Karim Benzema is fully fit to get back into the club season.
After leaving France's World Cup squad in November due to an injury, Benzema has had a fairly quick recovery and has been training with normality the past week with Real Madrid. He even played in a friendly.
In Real Madrid training today. pic.twitter.com/bQjmZiE0vc
With this year's World Cup being held in the middle of the European soccer season, many questioned the impact it would have on the players’ clubs. While there have been some high-profile injuries, there've also been some players who've written their names among the stars.
For their clubs, this break has helped star players gain global recognition and grow their values ahead of the January transfer window. Whether they cash in and sell high or keep their players, the World Cup has absolutely helped some clubs more than others.
MADRID - Real Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Brazilian teenager Endrick from Palmeiras, the teams announced on Thursday, beating a host of leading European clubs linked to the prodigy.
The 16-year-old striker will join the European and LaLiga champions in July 2024, due to world soccer governing body FIFA's rules prohibiting underage players from playing abroad.
Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to turn the page on a more than disappointing World Cup exit with Portugal and is preparing his future in one of the places he can truly call home.
Meanwhile the whole Ronaldo camp prepares the Portuguese’s next move, the 37-year-old free agent decided — with the permission of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez — to train inside Real Madrid city Valdebebas on his days off prior to deciding his future this winter.
After a devastating loss against Croatia in the World Cup semifinals, Brazil has started their hunt to replace former coach Tite with perhaps the most successful European club manager ever reportedly in the mix.
Recent reports have placed current Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti as the one of the Brazilian Football Federation's (CBF) top candidates to lead their squad into the 2026 World Cup.
The magical nights of Cody Gakpo just keep getting better and better. His consistency has evoked memories of another World Cup hero who has been the benchmark for World Cup performance since 2014. James Rodríguez’s magical tournament saw him score six goals in five games including one in each of his group stage matches.
Gakpo has followed suit for the Netherlands, scoring at the same rate in Qatar this year. Rodríguez’s month-long spell in Brazil changed his life ahead of his move to Real Madrid, could we see the same happen with Gakpo in 2022?
Things are not looking good for Robert Lewandowski and FC Barcelona after the World Cup.
Lewandowski was sent-off for Barcelona when they visited Osasuna in the last game before the international break.
A double-booking saw the Polish star leave the game in the 30th minute after he made a reckless tackle on Osasuna’s David García.
Vinícius Júnior has become one of the most skillful players on the planet and he’s getting punished for it.
His quick feet, speed and Brazilian genes have turned him into a player that can provide both goals and assists when needed. Heading into the World Cup, Vini Jr is perhaps the most exciting debutant talent to see at the tournament, and he's leading a hungry and promising Brazil attack alongside Neymar.
| Vinicius Junior heading into the World Cup:
Rayo Vallecano came from behind to beat Real Madrid 3-2 on Monday with the champions failing to reclaim top spot in the standings after two consecutive games without a win and suffering their first loss in LaLiga this season.
Barcelona are top on 34 points, two ahead of Real Madrid and ten ahead of third-placed Atlético Madrid. Following their third consecutive win, Rayo climbed to eighth place, two points off the European qualification spots.
BARCELONA - Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué called time on his glittering career on Thursday, saying he will retire from football when LaLiga breaks for the World Cup this month.
Piqué, 35, said in a video posted on social media that Saturday's league clash with Almería on Saturday will be his last at Barcelona's Camp Nou after 14 years with the Catalan giants following his return from Manchester United in 2008.
Barcelona will travel to Osasuna on Tuesday for their final fixture before the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup.