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Real Madrid win first La Liga title since 2012

Real Madrid win first La Liga title since 2012

Real Madrid won their first La Liga title since 2012 thanks to a final-day 2-0 victory at Malaga on Sunday and in spite of FC Barcelona’s 4-2 win over Eibar.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored early in the game to settle the nerves, latching onto Isco’s through ball to step around Carlos Kameni and tap into an empty net.

Karim Benzema then added their second goal after the break after Kameni had parried Sergio Ramos’ shot.

Real, who had only needed a draw to win the title, now face Juventus in the Champions League final aiming to complete a double

FC Barcelona, who had won the past two titles, came from 2-0 down to beat Eibar 4-2 at the Nou Camp.

But they had also needed Real to slip up if they were going to retain the trophy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Real Madrid finished with 93 points, while FC Barcelona ended with 90 points to stay second.

The result means Zinedine Zidane, in his first full season as Real boss, has recorded another first.

He is the first manager to lead Madrid to the Spanish league title since Jose Mourinho did five years ago.

If Real beat Juventus in Cardiff, they will become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League.

Zidane had won the tournament six months into the job last summer.

May 22, 2017
I can’t wait for Champions League final – Ronaldo

Real Madrid’s players head straight back to Madrid on Sunday night to celebrate with their supporters after winning the club’s 33rd La Liga title in Malaga – their first for five years.

‘We deserve it,’ said Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the first goal in a 2-0 win inside two minutes. ‘This success tastes really good, and even sweeter to do it in the last week of the season.

‘I feel really happy and really fresh at the right time of the season. Now we can enjoy it before we prepare for the Champions League final.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after sealing his second La Liga title with Real Madrid on Sunday

Zinedine Zidane was given the bumps by his jubilant players and he saluted his squad when mobbed by reporters on the final whistle.

He said: ‘Ronaldo is always there when you need him. He was at his best at the right time but this is a victory for all the players.

Real Madrid lift head coach Zinedine Zidane after they seal their first La Liga title in five years

Sergio Ramos, celebrating with Marcelo, revealed Real Madrid are heading home tonight

‘After 38 games if you are top you deserve, there can be no questions. It was really important to win the league this season. The credit is for all the players. They never dropped their level from the first game to the last.’

Sergio Ramos also spoke after the victory, which also saw Madrid set a new record for scoring in every game of the season for the first time in their history.

Ramos said: ‘We had a few bad games and suffered at times but we kept our heads in the end. We did enough to win what is, for me, the best league in the world and the hardest to win.

‘Now we can go back to Madrid and celebrate with our fans before the long build-up to the Champions League final.’

Gareth Bale picks up his first La Liga title since moving to Real Madrid in 2013

Real Madrid celebrate as a team as they prepare to receive their La Liga trophy

May 21, 2017
Real Madrid beat Sevilla to stay on course for La Liga title

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Real Madrid to win 4-1 against Sevilla on Sunday as they took another step towards the La Liga title.

Real led through Nacho’s controversial free-kick before Ronaldo pounced on a rebound to double their lead.

Stevan Jovetic replied after the break, but Ronaldo’s sensational second strike, his 401st for Real Madrid, and Toni Kroos’ late goal sealed victory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Real Madrid stay in second place behind FC Barcelona who beat Las Palmas 4-1 in another La Liga match on Sunday.

Reigning champions FC Barcelona keep hold of top spot courtesy of their head-to-head advantage.

But Real have a game in hand and need four points from their final two matches to lift their first title since 2012.

May 15, 2017
Ronaldo: We knew a goal would kill Atletico Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo believes the strength of Real Madrid’s squad was decisive as his team beat Atletico 4-2 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-final.

The home side were 2-0 up inside 16 minutes after a Saul Niguez bullet header and a penalty from Antoine Griezmann cut the defending champions’ 3-0 first-leg lead to a single goal.

But Isco hit back just before half-time, and Zinedine Zidane’s men saw out the rest of the game to set up a June 3 final against Juventus in Cardiff.

“We knew that with a goal we would kill them, we had more experience and we showed it,” Ronaldo told Cadena SER.

“Everything can happen, but I see the team well, we are strong. The players are very good, both those who play more and less often.”

Atletico manager Diego insisted he was proud of his players, despite defeat.

“Those first 30 minutes will be in the history of the stadium and the people,” he told Marca.

“It was an extraordinary game and there was great quality on show from so many players in our team.

” It’s a shame we can’t clone players like (Diego) Godin or Gabi, as they give their life to this club”

“It was a Champions League semi-final against a great opponent and they made things difficult for us in their stadium, but our team demonstrated why we have been competing the way we have for so many years.

“We believed we could do it and we were close to winning the tie.

The incredible attack meets the immovable defence… “We set the tie up well, but their goal hurt us a lot.”

May 11, 2017
Ronaldo in the mood for more Champions League glory

Real Madrid stars have arrived at the club’s impressive training base ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie with Atletico on Wednesday.

Los Blancos stars made their way to Real Madrid City on the eve of their match against city rivals at Vicente Calderon.

Real Madrid City is the club’s all-encompassing training base – which is 40 times bigger than the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at Real Madrid City ahead of the Champions League tie with Atletico

Sergio Ramos also arrived at the mega-complex, which includes 57 individual bedrooms

It includes the Alfredo Di Stefano training pitch, youth pitches, an indoor swimming pool, games room, cinema, restaurant and 57 individual bedrooms for the La Liga giants to utilise.

The leisure facilities at Real Madrid City will certainly help ease any tensions the Spanish giants have heading into the semi-final clash.

Zinedine Zidane’s men are sure to be spending the evening dissecting Atletico’s tactics and discussing means to quell the threats they pose.

But Real take a commanding 3-0 lead into the tie and look certain to join Juventus in the final in Cardiff next month – barring any major upsets.

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas will try and keep Atletico from overturning the 3-0 win in the first leg

Karim Benzema and Luka Modric will also be key men for Zinedine Zidane’s side on Wednesday

Cristiano Ronaldo once again provided on the main stage, as he so often does, by bagging a hat-trick at the Bernabeu last week.

It leaves a huge uphill struggle for Diego Simeone’s men, who will need to overturn a three-goal deficit – a feat they have not achieved since 2015 when Antoine Griezmann was the man to bag a hat-trick.

Atletico will need their talisman to step up once again if they have any chance of fighting for that Europe’s premier club trophy next month.

May 10, 2017
Ronaldo: The aging maestro still at his prolific best

You can see the expression right in his face, the mood through which he waves his hand towards the Santiago bernabeu fans making them to understand his ability and credibility in front of a goal post which you never know when he can unleash his wrath upon your team; whether you agree with me or not, Cristiano Ronaldo’s age does not determine whether he will stop scoring goals and most especially the one that can destabilize the morale of the opponent. Even Antoine Griezmann shook his head when he scored his second goal against Atletico Madrid; therefore, he cannot be overlooked and you can’t joke with him when he is in the 18 yard box.

He may have been experiencing what I like to call a footballer’s nightmare. His struggles to find the back of the net seemed an almost impossible and implausible expectation.

He is arguably one the finest footballers the world of soccer will ever produce. Scoring 103 European goals; even Atletico Madrid can only brag of 100 European goals since its inception. Lionel Messi, his arch rival, is still struggling with 96 goals.

Regardless of his average scoring performance this season, it will be good advice for any one never to underestimate nor belittle his ability to attain a comeback- even at the age of 32. With his 42 hat tricks for real Madrid, 50 champions league knockout goals, and 13 semi-final goals, we cannot but celebrate the almost ethereal talent of the immaculate Ronaldo.

With the remarkable performance of Ronaldo on Tuesday, he has proven his doubters wrong once again after netting a hat trick against Diego Simeone’s side in the semi-final of the UEFA champions league in front of his home fans; this makes it his second hat trick against Simeone’s side this season and also making him the first player to ever score a back-to-back hat trick in the knockout stages of the UEFA champions league history.

He is indeed a god in the world of soccer; even Lionel Messi with his impressive achievements cannot but recognize Ronaldo’s amazing talent and his ubiquitous historical records.

Finally, Ronaldo has proven his might and the full extent of his talent by not only performing his ‘hat trick magic’ on smaller teams, but preponderantly on the best of the best in the international platform of the Champions league.

With my above postulations and overwhelming evidences, I have just one question for you: Are you still one of his enemies?

May 5, 2017
Ronaldo can play anywhere – Zidane

Zinedine Zidane claims Cristiano Ronaldo is so good “he could play anywhere”.

The Real Madrid superstar has had to adapt his game in the past couple of seasons, gradually morphing into a more traditional number nine after spending his earlier years at Sporting CP, Manchester United and Madrid as a marauding winger with a keen eye for goal.

The 32-year-old has not scored for four LaLiga games but was the inspiration behind Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final win over Bayern Munich with five goals across the two legs.

And, speaking ahead of Saturday’s visit of Valencia to Santiago Bernabeu, Zidane was full of praise for Ronaldo.

He said: “Ronaldo has always played on the wing but he has the quality to play in several positions. He could play as an out-and-out striker as he’s a great player.

“And almost 400 goals as a winger… that’s something we can’t forget. It’s an amazing achievement but he’s so good he could play anywhere.”

Zidane has several selection posers to solve before the weekend with Gareth Bale injured and Isco, Marco Asensio, James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata all vying to fill the void.

The Frenchman must also consider the fact Madrid play city rivals Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

He added: “I don’t have a set idea [on how to replace Bale], there are lots of options.

“I have to look at the opponents for example, how they play, what’s the best option for us but I know I have lots of options because all my players are good and have versatility.”

Zidane offered a fitness update on central defender Pepe, who has not played since suffering a rib injury against Atletico on April 8.

“I don’t know anything about his future,” Zidane said of the 34-year-old, whose contract expires in June. “But there’s a pain in his ribs. He is in better shape and hopefully he’ll be back before the end of the season.”

April 28, 2017
Italian model makes outrageous claim about Ronaldo’s manhood

Television star, Elisa De Panicis has alleged that Cristiano Ronaldo uses “filling” to make his manhood appear larger in photo-shoots.

The 29-year-old was linked with the Real Madrid attacker following Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph.

The pair met while on separate holidays in Ibiza – Ronaldo as he recovered from the Euros and De Panicis after her appearance on Spain’s version of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.

In July, De Panicis was asked was she in love with the footballer, telling Novella2000 “How could I not be?”

The model expanded on the relationship while appearing on Chilean reality show Doble Tentacion, describing how the relationship started.

“I got his number and I sent him a message. We had fun and we had a good friendship,” she said, “but not anything special.”

April 26, 2017
‘Frustrated’ Ronaldo bans girlfriend from hosting parties

Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez has been banned from hosting any parties, because her boyfriend thinks they are unlucky.

Rodriguez had planned a celebration for the aftermath of Sunday’s Clasico, which would have all but secured the title for Real Madrid had they won.

But Lionel Messi scored a superb last-minute winner to put Barcelona top of the table at their great rivals expense.

Ronaldo was left devastated after Real Marid suffered a last-gasp defeat in El Clasico

And now Ronaldo has banned Rodriguez from hosting any more parties, according to Portuguese tabloid Correio da Manha.

The party in question was due to be at Ronaldo’s house – had Real triumphed at the Bernabeu it would have seen them move six points clear at the top of La Liga with a game in hand.

But the late goal has seen the Ballon d’Or winner turn sour at the idea, with Rodriguez now apparently ‘forbidden’ from hosting events at his house because he sees them as bad luck.

Madrid had looked to have earned what would have been a crucial point despite playing with 10 men after Sergio Ramos’ red card.

But although James Rodriguez equalised with just five minutes remaining, Real over-committed while looking for a win and were caught on the break in the final few seconds.

Rodriguez had planned a celebration for the aftermath of the game at Ronaldo’s house

But that party, and any subsequent ones, have now been ruled out by the Real Madrid star

April 24, 2017
CL: Perfect hat-trick for Ronaldo, beat Bayern Munich 4-2
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a perfect hat-trick as holders Real Madrid needed extra time to beat 10-man Bayern Munich 4-2 and reach the Champions League semi finals for the seventh straight season.

The Portuguese star took his tally to 100 in the competition as Los Blancos prevailed 6-3 on aggregate at the Bernabeu after the Bavarians had threatened a stunning comeback.

A Ronaldo brace had given Zinedine Zidane’s men a 2-1 victory in the first leg, but they struggled to control a determined Bayern side, who drew level in the tie at 3-3 on aggregate when Sergio Ramos put through his own net 13 minutes from time. It came just moments after Ronaldo had cancelled out Robert Lewandowski‘s penalty opener on the night.

However, the big turning point came when Arturo Vidal was harshly sent off for a second bookable offence six minutes from the end of normal time.

Bayern defied the odds by continuing to attack in extra time, but Ronaldo struck twice from offside positions to kill the tie. Substitute Marco Asensio then rubbed salt in Bayern’s wounds with a solo fourth.

The result brings a successful conclusion to the first part of a big week for Real, who can take a giant stride towards the La Liga title when they host rivals, Barcelona on Sunday evening.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat trickReuters

TALKING POINT

Real are clear favourites for a 12th crown – but shocking decisions cost Bayern. With Bayern out and Barcelona needing another miracle at the Nou Camp to progress, it’s looking like Los Blancos will be the stand-out name in the last four draw on Friday. You have to go back as far as AC Milan in 1990 for the last time a side retained the trophy, but Real are now in a strong position to break the hoodoo as the first team to successfully defend the title. Bayern will feel aggrieved. At 3-3 on aggregate and with the visitors on top, Vidal’s sending off for what looked like a fair challenge was no doubt a key moment. They will also point to the fact Ronaldo was offside for his second and third of the night as Real got lucky with the officials.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid). On any other night it would have been Marcelo. But Ronaldo is a pure match winner. He hits new landmarks for fun and was the major difference in the tie overall.

PLAYER RATINGS

REAL MADRID: Navas 6; Carvajal 8, Ramos 7, Nacho 7, Marcelo 8; Casemiro 6, Kroos 7, Modric 6; Isco 6, Benzema 6, Ronaldo 8. Subs: Asensio 7, Lucas Vazquez 6, Kovacic n/a.

BAYERN MUNICH: Neuer 8; Lahm 8, Boateng 7, Hummels 8, Alaba 6; Alonso 7, Vidal 6, Thiago 6; Robben 7, Ribery 7, Lewandowski 7. Subs: Kimmich 7, Costa 6, Muller 6.

Matchcast: Full match stats and commentary

KEY MOMENTS

9′ – BAYERN MUNICH CHANCE! Alaba and Ribery combine to tear Real’s defence to shreds on the left. The latter squares it for Thiago who sees a goalbound shot blocked by Marcelo with Robben smashing the loose ball into the side netting from a narrow angle.

51′ – BAYERN MUNICH CHANCE! Marcelo saves Real with a brilliant header off the line to clear Robben’s dinked effort with Navas stranded.

53′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH. Lewandowski coolly sends Navas the wrong way from the spot after Casemiro was penalised for tripping Robben on the left side of the area. (It’s 2-2 on aggregate, but Real still lead on away goals scored).

Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates a goalGetty Images

76′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-1 BAYERN MUNICH. Real are level and it’s that man Ronaldo once again. It’s 3-2 on aggregate as he powers a header into the far corner from Casemiro’s probing cross.

78′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-2 BAYERN MUNICH. Ramos with an own goal! It’s 2-1 to Bayern and 3-3 on aggregate. It’s all square in this tie. The Spanish defender inadvertently prods it into the corner after Lewandowski had caused anxiety to set into the Real rearguard.

84′ – RED CARD! Vidal gets a second yellow for a foul on Asensio. It looks like he got the ball… harsh decision!

105′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-2 BAYERN MUNICH. Real are level once again and it’s that man Ronaldo. It’s 99 in the CL as he takes down Ramos’ cross and fires beyond Neuer. It’s now 4-3 to Real on aggregate.

109′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-2 BAYERN MUNICH. HAT-TRICK! Ronaldo makes it 3-2 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate. Marcelo breaks free and puts it on a plate for the Portuguese to tap home his 100th goal in the CL. It’s a perfect treble too.

112′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 4-2 BAYERN MUNICH. It’s 4-2 on the night and 6-3 on aggregate. Asensio seals the tie with a mazy run and lovely right-foot finish beyond Neuer and into the far corner.

Toni Kroos of Real Madrid, Arjen Robben of Bayern Munich, Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid, Marcelo of Real Madrid, goalkeeper Keylor Navas of Real Madridduring the UEFA Champions League quarter final match between Real Madrid and Bayern MunichGetty Images

KEY STATS
- Real Madrid have reached the semis for a record seven seasons in a row.
- Ronaldo has become the first player to score 100 Champions League goals.
- Only Juventus (22) have had more red cards in the Champions League than Bayern Munich (19).
April 18, 2017