Jose Callejon: New Real Madrid player

Real Madrid and RCD Espanyol have confirmed that they had reached an agreement for five million euros, for the transfer of Jose Maria Callejon to the white club, with which he will be bound over the next five seasons. Espanyol signed him three seasons ago for 1.2 million from Real Madrid Castilla. The purchase of the player is the third signing of Real Madrid for the next season, after theTurkish Nuri Sahin, who arrived from Borussia Dortmund, and Hamit Altintop of Bayern Munich.

Jose Callejon: New Real Madrid player

The striker, 24 years old, reached the ranks of Real Madrid in September 2002 from the Association Soccer Sports "Costa Tropical", from Motril (Andalusia), together with his twin brother Juan Miguel, who now plays in Cordoba. On his arrival, he joined the Cadet category and was up to reach Real Madrid "C" in the 2006-07 season, where had already played some games last season, and in 2007-08 made ​​the leap to Real Madrid Castilla.

His good performance with the Real Madrid young teams led (March 25, 2008) his debut, with a goal included, in the U-21 Spanish national team (match against Kazakhstan) and a few months later his move to RCD Espanyol, where debuted in the League on September, 2008 against Getafe (1-1). In his first season with the blue and white team, the versatile player played 24 league games and scored 2 goals, while in the next reached 36 games played with the same goals. His best season was the latter, in which has participated in 37 league matches and scored 6 goals, playing two matches of the "Copa del Rey".

The player's contract ended in 2012. Callejon is another player who returns to Real Madrid after being trained in the young teams and after an experience of over a hundred games played in the top category, although he will have serious competition for a place on the Mourinho's team.

Real Madrid: Mourinho's first year

Sunday was the first of forty-nine days of holidays for the Real Madrid template, which will return to training on July 11. A break after a grueling season (44 wins, 9 draws and 6 defeats in 59 competitive games) marked by the absolute leadership of Jose Mourinho, precisely one of the few who continue to work these days. After the win on Saturday against Almeria (8-1), the Portuguese coach went to the Stadium Bernabeu pitch to thank the warmth of the fans. He pointed his heart and promised more for the future. It was not a gratuitous gesture, because he has always argued that the best of his teams arrives in the second season.

Mourinho does not talk since last April 27 and has no plans to offer a public interview to evaluate the season at the end of this. He seems to have evaporated, but nobody in the club takes a decision without his consent. He has managed to turn the Florentino Perez's Real Madrid in one built to his specifications. After winning the duel with Jorge Valdano, has advanced two signings (Sahin and Altintop) with his unmistakable "stamp". Off the general director, he feels with full powers to govern the future.

Jose Mourinho with the Spanish Cup trophy

Mourinho has plenty reasons to feel indispensable, from the cold numbers (Spanish Cup title, second in the League with 102 goals and semi-finalists of the Champions League) to the remarkable tactics improvement of the team, specialized in fast and aggressive football. Thanks to intense pressure, we can see the Di Maria's attacking waves or the genius details of Özil. All for the greater glory of Cristiano Ronaldo, author of a superhuman figure (40 goals in 34 league games, 52 in all three competitions). Mourinho has managed to bury those lofty concepts of 'style' or 'excellence'. He is not interested to talk about football because he just plays to win.

He has also recovered the talent of Benzema and multiplied the valuation of Marcelo. The team works like a clock, with great confidence in defending and dreadful fury on the counterattack. In his statistics are 14 League wins at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium but there are also surrenders against Sporting and Zaragoza. He won in Milan, London, Bilbao, Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal (with the League lost in the last three cases). But above all, he has saved his project and looking forward to Real Madrid fans with the Spanish Cup title 18 years later, against the best Barcelona that remind the times.

That April 20 in Mestalla Stadium, was the key day of the white season. Florentino's first title in his last five years as president, meant the best moral boost for fans, tired of the Barcelona's tyranny. People needed a messiah and the coach was raised to the altars. Everyone, from the president to the last member, took the coach's speech, which ranged between illusion and arbitration conspiracies.

Jose Mourinho: UEFA Champions League

Mourinho believed that the only way to stop Barcelona, began at the press conference. Therefore, since September, talked (often with reason) about referees, the schedule or the excessive laxity of the Barclona rivals. He appeared with a list of 13 mistakes of the referee in the match against Sevilla and hinted that Television owners favored the rest of Barcelona. He produced two send-offs in Amsterdam and his conflict with the UEFA reached the zenith on 27 April, with the referee Wolfgang Stark, in the Champions League semifinal. Two penalties and several lawsuits later, the Birdcage seems closed. At least for now.

Nuri Sahin: Best player of the season in Germany

Nuri Sahin, new signing of Real Madrid and so far Borussia Dortmund's player, has been voted the best player of the season in Germany in the traditional survey conducted by the magazine "Kicker" from the players in the Bundesliga.

Nuri Sahin: Best player of the season in Germany

Sahin, key to the conquest of the League title by Borussia Dortmund, won 46.1 percent of the vote, beating clearly the second placed player, his teammate Mario Götze -the revelation of the season- who reached 18.7 percent of the vote. Third is the Chilean Arturo Vidal, of Bayer Leverkusen, with 7.4 percent, followed by the Dutchman Arjen Robben of Bayern München with 7 percent, and the top scorer of the tournament, Mario Gomez, also of Bayern, who won 6.7 percent. Manuel Neuer was chosen the best goalkeeper, from Schalke, with 70 percent..

Nuri Sahin, as recordman, can boast of being the youngest player to debut and score both with his club (Borussia Dortmund) as his national team (Turkey). Bundesliga Champion and best player in Germany, Sahin was clear that this year had to take a leap in quality... and he can take it at Real Madrid.

Benzema will stay in Real Madrid

Karim Benzema started late in his second season in Real Madrid. He received criticism from his coach and some whistles from the Santiago Bernabéu fans because they demanded him more. But since January has earned the respect of teammates, the coaching staff and fans, who said goodbye him on Saturday for this year, with a standing ovation and admiration.

His end result was good: 26 goals in 48 games. 20 with the right foot, 4 left and 2 with the head. He is the second top scorer of the team behind Cristiano Ronaldo. In League he has played 33 games (20 starts) with 15 goals (11 at home and 4 away). In the Champions League, participated in 8 matches, with 6 goals (4 at home and 2 away) and played 7 Spanish Cup matches and made ​​5 goals (4 home, 1 away). This year, in addition to attack and score goals, he has learned back to defend, to play as a team, to make coverages... For all this and the projection he still has, Benzema has passed the final exam with high marks and will remain in the team next season.

Benzema celebrates his last goal against Almería 

Mourinho insisted on making him a top player and made ​​him work hard from day one. "Karim is intelligent and I hope he understands what has to do to play more. From the bench, the match is looked very well, the opponent's defensive moves, changes, aggressiveness... is aperfect place. He has been 90 minutes and sooner or later he will understand it" Mourinho said. Now the coach praises him in public but has not yet explained why the French was ignored in the four Classics (only played 56 minutes in the League match against Barcelona).

The public and private shots of the Portuguese coach and Higuain's injury made ​​him react. Mourinho has recovered the best version of the French player. Mourinho has been convinced in the past six months, but wants more and it has been communicated to the player. In addition, the trust that Laurent Blanc has given him in the French national team has helped Benzema to be a competitive player with hunger for goals. Now he goes on vacation. Milan, Inter, Juventus and Manchester would want to sign him. For Real Madrid he is not for sale.

Spanish League: Day 38

REAL MADRID 8 - ALMERIA 1

The Real Madrid fans could not imagine a happier ending. Cristiano Ronaldo got his fortieth goal, round and imposing figure, as well as the 102 goals scored by the team in the Spanish League. Benzema completed the best of his matches in white jersey and is very likely that the hat-trick from Adebayor will ensure his continuity in the club. Even was said goodbye to Dudek with military honors although he spent the war in reserve.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his 40th goal

But let's say something more than a Cristiano. As it is told, Zarra was a player with a nose for goal. Hugo was instinct, as I saw it. Cristiano is the same essence, but in the body of a panther. Physical superiority is crucial to understand his game and to reason his goals. There are those who arrive earlier because they think before; Cristiano comes before because runs more and faster. And because he jumps more and in the air, is suspended, for a while. But his natural force does not explain everything. The world and football is full of meek ​​athletes and distracted talents. CR7 is set apart from the virtues, an obsessed. A kind of revenger of himself. Muhammad Ali became a boxer because someone, as a kid, stole him the bicycle. Then he spent his life punching the thief. For that, just that (a bicycle, a ball, an insult) has brought Cristiano here, 40 League goals and 53 in total this season. Only the goal 40 left him satisfied, slightly.

Right at the start Xabi Alonso curled in a free kick on 3’, Ramos headered the ball to Cristiano, and he easily beat Esteban. With the record in the bag, Real Madrid set their sights on the next target: 100 goals this season. With 15 minutes remaining in the first half, Ozil served a magical assist to Adebayor, who knocked in the second of the night. Almeria pushed forward and pulled one back two minutes later by way of Uche.

The Whites brought out the big guns after the restart. Benzema made it 3-1 on 48’ and four minutes later Adebayor sealed his brace. Almeria had no answer for the onslaught. Then on 62’. Benzema fired home the fifth of the night following a spectacular individual play.

But the best was yet to come. With almost 30 minutes left on the clock, the "Madridistas" surged forward. Adebayor wrapped up his hat-trick on 73’, which was also Real Madrid’s 100th of the season. Not even five minutes later, Cristiano grabbed a loose ball in the midfield, trotted towards Esteban and will a powerful strike beat the Almeria keeper.

Sitting on a 7-1 lead, Mourinho replaced Dudek with Jesus and Benzema with Joselu. And it was the Castilla forward who had the final say on 87’ following an assist by CR7. The 8-1 win was the perfect way to close out the 2010/11 season.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 50,000
Goals: 1-0, m.3: Cristiano Ronaldo. 2-0, m.30: Adebayor. 2-1, m.32: Uche. 3-1, m.48: Benzema. 4-1, m.52: Adebayor. 5-1, m.62: Benzema. 6-1, m.73: Adebayor. 7-1, m.77: Cristiano Ronaldo. 8-1, m.87: Joselu.

Preview: Real Madrid vs Almeria

Real Madrid vs Almeria

Sitting level with Hugo Sanchez and Zarra as La Liga's single season top scorers of all time with 38 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo's last shot at rewriting history takes place today when Almeria visits the Bernabeu; a match that also brings down the curtain on the Whites' 2010/11 season.

Real Madrid bring the season to a close at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where they host Almeria for an inconsequential match in terms of final standings. A lot is at stake on an individual level, however, as Cristiano Ronaldo is only one goal shy of breaking La Liga's single season scoring record.

Eighteen men including the academy's Jesus, Mandi and Joselu have been called up for the task. Canales and Pedro Leon will also suit up, while Lass, Khedira and Gago remain unavailable due to injury and Casillas, Adan, Marcelo, Higuain, Di Maria and Garay will sit out due to a coaching decision. With both goalkeepers off duty, Dudek will make his final start of his four-year stint at Real Madrid.

Almeria and Hercules have already ensured their relegation to Segunda Division with 90 minutes left in both their seasons. After four consecutive seasons in Spain's top flight, the Andalusian side bids farewell to La Liga at none other than Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

"The way the team is currently playing favors Cristiano Ronaldo and his scoring ability," commented assistant coach Aitor Karanka during Friday's press conference, "That incentive is still there, and that is why we are motivated for this match." The players are sure to oblige by their coach's words, and so is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has history at the tips of his toes.

Notes:

Cristiano. Launched in a devastating final sprint, the figure of 40 goals, unthinkable before the start of the League, not only is within reach but seems easily overcome. We should memorize how he did it because in a few decades is possible that we may need to explain it to unbelievers.

Vertigo. To the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, what they like most is that their team runs free, that the players seem to sharks in the festival of the sardine. This year it has been seen so rarely and almost all out of home. Valencia, Sevilla, Bilbao, Villarreal... are not easy fields and there they saw the most spectacular face of the team.

Playmakers. View the call of the Real Madrid, today we could enjoy a midfield full of playmakers. Xabi Alonso, Granero, Kaka and Özil would ensure the management of the match and the flow of play so that the personal account of Cristiano Ronaldo fires up to the unrepeatable. It would be fun.

Almería. Since its descent was consummated, its play has improved. The reaction is completely natural. Today thay want to reject the role of cake at a banquet that is prepared to Cristiano. Although Real Madrid has stumbled more with teams at the bottom of the table, does not appear that Almeria can escape unharmed.

Hamit Altintop: "I am very happy. I am lucky"

Hamit Altintop is now in Istanbul, where he landed yesterday from Munich to continue his recovery plan for back problems that has dragged on this final part of the season. The recent signing of Real Madrid wants to accelerate his physical tuning to be ready to face the crucial match between Turkey and Belgium, very important game for the Euro 2012 qualifying.

Hamit Altintop (Turkey)

The duel will be played on June 3 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. The Belgians, second with 10 points, face the Turkish national team, which is third, with 9 points, in a struggle for second place in a group led by Germany. Along with Altintop is expected that Nuri Sahin will be at that meeting. Altintop explained that his premature arrival in Turkey, the country of origin of his parents: "The injury I have is not small and for this reason I have come before the concentration of the Turkish national team, to work and try to recover for the match against Belgium".

On his more immediate future, he did not want to go into details: "Everyone knows that playing at Real Madrid was my biggest target. On holidays I will work hard to get the best possible in the preseason. I will do everything possible to succeed there. But now I want to focus on the game against Belgium". But he dropped a couple of sentences according tohis logical status of a new player of Real Madrid: "I'm very happy, I'm lucky".

Hamit wants to eliminate back pain as soon as possible and so, before leaving for Istanbul in the morning, spoke with the physiotherapists at his former club Bayern Munich. From Turkey he will fly to Belgium, where he hopes to play on June 3, and then is expected to fly to Madrid, to pass physical examination and to be presented.