Cristiano Ronaldo Faces 3-Match Ban for Red Card Real Madrid vs Cordoba 2-1

Cristiano Ronaldo Faces 3-Match Ban for Red Card

Triple Ballon D'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo saw red on Saturday afternoon after he was sent off for Real Madrid against lowly Cordoba.

The Portugal superstar was given his marching orders on 82 minutes after striking out against an opponent, leaving the referee with little choice but to send the mercurial attacker off.

The game was tied at 1-1 when Ronaldo exited the pitch but the Galacticos edged the affair overall, winning 2-1 after a Gareth Bale penalty sealed the points.

Ronaldo will now be suspended for three matches, as violent conduct constitutes a longer ban.

The former Manchester United player has been in exceptional form once again this season, but Madrid should have enough coverage to cope without their star for a few fixtures.
This term, CR7 has smashed an amazing 28 goals in just 18 La Liga games, also providing nine assists for his teammates, Arguably, Ronaldo has started to increase the gap between himself and Lionel Messi in the past year, but the next three games could be an opportunity for Barcelona to catch Madrid.

The Camp Nou team are close to the league leaders and can leapfrog Los Blancos if they slip up.
Ronaldo will surely feel disappointed with his actions, but he clearly let his emotions get the best of him, proving even the best can appear flawed at the vital time.

The Portugal captain will be back on the pitch soon, and there is little doubt he will hit the ground running when he returns. The ban will allow him a short break to heal the minor injuries he has had in the past 12 months, and that will be a huge positive for Madrid in the second half of the season.

Marquinhos agent:: Manchester United want to sign PSG defender

Marquinhos agent:Manchester United want to sign PSG defender

Marquinhos agent:: Manchester United want to sign PSG defender

Manchester United are interested in signing PSG defender Marquinhos, according to the player's agent Giuliano Bertolucci.

Marquinhos, 20, is rated as one of the best young players in the world but has struggled for playing time in the French capital -- starting only 10 games in the league -- with Thiago Silva and David Luiz first-choice centre-backs for Laurent Blanc's men.

However, despite PSG's assertion that he is not for sale, the Brazilian could be on the move if things don't improve in Ligue 1.

Bertolucci told Le Parisien: "Last summer, PSG's president (Nasser Al-Khelaifi) declared that Marquinhos was unsellable. We will see what their position is this summer. Many clubs are interested in the player. Manchester United are one of them, this is true."

Louis van Gaal is known to want to improve his defensive options at Old Trafford, with the versatile youngster able to play across the back line and even in midfield. Barcelona have also shown an interest, but are in the middle of a transfer embargo, leaving Man Utd as one of the few in European football who could afford the reported 30 million-pound fee.

"He (Marquinhos) wants to become the best defender in the world. He is not a lesser player compared with Thiago Silva or David Luiz," Bertolucci added. "He respects the decisions of his coach, but just wants to play and spend as little time as possible on the bench. 

"Marquinhos is prepared to play at right-back and even in defensive midfield if he has to."

De Gea agent hints at Real Madrid move

The Spaniard's contract at Manchester United expires next year and Jorge Mendes, who also represents Cristiano Ronaldo and Radamel Falcao, has not ruled out a return to Spain

The agent of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has suggested that the Real Madrid target may not remain at Old Trafford for the entirety of his contract, remarking that "things change every five minutes".

The Spanish shot-stopper has been in sensational form for the Red Devils this season but has yet to be formally offered a new contract, with his current deal due to expire in 2016.

De Gea is understandably drawing admiring glances from the likes of Madrid, who are seeking a long-term heir to the declining Iker Casillias, while United snapped up veteran Victor Valdes on a free transfer to cover the possibility of the 24-year-old leaving.

And now super-agent Jorge Mendes, who also facilitated Cristiano Ronaldo's move from Manchester to Madrid, has added further fuel to speculation that De Gea could be the latest Galactico.

"David is amazing, he's brilliant," the Portuguese agent was quoted as saying by Marca when asked if De Gea could move to the Spanish capital.

"He's a Man United player and has a contract there. You have to respect that but things change every five minutes."

United boss Louis van Gaal, though, has previously insisted that De Gea would extend his current deal at Old Trafford after cementing his place as the club's No.1 goalkeeper.

Asked if he expected the keeper to agree an extension earlier in January, he replied: "I think so, yes. I think there is no problem for him to sign.

"When you are a [regular] player, then probably you are the best and then the manager is very happy that a player that is fixed in the line-up will stay."

Tensions between United and the Mendes camp are thought to be strained, though, with another of his clients, Radamel Falcao, having struggled for game time since joining the club on loan from Monaco - Mendes believes that he would be a certain starter at any other club in the world.

Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid: Tactical Preview of Copa De Re Derby Game

Real Madrid's mission is clear: Overturn the two-goal deficit they face in order to beat fierce rivals Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. After the two contested the final last year, it'd be a disaster for either to exit at this early stage. Let's take a tactical look at how this game will play out.

Real Madrid Setup Real Madrid have very few injury issues to contend with ahead of this one, and manager Carlo Ancelotti can essentially name his strongest squad. Carlos Forjanes of AS suggests Alvaro Arbeloa is out, but Dani Carvajal would take his place anyway. Luka Modric is definitely out with a long-term injury.