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One year more, Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will fight for all the individual awards this season. Without World Cup or Euro, the Champions League trophy will be decisive to know who will receive the Golden Ball and The Best Award at the end of the year. After a gap season, with Luka Modric winning all the trophies, both stars are fighting again head to head. Who will be the king?

Even if Cristiano Ronaldo left Spain to join Juventus in the summer, the battle between the two giants is still evident. In the Champions League Last 16 Round, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to send Atlético Madrid home, whereas Leo Messi lead with a brace the victory (5-1) against Olympique Lyonnais at Camp Nou.

According to most betting sites, both are favourites to win the Champions League title. Juventus and Barcelona have 4.5 odds to claim the European throne conquered by Real Madrid the last three seasons. However, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are the biggest favourites with 3.25 odds.

The draw has been lucky for both stars. Leo Messi will face Manchester United, a club with good memories because he scored in the last two Champions League finals against the Red Devils, at Olímpico in Rome and at Wembley. On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo will challenge Ajax, where the Vecchia Signora are great favourites to go through the semi-finals.

The season so far has been great for both. Leo Messi has scored 29 goals in La Liga and FC Barcelona have the title in their pocket. Besides, the Blaugranas are in the Copa del Rey final after beating Real Madrid at Bernabéu Stadium. In the Champions League, Messi has scored 8 goals. Great numbers to claim again the Ballon d’Or.

Nonetheless, he will have to beat Cristiano Ronaldo, whose season debut in Italy has been great so far. Juventus will win the Serie A again and the Portuguese star has scored 19 goals so far. However, in the Coppa Italia, Juventus were beaten by Atalanta. In the Champions League, Cristiano has scored 4 goals, much less than the previous year with Real Madrid.

In the next months, we will see another battle between the two giants of football. Who will win this time?

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Rumours around the transfer market around Real Madrid keep spreading, especially now with the international break. Los Blancos cannot fight for any title this season, so the focus is on finishing in the best way possible and thinking how to reinforce the squad for the next season. There, Zinedine Zidane will be a key person to convince the stars to join the current European champions.

However, it will be almost impossible with Kylian Mbappé. This week, France Football published that Los Blancos prepared a bid for €280M for the French star. However, the striker is an impossible dream, according to the top sports betting sites. The odds of getting the PSG forward are so high, something that tell us the real difficulty of the challenge.

Therefore, Florentino Pérez needs to seek an alternative. Eden Hazard is always a target and the Belgian playmaker said several times that he would love to join Real Madrid. However, if Gareth Bale leaves, the president needs another attacking player to reinforce this area of the game. There, another important name arise: Saido Mané.

Last season, before Zizou left Real Madrid, the manager asked several times about Mané. The manager wanted him as a replace for Gareth Bale after his great season with Liverpool, arriving to the Champions League final. However, the Frenchman finally decided to quit and leave Real Madrid, and the club lost interest. Now, according to the Spanish newspaper Marca, there is another possibility.

The winger is completely focus in the end of the season, especially now that Liverpool are still fighting to touch silverware in the Premier League and the Champions League -the Reds face Porto in the quarter-finals round-. But Los Blancos are following him and might be preparing an offer at the end of the season.

Mané renewed his contract until 2023 recently and he’s still a very young player -only 26-. So Real Madrid would have to pay a high amount of money to get Mané out of Anfield. But the African player is use to change club and could see Real Madrid as a big opportunity in his career to win more titles. Southampton, Red Bull and Metz had been his clubs and he has only won two Austrian leagues and Cups.

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The Operation Kylian Mbappé is already on. Los Blancos have their target in the French star and they will put all the efforts in getting him the next summer. It won’t be easy but Florentino Pérez has already shown his ability on getting top players like Luis Figo, Ronaldo Nazario or Zinedine Zidane. These Galácticos were also impossible to sign until Florentino tried and brought him to Madrid. Will he be able to do the same with Kylian Mbappé.

According to the newspaper France Football, Real Madrid have already started the operation to get Mbappé. The French paper has even stated a price for the player: €280M. This is the price Real Madrid will pay for the striker but we have to add the salary of the player, one of the highest paid men in the world of football.

FC Barcelona know how is dealing with Al-Khelaifi. The Blaugranas tried to sign Marco Verratti and Adrien Rabiot without success in the last transfer windows, whereas PSG were able to get Neymar. The French club doesn’t need money because they have all the resources available, so Florentino has to think in another tactics.

The first thing is convincing the player. Kylian Mbappé suffered the knock-out of his team again in the Champions League Last 16 Round. Los Blancos have to make an effort of explaining the new and ambitious project with Zinedine Zidane. Playing in La Liga is not the same as the Ligue 1, and Mbappé will have more options to win individual prizes like the Golden Ball.

Apart from the Champions League and the recognition of the Spanish league, Florentino Pérez will use the Zinedine Zidane card. The manager is the best way to convince Galácticos to come to the Spanish capital because most of them dream about the World Cup winner. A telephone call made by Zinedine Zidane would ease the situation.

However, even if France Football is already speaking about this operation, we know that this would be very complicated. Los Blancos have also some priorities to fulfill like new defenders, another midfielder and some attacking players like Eden Hazard. Nonetheless, the cherry on the cake would be Mbappé.

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Five years without a Galáctico. Florentino Pérez changed his policy and now the club is signing young players unable to compete with Manchester City or PSG, both with a country behind their finance. However, it’s time for a revolution and the president will spend some money this summer to buy a new star. It’s needed due to the terrible season. And Zinedine Zidane is the best person to convince them.

In the last few days, three stars said that they are dreaming about working with Zizou. He’s been an idol for all these players and this is a card that Florentino Pérez needs to show while negotiating during the summer. Especially because right now is very tough to get a player out of PSG or any big club in the Premier League. Will Florentino Pérez be able to buy a Galáctico?

Paul Pogba, Eden Hazard or the dreamt Kylian Mbappé are the players who have shown their love towards Zinedine Zidane. The easiest one seems Eden Hazard. The Belgian playmaker has always said that his dream is playing with Los Blancos, but Chelsea are banned to sign in the next two transfer windows, so the situation is a bit more complicated.

“I have a lot of respect for Zidane, he was my idol. I started playing thanks to him”, Hazard said recently. Another player showing his love towards the Real Madrid coach was Paul Pogba. Zizou insisted on signing him two years ago, but Manchester United finally raised their bid and bought him for over €100M from Juventus. Now Pogba said that it is a “dream” working with Zidane. Is Pogba needed in the current Real Madrid squad?

“He was my first idol, the person who made me love football”. These words come from Kylian Mbappé and he’s referring to the Real Madrid manager. Mbappé is the dream of the supporters and Florentino Pérez but it will be very hard to get him out of Paris. Zidane is the key to convince the player, who will need to convince PSG owner to let him go. Mission impossible?

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Raphael Varane is thinking about leaving Real Madrid this summer, France Football informed this week. Also the Spanish newspaper Marca published that the defender has told his team mates about his intention of leaving the club at the end of the current season. However, it won’t be easy for him as he is still linked with the club.

Actually, Raphael Varane’s release clause is €500M, so the player would need to get a deal with the club if he finally decides to leave the club. According to the informations, the defender is tired of defending the white t-shirt after winning everything with the club and also with his national team. He’s looking for new challenges in his career. We have to remember that he arrived in the season 2011-12 and he’s only 25 years old at the moment.

However, Zidane’s arrival could change the things. The French manager was the responsible person of bringing Varane to Madrid and he’s always spoken about his admiration towards the defender. He is one of the important players of the squad and no one argues about the couple of centre backs Sergio Ramos and Varane, despite the poor season of the Frenchman.

According to this information, Varane is not happy about all the criticism he receives from the Spanish press. Nacho Fernández has not got his level, so Varane will continue to be in the line-up in the following seasons. The club has now signed Militao, but the Brazilian defender from Porto is still very young, so the idea is having both Militao and Varane as centre backs for the future.

The club is still looking for more players in the defensive line. They need to find another left back, especially if Marcelo decides to leave. They have to be also concern about Varane’s intentions and Nacho’s performance, because both have been very poor this season. Besides, the captain gets older, and Sergio Ramos is now more vital than ever in this squad.

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Vinicius Junior spoke for the very first time for the Spanish press and it was a very interesting interview in the radiostation Cadena Ser. The Brazilian star showed his personality and explained his decision for choosing Real Madrid instead of Barcelona. The winger was also sincere when he was asked about the things that he needs to improve.

One of the most shocking things about this interview was the confidence Vinicius Junior has in himself. The star was asked about winning the Ballon D’Or Award and he replied the following: “I see myself winning it with 25 or 26 years. At that age, I will be doing the things very well”. However, Vinicius admitted that he had to improve the accuracy towards the goal.

“I felt a bit anxious towards the goal because I wasn’t able to score, but I’m working hard to improve it and I’ve been helped a lot. We have to think that I’m only 18. I will improve with the time”, Vinicius told the journalist.

The Brazilian confessed that the best friends in the dressing room are Casemiro and Marcelo, both Brazilians, but he also has a very good relationship with Benzema, something that we can see inside the pitch. Speaking about the best player of the world: “Me [laughing] I don’t know, right now Neymar is the one I like the most. I was about to play with him in the national team but we are both injured. I don’t know if we’ll play together at Real Madrid, but in the national team I hope we can do it soon. When I was little I liked Ronaldinho and then Neymar”

Vinicius also explained his decision of signing for Real Madrid: “After playing with Brazil the South American Tournament Under 17 I started to see the possibility of coming to Europe. My father didn’t tell me anything. He only told me something when I had to choose between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barcelona were firstly interested in me and then Real Madrid. Then we started to visit both teams training grounds and knowing about their projects. But I chose the best one. Barcelona wanted to pay more, but we wanted the best project. Marcelo and Casemiro spoke with me and helped me choosing Real Madrid”.

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Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid got their first victory at home on Saturday against Celta de Vigo (2-0) since the the 3rd of February against Alavés (3-0). In the meantime, Los Blancos have said goodbye to La Liga, the Champions League and Copa del Rey. They have also fired Santiago Hernán Solari and Zinedine Zidane was received as the saviour of all the bad things. The manager, due to his presence, has changed many things.

New goalkeeper

Zinedine Zidane has always said that he wanted Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican was his goalkeeper. Actually, he even faced Florentino Pérez when he was about to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Club. In the first game, Zidane chose Navas instead of Thibaut Courtois, one of the star signings this summer and the best goalkeeper in the past World Cup.

Confidence to Marcelo

During Solari’s era, Marcelo was on the bench in the most important games. The Brazilian last appearance in a very important game was at Camp Nou in the first leg of the Copa del Rey (1-1). He also participated in the defeat (1-2) at home against Girona. Reguilón, one of the best players in the season, was in the bench.

Isco back to the ground

The worst situation during these months was Isco’s. The playmaker was often out of the list and he was never an important player, only appearing in the last minutes of the games when he was on the bench. Apparently, there was some misbehaviour with the manager. However, Zidane wants him back with the group and Isco even scored the first goal against Celta.

Bale is an important player

Even if the Welshman was often on the bench with Zidane, the Frenchman decided to include him in the first line-up and Bale was the best man on the pitch, scoring the last goal. According to the bestbettingsites he will leave the club during the summer, but he will have his opportunity to show off during this time.

High Pressure

One of the worst things about the team in the last games, was the problem to get the ball back when losing it. Against Celta we saw a lot of pressure after losing the ball, and the players were running again with sense. It’s still early days and Zidane has months ahead to improve the team to face the next season, but his only presence has changed some things.

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Real Madrid got the victory at home (2-0) after four consecutive defeats against Celta de Vigo in the long waited Zinedine Zidane’s comeback to his home. Los Blancos obtained the second triumph in a row and showed some good signs to recover after the last terrible weeks. Zidane makes Real Madrid happy.

It was really expected his first line-up in his second stage at Real Madrid. And Zizou backed the strongest players, who were decisive in the three Champions League titles. Keylor Navas was the goalkeeper -he has always been his goalie-, and Isco, Marcelo and Gareth Bale were also included in the line-up, together with Marco Asensio. No revolution, but the most quality players who were doing a terrible season.

We cannot get any more conclusions after this game because Celta de Vigo are really struggling to stay in the top division and they are not a dangerous team right now. Besides, Los Blancos didn’t shine at all, but there were some positive things. The main one is that the players started to fight and run as they did it in the past.

Besides, we have to highlight Gareth Bale’s game. The Welshman wasn’t in Zidane’s line-up at the end of his stage, but he started on Saturday and did a good performance. Bale scored the second goal with his right foot and hit the post before. Besides, he put some good crosses but no one was there to tap in the ball.

Isco was also a happy player. He was far away from his best shape but he fought and open the scoreboard in the second half after a perfect assist from Benzema. He was then substituted by Ceballos. Before, Modric scored from outside the box but Varane was in offside.

It was not a brilliant game, but at least the team recovered from a difficult situation. In the next 10 games left of the season, the goal is to be back and fight to be competitive. Next season everything needs to be changed.

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Real Madrid and Porto FC have agreed a deal for the transfer of the centre back Militao for €50M. This is the first signing for the next season and Los Blancos reinforce the defensive area, a problematic one during the season with Nacho far from his level and Vallejo always injured. This is the most expensive transfer for a defense in Real Madrid history.

Militao arrived last year from Sao Paulo to Porto for only €7M. The defender started the season on the bench but soon he found a place in the starting eleven with Sergio Conceiçao. The manager has always trusted him and he has played all the Champions League games -except one- to help the team arriving to the quarter-finals. In the Portuguese league he is also a crucial part in the defensive area.

After Pepe or Danilo, Real Madrid sign again a defensive player from Porto FC. Los Blancos have a very good relationship with the Portuguese club, always very avid to sign Brazilian young and talented players. Juni Calafat, the head of scouters for Real Madrid, suggested this signing and José Ángel Sánchez and Florentino Pérez agreed to bring one of the most promising defenders of the market.

He has signed a six year contract, so he can have time to learn from Sergio Ramos or Raphael Varane. Los Blancos secure an important player because the defense line needed to be improved. This season has been terrible with Vallejo out for injuries -he will leave the club- and Nacho showing a poor level. So Ramos and Varane had no replacement and couldn’t rest enough.

Real Madrid management informed Zidane about this signing on his arrival and the French coach has agreed to it. This is the first stone of the new project, but Los Blancos would need to sign many more players in the transfer window. At least, one midfielder and two strikers are needed and perhaps another left back, depending on the continuity of Marcelo.

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The arrival of Zinedine Zidane meant also Santiago Hernán Solari’s farewell. Obviously, the return of the most successful manager in Real Madrid modern era has put in second term the dismissal of the Argentinian coach. He won’t be remembered as one of the best manager in the history of the club but he left some positive things for the future.

FIFA Club World Cup Title

Perhaps no one remembers this fact right now, but Solari has touched silverware as manager. The coach was able to win the FIFA Club World Cup in December after beating Al Ain (4-1) in the final. It wasn’t the most brilliant tournament for Los Blancos but at least the reached the goal.

Important Youngsters for the Future

Solari fought against important members of the squad but he left some legacy for the future of the club. Vinicius Junior has been the best thing that has happened to the club until Zidane’s arrival this season. We have to give the credit to Solari. Besides, the manager also bet on Reguilón and Marcos Llorente, who are youngsters that can be used in the future.

A Good Week to Believe

Although everything was vanished after a terrible week at Bernabéu, Real Madrid seemed to be surviving after a turbulent season. Los Blancos played a good game at Camp Nou (1-1) in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals and then they beat (1-3) Atlético Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano. Finally, they got a victory (1-2) at Amsterdam Arena in the Champions League. The team was completely broken when he arrived and, during some moments, it looked like he would be able to change the course of the events.

But during this time we have seen also terrible moments that lead to the end of his contract:

Terrible week

The end of February and the beginning of March meant one of the worst periods in Real Madrid history. Los Blancos lost four games in a row at Santiago Bernabéu against Girona, Ajax and Barcelona twice. That meant the end of the season and the failure of a project. The results also meant the end of Solari’s era.

Unable to Recover the Best Players of the Squad

His confrontation with Isco was, perhaps, one of his tough moments as a manager. Solari decided not to count with the Andalusian playmaker, who was out of the list and on the bench in most of the games. Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos or Marcelo have been playing far far away from their top level. This is the players’ fault, but also the manager’s.

Wrong Decisions in the Line-Up and During the Games

It’s easy to judge after the results of the last games, but it is evident that Solari’s didn’t handle the squad properly. He almost repeated the same line-up in the decisive games against FC Barcelona and Ajax. He never changed the formation even if it was pretty clear that Los Blancos were losing the battle in the midfield against Ajax. Other players like Mariano or Ceballos weren’t used during these games and the team was completely burn.

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