How do Spanish clubs become 'Real' or 'royal'?

Real Madrid went from Madrid Football Club to Real Madrid in 1920 after King Alfonso XIII granted the club the right to use the title ‘Real’

You will have heard the names of Spanish clubs like Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Real Betis.

But what does the word ‘Real’ actually mean?

It’s translated simply to ‘Royal’ and it is not just a decorative addition to a club’s name, or a title awarded to clubs for winning trophies.

It is a historic distinction connected to Spain’s monarchy and one that has been carried by some football clubs for more than a century.

The top two Spanish divisions currently feature 11 clubs who carry the royal designation in their names.

In La Liga, they are Real Madrid, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Real Racing Club, Real Club Celta de Vigo, Real Club Deportivo Espanyol and Real Club Deportivo de A Coruna.

In the second tier, they are Real Club Deportivo Mallorca, Real Oviedo, Real Sporting de Gijon and Real Valladolid.

The story goes back to the reign of King Alfonso XIII, who took an interest in the rapidly developing sport of football.

The first Spanish football organisation to receive the distinction was Real Club Deportivo de A Coruna.

The club’s own history says Alfonso XIII granted it the title of ‘Real’ in 1909, while he also accepted the honorary presidency, which was the most direct way to earn the royal title.

A crown was added to the club’s badge providing a visible symbol of its new royal patronage.

Real Sociedad, based in San Sebastian, was the next to get the seal of approval, in 1910. The distinction carried particular significance in the city on the north west coast of Spain because it was where the royal family regularly spent their summers. The club is also known as ‘La Real’.

Espanyol received the honour in 1912, becoming Real Club Deportivo Espanyol and Real Sporting also traces its title to 1912, after Alfonso XIII accepted the honorary presidency of the Gijon club.

The practice continued through the early 20th century as football rapidly expanded across Spain.

As clubs became established in cities and regions around the country, royal patronage gave some extra prestige. Receiving the ‘Real’ title could strengthen their social standing while establishing a connection with the country’s monarchy.

And then came perhaps the most famous example of all.

Real Madrid was founded in 1902 as Madrid Football Club.

But in 1920, Alfonso XIII granted the club the right to use the title ‘Real’, with a letter from the monarch’s household formally giving the club permission to place the designation before its name. The royal crown was subsequently incorporated into its crest.

There is no sporting qualification needed to become ‘Real’. A club does not become ‘Real’ by winning La Liga, lifting the Copa del Rey, reaching Europe or being promoted to the top flight.

Historically, clubs sought royal patronage and the monarch could grant the designation. Modern examples show that some form of formal request and supporting case can still be made.

That process was demonstrated by Club Deportivo Gara in the small town of Garachico in Tenerife. They play in a league seven tiers below La Liga.

During its centenary celebrations in 2012, the club sought royal recognition. In June that year, the royal house granted the title, allowing the club to become Real Club Deportivo Gara.

Mourinho calls criticism of Mbappe 'ridiculous'

Mbappe is back in training with Real Madrid this week

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has defended Kylian Mbappe over his activities during the international break - describing criticism as “ridiculous”.

France captain Mbappe withdrew from international duty after picking up an injury against Turkey on 25 September.

He later shared images on social media at a Paris Fashion Week event and also riding a bicycle - something Mourinho had previously said was against his rules.

“When it comes to Real Madrid, it’s always different,” he said.

“But all the players did exactly what they were supposed to during the break. And then you always want to look for more problems and issues.

“What I can promise is when a Real Madrid player doesn’t behave the way a Real Madrid player is supposed to and when he fails at that and he stops being a Real Madrid player for 24 hours, you will not see that player on the bench because he will be at home.”

He said an image of Mbappe riding a bike in Switzerland had been misrepresented, saying that bicycles were available for guests at his hotel complex to use for short journeys.

Asked if coverage of Mbappe was exaggerated he added: “Exaggerated, no - I think it was ridiculous.

“If Mbappe plays tomorrow, it’s because he hasn’t failed Real Madrid and he hasn’t failed to fulfil his obligations to the club,” he added.

Real are six points behind leaders Barcelona in the La Liga table after seven games.

Mbappe, 27, is one of the favourites to win this year’s Ballon d’Or. He scored 42 goals in 44 games for his club last season but they did not win any trophies.

He won the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals, taking his career tally at World Cups to a record 22 - although France finished fourth.

Guardiola set to attend Man City v PSG next week

Pep Guardiola is expected to attend Manchester City’s Champions League tie against Paris St-Germain next week - the club’s first home match since they were found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League.

It will mark the first time the Spaniard has returned to Etihad Stadium since he left the club at the end of last season after a decade as manager.

Earlier this month, an independent commission found the club guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

City continue to deny any wrongdoing and have lodged an appeal against the findings in the Premier League’s report that stated the club falsely inflated commercial revenues by £830m through “sham” contracts.

In the aftermath of the verdict, 55-year-old Guardiola backed City’s owners and leadership and says he will “always” be behind the club.

“I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever,” he posted on social media.

“I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano], the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters.”

“Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”

City return to action after the three-week international break against Liverpool on Sunday (16:30 BST) in what promises to be a searing Premier League atmosphere at Anfield.

Enzo Maresca’s side then host Champions League holders PSG on Wednesday, 14 October when Guardiola is expected to watch from the Etihad stands.

During Guardiola’s decade in charge of City, he led the club to six Premier League titles - including a record four in a row from 2020-21 - as well as the Champions League, three FA Cups and five League Cups.

Prior to his departure, Guardiola spoke about the charges against City in November 2024 and said he “will be here” even if the club were relegated.

Is it too early to look at the Premier League table?

Just five games in, it might seem a bit early to pay much attention to the Premier League table - but it’s probably more settled than you think.

While it would be no surprise if Manchester City and Arsenal finish as the top two - outside of any points deductions or sanctions directed City’s way - will Brentford really qualify for Europe, Hull stay up and Tottenham be involved in yet another relegation battle? Recent history certainly suggests it is likely.

It has to be mentioned there is a huge asterisk hanging over the Premier League table at the moment after Manchester City were found guilty of the majority of the Premier League charges levelled at them.

The Premier League leaders have appealed but, if the guilty verdict remains, potential sanctions could have a significant impact on the table. Until then, we can only deal with the table as it is now.

If we look at the Premier League after five games last season and where teams ultimately ended up, the final table was already starting to take shape as 13 of the 20 sides finished within four places of where they sat even at this early stage (65%).

Eventual champions Arsenal were second, Sunderland were already seventh ahead of finishing there eight months later, and two of the three sides that were relegated were already in the bottom three.

There were some notable exceptions. Aston Villa and Tottenham effectively swapped places at either end of the table, with Villa rising from the bottom three to finish in the top four and Spurs dropping to 17th.

It is a similar story across the last 10 seasons of the Premier League. More than two-thirds of teams finished within four places of where they were after five games (138 out of 200), with 27 of those sitting in exactly the same position 33 games later.

Another 50 teams finished between five and nine places from where they were at this stage, meaning that just 12 teams in the past decade moved up or down the table by double digits after this point, with three of those coming last season.

However, one part of the table that does not settle quickly is the top spot. The side leading the Premier League after five games has gone on to win the title in just one of the past six seasons - Manchester City doing so in 2023-24 - and just three times in the past 11 seasons.

Even the fact that Manchester City have five wins out of five so far does not mean much. They also won their first five games under Manuel Pellegrini in 2015-16 and in Pep Guardiola’s first season in 2016-17 but did not go on to win the title on either occasion (although they did in 2023-24).

Chelsea in 2018-19, Arsenal in 2022-23 and Liverpool last season were also top with a 100% record at this stage but had little to show for it at the end of the season.

However, the eventual champions have been in the top two at this point in each of the last four campaigns, suggesting - potential punishments aside - it will be Manchester City or Arsenal that lifts the trophy. The last team to be outside the top two after five games and win the title were Manchester City in 2021-22, who were fifth with just 10 points.

The top end of the table overall has sometimes settled surprisingly quickly in recent years. The top eight after five games in 2024-25 finished as the top eight at the end of that season (although not in the same order), while the top six in 2019-20 and top seven in 2016-17 were also in place at this early stage.

While being top after five games has not meant much in recent seasons, being bottom certainly has.

After finishing just one place above the drop in the last two campaigns, Tottenham could well be in trouble once again as the side bottom of the Premier League after five games has been relegated in six of the past seven seasons.

Being bottom this early did not used to be such a bad omen. Between 2013-14 and 2018-19, only one of the six sides that were propping up the table after five games ended up going down - Newcastle in 2015-16 - while Crystal Palace finished as high as 11th in 2017-18.

In fact, the good news for Tottenham fans is that the last time they were in this situation, they finished eighth. The club were bottom with just two points after five games in 2008-09 but, after replacing manager Juande Ramos with Harry Redknapp three games later, still finished in the top half.

Looking at the relegation battle more broadly, at least one of the teams in the bottom three at this stage has been relegated in the last eight seasons - so one of Tottenham, Fulham and Coventry will very likely be heading to the Championship in May.

The pool of contestants for this season’s relegation battle may already be decided too as the three sides that ultimately went down in the past three seasons were all in the bottom six after five games, which would add Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace to the mix.

The last sides to be outside the bottom six at this point but relegated were Leeds and Southampton in 2022-23, who were both in the top half (7th and 9th). With their teams currently sat in 8th and 11th place, Hull and Ipswich fans will hope that is still the case at the end of this campaign.

While the season may well have barely begun, the Premier League table is already starting to take shape.

McTominay resumes Napoli training after surgery

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay has returned to training at Napoli following his recent heart surgery.

The 29-year-old’s ablation procedure - a minimally invasive operation to correct irregular heart rhythms - took place in Manchester last month and was described as “a complete success”.

And Napoli said: “On Wednesday, Scott McTominay underwent further diagnostic tests, which showed that he is fit to play.

“The Napoli player therefore resumed training with the rest of the team after the period spent training separately.”

McTominay was substituted after 56 minutes of Napoli’s 2-1 Serie A defeat by Como in August. A mild benign arrhythmia was discovered, prompting the corrective treatment.

According to the NHS, an arrhythmia is when the heart beats too quickly or too slowly, or the heartbeat is not steady.

The British Heart Foundation explains that a cardiac arrhythmia ablation involves using heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart to block faulty signals and restore a typical heartbeat.

During his absence, McTominay missed four Scotland fixtures, including Tuesday’s Nations League defeat by Slovenia.

The Scots’ next games are against Switzerland and North Macedonia in November.