Real Madrid News

The Real Madrid defender respects la Roja but he firmly believes that the Selecao can upset the reigning world and European champions at the Maracana

Marcelo is in absolutely no doubt that Brazil have what it takes to overcome Spain in Sunday’s Confederations Cup final, claiming the possibility of defeat has not even crossed his mind.

The Real Madrid full-back has nothing but admiration for la Roja, but he has the utmost faith in his team-mates and their ability to beat the reigning world and European champions.

“The idea of losing this doesn’t even enter my head,” Marcelo is quoted as saying by AS. “We know that we must respect Spain but we have the same chance of winning the final as they do.

“Just because they are the world champions doesn’t mean that we have to think it impossible for us to win the cup. We have to give credit to Brazil’s national team.

“We have to put Brazil’s national side where it deserves to be. This trophy is important for us and will help us move up the world ranking.

“We’re on the right track and God willing, we’ll win it.”

The game at the Maracana is scheduled to kick off at 00:00CET.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper says the Barcelona forward is “a great player” but is warning his team-mates against underestimating the Selecao’s other stars

Spain captain Iker Casillas has dismissed the suggestion Brazil are a one-man team, arguing there is more to their Confederations Cup final opponents than just Neymar.

The Barcelona forward has been one of the stars of the tournament, winning three successive man of the match awards in the group stages before also playing a key role in the Selecao‘s semi-final success over Uruguay.

However, Casillas believes Spain would be making a huge mistake if they concentrated their attention solely on stopping Neymar.

“He is a great player but there are more great players in Brazil,” the Real Madrid goalkeeper told reporters. “We should not focus only on Neymar.

“Brazil have shown a very strong strength in depth in this tournament and have scored many goals. They have the stage, the fans and the team to compete against us.”

However, while Casillas is excited about what he views as a meeting between the tournament’s top two teams, he does not believe the pair will necessarily meet in another final in 12 months’ time.

“The World Cup is a different competition to the Confederations Cup,” the 32-year-old added. “It has nothing to do with this tournament.

“But this is a dream final that everyone wanted to see.”

Spain’s clash with tournament hosts Brazil at the Maracana in Rio is scheduled to get under way at 00:00CET.

The Real Madrid defender says there is little chance of him preventing the Barcelona attacker from getting at least one shot on goal during the Confederations Cup final

Spain full-back Alvaro Arbeloa has admitted ahead of Sunday’s Confederations Cup clash with Brazil that successfully nullifying Neymar is “practically impossible”.

The Real Madrid defender will be entrusted with the responsibility of attempting to subdue the Selecao star, who has enhanced his already stellar reputation with three man of the match-winning displays in four games.

Consequently, Arbeloa is under no illusions about the enormity of the task he is facing at the Maracana.

“It’s very difficult to mark players like him,” the former Liverpool man told reporters. “It’s practically impossible to make sure that he doesn’t get a shot on goal during the 90 minutes – or create danger, or dribble past you.

“It’s a nice challenge to pit yourself up against the world’s best players and I personally don’t mind being in the spotlight at all.

“If you put in a decent game, it’s recognised but I know it’s going to be a difficult mission for me.”

Arbeloa insisted, though, that he and his team-mates are not feeling the heat ahead of a game that offers the reigning world and European champions the opportunity to hold every major international honour at once.

“We don’t feel under pressure to win this trophy,” the 30-year-old stated. “It’s the one which we still have yet to win and winning it by beating Brazil in Brazil would just be the icing on the cake.

“South American team tends to give us more problems. They are more hardened, they demand more from us and we struggle more against them. We are more used to facing European teams.

“But we are making history and, for all of us, our biggest motivation is pride.”

Spain’s eagerly-awaited meeting with tournament hosts Brazil will kick off in Rio at 0:00CET.

The defender believes his compatriot to be well suited to the hustle and bustle of Premier League football, while the midfielder revealed an English club had been in touch

Chelsea defender David Luiz is keen to see fellow Brazil international Paulinho join him in England this summer, as the midfielder admitted Tottenham had contacted him.

The Corinthians star has lit up the Confederations Cup with his all-action displays, causing his stock to rise as links with the Premier League outfit intensify.

And Luiz is adamant the Selecao hero has what it takes to star at White Hart Lane, while hailing him as an asset to the Brazil squad.

“If he gets to play in England, he will definitely go far,” the stopper noted to Fifa.com. “His game fits perfectly with the pace of English football.

“It’s incredibly valuable to have someone like that in your side. Especially when the team [Brazil] is getting along together as well as ours is.”

Paulinho underlined the only contact he has received came from Spurs, and denied any attempts made by Real Madrid, though admitting he was aware of the rumours.

“Tottenham is the only club to have made an official offer. We’ll wait for the Confederations Cup to finish and then we’ll decide,” he told Marca.

“I’m up to date with what has been written about Real Madrid, but the fact is that Madrid has not phoned me. There is no record of any offer.”

The 24-year-old headed in Brazil’s late winner during the 2-1 semi-final victory against Uruguay on Wednesday and also revealed what he believes to be the strongest parts of his game.

“It really is one of my qualities, moving into different areas of the field, picking up opponents as well as helping to attack,” the midfielder resumed to Fifa.com.

“I try to help in every possible way and I’ll try to keep on doing that, both for my club and the national side, because that’s how I’ve always had success.”

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men now prepare to face Spain in the penultimate match on Sunday, after la Roja beat Italy 7-6 on penalties in their corresponding semi-final.

The highly-rated youngster is set to complete his move to Real Madrid, but is seemingly a keen admirer of Barcelona and their players

New Real Madrid signing Isco might have some explaining to do at his new club as the Spain Under-21 international seems to be a keen admirer of the club’s arch-rival Barcelona and Lionel Messi.

The attacking midfielder not only feels the Argentina international is in a league of his own, but he has even gone as far as to name his dog after the four-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“I named my dog ‘Messi’ because Messi is the best in the world, and so is my dog,” explained Isco when questioned about his labrador’s unique name earlier this summer.

The 21-year-old previously made headlines when an old interview surfaced from his time at Valencia where he described himself as an anti-Madridista due to the club’s arrogant attitude.

Additionally, Isco took a swipe at then Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho on Twitter during the 2011 Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United, voicing his support for the Catalans in the process.

The youngster has also previously voiced his admiration for Barcelona duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta, while admitting that Blaugrana legend Ronaldinho is one of his inspirations.

Isco will sign a five-year deal with Real Madrid upon completion of his medical on June 3, before he’s presented to the press at the Santiago Bernabeu.