MANCHESTER CITY SIGN TEENAGE MOROCCAN MIDFIELDER AYYUOUB BOUADDI FROM LILLE

Sought-after Bouaddi joins the Premier League club from Lille in a five-year deal worth $117m.

Ayyoub Bouaddi played a crucial role in Morocco's run to the World Cup quarterfinals [File: Steven Senne/AP]

Manchester City have signed teenage Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a deal worth 100 million euros ($117m), the French club has confirmed.

Lille announced Bouaddi’s departure on a five-year deal on Wednesday, putting an end to ongoing speculation about the emerging talent’s future.

Ten-time Premier League champions Manchester City were in talks to sign Bouaddi after selling Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah, with Nico Gonzalez also poised to leave the Etihad.

Bouaddi was a crucial part of Morocco’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad, showing a calm presence in the midfield as the Atlas Lions reached the quarterfinals of the tournament before falling to France.

Lille extended Bouaddi’s contract last year and, with three years remaining on the deal, they were expecting suitors to meet the 100 million euros (€117m) asking price.

“This is a very special day for me and my family,” Bouaddi said in a statement shared by City.

“Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world.

“It’s a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player. I have spent most of my life working hard to become the best player I can be and reach the top of the game.

“I’ve watched City for many years, and I love their style of play.

“City always try and play quality football. And they have shown they are winners – this Club feels like it’s built to win.”

Being ahead of his time has been a theme throughout Bouaddi’s career. On the eve of his 17th birthday, in 2024, the rising star helped Lille secure a famous Champions League victory over Real Madrid.

On that special October night in northern France, Bouaddi faced a midfield comprising French internationals Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Football experts have repeatedly heaped praise on Bouaddi’s ability to soak up pressure and stand out as a midfield maestro for his club and country.

Bouaddi’s versatility can be seen on the pitch. Typically, holding midfielders are known for their defensive abilities – shielding the defence from the opposition’s attacks by cutting out passing lanes – but this young talent’s repertoire includes the ability to start an attack, too.

He is now the symbol of this new team and the rising star among Moroccan fans.

“He is amazing. What a talent, what a professional at 18 years of age,” Mohammed, a Morocco fan and the manager of Restaurante Jerusalem in Barcelona, Spain, told Al Jazeera in June.

“For those that slept instead of watching Brazil versus Morocco, they missed out on discovering the new [Sergio] Busquets,” Khalil Jadallah, a football commentator, said of Bouaddi’s talent.

“He can pass, he can defend, he can carry the ball, control the tempo … all this and he is only 18 years old.”

 - Alazeera

'LEAKED' AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI DM'S RELEASED AFTER BURST-UP WITH FEDERICO VALVERDE

The drama between Real Madrid teammates Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde has taken another twist.

Real Madrid released a statement on Thursday evening confirming they have opened disciplinary action against both midfielders following the training ground incident that left Valverde with a head injury.

The Spanish giants said: "Real Madrid CF announces that, following the events that took place this morning in the first team training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. The club will announce the resolutions of both cases in due course, once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed."

In a separate statement, Real Madrid revealed Valverde has been “diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury” following the altercation with Tchouameni. However, they added Valverde is “at home in good condition” and “must remain at rest between 10 and 14 days” as he recovers.

The diagnosis means Valverde, one of Real Madrid’s standout performers in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Los Blancos, will miss Sunday’s crucial El Clasico against Barcelona away at Camp Nou.

Barcelona will secure the 2025-26 La Liga title with a win or draw this weekend.

Federico Valverde Released Statement

Federico Valverde

The injured Valverde released a statement via social media, insisting his bust-up with Tchouameni was a “disagreement” rather than a “fight”.

The Uruguay international, who is considered one of the world’s best midfielders, added: “During the argument, I accidentally hit a table, causing a small cut on my forehead that required a routine visit to the hospital.

“At no point did my teammate hit me, and I didn't hit him either, although I understand it's easier for you to believe we came to blows or that it was intentional, but that didn't happen.

“I feel that my anger about the situation, my frustration at seeing some of us struggling to get through the end of the season, giving it our all, pushed me to the point of arguing with a teammate.

“I’m sorry. I'm truly sorry because this situation hurts me, this moment we're going through is painful. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life, and I can't be indifferent to it.

“The result is an accumulation of things that culminate in a senseless fight, damaging my image and leaving room for doubt that they'll fabricate stories, slander, and add fuel to the fire of an accident.”

'Leaked' DMs From Tchouameni Released

Aurelien Tchouameni

Over on X (Twitter), the account @AQABABE has posted screenshots claiming to be from a conversation with Tchouameni.

The France international allegedly said: "Something happened but I can't say anything,” before adding, "I told you nothing happened yesterday in the sense that there was no fight."

Tchouameni then allegedly said: "I didn't punch him, it’s not true, that’s all I can tell you." He added: "His head hit the ground."

@AQABABE then released a screen recording in an attempt to convince doubters that the DMs legitimately came from Tchouameni’s official Instagram account.

If the DMs are legit then it confirms that both Valverde and Tchouameni agree no punches were thrown during the bust-up, despite reports to the contrary.

- Rob Swan

FC BARCELONA RAGES OVER REAL REAL MADRID VAR ROOM 'THANK GOODNESS' REMARK

FC Barcelona fans and pundits that cover the club
have been left furious by an audio recording from the VAR room made during Sunday's 4-3 win over bitter rival Real Madrid in El Clasico

FC Barcelona, its fans, and pundits that cover the club have been left furious by an audio recording from the VAR room made during Sunday's 4-3 win over bitter rival Real Madrid in El Clasico.

The Catalans went into the latest addition of the world’s biggest derby crestfallen after Tuesday’s painful Champions League semifinal second leg exit to Inter Milan.

Once more, Hansi Flick’s young side went 2-0 down early, but managed to come back to lead the tie for the first time 3-2 ahead of Inter goals in the 93rd and 99th minute which sunk hopes of an impressive quadruple trophy haul.

Barca had little time to dust itself off, and prepare for a fourth 2024/2025 showdown with its arch nemesis in Montjuic at the weekend.

There were doubts leading up to kick off as to whether Barca would be emotionally drained and also lacking physically thanks to a gruelling 120 minutes of play at the San Siro.

True to form, they once again allowed a powerful opposition to go 2-0 goals clear through a brace from Kylian Mbappe on this occasion.

Thankfully for Culers, Barca roared back to overturn that deficit and lead 4-2 come half time. Because Madrid only managed to pull another goal back, the home team ran out victors and now harbor a seven-point advantage at the La Liga summit with three games left to run..

As is often the case, however, the latest of four clashes between the Spanish football behemoths wasn’t allowed to pass without incident.

Lamine Yamal appeared to have been fouled by Dani Ceballos on the move that resulted in the second of Mbappe’s three goals but nothing was called, and Barca also didn’t get awarded a penalty when it appeared Aurelien Tchouameni had handled the ball in his own penalty box.

"There you have the images, it’s a shot on goal. We don’t have many more powerful cameras," said VAR referee Juan Martinez Munuera, as explained by SPORT .

As shown by audio recordings, referee Hernandez Hernandez made a decision and then commented: "For me [Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut] Courtois is behind. Give it one more frame, that’s where the impact occurs, [with] the arm down. For me it's not a penalty, Juan."

Yet it is a remark in relation to a third incident that has Barca, Culers, and pundits that cover the club in a huff.

Fermin Lopez handled the ball on his way to smash home what could have been a fifth goal for the Blaugrana across the afternoon, and the player himself later admitted that he had done so.

Yet it is the fact that Munuera used the Spanish expression “menos mal”, translated as something close to “thank goodness” in English, to describe the development that has upset many.

“Listen to me Alex, we just detected a hand, okay? Come and see it, please”, you can hear in an audio recording from the VAR room, before the addition of “thank goodness” when it seems it’s been realized that Fermin had handled the ball on his way to beat Courtois.

FC Barcelona “should demand an explanation”

In a week that Barca and figures including President Joan Laporta returned from Milan complaining that bad refereeing had cost them the chance to reach the UCL final for the first time since 2015, at least their rage will not be as seething given they came out on the winning side this time round.

According to SPORT journalist Toni Juanmarti, however, FC Barcelona should still “demand an explanation” from Spanish soccer officials as to why the remark was made.

- Tom Sanderson

BARCELONA EDGE REAL MADRID IN EXTRA-TIME TO WIN WILD COPA DEL REY FINAL

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid

Team Barcelona wins the Copa Del Rey title© AFP

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid. The Catalans, aiming for a quadruple this season, won the first major trophy of Hansi Flick's reign as coach and a record-extending 32nd Spanish cup in dramatic fashion. Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, pulled the Spanish and European champions level.

However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra-time and Kounde drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.

"It was a good time to bring joy to our fans -- we have to enjoy it but without forgetting the Champions League semis are coming," Torres told La 1. Barca host Inter Milan on Wednesday.

"They can make a party -- for today, it's OK," a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, told Movistar.

Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for appearing to throw an object onto the pitch towards the referee, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest as Madrid unravelled.

"I don't want to talk about the referee," said stone-faced Madrid coach Ancelotti.

"I don't know what happened at the end."

Madrid started with top scorer Mbappe on the bench after an ankle injury and lost Ferland Mendy early on with a thigh issue.

Ancelotti sent on Fran Garcia to take over the job of shackling Barcelona's dazzling teenage winger Lamine Yamal.

The 17-year-old Spain star, who dyed his hair blond for the game, led the assault on Thibaut Courtois' goal.

The Catalans, who won the first two Clasicos this season in La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, scoring nine goals in the process, controlled the ball.

They took the lead after 28 minutes, Pedri placing the ball into the top corner with precision and power from the edge of the box.

It was a sensational goal, starting with a smart Pau Cubarsi interception in his own half, before Pedri spread the play to Yamal, who teed him up once the Canary Islander reached the area.

Barcelona's opener brought Madrid out of their shell -- and also Mbappe off the bench to warm up.

The excellent Jude Bellingham netted but was offside. Vinicius Junior would have won a penalty as Inigo Martinez hacked him down but had also strayed off in the build-up.

Barcelona could have doubled their lead, with Dani Olmo's corner hitting the post and Cubarsi unable to turn home as Dani Ceballos held him back.

Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was lenient with some heated Madrid tackles, perhaps cowed by Friday's drama as the Spanish champions seethed at his pre-match comments denouncing attacks on officials by the club's television channel.

Madrid sent Mbappe on for Rodrygo Goes at half-time and soon he and Vinicius began to work Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

End to end

Mbappe pulled Madrid level almost on his own in the 70th minute.

The striker surged forward and was brought down on the edge of the box. He then fired the free-kick home off the post.

Seven minutes later Madrid took the lead, Tchouameni heading Arda Guler's corner past the helpless Szczesny.

Barcelona responded when Yamal played a delicious pass over the top for Torres, which drew both Rudiger and Courtois, but the Spaniard pipped both to the ball and rolled home.

Controversy unsurprisingly reared its head before the match headed to extra-time.

Barcelona clamoured for a penalty when Rudiger appeared to fell Torres, and then were awarded one deep in stoppage time as Raphinha tumbled under pressure from Raul Asencio.

However the referee, called to review the incident by VAR, overturned his decision.

In extra-time Barcelona were ascendent.

They found their winner when Kounde intercepted an uncharacteristically loose Luka Modric pass and beat Courtois from range, sparking wild celebrations.

Rudiger's dismissal and Madrid's pre-match histrionics regarding the officials will ensure the repercussions run on. The teams meet again in La Liga in May in a potential title decider.

- Agence France-Presse

TOP 15 BEST DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS IN THE WORLD THIS SEASON (2025)

 

NO EXCUSES FROM REAL MADRID, AS INJURY-HIT REAL FACE NAPOLI

Reuters 

Real Madrid go into their Champions League tie against Napoli with plenty of injury problems, but manager Carlo Ancelotti said his side have proved they are strong enough to cope with these challenges.

Real's injury list includes Aurelien Tchouameni, Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, while Luka Modric is a doubt after going off injured in their 3-0 win at Cadiz on Sunday.