Tag Archives: Real Madrid

A Quick Primer On The European Super League (ESL)

The European Super League (ESL) seems to be real. Twelve of Europes biggest clubs have conspired and now set in motion a breakaway league. Here is a quick primer of what we know about the ESL so far: 

What is the European Super League (ESL)?

A statement from the European Super League said: “Twelve of Europe’s leading football clubs have today come together to announce they have agreed to establish a new mid-week competition, the Super League, governed by its Founding Clubs.”

“It is anticipated that a further three clubs will join ahead of the inaugural season, which is intended to commence as soon as practicable.”

The league will be governed by its founding clubs who are: AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.

Why would these clubs want to break away?

Well, the reason Europe’s elite clubs want to break away from their respective domestic leagues is because of one reason and one only.

Here is a clue: the word starts with the letter ‘M’ and rhymes with money. 

M.O.N.E.Y!!!!!

The pandemic has hit Europes biggest clubs in the pocket. They feel this is a way to recoup the money lost and also make a lot more of it in the future.

Barcelona are over €1 Billion in debt and Real Madrid’s debt is around €700 million. Initial reports say clubs in the ESL will make around €300 million per season. 


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What has the reaction by football’s governing bodies been?

FIFA, UEFA and other football governing have condemned the breakaway movement. 

FIFA said: “As previously announced by FIFA and the six Federations, the clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level, and their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams.”

Premier League also came out with a statement which read: “The Premier League condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid.

“A European Super League (ESL) will undermine the appeal of the whole game, and have a deeply damaging impact on the immediate and future prospects of the Premier League and its member clubs, and all those in football who rely on our funding and solidarity to prosper.”

What has the reaction by supporters been?

Some supporters expressed their excitement on seeing their club play the best teams in Europe week-in, week-out. But the majority of the response has been negative. A common consensus amongst supporters on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube is the ESL will kill football and this is nothing but a money grab by greedy owners. 

Where are we now?

The Super League clubs have sent a letter to FIFA president Gianno Infantino and UEFA counterpart Aleksander Ceferin stating the ESL has already been underwritten by funding of £3.5 billion from a financial institution. Investment bank JP Morgan have said it is financing the new breakaway competition.

It seems as though the 12 clubs are dead serious. Even after the backlash of the past 24 hours, all 12 “founding clubs” of the European Super League have quit their committee positions with UEFA and the ECA (European Club Association).

This is a major risk these clubs are taking. What if the league gets stale after a few years, the ESL collapses, where will the clubs stand after being booted out of their respective domestic leagues?  Bayern Munich has been tentative whilst Borussia Dortmund and PSG have announced that they are not interested in joining the ESL. 

It seems as of right now it’s a game of chicken and who will have the leverage when all parties involved meet at the negotiating table. 

By Cheez

Don’t forget to tune into ‘The Soccer Podcast With No Name’ podcast every Thursdays at 17h00 pm. Also follow me on TwitterFacebookTikTok, and Instagram.

Sergio Ramos Has Rejected Real Madrid’s Contract Extension Offer

Real Madrid are in the semi-finals of the Uefa Champions League. They are second in LaLiga and with 8 games to go, they are only one point behind log leaders Atletico Madrid. Zinedine Zidane’s team could have a very good last stretch of the season. But there is one nagging problem. Captain and heart and soul of the team Sergio Ramos has rejected Real Madrid’s contract extension.

According to ‘AS’, the main reason why Sergio Ramos is turning down a new contract at Real Madrid is because he is being told to take a 10% pay cut. Real Madrid, like many of us, have been under financial strain due to the pandemic. Madrid are reportedly carrying out that reduction on all the first team players’ salaries, as well as those of the B team, the basketball side and the board.


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Sergio Ramos is 35 years old and reaching the end of his prime. It would make sense for him to be looking for one last major payday in the twilight of his career. Looking at the age of the Real Madrid team, I think it’s time for them to rebuild with younger players.

It doesn’t seem as though Madrid are willing to meet his demands because Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has informed him if he doesn’t sign that they’ll have to plan the next season without him. Ramos replied with a casual “Go ahead and do it”. It’s likely that this may very well be Sergio Ramos’ last season at Real Madrid. It’s a shame that supporters won’t be around to bid the legend farewell.

There are a couple of very good players in this year’s free-agent class: Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Aguero, David Alaba, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez. The only issue with signing any of these megastars would be a team would have to be willing to decimate their payroll because these dudes are high earners. 

By Cheez

Don’t forget to tune into ‘The Soccer Podcast With No Name’ podcast every Thursday at 17h00 pm. Also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. 

[Feature] El Clásico – Decade By Decade: 10 Landmarks in the History of the Greatest Game in Club Football

This Saturday the world will witness one of the biggest El Clasico of the season, if not the century. For the past 10 decades, there’s been exceptional play and moments that will stay in everyone’s memories forever.

Here are 10 landmarks in the history of El Clasico, from the 1920s to the 2010s: 

1920s: The first ever LaLiga El Clásico

The first LaLiga Clasico took place in February 1929. Just two weeks into the first-ever LaLiga season. Barcelona’s Les Corts stadium was packed with confident fans that day, but they left disappointed as Real Madrid scored either side of half time and hang on for a 2-1 inaugural win. Barça won the reverse fixture 1-0 – and the first-ever LaLiga title – but the first ElClasico win went to the capital.

1930s: Real Madrid run up the biggest victory in LaLiga El Clásico history

The 1934-35 El Clásico fixtures were remarkable. Barça won 5-0 at Les Corts before Real Madrid turned it around with an incredible 8-2 win at Chamartin. The home side went 5-1 up after just half an hour, prompting Barça’s Hungarian coach Ferenc Plattko to ask the ball to be changed at the break as he feared foul play!

It made no difference as the Real Madrid side racked up the biggest ever LaLiga ElClasico win.

1940s: The birth of El Clásico as we know it today?

It could be said that the birth of the intense El Clásico rivalry we know today was born in the 1940s.  There were hot-headed encounters between the two sides. Among them was the highest scoring draw ever registered between these two sides: a 5-5 draw at Les Corts in 1943.

1950s: El Clásico becomes Spain’s first televised football match

On February 15th, 1959 as El Clásico became the first football match ever televised on Spanish television. There was a pre-game scramble for the latest technology. TV sets quickly sold out across both cities. Real Madrid, featuring the great Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas, won 1-0 that day at the Bernabeu. But were unable to prevent Barcelona to win their first LaLiga title in seven years.

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6 Things You Might Not Know About Zinedine Zidane

There’s little left to say about ‘Zizou,’ undoubtedly one of the greatest ever figures in football history. But here are six things you may not know about Zidane, from his remarkable trophy-winning statistics as Real Madrid coach to starring in his own TV documentary.

1. He averages a trophy every 19 matches as Real Madrid coach

The 2019-20 LaLiga title is Zinedine Zidane’s 11th as Real Madrid coach in just three and a half seasons. A figure which rounds out, incredibly, at around one trophy every 19 games. Also, he’s yet to lose a Champions League knockout game. He is the only coach to win the competition three seasons in a row.

Having said that, there’s nothing quite like winning LaLiga for Zidane, as he made clear this Thursday after wrapping up the title: “The Champions League is the Champions League, but this title makes me happier because LaLiga is what it’s all about.”

2. He is Real Madrid’s first French manager

Zidane and Real Madrid have adapted well to post-lockdown football

Real Madrid have had many French players over the years and they’ve had head coaches from 16 different countries. But Zidane is the first Frenchman to sit in the club’s dugout as coach. He first took over in January 2016, staying on until May 2018 before taking over again in March 2019. Taking into account this season’s LaLiga title, he’s already won 11 trophies as manager. 

3. Just one trophy eludes him

Zidane has won almost everything there is to win in football, from the World Cup and Champions League to the Ballon d’Or and a horde of domestic titles. But the Copa del Rey remains elusive, both as a player and manager. He won the 2014 Copa del Rey as an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti, but to date he is yet to win Spain’s domestic cup competition as a leading man.


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4. His sons are following in his footballing footsteps

Zidane is the father of four boys, all of which have made careers for themselves in the world of football. Midfielder Enzo is currently on the books of Almeria UD and pushing for promotion out of LaLiga SmartBank, Spain’s second tier. Goalkeeper Luca is currently out on loan from Real Madrid at Racing Santander. Theo and Elyaz and still underage and part of the youth academy at Los Blancos.

5. The most popular Frenchman of all-time

In a 2004 poll in leading French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, Zidane was voted as the most popular Frenchman of all time. The poll wasn’t limited to sports stars but took all public figures into account, with Zidane’s footballing exploits seeing him picked ahead of other iconic personalities. ZZ explained at the time that he was proud of how someone from an immigrant background could come top in such a poll. Highlighting the importance of racial harmony in modern-day France.

6. Zidane starred in his own documentary

Back in 2006, ZZ was the star of French documentary Zidane, Un Portrait Du 21e Siecle (“Zidane, a 21st century portrait”). This very unique show saw a film crew focus 17 cameras on the Frenchman for the entirety of a Real Madrid match against Villarreal in 2005. But that’s not all he’s done in the world of film; he has also starred in movies such as Goal! II (2007) alongside the likes of Sergio Ramos, David Beckham and Thierry Henry and Asterix at the Olympic Games (2008).

5 key players as Real Madrid clinched the 2019-20 LaLiga title….

While Real Madrid’s 2019-20 LaLiga Santander title success was a real team effort, here are five players who have stood out for their individual contributions over the course of the campaign…

Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has led his side with typical character and energy all through the season. He has now won his fifth LaLiga Santander trophy (and lifted his second as captain). Ramos has been part of the division’s stingiest back four all season. With he and long-term partner Raphael Varane complementing each other perfectly at the centre of the defence.

Ramos has also contributed at the other end of the pitch. His ability to cooly convert from the penalty spot during the last few weeks of the season was crucial. His career-best 10 goals have also helped him become LaLiga’s top-scoring defender of all time. With his current total at 71 across his years at Madrid and first club Sevilla FC.

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has been Madrid’s best attacker over the season. Benzema’s 21 LaLiga goals are more than Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale (I don’t know if we should even count him), Luka Jovic, Marco Asensio, James Rodríguez, Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo combined. He has produced all kinds of goals – towering headers, close-range finishes, accurate volleys, a long-range screamer, calmly taken one-on-ones against the keeper and a couple of penalties.

Many have been vital strikes too – such as the winners in tight games against other top sides Atletico Madrid and Sevilla FC. Benzema’s eight assists have also been crucial. Meanwhile, his durability has allowed him to play more minutes in LaLiga this season than any Madrid player.


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Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois recovered from an uncertain start to the 2019-20 season. He brought a level of confidence and calm which flowed throughout the team. With just 20 goals conceded in their 34 games played -there is still one more LaLiga game-, Courtois has become the first Madrid keeper since Iker Casillas back in 2007-08 to win the ‘Zamora’ trophy. An accolade for LaLiga’s best goalkeeper. 

Five consecutive clean sheets during the post-COVID 19 lockdown was especially key to Madrid overhauling FC Barcelona over the final weeks. Courtois also made big saves in important games through the season. Such as the goalless draw at his former club Atletico Madrid in September. And the 2-0 El Clásico victory over Barça in February. He even contributed in the opposition area – winning a header at a corner in the Valencia CF penalty in December, leading directly to Benzema’s crucial equalising goal.

Casemiro

Also key to Madrid’s rock-solid core this season has been holding midfielder Casemiro. His physicality and reading of the game have helped protect his defence. Casemiro stats show what he has excelled in. Among all LaLiga players in 2019-20, he sits second in tackles per game, third in interceptions and third in fouls committed, while no midfielder has made more clearances all season. Meanwhile, his four LaLiga goals have all been decisive victories.

Opposition fans and coaches may have been frustrated by his ability to show up in the right place at the right time to thwart their attacks. 

Fede Valverde

2019-20 also saw the emergence of a young midfielder Fede Valverde.  Valverde’s energy and athleticism helped him break into the team. Where his range of passing and ability on the ball also soon become clear. His coming out party came in a man of the match performance in a 4-2 victory over Granada CF in October. With local pundits comparing his ‘box to box’ style to international figures Paul Pogba and Steven Gerrard. Already capped 20 times at senior level by Uruguay, his own confidence levels also rose through the campaign. 

Valverde’s goals came in LaLiga games against SD Eibar and Real Sociedad. His versatility has also been very useful to Zidane.  He has been moved between different roles in central, right and attacking midfield during the accelerated end of season programme.

La Liga Thursdays: Last Week In LaLiga – Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or, Joaquín’s hattrick at the age of 38, and more

Lionel Messi wins his sixth Ballon d’Or

The 2019 Ballon d’Or, an award given out each year by France Football magazine to the best player of the calendar year, was awarded on Monday and it went to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. This was the sixth time he has won the prestigious award and he followed up this honour by scoring a hat-trick in front of the fans at the Camp Nou during Barcelona’s 5-2 win over Real Mallorca on Saturday night. The Argentine also won LaLiga’s Player of the Month award, for his performances in the month of November.

A new leader in the Pichichi charts

To cap off what has been a very impressive week for Lionel Messi, he has also now gone top of the Pichichi charts as the top scorer so far of the 2019/20 LaLiga Santander season. Even though injury prevented him from starting the season brightly, forcing him to wait until the eighth matchday to score his first goal, he now has 12 goals to his name and has moved ahead of Karim Benzema, who has 11 after scoring in Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Espanyol.

Joaquín shows he’s still got it

Real Betis captain Joaquín may now be 38 years of age, but he can still perform miracles on the pitch. On Sunday, he scored a 20-minute hat-trick at the Estadio Benito Villamarín to help his side defeat Athletic Club 3-2.

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La Liga Thursdays – Matchday 14 Preview

Ten of the top stories from around LaLiga this weekend, including some high-profile contract renewals and some big anniversaries.

LaLiga legend David Villa announces his retirement

One of the all-time LaLiga greats has announced that he’s hanging up his boots. David Villa, who starred for a number of Spanish clubs including R. Sporting, Real Zaragoza, Valencia CF, FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid, will retire following the end of Vissel Kobe’s J-League season. Villa won the LaLiga Santander title on three occasions, with Barcelona in 2010/11 and 2012/13, and then again with Atleti in 2013/14.

Five LaLiga players net for Spain

Spain breezed through the first of their November Euro 2020 qualifiers on Friday night with a 7-0 win over Malta in Cadiz. Five of the scorers came from LaLiga Santander clubs, with Alvaro Morata (Atletico de Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla FC), Pau Torres, Santi Cazorla and Gerard Moreno (all Villarreal CF) all getting on the scoresheet.

Luka Modrić is awarded the 2019 Golden Foot

Real Madrid’s mercurial midfielder picked up the prestigious award given out each year to a player over the age of 28 in recognition of their outstanding achievements through their career.

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La Liga Thursdays: The Quickest Goals In La Liga This Season

Spanish football has had its eye on the clock more than usual this season, mostly to see how long it takes Rodrygo Goes to get on the scoresheet. Real Madrid’s 18-year-old sensation is very much the flavor of the month, shining in his first season in La Liga and showing a distinct taste for early goals.

On his LaLiga debut for the club against Osasuna he scored just two minutes after coming on as a substitute (95 seconds, to be precise). On his first LaLiga start, he took just seven minutes to find the back of the net. And just last week, on his first start in the Champions League, the Brazilian struck twice within the first seven minutes of Real Madrid’s impressive 6-0 win over Galatasaray. His first, a well-taken shot from distance into the bottom corner, came after just three minutes.

Known back in his native Brazil as ‘O Raio,’ or ‘Lightning Bolt,’ the Sao Paolo native has wasted no time in living up to his reputation as a scorer of fast goals. But he’s by no means the only player with the ability to strike early on. Here are the four fastest goals of the LaLiga Santander season so far… will we see Rodrygo on this list by the season’s end?

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The Soccer Podcast Without A Name (Yet) S01E16 [Podcast]

https://soundcloud.com/thabang-kgeledi/the-soccer-podcast-without-a-name-yet-ep16




Bongani ‘Da Bongz’ Nkosi and Thabang ‘Da Real Cheez’ Kgeledi discuss this week’s soccer topics. But they should hurry because each topic has a time limit.

The Discussion This Week:
1. Orlando Pirates & Sundowns Draw
2. Sundowns Found Guilty, What Now?
3. Reneilwe Letsholonyane Leaving SuperSport
4. Paul Pogba Wants ‘de mani’
5. Race For Champions League Spots
6. Games To Look Forward To
7. Quick Hits

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The Soccer Podcast Without A Name (Yet) S01E08 [Podcast]

 

https://soundcloud.com/thabang-kgeledi/the-soccer-podcast-without-a-name-yet-ep08

 

Bongani ‘Da Bongz’ Nkosi and Thabang ‘Da Real Cheez’ Kgeledi discuss this weeks soccer topics. But they should hurry because each topic has a time limit.

The Discussion This Week:
1. Sundowns Draw
2. Top of The Table Results
3. Bottom of The Table Results
4. El Clasico
5. Manchester City Go Top
6. Games To Look Forward To
7. Quick Hits

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