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Casillas: Footballers have worries too

Iker Casillas – Real Madrid

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has spoken out about the problems that footballers face, following team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo’s revelation that he is “sad” with life at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ronaldo created a media storm on Sunday when he said that he did not celebrate his two goals against Granada because of his dissatisfaction with a “professional issue” within the club.

That had led many observers, including former Barcelona player and coach Carles Rexach and ex-Madrid defender Pachin, to dismiss his concerns, but Casillas has said that everybody – even footballers – have issues to deal with.

“I understand that it is difficult for people to understand the situation that we face as players,” the Spain No.1 told Madrid’s official website. “But we are people just like everyone else and all have our own worries. We have family and friends and they are all important.”

Casillas also shed light on his surprise at being named joint winner of the 2012 Prince of Asturias Award for Sport alongside Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez, the first time the honour has been given to individual football players.

“There are some awards that seem unachievable and that you never think you could get to win,” he continued.

“But the work that you do throughout your sporting career could mean that you get to be nominated and I think to get this award is a great thing that gives me a lot of personal satisfaction.

The 31-year-old also gave his take on the decision to award Barcelona and Madrid’s respective captains the award.

“It’s been a few years in which the Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry has grown a lot, which I think is good for football, the sport and the fans, always in moderation of course.

“It is an award for which we are the two prominent faces from each team, and from the national team because of being the captains.

“But it is a prize that there are many people behind – team-mates at our clubs and the national team, fans… it’s a very nice award to win and it is great to be receiving it,” he added.

Perez: Ronaldo does not want to leave Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid

Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo does not want to leave the Spanish giants, and that he is unhappy for other reasons.

The Portuguese star refused to celebrate either of his two goals in Los Blancos 3-0 victory over Granada on Sunday, saying he was ‘sad’ with a ‘professional issue’ at the club.

“If he wanted to leave he’d have said so when the transfer window was still open,” the 65 year-old told Marca

“There are other reasons behind it.”

Ronaldo himself took to Twitter to dispel rumours that his dismay was due to a desire for a new contract.

“That I am feeling sad and have expressed this sadness has created a huge stir,” he wrote on the social networking site.

“I am accused of wanting more money, but one day it will be shown that this is not the case,” he added.

Falcao takes to Twitter to reject father's claims that he 'dreams' of playing for Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao has reaffirmed his commitment to the club after his father told a Colombian radio station that he “dreams” of playing for city rivals Real Madrid.

Goal.com revealed on Wednesday that Manchester City lead the race to sign the former Porto striker, who has a €60m release clause in his contract, when the transfer window re-opens in January.

And his father, Radamel Garcia, had also claimed that his son had his heart set on a move across the Spanish capital.

But the 26-year-old has since taken to Twitter to renounce those comments.

“So that everybody is clear, my dream is to keep on winning things with Atletico Madrid and help Colombia qualify for the World Cup,” he stressed on the social networking site.

Talking to Colombian radio station Todelar, Garcia had claimed that his son has always wanted to play for Los Blancos.

“His dream is to one day play for Real Madrid,” he El Gran Debate.

“Always, since childhood, he has wanted to play there.”

Garcia did admit, however, that there has indeed been interest from the Premier League champions, as well as Chelsea.

“Other teams like Manchester City and Chelsea have been interested in him. If he cannot go to Madrid, then he would go to English football,” he continued.

“Above all, he wants to go to Madrid. He will change his team at the end of the season.”

Viggo Mortensen labels Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho a 'coward'

Viggo Mortensen, the actor best known for playing Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has criticised Jose Mourinho for the second time in two weeks.

The 53-year-old star, who lived in Argentina for several years during his childhood, recently revealed that he is a Madrid fan.

But his affection for the Spanish giants does not appear to extend to their Portuguese head coach.

“I like football to be played on the floor colourfully, enthusiastically and artistically, and Mourinho does not seem to be a fan of that kind of game,” the American actor told Sportyou.

“So I have a different approach from him.”

Mortensen also criticised the former Inter coach’s behaviour during last season’s Supercopa match with Barcelona, when he famously poked Barcelona’s Tito Vilanova in the eye during a touchline brawl.

“It is little comfort to me that Mourinho’s behaviour goes against the tradition of Real Madrid,” he added.

“I would like him to be educated, not going to the locker room while playing to spite others, and not sticking his finger in peoples’ eyes.

“It is cowardly to make that offensive gesture towards Tito Vilanova, a polite guy, not towards Simeone, who would have kicked his a**e.”

Mortensen, however, did add that he hoped Mourinho would ‘win us the 10th [Champions League] this year.”

Falcao rejects Real Madrid rumours with Twitter statement

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao has reaffirmed his commitment to the club on Twitter after rumours linking him with a move away from Los Rojiblancos.

Goal.com revealed on Wednesday that Manchester City and Chelsea are both hoping to sign the Colombian star, who has a €60m release clause in his contract, when the transfer window re-opens in January.

But has since taken to Twitter where he has declared his loyalty to the club and the national side.

“So that everybody is clear, my dream is to keep on winning things with Atletico Madrid and help Colombia to get a place in World Cup 2014,” he stressed on the social networking site.

Speculation surrounding his exit had been given further weight when his father claimed that Falcao had his eyes set on a move to Atleti’s arch rivals Real Madrid.

“His dream is to one day play for Real Madrid,” Radamel Garcia told Colombian radio programme El Gran Debate de Todelar.”

“Always, since childhood, he has wanted to play there.”

Garcia also admitted that were a move to to Los Blancos fail to come to fruition, the Premier League would be his son’s next choice.

“Other international football teams like Manchester City and Chelsea have been interested in him. If he cannot go to Madrid, then he would go to English football,” said Garcia.

Falcao’s father then went on to say that he did not believe his son would remain at Atletico in the long term.

“Above all, he wants to go to Madrid. He will change his team at the end of the season,”said Garcia, adding that he had not even known whether his son would be sold or not prior to Atletico’s Super Cup victory over Chelsea.