Real Madrid have confirmed Spain boss Julen Lopetegui will become their new manager on a three-year deal after the World Cup is over. The 51-year-old took charge of Spain after Euro 2016 – and signed a new extension until 2020 just last month – but the appointment means the impending World Cup in Russia will be his…

Zinedine Zidane has decided to stand down as Real Madrid manager after leading the club to three Champions League titles in two-and-a-half seasons in charge. Zidane revealed his decision in a hastily-arranged press conference in the Spanish capital on Thursday. President Florentino Perez appeared alongside him and revealed it was an “unexpected decision”. “I have…

The 34-year-old playmaker has joined Vissel Kobe after leaving the Nou Camp. Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has signed for Japanese side Vissel Kobe after bringing the curtain down on his brilliant Barcelona career. The 34-year-old playmaker left the Catalan giants after landing his ninth LaLiga title with the club. He also secured a host of…

By Joseph Cassinelli MADRID, May 17 (Reuters) – It will be a weekend of goodbyes in Spain as the Liga season draws to a close, with Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta and Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres set to play their last games for their boyhood clubs. Champions Barca will look to give Iniesta the perfect send-off when…

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann said his team were still aiming for the La Liga title, speaking after his hat-trick in Sunday evening’s 5-2 La Liga win at Sevilla, a week before Diego Simeone’s side travel to table toppers Barcelona. Sevilla had the better of the opening stages, but Atletico went ahead when just before…

MADRID (Reuters) – Barcelona rode further away from their crumbling title rivals on Sunday as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored twice each in a 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis which opened up an 11-point gap at the top of the La Liga standings. A strike from Ivan Rakitic broke the home side’s resistance in…

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has agreed a contract extension until 2022. The new contract also includes a 500m euro (£440m) buyout clause. The Spain international, 30, has played 422 games for the Catalan club since rejoining from Manchester United in 2008. Pique has won more than 20 honours at Barca, including six La Liga titles…

Pablo Fornals scored a superb late goal for Villarreal as they won at the Bernabeu for the first time to load more pressure on Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. Real edged the first half and Gareth Bale had a header ruled out for offside, before Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick was tipped on to the bar. However,…

Philippe Coutinho has said he hopes Liverpool fans “understand” his decision to move to Barcelona in an emotional post on social media. The Brazilian forward, 25, completed his £142m move to the La Liga club on Monday after five years on Merseyside. Coutinho said he could “never thank Liverpool fans enough” for their support and “will always…

Liverpool have agreed a £142m deal with Barcelona for midfielder Philippe Coutinho in what will be one of the most expensive transfers of all time.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player of all time, according to his Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane. Portugal forward Ronaldo won his fifth Ballon d’Or on Friday, taking him level with Lionel Messi’s record. “The stats speak for themselves. He’s the best player in the history of football,” said former France player Zidane, who won the award…

Second-placed Valencia lost for the first time in La Liga this season as Getafe beat them to leave Barcelona five points clear at the top. The hosts, who move up to eighth in the table, played 65 minutes with 10 men after Mauro Arambarri was sent off for a second booking. Markel Bergara scored the…