Rangers fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's Scottish Premiership defeat to Hibs. David: When are Rangers going to learn you can't gut a team every year. Last year's team were (briefly) at the top of the Premiership, even after the disastrous start.
Jose Mourinho called out Bernardo Silva after Real Madrid's friendly against Ferencvaros by addressing a "significantly lower level of physical fitness" by the midfielder. Jose Mourinho conducted his third preseason exhibition of his second stint at Real Madrid, securing a 2-1 victory against Hungarian side Ferencvaros, whose domestic campaign is already underway. However, the manager’s most notable postmatch remarks were directed at marquee free-agent signing Bernardo Silva, whom the Portuguese boss candidly called out for arriving in “significantly lower” physical condition. Real Madrid traveled to Budapest to square off against Ferencvaros at Groupama Arena, giving Mourinho an opportunity to evaluate his roster by deploying nine second-half substitutes. Stars including Vinicius Junior, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, and Silva entered the pitch for the second 45 minutes, but the Portuguese midfielder struggled to find his rhythm during his first action. Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the final whistle, Mourinho addressed the midfielder’s importance while delivering a blunt assessment of his fitness level: “Bernardo is important, but the poor guy is another one who has had a vacation and he is the kind of guy whose head benefits from doing nothing during his vacation period, so he has reported at a significantly lower level of physical fitness and has to build himself up, but he is a tremendous player.” Silva replaced Brahim Diaz at halftime, marking his first appearance on a football pitch since Portugal’s Round of 16 elimination against Spain at the 2026 World Cup on July 6. Returning from an extended post-tournament vacation, the midfielder produced a subdued debut performance, logging 32 touches, zero shots on target, four lost possessions, and two ball recoveries. Bernardo Silva of Real Madrid controls the ball during the preseason friendly at Groupama Arena. (David Balogh/Getty Images) Mourinho went on to praise Silva’s tactical versatility while reiterating that the veteran is still far from peak match fitness. “He can help us build up play if he plays deeper, as a ‘six’ or an ‘eight’. But, during the match, I realized that he was lacking some physical strength, so I moved him forward to the ‘ten’ position. He can play in three or four positions,” the coach said. Bernardo Silva reflects on his Real Madrid debut After being heavily pursued by FC Barcelona over multiple transfer windows, Silva ultimately elected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer following his departure from Manchester City. Under contract through June 2028, the 31-year-old is expected to bring elite technical capability and veteran leadership to Los Blancos‘ midfield. Following his debut, Silva acknowledged that substantial work remains as he works his way back into match shape. “It’s only the first week, but I’m very happy. There are still many things to improve, but the most important thing is to get into a rhythm to start the season well,” he stated to Real Madrid TV. “It has been a tough week, but I am very happy to have started and to have made my debut with Madrid,” Silva concluded. Los Blancos will play two final tune-up matches against Deportivo La Coruña and Schalke 04 before opening their 2026-27 La Liga campaign on the road against Espanyol on August 22.
Rodri's agent Pablo Barquero revealed that he decided to join FC Barcelona despite Real Madrid's "unrefusable" offer. Rodri dominated soccer headlines on Thursday following reports of his decision to join FC Barcelona despite holding extensive contract talks with Real Madrid over recent weeks. With a transfer nearing completion, the star midfielder’s agent revealed that his client chose the Blaugrana despite receiving an offer from Los Blancos that was described as “unrefusable.” According to Cadena SER reporter Nil Sola, Rodri opened the door to joining Barcelona during the 2026 summer transfer window. Even though Real Madrid actively pursued his signature following the World Cup, with manager Jose Mourinho and club president Florentino Perez directly involved in recruiting efforts, Barcelona entered the race late to secure the high-profile commitment. Following a discussion with Pablo Barquero, Rodri’s agent, journalist Anton Meana shared details on why the midfielder ultimately selected Barcelona over Real Madrid: “The offer is really good; both the agent and Rodri appreciate the class, dignity, respect, and manner with which Madrid handled the negotiations.” Barquero highlighted just how invested Real Madrid’s front office was in landing his client. “Real Madrid made an unrefusable offer to Rodri after the World Cup. Madrid were serious about going after Rodri and put everything on the table so that he would play for Madrid. From their president down to the general director, everyone worked so that Rodri could play for Real Madrid,” he added. Rodri #16 of Spain lifts the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy. (David Ramos/Getty Images) Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Manchester City were eager to retain Rodri as a cornerstone of its squad, but the midfielder’s contract situation, entering its final year through June 2027, forced the Premier League club to either secure an extension or sell him before losing him for free. With Rodri determined to return to Spain, Real Madrid launched a major bid for the World Cup champion, only for the player to lean toward their fiercest rivals. Despite Madrid’s persistent interest and lucrative package, Rodri’s camp officially communicated his choice to Los Blancos. “The conversations were positive and they have been negotiating over these past two weeks, but Rodri has made the decision to choose another offer, and he’s told them his decision,” the agent concluded. Final financial hurdles remain before official unveiling Rodri’s decision is reportedly finalized, and at 30 years old, the Spanish star is set to make his return to La Liga with Barcelona as his destination. According to Diario AS, personal terms are fully agreed upon, with the midfielder expected to sign a four-year contract featuring a €30 million (around $33 million USD) gross annual salary, though one final detail remains before finalizing the move. An official agreement on the transfer fee between Barcelona and Manchester City has yet to be finalized. Diario AS reports that the acquisition will cost roughly €60 million (around $66 million USD), a sum Barcelona can now accommodate after parting ways with high earners such as Robert Lewandowski, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Marcus Rashford, freeing up significant payroll flexibility to invest in a marquee signing like Rodri.
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