a couple of news items for your weekend

One. Higuaín should be a starter in Argentina’s inaugural World Cup game against Nigeria on June 12.  In training yesterday, he was on the hypothetical starting team, which beat the reserves 4-0, with our Pipita scoring three of those goals.  For those Madrid history buffs, Walter Samuel and Gaby Heinze were also on that team.

Two. Meanwhile, Rafa van der Vaart’s Dutch team beat Hungary 6-1 in Amsterdam.  Rafa played, but he didn’t score.  Who did score were Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, who actually did it twice.  However, he got injured in his left knee and his presence in the World Cup is now uncertain.  Get well soon Arjen!

Three. Cristiano Ronaldo opened his house to Portuguese TV.  We find out that he is an early riser – when Madrid trains, he likes to be at Valdebebas by 8:30.  There are days when he arrives before everyone else, which surprises some people in the club.  He also says he has the strong personality of his mother and the kindness of his father.

And more importantly, he says, “the girl of my dreams is out there.  One day I’ll get married, sooner than later.  I have a lot of respect for women.”  I really think that despite his reputation, he just wants to settle down once he finds the right girl.  I hope he finds her soon!

Watch the first part here.

And Marca published this extremely flattering picture of Cristiano on his way to South Africa.