Bale, Ballon d'Or: Bernabéu Bites 10-29-2013

• The Guardian has revealed the 23-man shortlist for the Fifa Ballon d'Or 2013, which will be awarded in early January. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have been included in the shortlist, with Bale's inclusion coming on the heels of a monster Premier League season with Tottenham Hotspur. Former Madridista and current Arsenal player Mesut Özil also made the cut.

• On the subject of Gareth Bale, Carlo Ancelotti has said that Madridistas need to be patient with the Welshman's development as the player slowly adapts to life and football in Spain. According to Carletto, the winger's price tag did not influence his decision to field the player against Barcelona on Saturday. Ancelotti said, "For me, Bale is a player the same as any other. I think he was a good signing for Real Madrid. Bale played because in my opinion he could play and create problems for Barcelona - only because of that."

• Barcelona midfielder and former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas has offered words of encouragement for Gareth Bale as Madrid's record-signing settles in after moving from the Premier League to La Liga. According to Sky Sports, Fabregas said, "It's up to him. He's got a lot of pressure. One hundred million euros is massive, but I think great players are great players. He will overcome this, I'm sure he will." Fabregas noted that La Liga is generally more tactical than the Premier League and therefore players require some time to adapt to the style of play.

• According to MARCA, Xabi Alonso will enjoy his first minutes of the 2013-2014 season against Sevilla tomorrow night. While the "Red Beard" will not start, he will get a run-out after months on the sideline recovering from a groin injury followed by a metatarsal fracture in his foot. For once, we hope MARCA actually gets this bit of lineup news right.

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