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.