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Wales boss Chris Coleman has praised Gareth Bale for the progress he has made since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu 18 months ago.

The 25-year-old endured a tough start to life in the Spanish capital following his 91-million-euro move from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2013. He was hampered by injury and took his time to find his form when fit again.

But he exploded into life in the second half of the campaign, with his highlights being the goals he scored in the Champions League final and Copa del Rey final.

This season, Bale has netted 12 times in 25 appearances, and has helped his team to another two trophies – the European Super Cup and Club World Cup. Despite that, he has been criticised in some quarters in recent weeks to being too selfish and not passing to Ronaldo enough.

But Coleman defended his countryman, saying he has dealt with enormous pressure and has flourished under the spotlight.

“He has gone there with all the pressure of being the most expensive player in the world, which is not easy. He has gone away from Tottenham to a new country, environment and culture. And it’s not just what is happening on the pitch for him, but the off the pitch,” Coleman told Sky Sports News.

And he added:”He has handled it superbly well since he has been there. He has got even better as a player and I thought he had a great first season.”

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Less than 24 hours after winning his third Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo is already eying a fourth next year – according to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Ronaldo beat Leo Messi and Manuel Neuer to the most prestigious individual honour in world football after enjoying a stunning 2014 in which he helped Los Blancos to four titles and continued to set all sorts of goal scoring records.

Speaking shortly after his star man had been recognised once again, Perez said the Portuguese forward always sets himself new targets, and one of them is to retain the award next year.

“Cristiano wants to beat every record. He wants a fourth Ballon d’Or, he’s working to win it and he has started very well, although, as he has said, what’s most important is that the team’s playing well, is top of La Liga, creates excitement and from that come the individual awards,” he said.

The club president also expressed his delight that so many Real players were recognised – James Rodriguez won the goal of the year award, while Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos were named in the team of the year. They were joined by former Los Blancos winger Angel di Maria, who left Madrid in the summer for Manchester United.

Perez commented: “I’m delighted that Sergio Ramos is in the world XI for the fifth time. I’m also delighted for Kroos and James, who got their reward. In the World Cup, we saw that they were among the best players and we had the opportunity and the pleasure of being able to sign them.

“And I haven’t forgotten Di Maria, because his prize also comes from the hard work he put in for Real Madrid.”

 

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Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson still calls him often to tell him he is the best player in the world and offers him the backing he always did when the pair were at Manchester United.

The former Red Devils boss retired two years ago after 26 glorious years at Old Trafford. For six of them, he worked with the Real Madrid man and the pair enjoyed great success together – with the 29-year-old forward winning the first of his Ballon d’Or awards while at the club in 2008.

Speaking after picking up his third Ballon d’Or on Monday evening, Ronaldo said his former manager still calls him frequently. He also said he is aware the Manchester United fans also still adore him – something he appreciates today.

“I think about Manchester United. The beginning of my career was there, that’s where I started. I know the fans are there supporting me. I haven’t had a message from Sir Alex yet but I speak with him often. He told me to keep improving all the time. He said: ‘Cristiano, you’re the best, don’t worry about the rest’. He’s fantastic, I miss him,” he said.

Madridistas shouldn’t be worried that he’s leaving for Manchester again any time soon, as Ronaldo once again said he focus now is on Los Blancos and he wants to continue winning trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I signed a new contract for many years so I am motivated to win more things for the club,” he stated.

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James Rodriguez received the Puskas Award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Voters picked the Colombian’s goal against Uruguay in the Brazil World Cup as the best goal of 2014.

The Real Madrid midfielder obtained 42% of the votes, beating female amateur player Stephanie Roche, who had scored a stunning goal for Peamount United against Wexford Youths that went viral on the internet. The Irish 25-year-old got 33% of the votes.

[Watch Stephanie Roche’s goal here]

Manchester United’s Robin Van Persie came second with 11% for the goal he scored against Spain in the World Cup, heading the ball over Iker Casillas.

[Wath Robin Van Persie’s goal here]

James Rodriguez was the top scorer of the World Cup with six goals. The best of them was this superb volley that helped Colombia beat Uruguay 2-0 in the group stage.

Even Pancho Puskas’ widow had supported Rodriguez before the ceremony: “Of course I support James, because he plays for Real Madrid and wears the number Pancho used to wear,” she confessed.

The Los Blancos player didn’t speak much as he received the trophy: “I have to thank all the people that voted. I dedicate this to them and to all Colombia. I just have words of happyness,” he said.

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said defender Raphael Varane is going nowhere in this transfer window or anytime soon.

The French international has struggled to dislodge Pepe and Sergio Ramos for the heart of the defence at the Santiago Bernabeu and there have been persistent rumours that he wants to leave the club to get more regular first team football.

The 21-year-old joined the club from Lens in 2011 and is considered one of the brightest defensive prospects in world football. His admirers include Chelsea, managed by Jose Mourinho – the man who brought him to the Spanish capital.

Manchester United and German giants Bayern Munich are also thought to be keen on securing a 30 million euro deal for Varane.

But Ancelotti put a halt to any talk of the player leaving the 10-time Champions League winners and said Varane will be staying at the club. He also said he was unaware Jorge Mendes, the man thought to be behind the talk of Varane’s departure, was his agent.

“I’m surprised, because I didn’t know that Varane’s agent was Mendes. I spoke to his agent three days ago, and he wasn’t his agent. Varane will be a Real Madrid player for a long time,” he stated.

 

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Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has been voted as the best German player in 2014 ahead of Ballon d’Or candidate Manuel Neuer.

The German FA announced last week that the 25-year-old had been voted by supporters as the Player of the Year following a remarkable 12 months of success at both club and country level.

The cultured midfielder helped his former side Bayern Munich to a domestic double in Germany, winning both the Bundesliga and German Cup. He then played a key role in Joachim Loew’s team as Germany went all the way to lift the World Cup in Brazil.

In July he joined Los Blancos in a 25 million euro deal having decided to test himself in a new country and new league. And he’s played a vital role so far this campaign in helping Carlo Ancelotti’s men to two trophies – the European Super Cup and Club World Cup – along with winning 22 consecutive games in all competitions – a run that came to an end at Valencia two weeks ago.

Speaking to the German FA website about picking up the award, Kroos said he was delighted to have done so in such a memorable year.

“It means a lot to me because it was voted for by fans,” he stated.

“This year will always be a highlight of my career. To be voted Germany’s best player in a World Cup-winning year tops it all off.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Leo Messi and Manuel Neuer to win his third Ballon d’Or. The Real Madrid forward has been chosen as the best player of the year for a second consecutive occasion.

Ronaldo received 37.66% of the votes, while Messi obtained 15.76% and Neuer 15.72%. Former Barcelona man Thierry Henry handed Cristiano the trophy.

The Portuguese celebrated the victory with a shout, after thanking his family: “It’s been an unforgettable year at a personal level, and it is something unique to win such an award. This is a motivation to win more titles. I dedicate this to my family, my mother, my brothers, my father who is up there, and also to Portuguese people.”

Ronaldo, who had received this trophy in 2008 and 2013, explained expects to earn a fourth: “I never thought I would win three Ballon d’Or awards. I want to become one of the greatest players of all time. I want to catch Messi. I will work hard.”

Real Madrid could not celebrate a perfect night, as Carlo Ancelotti came second in the voting for the Coach of the Year award. Joachim Low won the award with 36.23% of the votes. Ancelotti received 22.06% and Diego Simeone got 19.02%.

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Alvaro Arbeloa has jumped to the defence of Real Madrid team mate Gareth Bale after he was criticised this week and jeered by some fans for being too selfish.

The Welshman scored a stunning free kick against Espanyol on Real’s 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, but was still jeered by small sections of the home crowd when at one point in the match he opted to shoot rather than pass to Ronaldo, with the Portuguese showing his displeasure.

Speaking to reporters after the game, former Liverpool man Arbeloa, who himself grabbed an assist – providing the pass for Nacho to score the third goal – said all players make mistakes and the Bale had put in a superb performance against the Catalan outfit.

“The fans here are demanding and if you make a mistake, they let you know about it, but Bale cannot be blamed for anything today. He scored an amazing goal and he may have made a few mistakes, but he is a player you have to show affection for and the fans know how to appreciate him,” he stated.

Talking about footballing matters, Arbeloa said the players are determined to put things right against Atletico de Madrid in the Copa del Rey as they seek to overturn a 2-0 deficit.

“The game on Thursday is really important. We really want to do it, we want to answer back, and give everything we can to get another comeback. We know that the fans are crucial if we want to do it. Undoubtedly, they will be great as always on Thursday.”

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Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal has said he thinks goalkeeper David de Gea will resists the overtures of Real Madrid and stay at the club.

The 24-year-old shot stopper, a former Atletico de Madrid player, is thought to be the number one target for Los Blancos to replace Iker Casillas long-term at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But amid reports of the 10-time Champions League winners making a bid in the summer for the rising star, United are believed to be set to offer him a new deal – just days after signing former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes on an 18-month contract.

Speaking to the press ahead of his side’s match against Southampton, Van Gaal said: “I think there is no problem for him to sign. When you are a (regular) player, then probably you are the best, and then the manager is very happy that a player that is fixed in the line-up will stay.”

He went on to speak about the battle between de Gea and Valdes for the number one jersey, suggesting the pair will both be at the club for a while.

”Nobody is happy to be number two and he has to have ambition to beat David De Gea – but it shall be very hard for him,” Van Gaal said.

“David de Gea has developed himself in the six months that I’ve been here very much. I’m very pleased with his development.”

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Raphael Varane has said the Real Madrid players were made to work hard in their game against Espanyol on Saturday, especially after Fabio Coentrao had been given his marching orders.

Los Blancos won 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to get back to winning ways in La Liga having lost against Valencia last week. There was talk of a full scale crisis mounting at the club after they lost their first leg of the the Copa del Rey tie against Atletico de Madrid three days later.

Against Espanyol, Real were back to their ruthless best, and although they played much of the second half with 10 men, they never looked in danger of dropping any points.

Speaking after the match, France defender Varane said: “We wanted to get back to winning ways, that was the aim, and this is a very good result. We also earned the result well. It was difficult in the second half, when we had ten men, it was more complicated but we worked well and as a team to get the win. The team reacted well.

“Pepe and I had solid games, especially in terms of aerial play, and we have to continue on like that. I think that I can improve in offense and score goals.”

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