news and gossip (tit bits really)
Cristiano Ronaldo gives €8200 'La Decima' watch to all his Real Madrid team-mates
Most of the staff at Real Madrid, players included, share the sentiment that Cristiano Ronaldo himself is a gift to the legendary club after all of his goals, assists and match-winning performances over the past few seasons.
Carlo Ancelotti's side celebrated their tenth European Cup win last season with Ronaldo scoring a late penalty in a 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid.
The trophy success, known as 'La Decima', coupled with Ronaldo's individual achievements have prompted the Portuguese star to buy each and every one of his team-mates a brand new gift - worth 8,200 euros (£6496).
The Bulgari watch is engraved with the player's name, Ronaldo's initials and shirt number 'CR7' while it also features the words 'La Decima' as a reminder of the squad's terrific Champions League success last season.
29-year-old Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo gave his team-mates their new watches before they travelled to their hotel ahead of tonight's La Liga match against Almeria, with defender Alvaro Arbeloa quick to boast about his new accessory on Twitter.that's how you ball
David De Gea in line for a new five-year deal as Manchester United bid to see off Real Madrid interest
David De Gea could become the richest goalkeeper in history if he accepts a bumper new contract being offered to him at Manchester United, according to reports.
The Spaniard has been one of United’s stand-out performers this season and has reportedly attracted attention from Real Madrid, who are looking for a long-term replacement for Iker Casillas.
But Louis van Gaal is determined to keep De Gea at Old Trafford and according to the Sun, the club are set to offer him a new five-year deal, worth a mammoth £36m.
The 24-year-old will pocket £140,000-a-week, more than double his current salary.
It would also see him earn more than Manchester City’s Joe Hart, who is also believed to be in line for a new contract at the Etihad.read more
Man Utd v Liverpool: A strange kind of sporting love affair?
t is a supposedly toxic rivalry fired by both history and modern menace: ship canals and industrial struggle; title battles or European charges; managers trading insults and players refusing to shake hands; loathsome chants about death, songs ridiculing tragedy.
All that and more will be raked over before Manchester United and Liverpool meet once again on Sunday afternoon.
Except maybe the truth lies somewhere else. Maybe this is less about hate than a strange kind of sporting love affair. Because both clubs are dependent on each other, and so too - hold down your bile - are their supporters.
"We wouldn't like to admit it, but we do need this fixture. We like this rivalry," says Barney Chilton, editor of United fanzine Red News.
"In the 1980s it was the only fixture we had, really. It was the only one we looked forward to. And although that has changed, we're all still drawn to this fixture in a way that we aren't to others. Context for those who came in late. The EPL has never had a rivalry like El Clasico, or the Riverplate vs Boca Juniors. The Man U vs Liverpool rivalry is stepped in history, and economics and is a bit more respectful than say, the Barca vs Real Madrid rivalry. It's a good match up when the two teams are evenly yoked. In the mid aughts it was awesome
Real Madrid, Chelsea, and the Divine Right of Kings
Late last month, Real Madrid, one of the legendary teams of European soccer, changed its historic logo. Real means royal, of course, and the logo was bestowed on the team by King Alfonso XIII, back in 1920: a blue and gold circle containing the initials M.C.F. (for Madrid Club de Fútbol), surmounted by the Spanish crown, on top of which is perched a cross. Or was. Because the cross has now been removed, in deference to the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, which recently announced that it was investing ninety million euros, or about a hundred and ten million dollars, in the club. Real Madrid is already the richest sports team in the world, valued at almost 3.5 billion dollars, and it’s one of the most successful: the club set a new record this week with its nineteenth-straight win; its goal difference in this stretch has been 71-9.waffly article, but someone might get something out of it
Chatter from the sidelines
- Fernando Torres set to be offered up for FREE after Milan move to cancel Chelsea loan dealum thanks but no thanks
- English Premier League set for Friday night fixtures I'm still asking why though? It's one thing cutting Monday nights, have it on the weekend for the away fans. As it is... idek
- Bayern Munich want Martin Ödegaard. They have a good chance to get him article in German
- What a turn out! Everton host the 14 dedicated Krasnodar fans in hospitality for Europa League clash at Goodison Park read more
- Don't go, please stay! Man City want Lampard to stay read more
- Chelsea to be first Premier League club to pay all staff living wage good on them, for real
- FCB striker Breel Embolo receives a Swiss passportarticle in German
- Former Italy and Milan manager praises his compatriot: "Three teams have reinvented football: Ajax, Milan and Barcelona. I hope that Real will be the fourth."interesting interview. We will see
- Jose Mourinho: Chelsea will not make any signings in JanuaryMourinho has always been as tidy as a nun when it comes to these things, tbh.
- Maryland goalie Zack Steffen signs with Bundesliga club SC Freiburg MLS makes some of the best goalies, NGL
- Man United and Liverpool - close to a classic but lacks major drama um, sorry, we're English?
Social Media
Kun is the player of the month for BPL
Pictures
Spoiler alert! Real Madrid won. Again
The rest of the pictures have Ronaldo and Bale's faces. Nope
Real Sociedad training. I hope Moyes can get them back into midtable. I wish Moyes would stop with the strange comments after matches though. "They could have done worse to us" is not what your players want to hear.
Huh. Looking like something out of a boyband there, mates
Us win against Manchester United? Hah!
Manquillo is pretty hardy for a Spaniard. Up north is cold at this time and he is running around in shorts?
put some snowflakes in the picture and it looks like a seasons greetings card
Özil and some ufo- unidentified formed object
Poldi auditioning for extra playing time
Holding hands, making all sorts of tactional plans... me and flamini... got a training thing going onnnnn
Let us take a selfie...
What do I have to do/ to get you to notice me too?/ Do I stand in line /with a ball on my face?!/ Anything for playing tiiiiime
No, Tin Tin is not playing, but I know some of you on this comm THIRST
Mats Hummels walking through. Please do well this weekend, Dortmund
Lahm still working even though his ankle is busted
I'm contemplating giving up on all Bayern Munich photos, I think. It's all Götze or Boateng (WHY? FFS!). Anyway, there are calls to rest Alonso and bring Schwien---this guy in so that he can get his match fitness and confidence back. Win win for everyone. Also, there have been four geniuses in football, I read this weekend, Guardiola is one of them
Juan Mata posing
David de Gea working
I like Ander Herrera. Despite him allegedly taking money for match fixing. My faves are so problematic.
LvG looking to see whom he can injure today. Fair play, when he says his players are injured, I believe him. Brendan Rodgers on the other hand... -_-