Author name: Omar Rodríguez

Barcelona did not celebrate its 125th anniversary as they would have liked, as in the game where they commemorated this date, the Catalan team lost 1-2 against Las Palmas. The goals were scored by Sandro at 49′ and Fábio Silva at 67′ for the visitors, while Raphinha scored the blaugranas’ goal at 61′. This result put Barça’s lead in jeopardy, as, should Real Madrid win their match against Getafe, Los Merengues would be only one point behind Barcelona, with a game in hand. You may be interested in: https://titansports.mx/barcelona-defeats-real-madrid/ Cover photo: X (@FCBarcelona).  

Barcelona celebrated their 125th anniversary with a thrilling victory over Real Madrid in a Legends Clásico, winning 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Ronaldinho stole the show with a stunning free-kick goal, bringing nostalgia and magic to a game filled with legendary moments. FC Barcelona secured yet another Clásico victory, adding to their recent streak of wins against their Madrid rivals. This time, it was in a legends match honoring the Blaugrana’s 125 years of history. Following a 2-2 draw, the Catalan side triumphed over Real Madrid in a penalty shootout, 4-2. The victory adds to the successes achieved by both the men’s and women’s Barcelona teams in their respective encounters with Real Madrid this season.     The game, held at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar, featured legendary players from both clubs, filling the field with the magic and quality these football icons are known for. The Lineups Barcelona’s lineup included: Vítor Baía; Fernando Navarro, De Boer, Abidal, Sorín; Trashorras, Mendieta; Giuly, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Villa.     Real Madrid fielded: Buyo; Núñez, Pavón, Fernando Sanz, Raúl Bravo; Milla, Seedorf, Figo, Savio, Amavisca; Congo. Ronaldinho’s Timeless Magic Barcelona opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a goal from Juampi Sorín. The second goal came from none other than Ronaldinho, whose brilliance defies time. The Brazilian legend delivered a spectacular free-kick, curling the ball into the top right corner. His iconic smile lit up the stadium as fans celebrated the breathtaking goal.     Real Madrid wasn’t about to be overshadowed, responding with a goal from Portuguese star Luís Figo, who scored with a precise cross-shot in the 58th minute. Edwin Congo equalized shortly after, capitalizing on a defensive error from Barcelona to make it 2-2. You may be interested in: El Clásico es blaugrana, Barcelona le pasó por encima al Real Madrid     Barcelona Prevails in Penalties To delight the crowd eager for a winner, Barcelona edged out Real Madrid in the penalty shootout, winning 4-2. While Barcelona claimed the victory, the true winners were the fans, who had the rare opportunity to witness these football legends grace the pitch once again. Cover photo: X (@10Ronaldinho)  

FIFA has revealed the nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024, highlighting stars like Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé. For the first time, fans can vote for the Men’s and Women’s World XI of the year. The announcement includes nominees across various categories, recognizing the year’s top achievements in football: the Best Men’s and Women’s Players, Coaches, and Goalkeepers. A significant update to this year’s awards is that fans’ votes will carry the same weight as national team coaches and media votes. Additionally, fans can now vote for their picks in the Men’s and Women’s World XI for the first time.     Men’s Player of the Year Nominees Lionel Messi, the previous winner, headlines the nominees alongside Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid) Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City) Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid) Florian Wirtz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen) Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid) Kylian Mbappé (France, PSG-Real Madrid) Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona) Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami) Rodri (Spain, Manchester City) Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid) Vinícius Jr. (Brazil, Real Madrid)   Women’s Player of the Year Nominees Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona, the Ballon d’Or winner, is a strong favorite. Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen and Ona Batlle also feature prominently. Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona) Barbra Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli-Orlando Pride) Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona) Keira Walsh (England, Barcelona) Khadija Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City) Lauren Hemp (England, Manchester City) Lindsey Horan (USA, Olympique Lyon) Lucy Bronze (England, Barcelona-Chelsea) Mallory Swanson (USA, Chicago Red Stars) Mariona Caldentey (Spain, Barcelona-Arsenal) Naomi Girma (USA, San Diego Wave) Ona Batlle (Spain, Barcelona) Salma Paralluelo (Spain, Barcelona) Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns) Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, PSG-Olympique Lyon) Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit) Coaches of the Year Men’s Football A competitive race sees Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) among the frontrunners, with Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen) as a dark horse. Carlo Ancelotti (Italy, Real Madrid) Lionel Scaloni (Argentina, Argentina National Team) Luis de la Fuente (Spain, Spain National Team) Pep Guardiola (Spain, Manchester City) Xabi Alonso (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen) Women’s Football Emma Hayes (Chelsea) and Jonatan Giráldez (Barcelona) are top contenders. Arthur Elias (Brazil, Brazil National Team) Elena Sadiku (Sweden, Celtic) Emma Hayes (England, Chelsea-USA) Futoshi Ikeda (Japan, Japan National Team) Gareth Taylor (England, Manchester City) Jonatan Giráldez (Spain, Barcelona-Washington Spirit) Sandrine Soubeyrand (France, Paris FC) Sonia Bompastor (France, Olympique Lyon-Chelsea)     Goalkeepers of the Year Men’s Football Andriy Lunin (Ukraine, Real Madrid) David Raya (Spain, Arsenal) Ederson (Brazil, Manchester City) Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa) Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, PSG) Mike Maignan (France, AC Milan) Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Club) Women’s Football Alyssa Naeher (USA, Chicago Red Stars) Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany, Chelsea-NJ/NY Gotham) Ayaka Yamashita (Japan, INAC Kobe Leonessa-Manchester City) Cata Coll (Spain, Barcelona) Mary Earps (England, Manchester United-PSG) Voting closes on December 10. The event will also feature the Puskás Award and the newly introduced Marta Award, recognizing the best goal in women’s football. Cover photo: X (@FCBarcelona)

Matchday 5 of the UEFA Europa League saw Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, and Eintracht Frankfurt leading the standings with 13 points. Tottenham slipped to ninth place, Manchester United climbed the table, while Roma and Porto face playoff challenges. The UEFA Europa League, the other face of European football, wrapped up its Matchday 5 action. With the latest results, Lazio retained the top spot for the second consecutive week, holding the lead on goal difference. Athletic Bilbao and Eintracht Frankfurt closely follow, completing the Top 3 of the overall standings. All three teams boast 13 points, but Lazio holds a +9 goal difference, Athletic sits at +7, and the German side at +5.     Direct Qualification Spots Rounding out the top eight, which qualify directly for the Round of 16, are Galatasaray and Anderlecht in fourth and fifth, respectively, both with 11 points. Ajax, Lyon, and Rangers, all with 10 points, occupy the sixth through eighth positions in that order.   You may be interested in: https://titansports.mx/after-five-matchdays-the-champions-league-standings-begin-to-take-shape/ Shifts in the Playoff Positions In the 16 playoff spots, teams are battling for a chance to advance to the Round of 16. Leading this group is Tottenham, a team that just three matchdays ago topped the overall standings. However, due to a loss and a draw in their last two games, they have fallen to ninth place.     Climbing steadily are the “Red Devils.” Manchester United remains undefeated in the tournament, with two consecutive wins and three earlier draws placing them in 12th position.     Toward the lower playoff spots, two teams stand out for their struggles. Roma, with only one win and three draws, sits in 21st place with six points. Similarly, Porto, with one win and two draws, has accumulated just five points, leaving them in 23rd place in the competition. Cover photo: (@EuropaLeague)