Notes & Quotes: June 8

Treat this as your daily open thread, and make sure to check out Om Arvind’s Zidane mailbag. Tomorrow we’ll be covering Spain, Morocco, France, and possibly even Real Zaragoza if Aleix Febas makes an appearance in their vital Segunda playoff against Numancia — a fight for the last spot for promotion.

Dani Carvajal will likely miss the first two matches of the World Cup

Spain head coach Julen Lopetegui is optimistic that Carvajal will play a key part in this summer’s World Cup, but likely won’t be able to play him for the first couple matches of the group stage.

“You have to hold him back slightly, but I’m sure he’ll be ready,” Lopetegui said in today’s press conference.

”You want him to take two steps forward instead of just one before suffering a setback.

”I don’t know if he’ll be ready for the first or second match, but he’ll be fine.”

Santos are seeking more money for Rodrygo

Santos president Jose Carlos Peres says Real Madrid need to pay the full €50m clause to land their prodigy Rodrygo.

“There is no agreement for Rodrygo with Real Madrid,” Peres told reporters.

”Paying €40m won’t do anything. That is the line we have drawn. His clause is €50m.

”We have several proposals on the table. Every day some outlet claims the deal is done; [with] Paris Saint-Germain, Madrid, Barcelona.

”It [selling him] would allow Santos to breathe, pay part of the debt and have a stronger team. I do not advocate for him to be sold, I just say there are proposals. If someone shows up and pays the clause, we will be obliged to sell him.”

Vinicius Jr highlights

Vinicius Jr’s full highlights from yesterday, where he helped Flamengo beat Fluminese 2 - 0: