don’t go buy a new shirt just yet…
… unless it’s Iker’s.
There are some massive number changes going on in this pre-season! I can totally imagine the players bartering with each other. I’ll buy you a dinner if you let me have the __…
Anyway, it appears that Cristiano will take over Raúl’s “7,” while Xabi will do the same for Guti’s “14.” Arbeloa has decided to change from the “2” to the “17,” which means that both Xabi and Álvaro will have the same numbers on their club and national teams. Pipita, meanwhile, has stated that he has no intentions of leaving the “20” – “it’s the number that I’ve had since I arrived and I have a lot of affection for it, so I don’t see any reason to change it. Anyway, here it’s the footballer who plays, not the number.” This means that the “9” is available for Benzema.
Side note: I bet part of the reason Arbeloa is moving to the “17” is so that he can sit next to Albiol in the dressing room. And of course, Cris wouldn’t want to be too far from his Ricky, so he’s moving from one side of him to another.
As for the new players, it looks like Di María could claim the “11,” while Pedro León is considering the “21.” The “22” that Xabi leaves behind could be for Canales, leaving the “16” for Khedira, although that could change if anyone leaves and other numbers free up.
Pipitas words in the press conference have been strong. I really love him talking like this! Hes a true Madridista, bleeding white. *proud*
“I think Benzema is good, a player who came young and who has potential to triumph here. I hope this year he does well, because it will be the best for us.”
Kaka “is important to us. We need him at 100% and he more than ever needs to know that he has to return to the full. Hopefully soon. ”
Di Maria “can provide us with width, what we were lacking last season.”
“Im grateful to Raul because he has helped me a lot when I came. I learnt from him and the move out of a player like him makes me sad. Hes choosen his future in Germany and that has to be respected. Im very grateful to him, the truth is that hes a great, in all sense of the word. Just look at the 2 goals he has already scored against Bayern.”
Guti “also was another footballing great, I was good friends with him and I wish him the best.”
“I always followed Batistuta and always try to be like him. Francescoli too. Today that are Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy, Raúl as well.”
“Yes, the truth is that year after year Im always asked me the same (as to whether i have to win the spot), but I will respond in the field, which is what I have to do. I will try to remain the same since I came. ”
and of course the cite he made about the number and the RM shirt.
just found it too cute how Pipita was “lost in translation” soooo infectious his laugh!
http://www.lasextadeportes.com/noticias/ver/higuain___voy_a_responder_en_la_cancha/263601
Not just Iker’s though, Sergio will always be #4 since it’s passed on to him by the Great Hierro…
He has tatooed the 4 in his back so that he practically doesnt need a shirt (where can I vote for that?) . Would be crazy if he changes to another number.
Is it possible Raul Albiol will change his number as well? He wears 2 at National Team,so he might want to have “2” at madrid too..
But I’ve already bought a Ronaldo 9 shirt. Damn.