Guillermo Rai

Madrid

Real Madrid Reporter at The Athletic

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Articles

Brentford reject Bayer Leverkusen bid of around €9m for goalkeeper Mark Flekken

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Jay Harris |Guillermo Rai

Brentford have rejected an offer of around €9million (£7.6m; $10.2m) from Bayer Leverkusen for their first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken but negotiations are ongoing over a potential deal. Brentford are open to selling the Netherlands international but value him at closer to €13m and want to secure a replacement first. The west London side are interested in signing Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool. Kelleher, 26, is valued at around £20m by Liverpool and has entered the final year of his contract.
Kylian Mbappe shines in a season defined by disappointment

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Guillermo Rai

After a season defined by disappointment, choosing the best Real Madrid player of 2024-25 is no easy mission. That is partly down to injuries - several key players, including Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao, have been sidelined for much of the campaign. Stars such as Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior have not shone as brightly as last year.
Real Madrid confirm Xabi Alonso as new head coach

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Guillermo Rai

Real Madrid have confirmed Xabi Alonso as their new head coach. The former Spain international midfielder, 43, has signed a three-year contract after leaving Bayer Leverkusen after two and a half years in charge in what his first senior head coaching role. He replaces Carlo Ancelotti, the five-time Champions League winner, who has departed the Santiago Bernabeu after a second spell to become head coach of the Brazil national team.
Tears from Perez and talks with Alonso

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Guillermo Rai

On the day of his farewell and just as he has done when celebrating titles, Carlo Ancelotti took the microphone and stood in the centre of the Bernabeu. After six years across two different spells in charge and 15 trophies that make him the most successful coach in the club's history, the Italian could not help but show his emotions as he spoke. "It has been fantastic to share with you all these... moments.
Inside the ACL clinic that treats Rodri, Real Madrid stars

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Guillermo Rai

At the foot of the tallest skyscrapers in the business district of Madrid, you will find the sports clinic that operated on Rodri after he suffered his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in September. The Ballon d'Or-winning Manchester City and Spain midfielder had been out for almost the whole season but returned to training earlier this month. On Tuesday, he made his first appearance in eight months in the 3-1 win against Bournemouth.
FIFA's Gianni Infantino says 'there are discussions' for Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Club World Cup

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Guillermo Rai |Adam Crafton

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said "there are discussions" for Cristiano Ronaldo to play at this summer's newly-expanded Club World Cup. Al Nassr, Ronaldo's current club, did not qualify to play in the tournament with their Riyadh-based rivals Al Hilal the only Saudi Arabian club competing in the tournament. Representatives of the 40-year-old Portugal forward, speaking to The Athletic, expressed their unhappiness at Infantino's comments regarding Ronaldo's future.
Real Madrid confirm Carlo Ancelotti exit after Brazil appointment

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Guillermo Rai |Leon Imber

Real Madrid have confirmed Carlo Ancelotti will leave the club at the end of the season after being appointed Brazil's new head coach. The Brazil Football Federation (CBF) confirmed Ancelotti's appointment a fortnight ago and he will start work on May 26. The 65-year-old had a year left on his terms at the Bernabeu but a deal was confirmed following cordial talks between all parties, facilitated and led by Diego Fernandes on behalf of the CBF.
Handpan player, diver, horse lover, 'maniac', worm dancer

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Daniel Taylor |Guillermo Rai

"He was brilliant at 'the Worm'. We used to play the Mario song Let Me Love You. Nuno would blast the volume up: 'Let me love you! Let me be the one to...!' Everyone in the dressing room would start clapping. And then we'd get Nuno's dance. He'd go from one wall to the other, then reverse all the way back across a rock-hard floor. Everyone used to crack up with laughter.
How Real Madrid won the race to sign Dean Huijsen

2 weeks ago | bvmsports.com | Stuart James |Guillermo Rai

By Stuart James, Guillermo Rai and more via The Athletic, May 23, 2025 12:13 am EDT A list of clubs that reads like a who's who of European football queued up to sign Dean Huijsen this summer, in some cases talking contracts with the player's agent and his father one minute and playing padel with the two of them the next.
How Real Madrid won the race to sign Dean Huijsen

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Stuart James |Guillermo Rai

A list of clubs that reads like a who's who of European football queued up to sign Dean Huijsen this summer, in some cases talking contracts with the player's agent and his father one minute and playing padel with the two of them the next. But the story behind the deal for one of European football's most talented young defenders starts and ends in the same place - the Spanish capital - and goes back a lot further than people might imagine.