Real Defense Boosted by the Return of Rudiger and Militao for Girona Visit

Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono (2L), Ferland Mendy (2R) ans Antonio Rudiger (R) during team's training session at Valdebebas Sports Complex in Madrid, Spain, 25 November 2025. Real Madrid will face Olympiacos F.C. in the UEFA Champions League match on 26 November. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono (2L), Ferland Mendy (2R) ans Antonio Rudiger (R) during team's training session at Valdebebas Sports Complex in Madrid, Spain, 25 November 2025. Real Madrid will face Olympiacos F.C. in the UEFA Champions League match on 26 November. (EPA)
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Real Defense Boosted by the Return of Rudiger and Militao for Girona Visit

Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono (2L), Ferland Mendy (2R) ans Antonio Rudiger (R) during team's training session at Valdebebas Sports Complex in Madrid, Spain, 25 November 2025. Real Madrid will face Olympiacos F.C. in the UEFA Champions League match on 26 November. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono (2L), Ferland Mendy (2R) ans Antonio Rudiger (R) during team's training session at Valdebebas Sports Complex in Madrid, Spain, 25 November 2025. Real Madrid will face Olympiacos F.C. in the UEFA Champions League match on 26 November. (EPA)

LaLiga Leaders Real Madrid will be boosted by the return of Germany defender Antonio Rudiger after a two-month absence due to a hamstring injury when they visit Girona with the aim of staying unbeaten in the Spanish top flight for the second month in a row.

Ruediger's fellow center back Eder Militao, who suffered a muscle injury earlier this month, would also return for Real Madrid, who are unbeaten in LaLiga since September, coach Xabi Alonso told reporters on Saturday.

“We've got Ruediger and Militao back. We'll wait until tomorrow with (Raul) Asencio. (Dean) Huijsen isn’t ready yet, we're waiting. (Franco) Mastantuono is also in the squad,” Alonso said.

Defender Asencio was taken off the field during a midweek 4-3 win over Olympiakos in the Champions League after feeling discomfort in his hamstring. Midfielder Mastantuono has been out since early November with a groin injury.

Alonso said the return of injured players would help Real to maintain their winning momentum going into Sunday's game.

"We need a win to keep adding three more points if we want to stay up there. That's the goal," he said.

"If we want to get to May... with a chance of competing for everything, we have to be really connected on a day-to-day basis.

"We have good communication and connection... we're very solid from within."

Real are just one point above title rivals Barcelona, who were playing Alaves on Saturday.



Fans Vandalize India Stadium after Messi's Abrupt Exit

Fans throw bottles and chairs, vandalizing hoardings at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, 13 December 2025. Following Messi's brief five-minute appearance, unrest broke out among fans who had paid a significant amount but were unable to see the Argentine football legend.  EPA/PIYAL ADHIKARY
Fans throw bottles and chairs, vandalizing hoardings at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, 13 December 2025. Following Messi's brief five-minute appearance, unrest broke out among fans who had paid a significant amount but were unable to see the Argentine football legend. EPA/PIYAL ADHIKARY
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Fans Vandalize India Stadium after Messi's Abrupt Exit

Fans throw bottles and chairs, vandalizing hoardings at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, 13 December 2025. Following Messi's brief five-minute appearance, unrest broke out among fans who had paid a significant amount but were unable to see the Argentine football legend.  EPA/PIYAL ADHIKARY
Fans throw bottles and chairs, vandalizing hoardings at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, 13 December 2025. Following Messi's brief five-minute appearance, unrest broke out among fans who had paid a significant amount but were unable to see the Argentine football legend. EPA/PIYAL ADHIKARY

Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in India after football star Lionel Messi, who is on a three-day tour of the country, abruptly left the arena.

As a part of a so-called GOAT Tour, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar touched down in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday, greeted by a chorus of exuberant fans chanting his name, said AFP.

Hours later, thousands of fans wearing Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag packed into Salt Lake stadium in the state capital Kolkata, but heavy security around the footballer left fans struggling to catch a glimpse of him.

Messi walked around the pitch waving to fans and left the stadium earlier than expected.

Frustrated fans, many having paid more than $100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the track.

Many others stormed the pitch and vandalized banners and tents.

"For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium," businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told AFP.

Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-meter (70-foot) statue which shows him holding aloft the World Cup.

He was also expected to play a short exhibition game at the stadium.

Another angry fan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent "a month's salary" to see Messi.

"I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame," Ajay Shah, told PTI.

State chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was "disturbed" and "shocked" at the mismanagement.

"I sincerely apologize to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident," she said in a post on X, adding that she had ordered a probe into the incident.

Messi will now head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi as part of the four-city tour.

His time in India also includes a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker will spearhead Argentina's defence of the World Cup in June-July in North America.


No Doubting Man City Boss Guardiola’s Passion Says Toure

 Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 10, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 10, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
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No Doubting Man City Boss Guardiola’s Passion Says Toure

 Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 10, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 10, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Pep Guardiola is as passionate and enthused as he's ever been as he looks to regain the Premier League title, according to his Manchester City deputy Kolo Toure.

City boss Guardiola is in his 10th season in charge at the Etihad Stadium and eager to get back on the trophy trail after failing to add to his vast collection of silverware last season.

But City are now just two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, with Toure -- who joined Guardiola's backroom staff in pre-season -- impressed by the manager's desire for yet more success despite everything he has already achieved in football.

"The manager's energy every day is incredible," Tour told reporters on Friday.

"I'm so surprised, with all the years that he's done in the league. The passion he brings to every meeting, the training sessions -- he's enjoying himself every day and we are enjoying it as well."

The former City defender added: "You can see in the games when we play. It doesn't matter what happens, we have a big spirit in the team, we have a lot of energy, we are fighting for every single ball."

Toure was standing in for Guardiola at a press conference to preview City's league match away to Crystal Palace, with the manager unable to attend due to a personal matter. City, however, expect Guardiola to be in charge as usual at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

"Pep is fine," said Toure. "It's just a small matter that didn't bring him here."

Former Ivory Coast international Toure won the Premier League with Arsenal before featuring in City's title-winning side of 2012.

The 44-year-old later played for Liverpool and Celtic before moving into coaching. A brief spell as Wigan boss followed. Toure then returned to football with City's academy before being promoted by Guardiola.

"For me, to work with Pep Guardiola was a dream," said Toure. "To work with the first team was a blessing for me.

"Every day for me is fantastic. He loves his players, he loves his staff, his passion for the game is high, he's intense. We love him. I'm very lucky."


Vonn Dominates Opening Downhill as Oldest World Cup Winner

United States' Lindsey Vonn competes in an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Friday, Dec.12, 2025.  (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
United States' Lindsey Vonn competes in an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Friday, Dec.12, 2025. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
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Vonn Dominates Opening Downhill as Oldest World Cup Winner

United States' Lindsey Vonn competes in an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Friday, Dec.12, 2025.  (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
United States' Lindsey Vonn competes in an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Friday, Dec.12, 2025. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)

American great Lindsey Vonn dominated the opening women's downhill of the season on Friday to become the oldest winner of an Alpine skiing World Cup race in a sensational boost for her 2026 Olympic comeback bid.

The 2010 Olympic downhill champion took the 83rd World Cup win of her career - and first since a downhill in Are, Sweden, in March 2018 - by 0.98 of a second in the Swiss resort of St Moritz.

The 41-year-old was fastest by an astonishing 1.16 seconds ahead of Mirjam Puchner of Austria. Even wilder was that Vonn trailed by 0.61 after the first two time checks.

Vonn then was faster than anyone through the next speed checks, touching 119 kph (74 mph), and posted the fastest time splits for the bottom half of the sunbathed Corviglia course.

She skied through the finish area and bumped against the inflated safety barrier, lay down in the snow and raised her arms on seeing her time.

Vonn got up, punched the air with her right fist and shrieked with joy before putting her hands to her left cheek in a sleeping gesture.

She was the No. 16 starter with all the pre-race favorites having completed their runs.

Vonn now races with a titanium knee on her comeback, which started last season after five years of retirement.

The Olympic champion is targeting another gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Games in February.