Real Madrid 3-2 Valencia: Ronaldo double sees Blancos beat stubborn Che

The star forward bagged a brace and Karim Benzema score the crucial third to ensure La Liga's title race goes to the final day

A brace from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid to a 3-2 win over Valencia that ensures they go into the final day of the Liga season as Barcelona's only challengers for the title.

Ronaldo's 48th and 49th goals of another prolific season, which sandwiched a Karim Benzema strike, earned Zinedine Zidane's side an 11th-straight league win to keep them within a point of champions Barca, who hammered Espanyol 5-0.

Victory moves Madrid above neighbours and Champions League final opponents Atletico, who lost 2-1 at already-relegated Levante to drop out of the title race, and means they visit Deportivo La Coruna next weekend knowing that a 12th win on the spin could see them overhaul Luis Enrique's team in the most dramatic of circumstances. 

Madrid were comfortable for much of Sunday's game at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Valencia indebted to goalkeeper Diego Alves for restricting Ronaldo and co to three goals.

Ronaldo opened the scoring with an excellent finish midway through the first half, before Benzema added a second shortly before the interval.

Valencia reduced the arrears early in the second half through Rodrigo - who was later sent off - but Ronaldo's 33rd Liga goal of the campaign just before the hour sealed the points, although Madrid did endure a nervy final eight minutes thanks to Andre Gomes' late goal.

Ronaldo struggled to get involved in the early stages, but he was on hand to break the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Just seconds after forcing Alves into a good save low to his right, Ronaldo collected Marcelo's pass and shot unerringly back across the keeper from 20 yards.

The out-of-favour James Rodriguez played as if he had a point to prove after being recalled to Zidane's starting XI, and an excellent free-kick delivery from the Colombian almost provided Madrid with a second soon after Ronaldo's opener, only for Sergio Ramos to nod wide.

Valencia should have been level when Joao Cancelo tamely side-footed over when it seemed easier to score, and the Portuguese's misery was compounded when he inadvertently set up Benzema for Madrid's second three minutes before the break.

Alves initially made a superb save from Benzema's flicked effort, before the ball rebounded off Cancelo and back to the Frenchman, who swivelled and tucked past Alves at his near post.

Madrid sought to put the game beyond doubt early in the second half but they were frustrated by Alves, who made a brilliant reaction stop from Benzema's powerful header.

However, Valencia skipper Dani Parejo served a warning when he clipped the crossbar with a free-kick that had Kiko Casilla well beaten, before the visitors pulled a goal back in the 55th minute.

Raphael Varane failed to clear a low cross from the left properly, and Rodrigo side-footed home from 18 yards.

But Madrid restored their two-goal lead just four minutes later and, somewhat inevitably, it was Ronaldo who got the goal, as he latched onto a slide-rule pass from the impressive James and fired high past Alves with his left foot.

Ronaldo was then withdrawn for Alvaro Arbeloa, making his final Madrid appearance at the Bernabeu, before Gomes pulled one back and Rodrigo saw red for dissent in an eventful ending to an entertaining match.

Paper Talk: Zlatan hint; Roma put fee on United, Chelsea target

Manchester United are closing in on a £250,000 a week deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Roma want £35million for Radja Nainggolan, while Man City will battle Juventus for a Real Madrid star, according to Friday morning’s newspapers.

UNITED CLOSE IN ON ZLATAN DEAL

Manchester United have reportedly met with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s representatives as they close in on a sensational summer move for the Swede.

According to the Daily Star, United  executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward hopes to tempt Ibrahimovic with a two-year deal worth a staggering £250,000-a-week – worth £24million to the player.

The 34-year-old will be a free agent in June after failing to agree a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain, where he has won four straight league titles.

Ibrahimovic is also a target of Arsenal and Chelsea, but United are willing to blow them out of the water and flex their financial muscle.

The deal on offer would make Ibrahimovic one of the highest-paid stars in English football.

A club source reportedly told the paper: “The team needs a major injection of talent and some superstar additions.

“Zlatan fits the bill. He might be getting on a bit but he can still do it at the highest level and would be worth the risk in terms of big wages because no fee is involved.”

The paper also suggests the news gives another ‘strong indication’ that Louis van Gaal is heading for the Old Trafford exit at the end of this season.

Van Gaal has clung to his job for months, despite overseeing another disappointing campaign at the helm.

But Van Gaal and Ibrahimovic have a mutual dislike for each other after falling out during their time together at Ajax in 2004.

ROMA DEMAND £35M FOR MAN UNITED AND CHELSEA TARGET

Roma have slapped a £35million price-tag on midfielder Radja Nainggolan.

That is according to Italian publication Tuttosport, who claim Roma are keen to send a clear message that they want to keep hold of the Belgian.

But the Giallorossi will reportedly consider any offer over £35m for a player they paid Cagliari £15m for in January 2014.

Football Italia claim Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester United and Serie A rivals Juventus are all interested in Nainggolan’s services.Incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is reportedly keen to make Nainggolan his first signing at Stamford Bridge, while United have been keeping tabs on him since the summer.It is unlikely Nainggolan would accept a move to Juve, however, after he mocked the Italian champions following his move to Roma last summer.”I don’t think it’s necessary to go into a star-studded team to win a trophy. I am in a great side and I want to win with the Giallorossi,” he said in July.“For me it’s better to win one trophy at Roma than 10 at Juventus.”

CITY TO BATTLE JUVENTUS FOR ISCO

Manchester City and Juventus are ready to battle it out for Real Madrid midfielder Isco and James Rodriguez could also be heading for the exit at the Bernabeu.

Isco is set to be chased out of the club by a “furious” manager Zinedine Zidane in the summer, but he won’t be short of suitors .

He is already at the centre of a tug-of-war between the Blues and Italian champions Juve after the Premier League club made further contact with the player.

The Daily Mirror understands Zidane had planned to make Isco a key part of his team, having being impressed by him when working as part of Carlo Ancelotti’s staff.

Ancelotti even compared the player’s style and potential to Zidane’s – but the new boss has been “shocked” by the playmaker’s lack of application and poor attitude since taking over.

City had a deal in place to sign former Malaga star Isco when Manuel Pellegrini arrived from that Spanish club in summer 2013, only for late interest from the Bernabeu to turn his head.

The arrival of Pep Guardiola, of whom Isco has heard only glowing reports, and the chance to earn many times in excess of his current £2million per year salary, are factors that senior City figures believe will convince the Isco to join the Etihad club.

AND THE REST

Arsenal and Liverpool have been given encouragement in their bid to sign Spain striker Alvaro Morata (Daily Mail)

Liverpool may offer striker Christian Benteke, 25, as part of a deal to land Roma’s Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, 21, who is currently on loan at Empoli (Daily Mirror)

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is preparing a summer move for Stuttgart and Serbia left winger Filip Kostic, 23, although work permit issues could hamper the move (Bild)

U21 boss Gareth Southgate says England are right to be cautious about calling up Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford (Daily Star)

Mario Gotze has been linked to Liverpool and his team mate Thomas Muller admits the 2014 World Cup final goal scorer ‘might not be satisfied at Bayern Munich’ (Daily Mail)

Leeds midfielder Lewis Cook is a £10m summer transfer target for Everton and Stoke (The Sun)

Former Swansea boss Garry Monk has emerged as a leading contender for the Aston Villa job, with Remi Garde considered likely to leave (The Sun)

World Cup winning Germany midfielder Toni Kroos thinks England have a good chance at Euro 2016 (The Sun)

Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata has been linked with a shock move to Turkish side Fenerbahce (Daily Express)

Roma have reportedly slapped a £35m price-tag on midfielder Radja Nainggolan, who is a possible target for Chelsea and Manchester United (Daily Express)

West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace are both eyeing a move for Werder Bremen midfielder Florian Grillitsch, 20 (Birmingham Mail)

Brighton & Hove Albion are giving a trial to Manchester City’s Nigeria youth international defender Nathaniel Oseni, 19 (Brighton Argus)

Newcastle United striker Adam Armstrong, 19, will stay on loan at League One Coventry City as Magpies boss Rafael Benitez does not want to scar him in a relegation fight. Armstrong has scored 19 goals in 33 league appearances for the Sky Blues (Newcastle Chronicle)

James Rodriguez chased to Madrid training ground by police after speeding

The police were an undercover unit that had spotted James speeding his black Audi. He is set to be in a lot of trouble, both for the speeding offence and also ignoring orders from police.

James Rodriguez has started 2016 in the worst way possible. Being persued by the police for driving over 200km per hour. He arrived at Real Madrid's training ground after refusing to stop for the police, and when they eventually got in past security they took his car. James had already gone through and started training. 

"We have secured a vehicle that was going 200km an hour on the M40," explained the police to Real Madrid's security. The police were an undercover unit that had spotted James speeding his black Audi. He is set to be in a lot of trouble, both for the speeding offence and also ignoring orders from police.

Five players who may leave top Euro clubs in January

With the transfer window now open, teams across the continent could look to strengthen before the end of the month. WhoScored.com take a look at five players in Europe who could be on the move from the continent’s elite.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Barcelona

After playing his part in Barcelona’s Champions League success, Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a player who will certainly be keen for regular game time.

The young German only made his debut in La Liga back in September, despite moving to Spain almost 18 months ago, and that was due to Claudio Bravo’s enforced absence. The Chilean has established himself as the club’s number one in Spain’s top tier and has shown no signs that he deserves to relinquish the position to Ter Stegen.

The 23-year-old, though, is a keeper who warrants regular action, particularly if his performances in Europe’s elite competition is anything to go by. Only Gianluigi Buffon and Fernando Muslera (both 54) have made more saves in the Champions League since the start of last season than Ter Stegen (50).

If he is to develop, a move away from Camp Nou could be on the cards having been linked with a January switch. Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the young German, who would surely be an upgrade on Simon Mignolet.

Isco – Real Madrid

While Rafa Benitez’s sacking could convince the creator to remain at the Bernabeu, Isco’s lack of first team opportunities thus far will no doubt have led him to consider that his future may lie elsewhere.

Indeed, behind the likes of Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez in the Real Madrid pecking order, the 23-year-old is another who, like Ter Stegen, needs regular game time if he wishes to realise his immense potential.

Isco has impressed for Los Blancos in the Champions League this season, with his six appearances returning a WhoScored.com rating of 7.59, the 28th best in the competition. His three assists are bettered only by five players on four.

Nonetheless, he warrants first team action, not waiting on the peripheries of the starting XI hoping for his chance to shine. Zinedine Zidane’s appointment may persuade the player to stay put for the time being, but any top team needing to acquire a creative midfielder could do far worse than test Madrid’s resolve to retain Isco’s services.

Marquinhos – PSG

For a team that has shipped just nine league goals this season, PSG have no need to alter their defence at present. The age old adage ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is certainly applicable to the Parisian outfit, who are the only team yet to lose in Europe’s top five leagues this season.

With the David Luiz-Thiago Silva axis currently Laurent Blanc’s favoured centre-back pairing, this has meant Marquinhos has often been forced to contend with a place on the bench.

A lack of first-team action has seen the young Brazilian question his future at PSG, though the player insists he will not look to leave France this month.

However, Manchester United and Chelsea have both been linked with the 21-year-old, who boasts the joint-second best pass success rate (93.8%) in Ligue 1 this season.

United and Chelsea prefer to play the ball out from the back and Marquinhos is indeed a centre-back who would match the requirements of the two teams having gained a WhoScored.com strength of ‘passing’.

Interest will intensify between now and the end of the month in the youngster’s signature, particularly if he continues to struggle for regular game time over the coming weeks.

Mario Gotze – Bayern Munich

Once dubbed the German Messi, Mario Gotze has failed to match expectations following his controversial switch from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich. Having dropped behind Thomas Muller, Douglas Costa and Arturo Vidal in the pecking order, the World Cup winner has seen his opportunities limited, with injury restricting Gotze to just four league starts this term.

One goal and three assists have contributed to a WhoScored.com rating of 7.23, though Gotze may be tempted against a move away from Bayern. With Pep Guardiola leaving at the end of the season, the slate would be wiped clean for the 23-year-old, with the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti presenting him with the chance to re-establish himself at the Allianz Arena.

However, with Euro 2016 looming and Gotze hoping to secure his place in the Germany side, a January transfer bid tempt the young attacker to consider his future at the Bundesliga champions.

Simone Zaza – Juventus

A number of teams across Europe will look to strengthen their frontline this month in a bid to achieve their seasonal goal, with many on the lookout for a new striker. They could certainly do a lot worse than move for Simone Zaza, who has struggled for regular first team action upon his permanent return to Juventus from Sassuolo.

The Italy international has made just three league starts this season, with Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata ahead of Zaza in Max Allegri’s picks.

Given reports suggest Juventus will re-sign Domenico Berardi at the end of the season, the club may entertain offers for the 24-year-old frontman this month. Tottenham are a team in need of a striker to ease the burden on Harry Kane, and so could look to Zaza as a means of swelling the attacking ranks.

The striker seems tailor made for English football and one would expect interest in his signature to increase as the transfer window’s end begins to edge closer.

Sergio Ramos' Photoshopped picture gets social networks buzzing

Sergio Ramos has set the social networks alight again, by sharing an image of the team after Madrid's 1-0 win over PSG on Tuesday night. 

There you could see Ramos, James Rodriguez, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Cheryshev, Danilo and Lucas Vázquez happy and posing in the locker room after the victory. So far, everything in order.

However, with Photoshop, he put a strategically placed ball between the legs of James Rodriguez to save the Colombian star's dignity. 

See the photo yourself here: 

Benitez will not take any risks with James Rodriguez

The Colombian midfielder returns to the squad for Tuesday night's match with Paris Saint-Germain after nearly two months out of action. 

Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez says he will not take any risks with James Rodriguez. 

However, Benitez insists that there shouldn't be too much emphasis place on him.

"James is better," the former Liverpool manager told a press conference on Monday. 

"He's a player that has now gone a long time without playing with the teamafter his relapse. 

"He is still lacking match fitness, but he's available, although that does not mean he can start playing 90 minutes." 

Benitez added that Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale -- who will both miss the visit of PSG -- are on track with their respective recoveries. 

However, they are not quite ready to be thrown into the action on Tuesday. 

They could, possibly, be back in the squad for Sunday's trip to Sevilla, though.

The mafioso who kickstarted James Rodriguez’s soccer career

Colombia’s James Rodriguez, now a renowned soccer player for Spanish club Real Madrid, was first scouted and trained by a crime lord and former partner of Pablo Escobar.

Today James is one of the highest earning soccer players worldwide, which was perhaps made possible due to the keen eye of organized crime lord Gustavo Upegui who was the first to spot the players’ talent.

According to a report by Las 2 Orillas, Upegui, the man responsible for Rodriguez’s success at such a young age, was renowned in the 1990s as chief of the Office of Envigado, an enforcement arm of Escobar’s Medellin Cartel.

As was the fashion among other infamous drug lords at the time, Upegui decided to buy the Envigado soccer club, a modest second division Colombian team next to Medellin. His plan was to scout for young talent who he could then bring onboard to revitalize the club.

Out of the players who were scouted, Rodriguez was the most significant, however, others included Fredy Guarin, Juan Fernando Quintero and Dorlan Parbon.

The 24-year-old mid-fielder James was born in the northeastern Colombian city of Cucuta. Upegui first saw James play, however, in the 2003 Pony Championships, soccer competition for under 13-year-old youths in Medellin. The 11-year-old James was snapped up by Upegui as soon as the game he was playing in ended, but not before a deal was made with his parents.

Maria del Pilar Rubio, Rodriguez’s mother, and stepfather Juan Carlos, agreed that Upegui could train their son at Independiente Medellin to then try him as a professional soccer player for the Envigado club, but on the condition that the capo would move the family from Ibague, where they were living at the time, to Medellin.

Upegui met their requests, and then some. The family were put up in a “good apartment,” right next door to the El Dorado soccer field where the team practiced, and Rubio and Restrepo were sorted out with jobs.

Although it was clear that the young boy had talent, Independiente Medellin were concerned that his small stature would be a hindrance, so gave up on him, leaving Upegui as the owner of the player’s rights.

Upegui was not discouraged by the teen’s small stature because he had already thought of the solution: steroids.

While 14-year-old Rodriguez was becoming a dedicated player, committed to his training, with big aspirations keeping him focused, Upegui was getting more and more entangled in the Office of Envigado world of kidnapping and extortion. At one point he became so powerful, be became known as the “Mayor of Envigado.”

In 2006, 14-year-old James was ready to debut his professional career. Under the firm instruction of Upegui, coach Hugh Gallego handed over the orange, number 10 shirt in January of that year, where the player launched his successful professional career playing a match against his birth city’s Cucuta Deportivo team.

While Rodriguez’s career grew by leaps and bounds, Upegui’s met its end in a way that was typical to his career choice.

In February 2006, the crime boss and soccer club owner was shot dead by 8 assassins dressed as policemen who “raided” his home. Daniel Mejia, his rival in the Office of Envigado, met the same fate 2 months later for making the decision without the approval of the cartel.

Following the demise of Upegui, under the supervision of his mother, Rodriguez flew to Buenos Aires to try his luck, where he ended up playing for Bansfield, where, at the age of 18, he lifted the Argentinian Football Association trophy.

In a recent publication, Restrepo, Rodriguez’s step father recognized that “the only one to believe in us was Don Gustavo Upegui.”