Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Thierry Henry believes that his old team-mate Lionel Messi is ‘more talented’ than his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi was often the star man as he sometimes singlehandedly dragged Argentina all the way to the World Cup Final, winning FIFA’s Golden Ball on the way.
But despite Ronaldo and Portugal going out at the group stage, the Real forward won the Ballon D’Or for the second time.
However, World Cup winner Henry believes that whilst Ronaldo is a very good player, Messi has achieved the level he has through talent.
In an interview with the BBC, the Frenchman said “Lionel Messi is the best player in the world but I respect the amount of work Cristiano Ronaldo has put into the game.
“Ronaldo had to work really hard to reach the top. I am not saying Messi does not work hard – but it is more natural. They have the same mentality but that’s the difference.
Henry continued, explaining “Messi is just a freak of nature. It is nice for kids to watch as they can see one guy who was given a gift and the other guy who does it through hard work.”
After completing James Rodriguez transfer, Monaco and Real Madrid might keep negotiating for a little longer given the Red and White’s interest in Diego Lopez.
Monaco recently ruled out Victor Valdes signing despite having already agreed and signed a contract with him, since the Spaniard failed to pass the medical tests due to a knee injury.
Argentinian keeper Sergio Romero, who played for Monaco last season on loan from Sampdoria, has returned to Italy. Thus, the Ligue 1 side are in need of a replacement, and they have set their eyes on Diego Lopez according to Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
The Madrid-based daily claims Monaco tried to include Lopez as part of James Rodriguez transfer, but Los Blancos refused to do that.
However, now that Rodriguez’s move has been completed, Real directors are open to negotiate for the goalkeeper, especially since Keylor Navas’ arrival will leave Carlo Ancelotti with four men in that position: Lopez, Navas, Iker Casillas and Jesus Fernandez.
Lopez’s market value is eight million euros, but Real could accept even less if Navas arrives and neither Casillas nor Fernandez leave the club.
The main obstacle for Lopez’s exit is the player’s desire to stay in Madrid. He signed a contract extension until 2017 a few weeks ago and is very happy living in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid have ramped up their preparations for the season in the US by having two sessions day now. They take on Inter Milan in their first pre-season match tomorrow – part of the International Champions Cup competition.
Carlo Ancelotti is set to experiment with the side – his usual left backs, Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo are missing – meaning Daniel Carvajal, Alvaro Arbeloa or Nacho will have the chance to impress. Meanwhile, the Italian manager has said he will allow both goalkeepers to stake their claim ahead of the new season.
Marca also claims Ancelotti will give youngster Marco Llorente a chance to make his claim for a place in the first team squad while on tour. He has already been promoted from the Juvenil side to Castilla by Zinedine Zidane and is considered one of the brightest talents at the club.
As Madrid prepare for the new campaign, the also found out yesterday their fixture list. Los Blancos start the campaign on the weekend of August 23/24 at home to Cordoba. The big talking point is the first Clasico fixture on October 25/26. New Barcelona striker Luis Suarez ends his ban on October 25, meaning that if the game at the Santiago Bernabeu is on that evening, he won’t be able to play. Should the television companies decide to schedule the game for October 26, the Uruguayan can play.
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has said the players are eying success on six fronts this season.
Los Blancos will take part in the European Super Cup and Club World Cup thanks to their success in the Champions League last season. They will also compete in the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga, and look to defend the two trophies the won last season – the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
Speaking to Marca, Bale said the players are motivated to win the whole haul of six, but are aware it will be a tough challenge.
The 24-year-old, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu last summer from Tottenham Hotspur in a 91 million euro deal, said: “Having the chance to win six titles is fantastic. We want them all but we know it’s hard.
“Our objectives are the same as any other season. We face six titles and we try to win every one of them. It’ll be a long season but we go for six titles.
“It’s very special to play the Super Cup in Cardiff and it’s the first trophy we’d win, but we’ll fight for all of them.”
The Welshman also played down suggestions the players would be under even more pressure this year thanks to their success in the last campaign, saying when you play for Real Madrid, you are expected to win something every season.
“It’s an exciting time when you’re the best team in Europe. I don’t know if there will be more pressure this season,” he continued.
“Everyone here, the players and Coach, wants to win everything. We’re still hungry. We want to retain the Champions League more than any other team. The secret is to have a great spirit in the team, to help each other on and off the pitch.”
Following James Rodriguez signing for Real Madrid, Liverpool have made an approach to sign Los Blancos’ young playmaker Isco, Spanish newspaper Marca has reported.
The 22-year-old Spanish pearl could be set to leave the club after Los Merengues have spent 80 million euros on a player with the same characteristics, and Liverpool, who have long been eying him, are willing to take advantage of it.
Madrid-based sports daily AS has also claimed “Liverpool have asked Real Madrid about Isco’s situation,” while Sevilla and AC Milan have also shown an interest in the young Spaniard.
Isco recently rubbished rumours of his exit, but this might have changed after Los Blancos officially announced James Rodriguez arrival.
The Andalucian failed to gain a consistent role in Los Blancos last season in his first year at the Santiago Bernabeu. Rodriguez’s arrival will possibly leave even less minutes of play for him, especially since Real have also signed another playmaker this summer, Toni Kroos.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers is reportedly eager to bring a star midfielder to complete his squad, and Isco could be the perfect fit.
Yet Florentino Perez will not let the youngster leave easily, since he paid 30 million euros to bring him from Malaga last summer. If Isco wanted to leave, Real might agree to negotiate a loan move, but Carlo Ancelotti would have to aprove it.
World player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he wants to play at the top level for another six or seven years.
The 29-year-old Los Blancos superstar says he is “In good shape,” after playing through injury at the World Cup.
“For me every season is a challenge so I want to be good again. I dedicate myself 100 per cent and I want to carry on like that until I finish my career,” he said.
Portugal struggled at the World Cup with Ronaldo not fully-fit, but the Portuguese insists he is fully prepared for the coming season.
Ronaldo said: “I’m really focused. [We have the] opportunity to win five, six titles this year.
“I’ll try my best all the season like I do it every year. I’ll try to be the best, help my team, score goals and win titles.”
Ronaldo described last season as “Amazing”. He scored 51 goals in 47 games as Real finished just short of the La Liga title, but won their tenth European Cup.
With Ronaldo firing on all cylinders Real Madrid will this season aim to become the first side to win back to back European Cups since the ‘Champions League’ was first introduced.
Luka Modric, Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos flew out to the USA yesterday to join up with their team mates on tour as they prepare for the new season. The trio had been given some extra time off after their World Cup exertions.
And Marca took some time to interview Luka Modric, with quotes headlining the front page. The Croatian maestro, who pulls the strings in the Los Blancos midfield, said he was happy to see the signings of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos because it means an already strong squad has got even stronger.
Speaking of James, the Colombian has only been at the club little over 24 hours and already his shirt is flying of the walls. In the first full day as a Los Blancos player, the club sold 50,000 shirts. At around 100 euros each, they have already made five millions euros.
Elsewhere, the drawn out signing of Keylor Navas continues. The Levante squad left for a pre-season tour of Holland yesterday but the Costa Rican keeper stayed behind as he looks to complete the deal in the coming days.
And finally, Gareth Bale has been discussing the upcoming season and says it is a honour to be able to take part in six tournaments, adding the players will do all they can to win as many of them as possible.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said he is sure new signing James Rodriguez will seduce Los Blancos fans around the world with his extraordinary skill.
The 23-year-old Colombian was presented to the fans at a baking hot Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, with more than 35,000 fans braving the 36-degree summer heat to welcome their new star.
The former Monaco man agreed a six-year deal and successfully passed his medical after Real and the French side had settled on a fee of around 75 million euros.
Real’s new number 10 had a sensational World Cup in Brazil as he helped Colombia to the quarter-final stages. He scored six goals along the way, taking home the Golden Boot as the competition’s top scorer, and also won the goal of the tournament with his wonder volley against Uruguay.
Speaking at the player’s presentation, Perez said he was sure James would replicate that form in a Real Madrid shirt.
“Today arrives a man who seduces football fans, has led an extraordinary Colombian national team, a player who was one of the sensations of the World Cup,” the Madrid president said.
“Their brilliant game and his goals have confirmed him as one of best at the World Cup, with the Golden Boot and the best goal of the tournament. Welcome to James Rodriguez!”
He also spoke of his pride at seeing someone who had a boyhood dream of wearing the jersey see that come true.
He added: “You have never hidden your passion for our shirt. Every time you have been asked you answered proudly.
“Today you will intensely remember the first time you visited the Bernabeu and you said you wanted to play here. That dream has just begun. The boy who dreamed of wearing the shirt of [Zindedine] Zidane, Raul and [David] Beckham is now a Real Madrid player.”
There are still 40 days to go until that transfer deadline day. The day we all endlessly press the F5 refresh key on our computer keyboards, watch the Sky Sports or BBC transfer clock watch count down, and listen to rumours of players catching late night helicopter rides or sorting out their last minute transfer at the local motorway service station.
But maybe this year it won’t be as exciting. All the big clubs are doing their deals early, which will ultimately leave the also-rans scraping around on the final day before that window slams shut.
Real Madrid have been busy in recent days, spending around 100 million euros to secure the signatures of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez. But how are Los Blancos shaping up? And as they set out to defend the Champions League title they won in May, how does the squad compare with Europe’s other giants?
Business so far:
Carlo Ancelotti didn’t really need to add too much to his squad. They are European champions after all. But an area in which Los Blancos were sometimes exposed last season was in central midfield. Xabi Alonso is in the twilight of his career now, while Asier Illarramendi struggled at times to adapt to the pressure of playing at the world’s biggest clubs. With Sami Khedira injured for most of the campaign, Real lacked a midfielder who could take a game by the scruff of the neck.
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The arrival of Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich last week was quite the capture. In the German World Cup winner, Real have got a gem. As strong as an ox combined with a brilliant range of passing. Coming off the back of a successful tournament in Brazil, the 24-year-old brings a winning mentality to the squad too, helping them as they go in quest of six trophies this season. At the same time as strengthening the Real midfield, Los Blancos’ capture of Kroos has also weakened a rival in the Champions League. Our friends over at FCBayernCentral.com analyzed the situation not long ago, and while they admitted the chance to take the money on offer would be tempting, ultimately they felt it would be better if he had stayed. “Let’s get one thing straight. I would rather Toni Kroos stay at Bayern Munich. He’s a special talent who, at his age, could become a Bayern legend and contribute a lot to the team,” they said.
James Rodriguez has also arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu – something that could delight PSG fans as their closest domestic rival, Monaco, will no doubt be weaker for it. The French champions could also benefit from the Colombian’s arrival in the Spanish capital by making a bid for Angel di Maria. The Argentine almost left last summer, and looks likely to be shown the exit door this time around. At 60 million euros, it would be a great piece of business for Real. Di Maria is a tricky customer, as defenders in the French league will find out, but his game lacks goals and he needs more cutting edge. I feel sorry for him though, as he is one of the hardest workers in the side and does his fair share of defensive duty. Should PSG get their man, much can be expected from them in next year’s Champions League – an attacking line up including Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi, Cavani and di Maria would be amazing.
Last year’s finalists, and Real’s city rivals, Atletico de Madrid have seen plenty of changes. Diego Costa and Felipe Luis – two key players in the run to the final in Lisbon – have left for Chelsea. But the arrival of Mario Mandzukic from Bayern continues a long tradition of having some fine centre forwards. There is still plenty of time to go, but I doubt Los Rojiblancos will hit the same dizzy heights as last season – Courtois will be a big loss in goal.
Elsewhere, Barcelona have brought in Luis Suarez but are still a defender short, and have lost a lot of experience with Xavi Hernandez and Victor Valdes leaving.
What next?
Madrid already look strong – the two players in have already improved a double-winning squad. Keylor Navas looks set to be the next arrival, paving the way for either Iker Casillas or Diego Lopez to leave.
There will be other departures though – Sami Khedira could well be off to Arsenal or Chelsea – despite reports interest in him has cooled as he’s had a change of heart and wants a new deal. Di Maria looks PSG-bound with Manchester United having pulled out of a deal, while Casemiro has already left the club on loan for a year at Porto.
Ancelotti could also dip into the market for a striker too – former Atletico man Radamel Falcao has been earmarked for the role, while Alvaro Negredo was also mentioned.
As it stands though, the area where Madrid needed strengthening was in midfield and they have already sorted out that problem. Their rivals should be worried.
Alvaro Arbeloa and Gareth Bale have led the chorus of Real Madrid players keen to welcome new signing James Rodriguez to the club.
The 23-year-old Colombian forward signed on Tuesday in a 75 million euro deal from Monaco after agreeing a six-year deal at the club that he grew up supporting.
He was greeted by more than 30,000 fans at the Santiago Bernabeu after club president Florentino Perez had welcomed him to the club. Colombia’s ambassador in Spain was also present at the event and spoke about his nation’s pride at having one of the greatest sporting talents of today playing for the biggest club in the world.
Some 6,000 miles away in Los Angeles, Carlo Ancelotti and Fernando Hierro put the squad through their paces as they prepare for the tour of the USA.
But some of the players took to social media during a break in training to welcome James to the club.
Defender Arbeloa took to Twitter and said: “Bond, Dean, LeBron there are many Jameses but only one J A M E S. Welcome to Real Madrid, @jamesdrodriguez! See you soon star!”
Welshman Bale also used the social networking site to send a message to the former Monaco man.
“Another great player joins @realmadrid, welcome @jamesdrodriguez, enjoy today!!!” Bale wrote. Withing minutes, the World Cup’s top scorer had responded, saying: “Thank you @GarethBale11. Can’t wait to meet you and the team.”
