Barcelona will rely on the magical skills of Lionel Messi to lead them to the Champions League final in Madrid and become the first team to defend the title since the competition's inception in 1993. With Real Madrid and Sevilla both eliminated at the last 16 stage, Barcelona were left to fly the Spanish flag in Europe and they ...

Real Madrid are set to welcome back French striker Karim Benzema to their squad for Saturday's league match away to Sporting Gijon following a month-long injury absence. Benzema last played for the Spanish league giants in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Lyon on February 16 and was subsequently sidelined with adductor and groin ...

Big-spending Real Madrid, who suffered an embarrassing Champions League exit, are eyeing Manchester United star Wayne Rooney as they prepare for next season, according to reports on Tuesday. The 24-year-old is the "favourite" of Real chairman Florentino Perez "for the new plan," the newspaper ABC said. Perez "has had his eye on Rooney for a long time, even more so ...

Real Madrid are eyeing Chelsea's left-sided England defender Ashley Cole to boost their back line for next season, a Spanish newspaper said on Tuesday. "The Englishman from Chelsea is the player for the job. He is one of the best players in the world and wants to come to Spain," sports daily Marca said, without identifying its sources. It ...