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Welcome to Bernabeu Bites, where every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday we take you around the world of Real Madrid, la Liga and even through in some European football - all in tasty bite size form. So grab your favorite beverage, sit back, relax and enjoy!
While Real Madrid and Racing Santander played to a draw yesterday (ugh), midfield creator Xabi Alonso celebrated his 100th appearance in white. While he was a product of the Real Sociedads Academy, he went on to gain stardom with Premier League side Liverpool. He made his official debut for los blancos on August 29 of 2009 against Deportivo.
Diego Maradona, yes that Maradona, tried to force Real Madrid and by extension, Jose Mourinho, into signing Sergio Aguero during the summer transfer window. Did I mention that Aguero is married to Maradona's daughter? Oh, well, yeah, there is that.
"I had given advice to Real to sign Aguero," Maradona, now coach of Al Wasl in Dubai said.
"I told Mourinho he’s very good and would fit into Real’s plans and style of play. He would have made them much more competitive and they would have risen to the same level as Barcelona. I really believe they lost out when they didn’t sign him."
In not so good news, Real Zargoza striker Braulio has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. The 26-year-old Brazilian was detained by the Civil Guard. The supposed act was that of 'touching'; the victim reported the act to the Civil Guard and was take into custody, where the alleged touching took place.
In one of the more ridiculous stories I've read this morning, it seems that Kaka might head to Paris St. Germain come the January transfer window. It's only September and we're hearing more transfer rumors already? I would be highly surprised if this deal actually went down, though if there's a team in Ligue 1 that could pay Kaka, it would be PSG. Though again, I doubt it, considering the lack of depth on Real Madrid's bench.
Valencia, who picked up a draw against FC Barcelona yesterday and sit a top the la Liga table, have lost their captain-- Midfielder David Albelda picked up a spinal contusion in yesterday's match. He's ruled out for Valencia's weekend match against Sevilla, and may even miss their Champions League tie against Chelsea.
While FIFA has shunned things such as replay or goal line technology, they now seem to be moving forward. True, not on either of those subjects, but FIFA is working towards a web-based transfer system. Yes, you read that right.
FIFA legal director Marco Villiger said Wednesday the web-based system would allow FIFA to check every international transfer payment. In time, the system could also function as a resource for clubs to see which players are on the market.
The governing body already set up an online database last year to match transfer documents from clubs involved in a transaction, a first step in curbing financial corruption and stopping cross-border deals involving minors.
The only thing that comes into my head is some poor manager out there who can't get his transfers done because his basket is full and the website is down. But hey, for FIFA, this might be a step in the right technological direction.