Well, I wasn’t going to post any news today, because nothing of real importance happened yesterday in the usually crazy and wonderful world of Real Madrid, but I hated having a full “to do” folder, so here are today’s news briefs.
TWO. During Wednesday’s training session, Gonzalo Higuaín participated in a mini-game against Castilla for 60 minutes (two halves of 30 minutes). Mou said later that he wasn’t in game shape, but he’s getting there. Now there are rumors that he’ll be back for the Sporting game, for the game against Tottenham… I just hope that he makes his return when he’s fully recovered, instead of rushing it. But it looks like he might make it to the Copa del Rey final, but with the way that Benzema has been playing, and the fact that Cris is basically an unquestionable starter means that he’s got a lot of competition.
THREE. Mou said those things about Pipita during the presentation of an educational football DVD for kids, which he attended in support of his friend Luis Campos, who produced the DVD. Mou also said that Cristiano has been excused from Portugal’s next two games, and that he hopes he’ll be back against Tottenham. Mou of course got more attention than the DVD, and the first 40 people to buy a copy got to have theirs signed by Mou.
FOUR. Meanwhile, Cristiano said yesterday that he’s “sick of this injury.” We are too, Cris.
FIVE. And by now, I’m sure you’ve heard of the strike that’s supposed to happen next weekend. One of the people most affected by that will be our former goalkeeper and canterano Diego López, currently at Villarreal, because his wedding is scheduled for June 11, and if the strike goes ahead, he’ll have to play Osasuna that same weekend.
SIX. Marca has an interview with Sergio Canales today and while it’s not very interesting, they do say that he’s working hard on bulking up, because it will help his football. And his sponsor in this area is none other than Álvaro Robocop Arbeloa, who’s a “specialist” in building up muscle and a devotee of the gym. Together, they spend many hours using the machines there and gaining muscle. Where are Real Madrid’s photographers when we need them? I wouldn’t mind a thumbs-up or mirror photo if either of them are showing us their muscles (or Cristiano, because you know he’ll want to get involved).
SEVEN. The adorable and down-to-earth captain of Castilla Fran Rico spoke to Madrid’s web site about his beginnings, the current situation of the team and Xabi Alonso. Highlights:
on his beginnings: I started playing football in school in Portonovo (Galicia). My father played as a goalkeeper for Portonovo and my entire family has always given me good advice. My father and my godfather were two persons who had a lot of confidence in me in terms of football and they always supported me and cheered me up when I went through bad moments. Then I had the opportunity to play in Pontevedra and that opened the doors here to me.
[His family has a restaurant in Portonovi with photos of Castilla on the walls.]
on his captainship: it’s an honor to wear the escudo and the captain’s bracelet. All players here are proud to represent this club. It’s a great responsibility and you have to know how to wear it. On the field, you can never give up, and you have to be generous and caring. This escudo represents many things and we’re very happy to represent it.
on Xabi Alonso: I like everything about Xabi [me too, Fran, me too]. He’s a very complete player. Since I’m now playing a bit further back, I can compare myself to him. Each time I watch him, I try to remember what he does in order to learn from him. He dominates all aspects of the game. He’s a very important player for the team, and a reference for me.
We also find out that there was a nice gesture during the Alcalá-Castilla game last Sunday: the captains of both teams gave their team shirts to Alcalá alevín player Frank Olivier, for being a wonderful sportsman. In an alevín game between Alcalá and Castilla, Frank kicked the ball out of bounds when he had an opportunity to score so that a rival player could be attended to. Fran called him an example for everyone, and said that he hopes this will happen more often and that footballers will be more sportsmanlike.
How cute is little Frank??? What a great smile! And Fran too!