Madrid

• Arsenal initially led as the club with the most goals scored by its players during the 2026 World Cup. • This early lead has since been challenged, with two other clubs catching up and Paris Saint-Germain trailing closely behind. • Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) also held a brief, unexpected lead in the goalscoring tally before being overtaken.

Pontiff appeals in Catalan for harmony on Barcelona leg of Spain tour after making football foes in cityTo the delight of many, Pope Leo XIV kicked off the Barcelona leg of his week-long visit to Spain with a few words in Catalan, calling on the faithful who had gathered in the city’s cathedral on Tuesday “to build harmony and communion beyond all polarisation”.The pontiff’s familiar and commendable plea for people to set aside their differences may, however, have come a little late. Three days earlier, while chatting to journalists on the flight to Spain, Leo had made an awkward confession. Continue reading...

In his first visit to an EU country outside Italy, pope urges world leaders to stop dividing electorates and to respect ‘every human being’More than a million people have filled the streets near one of Madrid’s main squares to join Pope Leo for an outdoor Mass, likely to be the largest event of his week-long visit to Spain.Throngs of people pressed along barriers near the landmark Cibeles Square, waving flags and shouting “Long live the pope”, as Leo arrived in his white popemobile for the event. Some tossed flower petals as he arrived in the square. Continue reading...

Backlash grows among European staff against radical cuts to pay off Covid-era debt, with some accusing council of ‘colonial attitude’The historic Palacete building at 31 Paseo del General Martínez Campos in Madrid’s upmarket Chamberí district has been home to the British Council in Spain for about 70 years.About 5,000 students each year pass through its 35 classrooms, learning English, attending exams, and forging cultural ties with the UK. Over the years that is hundreds of thousands of Madrileños (people from Madrid), while it also serves as a centre for the expat community. Continue reading...

• FIVB Volleyball Empowerment beneficiaries Edgars Tocs and Gustavs Auzins of Latvia claimed the entire men's Madrid Futures podium on Sunday. • The duo's sweep highlights the impact of FIVB's funding programs in elevating emerging beach volleyball talents. • This achievement in Spain boosts Latvia's profile in international volleyball circuits.

• Manchester City are eyeing Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior for a potential summer transfer, according to TEAMtalk reports. • Madrid has informed the 25-year-old Brazilian that he could be available, with City waiting to capitalize. • This move reflects City's ambition to bolster their attack amid ongoing Premier League and Champions League pursuits.

Exiled leader to revive push for change amid US backing of Delcy Rodríguez and delays to democratic transitionVenezuela’s opposition leader, María Corina Machado, will seek to revive her push for political change with a rally in Madrid on Saturday, having found herself sidelined by Donald Trump after the abduction of the president Nicolás Maduro.“Venezuela will be free,” the Nobel peace prize winner insisted in an interview on the eve of this weekend’s demonstration in the Puerta del Sol square, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of protesters. Continue reading...