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Iker Casillas says he is enjoying his time at Porto claiming everything is different to anything he has experienced previously – except the demand to win trophies.

The Los Blancos legend ended his 25-year association with the club in the summer when he left the Santiago Bernabeu for the Portuguese outfit.

He is firmly established as the number 1 at the Estadio Dragao and says the enthusiasm by which has has been received by both players and fans has been refreshing. In an interview with AS, he spoke of how he is enjoying everything being new to him again.

“I came to Porto to get the enthusiasm back and so it has proved. The ambition to do well in your work is very important for a footballer. We have a beautiful profession and can reach many people. I want to win trophies and display them for the fans. It would be nice because it would be something new, despite all the celebrations with Madrid in the Cibeles,” the World Cup winner commented.

And he added: “The truth is [coming to Porto] was a sudden and radical change. The sense is that everything is different to the previous situation but the goal is the same: play football.”

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Barcelona striker Luis Suarez says Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is the toughest defender he has come up against since moving to Spain.

The Uruguayan celebrated one year with the La Liga champions at the weekend and marked the occasion with a hat trick in the won over Eibar, allowing Luis Enrique’s men to keep pace with Rafa Benitez’ troops.

In an interview with Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Suarez reflected on his opening 12 months as a Cule and spoke about the toughest opponent he has faced yet.

“The first year, where I scored the winner against Real Madrid and winners against Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and, above all, the Champions League final, that day I fulfilled the dream of winning,” he recalled.

And he added: “Sergio Ramos is the toughest defender I’ve come up against. He’s very strong, very experienced and he’s very competitive. So I value a great deal the goal I scored against Madrid in the home game.”

Suarez went on to add the Barcelona players are doing all they can to help the team keep on track during the absence of Leo Messi – currently sidelined with a knee injury.

He commented: ““I’m very pleased with these goals because they help us win while Lionel Messi is absent. Leo is fine, he’s continuing his recovery and he’s happy, because the team keeps winning even though he isn’t there.”

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Real Madrid look set to hand goalkeeper Keylor Navas a new contract to reward him for his fine form, according to reports.

Madrid-based sports daily Marca says the Costa Rican has impressed the Real hierarchy so much that they feel he deserves recognition for his efforts.

The 28-year-old looked to be heading for the exit on transfer deadline day at the end of August as makeweight in the deal that would have seen Los Blancos bring David de Gea from Manchester United to the Santiago Bernabeu.

But that deal collapsed spectacularly at the last minute due to the late arrival of paperwork with the football authorities.

And Navas has gone on to put that episode behind him. From being almost dumped unceremoniously a year after joining he has established himself as the number 1 at the club. So far this season he has conceded just three goals in 12 games and has won many plaudits for his outstanding saves.

Marca does add though that despite a new contract set to be offered before the end of 2015, the club is still hopeful of signing de Gea in the future. The Spain keeper put pen-to-paper on a new four-year deal at Old Trafford after the transfer debacle unfolded.

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Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes Real Madrid will continue to eye up a move for David de Gea in the future despite Keylor Navas’ fine form.

Los Blancos were close to signing de Gea from Manchester United in the summer but the late arrival of paperwork saw the deal collapse minutes after the close of the transfer window. That sparked an angry war of words between the two clubs as to who was to blame over the embarrassing turn of events.

Since then, de Gea has signed a new four-year deal at Old Trafford, while Navas, who was set to move the other way, has established himself as a key player under Rafa Benitez.

The Costa Rican has conceded just three goals all season and has won many plaudits for his amount of top class saves.

Writing in his weekly column for Sky Sports, Balague admitted he believes that won’t stop Los Blancos going back in for de Gea when they have the chance.

“Real Madrid don’t make decisions in terms of big signings based on sporting reasons, it is mainly down to business plans. De Gea fits the business plan of having a superstar in goal instead of Keylor Navas who is very good. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they go back for De Gea,” he wrote.

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Former Real Madrid left back Roberto Carlos believes Cristiano Ronaldo has more of an impact on his Los Blancos side than Leo Messi does on Barcelona.

The debate surrounding who is the best player in the world will never die and pundits and fans alike use all sorts of stats to back up their arguments no matter what side of the fence they sit on.

In an interview with Globoesporte, Carlos, considered by many to be the best left back to have played for Los Blancos, said both were incredible players but added Ronaldo perhaps edged it when taking into account the impact each player has on their respective sides.

Ronaldo recently became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer and has already netted 12 goals this season for the 10-time Champions League winners.

“Messi is phenomental but in my opinion, Cristiano is a special player because he does everything for Madrid,” Carlos said.

He added: “It is not that Madrid do not have others – [Toni] Kroos, Marcelo – but I think Cristiano is more decisive in Real Madrid than Messi in Barcelona. Messi plays with Neymar, [Luis] Suarez, [Andres] Iniesta, [Sergio] Busquets, while Cristiano starts to fight, assist and score from the front. He is a special player.”

 

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Spanish website Fichajes.net has reported Real Madrid are planning a January move for Leicester striker Jamie Vardy. However, sources from the club have confirmed DefensaCentral.com that this is just an unfounded rumour and there is not a bit of truth in it.

Vardy, who is the top scorer of the Premier League having netted ten goals so far this season, has caught the attention of many European giants.

Los Blancos have been reported to be ready to launch a bid for the 28-year-old in order to have a back-up striker who could give Karim Benzema some rest, just like Chicharito Hernandez did last season.

Yet, the club has confirmed they are not going to sign any striker in the winter transfer market, as they believe Jese Rodriguez and Gareth Bale can play that role when Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo are not available.

On the other hand, sources from the Santiago Bernabeu have told DefensaCentral.com that they are considering to bring a left-back in January in order to give Marcelo some rest. The Brazilian defender has played all minutes so far in La Liga and Rafa Benitez is worried he will not arrive in good shape at the end of the season.

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Carlo Ancelotti would be an excellent choice of manager for Bayern Munich should Pep Guardiola leave his role at the end of the campaign, says Toni Kroos.

The German midfielder left the Bundesliga outfit in the summer of 2014 to join Real Madrid, who were then managed by the Italian boss.

Ancelotti was fired in the summer for failing to lead Los Blancos to major honours last season and is taking a year out from the game. But with Guardiola non-committal on whether he will stay at the Allianz Arena beyond this season, rumours are increasing that Ancelotti’s next job could be in Germany.

Guardiola has been linked a move to the Premier League, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal believed to be lining up his services should Jose Mourinho, Manuel Pellegrini or Arsene Wenger leave their posts.

Speaking to Sport Bild, Kroos said Ancelotti was one of the world’s best coaches and one suited to Bayern.

“Certainly, a world-class coach like him would only consider one, maybe two clubs in Germany. He’s very international, also speaks English. Why shouldn’t he be successful with a top club like Bayern? He would in any case be a very interesting man for the Bundesliga,” he stated.

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Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri believes ex-Real Madrid frontman Gonzalo Higuain can become the best player in the world.

The Argentinean international netted his seventh goal in nine games this weekend as Napoli won 1-0 against Chievo to move second in the Seria A table.

And speaking afterwards, Sarri, who replaced Rafa Benitez in the hotseat in the summer after his switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, said Higuain has what it takes to be the very best.

“I was honest with him and told him as soon as I had him in pre-season that, for me, he could be the best striker in the world if he can exploit his full potential,” Sarri said.

And he added: “He’s a good guy and a smart player and is working fine. Our relationship is direct and honest and I’m glad he’s doing well, although I always have the belief that he can still improve and get that 10 per cent more out of his great talent.

“But the willingness Gonzalo has shown me is the same that the whole squad is demonstrating and I thank them for their application so far.”

Higuain spent seven years in the Spanish capital, scoring 122 goals in 264 games before leaving for Napoli in 2013.

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Luca Zidane says he does not like comparisons with his Real Madrid legend father but is proud to have the same name.

The young goalkeeper is on the books with Los Blancos along with his brothers, and because of the famous dad – a World Cup, European Championship and Champions League winner – they are perhaps under more scrutiny that other players trying to make it to the top.

Speaking in an interview with AS, Luca revealed he became a goalkeeper to avoid too many comparisons with his dad – widely considered to be one of the best players to ever play football.

But he added he was proud of Zinedine’s achievements at the same time – which include scoring one of the most iconic goals – an extraordinary volley for Los Blancos in the 2002 Champions League final.

“When I hear the name Zidane, the first person I think of is my grandfather who was a very important figure in our family. Of course, I can’t deny that I am Zinedine’s son. I am very proud of all my father achieved and to be associated with the name. But I don’t like comparisons with him,” he stated.

Asked why he became a goalkeeper, Luca commented: “Being a goalkeeper I have to work hard for myself and no one can compare with with my dad. That’s maybe one of the reason why I chose to be!”

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Zinedine Zidane says he is enjoying life as boss of Real Madrid Castilla but hasn’t given up hope of landing the top job one day.

Zidane has has a number of roles at Los Blancos since bringing down the curtain on his illustrious playing career. After a stint as a sporting director, he spent a season as assistant manager under Carlo Ancelotti.

But last summer the Frenchman took over the reigns of the second string side as he makes his first steps into management.

Zidane is widely considered to be lined up as a future Real Madrid boss. For now though, the former Ballon d’Or winner says he is enjoying his role. He told reporters that current Los Blancos boss Rafa Benitez is also doing a great job with the side top of the table and unbeaten in all competitions this season.

“Real Madrid coach? We’ll see, for now my day-to-day work is something different. Benítez is good for the team and is doing a great job,” he stated.

The 43-year-old added: “At the moment what I’m experiencing at Castilla is a dream. The team are playing well, and we’re top of the table. At the moment my day-to-day is at Castilla. You’re asking me about the future, but we’ll have to see.”

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