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Monday Kickoff: Ronaldo signs new Madrid deal; Kaka sidelined; and more

CristianoRonaldoSignsContract2013 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

For the second time this season, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has locked in one of the best players in the world to a long-term contract at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

The club announced on Sunday afternoon that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new five-year contract, one that will keep him as a Madrid player through the age of 33. The deal also marks an improved yearly salary, which according to Spanish publication Marca, makes Ronaldo the highest-paid player in the world at €17 million ($22.7 million) per season.

“He is, and he will be, forever a ‘Madridista’,” Perez said to Marca at a press conference to announce the contract signing. “We believe Cristiano can continue this incredible dynasty of unique players with the ability to make history for the club.”

Since moving to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, the Portuguese international has racked up insane goal totals, averaging at least one per game in each of the last three seasons. In total, Ronaldo has scored 203 goals for ‘Los Blancos’, which includes two this season.

Ronaldo’s contract extension follows Madrid’s reported $132 million transfer signing of Gareth Bale, who is reportedly making €11 million per season.

Here are some more stories to get your week kicked off:

KAKA RULED OUT WITH INJURY

It wasn’t exactly a debut to remember for Ricardo Kaka.

Making his first appearance for AC Milan since returning to Italy just before the close of the transfer window, Kaka only lasted 70 minutes before leaving due to injury in Milan’s 2-2 draw with Torino, a game that arguably should have gone Torino’s way if not for a 96th minute penalty kick goal by Mario Balotelli.

On Monday, Milan revealed an update on Kaka’s injury, calling it a “left adductor (hip) injury” and that in ten days he’d be re-evaluated by the club’s medical staff. A number of outlets in Italy have reported that the former World Player of the Year is likely to miss at least a month due to the injury, and Kaka’s reportedly asked for the club to withhold his salary until he returns to full fitness.

The news is a huge blow to Kaka, who struggled to find consistency due to injuries and lack of playing time in his four years at Real Madrid.

QUICK KICKS

Arsene Wenger has ruled midfielder Santi Cazorla out for at least three weeks due to an ankle injury, while Olivier Giroud is in a race against time to heal a knock to his knee. (REPORT)

Vincent Kompany has been named in Manchester City’s traveling squad to face Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. It’s Kompany’s first selection since injuring his hamstring one month ago. (REPORT)

Manchester United have finally included Shiji Kagawa in their squad to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday. (REPORT)

Mexican international midfielder Pablo Barrera is set to miss six monthsa of action after tearing ligaments in his right knee. (REPORT)

Ahead of Sampdoria’s match against Genoa on Sunday, which resulted in a 3-0 victory to Genoa, Samp officials caught Genoa youth team coach Lucas De Pra hiding in the trees near the training ground, spying on the Samp training session. De Pra was dressed in army fatigues. (REPORT)

Boca Juniors are now just two points from leaders Newell’s Old Boys, following a 2-0 victory against Racing Club on Saturday. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Ronaldo staying at Madrid until 2018? Do you like Egypt’s chances? Surprised that Kaka was injured in his first game with Milan?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Kaka pullin’ an Onyewu.

    i’ve always liked Kaka and wish he got more of a chance in Madrid, but this is one reason why. unfortunately. i hope that when he comes to MLS, these issues magically go away.

    Reply
    • Just hope he doesn’t come to my Red Bulls. That ship has sailed. It was exciting at one point but he can go elsewhere now.

      We need to stop being a league that signs aging and injury-prone DP’s. They were needed at one point to raise the profile of the league but the league is at a point where it’s beginning to be respected overseas. Let’s start bringing in DP’s who can actually compete and raise the competitive bar here.

      Good luck to whichever team gets Kaka as its DP but I just hope it’s not us.

      Reply
      • well, i disagree that signing Kaka would be bad for the league. he can absolutely compete and bring invaluable experience to the players. but he certainly does seem to be injury prone now. either way, it’ll be Orlando’s problem.

  2. Funny how Madrid inflate their own players’ salaries to keep them in the least competitive league in Europe. Sadly, they haven’t even been in a Champions League final since 2002.

    Reply
    • Disagree. I think it would be hilarious and wouldn’t do Mexico any lasting harm. Plus we can taunt them about it for the next several years.

      Reply
  3. The possibilities of a world cup without Mexico and Ghana makes me smile. It not as much disliking as it is enjoying the idea of Panama and Egypt making it to the World Cup.

    Reply

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