raul gonzalez: May 2014

SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM LIST 23 PLAYERS FOR WORLD CUP 2014

Spanish National Football Team Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque has announced today the official & final list of 23 players that will make up the Spain Football Team squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

The Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid players are included & 7 names have been dropped from the 30 announced more than a week ago. Those eliminated include Jesus Navas, Moreno

SPAIN 2 BOLIVIA 0 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

SPAIN defeated BOLIVIA 2 - 0 in their International Friendly played this Friday night in the Spanish city of Seville. The Spanish Football National Team, without the Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid Internationals, used the occasion to begin their particular build-up towards the upcoming FIFA World Cup Tournament in Brazil were they arrive as defending World Champions. Bolivia was a good "

THREE SPANISH FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN TOP 100 WORLD CUP LIST

The English newspaper the "The Guardian" has elaborated & released its "List of Top 100 World Cup Football Players". Three Spanish Football Players are represented within the list:

Xavi Hernandez Nº15
Carles Pujol Nº64
Andres Iniesta Nº65

The voting was done by 6 World Cup ex-players (Barnes, Khune, Matthaus, Oliseh, Smith y Zico), 20 journalists from "The Guardian" & 12 International

THE POSSIBLE DISINTEGRATION OF THE ATLETICO DE MADRID SQUAD ?

Staying with Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid, the Liga Champions are the talk of the Spanish Sports media. If the below post talks about the possible exit of David Villa, Spanish Sports paper "Mundo Deportivo" talks about all the players in danger of leaving the Club this Summer.

For all those interested, & especially the Atletico de Madrid fans, I thought I give a summary of all the

DAVID VILLA AGREES TO PLAY WITH NEW YORK CITY ?

Another name has entered the list of speculated players (Costa, Arda, Felipe Luis, Courtois...) that will leave Atletico de Madrid. Spanish International forward David Villa is said to have accepted an offer from American Football Club "New York City". The news comes out from Spanish radio & has been picked up by Spanish Sports daily "AS".

David Villa has 32 years of age & his season with

DATES FOR UEFA SUPER CUP | SPANISH SUPER CUP | SPANISH LIGA 2014-2015

The dates for the upcoming UEFA Super Cup & Spanish Super Cup have been released. They are interesting because both titles are all Spanish Football Clubs & because our Welsh (Wales-UK) readers will be treated to the UEFA Super Cup Final in the city of Cardiff.

The UEFA Super Cup that will face Spanish Football Clubs Real Madrid (Champions League winners) & Sevilla FC (Europa League winners)

MANCHESTER UNITED CLOSE TO SIGNING MIRANDA OF ATLETICO DE MADRID ?

Spanish Sports paper "AS" announces that Atletico de Madrid Brazilian defender MIRANDA is on the verge of being transferred to English Premier League Club Manchester United. In the last few days the name of FC Barcelona was also sounding but it seems the defender has given his OK to the English Club. Mentioned this Spanish Sports paper "Marca" writes that Barça are still in with a chance. The

ATLETICO DE MADRID SIGNS ANGEL CORREA FROM SAN LORENZO

Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid has announced the signing of 19 year old forward ANGEL CORREA of Argentine Club San Lorenzo. The signing has cost the Spanish Club 8M€ & the player commits himself for the next 5 years.

Atletico de Madrid will allow the player to participate with San Lorenzo in the "Libertadores Cup" which has an important qualifying match for San Lorenzo (vs Bolivar)

FC BARCELONA CLOSE TO SIGNING PSG MARQUINHOS

Brazilian International defender David Luiz was a FC Barcelona objective for season 2014-2015, however Paris St Germain got in ahead & signed the Chelsea FC player. The Spanish Football Club then changed strategy & placed their attention on Brazilian defender MARQUINHOS currently player of Paris St Germain.

Spanish Sports paper based in Barcelona, Sport, comments that the negotiations

REAL MADRID | TIME TO PAYBACK SERGIO RAMOS

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos sits at the top of the Real Madrid CF mountain & the Football World. His last minute equalizing goal against Atletico de Madrid in last Saturday s UEFA Champions League Final not only took away the Trophy from the rivals hands but set up his team to later score 3 more goals in the extra-time to win.Ramos goes down in the Clubs History as the player (the "messiah"

CRISTIANO RONALDO FAR FROM A TRUE CHAMPION

Firstly, congratulations to Real Madrid CF for winning their 10th UEFA Champions League (European Cup) after defeating Atletico de Madrid 4 - 1 in extra time yesterday in the Final at the "Estadio da Luz Stadium" in Lisbon Portugal.Epic goal from Sergio Ramos in the last moments to take the match into extra-time after Atletico de Madrid was leading 0 - 1 which virtually had the title in their

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL 2014 PREVIEW | REAL MADRID-ATLETICO DE MADRID

Tomorrow Saturday 24th of May at around 21.50 (Lisbon, Portugal) time, either Real Madrid CF or Atletico de Madrid will be proclaimed UEFA Champions League season 2013-2014 winners. This naturally will be the case if the Final between these two Spanish Football Clubs does not go into extra-time or later into a penalty shoot-out.

Real Madrid CF Team photo season 2013-2014

Both teams have

REAL MADRID - ATLETICO DE MADRID CHAMPIONS FINAL | POSSIBLE STARTING TEAM LINE-UPS

Everything is in place for tomorrows UEFA Champions League Cup Final that hails the end of the European Football season. Two Spanish Football Clubs, Real Madrid CF & Atletico de Madrid, will meet 19.45 (Lisbon, Portugal time) to fight it out between themselves to claim the maximum European Football title. Atletico de Madrid goes in on a roll after claiming last weekend the Spanish Liga Title &

FC BARCELONA | SWAP ALEXIS SANCHEZ FOR FERNANDO LLORENTE PLUS 20M€ ?

Spanish Football Club FC Barcelona has began its particular "revolution" starting yesterday with the announcement of new Coach Luis Enrique. The comments of the ex-FC Barcelona player (now Coach) confirmed that "deep" changes are in his plans with names like Alves, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro in the air along with Xavi Hernandez. Messi was sent "warm love" but here as well speculation is that the

INJURY WORRIES ATLETICO - REAL MADRID FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Things are really beginning to heat up in the city of Madrid as both big Spanish Football Clubs Atletico de Madrid & Real Madrid will meet this Saturday in the Final of the UEFA Champions League in Lisbon (Portugal).However, the news has is focused on the injuries of players in both teams, players which are & have been very important all season for both Clubs. The long Spanish Football & European

SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA BEST XI PLAYERS - TEAM BY THE LFP SEASON 2013-2014

The "Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional" (LFP = National Professional Football Liga), the association responsible for administering the two professional football leagues in Spain - the "Liga" and Segunda Division, has handed in their list of 11 players that makes up the "IDEAL LIGA TEAM" season 2013-2014.

The "core" of the "Best XI" is made up of Atletico de Madrid players, reflecting their

SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA TOP GOALSCORER - TOP GOALKEEPER WINNERS SEASON 2013-2014

With the Spanish Football Liga season over it is time to post about the awards winners & all other types of official ( & unofficial ) recognitions that habitually appear at the end of the season. Two very important & prestigious Awards are the Spanish Liga "Top Goalscorer" - El Pichichi - & the Spanish Liga "Best Goalkeeper" - El Zamora.The Award for the Spanish Football Liga "Highest Goalscorer"

Ronaldo : "I've always dreamed of winning the Champions League with Real Madrid"

“We're very close to achieving something special in the history of the club”, stated the striker.

Cristiano Ronaldo spoke of his desire to win the Champions League with the Whites in an official UEFA interview. “I'm very happy to form part of Real Madrid's history. I'm going to try and win as much as possible with this team and I've always dreamed of winning the Champions League with Real Madrid”, explained the Portuguese before the final against Atlético.

It will be your first Champions League final with Real Madrid and you'll be playing Atlético in Lisbon. How are you feeling about it?
It is going to be a very special match, and in my own country too. I'm very happy and excited. We know it's going to be a very tricky match because Atlético are having a great year, they're a very good team with a great coach. But we're going to try and win and play our best. The team is doing well and feeling confident.
Do you remember when you were a boy and you used to watch other teams lift the trophy?
As a kid I remember watching the big finals and seeing the players lift the Champions League trophy. It's a moment that all Madrid fans dream of, the Décima. We're all really excited, so we have to win.
How have you changed since winning the Champions League with Manchester United?
I've changed for the better, or course. I won the Champions league with Manchester United and now this is my fifth season with Real Madrid. I've always dreamed of winning this competition with this club.
It has been twelve years since Real Madrid last won the Champions League, what would winning the Décima mean for the club and for you?
It is a trophy we have spent years trying to win. As a result, from the very first day we arrive at the club we feel a positive kind of pressure geared towards winning the Champions League. This year it feels like we are just one small step away from doing it. Pressure is a part of football and of playing for Real Madrid. We are used to having to win all the time, but it is fine. I like the pressure because it makes me a better player. It is a special kind of adrenalin we feel.
In order to make that final step you will have to beat Atlético Madrid, a team you know well. How can you win against Atlético?
We have to play the same way we have in previous games. We’ve been successful doing that and have beaten huge teams. This will be a difficult challenge. Atlético Madrid is a very compact side and is very strong mentally. It is always difficult to predict who the winner will be in a final. It is a very different kind of match and I think it will be decided on the smallest of details.
How would you evaluate this season in the Champions League?
I think in terms of teamwork Real Madrid has shown itself to be an excellent side and one that deserves to win the trophy. On a personal level, it has gone well for me. I am the top goalscorer in the competition and I’m very happy about that. That wasn’t my aim at the start of the Champions League season, but things have gone well for me. My teammates have helped me a lot, and I’ll be trying to score again in the final.
This year you surpassed Di Stéfano’s scoring record in the European Cup, does that also have special meaning?
I think I am now part of the club’s history, not only for my goals. Obviously beating Di Stéfano’s record is a huge honour. I admire him a lot as a person. I never had the chance to see him play, but I have seen a few videos. Thanks to God, things have gone well for me and I am happy to be part of Real Madrid’s history. I am going to try and win as much as possible with this team, because this is my favourite club.

SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA | ROUND 38 FINAL RESULTS

Spanish Football continued today with the last Round (38) of season 2013-2014 with all the action at the bottom of the Spanish Liga classification table. Intense matches, with accidents & even post-match incidents as the final results sent 2 teams along with Real Betis to the Spanish 2º Division next season. The other side of the coin was the celebration of the Clubs which saved themselves from

SPANISH FOOTBALL | ATLETICO DE MADRID LIGA CHAMPIONS | SATURDAY RESULTS

The Spanish Football League title went down to the wire to be settled in the last Round (38) & precisely between the two contenders, Atletico de Madrid & FC Barcelona. The much anticipated game at "Camp Nou" ended in a 1 - 1 draw which gave Atletico de Madrid the Spanish Liga Title season 2013-2014.

The match takes all the headlines & eclipses the other games scheduled today/tonight. The FC

REAL MADRID PREPARING A 85M€ OFFER FOR LUIS SUAREZ?

The news out from the UK, concretely the English newspaper "Mirror", is an echo of what has also been sounding here in Spain for months. The UK source informs that Spanish Football Club Real Madrid is preparing a 85M€ offer for Liverpool FC forward Luis Suarez. This has been a constant rumour locally which has never gone away since last summer. This time around the speculation keeps growing in

SEVILLA FC UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 4 - 2 AFTER PENALTY SHOOT OUT

Spanish Football Club SEVILLA FC won its third UEFA / EUROPA LEAGUE Title after defeating Portuguese Club Benfica in the penalty shoot out ( 4-2) after extra-time. A match the was taken to the limit by both teams & unfortunate for Benfica for its their 8th European Final in which they have lost, giving more fame to the so called Curse of Bela Guttmann.

The match swayed in favour from one

PREVIEW EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL | SEVILLA FC POSSIBLE LINE-UP

The first of the two big European Football Finals will be played tonight when Spanish Football Club Sevilla FC meets Portuguese Club Benfica in the Final of the Europa League. Sevilla FC have won this tournament twice, back to back, in 2006 & 2007 while Benfica has a believed "black legend" on the Club - "Curse of Bela Guttmann" - losing its last 7 European Finals that sub-consciously seems to

SPAIN NATIONAL TEAM LIST OF 30 PRELIMINARY PLAYERS | WORLD CUP 2014

Spanish Football National Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque has handed in a Preliminary list of 30 players for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The final & definitive list of 23 players will be handed in on the 25th of May, day after both Spanish Football Clubs Real Madrid - Atletico de Madrid play the UEFA Champions League. There will be 7 eliminated & disappointed players but Coach Del

EUROPEAN GOLDEN BOOT AWARD | CRISTIANO RONALDO, LUIS SUAREZ OR LIONEL MESSI

The English Premier League season finished with Liverpool FC forward Luis Suarez the top "EPL" goalscorer for season 2013-2104 with 31 goals. However, this weekend the Uruguayan International was not able to score & thus was not able to shake off Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo who also has 31 goals this season. Both players are currently locked in the top spot of the "European Golden Boot

SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA ROUND 37 GAMES FINAL RESULTS

Was out of town this weekend with the family enjoying the fine weather & some relax. However, was connected to the radio to Spanish Football Round 37 Liga games & final results. Emotional & tense stuff as the bottom placed teams fight to avoid relegation while Atletico de Madrid, FC Barcelona & Real Madrid fight it out to win the Liga title.

After todays Round 37 final results, Real Madrid drops

ATLETICO DE MADRID MAKES 13M€ OFFER FOR BRAZILIAN DAMIAO

According to Spanish Sports paper "AS" Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid has made a 13M€ offer to Brazilian Club Santos for Leandro Damiao. The Brazilian is also being followed by Italian Club Inter de Milan. Santos puts the transfer figure at around 15M€ & will accept the highest bidder, that is, the Club that is willing to pay more for the Brazilian will basically be the winner. However,

SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA TITLE 2013-2014 | A CLIFF HANGER

With the Real Madrid 1 - 1 away draw against Real Valladolid last night the Spanish Football Liga Title practically goes up in smoke for the former. The other two contenders, Atletico de Madrid & FC Barcelona will most likely decide the Spanish Football Championship in the last Round (38) when both meet. In fact, FC Barcelona was given as "dead" a week back but the Atletico de Madrid loss & the

NEWS TREMORS & PLAYER EXIT RUMOURS AT FC BARCELONA

Things are moving & shaking at FC Barcelona. The much announced "REVOLUTION" is under way as more details & speculation news comes out of the City of Barcelona & from their main Sports media. The new Coach for next season is reported to be current Celta de Vigo Coach & ex-FC Barcelona player LUIS ENRIQUE. This jumped to the front page when the media caught Barça Football Directive Zubizarreta at

REAL MADRID | THE ILLARRAMENDI DILEMMA

Real Madrid has a tactical & personal (human) "problem" coming into the Final of the UEFA Champions League that hasn't an easy solution. Spanish International midfielder & regular Xabi Alonso will not be able to partake with his team against Atletico de Madrid in the Lisbon Final on the 24th of May because of yellow card accumulation. His absence has left a worrying "hole" strategically in the

FC BARCELONA | CESC FABREGAS BACK TO ENGLAND?

The news coming out of the city of Barcelona is not new. According to Spanish Sports daily "Sport" English Premier League giant Manchester United is preparing a 45M€ offer for FC Barcelona & Spanish International midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Most observers agree that the best years for Fabragas was with Arsenal FC & playing in English Football. The midfielder has not fully been accepted at FC

SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA ROUND 36 FINAL RESULTS

Been out of town during the long weekend holiday getting some relax & away from Spanish Football, although I followed things with the radio & got all the news coming back home as well. The results after Round 36 opens up wide the Spanish Liga Title.Football has an amazing way of causing things to go against the grain of logic. FC Barcelona drew 2 - 2 with Getafe on Saturday & virtually said