Real Madrid pulled off a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Leganes on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe once again proving decisive. The French superstar bagged a brace, taking his tally to 33 goals for the season—matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut-season record from 2009/10.

Mbappe opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute, but Madrid found themselves trailing at halftime after goals from Diego Garcia and Daniel Raba gave Leganes a shock lead.

Jude Bellingham quickly equalized after the break before Mbappe sealed the win with a controversial free-kick, bringing Real Madrid level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

“It’s very special,” Mbappe said. “To have the same number of goals as Cristiano is always good. We always talk, and he gives me a lot of advice. But as I always say, we have to win trophies.”

Only Ivan Zamorano (37 goals in 1992/93) has had a more prolific debut season for Madrid.

While Mbappe’s second goal was a well-executed free-kick routine with Fran Garcia, Leganes were furious about the decision to award the foul.

Leganes manager Borja Jimenez called it “bad luck” but hinted at possible action from the club:

“I hope the club does something about it.”

A Marca poll revealed that 75% of 40,000 voters believed the free-kick should not have been given.

Despite the uproar, Carlo Ancelotti was dismissive:

“If Leganes are complaining, we can complain too.”

Leganes had the final say on social media, posting:

“And on top of that, today they also steal an hour from us…”

With Real Madrid and Barcelona neck-and-neck in the title race, every decision could prove crucial in the coming weeks.

Victor Wanyama’s return to Scottish football took a disastrous turn as the Kenyan midfielder was sent off in his Dunfermline debut, overshadowing Neil Lennon’s first match in charge.

The former Celtic and Tottenham star, who joined Dunfermline earlier this week in a surprise move, was introduced as a second-half substitute in the Scottish Championship clash against Ayr United.

However, his night ended prematurely when he received a straight red card just 21 minutes after coming on for handling the ball outside the box, denying Ayr’s Mark McKenzie a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Dunfermline, already trailing 1-0 at halftime, struggled to contain Ayr United, who capitalized on their numerical advantage with further goals from Jamie Murphy and Ethan Walker, sealing a 3-0 defeat.

The loss leaves Dunfermline hovering just one place above the bottom of the Championship table, further intensifying their relegation battle.

With seven games left in the season, Dunfermline and Lennon will be hoping for a quick turnaround, but Wanyama’s suspension adds another challenge to their survival fight.

Dunfermline Athletic have secured the signing of former Celtic and Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The 33-year-old Kenyan international reunites with his former boss Neil Lennon, who was recently appointed as manager at East End Park in a bid to steer the club away from relegation.

Wanyama, who enjoyed great success under Lennon at Celtic, won back-to-back league titles and famously scored in a Champions League victory over Barcelona.

His impressive performances earned him a £12.5 million move to Southampton, setting a Scottish transfer record at the time. He later played for Tottenham Hotspur, where he spent four years before moving to CF Montréal in Major League Soccer.

After leaving the Canadian club in January, Wanyama has now returned to Scottish football for the first time since 2012.

Having passed his medical on Wednesday, he is now awaiting international clearance to make his Dunfermline debut on Saturday against Ayr United, who are managed by his former Celtic teammate Scott Brown.

A Crucial Signing for Dunfermline’s Survival Fight

Dunfermline currently sit second-bottom of the Scottish Championship table, six points above automatic relegation but two points adrift of safety. With just seven games remaining, Wanyama’s arrival is seen as a major boost to their midfield as they push to avoid the relegation play-off.

Lennon will be hoping that Wanyama’s experience and leadership can inspire his side to safety in the final stretch of the season.

Former Brazil and Barcelona defender Dani Alves has won his appeal against a sexual assault conviction, with a Spanish court overturning the ruling on Friday.

The 40-year-old had been found guilty in February 2024 of assaulting a woman at a Barcelona nightclub on New Year’s Eve in 2022 and sentenced to four years and six months in prison.

Alves, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, was released in March 2024 while awaiting his appeal.

On Friday, a Barcelona-based appeals court ruled unanimously that there was “insufficient evidence” to uphold the conviction, citing discrepancies between the plaintiff’s testimony and video footage taken before the alleged incident.

A Storied Career Overshadowed

One of the most decorated footballers of all time, Alves won multiple titles with Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain.

He played a key role in Brazil’s Copa America triumphs and secured an Olympic gold medal at the age of 38. His final international appearance came at the 2022 World Cup, the only major trophy missing from his illustrious career.

At the time of his arrest, Alves was playing for Mexican club Pumas, which terminated his contract immediately.

His case was the first high-profile sex crime trial following Spain’s new “Only Yes Means Yes” law, which redefined sexual consent.

Newcastle United marked the end of a 70-year domestic trophy drought in style, hosting a massive open-top bus parade on Saturday to celebrate their Carabao Cup victory.

An estimated 150,000 fans lined the streets as the club basked in the glory of its first major domestic triumph since winning the FA Cup in 1955.

The parade started at St. James’ Park, winding through Newcastle’s city centre before concluding at the Town Moor, where a stage was set up for an hour-long celebration.

The event featured speeches from players and staff, culminating in a trophy lift that sent fans into rapturous applause.

The Magpies secured their historic win by defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium on March 16, a victory that signified a turning point for the Saudi-backed club.

Newcastle has long been a sleeping giant in English football, and this win signals a resurgence under manager Eddie Howe.

As a testament to his impact, Howe has been awarded the prestigious “Freedom of the City,” joining club legends such as Alan Shearer, Bobby Robson, and Shaka Hislop in receiving the honor.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to stand trial next Wednesday in Madrid, facing accusations of defrauding Spanish tax authorities of more than one million euros.

Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months for the Italian manager.

Ancelotti is accused of failing to pay €1,062,079 in taxes during 2014 (€386,361) and 2015 (€675,718).

The Spanish Tax Agency has already seized €1,217,958.24 from Ancelotti to cover the alleged debt, including penalties and interest.

Prosecutors claim that he concealed income from his image rights by ceding them to other entities in what they consider a fictitious arrangement.

Ancelotti joined Real Madrid in 2013, with his contract including both a salary and compensation for his image rights.

However, prosecutors allege that he used offshore companies to hide these earnings, ensuring they did not appear on his Spanish tax returns. Despite these measures, authorities detected the alleged fraud, leading to the ongoing legal battle.

If found guilty, Ancelotti faces nearly five years in prison and fines exceeding three million euros. Beyond the legal ramifications, the case could also impact his career and reputation, setting a precedent in the fight against tax fraud in football.

Ancelotti’s defense team is expected to argue that he complied with tax laws and that his financial structures were legal.

Few strikers in football history can be mentioned in the same breath as Didier Drogba and Thierry Henry.

The two legends, who dominated European football in their prime, enjoyed remarkable careers filled with trophies, records, and unforgettable moments.

Now, years after their retirements, Drogba has once again heaped praise on Henry, insisting that the former Arsenal forward was deserving of a Ballon d’Or.

In a 2024 interview with B/R Football, Drogba was asked which player he believed should have won the prestigious award but never did. Without hesitation, the Chelsea icon named Henry.

“Thierry Henry deserved it 10 times,” Drogba said. “He was fantastic in the Premier League and with the national team. In the Champions League, he was exceptional, scoring goals and winning games on his own. We’re talking about Thierry Henry. I don’t know if there’s anything more to say.”

Henry’s legacy in football is well documented. After beginning his career at Monaco and having a brief spell at Juventus, the French forward truly found his form at Arsenal under Arsène Wenger.

Originally a winger, Henry was transformed into a striker, a move that turned him into one of the most feared goal-scorers in world football.

During his time at Arsenal, Henry scored 228 goals in 377 appearances, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer. He won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, while also leading Arsenal to the 2006 Champions League final.

Even after moving to Barcelona in 2007, Henry continued his success, winning seven major honors, including the Champions League in 2009.

Despite his numerous accolades, Henry never won the Ballon d’Or, an omission that many football fans and pundits consider unjust.

His best chance came in 2003 when he finished runner-up to Juventus star Pavel Nedvěd. However, his consistent brilliance, goal-scoring exploits, and impact on the game have ensured his place among football’s greatest players.

Drogba, who himself enjoyed a legendary career at Chelsea, has never hidden his admiration for Henry. In 2015, while receiving the Football Writers’ Association Tribute Award, Drogba spoke about how Henry had inspired him as a player.

“He was the kind of player I always wanted to look like by scoring all the goals and winning all the trophies with Arsenal, Barcelona, and France,” Drogba said. “He was an example and an inspiration to me, so to have my name next to his means a lot to me.”

Drogba, a key figure in Chelsea’s golden era, won multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and most famously, the 2012 Champions League, where he played a decisive role in the final. Known for his ability to shine on the biggest stages, Drogba’s respect for Henry highlights just how special the French forward was.

While the Ballon d’Or never found its way to Henry, his influence on football is undeniable. When a legend like Drogba speaks so highly of him, it only reinforces the belief that Henry was one of the greatest to ever play the game.