Sports
Carlos Espí Reveals Why He Chose Real Madrid
Carlos Espí explains why he chose Real Madrid over Premier League clubs, describing the Spanish giants’ offer as impossible to reject
Spanish striker Carlos Espí has revealed that he turned down opportunities to join Premier League clubs after Real Madrid made an approach for him during the 2026 summer transfer window, saying the Spanish giants were impossible to reject.
Also read:Harry Urges Social Media Firms to Protect Children
The 21-year-old forward made the disclosure during an interview on Cadena SER’s El Larguero on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, where he reflected on his rapid move from Levante to Real Madrid and his adjustment to life at the Santiago Bernabéu.1
Espí said negotiations moved quickly after Real Madrid expressed interest, bringing an end to discussions with English clubs.
“There were options to go to the Premier League, but when Real Madrid appeared, I couldn’t reject it. Everything happened very quickly; the deal was completed in two days,” he said.
Real Madrid officially announced his signing on July 30, 2026, after agreeing a transfer with Levante. The Spanish club reportedly paid his €25m release clause, securing his services on a five-year contract running until June 2031.
The transfer followed an impressive campaign at Levante, where Espí scored 11 goals in 25 La Liga appearances during the 2025/26 season. His performances helped the club retain its top-flight status and earned him recognition as La Liga’s best under-23 player for the campaign.
His arrival at Real Madrid came after the departure of fellow striker Gonzalo García to Fulham, with the English club confirming the transfer on August 3, 2026.
Although Espí has had limited playing time, he said he remained determined to make the most of every opportunity given to him by manager José Mourinho.
“I will fight for Real Madrid. I will give my best, everything,” he said.
The striker also praised Mourinho’s approach, describing the Portuguese manager as approachable but demanding.
“What I highlight about Mourinho is how incredible he is, how close he is and how demanding he is. The fact that he pays so much attention to me is very good for me. It is important that he tells me what I do well and what I do badly,” he said.
Espí revealed that Mourinho had encouraged him to remain patient, work hard in training and take advantage of every minute on the pitch.
The forward also spoke about learning from his high-profile teammates, particularly French striker Kylian Mbappé, whom he described as the best player in the world.
He said he tried to learn from Mbappé during training sessions, paying attention to his speed, dribbling ability and advice.
“It is a privilege to train with him,” Espí said.
The young striker also acknowledged the support he had received from former Levante teammate Gonzalo García, who now plays for Fulham. According to Espí, García encouraged him to keep working hard and make the most of the opportunities available at Madrid.
Espí’s comments underline his determination to establish himself at one of football’s most demanding clubs, despite the competition for places in a squad featuring some of the game’s biggest names.
Also read:Harry Urges Social Media Firms to Protect Children
For the Valencian forward, the move from Levante to Real Madrid has been a rapid rise, but he says his priority remains clear: continue improving, earn Mourinho’s trust and fight for a regular place in the team.
Memoir Cup playoffs bring secondary school football teams to Lagos, Owerri and Calabar as the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation advances its national competition
Kimi Antonelli becomes Formula One’s youngest world champion at 20 after securing the title with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix
Italian driver Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest world champion in Formula One history after securing the title with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Also read:Kano Assembly Sets Fresh Screening for 2 Nominees
The 20-year-old Mercedes driver also ended Italy’s 73-year wait for a Formula One world champion, becoming the country’s first title winner since Alberto Ascari triumphed with Ferrari in 1953.
Antonelli finished behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic race marked by multiple incidents, two safety cars and a red-flag interruption.
His podium finish was his 16th of the season, capping a remarkable campaign in which he combined aggressive driving with consistency to secure the championship.
Overcome with emotion, Antonelli thanked his team after crossing the finish line.
“Thank you so much, we did it,” he said over the team radio during his slow-down lap.
His race engineer, Peter Bonnington, responded by describing the championship journey as a pleasure and telling the young driver that it was only the first chapter.
Antonelli later thanked his family and Mercedes, saying he was struggling to process the achievement.
“We did it. I am so grateful for this moment, and it is one I will live forever. I’m speechless, just trying to process what has happened,” he said.
He also described the season as incredible and said sharing the podium with Verstappen and Hamilton made the occasion even more special.
At 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli surpassed the previous record held by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel by more than three years.
The Italian’s achievement followed another historic milestone earlier in the year, when he became Formula One’s youngest pole-sitter at the age of 19 in March.
Verstappen won the Mexico City race by 0.799 seconds ahead of Hamilton, while Antonelli finished 3.207 seconds behind the Dutchman.
The victory was Verstappen’s sixth in Mexico, extending his record at the circuit.
It was also his third win of the season and the 74th of his Formula One career.
The race unfolded in two parts after Valtteri Bottas suffered a heavy crash in his Cadillac, prompting a red flag and a 45-minute suspension.
Verstappen made an aggressive start from fifth on the grid, moving into second place on the opening lap.
Hamilton initially held the lead from pole position but came under pressure from Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc and the charging Red Bull driver.
Leclerc briefly took the lead after running off the track at Turn Four, while Hamilton complained over team radio that he had been pushed out by his own team-mate.
The stewards later handed Leclerc a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage and Mercedes driver George Russell a 10-second penalty for causing a collision.
The race became increasingly tense for Ferrari as strategy and penalties shaped the battle at the front.
Verstappen gained a position during the pit-stop sequence, while Antonelli briefly dropped to fourth after making his stop on lap 43.
Following Bottas’s crash and the subsequent restart, Antonelli moved past Leclerc to regain third place and held on despite pressure from Hamilton.
Leclerc eventually finished fourth, ahead of outgoing world champion Lando Norris in fifth. Russell came sixth, followed by Oscar Piastri, Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly.
Verstappen praised his opening-lap performance, saying it had shaped his race, while acknowledging that he had to work hard to keep Hamilton behind in the closing stages.
Hamilton, meanwhile, expressed frustration with Ferrari’s performance and the opening-lap incident involving Leclerc, saying the team needed serious discussions behind the scenes.
Also read:Kano Assembly Sets Fresh Screening for 2 Nominees
For Antonelli, however, the result marked a historic breakthrough. Standing on the podium alongside Verstappen and Hamilton, drivers who have won 11 world titles between them, the young Italian celebrated a championship that places him among Formula One’s record-setting champions.
Manchester Munich memorial theft has left supporters saddened after treasured artefacts honouring victims of the 1958 air disaster were stolen
-
Politics3 years ago
13 Ondo Assembly Members Disown Endorsement of Aiyedatiwa
-
Politics3 years ago
APC Group, Ondo Govt, Quarrel Over Money for Endorsement
-
Trending News6 years agoStop unsavoury, inciting statements – DSS warns
-
Others5 years agoAdron Homes Celebrates 10 Years Of Housing Excellence
-
Humanity5 years agoPresident Buhari Commiserates With Ambassador Maureen Tamuno Over The Loss Of Her Father
-
Others7 years agoEX- CUSTOMS BOSS, IBRAHIM MERA’S DWINDLING FAME
-
Business3 years agoBigi Carbonated Soft Drinks Treats 40 Consumers to an Epic Easter Movie Hangout
-
Business2 years agoWema Bank Shines at Global SME Finance Forum Conference Awards 2024 …Awarded: • SME Financier of the Year (Africa) • Platinum Award for Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs (Africa)