MADRID — Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has praised the maturity of teenager newcomer Franco Mastantuono and downplayed the player's choice of former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as the world's best player.

Talks over a new contract for Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid have been stalled for weeks, a source has told ESPN, with the Brazil international's representatives believing it wouldn't make sense to accept the club's latest offer.

Real Madrid players have been left surprised by the level of talent that one of the young Real Madrid players has shown in training.

Since being promoted to La Liga in 2019, Osasuna have been so consistent with six-straight finishes inside the top 11 and they were Copa del Rey runners up in 2023. Croatian striker Ante Budimir is their star as he scored 21 goals in La Liga last season and the veteran leads the line superbly.

Our Real Madrid writers guide you through the biggest talking points at the Spanish club, in a new weekly series

The Blancos will kick off their La Liga season on Tuesday against Osasuna, but La Liga not having some games on the weekend has been common

Patrick Wheeler 48, was shot dead while sitting in his pickup the calls indicate, with is girlfriend struggled to speak to dispatchers because of poor cell service.

Mikel Arteta has been integrating several signings into his Arsenal squad but time is running out for sporting director Andrea Berta to give him another new player

Atletico Madrid debuted six of its new signings but couldn’t avoid relinquishing a late lead and losing its opening Spanish league match for the first time under coach Diego Simeone.

Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes will have to consider other possibilities if he is to get a big-money move this summer, with Manchester City seemingly no longer an option. Pep Guardiola’s side have