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Madrid sports newspapers put their focus today on the controversy caused by FIFA president Joseph Blatter, who claimed he likes Leo Messi more than Cristiano Ronaldo because the Portuguese “is like a commander on the field of play” and “he has more expenses for the hairdresser” than the Argentinian.

“Golden slip,” titles Marca in a reference to the Ballon d’Or that FIFA is about to award -obviously to Leo Messi one more time, given the president’s statement. “World scandal for Blatters mockery on Ronaldo,” they highlight in a secondary headline.

Marca points out that Blatter rectified and publicly apologised for his words. The Madrid daily reports the clubs reaction: “We are disappointed and we want to show our repulsion.” They also highlight the declarations of Paulo Futre, Portugal national team’s manager, who said “Blatter hates Ronaldo.”

The other main Madrid sports paper, As, puts its focus on CR7’s reaction. “Cristiano breaks out against Blatter,” they title, reporting Real Madrid’s forward told the press: “This is the respect that FIFA has for me, for my club and for my country.”

On a small note, both newspapers remind that Real faces Sevilla today in La Liga, one reminding Gareth Bale will be a starter and the other highlighting that Xabi Alonso could play a few minutes.

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Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has backed Gareth Bale to be a success in La Liga, but says the Real Madrid forward needs time to adapt.

The Welshman has suffered a difficult start to life in Madrid starting just two matches in La Liga as he has been hampered by injuries and a lack of pre-season.

For the second match that Bale started, El Clasico, Karim Benzema replaced him in the 61st minute, as the 24-year-old struggled to make a difference in Real Madrid’s attack.

Fabregas said he sympathised with Bale because it is typical for a foreign player to take time to adjust to his new club. And he added he also has faith that Bale will begin to shine in the league, although he suggests that Bale quickly integrates himself at Real Madrid.

“You need to adapt when you come to this league,” he said, “It’s completely different to the Premier League; there’s not that much space and when you get the ball, you have more opponents on you. Tactically, this league is much better than the English one. He needs time.”

He added: “It is up to him if he comes through it. He has got a lot of pressure on him – €100m is a massive (fee). But I think when a great player is a great player then he overcomes it and I’m sure he will.”

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Chelsea midfielder Ramires insists he is not looking for a move to Real Madrid after rumours indicated he may be willing to leave the west London club.

He said: “Nothing has come to me, I have just heard about this through the press. My agent hasn’t told me anything either. Maybe it is just speculation. I am focused on my work, one can’t talk about something that he knows nothing about.”

The Brazilian midfielder has been an integral part of Chelsea’s team so far this season, playing nearly every game, and has managed to force himself back into the Brazil squad after being left out for the Confederations Cup.

The 26-year-old already has a contract for four more years, yet has been constantly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the past few weeks, but according to him there has been no contact with Los Blancos.

“It’s good for the ego (to be linked with Real), it’s a sign that people somewhere like your work. I am under contract until 2017 and I don’t want to leave while there isn’t anything happening and I am happy in the team. I will only leave if the club wants me to. I feel have adapted well.”

Ramires joined Chelsea under the reign of current Real manager Carlo Ancelotti in the summer of 2010 from Benfica, for a fee rumoured to be around £17m. Since then he has gone from strength to strength making 163 appearances and scoring 26 goals, also picking up a Champions League title in 2012.

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Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has escaped punishment after he confronted referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco after his side’s 2-1 loss to Barcelona.

The 28-year-old was caught lambasting the match official – reportedly saying “You bottled it” – after he failed to award Los Blancos a penalty kick.

However the Referee’s Technical Committee (CTA) will be looking into an incident involving defender Sergio Ramos, who told reporters after the game “some things you can’t fight against.

“There was a clear penalty for a handball by Adriano, and another [for a foul] on Cristiano in the second half,” the 27 year-old declared.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has mirrored the thoughts of his vice-captain but insisted it wasn’t the only decision that went against his side.

Undiano did not include the incident involving Ronaldo in his match report and so the Portuguese international will likely escape suspension but Ramos will find out in the coming days whether he will be punished for his comments.

Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156 

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Real Madrid forwards Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo have been named on the list of 25 players shortlisted for the Ballon D’or.

They are joined on the list by four-time winner Lionel Messi, and a host of Bayern Munich stars, including ex-Real winger Arjen Robben. Former Los Blancos playmaker and record Arsenal signing Mezut Ozil, whose sale caused anger among some sections of the Santiago Bernabeu support, is also on the list.

Bale signed for the nine-time European Cup winners in the summer for a 91-million-euro fee. Despite such a hefty sum, the Welshman has struggled so far in the Spanish capital having been hampered by foot and thigh injuries.

Ronaldo will be one of the favourites for the award, which will be presented on January 13. He won the prize in 2008 and has been runner up on three occasions, in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Earlier this month, the Portugal star become the first player to score 50 goals in the calendar year.

Current and former Real Madrid managers are also up for the coach of the year award. Carlo Ancelotti is nominated, largely for his success at PSG last season, where he won the league. Former Los Blancos managers Jose Mourinho, Vicente del Bosque, and Jupp Heynckes are also named on the list.

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Marca puts its focus today on Carlo Ancelotti’s optimistic statements in an interview with Spanish radio station COPE. “The come-back starts now,” the Italian claimed.

“Six points is a big difference, but it’s not impossible to cut Barcelona’s lead. We will play well and fast, I’m sure about that,” Ancelotti said.

Marca also highlights the manager’s words about Casillas, affirming “he will be the goalkeeper who will raise the tenth Champions League.”

Meanwhile, As main headline today is “Gareth Bale and ten more.” The Madrid daily states “Ancelotti has already decided the line-up for Sevilla game” and the Welshman will be one of the starters. Los Blancos will face the Andalucians on Wednesday at Santiago Bernabeu in their next La Liga match.

* Follow Real Madrid News on Twitter

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Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso looks to make his long awaited comeback to La Liga action at the Bernabeu against Sevilla, after having to spend time in the treatment room after several months out injured.

The midfielder, 31, has missed five months of action, not only with the Los Blancos but also his national team after groin and foot injuries, even taking the summer off to recover, forcing him to miss Spain duty at this years Confederations cup.

But, according to a statement on the club website, Alonso is now back in full training with the first team, after recovering from a broken metatarsal, ironically just as he was nearing a first team return in August, after having surgery on the groin injury that plagued him for a big chunk of last season.

Despite having the all clear on the foot, the groin injury is still described as ‘treacherous’ by Alonso himself, and explains why Carlo Ancelotti is not rushing the Basque midfielder back into action too quickly, not even for El Clasico last Saturday, where Sergio Ramos’ poor game in defensive midfield magnified Alonso’s importance in the team.

Alonso even spent his day off in rehabilitation, showing his immense professionalism once again.

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Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos will very likely miss the next La Liga match against Sevilla at Santiago Bernabeu. The Andalusian was absent from Monday’s training session and had a special practice at the gym due to some muscular discomfort in his thigh.

Ramos felt some pain during El Clasico against Barcelona. The Spanish international has been lacking a poor physical fitness since the beginning of the season, after failing to complete a regular pre-season due to Spain’s participation in the Confederations Cup.

Carlo Ancelotti has given him a special treatment so far this season, knowing about his tiredness, and has already rested him in less important games.

Against Barca, he played as defensive midfielder, a more demanding position. Now, with Raphael Varane completely recovered from his injury and Pepe in great form, it seems very likely that he will rest against Sevilla on Wednesday to avoid farther problems.

Real Madrid will play three games in seven days, as they will visit Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Ramos could make his return against one of the weakest sides of the league.

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Sergio Busquets has slammed Real Madrid’s excuse making following their 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on Saturday.

The Spaniard played a vital role at the heart of the Catalan midfield, and feels Madrid should accept defeat graciously this time around.

“Madrid crying about the referee? They always look for excuses,” he claimed after the match. “They have no reason to complain, not today, not earlier this season.”

Cristiano Ronaldo called for a penalty late in the second half, but referee Alberto Mallenco thought nothing of the tackle from Javier Mascherano.

Busquets also told reporters: “The easy excuse is the referee, same as always. They cannot complain at all this season about the officials. But if they will, they will.”

The first league meeting between the two sides saw Barca come out on top, statistically edging their rivals in possession, shots taken and amount of corners awarded.

The result means Gerardo Martino’s side are still unbeaten and now sit top of La Liga, a healthy six points ahead of Real Madrid.

Last years champions are being closely followed however, after Athetico Madrid swept aside Real Betis 5-0 to stay just one point behind the leaders.

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Inter Milan are looking to upset Arsenal fans by making an offer for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema according to talkSPORT.

The Italian giants are being aided by the backing of Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir, who is prepared to donate a share of his wealth to Walter Mazzarri in the hope he can turn the club’s fortunes around with additions to the squad in the January transfer window.

Signing Benzema would be a message of Inter’s intent and would be an excellent way to start their rebuilding process. The French international has struggled since the start of the season and has seen Alvaro Morata picked over him in recent fixtures.

The 25-year-old has less than two years remaining on his contract and Los Blancos could seek to cash in on him in order to seek more appealing striker options. Arsenal have already signed Mesut Ozil from the Bernabeu this season and would face serious competition from Inter to get their man.

Turkish club Galatasaray are also thought to be interested in signing the former Lyon forward but could struggle to match the prestige of the former Champions League winners.

Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156

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