un poquito de “news”

I know, I have some catching up to do…

Almost like a rock star: the next stop on Iker’s summer world tour is Santiago, Chile, and that’s where is right now, once again delighting both children and adults, just as he had done in Mexico.

More from Mexico: according to Mexican journalist Gaby Elizalde, Sara Carbonero prevented her from interviewing Iker!  For those that don’t have time to read further, just google her and you’ll see why.  For everyone else, here’s her explanation.  Iker was being interviewed by many journalists in a hotel suite, and each one had their time slot (this reminds me of Notting Hill which is of course our (me and Iker) favorite movie) to go in and see Iker.  Right before it was Gaby’s turn, this happened: “it was my turn.  While I was waiting for the other journalist to come out, his girlfriend Sara and I saw each other.  She then went into the room, and a few minutes later, they came out to tell me that I wasn’t going to get my interview.  As I left, I received an apologetic message from the person who had brought Iker to Mexico.  It was Sara Carbonero who had a jealousy attack.  She told Iker that she didn’t want me to interview him, and that’s the way it was, I had to leave.” 

A couple of hours later, Gaby tweeted, “women should not be jealous when it comes to their boyfriends.  They should have self-confidence.”  Later on, she re-tweeted a tweet from one of her co-workers, which said, “yesterday Gaby Elizalde didn’t not interview Iker Casillas.  Why?  Ask Sara Carbonero.”

If this is true (and the organizers are saying it’s not, because Gaby showed up without an invitation, turning this into a he said, she said thing), I would like Iker to show some backbone when it comes to Sara.  When she said Cristiano was individualistic and egotistic, Iker agreed with her, saying Cris was like that “in a good way.”  When she refused to greet Cristiano and Irina, Iker didn’t do anything.  And now this.

More talk: Iker also gave an interview to ESPN in Spanish during his trip (watch it here).  Favorite parts:

on life with Madrid: I started with Madrid at the age of nine, I never had a school team, a neighborhood team or a university team.  None.  I’ve only belonged to Madrid, and I would like to live and die in Real Madrid.

on his future: I would be an awful coach.  I see myself more as a director, but not one involved with coaching.  I understand football, I like football, but I don’t think I can direct a team.  But perhaps in a couple of years I’ll start liking it and I’ll become a coach, but it’s not something I’m considering now.

on Real Madrid: Real Madrid is a universal sentiment, it’s known everywhere in the world.

And one not-so-favorite part, because it’s going to start a whole new set of rumors.

on Cristiano Ronaldo: you have to be very, very good to score 40 goals, and he’s done it several times.  He’s a friend and a teammate, a teammate and a friend, and also an enemy, because we argue a lot (smiles).

A couple of videos for your Tuesday morning/afternoon/evening:

ONE.  Madrid’s Spanish tourism promo.  It’s a very cute video, despite some of the fashion – Cris’ Gucci jacket, Sergio’s familiar huge belt buckle, and Karim’s huge belt buckle and LV shirt.

Who knew that Marcelo would like all the touristy places?  Meanwhile, everyone knew that Cris would recommend Calle Serrano (it’s the main shopping street of Madrid, where all the designer shops are.   Less well-known is Calle Ortega y Gasset, where I’m sure Cris and his teammates also spend a lot of time, because that’s where Louis Vuitton, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and many other stores can be found.  Gucci is on the corner of Serrano and Ortega y Gasset).  I love that Mesut recommends the museums and theaters, and that Ángel (what’s with the hip movement?) is another fan of La Latina (Iker is, and I am too!).  And who wouldn’t want to have tapas with Karim and dinner with Xabi?  And Chinchón!  I’d love to go there and find Sami!  And good for Marcelo for speaking Spanish!  But why was Sergio’s “olé” so timid and unenthusiastic?

TWO.  Roberto Carlos being himself:  he celebrated a goal by singing Exaltasamba’s “Viver sem ti” along with his teammate Diego Tardelli, while on the plane.  Acting and dancing included!  My favorite part is when Roberto pretends to cry into the tissue, but he’s really laughing.  I miss his humor.  And Tardelli’s not bad either!  My second favorite part is when they form a heart with their hands.  Watch the crazy Brazilian antics here.

THREE.  From reader LaBlanca, Gonzalo Higuaín and Álvaro Arbeloa’s video to enlist your help to fight hunger in the world.  Álvaro’s powers of persuasion are very strong indeed.  All he has to do is smile.

FOUR.  Cuatro’s hilarious take on Mou and the game show “Pasapalabra.”  It helps to know Spanish for this one.

Another man who looks great in sunglasses: Raúl Albiol recently spent some time with San Bernardino in Cádiz.  San Bernardino is of course the man who sounds like a woman, according to Álvaro Arbeloa’s grandmother.

Guti this year, Raúl in 2012: it appears that Raúl’s Schalke will not be the rival in August’s Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu.  According to AS, Schalke has a Europa League game on Aug. 25, which is too close to the scheduled Aug. 23 date of the game in Madrid.  However, the teams have agreed to dispute this friendly next year, in 2012.  Madrid is now negotiating with Guti’s Besiktas, the other obvious alternative.  The Turkish club has expressed their willingness to play against Madrid.