Cristiano Ronaldo (28), the superstar player of Real Madrid and Portuguese international has just signed a new five year contract with his club, to extend his stay there until 2018.
The skillful footballer joined Real in 2009 from Manchester United in a world record transfer fee of €95m. Though his new team-mate Gareth Bale of formerly Tottenham, now holds the world record, as the most expensive footballer in the world after he joined the club over two weeks ago on a transfer fee of €100m. Read: africanfootie.blogspot.com
Cristiano Ronaldo
According to report from Spain, Ronaldo will now be earning €17m per annum. After signing the contract, he spoke to the media, addressing the speculation during the transfer period, that he would be rejoining his old club - Man United.
''Manchester United is the past. Real Madrid is now my home. I hope that I'm here until I retire. This is a great club," he said.
''I respect all the clubs who ask about me. But they always know that my decision, that my only goal, is to be here and to play at this club until, maybe, the end of my career. I 'll be here five more years. I just want to win trophies for this club,'' Ronaldo said.
During the press conference, the president of the world famous club, Mr Florentino Perez, who obviously was very happy about the extension of his contract, said, ''We have made the dream of all Madridistas. Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid will remain forever.''
Dutch Eredivisie
Ajax 2 - 1 Zwolle
Cambuur 2 - 0 Heracles
Twente 2 - 2 PSV
Den Haag P - P Vitesse (Postponed)
Utrecht 2 - 1 RKC
Roda JC 1 - 5 NAC
Heerenveen 4 - 2 Groningen
AZ 3 - 0 Go Ahead Eagles
NEC 3 - 3 Feyenoord
EPL (English Premier League)
Man United 2 - 0 Crystal Palace
Sunderland 1 - 3 Arsenal
Fulham 1 - 1 West Brom
Hull City 1 - 1 Cardiff City
Stoke City 0 - 0 Man City
Tottenham 2 - 0 Norwich
Everton 1 - 0 Chelsea
Southampton 0 - 0 West Ham
Belgium Jupilier League
Anderlecht 0 - 0 KV Mechelen
KV Kortrijk 3 - 0 AA Gent
Lokeren 3 - 0 Cercle Bruges
Mons 1 - 1 W. Beveren
OH Leuven 0 - 0 Charleroi
Oostende 2 - 4 Standard Liege
Genk 5 - 2 Z. Waregem
Italian Serie A
Inter 1 - 1 Juventus
Napoli 2 - 0 Atalanta
Torino 2 - 2 AC Milan
Fiorentina 1 - 1 Cagliari
Livorno 2 - 0 Catania
Lazio 3 - 0 Chievo
Verona 2 - 0 Sassuolo
Udinese 1 - 1 Bologna
Spanish La Liga
Barcelona 3 - 2 Seville
Atletico Madrid 4 - 2 Almeria
Levente 0 - 0 Real Sociedad
Granada 0 - 1 Espanyol
Getafe 2 - 1 Osasuna
Malaga 5 - 0 R. Vallecano
Real Betis - Valencia
Portuguese Premeira Liga
Vitoria Setubal 2 - 4 Maritimo
Porto 2 - 0 Gil Vicente
Benfica 3 - 1 Pacos Ferreira
Rio Ave 0 - 1 Guimaraes
Olhanense 0 - 2 Sporting
Nacional 0 - 1 Arouca
Academica 2 - 1 Belenenses
Braga - Estoril Praia
Rafael Nadal (27), has just beaten the men's world number one tennis player, the Serbian Novak Djorkovic, in the US Open final, by 6 - 2, 3 - 6,
6 - 4, 6 - 1 on Monday.
The thriller of a match lasted 3hrs 21 minutes and the fans loved the epic entertainment on the hard court. The two young men were so dodged and non wanted to give the other a chance to dorminate the match, but in the end Nadal made little or no mistakes on the day. It was so incredible to watch.
The win brings Nadal's total Grand Slams to 13, one short from Pete Sampras' 14 and four short of Roger Federer's 17 Grand Slams.
After the match, Rafael Nadal, said, "This season is probably the most emotional one in my career. I know I had to be almost perfect to win.''
Rafael Nadal US Open Champion
''Probably nobady brings my game to the limit like Novak,'' he said during the award ceremony at Flushing Meadows in New York.
While Novak Djorkovic (26), on his on part said that, Nadal was too good on the day, and deserve to win, even though he was disappointed to have lost.
''He was too good. He definitely deserve to win this match today and this trophy. Obviously disappointing to lose a match like this.''
Djorkovic, who has won six Grand Slams, said that, Nadal winning 13 Grand Slams at the age of 27 years was an incredible achievement and everybody should respect that.
''Thirteen Grand Slams for a guy who is 27 years is incredible. Whatever he achieved so far in his career, everybody should respect, no question about it,'' he added.
The prize money for Nadal, the winner, was $2.6m plus he got a bonus of $1m like Serena Williams for results during the North America hard court circuit, bringing his total prize money to $3.6m. Djorkovic, the finalist got the prize money of $1.3m.
Serena Williams (31), has once again successfully defended her US Open title, by beating the Belarusian's Victoria Azarenka, 7 - 5, 6 - 7 (6 - 8), 6 -1,
amid the gusty wind that was so persistent in the Arthur Ashe stadium at the Flushing Meadows, New York on Sunday.
Serena Williams US Open Champion
The thrilling match was a repeat performance of last year's final between the American, Serena, the women's world number one tennis player and the Belarusian's Victoria Azarenka (24), the world number two.
This 5th US Open winning brings Williams total to 17 Grand Slams, one behind Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, five behind Steffi Graf's 22 and most of all seven behind Margaret Court's 24 titles.
In the first set of the match, Serena Williams, was down 4 - 5 and was serving to level the score, but she committed double fault and also foot fault, but being an experienced and determined champion, she willed herself back into contention and won the next three games and the set at 7 - 5.
The second set began very well for Williams, as she raced to a 4 - 1 lead.
Serena was not only fighting against her opponent, but she was handling the wind worse than Azarenka. The wind kept on blowing her light skirt up as she was struggling to hold it down and was frustrated with the wind.
She was so frustrated with the wind that she said, "I can't play in this wind''
and after losing her big lead, she smashed her racket in anger. She eventually lost the second set at 6 - 7 (6 - 8). Credit to Azarenka for fighting back so hard and won the set from 1 - 4 down.
At the ending part of the second set, Williams regained her composture and confidence and dorminated the third set from start to finish. She just over -ran the Belarusian at 6 - 1.
After the match the obviously over joyed Serena Williams, said of Azarenka
"Vika's such a great opponent, such a great fighter and that's why she's been able to win multiple Grand Slams. That's why it was never over until match point."
Victoria Azarenka, who looked very dejected and sad at the press conference after the match said, ''It is a tough loss, but to be in the final and play against the best player, who deserves to win today, it's incredible. I gave it all today. We showed our hearts. We fought hard."
"It's incredible what she is achieving, she 's playing definitely her best tennis right now. It really shows how focused and how composed and how much she can raise the level,'' she added.
Victoria Azarenka was correct, even Serena herself said this summer that she is playing her best tennis. And there is no doubt that she is loving it and as she told Andy Roddick, (Foxsports) the former US open champion, that she is now playing for record and for fun. I wish her all the best in her goal to break records in women tennis.
Both players had extra summer bonus added to their prize money, the finalist Azarenka had $250,000 added to her prize money of $1.3m making it a total of $1.550,000 and the champion Serena got $1m bonus added to her prize money of $2.6m bringing the total to $3.6m.
The German international and Real Madrid play-maker, Mesut Ozil (24), joined the North London club Arsenal, on the last day of the open transfer window, because of the faith Arsene Wenger, repose in him. He promised, to repay the manager and club, by being the best he could be.
The player who cost Arsenal €50m, is a record signing for the club and also, according to the data of the transfermarket site, he has the second highest sign on fee, of a player in the EPL. He is only second to Fernando Torres, who joined Chelsea from Liverpool, at the record price of €58.5m.
Mesut Ozil, fell out of first eleven selection, with the arrival of the world record signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham, at the cost of €100m.
The new Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, did not have much faith in Ozil, while Arsene Wenger, has much faith in the young tantalising midfielder. Wenger has been tracking Ozil, since his playing days at Werder Bremen, and even at the time wanted to sign him, before Real beat him to it.
Both Ozil and Wenger were both thrilled with the signing. Mesut said to the
Arsenal website, "I am thrilled, to be joining a club of the stature of Arsenal and am looking forward to playing in the Premier League."
"It will be great for my own personal development as aplayer and I am particularly looking forward to working with Arsene Wenger.
"From our negotiations, it is clear the club has a huge ambition and I look to being part of an exciting future."
The highly skilled midfielder, also spoke to the website of the German Football Association (DFB), "At the weekend, I was certain I would stay at Real Madrid, but afterwards I realised I did not have the faith, from the coach or bosses. I am a player who needs this faith and that is what I have felt from Arsenal, which is why I have joined."
"I am really looking forward to it, because I have the faith of the coach. I had spoken to him at length on the telephone, he explained his plans and that he has faith in me - that is what I need as a player.
Podolski and Ozil
"Wenger gives me the faith and I can develop further. I know what I can do and I know I could make the grade with any club, because I'm so convinced in myself, but if I don't feel people have faith in me, then that is why I had to leave and at Arsenal, I feel I have this fully," Ozil added.
The Arsenal manger, Arsene Wenger, said of his new play-maker, ''He is a great player, with proven quality at both club and international level. We have watched and admired him for some time, as he has all the attributes I look for, in an Arsenal player.``
Mesut Ozil´s new teammate, speedy and very talented Theo Walcott, reacting to the player´s signing, said, ´´It´s very exciting. I played against him for England under 21, he showed his qualities then and he has showed them since. He is a great addition and personally I´m looking forward to playing alongside him.´´
The young playmaker, Ozil joined Real Madrid three years ago, from the German club, Werder Bremen, at the price of $20m. He played for a total of 155 times for Real Madrid. While there is no doubt in my mind, that he is a great signing for Arsenal, one must admit that a three cannot make a forest.
Arsenal needed at least three world class players, and not one. A goal scoring merchant like Suarez which Liverpool was reluctant to sale but the manager said that he is worth to them not less than $75m. Arsenal priced him at $62m which Liverpool rejected, maybe they could have changed their mind had it been that Arsenal went back at the weekend and increased their offer to $65m or $70m.
It will then force Suarez to hand in a transfer request and Arsenal would have some days of haggling, but in the end they would have gotten a world class striker that gurantees many goals, and the player would also be happy, to get his wish of playing in the champions league.
The club also needs a world class centre back that will be controlling the defence. A player with proven record, who would be like the rock of Gibraltar at the back. Anyway, the transfer window is closed now, so everyone is waiting to see what the club will be able to do both in the EPL and in the champions league with the addition of Mesut Ozil.
The club signed four players to their ache rival Tottenham´s seven. In addition to Ozil, Arsenal signed their former player, Mathieu Flamini, who left for AC Milan, and the 20 year old, Yaha Sanogo. The club brought in Emiliano Viviano, the goalkeeper of Serie A club Palermo.
The Tottenham highly gifted and explosive winger, Gareth Bale (24), who has been the number one transfer target for Real Madrid, since summer, has finally join the famous club, on a world record deal of €100m, after a long protracted chasing and negotiation.
Speaking to the media after his signing, Gareth said, that the six years he spent at the Tottenham Hotspurs was a happy period for him, but felt that it was time for him to say goodbye to the club. He said, that he loved the special moments he had there.
"I have had six very happy years at Tottenham, but it's the right time to say goodbye. We 've had some special times together and I've loved every minute of it, he said.
"I am not sure there is ever a good time, to leave a club where I felt settled, and was playing the best football of my career to date.
Gareth Bale's introduction to Real Madrid fans
"I know many players talk of their desire, to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.
"Tottenham will always be in my heart, and I'm sure this season will be a successful one for them."
"I am now looking forward, to the next exciting chapter in my life, playing football for Real Madrid.
Bale recognised the vital role, Southampton and Tottenham played in his career development, and thanked them for that.
"I am well aware, I would not be at the level I am today, were it not for first Southampton and Spurs standing by me during some of the tougher times and affording me the environment and support they have.
"I would like to thank everyone at the club, the chairman, board, staff, coaches and players, and most of all, the fantastic fans who I hope will understand this amazing career opportunity," Gareth Bale concluded.
His now former coach, Villa-Boas, fought a relentless battle to keep his star player, had no option, but to surrender to the massively over whelming financial clout of Real Madrid, and the desire of Bale to leave.
"Bale is a wonderful player. He is going to join Real Madrid, so we wish him all the best. He left us with some great memories from last season," Andres Villa-Boas, said.
And the chairman of the club, Daniel Levy, said, that the attention Real paid to Gareth, was so much, and his desire to join them was so great, that the club decided that he will not be completely commited to Spurs, if they keep him, so the club reluctantly sold him. Mr Levy said, they made their club stronger by signing seven new players.
"Such has been the attention from Real Madrid, and so great is Gareth's desire to join them, we have taken the view, that the player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign, in the current season.
"We have therefore, with great reluctance, agreed to this sale and do so in the knowledge that we have an exceptionally strong squad to which we have added no fewer than seven top internationals," Mr Levy said.
Gareth Bale said, that his boyhood dream of playing for Real Madrid had come true, which is terrific. Without any eqivocation I can say that Gareth Bale is a very talented and skillful player. But having the talent and skill is one thing, being able to withstand the mental and emotional pressure of being a Real Madrid player is another thing.
I sincerely hope that he do very well for Real, because if he don't the ridiclously high amount he cost will be like wasted money. What do you think. Do you think he will be a success at Real Madrid? Use the comment button to register your thoughts on this. Cheers.
PSV 0 - 0 Cambuur
RKC 1 - 4 Go Ahead Eagles
Heracles 1 - 0 Den Haag
Twente 1 - 1 Heerenveen
Feyenoord 4 - 0 Roda JC
AZ 1 - 1 Vitesse
Zwolle 1 - 1 Utrecht
Groningen 1 - 1 Ajax
NAC 1 - 1 NEC
English Premier League
Man City 2 - 0 Hull
Cardiff City 0 - 0 Everton
Newcastle 1 - 0 Fulham
Norwich 1 - 0 Southampton
West Ham 0 - 1 Stoke City
C. Palace 3 - 1 Sunderland
Arsenal 1 - 0 Tottenham
West Brom 0 - 2 Swansea
Liverpool 1 - 0 Man United
Man United 0 - 0 Chelsea
Serie A
Juventus 4 - 1 Lazio
Chievo 2 - 4 Napoli
Udinese 3 - 1 Parma
Sassuolo 1 - 4 Livorno
Genoa 2 - 5 Fiorentina
Catania 0 - 3 Inter
Bolognia 2 - 2 Sampdoria
Atalanta 2 - 0 Torino
Milan 3 - 1 Cagliari
Roma 3 - 0 Verona
Spanish La Liga
Real Madrid 3 - 1 Atletico Bilbao
Espanyol 0 - 0 Real Betis
Real Sociedad 1 - 2 Atletico Madrid
Sevilla 2 - 2 Malaga
Valencia 2 - 3 Barcelona
