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Raphael Varane has said Real Madrid and France team mate Karim Benzema is the key man in the Les Bleus squad as the aim to go far at the World Cup.

The 1998 winners have begun the tournament in impressive fashion, seeing off Honduras before easily beating Switzerland 5-2. Benzema has socred three goals in the two games and picked up the man of the match award in both.

And central defender Varane says Benzema is vital to the team as he leads the line so well. He added that the 26-year-old is high on confidence having come off the back of a great season with Los Blancos in which he helped them win the Copa del Rey and Champions League.

Speaking about his club colleague, Varane said: “I know very well about Karim’s qualities. He had a great season because he’s fit and playing at 100 per cent, full of confidence. Everything is going well for him within the group. He’s a player who helps us move forward. He is a great asset for us offensively. We are very happy having him play with us. We can only hope that he keeps playing this way and stays as good as he is now.”

Ahead of their final group game against Ecuador, Varane added that the French squad was taking each game at a time and would not get ahead of themselves.

“There is no change in status for us all. We need to focus on our performance and keep the right mindset because it works well. We should prepare for the third match against Ecuador in a serious way to keep our positive momentum,” he stated.

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Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria has called on his Argentina teammates to improve their performance if they are to make a significant impact at the World Cup.

The South American side were one of the pre-tournament favourites but have so far failed to convince, despite winning their opening two games.

It took a last minute Leo Messi goal to see off Iran at the weekend, and speaking after that match di Maria said there is a lot of room for improvement.

The 26-year-old, who played a key part in the Los Blancos side that won the Copa del Rey and Champions League this season, said: “The important thing for us was to win. It is difficult to play against a team that gets far behind the ball. Iran played a good game, but at times it was difficult. We are satisfied because we won (but) there are things to correct and improve.”

Despite the poor performances so far, di Maria said the group stages are more about getting the result than putting in a beautiful performance and that the key is to play well enough over seven games to be successful.

“There are seven games that you have to give everything to win (to win the tournament),” he was quoted as saying.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of leading Portugal to World Cup glory is still alive – just – after a last gasp Silvestre Varela goal rescued a point against the USA in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

USA had come from a goal down to lead 2-1 but Varela’s header from a Ronaldo cross means Portugal still have a chance to qualify for the knock out stage. They are relying on Germany to beat Jurgen Klinsmann’s side, and must also achieve a six-goal swing when they take on Ghana if they are to reach the last 16.

Despite the draw, Portugal put in a huge improvement from their opening 4-0 loss against Germany, and things looked to be going well when Manchester United winger Nani gave Paulo Bento’s side the lead after just five minutes.

But the USA always looked dangerous on the counter-attack against a nervous looking Portugal defence without the Real Madrid duo of Pepe and Fabio Coentrao. The former was suspended for the game following his red card against Germany, while the latter has been ruled out of the rest of th tournament with a thigh strain.

Despite reports 29-year-old Ronaldo would not be fit, he was at time dazzling, and his full range of trickery was on display as he mesmerized the USA defenders at times. He will feel there is some room for improvement in his finishing though, which was wayward.

Shortly into the second half, USA equalised through Jermain Jones. And 10 minutes from time, former Fulham and Tottenham Hostpur forward Clint Dempsey look liked he had secured progress to the last 16 when he finished off a nice US move from close range. But Ronaldo had other ideas, and deep into stoppage time, sent in an inviting cross for Varela to finish.

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Spain take on Australia this evening in their final group game before heading home from the World Cup. The match is a dead rubber, and Marca and AS both go with front pages with headlines calling for a dignified exit. Vicente del Bosque is expected to make a number of changes in the team with the likes of Pepe Reina, Juan Mata, David Villa and Juanfran coming into the side.

For news related to Real Madrid, it is once again transfer talk that is making the headlines. But rather than players potentially arriving at the club, there is talk about Los Blancos letting three big name players leave to make way for new arrivals.

According to Marca, the club would allow Fabio Coentrao, Sami Khedira and Angel di Maria to leave if the right offer comes along. Speculation has surrounded the trio for some time, and they were even linked with moves away last summer, but in the end stayed and helped the club with the Copa del Rey and Champions League.

The Premier League is the most likely destination for the three, with Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool all been linked with the players at various points.  The likes of PSG and Monaco in France would probably want to have their say though, while Benfica could be interested in taking Coentrao back to his former club.

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Mateo Kovacic

Real Madrid are considering different options to reinforce their midfield this summer. Although sources have claimed that Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti is Carlo Ancelotti’s first choice, Los Blancos are reportedly planning an offer for Inter Milan’s Mateo Kovacic.

Sportmediaset has stated Florentino Perez will bid between 20 and 25 million euros for the Croatian international, who is participating in Brazil’s World Cup at the moment alongside Luka Modric.

A number of European clubs have shown an interest in Kovacic, including PSG. In fact, reports have told he would be the French club main candidate to replace Verratti should the Italian join Real.

At 20 years old Kovacic is one of the most promising midfielders in Europe. He’s made 35 appearances for Inter this season, providing six assists.

Although he has often played as attacking midfielder or winger, he can adapt to a deeper role, playing closer to defenders.

It seems very unlikely that both Kovacic and Verratti could arrive to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, but it could happen if Sami Khedira and Casemiro were to leave the club.

Nevertheless, Inter will not let their most talented youngster leave easily, especially since Kovacic is expected to have a crucial role in the team’s reconstruction.

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Former Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil has said Cristiano Ronaldo is a ‘genius’.

The two played together for three years at the Santiago Bernabeu before Ozil made the switch to Premier League side Arsenal last summer, where he won the FA Cup in his first season.

Last week, Ronaldo and Ozil faced each other at the World Cup, when Germany took on Portugal. And while Ozil enjoyed the experience, it was a nightmare for the Portuguese, who lost 4-0. Los Blancos defender Pepe was sent off, Fabio Coentrao pulled up injured and will miss the rest of the tournament, and Ronaldo wasn’t fully fit.

But speaking to the Times of India, Ozil said despite the result, Ronaldo remains one of the greatest players in the game, and called his former team mate a ‘genius’.

Ozil said: “Cristiano Ronaldo had given his all for Real Madrid. From my experiences in training sessions with him, I know he is truly a genius. To be able to contain him the way we did was commendable for our defence.”

Germany held on to top spot of Group G last night with a 2-2 draw against Ghana. Ronaldo should take his place in the starting 11 against USA today as Portugal fight to stay in the tournament.

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Real Madrid and France forward Karim Benzema has said he can get even better having once again impressed with his national side in the World Cup.

The 26-year-old netted in the 5-2 win over Switzerland on Friday to take his tally to three goals in two matches, and he’s picked up the man of the match award in both games.

Speaking to the media afterwards, the Los Blancos forward insisted there is still more to come from him, and added that the reason he is playing so well is because he is happy and confident.

He told France Football: “I am in my head 100 per cent, but I can do better. I also [reap the benefits of] the work of my teammates. It’s not me, it’s everyone. Even those who did not start the first game and who returned to this one.

“Oliver [Giroud] and I have confidence that whenever we play together, we will have an understanding. After that, it’s not Karim or Olivier, it’s everyone who pulls the team up.”

Having won the Copa del Rey and Champions League with his club this season, he says he wants to fulfill his childhood dream of winning the World Cup with France.

“Since the beginning, I have had dreams [of doing well in the World Cup]. I have goals in mind. Gradually, you get there. I’ve been convinced that we will get better for a while. I am happy and proud,” he stated.

 

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The inquisition into the Spanish World Cup debacle continues this monrning, with both Marca and AS highlighting the rifts between players in the squad as a major issue. Marca has also carried out a poll in which the majority of readers wants change. Two thirds of the readers think del Bosque should no longer the boss, while they call for a number of changes in the playing squad too.

In terms of Real Madrid news this morning, it is largely transfer related. And we’ll start with AS running a piece on Radamel Falcao. According to the paper, the Colombian forward has turned down the chance to leave Monaco and head to the Premier League.

The likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with the former Atletico de Madrid man, but he is believed to be keen on a move back to the Spanish capital.

Los Blancos are on the lookout for a forward, and although they would like someone younger and happy to come off the bench when the likes of Gareth Bale, Ronaldo and Karim Benzema need a rest, they have not ruled out signing Falcao.

Elsewhere, reports in Italy say PSG midfielder Marco Verratti is closing in on a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Merengues could complete the deal for around 40 million euros after the World Cup.

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Real Madrid is one of the biggest clubs in the world not only because of the number of trophies they have won in their illustrious history, but also because of the household names that have worn the famous white shirt over the years. Indeed, as many as 17 players who have represented Real Madrid have won the biggest prize in football – the World Cup.

This figure means Los Blancos are the Spanish team to have had the most number of world champions represent them at some point, with Barcelona a close second. Throughout their history, the Catalan club have has 15 World Cup winners on their books.

Of the players to have glory on the world stage with their nations, Spain and Brazil are the countries most represented at Real Madrid with five players each. Following next is Germany with three, Argentina and France with two, and Italy with one.

The list of 17 world champions who have played for Real Madrid is as follows: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Arbeloa, Albiol, Xabi Alonso, Cannavaro, Breitner, Netzer, Illgner, Didi, Ricardo Rocha, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Ruggeri, Valdano, Karembeau and Zidane.

Ten of them managed to win the World Cup while playing for Real Madrid: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Arbeloa, Albiol, Xabi Alonso, Netzer, Roberto Carlos, Ruggeri, Valdano and Karembeau. Will any more Real Madrid player be added to this list in Brazil 2014?

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Real Madrid will have an unusual preseason this summer, since they will have to combine friendly matches with two official competition’s finals: the UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish Supercopa.

Those players who have not taken part in Brazil’s World Cup will start training on July 14th at Valdebebas. They will take a flight one week later to start the United States tour, where Los Blancos will play the International Champions Cup, which they already won last year.

Their first game will be against Inter Milan, on July 27th. After that, they will face Roma on July 30th. But the most exciting match will be on August 2nd, against Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United.

If Carlo Ancelotti men were to qualify for the final, they would play it on August 5th, exactly one week before facing Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup final. Gareth Bale will return to his home city, Cardiff, for the final of the European Champions on August 12th.

Before the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid, Los Merengues will meet Fiorentina in Varsovia for a friendly match on August 16th.

Los Blancos will face their city rival for the first Spanish title of the season on August 20th, four days before the start of La Liga. The second leg of the Spanish Super Cup final will take place on August 27th at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid matches in the summer of 2014:

  • July 25th: Real Madrid – Inter Milan
  • July 30th: Real Madrid – Roma
  • August 2nd: Real Madrid – Manchester United
  • August 12th: Real Madrid – Sevilla (UEFA Super Cup)
  • August 16th: Real Madrid – Fiorentina
  • August 20th: Atletico Madrid – Real Madrid (Spanish Supercopa)
  • August 27th: Real Madrid – Atletico Madrid (Spanish Super Cup)
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