Toni Kroos has hailed his Real Madrid team-mate Federico Valverde as one of the "top three" players in the world.
Valverde continued his sensational start to the season on Sunday by scoring Los Blancos' second goal in their 3-1 Clasico triumph over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After failing to find the back of the net in 31 LaLiga games last season, Valverde has now scored four in nine appearances this term.
The Uruguay international's fine strike was the first Madrid have scored at home against Barca from outside the area since Raul did so during the 1998-99 season.
Kroos is in no doubt about Valverde's standing in world football, with the former Germany international taking to social media to heap praise on his team-mate.
Posting on Twitter, Kroos said: "Fede Valverde top 3 in the world right now."
Karim Benzema had earlier given Los Blancos the lead against Barcelona, before Valverde's crisp strike from 20 yards doubled their advantage.
Ferran Torres pulled one back for Barca with seven minutes remaining, but Rodrygo restored the hosts' two-goal advantage in stoppage time from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Eric Garcia.
The win saw Madrid move three points clear of their great rivals at the summit of LaLiga.
Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
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