Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo's five-game ban for shoving a referee during the Spanish Super Cup has ended. This is good news for Madrid fans because, barring a promising win over Real Sociedad this weekend, they have not been the fire-breathing galactico dragon we all thought we were going to see.

Consecutive draws against Valencia and Levante put Madrid four points down from Barcelona, but now that the second-best player in the world is returning from suspension, Madrid will no longer have to rely on the heroics of Borja Mayoral to win games.

Isco, the best player in the world on current form according to The18's Connor Fleming, has agreed to a new contract at Real Madrid that runs through the 2021-2022 season.

Here's Real Madrid's official statement:

There’s no fighting the feeling that the Champions League group stage has become more and more of a nonevent over the past few years. Over the course of this week’s action, we watched Chelsea hammer Qarabag 6-0, PSG pummel Celtic 5-0 and Manchester City put four unanswered past Feyenoord. Even the marquee matchup between Barcelona and Juventus had the feeling of an International Champions Cup match being played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. 

Real Madrid have missed Cristiano Ronaldo. The groomed one hasn’t suited up for Real Madrid since August August 23rd as CR7 is serving a 5 game suspension in La Liga for pushing a referee against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. Cristiano is eligible to play in the Champions League and it was only right for him to open the scoring vs APOEL.

Over on FS2, Real Madrid lead 1-0!

Gareth Bale has finally admitted what we’ve long known. In a recent interview the Wales and Real Madrid winger said his greatest flaw is that he is lazy.

Yep, just like you and me, Bale would rather sit on a couch watching Rick and Morty while eating Cheetos than score goals. And we have proof.

A recent interview with Espanyol midfielder Esteban Granero by Spanish daily El Pais has revealed a hilarious and insightful anecdote involving a 15-year-old Lionel Messi and a clash between the youth teams of Real Madrid and Barcelona.