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Florentino Pérez had a very happy day on Monday. Real Madrid president travelled to Zurich (Switzerland) along with several footballers to attend the ceremony of The Best Awards organized by FIFA. Los Blancos were the main protagonist of the evening in the absence of Barcelona players, who rejected to travel to Switzerland.

After conquering the 11th Champions League in an unforgettable year, it was time for Real Madrid to show strength. It was in The Best Award ceremony where Real Madrid could enjoy the success obtained since Zinedine Zidane first sat in the Bernabéu bench. In 2016 we saw the club lifting three titles and only two defeats. And the streak continues in 2016.

As it was expected, Cristiano Ronaldo was named The Best footballer in 2016, beating Leo Messi and Antoine Griezmann. “The Best went for ‘the best’, which it’s me”, Cristiano Ronaldo said after the ceremony. The Portuguese closed a great year, winning also the Euro with Portugal.

Zinedine Zidane was among the nominees for The Best Manager award. However, Claudio Ranieri won the prize for his ‘miracle’ with Leicester City, after winning the Premier League with the Foxes. Nevertheless, being among the candidates in his first year as a coach it’s already a prize.

FIFA also made public the ideal team of 2016. We saw five Real Madrid footballers among the best players: Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo. Manuel Neuer, Dani Alves, Piqué, Iniesta, Leo Messi and Luis Suárez completed the team.

Florentino Pérez has reason to be happy. He enjoyed a great evening with Real Madrid as the main European club: “Real Madrid can be satisfied because we got the recognition of the world of football. Real Madrid players deserve the prized obtained tonight”, the president said after the ceremony.

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FIFA celebrated on Monday evening The Best Awards ceremony in Zurich (Switzerland). Footballers, managers, president and a lot of celebrities around football wanted to attend the ceremony to reward the best players and managers of 2016. There were no surprises and Cristiano Ronaldo won The Best Player Award, whereas Claudio Ranieri was the Best Coach for his job with Leicester City.

After winning the Ballon D’Or in December, Cristiano Ronaldo was the great favourite to win The Best award. Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded as the best player in 2016 by FIFA after winning the Euro with Portugal and the Champions League or the FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid.

With this award, the Portuguese closed a great 2016, the best year in his career. He was able to lead Portugal to the first major trophy in their history and he was again a key player with Real Madrid to achieve all the goals accomplished.

Real Madrid cannot be fully happy after the awards because Zinedine Zidane couldn’t win the best coach award in his first year as a manager. Claudio Ranieri won the trophy thanks to his stunning season with Leicester City, who conquered the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Zizou arrived to Real Madrid on the 5th of January and he was able to win the Champions League, the European Supercup and the FIFA Club World Cup in his first year of his career. Besides, Los Blancos only lost 2 games in 2016 and they’re top of La Liga and qualified for the next round of the Champions League.

Florentino Pérez, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Luka Modric or Toni Kroos also attended the ceremony representing Real Madrid. However, we couldn’t see any Barcelona players as they refused to travel to Switzerland after the draw against Villarreal in La Liga.

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Zinedine Zidane’s team prepares the double clash against Sevilla in Copa del Rey and La Liga. Los Blancos will travel on Thursday to the Andalusian capital to defend the result (3-0) obtained in the first leg in the Last 16 Round of Copa del Rey. On Sunday, they will go back to Seville to play in La Liga.

The group is optimistic about these two difficult games after the good start of the year. Los Blancos are playing great and getting really good results, opening the gap with FC Barcelona in La Liga. However, they need to keep focused and getting good results.

The good news for Zinedine Zidane is that the injured players are little by little recovering. Sergio Ramos should be available for the game on Sunday as he’s back in the training field. We could see the Real Madrid captain playing with the rest of the team before travelling to Switzerland for The Best Awards ceremony.

The Spanish defender has only played one game since he scored the decisive goal against Deportivo La Coruña. Sergio Ramos was only available in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup and he has been resting in the first games of the year. It’s unlikely that Ramos could participate in the Copa del Rey game, but he should be available on Sunday.

However, Real Madrid supporters shouldn’t be worried because Nacho and Varane have done a great job in the absence of the captain. Both have proved themselves as great defenders, keeping a clean sheet in the first two games of the year.

Lucas Vázquez and Mateo Kovacic were also in the training ground, working separately. Both will miss the two games against Sevilla because they still need 3 or 4 weeks more to go back to the pitch. Pepe or Gareth Bale are the other concerns for Zinedine Zidane, but both won’t be fit in the next weeks.

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Real Madrid top the table in the Spanish league with 5 points of difference between FC Barcelona and 4 points ahead Sevilla, the next rival in la Liga. Los Blancos have still to play the game against Valencia, postponed because of the FIFA Club World Cup, so the gap with the rivals could be 8 points.

This is a very important difference with their followers and could be wider if Los Blancos are able to get the three points in Mestalla and Sánchez Pizjuán, the next tough games in La Liga. Zidane’s side are in great form and they showed it on Saturday against Granada. The goal of winning the title is closer but there are still 21 games to play.

Barcelona couldn’t beat Villarreal on Sunday night and the players blamed the referee. Luis Enrique’s side haven’t won any of the two games played in 2017, losing with Athletic Bilbao in Copa del Rey and drawing against Villarreal. The Catalan team thinks that there were two penalties committed by Bruno for handball.

“There are two handballs from Bruno. Every week the referees give me the reason”, Piqué said after the game. The Blaugrana defender even pointed La Liga chairman, Javier Tebas, asking: “Have you watched it? Yes, yes, you!”. The Catalan players are very nervous because for the first time in several years, they are way behind Real Madrid in the table.

On the other hand, Real Madrid are in the best moment since Zidane took over the job, as the manager said in press conference. Los Blancos should take the chance and open the gap with Barcelona, but on Sunday they will have to face Sevilla, currently in the second position of the table in a very tough game. Besides, Barcelona could be kicked out of the Copa del Rey, because they lost in the first leg in Bilbao (2-1) and they need to come back on Wednesday to reach the quarter finals.

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Real Madrid can sign any footballer in the next transfer window when the FIFA sanction expires. Therefore, a lot of rumours have been triggered and the last one is the agreement between Real Madrid and André Silva.

According to the Daily Star, Los Blancos have an agreement with the Portuguese striker and the Spanish giants will pay €58M to Porto in the next summer. André Silva is Arsène Wenger favourite player but Los Blancos have been quicker in making contact with the footballer.

In the last few days, there were rumours around Paulo Dybala’s future. There were some information about an offer rejected by the player from Barcelona because the Argentinian would like to play at Santiago Bernabéu. Now, the British press say that the agreement is with the Portuguese striker André Silva.

André Silva shares the dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portuguese national team. Actually, both were key players to win the Euro in the last summer in Paris. This season he has scored 10 goals in 16 appearances in the Portuguese league. André is only 21 years old and he has been always playing for Porto.

Arsenal were about to offer €23M for the Portuguese striker, but they cannot beat the bid made by Real Madrid, close to €60M. André Silva current contract with Porto expires in 2021
But he might want to find a new club, so he can grow as a player far from the Portuguese league.

Los Blancos have to think which signings they want to undertake in summer. In the attacking line, the BBC look untouchable. Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have extended their contract recently and it’s very unlikely that Los Blancos would like to sell Karim Benzema. Therefore, it could be Álvaro Morata the one who leaves the club, but the Spaniard just arrived last summer and he’s doing a good job. However, in Italy the newspapers say that Morata would like to go back to Torino, so there would be an option for a new striker. Perhaps André Silva?

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MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 04: James Rodriguez of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 3rd goal during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at Bernabeu on January 4, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Zinedine Zidane has plenty of alternatives for his team. Gareth Bale got injured and won’t be back until February, at least. Lucas Vázquez was his replacement but the Spanish will also miss all the games in January. In their place, Isco and James Rodríguez are fighting for a spot in the line up, and both are shining when they have the chance.

James Rodríguez complained after the FIFA Club World Cup because he didn’t have minutes with Real Madrid. In the first opportunity of the year, Zidane put him in the pitch and he answered with two goals and a great game against Sevilla. He had also minutes in La Liga and he gave an assist to Casemiro in the second half.

On the other hand, Isco was about to leave the club in summer for the lack of opportunities. He had the chance to play because Modric o Toni Kroos were injured back in autumn and he shone in important games like against Atlético Madrid or Barcelona, earning a place in the line up. Now, he played again in La Liga and scored two goals against Granada, being the best of the game.

Isco and James Rodríguez have similar skills and both are fighting for same spot in the line up. It will be difficult to see both in the pitch but, for sure, the competition means that both have to play better and this is always something positive for the club.

Isco has played 13 games in La Liga this season scoring four goals, including the two of Saturday. On the other hand, James Rodríguez has only played 9 games in La Liga, scoring one goal against Espanyol. Both players have to continue with the run and the work if they want to have opportunities at the end of the season. Both James or Isco could leave Madrid at the end of the season, but in the meantime they have the opportunity to get Real Madrid supporters and become one of the key players in this squad.

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Real Madrid prepared a great show at Santiago Bernabéu stadium before the game against Granada. The club wanted to give affection to Cristiano Ronaldo, who won his fourth Golden Ball in December. For this reason, Los Blancos invited all the players who won the award and played at Santiago Bernabéu. Raymond Koppa, Michael Owen, Luis Figo, Ronaldo Nazario and Zinedine Zidane were on the pitch. Besides, Fabio Cannavaro and Kaká left a message showed in the TV.

With this show, Real Madrid and Florentino Pérez gave importance to the star Cristiano Ronaldo, who was very happy with his four Ballon D’Or in the pitch. He has been the best footballer in the world in 2016 and he’s ready to continue with the success in 2017. However, we’re watching a new Cristiano Ronaldo, a “leader”, like Zinedine Zidane said.

Cristiano Ronaldo is already 31 years old and he needs to change the way he plays. Zidane knows it and the Portuguese striker knows it as well. For this reason, we don’t see Cristiano anymore close the touchline, but playing as a striker. Now even Karim Benzema goes more to the sideline but Cristiano Ronaldo plays as a ‘9’.

Besides, Zinedine Zidane has achieved that Cristiano understands that he needs to rest. In the past seasons, the Portuguese arrived at the end of the season with physical problems and he missed important games like the semifinals of the Champions League or even the final of the Euro. Among other things, this is due to his anxiety to play all the games. Now, he has understood that he’s not a youngster anymore, so he needs to rest to play the most important games of the season really focused.

Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo has the role of the leader of the squad. In the game against Sevilla, the striker went down to the dressing room to cheer up the team after the great first half the team performed in the Copa del Rey. “Cristiano Ronaldo is a leader, inside and outside the pitch”, Zidane said about the star. Now, he is showing he is a mature footballer and able to change his role in the pitch. The result, one goal in the first game of the year, thanks to a great header against Granada.

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Everything is happiness at Real Madrid. Los Blancos have started the year with back to back victories at Santiago Bernabéu. In La Liga they thrashed (5-0) Granada with another exhibition of their players.

“This is our best moment since I’m the coach. Every game we play it’s happiness for everybody, for us, the managers, the supporters… But the most important people here are the players, whose work make it possible. Now we have three or four days to rest and prepare a difficult game, in the second leg of Copa del Rey”, said Zidane.

The manager wanted to highlight the first half against Granada: “We were very focused from the beginning, respecting the rival. When you start a game like that, scoring goals, it’s always easier, especially against rivals who defend behind”, Zidane analyzed.

With this victory, Real Madrid are still unbeaten for the 39th game in a row in La Liga, a record in the competition: “We are happy with the run, of course. These are results we want. We want to give a little more in every game and it’s not easy. The run is consequence of the job well done”, Zidane told in press conference after beating Granada.

The team surprised in these two last games with a high pressure: “It’s about the job well done in the week after the holidays, working well and hard. We have to show it always but with a week like a pre-season we could start the year in this way. Now we have to keep showing it”.

Los Blancos could also have another clean sheet against Granada: “It’s very important, not only for the goalkeeper, but for everybody. We are doing great and, besides, it’s good when you have a clean sheet because with all the games we have, like the one against Sevilla, it’s very important. In La Liga not that important, but if we can continue in this way it’s even better”, Zidane commented.

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Real Madrid continue the strike after thrashing (5-0) Granada in the first game at Santiago Bernabéu in La Liga. Los Blancos continued with the high level shown in Copa del Rey against Sevilla and they opened the gap with Barcelona, who will travel to Villarreal on Sunday.

Los Blancos played again a perfect game. Very focused, pressuring very high and accurate with the ball, Real Madrid were far much better than the rival, struggling to avoid the relegation this year. Isco in the first half was the best man of the game, although all the players in the midfield played at a great level.

Before the game we could see the tribute from Real Madrid to Cristiano Ronaldo for his fourth Ballon D’Or. Raymond Koppa, Michael Owen, Luis Figo, Ronaldo Nazario and Zinedine Zidane -all winners of the Golden Ball- were in the pitch to surround Cristiano Ronaldo in the homage from Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

The party didn’t distract the team, who started the game very focused and concentrated. They wanted to take the lead in the game and they find the net very early with a goal from Isco, after a ball stolen by Toni Kroos. The gap got bigger very early because Benzema found the net again in the 21st minute, although he was in offside the referee didn’t see it. Real Madrid didn’t stop and they continue to look for Ochoa’s goal and Cristiano Ronaldo scored the third goal with a header after a great assist from Marcelo. It was only the minute 27th.

Real Madrid were a machine. Pressuring, playing… and the fourth came in the 31st. This time the assist was made by Modric and Isco again tapped in. The former Málaga player could even score his hat trick before the half time but Ochoa saved his shot from outside the box.

In the second half, James Rodríguez came in instead of Toni Kroos. With some physical problems, Isco also had to leave the pitch and Marcos Asensio replaced him. Isco could scored the third one in the last action when he headed a great cross from Carvajal. Isco was one of the best players in the pitch, competing with James Rodríguez for a place in the line up.

The party didn’t end with the changes. Casemiro scored in the 58th minute after a foul kicked by James Rodríguez. Granada players were more aggressive in the second half and Los Blancos couldn’t score another goal in the last minutes. However, it was a perfect game, again, for Zidane’s side without conceding any chance and having plenty of opportunities to score more goals. Real Madrid are in a sweet moment and they have to continue with the run. This was the 39th unbeaten game in La Liga, a record in the history of the competition.

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In the last few seasons, Real Madrid are trying to sign a left back. Marcelo is a key player in the squad but the Brazilian is getting older and he has no replacement in the squad. This year, Fabio coentrao came back after a season on loan at Mónaco, but the Portuguese is failing to put Marcelo in some competition for the spot in the left wing.

Zidane has also tried to change Carvajal and Danilo, so they play in the left back. However, Nacho has been the only footballer able to play with good level as a replacement for Marcelo. The Brazilian needs to have some rest because he gets injured in every season due to the busy calendar.

For this reason, Real Madrid always look at the market but they’ve failed to sign a left back with guarantees. One of the favourites has always been Ricardo Rodríguez. The Swiss player is currently wearing the Wolfsburg t-shirt and he could be a target in the summer for Real Madrid.

Wolfsburg has been very disappointing this season and they are currently in the 13th position of the Bundesliga. Last season they were almost able to knock out Real Madrid from the Champions League but now they are far from being competitive. Julian Draxler, the other star, has also packed his stuff and he’s now playing with PSG.

Real Madrid will have competitors to sign Ricardo Rodríguez. According to The Sun, Arsenal and Chelsea have tried to bring the player to the United Kingdon, however Ricardo Rodríguez has turned down both offers. According to the British newspaper, the left back is waiting for Inter Milán, who could meet the £19M release clause. PSG would be also in the run for Ricardo Rodríguez.

Ricardo Rodríguez is only 24 years old and he is one of the best players in the Swiss national team. This season he has played 15 games in Bundesliga with Wolfsburg scoring two goals, against Freiburg and Augsburg.

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