Cristiano Ronaldo never fails in finals

Cristiano Ronaldo never fails in finals

Rumours of Cristiano Ronaldo's professional demise may have been exaggerated as the Portuguese forward netted the winning goal in the Club World Cup final on Saturday, furthering the notion that he simply never fails in finals.

Domestically, the former Manchester United star has endured his least prolific campaign since he arrived in the Spanish capital back in 2009, suspension and a lack of form hardly helping him along the way.

Cristiano's goal is worth a Club World Cup

Zinedine Zidane was quick to praise the veteran after the final whistle in the United Arab Emirates, with Ronaldo having once again stood up to be counted when a title was on the line.

"He never fails," he explained in his post-match interview.

It's been a monumental year for Los Blancos; Saturday's continental triumph has seen Zidane's charges break a club record with five trophies in a single calendar year.

It must also be remembered that in all the decisive final matches throughout the run, one player has made an immeasurable contribution.

In the Champions League final in Cardiff, Ronaldo scored twice, on the final LaLiga Matchday he scored at the Estadio La Rosaleda, and he scored in the Supercopa de Espana too.

Ronaldo is the one for the big occasions, even stretching back to his time at Old Trafford when he scored in a Champions League and League Cup final.

His 34th free-kick goal for the Spanish club was a memorable one, the power with which he struck the ball helping it fixx past Marcelo Grohe into the corner; his 423rd strike for Los Blancos.

Despite the success, Ronaldo was once again eager to show himself in front of the cameras and defend his record, a record which has been maligned by many this term.

"I don't have to constantly talk about myself," he intimated.

"The numbers don't lie, they speak for themselves.

"I'm very happy to have won another title, Real Madrid have never won five trophies in a year and we wanted to do that."

Speculation over his future is something that will never go away, and reports that he is unhappy in Madrid have followed the Portuguese international since 2013.

"You know who is in charge at this club," he joked.

"If I can, I want to retire in Madrid, although that doesn't depend on me.

"I don't want to leave the club, I just do my work on the pitch and do it well."

Read More

Real Madrid are the best in Spain, Europe and the world after a sensational 2017

Real Madrid are the best in Spain, Europe and the world after a sensational 2017

Saturday's victory over Gremio brought an end to what has been a sensational 2017 for Real Madrid, the victory seeing them crowned world champions and receiving the acclaim of being the best team in both Spain and Europe.

Zinedine Zidane has overseen a calendar year which most clubs can only dream of, and in fact Real Madrid themselves have only ever previously lifted four trophies in a single year to this point.

The French coach has broken new ground and is second on the all-time list of successful managers the Spanish giants have had.

Winning LaLiga was bordering on an obsession for those within the confines of Valdebebas as their last domestic title came in the Jose Mourinho era.

Yet, once that trophy was claimed, few could have envisaged the consistent success that was to follow with a commanding victory over Juventus in Cardiff seeing the club become the first in the modern era to retain the Champions League crown.

The mood around the club when the former Juventus midfielder arrived was a bleak one, Rafa Benitez's appointment hadn't been successful and the morale within the squad was at a real low.

Dark clouds surrounded the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Florentino Perez's standing amongst supporters was decreasing like never before, yet now there is only sunshine surrounding the famous stadium.

Perez has been re-elected unopposed and the club are well placed to win a third straight European title, although they would have liked a much easier draw than a two-legged tie with Paris Saint-Germain.

Winning six trophies in a year would have matched the achievement of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona team, and this will be the target in 2018, although Madrid have a much tougher starting point this time around.

Read More

Las Palmas youth team smash 47 goals in one game to incite fury on the Canaries

Las Palmas youth team smash 47 goals in one game to incite fury on the Canaries

A47-0 win for Las Palmas B against Las Coloradas B has raised questions about how the domination of the Gran Canarian club at youth level is damaging grassroots football in the Canary Islands.

Last season Las Palmas easily won all 11 of their youth category leagues, a normal feat for a club which has dominated the football scene on the islands for decades.

But on Saturday, the size of the 47-0 result appears to have been the final straw for many involved in youth football with a debate brewing on social media about the future of the grassroots game.

Las Coloradas, who went into the game having conceded 147 goals and scoring just 12 this season, are not happy to be in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

They blame the competition's system which forces them to play a team as vastly superior as Las Palmas are.

They have also questioned the attitude of the LaLiga team's youth coaches for not encouraging their young players to pass more instead of persisting with relentless attacking pressure.

Is grassroots football well designed in the Canary Islands? Do children learn by humiliating others? Will those who lose in this way learn to hate the sport as they grow up? The debate is underway.

Read More

Vinicius in no rush to reach Real Madrid

Vinicius in no rush to reach Real Madrid

There may be a lack of firepower at Real Madrid this season but it seems that Vinicius is not going to be the man to bolster the attack anytime soon.

Los Blancos have already sealed the Brazilian's signature for 45 million euros and yet it is unclear exactly when he will make the hop across the Atlantic.

"I have been on vacation for three days," said the striker after the Brazilian season came to an end.

"Let's think about it after the New Year, but I intend to stay until the end of 2018. After winning the Copa Libertadores, I will be able to play for Real Madrid."

Marcelo SayaoEFE

The date which Vinicius makes the switch is in the player's court, with the possibility to go at the end of Real's season, the end of the calendar year, or even as late as the summer of 2019.

Talks are planned for the coming days to get an update on Vinicius' mindset with it understood that he has no intention of moving to Europe, only to go out on loan.

In that scenario, he would much rather stay and fight for Flamengo, for whom he has been used as a substitute most often in the season just gone.

However, it is accepted by many at the club that a refreshed side is needed for the next campaign with the striker in line for a more prominent role under coach Reinaldo Rueda.

Read More

Florentino Perez The Santiago Bernabeu of the 21st century

Florentino Perez The Santiago Bernabeu of the 21st century

Although the names that always appear when talking about the great history of Real Madrid are those of Di Stefano, Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul or other players, the truth is that the great architect of the legend of the club is another man, who gives his name to their stadium: Santiago Bernabeu.

The greatest Madridista won 30 titles during his time as president, and now, the club has found another man capable of continuing such success.

Florentino Perez, with his third Club World Cup, has reached 22 titles during his tenure as president.

Seven in his first term, the Galactico era, and 15 already during this second stage, more than half of them achieved with Zinedine Zidane.

He is the Santiago Bernabeu of the 21st century, both in terms of titles and his importance to the club.

A president who has revolutionised Real Madrid and who has restored them to the top of world football.

His record, with four Champions Leagues, four LaLiga's, four world championships (one Intercontinental and three Club World Cups), four European Super Cups, four Supercopa's de Espana and two Copa's del Rey, can only be compared to Santiago Bernabeu.

It's a spectacular trophy haul for a man who has no competition for the presidency and who threatens to extend his legacy... and his 'trophy room.'

Read More

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to be the world is highest paid player

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to be the world is highest paid player

Recently relegated to the third step of this particular podium, Cristiano Ronaldo is beginning to make his claim to the Real Madrid hierarchy that he should become the best paid footballer in the world.

In the aftermath of a man of the match performance in the Club World Cup final, which came so soon after his latest Ballon d'Or award, there is a sense inside the club that the winger has his eye on another leaderboard of sorts.

Renewing his Real deal 13 months ago, Ronaldo has since dropped behind Paris Saint-Germain's world record signing Neymar and Lionel Messi when it comes to earnings, with the Barcelona star raking in around 50 million euros per season.

Ronaldo's goal versus Gremio

That contract is nailed on for three-and-a-half more years at this moment in time, with the salary awarded to the player considered abundant within Los Blancos.

But the arguments for Ronaldo matching or surpassing his Ballon d'Or rivals continue to grow, with one big for-life contract perhaps on the horizon for the Portuguese icon.

That said, for now there is no intention to open up any such discussions on the Madrid side of things, with the acknowledgement that this particular landscape is vulnerable to being shaken up if their star man decides to lobby for a better deal.

Read More

Zidane It is fundamental that Cristiano Ronaldo stays at Real Madrid until he retires

Zidane It is fundamental that Cristiano Ronaldo stays at Real Madrid until he retires

The lingering doubt around Cristiano Ronaldo's future remains a concern for Zinedine Zidane, who wants to see the forward stick around at Real Madrid as long as possible after firing the winner in the Club World Cup final.

With a free-kick early in the second-half of Sunday's encounter with Gremio, Ronaldo sent Los Blancos to their second straight crowning as the champions of the world in Abu Dhabi.

"It is fundamental for us that Ronaldo stays until the very end," Zidane told his post-match press conference. "This is his home.

"I hope he stays here until the end, until the day he retires. We all know what he can do out on the pitch."

Zidane himself now has an incredible haul of trophies in a short spell at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, with the Frenchman pleased to overtake Spanish icon Vicente del Bosque's record.

"I think most about LaLiga because that is the most demanding," he contemplated.

"This is a very good moment for Real Madrid. I don't know if it's golden, but we're doing very well. We're doing something very important.

"I think my tally is very good. I didn't expect to be up with del Bosque. You have to congratulate the players because what they are doing isn't easy."

The single goal beating of Brazilian outfit Gremio was hardly a classic, but the coach was nonetheless exultant about his side's efforts.

"We played very well, with intensity," said Zidane. "We were great.

"When we start playing like that, it is very tough for our opponents. I'm very happy."

Los Blancos now travel back to Spain to rest and soak up their latest triumph before heading into the Christmas Clasico on December 23.

Read More

Florentino Real will be improved but it is best not to touch when things are going well

Florentino Real will be improved but it is best not to touch when things are going well

Having just won another Club World Cup trophy, Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, noted that the team will be improved at some point, but that it was best left alone whilst they were playing so well.

A 1-0 victory over Gremio was never in doubt after the Brazilian's offered nothing across the 90 minutes.

"Everyone tells us that we are a great team and that we are just winners," Perez said to reporters after the game.

"That we give the best version in the finals.

"It's true, we're used to winning them."

The January transfer window is just a few weeks away and rumours have suggested that Real will be in the market for new players.

"Every team is susceptible to improvement," the president continued.

"But when things go well the best thing is not to touch.

"We have young players who are going to be important soon, and now we want to enjoy what we have."

Cristiano Ronaldo was the match winner once again, and Perez had no time for anyone daring to question the Portuguese talisman.

"To question Cristiano is to question Madrid and almost question football," he noted.

"He always shows his ambition."

Read More

Modric claims 2017 Club World Cup golden ball

Modric claims 2017 Club World Cup golden ball

There can be no arguments after Luka Modric was handed the golden ball award as the best player at the 2017 Club World Cup.

Magnificent in orchestrating the play in both of Real Madrid's wins, the Croatian came within inches of getting his name on the scoresheet as his team beat Gremio 1-0 on Sunday.

Named the man of the match in the semi-final victory over Al-Jazira, Modric came ahead of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the silver ball for the tournament and the man of the match prize for the final.

Coming third was Pachuca winger Jonathan Urretaviscaya, as decided by the FIFA technical committee.

Read More

Why did Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate his goal with Lucas Vazquez?

Why did Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate his goal with Lucas Vazquez?

Real Madrid's exceptional 2017 improved yet further on Saturday evening with the club winning a second successive Club World Cup, though Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration with Lucas Vazquez specifically, has raised questions.

His 53rd minute free-kick took advantage of a poorly structured Gremio defensive wall in a match that was closely contested to that point.

Upon realising the ball had hit the net, the Portuguese forward ran to the bench in search of the Galician midfielder, who in turn ran onto the pitch to embrace his teammate.

Following the conclusion of the match, Vazquez shed a degree of light onto the situation in his post-match interview.

"I told Cristiano he was going to score," he explained.

"That's why he rushed towards me."

Read More