CRISTIANO RONALDO HOPES TO STAY ON TOP FORM

"I am at one of the best stages in my career"

Cristiano Ronaldo continued answering the questions of children suffering from leukaemia for the Cadena COPE radio station.

Q. If you win the Ballon d'Or, will you go and collect it?

R. I don't think about the Ballon d'Or all that much. I know the ceremony is in January but I couldn't say whether I’ll go or not. I’m not obsessed by the Ballon d'Or. Let's see what happens.

Q. Do you think you have reached your peak as a player?

R. In my head I always think I can be better. Maybe this is one of the best periods in my career, yes. I have reached a high point and achieved a good level and I hope to maintain this form till I stop playing football.

Q. Do you feel like you're the best player in the world?

R. It's not just about this year. I've had to reach a very high level during the last few years. It's no coincidence. I want people to look at me as a professional, a player that gives everything for his team.

Q. How many hours do you spend a day to keep in such good form?

R. I always try to train well, during the day I make few mistakes. Obviously, I try my best to be a true professional. There are times when it isn't possible to be in such good form, but throughout the year I try to keep my life the same, irrespective of who I'm playing against. I train the same way, be it Osasuna or Barcelona.

SUFFERING FROM KNEE PROBLEMS AGAIN AFTER FRANCE APPEARANCE

Madrid concerned for Varane

Varane has had to be sidelined once again. The French defender appeared for France on Tuesday and returned to Madrid with an inflamed knee, leading to him being ruled out and rested for the match against Almería.

"Worried isn't the right word, we are monitoring the situation," explained Ancelotti

"Varane has knee problems. He can't play tomorrow because his knee is swollen after playing for France. It's quite a common problem for a player with an injury of this type, but we need to sort it because we need the player to be firing on all cylinders," Ancelotti said in a press conference.

Varane has only been able to play four full games so far this season with Real Madrid. "Worried isn't the right word, we are monitoring the situation with the player, along with the surgeon who operated on him," explained the manager.

The French centre-back is unable play two games consecutively for fear of impacting on the knee he has had surgery on and there is concern about Varane within the club's medical team.

ARGENTINE OUT WITH CALF INJURY

Di María joins the injury club

11/22/2013

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Real Madrid will have a grand total of five men missing for the Almería match. The bad news of the day came from Ángel di María, who was forced to pull out of the squad with a bruised calf muscle. The Argentine joins Varane, Khedira, Marcelo and Coentrao in the treatment room.

Carlo Ancelotti has named a 19-man squad for the fixture, including youngster José Rodríguez, who made his first-team debut last season under José Mourinho.

The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego López and Jesús
Defenders: Pepe, Ramos, Carvajal, Arbeloa and Nacho
Midfielders: Bale, Xabi Alonso, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Illarra and José Rodríguez.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Jesé and Morata.

THE COACH PUZZLES OVER HOW TO COVER KHEDIRA'S ABSENCE

Ancelotti's conundrum

In Almería, Real Madrid faces its first game without Khedira - seriously injured while fulfilling his international commitments during the recent league break. Suddenly, the absence of one of the most doubted players in the 'Los Blancos' squad has prompted a debate about who his ideal replacement should be.

Three men for one position, three completely different players, each of whom would substantially change Carlo Ancelotti's game plan. Casemiro, Isco and Di María are battling for a position that will be vacant until end of season.

The Italian coach gave nothing away about how he is going to resolve this conundrum in comments to the club's official TV channel, saying "Khedira's absence is forcing us to think about whether we should continue with this system and put a player in with the same profile, or change it. We have a number of solutions. There isn't any one formation you win or lose with. The squad is very strong and combines experience, skill and enthusiasm from the young players".

Sticking with the 4-3-3 would mean the inclusion of Casemiro, the player with the most similar style of play to the German. The use of Di María or Isco, however, would require a redraft, going to a 4-2-3-1, with Xabi Alonso and Modric as the driving force, Bale, Ronaldo and the Spanish or Argentine player up front, and Benzema as the striker.

PUBLIC FERVOR IN FAVOUR OF RONALDO WINNING COVETED AWARD

"The people have already chosen the Ballon d'Or winner"

Ronaldo fever is gripping the world. Following his outstanding performance in the play-offs against Sweden, the whole planet has spoken out as one and come out in support of the Real Madrid player in his bid to win the Ballon d'Or.

From Rajoy to Ronaldinho, including publications such as L'Equipe or La Gazzetta, the vast majority of those asked responded in the same way: "The best player in the world? Cristiano Ronaldo".

The Spanish prime minister also expressed his support for the Real Madrid star: "If I had a vote, I'd give it to Cristiano Ronaldo". Those closest to the Portuguese player are in little doubt: "The people have already chosen the Ballon d’Or winner".

COENTRAO, OUT FOR 2 WEEKS, JOINS MARCELO ON THE SIDELINES

FIFA virus strikes again

'Los Blancos' have been hit again by the feared 'FIFA virus', losing Coentrao. Real Madrid's medical team has confirmed that the Portuguese has picked up an injury to his left thigh and will be out for two to three weeks.

This new injury now leaves a gaping hole in the left side of the Real defence, as Marcelo is still injured and it doesn't look like he will be back in action for Saturday's game against Almería. The Brazilian, who has been suffering an injury to his left knee since 8th November, exercised this Wednesday in the gymnasium and only came out onto the pitch in the last few minutes to have a run-around. Ancelotti doesn't want to force the player's return.

Without Coentrao and Marcelo, the most logical option for the left back position is Álvaro Arbeloa. This was the Real Madrid line up for the club's last game before the World Cup break, when they played against Real Sociedad. The problem is that Arbeloa has returned from the Spain – South Africa game with niggles and may not be able to play this weekend against Almería.

To add insult to injury, Ancelotti also cannot count on the services of Castilla player Jorge Casado, who is also out for a month. If Arbeloa finally can play, Real will line up a defence with Caravajal, Pepe, Ramos and Arbeloa. Varane, who played in the France – Ukraine game, will be rested as he picked up a slight injury to his knee that prevented him playing the first leg game against the Ukrainians. Real doesn't want to run any risks with the Frenchman.

FIFA PRESIDENT REITERATES

Blatter: "Cristiano is an extraordinary commander"

FIFA's Swiss president, Joseph Blatter, reiterated his comparison of Real Madrid striker, Cristiano Ronaldo, with a "commander" - a description he used during a public appearance in which he mocked the Portuguese player.

Responding to questions from the media at a press conference in Rome after an audience with Pope Francis, Blatter said he stands by everything he has said about the Portuguese footballer in the past. "For me he remains an exceptional player and an extraordinary commander on the pitch", Blatter told the Italian media. "Obviously each of us, in our heart, has his own favourite", the head of the football's world governing body added, referring to the Ballon d'Or candidates.

On a different matter, the FIFA president expressed his and his football federation's concern over thecontinuing incidents of racism being seen both on the terraces and on the football pitches. "One of FIFA's main objectives is to combat racism. Unfortunately racism is not a game but a reality", he said. However, Blatter wanted to emphasize that racism itself, "comes from our society and not football".