Search Spain with Local Focus

8+ hour, 30+ min ago (363+ words) Spain's self-exiled former king, Juan Carlos, has angered the country's royal household with a video message released just as his highly awaited memoirs go on sale in the country. Juan Carlos (87), abdicated in 2014 and has been living abroad since 2020, due to a series of scandals. In it, Juan Carlos said that he and other older generations of Spaniards "managed to achieve an exemplary transition, change this country in very difficult circumstances in which we all had to make an effort and take risks. However, the video appears to have taken the royal household by surprise and sources within it told the media that the recorded message was "neither appropriate nor necessary. Scandals surrounding his financial affairs caused further damage, including a gift of "65 million he had made to Ms Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, leading to an investigation into the money's provenance. Another…...

9+ hour, 14+ min ago (430+ words) Reigning Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati could be out for the season due to a severe fibula fracture. The Barcelona and Spain star, who has won the Ballon d'Or in each of the last three years, broke her leg in national team training late last month. On Tuesday, the 27-year-old underwent surgery on the fracture to her left fibula at the Hospital de Barcelona and it is anticipated she will be out for five months, casting doubt over her chances of playing again this season. Initial assessments on her injury prior to surgery were undertaken on Monday. It is a major blow to Barcelona Femeni, who were beaten in last season's Champions League final by Arsenal but are considered favourites again this season and have a six-point cushion at the top of the Spanish top flight. She will also be…...

10+ hour, 24+ min ago (170+ words) Barcelona have confirmed that Aitana Bonmati has been ruled out of action for the next five months after undergoing surgery on a fractured fibula. The three-time Ballon d'Or win suffered the injury after falling badly during training with the Spain international team and has been forced to go under the knife. Here's the club's official statement: "First-team player Aitana Bonmat" has undergone successful surgery for the transdesmal fracture of her left fibula. This surgery was performed by Dr. Antoni Dalmau at the Hospital de Barcelona, under the supervision of the Club's Medical Services. The expected recovery time will be around five months." The news means that Aitana's not due back until early May 2026 in what is a huge blow to Barcelona and Spain. The national team have vowed to try and win the Nations League for Aitana and play the…...

15+ hour, 22+ min ago (368+ words) Barcelona will welcome Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp this Tuesday night as they hope to secure a win at home in La Liga. The Catalan giants managed to earn an impressive 3-1 win over Alaves recently, which should give them a ton of confidence ahead of this game. Hansi Flick will opt for the 4-3-3 formation once again and is expected to make some changes to his first team for this clash. Jules Kounde, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong could all play from the start of this game. Joan Garcia will function in goal for Barcelona after conceding one goal in his last appearance. Eric Garcia will operate alongside Pau Cubarsi at the heart of the Barcelona backline as they hope to keep a good shape on the defensive end of the field. Jules Kounde will try to prove his worth…...

15+ hour, 25+ min ago (318+ words) High society, beautiful stories. As FC Barcelona hosts Atl'tico Madrid in the evening's big clash in La Liga, we invite you to dive back into a piece of shared history. Here is our selection of iconic players who have worn both jerseys. The Uruguayan giant had his most prolific period at Bar'a, winning the Champions League and scoring nearly 200 goals. At Atl'tico, he wrote one of the most memorable chapters of his career, delivering the 2021 La Liga title to Simeone in his first season. World champion and Spanish icon, Villa was a major contributor to La Liga with Bar'a before joining Atl'tico. In the Spanish capital, he continued his career with the same goal-scoring instinct and won the Spanish championship in 2014. Perhaps the greatest story between the two clubs. Arriving in 2014 at the Colchoneros, the Frenchman shone there until 2019. He…...

17+ hour, 20+ min ago (181+ words) Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that attacking star Raphinha participated in only one aspect of team training on Monday. Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Atl'tico Madrid on Tuesday, Barca's headmaster was drawn on Raphinha's absence from several training drills at the Ciutat Esportiva this morning. And Flick went on to explain: "Raphinha? He only participated in rondos today but he's ready now to play a full 90." Though he did not specifically state as much, the understanding is that Raphinha's reduced load came in an effort to minimise the risk of any potential injury setback. The 28-year-old is fresh off his first start since all the way back in September over the weekend, following a lengthy spell on the treatment table with a hamstring problem. With the fixtures now coming thick and fast, and Raphinha…...

19+ hour, 10+ min ago (762+ words) Barcelona have scored 12 goals in their last 5 league games vs Atletico Atletico concede less than 1 goal per away match this season Atletico create one of La Liga's highest shots per counter-attack Hansi Flick said the time has come for Barcelona to lay down a marker by beating another of LaLiga's standout teams, ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Atletico Madrid. Atletico travel to Camp Nou on Tuesday with just three points separating the teams in the LaLiga standings. Barca are top with 34 points from 14 games, having overcome Alaves 3-1 on Saturday. Real Madrid are second with Villarreal in third, and Simeone's side round out the top four. Flick's team were beaten 2-1 by their Clasico rivals in October, and have also finished on the losing side against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the Champions League this season. The head coach believes a win…...

20+ hour, 32+ min ago (238+ words) Lamine YamalWith just a few months to go before the 2026 World Cup, Lamine Yamal is radiating absolute confidence in Spain's chances.After clinching the Euro 2024 title, Spain is among the top favorit... With just a few months to go before the 2026 World Cup, Lamine Yamal is radiating absolute confidence in Spain's chances. After clinching the Euro 2024 title, Spain is among the top favorites to lift the trophy at the 2026 World Cup. The global showdown will run from June 11 to July 19. For Lamine Yamal, there is no doubt: Spain will claim its second star on American soil. "Will Spain win the World Cup? Yes," replied the Barcelona prodigy, flashing a confident smile, during an interview on CBS Sports' 60 Minutes. Argentina, France, England, and Portugal have been put on notice. With just a few months to go before the 2026 World Cup, Lamine…...

22+ hour, 14+ min ago (334+ words) Barcelona manager Hansi Flick went viral at the weekend, after images of a heartfelt conversation with Raphinha after their 3-1 win over Alaves. The German manager was seen on the bench after the match looking deeply upset with something. It was an image that has concerned the Blaugrana fanbase, perhaps betraying Flick's true feelings about his side's struggles this season. The following morning, it was reported that Flick was unhappy with the fact assistants Marcus Sorg and Jose Ramon de la Fuente were sent off during the game. It was the second question that Flick was asked by the press during his pre-match duties, as Barcelona prepare to take on Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou. Flick backed up the version that had been reported in the local media. Further expanding on his constant calls for his side to improve both off…...

22+ hour, 53+ min ago (696+ words) Barcelona goes down 1-0 early, but quickly responds for the 3-1 win over Alav's. (1:12) There's been understandable consternation from those who are either of an Barcelona persuasion or who simply like and respect Hansi Flick, when they saw the state of the German coach on Saturday. The Spanish champions had beaten Alav's 3-1 at home to go clear at the top of LaLiga despite the visitors taking the lead after 44 seconds. - Barcelona vs. Atl'tico: Stream LIVE 12/1, 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+ (U.S.) - Chaos for Barcelona: Reranking Champions League after MD5 - Bonmat" breaks leg in training ahead of Nations League decider Flick had watched his team struggle to contain a nomadic striker named Lucas Boy', and his heart sunk in the knowledge that the genuine article, a guy who makes Boy' look like a docile lightweight, is coming to town. That man is Atl'tico Madrid striker Alexander S'rloth....