Real Madrid News
Saudi’s current transfer plan: Sign all Ballon d’Or winners
Shortly after Karim Benzema agreed to join Al-Ittihad ahead of the new season, Saudi Arabian clubs have stepped up their efforts to sign other big footballing stars across the world.
Al-Hilal, in particular, were hell-bent on securing the services of Lionel Messi. But after the Argentine opted to join Inter Miami, Saudi clubs have now set their sights on Luka Modric, reports Miguel Angel Diaz.
The Spanish journalist has claimed that Saudi Arabian clubs have increased their offer for Modric lately. They want to lure the veteran midfielder to the Middle East, as Real Madrid are yet to confirm any contract renewal with the player.
Diaz, in fact, claims the objective for these Saudi Arabian clubs is to sign all the recent Ballon d’Or winners. The project began with Al-Nassr signing of Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the year.
Subsequently, Al-Hial tried to secure the services of Messi, though it did not work out. Al-Ittihad, on the other hand, were able to secure the services of Benzema, the most recent Ballon d’Or winner.
That leaves Modric as the final player these Saudi clubs could target. And it appears the operation is already on, with the clubs offering the midfielder a lucrative salary to lure him away from Santiago Bernabeu.
Modric has remained keen on continuing his spell at the Bernabeu for at least another month. But Real Madrid are yet to confirm the renewal, meaning the player’s future at the club is now uncertain, especially with Saudi clubs pushing forward to secure his services.
Modric’s renewal could be complicated by the fact that Real Madrid have roped in Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. Although it was suggested earlier that the Englishman’s arrival won’t impact the role of Modric and Kroos, the added incentive of earning a lucrative salary in Saudi Arabia might just tempt the veteran to jump ship this summer.
Real Madrid’s recent win over Villarreal certainly had its tense and controversial moments, most of them involving Vinicius Jr.
But the biggest silver lining for Los Blancos was Yan Diomande scoring his first goal for the club following his €140 million move from RB Leipzig.
Diomande’s slow start had made him a subject of much criticism in the media. In the first game after the international break, however, the forward opened his account, and he used the moment to pay tribute to his sister, who died at the age of 15, reports MARCA.
Diomande’s tribute to his late sister
On the hour mark, Federico Valverde slipped him through and the Ivorian finished low across goal for the game’s only strike.
Once VAR confirmed it, he walked away from his celebrating teammates, closed his eyes and broke down in tears, his gaze fixed on the sky.
He later explained the emotion in his post-match interview. “This means more than words can say. My first goal is for you, sister. Forever in my heart.”
Roxane died in 2025 at just 15, having believed in her brother long before anyone else did. From the age of ten she had acted as his biggest champion, and ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Diomande shared their story in a letter published in The Players’ Tribune.
“Everything I do on the field is for you,” he wrote.
Staking a claim for more minutes
Diomande’s goal against Villarreal also carried a lot of weight, in terms of his standing in the team.
“I’d been waiting for that first goal for a long time,” Diomande admitted on Real Madrid TV. His display offered a glimpse of his value, with four successful dribbles, the pace to stretch Villarreal and the movement to create space for Kylian Mbappe.
With Vinicius facing a possible and lengthened domestic suspension, the 19-year-old has a timely chance to claim a more prominent role.
He is also relishing a first taste of the Champions League. “It’s every child’s dream, and I’m very grateful to be doing it with Real Madrid.”
So it will be interesting to see whether or not Diomande gets more chances to perform in the coming matches, before Real Madrid prepare for the big fight against Barcelona.
