Luka Modric
England's Kalvin Phillips and Croatia's Joško Gvardiol go for the ball during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group D match between England and Croatia, at Wembley stadium, London, Sunday, June 13, 2021. (Laurence Griffiths, Pool via AP)
'Yorkshire Pirlo' Phillips cements midfield role for England

By Rob Harris Jun. 14, 2021 12:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this file photo dated Jan. 5, 2016, Real Madrid's coach Zinedine Zidane, right, sits down in front of the media prior a press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. Zinedine Zidane is again stepping down as Real Madrid coach. The club says the Frenchman is leaving his job. It comes four days after a season in which Madrid failed to win a title for the first time in more than a decade. (AP Photo/Paul White, File)
Zidane quits again as Madrid coach after winless season

By Tales Azzoni May. 27, 2021 06:35 AM EDT

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Alaves and Real Madrid at Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Hazard shines for Madrid without Zidane; En-Nesyri hat trick

By Joseph Wilson Jan. 23, 2021 05:23 PM EST

Celta Vigo's Brais Mendez, center, clashes with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, left, and Nacho during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid beats Celta Vigo 2-0 to go top in Spain

By Joseph Wilson Jan. 02, 2021 06:09 PM EST

Barcelona's Gerard Pique is assisted from the pitch after getting an injury during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Atlético in pole position after beating Barça, Madrid slip

By Joseph Wilson Nov. 21, 2020 04:23 PM EST

Croatia's Domagoj Vida, front, duels for the ball with France's Anthony Martial, left, during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Croatia and France at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, Croatia, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Croatia defender Vida pulled from match because of virus

Nov. 12, 2020 06:45 AM EST

Barcelona's Ansu Fati celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Ramos, VAR key to Madrid 3-1 win at Barcelona

By Joseph Wilson Oct. 24, 2020 12:11 PM EDT

Shakhtar's Manor Solomon celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Champions League, group B soccer match between Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk at Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid beaten again, Bayern surges in Champions League

By Graham Dunbar Oct. 21, 2020 06:35 PM EDT

Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois dives but fails to save the Real Madrid's Raphael Varane's an own goal during the Champions League, group B soccer match between Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk at Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Shakhtar team depleted by coronavirus stuns Real Madrid 3-2

By Tales Azzoni Oct. 21, 2020 03:00 PM EDT

A poster with the face of Barcelona soccer player Lionel Messi is displayed at a F.C. Barcelona store in Barcelona, Spain on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. Barcelona is banking on a face-to-face meeting with Lionel Messi to try to convince him to stay. Talks with Messi’s father-agent are expected this week in Barcelona but the club also hopes to sit down with the player himself. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Staying with Barcelona not completely ruled out by Messi

By Tales Azzoni Sep. 03, 2020 08:51 AM EDT

Real Madrid's lift the cup as they celebrate winning the Spanish La Liga 2019-2020 following a soccer match between Real Madrid and Villareal at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, July 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Real Madrid clinches Spanish league title with win

By Tales Azzoni Jul. 16, 2020 05:20 PM EDT

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, right, is challenged by Getafe's Xabier Etxeita during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Getafe at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, July 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Ramos helps Madrid edge Getafe 1-0, increase lead over Barca

By Joseph Wilson Jul. 02, 2020 06:02 PM EDT

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal with teammates during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Mallorca at Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Madrid back in front in Spain after 2-0 win over Mallorca

By Tales Azzoni Jun. 24, 2020 04:01 PM EDT

In this April 22, 2020, photo, triplets, from left, Diego, Caio and Laís try to put together a puzzle in their apartment in Madrid. The 12-year-old triplets will be stepping out of their three-bedroom apartment for the first time in 44 days on Sunday. (AP Photo/Tales Azzoni)
VIRUS DIARY: Kept inside for weeks, triplets emerge in Spain

By Tales Azzoni Apr. 24, 2020 09:30 AM EDT