Tension is escalating in anticipation of Sunday’s El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, particularly following the provocative remarks made by the young talent Lamine Yamal.

The 17-year-old winger accused Los Blancos of stealing and complaining while appearing on the Kings League YouTube channel, just days before the highly anticipated clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Yamal, known for his confidence, made the remark while comparing Real Madrid to an opposing team in the fan-favourite online league, Sports Illustrated reports. His statement referenced ongoing debates about refereeing bias in La Liga, bringing to the fore the long-standing accusations of favouritism toward Real Madrid.

Yamal’s latest comments immediately caught fire across Spanish media, with Marca reporting that several Madrid players are “fed up” with Yamal’s antics and feel his words crossed a line ahead of one of the biggest matches in world football.

Alonso keeps focus on the pitch In the midst of the growing tension, Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso was asked to respond to Yamal’s comments during his pre-match press conference.

However, the Los Blancos manager took the high road, refusing to fan the flames or stir more controversy before the biggest game in La Liga this weekend, per One Football.

“El Clasico is special. It has always been and always will be. For us, the important thing is the pitch, what happens on the field, and how we want to play tomorrow’s game. That’s what concerns me most.”

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Alonso emphasized the significance of Sunday’s fixture for his young squad, calling on fans to fill the stadium with energy.

“We want the stadium to vibrate, to push us forward. Hopefully, we’ll end up celebrating with our fans.”

Alonso’s composed response was directly opposite to Yamal’s fiery rhetoric, signaling Real Madrid’s intention to let their football do the talking.

What’s at stake in Sunday’s El Clasico

Sunday’s El Clasico showdown at the Santiago Bernabéu carries even more weight than usual.

Barcelona trail Real Madrid by just two points at the top of La Liga, meaning a win would see them leapfrog their eternal rivals and reclaim first place.

The Catalans will have to depend on the brilliance of Yamal and Marcus Rashford as they will be without some key players, including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, for Sunday’s encounter.

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But beyond the table, this latest war of words has added extra bite to an already explosive rivalry.

With Yamal’s comments lighting the fuse, Real Madrid’s players are expected to come out with added fire and determination.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has brushed aside concerns over Mohamed Salah’s recent goal drought, insisting the Egyptian forward’s scoring touch will return soon.

Salah, who has scored just three times this season — one from the penalty spot — has now gone six matches without finding the net.

His last appearance saw him come off the bench for just 16 minutes in Liverpool’s midweek Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. The forward’s dip in form dates back to March, with only five goals in his last 23 games.

That win in Germany ended Liverpool’s worst run of results since 2016, but whether Salah’s form contributed to that slump — or was a consequence of it — remains open to debate.

Slot, however, remains unfazed, ESPN reports late Friday.

“I don’t know if it’s sharpness or not. It’s so difficult, I could come up with a few reasons which I’m not sure are the reasons.

“In general, football players miss chances and Mo is a human being as well. We are not used to him missing chances, let alone a few in a row, but these things can happen.

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“It’s easier to finish a chance if you are 3-1 up than if you are 1-0 down but maybe that is not true for him.

“But the main thing is Mo has always scored goals for our club and the last thing I worry about is Mo starting to score goals again.

“That is what he has done his whole life and that is what I expect him to do in the upcoming weeks and months for our club as well,” Slot said.

The Dutch coach also pointed to Liverpool’s summer overhaul — including the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid and a £450 million influx of new players — as a factor in the team’s growing pains.

“I think [Salah] has been in promising positions often enough for him to score goals but maybe with Trent even more — I don’t know.

“But in general for every player, if you have quite a few changes in your squad during the summer then everyone has to find new connections again.

“Mo is not an exception to this and it might have something to do with that.

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“In an ideal world, you play every game with the same team but it’s not realistic for a team which plays every three days. Even if you wanted to, it is not possible as Jeremie Frimpong has been in and out with injuries a few times, Conor Bradley has had injuries, let alone [Alexis] Mac Allister missed out on pre-season and so did Alex [Isak],” Slot said.

Slot and Salah will hope Saturday’s evening clash away to Brentford provides the spark the Egyptian needs.

The Bees have often brought out Salah’s best — he has scored six times in seven appearances against them.

Liverpool, however, will again be without Jeremie Frimpong and Alisson Becker, both sidelined with hamstring injuries. Updates are awaited on Alexander Isak, who sustained a groin problem midweek, and Ryan Gravenberch, who missed the Frankfurt trip with an ankle issue.

As the Reds look to rebuild rhythm, all eyes will be on Salah to rediscover the ruthless edge that made him one of Europe’s deadliest forwards.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has made history by becoming the first footballer to achieve billionaire status, following a lucrative contract extension with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

The 40-year-old Portuguese forward has an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion, positioning him among the wealthiest athletes globally, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Ronaldo’s ascent to billionaire status is primarily attributed to his record-breaking contract in Saudi Arabia, which is reported to be worth over $400 million. Signed in June 2025, this deal ranks among the highest-paying sports contracts in the world.

His substantial earnings encompass tax-free salaries, performance bonuses, and additional perks, including access to a private jet and an equity stake in Al-Nassr.

The footballer’s current fortune combines over two decades of professional earnings, endorsements, and investments. Bloomberg’s valuation reflects Ronaldo’s career salaries, sponsorships with global brands like Nike and Armani, and business ventures under the CR7 brand. The report also adjusted for taxes and market performance.

Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr in 2023 marked a financial turning point in his career. While many questioned his decision to leave European football, the transfer proved transformative, giving him the highest average annual pay for a footballer and placing him among the world’s richest athletes.

Saudi Arabia’s tax-free income policy further boosted his net earnings.

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A brief profile of Ronaldo’s career and family
Ronaldo, who began his career with Sporting Lisbon before moving to Manchester United in 2003 and Real Madrid in 2009, has earned more than $550 million in salaries across his career. His long-term endorsement with Nike, worth nearly $18 million annually, and other deals with Armani and Castrol, have added over $175 million to his wealth.

Born into a modest family in Madeira, Portugal, Ronaldo’s journey from poverty to global stardom has been marked by consistent ambition and discipline. The island now features landmarks dedicated to him, including the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport and the CR7 Museum.

Ronaldo’s investments, managed by Lisbon-based LMcapital Wealth Management, span hospitality, fitness, and media. His portfolio includes the Pestana CR7 Hotel chain, a gym franchise, and real estate properties in Lisbon, Madeira, and the luxury resort area of Quinta da Marinha. His latest estate there, reportedly worth €20 million, has drawn significant local attention.

Ronaldo’s influence extends beyond sport. With more than 660 million Instagram followers, he remains the most-followed individual globally, a factor that aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to use high-profile athletes to promote its image and tourism.

His presence in the Saudi Pro League has increased international visibility for the league, though match attendance has fluctuated since his arrival.

Ronaldo joins a small group of billionaire athletes, including basketball legend Michael Jordan and tennis icon Roger Federer. However, unlike them, most of Ronaldo’s wealth stems from direct pay rather than equity or business stakes.

The footballer has expressed plans to retire at Al-Nassr and pursue club ownership, following in the footsteps of former teammate David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami. His reported 15% ownership stake in Al-Nassr marks the first step toward that goal, as he cements both his sporting and financial legacy.

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Benin head coach Gernot Rohr is sweating over the fitness of his four players who could miss their Match Day 9 and 10 World Cup qualifying matches against Group C rivals Rwanda and Nigeria, according to The New Times.

Rohr and part of the Cheetahs squad arrived in Kigali on Monday, October 6, and are currently training daily at Amahoro Stadium which will host the match day 9 clash against Rwanda on Friday, October 10, before travelling to Uyo State, Nigeria, for their qualifying decider against the Super Eagles on October 14.

Players doubtful to play the upcoming matches include striker Olaitan Junior who was prevented by his Turkish club Göztepe from taking a flight from Istanbul to Kigali, after doctors said that his medical condition does not allow him to travel for international duty.

It’s a decision that was not welcomed by Rohr and Benin FA who reportedly insisted that recent medical tests by their doctors indicated that the player is fit to play.

However, the club stubbornly refused to release him.

Andreas Hountondji, who plays for Burnley in England, is another striker who is doubtful for this match. He is currently in race to recover from the knock he picked over the weekend and be fit in time to play both matches.

However, reports indicate that he is still doubtful for the match.

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Meanwhile, Abdoul Rachid Moumini of Azerbaijan Premier League Sumgayit FKand Rodolfo Aloko, who plays for NK Kustošija in Croatia. They were both ruled out of the matches due to injuries.

Nigerian forward Akor Adams has expressed his joy after scoring his first goal at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium during Sevilla’s commanding 4-1 victory over Barcelona on Sunday.

Adams, who came on as a second-half substitute, sealed the win in stoppage time with a well-taken finish inside the box after his earlier strike had been ruled out for offside. The goal came courtesy of a fine assist from compatriot Chidera Ejuke, marking a memorable night for the Nigerian duo as they helped inflict Barcelona’s heaviest LaLiga defeat since 2015.

“Absolute madness,” Adams told Sevilla’s media after the match. “I want to give credit to Isaac Romero. For me, the first thing I had to do was defend and then go forward. I’m very happy with my first goal at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.”

The 25-year-old striker also praised the collective effort of his teammates, highlighting their unity and determination in overcoming the Catalan giants.

“This gives the team a lot of credit,” he said. “We’ve been in a bubble, doing exactly what we’ve worked for, and all of that has paid off. It’s a historic moment. We have to focus on the positives and put the rest aside.”

Adams’ goal continues his impressive run of form, having also scored the winner in Sevilla’s previous league game — a 1-0 victory away to Rayo Vallecano. His back-to-back goals have cemented his growing reputation as a reliable option in attack for head coach Quique Sánchez Flores.

Before the Barcelona clash, Adams had spoken confidently about his ability to find the back of the net against top sides. “I think I have the ability to score in every game if I have the opportunities,” he said in a pre-match interview.

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With two goals and one assist in six appearances this season, Adams’ resurgence comes at an ideal time as Nigeria prepares for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin later this month.

The former Montpellier striker will be hoping to carry his fine club form into the national team as the Super Eagles aim to strengthen their qualification campaign.

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Arsenal are still exploring various plans to expand and renovate Emirates Stadium, sources have told ESPN.

The Gunners began work over a year ago, discussing possible ways in which the ground could be updated, with next summer set to mark the 20th anniversary of the stadium’s first match.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN last July, co-chair Josh Kroenke said: “It would be premature to talk about any plans in depth, but the internal conversations are starting to occur about [the stadium]. It is not an easy renovation, but we see the possibilities of what’s there.”

Sources have told ESPN that those conversations have continued since with a large number of options examined, ranging from smaller upgrades to a significant expansion which could see thousands of seats added to the current 60,700 capacity.

No final decision has been made and conversations remain at an exploratory stage.

Any significant renovation would be complicated given the stadium is located on a relatively tight 17-acre site with a train line running near to Emirates Stadium and restrictions on building developments imposed by Islington council.

Any increase in capacity would likely hope to achieve the twin aims of helping to boost commercial revenue and provide more standard-priced seats to tackle a season ticket waiting list which currently comprises more than 100,000 people.

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