¿cómo no te voy a querer?

We’re privileged to be Real Madrid fans.  What other team has players who pose like this with his adorable dogs, who win awards from GQ and show up to collect it looking fantastic in a tuxedo, and who are not afraid to get up close and personal – while shirtless – with a electric shaver?

On Thursday, Madrid held their first preparatory session for this Saturday’s derby in Madrid, with the team – 28 players – split into three groups.

Marcelo joined the biggest group of 16 footballers, which included the canteranos Jesé, MFC ABMM, Carva, the Fernández brothers and Jorge Casado.  They trained at a high intensity.  The second group was made up of the nine starters from the Champions League game, with the exception of Rafa Varane, who was in the big group.  They stretched and did ball exercises.  The third group consisted of the goalkeepers Iker, Antonio and Tomás Mejías.  Álvaro Arbeloa and Kaká are continuing with their recovery processes.  And Mou looked grumpy.  By the way, Pipita tweeted that he’s going to get a tattoo, which will be done by Argentine tattoo artist Leo Millares, who recently tattooed the World Cup on Sergio’s calf (he’s also Guti’s tattoo artist, and obviously kept very busy by Guti’s rotating carousel of girlfriends).

After the session, Sergio tweeted this photo of him during an interview he was giving at Valdebebas.  We didn’t have to wait long for some fashion criticism, as Álvaro responded, “where are you going with that life jacket?”  I’m 100 percent in agreement with Álvaro!

GQ España held their annual “men of the year” awards on Nov. 23, and Xabi Alonso was one of the winners, for “best sportsman.”  The magazine said, “he’s not only one of our best midfielders, but he’s also a reference when it comes to style.  The madridista, who is classic and far from ostentatious, is the perfect combination of class and elegance.”  Yes, “class” (and classy) and “elegance” are the two words most used to describe Xabi, no?

He took along Álvaro Arbeloa wife Nagore Aranburu as his plus one, although they also invited Álvaro Arbeloa and wife Carlota Ruiz to accompany them on the night, much like they had during the Glamour magazine awards earlier in the year.

The award was nice and all, but the highlight of the night has to be Xabi and Álvaro wearing tuxedos.  They both look tremendously handsome.  I love seeing them in their Real Madrid and Spain shirts, but can I put in a request for them to either wear nothing or a tuxedo at all other times?

Xabi’s tuxedo was made by Dolce & Gabbana, while Nagore’s dress was a creation from Basque designer Isabel Zapardiez.  Carlota, meanwhile, wore Marchesa.  I prefer Nagore’s dress, and I love the low back.

Álvaro tweeted while at the event, describing Xabi as “maximum elegance and quality, all in one!  CRACK” and his “idol.”  This prompted Sergio to reply, “what a pair of braggarts, jejeje.  Congratulations Trufas.”  Meanwhile, Xabi said he was honored and grateful to receive this award, as he’s been a faithful reader of GQ magazine for many years.  He also imparted a bit of advice: to always be true to yourself, because you’ll always be uncomfortable when you’re trying to be someone else.

Iker attended an event organized by Philips yesterday.  He wore an ugly brown jacket (which matched the brown cake with ‘127’ written on it that they surprised him with) and didn’t say anything too interesting, but I did love this video that Philips prepared.  In it, he says the secret to feeling good is to change his image once in a while (unfortunately, he means his appearance and not his dress sense).  He likes to have a three- or four-day-old beard which is “more comfortable, more practical.”  To disconnect after weekend games, he gets together with his lifelong friends and they talk about everything but football, or he goes to Navalacruz or the movies with his girlfriend, anything to break free from the usual routine.  During concentraciones, Iker hangs out with his teammates, chats with them, plays cards and use social networks.  I also like all the looks – the one on the upper left is my favorite – and when someone else dresses him!

Iker’s good friend and the mayor of Móstoles Esteban Parro, has proposed renaming an avenue in the city after their illustrious son.  The “Avenida de los Deportes” will in this way become the “Avenida de Iker Casillas” (unfortunately not the more colorful “Calle de la madre que parió a Casillas”).  Parro said Iker was chosen “for his human values, for being the player who has worn the shirt the most times with the Spanish national football team, and for being the best goalkeeper in the world.”  He added, “for children across Spain and especially in Móstoles, Casillas is a role model who demonstrates hard work, sacrifice, humanity, consistency, humility and generosity.  He’s shown that you can succeed professionally without forgetting about your origins.”

On Wednesday, the Realmadrid Foundation signed a collaboration agreement with the NGO “Cruzada por los niños” to create a social-sporting school in Massaca, Mozambique, where 200 children will benefit.  Pepe and his million watt smile were on hand for the signing ceremony.

And Marca is celebrating the upcoming derby by taking a look back at how they covered previous editions.  In 1994, on the occasion of Raúl’s first derby, they took Raúl and Pepe de la Sagra to the circus.  I’m including this just for Rulo’s shirt.  It is 1994, however.