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European football’s governing body UEFA has banned Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso for one game for celebrating the Champions League success back in May.

While it surely has bigger fish to fry – such as effectively implementing the Financial Fair Play rules or introducing technology into the sport – they have instead decided to focus their attention on banning Alonso for improper conduct.

It means Alonso will play no part for Real Madrid when they take on Sevilla in the European Super Cup in Cardiff next month. The trophy is played between the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League.

The midfield veteran ran down the touchline to celebrate with his team mates after Gareth Bale has scored Los Blancos’ second goal and the crucial one that saw the club defeat city rivals Atletico de Madrid and land its 10th European Cup.

The World Cup winner with Spain four years ago, who also won the Champions League when he was at Liverpool, was suspended from playing the final in Lisbon having picked up a yellow-card in the semi-final against Bayern Munich which meant he had reached the limit.

Meanwhile, Atletico boss Diego Simeone has been given a one-match touchline ban after his involvement in an altercation with Raphael Varane shortly after Cristiano Ronaldo had scored the fourth goal.

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The agent of Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has denied reports the player is set for a move to Italan side Napoli.

Following the arrival of Toni Kroos at the Santiago Bernabeu, doubts have been raised over the future of a number of players in the squad. Sami Khedira has been linked with a move away to Arsenal or Chelsea, while Asier Illarramendi could be heading for the exit door too.

And according to Sport Mediaset, Napoli, managed by Spaniard Rafa Benitez, could look to the Alonso to bolster their options in the centre of the park next season.

The Seria A side have already done business in recent times, taking a trio of Real stars last summer. Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon all moved from the Spanish capital to Italy 12 months ago.

But Inaki Ibanez said his client would not follow suit and is happy to remain at Los Blancos.

“I want to deny rumours that there has been any contact with Napoli,” he said. “They have never been in contact with us. I can assure you that Xabi will remain with Real Madrid.”

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Toni Kroos is officially a Real Madrid player. And there were plenty of excited fans at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday cheering him as he stepped onto the pitch for the first time as a Los Blancos player.

Marca and AS both go with their new signing on their front page, and carry the quote in which he said he is the right man to help Madrid win more trophies. According to reports, up to 10,000 fans braved the 38 degree heat in Madrid to welcome the World Cup winner to the club.

Now, attention in the press turns to the signing of James Rodriguez. AS claimed Los Blancos and Monaco were close on a agreeing a free while the player has already accepted an offer and will receive 7.5 million euros a year in wages. The paper claims today that the French side want Diego Lopez as part of the deal. They are on the hunt for a new number one having rejected the opportunity to sign Victor Valdes on a free transfer because of his knee injury.

There is still uncertainty over the future of Sami Khedira at the club either. Reports earlier this week suggested the midfielder was on his way to Arsenal. Then it was claimed the deal was being held up over his wage demands and late interest from Chelsea – who are looking to improve their squad in an attempt to win some silverware this season. And the latest is that the German player wants to remain in the Spanish capital and will asked for an improved deal.

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Toni Kroos has said he joined Real Madrid to help the club keep winning titles.

As his presentation as a new Los Blancos player on Thursday afternoon, the Germany midfielder said he knew of the expectations at the club and told supporters and reporters he was the right man to help the team carry on from the success the experienced last season.

The World Cup winner, who signed a six-year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu and will wear the number 8 shirt, was greeted by thousands of jubilant fans waiting in the extreme summer heat at the stadium.

His first words as a Madrid player were to express his sadness at the recent passing of Alfredo di Stefano. The 24-year-old also thank former club Bayern Munich for the role they played in his career to date.

“I want to express sadness at the death of Di Stefano,” Kroos said. He continued: “I want to thank Madrid for giving me this opportunity, the chance to play for this club, the most important in the world. I also want to thank Bayern Munich for allowing me to make the move to Madrid. I know how important it is for Madrid to win titles and I’m the right man for this.”

Club president Florentino Perez had introduced the player shortly beforehand, telling the crowd that in Kroos, the club has sign a young player, but one with vast experience and with a winning mentality.

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Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo is too in love with himself and puts his performances above his team, according to former AC Milan and Croatia player Zvonimir Boban.

The former football, who now writes a football column in Sportske Novosti among other activities, said Ronaldo’s goal celebration in the Champions League win over Atletico showed just how much he puts himself above his team.

And he added Ronaldo’s vanity proved detrimental to the Portugal side in the World Cup as other players do not respond to him but rather play as individuals.

Ronaldo, the current Ballon d’Or holder scored 51 goals for his club last season as Los Blancos won the Copa del Rey and Champions League. He scored the fourth goal in the final against Atletico in Lisbon. But the 29-year-old couldn’t help Portugal crashing out at the group stage in Brazil despite scored a goal against Ghana and providing three assists.

Writing in his column, Boban said: “Ronaldo is an amazing player and he showed that again in Brazil, even if he missed a number of chances.

“He scored the 4-1 in the 120th minute of the Champions League final and celebrated like he was insane. That was the ultimate proof that he loves himself. The headlines should be about the team, not about Ronaldo.

“The same thing happened with Portugal in Brazil. There was no order or discipline. All the Portugal players were playing their own game and more occupied with their hair and tattoos. It’s Hollywood behaviour.”

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Alvaro Morata

Real Madrid’s young striker Alvaro Morata’s future is in limbo after Juventus manager Antonio Conte’s incredible resignation on Tuesday night.

The former Juve captain cited lack of motivation for continuing in the role that saw him lead The Old Lady to three straight titles, although there are rumours that the 44-year-old saw unbearable differences with the club hierarchy over transfer policy.

That could have implications over Morata’s move to Turin, as the 21-year-old was seen as one of Conte’s priorities. However, it is understood that Juventus have reassured the Spaniard that the transfer will still go through despite the former Siena boss’ swift exit, as he was a club target, not a manager target.

Morata has returned to Ciudad Real Madrid whilst his future is sorted out, but has been training alone. The striker may be reintroduced into the group if his transfer to the Serie A side isn’t sorted out soon, and Real’s search for a replacement could be called off if Morata returns.

Chelsea are rumoured to be monitoring the situation, and could make a bid if new manager Massimiliano Allegri deems Morata to not be part of his transfer plans, although Real manager Carlo Ancelotti is said to be a big fan.

 

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Real Madrid have announced the signing of World Cup winner Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who played a crucial role in his country’s success in Brazil this month, will put pen-to-paper on a six-year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He will be presented to the media and fans at 5pm local time today after undergoing a medical examination and concluding the formalities first.

The confirmation of the deal ends weeks of speculation surrounding Kroos, who had failed to agree an extension to his contract at the Allianz Arena. With just a year to go, the Bavarian side decided to cash in on the player and are thought to have received a fee of around 20 million euros.

A statement on Real’s official website said: “Real Madrid C. F. and FC Bayern Munich have reached an agreement for the transfer of Toni Kroos, who will join the club for the next six seasons.

“The player will be presented today, 17 July at 17:00h in the Royal Box at the Santiago Bernabéu following a medical. Toni Kroos will then step onto the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu for the first time in a Real Madrid shirt, and will then attend the media in the pressroom.”

Meanwhile, the German side thanked Kroos for all his efforts in his time at the club. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge , the club’s CEO, stated: “We would like to thank Toni for his time at Bayern Munich. We enjoyed some great successes together. We wish him and his family all the best in Madrid and at Real.”

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The headlines in the Madrid press this morning are all to do with transfer activity at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The main story is still the arrival of Toni Kroos, and the papers are running out of angles to cover now and bring fresh material to the story. It’s been well publicised the German World Cup winner will be making the switch from Bayern Munich to Los Blancos and will sign a five-year deal.

Marca and AS expect there to be confirmation today. AS says Kroos will interrupt his holiday in Mallorca to undergo his medical assessment, sign the contract, and be presented to the fans at 5pm local time.

Once that deal is done, attention will switch elsewhere, with James Rodriguez the next likely arrival. According to the latest reports, Real Madrid and Monaco have intensified their talks over how to structure any deal. It is thought the player has already agreed a deal in principle and would earn in the region of 7,5 million euros a year. AS runs an article saying the Colombian’s transfer value has risen 44% because of his World Cup exploits – he finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals.

Finally, in some amusing news, betting companies have made Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale the favourites to be bitten first in Spain by Luis Suarez. Punters will have to wait a while as the Uruguayan in suspended until the end of October so has to wait a while to make his Barcelona debut.

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Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Real Madrid is the most valuable sports team in the world, according to the latest annual Forbes list.

Los Blancos, who won the Champions League and Copa del Rey last season, are worth an estimated $3.44 billion (2.5 billion euros), according to Forbes. The value is calculated on equity, debt, and stadium deals.

The top three slots in the list were all football clubs, with La Liga rivals Barcelona second at $3.2 billion, and Premier League side Manchester United third, worth $2.81 billion.

Of the 50 sports teams to feature in the list, 30 are American Football teams. The Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars are the only two NFL franchises that do not make the list by Forbes.

As well as Real Madrid an Barcelona, there are six other football teams listed in the top 50 most valuable sports teams in the world. Joining Manchester United from the Premier League are Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. German side Bayern Munich and Italy’s AC Milan also feature.

Forbes estimated Los Blancos made $78 million for winning the Champions League this season, and generates annual revenues of around $675 million. In addition, the club’s income is boosted by an adidas kit deal worth $41 million a year, along with a lucrative deal with Emirates airline worth $39 million a year.

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Real Madrid are close to completing the signing of Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas, according to reports in the Spanish press.

Many papers in Spain, including Marca, say the deal will be announced shortly, after Los Blancos met the buyout clause for the shot stopper – believed to be in the region of 10 million euros. Of that figure, eight million will go to his current club, while the player himself will pocket two million euros.

Should the deal be completed, it would signal the end for either Iker Casillas or Diego Lopez at the Santiago Bernabeu. Latest speculation suggests Lopez could be a target for both French side Monaco and Seria A club Napoli, who are managed by Rafa Benitez.

Navas rose to prominence at this summer’s World Cup, where his helped unfancied Costa Rica reach the quarter-finals of the competition before bowing out to Holland. They had topped a group containing three previous World Cup winners – Uruguay, Italy and England.

Speculation surrounding his future has increased in recent weeks and he has just one year left on his contract at Levante. Last week, it was claimed Navas was attracting the interest of German giants Bayern Munich, with the Bavarian club willing to meet the buyout clause too.

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