Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu is leading option to host 2030 World Cup final; official decision may not come until 2028
The Santiago Bernabeu has emerged as the leading candidate to host the 2030 World Cup final, potentially bringing the biggest match in international football to Real Madrid’s home.
The 2030 edition is set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and the Bernabeu has been among the venues under consideration to host the marquee event.
According to journalist Jose Felix Diaz (h/t Madrid Zone), the Bernabeu is currently the leading option for the final.
However, the process remains far from complete, with no official decision expected until 2027, or potentially even 2028.
Bernabeu moves to front of the race
For Real Madrid, having the Bernabeu positioned as the current favourite represents another significant endorsement of the stadium following its enormous redevelopment.
Madrid did not modernise the ground simply to improve the experience on match days.
The wider ambition has been to turn the Bernabeu into one of the world’s premier sporting and entertainment venues.
Hosting a World Cup final ahead of the likes of the Spotify Camp Nou would represent the ultimate confirmation of that status.
No decision should be considered final
There is an important distinction, however, between being the leading option and actually securing the match.
With a final decision potentially still two years away, plenty could change. Other stadiums such as the Camp Nou or the Hassan II Stadium could enter the running.
The Bernabeu nevertheless possesses an obvious historical argument. The stadium already hosted the 1982 World Cup final, when Italy defeated West Germany to become world champions.
The renovated Bernabeu hosting the biggest international match in football would make it one of the most watched games in the history of the sport.
The potential disadvantage could come in terms of capacity, with both the Camp Nou and the Hassan II Stadium set to have a higher capacity once completed.
However, the history of the stadium and the magnitude of the occasion should see Madrid get the final ahead of other contenders in an ideal world.
The 2030 World Cup final may be some way away, but plans are already being made, and it remains to be seen whether the Bernabeu is chosen as the venue for the final.
Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe unlocks three Champions League achievements after Roma 3-4 Real Madrid thriller
Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance with a goal against AS Roma, reaching another major milestone in a competition he has dominated throughout his career.
As such, the Real Madrid forward scored his 72nd Champions League goal on Wednesday, moving past club legend Raul Gonzalez on the competition’s all-time scoring list and into fifth place.
Mbappe surpasses Messi and Raul
Mbappe reached 100 Champions League appearances against Roma and marked the occasion with a goal.
Kylian Mbappé is the youngest-ever player to reach 100 Champions League appearances (27y 298d). Lionel Messi’s record is broken (28y 84d). 💯 https://t.co/QxB7jmGlop
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 14, 2026
At 27 years and 298 days, he became the youngest player to reach that landmark, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 28 years and 84 days.
As such, Mbappe’s 72 Champions League goals have come across three clubs: six for Monaco, 42 for Paris Saint-Germain and 24 for Real Madrid.
Only Messi and Lewandowski outscored Mbappe
Mbappe’s record becomes even more impressive when measured against other top Champions League forwards during their first 100 appearances.
📊 Only Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi scored more goals in their first 100 Champions League matches than Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has netted an incredible 𝟕𝟐 goals in his first century of matches. 🔥 https://t.co/77Yg7DdD6L
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) October 15, 2026
Robert Lewandowski scored 81 goals in his first 100 matches, while Messi registered 77. Mbappe’s 72 goals place him behind those two players, but ahead of numerous other legendary attackers.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the Champions League benchmark
Despite moving into fifth place, Mbappe still has a substantial gap to close before reaching the top of the all-time scoring rankings.
Karim Benzema sits ahead of him with 90 goals, followed by Lewandowski on 109 and Messi on 129. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the standings with 140 Champions League goals.
𝐊𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐂𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒 😲👏 That is now 72 UCL goals for him, breaking into the top 5 😮💨 𝘼𝙡𝙡-𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙨: 👇 140 ⚽ Cristiano Ronaldo 129 ⚽ Lionel Messi 107 ⚽ Robert Lewandowski 90 ⚽ Karim Benzema 72 ⚽ Kylian Mbappé 71 ⚽ Raúl Where will he finish on the all-time UCL top scorers list? 👀
— 433 (@433) October 14, 2026
Mbappe’s 72 strikes leave him 18 behind Benzema, meaning the next target in his pursuit of the all-time greats is within reach if he maintains his scoring rate.
Understandably, Ronaldo’s 141 goals remain the benchmark, leaving Mbappe 68 goals short of the record.
The gap is considerable, but the Frenchman has already demonstrated the scoring consistency needed to climb the rankings, and it won’t be a surprise if he breaks his idol’s record.
