Real Madrid News
Barcelona superstar reveals desire to face Real Madrid in the Champions League: ‘I would like us to face each other’
The explosion of talent at Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent years has made El Clasico a hugely anticipated fixture this upcoming season.
It has always been one of the most anticipated fixtures in club football, but the hype surrounding it has only increased with the return of Jose Mourinho.
Arguably, the biggest talking point of Clasicos in the past couple of years has been the battle between Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.
The 19-year-old says he would like Barça and Real Madrid to finally meet in the Champions League.
Lamine wants a Champions League Clasico
Speaking on Movistar Plus’ Universo Valdano, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Lamine discussed the rivalry and explained why Clasicos carry a different meaning for players who have grown up inside Barcelona’s academy.
“When you come from La Masia, from the first Clasico you play you already know what this is about and you know that this match is a war,” Lamine said.
He then turned his attention towards Europe and something remarkably absent from the history of his young career.
“We have never faced Madrid in the Champions League. I would like us to face each other in the Champions League,” he said.
It would certainly be one of the biggest possible ties in European football. For Madrid, however, those words would hardly create any fear.
The Champions League is the competition most closely associated with the club’s identity, and a European Clasico would carry a completely different pressure from the league meetings Lamine already knows.
Lamine’s desire to face the kings of the Champions League shows his fearlessness, but Los Blancos will know that they have the emotional edge in such a situation.
Jose Mourinho will be determined to set the Clasico record straight
It is no secret that Barcelona have had the edge over Real Madrid in Clasicos in recent seasons, especially since the arrival of Hansi Flick.
However, if there is one person who understands the intricacies of the fixture better than anyone else, it is Jose Mourinho.
During his first stint at the club, his battles with Pep Guardiola in these fixtures were so intense that they bordered on toxicity.
He will be keen to get Madrid back on top and gain that early advantage against Hansi Flick, and it remains to be seen how the Clasicos play out this season.
Real Madrid News
Arsenal in contact with Real Madrid forward’s camp over potential transfer – report
Doubts about Rodrygo Goes’ long-term future at Real Madrid having been growing for some time.
The Brazilian’s situation had become uncomfortable over the past couple of seasons as he experienced a sudden decline in form. And, just when it seemed like he was about to turn things around, an ACL injury ruled him out in March earlier this year.
With Rodrygo now facing an extended spell on the sidelines, his recovery will be crucial. He is expected to return in December or January, and the club will monitor how he responds physically before determining what role he will play under Jose Mourinho.
Arsenal keeping tabs on Rodrygo
Now, according to TEAMtalk (h/t Bernabeu Digital), Arsenal are in contact with Rodrygo’s representatives over a potential future move.
The report states that the Gunners had already attempted to sign the Brazilian before his injury, and their interest has now resurfaced ahead of a possible move in the summer of 2027.
The Premier League champions had also explored the possibility of signing Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid this past summer, before he signed a new long-term contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Now, their attention seems to have switched Vinicius’ fellow Brazilian forward who is closing in on his return from the ACL rupture.
Real Madrid want to keep Rodrygo until the summer
As already reported, Rodrygo will not leave Real Madrid in January. The intention is for the winger to regain full fitness and become available to Mourinho for the second half of the season.
Real Madrid are not considering selling the former Santos wonderkid during the January transfer window.
Instead, the club intend to reassess his situation next summer, once he has had the opportunity to recover and demonstrate his form on the pitch.
The plan is to have the Brazilian fit and available for the second half of the campaign before making a final decision at the end of the season.
Rodrygo’s performances after returning from injury, together with Mourinho’s assessment of his role in the squad, will help determine what happens next.
Depending on those factors, Real Madrid could consider allowing him to leave or decide that he still has an important future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
For now, Arsenal’s interest remains a possibility to watch, but Real Madrid are focused on Rodrygo’s recovery rather than negotiating a January departure.
