Page 301

By -
0

Real Madrid legend Raul has called time on his incredible career after winning one more title on Sunday night – the North American Soccer League Bowl as his New York Cosmos beat Ottawa Fury.

The 38-year-old did not get on the scoresheet in the 3-2 win but played the entire 90 minutes.

The former Real man, who played for 16 years in the first team at the Santiago Bernabeu, announced his plans to retire a month ago when he revealed he would hang up his boots at the end of the campaign in the US. And speaking to reporters after the match, he said he’d had no change of heart.

He told reporters: “It was my last game in my career. I’m very proud of everything I did. For me now, I start a new life with another project. I’m happy, but I’m also very sad.”

In his time as a Los Blancos player, Raul scored 323 goals in 742 appearances. He was the club’s leading scorer until last month when he was overtaken by Ronaldo. Raul helped Real to six La Liga title and three Champions League trophies in a glittering career.

Prior to moving to the USA last year, the ex-Spain international had stints in Germany with Schalke and Al Saad in the Middle East.

By -
0

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas says he has spoken to Real Madrid in the past about a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 28-year-old World Cup and European Championship winner made his name at Premier League side Arsenal, spending eight years at the Gunners, including a spell as captain of the club.

He made 303 appearance for Arsene Wenger’s side, winning the FA Cup and featuring the the Champions League final in 2006.

But after years of speculation, he finally return to his boyhood club Barcelona in the summer of 2011 in a 35 million euro move. Despite winning a number of trophies including the Copa del Rey, La Liga and the Spanish Supercopa, Fabregas’ time at the Camp Nou didn’t turn out as expected and he returned to the Premier League with Chelsea last summer.

Had things been different earlier in his career though, the 101-cap Spain international could have been pulling on the white shirt of Los Blancos. In an interview with Marca, Cesc revealed he had contact with the Santiago Bernabeu side on numerous times but not enough inroads were made to make a transfer happen.

“Well, there was contact with different presidents over the space of several years, but no deal was ever struck. We discussed terms, but nothing final was ever agreed. That decisive step was never taken,” the Spain international told Marca.

By -
0

Former Real Madrid winger Julien Faubert says is is proud to have played for the European giants but would do things differently if he had his time again.

The 32-year-old spent was a surprise loan signing in January 2009, arriving from West Ham. But his time at the Santiago Bernabeu was underwhelming as he made just two appearances under Juande Ramos and was shipped out just six months later.

After his Real Madrid spell, the winger played for Elazığspor and Bordeaux as well as the Premier League side.

Speaking to AS this week, Faubert admitted he should have worked harder to grab the attention of then-manager Ramos.

“I lived an incredible story. But if I could go back I would do a lot of things differently. I would have worked more in search of an opportunity with Juande Ramos. I couldn’t show my football. He didn’t give me confidence. For a player it’s important to train with the group, but I was never in his plans. I was Plan B,” he stated.

With the Clasico coming up this weekend, Faubert was asked for his thoughts on each team’s attacking prowess.

And he responded: “Messi is different from Cristiano Ronaldo. He didn’t have to work so hard to get to his level. He’s there through talent. Cristiano has had to work every day. Neymar has the same quality and is on a powerful team like Messi and Cristiano. He’s at a very high level. I don’t know about Gareth Bale. After Messi, Barca have Neymar, but after Cristiano, I don’t know what Madrid will do.”

By -
1
Alvaro Morata

Juventus forward Alvaro Morata has once again denied reports linking him with a return to Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old is in his second season in Turin having made the switch from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2014 in search of first team football. He has firmly established himself as a key member of the Juve team and helped them win the title last year as well as the Champions League final.

Los Blancos retain a buy-back clause for the striker and reports over the past few months have linked Morata with a return to the 10-time Champions League winners.

The Spaniard, who grew up in the Real youth teams, has repeatedly said he is happy in Seria A and has no intention of return to the Spanish capital. This weekend, some publications have reported is he is even in talks to sign a new deal with Juve.

But he was asked by the members of the press once again about a return to his childhood club.

“As for Real Madrid rumours, I let it all slide off me. The only thing that interests me is playing as much as possible for Juve and winning titles, as after that anything people say is not my problem,” he told reporters.

By -
0

Former Manchester United right back Gary Neville says the Red Devils should try to sign Gareth Bale from Real Madrid over Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo spent six successful years at Old Trafford prior to his move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2009. He has since gone on to become Real’s all time leading scorer and has won two Ballon d’Or’s in is time in the Spanish capital.

But the 30-year-old has never hidden his love of United and rumours are abound that he could seek a move back to the Premier League side when he decides his time is up at Los Blancos. Should he decide to move, there would be no shortage of suitors, with PSG and a number of high profile MLS sides interested in his signature too.

Speaking to British tabloid, the Daily Star, Neville said while he would love Ronaldo to return, focusing on Bale, who is four years younger, would be a better option for Louis Van Gaal’s side.

The now England coach and TV pundit, who is the older brother of Valencia assistant manager Phil, said: “The idea of Cristiano coming back as his swansong, well it wouldn’t be the same for him as it was before. What he did before at United was, for two years, out of this world and it was a privilege to be part of it. But I would certainly prefer us to get Bale – and that’s no disrespect to Cristiano.”

By -
0

Former Real Madrid youngster Jack Harper says growing up in the youth team at the Santiago Bernabeu was a good education for him but he was ready for first team football.

The Scotland youth international left the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer to join Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion.

He had been touted as on of the brightest talents to emerge from the Real Madrid academy, but with too many stars in his way blocking his route to regular football with the 10-time Champions League winners, he decided to leave and experience a new league altogether.

Looking back at his time at the club, Harper told journalists: “I was like a normal Spanish boy, playing in my home town. I was close to a Seville move, then Madrid intercepted it. I couldn’t say no to Real Madrid, they are my favourite team in Spain so I didn’t need to think about it. I was at RMCF with another 50 boys. I was the youngest boy. Some of the 50 older than me have made it to lots of big clubs.”

But looking at his future, he said he had to leave Real because it was a complicated place to be.

“It was great to play there. Real have a good philosophy. To get the Spanish game & now learn the English game is good for me. Real Madrid is a complicated place. Most players learn the youth side and then maybe be prepared for the footballing world. To break into the Real Madrid first team is really hard. Now I’m 19 it’s time to look at first team football,” he commented.

By -
0

Former Real Madrid supremo Ramon Calderon says Jose Mourinho could replace Rafa Benitez at the end of the season.

The Chelsea boss spent three years in the Spanish capital, and although his didn’t guide the club to Champions League success, is still admired by current president Florentino Perez.

The Portuguese is having a tough time in London at the moment, having watched his side lose seven of their opening 12 Premier League games – the worst start to a season made by the champions of England. His job for now is believed be safe but if he fails to stop the slump he could out of a job sooner rather than later.

If Los Blancos have a poor season and fail to win the Champions League or La Liga, Benitez would come under scrutiny too.

And talking to talkSport, Calderon said the timing could be right for Mourinho to return to the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the campaign.

“It’s not a secret that the current Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, has backed Mourinho many times. He likes him a lot and you can’t rule out seeing him again on the bench at the Bernabeu,” he said.

And he added: “I know it seems strange, but if Benitez doesn’t have a good season and Mourinho gets sacked by Chelsea, I insist you can’t rule out seeing him here again. I know that the president tried to have him here instead of Benitez, but Mourinho said he didn’t want it and that it wasn’t the right time to come back.

“But after two or three years I can see him here again. It happened the same with Chelsea, they sacked him but then he came back. In football that is normal. The current president has a lot of interest in Mourinho, he backed him a lot during his time at Madrid and Mourinho is his favourite coach.”

By -
0

David Beckham has said he would advise Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Manchester United when he decides the time is right to leave Real Madrid.

The all time scorer for Los Blancos has been linked with a return to United in the past and has never hidden his love for the Old Trafford side. He spent six successful seasons in Manchester prior to his 93 million euro move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2009.

Ronaldo has also been linked with a big money move to PSG as well as a switch to the MLS where former Real stars including Beckham, Kaka and Raul have all played at the end of their careers.

Ahead of a charity match at Old Trafford this weekend, former Real midfielder Beckham was quizzed by journalists and said he would advise Ronaldo to return.

In quotes published in the Guardian, he stated: “I’d never advise anyone not to come back to United. I’d have crawled back if I could. But then obviously given the chance once I’d left United, to have played for one of the biggest clubs in the world – with Real Madrid, again it was a dream. But I’d never advise any player to not return to Manchester United.

“Cristiano is such a fans’ favourite at United, he was so successful, such a hard worker. Everyone you talk to, that has played with him, been around his world — he’s not just one of the most talented players in the game, he’s a hard worker as well. If he decides to leave Real Madrid then for me personally it’s back to United.”

By -
0

Former Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria has said he believes he left the club at the right time when he signed for Manchester United two summers ago.

The Argentina international played a key role in helping Los Blancos end their 12-year wait to lift the Champions League in Lisbon – the 10th time the club lifted the most coveted prize in European football. He also played and scored in the Copa del Rey final in the 2013-14 season as Real defeated Barcelona in a thrilling contest at the Mestalla in Valencia.

His 75 million euro switch to Old Trafford failed to work out though as he didn’t settle in the Premier League and he left after just one season, signing for French champions PSG this summer.

Di Maria has faced his old club twice this season as Laurent Blanc’s side were drawn in the same Champions League group as Real. They drew 0-0 in Paris while Los Blancos won 1-0 in the return game earlier this month.

Speaking to beIn Sports, di Maria commented: “After winning La Decima my mind was set on staying at Real Madrid for many more years, but these things happen in football. Since I left Real Madrid haven’t won anything. In any case, I think that I left at the right time and the right way.”

By -
1

Real Madrid were very impressed with Yevhen Konoplyanka’s skills in last week’s La Liga clash against Sevilla, and they might already be planning a bid to sign the Ukraine international, according to reports.

Spanish press has revealed Los Blancos sports directors have added Konoplyanka to the list of future prospects they are watching closely. Many see the 26-year-old as the perfect replacement for Cristiano Ronado should the Portuguese decide to leave Madrid next summer, as they play in a similar position.

Konoplyanka has spent all his career at Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, the club where he grew up. Last season he became well known for his stunning performances in the Europa League that brought Dnipro to the final, where they lost against Sevilla.

The Andalusian club were amazed with the winger and made a huge effort to beat their competitors and end up signing him in the summer transfer market.

Konoplyanka has soon become a crucial player for Unai Emery, and he proved his value last Sunday against Real Madrid, being named the player of the match and leading his side to victory against Los Blancos.

His current market value, according to Transfermarkt, is 20 million euros, but Sevilla will surely request a higher amount to let him go.

1...300301302...733Page 301 of 733

www.gambleaware.co.uk or www.gamcare.org.uk
Please gamble responsibly