Some leftovers from yesterday, which should keep you occupied for a few moments as you count down to tonight’s game (20:45h).
First up, the training session. Xabi was having an excellent time, and as we can see, he has definitely got some moves. Love the expression of pure joy on his face too! At the other end of the field, Iker was acting like a circus seal, but with hands.
Meanwhile, Cristiano made some comical gestures and showed off his thigh – watch it quiver. I can’t believe he allowed himself to get an uneven tan. And Kaká couldn’t resist peeking.
Iker, Sergio Ramos, Raúl Albiol and Álvaro Arbeloa returned to school yesterday, attending the first day of the course on how to become a sporting director. They had missed the previous week’s session, as they were on duty with the national team, as well as Monday’s morning session (which talked about the relationship between the sporting director and the media), as that coincided with their training session. But the four amigos made it to the afternoon session, attending class from 15:00h to 16:30h, and 16:45h to 18:15h (they then had a bit of time to go home and prepare for the concentración, which started at 20:30h). The afternoon session was given by Ginés Meléndez, who talked about the structure of the RFEF’s youth teams. The twins arrived first, and Sergio last – he was late. Raúl Albiol looked much better, though there is still a bit of bruising around his eye. And for once, Iker’s jeans weren’t the worst of the lot!
Our four future sporting directors have reached an agreement with the professors of the course to make up those sessions which they will miss. In the end, if the boys attend 75 percent of the classes, whether with the other students or private make-up lessons with the professors, and pass their final project which consists of presenting how they will structure a football club, they will receive a diploma in sports management through the Universidad Camilo José Cela.
Also taking the course is former madridista and Iker’s good friend, Bodo Illgner. He told the press, “once you play in Madrid, you’re a madridista.”
According to Punto Pelota, as soon as the game against Betis ended, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso (what a class act!) went to see Álvaro Vadillo. Emilio Butragueño and FP also paid the chaval a visit, asking how he was and wishing him a quick recovery. Also game related: Hamit Altintop’s behavior while the team formed a wall, highlighted of course by the red circles. I like how boss Xabi was being, and how Hamit grabbed Xabi and Ángel’s shorts to get them closer. Meanwhile, Gonzalo was trying to get Ángel closer to him. The dynamics of wall formation are always so interesting.
Vicente del Bosque spoke to “El Larguero” on Monday night, and he told listeners that he is still mulling over whether to attend the ceremony which will see him become a socio de honor of Real Madrid. He said, “I’m thinking about it. I feel very uncomfortable because the words that you can say can be misinterpreted. Sometimes it’s better to stay quiet. I didn’t provoke this situation.” He added that some people speak from ignorance. Our former coach admitted that his departure from his club was difficult for him, but even more so for his family: “each one has our own history. I don’t want to remember what happened, but my family had a worse time of it than me. If someone is told that they’re useless or they’re not worth it… let’s not talk about it. I don’t have to forgive anything or anyone, each one has his opinion.” The presenters also asked VDB what he had told his son, the adorable and wise Álvaro, about this, and VDB responded, “I told him that in three years time, when he receives the gold insignia, I’ll accompany him.”
We started with Xabi, so we’ll end with Nagore. Mrs. Xabi Alonso helped to present the Serum 7 lines of skincare in Spain yesterday, wearing a modified Gucci Resort 2012 dress. She spoke with ¡Hola! about her family and her projects. She said, “people always look at my husband, and therefore at me, but I like it when they look and feel affection for him.” Nagore also talked about the clothing shop for babies that she opened in Donostia in August, saying things are going very well, “although we have to look at the results in the long run.” She also admitted that “it doesn’t bother me when I’m called a ‘wag,’ because in fact I am one.”
As for plans to enlarge their family, Nagore said, “at the moment, we’re fine like this, we’re both busy with work, but we’ll see.” No, have more perfect babies! ¡Por favor!