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Isco

Real Madrid midfielder Isco has been ruled out of Spain’s friendly against England on Friday.

The attacking midfielder suffered a muscle strain in Real’s defeat to Sevilla at the weekend and having initially linked up with his international team mates for the match in Alicante, he has now been forced to withdraw from the squad.

Isco joins Los Blancos captain Sergio Ramos on the injury list. Ramos hurt his shoulder while scoring an acrobat goal in the defeat at the Sanchez Pizjuan and having already suffered a dislocated shoulder this season, it was decided he should not be risked for the friendly.

A statement released by the Spanish FA gave an update on Isco’s situation. It read: “The midfielder carried out an individual training session, separate from the team, due to the discomfort felt upon arriving to the practice.

“This morning, after undergoing several medical tests at the Sanitas-La Moraleja hospital and after analysing the results, and sharing them with his club, Isco has left the national team meet-up.”

La Roja boss Vicente del Bosque has opted not to call up a replacement for now but his hand could be forced should Andres Iniesta pull out. The Barcelona man is also said be carrying a knock.

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Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says his club and Real Madrid would struggle to win the Premier League at the first attempt if they were to ever play in it.

Discussions about how the two Spanish giants would fair if they competed in the English league are a popular debate among fans. Many conclude that a lack of real competition in La Liga outside the top two means they would struggle in a tougher league, and in particular having to battle against teams up for a physical battle in the English elements – cold, rainy, and unwelcoming.

In quotes published by the Guardian, Pique agreed that Barca and Los Blancos would find the going tough.

The former Manchester United man stated:”I think that if Barcelona or Real Madrid goes to the Premier League then the first year of playing there, there is no chance of winning it. Yes, I think so, because if you go to Stoke, or other types of teams, then it will be really tough. It’s a debate – we could spend hours on it.”

He went on to add that if the boot was on the other foot, and English teams played in La Liga, they would also struggle.

He commented: “If Manchester United or Chelsea go to Spain then the same. No chance to win the league.”

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hit out at Real Madrid claiming they are obsessed with headlines.

In an interview with French paper L’Equipe, the Gunners manager, who has spent 19 years in north London, was asked about different models in how to run a football club.

The 66-year-old has always run a tight ship at Arsenal, and has stuck true to his belief that the club should be on a safe financial footing and not rely on the resources of a benefactor. During his tenure, Wenger oversaw the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium – a project that cost close to 500 million euros – yet kept the club at the top end of the Premier League and playing regular Champions League football.

Madrid, meanwhile, are famous for the Galatico policy and always wanting to sign global superstars. President Florentino Perez has hired and fired plenty of managers too in his endless pursuit of glory for Los Blancos.

And Wenger believes such a policy is to the long term detriment of the club.

“Real Madrid have entered the modern path. They need new faces. [They have an] addiction to headlines. For me, consistency in the results depends on the cohesion within the club. Throwing everything out, all the time only makes sense if you have hyper unlimited revenue. Then you can win. If not you’re done,” he said.

He added: “My great pride will be, the day I leave, that I’m leaving a good squad, a healthy situation and a club capable of performing in the future. I could have thought: I’m here for four or five years, we win everything, I leave and leave the club on the verge of bankruptcy.”

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Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has claimed he deserves some recognition for making Cristiano Ronaldo the player he is today.

The pair played together at Old Trafford for two years before Keane departed in 2005 after a falling out with then boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Irishman was known throughout his career for his no nonsense approach – he walked out of the Ireland World Cup squad in 2002 over his anger at a lack of professionalism and preparation. He also had plenty of run ins with opposite numbers and wasn’t afraid to give his opinions to his own team mates too.

Speaking to reporters, Keane, now a TV pundit and assistant manager for Ireland, stated: “Yeah I made him. Only for me he wouldn’t be where he is. Of course yeah, obviously different players have different traits in how you speak to them and who you shout at and who you don’t, but I didn’t shout at Ronaldo that much. I didn’t have to.”

30-year-old Ronaldo switched Old Trafford for the Santiago Bernabeu in 2009 and has since gone on to become the club’s all time leading scorer. He has also lifted the Ballon d’Or three times in his career and will be one of the favourites again for the award next year.

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Real Madrid youngster Martin Odegaard has revealed that star striker Cristiano Ronaldo is always willing to give advice to him.

The Norwegian wonderkid joined Los Blancos in January, choosing the Santiago Bernabeu side over a long queue of clubs desperate to sign him. Since his move to the Spanish capital, the attacking midfielder has largely featured for the Real Madrid Castilla outfit as he adjusts to a new country, language and style of football.

But he had already made his debut for the club, replacing Ronaldo for the final 30 minutes in the 7-3 demolition of Getafe back in May.

Odegaard also trains from time to time with the first team squad as boss Rafa Benitez looks to speed up his progression.

Speaking to reporters, the youngster revealed that the club’s all time leading scorer is always willing to give him advice on how to improve as a player.

“We train together from time to time so I try to learn as much as possible from him. He’s given me lots of tips. There are a lot of things you can pick up from a player as good as him,” he said.

Last week, Ronaldo picked out Odergaard as one of his top five young players to watch in world football. Asked what he made of that high praise, the Norwegian stated:”It’s great to hear that from the best player in the world.”

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Iker Casillas

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas was back in Madrid on Tuesday to be presented with Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sports Merit – Spain’s top sports honour.

The 34-year-old was presented with the cross at Moncloa Palace by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. The Grand Cross is granted by Royal Decree in accordance with the Council of Ministers.

Casillas spent 16 years at Los Blancos winning a host of team and individual honours. Among his winners medals are three Champions Leagues, six La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey, and four Spanish Supercopas.

At international level, Casillas played for the Spanish national team during the nation’s most successful period and picked up the World Cup in 2010, along with the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

Speaking after the collecting his award, Casillas said he hopes that when he retires, he is remember for more than just his sporting success.

“I would like to thank the Spanish government for presenting me with this medal. I’m not sure I deserve it, but I’m filled with happiness. I dedicate this award to the people who have helped me over the course of my career, but in particular my wife, Sara, and my son Martín.

“I hope that when my playing career comes to an end I’m not only remembered for my sporting achievements, but also for helping and giving back to society everything I’ve been given,” he said.

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Karim Benzema is in the spotlight again for his problems off the field. The Real Madrid striker faces a prison sentence for having allegedly cooperated with a friend of his who tried to blackmail Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.

The French forward has had a very controversial personal life since he arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu. This is not the first time he has paid a visit to the Police Station, nor the first he faces a trial.

Here at Real Madrid News we’ve spent a few hours searching in our archives for all the scandals Benzema has been involved in. We’ve found at least seven incidents that have damaged the club’s reputation and could have been easily avoided:

7. Two car accidents in his first season

Benzema arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 and he had his first encounter with the Spanish police pretty soon. In November that year, he crashed his Audi Q7 into a fence and a tree in the residential area where he lives. And just one month later, in his Christmas holidays in Madagascar, he also suffered a car accident while he was driving a Lamborghini.

6. Two nights of sex with a transsexual prostitute

In September 2013, a Belgian newspaper revealed Benzema had paid 8,000 euros to spend two nights with transsexual prostitute Victoria Dorval. The woman claimed “Benzema knew about her transsexualism, and he didn’t mind.” Dorval also claimed to have had a sexual encounter with rapper Booba, a close friend of Benzema, but both the footballer and the musician denied this.

5. Reckless driving in Ibiza

In June 2011, the Spanish police fined Benzema with 250 euros for reckless driving in Ibiza. Apparently, the footballer was caught participating in an illegal race.

4. Suspended one year without driving license

In 2013, Benzema was caught driving at 216 kilometers per hour (134 mph) in a motorway close to his house, more than twice the maximum speed allowed in that road. A Porsche rented by Real Madrid was caught driving at Benzema’s side at 256 km/h (159 mph) in what seemed an illegal race. He faced a prison sentence of six months, but ended up being suspended with one year without driving license. It was never revealed who the other driver was.

3. Caught driving with the license suspended

The France international didn’t seem to care much about the fact that his driving license had been removed. He has been caught three times without a driving license. Benzema always claimed he had a valid French driving license when he was fined, and he will have to prove it next November 23rd, when the trial will take place.

2. Mathieu Valbuena blackmail plot

The Real Madrid striker has been charged for having allegedly participated in a sex tape blackmail plot against his international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena. Benzema spent 12 taken into custody and was released after questioning, but he will probably have to face a trial for having taken part in the extortion attempt. French media have claimed Benzema acted as a messenger between the blackmailer, who was a childhood friend of his, and Valbuena.

1. Underage prostitution scandal

In 2008, Benzema was involved in an underage prostitution scandal in France. Him and Franck Ribery allegedly paid Zahia Dehar for sex when she was 17 years old. The players could have faced up to three years in prison, but in 2011 prosecutors asked for the charges to be dropped, since neither Benzema nor Ribery were aware that Dehar was a minor. Thus, both footballers were absolved.

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Rafael van der Vaart says he never expected Gareth Bale to play for Real Madrid.
The Dutchman, now at Real Betis, has spells at Los Blancos and Tottenham Hotspur, where he enjoyed a good understanding with Bale as Spurs threatened to challenge the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United for a regular place in the top four and earn a ticket to the Champions League.
In an interview with Canal+, van der Vaart recalled his Spurs days and spoke about what a good side they had at White Hart Lane. But he went on to add that he didn’t think Bale would leave for the Santiago Bernabeu as he’s not at the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo or Leo Messi.
“I had two very happy years at Tottenham. We had a good side with Bale, Lennon, Modric at Spurs. Harry Redknapp always wanted to play with the same system and I played behind Crouch. I scored a lot of goals,” he said.
And he added: “I never thought Bale would end up playing at Madrid. Bale isn’t like Ronaldo or Messi; that’s another level.”
Bale joined Los Blancos in a 93 million euro deal in the summer of 2013 and went on to score goals in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals in his first season, helping the club secure the much coveted Decima.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed a promise by Sir Alex Ferguson that he would play in at least 50% of Manchester United’s games in his first season convinced him to join the Ola Trafford side.

The forward joined the Red Devils from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 as an 18-year-old prodigy.

In his six years in the Premier League, as well as earning a host of medals, Ronaldo became a superstar and one of the most feared footballers on the planet.

At the premiere of his eponymous film, Ronaldo revealed a promise by Ferguson swayed his decision in whether to join United or not.

“As I’ve said many times, with Manchester United I have a great passion. I say that every time. What Jorge [Mendes] did for me, at 18 years old, to put me into one of the best clubs of the world with the word of Sir Alex Ferguson, it was kind of a dream. To play at Sporting and to move to Manchester was like: ‘wow’,” he said.

And he added: “It was great because Jorge gave me his word and Sir Alex gave me his word, and I respect the people who tell me something and it happens. These guys will be family with for the rest of my life because they are people who I trust, like and love.

“Of course, when Sir Alex Ferguson told me I’m going to play 50 per cent of the games, it made me feel comfortable. I thought: ‘wow, at 18 years old to play 50 per cent of the games is unbelievable’. The last word of Sir Alex Ferguson was the key in signing for Manchester United.”

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Former Real Madrid player and general manager Jorge Valdano says star striker Cristiano Ronaldo is disillusioned with life under Rafa Benitez and is currently playing under protest.

The 30-year-old has featured in a more central role in the team this season, moving in from the left, where he played with so much success under Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

While his goalscoring figures are still impressive – eight goals in 11 La Liga games – it is slightly distorted by the fact he netted five goals in one game against Espanyol back in September. He failed to score against Sevilla at the weekend – the seventh time he has drawn a blank in the league so far this campaign.

Speaking to Cadena Ser, Valdano said Ronaldo wants to be moved back out to his favoured position and is unhappy playing under Benitez.

“Ronaldo would prefer to be playing out on the left like he’s always done. It’s hard to know if it’s because he’s not scoring, or his position, but he’s not enjoying playing at the moment. He’s playing under protest,” he commented.

Ronaldo last month became Real’s all-time leading goalscorer, overtaking previous holder Raul when he netted a brace in the Champions League against Swedish outfit Malmo.

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