Microsoft in talks with Real Madrid over naming rights for Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Microsoft has confirmed that they are discussing with Real Madrid, to explore the possibility of acquiring the naming rights for the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 85,000-seater stadium, is currently names after former Blancos president and was opened in 1947.

Head of Microsoft Spain, Maria Gahan, has now revealed that Madrid appear interested to sell the naming rights for their home ground, to the highest bidder.

“They have offered us, and other companies, the possibility of renaming the stadium,” she told Antena 3.

“We’re in talks, and that sums up where we are.”

Ronaldo lets Bale take free kick

The Portuguese allowed his team-mate - and the world's most expensive player - to take a
set piece against Sevilla, which he duly scored from Cristiano Ronaldo shunned his free kick duties in favour of Gareth Bale, who stepped up and fired his and Real Madrid's second goal against Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. The Welshman had put the capital club into a
13th-mintue lead, collecting a Karim Benzema
pass before curling into the top corner beyond
goalkeeper Beto from the edge of the area. Ronaldo then stood aside to let the world's
most expensive footballer - bought by the
Blancos for €100 million in the summer - give
Carlo Ancelotti's men a 2-0 cushion from a dead ball situation on 27 minutes, via a deflection in the wall. However, the Portuguese winger would not be
as generous with sharing responsibilities for a
second time, though, as the No.7 smashed
home the Blancos' third from the penalty spot,
denying Bale the opportunity to bag his first hat-trick since joining the club. The former Tottenham player also had a hand
in the fourth, which put Madrid 4-2 up, cutting
in a ball from the right flank for Benzema to
finish.

Ancelotti: It's Ronaldo's time to win Ballon d'Or

The Italian says he has been surprised by the Portuguese's professionalism since his arrival in Spain and says he prefers Angel Di Maria to Mesut Ozil

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes it is Cristiano Ronaldo's time to win the Ballon d'Or this year, ahead of Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery.

The Portuguese star has played second fiddle to Barcelona ace Messi since winning the prize for the first time back in 2008, with the Argentine claiming the last four titles in a row, but Ancelotti believes he deserves to win the latest crown for the all-round impact he has on the Spanish giants.

"It's Cristiano's moment to win it ahead of Messi and Ribery," Ancelotti told TV programme El Larguero. "He has surprised me the most with his professionalism. He's very serious, he has amazing attention to detail. It's that which helps us the most - he doesn't just score."

Ancelotti went on to explain his decision to allow Mesut Ozil to join Arsenal this summer, claiming he prefers Angel Di Maria for the balance he brings to the team alongside €100 million signing Gareth Bale.

"It was a technical decision [to sell Ozil]," he continued. "I prefer Di Maria for the balance of the team. 

"He has less quality than Ozil but, for his character and the way he helps the team, I wanted him. With the arrival of Bale I thought it was more important to have Di Maria than Ozil.

"[Bale] wasn't cheap but that's the price of the market. It was the wish of the player that brought him here. Tottenham offered him more money."

Bale has struggled with injuries in recent weeks, but Ancelotti feels he is now fully fit and could start the Clasico against Barcelona this weekend.

"Since he's been here, he has not had a back problem. The problem was his physical condition, as he hadn't trained. Now he's good, he's ready to play from the start. He could start against Barcelona.

"I asked him and he told me he prefers to play from the right. I think he likes playing from the right so he can shoot from his left foot."

Iker Casillas started the Champions League win over Valencia, but Ancelotti hinted that Diego Lopez will keep his place for Saturday's clash - though he insisted the club captain does not want to leave the club in January.

"It's a question for Iker, but I don't think he thinks like that," he said when asked if the Spain veteran would ask for a move.

"I have spoken with him to explain the situation. When he wants to talk to me, my door is always open. For a coach, to explain the situation is the most difficult. 

"I already knew Diego Lopez. In 2006 I wanted to bring him to AC Milan… He started before the pre-season and was very strong. It wasn't an easy decision. Casillas gives me confidence and so I play him in the Champions League, these games are as important as La Liga. 

"He is the captain, he has a lot of experience and he maintains the harmony in the team. Iker wants to stay at Madrid and this is good for us. But I've made my decision."

Finally, the former Paris Saint-Germain boss claims his side will face a tough challenge against a confident Barcelona side this weekend, and added that he is closer to Vicente del Bosque as a coach than Madrid predecessor Jose Mourinho.

"Barca play with a lot of confidence because they've changed practically nothing," he added. "When Mourinho was here there were problems but they played fantastically there [at Camp Nou]. I will try to play like the semi-final of the Copa del Rey last year, the 3-1, and not change anything.

"I'm closer to Del Bosque than Mourinho."

Bale must stand up to Ronaldo to succeed at Madrid - Redknapp

The QPR boss insists the Welshman needs to work with the Portuguese superstar while not being intimidated by him if he is to justify his world-record price tag

Gareth Bale will have to stand up to Cristiano Ronaldo if he is to survive and thrive at Real Madrid, according to former manager Harry Redknapp.

Bale, who first broke into the Tottenham team under the current QPR boss, eclipsed Ronaldo's transfer record by making an €100 million move to Real Madrid this summer.

And Redknapp believes Santiago Bernabeu's biggest superstar presents the biggest obstacle to the Welshman making a success of his time in Spain.

"His biggest test will be to step out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo with confidence. That won’t be easy," the QPR boss wrote in his new autobiography, serialised in the Daily Mail.

"Ronaldo is a huge star at Madrid and will probably want to take nine out of 10 free-kicks - at least. Gareth will have to assert himself and that will require a strong mind.

"He has to think ‘I’m an £86million player’ and act like it, taking responsibility, claiming the ball when he fancies his chances. 

"And yet at the same time he cannot dwell on his fee and what it means too much because that would put him under immense pressure. It is a tricky balancing act. 

"He will have to be ready for the matches when he goes it alone, has a shot, misses and Ronaldo starts throwing his arms up in the air.

"He cannot, at that point, go into his shell and become this timid little creature. But it is not natural for Gareth to behave in an assertive way. Don’t get me wrong, he knows he is good. 

"The fee is crazy, amazing money, but he wouldn’t have fought so hard to get the deal done if he didn’t fancy his chances of living up to expectations in Madrid.

"Yet, equally, Gareth is a quiet lad, who spends time with his girlfriend and family, and I’m not sure being in the same bracket as Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will suit him.

"If Ronaldo feels threatened by Gareth’s arrival, Madrid could be a lonely place so he will need to lean a lot on Ancelotti, who speaks good English, and Paul Clement, Carlo’s assistant, who is English.

"Luka Modric is another old friend who could help him settle in.

"The one thing the club cannot provide for Gareth and Cristiano is a ball each — so they will need to work hard on that partnership because they are such similar players."

Redknapp insists he recognised Bale's potential very early on - even if the Welshman did seem a little too preoccupied with his hairstyle.

"He drove me mad in training," the QPR boss added. "Technically, he was outstanding but he always seemed to be playing with his hair. It was never right. 

"He’d be flicking the fringe or wiping it out of his eyes and I would be going quietly mad, just watching. ‘Gareth, leave your barnet alone! Gareth! Stop touching your hair!’"

Real Madrid sign Bale for world record fee

Los Blancos have finally announced the arrival
of the Wales international, who has usurped
new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as the
game's most expensive player Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported €100 million.
More to follow ...

Benzema will not go to Arsenal, says Real Madrid striker's agent

Karim Benzema's agent insists the striker will not leave Real Madrid for Arsenal this summer. Goal exclusively revealed on Friday that Arsene Wenger is considering a move for the France
international, although any potential deal hinges on whether Madrid will launch an offer
for Liverpool forward Luis Suarez before the
close of the transfer window .
But the 25-year-old's agent claims the player
does not want to leave the Santiago Bernabeu
this summer despite the speculation
surrounding his future.
"We can not fight against the rumours, but I assure you Karim will not go to Arsenal," Karim
Djaziri told French newspaper Le Journal du
Dimanche.
"There has never been any discussions and no
contact has been established."
The Gunners, yet to make a major summer signing, have also been in talks with Real Madrid over Benzema's team-mate Angel Di
Maria. The Argentine will be allowed to leave the club
as they prepare to announce the world-record
transfer of Tottenham's Gareth Bale to the
Spanish capital.

Schuster: Casillas should leave Real Madrid

The Malaga coach insists he can empathise with the 32-year-old's position at the club and says he should be playing regular first-team football
Malaga boss Bernd Schuster has weighed in on the goalkeeping saga at Real Madrid, insisting he would understand it if Iker Casillas were to leave the Santiago Bernabeu side.

The Spain international No.1 was forced to watch from the sidelines yet again as los Blancos opened up their Liga campaign with a 2-1 victory over Betis on Sunday, with Diego Lopez continuing to be preferred in goal following his impressive displays last season since joining the club in January from Sevilla.

And former Madrid boss Schuster can empathise with Casillas' position at the club, even saying he would be unsurprised if the 32-year-old decided to leave the Bernabeu to ensure he is selected for Spain's World Cup side next year.

"I'd understand it if Iker wants to leave," Schuster told Tiki Taka.

"It was impossible to imagine Raul at another club, and it's the same with Iker, but this year there is a World Cup and he cannot afford to spend a year sitting on the bench. He has to play.

"We need to remember that Iker went out of the team because of an injury and the coach replaced him with a substitute. Because of an injury, the player has the right to return to the team.

Casillas was ousted by Lopez while Jose Mourinho was still coach and, despite coming back from a broken hand, was unable to force his way back into the first team following a string of strong displays by his goalkeeping rival.

However, with a new season underway and a new coach in charge of Madrid, Schuster is baffled by the club's decision to keep the saga ongoing and believes Casillas should be reinstated as first-choice shot-stopper.

"Being the Madrid goalkeeper is a very difficult job and Iker is who he is, and a player as good as him cannot afford to be in a situation like this one," he added.

"I don't understand it. Even though there is a lot of competition, which is a good thing, Iker needs to be playing.

"The reason it's a problem is that, as we saw last year, this isn't any old player. We have already started discussing this issue this season and it dominated the last few months of Mourinho's tenure, it was unbelievable, it's not good for the team nor for Iker. 

"It has surprised me that this situation has been allowed to rumble on, the club needs to find a proper solution."

Khedira not leaving Madrid, insists agent

The holding midfielder has recently been linked
with a summer move, but his representative has
stressed his client is going nowhere

Sami Khedira has no intention of leaving Real Madrid this summer, his agent Jorg Neubauer has insisted.
The holding midfielder no longer seems to be an
undisputed starter at Madrid under new head
coach Carlo Ancelotti and has recently been linked
with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, however, the Italian has denied the German will move. However, his representative has also made it clear
there is no truth in the rumours linking him with
the Ligue 1 champions.
"Sami will play at Madrid in the upcoming
season," Neubauer was quoted as saying by Bild.
"I don't know who seems to think it's fun to spread rumours about his future. It's annoying
and hurts Sami."
Khedira joined Madrid from Stuttgart in the
summer of 2010 and has since developed into an
important first team member.
The 26-year-old has a contract with the Liga giants until June 2015.

Di Maria and Pepe rule out Real Madrid exits

The pair have been tipped to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer but insist they have no intention of moving

Angel Di Maria and Pepe have insisted they will both be Real Madrid players next season, despite continued reports linking them with a move to the Premier League.

Di Maria has been strongly linked with a switch to Tottenham as part of a deal to bring Gareth Bale to the Santiago Bernabeu, but says he will definitely not be leaving the Spanish capital.

"I'm staying in Madrid, because I have three years left on his contract and I'm very happy here,” the 25-year-old told journalists following the side’s 3-0 friendly win over Inter.

"Also in (Ancelotti’s) selection, I have been playing more frequently in the middle. I’m used to and I feel comfortable playing there."

Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in Pepe, 30, with Manuel Pellegrini keen to strengthen his backline, though the Portuguese claims the thought of a transfer has not crossed his mind after praising new boss Carlo Ancelotti.

“I have signed a contract with Madrid, my future is an issue for the president," he said. “I just train hard and try to give my best for the team. I am ready to fight for my place.”

“The coach is very close to the squad, and that's a good sign. He has great affection for the players. He is also great tactically and that is helping us a lot.

“The most important thing for us is to start with a win. We are just thinking about the first three points.”

Pepe lost his place in the starting XI last season after the emergence of Raphael Varane as Jose Mourinho's first choice centre-back, but with the coach having left the club and the Frenchman injured, he could have the opportunity to win back his starting berth.

Bale not in Tottenham squad for Espanyol friendly

The winger has made it known to Spurs that he wants to join Real Madrid, and despite attending training this week he will sit out yet another pre-season friendly with injury

Gareth Bale will not feature in Tottenham's friendly with Espanyol on Saturday.

The Welshman was back in training with Spurs this week after making it clear that he wants to move to Real Madrid.

Reports in Spain have maintained that the 24-year-old has not been injured all summer, but he did receive treatment for a knock on Monday.

He has also been named in Chris Coleman's Wales squad for Wednesday's friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

Daniel Levy and Florentino Perez held further talks over a €115 million transfer in Florida this week, though Perez has claimed that the fee is "a lot of money".

Meanwhile, Roberto Soldado makes his Spurs debut after sealing his €30m transfer from Valencia. Nacer Chadli and Paulinho also start.

Tottenham starting XI v Espanyol: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Fryers, Rose; Dembele, Chadli, Paulinho; Lennon, Soldado, Sigurdsson.
Subs: Friedel, Kaboul, Naughton, Stewart, Huddlestone, Sandro, Townsend, Defoe.

Sergio Ramos: I prefer Ronaldo & Ozil over Messi & Neymar

The Spain international believes his Real Madrid team-mates are the finest to play alongside and has called on the club to put last season behind them

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has made it clear that he would rather play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Isco than Barcelona duo Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Although Ramos is full of praise for the South American duo, he insists his Blancos team-mates are his preferred choice when it comes to attacking prowess.

"Neymar and Messi? I prefer Cristiano, Ozil and Isco, my team-mates here at Madrid," the Spain international told ESPN.

"No-one is in any doubt that Messi and Neymar are great players, but I just prefer the guys who are in our team."

The defender then went on to discuss Jose Mourinho's three-year spell in charge of Madrid and stressed he is keen to move on following the disappointments - and controversies - of last season.

"This is the start of a new era, with a new coach, new signings and we are all excited and hopeful of success," the 27-year-old said. "Last season, we were unable to repeat the successes of previous years but you have to focus on the positive side. 

"I just think about the good things that happened. I’m not a resentful person. I just remember all of the things I learned during a period which is over now. 

"Football goes on, we need to continue growing, developing and be ambitious so that we can win more silverware."

Ronaldo is a role model - Ancelottiro

The former PSG boss believes the attacker's prowess and professionalism makes him a prime example for young players at the club

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as the complete footballer and feels the Portugal international is an example to follow for the club's promising youngsters.

The Santiago Bernabeu side secured the services of youngsters Dani Carvajal, Isco, Casemiro and Asier Illarramendi this summer to add to homegrown prospects such as Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez, and Ancelotti believes Portugal star Ronaldo is the perfect role model for the club's young talent.

"Cristiano is an example for the youth," Ancelotti was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"He has everything a football player needs to be great. And he is great, a really fantastic football player. He’s an example for the young players on the team.

"I ask the players for a competitive spirit, professionalism, and to be aware at all times that they belong to a club with impressive prestige."

Ronaldo's future at the club has been subject to speculation of late as talks over a new contract continue to stall, although president Florentino Perez has stressed his confidence that the 28-year-old will sign fresh terms at the club.

Madrid are currently on their USA tour ahead of next week's La Liga opener at home against Real Betis.

Bale trademarks 'Eleven of Hearts' goal celebration

The 24-year-old winger, who scored 21 goals in the Premier League last season, is priced at €115 million amid heavy interest from Real Madrid

Tottenham's Gareth Bale has seen plans to trademark his 'Eleven of Hearts' goal celebration approved by the Intellectual Property Office.

The Wales international, who is valued at €115 million by Spurs in the wake of Real Madrid's intense interest, is now able to use the celebration on "clothing, footwear and headgear" as well as precious metals and leather.

Bale regularly forms a heart shape with his hands after scoring a goal - something which he did 21 times in the Premier League last season - though he is not the first person to do the celebration.

Should Bale make the move to Spain, his global appeal would likely rocket, especially if a world-record fee, widely expected to be involved in the deal, is parted with for his services.

His recently trademarked celebration could be a big part of Bale's image rights and add to the wages that Madrid could offer him. No player at Madrid currently wears Bale's No.11 shirt.

Bale, 24, won both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards last season as Tottenham finished fifth.

How Ronaldo & Mourinho's relationship deteriorated at Real Madrid

It was an iconic image. Cristiano Ronaldo raced towards the touchline, held his arms out wide and launched himself into an emotional embrace with Jose Mourinho. Cameras flashed, fans applauded and replays ran as Real Madrid's star player and coach connected in a show of strength and unity while the world was watching. But was it real?

Cristiano scored all three goals as Madrid overcame Levante 3-1 in February of 2012 and the Portuguese had promised to celebrate with fitness coach Rui Faria if he managed to net a hat-trick. So when his stunning strike hit the back of the net, off he raced to make good on his vow. Ronaldo ran fully 50 yards towards the Bernabeu bench, while Faria emerged from his seat in anticipation. But Mourinho beat him to it and, unable to sprint past his coach, the forward felt obliged to hug him instead.

The image painted a positive picture. In reality, however, the Portuguese pair endured a rocky relationship from the outset at Madrid, with Mourinho sensing an air of over-confidence from Cristiano in their talks and the player unhappy at criticism and perceived negative tactics from his coach.

Bust-ups between them were frequent, even in Mourinho's first season at the club. Days after winning the Copa del Rey thanks to Ronaldo's headed winner at Mestalla against Barcelona, Madrid lost 2-0 at home to the Catalan club in the first leg of the sides' semi-final at the Santiago Bernabeu. Upset by his team's ultra-defensive approach, Cristiano urged his team-mates to play a more attacking game. Later, Mourinho gave his prized player a dressing down and an argument ensued. Ronaldo revealed to reporters after the match that he had not liked Madrid's conservative approach at all. The conclusion? He was dropped by his coach for Real's next game - a 3-2 home defeat to Zaragoza.


How about a hug? | Mourinho intercepts Ronaldo for an embrace as Faria grins
Mourinho mostly gave instructions to Ronaldo via his assistants but they were forced to reconcile by agent Jorge Mendes - a friend and business associate of them both. Aggrieved at his client having been benched when he was in search of the prestigious Pichichi prize for La Liga's top scorer, Mendes stepped in to settle the dispute.

It didn't happen again. Both Mourinho and Ronaldo were making mega money with Mendes' company Gestifute and, above and beyond even Real Madrid, there was a business to maintain. "Their relationship was one of complicity - they spoke very little in their three years together at Madrid," a source close to the club told Goal. "It was Mendes who kept them together."

And Mendes would intervene once more. In January of this year, Mourinho was under fire after leaving club captain Iker Casillas on the bench and had even earned the wrath of the Bernabeu boo-boys. Running out of friends among his squad, the Madrid media and also the supporters, the coach needed an ally. And who better than the club's finest footballer? So Ronaldo not only dedicated a goal to Mourinho in the 4-3 win over Real Sociedad (at Mendes' request), but also publicly backed his boss. The agent asked Cristiano to tell the press that his coach only operated for the good of the team and the forward obliged. And Mourinho breathed easier.

When I criticised him from a tactical point of view so he could improve, he did not accept what I had to say." - Mourinho on Ronaldo

But nine days later, the relationship was damaged further. Mourinho congratulated his side to a man after Madrid beat Valencia 2-0 in the Copa del Rey, but had singled out Cristiano for criticism during the encounter and reproached him in the dressing room following the final whistle - in front of all his team-mates. "Shut up and run!" Mourinho is said to have shouted at his player during the game itself. "You have to track back, you have to show more solidarity with your team-mates..." he added afterwards. A row followed before Mourinho left and Ronaldo headed to the showers, leaving president Florentino Perez to pick up the pieces. "Don't worry presi..." one of the players told the club chief. "This sort of thing happens often!"

Ronaldo felt aggrieved at a time when he had stood up for his boss both publically through his quotes to the press and also by his dedication of a goal the previous week - not to mention his continued excellence on the pitch itself.

"I believe that was the moment their relationship went downhill," former Madrid goalkeeper Paco Buyo toldGoal. "Ronaldo was unhappy at the criticism from Mourinho - particularly because he was the one scoring most of the goals at the time."

Mourinho later claimed the 28-year-old was unable to accept advice. "When I criticised him from a tactical point of view because I felt he could still improve, he did not accept what I had to say. That might be because he thinks he already knows everything and the coach cannot help him grow anymore..." he told the press.

I don't bite the hand that feeds me and I don't talk about people who speak badly of me. I focus on the positives." - Ronaldo on Mourinho

But what he failed to mention was the nature of his issue with Ronaldo, which was more concerned with Cristiano's personal contribution than any real tactical indication. The forward was also disappointed at how he had been treated, only days after a strong show of support for his boss. According to our source, he felt frustrated and let down.
And the 50-year-old took another swipe at his former forward this week when he claimed Cristiano was not the "real" Ronaldo, compared to the Brazilian of the same name. 

"I don't bite the hand that feeds me," responded Ronaldo, who scored 168 goals from just 164 games during Mourinho's tenure. But, as Madrid meet Chelsea in the final of the ICC pre-season tournament on Wednesday, there is likely to be no emotional embrace this time around - genuine or otherwise.

#47Updates: Bale back in Tottenham training as Real Madrid talks enter crucial stages

Gareth Bale will attend training with Tottenham on Tuesday as the club prepare for decisive talks with Real Madrid over a world record transfer for the Welshman in the next 48 hours.

Jonathan Barnett, Bale's agent, had been quoted in Spain suggesting Bale may not train with Spurs having been disappointed by comments from manager Andre Villas-Boas over the weekend claiming his star man is not for sale.

But Bale is expected to train and, indeed, was at Tottenham's training ground on Monday for treatment on a foot injury.

While the 24-year-old is unlikely to play in Spurs' final pre-season fixture against Espanyol on Saturday, he does not want to risk provoking the Londoners as talks over his future enter a crucial phase.

Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, will meet with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in Florida this week, most probably on Wednesday when the Spanish giants face Chelsea in Miami.


The clubs are yet to agree on either a transfer fee or payment structure, with Spurs demanding €115 million for Bale and Levy increasingly determined to stick to his guns. He has been angered by Madrid's very public pursuit of the attacker and the tactics used by Bale's camp to engineer a move.

Bale is desperate to move to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and fears he may not get another chance to complete his dream transfer having been told it's 'now or never' to join Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The former Southampton man is not considering a formal transfer request and does not want to jeopardise his strong relationship with the club and their fans, but he has told Levy that he wants to join Madrid.

Spurs were stunned by Bale's desire for a transfer during the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong but have been making plans for his potential departure.

Two Real Madrid players, Alvaro Morata and Fabio Coentrao, are of particular interest and could be included in any agreement for Bale, although swap deals are rare and such transfers are more likely to happen in separate deals.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Roma's Erik Lamela are ambitious targets in the event of Bale's departure, with Villas-Boas targetting four players to replace last season’s PFA player of the year.

Tottenham have already spent heavily this summer and confirmed the €30m arrival of Roberto Soldado on Monday, with the Spain international joining new recruits Paulinho and Nacer Chadli.