Sports

Ancelotti: ‘Madrid Derby Always Holds Special Significance’ Ahead of High-Stakes Showdown Against Atletico

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2025

Real Madrid, currently at the top of La Liga, will be hosting their city rivals Atlético Madrid for the second Madrid Derby of the season. With only a single point separating the two teams on the league table, head coach Carlos Ancelotti anticipates a ‘special match’ this Sunday (IST).

“This is a crucial match for both teams vying for the title. The (Madrid) derby is always special. Atlético are a formidable team, and it promises to be a closely contested game. There are no surprises leading up to this encounter. The opposition has all the necessary quality to compete for this title, just like we do,” Ancelotti stated in a press briefing.

—

Madrid enters this match with high confidence after a dramatic 90+3 minute win over Leganes in the Copa Del Rey quarter-finals. In contrast, Atlético recently delivered a crushing 5-0 victory against Getafe.

—

Kylian Mbappe will experience his first Madrid derby against Atlético this Saturday. The French forward, who has netted 22 goals this season, shared his excitement for the upcoming match.

“It’s going to be an exciting match and holds great importance. It will be my first time competing in this derby. I’m eager to contribute to the team and hope we can secure a victory,” Mbappe expressed.

“My goal is always to play to win. This match is especially significant for us and for all Madridistas. Our aim is clear: to win—particularly against Atlético, given our current standings in the league where they’re right behind us. We are determined to achieve that,” he added during an RM Play Sessions interview.

Ancelotti also commended the French star ahead of the game, saying, “He has settled in well and approached it with humility. He has never demanded to play in any specific position or asked to take penalties or free kicks. He needed time to adjust to the team and his role, but the results speak for themselves with 22 goals. He is performing exceptionally well, just as everyone anticipated,” he concluded.

—

Entertainment

Cristiano Ronaldo Marries Longtime Partner Georgina Rodriguez

Published

1 day ago

August 14, 2026

Namma Kudla

Sports: Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has married his longtime partner, Georgina Rodriguez, in a private ceremony.

Ronaldo reportedly tied the knot with Georgina on Tuesday, August 11. The couple surprised fans by sharing an official wedding photo on social media.

The picture shows Ronaldo and Georgina holding hands while wearing their wedding rings. The couple appeared happy as they marked the special occasion.

The wedding took place in Cascais, a picturesque coastal town near Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. The ceremony was kept extremely private, with only their five children reportedly attending the occasion.

Ronaldo and Georgina first met in Madrid in 2016. They have been together for nearly a decade.

The couple has five children: Cristiano Jr., twins Eva and Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella Esmeralda.

Ronaldo is one of the most decorated footballers in the world. He has scored a record 146 goals for Portugal in international football and has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award five times.

He recently represented Portugal at the FIFA World Cup, making it the sixth World Cup of his career. At club level, Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

He is expected to return to action when the new domestic season begins on Saturday.

Sports

India Wins Two Silver Medals at Commonwealth Games

Published

2 weeks ago

July 29, 2026

Namma Kudla

Sports:India added two more silver medals to its Commonwealth Games tally as Gulveer Singh and Harjinder Kaur delivered impressive performances.

Gulveer Singh created history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the men’s 10,000m event. He finished second with a time of 27:49.78, while Australia’s Kai Robinson won gold.

In weightlifting, Harjinder Kaur claimed the silver medal in the women’s 69kg category. The 29-year-old improved on her bronze medal from the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and earned India’s seventh weightlifting medal at the Games.

Sports

India Opens Medal Account at Commonwealth Games as Jhandu Kumar Wins Bronze

Published

3 weeks ago

July 25, 2026

Namma Kudla

Glasgow: India opened its medal account at the Commonwealth Games after para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar won the bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight event on Friday.

The 28-year-old athlete, who is affected by polio, delivered a strong performance in the competition. Jhandu successfully lifted 181 kg in his first attempt.

He then lifted 190 kg in his second attempt. He attempted 196 kg in his final lift but was unable to complete it.

He finished with a total of 130.9 points to secure the bronze medal. Nigeria’s Idris Rilwan won the gold medal with 132.8 points.

Great Britain’s Matthew Harding claimed the silver medal with 131 points. Another Indian athlete, Sudhir, finished sixth with 114.1 points in the same event.

Earlier on the opening day of the Games, Indian para powerlifter Ashok Malik narrowly missed a medal after finishing fourth.

Jhandu Kumar’s bronze medal gave India its first medal of the Commonwealth Games.