all set for the Galaxy!

Yesterday, Sergio gave us a video of “the Michael Phelps of Camas” beating Kaká in a 50-meter freestyle race.  It sounds like the entire team was watching, judging by the amount of laughter as “Churu” came out of the turn with a huge lead.  I also loved how others were standing around in their underwear!  We need more footage, such as the moment Sergio emerged from the pool!

Speaking of competitions, the team finished preparations for their upcoming friendly against the Galaxy (Friday, 04:30h Spain time, Thursday 19:30h local time) on Wednesday.  Real Madrid has played the MLS team three times before, with a record of 3-0.  This match-up is always welcome, because who doesn’t like seeing Iker Casillas and David Beckham reunited?

On Wednesday, the team trained in the morning before getting the afternoon off.  Xabi Alonso returned to the fold after leaving the previous day’s morning session with pain in his right ankle, as did Fábio Coentrão.  On the other hand, Lass was unable to finish the session.

The three jefes.

While the team trained, 20 Israeli and Palestinian children watched on the sidelines with Florentino Pérez, thanks to Children United.  After the session, they were able to approach the players and get their autographs.  José Mourinho has collaborated with the organization before, and has donated money to finance leagues where Israeli and Palestinian children play football together.  During the halftime of the upcoming friendly, these children will play a mini-game.

Also on hand for the training session was UFC fighter Fabricio Werdum.  According to Madrid’s web site, Iker Casillas is his idol, and so he exchanged gloves with our Iker.

The players had the afternoon off.  This group made up of Iker, Antonio, the four Musketeers (with El Chori sporting a very bright outfit), Calleti and El Pirata went to have lunch, a coffee and go shopping together in Beverly Hills (Sergio tweeted that he was where Pretty Woman was shot; I can imagine him walking up the street with zillions of shopping bags too).  Others also were seen out and about on Rodeo Drive (leading to the possibility that Sergio and Cris would get into a tussle over a Gucci belt that they both spotted) and Nacho tweeted that he spent the free afternoon with his fellow canteranos.  The team was due back at their hotel at 20h as they had further obligations.

Other photos shared by our boys via social networks: Álex was with his idol Kaká (sporting very windblown hair), Mesut was celebrating his six million Facebook likes, Sergio recognized the hotel where Pretty Woman was filmed, and Pepe was having an ice bath with Calleti.  I love that they are all in Speedos, and two to a tub!  Ángel really is thin, isn’t he?

The daily Pipita quote: “estoy más al pedo que cenicero de moto!”  This translates to “I’m more useless than an ashtray on a motorcycle!”  Jajaja!!

And Real Madrid has made it to London!  Madridista Javier Illana, a Spanish diver, tweeted this photo of him with Chinese diver Cao Yuan, a gold medal winner in the Men’s Synchronized 10m Platform event.  He’s also a big fan of Real Madrid, and this was the present Javier gave him for winning the gold!  Great gesture and great present!

In other news, the times and dates for the first three jornadas have been released.  Madrid will take on Valencia at the Bernabéu at 19h on Aug. 19, Getafe at the Alfonso Pérez at 19h on Aug. 26, and Granada at 22h on Sept. 2.  Luckily, we haven’t been stuck in the 23h time slot (only in Spain, right?).  And there are games scheduled for 23h on Sundays and Mondays!  The poor fans of those teams…

Back in Madrid, the Juvenil B started its pre-season, under the orders of its new head coach, FERNANDO MORIENTES!!!!!  El Moro is taking charge of the team and will be assisted by Beñat Labaien, Miguel Ángel Fernández and Juan Canales.  The Juvenil B is made up of 18 “graduates” of Juvenil C plus Marcos Alguacil from Torrelodones.  Fernando says he’s very excited to take charge of these boys and start the season.

And Roberto Carlos has announces his retirement from football.  ¡Grande Roberto!  During the press conference to announce the news, he said he has already begun negotiating a goodbye friendly between Madrid and Anzhi.