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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.'

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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."

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Maradona the first to congratulate Florentino Perez on Club World Cup win

Maradona the first to congratulate Florentino Perez on Club World Cup win

Perhaps Florentino Perez maybe wasn't expecting the first man to embrace him after Real Madrid won the Club World Cup to be Diego Maradona, but so it was on Saturday evening.

Sitting in the royal box at Zayed Sports City Stadium, the champions' president was congratulated by the Argentine as well as FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Maradona was present at the final in his role as a FIFA ambassador, watching on as Cristiano Ronaldo bagged the only goal in a 1-0 win.

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Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 34th free-kick for Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 34th free-kick for Real Madrid

After a frustrating first-half in which the Brazilian side kept the European champions at bay, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the Club World Cup final against Gremio with his 34th free-kick for the club.

Despite having suffered a drought from set-pieces in recent times in comparison to his earlier years, the former Manchester United forward has generally been prolific from direct free-kicks.

Saturday evening was no different as he netted after 53 minutes, his first effort in the opening 45 minutes acting merely as a sighter having flown over the bar.

Ronaldo was fouled in the build-up to the goal and scored his seventh goal in the Club World Cup, affirming his position as the tournament's all-time highest scorer with his first coming with the English club back in 2008.

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Varane Real Madrid have had a fantastic 2017

Varane Real Madrid have had a fantastic 2017

After a well deserved Club World Cup final success against Gremio, Real Madrid's Raphael Varane pondered the wonderful 2017 that his club has had.

Five trophies across the year has made the current side the most successful in Los Blancos' 115-year history.

"We are happy," he said to reporters after the match.

"It hasn't been easy but we worked hard and have had a fantastic 2017."

Asked what he felt were the ingredients for success, Varane spoke in glowing terms about his teammates.

"The talent in the team is incredible," he continued.

"It's very difficult to win these finals, but we will continue fighting for more titles."

On a day when only one man wrote the headlines, the French defender praised Real's Portuguese marksman.

"It's always Cristiano," he said.

"Nobody should ever doubt his ability."

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Will Barcelona form a guard of honour for world champions Real Madrid?

Will Barcelona form a guard of honour for world champions Real Madrid?

Once again the Clasico has coincided with Real Madrid returning home for a triumphant Club World Cup campaign, with all eyes now on Barcelona and whether they will erect a guard of honour on December 23.

Last season, the Blaugrana decided not to after Los Blancos won in Japan and played their subsequent LaLiga game at the Camp Nou.

In addition, the Catalans also made no such salute to recognise Real's UEFA Super Cup win as they faced off in the Supercopa de Espana in August, although that would have been somewhat unusual.

And yet, Valencia produced a guard of honour for Madrid in January of 2015 with Real Betis doing likewise for Barcelona the season after.

There is no real precedent to follow in these circumstances, then, with Pep Guardiola once asking for L'Hospitalet to avoid the tribute, deeming that his side had celebrated enough, although Villarreal did form one for them in 2010.

Furthermore, Granada gave no such recognition to Real Madrid on one occasion as the club had prepared the teams to come out alongside their own tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo's latest Ballon d'Or triumph of the day.

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Ronaldo with the world at his feet

Ronaldo with the world at his feet

Ablazing free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo was all that Real Madrid needed to top Gremio 1-0 in the final of the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday night at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

For Real, it marks their third Club World Cup title in the tournament's current format, tying them for first all-time with rivals Barcelona. Meanwhile, the goal for Ronaldo was the seventh for the Portuguese in Club World Cup competition.

Real were largely in control for the bulk of the match, and once Ronaldo scored via his free-kick, Gremio's chances of an upset dwindled significantly. Luka Modric was a force to be reckoned with in midfield and put his stamp on the affair with another superb performance.

Defenders Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos and midfielder Toni Kroos all returned to Zinedine Zidane's starting XI after being on the bench against Al-Jazira in the semi-final, giving Real the same line-up the started against Juventus in the Champions League final. This also meant another start on the bench for semifinal hero Gareth Bale.

It was a cagey start, with Real taking the initiative but Gremio doing well to close down on spaces in their own half. Things started loosening up around the 20th minute mark when a bullet from Carvajal was cleared by Geromel in front of goal. That was followed by a low-driven shot from Luka Modric that just sailed wide of the post.

Gremio were doing themselves no favours. Luan, in particular, was imprecise in leading the Brazilians' attack and it made for easy work for the Real defence. Their first chance came near the half-hour mark from a long-range free-kick from Edilson that whistled above Keylor Navas' crossbar.

There was more urgency to Real's play to start the second-half, and after using some fancy footwork to draw a foul near the Gremio area, Ronaldo fired in a rocket of a free-kick that went screaming through a hole in the Gremio wall and into net for the 1-0 lead.

Real were brimming with confidence after the goal and thought that Ronaldo had scored a second after he hammered in a right-footer off a header from Karim Benzema, but the linesman ruled that the French striker had received a pass from Marcelo in an offside position.

With way more space in which to work, the chances kept flowing for Los Blancos, and a Modric shot from outside the area almost made it two, only for the ball to smack off the post.

Despite all their dominance, it was still just a one-goal advantage for Zidane's men heading into the final 15 minutes. The French boss brought on Bale for Benzema to finish off the Copa Libertadores winners. The Welshman was an immediate threat and forced a finger-tip save out of Gremio goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe.

At the other end Navas was never truly troubled, and Real comfortably saw out the final minutes to clinch their fifth title of 2017 before turning their attention to next Saturday's Clasico versus Barcelona.

Match Sheet:

1.- Real Madrid: Keylor; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Isco (Lucas Vazquez, min. 73), Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Cristiano, Benzema (Bale, min. 79)

0.- Gremio: Marcelo Grohe; Edilson, Geromel, Kannemann, Cortez; Jailson, Michel (Maicon, min. 84); Ramiro (Everton, min. 71), Luan, Fernandinho; Lucas Barrios (Jael, min. 63).

Goals: 1-0, min. 53: Ronaldo

Referee: Cesar Ramos (Mexico). Yellow Cards: Casemiro (Min. 27) for Real Madrid

Red cards: None

Stadium: Zayed Sports City

Attendance: 43.000

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Real Madrid, king of the finals

Real Madrid, king of the finals

At the highest level, Real Madrid continue to perform and the LaLiga giants have now reached their 15th European Cup final, more than any other club in the continent.

Glory awaits them in Cardiff, where they will have the opportunity to win their 12th title against Juventus.

It would affirm their dominance and love affair with the competition, with Real performing like fish in water when it comes to the Champions League.

They are also one step away from winning successive Champions League crowns, something that no team has managed in the modern era, with the last team to do so being Arrigo Sacchi's Milan under the old model.RTRPIX

Juventus are the side lying in wait for Los Blancos but they are associated with pleasant memories in this competition as it was the Italians who they overcame to win their seventh at the Amsterdam Arena.

Since the arrival of Jose Mourinho, Real reached three straight semi-finals, coming up short on each occasion, before achieving La Decima under Carlo Ancelotti, who qualified for another semi-final a year later, where his side were beaten by Juventus.

The last two seasons, under Zinedine Zidane, have resulted in the Frenchman leading the club to two consecutive finals.

Of the 14 finals Real have reached, more than any other club, they have been defeated on just three occasions, against Benfica in 1962, by Inter two years later and finally in 1981 when Liverpool beat them in Paris.

The rest resulted in Madrid coming out on top, in 1956 against Stade de Reims, beating Italian opposition in Fiorentina and Milan in the two years which followed, before defeating Stade de Reims again for four in a row and continuing their dominance with a win over Eintracht Frankfurt in 1960.

Partizan were beaten in 1966 and a 32-year wait for their next win was ended against Juventus in 1998, which led to wins over Valencia in 2000 and Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

Their next two victories in 2014 and 2016 both saw them overcome city rivals Atletico Madrid and deny Diego Simeone's men a first-ever win in the competition.

There is no doubt that the current crop of players are all very much aware of the weight of history at the club in the competition, which is why they celebrated reaching the final so joyously.

Everyone wore t-shirts on the Estadio Vicente Calderon field which marked the occasion and the party continued back into the dressing room where the whoops of delight could be heard throughout the inner confines of the stadium.

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Suarez keeps LaLiga burning

Suarez keeps LaLiga burning

Six days after vanquishing Clasico rivals Real Madrid away from home, Barcelona took all three points with a hard-fought 3-0 derby win at Espanyol on Saturday night at Cornella-El Prat.

Things looked in doubt at half-time as Barcelona looked bereft of ideas in attack, but a massive error from Jurado gift-wrapped a Luis Suarez goal in the 50th minute before Ivan Rakitic sealed the result in the 76th minute thanks to Lionel Messi's playmaking. Barcelona then tacked on a late score, when a whiff from Espanyol defender Aaron paved the way for Suarez's second of the night.

It was a Barcelona derby through and through: Play was physical and there was plenty of acrimony between the two teams to keep referee Undiano Mallenco busy the whole night. In the end though, the three points went back to the Camp Nou, as Barcelona retook their place atop the La Liga table with 81 points.

Manager Luis Enrique reverted back to a 4-3-3 formation after fielding a 3-4-3 in the midweek walloping of Osasuna. Andre Gomes came in for the injured Andres Iniesta, while Neymar returned from his three-match suspension to fill out the MSN in attack.

It was a nervy start for Barcelona as Espanyol could have easily taken the lead early one when Felipe Caicedo found Jurado, but the shot from the former Real Madrid youth product rolled wide of the far post.

Barcelona were having difficulty dealing with Espanyol's physicality, with Neymar in particular bearing the brunt of a number of hard fouls. It all played to the Pericos' favour, as Barcelona were unable to find their desired rhythm and instead found themselves drawn into a backyard brawl.

And when Barcelona did threaten deep in the Espanyol half, they were met by Quique Sanchez Flores' rock-solid defensive block. Luis Enrique's men were resigned to passing the ball in a semi-circle around the area until a cross either was cleared or floated out of play.

For all of Espanyol's stellar defensive work in the first-half, it all went down the drain early in the second-half when Jurado committed an astounding error. The Perico midfielder tried to play a long back-pass, presumably to goalkeeper Diego Lopez, but it didn't have enough juice on it and Suarez gladly swooped in and finished for the 1-0 Barcelona lead.

Seeking a goal to get back on level terms, Sanchez Flores went to his bench as the banged up Caicedo made way for Leo Baptistao and Pablo Piatti was replaced with Hernan Perez.

Still, the bulk of play belonged to Barcelona. Espanyol were forced to roll the dice and push lines forward, giving Barcelona more room to operate with Messi pulling the strings.

La Pulga took over and right as the match ticked over into the final quarter-hour, the Argentine set the table for Barcelona's second by leading a break that saw him feed Rakitic on the left and the Croatian stroked the easiest of shots past Diego Lopez to make it 2-0.

Deflated after the Rakitic goal, a lapse in concentration cost Espanyol another goal, as Aaron completely whiffed on a clearance and against it was Christmas morning for Suarez, who pounced on the ball right in front of goal and easily scored past Diego Lopez for the 3-0 final.

Match Sheet:

0.- Espanyol: Diego Lopez; Javi Lopez, David Lopez, Diego Reyes, Aaron; Javi Fuego (Marc Roca, min. 80), Victor Sanchez, Jurado, Piatti (Hernan Perez, min. 66); Caicedo (Leo Baptisao, min. 61), Gerard Moreno.

3.- Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Andre Gomes (Mascherano, min. 78); Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

Goals: 0-1, min. 51: Suarez; 0-2, min. 76: Rakitic; 0-3, min. 87: Suarez

Referee: Undiano Mallenco (Navarra). Yellow Cards: Gerard Moreno (Min. 14) for Espanyol, Javi Fuego (Min. 68) for Espanyol

Red cards: None

Stadium: Cornella-El Prat

Attendance: 31.708

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Real Madrid earn 17th late point of LaLiga season

Real Madrid earn 17th late point of LaLiga season

In what has become a running theme of Zinedine Zidane's first full campaign in charge of Real Madrid, the club has demonstrated an ability to win games late on with Los Blancos earning 17 points in the last 10 minutes of matches this term.

Dani Parejo's free-kick sent a wave of nerves around the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as it appeared that the capital club would be surrendering the LaLiga title advantage to Barcelona only for Marcelo to step up with another late winner.

The Brazilian showed his technical prowess with a fine strike from inside the penalty area and it could well be a goal that is replayed for years to come if the club go on and secure the title.

Marcelo's finish was the 20th goal scored by Zidane's charges this season after the 80th minute.

Thanks to these late miracles the club has manage to earn a grand total of 17 points which could carry the club to their first domestic championship since Jose Mourinho's time in the Spanish capital.

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Neymar the most influential footballer in the world

Neymar the most influential footballer in the world

Despite just being 25 years of age, Neymar is one of the most influential footballers in the world, and he joins only six other athletes in the yearly list.

The Brazilian in fact is the only footballer on the list, showing how important what he does off the pitch is alongside his on-pitch exploits.

Conor McGregor, Tom Brady, Lebron James, Simone Biles are amongst the other athletes on Time's prestigious list.

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Cristiano Ronaldo is more decisive than Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo is more decisive than Messi

Real Madrid progressed to the Champions League semi-finals thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo, who appeared with five goals against Bayern Munich when it mattered most, at the same time as Lionel Messi was frustrated by the Juventus defence.

Not only did the No. 7 net his 100th Champions League goal during the tie, but he has now equalled Alfredo di Stefano with 32 goals between the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of Europe's premier club competition.

Messi, on the other hand, could not find a way past Gianluigi Buffon and has now failed to score in his past nine quarter-final outings, while his tally for the final three rounds of the tournament remains at 16, half of Ronaldo's.

That gap could increase further given that the 32-year-old will take part in two, and perhaps three, more matches with the star-covered ball this season, whereas Messi will have to wait until the 2017/18 campaign for his next continental display.

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A Clasico at the edge of the abyss

A Clasico at the edge of the abyss

Barcelona have no time to recover from their Champions League K.O. against Juventus, as Sunday's Clasico awaits just a few days later.

The current realities of each team couldn't be in starker contrast, as a euphoric Real Madrid have reached the Champions League semi-final for the seventh consecutive season, whereas the Blaugrana were once again knocked out in the quarters.

In LaLiga, Los Blancos sit three points ahead with a game in hand, so they are well within the driver's seat.

In other words, the pressure is clearly on Barcelona to attempt to salvage their season.

For such a high-intensity and profile clash, Real Madrid's extra day rest could tilt the match in their favour even further.

Neymar will miss out due to his ban, putting a dent into the Blaugrana attack and, ultimately, their chances.

"We have to win at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu," Iniesta said. "It is our last chance."

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Ramos to Pique: Rewind and watch the PSG game

Ramos to Pique: Rewind and watch the PSG game

Controversy and Real Madrid create enough headlines on their own but when you put the pair together it is a goldmine and Los Blancos defender Sergio Ramos has responded to Gerard Pique by telling him to look back at Barcelona's 6-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

The latest spat comes after the Barcelona defender sent out a cryptic tweet after Madrid's second goal was controversially allowed to stand despite Cristiano Ronaldo being in an offside position.

Pique's tweet struck a nerve within the Real Madrid captain as he made clear that refereeing decisions also went in favour of Los Cules in the last round.

"He should rewind and look back to the PSG game and see if he thinks the same about the referees, let's wait and see what happens with Juventus in the second leg," he explained.

Tuesday evening's officiating has rather unsurprisingly sparked yet another debate about the impending introduction of a Video Assistant Referee [VAR] into the sport and the veteran defender is indeed an advocate for its use.

"You have to live with these decisions although I am in favour of the VAR," said Ramos.

On a more positive note it was actually the former Sevilla defender's 100th match in the Champions League on Tuesday night and he made clear just how proud he was to reach such a rare milestone.

"It is a beautiful figure to reach and I hopefully can continue here for many years as long as I enjoy my job," he said.

Despite still having a semi-final to play there are some within the Real Madrid fanbase that are already dreaming of an appearance in the Cardiff final, however the 31-year-old refused to entertain such a notion with so much football left to play.

"We can't talk about the final because we are only in the semi-final but it is clear," he added. "We want to be the champions and we are very happy to have eliminated Bayern, one of our biggest challengers."

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Magnificent Marcelo inspires Real Madrid to victory

Magnificent Marcelo inspires Real Madrid to victory

Is he a left-back? Is he a box-to-box midfielder? No, he's simply Marcelo.

Technically he is a left-back because that's how he's listed on the team sheet, but if there's anything to take away from the Brazilian's performance in Real Madrid's frenetic 4-2 extra-time victory over Bayern Munich, it is that this is a player who refuses to - and is mercifully incapable of - playing within the conventional confines of his position.

The history books will show that Cristiano Ronaldo decided this game with a hat-trick (German and Catalan editions may choose to focus on refereeing errors) but it was Marcelo's flair, boundless energy and defensive diligence that helped his side weather a Bavarian storm at the Bernabeu.

The former Fluminense man made his first vital intervention as early as the 9th minute, putting his body on the line to block a goal-bound Thiago Alcantara effort.

Admittedly, the 28-year-old also gave Arjen Robben far too much space to receive cross-field passes and launch dangerous balls into the box.

But the vice-captain was left with far too much to do against the Flying Dutchman and roving right-back Philippe Lahm in the first half, as Real found themselves stretched and over-run by Carlo Ancelotti's charges.

However, in true Marcelo style, he refused to let defensive difficulties curtail his forward forays.

The 28-year-old took up the role of chief counterattacking outlet, and also created a boatload of quality chances when his side had possession of the ball.

Indeed his attacking verve was crucial to relieving his embattled defensive colleagues, and enabled Real to somehow stumble into the dressing room at halftime without conceding.

The second half began as did the first - with the vice-captain saving his team's bacon, this time heading Robben's chipped shot off the line with Keylor Navas well beaten.

So determined was the Brazil international to thwart Bayern's goalscoring attempts that, in hindsight, it might not have been the worst idea to hand him the goalkeeping gloves for Robert Lewandowski's penalty kick.

The 64th minute introduction of Marco Asensio helped Los Blancos defend their left channel with more assuredness, and Marcelo promptly set about lifting his performance to ludicrous heights.

At times, it seemed like he was playing as a defender, left winger and No.10 at the same time.

There were fizzing low balls, whipped-in crosses, slipped-in through passes, a plethora of dribbles and even a solid shot on target.

However, the No.12 offered far more than just attacking bravado, as he set an example with his work rate and indefatigable running.

His tireless approach was embodied by one laborious, lung-bursting run in the 93rd minute to keep the ball in play near the halfway line, fists pumping into his chest like a marathoner at the final stretch.

However, the club veteran saved his most memorable play of the game, and arguably his career, for extra-time.

Taking possession in his own half, the left-back looped the ball forward to Toni Kroos, accepted the return pass to feet and proceeded to maraud right through the heart of the Bayern defence, before unselfishly laying the ball off to Ronaldo to complete his hat-trick.

It was a move that was strikingly similar to his extra-time goal against Atletico Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final, in that he spotted a tiring opponent and decided to catch them off-guard with a sudden burst of energy and directness.

This time however, the Rio de Janeiro-born man chose to pass up an easy one-on-one goalscoring opportunity to instead pick out Ronaldo, whose goal will unfortunately be tarnished by the fact that he was in an offside position.

It feels like a great shame that Marcelo didn't score himself as he would've earned a thoroughly deserved spot on the scoresheet, with a goal that would have surely gone down as one of the greatest in the history of the Champions League knockout stages.

But perhaps it's only appropriate that he looked for a teammate instead, as it exemplified how his flair, energy and audacity were dedicated towards the collective cause rather than the pursuit of personal plaudits.

The Brazilian finished his 400th game for Real with 68 passes (second only to Toni Kroos), creating as many chances (8) as Robben, Franck Ribery, Alcantara, Arturo Vidal and Xabi Alonso combined and completing more dribbles than anybody else on the pitch.

This was truly a performance for the ages from Marcelo, and one that Madridistas will be well advised to look back to if their team go on to become the first side to successfully defend their Champions League crown.

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Cristiano Ronaldo: I just ask that the Bernabeu never jeers me

Cristiano Ronaldo: I just ask that the Bernabeu never jeers me

With five goals to his name over the two legs against Bayern Munich, Cristiano Ronaldo hauled Real Madrid to the semi-finals of the Champions League and the Portuguese man sought to remind the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu boo-boys of his value.

A hat-trick on the night helped Los Blancos to a 4-2 win and a 6-3 aggregate triumph, although it was far from smooth sailing.

Ronaldo's goal looked to have set Real on their way, but a Robert Lewandowski penalty kick and Sergio Ramos own goal took the game to extra-time until the winger's brace helped his side over the line.

"I just ask that the Bernabeu never whistle me," Real's all-time leading goalscorer told Antena 3 after the final whistle.

"I try to give my best in every game and even if I don't score, I try to work to help the team."

Although the capital club enjoyed a man advantage again in this second leg, Ronaldo was left assured as to his team's superiority.

"I have no doubts that Madrid were better tonight, it's not easy to score six goals against Bayern Munich," he stated.

"We knew we had to play very well or Bayern would hurt us, because they're a team who can score goals in any stadium.

"They showed that they're a great team but we played very well ourselves and had several opportunities in the first half.

"In the second half, we conceded two goals but we're used to suffering, and we're happy with the result."

With a semi-final spot secured, Ronaldo was inevitably asked about the team's ultimate goal of being the first side to successfully defend the Champions League.

"We're still far from winning the Champions League but we will try our best," he assured.

"It's still too early, but I hope [we can win it]."

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Cristiano Ronaldo scores crucial goal from offside position

Cristiano Ronaldo scores crucial goal from offside position

As Real Madrid strolled to a extra-time victory over Bayern Munich, the Germans can feel unhappy that Cristiano Ronaldo's second goal on the night was offside.

"The Portuguese is offside when he receives Ramos' pass," said Andjar Oliver on Radio MARCA. "He is clearly ahead of the Bayern defence before cushioning the ball and beating Manuel Neuer ".

In the 52nd minute, referee Vitkor Kassai made a potentially tie-altering call in deciding to award a penalty to Bayern Munich which Robert Lewandowski duly converted.

According to ex-international referee and current MARCA pundit Andujar Oliver, this was the correct decision as it is a late challenge from Casemiro that didn't touch the ball.

Nonetheless, five minutes earlier, Arturo Vidal should have been sent off with a second yellow for a challenge on Casemiro.

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Marcelo: Those that criticise Cristiano Ronaldo have a serious problem, envy

Marcelo: Those that criticise Cristiano Ronaldo have a serious problem, envy

Following his side's 2-1 comeback against Bayern Munich, Marcelo didn't seem to have much time or sympathy for those who seek to criticise the match-winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite the Portuguese star's illustrious career for club and country, on both an individual and collective level, he still somehow has his critics, although Marcelo had one possible explanation.

"I think they have a problem, maybe it's envy," he began.

"I don't know what's wrong with them, he works hard and helps his team.

"It must be envy, you only have to look at this numbers and he still keeps on producing," he continued.

"He's happy to gave scored, but he's even happier about the result."

The left-back didn't deny that the sending off of Javi Martinez had been a boon for the holders.

"We made the most of it," he admitted. "We put in a great performance, but we also let in a goal."

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Guardiola: Syria is scary for the whole world and I hope Trump and Putin solve it

Guardiola: Syria is scary for the whole world and I hope Trump and Putin solve it

When facing the media on Thursday, Pep Guardiola was more interested in talking about the state of world peace rather than Manchester City's next game against Southampton.

Clearly, the attack on Borussia Dortmund's team bus has shaken everyone within football to the core.

"It's a little scary how the world now is," he said to reporters.

"And it's getting crazier ... what happened in Syria ... I hope the President of the United States, the President of Russia and the President of China can intervene and solveit because if not, we don't know where we'll end up.

"We must continue to live without fear and I wish Marc Bartra a huge recovery for what has been frightening and serious."

Gabriel Jesus isn't available for selection and Guardiola played his cards close to his chest concerning which goalkeeper he would choose for the game against the Saints.

"Gabriel is not ready yet, but he's much better," Pep continued.

"Goalkeepers? It depends on whether the opposing team pushes us up, it depends on how the training has gone ... I like having my two goalies playing with confidence, that's why I choose week by week."

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It took Ancelotti four months to lay the ghost of Guardiola to rest

It took Ancelotti four months to lay the ghost of Guardiola to rest

Four months is all the time it took for Carlo Ancelotti and Bayern Munich to forget Pep Guardiola; his automatisms, his philosophy and his special way of spying on his players for 24 hours a day.

Pep wanted to impose a certain way of playing, but there was no way to change the mentality of some players.

In any event, Ancelotti didn't like the system and the totalitarian ideas because his style is, above all, for a direct, vertical game.

This does not mean that he despised all of Guardiola's methods, but the be all and end all for the Italian is the result, and if that means operating in different ways, so be it.

On his arrival at Bayern he found some players who only saw a winning solution by creating a beautiful game with lots of touches of the ball.

Team talks have continued throughout the season because, even after the winter break, the influence of Guardiola is still prevalent in some aspects of team play, meaning Ancelotti is struggling to get players to move position.

The best example has been and is Thiago Alcantara, considered the most talented player in the group.

Ancelotti believes he is a successor to Andrea Pirlo and wants to move him to where his football will yield more and better results in the very near future - just ahead of the defence.

Thomas Muller has not been well throughout the season and physical problems have not allowed him to play as he used to.

He's not completed many games, something that has also afflicted Renato Sanches.

Douglas Costa, the man capable of turning a match, has the opposite problem and often doesn't start because of injuries.

Ancelotti awaits Wednesday's match without the need for revenge because he still feels madridista.

He wants to win to eliminate the opposition, but nothing more than that.

Last minute injuries could prove problematic and with the Bundesliga virtually wrapped up, the Italian knows that everything is on the line against Real.

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Luis Enrique calls tense team meeting

Luis Enrique calls tense team meeting

In an attempt to get to the bottom of Barcelona's listless showing against Juventus in Turin on Tuesday night, Luis Enrique held a meeting with players before training on Wednesday.

The Blaugrana's hopes of advancing in the competition look to be all but extinguished after they fell to a 3-0 defeat at the Juventus Stadium.

Players arrived for training with long faces and prior to the session, Luis Enrique discussed what went wrong in Italy with the squad and why the mistakes were made.

The final message from the coach to his players was that they simply must bounce back in the return leg, although very few people truly believe a PSG-esque comeback is possible.

Relations between the coach and his players have been strained once again after his words in the press conference following the game, when he accused them of a lack of intensity.

After the game in Paris, it was the players who reproached the coach for some of the decisions he made on the night of that 4-0 defeat.

Lionel Messi did not take part in Wednesday's training session and stayed in the gym with Neymar, although the club did not report on any fitness problems for the Argentine, but it is not the first time that he hasn't trained on the day following a game.

Arda Turan did return to training with the group and could reappear on Saturday against Real Sociedad, particularly given Neymar's suspension.

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Neymar will miss El Clasico with three-match ban

Neymar will miss El Clasico with three-match ban

With Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid in the driver's seat in LaLiga, Barcelona's title ambitions took another blow as Neymar will not be allowed to play in El Clasico on April 23.

In a 2-0 defeat to Malaga, a rash challenge made in frustration meant his second yellow card and an automatic one-match suspension, but it was his sarcastic applauding after being sent off towards the fourth official that will mean he can't play against Los Blancos.

According to the official Spanish body, the act shows 'clear contempt' for the officials and three-matches is a just punishment.

The Brazilian will also miss the matches against Real Sociedad and Osasuna.

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El desconocido Guardiola

El desconocido Guardiola

Pep Guardiola está en una situación inusual. Desconocida. Por primera vez en su carrera no está en disposición de ser campeón de Liga. Con el Barcelona, tras 31 jornadas, sólo en la 2011-2012 era segundo. Fue la única vez en sus siete temporadas de carrera en la élite en la que se quedó sin cantar el alirón, que fue para el Real Madrid de Mourinho. Y con el Bayern ya tenía en sus tres campañas en Alemania la Bundesliga en el bolsillo. Todo ha cambiado en Mánchester. "La Premier se ha ido. Tenemos que pensar en los últimos partidos para clasificarnos para la Champions League", confesó el técnico catalán tras caer (2-1) ante el Chelsea. El City es cuarto, a 14 puntos del liderato, y a Pep se le amontonan los problemas. La sexta derrota en lo que va de Premier se transformó en un récord negativo en su carrera. Es su peor momento.

Derrotas en Liga de Guardiola como técnico

Barcelona 2008-2009: 5 derrotas

Barcelona 2009-2010: 1 derrotas

Barcelona 2010-2011: 2 derrotas

Barcelona 2011-2012: 3 derrotas

Bayern 2013-2014: 2 derrotas

Bayern 2014-2015: 5 derrotas

Bayern 2015-2016: 2 derrotas

Manchester City 2016-2017 (sin terminar): 6 derrotas

Guardiola nunca había perdido seis encuentros en una misma Liga. Con el Barcelona en la 2008-2009 y con el Bayern en la 2014-2015 sucumbió en cinco choques. Ése era su tope. Si en el Camp Nou y en Alemania superó el 70% de victorias respecto a sus duelos ligueros, en el City se queda en el 57%. Tottenham (2-0), Leicester (4-2), Liverpool (1-0), Everton (4-0) y Chelsea en el Etihad (1-3) y en el Bridge (2-1) han podido con el equipo celeste en Premier. Nunca antes un equipo había ganado a un conjunto de Guardiola los dos partidos de un torneo doméstico. Conte y sus 'blues' lo han hecho. Se le acumulan las marcas negativas al preparador catalán: es la primera vez en su carrera que pierde tres partidos recibiendo cuatro goles (Leicester, Everton y Barcelona) en una misma campaña y por primera vez ha estado seis partidos seguidos sin ganar (entre el 28 de septiembre al 29 de octubre (Celtic, Tottenham, Everton, Barcelona, Southampton y United). Una mala racha que cortó sus 10 victorias iniciales (récord en la historia del City) y sus 11 choques sin perder con los que abrió su aventura inglesa. Ahora su escuadra lleva cuatro partidos sin catar triunfo (Mónaco, Liverpool, Arsenal y Chelsea). No ganan desde el 11 de marzo (0-2 al Middlesbrough en los cuartos de la FA Cup).

Derrotas totales en una temporada de Guardiola

Barcelona 2008-2009: 7 derrotas

Barcelona 2009-2010: 7 derrotas

Barcelona 2010-2011: 6 derrotas

Barcelona 2011-2012: 4 derrotas

Bayern 2013-2014: 6 derrotas

Bayern 2014-2015: 9 derrotas

Bayern 2015-2016: 4 derrotas

Manchester City 2016-2017 (sin terminar): 9 derrotas

"Mis expectativas eran ganar el título y cambiar el fútbol inglés", ironizó Guardiola. Por primera vez en su carrera, Pep no estará en las semifinales de la Champions (su City fue eliminado en octavos por el Mónaco). La FA Cup aparece en el horizonte como la única copa que podría ganar el conjunto celeste en el primer curso de Guardiola dirigiendo la nave 'citizen'. Con Arsenal y United a cuatro puntos de su cuarta plaza (con un partido menos 'gunners' y 'red devils' que 'skyblues') amarrar la Liga de Campeones es su principal meta. "Es imposible ganar todos los partidos, sé que vamos a perder", aseguró Pep cuando aún no había tropezado. Con nueve derrotas entre todas las competiciones, ya ha igualado su peor marca (nueve con el Bayern en la 2014-2015) cuando queda mes y medio para el final del curso. No están finos en las áreas. De los cinco primeros de la Premier, los 'citizens' son los que menos marcan (57 goles a favor) y los terceros que más encajan (34). Demasiado.

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