Real Madrid face El Clásico amid midfield issues and captaincy debate
After the Tchouaméni-Valverde incident and wider discipline issues, Real Madrid may scrap seniority-based captaincy, exploring a squad vote or coach appointment, with Carvajal potentially leaving and Valverde and Vinícius Júnior next in line under current rules.
Endrick backs Kylian Mbappé after criticism over a yacht vacation, saying he doesn’t care what people say and hopes he wins the Golden Boot, highlighting his goals for Real Madrid.
Uli Hoeness says he told Toni Kroos he would never earn €10 million at Bayern, leading to his €25m move to Real Madrid where he won five Champions Leagues and became a club legend.
Madrid have made significant advances to appoint José Mourinho as Álvaro Arbeloa’s successor, with Florentino Pérez pushing for a strong dressing-room leader, per Matteo Moretto.
Madrid target Nico Schlotterbeck, 26, with Sky Germany claiming a €60m clause at Dortmund. The club are prepared to activate it for his defensive quality, passing and physical profile.
Round-up: Real Madrid turmoil with Mourinho links, Mbappé holiday backlash and the Tchouaméni-Valverde clash, plus chaos at Marseille and Prague and England’s Spygate row.
El Clásico could all but seal La Liga. Madrid arrive amid dressing-room turmoil and a midfield crisis, with Valverde out, Ceballos unavailable and a choice between Camavinga or youth Thiago Pitarch.
