Madrid moved to 87 points on top of the standings after their second-string players earned a 3-0 win over relegation threatened Cadiz earlier on Saturday, 13 ahead of Girona in second and 14 clear of third-placed Barcelona.
Carlo Ancelotti has created some controversy following his statements in Real Madrid’s press conference on Friday, with the Italian manager giving no answer as to which goalkeeper he would plan on playing in a hypothetical Champions League final: Lunin or Courtois.
This weekend will see the return of starting Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after missing all what has been played in the 2023-24 season due to an ACL and meniscus injury. He will start in their home LaLiga bout against Cadiz this Saturday.
We could see Johnny play in the Champions League next season. And not with Real Betis.
USMNT's Johnny Cardoso has been in incredible club form since signing for LaLiga’s Real Betis last winter, making himself an undisputed starter for the Spanish club since his arrival in January and quickly becoming a fan-favorite in Sevilla.
MUNICH — Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr scored twice, including a late penalty, to snatch a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich in an entertaining Champions League semifinal, first leg on Tuesday, leaving the tie wide open.
The Brazilian, who put Real in front after 24 minutes, has now scored in the semifinals for a third successive season.
Bayern had struck twice in four minutes early in the second half through a Leroy Sane strike and Harry Kane penalty to turn the game around before Vinicius' spot kick.
Antonio Rüdiger shut down Erling Haaland and is now aiming to shut down Kylian Mbappé.
Rüdiger has been in incredible form with Real Madrid this season (taking the reigns of the central defense following the injuries of teammates Eder Militão and David Alaba), leading the team to a very likely LaLiga title as well as to a spot in the UEFA Champions League semifinals through the deciding kick in a penalty shoot-out.
The American made his bold pick on the greatest of all-time debate.
Johnny Cardoso has gone from zero to hero since signing for Real Betis in the January transfer window and has undoubtedly become one of the best new signings in LaLiga.
The 22-year-old midfielder has made himself one of the club’s most important players after just half a season and has garnered attention from fans and the media following his continuous stellar performances.
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NFL’s Jason Kelce just had a very interesting take on Lionel Messi playing in MLS and how it does not compare to him playing in Europe.
Inter Miami played Sporting Kansas City in the gigantic Arrowhead Stadium on April 13, making it one of the most highly attended MLS games of all time. Miami, with the help of a fantastic Lionel Messi goal from outside the box, came out victorious in front of 72,610 fans in Kansas City.
Rumors of LaLiga coming to USA have been circulating for years, but on Wednesday LaLiga president Javier Tebas suggested the idea could become reality.
Speaking with Spanish news outlet Expansion, Tebas said the league WILL play official regular season games abroad with a focus on the United States.
“LaLiga will play official matches abroad,” Tebas said. “I think it could be in the 2025-26 season. The official match in the U.S. will strengthen our position in the North American market which is second for LaLiga after Spain.”
LaLiga coming to USA
Incoming United States women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes sent shockwaves through the women’s soccer world on Saturday as her Chelsea side defeated Barcelona 1-0 on the road in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League semifinal.
The defending Champions League winners were undefeated at home in the previous FIVE YEARS. Hayes’ side limited Barcelona, who had scored 33 goals in eight Champions League games this season, to just one shot on target.
The result is also Barcelona’s first defeat of the season.