Iker Casillas: We can still overcome Barcelona and win La Liga

Iker Casillas believes that the Primera Division title is still within their reach despite trailing league leaders Barcelona going into the final stretch of the season.

Los Blancos defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at San Mames on Saturday evening but Barca’s 3-1 victory over Almeria at Camp Nou means that going into next week’s Clasico fixture, the gap remains eight points at the summit.

However, Casillas is confident of continuing to challenge Barcelona until the end of the season. And he told Madrid’s official website: "We are going to continue to think about winning and earn points so that no one believes this league is over.

"It will be hard to win, but you never know what can happen. One play or mistake can change everything. The Champions League [match against Tottenham Hotspur] comes before the Clasico. It appears that we will go through, but anything can happen. Let's talk about Barca after the match in London."

Reflecting on Madrid’s victory in Bilbao, the Spain international added: "A long time has passed since I debuted here. Time has flown by, but playing here is always special.

“After the Bernabeu, this is the most special stadium with a unique fan base. The pressure that always exists while playing here helped us stay focused from the first whistle."

Kaka: Real Madrid can win the treble this season

Kaka believes that the team can still win the Primera Division, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League this season.

Los Blancos are currently eight points behind Barcelona in the title race, and face the champions in the second Clasico meeting of the season next Saturday evening.

The two teams then confront each other in the domestic cup final and look set to meet in the semi-finals of the Champions League, and the Brazilian believes that they can emulate the Blaugrana's achievement from 2008-09 in this campaign.

"Of course Real Madrid can beat Barcelona,” he told Madrid’s official website. “We can win La Liga, the Copa and the Champions League, but first we need to focus on Tottenham [in the second leg of the quarter-final tie on Wednesday]."

Kaka scored twice from the penalty spot in the Merengues’ 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Saturday evening and is delighted to have played his part for the team.

"I need to work hard to enjoy football again,” enthused the 28-year-old. “The only problem was with my knee, which limited me from playing all out. I need to work hard down the home stretch of the season.

“I hope to have fun playing football. I feel like I owe it to Real Madrid and the fact that I haven't fulfilled expectations bothers me."

Kaka further expressed his indebtedness to coach Jose Mourinho, stating: "I am grateful to Mourinho for everything he has done to help me. I have no problem with him whatsoever. He is a great coach and he is helping me grow as a footballer."

Kaka has scored four goals and provided one assist in nine league matches for Madrid so far this season.

Valdano: Real Madrid Giving Up On David Villa, New Target is Benzema

Real Madrid director-general Jorge Valdano has continued to stress that his club are no longer pursuing the signature of Valencia striker David Villa.

He did confirm, however, that Los Blancos are now interested in Lyon’s Karim Benzema, although he admitted that it would be equally difficult to prise the young France striker away from the Stade Gerland.

“Valencia have ruled out selling him [Villa]. When he was put on the transfer list, it was a well known fact that we tried hard to bid for him. But when Valencia changed their plans, we had to pull out with great disappointment because he was an objective of ours,” Valdano told reporters during the launch of a new book by Jose Manuel Otero Lastres, a former Madrid director during Florentino Perez’s first spell.

“Karim Benzema is one of the possible objectives of our club. But we are not going to make any speculations because the signings only become a reality when negotiations are resolved,” he added.

Bringing in a number of superstar signings isn’t Valdano’s only main problem. He also has to talk some of the unwanted players in the current squad into leaving, and he has reservations about fully clearing out those who are surplus to requirements.

“The club know what has to be done. Now, all we need is to find buyers and convince the players who, logically, do not want to leave,” he explained.

“To buy and sell simultaneously is a problem and the time will come when the problem will become substantial because there’s only two and a half months before the league campaign kicks-off.”

Valdano concluded his appearance on a more positive note as he spoke about Los Merengues’ latest acquisition, Raul Albiol.

“He will strengthen an area where he have had some problems,” he said. “We are also happy with the signing because he is a Spanish player, the second one we’ve made already after [Alvaro] Negredo. We are very pleased to have him.”

Fabregas to Real Madrid

The Mill knows what it means to have loved and lost, how it feels when something happens on the way to heaven and against all odds two hearts are suddenly living separate lives. And not just from studying intently the alphabetised list of its collection of original 7-inch Phil Collins singles - mainly the Mill has learnt all it knows most surely about the mysteries of the heart by wallowing in the pages of the tabloid press.

So, when we read in this morning's Sun that Cesc Fábregas thinks Arsenal are "IMPOTENT" (note: not "important") and that he's finding himself increasingly drawn to irresistible, silicone-enhanced, puts-it-about-all-over-the-shop harlot Real Madrid, the Mill fears this is only going one way. How long before Cesc is talking wearily about Arsène Wenger's "walnut manhood", uploading scurrilities about Emanuel Eboué's lack of recent success as a pop-reggae act on his Twitter feed, and being papped cavorting on a boat somewhere hot rubbing Ambre Solaire into his pendulous, over-sized udders?

Hopefully, quite long. But still, saying things like "of course my family would understand if I signed for Real Madrid because they love me" is hardly likely to discourage a summer of soul-destroying back-and-forths, is it?

Cristiano Ronaldo:I moved to Real Madrid to be the World's greatest

Ronaldo held his first interview since his transfer with reporter Andy Dunn of the British tabloid news of the World.

In his interview, Ronaldo told the newspaper that after Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties in the 2008 Champions League final, he felt that he accomplished everything that he could and only stayed for the 2008-2009 season to win a third consecutive Premier League title before he would move onto the Bernabeu to play for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo also said that he joined Real Madrid to become a greater player and he denied that he joined to earn more money.

He also denied that their wasn't any secret pact that former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claimed he had sealed six months ago. Meanwhile, Ronaldo claimed that everything was finished in the last several weeks.

Ronaldo also told the paper that he made this move to ensure that he would become the greatest footballer in the world, and he also wished that he didn't open his mouth at all over the transfer during the last year.

Ronaldo also told the paper that Wayne Rooney could potentially become a better player than he could and he also acknowledged that his behavior during the 2006 World Cup match between England and Portugal was unacceptable. He also apologized for the wink that he did after Rooney got sent off during that game.

However, he said that he doesn't regret it because he claims that it made him into a better person and he would never act in that way again in those circumstances.

He also claimed that he had a really close, "father-son" relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and that was a and he wished that Ferguson could become "his life coach".

Finally, he claimed that the Old Trafford supporters were great to him and he really appreciated how they always stood up for him.

Real Madrid 2009/2010 Kit

Real Madrid deny Ibrahimovic speculations

Real Madrid have called themselves out of the race for Inter forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had been linked to the club in recent days.

This was declared by the Merengues sporting director, Jorge Valdano, who also denied that his club were interested in Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan.

However, Valdano admitted that there are still two or three attackers which Real Madrid are following and who they will try to sign up in the coming weeks.

"We have been linked to Forlan and Ibrahimovic, but neither player will arrive," explained the director to Radio Marca.

"We are still searching for an attacker, we have two or three alternatives, but none of them are the Inter or Atletico Madrid player."

This means that the chances of Ibrhaimovic leaving are now diminishing, with Chelsea and Barcelona the only known suitors remaining.

Recently, Real Madrid have been linked to Juventus striker David Trezeguet, who could therefore be one of their objectives in attack.

Zidane: Franck Ribery Should Be At Real Madrid

Real Madrid Sporting Advisor Zinedine Zidane has told Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery that should he decide to leave the Allianz Arena, his only port of call should be Madrid.

Ribery has been heavily linked with both Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer, with the latter stepping up their efforts to land the 26-year old to add him to the stellar list of transfers taking place under Florentino Perez this summer.

Zidane confirmed to French newspaper Le Dauphine Libere that Los Blancos has commenced negotiations with the winger and called Ribery ‘a fantastic footballer.’

He reiterated his desire to see the player at the Bernabeu next season, and said it makes sense, for his career, to move to Real Madrid.

“His [Ribery’s] place is at Real Madrid. Playing with us would be a great opportunity for his career and something that he could not refuse.”

Furthermore, Zidane responded to accusations that Perez is simply attempting to buy success for the club, by stating that, "bringing the best players in the world together has a cost."

After securing the capture of Kaka and the soon to be announced arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid have also been linked with Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter and David Villa from Valencia.

Kaka speaks about Ronaldo

“Ronaldo would help us win titles"

Kaka made some comments on the possibility of Real Madrid signing Cristiano Ronaldo while in South Africa with Brazil, with whom he is playing in the Confederations Cup.

"Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world and I would celebrate his signing. I don't really want to say more about this because I'm here with my national team, hoping to win the Confederations Cup, but Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and he would surely help Real Madrid win titles."

Real Madrid's Ninth Ballon d'Or winner

Cristiano Ronaldo may join a long list of Madridistas honoured by France Football

Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

The Santiago Bernabeu is the stadium where many of the best players in the world have showcased their talents. Cristiano Ronaldo could become the latest addition in a list of Madridistas that have won the Ballon d'Or.

Cristiano Ronaldo (2008)
His spectacular campaign in 2008 made him the most prominent player at Manchester United, with whom he won the Premiership and the Champions League. He won the Ballon d'Or, the Golden Boot and the FIFA World Player awards.

Kaka (2007)
The year 2007 was very special for Kaka. He won the Ballon d'Or thanks to his great season at Milan, during which he won the Champions League, and he was also the tournament's top-scorer with 10 strikes. He was voted as the Best Striker in the Champions League, Best Player in the World by FIFPro and the Most Valuable Player of the World Club Championship. He also won the FIFA World Player award and was featured in the Golden Eleven.

Cannavaro (2006)
Fabio Cannavaro won the Ballon d'Or in 2006 thaks to his great season at Juventus and winning the 2006 World Cup with Italy. He also won the FIFA World Player award and signed for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo (2002)
The Brazilian won the Ballon d'Or in 2002 after coming back from a serious knee injury that kept him off the pitch for more than a year.

Owen (2001)
Owen won the UEFA Cup, the European Super Cup, the Carling Cup and the FA Cup with Liverpool. He became the youngest player to receive the Ballon d'Or.

Figo (2000)
His excellent season at Barcelona in 1999 gave him the award; he won the league title, signed for Real Madrid, received the Ballon d'Or and won yet another league title.

Zidane (1998)
Leader at Juventus and on the French national team, he helped his country win the World Cup against Brazil with two goals.

Di Stefano (1957, 1959)
A true symbol of Real Madrid and a world football icon. He is the only player with a Super Ballon d'Or.

Kopa (1958)
He won Real Madrid's third European Cup and starrred in the 1958 World Cup, in which France finished third.

Atletico Bilbao 2-5 Real Madrid [La Liga Match Video]

Sergio Ramos:Juande Ramos improved us

Sergio Ramos has talked about the new coach Juande Ramos who takes 8 win in a row.

“We have improved on a lot of areas on the pitch such as your timing, the way we press, how we join attack and defence and cover for each other, and we understand how to come together in the centre of the field,” he was quoted as saying by AS.

“Juande knows how to organise a team. He took a risk by making a lot of changes, such as our playing system, but it has favoured us,” the defender added.
The 22-year-old Euro 2008 winner then went on to clear the air about the slight quarrel he had with then-Spain coach, Luis Aragones during the European Championships last summer in Austria-Switzerland.

“That argument served us well because it united us even more because he [Aragones] knew that he could get more out of me. I’m actually grateful for it.

“He also did the same with Fernando Torres and we both ended up performing better,” he revealed.

Finally, Sergio reiterated his desire to see Florentino Perez return to seize control of the ‘White House’.
“He has already demonstrated his qualities as a president. I know him personally and he’s a great person.
“As I said before, I will always appreciate what he did for me when I was still at Sevilla and the way he put his faith in me when I was a nobody,” he concluded.

Match Report:Sporting Gijon 0 - 4 Real Madrid [La Liga Match] Video

Twelfth-ranked Sporting Gijon host Real Madrid on Sunday for the first time in over a decade. The Whites can clinch their eighth straight win but will have to do so without the likes of Robben, Sneijder, Guti, Van der Vaart, Metzelder and Salgado. It's a date with destiny as two clubs who combine for over 200 years of history meet in the longest-standing stadium in Spain.

Throughout the 37 seasons Real Madrid and Sporting Gigon have coincided in Spain's top flight, the two sides have met 75 times, 41 of which have fallen in favor of the Madridistas. Sunday's hosts have won on 12 occasions and manged to pull off 22 draws against the Madridistas.The record when playing in Gijon is however somewhat more balanced: 15 Madridista wins, 10 defeats and 12 draws. The Whites last visited Gijon and El Molinon Stadium in 1997, a 0-2 victory led by Fernando Morientes and Raul.

Eleven seasons later Raul returns to Gijon as the club's all-time top scorer alongside Alfredo di Stefano, but Real Madrid will be slightly short-handed on Sunday with Robben, Sneijder, Guti, Metzelder and Salgado injured, Van der Vaart serving a one match suspension, and Codina and Drenthe not included on the squad list. Dani Parejo, however, did make the trip and may see his first action of the season.

Juande Ramos' starting eleven should include Casillas in goal; the all-star defense comprised of Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe and Heinze; Gago, Lass and Faubert in the midfield; and Raul, Higuain and Huntelaar up front. However, the Madridista coach may opt for Marcelo and Parejo.

Real Madrid can seal their eighth straight win and cut into Barcelona's lead after the league leaders drew against Betis on Saturday. But Sporting are no pushover and hope to maintain a foothold in the middle section of the table. After being completely dismantled 7-1 earlier this season at the Santiago Bernabeu, expect the hosts to be fired up and El Molinon to roll out the red carpet for two century-old clubs.

Huntelaar won't give up Real Madrid

Huntelaar spoke to Marca, Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has discussed his recent misfortunes with Real Madrid, and talked about his future at the club.
"I have to wait for my opportunity [in the first-team]," he began. "I will get my chance if I remain patient and continue working hard.
"I just scored for the Netherlands and that is morale boosting for a striker - all strikers need to score to keep their spirits high.
Talk was then moved onto the exclusion of Huntelaar from the Champions League squad, and the forward admitted that it was tough to handle.
"To be left out of the Champions League squad is not easy, but I will not surrender," he added.
"Anything can happen [for us this season] and we will do our best. In the past, [Madrid] found themselves behind Barcelona, but managed to win the league title.
"The people here are very open, welcoming, and they really cheer me up. The weather is marvellous - a lot better than the Netherlands. I love this city, and never thought about leaving."

Match Report Real Madrid 1-0 Racing Santander [La Liga Match Video]

Real Madrid took their seventh straight victory against Racing Santander at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Higuain's goal and a very good defence. Higuain netted his 13th league strike and the defensive line conceded no goals. Iker Casillas played his 454th clash with the team.

Racing put a lot of pressure on Real Madrid from the start and looked to surprise them in attack through Lacen and Colsa's work in midfield. Aware that this would happen, Juande lined up Lass, Van de Vaart and Sneijder in midfield. Rafael served the team's first chance with a free-kick that Ramos finished off, but the defender's shot wasn't on target (10').

Lass became increasingly important thanks to his wise distribution of the ball; his opponents could do nothing to stop him. His excellent job allowed the team to have three consecutive dangerous ventures in attack (12'). The Dutch forward served a cross into the box that found no one to finish it off. Keeper Toño then cleared a strong shot of his with the right foot. Finally, Sneijder pased the ball to Van der Vaart, whose lob was cleared by the keeper. Rául also had a chance in the final minutes of the first half when a header of his missed the mark by inches.

Higuain scores; Faubert makes debut
It only took Higuain three minutes into the second half to score the team's goal. He made great use of an assist served by Raul with his head and beat Toño with a crossed shot. Racing seemed to be in a state of shock and Real Madrid used this to try to score another strike. Pepe surprised the visitors with a powerful sprint. He passed the ball to Higuain, who shot on target again, but Toño cleared the ball with his right leg. Coach Muñiz was forced to replace Lacen and Tchite with Toni Moral and Luccin.

Faubert came on for Robben because Juande wanted to try to surprise Racing down the right wing. Javi Garcia and Marcelo also came on. In the end, Real Madrid won their seventh straight victory, no doubt the best present for Iker Casillas, who today caught up with his idol Paco Buyo by playing his 454th game with the first team.

Emerson:Kaka will join Real Madrid

First David Beckham revealed that he believes the Brazilian will play for Real Madrid, and now Emerson has said his team-mate Kaka is thinking about los Blancos.

Speaking to AS, Emerson revealed how hard it is to turn down the Spanish side, and that for any player it is an objective to play for them.

"Kaká has made his decisions and he is very intelligent, he is very young and doesn't worry about money. Interest is not official, but he is thinking about a future in Madrid," he declared.

"I have always said that Madrid wanted Kaká since two years ago, to be a real player you have to play for Real Madrid. If Kaká has the chance it would be ignored lightly, it would not be bad if he went to Madrid, but it depends on the player. Here is not bad, but Madrid is the top.

"All the players feel good if they play for a team such as Real Madrid, when they come knocking you cannot say no. If they arrive with an offer of 100 million or a good deal then it is tough to stay here. La Liga, for Brazilians, is easier, all is better for Kaká."

Emerson told how the Brazilian is in a difficult moment right now, but that he is more relaxed lately, and even joked with him about a move to Madrid.

"I think that for him it has been tough, because everyone has been speaking about a possible exit. Kaká is here, for now, in order to go to a great club. He could not go to Manchester City, who do not play Champions League and are not a big club. If he leaves, he will go to a great club, because he is a phenomenon," he mused.

"Now he is more relaxed after three very difficult days. A lot has been said about him that is wrong, like he thinks about the money. In a situation like this people speak a lot.

"This afternoon I said to him, 'You are going to Madrid in June,' and he replied, 'Calm down Puma (Emerson's nickname), one must be relaxed about everything.'

"Every footballer has to think about life in Madrid as an event, and the same for Kaká. Madrid are the only team who, when they call, you really think about, because they make you think."

Real Madrid wants Pennant

It was thought that Real Madrid had dropped out of the race to sign Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant with the likes of Milan, Sevilla and Portsmouth heading the queue for his signature.However, according to a report in British tabloid newspaper The Daily Mirror, Los Merengues have rekindled their interest in the 26-year-old former England under-21 international.Apparently, Los Blancos want the former Arsenal and Birmingham City wide-man to arrive at the Bernabeu on loan for the remainder of the season.They are attempting to broker a deal without spending much money as reports suggest that they are firm in the belief that they will sign Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer and are, therefore, saving funds for that moment."Everyone at the club sees Ronaldo as a done deal for next season," a Real Madrid insider is quoted as saying.Whether Liverpool will allow Pennant to go to the Spanish Champions on loan is questionable and the player himself may favour a move to a club where he is more likely to play regular first-team football.

Calderon Leaves Real Madrid

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon on Friday officially resigned over an affair involving unqualified delegates at the club's last board meeting.

Calderon made the announcement at a news conference at Real's Bernabeu stadium, confirming news reports from earlier in the day.

Vice-president Vicente Boluda will take over as interim president until elections can be organized.

Calderon was under massive pressure to quit when a news report earlier in the week said that he had sneaked unqualified delegates into the club's annual general assembly on December 7, in order to have his proposed budget and other measures passed.

At a tearful press conference, Calderon claimed that 'evil had triumphed.'

'I am not a coward,' he added, 'and I have nothing to hide...Neither directly or indirectly have I known about what happened in the club's last assembly.

Calderon then explained that he was handing over the presidency to close friend Boluda, who will prepare elections for May or June.

'I am leaving,' Calderon added, with tears in his eyes, 'with my hands clean and with my conscience clear, with less money and health that when I arrived, but with the pride of having served the most important club in the world.'

He finished by claiming that 'the success of those who have sought my destruction is also the triumph of injustice and evil. I have made mistakes, but not irregularities.'

Calderon's face revealed all the tension and anguish of what has been a traumatic week for him.

On Tuesday Marca raised eyebrows across Planet Football by claiming that Calderon had sneaked unqualified delegates into the December 7 assembly, in order not to be defeated by the increasingly vociferous opposition that has plagued him throughout his stormy two-and-a-half year reign.

According to Marca, Spain's best-selling paper, the unqualified delegates had not been club members long enough to be present at the assembly - or were not even Real members at all.

What made the scandal even more distasteful for Real fans was that, according to Marca, one of the 'infiltrados' was a paid-up member of local rivals Atletico Madrid.

Calderon immediately sacked the two employees he claimed were responsible for the scandal, whilst denying all knowledge of it himself.

On Wednesday Marca alleged that the two sacked employees were close friends of Calderon and were acting under orders from the orders from the president - allegations confirmed immediately be one of them.

Later on Wednesday Calderon claimed that it would be 'cowardly' to resign, and swore 'on my honour' to know nothing about the vote-rigging.

Spanish media reports claim that he was pushed towards quitting by his own board members, at stormy meetings on Thursday night and Friday morning.

Arsene Wenger to Real Madrid?

According to English Newspaper "The Mirror", Real Madrid have offered Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal coach, €26 million to become their coach next season.
Real MAdrid's current coach is Juande Ramos who is sacked by Tottenham,but his contract end at the end of this season.
Unless the former Sevilla boss turns around the Real MAdrid's domestic form in remarkable fashion, or leads them to a 10th European Cup championship, a new gaffer will be required.
At the halfway point of the season, Arsenal are all but out of contention for the Premier League title. They sit fifth in the standings, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Wenger is Arsenal's most successful manager, having collected three Premier League crowns and four FA Cups during his 12-year tenure.
I think Wenger would be a great choice for Real Madrid,I hope he comes to Real Madrid and get success with Real.

Bernd Schuster: It Is Very Difficult To Coach Real Madrid

Bernd Schuster was relieved of his position as coach of Real Madrid on December 9 and the German, an ice hockey fan, has been out of the football spotlight ever since.


Schuster spoke for the very first time since his dismissal.


“It is very difficult to coach Real Madrid nowadays because everything is very complicated at the club. You can never be relaxed, not when you’re dealing with the press or even with the players. Everyone talks about Madrid all the time and that is not good.” he started off.
The 49-year-old went on to describe the pressure cooker environment at the Santiago Bernabéu.
“When the team wins, there is neither exhilaration nor joy. There is only calm, because at Madrid, you are obligated to win every time. But I knew this when I signed for them, which is why I do no regret my time there.”
Schuster then defended his often cold and unresponsive demeanour when faced with the press: “I do things the way I want to. I am me and nobody is going to change that, although some did try to.
Finally, the La Liga and Supercopa-winning trainer touched briefly on his future.
“I think I will leave Spain for a couple of years before I return. I’m confident about my future because I have some credentials after winning a few titles.
“I still watch football a little, but I do not continue following Real Madrid. I have lost enough hair during my time there,” he joked.