Cristiano Ronaldo has reported back to training with the Real Madrid first team this Monday, after being out of action for almost 2 months. The Portuguese captain was injured in the Euro 2016 final, where Portugal defeated favorites France with a score of 1-0 to win the tournament.
Now, even though he's been out of training with the first team, Ronaldo has been staying busy by working out in the gym to keep his fitness level up. But now that hes reported back to the first team squad, he is fired up and raring to go. No date is set for his return, but all signs are pointing to a very close date as photos on his Instagram account show him in training unleashing a ferocious volley during training.
In Barcelona news, Lionel Messi has aggravated an ongoing hamstring injury that might see him miss this Saturday's game against Alaves. Messi, who led Argentina to a 1-0 victory against Uruguay during a World Cup qualifying match will also miss Wednesday's match against Venezuela. Messi has been recommended by Barcelona team doctors to, "lighten his training load over the next few days and his availability will depend on how the issue progresses" as stated on the Barcelona website.
Cristiano Ronaldo's record breaking continues, as on November's 14th match for the European Championship against Armenia, he slotted home from close range the game winning goal, as well as goal number 23. That's 23 goals in all of the tournaments he's been in for the European championship's, making him the all-time goalscorer in the tournament, surpassing Denmark's Jon Dahl. Scoring 23 goals, in 37 games for Portugal in Euro tournaments, Ronaldo has been in amazing form and doesn't look like he will be stopping anytime soon. With the win against Armenia, Portugal is looking pretty capable of moving into the next round, with just one point behind Denmark, and in doing so Cristiano Ronaldo is sure to add to his goal tally.
The Portuguese star is having an amazing season so far for both club and international duties, in the Champion's League, and the Copa del Rey, while also hitting the back of the net 20 times in just 10 games for Madrid. At the rate he's going, Ronaldo is set to possibly go on and win the coveted Balon d'Or award in January. He currently made the short list for the award, including players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, and of course Messi, among others. But, at the form that he is in, he's a good choice, if not the choice to win it again. Paul Pogba from France was quoted as saying that Cristiano is the, "logical choice", "For me, it will be him," the Juventus midfielder said when talking to France Football Magazine. "It's logical, but it's logical for everyone, right?" In case you need more convincing, here's just a little list of SOME of his accomplishments in 2014. Enjoy! If you think Ronaldo should win the Balon d'Or please leave a comment below, or if not, I would love to hear from you guys who you do think should win. Also follow me on Twitter at @RobertoVindell and follow my friends at @Pepper_Football for great football blogs.
Javier Hernandez, better known as "Chicharito" to soccer fans, is being heavily linked to Spanish soccer club Real Madrid. If true, this transfer would be a direct result from the Falcao deal not falling through for Real Madrid, who were trying to lure him away from A.S. Monaco on a one year loan deal as well.
From what we know, Chicharito has only played a total of 45 minutes this season so far in the Premier League for Manchester United. Also, being that Benzema just signed an extension to hus contract, Chicharito will play the role of a back-up striker to the Frenchmen. Not a bad back-up I think. Chicharito is a decent player and his work ethic on the pitch is great. His mobility inside the penalty box is great and his awareness on the pitch is pretty good. I'm sure he's going to make a few waves given the chance.
If rumours are true and "Los Blancos" sign Chicharito, will this conclude Madrid's shopping spree or will there be one more signing perhaps to fill the void of Xabi Alonso leaving? Who would you like Madrid to sign? Let me know in the comments below, and also let me know about Chicharito's possible move to Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti is the new manager for Real Madrid. Carlo comes to Madrid after leading Paris St. Germain to a French Ligue 1 title last season. Madrid president Florentino Perez has said countless times that he wanted Ancelotti to be the man to replace Mourinho. Mourinho left Madrid with the team divided and Ancelotti's non confrontational approach to coaching will undoubtedly unite the dressing room again. Which is desperately needed for the team.
Carlo's resume is filled with great trophies and accolades. Coaching big team's like Juventus and Chelsea, as well as winning many trophies which include Champion's League titles and multiple league titles, most recently with Paris St. Germain.
So as all of you guys know, the great David Beckham has retired. I'm a bit late cause I've been busy with work and life. I've been wanting to write on Beckham's recent retirement for awhile now, and what it mean's to me as a soccer fan and a David Beckham fan.
All through out my life, I've looked up to two soccer players with feverish passion, the first one, as all my friends and relatives know is the Brazilian Ronaldo, or the Phenomenon. I've looked up to him since I first saw him in a Brazil jersey way back in 96' in the Olympic's. I was 10, and he was everything I wanted to be as a soccer player, super-speed, strength of a bull, and did I say super-speed! A couple of days after the Olympic games, I saw a game that to many soccer fan's that watched it, is forever burned in their memories. In the 96'-97' season of the English Premier League, Manchester United was playing against Wimbledon, and were up 2-0. The flow of the game evolved from Manchester's back four towards the midfield, when all of a sudden the right midfielder for the Red Devil's took a pass deep in the center of the park and noticed Neil Sullivan (keeper for Wimbledon) standing way to far from his goal. Without hesitation Beckham struck from the midfield, and the ball, like a heat-seeking missile went straight into the goal. No bounce or anything, it went straight in, and the only thing that stopped the ball was the goal's net. I was left with my mouth wide open, and ever since that game, David Beckham became a house-hold name. I'm pretty sure not just to me personally either but to many soccer fan's around the world.
After that day, I had another hero. The more I saw of him the more I loved the guy. I started following his career throughout Manchester United, then to Real Madrid, where he, alongside Ronaldo, Zidane, Figo, Roberto Carlos, Raul and company became what is known as "the Galactico's Era". All these amazing soccer players, the best of the best, all in one team. It was every soccer fan's wet dream. Even the team's nickname sounded heroic. Straight out of a comic book... Los Galactico's... The Galactics. Throughout the season I would watch these Titan's play beautiful soccer. These guys were God's among men to me. I loved every minute of it. Beckham was crucial in the team getting silverware and his signature free-kicks were just to much for opposing team's... Especially because they didn't know if they were getting a bullet shot from Roberto Carlos, or a banana curved shot from Beckham. As I got older, watching my heroes play, I realized the real reason why I loved Beckham so much. The reason why I loved David so much was that he was a working-class soccer player. What I mean by that is that Beckham's ability weren't god given, he wasn't born with amazing abilities. No, he worked and worked and honed is skills. I'm not saying that every great soccer player is born with great skill and abilities, but some are. For example Lionel Messi has amazing skills. There's videos of him at a really young age doing things that grown men can't, of course he's gotten better over the years through training and practicing but his initial ability was god given natural talent.
In David Beckham's case he trained and trained to become the player he is today. He was never the fastest, and he never had a set of dribbling skills like Ronaldo ( the Phenomenon). Nonetheless through his resilience and just drive he became good enough to play amongst these other soccer giants in the end becoming one himself. David is known for his amazing dead-ball skills ex: free-kicks, corner-kicks. Also is crossing was sublime. It was these abilities that made him a force on the pitch, and an outstanding player. But the way he honed is skills was the reason I love this guy. There's countless storied about how he would stay hours after practice taking an extra 35-40 free-kicks from different spots on the field. It was this drive that made him great, and it was this drive that took him this far.
Aside from his drive and just overall hard-work ethic, the other thing that stood out to me was his passion. No matter what shirt he had on he played with the strongest of passion. He's one of the few players that I could look on the pitch and just know he was giving 125% in all games. Overall he was just a hard-working player that always put his heart into every game and was passionate. As cheesy as this sound's, Beckham's drive and hard-working ethic is something I always strive to do, whether it's in a small sided pick up game of soccer, or work. I always try to give my all in anything I do. Something David Beckham has taught me. So I knew the day would come when the last of my soccer heroes would retire. It killed me, I was shattered. His last game was for Paris St. Germain, and he went out like any soccer great, any soccer god should... On top! Paris St. Germain won the French Ligue and David Beckham had a teary-eyed standing ovation. Perfect ending to a world-class player's career. Perfect way to say good-bye to the last Galactico. Thank you David, for the memories and inspiration.
Real Madrid have just released a statement saying that at the end of the season, Jose Mourinho will be gone. He's leaving with 3 years still left on his contract. According from the information currently out, both Mourinho and Real Madrid reached a mutual agreement deal. What the deal is no one knows... Yet. I'm sure in the near future more info will be released. What we do know is that one of the candidates currently in Madrid's radar is Carlos Ancelotti, who's currently managing Paris St. Germain. Another rumour that looks highly possible is Mourinho's return to Chelsea.
Mourinho who's 50, had joined Madrid after winning the Champion's League with Inter Milan back in 2010. For 3 years he was managing Madrid, with not a whole lot of silverware to show for it. In those 3 years he won 1 League title, 1 King's Cup, and 1 Super Cup. As well as 3 semi-final appearances in the Champion's League. Which for most soccer fan's that sounds like great accomplishments, but for a team with the pedigree and history of Real Madrid that's just not good enough.
So adios Mourinho, thank you for some great memories, as well as some of the most entertaining "Clasicos" that I have ever seen. Whether it's Chelsea or any other team, I'll be sure to keep an eye on "the Special One".
Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray is going to be another entertaining game. For most people, this seems like an easy match-up for Madrid, but for soccer scholars, have we forgotten the amazing comeback displayed by the Turkish club back in April 3rd in 2001. In that Champions League series the Turkish squad came from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2. The second leg was a bit of a different story, Madrid won the second encounter 3-0, eliminating the Turkish club from the tournament.
So how will Galatasaray stand up to Spanish giants Real Madrid? The first leg is slated to be played on April 3rd at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. The fact that the first encounter is going to be an away game is crucial for a team like Galatasaray. Being that the game isn't a home game means that a goal is highly valuable. Going into the first leg expect to see a highly motivated attack squad, especially in the first half of the game. Led by Wesley Sneijder who's the midfield general, look for him to link up with ex-Chelsea player Didier Drogba playing up front.
Real Madrid will have a different mindset. Being that its a home game, they know the importance of an away goal getting scored on them. Look for the Madrid side to play a balanced game. Most likely using Xabi Alonso as a holding midfielder launching long-balls to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ozil. As for their front, most likely Benzema will start and provide for a better counter attack option down each flank, winning crosses sent in by Ronaldo and Di Maria.
As for set pieces I'm giving the edge to Madrid. They have players with amazing heading ability that can really get up there when needed to. Look for Sergio Ramos to get a few headed shots on target if Madrid are awarded corners. A pretty exciting match, with a pretty star studded lineup on both sides of the field. Players to watch for this one are going to be Wesley Sneijder playing for Galatasaray and Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid. Both will be setting the tempo for each team and when these players are on, look out for fireworks.
When one thinks of La Liga, there are only two teams that most soccer fans think of, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Countless times and for many years we have enjoyed theses two football giants go at it and dispute the Spanish league in close competition. That was then, but this year Madrid are in a slump. Currently sitting in 3rd for the league title with 37 points behind Athletico Madrid who have 44 and then Barcelona sitting at the top with a comfortable 55 points the league looks more then won.
Many Madristas are asking "Why?" Why the dip in form? What caused this? For many there is only one man responsible and that is Jose Mourinho. The Real Madrid manager has been under fire this season allegedly causing a rift between his Spanish players and Portuguese players as well. Which caused a implosion within the team and most likely caused the lack-luster style of play. On top of that he relegated Spanish national team and Madrid captain Iker Casillas to the bench. Casillas to Madrid isn't just a player, he's a living legend and a hero. He's the greatest goalkeeper in the game now and you bench him why?
Regardless, Madrid are 18 points behind Madrid. The league is pretty much over for them. If I were him, I would patch up this civil war that he has started in the locker room, and focus on the two tournaments that could salvage the teams poor performance in La Liga: Spanish Cup and the highly prestigious Champions League. The Madrid supporters have long been dreaming of winning "La Decima" or the "the Tenth" Champions League title which no other team in Europe has achieved. Only then will Madristas forgive the mess that Mourinho has made... Maybe... and thats a big maybe.
April 16th 2011... A normal day for most, but for soccer fans, this marks the 2nd Classico between Spanish league giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. Both teams are at the top of their league tables with Barcelona on top once again, and Madrid trailing them by 5 points. Last time the team's met, they met at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, and now the venue changes to the historic Santiago Bernabeu. But will having a home feel advantage really give Madrid the edge they so desprately need? Win or lose the league is pretty muchalready decided. If Madrid wins, they will cut down the chase for the league by 2. Barcelona really is playing with no real pressure this time around, especiall with the massacre they gave Madrid last time they met in their first encounter, a hurtful 5-0! which also marked the first home-field loss to Jose Mourinho in almost 5 years. So what is Madrid playing for then... Confidence, and honor. See this year, Madrid and Barcelona will face each other 4 times in less than 18 days. Right after this Classico they'll face each other 4 days later for the final of the Spanish Cup, and then they face each other 2 more times for the majestic Champion's League. Both teams have reached the semi-finals, and they both want the Champions. Who wins? Who knows, but one thing is true, as a football fan, this is truely a gift for all soccer fan's. 4 Super Classico's in a row! Could life be any sweeter!
