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      Karim Benzema has scored four more goals than EVERY other Real Madrid attacker put together to ‘win LaLiga on his own’

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      REAL MADRID secured their 34th LaLiga title on Thursday night and Karim Benzema is the man they have to thank the most.
      While Los Blancos are traditionally an attacking side packed with star power, the Frenchman has been their only consistent goal-getting force.

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      Benzema once again bagged a brace as Villarreal were swept asideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The 32-year-old has so far enjoyed his joint-second best season in the Spanish top-flight with 21 goals from 36 games.
      Real may be used to past heroes such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul beating that tally, but no other forward comes close to Benzema this season.
      In fact, he has four more league goals than every other Madrid forward combined.
      Vinicius Junior is the next-best striker with three goals, ahead of Gareth Bale, Lucas Vazquez, Luka Jovic, Marco Asensio and Rodrygo Goes with two each.

      Eden Hazard, Isco, James Rodriguez and Mariano Diaz all can count just a single goal in LaLiga.
      That means the ten most attacking players supplementing Benzema, 11 if you include the goalless Brahim Diaz, have 17 strikes between them – four fewer than the Frenchman.

      Benzema should win the Ballon d’Or.”
      Florentino Perez

      Such a dominant display has led to suggestions that he won LaLiga on his own although Sergio Ramos chipped in with a very healthy tally of ten goals.
      Real president Florentino Perez suggested after the game that Benzema deserves true recognition for his exploits this year.

      He said: “Benzema should win the Ballon d’Or. I have not seen any player have as good a year as him.”
      Zinedine Zidane added: “In football, everyone can have a say. For me, my players are the best.
      “Karim is not only this year, he has done very well for many years.
      “The Ballon d’Or is won by only one, and everyone can comment, but for me all my players deserve it.”

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      Benzema and Co lifted the LaLiga trophy on Thursday nightCredit: Reuters

      Not only has Benzema scored plenty of goals, but they have also been of huge importance.
      Five of Real’s six goals as they won their last three games were netted by the forward, with Ferland Mendy’s opener versus Granada assisted by him.
      Benzema also netted the winner in crucial clashes with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, as well December’s late equaliser against Valencia.
      Madrid will hope he can revive their Champions League campaign when they head to Manchester City for the second leg of their last-16 tie next month.

      Watch Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema’s disallowed cheeky penalty routine More

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      Fans joke Gareth Bale tried to INJURE his Real Madrid team-mates as he kicks ankles in bizarre title celebration video

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      GARETH BALE didn’t even feature during Real Madrid’s LaLiga title-winning game against Villarreal but he is the talk of social media due to his antics after the match.
      The Welsh winger has hit the headlines for bizarrely kicking the ankles of his team-mates during the celebrations, while also failing to join in on lifting boss Zinedine Zidane in the air.

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      Gareth Bale was filmed appearing to try and trip up his team-mates as he celebrated Real Madrid’s LaLiga title triumphCredit: Twitter / @realmadriden

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      Fans have taken to social media where they have joked Bale is trying to injure members of the Los Blancos squadCredit: Twitter / @realmadriden

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      Bale failed to get in on the act as his team-mates lifted Zinedine Zidane in the airCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Los Blancos clinched a record-extending 34th Spanish Championship after beating Javier Calleja’s side 2-1 on Thursday night.
      But Bale – who turned 31 on the day he became a two-time LaLiga champion – wasn’t in the best of moods as he failed to come off from the bench for a sixth consecutive match.
      And he let it be known as he failed to get involved when his team-mates hoisted Zizou in the air as he awkwardly looked on despite being just metres away from the Frenchman.
      Bale caused controversy last week when he was snapped pretending to sleep during the clash against Alaves – before he mocked Zidane in Monday’s win over Granada by using a roll of tape as pretend binoculars.

      And he continues to display his frustration, with the ex-Tottenham star filmed by Real tentatively celebrating with the rest of the squad as they surrounded the LaLiga trophy.
      He was spotted celebrating in a half-hearted fashion as he uncomfortably raised his fists.
      KICK IT OUT
      But it is his bizarre display of affection that has left fans in stitches after a video has showed him appearing to attempt to trip up his team-mates on the pitch at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
      Commenting on the clip, one supporter tweeted: “What is Bale trying to do here, this guy man.”

      To which one fan said: “Haha try to get some injured haha he is so f** hilarious love him.”
      Another quipped: “I thought I was the only one that saw it. He’s like I’ll injure one of them maybe I’ll get a start.”
      One simply stated: “This guy isn’t right in the head.”

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      Bale looked unbothered as the Real Madrid squad jubilantly celebrated their LaLiga title winCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      A fifth added: “These things just make me love him more.”
      Another quipped: “Injure all the outfield players so that Zidane is forced to play you. Genius.”
      It was reported earlier in the week that such is the desire for Real to get Bale off their books, they are willing to pay him off for his final two years of his contract.

      Watch birthday-boy Gareth Bale’s half-hearted celebrations as Real Madrid win LaLiga title after latest Zinedine Zidane snub More

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      Lionel Messi slams ‘weak’ and ‘erratic’ Barcelona team-mates and fears for Champions League hopes after Real title win

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      LIONEL MESSI has blasted his team-mates after Barcelona lost the LaLiga title to Real Madrid.
      The Argentine superstar dubbed them “weak” and “erratic” and cast doubt over their chances of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.

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      Lionel Messi called his teammates ‘weak and erratic’ after Barcelona lost the LaLiga title to Real Madrid

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      Real won the league for the first time since 2016/17
      Real bagged their first LaLiga title since 2016/17 with a 2-1 home win against Villareal yesterday while Barca lost by the same scoreline at home to Osasuna.
      And Messi, 33, said: “We didn’t want to end the season like this but it represents how the season has gone.
      “We were a very erratic, very weak, low-intensity team. We lost a lot of points and today’s game is a summary of the season.
      “We have to be self-critical. Starting with the players but doing a global self-criticism.
      “We are Barca and we have to win everything.
      “We can’t look at Madrid. Madrid have done their job, but we have helped them a lot.”
      And Messi also cast doubt over Barca’s ability to reach the last eight of the Champions League.

      They drew 1-1 at Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 tie before lockdown and have to beat the Italians or draw 0-0 in the home leg on August 8 to progress.
      Messi added: “If we want to win the Champions League, we have to change a lot. If we continue like this, we will lose the game against Napoli.”
      “We have to change lots of things.

      “We have a game against Napoli just around the corner and things have to change.
      “I think we’ll have a break now which will be good for us to clear the heads a bit.
      “January until now has been such a terrible time for everybody.
      “I think in the Champions League there are four matches where we could turn the whole season around if we get the right results.
      “I think the people here at the club will feel angry about what’s been going on this season but that’s normal, the players feel like that too, it’s logical people will be critical.

      “I think it’s like losing against Roma and Liverpool, when you don’t win anything no-one is happy.”
      Barca will face Chelsea or Bayern Munich in the next round if they beat Napoli.
      Though it is likely to be the Germans who won 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

      Lionel Messi tells Sergio Aguero off live on Twitch as he tells Man City star to ‘stop messing around and go see physio’ More

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      Watch Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema’s epic fail as they tried a cheeky penalty routine

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      SERGIO RAMOS amazingly chose a tense night of title-clinching glory to attempt one of the most audacious penalty DOUBLE ACTS ever.
      And the Real Madrid skipper only got away with it after a retake!

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      Real striker Karim Benzema can clearly be seen INSIDE the area before Sergio Ramos slots a cheeky penalty pass to him

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      Karim Benzema slots home after Sergio Ramos passes a penalty to him – but the Frenchman had encroached before the spot-kick was taken

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      It all turned out perfectly in the end for centre-back Sergio Ramos and Real as they clinched a record 34th LaLiga titleCredit: EPA

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      Karim Benzema slotted home a far more conventional retake without fuss for his second goal on the way to a 2-1 victoryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Spain legend Ramos TAPPED a spot-kick for Karim Benzema to fire home – but the striker had crept into the area too early.
      Referee Alejandro Hernández ordered a second go – and this time Benzema stepped forward alone to ram home.
      That sealed the Frenchman’s double in a 2-1 win that dethroned Barcelona after Real’s ten victories in a row earned them a record 34th crown.
      And it also saved Ramos from one of the more embarrassing moments of a career in which most of the controversy has been at the other end of the pitch.

      Spread amongst his four Champions League successes and now five LaLiga titles have been 26 red cards, albeit sometimes for goal-saving fouls when Real attacked too recklessly.
      And he has also been accused of overdoing the sneaky hardman image at times.
      Never more so, of course, than when a “tangle” with Mo Salah early in the 2018 Champions League final ended with the frontman being forced off with a dislocated shoulder after Liverpool were on top, only to lose 3-1.

      Ramos said afterwards his “conscience is clear” as he “never wanted to hurt a colleague on the pitch”.
      But he could not have denied his intent this time with a baffling choice of a precocious penalty at a time when scoring could have proved crucial.
      In the end it was just anther strange touch in a season extended by the coronavirus crisis, as Real won the title behind closed doors at their reserve venue, the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium, rather than play post-lockdown at a vast but empty Bernabeu.

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      Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos celebrate as Real Madrid win the title with a game to spareCredit: Reuters

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      A kiss for history as Sergio Ramos picks up his fifth LaLiga crownCredit: Reuters More

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      Real Madrid vs Villarreal and Barcelona vs Osasuna LIVE: Latest updates with Real on cusp of La Liga title

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      HUGE, huge night of La Liga action tonight which could see Real Madrid crowned the champions.
      A victory will guarantee the title for Zinedine Zidane’s side, though they can also win it with a draw or even a defeat depending on Barcelona’s score against Osasuna.
      Kick-offs: 8pm
      Real Madrid vs Villarreal
      Barcelona vs Osasuna
      Follow all of the latest La Liga action below…

      Load more entries… More

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      Man City ‘confident’ of beating Barcelona to Lautaro Martinez transfer as they eye long-term Aguero successor

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      MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly confident of beating Barcelona to the signing of Lautaro Martinez.
      Pep Guardiola looks set to splash the cash this summer after his side’s Champions League ban was overturned.

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      Etihad boss Pep Guardiola has set his sights on Lautaro MartinezCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Sky Sports claim Inter Milan forward Martinez is one of the name’s on his wish-list.
      Guardiola has earmarked the Argentine star as a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero.
      City are hopeful of sealing a deal ahead of Barcelona due to the Spanish side’s financial situation.
      The coronavirus pandemic, coupled with their huge wage bill, has taken its toll on the club.

      Barcelona are reportedly prepared to sell nine of their players to fund a move for Martinez.
      And club president Josep Bartomeu confirmed his side are in talks with the Argentine.
      But City look the more likely of the two clubs to activate his £98.5million release clause.

      Martinez has proved his potential with 18 goals in 39 games for Inter this season.
      He joined the Italian giants from Racing Club in 2018 and is under contract with them until June 2023.

      How Man City could line-up next season with Pep splashing cash including Koulibaly and Havertz but Stones out More

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      Barcelona ‘seal £4.1m transfer of Brazilian starlet Gustavo Maia, 19, from Sao Paulo’ despite not playing senior match

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      BARCELONA have reportedly sealed a £4.1million move for Sao Paulo starlet Gustavo Maia.
      Globoesporte claim that the teenager caught the eye of the Spanish giants after his impressive performances in the Sao Youth Football Cup in January.

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      Barcelona have swooped for Sao Paulo starlet Gustavo MaiaCredit: Sao Paulo FC
      The report adds that Barcelona have now swooped for the Brazilian winger’s signature – despite Maia not yet having played a senior match.
      The Catalans initially agreed a £900,000 deposit for the 19-year-old, but will stump up an additional £3.2m to complete the transfer.
      Barca will reportedly secure a 70 per cent ownership of Maia, while Sao Paulo will retain a 30 per cent stake in their former player.
      The LaLiga giants moved quickly to land the pacy young forward – who had also attracted interest from Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.

      Maia has now become the latest Brazilian starlet to secure a switch to Europe even though he is yet to have played a professional game in his home nation.
      However, he has impressed for Sao Paulo’s youth sides, and has turned out for Brazil’s Under 16s and U17s respectively.
      Maia joined his countries most successful team as a 14-year-old, and he made waves after scoring 30 goals in 36 appearances throughout 2018.

      Antoine Griezmann shows off his goal scoring skills in Barcelona team training More

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      Zinedine Zidane tips Karim Benzema and ALL his Real Madrid players to win Ballon d’Or with Lewandowski favourite

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE has claimed that Karim Benzema and ALL of his Real Madrid players deserve to win the Ballon d’Or.
      Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has been the favourite to win football’s top individual honour this season.

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      Zinedine Zidane has claimed that Karim Benzema deserves to win the Ballon d’Or ahead of Real Madrid’s imminent LaLiga gloryCredit: Reuters

      The 31-year-old scored an amazing 34 goals in 31 league appearances to win the Bundesliga while he has since lifted the German Cup.
      Madrid ace Benzema is not among favourites to lift the golden ball this year.
      Despite that, the Frenchman has shone in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence, scoring 19 goals in 35 league appearances for Madrid this season.
      And Benzema can lift his first LaLiga title since 2017 if his side win against Villarreal on Thursday or Barcelona fail to beat Osasuna.

      Yet Madrid boss Zidane believes his compatriot is only one of the many that deserve the Ballon d’Or.

      In football, everyone can have a say. For me, my players are the best. Karim is not only this year, he has done very well for many years
      Zinedine Zidane

      He said: “In football, everyone can have a say. For me, my players are the best.
      “Karim is not only this year, he has done very well for many years.
      “The Ballon d’Or is won by only one, and everyone can comment, but for me all my players deserve it.”

      Messi and Ronaldo have totally dominated the Ballon d’Or in recent years.
      It was won by one of the pair every year from 2008 until 2018, when Ronaldo’s former Madrid team-mate Luka Modric was voted winner.

      Messi lifted the award last year but Robin Van Persie has tipped Lewandowski to come out on top this time around.
      Benzema will boost his chances when Madrid claim their 34th domestic crown.
      As it stands, Los Blancos are four points clear of rivals Barcelona and can seal the title tonight if results go there way.

      Gareth Bale trolls Zinedine Zidane again with hilarious antics as he’s left on bench for Real Madrid More