David Alaba On The Verge Of Signing For Real Madrid

Premier League clubs are set to lose out on David Alaba as Real Madrid have won the race to sign the Austrian Defender.

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Gareth Bale Left From Real Madrid Squad Amid Premier League Return

Real Madrid out of favor Gareth Bale has been axed from Zinedine Zidane 22-man squad for their final La Liga game of the season amid speculations he could return to the Premier League.

Bale appears to be on his way out of Madrid this summer, with Newcastle United having been linked with a move for the Wales international if a proposed Saudi-led takeover of the club is approved.

The 31-year-old has also been linked with a return to former club Tottenham, while Manchester United have been suggested as a possible destination numerous times in recent years.

And a return to English football may have moved a step closer after Bale was left out for the newly crowned Spanish champions' clash away at Leganes on Sunday night.

Reports have suggested Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is desperate to move Bale on in the summer transfer window.

The forward could be seen celebrating awkwardly when Real sealed the Spanish title against Villarreal on Thursday, standing to one side as his team-mates jubilantly threw Zidane in the air.

Since the season resumed in June, Bale has made just two appearances for Los Blancos - and has failed to feature in their last six games.

Bale was snapped watching last Monday's win over Granada from the stands through pretend binoculars, while was also seen pretending to fall asleep with a face mask over his eyes during Madrid's 2-0 win over Alaves three days before that.

His antics angered some fans, while Bale's former Tottenham teammate Dimitar Berbatov accused the Welshman of "disrespecting" Real Madrid.

"Gareth Bale is in the headlines again for pretending to sleep in the stands when he found out he was going to be an unused substitute," Berbatov told Betfair.

"When I saw it I couldn't believe it. I watched him put his mask over his eyes and pretend to be asleep.

"I cannot support that. It is unprofessional and disrespectful to Real Madrid.

"Madrid need to find a solution to the Bale saga. It's not good for Bale or the team."

At one stage last summer, Bale appeared set to switch to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua which was not materialized.

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Harzard Returns From Injury And Ready For The Season

Eden Harzard, the Belgian winger has been reported back at Valdebebas this week having nearly fully recovered from injury and will play a part when LaLiga and Champions League resumes.

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Odriozola Joins Bayern on Loan Till End of Season

BREAKING: Real Madrid right-back Odriozola joins Bayern on loan until end of season

details later

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Dutch Midfielder Already A Done Deal to Join Spanish Giants

Donny van de Beek will join Real Madrid in the summer, according to De Telegraaf.

The Dutch newspaper's chief sports writer Valentijn Driessen told Veronica Inside: "You can write that down [the Van de Beek to Real Madrid transfer being done]. It's all settled. It's done.

"Manchester United won't have to call for him anymore."

Reports have suggested that Ajax have agreed to sell to Madrid for €55 million (£47m/$61m).

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Paul Pogba Increasingly Interested In Moving Out Of Old Trafford

Paul Pogba is looking increasingly likely to leave Manchester United in the summer, according to Sky in Germany.

The Red Devils want to keep the midfielder until at least the end of the season due to a lack of replacements being available in January, with Pogba keen on joining Real Madrid.

A summer deal will still be difficult for interested parties, however, with United reportedly asking for a fee in the region of £150 million ($195m) for the French World Cup winner.

Juventus are also apparently interested in signing the midfielder.

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Madrid Considering Lewandowski January Move

Real Madrid are reportedly considering an outlandish move for Lewandowski in January transfer window.

The Polish international has been in outstanding form this season and has registered 18 goals in his first 13 appearances of the season for Bayern, including two in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory at Olympiakos.

The news of Madrid’s interest has been reported in the somewhat unreputable media outlet Ok Diario, which is directed by Eduardo Inda of El Chiringuito de Jugones.

It has been said that Zinedine Zidane believes his attack needs more firepower and the former Borussia Dortmund forward t, has been identified as a key target.

The Pole is contracted at €75m - which would be a significant outlay by the club.

A number of players has been linked with the exit door of Los Blancos this January including Isco, Brahim Diaz and Mariano Diaz.

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Real Madrid To Make Offer For Palacios

Real Madrid are set to make a formal offer for River Plate star Exequiel Palacios "in the coming days", according to agent Renato Corsi.

Palacios helped River to Copa Libertadores glory in December and the talented 20-year-old midfielder has been linked with Madrid and LaLiga rivals Barcelona.

River president Rodolfo D'Onofrio last month said Madrid were planning further negotiations to sign Palacios, who made his Argentina debut in September.

And Corsi revealed a transfer to send Palacios to the Santiago Bernabeu is at an advanced stage.

"The leaders of River got together with Real Madrid in Abu Dhabi," Corsi told La Oral Deportiva de Radio Rivadavia.

"In the coming days there will be a formal offer and the operation is quite advanced.

"The family, Exequiel and I want him to go in June and Real Madrid don't have a problem with him staying at River until then."

Corsi added: "Real Madrid want him and supposedly River will sell. They agree, so between Monday and Tuesday the formal proposal will be presented."

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Am Not Considering Exit - Isco

Real Madrid star Isco insists he is not looking to leave the Spanish Giant in January despite failing to win into starting eleven under new coach Santiago Solari.

Isco last started a LaLiga match in the 5-1 Clasico humiliation by Barcelona on October 28, Julen Lopetegui's final game in charge.

Since then, Isco has made Madrid's starting XI just twice; the 6-1 Copa del Rey thrashing of minnows Melilla and a shock 3-0 home defeat to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

Solari has consistently insisted he has no problem with Isco and continues to rate him highly.

Still, the situation has unsurprisingly led to speculation suggesting the player will seek a move if things do not improve soon, though he has dismissed such reports in the media.

"I'm not thinking about leaving in the winter market," the Spain international told Deportes Cuatro on Sunday.

"I'm very happy, my goal is to win many titles at Real Madrid."

Madrid are next in action against Villarreal on Thursday as LaLiga resumes following a mid-season break.

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Ronaldo Insulted By Real Madrid After €100m Price Tag (Marca)

Marca claim Cristiano Ronaldo decided to leave Real Madrid after they put an “insulting” €100m price-tag on him and Juventus can now take advantage.

There are now so many sources reporting the idea of a transfer to Turin that it is difficult to argue otherwise, although that doesn’t necessarily mean it will go through.

According to tomorrow’s edition of Spanish paper Marca, Ronaldo made up his mind to quit Real Madrid in January.

That is when the famous ‘elease clause’ – in fact a gentlemen’s agreement rather than a legal document – was introduced.

It stated that the Merengues would let CR7 go for €100m as long as it wasn’t to a direct rival, for example Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain.

At the time, they were presumably thinking of a club in China or the United States and not another European side.

As it happened just months after PSG activated the €222m release clause in his Barcelona contract, Ronaldo felt “insulted” to be worth just €100m.

With this in mind, he decided then and there to walk away come the end of the season, as he no longer felt appreciated at the Bernabeu.

This would explain his comments straight after the Champions League Final: “It has been wonderful playing for Real Madrid.”

Now Juventus can take full advantage of that same €100m agreement that is pushing Ronaldo away from Madrid.

The other turning point was the overhead kick stunner he scored at the Juventus Stadium in the Champions League, as he received a standing ovation from the home fans.

He felt genuinely appreciated and admired their sportsmanship, claims Marca.

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I Want To Be Closer To My Family - Thibaut Coutouis

Thibaut Courtois will wait till after World Cup to decide his future, but had admitted he wanted to spend more time with his family in Madrid.

Courtois, who is contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2019, is heavily linked with a move to European champions Real Madrid.

The former Atletico shot-stopper said being closer to his family in Madrid is crucial, although any decisions over his future will not be made until Belgium's World Cup campaign ends.

"I love living in London. Madrid and London are great," Courtois said, via Sport, after his nation's last-16 win over Japan on Monday.

"The only thing is that my children live in Madrid. I would like them to be close.

"That doesn't mean I'm going to come back, but for me they are very important and I'm going to do something to see them more."

Chelsea signed Courtois from Genk in 2011, but sent the goalkeeper out on loan to Atletico for three seasons.

While he wants to sort out his future, the 26-year-old said the World Cup was his focus.

"I'm not going to talk about that now. I just said that I'll see everything after the World Cup," Courtois said.

"The most important thing is my children and I'll decide what's best for me in everything."

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Isco Fallen Out of First Eleven in Recent Matches

Isco has fallen out of Real Madrid's starting line-up in recent matches, just as Los Blancos have put together two successive victories in LaLiga for the first time since October.

This may not mean anything or conversely it could give an indication as to what Zinedine Zidane wants to do to prepare for the monstrous tie with Paris Saint-Germain.

The former Malaga midfielder has suffered since the return of Gareth Bale to the starting XI.

It's impossible to deny that the midfielder played well or very well in many matches, however, it's also the case that Isco was one of the major disappointments in matches where Los Blancos struggled and have ultimately lost the league.

It's not about arguing his talents as a footballer, that's foolish, because many times he was the only shred of support Real Madrid had to hang onto.

But the fact remains that he didn't support the team enough.

Of course, it was not Isco's fault but other circumstances such as a lack of clinical finishing, defensive inconsistencies, bad refereeing decisions and a crisis of confidence throughout the team since August have made more of an impact.

The reality is that if Isco plays well, Real Madrid doesn't always win the match.

If Luka Modric and Toni Kroos do then it's difficult to see how Los Blancos don't emerge victorious.

In the last two matches against Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia, Isco wasn't on the pitch as the team scored 11 goals in total, nor was he present when Los Blancos eased to a 5-0 victory over Sevilla.

He also didn't play in the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona but across the matches where the defending champions have dropped the most points, he has been there.

Involved in the Copa del Rey debacle where he was substituted, he left the pitch furiously without even acknowledging Zidane or Borja Mayoral, who entered in his place.

It's a question of whether the style of the former Malaga playmaker fits with that of Real, a club that are more efficient on the counter than in possession.

There is no doubt that when he plays with the national team he has produced some wonderful moments, like during the Spain-Italy qualifying fixture, but unfortunately Zidane must be thinking in another way.

Los Blancos are winning well without him and this has been noted by the French coach, but the fact is something has happened to Isco.

SOURCE: All Football

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Cristiano Ronaldo - We Still Have Battles To Conquer

All eyes will be on defending the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu, as their star striker insisted there was still plenty to play for

Cristiano Ronaldo issued a defiant message to Real Madrid's critics after Wednesday's Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Leganes plunged them further into crisis.

Leganes overturned a 1-0 first-leg loss to progress to the semi-finals of the Copa with a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, although Ronaldo was left out of the squad.

A third home defeat in five matches in all competitions left coach Zinedine Zidane accepting his fate will be decided by next month's Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

And with Madrid 19 points behind rivals Barcelona in La Liga, retaining the Champions League again is Madrid's only realistic hope of adding silverware to the Supercopa de Espana they won at the start of the campaign.

Dani Carvajal admitted the Champions League is all that remains for Madrid to focus on and Ronaldo hinted at a similar target in a social media post.

"Cheer up team. Cheer up madridistas," Ronaldo wrote on Twitter. "We still have many battles to win."

Ronaldo's future remains the subject of intense transfer speculation, although Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has moved to play down rumours linking the Portuguese superstar with a return to Old Trafford.

"I think with the moment Real Madrid is having now, I think I should be the last one to add some fuel to the fire," Mourinho said on Thursday of a potential move for Ronaldo.

Madrid travel to Valencia in LaLiga on Saturday, with Zidane's side sitting fourth in the table, five points behind Los Che.

SOURCE: ALL FOOTBALL

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Inter Could Ask Real Madrid For The Return of Kovacic

Inter could ask Real Madrid for the return of Mateo Kovacic on loan if they fail to bring Ramires from Jiangsu Suning.

According to Tuttosport and Mediaset Premium, the negotiations began in a lunch meeting six weeks ago between Inter director Piero Ausilio and Kovacic’s agent.

Ramires remains the first choice, but Jiangsu Suning are unwilling to loan the Brazilian out without having a replacement ready.

Kovacic joined Inter as a very young man in January 2013, arriving from Dinamo Zagreb for €11m.

He never quite delivered on that promise and struggled to fit into the ever-changing tactical landscape at San Siro, so was sold to Real Madrid for €31m in the summer of 2015.

Now 23 years old, the Croatia international has 14 appearances for the Merengues so far this season, but is certainly not a regular.

Real Madrid have an ulterior motive for loaning Kovacic to Inter on favourable terms, as they consider this an introduction to talks for Mauro Icardi.

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Varane Happy for Madrid Win

Los Blancos had not won in the three matches prior to the quarter-final first-leg at Estadio Municipal de Butarque, where Marco Asensio found the net in the 89th minute.

"It is important to get a win for the team's confidence, and we kept a clean sheet," said Varane.

"The coach told us we needed balance and the team's focus was great. We played worse than the other day but won. Other times we have played well and lost.

"We want to win and get on a good run. We are playing the same as last year but things are not coming together. We enjoy winning we love to compete and relish coming out on top."

Madrid find themselves fourth in the Spanish league standings, 19 points behind Barcelona, leaving the cup competitions as their best hopes for winning silverware.

While they will expect to finish off Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu next week, Varane insisted that Real are not thinking about their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain in February.

"We're not thinking about the PSG tie yet, we're just focused on winning games. We have many games left, we want to get better and be hard to beat like today."

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Conte, Low, Pochettino Could Replace Zidane at Madrid

The Frenchman is under pressure following his side's recent poor form and here is a look at some of the men who could succeed him in the summer

1. Joachim Low

Real Madrid have long admired the Germany boss and he has been considered on a number of occasions in the past few seasons to coach Los Blancos.

His commitment to the national team has dashed those hopes up until now and his current contract runs until 2020, but he could consider a move to Real if the position becomes available this summer, after he has led Germany in the defence of the World Cup crown they won in 2014.

2. Antonio Conte

The Chelsea manager is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2019, but admitted just this week that "anything is possible" and it looks increasingly likely the former Italy and Juventus boss could be moving on in the summer.

Having led the Blues to the Premier League title in his first season in charge and won Serie A three times as Juve coach, his stock is high in Spain and he will certainly be one of the names on Madrid's shortlist if Zidane ends up leaving at the end of this season.

3. Mauricio Pochettino

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has been a fan of the current Tottenham manager since his spell in charge at Espanyol and the Argentine's impressive work at Spurs has not gone unnoticed by the 10-time European champions.

Pochettino will be among Madrid's top targets when Zidane leaves the club, be it this summer or further down the line, although the one concern at Real is the fact that the 45-year-old is yet to win a trophy in his coaching career.

4. Unai Emery

The last-16 Champions League tie between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain could have a big bearing on the futures of both Zidane and PSG boss Unai Emery.

Failure to make his mark in Europe this season is likely to see Emery replaced at the Parc des Princes in the summer and Madrid could make a move for the Basque, who was considered before Zidane took over in 2016 and is well regarded at the Santiago Bernabeu after winning the Europa League three times in a row with Sevilla.

5. Marcelino Garcia Toral

Another Spanish coach impressing at the moment is Marcelino, the 52-year-old has been a revelation in La Liga this season after leading Valencia into the top three, and above Real Madrid, following several seasons in the lower reaches of the table.

Marcelino has transformed many of Valencia's players since arriving at Mestalla in the summer and that, along with his exciting brand of fearless football, is likely to make him an attractive option for a Madrid team seemingly lacking motivation after winning five trophies in 2017.

6. Leonardo Jardim

The Portuguese is considered one of Europe's most exciting coaches at the moment and the man from Madeira may be a popular choice with that island's most famous citizen, Cristiano Ronaldo, at Real Madrid.

Jardim led Monaco to the title in Ligue 1 last season ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, but lost many of his best players - including Kylian Mbappe - in the summer and could be tempted by a new challenge. He is likely to be among the names on Madrid's list should Zidane depart at the end of this season.

7. Arsene Wenger

At the height of his success at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger was targeted on several occasions by Real Madrid. However, he always chose to stay loyal to the Gunners and a move never materialised.

With Arsenal struggling to keep pace in the Premier League this season, this looks like being his last season in north London and that could alert Madrid if they dispense with Zidane and other top-level coaches are not available in the summer.

8. Maurizio Sarri

Napoli are one of the most attractive sides in Europe under Maurizio Sarri and if Real Madrid want more of a top tactician for their next coaching appointment, he could be their man.

The 59-year-old has worked his way to the top in a long career, coaching 10 smaller sides in Italy prior to his appointment at Napoli, and although he has not won trophies, he was named Serie A coach of the year in 2016-17 and has even been compared to Pep Guardiola.

9. Massimiliano Allegri

Allegri has led Juventus to three Serie A and Coppa Italia doubles at the Turin outfit, losing Champions League finals to Barcelona (in 2014-15) and Real Madrid (in 2016-17) along the way.

The 50-year-old, also a Serie A winner with AC Milan, is one of Europe's most highly-rated coaches and is likely to be among those being watched by Real Madrid. At the moment, however, a move to the Premier League looks more likely if he leaves Juve, with Chelsea and Arsenal both keeping tabs and Allegri also learning English.

10. Jose Mourinho

Although his time at the Santiago Bernabeu was turbulent to say the last, Jose Mourinho remains on good terms with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and the Portuguese could return as coach one day.

Currently amid an ambitious project at Manchester United, a move to Madrid in the summer would be out of the question unless he were to leave Old Trafford at the end of this season - and he would not be a popular choice with many of Real's current squad, either...

SOURCE: All Football

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My Laurels Wouldn't Have Been Possible Without My Teammates

Along with the likes of Rafael Nadal, Garbine Muguruza and Sergio Garcia, Cristiano Ronaldo has been nominated in the category of best sportsman for the Laureus World Sports Awards, something he has thanked his Real Madrid colleagues for.

The ceremony will be held on February 27th, in Monaco, and Ronaldo is delighted to be included.

"[I am] honoured to be nominated for the 2017 Laureus Sportsman of the Year award," he wrote on Twitter.

"This is only possible because of the great team effort at Real Madrid.

"Thanks to all my teammates and also to the world's media for having placed me among the candidates to win this very special award."

Real Madrid as a club have also been nominated, as one of the teams of the year.

SOURCE: All Football

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Zidane Feels The Heat as Madrid Flop Yet Again

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says he prefers not to think too far ahead after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Numancia in the Copa del Rey.

Lucas Vazquez struck twice for Los Blancos, but Guillermo Fernandez equalised for the second-tier visitors.

Although Madrid still advance to the next round 5-2 on aggregate, this is their second draw in a row, leaving Zidane under pressure as Madrid sit fourth in La Liga, 16 points below leaders Barcelona.

"I just go game to game, year to year," Zidane said. "I cannot think two or three years down the line, as I know how it is here, even having a contract, which means nothing.

"It is not easy for the players who play less. We played a good game. We maybe lacked a bit of gas at the end."

However, Zidane insists he is "happy with what the players did" after selecting a second-string side without stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Luka Modric.

"The pity is the goal before half-time, and also a goal at the end," Zidane added. "But apart from that we had a good game, and they did what they had to do.

"All the questions, things you think about bad play or whatever, it could be. But we are convinced we will move forward. 

"I am happy with those who played. I am satisfied across the two games, and the players are too."

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Eden Hazard In Advanced Negotiations' With Real Madrid

Eden Hazard is in advanced negotiations with Los Blancos and the move could materialize for the La Liga giants following the 2018 World Cup.

Reports from Spain claims that the Blues' star man is No 1 target for Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane this summer which could pave way for Marco Asensio's exit.

Diario Gol write that Asensio has issued the club an ultimatum, informing them that if Hazard joins he will end his association with the Spanish side.

Asensio is supremely talented and would surely have a number of top clubs lining up for his signature, but it is widely acknowledged that Hazard's arrival would see him warming a place on the Real Madrid bench.

Zidane is a huge fan of the Belgian and would be delighted to bring him to Spain as Real Madrid look to keep pace at the top of La Liga.

The Spanish report notes that negotiations between Real Madrid and Hazard are at advanced stage and everything points to the player arriving after the World Cup.

The 26-year-old, who has netted eight times for Chelsea this season, is heading to Russia with his country in the summer.

Asensio is also likely to be there with Spain, but whether he heads back to Madrid after the tournament as yet remains to be seen.

Diario Gol write that he favours a move to Manchester City if he is to leave the Bernabeu, with Pep Guardiola keen on him.

Asensio is said to be monitoring how the situation pans out with Hazard before he commits to any move away from the club.

SOURCE: All Football

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Messi Is World Best But Ronaldo Deserved Ballon d'Or

Rivaldo picks Lionel Messi as the world's best. The Brazilian International has had his say ahead of El Clasico this weekend in one of the biggest rivalries in world football.

Former Barcelona midfielder Rivaldo believes Lionel Messi is the best player in the world but has praised Real Madrid hitman Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of this weekend's El Clasico clash.

The two powers of Spanish football will lock horns on Saturday afternoon in another chapter of one of the world's most iconic sporting rivalries, with Barca playing catch up in the overall head-to-head rankings.

Real have come out on top in 72 of their 174 La Liga meetings with Barca and have a greater trophy collection than the Catalan outfit, though trail Ernesto Valverde's side in the table this term.

The tie will also see Messi and Ronaldo square up once again in what has now become a story within the tale of the Clasico.

Questioned on the pair - arguably the two finest players to have ever played the game - Rivaldo, who won two Liga titles whilst playing for Barca, admits that one is a cut above the other.

"I would like to play with Messi, it would be amazing. He is the best of the world, the one who makes more differences," Rivaldo told Betfair.

"Ronaldo? He is the most dangerous player at Real.

"It is hard to stop him, like Messi, because both score a lot of goals and you never know what is going to be the next thing they will invent for scoring."

Ronaldo collected his fifth Ballon d'Or trophy earlier this month, equalling a record previously set by Messi.

The rivalry has been a common sub-plot in previous Clasico derbies and a number of bodies associated with Barcelona have publically backed Messi as the best in the world following Ronaldo winning the award.

And while Rivaldo recognises the Portugal international's success, he believes that he may not have won the award if he was playing during the time of the Brazilian's peak.

"If Ronaldo won is because he deserved it," Rivaldo added. "In my time there were more players than today challenging for being the best in the world.

" I remember Figo, Del Piero or Totti, now you always hear about the same players and I am pretty sure I could challenge with Messi and Ronaldo because football was harder in my times.

"I am not here for controversy, I'll just say that both are very good players. However, in my time you could find more quality players than today, in which you only hear about Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar."

Pushed on picking a winner ahead of the weekend, he added: "In a Clasico there are no favourites, because Real have shown they are able to win at Camp Nou, while Barca know how to do that at Bernabeu

SOURCE: All Football

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