La Liga

What would’ve otherwise been a non-story had Real Madrid managed to hold on to their 2-1 lead over Las Palmas on Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo's 72nd minute substitution has since blown up following Sergio Araujo’s 85th minute equalizer.

Las Palmas held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw, diminishing Los Blancos' lead at the top of the La Liga table to a single point. The main talking point from the match has now switched to Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane's decision and Ronaldo's reaction.

Barcelona traveled to Gijon on Saturday for a difficult match against Sporting. Barcelona made their travels without Lionel Messi, who will be sidelined for three weeks with a groin injury suffered against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

In his stead, Neymar and Luis Suarez inspired their side to a resounding 5-0 victory. Neymar registered a brace and Luis Suarez scored Barca's opening goal in the 29th minute.

Valencia sacked their manager, Pako Ayestaran, on Tuesday after only four La Liga matches. Los Che currently sit at the bottom of the table after losing all four of those matches. 

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid tied 1-1 at the Camp Nou in a very well-played soccer game that was overshadowed by the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, going off with an injury.

Ivan Rakitic scored a header from a corner kick for Barcelona and Angel Correa took advantage of a Javier Mascherano slip for Atletico Madrid, but the real story was Messi's injury in the second half, which will keep the reigning World Player of the Year out for around three weeks.

Michael Laudrup was a sensational playmaker for Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Denmark National Team during his extensive playing career. Lauded as one of the greatest players of his generation, Laudrup earned his fame as a phenomenal passer of the ball.

In the intense and sometimes ruthless environment that is modern day soccer, depth is no longer a unique trait that teams can do without. It is a necessity. Unfortunately for Barcelona, they were one of the latest and greatest examples of this new reality. 

Last season was shaping up to be one of the best for the Blaugrana, with their striking trio on top form and the rest of the starting XI playing their part. However, by Barca’s ridiculously high standards, things didn’t necessarily go to plan over the final few months of the season. 

Is he finally, well and truly back? Alexandre Pato’s performance in Villarreal’s 2016-17 Europa League debut was nothing short of inspirational. Of course, let’s not get too carried away. Honestly, Pato wasn’t even the best player on the pitch. Jonathan dos Santos took home the Man of the Match award with the kind of performance Villarreal fans have come to expect from him.  

Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Samuel Eto’o are putting fanboys and internet trolls to shame with their ongoing war of words. It's all starting to sound eerily familiar to anyone who’s ever braved the comment section of any article concerning Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. 

It’s all done and dusted with Neymar penning an improved deal to keep him at Barcelona until 2021, but just imagine what could’ve been. According to Neymar’s agent, Wagner Ribeiro, the 24-year-old Brazilian captain came exceptionally close to joining either Manchester United or PSG over the summer. 

After two months on the sideline following the injury he suffered during the Euro 2016 Final, Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to make his 2016-17 La Liga bow with Real Madrid.

The Portuguese forward spoke at the launch of his new perfume, saying: “I am fine, I’m going to play.”