Real Madrid News

The legendary Italian feels that he would have tasted unparalleled success had he completed a move to the Spanish capital in 2004

Roma captain Francesco Totti believes he would have won the Ballon d’Or twice if he had joined Real Madrid back in 2004.

The Italian was close to a move to the Liga giants but opted to stay with boyhood club Roma instead, and the 36-year-old feels that his trophy haul would have been significantly larger had he moved to Santiago Bernabeu.

“I was close to joining Real, I wanted to sign for a big club so I could win things,” Totti told France Football.

“Had I joined Real Madrid I’d have won three Champions League, two Ballons d’Or and many other titles. I’d have loved that chance, absolutely.

“But I’m glad I did make the decision I made, although I just wish I’d have won two or three more Scudetti.”

The World Cup winner admits he would be “flattered” should Roma choose to retire the No.10 shirt when he retires, but he believes it would be unfair to deprive youngsters of the chance to don the famous jersey.

“I’d be flattered [if the number was retired] but on the other hand it would also mean the end of a dream for a youngster who wanted to play in the No.10 shirt worn by Totti,” he added.

“To wear that number you certainly need a lot of strength of character. The No.10 shirt is a ‘heavy’ one, one that has always been looked upon as different from every other shirt.”

The Brazilian also claimed that his religious beliefs gave him the “wisdom” to join the Liga champions ahead of his move to Camp Nou this summer

New Barcelona signing Neymar says he is already relishing the chance to come up against Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 21-year-old hailed the ability of the Bernabeu star and said he hopes to come out on top when his new side do battle with their Clasico rivals next season.

The forward will join the newly-crowned Liga champions this summer and the Brazil international also claimed his religious beliefs helped him to decide on making the switch to Spain.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player,” Neymar told reporters.

“He is skillful and it will be an honour to face him. Hopefully I can win.

“I talked to God to give me wisdom and directed me the right way, so I chose Barcelona.

“I chose to join Barcelona because it was a wish that came out of my heart. Change is always difficult, but I hope to be able to adapt as soon as possible.”

Madrid were amongst a number of sides who were also chasing Neymar’s signature until his transfer from Santos to Camp Nou was officially confirmed last week.

We run through the latest talking points in world football, and which stars could be on the move this summer

The European transfer market has erupted, thanks in no small part to AS Monaco, following swoops for Porto pair Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez, with Radamel Falcao set to join them this week. And of course, Neymar’s heading to Barcelona.

The Brazilian’s arrival at Camp Nou could kick-start a period of transition with the Liga champions, with David Villa, Thiago Alcantara, Gerard Deulofeu and even Cesc Fabregas possibly leaving this summer.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are in the hunt for new Galacticos, and with Zinedine Zidane tasked with luring a new batch of stars to the Bernabeu, could the likes of Gareth Bale and Luis Suarez be heading to the Spanish capital?

To discuss these and all the other whispers, Matt Lorenzo is joined by Goal‘s Greg Stobart and former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder Gary McAllister as we go through the latest talk from the transfer market.

The former Netherlands star believes it would be in the coach’s best interest to call it quits for now, while he has lashed out at Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho

Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has advised Tito Vilanova to step down as head coach and focus on his personal health instead.

The 44-year-old had a tumour removed in 2011, but suffered a relapse in December last year and consequently missed several months of the 2012-13 campaign as he was undergoing treatment.

Vilanova returned to the Barcelona bench in April, but Cruyff feels it would be in his best interest if he were to put his coaching ambitions on hold for now.

“In his condition it’s not very advisable to continue as a coach. I had a heart operation myself… can you be in charge of Barca if you aren’t 100 per cent?” the former Camp Nou coach told Catalunya Radio.

“I’d tell Tito to look after himself. He’s not as strong and experienced as Pep Guardiola. He has a massive problem in the form of his illness and his health comes first.”

Cruyff then went on to reflect on Jose Mourinho’s spell in charge of Real Madrid and the Dutchman was not impressed with the flamboyant coach’s contribution.

“With the behaviour he showed nothing could be done really. If you start a fight with your best player, that’s not right. I think he went too far.

“He’s not guilty just right now, but has been for two or three years. He’s not done Madrid any favours.”

Mourinho will leave Madrid this summer after three years in charge of the Santiago Bernabeu side.

The Frenchman has insisted that a summer move is not an option for him as he’s keen to stay at the Champions League winners

Franck Ribery has stressed that he is happy with life at Bayern Munich and added that he is not interested in a move to Real Madrid.

The France international was close to joining the Santiago Bernabeu side in the past and Madrid president Florentino Perez’s announcement that Zinedine Zidane will be in charge of their transfers from this summer fuelled speculation that they could make another move for Ribery ahead of the 2013-14 campaign.

However, Ribery has insisted that Zidane can save himself the time of getting in touch with the 30-year-old as he has no intention to leave his current club.

“If Zidane were to contact me, I would tell him that I’m feeling very good at Bayern and I think that he’d understand me,” the winger told RMC.

“I almost joined Madrid in the past, but it did not happen and I am very pleased that I stayed at Bayern in the end.”

Ribery has a contract with Bayern until June 2015, but he is believed to be close to inking a two-year extension to his current deal.