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Real Madrid’s turbulent dressing-room divide has been laid bare as reports in Spain reveal which players have aligned themselves with Vinicius Jr amid his escalating conflict with manager Xabi Alonso — and which stars, including Kylian Mbappe, have publicly and privately backed the under-pressure coach. With results slipping and tensions rising, Los Blancos now find themselves battling a crisis.

Real Madrid split in two camps over Alonso

Reports emerging from Spain over the last several days have alleged an internal split at Real Madrid, with multiple first-team players said to be unhappy with Alonso’s management. The situation intensified following the team’s 2-2 draw against Elche — their third straight game without a win after a disappointing stalemate against Rayo Vallecano and a Champions League defeat to Liverpool. According to COPE’s ‘El Partidazo’, as results slipped, frustrations that had been simmering beneath the surface erupted into clear divisions within the squad.  

The outlet claims that six players — Fede Valverde, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, Endrick and Ferland Mendy — have grown discontent with the coach’s decisions and tactical management. Vinicius is believed to be at the centre of the unrest, having been left out of the starting line-up multiple times this season and completing the full 90 minutes on only four occasions. With the Brazilian star reportedly unhappy about his role and handling, Spanish media have framed his deteriorating relationship with Alonso as the catalyst for a broader dressing-room split.

Meanwhile, a second group of players has reportedly come out strongly in support of Alonso’s leadership during this turbulent period. That camp consists of Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois, Arda Guler, defender Dean Huijsen and full-back Alvaro Carreras. Their backing arrives at a crucial time for the former Bayer Leverkusen coach, who is facing growing scrutiny following the dip in form, despite the team still sitting top of La Liga after winning 10 of their opening 11 matches.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRift stems from Alonso and Vinicius' disagreements

The rift between Vinicius and Alonso is understood to be long-running and rooted in both tactical disagreements and a perceived change in treatment compared to the Carlo Ancelotti era. The conflict escalated in the summer during the Club World Cup semi-final, where Alonso initially planned to bench Vinicius and later deployed him on the right wing, a position the Brazilian strongly dislikes. Since then, the player has viewed the reduced minutes and repeated rotations as a loss of trust, fueling frustration and shaping his stance toward the coach. 

This tension reached a boiling point after Vinicius reacted angrily to being substituted in El Clasico, a moment that demanded a public apology from the player. While he apologised to his teammates and the club as a whole, he notably did not mention Alonso, which many interpreted as a deliberate omission. The fallout has directly affected one of the club’s most important off-field issues: his contract renewal. Reports suggest the Brazilian has stalled talks and informed president Florentino Perez that he will not commit long-term while the current coaching situation remains unresolved.

The internal divide extends beyond personal clashes and now threatens squad harmony at a critical stage of the season. Alonso has already faced claims that he has “lost the dressing room” — a narrative historically difficult to reverse at Real Madrid. While the club hierarchy continues to publicly declare support for the coach, Real Madrid's history shows that results, dressing-room unity, and player power ultimately determine managerial longevity. With Vinicius positioned as a cornerstone of the club’s future project, the tension places extraordinary pressure on Alonso to regain control before long-term fractures set in.

Real Madrid's dressing room reportedly falling apart…

The reported factions within the dressing room have emerged during a worrying downturn in performances. After a blistering start, Alonso’s side have stumbled badly, dropping points in three consecutive matches. The 2-2 draw at Elche, where Madrid again struggled to impose themselves, intensified scrutiny and opened the door for speculation about personal tensions shaping performances. Although the team remains top of La Liga, a single point ahead of Barcelona, the momentum that carried them through the autumn has clearly faded. 

Vinicius' case is particularly sensitive because of his influence within the squad and the club’s reliance on him as a long-term star. His displeasure has spread concern within Madrid’s management structure, especially with suggestions he may delay or refuse a contract renewal until the situation with Alonso is resolved. Spanish media have gone as far as to report that the pair have “fallen out badly”, raising alarms at Valdebebas over whether the rift can be repaired.

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Real Madrid now face a defining stretch of the season, with Alonso needing both results and unity to quell what is rapidly becoming a crisis. The upcoming Champions League clash against Olympiacos has been labelled a “crucial test”, with Spanish media suggesting a defeat could push the coach closer to the brink just months into his tenure. With January approaching, the club may be forced into decisive action if the dressing-room fracture worsens and contract negotiations with Vinicius stall further. 

Liverpool have now reportedly set their sights on hiring a Premier League manager, who Pep Guardiola called “incredible”, in a fresh concern for Arne Slot.

Carragher delivers "honest" Liverpool verdict after PSV defeat

Before the international break, Liverpool could at least fall back on the excuse that much of their bad form came on the road. Anfield, for the most part, remained a fortress. Just weeks later, however, and that fortress has been set ablaze by humiliating defeats at the hands of Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven.

Not everyone is ready to call time on Slot’s time at the club, however, and Anfield legend Jamie Carragher sent a timely reminder on punditry duty that Liverpool aren’t a sacking club, historically speaking.

He said: “Liverpool is not a sacking club, Liverpool, I think, are different from almost every club in European football where the manager is the king, you know, the managers get time.

“Liverpool have never sacked a manager who’s won the league, never in the history. They’ve all, you know, after a few years they’ve gone, they’ve resigned.

Slot must drop 3/10 Liverpool flop who was just as bad as Konate vs PSV

Arne Slot must now axe this Liverpool flop after he put in an extremely poor display at Anfield against PSV Eindhoven.

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“I couldn’t believe over the weekend that people were talking about the manager’s job when I spoke to Liverpool supporters after losing at home to Nottingham Forest.

“It’s only going to amplify now and I’ve always been in the camp of you stick with the manager because I’m angry with the players if I’m being totally honest, I’m really angry with the players but it does get to a stage with any manager at any club where I always use this word untenable, where it almost feels like it can’t go on any longer.”

Whether Liverpool chiefs share that view is the big question. Recent reports linking them to the likes of Andoni Iraola certainly suggests that they’re at least preparing for life without Slot.

Liverpool eyeing Andoni Iraola move

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are now eyeing a move to hire Iraola from Bournemouth if they decide to sack Slot. The Cherries boss is someone that Richard Hughes knows well, given that the sporting director hired the Spaniard during his time on the South Coast, and could now turn to him for a second time.

Iraola is one of the most well-respected managers in the Premier League these days. He’s taken Bournemouth to new heights and transformed the likes of Antoine Semenyo, who’s attracting interest from Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been one of the many figures around English football to hand the Bournemouth boss praise, telling reporters earlier this season: “Andoni is an incredible, well-respected manager in Spain and did an incredible job in Rayo Vallecano.”

It doesn’t get much better than praise from the Man City boss, and Iraola could yet get the chance to become one of his biggest rivals if Liverpool make their move.

Gravenberch upgrade: Liverpool ready record bid for "best CM in the world"

Daniel Farke, manager of Leeds United, has provided an update on injuries within his squad ahead of their Sunday clash with Nottingham Forest.

Last season, at the second time of asking, Farke led Leeds back to the Premier League as centurions and winners of the Championship. After 10 games in the top flight, the Whites have picked up 11 points as, alongside Sunderland and Burnley, the newly-promoted teams have enjoyed promising starts to the campaign.

Leeds are certainly at their best when at home, having lost only to Tottenham Hotspur in five games at Elland Road. On the road, however, Leeds have just one win, which came against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Not only have they lost the other four matches, but excluding the win over Wolves, Leeds have not scored away from home.

The Whites are next in action on Sunday when they travel to face Forest, who have not won in the Premier League since their opening day victory against Brentford.

Sean Dyche oversaw a victory against Porto in the Europa League on his debut as Forest manager, having since lost to Bournemouth as well as draws with Man United and Sturm Graz.

Ahead of their visit to the City Ground, Farke has revealed which of his players have faced fitness setbacks.

Farke reveals Leeds pair are struggling with injury

Signed for just over £5 million in the summer from Wolfsburg, Sebastiaan Bornauw was recruited to serve as depth to pre-existing centre-back options Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, along with fellow summer addition Jaka Bijol.

Yet to make his Premier League debut for the Whites, Bornauw has played just once for the club, when he featured against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup. Farke has now revealed that the Belgian is struggling with a new injury suffered behind closed doors.

Elsewhere within the team, it will be a “late call” whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin can play against Forest. The former Everton striker has been brilliant for Leeds, giving them a physical outlet up front that has allowed them to compete in the Premier League.

Lukas Nmecha is a serviceable back-up option, but Leeds will hope that both Bornauw and Calvert-Lewin are not absent for too long. Given that, including Joel Piroe, no Leeds striker has been a consistent goal threat this season, it may be that Farke could soon turn to some younger options within his squad.

"Dangerous" striker could be open to Leeds switch in January

Lionel Messi has sent an emotional message to Barcelona fans after making a secret return to Camp Nou. The Argentine superstar severed career-long ties with the Catalan giants in 2021, but has made no secret of his desire to retrace steps to familiar surroundings at some stage. He has been back in the city during a break from MLS duties with Inter Miami, allowing him to take in upgrades to the iconic stadium.

• Tears flowed: Messi severed ties with Barca in 2021

  Messi was left in tears when bidding farewell to Barca, with it becoming clear that financial troubles would make a contract extension for the Argentine GOAT impossible. With free agency being reached, he took on a new challenge in France with Paris Saint-Germain.

  More major honours were collected there, alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, but the Messi family – including wife Antonela and their three sons – struggled to settle in Paris. As a result, the American dream was chased when David Beckham and Inter Miami came calling in 2023.

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• Messi hints at Barcelona return in some capacity

  Messi has taken his record-shattering haul of Ballons d’Or to eight – having become a World Cup winner – and is up to 46 major trophies as the most decorated player in history. A couple of those – Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield crowns – have been captured in the United States.

  While happy in South Florida, Messi has seen a return to Camp Nou speculated on. It appears unlikely that that path will be trodden as a player, having signed a new contract in Miami, but a directorial or ambassadorial post may open up in the future. For now, he has enjoyed wandering around at empty venue that is being given a serious facelift.

  Messi posted on Instagram after taking to a field that he once illuminated: “Last night I returned to a place I miss with my soul. A place where I was immensely happy, where you guys made me feel a thousand times the happiest person in the world. I hope one day I can come back, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to…”

• Friendly or exhibition: Will Messi play at Camp Nou again?

  Inter Miami have vowed to do all they can to make a farewell appearance for Messi in Catalonia possible. Club president Jorge Mas has said: “Messi's departure from Barcelona was not to his liking, he could not say goodbye to his club that welcomed him as a child, and I think the circumstances were not what Lionel wanted. I gave him my commitment that I will do everything possible in the coming years to give him the opportunity to say goodbye to his fans in Barcelona. Inter Miami will go or we will do some kind of match.”

  While a friendly could be lined up, Barca have explored the option of bringing their prodigal son back for an exhibition contest that would mark the grand reopening of Camp Nou. Scheduling issues posed a problem at one stage, but that venue is still not ready to welcome supporters through its doors once more. Messi could, therefore, reach the end of the 2025 MLS campaign before returning to Europe again.

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  Messi contract: Immediate future at Inter Miami

  Barca president Joan Laporta, who once hinted at trying to bring Messi back in a playing capacity, has stated on a regular basis that the Blaugrana are looking to organise a match that Messi can grace. His latest comments on that subject were: “What we hope is that he can be given the great tribute he deserves.”

  Messi is now tied to a deal at Inter Miami through 2028, which will take him beyond his 40th birthday. He will also be turning out at a new stadium there, with the Herons in the process of constructing a purpose-built ground that should be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign.

  Javier Mascherano’s side will be hoping to move in there as defending MLS Cup champions. More magic from Messi has kept them in the hunt for play-off glory this season, with the Argentine up to 42 goals as he prepares for the Conference semi-finals. A pitstop in Barcelona has been made before attention turns to a clash with Cincinnati.

Arsenal’s title aspirations suffered a crushing blow at Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime as Emiliano Buendia’s stoppage-time strike completed a dramatic 2-1 turnaround for Aston Villa.

The Gunners’ remarkable 18-match unbeaten streak across all competitions has now come to an end, with Mikel Arteta’s side sent crashing back down to Earth.

Arsenal dominated possession throughout lengthy spells but ultimately paid the price for failing to convert superiority into goals, succumbing to Unai Emery’s tactical masterclass at a venue where Arsenal ironically boast their best away record in Premier League history.

The defeat allows Man City the opportunity to reduce the gap at the summit to just two points, piling pressure on Arteta’s men as they navigate a mounting defensive injury crisis.

Villa deservedly seized the initiative in the 36th minute when Matty Cash powered home from the back post, meeting a deflected cross with a thunderous half-volley that caught David Raya flat-footed.

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The right-back’s spectacular finish rewarded Villa’s aggressive pressing and energetic start, with Arsenal struggling to establish their usual rhythm against Emery’s well-drilled side.

Arteta responded decisively at the interval, introducing Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres for the ineffective Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino. The Belgian substitute needed just seven second-half minutes to justify his manager’s faith, pouncing on a loose ball after Emiliano Martínez could only parry Bukayo Saka’s initial effort.

Trossard’s predatory instincts breathed life into Arsenal’s challenge and appeared to shift momentum decisively towards the visitors.

Emiliano Martínez

7.8

Declan Rice

7.7

Matty Cash

7.5

Boubacar Kamara

7.5

Martin Odegaard

7.2

via WhoScored

Arsenal dominated proceedings thereafter, pinning Villa deep inside their own territory while creating numerous opportunities to snatch victory.

Declan Rice orchestrated attacks from deep despite struggling with the calf complaint that nearly ruled him out, while Saka tormented Villa’s left flank repeatedly. Noni Madueke came agonizingly close late on, firing into the side netting when well-positioned at the back post.

However, Emery’s inspired tactical substitution proved decisive.

Buendia’s introduction for Cash in the 85th minute pushed Villa into a more aggressive attacking configuration, with Lamare Bogarde dropping to right-back. The Argentinian playmaker delivered the killer blow deep into stoppage time, reacting quickest to a scramble inside Arsenal’s penalty area and firing home emphatically to send Villa Park into raptures.

The defeat represents a significant setback for Arsenal’s title ambitions, particularly given the circumstances surrounding their performance.

Arteta’s side controlled vast stretches of play, registered more shots and dominated possession statistics, yet left the Midlands empty-handed.

Villa’s victory extends their remarkable home form to just one defeat in their last 25 league matches at Villa Park, underlining the fortress mentality Emery has built there.

The result lifts Villa within three points of Arsenal while maintaining their challenge for Champions League qualification, perhaps even the title itself.

Mikel Arteta confirms Cristhian Mosquera blow after Aston Villa defeat

With William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes already sidelined, the loss of Cristhian Mosquera to injury against Brentford forced Jurrien Timber into an unfamiliar centre-back role alongside Piero Hincapie.

Reports have suggested that Mosquera faces several weeks out through injury, and that’s now been confirmed by Arsenal’s manager.

Speaking after the match, Arteta said that the 21-year-old faces a significant spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury against Brentford, stating the layoff is ‘much more’ than they initially expected.

The Spanish defender underwent tests on Friday, with initial assessments already suggesting a potential absence of six to eight weeks.

Arteta described Mosquera’s situation as “more complicated” when addressing the media ahead of kickoff, acknowledging the injury represents another substantial blow to Arsenal’s already weakended defence heading into the congested festive schedule.

For the north Londoners, it is yet more bad news after what was a gutting defeat in the Midlands.

Second round of the Ranji Trophy starts on October 25

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-2025Ravindra Jadeja is set to play for Saurashtra in the second round of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy starting October 25.Jadeja’s inclusion will strengthen their attack against Madhya Pradesh at home in Rajkot, on the same pitch where spinners took for 31 of the 35 wickets to fall in last week’s fixture between Saurashtra and Karnataka.Jadeja, the top-ranked Test allrounder, is currently on a break, having most recently played in the two home Tests against West Indies earlier this month. He scored his sixth Test hundred – an unbeaten 104 – in the first Test in Ahmedabad and took eight wickets in the series as India won 2-0.He wasn’t selected in India’s ODI squad that is currently in Australia, which Jadeja said was “not a surprise” after the team management spoke to him about their decision.”It is a good thing that they communicated the reason behind my omission,” Jadeja had said during the Delhi Test against West Indies. “I am happy about that. But whenever I get a chance next, I will try and do what I have done all these years.”If I get a chance in the World Cup and there are many ODIs before and if I do well there, it will be a good thing for Indian cricket. Winning a World Cup is everyone’s dream. We narrowly missed out last time, so next time we will try and make up for it.”When he plays against Madhya Pradesh, Jadeja will reunite with his Saurashtra spin twin Dharmendrasinh Jadeja. Dharmendrasinh picked up a match haul of 10 for 203 as Saurashtra earned points for taking the first-innings lead against Karnataka.Jadeja had most recently featured for Saurashtra in the previous Ranji season. He took 12 wickets in two matches – both all against Delhi – including a best of 7 for 38.

Shardul Thakur also hit the nets, with hopes of reclaiming his Test spot

Nagraj Gollapudi29-May-2025Karun Nair was still in IPL mode as he effortlessly reverse-swept any loose deliveries outside off from the spinners. Nitish Kumar Reddy stood half a yard outside the crease but was solid in both defence and punishing any delivery in the hitting zone. Shardul Thakur showed patience as he dealt with the seaming ball. And Abhimanyu Easwaran did not miss any scoring opportunities.With potential slots up for grabs for the first Test of India’s tour of England starting June 20, all four players will be looking to put on an impressive show in the first of the two unofficial Tests India A are scheduled to play against England Lions starting Friday in Canterbury. Thursday was the third consecutive training day for India A, with players free from IPL commitments linking up with the squad in England in batches this week.One of the key selection questions for India during the five-Test series in England concerns the allrounder’s position. Reddy had performed that role in the five-Test series in Australia, where he scored his maiden Test century in Melbourne, primarily making an impact as a batting allrounder. Having picked up an injury after the Australia tour, Reddy played IPL 2025, but has only resumed bowling in the last few weeks.Related

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On Thursday, Reddy looked the most fluent, playing the ball under his eyes, leaving with assurance most times, and driving both off the front and back foot. Also eyeing the allrounder position is Thakur, whose last Test was in December 2023 in South Africa. Having undergone a foot surgery last year, Thakur, 33, forced his way back into the Test squad on the back of a successful run with both ball and bat in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, helping Mumbai reach the semi-finals. Thakur has played four of his 11 Tests in England and has made impactful contributions in the two games he played during the 2021 tour.As for Nair, success against Lions will help him stake a claim for the sixth specialist batter’s position if India decide to play an extra batter alongside Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7 followed by an allrounder. While he last played a Test in 2017, Nair has had two prolific domestic seasons for Vidarbha. Nair has also played for Northamptonshire in the last few years and is coming off a few impressive performances in the IPL for Delhi Capitals.

Shardul Thakur shifts to red-ball mode in Canterbury pic.twitter.com/gupNHbp1Dh

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 29, 2025