Di Maria to Real Madrid, Bienvenido

Real Madrid have officially confirmed that Angel Di Maria will don the white shirt next season. The 22 year old Argentine international is the first capture for Real Madrid this summer. Di Maria is a sparkling young winger who has the capabilities to slice up defences. He joined Benfica in 2007 where he has shined bright enough to catch Madrid's eye. Real Madrid and the Portuguese club have agreed a fee of €25 million and a contract for six years. He was named the Portuguese Liga Player of the Year last season. His team accolades include one Portuguese Liga, two Portuguese Cups, a gold medel at the olympics, and a U-20 World Championship. Quite an impressive resume for a player of such a young age. There was talks of several current Madrid players to play a part in the swap for Di Maria like young Marcos Alonso and Garay but it appears that we have kept hold of them. Mourinho had admitted that it wouldn't be the best idea to pay an outragous amount of money for a star who is yet to prove himself as a world class player but commented that if the price was right, he would be an ideal signing. However, some think that the price is still a bit much.

I will be the first to admit that I'm not a Di Maria expert. I have seen some footage of the player and I understand his strengths very well but highlight tapes do not highlight flaws in a player's game. He is a remarkably crafty dribbler and speedy. He managed to do some interesting things that caught my eye in Europa League match vs Liverpool this past season but in this current World Cup, I haven't been blown away. I've seen every Argentina game and he has yet to convince me that he is what Real Madrid have been missing. I'm yet to decide if it's because I'm expecting everything I have seen in the youtube videos to reflect what I see in real time matches or I just haven't seen enough of his performances to make up a solid opinion on the player. He seems a little flustered on the ball. A lot of his flicks have broken down attacks and he seems easily bumped off the ball. But if there is a league in Europe where lacking physical stature and brute force can be over come by skill and technical ability, it is La Liga. I'm not even concerned that he hasn't scored in this summer's tournament. However, I do see great potential. I think La Liga can highlight his abilities and its a good next step up for a promising prospect. He is now a Real Madrid player, so I will back him and support him as long as he wears the crest over his heart. All the same, Di Maria, Welcome to Real Madrid!

Hala Madrid

Blanco Bonito is Back!

Ladies and Gentleman, I'm back! I write this to you on the day when my American dreams of World Cup glory have been shattered by Ghana once again; it's devastation at the very least. For the last few hours since the final whistle, there has been nothing to smile about until I was reminded that Pipita has 3 more goals than the much talked about Messi. As a Real Madrid supporter, I've learned to deal with defeat in recent seasons. I've become accustom to heart breaks, used to the pain, and the expectation of tragedy. The USA was an unlikely candidate to fill my desires for triumph this summer but I've been craving it even more with every trophy Real Madrid does not raise. However, with every new season instills a new hope. I have new adventures to embark on as supporter. Us Madridistas are proud of our tradition. A rich history of victory and prestige. We don't always agree with club policies, coaches, player decisions, tactics, or signings, but we support our colors through and through. We represent the royal capital, Chamartin, and all those who have worn the shirt, and served in the white army. I have a pride in this club as I have a pride in the American warriors who showed a display of character and heart this summer that is rarely matched. I will no longer stand for this Barcelona dynasty that is beginning to be spoken of. The home grown players, the sextuplet, the back to back La Ligas. It's time to put a stop to the nonsense, to the madness, and deliver silverware back to El Capital. It's time for a white Renaissance.

Barcelona have already made the first move of the summer to improve what is already a force of a team. The purchase of the Spanish National Team's savior, David Villa, was a swift one, a player we practically already imagined to be wearing the white shirt last summer. The move for Cesc is inevitable and the media talk of more stars flooding to the Catalan club is emerging to be even greater as the summer grows older. I guess Real aren't the only Galacticos anymore. Madrid have made a bold move though. The Bernabeu gates said "Hola" and "Adios" to another coach in quick succession as Manuel Pellegrini was axed and the infamous "Special One," Jose Mourinho, was installed as new manager of Real Madrid. Known to be master tactician, and a tenacious, intriguing, and mysterious personality, Mourinho does things his way. He wouldn't have accepted the job unless he could be in complete control of his squad unlike his predecessor, Pellegrini, who admitted he was not the one behind the reins, but rather a puppet for those higher up the club hierarchy. On the positives, if you know football, you know Mourinho will not tolerate that. He packed his bags and quit his beloved Chelsea when owner Roman Abramovich couldn't keep his nose out of team strategy, tactics, and selection. It will be interesting to see what the tactical genious can create at Real Madrid. After all, Mou was the architect behind Inter Milan's 3-1 beating of Barcelona in Milan and the defensive stronghold that was set up at the Nou Camp during the second leg. Personally one of the greatest defensive displays I have ever seen. Barcelona needed two goals, managed one, but attacked like it was the 90th minute all match, only to be thwarted by a well organized and disciplined fortress set up in front of the Inter Milan penalty area. This poses a daunting question. Often criticized for his negative styles, will Mourinho's tactics be accepted at the Bernabeu? When fans arrive, they expect not only a win, but a show, a performance, a ballet, an opera, something graceful and beautiful. Just because you win trophies, doesn't mean the board will approve your methods, right Mr. Capello? However, I think even Mourinho would have a hard time being defensive with Ronaldo, Kaka, Higuain ect...

No new player names have been written on roster of Los Blancos this summer except for the inclusion of young Sergio Canales in preseason, but players such as Inter's Maicon, Sevilla's Jesus Navas, Benfica's Di Maria, Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic, the return of Wesley Sneijder, and a handful of left backs and Portuguese players of all sorts have been in press rumours. However, it's only natural that the majority of transfers won't take place until after the World Cup has met its end.

As Nike would put it, "Write the Future." The pages of La Liga, the Champions League, and Copa del Rey are blank. So let's paint them white. I'm ecstatic to be back and excited to begin reconnecting with old friends, and meeting many others through the blog. If everything goes according to plan, I will hopefully be studying abroad in Madrid during the spring 2011 semester. I guess that means I'll have plenty to write home about. It's a pleasure to say, welcome back to Blanco Bonito!

Hala Madrid!

Bobby