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2018 is a great year for Madridistas, it hasn’t been long since the Real Madrid won the Champions League for the third time in a row and players are already back in the field disputing the most important football tournament; The World Cup Russia 2018. Without a doubt the World Cup offers great emotion for all football fans, and for The Whites the expectations are high as several players from the Real Madrid squad are special figures for their national team’s rosters.

We’ll review the main figures from the Real Madrid playing at Russia 2018 and we’ll give you some tips for placing bets on them and their national teams focusing on one of the biggest trends of betting on this World Cup: in-play betting. All major sport betting platforms are offering free stream of the matches for football in-play betting, even from mobile devices, which made of online casinos one of the best ways to see the matches comfortably from anywhere. In-play betting offers more than just commodity to add some excitement to watching the World Cup, in fact; in-play betting offers a complete different experience, in this modality the possibilities of using your knowledge on individual players to win your bets are higher which makes it perfect to place bets on The Whites players you know so well. However, you should also take in consideration the constantly changing odds and the importance of budget management, because you can place bets more quickly it means you could win or lose quicker too.

Germany: The Surgeon is one of the best promises of the German team, Toni Kroos champion of the World Cup 2014 promises a great spectacle for Russia 2018. Let’s not forget, this player has the record of scoring two goals in a World Cup match in less than 69 seconds. However, if you’re planning to bet on him repeating the story, you might want to check the InsureBet options some sportbooks offer; in this type of bets you’ll win if the player scores two or more goals, and in case he only scores one you’ll receive a refund of your initial bet, definitively a great betting option for Kroos’s appearance on this World Cup.

Croatia: Real Madrid’s little magician; Luka Modric is also a main figure for Russia 2018, besides the controversy of being charged with perjury on a corruption case, the Croatian captain is already proving his value scoring important goals for the team in this World Cup. Kovacic is another important player to check out on the next matches as some people expect this World Cup to be the scenario for this versatile player to prove his real skills.

Portugal: Indisputably, the eyes of the Madridistas in the World Cup will be focusing on Portugal. Team where the forward, five times Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo disputes the win the Golden Boot, another great betting opportunity according to his initial appearances and current position.

Brazil: Russia 2018 is the perfect opportunity for Marcelo to redeem from the last World Cup Brazilian team performance. Criticized for playing at the historic 7-1 defeat to Germany and specially for scoring an own goal against Croatia at the beginning of 2014 World Cup, Marcelo will bring his top skills to Russia and playing side to side with Neymar promises to be a decisive player for the Brazilian squad.

Spain: Evidently, the team to watch if you want to see the performance of The Whites at the World Cup. In fact, the Real Madrid is the team with more representation among the Spanish World Cup squad. A good focus of the bets on this team remain on their defender’s positions including Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos; who not only is the captain of the team but is also considered by many as the best center back in the cup. Lucas Vàzquez, Isco and Asensio are also great promises for the Spanish team. Actually, some experts rely on Asensio’s speed to accelerate the Spanish play on the field, remember that speed is one of the most important factors to bear in mind when placing in-play bets as odds are timely sensitive.

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Luka Modric

Many players make the difference at Real Madrid. The team doesn’t win four Champions League titles out of five just by coincidence. Actually, in the start of the World Cup we are watching many Real Madrid players shining with their national teams. Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Keylor Navas or Raphael Varane are among the best players in the tournament, but we want to put the eye on Luka Modric, probably the best midfielder of the world.

At the end of the game at Kiev between Liverpool and Real Madrid, Steven Gerrard asked his colleagues at the British TV if Luka Modric was the best midfielder in the world. The Croatian player made an exhibition in the Champions League final, defending together with Casemiro and directing the team in the attacking phase. After watching Argentina v Croatia in the World Cup, we can affirm that Luka Modric is currently the best midfielder in the world.

At his 32 years old, Modric is at the top of his long career. Obviously, the time passed and the midfielder is struggling to keep the level throughout the year. In fact, this season he has only started in 23 games in La Liga and he only scored one goal against Deportivo La Coruña. It hasn’t been his best year, with a lot of injury problems, but he gave his best in the key moments.

Now he stepped in the World Cup leading a great national team. His role is more offensive than in Real Madrid, playing ahead of Ivan Rakitic and Brozovic, two other great footballers. But Modric is getting better and better. Against Argentina he was able to score one of the best goals in the World Cup with a great shot outside the box, beating Willy Caballero. It was very similar to the goal he scored at Old Trafford to get the qualification in the Champions League.

Unfortunately, Modric is getting old and Real Madrid is working to get a good replacement. Mateo Kovacic is a great alternative but the former Tottenham Hotspur player is unreplaceable. Real Madrid supporters will realize it when he’s gone. Nevertheless, we have still time to enjoy him.

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Real Madrid have signed the young Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunian from Zorya Luhansk. The footballer is only 19 years old, but the Spanish giants have paid around €12.5M to his former club, €4.5M of them will depend on several clauses. In this way, Los Blancos continue signing young players from all over the world.

Despite his age, Lunin has already international experience as he played the UEFA Europa League this year, winning for example at San Mamés (0-1) with a great performance. The goalkeeper, (1.91m) has also made his debut with his national team. Other big European teams like Roma, Liverpool or Real Sociedad were following his steps.

With this signing, Real Madrid continue with his policy. After signing Vinicius, who should be able to play the pre-season tour with Los Blancos, Florentino Pérez keeps buying youngsters. The president started with Martin Odegaard, in 2015, who wasn’t very successful, but the signings of Marco Asensio or Dani Ceballos followed also this policy.

Now we have to wait which is Lopetegui’s decision about Lunin’s role in the squad. He could be the third goalkeeper and replace Luca Zidane or he could be given on loan, so he continues growing up as a player. For sure, this signing won’t affect the possibility of tying Alisson Becker up. The club is still in talks with AS Roma to try to sign a good goalkeeper to compete with Keylor Navas.

Kiko Casilla could be the one with less options to continue in the squad. He was grown at Valdebebas, but he didn’t have great performances this year and it’s quite clear that he’s not an option to become the main goalkeeper in the squad. For this reason, we should expect many news in this role this summer. Meanwhile, Keylor Navas is doing a great World Cup with his national team, Costa Rica, showing again his quality.

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Alisson Becker

Julen Lopetegui is already working on planning the squad for the next season. The manager is missing the World Cup after he was shockingly axed by the Spanish Federation (RFEF) just two days before his debut in Russia. Now, Lopetegui has time to get ready for the new season and one of the hottest topics is the goalkeeper.

Since Keylor Navas arrival, the club is looking for a replacement. David De Gea, Thibaut Courtois, Kepa Arrizabalaga or Gianluigi Donnarumma were the best candidates, but now Real Madrid are more interested on Alisson Becker, the Brazilian goalkeeper playing for AS Roma this season. He was named the best goalie in the Serie A and he’s one of the best players in his position in Europe.

However, it won’t be easy to sign him. AS Roma arrived to the semifinals of the Champions League for the second time in their history last season and they are trying to build a great project with Monchi managing the signings. Alisson is a key player in the squad and Eusebio di Francesco, recently renewed, doesn’t want to lose him. For this reason, Roma is asking for €70M for the transfer, but Los Blancos are only willing to invest up to €50M.

Keylor Navas’ great level in the last months give some calm to the bosses at Bernabéu. However, they want to improve the squad and the competition in the goalkeeper position, and Alisson would be a key signing. Kiko Casilla is not a competitor for Navas, so the club keeps looking for a good fit for that position.

Besides, Zinedine Zidane left in June and he was the great defensor of Keylor Navas. The French manager said several times that the Costa Rican was his preferred goalkeeper and he even stopped Kepa’s signing in the Winter transfer window. With the French gone, there is space for signing another goalie, but it will be a tough decision because Keylor Navas was very important in the last three Champions League titles won by Los Blancos.

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The striker Raúl de Tomás has announced on his Twitter account the new deal signed with Real Madrid until the year 2023. However, the club has not said anything yet, but the player could be in the squad of Los Blancos next season and replace Borja Mayoral as the third striker.

Raúl de Tomás played this season on loan at Rayo Vallecano, another team of Madrid that got the promotion to La Liga after leading the Spanish Second Division. De Tomás was the key player of the team trained by Míchel, scoring 24 goals in 32 games.

“My dream is playing at Real Madrid. I’ve been there since I was little and, like all the youngsters, my dream is playing there”, De Tomás said. He’s closer to his dream because Los Blancos could have thought to bring him into the squad and let Borja Mayoral leave in the summer transfer window. However, we have to wait until August. Then, Julen Lopetegui will decide what to do, but we’ll see De Tomás in the pre-season tour and he could have the chance to convince the new manager.

“Everybody has dreams… Mine started when I was 8 and I started playing in this club being a child. I knew that every step until now was bringing me closer to my dream: being Real Madrid player. Five years more in the club of my life. Thanks, Hala Madrid”, the player wrote on Twitter.

The attacking line could suffer many changes during the summer. No player from the BBC has the spot in the squad secure, with Cristiano Ronaldo asking for a pay-raise, Gareth Bale claiming for more minutes and Karim Benzema on the eye of Ancelotti with Napoli. Borja Mayoral is also wanted for many La Liga teams and he could be given on loan this summer.

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Julen Lopetegui

There was a lot of expectation in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. It wasn’t another unveiling, but the former Spanish national coach had to speak in front of the journalist after his departure from Russia. Despite the facts, Julen Lopetegui was so happy after signing a three year deal with Real Madrid.

“Since my mother’s death, yesterday was the saddest day in my life, but today is the happiest day in my life”, Lopetegui said in his introduction, close to Florentino Pérez. The manager remembered the time spent at Real Madrid: “When I arrived here when I was 18 dressed in the army way I was lucky enough to be Castilla’s player, then the first team and learn the values, the loyalty. I was lucky to train Castilla and now Real Madrid. It’s a completed circle. I’m very happy”, Lopetegui commented.

Obviously, many journalists asked about his controversy with Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), who sacked yesterday Lopetegui for signing a contract with Real Madrid only two days prior to the Spanish debut in the World Cup. “I would have liked that Rubiales would have acted in another way”. “Loyalty is telling the truth. The moment there was something to say, the first one to know it’s him”.

Then, Lopetegui explained how everything happened: “I wanted to announce a press conference that day but I had to wait because he [Rubiales] was far away. The agreement had to be closed fast, not during the World Cup. I don’t know what happened during these hours. The reason to bring it up was being transparent. I didn’t want anything to hide. The players knew and there weren’t any problems, they trained great”, the brand new Real Madrid manager said. .

He didn’t say many things about his new era at Real Madrid, but he’s now fully focus on the project: “From tomorrow on, we will be working at Valdebebas. No matter what happen, we will have the best team”, Lopetegui finished.

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florentino perez

The former Spanish manager will be the next Real Madrid coach and he will be unveiled on Thursday afternoon after he was shockingly sacked from his job. The club made the public announcement on Tuesday afternoon. It is a surprising piece of news because Mauricio Pochettino or Jurgen Klopp were the favourites to take the job.

Julen Lopetegui arrived in 2016 to the Spanish manager job. He lead the Spanish national team to the World Cup with a great qualification tournament where they lead their tough group with Italy as runners-up. Besides, he hasn’t lost a single game so far in the Spanish bench, although the team played against tough teams like Germany, England or Argentina. Actually, Spain thrashed the South American group 6-1 in the best game so far under his management. However, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales, sacked him only two days before starting the World Cup for betraying him when negotiating with Real Madrid.

Before he was the head coach at Porto from July 2014 until 2016, being the runner-up of the Primeira Liga behind Benfica. He was successful with the Spanish national team U-21, group leaded by the former goalkeeper for two years.

Lopetegui renewed his contract with Spain for two years just before starting the World Cup thanks to his great results. However, Florentino Pérez’s call changed everything and he will sign a three year deal with Los Blancos.

The Spanish players of Real Madrid suggested his signing because he keeps a very good relationship with Sergio Ramos or Isco, player who is always supported by the coach. Nacho, Lucas Vázquez, Carvajal or Marco Asensio have also good experiences with the manager. Besides he knows very well the club, as he was the goalkeeper of the team and he also trained Castilla (2008-09).

It was a big surprise because Mauricio Pochettino or Jurgen Klopp were the favourites ones. However, it was impossible to sign them as they have contracts with their clubs. Therefore, Real Madrid position was tough and Lopetegui was doable although he had just signed a new contract with the Spanish national team. He has a good character and he knows how to manage the pressure and the media, so he should be able to continue with Zidane’s legacy.

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Zidane

Zinedine Zidane appeared again in public on Sunday to watch live the Roland Garros final between Rafa Nadal and Dominic Thiem. The Frenchman enjoyed another exhibition of the Spaniard, who won his 11th silverware in Paris. After, Zizou explained some things about this future. Meanwhile, Real Madrid bosses are still looking his replacement in the bench unsuccessfully.

Zidane is enjoying his holidays after a tough year. The manager was in the Middle East and also in the French Riviera enjoying the sunshine. However, he travelled to Paris to watch the Roland Garros final and he participated in a sponsorship show organizes by Adidas. Zizou spoke there about his future: “I’m resting and I don’t know what I will do. The most important thing is the decision I took. We’ll see what happen next”, the Frenchman said.

Zizou was together with some former colleagues in the French national team like Djorkaeff or Laurent Blanc. So Zidane was asked about the World Cup and the odds of France to bring home the cup again, like in 1998: “This team has real potential. I hope they arrive the further possible and, why not, win the World Cup”. In addition, Zizou also spoke about the French star Kylian Mbappé: “He’s great for his age. You have to leave him do it what he knows to do because he will always take the right choice”.

Although there were a lot of rumours about Zidane’s future, the manager won’t be sat in the French bench after the World Cup. Zidane discarded this idea, although he could be the perfect replacement for Didier Deschamps in case France fails in the World Cup in Russia.

Zidane doesn’t know his future yet and Real Madrid haven’t decided his replacement. Several days after the shocking announcement, Florentino Pérez and José Ángel Sánchez are still looking for the right coach, with Pochettino, Klopp or Lopetegui as favourites, although their current contracts make the situation very difficult.

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One of the Real Madrid captains, Marcelo, spoke in press conference before playing the World Cup with Brazil. The South American team is again one of the favourites to win the tournament and Marcelo is, probably, the best left back in Russia. He is also one of the most important players of the Spanish giants and he was asked about the current situation of the club, especially about Cristiano Ronaldo’s possible departure or Neymar’s arrival.

Even if Cristiano Ronaldo is one of his closest friends in the dressing room, Marcelo wasn’t very happy about his team mate’s behaviour recently: “Cristiano is not the owner of Real Madrid. Not because Cristiano is there, Neymar cannot arrive… Every player is supporting Cristiano to stay, but Neymar has always the doors opened. I think the best players of the world have to play at Real Madrid, and I said two or three years ago that Neymar will play at Madrid one day”, Marcelo said.

We have to remember that Cristiano Ronaldo hinted his departure after the Champions League final at Kiev. In addition, this week, the newspaper Record said that the Portuguese player will leave the club, obviously this information was leaked by Mendes associates. Some reports inform that Cristiano is angry because of the rumours linking Neymar with Real Madrid.

Marcelo also spoke about Sergio Ramos, who was accused of hurting Salah and Karius. The Spaniard defending himself saying that also Firmino could have got a cold because of his sweat, but the Brazilian striker didn’t take very well the joke: “I know Sergio Ramos for 12 years. It’s boring winning three Champions League in a row and everybody talks because he hit the goalkeeper, because someone was sent off or because there was a penalty not scored. We have to put in value the three titles Real Madrid won. And people blame Ramos. About what Firmino said, I don’t want to say anything but I have an opinion. I think there should always be respect for a colleague”, Marcelo said defending Ramos.

Finally, Marcelo spoke about the Ballon d’Or award: “Until now, I haven’t understood the criteria for the Ballon d’Or Award or the Best 11 Players for FIFA. If it’s about titles, about the season, about the face the players were born… If anyone knows, just tell me [laughs]. So far, I think it’s about the season. Whoever has more votes win. Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player of the world for me, no doubt. And Neymar has a brilliant career in front of him and he might be equal in the future”.

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Ronaldo
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

The Portuguese newspaper Record published today in the front page that “Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Real Madrid” this summer. The striker is not happy in the club because Florentino Pérez doesn’t accept his pay-raise and he’s flirting with Neymar, who will take his place as the star of the team.

According to the newspaper, Real Madrid bosses already told Cristiano Ronaldo that he won’t receive the salary he wants. The club is willing to raise his salary, but they will never accept the numbers wanted by the player. Cristiano Ronaldo improved his salary only a couple years ago and that is enough for the bosses. However, the striker had problems with the Spanish tax authorities and Neymar or Leo Messi have improved their contracts meanwhile.

The star thinks that he deserves a better treatment, especially after leading the team in the last three seasons, winning also two Ballon d’Or in a row. Zidane’s departure doesn’t help for him to stay in the club as Cristiano Ronaldo values a lot his work. Zizou convinced him to rest during the season and he arrived at his best until the end of the season in the last three seasons. Ronaldo doesn’t have any close friends left in the squad because Pepe and Fabio Coentrao left the club, so Marcelo is his only close support in the dressing room. According to the newspaper, all these factors lead to an end of the relationship. Italy, France or England are his options for the future.

According to MARCA, José Ángel Sánchez, general chief at Real Madrid, had a meeting with Jorge Mendes, Cristiano’s agent, to speak about the future. They didn’t reach an agreement and Sánchez told Mendes that the club is willing to meet Cristiano’s expectations.

Cristiano Ronaldo said after the Champions League final that “it was very nice to be in Madrid”, hinting his departure. After that, he said that he will speak while training with Portugal. This week the star started preparing the World Cup with his national team, but he has kept silence. In the next few days he should clarify his intentions, but he still has contract until 2021 with Real Madrid, so it won’t be so easy to leave the Spanish capital. .

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