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Luka Modric to Stay with Real Madrid for Another Season in the Spanish League

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric attends a training session at the Real Madrid City training complex in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid on June 3, 2023. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric attends a training session at the Real Madrid City training complex in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid on June 3, 2023. (AFP)
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Luka Modric to Stay with Real Madrid for Another Season in the Spanish League

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric attends a training session at the Real Madrid City training complex in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid on June 3, 2023. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric attends a training session at the Real Madrid City training complex in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid on June 3, 2023. (AFP)

Real Madrid extended Luka Modric's contract on Monday, keeping the veteran midfielder for another season.

Madrid agreed to extend the contract of the 37-year-old Croatian until the end of the 2023-24 campaign, just like it did with Toni Kroos last week.

The moves allow Madrid to keep two of its most experienced players in a midfield that will be refreshed by the recent signing of 19-year-old Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.

The Spanish club also has Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Dani Ceballos in the midfield. Ceballos also had his contract extended recently.

Modric will be playing his 12th season with Madrid. He has made 488 appearances with the club and won 23 titles, including five Champions Leagues and three Spanish leagues. He won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA's The Best awards for player of the year in 2018.

“Home Sweet Home,” Modric wrote on Twitter.

The 33-year-old Kroos will begin his 10th season with Madrid.

The club also recently extended the contract of defender Nacho Fernández, and boosted its attack with the loan of Spain striker Joselu from Espanyol. Not returning next season are forwards Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard and Mariano Díaz.

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Sports

Real Madrid Beats Atletico to Set Up Clasico Final at the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, right, is congratulated by Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal soccer match against Atletico Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, right, is congratulated by Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal soccer match against Atletico Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP)
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Real Madrid Beats Atletico to Set Up Clasico Final at the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, right, is congratulated by Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal soccer match against Atletico Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, right, is congratulated by Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal soccer match against Atletico Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP)

Real Madrid got goals from Federico Valverde and Rodrygo to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Thursday, setting up a clasico final at the Spanish Super Cup played in Saudi Arabia.

Valverde put Madrid ahead just two minutes into the match in Jeddah when the Uruguay midfielder scored directly from a free kick with a fierce strike that Jan Oblak could not keep out.

Valverde then helped make it 2-0 in the 55th when he threaded a pass through the middle of Atletico’s defense to meet Rodrygo’s run. The Brazil forward, who is playing well after a subpar season last year, did the rest by beating Oblak with a low strike for the winner.

Alexander Sorloth pulled Atletico close three minutes later when the striker headed in a cross by Giuliano Simeone. Atletico pressed for the equalizer but came up short.

Madrid was playing without the injured Kylian Mbappé, sidelined with a left knee sprain for a second straight game.

Xabi Alonso’s team will face Barcelona in the final of four four-team tournament on Sunday.

Valverde’s goal was his first of the season. He has struggled to join the attack this campaign because he has been forced to play out of position at right back due to injuries to Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“After so many games without scoring, today was a great day to find the net again and for the team to win,” Valverde said. “We must be prepared, rested and focused to win the final.”

Atletico created several chances to score in the final half but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did well to parry a point-blank header by Sorloth and a long strike by Alex Baena.

Atletico had beaten Madrid 5-2 when they met in La Liga in September.

Barcelona routed Athletic Bilbao 5-0 on Wednesday in the other semifinal. Last year, Barcelona thumped Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final.

Derby record for Koke Atletico midfielder Koke Resurrección set a new record for Madrid derbies after playing his 44th game against his crosstown rival. That broke a tie he had with former Madrid star defender Sergio Ramos.

But after the loss, Koke concentrated on the missed opportunity for his team.

“It hurts because we wanted to be in the final,” the 34-year-old Koke said. “We got off on the wrong foot after (Valverde’s) great goal. We had our chances, but the ball wouldn’t go in.”

Sports

Kyrgios Says He Won’t Play Singles at Australian Open, Wawrinka Gets Wildcard

Tennis - Brisbane International Tennis Tournament - Queensland Tennis Center, Brisbane, Australia - January 6, 2026 Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his round of 32 match against Aleksandar Kovacevic of the US. (Darren England/AAP Image via Reuters)
Tennis - Brisbane International Tennis Tournament - Queensland Tennis Center, Brisbane, Australia - January 6, 2026 Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his round of 32 match against Aleksandar Kovacevic of the US. (Darren England/AAP Image via Reuters)
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Kyrgios Says He Won’t Play Singles at Australian Open, Wawrinka Gets Wildcard

Tennis - Brisbane International Tennis Tournament - Queensland Tennis Center, Brisbane, Australia - January 6, 2026 Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his round of 32 match against Aleksandar Kovacevic of the US. (Darren England/AAP Image via Reuters)
Tennis - Brisbane International Tennis Tournament - Queensland Tennis Center, Brisbane, Australia - January 6, 2026 Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his round of 32 match against Aleksandar Kovacevic of the US. (Darren England/AAP Image via Reuters)

Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios said on Friday he will not play in the singles competition at this month's Australian Open as he is not ready to play ​five-set matches.

The 30-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals of his home Grand Slam in 2015 but has struggled with a series of injuries in recent seasons, will only feature in the doubles at the event, which begins at Melbourne Park on January 18.

Kyrgios has fallen to number 670 in the world and would have needed a wildcard to play in the singles.

Tennis Australia (TA) ‌said on Friday ‌Stan Wawrinka had been given a ‌wildcard ⁠in ​what will ‌be the three-times Grand Slam champion's last appearance at the tournament before he retires at the end of the season.

"After some good conversations with TA I've made the call to focus on doubles for this year's AO," Australian Kyrgios wrote on social media.

"I'm fit and back on court, but five-setters are a different beast and ⁠I'm not quite ready to go the distance yet.

"This tournament means everything to me, ‌but I'd rather give my spot to ‍someone who's ready to make ‍their moment count.

"It's all building blocks and I'll be back ‍next year and pumped to compete. See you out there."

Kyrgios has undergone wrist reconstruction and had two knee surgeries since losing in the 2022 Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic.

He lost in straight sets in the ​opening round of the Brisbane Open by Aleksander Kovacevic on Tuesday. Kyrgios won the men's doubles at the ⁠Australian Open in 2022 when he partnered compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis to victory.

Wawrinka, who announced last month he would hang up his racket at the end of 2026, won the first of his three major titles at Melbourne Park and the 40-year-old was delighted to receive the wildcard.

"Winning the Australian Open in 2014, my first Grand Slam title, is an absolute career highlight for me, so I'm incredibly grateful to receive this wildcard," he added.

"To have the chance to play the Australian Open at the beginning of my final year on ‌tour means the world to me."

Australians Jordan Thompson and Chris O'Connell also received wildcards.

Sports

Martinelli Apologizes After Pushing Injured Bradley

Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)
Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)
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Martinelli Apologizes After Pushing Injured Bradley

Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)
Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli apologized to injured Liverpool right back Conor Bradley after trying to push him off the pitch near the end ​of the 0-0 draw on Thursday.

Bradley fell awkwardly near the touchline in stoppage time and Martinelli clearly thought he was time-wasting, throwing the ball at him before manhandling him.

Liverpool's players reacted angrily and after the ensuing melee, Martinelli and Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate were booked.

Northern Ireland full back Bradley was eventually taken off the field on a stretcher in obvious distress.

"Conor and I have messaged and I've ‌already apologized ‌to him. I really didn't understand he ‌was ⁠seriously ​injured in ‌the heat of the moment," Martinelli posted on social media.

"I want to say I'm deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery."

Martinelli's actions were branded "disgraceful" and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said the Arsenal forward had left him fuming.

"You cannot do that. That is so poor. I think an apology is needed," the ⁠former Manchester United defender said.

"Bradley is being stretchered off. I'm fuming with Martinelli, to be ‌honest. Disgraceful. I'm surprised a Liverpool player ‍hasn't gone over and whacked Martinelli ‍there!"

Fellow pundit Roy Keane also criticized the Brazilian forward.

"I didn't like ‍it. It's happened to me when I was badly injured and a player stood over me, and it's not good... I'm surprised the Liverpool players didn't react to Martinelli more. I think that behavior is an absolute ​disgrace. Not good scenes," Keane said.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he "feared the worst" for Bradley, although he was measured ⁠in his criticism of Martinelli.

"I am 100% sure that if he knew what the injury might be, he wouldn't do that," the Dutchman said. "But it doesn't look great if Bradley has the injury we think he has.

"You don't like to see a player being moved if he might have an injury."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Martinelli would never have tried to move Bradley if he thought he was injured.

"Probably he doesn't know because knowing Gabi, there is zero intention," the Spaniard said.

"I don't know what happened to Conor, but hopefully it's not bad, but ‌obviously, there is no intention from Gabi to do anything bad to him."