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Former Real Madrid midfielder Ignacio Zoco has predicted Los Blancos will come back strongly and respond to winning no trophies last season.

The ex-Los Merengue, who played at the Santiago Bernabeu between 1962 and 1974, said the current squad is strong and will compete with Barcelona again this season after mission out last time.

Speaking to Marca, Zoco said: “I see this team as a strong one. It’s one of the top clubs in Spain. It’s true that they didn’t win anything last season and Barcelona did, but that just goes in cycles.”

Asked if the absence Luka Modric last season had an impact on the team, Zoco, who played more than 400 times for Madrid, said the Croatian was a key player but not irreplaceable.

“I don’t think one man makes a team. There were other players who came in for Modric and did a job, simple as that. Madrid doesn’t depend on him, although having said that he is a superb player. But at Madrid, if a player is missing, they replace him with another world class player – they have a brilliant squad – one of the best in the world,” Zoco added.

The now 75-year-old won seven La Liga titles and a European Cup during his time as a Los Blancos player.

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Iker Casillas’ exit from Real Madrid leaves a bitter taste, according to ex-Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez.

The midfielder, who left the Catalan side after 17 years this summer for Al Sadd, paid a warm tribute to his old international colleague on earlier this week. And on Tuesday he spoke once again on the subject, this time attacking Real for showing a lack of respect.

Casillas held a press conference on Sunday afternoon in which no member of the Los Blancos board turned up. He was in tears as he said goodbye. Then, in a hastily organised event, the goalkeeper – who signed a two year deal with Porto – appeared alongside Florentino Perez at the Santiago Bernabeu on Monday, an event in which fans called on the club president to resign.

Speaking to La Vanguardia newspaper, Xavi said legendary sports stars such as Casillas should be shown respect.

“It cannot be that maturing Spanish athletes are not shown sufficient respect. He is going to Porto and I am sure he will be welcomed as a hero. Away from here they will appreciate him more,” he said.

He added: “I look at Iker and I have the feeling that lately he is playing under pressure, as if he has to prove what a great keeper he is in every match, without the joy he always had. In recent years I have seen that he is not enjoying himself like before. He even seems bitter and I think everyone in this country should think about this. It cannot be that people neglect to value everything they have done for their sport and instead focus on their defects, sometimes with malicious intent.”

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Arsenal are ready to play the waiting game with Real Madrid in the hope they can sign striker Karim Benzema late on in the transfer window, according to reports.

Goal.com says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has identified the Frenchman as his top transfer target this summer as the FA Cup holders look to launch a title bid and compete with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea for the Premier League trophy.

The north London side have been linked with Benzema for a while but have yet to make their move officially. The website said Wenger, who is leading his side of a pre-season tour in Singapore this week, has let other targets go by this summer as he waits to make his move.

Benzema is believed to be happy in the Spanish capital and is a firm favourite of president Florentino Perez, but reports in Spain suggest new boss Rafa Benitez could tinker with the formation and move Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale to more central positions. Should that happen, Benzema could look to leave and establish himself as a first choice elsewhere.

The Frenchman joined Real from Lyon for 30 million euros in 2009 and has played a key role in helping the team lift La Liga, the Champions League, Copa del Rey, European Super Cup and World Club Cup in his time in Spain.

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The new fixtures for the La Liga season have been revealed. See the table below for Real’s opponents throughout the season!

Real Madrid Fixtures 2015-16
Weekend Fixture
August 23 R. Sporting – Real Madrid
August 30 Real Madrid – Real Betis
September 13 RCD Espanyol – Real Madrid
September 20 Real Madrid – Granada CF
September 23 Athletic Club – Real Madrid
September 27 Real Madrid – Malaga CF
October 4 Atletico Madrid – Real Madrid
October 18 Real Madrid – Levante UD
October 25 RC Celta – Real Madrid
October 28 Real Madrid – UD Las Palmas
November 1 Sevilla FC – Real Madrid
November 8 Real Madrid – FC Barcelona
November 22 SD Eibar – Real Madrid
November 29 Real Madrid – Getafe CF
December 6 Villarreal CF – Real Madrid
December 13 Real Madrid – Rayo Vallecano
December 20 Real Madrid – Real Sociedad
January 3 Valencia CF – Real Madrid
January 10 Real Madrid – RC Deportivo
January 17 Real Madrid – R. Sporting
January 24 Real Betis – Real Madrid
January 31 Real Madrid – RCD Espanyol
February 7 Granada CF – Real Madrid
February 14 Real Madrid – Athletic Club
February 21 Malaga CF – Real Madrid
February 28 Real Madrid – Atletico Madrid
March 2 Levante UD – Real Madrid
March 6 Real Madrid – RC Celta
March 13 UD Las Palmas – Real Madrid
March 20 Real Madrid – Sevilla FC
April 3 FC Barcelona – Real Madrid
April 10 Real Madrid – SD Eibar
April 17 Getafe CF – Real Madrid
April 20 Real Madrid – Villarreal CF
April 24 Rayo Vallecano – Real Madrid
May 1 Real Sociedad – Real Madrid
May 8 Real Madrid – Valencia CF
May 15 RC Deportivo – Real Madrid

NB – Fixtures are subject to change throughout the season.

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Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been offer to Real Madrid following Iker Casillas’ departure from the Spanish capital, according to reports.

Barcelona-based sports newspaper Sport has claimed Casillas’ former agent Gines Carvajal, who is also Valdes agent, has contacted Los Blancos to discuss the possibility of signing the Manchester United man.

Valdes is looking for a move out of Old Trafford as Louis Van Gaal has decided he will not have him in his squad for next season. The 33-year-old hasn’t played regularly since he left Barcelona in 2014 having suffered a serious knee injury.

The keeper had signed for Monaco, but the Ligue 1 side broke the deal after analysing his injury. After that, he worked hard to recover and United offered him a chance to play football again.

He made his return last May in a Premier League game against Arsenal, and he would play another match against Hull the following week.

Valdes has been linked with a move to the Turkish league and La Liga side Valencia are also interested in bringing him.

Florentino Perez’s main candidate for the goalkeeper position is David de Gea, but should this transfer fail it is highly unlikely both Real Madrid and Valdes would reach an agreement, given the goalkeeper’s past.

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said Iker Casillas was not forced out of the club but chose to leave by himself.

Los Blancos and Perez in particular have been criticised over their handling of the legend’s exit after he agreed a two-year deal with Porto. Having publicly chased David de Gea all summer long, Casillas knew he had no future at the Santiago Bernabeu.

On Sunday he gave a press conference explaining his reasons for leaving and to say goodbye to the fans without a single member of the Madrid hierarchy present. Yesterday, the 34-year-old and Perez appeared at the stadium together to speak to the press and Casillas then went onto the field to acknowledge the waiting fans.

Speaking to journalists, Perez said: “Players who have a valid contract go because they want to, but in the case of Iker, because of his history, he has the right to foresee his future away from the club. We have understood that, it seems fine to us, and the same thing happened with Raúl, who did not leave by the back door as some have said before.”

He then went on to deny reports he had made life difficult for Casilllas in recent seasons, saying: “Any time I had the opportunity, I have criticised the whistles. I believe that there is something wrong if fans do not adore players. I understand that everyone has their own way of thinking, but I do not like when the media or fans attack players and I have reiterated that whenever possible. Our history and values have not taught us to criticise players publicly.”

“I have been speaking to him since I came here and I speak to all of the players whenever they have a problem. Those people who have not treated Iker well are the people who are going to miss him the most, and those who will remember him most in the future.”

He then went on to speak about a possible replacement but not be drawn on the David de Gea situation.

“Iker is going and we will begin to see who can come. De Gea is a magnificent goalkeeper who belongs to a club who are friends of ours and we have nothing to say about the matter. Replacing Casillas is impossible. Lots of goalkeepers will come but they do not arrive here aged nine, and we will always remember Casillas as a legend who has been a part of the last 25 years of Real Madrid’s history.”

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Former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez has paid tribute to ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas after he completed a switch to Porto – ending his 25-year career with Los Blancos.

The 34-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Estadio de Dragao side and said an emotional farewell on Sunday in a press conference.

Xavi ended his career with Barcelona this summer too, signing for Qatari side Al Sadd. The contrasts between the two players’ departures was stark, with Xavi getting an incredible send off from the Nou Camp fans after the club won the Champions League. Casillas, meanwhile, slipped away quietly, with no member of the board present at his press conference on Sunday and the player no able to wave goodbye infront of the Madridistas at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking to Marca, Xavi paid a glowing tribute to his international team mate. The pair played a key role in helping Spain to lift the World Cup and two European Championships. They also fought many battles on opposing sides in El Clasico, but Xavi said the pair are great friends.

“I have to publicly recognise that I appreciate Iker a lot, and I sincerely think that we have a strong friendship. There’s a lot of years together, we had passed by a lot of moments, good and bad ones, and these are the ones which stick people together. And he’s a very lovable guy. He has been always a joker, joyful, sincerely and really competitive guy,” he stated.

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Barcelona man Andres Iniesta has said Iker Casillas will find the next few days tough as he comes to realise he will not retire at the club he loves.

The now former Los Blancos keeper left the Santiago Bernabeu at the weekend to sign for Porto after Real made it clear they want to sign a new number 1 this summer in the shape of David de Gea.

On Sunday, Casillas said his farewell to the club’s fans and broke down in tears at a press conference. The 34-year-old has spent his entire career at the 10-times Champions League winners and won a whole host of trophies including five La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues, two Copas del Rey, the European Super Cup, World Club Cup and Spanish Supercopa.

Iniesta has spent his entire career at Barcelona and played with Casillas in the Spain side that won two European Championships and the World Cup.

Speaking to La Sexta, the midfielder said Casillas would find it tough to accept his Real Madrid career was over.

I haven’t spoken with Iker but I guess it’s not an easy situation. It’s difficult to leave the club of your life, so we’ll see what happens,” he commented.

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Former Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham has posted a message on social media paying tribute to Iker Casilas after the goalkeeper brought the curtain down on his Los Blancos career.

The 34-year old has agreed a two-year deal at Porto, ending his 25-year association with Real Madrid. In his time a Los Blancos player, Casillas has won five La Liga titles, three Champions League tropies, and the Copa del Rey twice among other achievements.

At international level, he played a key role in helping Spain with the World Cup and two European Championships.

Throughout his career, Casillas has played with the best players in the world, and Beckham, who played alongside him at the Santiago Bernabeu between 2003 and 2007, posted on Instagram a heartfelt tribute to the ex-captain of the club.

Along with a picture of the pair embracing, Beckham wrote:

“What more can be said about this man…. I’m sad to see Iker leave a club that he adored and gave everything too for so many years. He is a friend an amazing person and one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the game .. A true @realmadrid legend… Gracias Amigo @ikercasillasoficial.”

Beckham left Madrid for the MLS in where he enjoyed a successful spell with LA Galaxy. He spent periods on loan at AC Milan and PSG before time on his career.

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Premier League side Liverpool have made a 30.5 million euro offer for Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev, according to reports.

British tabloid The Sunday People said Brendan Rodgers has identified the Russian international as the man to give his side more attacking prowess this season as the Reds look to improve on a disappointing campaign last time out.

Cheryshev spent eight seasons with the Real Madrid youth academy before featuring for Real Madrid Castilla. He has spent the last couple of seasons away from the Santiago Bernabeu, on loan at Sevilla and Villarreal.

His first loan spell was a disappointment as he was injured for most of the season, but last year he featured 40 times for the Yellow Submarine. He netted seven goals and was the team’s highest assist maker on nine.

Now, the 24-year-old faces a difficult decision. He is keen to make his mark at the 10-time Champions League winners, but faces stiff competition for a place in the side, with the likes of James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos, Isco, Luka Modric all ahead of him in the midfield pecking order.

With new boss Rafa Benitez assessing his squad on the tour to Australia and China, a move may not be imminent but could happen towards the end of the transfer window.

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