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Diomande says he “would die for Mourinho,” but the coach is already limiting his minutes as the club looks to avoid creating a “new Mastantuono”

Yan Diomande says he “would die for Mourinho,” but the Real Madrid youngster is already seeing his minutes carefully managed by the Portuguese coach. The approach comes as people within the club are keen to avoid a repeat of the Franco Mastantuono situation, with concerns that Diomande could become “the new Mastantuono” if too much pressure is placed on him too soon.

Diomande has played limited minutes in Real Madrid’s first three La Liga matches, against Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Málaga. While some fans expected more from the club’s €125 million signing, Mourinho has made it clear that he does not intend to rush the 19-year-old winger.

The Ivorian only broke through at Leipzig last season after playing for Leganés’ reserve team two years earlier. His rapid rise led to comparisons with Lamine Yamal, but Mourinho wants to protect his development and allow him to adapt gradually to life at Real Madrid.

After the Málaga match, Mourinho called for patience and praised Diomande’s attitude, stressing that the winger is working well and eager to learn. The plan is to gradually increase his role rather than immediately make him a starter, while also respecting players such as Arda Güler and Brahim Díaz, who have earned their opportunities.

Diomande appears to be fully on board with the approach. In an interview with African platform Sporty TV, he revealed that Mourinho called him in the early hours of the morning to convince him to join Real Madrid and declared: “I would die for Mourinho.”

The transfer window is closed, and Julián Álvarez remains an Atlético Madrid player. After the Argentine’s strike, Diego Simeone brought him back into the Colchoneros squad and spoke about his star player.

“Life is full of opportunities.”

It was the saga of the summer. FC Barcelona wanted Julián Álvarez, and Álvarez wanted to move to Barcelona. But Atlético Madrid stood firm and categorically ruled out selling their star striker to the Catalan club. In the end, the Colchoneros came out on top in the tug-of-war. Now, Diego Simeone has spoken about his player.

“I’ll be completely clear: for me, life is full of opportunities. And Julián has an opportunity now. We often spend our time judging other people, when we should try to do less of that and, instead, learn more. I hope this has served as a lesson for him,” El Cholo said.

After Álvarez was left out of the squad for the first and third league matches, he will be included in the squad for the upcoming game against Athletic Club. Simeone explained: “He’s training very well. Tomorrow he’ll be included in the squad, and we expect the best from him, just as we do from all his teammates.”

Another demanding season awaits Atlético. Last season, Atleti finished only fourth, below expectations, while they will also face some major opponents in the Champions League. Simeone’s side will take on, among others, Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

That is why El Cholo, who is likely entering his final year as Atlético Madrid manager, was able to welcome more than €120 million worth of new signings. In any case, the team has made a positive start to the league season, picking up seven points from their first three matches.

Luka Modric may have started a new chapter at AC Milan, but his bond with Real Madrid remains as strong as ever. After more than a decade at the club, the Croatian says Madrid will always have a special place in his life.

The love he received from the club’s supporters is something Modric considers one of his greatest achievements. That relationship began when he arrived in 2012 and endured throughout his time in Madrid, even when some fans initially questioned his signing.

Now 41, Modric has no plans to retire simply because of his age. As long as he remains motivated and believes he can meet the demands of professional football, he says there is no reason to stop.

He knows, however, that the end of his playing career is getting closer. Modric has yet to decide whether this season or the next will be his last, but he already has an idea of what he would like to do afterward.

The midfielder would welcome the opportunity to return to Real Madrid in a different role.

“Hopefully it happens. Real Madrid is my home and always will be. I will always be a Madridista because of what I experienced there. Those were the best years of my professional and personal life,” he said.

Even after leaving the pitch, Modric clearly hopes to remain connected to the club where he spent the defining years of his career.

According to journalist José Álvarez on El Chiringuito, Barcelona believe a deal remains possible despite the summer transfer window closing without an agreement. The club reportedly expects to have enough financial fair-play room to make an approach when the market reopens.

“Barcelona has enough financial fair play available to carry out the ‘Julián Álvarez operation’ in January — almost €60 million to make it happen,” José Álvarez claimed.

The biggest question, however, is whether Atlético will be willing to negotiate.

According to the report, people close to Julián believe the situation at Atlético could become increasingly difficult over the coming months, potentially prompting the Madrid club to reconsider its position.

José Álvarez went as far as to suggest that Atlético could ultimately be the ones to contact Barcelona in January.

“Those close to Julián believe Atlético Madrid themselves are going to go to Barça in January and say: ‘Do you want him?’” he said on El Chiringuito.

Julián's desire to leave Atlético and move to Barcelona is reportedly unchanged. The Argentine has made his intentions clear, and José Álvarez insists that his stance remains firm.

“The situation is going to become unsustainable. Julián doesn't want to play for Atleti anymore. Julián made that clear,” the journalist said.

If the situation continues to deteriorate, Barcelona could be ready to take advantage. The Catalan club is reportedly keeping a close eye on developments and would be prepared to reopen negotiations should Atlético soften their stance.

There could also be a change away from the pitch. José Álvarez reports that Julián is considering changing his representatives before the January transfer window opens.

Any change in his entourage could add another layer to a transfer saga that dominated much of the summer. Barcelona remain interested and, according to the report, are confident they can put together the financial package necessary to register the striker in LaLiga.

For now, however, the club is prepared to wait.

“Barça will still be there,” José Álvarez concluded.

The summer window closed without a deal, but Julián's desire to play for Barcelona reportedly remains intact. Should tensions at Atlético continue to escalate during the first half of the season, January could provide a new opportunity to revive a transfer that has yet to disappear from Barcelona's agenda.

The Real Madrid manager admitted that he is unhappy with the situation after the defender was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. The club has also opened disciplinary proceedings against the player.

José Mourinho made no attempt to hide his frustration. The Real Madrid manager addressed Raúl Asensio’s situation at a press conference after the defender was fined for driving while intoxicated, and he was blunt:

>“I’m not happy. We all make mistakes, but when they pile up, that’s a different matter.”

The club has already opened disciplinary proceedings against the center-back, who is also facing trial over his alleged involvement in the distribution of a sexual video involving two young people aged 17 and 18.

Mourinho distinguished between Asensio’s behavior on and off the pitch.

>“When I arrived, I spoke to him about things from the past. Since then, I no longer talk about situations outside Valdebebas. Because inside, he is a true professional. When he was fit, nobody trained harder or better than him. Now that he’s injured, he’s the first to arrive and the last to leave.”

However, the manager was clear about where the limits lie:

>“A Real Madrid player is one 24 hours a day. What you do outside can damage your reputation and that of the club.”

With the disciplinary proceedings still ongoing, Mourinho preferred to stay out of the matter:

>“As a coach, while the disciplinary proceedings are open, I see him as a Real Madrid player. And he will continue to be one for a few more weeks. This allows me to stay out of this problem.”

Nico Paz was named the best young player in Serie A for the 2025–26 season this Wednesday at the Gran Gala del Calcio, organized by the Italian Footballers’ Association (AIC).

Cesc Fàbregas, coach of Como, who will compete in the Champions League this year for the first time in the club’s history, was named best coach of the season. The awards were decided by a vote among the players and presented Wednesday night at Milan’s iconic Teatro alla Scala.

The Argentine midfielder was also included in the Serie A Team of the Season, where he joins Inter striker Lautaro Martínez and Dutch forward Donyell Malen, Roma’s attacking reference.

The award for Serie A Player of the Season went to Inter defender Federico Dimarco, while Inter, winners of the Scudetto last season, were named Club of the Season.

Serie A Team of the Season

Goalkeeper Mile Svilar, defenders Marco Palestra, Alessandro Bastoni and Manuel Akanji, and midfielders Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Scott McTominay and Luka Modrić completed the Team of the Season.

The Gran Gala del Calcio also recognized Maurizio Mariani as Best Referee and Mattia Liberali as Best Young Player in Serie B.

The award for Best Goal went to Juventus' Portuguese winger Francisco Conceição for a volley that flew into the top corner against Roma.

The gala, now in its 15th edition, also paid tribute to Franco Baresi, who died on July 31 at the age of 66, and commemorated Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning team, marking 20 years since their triumph in Germany.

“The rumors were true!”: Lautaro Martínez confirms Barcelona interest but reveals why he chose to stay at Inter

Lautaro Martínez, Inter’s captain, has finally broken his silence on the persistent transfer rumors that once threatened to take him to Barcelona. Speaking at the Gran Gala del Calcio, the Argentine striker confirmed that the Catalan club’s interest was much more than mere speculation.

Confirmation of Barcelona interest

Inter’s talismanic striker has officially confirmed that he was once one of Barcelona’s top targets. Over several transfer windows, the Argentina international was heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou, but the deal never came to fruition.

The forward was remarkably candid about the situation, acknowledging that the possibility of joining one of the world’s most historic clubs was a genuine reality he had to consider. Addressing the media and footballing elite present, the 27-year-old said: “The rumors about Barcelona were true, but in the end I wanted to stay here with my teammates and my fans.”

He added: “For me, Inter means pride, happiness and the desire to continue. I have chosen to stay here once again; I want to do great things at Inter. Ausilio? I am very grateful to him; he was the one who gave me confidence and believed in the project. I will be eternally grateful to him.”

Loyalty to Inter

Despite the appeal of LaLiga and the opportunity to lead the attack of a European giant, Martínez explained that his heart remained firmly in Milan. The striker has developed a “visceral bond” with the San Siro supporters and the Inter dressing room, something that ultimately outweighed the temptation to move abroad.

His decision to stay has paid huge dividends for the club, as he has helped guide them to multiple domestic titles, including the Scudetto. By choosing to turn down the Spanish giants, he further cemented his status as a club legend in the making.

A new season of ambition

The Argentine is now fully focused on the 2026-27 season, with Inter looking to defend their domestic dominance. Although he had a delayed start to his fitness program due to his international commitments, expectations surrounding his performances remain as high as ever. His importance to the team cannot be overstated, particularly as they face challenges in both Serie A and the expanded Champions League format.

Inter manager Cristian Chivu has backed his striker to reach new heights this season, highlighting the forward’s incredible work ethic.

“Lautaro is our captain because he loves this shirt, and this will be his ninth year with this squad,” Chivu told SportMediaSet.

“He is motivated and has a lot of ambition despite the disappointment of losing a World Cup final. He has the right kind of ambition. He returned from the World Cup as soon as possible, shortened his vacation and only had a few days of rest before getting back to work. I think he is ready to have a great season.”

Looking to the future

Looking ahead, Martínez is determined to put all the transfer rumors behind him and lead Inter toward further success. He remains the focal point of their attack, and his goalscoring record against various Italian opponents continues to grow as he approaches historic levels. The bond he mentioned with his teammates is evident on the pitch, where he has formed lethal partnerships with several attacking teammates over the years.

With his future settled and his commitment to the club reaffirmed, the Argentine is ready to continue rewriting the record books.

Galarza Fonda joins Inter Miami: River sends him on loan with an option to buy

The Paraguayan midfielder will continue his career at the club captained by Lionel Messi, which beat Estudiantes to the signing.

Matías Galarza Fonda arrived at River in mid-2025 from Talleres and will join Inter Miami on loan.

River Plate completed another departure in recent hours. The player in question is Matías Galarza Fonda, who, according to journalist Germán García Grova, will continue his career at MLS side Inter Miami, which beat Estudiantes, the other club that had been pursuing him in recent days.

The Paraguayan midfielder will join the team captained by Lionel Messi on loan with an option to buy. That option will become mandatory if he meets certain objectives, mainly related to the number of matches he plays during his time with the American club.

The midfielder had decided not to return to training at River's Cantilo training complex and was in Paraguay. In recent days, Olimpia, the club he supports, had also expressed interest in signing him.

Ultimately, the player, who had a standout performance for the Paraguayan national team at the 2026 World Cup, will continue his career at Inter Miami, managed by Cristian “Kily” González. The Herons are currently second in the MLS Eastern Conference, with 42 points from 22 matches, and third in the overall standings.

Galarza Fonda joined River in mid-2025, with Marcelo Gallardo as manager, and made just 14 appearances for the Millonario. In March of this year, he had moved to Atlanta United, also on loan, but the American club decided not to exercise its purchase option before the World Cup.

Now, the midfielder will have another opportunity in American soccer. Inter Miami won the race for his signature, and Galarza Fonda will continue his career alongside Messi, looking for more regular playing time after a spell at River in which he failed to establish himself.

The Multimillion-Dollar Sum River Will Receive From Enzo Fernández’s Transfer

River will benefit handsomely from the midfielder’s eye-catching move from Chelsea to Manchester City.

Where does River get its money from? Among other things, from the multimillion-dollar sales of the gems developed through its youth academy and from the dividends they continue to generate during their careers in European football. It’s a formula that constantly provides the club with fresh income in foreign currency, and this Tuesday it added another example: Enzo Fernández, with his blockbuster move from Chelsea to Manchester City, will once again bring good news to River’s finances.

A money-making machine. That’s what this exceptional 25-year-old midfielder is, having already won a World Cup and finished runner-up at another with the Argentina national team. And at River, where they developed him, raised him and instilled the footballing DNA he possesses, they are rubbing their hands together over his latest transfer for €146 million to Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City side, whom he previously played under at Chelsea.

That’s because River is entitled to 3.37% of the transfer through the solidarity mechanism, according to the club: €4.92 million, which will be collected as the various installments of this historic transfer are paid. That amount is only slightly less than what River will have to pay as part of its obligation to purchase Lucas Beltrán following his loan (US$6.7 million for 54% of his rights).

The Player Who Broke All the Records

Enzo’s overall contribution to River’s finances has shattered every existing record and is truly remarkable: €57.12 million (approximately US$66.2 million) in total from his various transfers and solidarity payments.

It all began in mid-2022, when Jorge Brito was both firm and shrewd in negotiations with Benfica to sell him. River accepted receiving slightly less money upfront, but the condition for letting him leave was that the club retain 25% of his rights. And that’s exactly what happened: he was sold for €18 million (€10 million fixed + €8 million in performance bonuses, which were ultimately collected).

What few people expected was for that quarter of the player’s rights to increase in value so quickly. After the World Cup, Chelsea bought him for €121 million, meaning River received €30.25 million corresponding to its 25% stake, plus another €4.2 million through the solidarity mechanism.

It was a decision by the club’s former president that was extremely strategic at the time, allowing River to generate revenue in a way that was virtually unprecedented in Argentine football because of the structure of the transfer.