The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Real Madrid

  • Ronaldo finally gets look-alike bust

    Ronaldo finally gets look-alike bust

     

    Cristiano Ronaldo may not be hitting his dizzying heights on the field this season but the Real Madrid star continues to be honoured off it.

    A new bust of the Portuguese talisman has been unveiled at the Real Madrid museum in tribute to his record-breaking career.

    Only this time, it actually resembles the 32-year-old.

    A previous attempt was widely mocked after it was displayed at the Madeira airport.

    The previous bronze bust, made by Emanuel Santos, left a lot to the imagination with many suggesting it looked more like former Sunderland man Niall Quinn.

    But Spanish sculptor Jose Antonio Navarro Arteaga has received nothing but praise for his look-a-like statue which was designed to depict the star’s interior strength.

    Speaking to El Mundo, he said: ‘I used several photos of Cristiano to work from.

    ‘What I wanted to reflect was his interior strength, when he was preparing to take a free kick or a corner.’

    The artist was inspired to produce a bust of the star after his Madrid loving son begged him to make a new one, after seeing the previous attempt in Madeira.

    The only criticism of the new statue is that it makes the attacker look better than he does in real life, which can’t be a bad thing for its creator.

    Ronaldo was unable to attend the unveiling of his new bust and will be working hard to get back to scoring ways.

    The star had scored just one goal in La Liga this season before finally adding his second during Madrid’s 3-2 win over Malaga on Saturday.

  • Ronaldo in secret talks with PSG

    Ronaldo in secret talks with PSG

     

    Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly held informal discussions over a potential transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

    Ronaldo has enjoyed a glittering eight-and-a-half year spell at the Bernabeu, with two league titles and three Champions League crowns among his achievements, but reports have suggested that the superstar is unhappy with life in Madrid.

    The 32-year-old has recently claimed that he has no intention of penning another deal at the La Liga giants and according to Diario Gol that has only encouraged PSG to enter the race for his signature.

    Talks have allegedly been held at a hotel in Madrid, with agent Jorge Mendes said to be ready to try to push through a deal should Ronaldo express a desire to move to Paris.

    PSG broke the world transfer record to sign Neymar from Barcelona last summer, while the Ligue 1 giants must also pay for Monaco teenager Kylian Mbappe, but it has been claimed that PSG would be willing to pay whatever it takes to add Ronaldo to their squad.

    Ronaldo has only scored one goal in eight appearances in La Liga this season, although the Portuguese international has netted eight times in the Champions League.

    Speculations are rising on the possibility of Ronaldo quitting Real Madrid especially with reported misunderstanding with team captain Sergio Ramos.

    The pair have apparently divided the dressing room with teammates taking sides, forcibly making it a hostile and awkward environment.

    Results have been far from pleasing on the pitch as Zinedine Zidane’s side trail league-leaders Barcelona by eight points.

    According to Marca, since the summer turn-around of players Ramos has seen a shift in power in his favour.

    Ronaldo’s fellow Portuguese contingent Pepe and Fabio Coentrao have both left the club, while personal friend James Rodriguez is on loan at Bayern Munich.

    Ramos is thought to have the respect of the younger players, while Nacho, Dani Carvajal, Marco Asensio, Isco and Dani Ceballos have also sided with the centre-back, it is reported.

    Ronaldo has openly criticised Madrid’s summer recruitment, but Ramos counteracted and defended it.

    The pair had a clash of opinions over Madrid’s summer recruitment policy.

    The winger is also thought to be upset at Ramos’ comments trying to lure Brazilian star Neymar to the Bernabeu, which would provide genuine competition for his place.

    After Spain’s recent draw with Russia over the international break, Ramos was asked about Ronaldo’s future in the Spanish capital.

    “Cristiano is leaving? Ask him, I don’t know about these things,” he replied.

  • Ronaldo rejects new deal serves quit notice

    Ronaldo rejects new deal serves quit notice

     

    An ‘angry’ Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly rejected a new contract at Real Madrid and demanded a transfer away from the Spanish giants at the end of the season.

    Ronaldo, who has previously made it clear he didn’t want to extend his current deal which runs out in 2021, was believed to have wanted to quit the club last summer.

    The Portuguese superstar opted to remain at the Bernabeu but reports in Spain on Tuesday have now suggested he doesn’t want to play for the club beyond this term.

    Spanish journalist Edu Aguirre, who works for TV station El Chiringuito, claimed Ronaldo has told Real Madrid president Florentino Perez of his decision.

    Aguirre adds that the 32-year-old former Manchester United star wants to leave middle of next year for a reasonable price

    However, Real Madrid are understood to have rejected his demand — which has further angered the wantaway star.

    It is believed Ronaldo doesn’t feel appreciated at Real, and the offer on the table is one more sign of how little Real Madrid values him.

    Aguirre insists Ronaldo is a ‘Madridista’, and loves the fans, but has his heart set on a move away after falling out with the club’s hierarchy.

    When asked this season if he was expecting to sign a new deal with Madrid, Ronaldo told beIN Sports: ‘I don’t want to renew.

    The Real Madrid forward has had a difficult start to the season, managing just one La Liga goal all season.

    Among clubs that have reportedly shown interest in having Ronaldo in their fold include former club Manchester United, French ligue 1 side PSG.  Others include Italian side Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan

  • Neymar to replace Ronaldo at the Bernabeu

    Neymar to replace Ronaldo at the Bernabeu

     

    Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reportedly met with Neymar’s dad to discuss bringing the Paris Saint-Germain star back to Spain to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.

    The Brazilian only arrived in Paris in the summer, leaving Real’s arch rivals Barcelona in a world-record £198million transfer.

    And he has hit the ground running at Parc des Princes, scoring 11 goals in 12 games for the big-spending French giants.

    However, according to Mundo Deportivo, it is understood that Perez and Neymar Snr have spoken about a possible return to Spain.

    Real Madrid were keen on signing the forward from Santos in 2013 but he opted to instead join Barca, where he won one Champions

    It is also reported that the door is always open at the Bernabeu — although a deal would only take place when Ronaldo’s contract expires in 2021.

    For now, though, it is understood Neymar is happy in France and is bidding to win silverware in his debut season in Ligue 1.

    There are fears at PSG that the Brazil international could be tempted to return to Spain if they fail to win major honours this season.

    The French side have moved to make him feel comfortable and it is believed he is settled in the dressing room, forging close relationships with fellow Brazilians Dani Alves, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Lucas Moura.

    His performances have played a key part in their positive start to the season, with PSG four points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

    They are also top of their Champions League group, winning all four of their matches including the 3-0 thrashing of German giants Bayern Munich.

  • Zidane rules Bale Carvajal out of Las Palmas clash

    Zidane rules Bale Carvajal out of Las Palmas clash

     

    Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal will not be included in Real Madrid’s squad to face Las

    Palmas as they continue to step up their recovery from injury and illness respectively, head coach Zinedine Zidane has confirmed.

    Bale suffered a calf injury in September and has missed seven games for Madrid and two World Cup qualifiers for Wales during that time, including the pivotal fixture against the Republic of Ireland in which the winger’s World Cup hopes went up in smoke.

    After training with the first team this week, there had been hope that Bale could return against Las Palmas on Sunday with Madrid having followed up a shock 2-1 LaLiga loss to Girona with a 3-1 reverse against Tottenham in the Champions League.

    But Bale, who Zidane confirmed will not go with Wales on international duty this month, and full-back Carvajal – who was ruled out indefinitely in September with a heart condition and trained this week – will not be risked.

    “We’re happy they’re both back in the fold, we need [Mateo] Kovacic to return hopefully next week [to have a fully fit squad],” he told a pre-match news conference.

    “As for Dani, things are normal now, the same for Gareth Bale. It was the second training session with the team for Gareth and Dani too, we’re happy to have them both back.

    “They won’t be in the squad. After Dani’s been out he’ll need time to recover, he’s going to be here, he’ll work and he’s going to train.

    “The same goes for Gareth, he’s not going to be named in the squad, he’s not going to go away on international duty, he’ll stay here. We want him to stay here to work with us and recover so he can be back soon.”

    It was put to Zidane that the timing of the international break may come at an ideal time with several players staying behind, including Cristiano Ronaldo who was not included by Portugal for matches with Saudi Arabia and United States.

    And the Frenchman says the players staying in Madrid have to use the time to put in the

    hard yards on the training ground.

    “It’s been non-stop [for Ronaldo], we’ll have 10-12 days, he can focus on resting and

    preparing for what’s ahead,” he added.

     

  • Real Madrid join Barca and PSG Coutinho chase

    Real Madrid join Barca and PSG Coutinho chase

     

    Real Madrid are preparing to take on bitter rivals Barcelona for the signature of Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho next summer.

    The Brazilian star was the subject of several bids from Barcelona back in the summer transfer window, culminating in an £105million offer back in August.

    But Liverpool refused to sell him, having been left with insufficient time to reinvest the money, and Coutinho remained at Anfield.

    Liverpool are now braced for Barcelona to resume their efforts to sign the 25-year-old next summer – or even in January – but could profit from a bidding war between the La Liga leaders, their arch-enemies in Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

    According to Mundo Deportivo, the reigning European champions have already approached Liverpool to express their interest in Coutinho, who has scored four goals and supplied three assists this season.

    With Real’s interest, Barcelona will be keen to wrap up a deal in January, which could drive the asking price up even further.

    With Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler expected to leave next summer, PSG are also in the mix as they search for attacking players and playing alongside compatriot Neymar and young striker Kylian Mbappe could prove enticing to Coutinho.

    Coutinho has been used as an attacking midfielder, second striker and on the flanks, where he excels at providing assists for teammates.

    Due to his dribbling ability, pace, and agility, he has been compared to Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho by his former Espanyol manager Mauricio Pochettino who also said “Philippe has a special magic in his feet, while former Brazilian striker Careca has also compared him to Zico, due to his creativity even as he continues to get pat on tbe back from his teammates.

  • No return date yet for Gareth Bale-Zidane

    No return date yet for Gareth Bale-Zidane

     

    Zinedine Zidane refused to confirm if Gareth Bale will return to action for Real Madrid in  the Champions League clash against his former club Tottenham, although Dani Carvajal is back in training.

    Bale has been out for a month since suffering a calf injury in the Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund, in which he scored a stunning volley, and he missed Wales’ crucial World Cup qualifiers earlier this month, as they missed out on a ticket to Russia.

    Carvajal has been on the sidelines for even longer after the right-back was diagnosed with a viral infection that was affecting his pericardium, the membrane enclosing the heart, in September.

    While both players are on the comeback trail, neither will be fit enough to face Fuenlabrada in the Copa Del Rey on Thursday.

    “Dani is doing well,” Zidane told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s undergone tests and they’re positive.

    “Today he’s started to ride a bike and now his recovery will take time, but he’s healthy and I’m happy about that. He’ll have to go through the recovery process so let’s see.

    “Bale is already on the field, almost ready to train with the team, but I can’t give you a date for when he’ll be back.”

    Madrid travel to Wembley to play Spurs on November 1 in a match likely to decide which of the unbeaten teams claims top spot in Group H.

    First, Madrid play Girona in LaLiga on Sunday and tensions could run high considering the ongoing situation regarding the independence debate in Catalonia.

    Former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has extensively spoken out on the issue, but Zidane would not be drawn into a political discussion.

    “We are just going to play a game of football,” Zidane said. “We are going to have security there, as always. We just think about preparing for the game, not about what can happen outside.

    “Other coaches can talk about whatever they wish to. He [Guardiola] sees the chance to speak. But here [with the media] I just like to talk about football.”

  • Ramos gives partner post award special

    Ramos gives partner post award special

     

    Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos certainly knows how to celebrate a special achievement. After Monday’s recognition of his effort by World Soccer ruling body and stakeholders of the round leather game, Ramos took time off to enjoy a ‘just for two’ moment with his partner Pilar Rubio in London.

    The Spanish star attended the glitzy bash on Monday evening where he was named in the FIFPro World XI alongside four Real Madrid team-mates.

    Ramos remained in London the day after the event and took Pilar Rubio out for some dinner at a restaurant.

    The couple who are expecting their third child together — posed for a picture, which was posted on Instagram by the defender, while enjoying a date night.

    Ramos, who posed with what looked like a glass of white wine, captioned his social media post: ‘Dinner time with my love.’

    Meanwhile, his manager Zinedine Zidane — who claimed the top men’s coach at the awards on Monday — has heaped praise on Ramos.

    The defender has played a key part in Real Madrid’s recent success and captained them to a second successive Champions League triumph last season.

    And Zidane believes the 31-year-old centre back ‘is the most important player’ in the team.

    ‘Sergio Ramos is our captain and knows his status within the side,’ Zidane told Radio Marca.

    ‘In the end, he is the most important player in the team as he is the leader.

    ‘Madrid are the best club in the world and our goal is to keep making history with all these wonderful players and people who are at the club.’

     

     

     

     

  • Real Madrid to abandon team bus for safety reasons

    Real Madrid to abandon team bus for safety reasons

    Real Madrid will not use their branded team bus to transport players for the trip to Catalonia to play Girona on Sunday for security reasons, Spanish media reported on Tuesday.

    The club do not want the vehicle to become a target due to political unrest in the region over Catalonia’s bid for independence.

    Madrid do not usually bring the team coach to matches which are considered high risk, like the “El Classico” in Barcelona or away at Athletic Bilbao.

    The team are planning to arrive in Girona by plane on Saturday evening before the match on Sunday, which they will travel to in an unmarked coach, Marca said.

    However, the plans are subject to change based on the political situation.

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  • Perez rules out Real Madrid move for Kane

    Perez rules out Real Madrid move for Kane

     

    Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says he has no plans to sign Harry Kane.

    Perez says he has not enquired about the England striker because he believes Tottenham, who are 1/20 with Sky Bet to keep hold of the striker, would demand a world-record fee.

    Madrid have been linked with the 24-year-old after head coach Zinedine Zidane praised him before Tottenham’s trip to the Bernabeu in the Champions League last week.

    But Perez told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope he had no doubt Spurs would demand a fee in excess of the £200.6million paid by Paris St Germain to bring in Neymar from Barcelona in the summer.

    “Signing Harry Kane has not passed through my head,” Perez said. “He is a magnificent player and in addition he is young.

    “He has many years before him to progress. But we are delighted with the team we have, including (Karim) Benzema.”

    Asked if he had spoken to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy about Kane, Perez said: “No, because if I ask, he’ll tell me 250 million euros (£223million).”

    But Perez added that he has excellent relations with Levy after Madrid signed both Luka Modric and Gareth Bale from Spurs in recent seasons. Sky Bet make Real 8/1 to secure Kane’s signature before the end of the January transfer window.

    “We built a very good friendship,” he said. “Every time we win the European Cup, he told me the same thing: ‘Thank you for winning the European Cup with my players.”