Christensen, Rashford on target as Barcelona beat Guadalajara in Copa del Rey
Barcelona closed the gap on their rivals Real Madrid, moving up to 28 points and pulling two clear of third-placed Villarreal.
Images from the Euro 2024 semi-final between Spain and France, at Munich Football Arena, Germany, on Tuesday.
Ronaldo had won his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 while he was playing for Manchester United and still holds the record of the last Premier League player to claim the top prize. Messi won his first in 2009 and was nominated for 16 years.
Barcelona dropped their first points in LaLiga this season as Rayo Vallecano fought back to secure a 1-1 draw at home to the champions.
Barcelona beat visitors Girona 4-1 in the Catalan derby on Sunday
Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona overcame a two-goal deficit to secure a crucial 4-3 home victory against rivals Real Madrid in a pulsating Clasico on Sunday, edging them closer to the LaLiga title.
The Ballon d'Or, which is awarded annually since 1956, is one of the most prestigious individual honours in football.
A summary of Wednesday's Champions League first leg quarter-finals between Barcelona and Dortmund and Real Madrid, and Paris St Germain and Aston Villa.
Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham earned Real Madrid a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a spiky El Clasico on Sunday that snapped a four-match losing streak against their rivals and extended their lead atop the LaLiga standings.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland came back to haunt Borussia Dortmund with a clinical finish against his former team, while Phil Foden bagged a brilliant brace as the hosts cruised to a 4-1 win in the Champions League on Wednesday to climb to fourth.
Barcelona top the LaLiga standings with 15 points, four ahead of Real Madrid and Villarreal. Girona are seventh on seven points.
Liverpool shrugged off the absence of Mohamed Salah as midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scored an 88th-minute penalty to give them a 1-0 Champions League win at Inter Milan.
Images from the Champions League semi-final first leg between Barcelona and Inter Milan at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain, on Wednesday.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga have taken steps to tackle an increase in racist abuse with measures including partial stadium closures.
Erling Haaland is the tenth player to reach the landmark of 50 goals in the UEFA Champions League and fastest to do so, beating the 62-match record of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Spain face Ronald Koeman's Netherlands away on Thursday before returning home for the second-leg on March 23.
Al-Nassr and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo said on Saturday he did not plan to play at the Club World Cup in the United States, despite being courted by clubs participating in the expanded 32-team tournament.
England booked their place in next year's World Cup finals as captain Harry Kane scored twice in a 5-0 romp away to Latvia on Tuesday to ensure they will win qualifying Group K.
Mondo Duplantis was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, while American gymnast Simone Biles bagged the top women's honour at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
Lewandowski strike gives Barcelona 1-0 win over Alaves
A summary of Saturday's action in the FIFA World Cup 2026 UEFA Qualifiers.
Barcelona thrashed Real Betis 5-1 on Wednesday to book their spot in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
'Did I leave too soon? No, my story was over, it had to end. There was no bitterness, I'd reached the end of my tether.'
"Playing with Barcelona is special. It will be the last 'El Clasico' of the season because Barca are not in the Club World Cup."
Images from the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain at Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany, on Sunday.
Norway secured a commanding 5-0 win at home to Israel in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, as Erling Haaland struck a hat-trick to celebrate his 50th international goal and helped move his side to the brink of a place at next year's tournament.
Spain secured their place at the 2026 World Cup after a nervy 2-2 draw with Turkey in Seville on Tuesday.
Barcelona captain Raphinha scored twice as they returned to winning ways in LaLiga for the first time in a month with a 5-1 victory at Mallorca on Tuesday.
Undefeated since late December, Barca are the only team in Europe's top-five league who have yet to lose in 2025.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi delighted to be back after 348-day injury layoff
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was upset over several refereeing decisions in his side's 4-3 loss at Inter Milan that stopped the Catalans reaching their first Champions League final in a decade after an extra-time goal by home substitute Davide Frattesi.
A round-up of Tuesday's action in the UEFA Champions League.
Robert Lewandowski's brace earned depleted Barcelona a 2-1 comeback win at Valencia
Shailesh Karkera picks the Best Players at Euro 24.
Barcelona will go to the international break on top of the standings on a perfect 12 points from four games, five ahead second-placed Villarreal and seven clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid
Real outclass Majorca, to meet Barca in Super Cup final
22-year-old Athletic Bilbao player Nico Williams, a major transfer target for top European clubs, has been one of the most exciting players in Spain's seven-match winning run at the tournament.
Rodri won the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world, beating Brazil's Vinicius Jr and England's Jude Bellingham.
Images from the the Champions League semi-final second leg between Inter Milan and Barcelona at San Siro, Milan, Italy, on Tuesday.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances