Real Madrid

Real Madrid led, but only just. Karim Benzema had given Los Blancos an early lead but Luka Modric picked up his first straight red card in more than 300 matches with Real. Then came an insane Toni Kroos goal vs Celta Vigo, ensuring all three points for the Merengues on Saturday. 

After Benzema’s goal in the 12th minute you’d be forgiven for thinking Real Madrid would cruise to an opening-day victory. But Modric’s 56th-minute red card complicated things a bit.

What’s the difference between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi? It’s the time-honored question that’ll be debated long after both you and I are altered into cosmic dust, although I’ve personally maintained that the difference between the two is the empanadas they’d serve at a social gathering.

The new LaLiga season begins on Friday with defending champion Barcelona heading north to play Athletic Bilbao at the San Mamés. Last year, Barça cantered to the title by an 11-point margin over second-place Atlético while Real Madrid finished 19 points back. However, the La Liga preview 2019/20 sees the challengers refreshed and reloaded with the likes of Eden Hazard and João Félix ready to come at the king.    

Of the 14 players to appear for the Netherlands during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final against Spain, only goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (Everton), midfielders Nigel de Jong (Al-Shahania) and Eljero Elia (İstanbul Başakşehir) and defender Edson Braafheid (Austin Bold FC) remain in the game. 

According to the latest reports, Neymar is on the verge of forcing through his exit at Paris Saint-Germain. It’s his ultimate destination — either Barcelona or Real Madrid — that those reports really can’t agree on.

Gareth Bale did not find himself on the team sheet for Real Madrid’s friendly against Tottenham in Munich on Tuesday. Instead, he was spotted on the green, playing golf at the Ciudad Grupo Santander, a private course on the outskirts of Madrid.