Cristiano Ronaldo's open letter to Real Madrid fans

Real Madrid confirmed the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus for a fee of £99.2m on Tuesday, for which he penned an open letter to the club's fans. It is reproduced below;

These years in Real Madrid, and in this city of Madrid, have been possibly the happiest of my life.

I only have feelings of enormous gratitude for this club, for its fans and for this city. I can only thank all of them for the love and affection I have received.

However, I believe that the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that is why I have asked the club to accept transferring me. I feel that way and I ask everyone, and especially our fans, to please understand me.

They have been absolutely wonderful for nine years. They have been nine unique years. It has been an emotional time for me, full of consideration but also hard because Real Madrid is of the highest demands, but I know very well that I will never forget that I have enjoyed football here in a unique way.

I have had fabulous team-mates on the field and in the dressing room, I have felt the warmth of an incredible crowd and together we have won three Championships in a row and four Championships in five years.

And with them also, on an individual level, I have the satisfaction of having won four Gold Balls and three Gold Boots. All during my time in this immense and extraordinary club.

Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thank you: thanks to the club, the President, the directors, my colleagues, all the technical staff, doctors, physios and incredible workers that make everything work, that tirelessly pursue every minute detail.

Thank you infinitely once more to our fans and thanks also to Spanish Football. During these nine exciting years I have played against great players. My respect and my recognition for all of them.

I have reflected a lot and I know that the time has come for a new cycle. I'm leaving but this shirt, this badge and the Santiago Bernabeu but they will continue to always feel part of me wherever I am.

Thanks to all and, of course, as I said that first time in our stadium nine years ago: Go Madrid!

Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Real Madrid to Juventus for £99m

Portugal international, Cristano Ronaldo has joined Juventus for a fee of £99.2m. The 33 year old would now play his football in the Italian Seria A after nine years with European champions Real Madrid. He is reported to have signed a four year contract worth around £500,000 a week.

He leaves behind a wave of record, which includes his goal count of 451 goals in 438 games for the club. A goal haul that fetched 16 - major trophies with the club, including two La Ligas, four Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups and three European Super Cups.

Speaking of his move to Italy in an open letter to the fans, he emphasised that the time was right for him to seek a new challenge. "The time has come to open a new stage in my life, that's why I asked the club to accept transferring me," He said.

The transfer fee is a record for a 33 year old. And it marks a shift for both clubs as they pursue new chapters.
For Real Madrid, the post Cristiano Ronaldo era would be closely watched as he has been the undisputed star that has rescued them from difficult situations during his time there.

Following the unexpected resignation of Zinedine Zidane as manager and the appointment of Julen Lopetegui , the club is seeking a new direction after the poor defence of their domestic title last season.

For Juventus, the aim is to win the Champions League after it's total dominance of the Seria A in the last seven years, the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo is to them a means to achieve that.

El Clasico teams: Ronaldo on the bench for Madrid, Messi leads Barca

The first el clasico of the season is upon us, and its the first leg
of the Spanish Super Cup at the Nou Camp. Which is between the La Liga
champions, Real Madrid and the Copa Del Rey holders, Barcelona.

The teams:

Barca: Ter Stegen, Piqué, Rakitic, Sergio, Iniesta, Suárez, Messi,
Deulofeu, Alba, Aleix Vidal, Umtiti

Subs: Cillessen, Semedo, Mascherano, Digne, Denis, Roberto, Alcácer

Real Madrid: K. Navas, Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Kroos, Benzema,
Bale, Marcelo, Casemiro, Isco, Kovacic

Subs: L. Casilla, Nacho, Ronaldo, Theo, Lucas, Asensio, Ceballos

Monaco denies agreeing £160m deal with Real Madrid for Mbappe

Monaco have denied agreeing any deal with Real Madrid for their 18
year old attacker Kylian Mbappe.

Madrid based sport publication Marca had carried a report that both
clubs had reached an agreement for a fee of £160m. But the French
champions have rejected that report.

Kylian Mbappe has been the subject of interest from a host of Europe's
leading clubs after his breakthrough 2016/2017 season. scoring 26
goals in his debut season for Monaco as the minicipality side rode to
the French league title as well as reaching the semi finals of the
Uefa champions league.

It was his display in the knock-out rounds of that competition that
caught the eye of top clubs' in Europe.

Last week, Monaco released a statement accusing a host of Europe's
leading clubs for an illegal approach for Kylian Mbappe thereby
breaching Uefa and Fifa regulations. With a threat to report those
clubs to Fifa.
That statement came after the speculation surrounding him seem to have
cooled down.

With this latest denial of a deal being reached, there is still some
iron in the fire as far as the future of Mbappe is concerned.

Monaco might not be keen to sell after recouping €173m from the sales
of Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Bakayoko to Manchester City and
Chelsea respectively. This is without other players that have been
sold for less.

Real Madrid have funds to throw around after selling Alvaro Morata for £60m.

The story keeps developing, but the smart money is on Kylian Mbappe
staying in Monaco for another season.

Man City confirms signing of Real Madrid's defender

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Real Madrid and Brazil
defender, Danilo for a fee of £26.5m.

The 26 year old becomes the club's second signing at right back
following the arrival of Kyle Walker from Tottenham earlier this
month.

The former Porto defender can however operate as a left back and in
midfield besides his natural position at right back.

Speaking of his move to the Etihad Stadium, he said joining the club
and playing for Pep Guardiola was an opportunity he couldn't turn
down.

"There was interest from other clubs, but it has always been my
ambition to play for Pep Guardiola,"

During his time at Real Madrid, he won the two Champions League titles
and La liga during his two year stay at the club.

He becomes the club's fourth signing of the summer, following the
arrivals of Ederson, Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva as Pep Guardiola
continues to reshape his squad ahead of his second season.

They are currently on a tour of the United states.

Official: Chelsea signs Morata for £60m

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid
on a fee of £60m. The 24 year old joins the Stamford Bridge outfit
after two spells at the Spanish capital club.

He becomes Chelsea's four signing of the summer after the signing of
Antonio Rudiger, Babayoko and Willy Caballero.

The club's technical director Micheal Emenalo had this to say about him.

"Alvaro has proven class at the highest level and his quality will be
a huge asset,"

Early today while speaking in Beijing, where the club are on tour,
manager, Antonio Conte described him as a fantastic striker with
experience of playing at the highest level.

Prior to his signing, he gave an indication of why he opted to join
Chelsea when he spoke to sections of the Spanish media.

"I'm going to the team managed by the coach who has placed the most
faith in me, and that's great for me," he said.

He came through the Real Madrid youth academy. And made his debut for
the club at the age of 18 when they were managed by Jose Mourinho in
2010. He subsequently joined Juventus in 2014 after failing to secure
a regular first team place in the team. After two years in Turin, Real
Madrid exercised a buy back clause which brought him back to the club
in 2016.

He scored 20 goals in 48 appearances in his second spell back at the
club. But he featured sparingly last season, and subsequently decided
to leave the club for good. And he has now ended up in West London at
the home of the Premier League champions.

Reports: Madrid's Alvaro Morata close to £70m Chelsea move

According to reports, Real Madrid and Chelsea have reached an
agreement for the transfer of 24 year old Alvaro Morata.

The player who came through the Real Madrid youth academy is reported
to have left the club's pre-season tour of the United States at their
Los Angeles base and his now heading to London to have his medicals.

The Spanish striker was initially in the radar of Manchester United,
but they were priced out of a move for the two time champions league
winner.

Chelsea have been targeting signing a striker after it was revealed
that Diego Costa was not in Antonio Conte's plans for the coming
season. With report now circulating that the club is closing in on
signing the Spanish international, it would turn out to be a huge
scoop for the Premier League champions after the disappointment of
missing out on the signing of their first choice target, Romelu
Lukaku.

With reports emanating from Spain having been picked up by sections of
the Italian press, where he spent some time with Juventus, it seems
the reports have some legs to it as the story continues to develop. It
should become clearer within the next 24 hours.

La Liga Round: Barcelona Score Eight, Atletico And Real Madrid Keep Up Pressure

Barcelona returned to winning waves in la liga with an emphatic 8-0 win over an hapless Deportivo la Carona on Wednesday night. The Catalans had lost their last three league matches to surrender a comfortable lead at the top of the table. But they were in the mood on Wednesday as four goals from Luis Suarez, and one apiece for Lionel Messi and Neymar was enough for Luis Enrique's side to move up to 78 points in the league with just four matches left to play.

Mean while, Atletico Madrid kept up the pressure as they defeated Bilbao in a tight match. Fernando Torres scored his fifth goal in five matches in the 38th minute to give Diego Simeone's side a slim victory over the Basque side. They stay in second place on 78 points behind Barcelona. The Catalans lead the table on their superior head-to-head advantage.

Real Madrid who are just one point behind on 77 points, overcame the tricky tie against Villarreal 3-0 on the night with Karim Benzema, Luca Modric in amongst the goals for Zidane's side.

With just four matches left in the league, it should go down to the closing weeks of the season.

Champions League Draws: Man City draws Real Madried, Atletico To Face Bayern Munich

English Premier League side Manchester City have been drawn against
Real Madrid in the semi finals of the UEFA Champions League. While
Atletico Madrid will face Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich in the other
semi finals.

The first leg of the ties with be between April 26th and 27th, and May
4th and 5th.

The draw raises the possibility of all an Spanish final between two of
Madrid's biggest clubs for the second time in two years. After they
played the 2014 finals in Lisbon.

Real Madrid would be facing Manchester City in the Champions League
for the second time. Both sides met in the group stages of the
competition three seasons ago when Real had the upper hand in the
ties.
For Manuel Pellegrini, it is another return to a club he managed for
one season between 2009 and 2010.
Both sides are better known for their attacking prowess than their
defensive qualities, which could make the tie an open one from an
attacking point of view.

Bayern Munich will face another defensive team after they overcame
Juventus and Benfica respectively. The Italian and Portuguese sides
relied on their counter attacking strengths, but it was not enough and
Atletico Madrid would likely rely on that to get something from the
tie.

The final of the this seasons' Champions League will take place in
Milan's San Siro stadium in May.

Zidane replaces Benitez as Real Madrid manager

  

Real Madrid have this Monday sacked Rafael Benitez after just six months in charge. Speculation have been rife for months now that he would not last the first year of his three year contract, following the 2-2 draw with Valencia on Sunday where they led twice, the club scheduled a press conference Monday evening, where his dismissal was announced.

The former Liverpool, Inter, Valencia and Napoli manager's appointment was never a popular one amongst the Madrid fans and some players. He was reported to have ostracised James Rodriguez and Isco from the squad, as they did not feature regularly while his stay lasted.

Despite starting his stint at Madrid with several unbeaten games, he was accused by the fans and media of being too defensive, but he had the positive of being unbeaten and sturdy at the back as his strong points. However, the 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the first el-Classico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu did not help his cause, and this further increased the pressure on him, with fans booing his name at the beginning of matches in Madrid anytime it was announced.

Just last week, he accused the media of  targeting him and the club, but in the end the fans ultimately got their way as he has now being shown the way out of the club.

It is another of several managers that Florentino Perez has sacked over the years as president of the club, many had argued that Rafael Benitez was not an improvement on Carlo Ancelotti judging by his style and tactics, little wonder he has lasted just six months at the helm.

He leaves Real Madrid just four points behind league leaders, Atletico Madrid.

With Zidane as the new manager having been promoted from the B team of the club, it remains to be seen whether Florentino Perez got ride of Benitez to assuage the fans, or whether it was a purely sporting decision.

In the end, it is a premature end for yet another manager at the Santiago Bernabeu, with coaches like Fabio Capello, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and now Benitez being coaching casualties at the club.

Picture:Real Madrid’s victory parade after winning their 6th European Cup in 1966

Europe's most successful club parades it 6th European Cup in 1966

(c) Antique Football

Picture: Alfredo Di Stéfano's is unveiled as a Real Madrid player in 1953

He scored 216 goals in 282 league appearances between 1953 and 1964. He won five European Cups with Real Madrid in the Fifties. He is Alfredo Di Stefano.

(c) Antique Football