REAL MADRID TALKS MONEY

It has been busy days for Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, the project to reform  the club's stadium and the renaming of the stadium has been causing a stir in the Spanish capital.  The cost of each project ranges from 250-300 million euros, and the architects' fees from 7-10% of said costs.

Florentino Perez is negotiating the final name for the stadium, Fly Emirates, Audi and and software giants Microsoft are all vying for their name for the stadium, it is not only the stadium that is keeping the president on his toes, after sealing Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Lopez and Pepe's contract extension, the president will be focusing on the extension of "The Maestro" Xabi Alonso and recently announced father to be Sergio Ramos.

Real Madrid centre back currently earns 5.5 million euros per annum. Florentino Perez hopes the talented defender retires at the club, Sergio Ramos arrived at the club as a teenager from Sevilla Aand is one of the most important player in the team and will be expected to be rewarded well for his contribution to his team.

Carlo Ancelotti's Mr Fix-it, Xabi Alonso is due for a one year contract extension, The Maestro (Xabi Alonso) return from injury in sensational form, regaining his starting 11 spot at club and country, Real Madrid are willing to rise Alonso's salary to more then 5 million euros per year with a one year extension.

SAN IKER has the backing of fans

After a great performance by Real Madrid captain, Iker Casillas is back in the headlines as he gained the backing of the Bernabeu fans. The rotation system adapted by head coach Carlo Ancelotti has come under scrutiny. The Italian manager continues to opt for Diego Lopez in La Liga as Iker takes over during cup games.

Both Iker Casillas and Diego Lopez are in excellent form and proving to be top goalkeepers in the club, Real Madrid has conceded seven goals in their last three games, neither Diego Lopez or Iker Casillas could be blamed for the goals conceded as Real Madrid seems vulnerable in the back four.

Iker Casillas has regained form and was in headlines of newspapers in spain and around the globe who all werer in praise for the goalkeeper's  performance against Juventus in Turin in the mid week Champions League encounter.

The mystery of Iker Casillas remaining on the match during league games is still kept in the dark,  nevertheless Diego Lopez who has pulled a string of excllent saves will remain as the first team goalkeeper in the premier division as Iker Casillas keeps on shining in the headlines and in the eyes of the Madrid fans.

- Nadim Malek

The Best of Iker Casillas - Best saves compilation (video link)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTFb-ADpDQw

CR7 greatens his legend as Bale writes his own

With Real Madrid's first goal in Juventus' stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo equalled Van Nistlerooy (Manchester United 04/05) and Hernán Crespo's (Inter 02/03) record as maximum goal-scorer in the group stage of the Champions League. With it, he has notched up an amazing 59 goals in this championship, and 223 all told wearing the Real shirt.

Cristiano Ronaldo's scoring spree seems to be never-ending. Against Juventus he scored again and has now put the ball in the back of the net eight times in the four games he has played in the Champions League. In total, 21 this season.

Cristiano is a goal-machine. Moreover, he is connecting perfectly with Welsh wizard Bale, who scored Real's second thanks to an assist from the Portuguese star.

While CR7 greatens his legend in the history of Champions League football, Bale begins to write his own, with a cracking goal in one of the world's greatest stadiums. Thanks to him and to Ronaldo, Real Madrid has its qualification to the next round virtually guaranteed.

- Marca

CRISTIANO RONALDO

Cristiano Ronaldo a footballing sensation first stepped into the world of football when he was just eight years old, he made his first debut for an amateur hometown club called Andorinha, Cristiano Ronaldo then moved on to his next club CD Nacional, one of the most known teams in Madeira, Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) did not stay very long in the club as he was noticed by one of the most biggest club in Portugal, Sporting lisbon.

It was at the age of 16 when CR7 made his professional debut for the Lisbon outfit, in which he scored a goal and caught the eye of the football greats, a year later he made his UEFA Champions league debut against Inter Milan.

CR7 was eyed by the lights of Arsene Wenger and Gerard Houllier, with clubs such as Liverpool and Arsenal  he (CR7) was definitely the most promising talent. it was revealed later that both Liverpool and Arsenal who were hesitant on signing the player and Manchester United in 2003 that capitalized on the Portuguese talent .

Manchester United was certainly the door to success for CR7 as he made his pre-season debut for the The Red Devil's which was played against Sporting, in the inauguration of the "Estadio Jose Alvalade" in lisbon. Cristiano stunned the united team with his technique skills as well as his natural talent. In 2007 CR7 won the PFA Player of the Year and voted as the best Young Player of the Year,

2008 was definitely the glory year for CR7 in Manchester United, winning the UEFA Champions League with the Red Devils, European Player of the Year and as well as the Fifa Player of the Year (2008).

2009 Cristiano broke another record by becoming the world's most expensive player in  the world by signing for Europe's all time greatest club Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo received a warm welcome by around 80 000 fans at the Spanish Capital.

It was at Real Madrid the Portugese would discover his true talent as it was his childhood dream club, CR7 matured in to the senior player of the game, built an image right with the biggest sponsorship deals in the world such as Nike and Casterol. He moved on to captaining the Portuguese national team, his success never seemed to take a break.

The 2011-12 season will always be memorable on in Real Madrid, with CR7 leading the charge game after game, the Los Blancos ended with Barcelona's hegemony in spain and won the La Liga in a record breaking fashion, earning 100 points and 121 goals in 38 games, from which 46 goals scored by CR7.

The Portuguese talent is certainly a legend among legends, his success is a blue print for most upcoming superstars as he keeps on inspiring the world with his great work ethics, passion for the game and the discipline that he posses, Cristiano Ronaldo is the person he defined the odds and have achieved greatness in the football world, his success seems never ending and his motivation keeps on inspiring the world.

- Nadim Malek

THE RETURN OF THE MAESTRO

The Real Madrid and Spanish international midfield maestro, Xabi Alonso, has returned to the field of play after 166 days on the sidelines. Xabi Alonso rated as one of the greatest midfielder the game has ever witnessed return from a long injury.

Xabi Alonso last played on 17th May when 'Los Blancos' lost the Copa del Rey final against Atlético de Madrid.

During the time of his injury the midfielder went through two operations - the first was to treat his groin injury which effected his fitness last season which also prevented him from playing the Confederation Cup in Brazil and the second injury after he fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot on 21st August.

Xabi Alonso played his first game in the Real Madrid midweek fixture against Sevilla in which he for 26minutes, Alonso was welcomed by a very excited crowd, current Real Madrid coach has now recovered one of his key players in the heart of midfield.

The midfielder is a senior player in the Real Madrid squad, he poses great mental and physical strength, Alonso was very happy with his return "I am very grateful for this affection from the crowd. im very I have no problems and I hope to slowly get there to be able to help the team, I feel like the team is taking shape but there's still things to be polished"

- Nadim Malek

Blatter Hates CR7 by DAVID G. MEDINA

Paulo Futre couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the video of Sepp Blatter's comments about his friend and compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo. "Now I understand why Ronaldo doesn't have more Ballons d'Or", the Portugal legend told MARCA.

"The award is a sham. If I had any doubts before, then they are well and truly gone now", Futre railed. "Blatter has shown his true colours, but Cristiano will respond out on the pitch. He disrespected the best player in the world", continued the former winger.

"There are no words to describe what Blatter said. I'm angry; the man in charge of football cannot say something like that. I know Cristiano Ronaldo and he's not just a great player, but a good son and brother too. He has been done a great disservice as a person and a player", the ex-Atleti star noted.

However, Futre's complaints didn't end there. The Portugal great also believes that Blatter's disdain for CR7 could jeopardise the hopes of the Portuguese national team: "I'm worried. Portugal's chances of qualifying for the World Cup are at stake in the playoffs and I'm afraid we could be unfairly knocked out owing to Blatter's hatred towards Ronaldo".

"From now on, Blatter is a 'persona non grata' in Portugal. I'd advise him against going there; we have no time for him after he attacked one of our national heroes. He should resign at once", Futre concluded.

DAVID G. MEDINA (MARCA)

EL CLASICO

There is often a fierce rivalry between the two strongest teams in a national league, and this is particularly the case in La Liga, where the game between Real Madrid and Barcelona is known as 'The Classic' (El Clásico). From the start of national competitions the clubs were seen as representatives of two rival regions in Spain:Catalonia and Castile, as well as of the two cities. The rivalry reflects what many regard as the political and cultural tensions felt between Catalans and the Castilian, seen by one author as a re-enactment of the Spanish civil war. Over the years, the record from Real Madrid and Barcelona is 81 victories for Madrid, 76 victories for Barcelona, and 39 ties.

During the dictatorships of Primo de Riveraand especially of Francisco Francis(1939–1975), all regional cultures were suppressed. All of the languages spoken in Spanish territory, except Spanish (Castilian) itself, were officially banned. Symbolising the Catalan people's desire for freedom, Barcelona became 'More than a club' (Més que un club) for the Catalans. According to Manuel Vasquez Montalban, the best way for the Catalans to demonstrate their identity was by joining Barcelona. It was less risky than joining a clandestine anti-Franco movement, and allowed them to express their dissidence.

On the other hand, Real Madrid was widely seen as the embodiment of the sovereign oppressive centralism and the fascist regime at management level and beyond Santiago Bernabeu, the former club president for whom the Merenguez stadium is named, fought with los nacionales However, during the Spanish Civil War, members of both clubs such as Josep Sunyol and Rapheal Sanchez  suffered at the hands of Franco supporters.

During the 1950s the rivalry was exacerbated further when there was a controversy surrounding the transfer of Alfredo di Stefano, who finally played for Real Madrid and was key to their subsequent success.The 1960s saw the rivalry reach the European stage when they met twice at the knock-out rounds of the European Cup.In 2002, the European encounter between the clubs was dubbed the "Match of The Century" by Spanish media, and was watched by more than 500 million people.

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, commonly known as REAL MADRID, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain.

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Founded in 1902 as Madrid Football Club, has traditionally worn a white uniform which is their home kit. The word Real means "Royal" in spanish and was bestowed to the club by King Alfonso XIII.

The team has plays its home matches in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the city of Madrid, the stadium capacity is 85,454. The club is the richest football club in the world in terms of revenue and it is most valuable club, worth  €3.3 billion. 

Real Madrid holds many long term rivals, clubs such as FC Barcelona, Valencia and local rivals Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid-Barcelona is known as the biggest rivalry in club football and the the contest between the two rivals is better known as EL CLASICO (the classic).

Real Madrid is the rated as the most successful club in Europe, winning nine UEFA Champions League titles and 32 Domestic titles in the premier division, Real Madrid are one  of three clubs not to be relegated from the domestic Spanish premier division along with FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao.

Unlike other European clubs, Real Madrid 's members have owned and operated the club since its inception. The club president is one of the star figures in the club and has earned the respect in the football world by atttracting the greatest names in footballto the club. Real Madrid is famously known for purchasing the world's most expensive player, Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Ricardo Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and recently tagged as the most expensive player in the world Gareth Bale, the purchasing power has made the club market leaders and adapted the name Los Galacticos.