Welcome to Sport News and Entertainment: 09/13/13

Friday, September 13, 2013

Bale should follow Ronaldo example, says Zidane

Zinedine Zidane says Cristiano Ronaldo is an example to follow for Gareth Bale when it comes to dealing with the immense pressure at Real Madrid following his world-record €100 million transfer from Tottenham this summer. The Portugal international was previously the most expensive transfer following his €94m move from Manchester United to Madrid in 2009.

And, Zidane, who moved to Madrid for around €75m in 2001, knows what the weight of expectation at the club feels like and suggests that Bale looks no further than Ronaldo, who he believes has dealt extremely well with the extra pressure his immense price tag brought with it. "The pressure [on Bale] is huge, of course, but we have the best example in Cristiano Ronaldo. He is the most expensive player in football history and he has spectacularly overcome enormous pressure.

"His stats, his performances ... Everything he gives to Real Madrid on and off the pitch is genuinely spectacular. Real Madrid do not consider his price but rather everything he brings to the club." The 24-year-old Bale could make his official Madrid debut away against Villarreal on Saturday.

Ribery best in Europe, says Messi

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has conceded that Bayern Munich ace Franck Ribery deserved to win Uefa's Best Player in Europe award. The Argentine and Cristiano Ronaldo were pipped to the award at a Uefa ceremony in Monaco in August and the 26-year-old says Ribery's treble success with Bayern Munich meant the right man walked away with the prize.

"It was an honour to be in this race again, among the best three players in Europe," he told Uefa. "There are so many great players in the world and it is a real pleasure to be in the competition, but he [Ribery] deserved to win the trophy." The Blaugrana were humbled 7-0 on aggregate by the German giants en route to the Champions League crown last season.

And while Messi admits that the defeat left a "bitter taste" in his mouth, he believes the team must not dwell on the past if they are to bounce back from last year's disappointment in Europe. "We always want to achieve more. Winning the league was very important because of what it signified – winning it back after Real Madrid had won it last year," he added. The Catalans resume their Liga campaign following the international break by welcoming Sevilla to Camp Nou on Saturday.

Ozil lacked strength to fight for a place, claims Zidane

Real Madrid assistant coach Zinedine Zidane has suggested that Mesut Ozil left the club because he lacked the "strength and will" to fight for his place in the team. The Germany international was unveiled at Arsenal on Thursday, following his €47 million move on deadline day.

The Spanish giants boosted their attacking options over the summer with the high-profile acquisitions of Isco and Gareth Bale respectively, and Zidane has claimed that the Gunners new-boy lacked the stomach to compete for his selection in the starting line-up. "Ozil decided to leave," he told the club's official channel. "He is a good player who has given us so much so we wish him well.

"There are players who have responded with strength and will to fight for a place, but not everyone reacted the same. The Blancos travel to newly-promoted Villarreal in the Primera Liga on Saturday where €100 million recruit Bale could be handed his debut.