Real Madrid News
Real Madrid considering two-week extension to include club outcast in Club World Cup
According to AS, Real Madrid are seriously considering extending Jesus Vallejo’s contract for just two more weeks, not because they plan to keep him long-term, but to allow him to finish the Club World Cup with the team.
Vallejo’s current deal runs until June 30, 2025, but with the tournament ending on July 13, the club feels it would be unfair to let him go right in the middle of a major event.
Even though Vallejo is not in the club’s future plans, the Madrid board feels it would be disrespectful to send him off before the tournament ends.
It is a similar situation to veterans like Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez, whose loyalty has also made the club think twice about abrupt exits.
Letting Vallejo leave just days before a possible title celebration doesn’t sit well with the people at the top.
Vallejo might be needed
Ancelotti has made it clear that Vallejo is not part of the current setup. In fact, the coach has openly stated that young talents like Jacobo Ramon are preferred ahead of him.
Back in February, before the Manchester City match, Ancelotti was asked about Vallejo and said:
“Absolutely nothing is happening with Vallejo; he’s fine, training. But his contract is ending… and we prefer to give more opportunities to the youngsters.”
That seemed to be the end of the discussion. Vallejo’s name rarely appears in press conferences or team sheets. But now, things have changed.
Tables have turned
With Real Madrid facing a defender crisis due to injuries, Vallejo suddenly looks like a useful backup again. The team is expected to go into the Club World Cup with just some serious defensive issues.
In such a desperate situation, even a player who is not in the plans could become important.
Vallejo may not be central to Madrid’s future, but his presence could offer some emergency cover. It’s not about strategy, but about decency, loyalty, and recognising someone who has stayed ready without making noise.
Real Madrid News
Atletico Madrid fire shots at Mourinho and Real Madrid: ‘Stop referee harassment now’
The day after the Madrid derby, Atletico Madrid have responded to José Mourinho and Real Madrid with an ironic message on social media, taking aim at the club’s reaction to the refereeing decisions at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
The fallout from the derby continues after Los Blancos fell to a 2-1 defeat away from home, extending their poor run of results at the Metropolitano in recent years
The result has left the hosts in good spirits heading into the three-week international break, while Mourinho & co. have been left seething over several refereeing decisions that they insist went against them.
Mourinho made his frustration clear in his post-match press conference, bringing a printed image showing two controversial incidents to illustrate his complaints.
“We could have saved ourselves the press conference because the story of the match is here,” Mourinho said while displaying the images.
“They are two clear red cards,” he added.
Atletico Madrid have now responded in kind.
Atletico’s pointed message
#StopAcosoArbitralYA pic.twitter.com/dqH7ldaes5
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) September 21, 2026
Indeed, earlier today, Atletico Madrid posted a photograph of Mourinho inside the Metropolitano press auditorium holding the printed image, accompanied by the message:
“Stop referee harassment now.”
The post was clearly aimed at the reaction from the Real Madrid camp following the derby, with Atletico once again using irony to address the controversy surrounding the officials.
It follows a pattern seen in previous derbies, when Atletico have used their social media channels to respond sarcastically to criticism of the match officials coming from their neighbours.
Simeone had already responded to Mourinho
Diego Simeone had already addressed Mourinho shortly after the Portuguese coach’s press conference.
Speaking after the match, the Atletico manager insisted that there are limits to how managers should conduct themselves, regardless of their reputation.
“We have to know how to respect the referee and our fellow professionals. When someone crosses that line of respect, whether your name is Mourinho, Simeone, Flick or Pellegrini, it isn’t right. You shouldn’t cross that line,” he said.
The derby may be over on the pitch, but the arguments surrounding the refereeing decisions and the reactions from both clubs are continuing into the international break.
