Real Madrid top Barcelona on business side

MARCA has reported that the financial records of both clubs will be made public soon, where we will see that Real did better business last season than Barcelona.

Everything from player transfers, television rights, and championship wins accounted for the money made for the two sides. Real Madrid made just over €748 million to beat out Barcelona’s €686 million total.

MARCA’s report also mentions speculation that Real Madrid and Adidas are negotiating a new deal, one that will be the biggest kit agreement in football history. It also rumors that Florentino Perez will be requesting a loan of about €550 million for the new refurbishment of the Bernabéu.

Fiorentina’s Gerson idolizes Modric and Kroos

21-year-old Brazilian midfielder Gerson has given two of his inspirations in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“In the Fluminense youths I started from the middle. Then I was advanced in the role of an external attacker. But I love being a midfielder.”

“Modric and Kroos [are my idols]. But as a kid I grew crazy for Robinho. A genius. I could watch movies for hours with his technical gestures.”

It’s interesting seeing today’s youth players idolizing and modeling their games after players that are still with Real and still at their peak. While Robinho hasn’t played in Madrid for a while, Modric and Kroos are clearly having an impact on young midfielders.

There’s a certain surreal feeling seeing players like Modric and Kroos having the same affect on younger players now that players like Zidane had in the near past. And, no doubt, now that Gerson has said this he’ll be endlessly linked with Real Madrid, it’s only customary.

Mariano dreams of Spain call-up

Real’s newest (re)signing Mariano Diaz has revealed his dream of playing for the Spanish team and Luis Enrique. It was earlier reported on the site, in the same COPE interview, about the decision for Mariano to select the number 7 shirt. He was also asked if he watched the Spain-Croatia match.

“Yes, I did see it and of course I dream of Luis Enrique’s call.”

He was obviously very brief here, but he got his point across. Mariano was born in Spain, but has only ever played for the Dominican team. Playing for the Spanish team would require to really take the next big jump in his footballing career.

He has yet to play in a Real match, there’s been only one since he joined, but he will have to prove his worthiness if he does want his dream to come true.