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Transfer talk is the main topic of discussion in today’s Madrid sports papers, with two players dominating the headlines – one a potential incoming player, the other a possible departure.

Marca goes with Luis Suarez on its front page, with the headline ’90 million.’ According to the paper, Los Blancos president Florentino Perez and manager Carlo Ancelotti have agreed the Liverpool forward should be the main target this summer and will go all out to get him.

The Premier League’s top scorer this season was linked with the 10-time European Cup winners last year but a move failed to happen and he went on to sign a new deal at Anfield. But 12 months on and it appears Real will go back for their man.

One player who looks set to leave is Alvaro Morata. We reported this week that Perez denied the youngster would sign for Juventus, but as the days go by, the number of teams linked with a move for Morata increases.

AS says Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus want to sign the player without there being a buy-back clause in his contract. Inter Milan, Sevilla, Villarreal, Wolfsburg, Borrusia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur all want to lure him away from the Santiago Bernabeu too, and would agreed to Madrid having a buy-back deal inserted into his contract.

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Former Barcelona and England striker Gary Lineker has waded into the debate over who is the best footballer in the world by claiming Leo Messi is ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 53-year-old, who won the European Cup Winners Cup with the Catalan side in 1989, said to compare the two players you have to do so over a period of time rather than over the course of just one season – and the Leo Messi edges it ahead of Real Madrid star Ronaldo.

Ronaldo picked up the Ballon d’Or award earlier this season,  and scored 51 goals in total this campaign – the fourth year running he has scored more than 50 goals. He also broke Messi’s goalscoring record in the Champions League, netting 17 goals as Los Blancos secured la Decima. The previous best over a single season was 15 by the Barcelona man.

Lineker, now a pundit and presenter on the BBC, said: “For me, Messi has been a gift from the footballing Gods. “He’s such a phenomenal talent… a player who not only beats people but mesmerizes them, produces magical moments, scores multitude of goals but he’s also an honest player. He gets kicked, he gets hacked [but] he gets up. He never dives. He doesn’t cheat.

He went on to say Ronaldo is a phenomenal talent and deserves all the praise he gets for his incredible achievements on the field.

For me, Messi edges it in the sense he is more of a team player. I think Ronaldo is phenomenal talent, a brilliant player and I love him to bits but he does play for himself a bit. Messi always makes the right decision whether it’s a pass or a finish and the man’s a little genius,” he said.

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Angel di Maria's daughter

Angel di Maria cried when Real Madrid won the Champions League in Lisbon. He had fought very hard to achieve that dream, and he had finally reached it, being named as the best player of the match.

Di Maria is a true-born fighter, and his one-year-old daughter is just like him. Mia di Maria has overcome many difficulties through her short life, and she has become a strong and healthy girl, despite doctors said she wouldn’t live when she was born a premature baby.

Mia came to this world on April 22nd 2013. As a premature baby with many health problems, she had to spend two months in the intensive care unit, with very few chances to survive. Yet she responded well to doctors’ care and ended up going home with her parents, where she has kept on getting better.

One year after those weeks of suffering, Di Maria’s wife Jorgelina Cardoso has posted a picture of her daughter on Instagram together with the following message celebrating her daughter’s good health:

April 22nd 2013, Caesarean scheduled for 19.00. Nerves, anguish, fear,… A high percentage of not coming into this world alive or having important consequences. What will be of your life my little big Mia? How many tears! You came to this world… But now the worst; two months in the Intensive Care Unit.

Nobody but dad and I know the pain that caused to see your beautiful face draped in wires and equipment. There was nothing sadder than going back home with the arms empty and the breasts in pain. Infections, transfusions,… What will be of you my love? Tears would wet our pillow every night, a constant lump in the throat, eager to go pick you up and not letting you go ever again. I was certain your grandfather German, my beloved father, was taking care of you 24 hours a day at the hospital.

June 13th 2013, dammed 13th that took my father, blessed 13th that I will no longer hate, because they finally send you home, princess of my dreams.

We brought you home, simply happy. One year later we can say you’re a healthy, strong, fun and fighting girl. You came to this world to teach us that we should never give up and to show us that if one wants, this world can be of a beautiful roses colour. We love you to infinite and beyond. Dad and mum.

Angel di Maria's daughter

This is the picture that the couple published.

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Real Madrid star Gareth Bale says that he is very happy with his football in the 2013/14 season, but expects to do even better in his second season at the Bernabeu.

Bale has been on a promotional tour in Indonesia in order to raise his profile, which is already at a worldwide stage after his exploits for Real this season, including scoring a crucial goal in both the Copa Del Rey and Champions League final.

His goal meant that Los Merengues finally won La Decima, and Bale hopes that moments like those will happen again in the future.

The Welshman said about his debut season in Spain: “I’m very happy at Real Madrid and I’m sure next year will be better.”

Bale scored an incredible 22 goals for Real last season despite Real finishing third in the League behind Atletico de Madrid and Barcelona, but will be missing in Brazil this year as Wales didn’t qualify for the World Cup, and the 24 year old admits he wants to change Wales’ record at not qualifying for tournaments.

“I’m very proud to be from my country and I will fight for Wales to get to the top and participate in future major tournaments,” he said.

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Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid performance in La Liga would have been very different had Jese Rodriguez been fit to play the last third of the season.

In an interview with Real Madrid TV, the Italian explained the team “lacked physical fitness at the end of the league.”

“We had important misses which were crucial in the last games. With Jese in the squad, I’m sure La Liga would have been very different. Zidane spoke to me good things about him and he has surprised me for good. I hope he recovers well from his injury,” Ancelotti added.

Asked about the five Champions Leagues he has won, Los Blancos boss confessed “football has given me everything, and I hope to conquer more titles.”

“The most important thing is that we have a young team. I’m sure next year we will improve even more. Players like Isco and Illarramendi will get better. This title has been a push for becoming a better team next season,” he said.

“Our determination to win the final was crucial. The negative experience of having lost three semi-finals in a row has given the players much strength,” Ancelotti admitted.

The Italian confessed he has never seen anything like the Champions League victory celebrations in Madrid. “We’ve brought happiness to many Madridistas,” he concluded.

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In the quiet before the World Cup storm, the papers in Madrid are taking the opportunity to review the season just ended, and today AS goes for an inteview with Carlo Ancelotti on its front cover.

The interview was on the club’s official television channel and the Italian covered many different topics on the campaign. He admitted that the injury to Jese Rodriguez has a big impact and the league could have been different if the forward has stayed fit.

The main talking point though was winning La Decima and what it meant to the club. Ancelotti said to see fans celebrating all over the world made him realise the size of the achievement of winning the trophy. “Real Madrid is not just a football club, it’s a world religion. I’ve seen videos of fans from all over the world celebrating and it’s incredible,” he said. He added that he wants to win the trophy again so he can continue to sing.

Marca opts for a picture of Luis Suarez on its front cover and says Ancelotti has given the go-ahead for his signing. You get the feeling this talk will continue all summer long, as it did 12 months ago.

And finally, Portugal have admitted Cristiano Ronaldo has tendinitis is his left knee and is being treated for it but should be ok for the World Cup.

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Spanish newspaper El Pais has claimed Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has told his assesors he has two preferences for the summer transfer market: Paul Pogba and Luis Suarez.

However, the Madrid-based daily has stated that Carlo Ancelotti has suggested Los Blancos president that Arturo Vidal -Pogba’s team-mate at Juventus- would be a better fit than the Frenchman.

With Xabi Alonso turning 33 this year and Asier Illarramendi having performed under expected, reinforcing the midfield has turned into a priority for Los Merengues. Perez has set his eyes in Pogba, who at 21 years old is expected to become the best midfielder in the world.

However, Madrid’s technical directors are not that optimistic about the Frenchman. They have made a report in which they emphasize Pogba’s rebel and arrogant attitude. As El Pais explains, “he’s got a rapper’s mentality.”

Thus, Pogba seems far from moving to the Santiago Bernabeu, especially since his price is near 60 million euros. Moreover, Ancelotti has reportedly recommended signing Vidal rather than Pogba.

The Italian manager sees the French international as a box-to-box midfielder, similar to Sami Khedira but with a better technique. Apparently he has explained what he wants is a “Luka Modric with better athletic conditions” rather than a “Khedira with better technique.” Vidal meets those requirements perfectly and his transfer would be slightly cheaper than Pogba’s.

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Champions League trophy

Seven Real Madrid players have been named in UEFA’s Champions League Squad of the Year – more than any other club in this season’s competition.

Los Blancos won the final 4-1 after extra time against city rivals Atletico de Madrid in Lisbon to secure their 10th European Cup. The success ended the 12-year wait for the much coveted Decima trophy.

And now, a technical studies group at European football’s governing body has chosen seven of the team to feature in a dream squad of 18 – the number of players allowed in a squad for Champions League matches.

Daniel Carvajal, Pepe and Sergio Ramos are named in defence, while the midfield includes Angel di Maria, Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso – who was banned from this year’s final after picking up too many yellow cards. Cristiano Ronaldo is named among the forwards, but there is no place in the 18 for either Karim Benzema, or Gareth Bale, who scored the crucial second goal for Madrid in Lisbon that left Atletico fans broken-hearted.

There is also no room for club captain Iker Casillas, who was used in the competition by Carlo Ancelotti, but not in La Liga, a policy introduced by previous boss Jose Mourinho.

Here is the full squad chosen by UEFA:
Goalkeepers: Courtois (Atlético de Madrid) and Neuer (Bayern Munich).
Defenders: Godín (Atlético de Madrid), Lahm (Bayern Munich), Carvajal (Real Madrid), Pepe (Real Madrid) and Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Gabi (Atlético de Madrid), Iniesta (Barcelona), Kroos (Bayern Munich), Di María (Real Madrid), Modric (Real Madrid) and Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid).
Forwards: Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Diego Costa (Atlético de Madrid), Robben (Bayern Munich), Ibrahimovic (PSG) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid).

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La Liga’s big three – Atletico de Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid – have put offers on the table for Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic, according to the player’s father.

Luka Rakitic was quoted by Inside Spanish Football website saying his son had various options to consider but would not decide on his future until after the World Cup.

Alongside Luka Modric, Rakitic is considered one of Croatia’s best players, and their fans will be hoping the pair pull the strings in midfield in Braziil this summer.

The Sevilla man has been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu before, and the 26-year-old has just completed an outstanding season with Sevilla, helping the Andalucian club lift the Europa League trophy in Turin. In total he contributed 12 goals and 10 assists this campaign, figures that will attract the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Atletico will be looking to strengthen their league-winning squad, while Barcelona are set to undergo an overhaul of their squad this summer.

But despite interest already, Rakitic will make his admirers wait. His father said:  “Right now his brother Dejan, who looks after his career, has offers from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Whatever happens though, nothing will be decided until after the World Cup. After that, the conversations will begin.”

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Spanish national team manager Vicente del Bosque has insisted there are no major issues between Real Madrid and Barcelona players in his squad.

La Roja travelled to Washington on Monday as they step up their preparations ahead of the World Cup in Brazil which starts later this month. Del Bosque’s team are setting out to defend the trophy they won in South Africa four years ago.

But there have been stories in the past of cliques existing the Spanish camp and that the Real Madrid and Barcelona players generally do not see eye to eye. This theory has been added to by some feisty Clasico matches in recent season, highlighting to so called animosity between the two sets of players.

Ahead of their flight to the US, del Bosque insisted there was no major issue. He revealed the players tend to sit with their fellow club teammates when it comes to mealtimes, but that was fairly standard practice even when he was in his playing days.

“They’re good people. However, the Barca players still sit together at dinner, those with Real Madrid look for each other. This happened in my time as well,” he said.

“It’s not cause for concern. There are manners and respect. You can see the look of anger on some of their faces. All are starters: Imagine if they come and don’t play!”

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