Spain

They're not finished. They're still two of the planet's best footballers and will battle for the game's biggest prizes over the next few years, but it's clear now that the 2021-22 season marks a personal decline for both Lionel Messi and Cristiano that's indicative of life as a professional athlete in your mid to late thirties. 

For Messi, it'll be the first time in 14 years that he doesn't surpass 30 goals across all competitions. He's at seven with just 10 matches remaining. 

Vinícius Júnior's transformation this season has been well documented. The 21-year-old is now one of LaLiga's finest finishers and far more efficient in the final third, while his combination play with Ferland Mendy, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema from Real's left-hand side makes for some of the most exciting viewing in football.

24 matches played, 24 matches won, 136 goals scored, six conceded and one Primera División title secured with six games still remaining. There's no stopping Barcelona Femení in Spain now after the team's 5-0 beatdown of Real Madrid at Estadi Johan Cruyff on Sunday, and it'll again be Real Madrid that's tasked with stopping Barça in Europe when the two sides square off in the Champions League quarterfinals later this month.

MADRID — Real Madrid fought back to earn a 4-1 home win against Real Sociedad that extended their lead at the top of LaLiga to eight points ahead of second-placed Sevilla on Saturday.

Real dominated the game but they fell behind after 10 minutes to a penalty converted by Mikel Oyarzabal.

Teenager Eduardo Camavinga came to the rescue five minutes before halftime, rifling home the equaliser from 25 meters with an unstoppable left-footer that went in off the post.

Real Betis' magical season had its finest moment yet Thursday as the club saw off Rayo Vallecano 1-1 at the Benito Villamarín to win its Copa del Rey semifinal 3-2 on aggregate, setting up a final against Valencia on April 23.

Rayo, which has never advanced to a Copa final in its history, struggled to create any chances of note at the Benito Villamarín as we approached the final 10 minutes of the match. It looked like the decisive goal would ultimately be the 68th-minute winner William Carvalho scored in the first leg back on Feb. 9 in Madrid.