Hola Madridistas. And welcome along to Thursday’s Real Madrid blog.
Matt Jones and the rest of the Sport360 team will be here throughout the day, bringing you the latest Los Blancos news, views and gossip.
As ever, get in touch with us throughout the day on Twitter and Facebook.
12:30am – Casillas opens up on Mourinho feud
Casillas and Mourinho had an infamously fractious relationship.
“If it happened all over again, I would confront Mourinho,” said Casillas. The Real Madrid legend opened up about his feud with Jose Mourinho, who managed the club from 2010 to 2013.
11:50pm – Raphael Varane back in training
Raphael Varane has returned from injury and rejoined his teammates in training ahead of Saturday’s clash against Eibar. The Frenchman, who has not featured for Madrid since the Clasico loss last month, played during the international break in his country’s fixture against the Netherlands.
3:05pm – Vinicius Junior among Golden Boy award nominees
The final shortlist for this year’s Golden Boy award was announced on Wednesday, with Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt, Roma’s Justin Kluivert, AC Milan striker Patrick Cutrone and Real Madrid rising star Vinicius Junior making the cut.
Though 2017 winner Kylian Mbappe was a surprise omission, the five finalists are worthy inclusions on the shortlist. Each has established himself as a rising star, first-team regular or coveted transfer target over the last year thanks to some eye-catching displays.
Here’s Aditya Devavrat’s look at the five contenders.
1:50pm – Harry Kane and Mauro Icardi could replace Karim Benzema
Tottenham star Harry Kane and Inter Milan ace Mauro Icardi are being lined up as replacements for Karim Benzema by Real Madrid.
Real – who have handed Santiago Solari the reins following Julen Lopetegui’s dismissal – are expected to bolster their ranks in the New Year, after failing to invest much during the summer following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus.
Read more here.
12:44pm – Your chance to win a signed Karim Benzema Real Madrid shirt
Want a signed and numbered Real Madrid shirt with Karim Benzema emblazoned on the back?
Of course you do. Head over to Los Blancos’ Twitter account to enter.
11:27am – Rashford told to ignore reported Real Madrid interest
Former Premier League striker Dean Ashton has advised Marcus Rashford to stay at Manchester United, amid rumours the young England striker is open to a move to Real Madrid.
Some recent reports have linked Rashford with a move to Los Blancos as he struggles to nail down a place in the United XI.
Read the full piece here.