madristar

Casillas receives Protagonistas award ker Casillas was presented with the Protagonistas award in the category of sports on Tuesday for his "nobility, his grandeur, his security in goal and his way of being." Casillas: "This is an award for all of Spanish football. I was the captain of the team and Andres scored the goal that gave us the World Cup, which is what likely put us in the spotlight. But I think this is an award for all of Spanish football." "Sevilla are always a complicated opponent, but it is also true that we weren't playing our best. All that matters, though, is that we took the three points. We must stay alert and try not to slip up. Barcelona are a tight-knit group, which is something we are missing. But I think we're on the right track. We don't fear anyone and we are going to continue working hard to win titles." "I would like people to remember me for being a good person. I looked up to Paco Buyo as a kid. As I got older I started to admire Peter Schmeichel. Now I like all goalkeepers. There are a lot of up-and-coming players." "When I see veteran keepers I ask myself, "Why not?" I think a goalkeeper must always think with his head. When the time comes to hang up my boots, I hope to stay involved with football. And to do so with Real Madrid, which is where I have spent my whole life and what I consider home. It would be an honor." Florentino Perez: "He is a symbol and an icon for me, for the club and for all Madridistas. He was brought up in the academy, he has a good heatt and he is correct. Looking into Casillas' eyes is looking into the history of Real Madrid. He is the best goalkeeper in the world and the best keeper this club has ever had. I think the history of this sport should recognize him one day with the Ballon d'Or. He deserves everything he has achieved and all that yet to come." Butragueño: "He is a former youth teamer who represents the best values sports and Real Madrid have to offer. He is admired for his way of being, not by what he achieved, and as a Madridista that makes me proud." Karanka: "I met him when he was 16 years old and came up to the first team. It is a privilege to work with him. He is a great professional and an even better person. He deserves all the awards he has won."

Thanks minerva!Shes a legend!

Wow...what a beauty!

“Higuain is working in Argentina and early next year he will do demanding exercises and we wil have a clearer view of his recovery. It seems that we were right about the conservative treatment. We hope that the optimism is confirmed” (December 22nd)

Benzema: "I felt affection from the standing ovation I received from the crowd" "I will work hard to score more hat-tricks" Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Karim Benzema was extremely happy after the match, in which he scored a hat-trick. "I felt great affection from the standing ovation I received from the crowd. It was a natural reaction, especially after socring three goals, but I am nevertheless very happy for it." [Cristiano and Benzema signed the ball and gave it to Morata] "He was very happy. I'm going to work very hard to score more hat-tricks and keep more balls." "We could have scored 9 or 10 goals given the chances we had, but that's how games go. I ask the new year to bring me many goals. I hope to spend a happy Christmas and achieve this when I get back."

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CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!

Granero: "We played a great game and I am very satisfied with our performance and with the score" Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Marcelo and Granero shared their views on the team's victory over Levante. Marcelo "We had to score as many goals as we could to make the return leg easier. Our objective was to start strong and to let Levante know it. We must now rest and return to work after the holidays." "I am working very hard this season and I hope to keep it up and improve on a daily basis. The holidays will do me a lot of good because I will see my family and I will rest." "Morata played tonight and I am very happy with how the academy is helping us out. It is very important to them." Granero "We were very serious and it made us grow confident. That's why we played a great game. I am very satisfied with our performance and the score. We will have to do our best to win the return leg, forgetting what we did here tonight. Our forwards guarantee many goals for us and they will also try to score in the next game."

Marcelo: "Our objective was to score as many goals as we could" Granero: "We played a great game and I am very satisfied with our performance and with the score" Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Marcelo and Granero shared their views on the team's victory over Levante. Marcelo "We had to score as many goals as we could to make the return leg easier. Our objective was to start strong and to let Levante know it. We must now rest and return to work after the holidays." "I am working very hard this season and I hope to keep it up and improve on a daily basis. The holidays will do me a lot of good because I will see my family and I will rest." "Morata played tonight and I am very happy with how the academy is helping us out. It is very important to them." Granero "We were very serious and it made us grow confident. That's why we played a great game. I am very satisfied with our performance and the score. We will have to do our best to win the return leg, forgetting what we did here tonight. Our forwards guarantee many goals for us and they will also try to score in the next game."

Iker told Punto Radio (they did a special on Real Madrid in honor of Iker winning their protagonist award) that José Mourinho is the “maximum authority” of the team and that all the players are with him: “the míster is the maximum authority of the team. The president is that of the club, but of the team it’s Mourinho, and he has to stay calm, because the players are with him.” Emilio Butragueño also showed his support towards Mou, saying, “he’s an affable and very affectionate man, and those who are close to him are happy. He’s a professional in all meanings of the word.” Two. Iker and Figo visited both Marca and AS yesterday to drum up interest in their football 7 charity game. We found out that the line-ups still have not been finalized, although the game is tomorrow. However, it looks a bit like it will like the Real Madrid of 2001-02, with Iker, Figo, Zidane, Hierro and Guti out there… However, VDB will not be on the bench, although he was originally scheduled to be, because he has another commitment outside Madrid, and because tomorrow is also his 60th birthday! He will be replaced by Luis Aragonés, with the other coach being Míchel, who could have played if he weren’t suffering from a knee injury. Meanwhile, Busi will be the only representative from Barcelona, Sergio Ramos and Fernando Llorente were scheduled to participate but won’t due to injury, although Iker said they would try and support the initiative from the stands, and that Raúl (!!!) was also invited, but had to decline.

Mourinho: "We thrilled the crowd, but they also thrilled us "My men played a serious game tonight; that's the only way to earn such a victory" Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Jose Mourinho was very satisfied with his team's 8-0 win over Levante in the Copa del Rey. "We thrilled the crowd, but it also thrilled us. It was a beautiful and fun game, especially for the younger crowd at the stadium tonight." "I'm sorry for Levante's professionals because it is always harsh to lose this way, but I'm happy with the way we sealed the year. We've won 20 of our 25 official games, drawn 4 and lost only one. My men played a serious game tonight and that's the only way to earn such a victory." "I have no personal problems with anybody. I think it's natural to have occasional differences of opinion at a club with so many people working in it. I have no personal problems with anybody. Small differences can be resolved by communicating with one another." "My relationship with Valdano is not bad. I'm not here to talk about this and never throughout my career have I worried about image issues. My main concern has always been to have happy, devoted, disciplined and professional teams. I've always wanted sides that could never be criticised by their cliubs for not being serious. This is my duty to Real Madrid and its supporters. There are no personal problems here. I'll soon be gone they day I start having any. I intend to see my four year-contract through because I have a very good relationship with everyone here." "What matters is that Benzema played well today. He ran deep to support his team-mates in the very first minute and, when you start a game like that, the natural thing is to eventually give a great performance. Scoring goals is a matter of small details. He played a good game and the only reason I replaced him was because I wanted Morata to feel the Bernabeu crowd." "Before the game started, my men asked me if I would allow them to spend the night of 5 January at home with their families if they won 4-0. I jokingly replied we would travel the day of the match if the scored 6. We will travel on the day of the match, not as a sign of disrespect to our opponent (after all, we drew our league match there), but because we feel it is important for Spaniards to spend that time at home."

Barca want Pep to emulate Fergie Sandro Rosell says Pep Guardiola can carve a legacy at Barcelona, much like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. In a little over two years as manager of the club, Guardiola has won everything club football has to offer and Rosell cannot find any fault in his or the team's performance. In comments quoted by AS, he said:"I would give the team 10 out of 10, because they cannot perform any higher. Guardiola knows that he has an offer on the table. He knows that he can renew for two years plus another three. "I like things a lot. I do not think that there are any problems, I would like to see him become like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, and Franz Beckenbauer at Bayern Munich. I can see him being president of this club," continued Rosell. The president then addressed the Dani Alves situation. The fiery right-back's contract at the Nou Camp will expire in June 2012 but a new deal has not yet been agreed. Alves has not ruled out a move away from Barcelona and Rosell can understand why. "Alves is doing what he needs to do to defend himself, and so are Barca. I cannot imagine the club without Alves, but no one is above the club. We will continue with or without him."

"Mourinho should show some respect" Valencia coach Unai Emery has accused Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho of disrespecting his peers. Mourinho, never short of a word in front of the press, had criticised the officials in a press conference after his side's narrow 1-0 win over Sevilla last weekend. Emery, who has taken to calling out the Portuguese on his actions in recent times, waded into him again. In comments quoted on radio show Cadena Cope, he said: "You have to show respect. There are coaches whose jobs are on the line. "There are rules to be observed at press conferences. The coach speaks then deals with issues internally. He made those statements but two weeks before we had an unfair dismissal and lost the game. Comparing the outspoken Mourinho with two other coaches of the modern era - Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, Emery said: "I've met Ferguson and Guardiola and both are guys that have won everything. "These are gentlemen and are very respectful. Then comes another great coach, in Jose Mourinho. What would it cost him to be cordial and respectful? We already know he is good." Now, it wouldn't be a surprise if Mourinho came back with a rebuttal to Emery in the wake of these comments.

Benzema: We can Real-ly score Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema believes his side's 8-0 win over Levante in the Copa del Rey showed they can score goals like Barcelona. The Frenchman and Cristiano Ronaldo both netted a hat-trick each to help Madrid to their biggest victory of the season. Speaking after the match, Benzema was delighted with his treble and his side's goal rout. "It was a very good game for us, and in the end, I have three goals," Benzema told Eurosport. "People wanted us to show them what football is, and we have demonstrated this. "Real Madrid also have the ability to score six, seven or eight goals. "I don't know if it was my best match for Real Madrid, but I will keep strong and working hard. I want to win the Copa del Rey because it is an important trophy for everyone," he added. Jose Mourinho's side are second-place in the La Liga standings, two points behind Barcelona. They play Getafe next on Monday.

Thanks!!

Mourinho has no issue with Valdano Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has moved to end speculation of a rift between him and director general Jorge Valdano. Spanish media had suggested the pair fell out over Mourinho demanding that the club's hierarchy do more to help him defend the team with regards to refereeing performances. Madrid have a policy against commenting about officials. Speaking at a press conference following Madrid's emphatic 8-0 Copa del Rey first leg fifth round win over Levante, Mourinho said: "I have no personal problems with anybody." "I think it's natural to have occasional differences of opinion at a club with so many people working in it. I have no personal problems with anybody. Small differences can be resolved by communicating with one another," Mourinho was quoted on the club's official website as saying. "My relationship with Valdano is not bad. I'm not here to talk about this and never throughout my career have I worried about image issues. My main concern has always been to have happy, devoted, disciplined and professional teams." On Wednesday night, Mourinho's Madrid side certainly looked happy, devoted, disciplined and professional as they swept aside Levante with ease. Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo both scored hat-tricks in the 8-0 rout which saw the home side 4-0 up at the break. "We thrilled the crowd, but it also thrilled us. It was a beautiful and fun game, especially for the younger crowd at the stadium tonight," Mourinho said. "I'm sorry for Levante's professionals because it is always harsh to lose this way, but I'm happy with the way we sealed the year. We've won 20 of our 25 official games, drawn 4 and lost only one. My men played a serious game tonight and that's the only way to earn such a victory." Mesut Ozil and Pedro Leon also got on the score sheet for Madrid.

Mourinho: I'm not leaving Real Jose Mourinho insists his future lies at Real Madrid amid speculation linking him with a return to Inter Milan. Mourinho led Inter to an unprecedented treble of Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia titles last season before switching to Madrid. He was replaced at Inter by Rafael Benitez, but with reports suggesting the Spaniard's time at the San Siro could be coming to a swift end, Mourinho has found himself touted for a possible return to Italy. However, the outspoken Portuguese, who on Sunday caused a stir by asking the Madrid hierarchy do more to protect the team in the face of perceived refereeing injustices rather than leave it all to him, is adamant he is going nowhere. He is quoted as telling Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport: "I have a four-year contract with Real Madrid, and I'm going to continue here for a long time. "There are many things to do in Madrid, and not only on-field work. "I hope that Inter don't need me now, as this would mean they have taken the wrong path. "In my future it will be the Premier League or Italy. Problems at Real Madrid? I never have problems." Mourinho also believes that Benitez's outburst against Inter president Massimo Moratti earlier this week showed a lack of respect for what he did at the club. Benitez issued a 'sack me or back me' ultimatum after Inter's success at the FIFA Club World Cup, believing he needs extra funds in the upcoming transfer window to improve his faltering squad. The reigning five-time Serie A champions sit 13 points adrift of leaders and city rivals AC Milan in the table, albeit with two games in hand. "I don't want to know when or if Benitez is ousted," Mourinho added. "I am only interested in Inter, the president, my friends, the players, the fans who in two years gave me everything. "I want Inter to win everything apart from the Champions League, where there is Real Madrid. "Rafa's words [after the Club World Cup]. They deserve no comment. I expected at least a thank you from the success that I gave him. "Ask all the Inter fans what they think of me and him."

Indeed...he's a genius!!

This is the fourth time the team nets eight strikes in the championship Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Real Madrid last won 8-0 in the Copa del Rey in 1960 against Sporting Gijon. In total, the Whites have earned such a result four times. REAL MADRID'S 8-0 IN THE COPA DEL REY Date Opponent Stage 23-12-1928 C.D. Logroño Last 16 (1st leg) 28-05-1933 Sporting Quarterfinals (1st leg) 05-06-1960 Sporting Quarterfinals (1st leg) 22-12-2010 Levante Last 16 (1st leg)

Pedro hails battling Bilbao Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez praised the defensive work of Athletic Bilbao after a goalless draw in Copa del Rey. The Basque outfit succeeded where so many have failed by nullifying Pep Guardiola's prolific side. Pedro also conceded after the goalless draw that his side will not have it easy in the return leg at San Mames as they look for a place in the quarter-finals. Barca went into the last-16 first leg at the Nou Camp having won their previous 10 competitive outings while averaging more than four goals per game. However, the Catalan giants could not find the breakthrough despite dominating against a hard-working Athletic side and now have work to do in the return. Pedro said: "They played a great game. They defended very well, very together. "For the strikers we don't like these games because they close up shop at the back. It's a shame not to have got the victory." Looking ahead to the return at 'La Catedral', which has not been an easy place to get anything from for visiting teams down the years, Pedro said: "They are very strong at home. "We have to go to San Mames, a difficult ground, and we have to think of getting the victory that will put us through to the next round. "We have to go there with a winning mentality and get a good result." Midfielder Andres Iniesta added on his club's website: "We'll go there looking to play a good game while knowing that Athletic are a difficult opponent, especially at their ground. "We had control of the game but they defended well. When a team tries their hardest to win and doesn't, that's football. We still have all the hope in the world of getting through to the next round." Defender Dani Alves added: "There are days when the ball doesn't want to go in. "(But) we still have the same chance of getting through the tie. We will have to make a great effort because it will be difficult there at San Mames." Despite the draw, Barca have plenty of positives to reflect on as they go into the Christmas break. The reigning Spanish champions are unbeaten in 23 matches, of which 19 have been won, while they boast a two-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the Primera Division. Alves said: "We have finished the year in exceptional form. This result will not take away what we've done up until now. We ask that next year will be just as good."

Oh sorry ;cry; i didnt know this was a discussion thread sorry..

David Beckham is to open a pub in Los Angeles called The Queen Vic. The football superstar - who moved to America three years ago when he signed a deal to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy team - is reportedly planning to run the pub with TV chef Gordon Ramsay and name it after his former Spice Girl wife Victoria. David Beckham is planning to open a pub in Los Angeles David Beckham is planning to open a pub in Los Angeles Close pals David, 35, and Gordon, 43, have been talking about running a business together for years, and now believe a traditional English drinking establishment would be successful with locals. There are a string of expats who live in Los Angeles who would be keen for somewhere to go with traditional ales and beer on tap as well as an English food menu. A friend of David's told the Daily Star newspaper: "He wants pie and mash, fish and chips and even chicken in a basket on the menu, just like the meals he eats when he's in the UK." The friends have previously spoken publicly about setting up a restaurant together, and it is something their wives Victoria, 36, and Tana, 36, are said to be support. After Gordon and Tana - along with their four children - went to the Beckhams' house last Christmas Day (25.12.09), the fiery chef revealed the two families worked well together in the kitchen. He said: "We had a great time together, a lot of fun and a lot of laughs - just cooking and having fun. "So maybe one day we will have a restaurant together! Who knows?" After moving to America to play for Los Angeles Galaxy, David - who has three sons with Victoria - admitted one of the things he missed the most about Britain was a "lager shandy" and a roast dinner in a pub on a Sunday. He said: "I miss English pubs - having a good lager shandy and a Sunday lunch while watching the football." Speaking about the possible pub venture, a spokesman for David said: "There are no plans in the pipeline, but never say never." Source: Bang! Extranet