The Real Madrid playmaker has seen his club football limited in spells under Zidane this season.

However, Isco produced a superb display against Argentina, whose captain Lionel Messi again watched from the stands at the Wanda Metropolitano because of fitness concerns.

Spain had drawn 1-1 against Germany last week and have now extended their unbeaten run under coach Julen Lopetegui to 18 matches.

“In Madrid, I don’t have the confidence a player needs, ” Isco said in a post-match interview, as quoted by Marca.

“The matches with the national team give me life. Here, I have the confidence of the coach.

“I want to show that I’m a good player. Lopetegui shows me confidence with the minutes he gives me.

“Maybe I’m the problem in Madrid. I don’t know how to win Zidane’s confidence.”

After Gonzalo Higuain shot wide early on, Diego Costa fired Spain ahead in the 13th minute, before Isco struck either side of a header from Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi.

Thiago Alcantara added a fourth, with substitute Iago Aspas also on the scoresheet before Isco netted his third with 16 minutes left.

“Despite the result, this match wasn’t easy,” Isco added. “They made things difficult for us, they were very aggressive.

“We mustn’t forget that this is part of our preparation for the World Cup. The victory can give us a lot.”

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Source: Sky Sports

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The £200m striker appeared to twist his ankle while chasing Bouna Sarr.

PSG beat Marseille in Le Classique with ease, as Kylian Mbappe smashed home the opener and Rolando turned Neymar’s pass into his own net for the second.

Edinson Cavani swivelled and fired in a third from Neymar’s pass.

Paris St-Germain – who are 14 points clear of second-placed Monaco in Ligue 1 – host Real Madrid on Tuesday, 6 March, trailing 3-1 from the first leg.

Neymar has scored 29 goals in 30 games since his world-record move from Barcelona in the summer.

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Source: BBC Sport

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The 25-year-old’s current deal at Stamford Bridge expires in 2019 and speculation has linked Courtois with a return to the Spanish capital, where he previously spent three years on loan at Atletico Madrid, and a move to the Bernabeu.

The Belgian has moved to clarify comments he made earlier this month when he said his “heart is in Madrid” but admitted that, while he is in discussions with Chelsea over his future, if Real Madrid contacted his agent they would listen to what the reigning European champions had to say.

Thibaut Courtois in action against Barcelona

“I’m not clear about my future, what I said that my heart is in Madrid was misunderstood,” Courtois said after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday.

“I have two children in Spain, in Madrid, and that’s not easy. I have one year left [here] and I’m happy and talking to Chelsea.

Courtois in action for Atletico Madrid against Real

“They have bet on me from the first moment and that is not forgotten.

“I do not think [Real Madrid president] Florentino Perez calls me, he will call my agent and he will listen to him.”

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Zinedine Zidane’s side took the lead when Asensio nodded in, but Betis equalised through Aissa Mandi.

Nacho’s own goal put Betis ahead at the break but Sergio Ramos, Asensio and Cristiano Ronaldo scored to put the defending champions in control.

Sergio Leon’s late goal caused a few nerves at 4-3 before an injury-time fifth from substitute Karim Benzema.

Real had come from behind to beat Paris St-Germain 3-1 in the first leg of their the Champions League last-16 tie last week.

There was plenty of determination about that performance, and this one owed much to the quality of their finishing after Ramos headed in following a corner.

The third and fourth goals in particular – scored by Asensio and Ronaldo – were clinical strikes.

Substitute Leon pulled one back for Betis with five minutes left when he got on the end of Junior’s cross, but Real held on but any nerves were eased by Benzema.

Fourth-placed Real are 17 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, who beat Eibar 2-0 on Saturday.

Zidane’s side are 10 points behind second-placed Atletico Madrid and a point behind Valencia in third.

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Source: BBC Sport

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Ronaldo set up Lucas Vazquez to head in the first-minute opener, then blasted home from Marcelo’s cross.

Toni Kroos added a third before Ronaldo headed in Luka Modric’s corner.

Jon Bautista pulled one back after the break, but Ronaldo scored his third from close range before Asier Illarramendi’s volleyed consolation.

Confidence booster for PSG tie

With Real Madrid long out of the La Liga title race – they are 16 points behind Barcelona even after this win – the Champions League is their last remaining hope for the season – and perhaps for Zinedine Zidane’s job.

Real became the first team to successfully defend the Champions League last season, both successes coming in Zidane’s two years in charge. But they have been poor domestically this season.

Zidane named a strong side against 14th-placed Real Sociedad, with only Gareth Bale and Casemiro rested from their last match, and he was rewarded with a good performance and result – a couple of defensive blips aside.

They could – and should – have won by more, with Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who was booed by the home fans after missing a last-minute sitter, also hitting the woodwork.

Bale did come on late on, and had a hand in Ronaldo’s third, his shot being parried straight to the Portuguese to score.

Real – who move up to third in the table – host PSG on Wednesday in the Champions League round of 16 first leg, with the trip to France not until Tuesday, 6 March.

Ronaldo finding domestic form

Ronaldo’s Champions League form was never in doubt this season – he became the first player in history to score in each group game, scoring nine times in the six games.

But he had scored only four La Liga goals before the new year.

However, seven goals in his last four games suggest that was an anomaly for a player who has now scored 33 hat-tricks in the Spanish top flight.

He looked full of confidence as he struck three times, and could have scored more – hitting the post and heading wide from close range towards the end.

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Source:BBC

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It saw fourth-placed Real close the gap on the hosts to two points, with a game in hand, although they remain 16 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Ronaldo converted after being fouled in the box and added a second following a push on Karim Benzema before half-time.

Valencia’s Santi Mina pulled one back, before Marcelo added a third for Real.

Toni Kroos then put the game beyond the hosts with a superb long-range strike for Zidane’s side one minute from time.

Zidane said he was enduring his “worst moment” as Real coach after the European champions were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Leganes on Wednesday at the Bernabeu.

The Frenchman also suggested his future at the club depends on whether they can beat Paris St-Germain in the Champions League last-16 next month.

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Source: BBC

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The Mirror’s Simon Bird relayed the list from the accounting organisation, with United retaining top spot for revenue generated in the 2016-17 season despite playing their European football in the UEFA Europa League rather than the more lucrative UEFA Champions League.

Here are the top 20 clubs, all of whom reside in Europe:

1. Manchester United, £581.2 million (up from £515.3 million in 2015-16)

2. Real Madrid, £579.7 million (£463.8 million)

3. Barcelona, £557.1 million (£463.8 million)

4. Bayern Munich, £505.1 million (£442.7 million)

5. Manchester City, £453.5 million (£392.6 million)

6. Arsenal, £419 million (£350.4 million)

7. Paris Saint-Germain, £417.8 million (£389.6 million)

8. Chelsea, £367.8 million (£334.6 million)

9. Liverpool, £364.5 million (£302 million)

10. Juventus, £348.6 million (£253.5 million)

11. Tottenham Hotspur, £305.6 million (£209.2 million)

12. Borussia Dortmund, £285.8 million (£212.3 million)

13. Atletico Madrid, £234.2 million (£171 million)

14. Leicester City, £233 million (£128.7 million)

15. Inter Milan, £225.2 million (£134 million)

16. Schalke, £197.8 million (£167.9 million)

17. West Ham United, £183.3 million (£143.8 million)

18. Southampton, £182.3 million (£124.3 million)

19. Napoli, £172.5 million (£107.8 million)

20. Everton, £171.2 million (£121.5 million)

The top 20 earned a combined revenue of £6.8 billion, with half of them comprised of Premier League clubs who benefit from the record £3.8 billion broadcasting deal, which have been included in the figures for the first time.

United had announced their finances for 2016-17 in September, per Rob Harris of the Associated Press:

According to Deloitte (h/t Bird), the Red Devils were only able to retain top spot by winning the Europa League, which netted them £44 million.

Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said:

“At the top, we’ve seen the closest ever battle for the top spot, with Manchester United pipping Real Madrid to retain their title of the highest revenue generating club in the world.

“United’s ability to retain first position is all the more impressive against the backdrop of the weakened pound against the euro, and with both Real Madrid and Barcelona forecasting further revenue growth in 2017/18, the battle at the top will likely come down to on-pitch performance again next year.

“With all three clubs through to the Round of 16 of the Champions League, it may be as simple as the club that goes furthest in the competition will have the best chance of topping the Money League next year.”

AC Milan failed to feature in the top 20 for the first time, while PSG are France’s only representatives, despite Monaco winning Ligue 1 and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

The remaining nine spots are divided equally between La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga, with three representatives apiece.

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credit: Bleacherreport

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Former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Kaka, a 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil, has retired.

The 35-year-old, who began his career in Brazil with Sao Paulo, was most recently with MLS club Orlando City.

Kaka played his final match as Orlando’s season ended in October, and in November was reportedly offered a director role at Serie A club Milan.

He is one of only eight players to win the treble of World Cup, European Cup/Champions League and Ballon d’Or.

A devout Christian, Kaka wrote in a Twitter post on Sunday: “Father, it was much more than I could ever [have] imagined. Thank you! I’m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Renowned for his strong mazy dribbles, his finishing and his creativity in providing goalscoring opportunities for others, Kaka played 92 times for Brazil, scoring 29 times.

Having lifted the World Cup with his country, he won the Champions League with Milan in 2007 and the Ballon d’Or, awarded to the world’s best player, in the same year.

He was arguably at his prime during the six years he spent with the Italian giants between 2003 and 2009, during which time he also won the Serie A title in 2004 and the Club World Cup in 2007.

After joining Madrid in a then-world record £56m deal in June 2009, Kaka won the Copa del Rey in 2011, adding the league title a year later.

Having struggled with a series of knee injuries, Kaka returned to Milan for one season in 2013 before leaving for Orlando the following year.

The other seven players to have won the World Cup, European Cup or Champions League and Ballon d’Or are: Bobby Charlton, Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Rossi, Zinedine Zidane, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.

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Source: BBC Sport

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The Portugal international, 32, curled home a free-kick as Real became the first team to win back-to-back titles.

Ronaldo won a fifth Ballon d’Or earlier this month and crowned himself “the best player in history”.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” he said.

“I am very happy, I remain very motivated to keep winning things at a collective and individual level.

“I still feel strong enough to continue my trajectory as a player and to win trophies, which is what I like most.”

Saturday’s victory in Abu Dhabi was a record-equalling third Club World Cup win for Real, who also triumphed in 2014, matching Barcelona’s achievement.

Real have now won five trophies in 2017 – the Champions League, La Liga, Uefa Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup and now the Club World Cup.

It takes their overall total under Zinedine Zidane to eight since the former France international’s appointment as manager in January 2016.

Ronaldo rises to the occasion again

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his seventh Club World Cup goal

For long periods of this game in Abu Dhabi, it looked like Brazilian side Gremio would frustrate Real Madrid and perhaps even pinch a victory as the Spanish giants became increasingly frustrated in their attempts to break down a disciplined defence.

Real dominated possession in the first half but only one of their 10 chances before the break was on target.

They switched to attempting to find joy from long distance but efforts by Luka Modric, Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were all wayward.

However, eight minutes into the second half Real were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal when Ronaldo was tripped and the Portugal international picked himself up to curl the ball through a gap in the wall and into the net.

It was Ronaldo’s fourth goal in three Club World Cup finals and extended his record of scoring in significant finals for Real Madrid, having also hit three goals in three Champions League finals and two goals in two Copa del Rey finals.

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Source: BBC Sport

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Premier League leaders Manchester City will play Switzerland’s Basel, Manchester United face La Liga side Sevilla and Liverpool take on Portugal’s Porto.

Holders Real Madrid will face Paris St-Germain.

A record five English teams progressed from the group stage this season.

Chelsea were the only English team to make it through as runners-up, with the other four sides all topping their respective groups.

The Blues have arguably been handed the most difficult tie, and it comes days after boss Antonio Conte conceded that their Premier League title defence was over following their defeat by West Ham, which left them 14 points adrift of Manchester City.

However, Chelsea did beat Barcelona in the semi-finals before lifting the Champions League trophy in 2012.

Real Madrid, who are aiming for a 13th title and third in a row, were given a tough draw against big-spending PSG after finishing behind Tottenham in Group H.

The group winners will be away in the round of 16 first legs on 13/14 and 20/21 February, and at home in the return matches on 6/7 and 13/14 March.

The final will take place in Kiev on 26 May.

Champions League last-16 draw

Juventus v Tottenham (13 February and 7 March)

Basel v Manchester City (13 February and 7 March)

Porto v Liverpool (14 February and 6 March)

Sevilla v Manchester United (21 February and 13 March)

Real Madrid v PSG (14 February and 6 March)

Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma (21 February and 13 March)

Chelsea v Barcelona (20 February and 14 March)

Bayern Munich v Besiktas (20 February and 14 March)

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Source: BBC Sport

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