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Kylian Mbappe posts injury update after gruesome blow to the head

Kylian Mbappe has shared a picture of the gruesome head injury he suffered during Real Madrid’s draw with Girona. The forward was left bloodied after a nasty collision during the closing stag…

Bara Sapoko Ndiaye: Who is Bayern Munich's latest teenage debutant?

Senegal prodigy Bara Sapoko Ndiaye was the latest teenager handed his Bundesliga debut by Vincent Kompany. Find out more about Bayern Munich’s latest rising star who is earning rave reviews…

Harry Kane to build £20m mansion in major hint at Bayern Munich future

England forward Harry Kane is enjoying another sensational season for Bayern Munich despite it being suggested that his long-term future might not lie with the Bundesliga giants

Bayern Munich star told to skip World Cup by Germany icon

Jamal Musiala has responded to a wild claim from Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn that he should skip this summer’s World Cup. The 40-cap Germany international has endured an injury-plagued s…

´That´s simply part of Bayern´ – Kompany thrilled to break Bundesliga goals record

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany believes breaking the Bundesliga record for most goals in a season is “simply part of our team”. The league leaders thrashed St. Pauli 5-0 on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Jamal Musiala, Leon Goretzka, Raphael Guerreiro, Michael Olise and Nicolas Jackson. Bayern have scored 105 in this Bundesliga campaign, the […] The post ´That´s simply part of Bayern´ – Kompany thrilled to break Bundesliga goals record appeared first on Soccer News.

Bayern interest in Newcastle's Gordon - Sunday's gossip

Bayern Munich express interest in Anthony Gordon, Manchester United hope to beat their rivals to Elliot Anderson, Liverpool consider Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, plus more.

Apr 11Rumor
St. Pauli 0-5 Bayern Munich: Kompany´s men set Bundesliga goals record in rout

Bayern Munich edged closer to the Bundesliga title following a dominant 5-0 rout of relegation-threatened St. Pauli. Vincent Kompany’s side moved 12 points clear at the summit with five games remaining, while they took their goal tally for the Bundesliga season to a staggering 105, setting a new record for a single German top-flight campaign, […] The post St. Pauli 0-5 Bayern Munich: Kompany´s men set Bundesliga goals record in rout appeared first on Soccer News.

Record-breaking Bayern Munich squad depth shines against St. Pauli

Bayern Munich added another big record to their ever-growing list as they dispatched St. Pauli 5-0 on Matchday 29 to become the highest scoring Bundesliga team ever, overtaking the iconic Bayern team of 1971/72. What made the result even more impressive was that victory came courtesy of a significantly rotated team as the Bavarians continue to fight on three fronts.

Harry Kane made to wait to make English history as Bayern Munich shatter 54-year Bundesliga record

No Harry Kane, no problem. The English superstar was an unused substitute as Bayern Munich thrashed St Pauli 5-0 on Saturday. Jamal Musiala opened the scoring for the Bavarian giants in the ninth m…

European football: Bayern break Bundesliga goals record and close on title

Goretzka hits leaders’ 102nd goal in 5-0 win at St Pauli Ferran Torres double helps Barcelona beat Espanyol 4-1 Bayern Munich crushed hosts St Pauli 5-0 in the Bundesliga to set an all-time season scoring record while also extending their lead at the top to 12 points with five games left to play. The Bavarian club, who host Real Madrid on Wednesday in their Champions League quarter-final second leg after their 2-1 win in Spain, are within touching distance of the league title on 76 points, with second-placed Borussia Dortmund stuck on 64 after their 1-0 home loss to Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern Munich smash Bundesliga scoring record

Bayern Munich have set a new Bundesliga record with their 102nd league goal of the season against St. Pauli on Saturday.

Manuel Neuer joins Bundesliga's top 10 oldest players of all time

After becoming only the 11th quadragenarian to grace Germany's top flight when he turned 40 in March, Manuel Neuer entered the Bundesliga's top 10 list of oldest ever players after starting in Bayern Munich's victory against St. Pauli on Matchday 29, aged 40 years and 15 days.

Bayern Munich smash five past St. Pauli to set new Bundesliga goal record

Bayern Munich demolished St. Pauli 5-0 at the Millerntor Stadium with goals from Jamal Musiala, Leon Goretzka, Michael Olise, Nicolas Jackson and Raphaël Guerreiro, setting a new Bundesliga record for most goals in a single season.

Bayern Munich set new all-time Bundesliga goal record!

Bayern Munich have set a new Bundesliga all-time, single-season goal record of 105 and counting after beating St. Pauli 5-0 on Matchday 29.

Robert Andrich fires Bayer Leverkusen to narrow win over Borussia Dortmund

Robert Andrich’s spectacular strike brought an end to Borussia Dortmund’s four-game winning streak to keep Bayer Leverkusen’s UEFA Champions League hopes alive.

GdS: Lewandowski, Goretzka, Pulisic – what Champions League football could mean for Milan

By: Oliver Fisher AC Milan need Champions League football for many reasons, but perhaps the most important is the money that it would bring. As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, Massimiliano Allegri’s constant references to the top European competition are well founded. It’s not just a matter of prestige or personal satisfaction: the Rossoneri’s immediate future hinges primarily […] The post GdS: Lewandowski, Goretzka, Pulisic – what Champions League football could mean for Milan appeared first on SempreMilan.

Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann joins top 10 players with most Bundesliga appearances

Hoffenheim and Germany goalkeeper Oliver Baumann has entered the Bundesliga's top 10 list of players with the most appearances.

Kompany says Kane played through pain barrier against Madrid, hints at Bayern changes

Vincent Kompany could shuffle his pack when Bayern Munich visit St. Pauli in the Bundesliga on Saturday, after admitting Harry Kane played through the pain barrier in their midweek Champions League success against Real Madrid. Bayern produced a fantastic display in the first leg of their quarter-final tie against the 15-time European champions, securing a […] The post Kompany says Kane played through pain barrier against Madrid, hints at Bayern changes appeared first on Soccer News.

Bayern are special and a force to be reckoned with in Germany, Europe

There may be no one better prepared to win the Champions League than Bayern Munich, and they're scoring goals at a rate the Bundesliga has never seen.

Guardiola ‘grumpy’ with Silva; De Zerbi wants Spurs to ‘play and attack’: football news – live

⚽️ News and buildup before a big weekend of football ⚽️ Read the latest Football Daily | And you can mail Dominic Aston Villa: Despite the looming World Cup and this season still being very much up in the air for both sides, Bayern Munich have just announced they will be playing Aston Villa in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong on 7 August. For their part, Villa say they “hope to announce further fixtures in the far east in due course”. Whatever the outcome on the pitch in Hong Kong, you have to say the Bayern Munich club secretary has stolen a march on his or her Villa counterpart early doors. That’s clichéd German efficiency at its finest.

Apr 10Other
Carney Chukwuemeka on Borussia Dortmund's season so far, representing Austria and FIFA World Cup memories

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka has his sights set on a spot in Austria's FIFA 2026 World Cup squad after recently making his senior international debut.

Transfer rumors, news: Real Madrid continue to eye move for Olise

Real Madrid are continuing their attempts to sign Bayern Munich's Michael Olise. Transfer Talk has the latest.

Apr 10Rumor
Bayern's Kompany: Kane played past pain limit

Harry Kane played with pain "beyond the threshold" in Bayern Munich's victory against Real Madrid, head coach Vincent Kompany has revealed.

Apr 10Feature
Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl faces spell on sidelines

Bayern Munich will be without Lennart Karl for the foreseeable future after the attacking midfielder suffered a muscle fibre tear in the back of his right thigh.

Milan Keep Pursuing Bayern Munich and Barcelona Aces

Milan have prepared their offer for Leon Goretzka, who might decide on his future sooner than anticipated, and they’ll be in the running for Robert Lewandowski if his demands are somewhat reasonable. The Rossoneri are willing to tender a three-year contract with €5M wages. The post Milan Keep Pursuing Bayern Munich and Barcelona Aces appeared first on The Cult of Calcio.

Vincent Kompany makes Luis Diaz thoughts clear after being tipped for Liverpool return

Luis Diaz has shone for Bayern Munich since joining the German giants from Liverpool last summer and Vincent Kompany has now made his feelings very clear on the Colombian wideman

Bayern Munich announce 10th Audi Summer Tour to Asia this summer

Bayern Munich will once again make the long trip east to South Korea and Hong Kong in August as part of the club's 10th Audi Summer Tour.

The Truth: Are Bayern Munich the Best Team in Europe?

It's time for The Truth! Sam and Dougie are back together (although sadly not in the studio) to take a look at just how well things are going at Bayern Munich right now for Vincent Kompany (and company). After winning 2-1 at the Bernabeu to record their first away win against Real Madrid in 25 years, many people have them as the favourites to lift the Champions League title at the end of the season, and there's plenty of reasons to be positive around Bayern right now. The scintillating form of their front three - Luis Diaz, Harry Kane, and Michael Olise - has led to the trio scoring 87 goals between them this season already, and 52 assists for good measure. There's the age-defying quality of Manuel Neuer in goal, a formidable midfield spearheaded by veteran Joshua Kimmich and rising star Aleksandar Pavlovic, the introduction of Jonathan Tah has been a masterstroke in the middle of defence, and the pace of Alphonso Davies combining with the guile of Konrad Laimer at full back. To top all that off, there's a late-stage rejuvenated Serge Gnabry flying in the middle, the mind-bending talent of Jamal Musiala returning from injury, and the prodigious teenage sensation Lennart Karl popping up with crucial moments that have many in Germany arguing he should go to the World Cup with the National Team. So, right now, are there any weaknesses in this Bayern side? Can this growing team now match up to an Arsenal side that beat them in the League stage? And could PSG be the wildcard in the pack as they attempt to go back-to-back in the Champions League? As ever, The Truth is somewhere in the middle... And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? (http://patreon.com/ranksfc) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Four Premier League giants tracking Morgan Rogers as Aston Villa name price for England star

Morgan Rogers is likely to leave Aston Villa this summer, even if Unai Emery’s side qualify for the Champions League, talkSPORT understands. Rogers only signed a new contract in November 2025, keep…

Jude Bellingham set to reclaim key role at Real Madrid ahead of Girona clash, confirms coach Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa spoke about Jude Bellingham ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with Girona. Jude Bellingham was a substitute last Tuesday in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich. However, ahead of the La Liga match against Girona, Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed that things will be different. “Militao and Bellingham are going to start,” Arbeloa said during Thursday’s press conference, as reported by Diario AS. Both players are working to regain their best physical and sporting form, and the Girona match will be an ideal opportunity for them to log valuable minutes. Bellingham suffered a hamstring injury in mid-February that kept him out of 10 Real Madrid matches. He returned to action at the end of March as a substitute, and although he joined the England squad during the March FIFA break, he did not play in the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Since then, the midfielder has played 31 minutes against Mallorca in La Liga last weekend, and 28 minutes against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He delivered a strong performance, playing a key role in the team’s second-half comeback that reduced the two-goal deficit. Inside our last training session before tomorrow's match! 👊 pic.twitter.com/g2VqGFSTo0 — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 9, 2026 Militao also returns to the team Eder Militao finds himself in a situation very similar to Bellingham’s. The Brazilian defender also suffered a muscle injury that sidelined him for an extended period—missing 24 matches across all competitions since December. After returning for limited minutes against Mallorca, where he scored a goal, Militao also played 28 minutes against Bayern Munich and is now preparing to start for the first time this year. Finally, another piece of good news for Real Madrid is the return of Ferland Mendy, who has only been able to play five matches this season due to a string of injuries. “Mendy will get minutes,” Arbeloa confirmed at the press conference. Real Madrid have no margin for error in La Liga While it is clear that Real Madrid’s priority right now is the UEFA Champions League, where they will look to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich next Wednesday, that is not their only concern. They know that in La Liga, there is no room for error if they want to remain in the title race against Barcelona. With eight matches remaining, the Blaugrana lead the standings by seven points over Los Blancos, so a poor result against Girona this Friday would leave them with almost no chance of winning the title.

Is this Bayern's year in the Champions League?

Taylor Rockwell, Ryan Bailey and Joe Lowery are here for another episode of Champions League Review! We discuss Bayern Munich's big win away at Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid upsetting Barcelona and all the other games from the quarter-finals. *COME SEE TSS LIVE IN LOS ANGELES!* Get your tickets for our live show on June 11th in LA! Your favorite foursome (and some special guests!) will chat about the latest surrounding the USMNT and the World Cup. Plus: games! And maybe even a song! Buy tickets ▶️ https://tssworldcup.com Sign up for TSS+ on Patreon (and gain access to our Discord): https://www.patreon.com/totalsoccershow Thumbnail photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images UCL REVIEW CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 03:17 - Real Madrid v Bayern 16:32 - Barca v Atleti 30:45 - PSG v Liverpool 43:10 - Sporting v Arsenal

Bayern Munich to rival Arsenal and Man Utd in Morgan Rogers transfer battle

Morgan Rogers has enjoyed another fine season for Aston Villa and the England star is attracting transfer interest from some of the Premier League and Europe's biggest clubs

Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid reportedly target Michael Olise in $185 million move from Bayern Munich

Looking to boost their offensive output, Real Madrid would be seeking to strengthen Kylian Mbappé. For this reason, Michael Olise emerges as the ideal solution, as the Blancos are reportedly preparing to make a $185 million offer to Bayern Munich. Throughout the 2025–26 season, Real Madrid have shown themselves to be quite limited offensively, as Vinicius Jr. has not been at his best and Kylian Mbappé faced physical issues. In this context, Michael Olise emerges as the ideal solution to their problems, being a target for the next season. In fact, the Spanish side is reportedly considering making a $185 million offer to Bayern Munich for the Frenchman. According to Christian Falk, via CF Bayern Insider, Michael Olise’s brilliant performance at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium has caught Real Madrid’s attention. As a result, president Florentino Pérez is determined to pursue his signing, preparing a €160 million offer (around $185 million) to Bayern Munich. Far from being competition for Mbappé or Vinícius, the Frenchman would be an ideal complement. With a contract until 2029, the German side are in no rush to sell Olise, as he does not have a release clause. In addition, they have made it clear that they would not sell him even for an offer exceeding $200 million, labeling Michael as untouchable. With this, Bayern Munich aim to establish him as the cornerstone of their future project, ahead of Lennart Karl or Jamal Musiala. While Michael Olise is quite comfortable at Bayern Munich, Real Madrid’s interest could push him to consider a departure from the club. However, this is far from simple, as he is unique in his position within the German side and is the future star of the squad—something he would not necessarily have at the Spanish side. Moreover, coach Vincent Kompany has brought out his best version, being a key factor in maintaining his continuity at the Bundesliga side. Michael Olise of Bayern Munich. Michael Olise emerges as Bayern Munich’s most influential player Vincent Kompany has managed to establish Bayern Munich as one of the best sporting projects in Europe. With his imposing style of play, Harry Kane and Luis Díaz have been able to bring out their best versions, leading the team in scoring. Nevertheless, Michael Olise stands out as the most decisive player in the entire squad, delivering masterclass performances throughout the season. Unlike Kane or Díaz, Olise is a player capable of shining both centrally and out wide. With his tactical intelligence and pace, the Frenchman has managed to become the most decisive player on the team. In addition, he consistently finds space to break on the counter, being the focal point of the attack against Real Madrid. Alongside this, he has been highly productive, scoring 16 goals and providing 25 assists.

AC Milan reportedly prepare €5 million contract offer for Leon Goretzka ahead of 2026-27 season

After numerous inconsistencies, AC Milan are preparing for a revolution in their roster, targeting Leon Goretzka. To secure his arrival for the 2026–27 season, the Rossoneri are reportedly preparing a formal contract offer worth €5 million. Throughout the season, AC Milan have struggled to find consistency in their performances, accumulating a series of draws and criticism of their play. In response, they are targeting radical changes to their squad, identifying Leon Goretzka’s arrival as their marquee reinforcement. Seeking to secure his signing for the 2026–27 season, the Rossoneri are reportedly preparing a formal contract offer worth €5 million. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Rossoneri are determined to pursue the signing of Leon Goretzka as free agent from Bayern Munich, offering him a three-year contract worth €5 million per season. With this, they are making their best possible offer to the German, outbidding his suitors by offering more years and a significantly stronger overall package. Despite this, the 31-year-old midfielder has not made a final decision. AC Milan are not the only club interested in Goretzka’s signing, as Juventus, Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Napoli, Inter Milan, and Fenerbahçe are also in the race. For this reason, the Rossoneri must not only present a strong salary offer, but also a competitive sporting project. Securing a place in the UEFA Champions League could be a first step, but they would also need to promise further changes to their squad. Leon Goretzka may boost AC Milan midfield consistency Massimiliano Allegri has decided to rely on Luka Modrić and Adrien Rabiot as key pieces in midfield. Nevertheless, the Rossoneri have struggled to find consistency, remaining lacking in creativity and attacking threat. Given this, the potential arrival of Leon Goretzka could be a significant boost for the team, as he could bring balance and provide creative freedom. Leon Goretzka of FC Bayern Munich replaces Joshua Kimmich. As a box-to-box profile, Goretzka would arrive to occupy the base of AC Milan’s midfield alongside Modrić. With this, he could offer greater defensive balance during matches, which could relieve Rabiot of responsibilities and allow him to shine more offensively. In addition, the German could be key in counterattacks, offering the kind of offensive contribution that Ruben Loftus-Cheek used to provide at his best. Goretzka lack of playing time could pose challenge at AC Milan Unlike previous seasons, Leon Goretzka has become a rotational player at Bayern Munich. In the current campaign, he has played 1,835 minutes, mostly coming on as a substitute for Aleksandar Pavlović, completing 90 minutes only a few times. Given this, he has seen a noticeable drop in his level, showing his lack of continuity. For this reason, AC Milan could face the challenge of restoring the best version of the 31-year-old star.

Champions League review: a brilliant Georgian, Bayern’s regret and Arsenal refind their faith

This week’s quarter-finals provided some classic action as this season’s competition hurtles towards its conclusion Bayern Munich had not won at the Santiago Bernabéu since May 2001, when they beat Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final on their way to becoming European champions. Tuesday night’s match changed all that. The 29th Champions League meeting between the teams lived up to its heavyweight billing, though Bayern, superior on the night, may rue their failure to extend their 2-1 lead. Real Madrid meanwhile could point to Manuel Neuer making nine saves – not bad for a 40-year-old. “We won’t win the competition without more of these kinds of performances,” said Bayern’s manager, Vincent Kompany, of his keeper. Big trophies are rarely won without great goalkeepers and Neuer continues to play like an all-time great. Bayern’s second goal was a trademark finish from Harry Kane, who made the difficult look easy. The goal will also have calmed England fans’ fears that their captain will arrive at the World Cup suffering from his usual summer malaise. A word too for Luis Díaz and Michael Olise, Bayern’s brilliant wingers whose performances brought back memories of the club’s modern greats Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben. Kompany’s team were commanding in Madrid, but may fear the backlash from the 15-times champions, the kings of comebacks.

Languid Liverpool, Olise On Fire & A Pivotal Week for Arsenal

PSG dismantled Liverpool at the Parc des Princes and were unlucky not to score even more. Did Arne Slot get it wrong with a back five, or are PSG simply on another level? Elsewhere in Madrid, a brilliant performance from Michael Olise helped Bayern Munich take a crucial lead back to Munich. Another goal for Harry Kane brings his tally to 49 for the season, could he become the first English Ballon d’Or winner since Michael Owen? Gary, Alan and Micah also look ahead to a pivotal week for Arsenal. Despite an unconvincing performance against Sporting, they got the win, but can they carry that momentum into the weekend against Bournemouth and get their season back on track? The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry Kane... Ballon d'Or winner? 🏆

Are the stars aligning for Harry Kane to have an unforgettable season with Bayern Munich and England? The Athletic FC Podcast is your essential guide to football's biggest stories, five times a week this season... Listen on Apple and Spotify: https://podfollow.com/athletic-fc-pod Subscribe to The Athletic FC Podcast channel 👉 http://bit.ly/athleticuk | 🔔Make sure to enable all push notifications!🔔 Follow The Athletic FC Podcast: Instagram: @theathleticfc TikTok: athleticfcpod #harrykane #bayernmunich #england #footballshorts #football

Vincent Kompany brings up 100 Bayern Munich games as head coach in style with Real Madrid win

Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win against Real Madrid on Tuesday marked Vincent Kompany’s 100th game as head coach of the club, and the result perfectly encapsulated all that Kompany has built at Bayern since taking over in the summer of 2024.

'I would be taking him to the World Cup' - Warnock on Alexander-Arnold

Match of the Day pundits Rory Smith and Stephen Warnock look at the impact Harry Kane and Trent Alexander-Arnold had on the Champions League quarter-final first leg between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Kane scores as Bayern beat Real Madrid in quarter-final first leg

Goals from Luis Diaz and Harry Kane help Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool: Champions League quarter-final, first leg – live

⚽ Champions League updates from the 8pm BST kick-off ⚽ Barcelona v Atlético Madrid – live | Latest scores “I am beset by dread,” writes Joe Pearson, “and not in the ‘I am the law’ kind of way. Although admittedly PSG are giving off ‘You’re next, punk!’ vibes. IYKYK.” While Arsenal were busy Arsenaling their way to a worthy but dull Bigger Cup quarter-final first leg win at Sporting on Tuesday, the players of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich released the collective handbrake and performed many high-speed donuts, wheel spins and Rockfords as a pleasing counterpoint to the careful mirror-signal-manoeuvring on display at Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade. Like a couple of stolen supercars racing each other around a shopping mall in The Fast and the Furious: Bicester Village, these two European heavyweights massively committed to the bit, not unlike a daily football email bogged down in a laboured motoring metaphor.

‘Vinicius is horrible,’ says former Real Madrid star Rafael Van der Vaart after Bayern Munich loss

Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior was heavily criticized by Rafael van der Vaart following the loss to Bayern Munich. The 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu left Real Madrid on the brink of elimination in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Vinicius Junior came under heavy criticism after the match from Rafael van der Vaart. “Vinicius is horrible,” the former Dutch midfielder said during an appearance on Ziggo Sport following Tuesday’s Champions League match in Spain. “He annoys me to no end when I see him.” Van der Vaart went on to explain the reasons behind his criticism of the Brazilian winger. “As soon as he gets a little push, he throws himself down, hoping to see a red card for the opponent, and then gets up as if nothing happened,” he said. However, the former Ajax and Real Madrid player did not hesitate to acknowledge Vinicius’ talent on the field. In fact, he emphasized how that behavior detracts from his ability: “That’s the part that I find sad about him. I find it incredibly sad because he’s a fantastic player.” Rafael Van der Vaart playing for Real Madrid in 2010. Vinicius’ performances this season Criticism of Vinicius is common, and in most cases it is not related to his performances on the field or his ability on the ball, but rather to his behavior. The 25-year-old winger has often drawn the frustration of opponents, who believe he does not always conduct himself with respect. However, Vinicius’ on-field production is beyond question, and that is reflected in his numbers. Even in a season in which Real Madrid have posted disappointing results and gone through a coaching change, the Brazilian has stood out: Vinicius has recorded 17 goals and 13 assists in 45 appearances. Van der Vaart knows what he’s talking about Criticism of Vinicius Junior coming from Rafael van der Vaart carries added weight compared to most opinions. The former Dutch international speaks from experience, having played for Real Madrid and understanding the club’s culture and its fanbase. Van der Vaart began his professional career at Ajax in 1999 before moving to Hamburger SV six years later, where his performances prompted Real Madrid to pay around $15 million for him. In Spain, he spent two seasons with the club between 2008 and 2010, making 73 appearances, scoring 12 goals, and winning one title.

2026 World Cup: Neuer’s Champions League heroics vs Real Madrid spark Germany return talk

The performance of Manuel Neuer with Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League has sparked debate in Germany over whether he should be part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals was built, in part, on Manuel Neuer’s performance. That put the veteran goalkeeper back in the spotlight, fueling debate over whether he should return to the Germany national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “This version of Neuer is world-class; he belongs in the national team,” said legend Lothar Matthaus after the match, according to Marca. He also sent a message to the Germany head coach: “I hope Nagelsmann watched the match. I would love to see Neuer in this kind of form at the World Cup… but I also know that won’t happen. Nagelsmann won’t open that door.” That push comes nearly two years after Neuer’s retirement from international soccer. He chose to close that chapter of his career following Germany’s elimination from UEFA Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Spain. In that way, the goalkeeper said goodbye to Germany after 15 years, having first been called up in 2009. During that span, he played in four World Cups and four European Championships, and won the sport’s biggest prize at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. In total, he made 124 international appearances and recorded 54 clean sheets. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. “The best players have to go to the World Cup, and Manu is by far the best goalkeeper in the world,” said former star Benedikt Howedes, who was Neuer’s teammate at the 2014 World Cup. Even a current Germany and Bayern Munich player, Aleksandar Pavlovic, shared his view: “I would never say no to Manu, no matter his age. He is still an exceptional goalkeeper.” What did Neuer say about a possible return to Germany? Those calls for Manuel Neuer’s return to the Germany national team generated enough speculation that the 40-year-old goalkeeper addressed the topic himself after the match against Real Madrid in the Champions League. “Everything has already been said about it,” Neuer replied when asked about a potential appearance at the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he chose to focus on his club objectives: “What matters now is finishing the rest of the season with Bayern. I’m enjoying my time with the team, at the club, with the coaching staff. It’s true that I’m 40 years old, but I’m still here.” How have Germany replaced Neuer? Since Manuel Neuer’s international retirement, Julian Nagelsmann has been forced to test different options in goal for Germany. Over the past two years, the coach has used three different goalkeepers in official matches and friendlies. The most-used has been Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, with a total of 11 appearances. Behind him is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has managed just four matches due to injury issues during his time with Barcelona, which have also kept him sidelined at Girona. The third goalkeeper selected by Nagelsmann is Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel, who has featured in three matches.

Vincent Kompany brings up 100 Bayern Munich games as head coach in style with victory against Real Madrid

Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win against Real Madrid on Tuesday marked Vincent Kompany’s 100th game as head coach of the club, and the result perfectly encapsulated all that Kompany has built at Bayern since taking over in the summer of 2024.

Thierry Henry praises 'special' Liverpool transfer target who could replace Mo Salah

Michael Olise has been linked with Liverpool in recent weeks and the Bayern Munich star put on an impressive show in the Champions League win away at Real Madrid

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