LaLiga

Welcome to this week’s edition of USMNT Abroad, where we bring you the latest updates on American soccer players making waves across Europe. 

From standout performances to key transfers, rumors and injury reports, The18 has got you covered with all the action involving U.S. men’s national team players in Europe’s top leagues. 

C’mon, you yanks!

USMNT Abroad this weekend: The latest on American players in Europe

Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)

Real Madrid's French forward Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with an injury to his left thigh, the LaLiga club said on Thursday, making him a doubt for next week's FIFA Intercontinental Cup final.

Mbappé was replaced during the first half of Real's 3-2 win at Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday, having given his side the lead with a 10th minute goal.

Kylian Mbappé injury update

Following are the 32 teams that have qualified for the expanded 2025 Club World Cup to be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13.

Apart from the winners of each confederation's premier club competitions, teams also qualified based on their ranking that was calculated based on their performances over a four-year period.

All 32 clubs playing in the 2025 Club World Cup

UEFA (12 TEAMS)

Chelsea: 2020-21 Champions League winners

Real Madrid: 2021-22 and 2023-24 Champions League winners

Lionel Messi wants to return to Barcelona. The city, that is.

In an interview with FC Barcelona, the club’s all-time goalscorer and greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi, joined the blaugrana’s for a quick chat, taking a listen and judging the three finalist songs of the club’s 125th anniversary.

Messi has officially listened to the three finalists of FC Barcelona's 125th Anniversary song! pic.twitter.com/nvCGJhms6N

MADRID, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr scored a hat-trick to help the LaLiga champions snap a two-game winless run in all competitions with a commanding 4-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday.

The Brazilian forward opened the scoring in the 34th minute after taking a Jude Bellingham pass in his stride to beat the offside trap and firing an unstoppable strike past goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.

¡Vinicius con el 1-0!

MADRID, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Soccer in Spain should have been completely suspended after the worst flash floods in decades swept the eastern region of Valencia last week, killing at least 215 people, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday.

All soccer matches scheduled to be played in the Valencian region this weekend have been postponed, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Thursday due to the deadly floods which have killed at least 95 people.

Saturday's clash between Real Madrid and Valencia as well as Villarreal v Rayo Vallecano are among the games postponed.

Real Madrid vs Valencia postponed due to flooding

Barcelona took Real Madrid behind the woodshed on Saturday with an unbelievable 4-0 result at the Santiago Bernabéu. The biggest talking point was Kylian Mbappé’s wretched showing in his first El Clásico.

The Mbappé vs Barcelona performance was truly hard to believe. The Frenchman is one of the most talented players on the planet right now but looked like a lost youth soccer player on Saturday. Real Madrid’s new star man was caught offside EIGHT TIMES against Barcelona.

MADRID — Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that he does not fear LaLiga leaders Barcelona but has the utmost respect for Hansi Flick's side, who they host on Saturday.

Barca lead the standings three points ahead of their rivals. While Ancelotti praised Barca's recent form, he highlighted the fact that Real are the defending champions and will not be intimidated.

"Fortunately, at the moment nobody keeps me awake at night," Ancelotti told a press conference on Friday.

MADRID — Four people have been arrested and questioned in Spain on suspicion of conducting an online hate campaign encouraging fans to racially abuse Real Madrid star forward Vinicius Jr, police said on Thursday.

The men were detained on Oct. 14 and 15 then released as investigations continued into social media slogans which urged fans to wear face masks so they could insult the Black Brazil international without being identified, police added.