Real Madrid's Croatia midfielder Luka Modric was named winner of the 2018 Ballon d'Or on Monday, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo's and Lionel Messi's decade-long hold on the prestigious award.

Luka Modric wins 2018 Ballon d'Or, breaks Messi-Ronaldo dominance

European champions Real Madrid have handed Santiago Solari a contract as first-team coach through to June 2021, the club announced in a statement on Tuesday. The 42-year-old Argentine has led the team to four wins in four games since taking over as interim manager in place of sacked former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui two weeks ago.

Real Madrid appoint Solari as coach until 2021

AC Milan forward Gonzalo Higuain has apologised for getting dismissed against Juventus, the club that sent him to San Siro on loan this season, during a 2-0 defeat on Sunday in which he also missed a first-half penalty.

Gonzalo Higuain apologises for sending off in Juventus defeat

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari has challenged Gareth Bale to "eat the stage every time he plays" after he starred in their win over Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday.

Solari urges Bale to 'eat stage every time' as decision time approaches for Madrid

Real Madrid sacked coach Julen Lopetegui three months into his first season in charge after the Spanish giants were beaten by arch-rivals Barcelona over the weekend, the European champions said on Monday.

Julen Lopetegui sacked as Real Madrid coach, Solari in as interim manager

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho gave short shrift when quizzed on the possibility of a sensational return to Real Madrid as he prepares for a reunion with one of his old pupils, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho bats off Real return to focus on stopping Ronaldo

Real Madrid and Wales forward Gareth Bale and Manchester City's Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne were among the first 10 nominees for the Ballon d'Or award announced on Monday.

Gareth Bale, De Bruyne in first Ballon d'Or nominees

Spain's biggest three clubs, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, find themselves in the bizarre situation of having made poor starts to the campaign by their usual high standards while not losing any ground in the La Liga title race.

La Liga wide open as Real, Barca, Atletico stumble

Marco Asensio's strike earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Espanyol to send them top of La Liga and Thomas Lemar scored his first goal for Atletico Madrid in a 2-0 victory at Getafe on Saturday.

LaLiga wrap: Real see off gritty Espanyol, Atletico sink Getafe

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