Football

La Liga 2023-24

Barcelona's triumph increased their lead at the top of the league to 30 points, six points ahead of Real Madrid, whose incredible 13-month unbeaten streak ended.

PM Modi talks about El Clasico.

He highlights India's fandom for the Spain giants.

Players during Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks about El Clasico, highlights India's fandom for iconic Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry

Father of Lamine Yamal, Mounir Nasraoui, was reportedly stabbed multiple times in a car park near Barcelona and was urgently taken to the hospital.

Spain and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal's father Mounir Nasraoui stabbed multiple times in car park, rushed to hospital. (X)

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EURO 2024 champion player Lamine Yamal's father stabbed multiple times in car park, rushed to hospital

It would be interesting to see whether Messi returns to Barcelona as a player or coach.

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Lionel Messi's brother hits out at Barcelona as PSG contract talks stall

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr., who has been vocal about his struggles against racism in the Spanish football league — La Liga — chose to stop a game midway to address the racist chants from the stands during their 1-0 loss on Sunday night.It was an extremely unsavoury moment for the Spanish giants, with the Brazilian star a constant victim of such incidents during his impressive rise to elite status in the ongoing season. Things reached a melting point on Sunday night, and the winger had to report the incident to the referee but got no relief.&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🫵 The moment Vinicius Jr pointed out a group of supporters in the crowd who were racial abusing him to the referee. No action was taken. ❌ 𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 deserves this. 💔 <a href="https://t.co/PqGUS2Og6Z">pic.twitter.com/PqGUS2Og6Z</a>— PurelyFootball ℗ (@PurelyFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/PurelyFootball/status/1660399710039949313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Valencia "fan" called Vini a monkey and the Valencia players responded with "We are only 1-0 up, calm down"???? They didn't even see something wrong with what happened. <a href="https://t.co/Eg64pZnI1M">pic.twitter.com/Eg64pZnI1M</a>— Saif ☄️ (@SaifRMFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaifRMFC/status/1660363061650157568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;The incident forced the game to be stopped for 10 minutes, after which he got into an altercation with the Valencia players which resulted in his dismissal in the second half.The fight was a big one, and Vinicius was seen pushing an opponent player Hugo Duro in the face and to the floor. He was initially given a yellow card, but after VAR intervention, it was turned into a red.&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">How can you Fathom this if VINI was shown a red card 😌 Sorry VINI ❤️❤️❤️ <a href="https://t.co/ZcefP1NN8O">pic.twitter.com/ZcefP1NN8O</a>— OSIKANI tv on YouTube🥇⭕ (@OsikaniOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/OsikaniOfficial/status/1660379256868806656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;Videos of the incident have now emerged on social media which show the Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili grabbing at Vinicius. He was seemingly manhandled by the opponents but Vinicius was the only player who was sent off.After the game, Vinicius expressed his displeasure on social media with an extremely emotional post.&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Não foi a primeira vez, nem a segunda e nem a terceira. O racismo é o normal na La Liga. A competição acha normal, a Federação também e os adversários incentivam. Lamento muito. O campeonato que já foi de Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano e Messi hoje é dos racistas. Uma nação…— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) <a href="https://twitter.com/vinijr/status/1660379570149683200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;The translation of the tweet read, "The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Lionel) Messi today belongs to the racists. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which accepted to export to the world the image of a racist country. I am sorry for those Spaniards who disagree but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. I am strong and I will go all the way against the racists. Even if it is far away from here."After Vinicius claimed that fans at Mestalla chanted "monkey" at him, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti considered replacing the star forward. He stated that Vinicius initially refused to continue playing."What happened today shouldn't happen," Ancelotti said. "When a stadium yells 'monkey' to a player, and the coach considers taking him out of the field because of that, it means that there is something bad in this league.""The game should have been stopped," Ancelotti said. "This shouldn't happen. It wasn't only one person, as it has happened in several stadiums. Here, it was a stadium racially insulting a player, the game had to stop. I would have said the same thing if it was 3-0 for us. You have to stop the game, there was no way around it."Ancelotti said he asked the referee to stop the match, but was told that the protocol was to first make an announcement to fans, then take other action if the problem continued.

Forward Vinicius Jr. was subject to racism during the Real Madrid and Valencia match.

Watch: Vinicius Jr. stops game after being subject to racist chants again; unfairly gets red card later on

In a significant decision, Spanish football club Villarreal has decided to part ways with head coach Quique Setien after a series of disappointing performances in the early part of the La Liga season. The club announced the termination of Setien's contract on Tuesday, a move that comes during the two-week international break. Villarreal's director of football, Miguel Ángel Tena, will be stepping in on an interim basis as the team looks to regain its form.Setien's tenure: A brief overviewQuique Setien had taken over the reins of Villarreal in October, following the departure of former coach Unai Emery, who moved to the English club Aston Villa. Under Setién's guidance, Villarreal managed to secure a respectable fifth-place finish in the previous La Liga season, thereby earning a spot in this season's Europa League. His tenure was noted for promoting several young talents to the first team, a move that was seen as investing in the future of the club.<h3>Setien's departure: The triggering factors</h3>Villarreal's current season, however, hasn't mirrored last year's success. The team, popularly nicknamed The Yellow Submarine, has had a rocky start with losses against Real Betis, Barcelona, and most recently, Cadiz. The club's sole win came against Mallorca. Such an unsettling start is hard to ignore and possibly led to the management's decision to release Setien.<h3>Statement from Villarreal</h3>In an official statement, Villarreal thanked Quique Setién for stepping up "in a complicated situation" during the last season and praised his contribution to promoting younger players to the first team. However, football is often about the 'what have you done for me lately' ethos, and unfortunately for Setien, recent results weren't encouraging.Miguel Angel Tena: What's Next?With Miguel Ángel Tena taking over on an interim basis, it's a period of transition for Villarreal. The international break may serve as a much-needed reset button for the team to come back stronger and more focused. Tena has a challenging task ahead to lift the team's spirit and performance as they eye domestic and European glory.Coaching changes are a common occurrence in the high-stakes world of professional football, and Villarreal's decision to let go of Quique Setien reflects the immediate need for positive results. As the international break concludes, it will be intriguing to see how the team responds to this managerial shake-up and whether interim coach Miguel Ángel Tena can steer the ship back to winning ways.&nbsp;MORE ON SPORTS TAK:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://m.thesportstak.com/others-news/indian-troika-of-hs-prannoy-lakshya-sen-and-priyanshu-rajawat-crash-out-in-first-round-of-china-open-2023">Indian troika of HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen and Priyanshu Rajawat crash out in first round of China Open 2023</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://m.thesportstak.com/cricket-news/odi-world-cup-2023-bcci-india-squad-virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-kl-rahul-jasprit-bumrah">ODI World Cup 2023: BCCI announce India's 15-member squad; Rahul, Bumrah selected despite very few ODI appearances after injury</a> &nbsp;(With PTI inputs, powered by AI)

Spanish football club Villarreal has decided to part ways with head coach Quique Setien after a series of disappointing performances in the early part of the La Liga season.

Villarreal parts ways with coach Quique Setien amidst disappointing season start

Lionel Messi clinched his inaugural title since his surprising move to the US, leading Inter Miami to a dramatic win against Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final. This edge-of-the-seat battle unfolded at GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee, culminating in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes and was ultimately decided by a pulsating penalty shootout.Messi, who had adorned the Miami jersey only seven games ago, lit up the match with a stunning goal in the 23rd minute. The Argentine maestro exhibited his signature flair, navigating past two Nashville players after picking up a deflected attempt and curling it impeccably into the top corner. This was Messi's crowning 10th goal in the competition.Nashville, undeterred by the early setback, surged forward with heightened vigour. Their relentless attacking play bore fruit in the 57th minute, courtesy of Fafa Picault. Off a corner, the ball took an unexpected bounce, meeting Picault's head and taking a slight deflection off Cremaschi, deceiving Miami's custodian, Callender, in the process.Callender, throughout the match, was a beacon of resilience for Miami, pulling off crucial saves. A heart-stopping moment came in injury time when Leonardo Campana, after a brilliant dribble and chip over the keeper, unfortunately, found the post instead of the back of the net.With both teams inseparable after full-time, a penalty shootout was inevitable. Messi, after winning the toss, confidently chose Miami to start. Embodying leadership, he stepped up to bury the first kick. The shootout was a masterclass of nerves and precision. But it was Callender who turned out to be Miami's hero. His saves from Landal Leal and goalkeeper Eliott Panicco were pivotal, but he further etched his name in the annals by scoring a penalty himself.Inter Miami, with a thrilling 10-9 edge in the shootout, not only bagged the title but also scripted their maiden championship victory in the club's chronicle. MORE ON SPORTS TAK<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/soccer-news/liverpool-bounce-back-from-early-blow-to-defeat-bournemouth-3-1-after-goals-from-front-three">Liverpool bounce back from early blow to defeat Bournemouth 3-1 after goals from front three</a><a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/soccer-news/che-adams-seals-southampton-2-1-win-over-plymouth-in-last-minute-thriller">Che Adams seals Southampton's 2-1 win over Plymouth in last-minute thriller</a>

Lionel Messi scored a brilliant goal and then won the match during the penalty shootouts

Magical Lionel Messi once again! Argentinean star takes Inter Miami to first-ever trophy, wins his 44th title, the most for a footballer

Real Madrid's preparations for the upcoming La Liga season 2023-2024 have been thrown into turmoil following the confirmation of a significant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to their ace goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. As per the club's medical diagnostics, the Belgian international will require surgical treatment, casting a long shadow of uncertainty over his presence in the forthcoming fixtures.&nbsp;During a recent training session, Courtois suffered the unfortunate injury and was promptly evacuated from the field on a stretcher. The post-injury analysis validated the severity of the ACL tear, further amplifying the challenges for the management.&nbsp;This unexpected twist puts Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's seasoned head coach, in a quandary. With Courtois sidelined, the reins of goalkeeping now fall into the hands of Andriy Lunin. The relatively inexperienced Ukrainian shot-stopper, having faced challenges in creating a notable mark, now confronts the formidable task of anchoring Real Madrid's defense in the imminent La Liga matches.&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Courtois medical report.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RealMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RealMadrid</a>— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadriden/status/1689615661234855936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;In an official communiqué, Real Madrid addressed the concerns, stating, "Following the examinations conducted on Thibaut Courtois, it has been determined that he has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The player is scheduled to undergo surgical intervention in the forthcoming days."&nbsp;This ordeal couldn't have come at a more inopportune time. With Real Madrid's La Liga season opener against Athletic Club scheduled for August 13, Ancelotti finds himself in a tight spot. The anticipation builds around Lunin, with many hoping he can harness this challenge to showcase his capabilities.Amidst the backdrop of Courtois' injury, the transfer market is buzzing with speculations. Pundits and fans alike are rife with discussions about potential goalkeeper signings to bolster the team. As Real Madrid stands at this pivotal crossroad, their decision-making in the wake of this setback will be instrumental in dictating the course of their season.&nbsp;In the coming weeks, all attention will be riveted on the Santiago Bernabéu outfit. How they strategize and adapt in response to this unforeseen goalkeeping dilemma will be of paramount interest to football enthusiasts globally.&nbsp;MORE ON SPORTS TAK:<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/cricket-news/not-getting-gig-in-ipl-michael-clarke-lashes-out-selectors-picking-steve-smith-t20is-opener-south-africa">'He's not getting a gig in the IPL, didn't get picked up there': Michael Clarke lashes out at selectors for picking Steve Smith in T20Is as opener</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/others-news/pv-sindhu-satwiksairaj-chirag-shetty-handed-first-round-bye-in-badminton-world-championships-2023">PV Sindhu, Satwiksairaj-Chirag handed first-round bye in badminton World Championships 2023</a>

Real Madrid's preparations for the upcoming La Liga season 2023-2024 have been thrown into turmoil following the confirmation of a significant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to their ace goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois.

Big blow to Real Madrid ahead of 2023-2024 season opener, Thibaut Courtois tears ACL

After prominent Spanish-based football publication, La Vanguardia released a statement from FC Barcelona which alleged that LaLiga president Javier Tebas provided false evidence against them in an attempt to incriminate the club and two former presidents as part of the ongoing Negreira case.Sharing their clarification on the same, LaLiga released a press statement in response to these allegations that read, "LaLiga has been fighting for a fair and clean game for years. As part of that fight LaLiga provided information in a case that investigates the prior president of the Spanish FA, Angel Maria Villar. This case is known as Caso Soule."LaLiga provided this information with knowledge of the LaLiga Executive Committee (Commission Delegada). This is information, albeit misrepresented, is now source of the headline in La Vanguardia which led in turn to the FCB statement.While the headline is grossly misleading, in the Vanguardia article itself it states that LaLiga explicitly does not seek to speculate nor accuse anyone with the documentation provided."We have attached the rectification request for your convenience and also want to refer to this tweet by Javier Tebas for further context.&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_es?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBARCELONA_ES</a>, antes de presentar el escrito a la Fiscalía, la asesoría jurídica de <a href="https://twitter.com/LaLiga?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@laliga</a> informó a la Comisión Delegada del pasado 21 de febrero, del contenido del escrito y sus documento. Derecho de rectificación solicitado a la <a href="https://twitter.com/LaVanguardia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaVanguardia</a>.👇 Aclarado y ¿vosotros? 🤔 <a href="https://t.co/HwkWl1Hpz1">pic.twitter.com/HwkWl1Hpz1</a>— Javier Tebas Medrano (@Tebasjavier) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tebasjavier/status/1642907171577790464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;According to the allegations against Barcelona, they made payments in excess of €7 million to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira's company — DASNIL 95 SL — for written reports and DVD assessments of referees for the club before games. The payments were allegedly made between 2001 and 2018 when Negreira was vice president of Spanish football's refereeing committee.According to the report, the documents issued by Tebas were part of another case, not linked to either of Barcelona's former presidents and were decades old, something the LaLiga chief called 'false' on social media."Barcelona, as president Joan Laporta has said in recent weeks, feel the victim of a media lynching based on events that have never occurred: Barca have never bought referees," a statement read."It is not the first time the president of LaLiga has used his media machinery to attack Barcelona but, aside from his usual nonsense, we could never have imagined he would have hoped to incriminate our club with false evidence," Tebas's statement added.READ ALSO:<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/soccer-news/laliga-managing-director-jose-antonio-cachaza-sportstak-exclusive">'India is a growing country so it makes a lot of sense' — LaLiga's Managing Director opens up on India's special connection with Spanish football</a><a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/soccer-news/sir-alex-ferguson-wrexham-owners-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenny-usa-friendly-manchetser-united">Watch: Sir Alex Ferguson 'insults' Wrexham's owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny during USA friendly announcement video</a>

After prominent Spanish-based football publication, La Vanguardia released a statement from FC Barcelona which alleged that LaLiga president Javier Tebas provided false evidence against them in an attempt to incriminate the club and two former presidents as part of the ongoing Negreira case.

LaLiga vehemently denies Barcelona claims of false allegations in Negreira case

Real Madrid and their fierce rivalry with Atletico Madrid will get renewed when the two sides meet at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday (February 25) night. This will be an important game in the context of the season as the current defending champions of the LaLiga are 10 points behind league leaders FC Barcelona by 8 points, and a win will go a long way for the Los Blancos.Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have had a subpar season, reeling 18 points below Barcelona, and 10 points below their city rivals. A win will take them above Real Sociedad to third place, with the minnows facing Valencia later in the night.The last time these two sides faced off in the Copa del Rey Quarter Final on January 27, Madrid once again triumphed, beating their opponents 3-1 in a heated fixture. However, they will be wary of the fact that the Los Blancos have lost just one of their last 13 games against Atletico Madrid in the LaLiga, back in May 2022 away from home.&nbsp;<h3>When and what time is the LaLiga match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid?</h3>&nbsp;The La Liga match between Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid will be played on Saturday (February 25) from 11:00 PM (IST) onwards.&nbsp;<h3>Which stadium is hosting the LaLiga match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid?</h3>&nbsp;The Santiago Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid, will host the match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.&nbsp;<h3>Where to watch the live broadcast of the LaLiga match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid?</h3>&nbsp;The La Liga match between Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid will be broadcast live on Sports 18 and their HD channel.&nbsp;<h3>Where to watch the live streaming of the LaLiga match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid?</h3>&nbsp;The La Liga match Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid will be live-streamed on the JioCinema app and website.&nbsp;<h3>Where to get all the live coverage of the LaLiga match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid on the go?</h3>&nbsp;All the live scores can be caught directly on the Sports Tak app. Just <a href="https://thesportstak.com/liveScoreDetails/Soccer/2301812/2/real-madrid-vs-atl%C3%A9tico-de-madrid/PreMatch">click here </a>to ensure you do not miss any of the action! &nbsp;<h3>ALSO READ: <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/cricket-news/border-gavaskar-trophy-travis-head-india-australia-batter-pat-cummins">Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Travis Head 'didn't expect' to be dropped for Nagpur Test, Australian batter reveals</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/cricket-news/border-gavaskar-trophy-india-australia-glenn-maxwell-test-series-2-0">Border-Gavaskar Trophy: 'Australia have matched India' — Glenn Maxwell happy with what he's seen despite chasing series 2-0</a></h3>

Real Madrid and their fierce rivalry with Atletico Madrid will get renewed when the two sides meet at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday (February 25) night.

Madrid Derby: Where to watch the live broadcast of Real Madrid's clash vs Atletico Madrid?

Real Madrid has suffered another blow with the announcement of their prodigious Turkish midfielder, Arda Guler, undergoing knee surgery. This 18-year-old phenom is now expected to be out of action for several months. Alarmingly, this makes Guler the third Los Blancos' player this season to face an extended break due to knee issues.Originating from Ankara, Turkey, Guler's birthday is marked on February 25, 2005. His journey into professional football began with Gençlerbirligi in 2014, marking his entry as a promising player in the football arena. Fenerbahçe quickly spotted this talent, welcoming him into their youth brigade in 2019. His prowess led to a professional contract with Fenerbahçe on January 13, 2021, positioning him as the beacon of future football stars.Come July 2023, the European giant, Real Madrid, succeeded in wooing Guler away from Fenerbahçe. His records spoke volumes, with chart-topping stats in categories like assists, key passes, and successful dribbles per 90 minutes of gameplay. His joining was anticipated to fortify the Madrid midfield, priming him for a pivotal role in the 2023/24 first-team roster.Yet, fate had other plans. Guler's promising stint with Madrid was abruptly paused. An unfortunate knee injury during the club's pre-season US tour meant an early ticket back home and subsequent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. All this under the watchful eyes of Real Madrid's elite Medical Services. This setback is amplified considering that key players like Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao had earlier suffered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.However, in true Real Madrid spirit, optimism remains the guiding star. The club has relayed positive vibes, confirming that Guler's recovery regimen will commence shortly. As the young star charts his path back to the field, the team powers on in the La Liga. After a triumphant 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, the focus now shifts to the impending clash against Almeria this Saturday.&nbsp;MORE ON SPORTS TAK:<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/tennis-news/wta-rankings-iga-swiatek-dominates-as-number-one-key-changes-ahead-of-western-and-southern-open">WTA Rankings: Iga Swiatek dominates as No.1, key changes ahead of Western and Southern Open</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/cricket-news/steven-finn-retirement-england-fast-bowler-who-won-ashes-thrice-surrenders-to-injury">'I have admitted defeat': England fast bowler, who won Ashes thrice, surrenders to injury, announces retirement from cricket</a>

Real Madrid has suffered another blow with the announcement of their prodigious Turkish midfielder, Arda Guler, undergoing knee surgery.

Injury woes continue for Real Madrid, rising star Arda Guler sidelined after undergoing knee surgery

Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema will play his final match as a Real Madrid player when he takes the field against Athletic Club on Sunday, June 4, after the club confirmed that the Frenchman will leave La Liga after 14 years with the Spanish giants. In the emotional statement released by the club, Benzema said that the player and Madrid had come to a mutual agreement and wished him luck in the future."Karim Benzema arrived at our club in 2009, at just 21 years of age, and has been a fundamental player in this golden age of our history. During the fourteen seasons in which he has defended our shield and our shirt, he has won 25 titles, a record number for Real Madrid: 5 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 3 Copas del Rey and 4 Spanish Super Cups," said the statement.He joined Madrid from Lyon in 2009 and will leave the club as their fifth-highest appearance-maker at 647 and is also the second all-time goalscorer for Real Madrid with 353 goals, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 450 goals to his name."Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great myths of our club and one of the great legends of world football," the club said in their statement."Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and he wishes him and all his family the best in this new phase of his life," the release further added.The club also confirmed that they will have a press conference for his departure on Tuesday, June 6, "Next Tuesday, June 6, at 12:00 noon, an institutional act of tribute and farewell to Karim Benzema will take place at Real Madrid City, with the presence of our president Florentino Perez"MORE ON SPORTS TAK<a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/cricket-news/wtc-final-india-australia-at-the-oval-shardul-thakur-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-ajinkya-rahane">Last time India played at The Oval story, THIS all-rounder outscored Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane in win over England</a> <a href="https://m.thesportstak.com/cricket-news/wtc-final-team-india-record-at-kennington-oval-london-paints-a-grave-picture-world-test-championship-final-australia">WTC Final: Team India's record at Kennington Oval paints a grave picture, but there is light at the end of the tunnel</a>

Karim Benzema is second on Real Madrid's all-time goalscorer list with 353 goals to his name

Real Madrid says Adios to 14 years of goals as they confirm Karim Benzema's departure in emotional statement

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele is set to spend more time on the sidelines for the Catalans after suffering a thigh injury during their La Liga win over Girona on Saturday, January 28. The French winger, described by coach Xavi as Barcelona's 'most important player in one-on-one situations', may struggle to be back in time for the Europa League play-off first leg against Manchester United, which takes place on February 16 at Camp Nou.The Spanish giants are yet to give an official estimate on how long the French international faces on the sidelines, but local reports have suggested it may be a three-week absence. The injury took some of the shine off an eighth victory — against Girona — in nine La Liga games, with Dembele's replacement off the bench, Pedri, scoring the only goal of the game.Dembele had to be substituted 26 minutes into the match and underwent checks before visitors Barcelona embarked on their short journey home. Barcelona announced on their website: "Tests this evening on Ousmane Dembele have revealed that he has strained the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh. It means he is sidelined until he can recover from the injury."&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LATEST NEWS | Tests carried out this evening on Ousmane Dembélé have shown that he has a rectus femoris injury in his left thigh. He is out and his recovery will determine his availability. <a href="https://t.co/hG8WskAla3">pic.twitter.com/hG8WskAla3</a>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1619432573545099264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;Speaking on Dembele's injury, Barcelona manager Xavi said, "It's a shame because he is an important player."Dembele has eight goals and seven assists for Barcelona this season, with those combined 15 goal involvements bettered only by Robert Lewandowski's 27 (22 goals, five assists) among Xavi's squad.Barcelona have La Liga games against Real Betis, Sevilla and Villarreal before their all-important clash against Manchester United. (With Opta Inputs)

Ousmane Dembele faces a spell on the sidelines, and Barcelona would not want to be without him for their next European clash against Manchester United.

LaLiga: Big blow for Barcelona, star winger injures himself and in doubt for key clash vs Manchester United

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Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026: India will go up against Bangladesh in the semifinal clash. Bangladesh outclassed UAE in their must-win game.

Bangladesh registered a 34-run win over UAE in their must-win game. 

India and Bangladesh will lock horns in semifinal on September 10. 

Sharmin Akhter

Harmanpreet-led India's Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 semifinal opponent confirmed

The BCCI does not have a problem with the accomodation arranged for the men's and women's cricket teams for Asian Games 2026. 

BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla said that they are satisfied with the accomodation.

Indian players will not stay in twin-sharing rooms. 

Harmanpreet Kaur, Shreyas Iyer

No separate hotels for Indian cricket teams in Asian Games 2026: BCCI VP

ENG vs PAK: Joe Root feels that people's opinion on Pakistan showing 'no fight' in the Test series is disrespectful to the touring side and the hosts.

Joe Root says Pakistan haven't peformed poorly, England have been better.

Root is excited to work with specialist mentor Kevin Pietersen after Test series.

Joe Root

'Bit disrespectful': Joe Root on opinion surrounding PAK not putting up a fight

Ahead of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 semifinal, their out-of-form batter Gull Feroza has faced sanctions from ICC for code of conduct breach.

Gull Feroza faced sanctions for showing dissent to the umpire's decision.

Gull has managed to score just 3 runs from as many innings. 

Gull Feroza

After Pakistan captain, their top-order batter sanctioned by ICC for showing...

In the pre-match press conference, Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam confirmed that the seven changes made in the squad were not discussed with him.