Gareth Bale again came to Real Madrid's rescue by heading home the winner in a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday that keeps their title hopes alive.
The Argentine then lifted his shirt to reveal a red and black replica kit of his hometown club Newell's Old Boys bearing the number 10 which Maradona wore during his brief spell at the Rosario side in 1993.
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo faces a race against time to be fit for the Champions League semi-final second leg with Manchester City on May 4.
Under-pressure Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez believes there is a campaign against him and the club and that the team is not playing as badly as is being made out ahead of the La Liga game against Real Sociedad on Wednesday.
Last season's treble winners Barca are in their worst run of form in La Liga since coach Luis Enrique took charge in August 2014.
The draw interrupted a run of four straight league wins for Zinedine Zidane's side and left them second on 67 points after 31 games, three behind leaders Atletico who thrashed Eibar 5-0 earlier in the day.
La Liga leaders Barcelona earned a narrow 1-0 win over Real Valladolid to move seven points clear at the top, while Real Madrid lost 2-1 at home against Girona to fall to third behind Atletico Madrid.
With no fans allowed into venues and Real playing their home games at the 6,000-capacity Alfredo Di Stefano stadium while the Santiago Bernabeu is being refurbished, it will be a title race unlike any other.
London sides Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal made winning starts as did fellow Premier League club Leicester City.
Barcelona have been frighteningly good at home this season, scoring 15 goals in three games at the Nou Camp.
Real went top with one game to play after thrashing Atletico Madrid 4-0 while rivals Sociedad slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Celta Vigo.
Gareth Bale was once again subjected to whistling from a section of the Bernabeu crowd.
Real Madrid paid homage to Cristiano Ronaldo as their outright leading scorer on Friday even though the official statistics show he has yet to overhaul former Spain striker Raul.
Atletico Madrid took advantage of Barcelona's slip-up to go top of La Liga with a 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad as Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao and Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off on Sunday.
Dramatic finale as Valencia denied by 10-man Levante
Paris Saint Germain's Neymar, Laywin Kurzawa and Leandro Paredes as well as Marseille's duo of Dario Benedetto and Jordan Amavi were given their marching orders after rival players threw punches and kicks at each other.
Valencia forward Carlos Soler scored a hat-trick of penalties as his side beat La Liga champions Real Madrid 4-1 at home in an extraordinary match on Sunday.
Among other transfer news globally, defender Rahul Bheke joins Mumbai City FC while Locatelli completes Juventus move.
Saul Niguez's second-half strike gave Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win at home to Las Palmas on Saturday, their first victory in four games in all competitions.
Holders Barcelona were drawn on Friday to play Real Sociedad in the quarter-finals of the King's Cup while Celta Vigo will take on Real Madrid.
A round of Saturday's matches in Series A, La Liga and Bundesliga.
Ajax, four-times European Cup winners who are in the knockout stages for the first time in 13 years, have enhanced their reputation as a talent factory due to the rise of homegrown Dutch players Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt.
Iker Muniain gave Athletic a deserved lead in the 32nd minute by bundling the ball home after Real failed to get back in time to defend a counterattack.
Unbeaten in six games, the draw leaves third-placed Sevilla on 51 points, four ahead of Real Sociedad and five ahead of both Getafe and Atletico Madrid, while Levante are 12th on 35 points.
Real Madrid's hopes of overhauling La Liga leaders Barcelona suffered a stinging blow when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Valencia.
David Beckham earned the plaudits of his team mates, Fabio Capello and the Spanish media after he marked his return with a goal that helped Real Madrid to a 2-1 comeback victory at Real Sociedad on Saturday.
The former England captain scored on his return to the team after a month on the sidelines to inspire Real Madrid to a 2-1 comeback win at Real Sociedad.
Bayern Munich thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 5-1, while Barcelona came from behind to beat Valencia 3-1 in LaLiga at Camp Nou on Sunday.
Federico Valverde has already made over 100 appearances at senior level - while winning silverware and recognition both with his current side Madrid and country Uruguay, and showing the physical, technical and mental attributes to become one of world football's outstanding midfielders.
Cristiano Ronaldo is eager to return to action as he prepares for his first start of the season when Real Madrid begin their Champions League defence on Wednesday against APOEL Nicosia, coach Zinedine Zidane said on Tuesday.
A round-up of Saturday's action in Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga.
Barcelona moved two points clear at the top of the table on Saturday after notching a 1-0 win at home to Real Sociedad while title challengers Sevilla beat Real Madrid 2-1.
Former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has joined ManchesterCity manager Pep Guardiola's coaching staff, the Premier League club said on Sunday.
Images from football matches played in the Italian Serie A and the La Liga on Friday.
Real Madrid failed to keep the pressure on leaders Barcelona as they were held to a draw by relegation-threatened Real Sociedad.
News of all that transpired on and off the football field.
The 35-year-old, who quit international football in 2014, took to Twitter, to reveal his decision.
Barcelona travel to newly-promoted Osasuna without their first choice front line.
'Barca are the best team around and when we play as we know how we are unstoppable'
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances