Ronaldo tops star-studded Goal Rich List

Cristiano Ronaldo has pipped Lionel Messi to the top spot of the 2014 Goal Rich List.

The Real Madrid star is the hottest property in football and boasts an estimated wealth of €148 million [£122m] - just €2m [£1.5m] more than his Barcelona rival.

The list, topped by the now-retired David Beckham in 2013, features the likes of Wayne Rooney, Samuel Eto'o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Click here to see the full Goal Rich List top 10.

Monday, 10 March 2014 12:30

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Ronaldo drags Real Madrid closer to La Liga title

Despite going 1-0 up via Karim Benzema's strike in a violent Madrid derby on Sunday, Real had to rally and come from behind to salvage a point against Diego Simeone's side.

Goals from Koke and Gabi gave Cristiano Ronaldo the perfect platform to salvage a point and help his side move closer to the La Liga title with his

The 2-2 draw leaves Carlo Ancelotti's side top and one point ahead of Barcelona and three ahead of their city rivals with 12 games to go.

Monday, 3 March 2014 11:05

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Benzema, Bale & Cristiano turn to 'BBC' broadcast

Real Madrid obliterated Schalke on Wednesday night with two goals apiece from Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in a 6-1 win leading to the trio being coined the 'BBC'.

Allegedly, their next trick is to turn to broadcasting with the actual BBC and deliver the news as accurately as their shooting and the weather as precise as their passing.

Thursday, 27 February 2014 10:37

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Crocked Falcao sucked into World Cup abyss

Radamel Falcao is set to be another high-profile star missing from the World Cup after being ruled out for six months through injury.

The Colombia international tore his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Monaco against Chasselay in the Coupe de France meaning he will play no part in this summer’s tournament in Brazil.

The striker insists he still retains a small hope he will be fit in time, but it is expected that like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who missed out on qualification with Sweden, he will have to make do with simply watching the action.

Friday, January 24, 2014 12:10

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Happy New Year from Goal!

It's the end of the calendar year and spirits are in the sky... footballers and managers across the world have much to reflect on - and look forward to - as we head into 2014.

It's been a great year for Pep Guardiola, who took over from Jupp Heynckes at the helm of treble winners Bayern Munich, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery fight it out for the Balon d'Or. Gareth Bale got his big-money move to Real Madrid, though it's time for Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham to leavethe party.

Jurgen Klopp is left to drown his sorrows after losing the Champions League final and dropping out of the Bundesliga title race, Jose Mourinho is back with Chelsea, Arsene Wenger is top of the pile and Luis Suarez is in and out of the dog house.

All that's left to say is Happy New Year to all our readers!

Tuesday, December 31, 2013 11:30

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Footballers enjoy the boom after €1.2bn bonanza

This week at Goal we've been running through the 10 biggest transfer deals of the year, and giving you the inside track on how each was completed.

After massive transfer fees, bumpers wages, taxes and agent fees are totted up the sums are truly staggering: Gareth Bale's move will cost Real Madrid €198.8m!

With so much money flying around, no wonder the players have been enjoying themselves!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013 07:00

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One thousand eyes on Real Madrid’s attack

Real Madrid take on Valladolid on Saturday with coach Juan Ignacio Martinez claiming his side will need "1,000 eyes" to handle los Blancos star-studded attack.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have scored 40 league goals already this season and a staggering 20 in their last four Liga games and Martinez is wary ahead of the clash.

"Madrid leave you with very few options,” he was quoted as saying by Marca.

“It's clear they are superior and we know it will be difficult, but in football nothing is impossible, although we will have to go out there with a thousand eyes because in the game last Wednesday they scored four goals with one less player".

Friday, November 29, 2013 11:41

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Missing superstars make World Cup plans

So that's it. Uruguay became the 32nd team to qualify for next summer's World Cup, completing the line-up ready to compete for football's biggest prize in Brazil.

But spare a thought for the stars of the game that will miss out on a trip to South America after their qualification campaigns ended in failure.

Ice cream and tissues will undoubtedly be at the ready for the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gareth Bale and Robert Lewandowski, who will all be forced to watch the action unfold from the comfort of their sofas.

Thursday, 21 November 2013 12:00

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Bale declares admiration for Ronaldo

Gareth Bale has never kept his appreciation for Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo a secret.

Even prior to his move to the Bernabeu, the former Tottenham man indicated his preference for the Portugal star over Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

And having witnessed Ronaldo's quality first hand in Madrid, the Welshman has again declared his admiration for the 28-year-old.

"Cristiano is incredible, he scores hat-tricks every week," Bale told Real Madrid TV. "It's a pleasure to play with him."

But Bale has ambitions to continue to improve despite a promising start in Spain following his recovery from injury.

"The best is yet to come," he stated. "I've just finished my preseason and I can still give more.

"Now I'll be able to score more goals and help the team achieve success.

"It was just a matter of time until I got to 100 per cent. Now everyone is seeing what I can do. I need to keep working and hopefully there will be more goals."

Thursday, November 14, 2013 11:35

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Commander Cristiano shows Blatter who's boss

He may alledgedly spend more time in the hairdresser's, but boy does that Ronaldo know how to score goals!

After being satirised by Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who claimed Ronaldo was a commander on the pitch before doing a silly walk, the Portuguese made sure he had the last laugh by bagging a hat-trick on a crazy night in Madrid.

Gareth Bale scored twice, and set up another two, on a fine night for the Welshman (even if there was a comedy dive thrown in for good measure), while Karim Benzema hit two of his own.

Ronaldo, backed by the cheers of every home fan at the Santiago Bernabeu, marked his first goal of the night with the kind of salute fitting of a true field commander - over to you, Sepp!

Thursday, October 31, 2013 12:00

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Bale at Neymar's mercy after Clasico clash

Neymar and Gareth Bale stepped onto the Camp Nou turf for their first taste of a Clasico encounter on Saturday evening, billed as the main supporting cast for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

It turned out to be a frustrating night for the Real Madrid star, however, with Bale slicing a couple of efforts high and wide before being hooked by Carlo Ancelotti on the hour mark.

For Neymar, it was a different story. The Brazilian sensation got his side well on the way to a 2-1 victory with the opening goal of the game, picking up on Andres Iniesta's ball through to slot into the corner of the net.

Sunday, October 27, 2013 11:00

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Diego Costa the toast of Madrid after derby upset

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Isco, David Villa and Arda Turan were all on show in the first Madrid derby of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But it is Diego Costa who is the toast of the city after his goal saw Atletico upset their big spending rivals on Saturday night.

Costa broke free and stroked the ball past Diego Lopez after just 11 minutes at the Bernabeu to score his eighth goal of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti introduced Bale for his home debut at half time, but the former Tottenham man could not change the game as Atletico maintained their perfect start in La Liga.

Sunday, September 29, 2013 12:00

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Ronaldo steals Bale's limelight with new Madrid contract

It didn't take Cristiano Ronaldo long to prove he is still top dog in Madrid.

Against Villarreal on Saturday, Ronaldo rose to the challenge scoring almost immediately after the world's most expensive footballer Gareth Bale was subbed. The Welshman had equalised for Madrid, before Ronaldo added a second in the 2-2 draw.

And now, the 28-year-old has been rewarded with a new five-year contract at the Bernabeu, firmly reinstating the Portuguese superstar as the main man in the Spanish capital.

Monday, September 16, 2013 12:48

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Bale & Ronaldo not enough to sink the yellow submarine

Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo lined up together for the first time on Saturday as the Wales international made his Real Madrid debut at Villarreal.

It took the club’s new signing just 39 minutes to begin repaying his transfer fee as he equalised Cani’s opener, slotting home from close range.

Not to be outdone, Ronaldo put the visitors ahead in the second half, but it was not enough to deny a spirited Villarreal side who grabbed an equaliser through Giovani dos Santos.
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Ozil & Bale take centre stage as domestic football returns

It's back to school for domestic football as the curtain closed on another round of international fixtures and the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Europe's other top leagues open their doors once again.

Arsenal fans will be relishing seeing Mesut Ozil in action for the first time in a Gunners shirt, with the Germany international set to make his debut against Sunderland, while Marouane Fellaini is expected to line up for Manchester United against Crystal Palace.

Elsewhere, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Gareth Bale will play some part against Villarreal, while Kaka could feature as AC Milan meet Torino following his return to the San Siro club.

Saturday, September 14, 2013 10:00

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Deadline day dominoes ready to topple

Arsene Wenger puts it as only he can: "It’s a little bit a domino game and maybe something will happen in the last 24 hours." We think it's fair to say something WILL happen on transfer deadline day.

With Gareth Bale having completed his world-record move to Real Madrid from Tottenham, the starter's pistol has truly been fired. 

Can Arsenal pick off Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria as Madrid look to recoup some funds? Will Manchester United join the race, or will they focus on Maroaune Fellaini and Ander Herrera? Could Luis Suarez finally get his move to Madrid?

Whatever happens, you can keep up-to-date with the latest rumors and confirmed deals on our LIVE blog and Done Deals section.
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Bale prepared to join pantheon of Real Madrid greats

Gareth Bale is set to join some of the greatest players in the history of football as his move to Real Madrid draws closer.

Goal understands a world record £86 million fee has been agreed between Tottenham and the Spanish giants, with the Wales star set to complete the transfer in the next 48 hours.

Bale will rub shoulders with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, and follows a long list of legends - including Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Ronaldo and Alfredo Di Stefano - in plying his trade at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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'Bale? 100 billion dollars!'

 

If anyone is capable of getting the highest fee possible for Gareth Bale, it'll be Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

Real Madrid have been relentless in their pursuit of the 24-year-old, but the Spanish club will need to part with at least £100 million in order to get their man this summer. 
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Levy stands firm as Bale attempts to flee the Spurs nest

 

Gareth Bale has told Tottenham he wants to move to Real Madrid this summer but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is adamant that he will not sell the 24-year-old.

Will the Spanish club get their man before the transfer window shuts? 
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The Goal 50 Superheroes

 

The winner of the Goal 50 has been announced, and our annual list's top 10 is, as ever, not short of football's biggest superheroes.

Superman Lionel Messi claimed the award for the third time, beating off competition from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Robin van Persie.

Thiago Silva and Arturo Vidal also invaded the top 10, along with four Bayern men in Philipp Lahm, Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and runner-up Franck Ribery.

See the complete Goal 50 here
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