Real Madrid Perfect Start; Carreras Contract Boost

Real Madrid have made a perfect start to the La Liga season, winning six of six and sitting top by two points, with Saturday’s Madrid derby at the Metropolitano offering a chance to equal Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s 20‑year club record if they win a seventh. Xabi Alonso singled out Vinicius Jr. as potentially “fundamental” after the forward opened the scoring in a 4-1 win over Levante, despite earlier benching and stalled contract renewal talks. Kylian Mbappé has been scoring regularly and drawing public praise from Alonso, while Jude Bellingham has returned from shoulder surgery and will be used as an attacking midfielder alongside Eduardo Camavinga. The club, however, endured a chastening Club World Cup semi‑final defeat to PSG, making the derby and the next two-to-three months decisive for squad harmony and trophy prospects. Off the pitch, Real Madrid are preparing to improve the contract of emerging left‑back Álvaro Carreras, who has become increasingly important and attracted interest from major European clubs as part of a strategy to consolidate young talent domestically.