Real Madrid vs Levante | La Liga - 18/05/2008 - 21:00 CET

La Liga - 18/05/2008 - 21:00 CET | Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid have announced on their official website that they’ll play Levante tomorrow night following speculations that Levante players won’t show up because they have gone on strike. Bernd Schuster has a squad list of 25 men to choose from and it is expected to be a match just for entertaining the fans (at least for Real). However, after the game there will be celebrations and it is gonna be a “REAL” party.

Here are some interesting quotes from Schuster’s press conference:

What do you think about Robinho’s name being rumoured as part of the ‘Cristiano Ronaldo operation’?

Robinho is not going to leave. He and Robben are very important for us on the left wing. We will have to improve on what we already have to do better in the Champions League next year. That’s why I think Robinho won’t leave.

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Written by Rajab Bader on May, 17 at 5:25 pm | Comment on this article.. »

Aragonés Calls Casillas & Ramos for Euro 2008

Luis Aragonés, the man who should have been sacked a long time ago.

Luis Aragonés has finally announced Spain’s squad list for Euro 2008 which will take place in Austria/Switzerland. Only two players from Real Madrid have been called up and they are Saint Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.

Despite Rau’ls fantastic form and two consecutive successful seasons, Luis Aragones has again left him out. I just don’t get it. Why not picking him? Rau’l had been Spain’s captain for a long-time (10 years?) before Aragones left-him out of the squad for the first time. IL Capitano is going through a wonderful spell and has scored 18 goals (If I’m not mistaken). Yes, Spain has David Villa and Torres, but for a big tournament like Euro, someone like Rau’l should be there; trust me.

By the way, Our ex-Castilla player, Roben De La Red has been called up too. He must be excited.

Here is the full squad list:

Casillas, Ramos, Juanito, Cesc, Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi, De la Red, Arbeloa, Reina, Torres, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Navarro, Güiza, Albiol, Marchena, Silva, David Villa, Palop, Capdevila, Cazorla, Senna, Sergio García

Written by Rajab Bader on May, 17 at 1:59 pm | Comment on this article.. »

Cristiano Ronaldo Hints At Real’s Move

I know, I’m tired of the Ronaldo rumors too but this one has caught my attention. As you know, Ronaldo has been continuously linked with a move to the Bernabeu and it has also been rumored that Real Madrid are ready to break records and pay $100m for him.

Now the player himself has spoken about his future and said that although he is happy at Manchester United he wants to play in Spain someday:

“I am feeling happy here and I am feeling calm here. But let us see what happens after the Champions League final. I am feeling happy but in the future I don’t know,” he said, fairly ominously.

“I have said a million times that I would like to play [in Spain], but it is one thing to dream and quite another to understand the reality.

“I don’t know the club [Real Madrid] at all. But I know they like the way I play and I know that other teams in Spain like my game as well. It is good to know that they like my game, but I am happy here.”

From his statements I can interpret that the Champions League final is what will decide whether he stays in England or move to Spain. It is clear that he wants to play in Spain and in this case he’ll play with Real Madrid because they are the only ones (in addition to Barcelona) who can afford his wages and guarantee trophies.
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Written by Rajab Bader on May, 16 at 6:44 pm | 6 Madridistas said something »

Fabio Cannavaro To Renew His Contract Until 2010

TuttoSupport is reporting that Fabio Cannavaro, Italy’s skipper, is set to renew his contract with Real Madrid until 2010. This means that he will stay one more year after his current contract expires in 2009.

The Italian defender moved to Real Madrid in 2006 following the Calciopoli crisis that forced him to leave his old club, Juventus. However, there has been some rumors that suggested that Cannavaro could move back to the Seria A and particularly to his home town’s team, Napoli. While there has been no official statements neither from the player nor from Real Madrid, everything is still possible.
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Written by Rajab Bader on May, 16 at 5:55 pm | 2 Madridistas said something »

Real Madrid 2008/2009 Home & Away Kit

Real Madrid have said that they would unveil next seasons’ kit during their title celebration ceremony at the Santiago Bernabéu on 18 May.

The new home kit includes a collared shirt with black trim, while the visitor’s shirt is a cobalt blue with white trim. Both include adidas’ revolutionary ClimaCool® with flow mapping technology which enhances player performance by keeping the body at optimal temperature.

The kit has been anatomically designed in order to optimize the fit and comfort of each player and includes 3-D engineered patterns allowing ultimate player performance through increased ventilation and moisture management.

I must say that the new kit looks sexy and it is nearly the same as the one we had in 2005. I think I’m gonna get myself one but I don’t think they are available yet.

More pictures:

Written by Rajab Bader on May, 15 at 12:55 pm | 3 Madridistas said something »

Real Madrid To Extend Robinho’s Contract

Ramon Calderon has stated that they are going to extend Robinho’s stay at the Bernabeu until 2014. The Brazilian wonderkid moved to Real Madrid from Santos in 2005 and his first two seasons were quite disappointing. However, when Capello was brought in and the team improved, Robinho became more efficient and found a regular place in the squad.

He lead Brazil to Copa America and became the best goal-scorer and played an important role in Real’s win of this seasons’ league. All of this have made other teams going after him, but it seems thought that Real’s management really value his worth.

Honestly, I’m not surprised to hear such news because I think that Robinho is one of the world’s best players and I’m pretty sure that he will soon be awarded the FIFA player of the year. His talent in undeniable and he is down-to-earth with his teammates. It is just good that Real sold Ronaldo because he had a very bad influence on Robinho.

Written by Rajab Bader on May, 13 at 10:10 pm | 3 Madridistas said something »

Real May Not Play Levante

It is unbelievable, but Levante players have gone on strike and have threatened that they won’t play at the Bernabeu next week If they don’t get paid. Levante, who have serious financial problems, are yet to pay their players despite many promises and owe £18 million to their players.

Luis Manuel Rubiales, Levante’s captain, has said that he had informed Real Madrid about the situation and that they don’t intend to harm Real Madrid in any way. He also said that they had to do that because they have families and they haven’t been properly paid for two years.

I really don’t know what to say, but I fully understand what Levante players are going through. It would be a pity If we won’t see Real at the Bernabeu next week. I think that the Spanish football federation should do something about this issue before it gets even more complicated.

Do you think that Levante players have the right to do this?

Written by Rajab Bader on May, 13 at 7:09 pm | 9 Madridistas said something »

Real Zaragoza 2-2 Real Madrid

I couldn’t watch the match and therefore I couldn’t write an extensive and thoughtful review, so apologizes for everyone here. However, the nice thing about giving other people a voice to share their thoughts is that they really appreciate it and actually help. Thankfully, my fellow Madridistas at Realmadrid Forum are discussing the game. I recommend you go there:
Real Zaragoza 2-2 Real Madrid and videos are here.

I’m gonna be back and at full speed from now on

Hala Madrid

Written by Rajab Bader on May, 13 at 6:10 pm | Comment on this article.. »