A Quick Catch Up

They’re like a Spanish/Portuguese Mod Squad

Well, I survived my conference. I’ve been sleeping the bulk of the last 2 days trying to recover. So, so tired!

While 14 of our boys were off on international duty, the rest of the team has been hard at work having three training sessions thus far.

TUESDAY

Arbie, Nacho, Marcelo, Fabio, Jesé and Pacheco trained outside while Dani & Illarra stayed inside the facilities.

WEDNESDAY

Arbie, Nacho, Marcelo, Fabio and Jesé trained with Castilla, Illara & Fabio did separate running drills and Pacheco did ‘keeper specific work on another pitch.

THURSDAY

Arbie, Nacho, Marcelo, Fabio, Jesé and Pacheco trained outside again while Dani & Illarra worked out inside.

Lots of awards were bestowed recently as well. Cristiano won both the Pichichi and Alfredo Di Stéfano trophies for the 2013-2014 seasons.
FROM REALMADRID.COM

Cristiano Ronaldo is presented with the Pichichi and Alfredo Di Stéfano trophies for the 2013-14 season
by Javier Garcia

“Every year I try to improve on the last and I’ll keep working like I have been up until now”, he said before the Marca Awards Ceremony began.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to pick up accolades. The Portuguese man was the centre of attention at the Marca Award Ceremony, an event celebrating the most outstanding players from the 2013/14 La Liga season. During the ceremony, which took place in the Madrid City Council’s Galería de Cristal, he was presented with the Alfredo Di Stéfano and Pichichi awards for being last season’s best player and top scorer, thanks to the 31 goals he racked up.

Real Madrid’s first vice president, Fernando Fernández Tapias, was the club’s most senior representative at the ceremony. Cristiano, who picked up the Golden Shoe on Wednesday, has now added a second Pichichi trophy to his collection, having already received the prize for the 2010/11 season. Additionally, this is the third year in a row that he has been recognised as La Liga’s best player.

Cristiano offered a few words after accepting his awards: “It would be good to pick up these awards again next year, it would be a sign that I have performed well. My aim is to win things with my team, but also to win things individually. I work hard so that I can win these trophies”.

“Everyone has their own way of doing things. Playing football is what I enjoy doing most and I want it to be that way until my career comes to an end. I will never tire of it. Am I at my peak? I was asked the same question last year. Maybe I am”.

“Every year I try to improve on the last, although the day will come when I am no longer able to do that. I am extremely happy at the moment, the team is doing well, we are improving all the time. My stats and goals tally aren’t too shabby and I will keep working like I have been up until now”.

Tribute to Alfredo Di Stéfano
“Sir Alfredo will not be presenting me with the award today and that saddens me. He was a legend and I have a lot of admiration for him. I have watched a lot of his videos and he was a phenomenon. I feel a connection with him and that motivates me to keep working. I got to know him when I moved to Madrid and he won us all over. He was an exceptional person”.

The German National Team were presented with their country’s highest sporting award, the Silver Laurel Leaf and Sami & Toni were on hand.

And even though I don’t have time to catch up right now with the national teams, here are some pictures from La Roja’s call up. Hopefully, I can get a few more posts up this weekend.

How insanely handsome does Calleti look? I am so happy for him. And it’s nice to see Morata & Isco reunited and both on the senior side. I believe the children are our future, y’all!

(Additional photos from GF Sports, MGEF and UEFA.com)

– Lozil