Yes, my lazy arse is finally back to posting. Sorry I’ve neglected you for the past few days. I got back from Philly late on Saturday night and spent almost all of Sunday fast asleep. I was worn out! Didn’t even turn on my computer. Shout outs to Team Sweaty Shanks (DK, J-9, Shiggers & ginboonmiller) who accompanied me on the journey and awesome watishistas mygypsyspirit, conflictedinspain, Mandi & blackwidow who we got to meet up with. I really enjoyed hanging out with you ladies! I’m so sunburned that I glow in the dark and I could sleep for another week straight, but I had a wonderful time at the pre-season matches.
RM arrived in Spain yesterday (exceptions being the La Roja players that were called up). They didn’t waste any time hauling arse outta there after the game. Heck, Mesut posted a shot of them on the plane while we were enjoying our post-match pints.
This last picture blew a theory I had out of the water. We didn’t see Pepe at all during the match vs. Celtic so we thought perhaps he had headed back to Spain early because Ana Sofia was having the baby but there he is. So where was he on Saturday? Well, it seems that he has sprained his ankle and will miss Portugal’s friendly.
Watishista Gigi sent us some great shots of Pepe practicing for fatherhood by holding that cute bebe at UCLA.
Speaking of international friendlies, the following players have been called up from Real Madrid for the matches on August 15th.
Turkey – Sahin (Austria vs. Turkey)
Argentina – Di María, Higuaín (Argentina vs. Germany)
Germany – Khedira, Özil (Argentina vs. Germany)
Portugal – Coentrão, Ronaldo (Portugal vs. Panama)
Spain – Albiol, Alonso, Arbeloa, Casillas, Ramos. Also called up for La Roja: Reina, Valdes, Pique, Monreal, Juanfran,Busquets, Cazorla, Fabregas, Iniesta,Silva, Navas, Pedro, Llorente and Fernando Torres. (Spain vs. Puerto Rico) The RM players flew directly to Puerto Rico from the US and are staying at the Ritz Carlton San Juan.
France – Benzema, Varane (France vs. Uruguay) Watishista Matea sent us a link to this great video highlighting The Baby’s first call up to the senior team. Here’s a shot of him arriving at Clairefontaine.
Nuri tweeted that he was glad to play for his country, but he’s going to miss his baby son. Aw! I’d love to see a picture of little Omer.
Here’s some Xabi talking about the upcoming La Liga season. I can’t wait for it to start!
And another video from Kick TV with Mou & Iker being interviewed in NYC. I miss them already!
Our fine gentlemen (sans internationals) return to training on the 15th so that will give us a couple of days to catch up on the pre-season. I haven’t even looked at my pictures yet.
So what else was out there in the land of social media? Lots and lots of pictures. Let’s start with Nuri. He posted a couple of shots from pre-season.
Iker, not to be outdone, posted a bunch of pictures including one with Mariano Rivera.
I’ve gotta admit, one of my favorite parts of the weekend was the meeting of Kaka-lovin’ mygypsyspirit and Kaka-tormented Shiggers. They reached detente although neither of them is going to change their feelings in the slightest. Beer: the great equalizer. (Again, we had such a great time! Wish you all could have been there).
Calleti & Marta seemed to be overjoyed to be reunited. They posted a bunch of pictures including some with Paula. (For those that don’t know, Paula is Marta’s daughter from a previous relationship, but Jose is super close with with her and considers her his child).
The feeling is obviously mutual as Marta posted this sweet shot saying “Jose, through Paula’s eyes.”
Calleti also posted a shot with his buddy El Pirata on the flight back to Madrid. Eat a sandwich, Pirata! I’m starting to worry about you!
Marcelo is back home and he looks happy about it as well. He posted some shots with Enzo and of his silver medal. Hardest part of that final was watching him and Neymar cry, but Mexico fought like lions and deserved that win.
He also posted a shot with his “bro” Pepe. I’m happy these two will be reunited soon!
Neymar posted a bunch of pictures of the Brazil Olympic team and as per usual, himself, but they’re fun pictures so here you go. I especially love the one of Marcelo & Pato.
Guess he’s also missing his baby and shouting out his bromantic partner, because he posted shots with Davi Lucca and Ganso.
Acknowledging your boo seems to be a theme lately, because Silva posted a shot of Villa and said he was glad he was back. I concur. I’ve missed him and his bitchface.
Silva also posted some shots with the Community Shield which Manchester City won yesterday. Here he is with Nigel De Jong and Kun Aguero.
More to come as soon as I catch my breath. Several of you have sent in match pix – we’ll have to sort and watermark them but we will get them up!
– Lozil
Of Headbands and Heartbreak
watishistacorrespondents
Of Headbands and Heartbreak... 
I’m still on post gold medal high, I’m proud of my Mexican boys, but seeing Marcelo cry dampened my spirits I caught myself cheering for him and I had to stop myself. I can’t wait for the new season to start and I’m glad to hear you all had a good time watching the boys play one day I’ll see them live too.
That was me during the Mexico Brazil friendly earlier this summer. I was able to go and I’m there with my Mexico jersey and all my family but whenever Marcelo was on the attack I couldnt help but smile. As for Barca your ultra bright fugly kits crack me up every time.
God, those kits hurt my eyes. Who decides on these things? Who said, “Yes! That is the look we’re going for!”
I know, right? I always wonder if the decision process includes questions like: “Will this put the fear in out opponents or will they think we are total alcoholic pushovers?”
So many emotions and not enough time to express them at the moment! It was awesome to meet Team Sweaty Shanks! Hope we can do it again
This Marta looks much too young to have a child that age… as in; wow she is beautiful and I wouldnt mind looking like her. And her daughter’s picture is adorbs.
I love that the boys are missing their ‘bros.’ That’s so sweet. And look at Marcelo and Enzo and their doggies. All together now… “Awwwwwww.”