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Arnold Schwarzenegger, the actor and former professional bodybuilder, has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo’s impressive physical condition has helped him reach the top of his game.

The 28-year-old Portugal star has started this campaign in imperious form, scoring 12 goals in just 10 games, as Real Madrid sit third in La Liga, five points behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid. He has kept up the goalscoring form for his nation too, and scored a hat trick last month as Portugal defeated Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier.

Speaking to COPE ahead of the 2013 Arnold Classic, a bodybuilding competition that takes place in Madrid this year, Schwarzenegger said that along with the undoubted skill and talent Ronaldo has, his physicality has helped him become one of the best players in the world.

The star of ‘Conan the Barbarian’ and ‘The Terminator’ said: “He has a fantastic physique. He has some great abs – he looks spectacular. He looks to be in great shape, so it is clear he’s a great footballer.”

But Schwarzenegger, who is also a former governor of California, added Ronaldo probably isn’t interested in winning the Mr Olympia competition, a professional bodybuilding competition that the Austrian won on seven occasions.

He stated: “I don’t think he’d be interested in competing in a Mr Olympia. He is interested in being the best player in the world. I was interested in winning the Mr Olympia title. They are two different sports but there is no doubt he is in great shape.”

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is likely to stay at the club beyond the winter transfer window despite losing his place for club and country.

The 32-year-old World Cup winner has had a disappointing 2013, having lost his place in the Real starting eleven to Diego Lopez and now playing second fiddle to Victor Valdes in the national side.

The initial decision to drop Casillas was made by former Los Blancos manager Jose Mourinho, and the keeper was expected to be reinstalled to the line up under Carlo Ancelotti. But the Italian has made it clear Lopez will continue as number one, with Casillas appearing in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

Speculation has surrounded Casillas in recent months, with Manchester City, Arsenal, and PSG all mentioned as possible destinations as he seeks to cement his place in the squad that will head to Brazil next summer as Spain attempts to retain the title they won in 2010.

But in a conversation with Pepe Reina as the pair took part in preparations for Spain’s last match against Belarus, Casillas is said to have expressed doubts about leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

Spanish television station Cuatro transcribed the conversation between the pair in which Reina suggested Casillas should leave. “How many games could you play? 10, 12,” Reina is claimed to have said, before adding “It’s a pretty bad season. So [you should leave] because you’re going to play 10 or 12 games at most.”

According to Cuatro, Casillas responded: “Yes, but leave now? I don’t think so, mate. At least I get to play the Copa del Rey…”

 

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Both Madrid sports newspapers put their focus today on the fact that Real Madrid have admitted that Gareth Bale has a problem in his back, after publishing a statement in which they reveal the Welshman “has a small chronic disc bulge that doesn’t prevent him from carrying out his professional activity normally”.

Marca published yesterday that Bale has a hernia and two disc protrusions in his back. The club the released a statement claiming “that information is completely false” and explaining Bale has that back problem that is “extremely common among football players”.

The most sold Spanish newspaper reports today that “Real admits Bale’s back problem”, while their rivals As point out “he was sidelined due to back problems in January 2011 and June 2012”.

* Follow Real Madrid News on Twitter

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Real Madrid will make an offer to Juventus for forward Fernando Llorente, reports have suggested.

The Spanish international only joined the Turin club in the summer but is down the pecking order at the Italian champions and is believed to be open to a move away to boost his chances of making Spain’s World Cup squad. Llorente, 28, is also wanted by Arsenal so Los Blancos will need to be quick if the want to bring the striker in.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti is believed to be keen on signing a forward to ease the pressure on Frenchman Karim Benzema, who has had a slow start to the campaign. Having sold Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli in the summer, Real were linked with a host of top names including Luis Suarez, Radamel Falco and Edison Cavani, but none of the interest was followed up as Ancelotti wanted to give youngsters Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez the opportunity to prove themselves at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Spanish media outlet Punto Pelota claimed Real president would sanction a transfer of a figure between 35 and 40 million euros for Llorente, who spent his career at Athletic Bilbao prior to his move to Juventus. Arsenal are also in the hunt for a striker as they only have Olivier Giroud as their only out-and-out centre forward.

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Borussia Dortmund star Ilkay Gundogan will move to Real Madrid after the two clubs agreed a 30 million euro deal in principle, the Daily Express has reported.

The midfielder had been linked with the Premier League, with leaders Arsenal and Manchester United set to do battle for the players’ signature. But according to the tabloid, Gundogan looks set to have a future in La Liga instead.

The Gunners were linked with the German international towards the end of the last transfer window, and a move to the Emirates may have been an attractive option thanks to the growing German contingent at the club. Meanwhile, David Moyes showed an interest in the player when he first took over as United boss. Previous manager Sir Alex Ferguson had attempted but failed to sign Gundogan in the summer of 2011.

The 22-year-old has yet to agree a new deal with the Champions League runners-up prompting Los Blancos to track the star, the Express said. The paper the deal to take Gundogan to the Spanish capital has been agreed with the actual transfer taking place once the window reopens.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has been on the lookout for a new midfielder with doubts over the future of Xabi Alonso at the club. He has been linked with Brazilian pair Ramires and Paulinho, both of whom ply their trade in the Premier League, at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

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Real Madrid have published an official statement to end the rumours of Gareth Bale having a hernia and two disc protrusions in his back. Spanish sports newspaper Marca publishes today that Real’s medical staff diagnosed the injury the day Bale passed his medical tests.

However, the club claims that information “is completely false”, although they admit the Welshman “has a small chronic disc bulge” which is not a serious injury and doesn’t prevent him “from carrying out his professional activity normally”.

Here is Real Madrid’s statement:

In response to the information that the newspaper Marca has published today regarding the player Gareth Bale, Real Madrid would like to state the following:

1. The information published, claiming that the player has a slipped disc on the L5-S1 vertebrae and a bulge on two others, is completely false.

2. The player does not have a slipped disc, as the club’s medical services stated clearly to the newspaper before the information was published. Surprisingly, the version the doctors offered this media outlet on Thursday 10 October has been omitted.

3. The player Gareth Bale has a small chronic disc bulge, which is extremely common among football players and by no means prevents him from carrying out his professional activity normally.

Marca suggested Bale could need surgery in the future, but if the player only has a small chronic disc bulge that will not be necessary.

*Follow the author on Twitter @alejandrognieto

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Former Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil has defended his record during his time at the club following reports over a lack of professionalism.

Soon after his departure to Premier League leaders Arsenal, Los Blancos president Florentino Perez accused the German international of having a lack of focus, not training hard enough and not being about to handle the pressure of playing at one of the world’s biggest clubs.

But with a record of being the top assist-maker across the major European leagues in the last three seasons, and with praise ringing in his ears from former team mates at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ozil said he was proud to play for the club but now wants to focus on his current club.

Speaking at a press conference while on international duty with Germany, the 24-year-old said: “First of all, I had three wonderful years in Madrid, I don’t want to add anything on that. I am now at Arsenal and very happy. If you see my figures [in Madrid] and how many matches I played there, then you can also see my professionalism. I don’t want to say more about it.”

Since his 50 million euro move to the Emirates, Ozil has delighted the Arsenal faithful, providing five assists in six games, and scoring a sublime goal against Napoli as the Gunners sit on top of the group in the Champions League.

 

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Spanish sports newspaper Marca has revealed that Real Madrid midfielder Gareth Bale has suffered from a hernia and has two disc protrusions in his spinal column.

Apparently, Los Blancos’ doctors diagnosed these injuries during medical tests prior to his unveiling as Real’s player. The Welshman specifically “has a slipped disc on the L5 -S1 vertebrae and a bulge on the L4 -L5”, according to Marca.

Although those injuries are giving him some trouble, he doesn’t have pain and will not have to undergo surgery for the moment. However, it is probable that he’ll need to enter the operating room in the future.

At the moment of the diagnosis, Bale said he had never noticed any pain. After hearing that, the club decided not to worry about it for the moment and go on with the transfer.

That injury has brought trouble in the past to Real Madrid medical staff, as Gonzalo Higuain also suffered it. Three seasons ago, the Argentinian went under the knife in Chicago due to a herniated disc in the lumbar (L5-S1). He first tried to avoid surgery with a special treatment but it didn’t work.

Dr. Fessler, an expert in the field, performed a non-invasive intervention at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Higuain finaly recovered perfectly from the injury.

*Follow the author on Twitter @alejandrognieto

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Italian sports website Tuttomercato has claimed Real Madrid will make an offer for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho in January.

The 25-year-old only signed for the north London side in the summer but has impressed boss Andre Villas Boas with his strong displays in the early stages of the campaigns. And according to the report, the players’ performances haven’t gone unnoticed by Carlo Ancelotti either.

With speculation surrounding Sami Khedira, and uncertainty over Xabi Alonso staying at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond this season, the Italian manager is believed to be assessing his options for  reinforcements. He has been linked with a move for Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Ramires, but now may have his eye on Paulinho too.

Spurs, fresh off the back of the drawn out sale of Gareth Bale to Los Blancos would be reluctant to part with the 22 million euro midfielder, and as Florentino Perez found out a few months ago, chairman Daniel Levy is a tough negotiator. Since his move to White Hart Lane, Paulinho has scored three goals and provided one assist as Spurs make headway in the Premier League and the group stages of the Europa League.

 

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Sports newspaper As claims today in its front page that Borussia Dortmund’s striker Robert Lewandowski could move to Real Madrid in the winter transfer market for 20 million euros.

The Madrid daily revealed a few days ago that, although the Polish international has signed a preliminary contract with Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola is not sure about his signing and could break that deal. Now As states Borussia could settle for 20 million if Real makes an offer in January.

Meanwhile, Marca reveals that Gareth Bale suffers from a hernia. “Real Madrid doctors found out when he arrived, and also saw he has two disc protrusions”, the Spanish paper reports.

“For the moment he’s not in pain and can play without any problem, but could need to enter the operating room in the future”, they add. Marca points out Gonzalo Higuain suffered the same problem and recovered perfectly after surgery.

Both Madrid sports dailies highlight Spanish national team 2-1 victory against Belarus, which leaves them one point away from sealing their place in the 2014 World Cup. Iker Casillas didn’t finally make it in the starting eleven, leaving his sport to Victor Valdes. Real Madrid defenders Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa did play the 90 minutes.

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