Real Madrid

If James Rodriguez is a Golden Boy, then he plays like one as well. We have all heard of a Golden Boy, or Golden Girl, who always did or said the right thing, and more so than that, always did the exceptional thing exceptionally well.

Looking through the honors of James’ on-field career, we see that same ability. He has been voted young player of the year in Argentina, player of the year in France, won the golden boot at the World Cup, and scored FIFA’s goal of the year.

This past week Cristiano Ronaldo scored yet another goal in the Champions League. It was his 12th goal in seven such games this year, and his 89th goal in the competition all time — effectively breaking and extending his own Champions League goal-scoring record. 

In an interview with BT Sport, Rafa Benitez opened up about the complications of working under the high-pressure conditions at Real Madrid. Benitez was sacked after just seven months in charge of Los Blancos, despite losing just three times while at the helm. 

"You have to do everything perfect," Benitez told Gary Lineker. "As soon as something is wrong, or the chairman thinks something is wrong, then you start having problems." 

The Champions League Round of 16 continued today with a number of goals between the two matches. AS Roma hosted Real Madrid at Stadio Olimpico, while VFL Wolfsburg traveled to KAA Gent. 

Cristiano Ronaldo and co. defeated AS Roma 2-0 with CR7 opening the scoring in the 57th minute with a beautiful curling effort into the top left of the box. Subsititute Jesé came on for James Rodgriuez in the 82nd minute and, four minutes later, scored another crucial away goal for Los Blancos.

Cristiano Ronaldo has not scored a goal away from Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in over two months. His last goal in a road game was on November 29, 2015, when he scored the final goal in a Real Madrid 2-0 against Eibar in Ipurua.

Coincidentally, that was also Los Blancos' last win as a visitor until two weeks ago, when, thanks to a Luka Modric goal, Real Madrid got a 2-1 win at Granada.

Cristiano Ronaldo is pretty good at soccer. Let's not forget that. That being said, Cristiano Ronaldo's form this season has led people to whisper about a "decline" at Real Madrid, which we think is pretty ridiculous. So, we decided to take a closer look. 

Today, when we think of Ronaldo scoring we think of Ronaldo’s trademark celebration, in which he jumps, spins, and goes super saiyan. He does it nearly every time he scores, and he has made it his trademark. People across the world mimic it, even professional athletes in other sports like Odell Beckham Jr. But, this was not the first original celebration that Ronaldo invented.

The No. 9 in soccer, traditionally the number reserved for the team's starting striker, has been the subject of various discussion points over the last few years. From arguments revolving around the importance of the position in modern tactics to the belief that the No. 9 is being phased out of the game, doubts have been cast upon the future of the role.

The second black player to represent England at any level and the first British player to transfer to Real Madrid, Laurie Cunningham was a footballing pioneer and a legend of his own time. His premature death at 33 years of age cut short the career of a player who “was as good as Cristiano Ronaldo” according to Spanish manager, and former Real teammate, Vincente del Bosque. 

Real Madrid and the New York Yankees: the two franchises — which are separated by more than 3500 miles and play two entirely different sports — are shockingly similar when you compare them. When it comes to both teams' histories, finances, star players, and championships it’s hard not to see the similarities in their influence worldwide.