Each Real Madrid v Barcelona Clasico is about more than just football, with both superclubs having deep roots within Spanish and Catalan society. But this week’s two Clasicos in four days have even wider resonance than usual, given the current mix of legal and political issues directly and indirectly involving both clubs.

There have been some remarkable stories in the World Cup over the years but this one you really couldn’t make up.

Irish football fans won’t have had too much trouble coming up with a comparison for 24 hours which saw World Cup challengers Spain come close to total meltdown just two days before their opening Group B game against Portugal in Sochi.

It was a shameless act. Premeditated. Despicable, disgusting, dastardly. Did he mean it? Of course he did.

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has been keeping a suspiciously low profile in the build up to his team’s Champions League final against Liverpool on Saturday – indicating that his days in Spain could now be numbered.

Zinedine Zidane believes Cristiano Ronaldo will leave a lasting legacy at Real Madrid like Alfredo Di Stefano has.

It’s quite a state of affairs when Real Madrid wield the sword of righteous justice in any particular contest. This is, after all, the club of General Franco’s favour, shady training ground construction deals, and gaudy Galactico excess, writes Tommy Martin.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane looked supremely relaxed as he smiled his way through yesterday’s press conference ahead of tonight’s Champions League last-16 first leg at home to Paris Saint Germain.

Only at Real Madrid could the manager be potentially under pressure for his job at the end of a week which began with the team returning home as world champions.

"How classy is that? I now hope they win the Champions League again!"

Girona FC president Delfi Geli says the club’s home game against Real Madrid tomorrow will go ahead despite reports that the match could be suspended due to the political unrest in Catalonia.

Cristiano Ronaldo is due to answer charges of a €14.7m tax fraud in a Spanish courtroom this morning, the latest event in a busy few months for the Real Madrid superstar.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez avoided discussing the burning question of Cristiano Ronaldo’s future during the address he gave to mark his re-election last night.

European football writers Paul Little, Dermot Corrigan and Emanuele Giulianelli preview the Champions League final.

European football writers Paul Little, Dermot Corrigan and Emanuele Giulianelli preview the Champions League final.

Less than two years ago, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez shifted uncomfortably in his seat at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as most of the 80,000 Blancos supporters around him chanted ‘Florentino Dimision’ (‘Florentino Resign’).

All sides of the Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos’ unique personality are on show as he leads his team towards an increasingly likely La Liga and Champions League double.

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo returns to his old city tonight, for the Champions League semi-final first leg at Manchester City, with a feeling he is coming towards another crucial moment in his career.

Last week, many around Real Madrid were claiming that the selection of their youth talent was their best hope of getting something from this season.

Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 win at Real Madrid on Saturday has reopened an internal Estadio Santiago Bernabeu debate which could end badly for Blancos superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, coach Zinedine Zidane and even president Florentino Perez.

A few months before Bryan Cullen would become the first Dublin man in 16 years to lift Sam Maguire, the then director of football operations at Chelsea, Mike Forde, spoke at a conference in Liverpool about a bit of a continuing professional development tour he took in on Stateside.

Zinedine Zidane has vowed to win a trophy this season after replacing Rafael Benitez as Real Madrid manager.

Unlike their Premier League counterparts, Spain-based players usually have their feet up around this time. But a shortened La Liga winter break this year means everything is speeding up and in places hurtling out of control.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

“It’s a dream come true. I love Real Madrid, they’re my whole family’s favourite team. I’m very grateful for the welcome given to us by the president. In Syria, we dreamed of seeing a Real Madrid match, and now that’s going to come true.”

Real Madrid’s 5-0 hammering of Real Betis on Saturday evening helped to ease the pressure on both Gareth Bale and Rafa Benitez — but may have troubled Los Blancos longtime talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.

La Liga is returning, a little later than first expected, with plenty of new and old questions to be resolved.

Sergio Ramos has ended speculation over his future by signing a new five-year deal at Real Madrid, insisting he never wanted to leave the club.

Eva Carneiro isn’t the first club employee to fall foul of Jose Mourinho.