Real Madrid Beat Sevilla 4-2 In Jesus Navas’ Last Game As A Professional Footballer

Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-2 on Sunday in 39-year-old veteran right winger and full-back Jesus Navas’ last game as a professional footballer.

The Sevilla captain came off the bench in the second half as the crowd at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium paid tribute to him.

Navas played 705 games to score 39 goals for Sevilla and made 119 assists for his club across two spells. He helped Sevilla win four UEFA Europa League titles.

Navas also won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the EURO 2012 and 2024 titles with his native Spain.

He also played for Manchester City to bag the 2014 English Premier League title.

In Sunday’s home game against Sevilla, Real Madrid drew first blood as The Whites’ French superstar Kylian Mbappe scored a long-range stunner.

Real Madrid’s Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde also sent a long-range missile towards the goal to double the gap in the 20th minute.

Brazilian winger Rodrygo made it 3-0 for Real Madrid only a minute before Sevilla striker Isaac Romero scored a header.

Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz finished in the box following fine teamwork in the 53rd minute, making it 4-1.

On a quick counterattack, Sevilla’s Dodi Lukebakio scored a low shot that beat Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 85th minute, making it 4-2.

Winners Real Madrid leapfrogged their bitter rivals Barcelona into second place in the Spanish La Liga table.

Atletico Madrid have 41 points in 18 matches to end 2024 as the Spanish leaders.

Their city rivals Real Madrid have 40 points. Meanwhile, Barcelona are third with 38 points after they lost to Atletico Madrid 2-1 in a Saturday home match.

The La Liga is set to enter the Christmas break to observe the annual holy festival, and there will be no football fixtures in the Spanish top division for the rest of this year.

The league will see the Valencia vs. Real Madrid fixture at Mestalla Stadium on Jan. 3, as the matchweek 12 game was previously postponed due to Storm Dana.

I Don’t Like Bellingham’s Behaviour, Disrespectful – Barcelona Coach

Jude Bellingham was “disrespectful” after he was sent off for dissent during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Osasuna on Saturday, says Barcelona boss Hansi Flick.

The England midfielder was shown a straight red card in the 39th minute for something he was adjudged to have said to referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero.

The 21-year-old later said the incident was a “misunderstanding” and he did not insult the referee, an explanation supported by his manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Asked for his reaction to the incident, Flick said: “It is disrespectful but I’m not the one who should comment on it.

“And that’s what I’ve always told the players. Why waste time and energy arguing with the referee regarding the decisions he makes?

“There is a player, who is the captain, who has the right to argue with the referee.

“I don’t like the behaviour I saw. It’s a weakness when you get a red card.”

Bellingham’s only previous dismissal for Real came after the final whistle in a 2-2 draw at Valencia in March 2024, when he received a second yellow for complaining to the referee.

After Saturday’s game, the former Birmingham City player said he was expressing his frustration at himself.

“He’s believed that I’ve said [something insulting] to him,” added Bellingham. “There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult, and for that reason I think you can see there was a misunderstanding.”

Ancelotti said Bellingham had used an expletive in English, but the referee mistakenly thought it was directed at him.

The draw meant Real Madrid remained one point clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid in the table.

But Flick’s Barcelona side can go top on goal difference if they beat Rayo Vallecano on Monday.

LaLiga

Ancelotti Issues Stern Warning to Players After Madrid Derby Draw

Madrid ‘lacked courage’ against City, says Ancelotti before rematch

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti reportedly tore into his players during halftime of their 1-1 LaLiga draw against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, according to Marca.

Julian Alvarez’s penalty had put Los Blancos behind at the break. However, Kylian Mbappe netted the equalizer within five minutes of the restart, securing a point for the Spanish champions.

The result keeps Real Madrid at the top of the table with 50 points, just one ahead of Atletico Madrid’s 49.

During the first half, Ancelotti was visibly frustrated as Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr often crowded the same spaces, leading to disjointed attacks.

The Italian tactician threatened to substitute his forwards if they did not change their approach. He specifically instructed Vinicius to stay wide on the left flank rather than drifting into central areas already occupied by Mbappe and Bellingham.

Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments appeared to pay off, with Madrid salvaging a valuable point in the tightly contested derby.

LaLiga

Florentino Perez Lauds Marcelo’s Legendary Real Madrid Career Following Retirement

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has paid tribute to club legend Marcelo following the Brazilian’s retirement announcement on Thursday.

Marcelo, 36, revealed his decision in a heartfelt social media video, bringing an illustrious 19-year playing career to an end.

“My story as a player ends here but I still have much to give to football,” Marcelo stated.

During his time at Real Madrid, Marcelo secured five Champions League titles and six LaLiga crowns, leaving the Bernabeu as the club’s most decorated player with 25 trophies—a record later surpassed by Nacho, Luka Modric, and Dani Carvajal.

Perez described Marcelo as a legend of world football, saying:

“One of the greatest left-backs in Real Madrid and world football history, and we had the privilege of watching him for a long time. He is one of our greatest legends and Real Madrid is and always will be his home.”