La Liga

Birmingham & Preston - Barcelona's unlikely UK camp

Hansi Flick led Barcelona to the Spanish title by eight points last season

As Premier League clubs jet off to the Far East and the United States, Barcelona have made the Midlands their home.

Manager Hansi Flick has brought his La Liga champions to St George’s Park in Staffordshire for a training camp this week as their pre-season preparations continue.

Barca’s eight World Cup winners - including Lamine Yamal - remain on a break after their triumph with Spain this month, but new signing Karim Adeyemi is included after his summer move from Borussia Dortmund.

In addition to Lamine Yamal, his Spain team-mates Ferran Torres, Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Pedri and Lamine Yamal are also on a post-World Cup break.

Two friendlies against Championship sides await - against Birmingham at St Andrew’s on Friday, and against Preston behind closed doors at St George’s Park on Monday - with the knock-on effects of the World Cup playing a part in the organising of those matches.

Lionel Messi trained at St George’s Park during Barcelona’s last visit 12 years ago

Barcelona ruled out a long-haul tour to the United States because of the World Cup schedule.

As well as missing their Spain stars, they are without another six senior internationals, including England’s Anthony Gordon following his £80m move from Newcastle.

Brazil’s Raphinha, France’s Jules Kounde and Uruguay’s Ronald Araujo are absent too.

Having opted out of a transatlantic tour, Barca had spent a large part of the year looking at their options, trying to work around the fact that their players return at different times because of the World Cup.

Birmingham had been speaking to the club for a number of months as they looked to boost their own profile.

The Blues, who missed out on the Championship play-offs last season, have promotion ambitions under chairman Tom Wagner and minority owner and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.

Barca decided to come to the UK as they wanted a good standard of opposition as part of their pre-season programme, having previously spent time at St George’s Park in 2014 - before they won the Treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League - and then in 2016.

Roma have trained there in the past, while Nantes, Fiorentina and Rangers used the facility last summer.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen spent the second half of last season on loan at Girona, though only played twice before suffering a hamstring injury

The 30-man squad flew to Birmingham on Monday before training early evening in the Midlands, with Fermín Lopez continuing his recovery from injury.

The midfielder missed out on Spain’s World Cup success after breaking his foot against Real Betis in May.

Flick’s squad is a mix of senior players, along with others from Barcelona B and the under-19s, including forward Orian Goren who only turned 17 in March.

Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong has travelled despite a knee injury which was expected to keep him out for months.

The 29-year-old damaged the medial collateral ligament in his right knee at the World Cup.

Another surprise inclusion is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been expected to move to Ajax on loan. No deal has been struck so the German goalkeeper has travelled to England and could face Birmingham in Friday’s game.

Barca had a double session on Tuesday and are training on the pitch reserved for the England senior team.

After their trip to St Andrew’s, Barca will take on Preston behind closed doors at St George’s Park next Monday.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side started their pre-season with a 4-1 win against Northern Premier League Premier Division side Bamber Bridge at the start of the month.

Barca also travel to Italy for two 45-minute matches against Nottingham Forest and Udinese in the Friuli Venezia Giulia tournament on 8 August.

Barcelona squad: Ter Stegen, Fort, Balde, Araujo, Cortes, Guille Fernandez, Toni Fernandez, Farinas, Abdelkarim, Tommy, Xavi Espart, Yaakobishvili, Adeyemi, Christensen, Fermin, M Casado, Gerard Martin, Roony, Tunkara, Torrents, Bernal, Gonzalez, Kluivert, Szczesny, Goren, Gistau, Diarra, Pesquer, Rodriguez, De Jong.

Rayo Vallecano to move stadium over Legionnaires risk

Estadio de Vallecas, built in 1976, is the smallest stadium in La Liga

La Liga side Rayo Vallecano have been barred indefinitely from playing at their home stadium less than three weeks before the start of the new season because of the risk of supporters contracting Legionnaires’ disease.

Rayo rent the Estadio de Vallecas from the regional government of Madrid but have had their licence to host matches suspended after an audit highlighted serious health and safety issues.

A regional government report cited the risk of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks or fires due to the accumulation of refuse and debris inside the stadium, as well as electrical faults.

To date, no alternative venue for home games has been confirmed.

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection caused by inhaling droplets of water containing bacteria.

Photos published by the regional government and verified by Reuters show rubbish bags and other debris piled up in the stadium concourse and canteen.

Mariano de Paco, Madrid’s regional head of sport, culture and tourism, told reporters on Tuesday the club had not complied with requests to carry out maintenance and provide proof of water quality.

“We’ve tried to get this back on track but we’ve reached a point of no return - the lack of maintenance has been certified,” he said.

“The club wasn’t complying so authorities had to take action. What has happened is intolerable.”

De Paco confirmed urgent work on the stadium will begin immediately and could take between two and six months to complete.

He added he has been unable to contact Rayo president Raul Martin Presa, who has long been criticised by the club’s fans and players for the poor upkeep of facilities and a failure to modernise the club.

Last season, the Spanish football association published a letter written by Rayo’s players that described the Vallecas pitch as “unplayable” and noted a lack of hot water in the showers and inadequate cleaning.

They began last season without being able to use their own training ground because of mould but were able to reach the final of the Uefa Conference League which they lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace.

Supporters regularly have to queue for hours to purchase match tickets at the stadium’s small box office as Rayo is the only top-flight Spanish club without a ticketing website.

Last month the regional government proposed a two-year stadium renovation plan that would include a new stand to increase capacity to 18,500.

In February, Rayo were forced to play a home match against Atletico Madrid at the home of Madrid neighbours Leganes because of poor pitch conditions at Vallecas.

Rayo launched their season ticket renewal campaign last week with an average price increase of 15% for adults.

A clause in the renewal terms appears to anticipate the closure of the stadium as it says in the event matches cannot be played in Vallecas then season ticket holders will be given seats “in the most similar location possible” at the chosen alternative venue.

Rayo’s first home game of the season is against Alaves and is scheduled for Thursday, 20 August.

Real Madrid contract talks and Arsenal interest - what is Vinicius Jr's future?

There may be no more intriguing situation in the transfer landscape right now than Vinicius Jr’s future.

The Real Madrid forward is unquestionably one of the most high-profile footballers on the planet.

The Brazil international joined Real as an 18-year-old in 2018, winning 14 trophies and scoring 128 goals in 375 matches for the Spanish giants.

To think they have allowed him to enter the final year of his contract is perplexing - but that is where we are.

In normal circumstances, according to industry sources, Vinicius’ market value would exceed £200m.

On the pitch, that amount of money would get you a world class left-winger who is also adept at playing centrally, as well as a player who, aged 26, is reaching his peak years.

Off the pitch, you would be signing a global icon whose commercial value would be financially lucrative.

Real Madrid have tried to renew their attacker’s contract and opened further talks with him on Monday - but, as of yet, to no avail.

His potential availability has alerted Arsenal, who are among the clubs to have internally explored exploiting the contractual impasse. Teams in Saudi Arabia are also monitoring his situation closely.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wants to sign proven talent - and Vinicius fits the bill.

Sources close to Arsenal insist he is just one of a number of options the club are exploring in their search for a left-sided attacker, after missing out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.

However, BBC Sport understands Arteta has become so smitten with the notion of signing Vinicius that he is viewed internally as the club’s number one target.

As Arsenal discovered with Rogers, there are no guarantees clubs attract their priority targets.

Indeed, Arsenal are realistic about their chances of landing Vinicius Jr. They know it is a long shot.

Similarly, there is a sense from those close to Vinicius Jr that any move to Arsenal would be difficult.

For most South American footballers, playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona is a lifelong ambition. Leaving the Spanish capital - even for a club as illustrious at Arsenal - would be viewed as, at best, a sidewards step.

With Real being arguably the biggest club on the planet, there is a sense that leaving the Bernabeu would also impact the player’s commercial brand.

Talks over a new Real deal for Vinicius are expected to ramp up in the coming days.

It is claimed the forward is still very receptive to renewing at the Bernabeu but “wants to feel loved”. Recent reports have stated that new manager Jose Mourinho wants to keep all his big names at the club.

But there is serious jeopardy for Real if they keep Vinicius without renegotiating his contract. The scenario of the Brazilian leaving for nothing in 2027 would represent a financial catastrophe, even for a club as cash rich as them.

With that in mind, resolving the situation one way or another is understandably viewed as a priority for Real before the transfer deadline.

As it stands Vinicius can start speaking to rival clubs about a free transfer move away from Real at the turn of the year. Leaving on a free will be far more lucrative in terms of wages to the attacker than leaving this summer, when the buying club has to find a transfer fee.

Additionally, how much would Real demand for Vinicius?

Their move for Eden Hazard seven years ago may provide us with clues. The club signed the Belgian in 2019 in a deal worth up to £130m. He was 28 at the time and in the final year of his contract at Chelsea.

Vinicius is two years younger and has a commercial value that exceeds Hazard’s - and that is not to mention the seven-year cost of inflation.

It is clear that Arsenal would almost certainly need to obliterate the British transfer record of £125m, from Alexander Isak’s move from Newcastle to Liverpool last summer.

Then there are Vinicius’ wages to factor in. Reports suggest he earns in the region of £450,000 a week at Real Madrid, although sources indicate it is considerably more.

At Arsenal, that would immediately make him the club’s top earner by some distance, with Bukayo Saka currently earning up to £400,000-a-week.

But, with Vinicius a year away from his Real contract expiring, it is not simply a case of merely matching - or even slightly improving - his money if he was to leave this summer.

The nature of free transfers means Vinicius could conceivably double his money next year.

With that scenario now within reach, it is safe to assume the forward will almost certainly request a significant pay increase if he moves this summer.

Having to find what is likely to be a minimum £130m plus wages will be a hard push for any club, no matter how rich, in the era of financial regulation.

Arsenal, nevertheless, have analysed the numbers and believe they have the financial means to fund a move for Vinicius. It is understood the signing has widespread backing across the club.

In the past, Arsenal have offered players very generous image rights deals. This would be a key component of any agreement to take Vinicius to the Premier League.

The winger’s advisors at agency Roc Nation will be fully aware of these factors.

The fact Roc Nation also represent Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli - whose chances would be left severely limited by Vinicius’ arrival - also makes for an intriguing subplot.

It is understood that Martinelli, who has up to two years left on his contract, is happy at Arsenal and will only consider leaving for an opportunity that suits him.

Effectively, the leverage is almost entirely with Vinicius.

Arsenal are unquestionably one of the most attractive projects in European football. They will be one of the favourites to lift the Champions League next season, having lost on penalties in last season’s final. They are in a very strong financial position, too.

But a move to north London would require Vinicius to relinquish the sort of leverage that most players, even of his standing, do not have.

Perhaps most importantly of all, it would mean him giving up on being a Real Madrid footballer.

Is he prepared to do that? We should have the answer soon.

Infantino's 'time is up' with Fifa - La Liga boss

La Liga president Javier Tebas has called for Fifa president Gianni Infantino to step down, claiming the world governing body is “destroying the football industry”.

In an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the head of the Spanish league also criticised World Cup hydration breaks, the final’s lengthy half-time interval, the postponement of a suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun, and the future possibility of a 64-team summer tournament.

When asked if Infantino should quit, Tebas said: “In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up.”

However, he stated that the 56-year-old has the support of national federations, and claimed Fifa’s election system is “rotten at its core”.

“There’s no opposition candidate, nobody wants to stand just to lose,” Tebas said.

“He shouldn’t stay, but the current state of affairs means he won’t leave.”

The head of Spain’s top flight was in the US to see his country win the 2026 World Cup.

“These past few days here in America, I’ve heard many people who are against Infantino, who disagree with what he’s doing,” Tebas said.

“They say it, but then they do nothing. I don’t know what’s worse, the silence or the complicity, because those who stay silent are perfectly aware of the damage football is suffering.”

Infantino is expected to be re-elected for a fourth term at Fifa’s March congress, although Tebas believes Infantino could have been brought down as a consequence of his involvement in the case around Balogun.

The 25-year-old US player escaped a suspension for his side’s last-16 tie with Belgium following an intervention from US President Donald Trump.

“The suspension of the American player’s ban was absolutely serious. They were lucky that Belgium eliminated the USA, because otherwise a case could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his job,” Tebas said.

“Since Belgium won, they managed to bury the matter. But these things are just the tip of the iceberg.”

European football’s governing body Uefa criticised Fifa’s decision at the time, calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”, and the decision was a factor in the organisation’s president Aleksander Ceferin not attending the World Cup final.

Infantino opened the door to a 64-team global tournament during this year’s event, but Tebas argued that “not everything can revolve around the World Cup”.

“Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense. The football industry isn’t just the World Cup,” Tebas said.

“It’s the national competitions that sustain this sport. They are destroying the football industry, which generates tens of thousands of jobs, for an event that lasts 40 days and involves a minority of players.

“Are the best players there? Clearly, but they are also in our leagues. We need fewer international matches and more protection for national football, at all levels. They don’t realise they are making irresponsible decisions.”

Fifa brought in mandatory three-minute hydration breaks for the World Cup, regardless of conditions, for all matches played at stadiums in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The governing body said they were brought in as a commitment to player welfare, but critics have pointed to broadcasters using the breaks as a way to cash in with commercials.

Meanwhile pop music giants Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber were among the acts to perform in the World Cup final half-time show, which extended the usual 15-minute half-time break to 27 minutes 22 seconds.

“Fifa arranges things as it pleases, for what it wants, for its own interests, certainly not for football,” said Tebas. “So, if they need a 27-minute half-time break, they’ll have it.

“Hydration breaks are a lie. We have them in La Liga, but only when it’s genuinely hot.

“Here, the pitches in Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta had air conditioning; I had to put on a jumper in the stands. It was a lie, a break for advertising.

“It’s proof that we are governed by an institution that does and decides what it wants, when it wants, following only its own interests without considering the rest of football. And in many cases, it acts to the detriment of football.”

BBC Sport has contacted Fifa for comment.

Garcia joins Getafe on season-long loan

Aston Villa full-back Andres Garcia has joined La Liga side Getafe on loan for the 2026-27 campaign.

The 23-year-old has only made 18 appearances since arriving at Villa Park from Spanish club Levante in January 2025.

Garcia featured just eight times for Unai Emery’s side in 2025-26, as the Villans became Europa League winners, secured a fourth-place Premier League finish and progressed to the FA Cup fourth round.

La Liga chief critical of 'complicit silence' surrounding Fifa

La Liga president Javier Tebas has criticised the “complicit silence” which surrounds Fifa after United States striker Folarin Balogun was controversially spared from suspension at the 2026 World Cup.

Balogun was able to play in the 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the last 16 after Fifa’s disciplinary committee opted to suspend his one-game ban for 12 months.

Uefa, which has been at loggerheads with Fifa over a number of issues, strongly criticised the decision on Monday, calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”.

But outside of Europe there has been little noise about Fifa’s decision from football officials.

Conmebol, the South American football confederation, issued a statement to back its referee, Raphael Claus, after US president Donald Trump called the Brazilian “a bit suspect”.

But it did not criticise Fifa or Trump, who revealed he asked for the ban to be reviewed.

Claus was the referee who showed Balogun the red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina following a video assistant referee review.

Tebas said that the Balogun decision was the “tip of the iceberg” following a series of events which had been “eroding the credibility of Fifa and football in general for many years”.

The 63-year-old accused Fifa of being a closed shop in which decisions have been made before any vote takes place and without consultation with domestic leagues.

“And the worst of all is that much of the football world is aware of it, but too many prefer to maintain a complicit silence,” Tebas said on X.

“Because staying quiet is more comfortable than defending independence, transparency, and good governance.

“World football deserves institutions that are accountable, respect the rules, and govern with transparency - not through unilateral, discretionary, arbitrary decisions that erode the trust of fans, clubs, leagues, and players.”

Real Madrid have 'no intention' of signing Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez played in Argentina’s first two World Cup group games and is expected to return to the starting line-up for Friday’s round of 32 game with Cape Verde.

Real Madrid say they have “no intention” of trying to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea this summer.

After Chelsea failed to secure European qualification last season, well-placed sources say Fernandez is keen to leave and join Real.

The Spanish giants are reportedly interested in signing the Argentina midfielder, who cost Chelsea a then-British record fee of £107m in February 2023.

But Real issued a statement on Friday insisting those reports “do not correspond to reality”.

“In light of the reports and statements that have appeared in recent days regarding an alleged interest from Real Madrid in the player Enzo Fernandez, the club wishes to state that it has not made any effort, either direct or indirect, to sign the aforementioned player and, likewise, has no intention of undertaking such an operation,” reads the statement.

Chelsea have confirmed they have not received any club-to-club approach from Real for Fernandez.

The Blues have valued the 25-year-old at £120m, should serious interest materialise, but are not actively looking to sell and would be happy to retain him as a key player under new coach Xabi Alonso.

Previous boss Liam Rosenior handed Fernandez a two-game suspension in April for saying he did not know whether he would remain at Chelsea next season and that he would “love” to live in Madrid.

The Premier League club signed Fernandez from Benfica shortly after he helped Argentina win the World Cup for a third time at the end of 2022.

He has gone on to win the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, scoring 15 goals in all competitions last season, and he remains an important player for Argentina at this summer’s World Cup.

Real have already signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea this summer, acquiring the Spain left-back in a deal worth up to £51.8m.

Their statement added that the club “wishes to express its utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez, a great footballer whose career and quality are widely known, as well as for Chelsea FC, a club with which it maintains an excellent institutional relationship.

“Precisely because of the respect that an entity like Chelsea FC deserves and because of the principles of institutional loyalty that have always governed the actions of Real Madrid, the club considers it necessary to categorically deny speculations that are unfounded and do not correspond to reality.

“Real Madrid regrets that, despite the clarity of the facts and the lack of any action on the part of the club, information continues to be disseminated that does not correspond to reality and that only contributes to generating confusion among fans and unnecessarily harming the entities and people involved.”

The 15-time European champions issued a similar statement last month to deny reports linking them with Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, who has impressed at the World Cup with France.

Real Madrid’s statement represents a significant blow for Enzo Fernandez and his representatives.

Anyone following comments from his camp, or from the Argentina international himself, will be aware that he has been open to the possibility of leaving Stamford Bridge this summer, with a move to the Spanish capital understood to be his preferred option.

Madrid’s public distancing from Fernandez follows similar signals given privately by sources at Paris St-Germain and Manchester City, both of whom have previously been linked with the midfielder.

Since March, Fernandez has made a number of public comments in Spanish-language interviews following Chelsea’s dip in form and their Champions League exit to PSG.

Later that month, while on international duty, he spoke about a potential move to Spain in several interviews, which ultimately resulted in an internal two-match suspension.

His agent Javier Pastore has also publicly discussed his future, suggesting Fernandez is underpaid at Chelsea and indicating that failure to qualify for the Champions League could become an issue.

Those comments have created an uncomfortable situation for Chelsea, given Fernandez’s importance to the team. The midfielder contributed 15 goals and seven assists in all competitions last season and served as vice-captain.

Chelsea, however, have remained consistent in their position.

The club have been willing to listen to offers should their £120m valuation be met, but they have not actively sought to sell him.

While the situation has been challenging, Chelsea do not view it as irreparable.

There is a belief at Stamford Bridge that Alonso can successfully reintegrate Fernandez into the squad and help repair his relationship with supporters through strong performances and results on the pitch.

Real Madrid's £130m Alvarez bid rejected

Julian Alvarez helped Atletico Madrid reach the Champions League semi-finals

Real Madrid have had a 150m euro (£130m) offer for striker Julian Alvarez rejected by city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Real president Florentino Perez last week pledged to make a 150m euro offer for an unnamed “galactico” player if re-elected to his position.

Having successfully retained control on Sunday, Perez made good on his promise.

However, the move for the 26-year-old Argentina forward was turned down by his club, who cited Alvarez’s release clause of 500m euros (£430m).

In a statement, Real said: “Following the meeting of the board of directors held today, it has made an offer of 150 million euros to Club Atletico de Madrid for the federative rights of the player Julian Alvarez.

“After reviewing and evaluating the offer, Club Atletico de Madrid has expressed its gratitude for the proposal, made within the framework of the good relations between both clubs, and has rejected it, referring to the player’s release clause.”

Atletico quoted the Real Madrid statement on X alongside a series of laughing emojis.

In a subsequent post they stated: “You must have confused education with gratitude, but to leave no doubt: we don’t thank you for anything.

“We neither study nor consider any offer for Julian. How could we not get along, when you make us laugh even more than Barcelona does.”

In a final post, Atletico added: “P.S. Taking advantage of the good relationship with your new president, let’s see if you stop ‘stealing’ players from our Academy. Thanks a lot, @realmadrid!”

Former Manchester City player Alvarez, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, joined the La Liga club in an £81.5m deal in 2024.

He scored 20 goals in 49 appearances for Atletico last season as they finished fourth in the table and reached the Champions League semi-finals.

Real have also confirmed the anticipated news that head coach Alvaro Arbeloa will leave the club, with Jose Mourinho set to be appointed in his place.

Arbeloa was promoted from his role leading Real Madrid B in January, replacing former Liverpool team-mate Xabi Alonso, and confirmed before the end of the season that he would not continue following a trophyless campaign.

Re-appointing Benfica head coach Mourinho, who led the Spanish giants from 2010 to 2013, was a key manifesto point in Perez’s election campaign. Mourinho signed a three-year deal in May that was conditional on Perez winning an extended stay.

“Real Madrid is deeply grateful to Alvaro Arbeloa, who throughout his time at the club, from his time in our youth academy, has consistently demonstrated loyalty, commitment, and professionalism. He exemplifies the values of our club.”

“Real Madrid, which will always be his home, wishes Alvaro Arbeloa and his entire family the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”

Mourinho set for Real after Perez re-elected

Jose Mourinho’s last trophy was the Europa Conference League with Roma in 2022

Jose Mourinho is set to be confirmed as Real Madrid’s new head coach after Florentino Perez was re-elected as the club’s president until 2030.

Mourinho, 63, signed a three-year deal last month to become head coach of Real, but his contract would only be valid if Perez retained his role.

The 79-year-old, who obtained 65% of the vote, has been in office since 2009 and announced the election during an extraordinary news conference last month.

“We have won the elections and will continue working to keep winning titles,” Perez said. “I am still here and I am here to defend Real Madrid.

“We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles, and we will fight until the end to achieve the 16th European Cup.

“We will continue to take pride in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the best stadium in the world.

“Proud to have the best players in the world, proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a Madridista like Jose Mourinho. And rest assured, with me as president, Real Madrid has been, is, and will always remain owned by its members.”

Perez appointed Mourinho as Real Madrid boss in 2010

Real Madrid is owned entirely by members who elect the president, with this the first presidential election in 20 years to feature a challenger - renewable energy magnate Enrique Riquelme.

Perez was expected to win and promised to make a club record offer for an unnamed “great player” if re-elected.

He took 100% of the in-person and postal votes counted, gaining 21,741 votes to Riquelme’s 11,814 (35%).

Mourinho is leaving his role as manager of Benfica, where he took charge in September and led them to third place in the Primeira Liga this season.

In his previous spell in charge of Real between 2010 and 2013, the Portuguese won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Mourinho will replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who only took charge in January following Xabi Alonso’s departure as boss.

Real ended their 2025-26 campaign without silverware, with rivals Barcelona sealing the La Liga title with a 2-0 El Clasico victory.

Alaba passed fit but Baumgartner out of World Cup

Austria captain David Alaba has been given the all-clear to travel for the World Cup after picking up a muscle injury on Monday but midfielder Christoph Baumgartner has been ruled out of the tournament.

Former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid defender Alaba was substituted at half-time of Austria’s 1-0 friendly win against Tunisia but has been passed fit to travel to the United States with the rest of the squad.

It is not such positive news for RB Leipzig midfielder Baumgartner, however.

The 26-year-old suffered a thigh muscle injury during Monday’s pre-match warm-up and has been ruled out of the World Cup, the country’s football association confirmed on Tuesday.

Baumgartner is one of Austria’s more important players and enjoyed a fantastic season in Germany, scoring 17 goals and providing nine assists in all competitions for the Bundesliga club.

“This is of course very bitter news for Christoph and for us as a team,” coach Ralf Rangnick said in a statement.

“He is an important player and a central personality within our team. Now our full support is for his recovery.”

Austria’s World Cup campaign begins against Jordan on 16 June before taking on reigning world champions Argentina on 22 June and rounding off against Algeria on 28 June.

Mourinho signs three-year deal to return as Real Madrid boss

Jose Mourinho has signed a three-year deal to become Real Madrid’s new head coach.

He will not be officially unveiled until after the club’s presidential election, which is due to take place on 7 June.

However, the 63-year-old’s contract will only be valid if current president Florentino Perez remains in his role.

Perez announced the election during an extraordinary news conference earlier this month in which he criticised journalists and La Liga and spoke of an “organised campaign” against him.

The 79-year-old has been in office since 2009 - and was previously president between 2000 and 2006 - but has overseen two successive trophyless seasons.

Renewables tycoon Enrique Riquelme is standing against Perez in the first presidential election in 20 years featuring a challenger, although Perez is expected to still win.

Mourinho is leaving his role as manager of Benfica, where he took charge in September and led them to third place in the Primeira Liga this season.

In his previous spell in charge of Real between 2010 and 2013, the Portuguese won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Mourinho will replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who only took charge in January following Xabi Alonso’s departure as boss.

Real ended their 2025-26 campaign trophyless, with rivals Barcelona sealing the La Liga title with a 2-0 El Clasico victory.

Los Blancos’ Champions League run also ended with a 6-4 aggregate defeat by German champions Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

After leaving Real in 2013, Mourinho returned to England for a second stint at Chelsea, winning the third of his three Premier League titles, plus the EFL Cup, in the 2014-15 season.

Following his departure from the Blues by mutual consent in 2015, Mourinho joined Manchester United on a three-year deal in 2016.

He won the Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield during his first season at Old Trafford, but was sacked in December 2018 after a poor run of results.

Mourinho also had spells at Tottenham, Serie A side Roma, where he won the Europa Conference League in 2022, and Turkish club Fenerbahce, before taking over at Benfica.

Mourinho’s entire managerial philosophy - the siege mentality, the us-against-the-world framing, the weaponisation of grievance, the use of media as the enemies - is perfectly calibrated for the climate Perez has spent years cultivating at Los Blancos.

A president who is highly critical of referees, who believes the media wants to destroy him, and Barcelona are favoured by La Liga has finally found his ideal coach.

The paranoia runs in the corridors of power at the Bernabeu and will now be in the dugout with Mourinho - although, in fact, predecessor Arbeloa has bought that vision of the world already.

That, more than anything, is why this appointment makes sense in Perez’s mind.

Madrid’s dressing room is fractured. There have been fights between players. Vinicius Jr got what he wanted when Alonso was sacked as manager. Kylian Mbappe is not loved and seems a strange body in the club.

Then, added to that, a squad that finished a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Into this chaos walks a man with an iron fist, a famous surname and zero tolerance for insubordination. For a president who cannot control his own stars, the appeal of Mourinho is obvious.

But appetite is not the same as wisdom. And before Madrid celebrates the return of the ‘Special One’, it is worth asking a harder question: will he make the same mistakes again?

The logic behind Real Madrid’s decision is clear. The club are not simply searching for a tactician. They are looking for a manager capable of restoring authority, identity and emotional control to a fractured squad after a turbulent season.

With the dressing room in turmoil and the club’s reputation on the line, Real need a strong leader to steer the team back on course next season.

Against that backdrop, Perez is likely to view Mourinho as the ideal figure to restore order and authority within the dressing room.

The club will hope he can rebuild a side that fights collectively rather than individually, and manage some of football’s biggest personalities, several of whom have faced criticism this season for acting egotistically.

Mourinho’s appointment will also come with the expectation to deliver success.

Real have gone two consecutive seasons without a trophy, a rare drought by the club’s high standards.

They are performing well below expectations and the pressure, therefore, on Mourinho to help them regain domestic and European dominance will be immense.

Sarri leaves Lazio for second time by mutual consent

Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri has left the Italian club by mutual consent after one year in charge.

The 67-year-old former Chelsea manager returned for a second spell as Lazio boss last summer, after previously spending three years with the Serie A side from 2021 to 2024.

But following a ninth-placed league finish this season and a 2-0 Coppa Italia final defeat by Inter Milan, Lazio confirmed they had parted ways with Naples-born Sarri.

“S.S. Lazio announces that a mutual agreement has been reached to terminate the contracts of head coach Maurizio Sarri and his coaching staff,” the statement read.

The club also posted a video on X with the caption: “Thank you for everything, Commander.”

Sarri first joined Lazio in June 2021 and led them to second place in the 2022-23 season, which was their best league finish since winning the title in 1999-2000.

However, he resigned a less than year later after Lazio suffered a fifth defeat in six games in all competitions.

Italian media reports say Sarri will soon take over at Atalanta, whose current coach is Raffaele Palladino, while former Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso is the favourite to replace Sarri at Lazio.