Griezmann demands 'perfect' performance in Champions League final

Diego Simeone's side must be "perfect" in order to beat their local rivals in Milan next Saturday, according to the France international striker

Antoine Griezmann has called on Atletico Madrid to deliver a "perfect" performance in the Champions League final.

Diego Simeone's side edged past Bayern Munich on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate draw in the last four and will meet their city rivals in the final at San Siro for the second time in three seasons.

Griezmann, who joined from Real Sociedad after Atletico were beaten 4-1 by Madrid in Lisbon in 2014, is desperate for his side to deliver this year in order to cap what he believes has been an impressive campaign.

"Collectively, we've had a great year. The team has played as well as possible and we really should be happy with the season we've had," Griezmann told the club's official website after being named the fans' player of the year.

"The goal was to be in the top three. We gave our all until the end and we are happy with our level and qualification for the Champions League and hopefully we can raise that next year.

"It's a final, a very nice match for all the players, for the club, for the fans... We're very excited.

"We will have to play a perfect match and I trust my team-mates to be prepared."

Cristiano Ronaldo: My challenge is always to be best

The Real Madrid star opened up about what inspires him, his a life away from football and his biggest fear.

Real Madrid and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is always clear about his goal at all times. It’s one that’s simple and uncomplicated – be the best.

“My challenge is always, year-to-year, trying to be the best—training hard to get myself 100% all the time,” Ronaldo said following the 2015 Nike Tech Fleece Jacket launch on Thursday.

“My main goal is to always achieve this kind of success. This is what I am trying to do all of the time, and the last eight, nine, ten years I think have gone pretty well. So I try to keep going like that,” he added.

The 30-year-old has won the Ballon d’Or thrice and has achieved the highest honours in club football but his life away from the game is far less extravagant than one might expect.

“(I’m) a normal person. I try to do normal stuff, surrounded by my family, my friends, my son. Just trying to be as normal as possible. I'm just training in the morning, so when I arrive home I get to do other things that make me feel comfortable,” the Champions League winner revealed.

It comes as no surprise then that Ronaldo picked spending time with his son when asked about his passions away from the pitch.

“I have many, but I will just mention one, which is playing with my kid,” he beamed.

Waking up every day and pushing yourself to the limits in order to be the best in the world is no mean feat but Ronaldo is fueled by the people around him.

“The people who I work with, the people around me—they are always giving me motivation and the opportunity to work hard and be good. They give me good vibes, good energy, and I think that that is the most important thing for me,” he enthused.

The Portuguese skipper also opened up about his deepest fear, revealing that he wants to live a long and healthy life.

“Dying young (is my greatest fear). I don't want to die young. I want to be old and die when I’m 80 or 90,” the former Manchester United winger said.

As for what goes through his mind when he’s standing in the tunnel before a game, Ronaldo says his mindset is one that’s pretty composed and simple.

“Nothing special (that I think about). I try to enjoy it. Playing football is what I like to do. So I just enjoy it, the sport, and I want to allow the fans and the public to enjoy it, too,” he concluded.

Real Madrid sign James Rodriguez

Real Madrid have signed World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez from French league club Monaco.

The 23-year-old Colombia forward has agreed a six-year deal at the Bernabeu.

The reported fee of about 80million euros (£63m) makes Rodriguez the fourth most expensive transfer of all time after Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez.

A Real Madrid statement read: 'Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Monaco for the transfer of James Rodriguez, who will join the club for the next six seasons.

The player will be presented today, Tuesday 22 July, at 20:00 (Spanish time), in the Santiago Bernabeu's presidential box.

'Following that, James Rodriguez will take his first steps on the Santiago Bernabeu's pitch wearing the Real Madrid shirt and will attend the media in the press room.

"I'm very happy," Rodriguez said as he left the clinic. "Everything went well."

Monaco vice-chairman Vadim Vasilyev said his club had no plans to sell Rodriguez, but were proud to be part of "one of the most significant transfers in football history".

Vasilyev said: "The time came when the solution of a transfer was considered to be the most beneficial solution for all parties."

Rodriguez's goal against Uruguay in the round of 16 at the World Cup, when he chested the ball down and then volleyed it in, was voted the best of the tournament. He scored a total of six times.

Rodriguez will strengthen Madrid's offensive lineup by joining Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in attack.

The Colombia forward will likely wear the No. 10 jersey, vacated when Mesut Ozil left Madrid for Arsena.

So who has the upper hand now, with Barcelona already having splashed the cash on Liverpool's Luis Suarez for a reported amount of 75million. Lets wait and watch to see what unfolds in the coming days.

James Rodriguez would prefer Real Madrid over Barcelona

Colombian winger James Rodriguez has expressed his desire to play in Spain, and favours a move to Real Madrid over Barcelona or Atletico Madrid. 

After some sensational performances in the FIFA World Cup 2014, the interest in the young Colombian winger is strong, with clubs like Man Utd, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Napoli, Chelsea, Spurs etc. keeping close tabs and monitoring the situation.

Speaking to Spanish radio station, Cadena Cope, the 22-year-old was quoted by Goal saying, "I would love to play in Spain. It would be a dream to play there – it is the best league in the world."

When asked if he had a certain club in mind, he said, “I prefer Madrid to Barcelona."

Sky Sports’ Spanish correspondent Guillem Balague confirmed the story:

James Rodriguez: "I prefer Real Madrid to Barcelona". He did not waste much time positioning himself

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) June 28, 2014

Rodriguez is certainly the talk of the town after he heroically led his team to a comprehensive  2-0 win over Uruguay, taking them to their very first quarterfinal in their FIFA World Cup history. His brace also took him to the top of the Golden Boot race, with a total of five goals to his name along with two assists. 

He had recently moved to Ligue 1 side Monaco from Porto after the French club paid €45 million for him, and are less likely to off-load him unless Real Madrid comes up with an offer they won’t want to refuse.

So is Bale's record transfer fee going to get shattered soon, let us know your views below in the comments.

Ballon d’Or 2013…

The FIFA Ballon d'Or is an association football award given annually to the player who is considered to have performed the best in the previous year. It is awarded based on votes by coaches and captains of international teams, as well as journalists from around the world…blah blah blah blah…..We all know the importance of ballon d’Or in the footballing world. The one who wins it, surely would be considered the No.1 for this coming year. It is and will always be every footballers dream.

This year’s Boost of an impressive finalist with the likes of Christiano Ronaldo, Frank Ribery and Lionel Messi. Who will win it??? With everyone tipping the ex-United and the Real Madrid star Christiano Ronaldo to beat Messi and Ribery. And why not I would say, the stats don’t lie.

	Messi	Ronaldo	Ribery
Appearances	45	56	52
Minutes on the Pitch	3346	4542	4018
Won	26	40	52
Drawn	14	10	4
Lost	5	6	3
Trophies	1	0	5
Goals	42	66	22
Shots on target	87	160	56
Shots off target	59	136	36
Assists	15	15	18
Pass completion	84.50%	79.20%	85.70%
Tackles won	76.90%	84.80%	89.90%
Clearances	1	38	6
Interceptions	20	12	45

Let’s not forget Ronaldo’s exceptionally stunning performance to steer Portugal to qualify for this year’s World Cup. He has already come second twice before and has won the ballon d'Or only once in 2008, so he would definately be itching to get his hands on this coveted achievement. I guess this would be his ideal way to put to rest all the speculation about being better than Messi or being world’s No.1 

The Bayern Munich and France star is the third favourite behind the bookies’ overwhelming market leader Christiano Ronaldo and the winner of the prize in the last three years, Lionel Messi. But Ribery, who starred for his club en route to their domestic Double and Champions League triumphs last season, believes it is he who should be honored in Zurich.

Now lets not leave Messi behind. Arguably named the world’s best by some of the footballing greats. Recently, legendary Pele said, Messi is like him. Ufff….we don’t need to say anymore. His recent injury has kept him on the sidelines for some time now. But the winner of the last three years Ballon d’Or is a strong strong contender to retain it for the fourth consecutive year.

This Debate can go on and on and on and on, but we are just few hours away from the ballon d’Or to be named winner. What do you guys think of the winner this year? I place my bet on the ever so arrogant, stylish, hard worker, talented Christiano Ronaldo.