Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Tuesday French superstar Kylian Mbappe was vital to the team for more than just his prolific goalscoring.

Real Madrid were held to a third consecutive La Liga draw in a 1-1 tie at Girona on Sunday, allowing Barcelona to retain pole position.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Tuesday he must know how to handle criticism and media speculation over his future while at the helm of the Spanish giants.

La Liga leaders Real Madrid were left frustrated in a 0-0 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, giving champions Barcelona a chance to close in on them.

Kylian Mbappe struck twice as Real Madrid romped to a 4-0 win over Valencia on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of LaLiga.

Bellingham netted Madrid's second goal in their 2-1 La Liga win over Barcelona and set up the first for Kylian Mbappe.

Vinicius was taken off in the 71st minute and replaced by fellow Brazilian Rodrygo during their 2-1 win over their bitter rivals.

The 18-year-old Barca forward compared Real to Porcinos, a Kings League team, stating: "Of course! Yes, they cheat, they complain ..."

Xabi Alonso is set for his first El Clasico as a manager when Real Madrid host Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu in LaLiga tonight. While Barca would be hoping to leapfrog leaders Real Madrid in the points table, Los Blancos would look for a much-needed victory after a bleak record last season.

Real Madrid extended their winning start to LaLiga with a comfortable 4-1 triumph at Levante on Tuesday.

Vinicius Jr did not hide his frustration after he was substituted in the 77th minute of Real Madrid's 2-0 win against Espanyol on Saturday, as the Brazilian winger is still to play the full 90 minutes of any game in all competitions this season.

Real Madrid have made a perfect start to life under new coach Xabi Alonso and are aiming to extend that run on Saturday in LaLiga when they host an Espanyol side who have also begun the season in impressive form.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is cautiously hopeful that Jude Bellingham could return to action before October as the England midfielder continues his recovery from shoulder surgery.

 Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Ruediger has suffered an injury on his left thigh, the LaLiga club said on Friday.

Real Madrid claimed a third straight LaLiga victory with a 2-1 triumph over Real Mallorca on Saturday to continue their perfect start to the campaign.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso clarified why he chose to keep star player Vinicius Jr. on the bench at the start of their LaLiga tie against Osasuna on Sunday.

Kylian Mbappe struck from the penalty spot as Real Madrid beat a dogged Osasuna 1-0 on Tuesday to make a winning start in LaLiga under new coach Xabi Alonso.

The number nine shirt at Real Madrid is more than just a number -- it’s a responsibility, a legacy, and sometimes, a curse. Now, it belongs to Brazilian teenage prodigy Endrick.

Xabi Alonso is looking forward to "starting from scratch" with Real Madrid next season after being thrown in at the deep end as coach of the Spanish giants in the Club World Cup.

Fabian Ruiz scored twice as European champions Paris Saint-Germain turned on the style in their reunion with Kylian Mbappe on Wednesday, thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup to set up a final showdown with Chelsea.