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Can Real Madrid afford Mbappe?

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The pandemic has had a widespread impact on the world, and the world of football couldn’t escape its wrath either.

European powerhouses have suffered heavy losses because of covid-induced regulations. Barcelona and Real Madrid are undoubtedly the most prominent victims.

Premier League clubs took a severe hit as well, but they somewhat subdued it with the rich TV and sponsorships deals of the competition.

La Liga, despite being home to two of the continent’s most influential football forces, didn’t have that luxury. 

As a desperate attempt to generate more revenue, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez masterminded a breakaway European league.

After facing mass fan protest, that idea never became a reality, so Real Madrid, alongside other La Liga clubs, were left with their dwindling finances.

The gravity of the situation is much apparent in Barcelona. The Blaugrana had to part ways with Lionel Messi and had to convince their new signings to take substantial pay cuts so that they could register them without breaching La Liga’s wage limits.

Revenues hit at Real Madrid

Real have lost €500m in revenues since the start of the pandemic. On top of that, they have to pay out interests for the loan they have taken out for the Santiago Bernabeu renovation.

All these have sorely hurt Los Blanco’s spending capabilities. 

Florentino Perez was known for his limitless ambition in the transfer market. He was the architect of the fabled Galacticos, bringing in the likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, and David Beckham for exorbitant transfer fees. 

The 74-year-old has shown conflicting restraint in the transfer market in recent years.

Since January 2020, Real Madrid didn’t spend a dime in transfer fee for incomings. As of writing, they are yet to spend for transfers. 

But, the rumors are getting stronger and stronger that Real Madrid are ready to pull off a sweeping coup in the coming days.

The record-time European champions are hot favourites to land Kylian Mbappe this summer, but how can they finance the deal given their restraints?

Reports from France say that Mbappe has told Mauricio Pochettino that he is not interested in extending his stay in Paris beyond the extent of his current deal.

Apparently, PSG had offered him €30 million per year after taxes, but the 22-year-old remained unimpressed.

Mbappe currently has only a year left in his contract and will be able to negotiate terms with another club in January.

If PSG don’t sell their French wonderkid this season, they might end up losing him for nothing. Even for a club with PSG’s resources, that would be a huge blow. 

A deal for Mbappe this summer could set off Real more than €150 million.

However, they do have the means to pay it now. Mbappe was a long-term target for Real, and they had the money saved away, according to many top-tier sources. 

Plus, the club has already made €78 million from transfers this window, and are actively trying to sell Mariano and Luca Jovic, which could free up more funds. Dani Ceballos might also make way if the right offer comes. 

These departures would also shrink Madrid’s wage bill significantly.

The biggest boost would come next season when Gareth Bale’s contract would run out. That alone would trim €36 million from the wage bill.

So, Real Madrid do have the financial means to bring Kylian Mbappe to the Spanish capital this summer.

But, a deal would completely rely on PSG’s willingness to retain him for one more season and letting go of him for free. 

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WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo storms off pitch after throwing his runner’s-up medal into stands

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Cristiano Ronaldo and his AL-Nassr side lost the Riyadh Cup to AL Hilal on Saturday. It was a clinical performance from the Al-Hilal side as they won the match 2-0. It was a frustrating night for the Portugal legend as he was heckled by the fans in the crowd.

The cameras panned to Cristiano Ronaldo who was swarmed by his teammates. There were chants cheering on Lionel Messi from the stands. Already peeved after losing the game, Ronaldo lost his cool and threw his medal at the fans.

Watch the video here:

During the game, Ronaldo was seen showing disgraceful actions towards the AL-Hilal fans. A scarf which was thrown his way saw the Portugal superstar rub it in the most inappropriate area. The 39-year-old earned the ire of the fans after this incident came to light.

AL-Hilal down AL-Nassr to win Riyadh Cup 2024 –

The 2024 Riyadh Cup final saw some amazing football being played. Cristiano Ronaldo was all smiles as WWE Superstar The Undertaker came out to place the trophy. Once the action began it was an end-to-end encounter as both teams went hard at goal.

Serbian star Sergej-Milinkovic Savic opened the scoring in the 17th minute of the game. It was two-nil 13 minutes later as Salem Aldaswari scored an amazing goal. That was the end of the contest despite an hour left in the game to be played.

There was no way back for the Al Nassr side as they looked clueless in front of goal. Not many chances were created by Ronaldo and his team. Al Hilal’s defense held their own against a rampaging Al Nassr side in the last few minutes.

There was pandemonium in the stands as the final whistle was sounded and the Al Hilal fans celebrated. There was a chorus of Messi chants which visibly irked Ronaldo at the end of the game.

Ever since his move from Manchester United in late 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo has changed Saudi Football. The likes of Karim Benzema and N Golo Kante are currently playing in the Saudi Pro League. AL Hilal themselves signed noted Brazilian sensation Neymar who sic out injured. With the veteran star in the twilight of his career, this kind of behaviour is least expected from Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Sandeep Lamichhane convicted of molestation, jailed for eight years

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Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been convicted of raping a 17-year-old in 2022. During the case, he kept playing for the team, notably during the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup qualifier in June last year. After the case was filed, he was playing for eventual winners, Jamaica Tallawahs. The leg-spinner was released from the team and was taken into custody.

“I know I am facing a difficult time of conspiracy and wrongful allegation and the ramification of its effect is something unimaginable. I am sure there must be some mechanism of compensating to the accused who proven to be innocent in our legal system,” he wrote. “I will soon seek legal support against wrongful prosecution and allegation made against me and I am sure I will get the justice and will return to the cricket ground soon to make the name and fame of my beloved country and I pray for speedy trial.”

After landing home, the former Delhi Capitals player claimed that the allegations made against him were baseless.

“All these things affected me mentally on one hand and on the other hand, I had to go through illness, and due to mental stress and ill health I kept myself in isolation. I have been mentally and physically affected by the portrayal and I have reached a state of imbalance and I have been bringing myself back to a normal state under the advice of doctors. My health is gradually improving, and I am planning to return to Nepal as soon as possible to defend against the false complaint against me,” the leggie wrote on Facebook in September 2022.

Talking about the current status, the bench also slapped him with a fine of Rs 300,000 (USD 2255 approx) and ordered him to pay Rs 200,000 (USD 1500 approx) in compensation to the victim. Lamichhane’s lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, told AFP that he “will appeal the decision in a higher court.”

Sandeep Lamichhane’s career at a glance

He is the first Nepal player to play in IPL, PSL, CPL, and several other leagues. He made his international debut at the age of 18

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WATCH: Gautam Gambhir makes endearing comment while answering question related to Virat Kohli

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Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir is believed to have a personal dislike for former India skipper Virat Kohli. Over the years, Gambhir has been critical of the 2008 U19 World Cup-winning captain on a lot of issues. Not to forget, Gambhir has been vocal about not the media should be worshipping individual players.

During a talk show on Star Sports, the two-time World Cup winner was asked about the bowler Kohli faced while completing his 50th ODI hundred. As Gambhir gave the right answer, he also mentioned that his rivalry is with Kohli which stays on the field only.

Watch the video here

He replied:

“Lockie Ferguson.”

Gambhir then smilingly went on to add:

“Ye aap baar baar dikhana, mujhe sab kuch yaad rehta hai. Ladai meri sirf on the field hai (Please show this clip again and again, I remember everything. My fight is only on the field)”

I want Virat Kohli to bat with the same intent he is known for: Gautam Gambhir

In another conversation. Gambhir said that Kohli must bat the same way against South Africa in the two-match Test series the way he does. Notably, the latter won’t play the practice game as he has come back to India for personal reasons. However, the right-hander will be available for the series.

“It will be in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s minds that Shreyas Iyer, who is on his first tour, will be batting after Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, if he plays, will be playing as a wicketkeeper for the first time. However, I want Virat Kohli to bat with the same intent he is known for.”

India’s squad for Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk)

Tuesday 26-Dec-23 to 30-Dec-23 1st Test Centurion
Wednesday 03-Jan-24 to 07-Jan-24 2nd Test Cape Town
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