Squad: Diego Lopez (25)

Diego Lopez

Diego Lopez Rodriguez (Paradela, Lugo, 03/11/1981) joined the Real Madrid academy in the 2000-01 season. He came from Lugo and along with his youth (18 years) and height (1.96m) he brought remarkable reflexes. The Galician played that season with Real Madrid C, in the 01-02 season he went on loan to Alcorcon and in the following year he returned to the Whites’ C team. In the 2003-04 season he took the step up and moved to Castilla. Following a year of adapting, Diego Lopez became the undisputed goalkeeper for the Real Madrid reserve team, with whom he would win promotion to the Second Division in 04-05. In the summer of 2005 he was included in the first team, making his Spanish League (La Liga) debut on 30th April 2006 (Osasuna 0-1 Real Madrid).

In 2007 he signed for Villarreal, where he stayed for five seasons. The great job that he did at the club in Castellon led to his international debut with Spain, which came in August 2009 in a friendly against Macedonia. Last summer he transferred to Sevilla and now, almost six years after his departure from the club, with the maturity that comes with age, his 181 matches and more than 16,000 minutes in the Spanish First Division, Diego Lopez returns to Real Madrid, with whom he will play until the end of the 2016-17 season.

Data

• Place of Birth: Paradela (Lugo)
• Date of Birth: 11/03/1981
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Weight: 89 kg.
• Height: 1,96 m.
• Nationality: Spanish

Honours

• Spanish League (La Liga): 2006/07

Varane: "We are united as a team"

Raphael Varane appeared before the media at the press conference of the Real Madrid Sports City. The French international defender praised Mourinho who turns 50 today: "We are all behind the gaffer and he is the best manager in the world. The press is treating him harshly, but he is doing a good job and it's totally unnecessary. We have got him a photo of the win from last year against Athletic, when we were crowned league champions, signed by us all”. The Madrid defender also analysed Getafe, who are the next opponents for his team: “We are all pulling in the same direction and we don't want to drop any more points. We always want to win. It is a league game in which we want to improve all aspects of our game".

Raphael Varane

Varane was asked about the last few games of his team, which he has started and in which the Whites have hardly conceded a goal and have gone undefeated. "We are pleased. The team deserves a lot of credit and we are working hard for the team. The important thing is that we are united as a team".

With respect to his personal situation in the team, he said: “I am learning from all the players. I am proud to be at the best club in the world and train and play with them every day. I am very happy to be here. I think that I now have to focus on the game against Getafe and I don't set myself any objectives. I am trying to improve and give the best of myself".

When asked about the unity in the dressing room, the Madrid defender gave a very clear answer: "When things get complicated, we have to show solidarity, rally round and try to improve the results. We are all pulling in the same direction and I am certain that this will impact positively on the team".

The French international also spoke about his team mate Diego Lopez and Cristiano Ronaldo. About the former he stated: "I don't know him very well. The important thing is that he contributes to the team". About the Portuguese, he said: “We know how important he is for the team. We have not argued on this point. He is a vital player that would lead to a great change".

Regarding the injury of Iker Casillas, who has now been discharged from hospital, he said: "That is a change! We want to do as much as possible and we are all going to give it our all for this team. Losing Iker will be a blow but I don't think it will change a lot"

Finally, about the possibility of him starting in the first leg of the semi-finals in the cup against Barcelona, he was clear: “I don't know if I will play, but I am ready to play against Barcelona. It is always a special game, we are currently focused on the match against Getafe and our minds are not on Wednesday's game".

Diego Lopez: New Real Madrid player

The Galician goalkeeper returns to the Whites, from whose academy he emerged and with whom he made his Spanish League debut. Real Madrid made ​​it official in a statement: "Real Madrid C.F. and Sevilla F.C. have reached an agreement for the transfer of Diego Lopez, who will be contracted with the club until the end of the 2016-2017 season."

Diego Lopez

Diego Lopez (Paradela, Lugo, 03/11/1981) will play for Real Madrid until the end of the 2016-17 season. Raised through the ranks of the club's youth academy the keeper makes his return from Sevilla where he arrived this summer following five seasons at Villarreal. The Galician strengthens the Real Madrid squad in a position in which they were left crippled due to Iker Casillas’ injury.

Florentino Perez: "MARCA tries to destabilize Real Madrid"

Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, spoke before the press at the VIP box of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium to deny a report published in a Madrid newspaper (MARCA) claiming that the players had demanded the exit of coach Jose Mourinho: “I’m speaking in light of the seriousness of what happened in order to make it clear that there was no ultimatum that the coach or anyone else leave the team given at the captain’s lunch. We had lunch to discuss bonuses. The meeting was held in a relaxed atmosphere as usual. What has been said is not true, not in its content or in how much was said. I respect the press and I respect criticisms although they seem unfair. There are ethical limits that should be respected by those that aren’t a part of our project. It doesn’t seem ethical to resort to lies to destabilize the club”.

Florentino Perez

In his roughly 15 minute talk Florentino Perez explained that he was left with no choice but to call the press conference to respond to the seriousness of the situation, something he usually doesn’t do: “As you can see, given the seriousness of what happened today I’ve broken my own rule about not speaking about day-to-day team business. It is absolutely false that any kind of ultimatum was discussed regarding the coach or anything similar at the lunch we had with the captains last Tuesday. As you all know, we usually have lunch in January with the two captains and the general manager in order to set the bonuses for the different competitions of the season.”

Real Madrid: Club with highest billing in the world

Real Madrid has become the first sports club in the world to have annual revenue in excess of 500 million euros, according to the 16th edition of the Football Money League report, published by Deloitte, which analyses financial information corresponding to the 2011/12 season.

Florentino Perez

The Whites took in a total of 512.6 million euros, 33.1 more than the previous financial year (7%), and leads the rankings for the eighth consecutive year. There were no changes in the first six spots.

In ticket sales, Real Madrid earned 126.2 million euros (2.6 more than the previous year). The figure from television rights, UEFA Champions League and international friendlies, reached 199.2 million euros (15.7 more than the previous financial period). This increase is due to the team’s progress in the European Cup and the international tours in China, the United States and the Middle East. Finally, in sports marketing, Real Madrid earned 187.2 million euros (14.8 more than a year ago). This increase can be explained by the increase in sponsorship and advertising contracts, and is evidence of, according to the report, “the ability to grown during a difficult period and demonstrates that global commercial brands are very keen to form partnerships with a club like Real Madrid”.

Deloitte highlights that the 20 football clubs with the highest billing in the world post revenue in excess of 4,800 million euros, 10% more than the previous year. In this group are teams from the five countries with the most powerful leagues in Europe. England has the most representatives (7), followed by Italia (5), Germany (4), Spain (2) and France (2).

List: Clubs with highest billing in the world (million euros)

1. Real Madrid (ESP) 512,6
2. FC Barcelona (ESP) 483
3. Manchester United (ENG) 395,9
4. Bayern Munchen (GER) 368,4
5. Arsenal (ENG) 322,6
6. Chelsea (ENG) 290,3
7. Manchester City (ENG) 285,6
8. Milan (ITA) 256,9
9. Liverpool (ENG) 233,2
10. Juventus (ITA) 195,4

Iker Casillas: Fracture in his left hand

Iker Casillas has suffered a fracture at the base of the first metacarpal in his left hand as a result of the blow received last night in the Spanish Cup match at Mestalla and will be about a month off. This was announced Thursday morning by Real Madrid in a statement after the goalkeeper underwent a medical examination in Madrid at dawn, at the return of the White team from Valencia. The goal of the doctors, who still believe in the miracle, is that the goalkeeper recovers for the knockout round of the Champions League against Manchester United. It is February 13, so in principle Casillas does not come on time. However, in the club think that Iker may decrease the recovery time.

Iker Casillas leaves the hospital after undergoing medical examinations

"After carrying out initial x-rays at the La Moraleja Sanitas Hospital it has been confirmed that the footballer Iker Casillas has suffered a fracture at the base of the first metacarpal on his left hand. It will be assessed again by a specialist later today to decide what treatment will be followed" says the Real Madrid statement.

Iker Casillas had to retire injured in the 16th minute of the Valencia-Real Madrid match of the Spanish Cup quarterfinals. The goalkeeper was treated for nearly three minutes on the field, but with a hand visibly pained chose to retire and make way for Adan.

Valencia 1 - 1 Real Madrid (Spanish Cup, 1/4 Finals, 2nd Leg)

Real Madrid is now among the top four clubs in the Spanish Cup after beating Valencia in the quarter-finals. The Whites drew 1-1 at the Mestalla, the very setting where the team last won the tournament in 2011, making the 2-0 advantage from the first leg count in a match in which they went ahead in the first half with a goal from Benzema in the forty-fourth minute that all but sealed the team’s qualification for the semi-final.

Valencia reacted as soon as the second half began, partly due to the sending off of Coentrao for two yellow cards in the move prior to the equalising goal from a Tino Costa free kick. Even when the team was a man down they gave a master class on control and endeavour, barely allowing their opponent attempts on goal; Valencia had to make do with long-range shots. The only sour note in an otherwise positive first half was the injury to Casillas, who had to be substituted for a knock to his left hand. Madrid had a second player sent off in the final minutes of the clash, on this occasion Di Maria. The Whites are now waiting to discover their opponent for the semi-finals of the Cup, which start next week, who will be the winner of the knockout match between Malaga and Barcelona.

Real Madrid reached the semifinals of the Spanish Cup 2012-2013