Mbappe and Tchouameni Join Real Madrid Training ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
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Mbappe and Tchouameni Join Real Madrid Training ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)

Kylian Mbappe trained on Friday after recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of the Clasico against Barcelona, with Aurelien Tchouameni also involved following his bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde.

Top goalscorer Mbappe had been sidelined for two weeks but Real said the French striker completed part of the group session two days before their trip to Barcelona, AFP reported.

Tchouameni also took part in the training the day after his altercation with Valverde resulted in the latter reportedly needing stitches.

The team confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both players after the training ground clash, one of a spate of such incidents.

Tensions are high at Real with the prospect of a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Leading by 11 points, Barcelona only need a draw in the Clasico to be crowned Spanish champions again.

 

 

 

 



Arteta Calls for Arsenal Focus on 'Huge' West Ham Clash

 May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Arteta Calls for Arsenal Focus on 'Huge' West Ham Clash

 May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal must re-focus for Sunday's "huge" Premier League clash at West Ham after the emotional high of reaching the Champions League final.

The Gunners will be crowned English champions for the first time in 22 years if they can win their final three league games.

A trip to relegation-threatened West Ham appears to be their toughest task remaining, AFP reported.

Arteta's men then host relegated Burnley before facing Crystal Palace just days before the Eagles play in the Conference League final.

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for just the second time in their history with victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but Arteta stressed there was little time to look ahead to facing Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

"Stay present, live in the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire we have shown all season, or more," said the Arsenal boss, referring to his message to his players.

"We are closer and closer and everything we do is going to matter."

The Gunners are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table but have played one game more than Pep Guardiola's men.

The result at the London Stadium could also have huge ramifications for Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham.

Spurs are just one point above 18-place West Ham in the battle to avoid the drop.

"Understanding the conditions of the game for both clubs, it's huge, obviously," said Arteta. "We know the importance of it, we know what we want and what we have to do to win the game."

The Spaniard said Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber remain out and are facing a race against time to feature in the Champions League final on May 30.

"There's a fair bit to do," he said. "Everything has to be so smooth and quick if they want the chance to play any minutes."


Dutch Forward Kluivert Returns from Knee Surgery for Bournemouth Ahead of World Cup

FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
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Dutch Forward Kluivert Returns from Knee Surgery for Bournemouth Ahead of World Cup

FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Netherlands forward Justin Kluivert's return for Bournemouth after a four-month absence from knee surgery could boost his hopes of playing in the World Cup.

The 27-year-old Kluivert, who hasn't played since early January, is expected to be in Bournemouth's squad for its Premier League game at Fulham, The Associated Press quoted manager Andoni Iraola as saying on Friday.

The Cherries enter the weekend in sixth place — currently the Europa League spot — with three games left in the season.

Kluivert injured his left knee in Bournemouth's 3-2 loss to Arsenal on Jan. 3 and had surgery a few days later. He had scored two goals this season. He's been training with the team for the past two weeks.

Kluivert, the son of Dutch great Patrick Kluivert, returned to the national team under coach Ronald Koeman in November 2024 after a six-year absence.

The Dutch open their World Cup campaign against Japan on June 14 in Group F. They also face Sweden and Tunisia.


Kompany Won't Allow Bayern to Dwell on Champions League Exit

Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany creacts after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany creacts after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
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Kompany Won't Allow Bayern to Dwell on Champions League Exit

Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany creacts after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany creacts after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany will not allow his players to feel sorry for themselves after Wednesday's Champions League semi-final exit to Paris St Germain and has urged them to finish the season strong with the German Cup still up for grabs.

The Bavarians have won the Bundesliga and reached the German Cup final but their 1-1 draw with PSG in Munich saw them eliminated from Europe's elite club competition 6-5 on aggregate.

"It is normal to be disappointed, it was such a big goal and it cost a lot of energy," Kompany told a press conference on Friday. "But from ⁠the next day ⁠it is only about the future.

"My role is to project that and how we must react."

Kompany was criticized for playing too high a line and leaving gaps at the back in the two matches against PSG.

Bayern have conceded 12 goals in their last four games in all competitions but the Belgian said ⁠he would not change the way his team plays as long as they are scoring more goals than the opposition.

Bayern have shattered the record for most goals scored in a Bundesliga season with 116 so far and two matches remaining. The previous record was 101 set in 1971/72.

"We are very pragmatic people in Belgium. If the goal difference (in the Bundesliga) is an all-time record of 81 then you have done quite a lot so as not to lose matches," Reuters quoted Kompany as saying.

"We win the games ⁠and the ⁠goal difference shows that we do it with a great difference against our opponents."

Bayern travel to struggling VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday in the penultimate match of the Bundesliga season before wrapping up their league campaign against Cologne a week later.

They then travel to Berlin to face VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on May 23.

Kompany said it was important for the side to show they have moved on from the Champions League exit.

"We want to show that this is already in the past and it is about what we can still achieve, not only in the next weeks but beyond," he added.