Nautico Recife · Serie A · Midfielder · #7 · Brazil · 32 yrs
Real Madrid stand on the brink of yet another defining moment as José Mourinho edges closer to a dramatic return to the Santiago Bernabeu. According to reports, the Portuguese coach has already signed a contract to take charge once again, more than a decade after his first spell ended in tension and division. The circumstances […] The post Will Jose Mourinho Be Able to Solve Real Madrid Issues Again? appeared first on SoccerNews.
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Gianni Infantino's FIFA has approved a new bundle of rules, such as the expansion of the VAR powers and the penalization of players for covering their mouths during confrontations. Gianni Infantino has been an outspoken advocate for rule changes in recent years, and a new bundle of regulations has now been approved ahead of the 2026 World Cup. With less than two weeks until the competition begins, FIFA has confirmed updates that include expanded VAR powers and a red card for players who cover their mouths during confrontations. As reported by BBC Sport, the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina announced the changes following a meeting held in coordination with the International Football Association Board. Among the most significant expansions is the authority granted to VAR to check attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play. A prime example of where this new power will come into effect is during dead-ball situations such as corners or free kicks, where an attacking player commits a foul against a defender to impede their ability to contest the ball, and a goal is scored as a result. “We think this is very unfair, that the goal is given when the defender is prevented from being able to defend. A clear, illegal block made by an attacker. The only objective was to prevent the defender from being able to defend on his opponent,” Collina stated. While that VAR expansion is still awaiting formal IFAB approval, the rule penalizing players for covering their mouths during confrontations has already been given the green light. The change was prompted by the high-profile controversy in which Vinicius Junior accused Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a Champions League match, an episode in which FIFA president Infantino also weighed in publicly. Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica and Arda Guler of Real Madrid. Less than four months after that incident, the rule is now in place. Players who cover their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt while in a confrontational exchange with an opponent will be shown a red card. “If the conversation is friendly, they can continue to do it without any problem. When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card,” Collina said, drawing a clear distinction between casual and confrontational situations. New rules to address time-wasting and tactical timeouts One of the more familiar tactics used to slow the game down or run down the clock is for players to feign injury and force the medical staff onto the field. That loophole has already been formally addressed ahead of the World Cup, with any player who receives on-field treatment from the team physio required to remain off the pitch for at least 60 seconds before returning. One existing exception to that protocol involves the goalkeeper, who cannot simply leave the field of play. However, while a goalkeeper is being assessed on the ground, it has become common practice for outfield players to drift toward the touchline and receive tactical instructions from the coaching staff. To close that loophole, Collina made clear that neither team’s players will be permitted to approach the sideline while a goalkeeper is receiving medical attention on the pitch. “The goalkeeper has the right to be injured, but the players do not have the right to leave the field of play to have a sort of timeout with their respective coaches,” the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee explained.
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the focus of Brazil’s fans is on Neymar and his physical condition. However, head coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to put the focus on Raphinha, calling him “the best in the world” at attacking deep. Neymar Jr’s comeback has taken all the attention from Brazil’s fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Not only his physical condition, but also his appearance after several years of absence has taken center stage. Far from continuing to build the discussion around the veteran, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided to shift the focus toward Raphinha, praising him as “the best player in the world” at attacking deep. “What I ask of him is to stay close to the defensive line because I believe that, when it comes to attacking space in behind, he is the best in the world… I think being close to the defensive line to attack from deep is more important, but I’m never going to tell Raphinha where he has to play when we have the ball,” Carlo Ancelotti said in the latest press conference. After becoming one of the best players at Barcelona, Raphinha arrives at the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament’s biggest stars. Although he is coming off numerous injuries, he has recorded 21 goals and eight assists. With this in mind, Carlo Ancelotti has decided to make the 29-year-old star one of the cornerstones of the national team, with him being a regular starter since the Italian manager’s arrival. Not only does Raphinha excel as a dribbling winger, but he is also a world-class creative hub. With his vast experience, Carlo Ancelotti has decided not to limit the 29-year-old star to being just a wide player, instead deploying him as an attacking midfielder. In addition, he has proven to be an outstanding goalscorer, meaning he will be one of the key players when attacking space in behind, especially against top opponents such as France and others. Vinicius Junior and Raphinha of Brazil talk Raphinha emerges as Neymar’s rival for a place in Brazil’s XI Raphinha comes from being one of the best wingers in the world, being an undisputed starter under Hansi Flick at Barcelona. However, he does not appear set to have a similar role with Brazil, as he has always played more toward the inside, being a regular in the double attacking-midfielder system. With this in mind, the 29-year-old star appears to be the direct competition for Neymar Jr. in his final World Cup edition. If he manages to recover in time to face Haiti or Scotland, Neymar could have a chance of playing as an attacking midfielder for Brazil. Without great pace and with his physical condition still in question, he would start at a significant disadvantage compared to Raphinha. However, Carlo Ancelotti could still choose to field both players together, as they are not entirely incompatible and could help boost the attack against highly defensive opponents.
Guti speculated about Xavi Alonso's exit from Real Madrid. All the expectations surrounding Xabi Alonso’s arrival last year lasted just a few months, as Real Madrid dismissed him in January. After rumors about dressing room problems with some players, club icon Guti suggested there was a major issue in a conversation with Iker Casillas on “Bajo los palos”. Guti said: “Something very serious happened for Alonso to leave like that. Xabi was not a five-month or one-year project. He was a long-term project. Knowing Florentino, he does not make this kind of decision unless something serious and major happened. I think something strange happened in the dressing room for this to end like this.” The former midfielder knows what he is talking about, as he came through Real Madrid’s youth system before reaching the first team, where he stayed for 15 years. His view also comes from an era when managers had more time to work before clubs dismissed them. Guti thinks this team lacks many things Without question, this Real Madrid team is not the best by any means, with two years without a title being clear proof of that. Failing to be competitive in Spain and across Europe is something that alarms former players who won everything. Guti and Casillas were teammates during the Galacticos era (Junko Kimura/Getty Images) For the talented left-footed creator, the issues are not limited to the defensive side of the team, which is not very solid. He also sees major problems in attack, even with the stars available, when asked what this team lacks. Guti said: “What doesn’t it lack? It’s a team that is missing many things. Defensively, it concedes too many goals. Offensively, almost all of its attacking production depends on Vinicius or Mbappé. Collectively, this team is lacking a lot.” Guti on forming a cohesive group The global nature of the sport means teams now have players from many nationalities, something the former player believes makes it harder to build a group. Guti said: “Having more local players made the group stronger. When there are players from all over the world, it is very difficult to build a group. Before, it was easier.”
Real Madrid could be heading towards a major change in dressing-room hierarchy once Jose Mourinho officially returns to the Santiago Bernabéu.According to SPORT, the Portuguese manager has already id...
Real Madrid can't have easy days as Kylian Mbappé detailed why Alvaro Arbeloa put him on the bench. Problems never seem to end for Real Madrid fans. They could not even enjoy the win over Real Oviedo because another controversy is already making headlines. In a match where he started on the bench, Kylian Mbappé claimed Álvaro Arbeloa told him something unbelievable, if true. Mbappé said: “I am at 100%. I did not play because the manager told me I was the fourth forward on the team behind [Franco] Mastantuono, Vinicius and Gonzalo [García]. I was ready to start. It is his decision and you have to respect it. I am not angry.” This was another unnecessary scandal involving Real Madrid players after the fight between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. The week was not very calm either after Florentino Perez called elections in a press conference. All of this makes the club look even worse than not winning titles. Mbappé on his relationship with Arbeloa The French forward spoke to the media to respond to criticism about several issues: “I prefer to talk here, with my mouth, so it is clearer. My only responsibility is to play well and give everything for the badge.” Mbappé wasn’t in the lineup (Angel Martinez/Getty Images) But the most controversial thing he said was about Arbeloa’s decision, even though he made it clear he has no issue with him. Still, his explanation for being on the bench caused a scandal. Mbappé said: “I do not have any issue with Arbeloa. You have to respect him. You have to accept the manager’s philosophy, and I need to improve to play ahead of Vini, Gonzalo and Mastantuono. I do not watch his press conferences. I have French TV at home, not Spanish TV.” Mbappé on Xabi Alonso The quick exit of Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid in January left the player as the main person responsible for not following what the manager wanted. While he did not confirm any problems with him, his answer was striking given how his spell at the club ended. Mbappé said: “I have a great relationship with Alonso. But that is in the past. We should look forward.”
