:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5206015/136738552.jpg)
While Jose Mourinho has said over and over again that no one is coming or leaving during the winter transfer window, these rumors still exist in one form or another. I have a few transfer posts coming up, but right now let's delve into another edition of Bernabeu Bites, so we have something to distract us from all the Kaka talk in recent days.
Honorary President and Real Madrid Legend Alfredo Di Stefano had a bit of a chit chat with Cristiano Ronaldo and set him straight about the boos he's been getting lately. Frankly, I think it's a tad bit ridiculous, but fans do have short- term memories.
The "blonde arrow" is right, as he tells us (and I assume Ronaldo as well): the customer is always right.
"The whistles against Cristiano Ronaldo? The people in the crowd are the ones who pay, and they are always right," said Di Stefano to Agencia Atlas. "If the spectators demand from the players that they do their utmost and score goals, the players shouldn't question this. "The fans are always right. If they whistle or jeer someone, it's because they want him to be effective."
The other thing to come out of this whole mess is the rumor that Ronaldo isn't happy now and is looking to make his return to Premier League side Manchester United. I can bet dollars to doughnuts that the only reason he's been linked to United is because he's told the press in the past he wouldn't mind a return to the Red Devils at some point in his career and that you should never rule anything out.
One of the names Real Madrid's been linked to since the opening of the winter window is attacking midfielder Eden Hazard of Ligue 1 side Lille. The Belgian international has also been linked to the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Inter Milan and Arsenal. But you can put that rumor to bed, because he isn't leaving France, according to Lille's Academy Director Jean-Micheal Vandamme.
"We have received some very interesting propositions for Hazard, but the player will stay with us until at least the end of the season. He certainly won't leave until then."
When given word that there would be at least two more Clasico's this season, Real Madrid Skipper Iker Casillas didn't seem all that happy about it ; maybe it's getting watered down too much by so many matches.
"When there are few it's agreeable [but] when there are a lot you get tired [of them]," he is quoted as saying by Mundo Deportivo. "In my opinion, as we’ve played so many games, sometimes feels a little decaffeinated."
I personally agree with this, and think that anything outside of the Liga season shouldn't be called Clasicos. Everything else should just remain as regular matches.
FC Barcelona have sent fullback Maxwell to Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain for 4 million euros. The 30-year-old defender arrived from Inter Milan during the 2008/2009 season. He helped his Barca teammates hoist 10 trophies in that timespan. PSG is out to spend money during this window, and I don't think they're done yet.
"FC Barcelona wants to show its gratitude for the effort and willingness Maxwell has shown since he arrived at the club and for the contribution he made to the sporting successes achieved," Barca said on their website
In more celebrity-related news, Michel Telo, a Brazilian singer (of whom I've personally never heard of) visited the Bernabeu. If you follow the link, then you'll see he got a jersey and a picture with Brazilian teammates Kaka and Marcelo. Apparently, he has a number one hit in Brazil and Europe.
Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer seems to have smoked his corn flakes instead of enjoying them with milk. According to Neuer, his Bundesliga team is on par with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
"Our chances in Europe have a lot to do with form on the day," Neuer said on Bayern's official website. "We've turned in a number of good displays in the Champions League. If we can repeat that or even improve it, we're on a par with Barcelona or Real Madrid."
Though he does have a point, on any given day the tide can turn. And while Bayern Munich are a solid club, saying his team is on par with Madrid or Barcelona is stretching it a bit, don't you think?
Speaking of the Bundesliga, Mario Gotze of Borussia Dortmund has apparently appealed to his former teammate and current Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Şahin to return to Dortmund.
"I am sure that Nuri will do well and succeed at Real Madrid, but if he were to move, I can only hope he'll come back here. "And as a friend and a very strong player, he would be welcomed back with open arms."
For the first time 70 years, Levante have reached the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey and they did it in a convincing fashion (even though it was a Segunda team), beating Alcoron 5-2 on aggregate. What's even more surprising is that they're one of the poorer teams in la Liga and sit in fourth place. They will take on third place club Valencia in the quarters.
FC Barcelona ,while advancing to the quarter finals against Real Madrid, suffered a couple injuries in the tie with Osasuna. Pedro Rodriquez picked up a hamstring injury, which will have him out for the next 10 days or so. This means he'll be missing this weekend's tie with Real Betis, the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarters along with next weekend's clash with Malaga.
Twenty-two-year-old center half Andreu Fontas is a whole different story. He's going to be out for at least six months as he tore his ACL during the tie with Osasuna. He had only made five appearances for the Blaugrana across all competitions, but it could still take a nick out of Barca's depth. Keep in mind, they are still without the services of David Villa and Ibrahim Afellay, who are out due to injuries.