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10.06.2011

Kaka traveled to Paris to meet Leonardo

Canal + France reported yesterday that Kaka had dinner on Monday in Paris with PSG's sporting director, Leonardo. The midfielder took advantage of two days of rest that Mourinho gave to the template after the match against Espanyol and traveled to the French capital, where he was with his compatriot. Both bear a strong relationship of friendship. They met for their joint stage in Milan and even the foermer player recommended to the Rossoneri club to sign Kaka when he began to emerge in Sao Paulo.

In the management area of ​​the stadium Santiago Bernabeu, the meeting looks quite naturally. They subtract any importance. They know the relationship of affection that binds the two Brazilians and understand the event as a simple meeting between two friends. Althought Leonardo has always had an interest in being reunited with Kaka. He wanted him last season when he was coach of Inter, and this summer, with the arrival at the Parisian club, he put again his name on the table as a possible reinforcement. Backed by the money of Sheikh Hamad Al Thani, he could try to sign Kaka for the next season. That seems to be his desire.

Leonardo and Kaka in Milan

Two-match ban for Mourinho

Alfredo Florez, single judge of the Spanish Football Competition Committee, gave yesterday his verdict on events that occurred in the second leg of the SuperCup of Spain. The Mourinho's finger in the eye of Tito Vilanova has caused a two-match ban and a 600 euros fine for the coach of Real Madrid. Competition Committee has considered it a mild action so Mourinho will miss mathces on the next round of the Spanish SuperCup, never in the Spanish League nor King's Cup (Spanish Cup).

Mourinho's finger in the eye of Tito Vilanova
Mourinho's finger in the eye of Tito Vilanova

In the case of Tito Vilanova, the penalty is only one game and is fined 600 euros. Like the Portuguese, only to apply in the Spanish SuperCup. Now both clubs have the option to appeal to the Appeals Committee, but Real Madrid and Barcelona have accepted the sanction.

Do not forget that it all started when, on August 22, the single judge of Competition decided to open a extraordinary file in which Mourinho's attitude was considered serious and the acts of the Barcelona's coach assistant as mild reaction. The opening of this file was something unprecedented. For years it did not happen because the Competition Committee only evaluates facts in the file of arbitration.

Then, the dossier went to the hands of the judge, Rafael Alonso. This occurred in late August so the decision would not take place until early October because of all the bureaucratic process. It was then when the time came all key, the appeals process. Barcelona did not submit, but Real Madrid did.

The line of argument of Real Madrid, among many things, was that if was considered the Mourinho's acts as serious actions, should be the same with the aggression of David Villa to Özil. Also, Real Madrid understood that there was provocation of Barca coach and felt that there was no harmful element. That is, Tito Vilanova never had to receive medical care by the action of Mourinho.

The judge Alonso analyzed all the elements and appreciated a penalty to Mourinho of two to three games, but reduced the rating of serious, as was initially, to mild. Only this change meant that Mourinho no longer would have to serve the penalty in the League or Cup, it would always be in the same competition, the Super Cup of Spain.

Then it was reported back to the clubs so they could file new claims, a period which expired on Tuesday. After the period, Rafael Alonso issued his final proposal to the single judge of the Competition Committee, Alfredo Florez, who made ​​it official yesterday.

10.05.2011

Forbes Magazine: Real Madrid is the third most valued brand

Forbes magazine, one of the most prestigious in the U.S. founded in 1917 by financial journalist B. C. Forbes has released a report on the valuation of brands in the field of sport. Real Madrid is the third most valued brand in the world in terms of team is concerned, and Cristiano Ronaldo is the ninth most valuable athlete on the planet.

Real Madrid is the third most valued brand in the world
Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid, a perfect match

Forbes valued the Real Madrid brand in 264 million dollars (199 million euros), behind only Manchester United (203 million euros) and the New York Yankees (256 million euros). FC Barcelona is the seventh in the list and its value is 129 million. In the ranking of the top ten there are six teams in European football (Manchester, Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, Arsenal and Milan).

According to the magazine explains in its report, the final value is obtained by adding the revenues that have nothing to do with the money from the Spanish League or the Champions League and the result is multiplied by four to give 264 million dollars of third place.

A few days ago the same magazine released the most valuable teams professionally. Manchester United is the first and has priced in 1,864 million dollars (1,406 million euros). In this list Real Madrid is also over Barcelona. It is assessed in fifth place and 1,451 million dollars (1,094 million euros). Barcelona is far from the top and appears on the 26th position with a valuation of 975 million dollars (735 million euros).

In the list of athletes, Cristiano Ronaldo is the ninth most valuable to Forbes magazine. Is the second football player just behind Beckham who despite being at the end of his career, preserved almost intact his value. The English player is valued around 15 million euros, while Portuguese is 7. The funny thing is that Messi, current Ballon d'Or, does not appear among the best. Tiger Woods retained the number one, while Roger Federer is the second.

10.04.2011

Nuri Sahin has already recovered from left knee injury

Nuri Sahin begins to glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel. Turkish-German midfielder of 23 years has the green light from doctors, who have seen in recent days as the evolution of his grade I sprain of the internal lateral ligament in his left knee is still correct and satisfactory. He is the most important signing of five newly made ​by Real Madrid ​for this season (the club announced their engagement on May 9, including a payment to Borussia Dortmund of 10 million euros) and now he lacks only the stage of functional rehabilitation and addition to the team, which translated for all mortals means to train at the same pace that the rest of the template to complete his pre-season.

Sahin has already recovered from left knee injury
Nuri Sahin training at Valdebebas Sports City

Mourinho is taking no chances with the debut of Sahin because during the summer was the anxiety of the player and the desire to debut what caused the injury to his left knee which has avoided his official premiere in white (the only outfield player that has not played minutes). These next two weeks will be decisive to Sahin. Once the medical problem is already solved, Mourinho will add him gradually to the dynamics of the group. Something like what he did with Altintop, who played against Ajax seven minutes last week.

The injury of Sahin has forced Xabi Alonso to dispute the 900 minutes played by the Real Madrid since the start of the official season. The Portuguese coach wants Sahin to play in the position of the Spanish midfielder, not alongside him. Mourinho hopes to include Sahin this month in a call to gain confidence and remove the upset which caused him the last injury just before the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy

On June 22, FIFA issued a survey to pick young players with greater future. Sahin won the vote ahead of Alexis Sanchez, Pastore, Gareth Bale, Ganso and Hazard. Also, the German players chose the best player in Bundesliga last season and Sahin emerged victorious with 46% of the votes in that prestigious league. Sahin hopes to debut soon to account for all these awards. Has signed for six years...His debut is closer.

10.03.2011

Espanyol 0 - 4 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 7)

Higuain is back. The Argentinean went through a rough time after his back surgery last season, but tonight he proved to be in top form with a hat-trick against Espanyol. Real Madrid earned their third victory this week with an impressive 13 goal tally.

Real Madrid defeated Espanyol with three goals of Higuain
Higuain was the start of the game

Albiol, Lass and Higian made the starting lineup covering the absences of Pepe, Carvalho and Benzema. Ramos teamed up with Albiol in the centre of defence and Arbeloa was assigned right back duties. Cristiano Ronaldo had a chance to score two minutes into the game from outside the box, but goalkeeper Cristian cleared the ball with danger for his side, sending it to one of the posts. Espanyol looked to get rid of the Whites' pressure with long passes from Thievy, and Romaric nearly scored on the 15-minute mark with an attempt from midfield. Mourinho's men responded one minute later with a Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Higuain connection finished off by the Argentine in a one-on-one against keeper Cristian.

The game opened up for Real Madrid, who used this to make fast counterattacks and capitalise on the speed of their strikers. Espanyol decided to put pressure on the Madridistas closer to midfield and had more chances on goal that were all cleared by Casillas.

The locals pressurised hard after half-time; they posed no threat close ot goal, but forced many turnovers from Mourinho's side. Nevertheless, a long pass by Arbeloa in the 66th minute was picked up and pushed into the net by Higuain, who thus practically sealed the match. Mourinho made Khedira come on for Lass (70'), as the French midfielder had been booked and the coach wanted to avoid taking risks.

Callejon replaced Ozil six minutes later and was received with an ovation by his former crowd. Espanyol kept looking for a goal, which forced them to leave open spaces that Real Madrid used in counterattacks. Ronaldo had a chance to score a third for the team on the 78-minute mark, but his shot wasn't on target.

A great and very selfless assist inside the box from the Portuguese striker allowed Callejon to score the third (82'). Granero then came on for Kaka (83') and, when the game was practically over, a defensive mistake by the locals gave the ball to Higuain and the Argentine defeated Cristian again with a skilful soft touch on the ball.

Summary

Stadium: Cornella-El Prat
Attendance: 34,423
Goals: 0-1, min.15: Higuain; 0-2, min.66: Higuain; 0-3, min.82: Callejon; 0-4, min.89: Higuain.