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Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane believes Gareth Bale can be better than he was during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Welshmen put in a fantastic performance against Real Valladolid, scoring a perfect hat-trick to take his goal scoring tally to nine in eleven games for Los Blancos.

“I have only one worry about Gareth Bale, and that is that he will become a better player for Real Madrid than I was,” Zidane told reporters.

“He is a complete attacking player – he can score, he can create, he has pace, and he is a specialist from set pieces. We all knew this though, that is why we spent so long in making sure he was a Madrid player.”

Bale moved to Spain from Tottenham for a record fee of £77 million and ‘Zizou’ believes the 24 year-old can demonstrate his talents to the very highest level.

“I still think he can get even better. My door is always open to him when he needs advice, as, in my opinion, he has everything to become the best player in the World,” the Frenchmen concluded

Real Madrid will play their next three games away from home, in a Copa Del Rey tie with CD Olimpic Xativa, the final Champions League match with FC Copenhagen and finally a trip to Pamplona to play Osasuna.

Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156

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Real Madrid have been fined 3.9 million euros by the Spanish competition commission over a violation of television rights sales.

Los Blancos were one of four La Liga clubs to be handed fines by the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) along with TV production giant Mediapro. The action comes following a four-year agreement by the clubs and Mediapro to broadcast domestic league and cup matches.

Under rules set out by the competition commission in 2010, the longest a TV deal can be is three-years. The CNMC said the sums each club had to pay depended on contracts agreed between them and the production company.

La Liga champions Barcelona were ordered to pay 3.6 million euros, while Sevilla were handed a 900,000-euro fine. Racing Santander, the fourth club in breach of the rights sales, were handed a 300,000-euro fine by the CNMC. Meanwhile, Mediapro were ordered to a sum of 6.5 million euros.

Unlike in many other European countries, there is no collective television rights deals for clubs in Spain. Individual clubs negotiate their own deals with broadcasters, a situation that has allowed Los Blancos and Barcelona to earn much more than their La Liga rivals. A report by accountancy firm Deloitte last year revealed Real Madrid became the first sports club in the world to earn more than 500 million euros in 2011-2012.

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos told the press after the win over Real Valladolid that despite a disagreement with club president Florentino Perez he is still very close to the 66-year old.

The Spanish international defender was reported to have had a rift with Perez due to contract renewal problems, but he denied this, saying “These are personal issues, I’m going to tell you why I fight with my father. They’re normal things, small differences. It’s not an economic issue or anything to do with the contract renewal like people have said.”

Ramos gave his shirt to Perez, and explained “I wanted to give him this gesture. It’s for everything that’s been said. I’ve always had a wonderful relationship with the president. I’ve had difference with the president the same way I do with my father or someone in my family.”

Ramos also brushed aside claims he wants to leave the Bernabeu, saying “I’m with the best club in the world, I feel privileged to be here and I’d retire here if it were up to me. I’d sign up for it tomorrow if I could I have a contract for three years and I’m not thinking about leaving.”

 

 

 

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Real Madrid press report 03-12-13

Madrid sports newspapers put their focus today on this year’s La Liga’s official awards, which were given yesterday in an event in Madrid.

Leo Messi received the trophy as the league’s top scorer, but the prize for the best player was awarded to Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Cristiano, La Liga’s MVP,” titles As. “Cristiano, the owner of the ball,” titles Marca in a reference to the trophy’s shape.

“Ronaldo picked up his second Di Stefano trophy in the big party of Spanish football,” the Madrid daily adds.

As points out “Iker Casillas won the Fair Play Award, but it was Florentino Perez who collected the award.” Real Madrid’s center-back Sergio Ramos was also named the best defender of the tournament.

In their front page, As directors also emphasize Barcelona’s crisis after losing two matches in a row, which could be a good chance for Madrid to make their come-back in La Liga. The Spanish daily claims youngsters Tello and Montoya have threatened to leave if they don’t get more minutes of play.

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Emilio Butragueño has lavished praise on Gareth Bale after this summer’s World record signing scored his first hat-trick in Real Madrid colours on Saturday evening as Los Blancos beat Rayo Vallecano 4-0 in La Liga.

Bale delighted the Santiago Bernabéu crowd with his stellar performance, also contributing an assist for Karim Benzema’s goal, prompting Madrid’s sporting director Butragueño to tell reporters that he believes there is still much more to come from the Welshman in the future.

Los Blancos legend Butragueño said: “”He [Bale] has to still get to know his peers and their movements around him, but I have high hopes for him, for he will surely improve more.

“His three goals were very important for his morale and confidence, while he demonstrated great technique to assist Benzema for our second goal,” added the Spaniard.

Madrid were without Cristiano Ronaldo for the second game running, as the Portuguese again missed out with a thigh problem, and Butragueño was pleased that other players stepped up to fill the void in a strong team performance.

He said: “It is great to know we have other fantastic players but I hope Cristiano can come back as soon as possible because he’s the best.”

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Alvaro Morata has reportedly agreed to join Arsenal ahead of London rivals Tottenham this January, report Spanish paper Onda Cero.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has convinced the 21-year-old to join his side on loan, claiming it will help his push for a starting place at the Bernabeu.

The striker has been linked with Andre Villas Boas’ side since August, with the Spurs manager originally wanting him as part of Gareth Bale’s move to the Spanish capital.

The proposal was snubbed by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and it now seems Morata would prefer a move to the red side of North London.

First team football has been hard to come by for Morata, who finds himself ranked behind Karim Benzema and Jese in his search for a starting spot.

Los Blanco’s manager Carlo Ancelotti is happy for the player to continue his development away from the club, with Arsenal in desperate need for more attacking options.

The move will provide competition and back up for striker Olivier Giroud, the Frenchman has been in fine form this campaign but has been heavily relied on this half of the season.

It could also give Nicklas Bendtner the opportunity to leave, with the striker still yet to impress during his time at the club.

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Jese Rodriguez has revealed his desire to score in front of the home fans and thanks coach Carlo Ancelotti for the opportunities.

The Spanish under-21 international came on in the closing minutes of Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory over Valladolid and was able to give his insight on the club’s ex-academy players after the match.

“The coach and the captains ask us to help the team when we come on to the field. The team is playing well and changes do not make it worse, they improve it,” the 20 year-old declared.

“We are very happy about that. We have to make the most of the pitch-time that Ancelotti gives us and in recent weeks I have been feeling good.

“There were spaces against Valladolid and we had to use them, myself even more so because I’m fast. It is important that those of us that come into the side help the team”.

On the team’s recent matches, he said: “When we play against any team it is the biggest match of the season for them and they try to make it as difficult as possible for us.

“I feel we improve every match. We can keep improving in attack and defence. Also, the more minutes that players play there will be more tiredness and it is important that those of us that come into the side help the team”.

Asked about his own situation, Jese proclaimed: “I ​​really want to score at home in the Santiago Bernabeu. I am grateful to the Real Madrid fans for the affection they show me and I try to do my best in the pitch-time that I get”.

Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156

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Real Madrid’s hopes of signing Monaco forward Radamel Falcao this January appear to have been dashed after the French club’s sporting director, Vadim Vasilyev, said no sale would be sanctioned.

The Colombian striker, who previously played for Atletico de Madrid, has long been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite only signing for the Ligue 1 side in the summer, he is rumoured to be unhappy with the tax situation in France for high earners, and also wants to return to the Spanish capital for personal reasons.

The 27-year-old, who missed his side’s win over Reims at the weekend has also been linked with Chelsea – managed by former Los Blancos boss Jose Mourinho.

But speaking to RMC, Vasilyev said Falcao signed a long-term deal at the Stade Louis II stadium and would be going nowhere at anytime soon.

“He’s very happy here. He feels really good in Monaco. Actually, we dined with him, his wife and the president a few days ago and he loves the club, the city. So there’s no problem and he won’t leave in January. That’s certain.”

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Real Madrid press report 02-12-13

Madrid sports newspapers highlight today yesterday’s Athletic Bilbao 1-0 victory over Barcelona, which allowed Real Madrid to cut the Azulgrana’s lead to three points.

After Barca suffered his first defeat in La Liga this season, they are tied with Atletico Madrid at the top of the table with 40 points, while Los Blancos sit third with 37.

“Barca goes down, Madrid grows up,” titles Marca. The Madrid daily claims that while the Azulgranas “were beaten in attitude by an epic Athletic, Los Blancos shine with their combination game.”

“San Mames, patron saint of Madrid,” As titles, in a play on words with Athletic’s stadium name. “Barca’s defeat leaves Real only three points behind,” they point out.

As also brings to its front page for the second day in a row Gareth Bale’s perfect hat-trick against Valladolid on Saturday. “It was the seventh perfect hat-trick of the century,” they report.

The previous six were scored by Cristiano Ronaldo (three times), Patrick Kluivert (twice) and Uche.

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Brazil and Real Madrid full back Marcelo has said winning comes above style at the moment as Los Blancos look to fight Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid all the way for the La Liga title.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men won 4-0 against Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night, with Gareth Bale netting his first hat trick for the club. Since their reverse to Barcelona in October, Madrid have scored 29 goals in their league matches and are currently enjoying a scintillating run of from combined with a free flowing attacking game.

But speaking to journalists after the match, Marcelo said the most important issue for the team is to pick up the three points. The rest, including the brand of play, is secondary.

“Every match is very difficult and Valladolid have a great team and did not let us play at first, although we were organised in defence and much better in attack. Our first aim is the result; to always get the win whether we’re playing well or badly, but then we have to put on a show for the fans and in recent matches we have been improving a lot. We also managed to keep a clean sheet, which is very important for the team,” he stated.

With much debate going on in the press at the moment about who the best player in the world is, Marcelo also gave his thoughts in the issue. “There is no need to compare them, Cristiano is above the rest of the players and everyone in the team knows that,” he said.

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