Feeling good or not! It is still the beautiful game

Real Madrid is Coming Strong

Real Madrid is coming strong from behind...

La Liga has three teams that are clear candidates to take the title home: Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona. But this past weekend it was Ronaldo and company that earned three points to close the gap.

Real Madrid has been chasing Atletico and Barca the entire season because they stumble in a few matches at the beginning of their campaign. Now it seems that things are about to change as they beat Real Betis 0-5 which included a rocket from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Yes, Ronaldo blasted one in the upper right corner that the goalkeeper could not do anything about it.

At the end of the weekend it turned out to be a very important victory for Real Madrid as they reached 50 points, which placed them 1 point behind Barca and Atletico.  It was really unfortunate for Atletico as they had a chance to take the lead after Barca tied with Levante but they tied with Sevilla as well.

Levante UD did a great job in containing Barca’s attacking form and the defenders were able to put a wall for Messi. Barca’s Talisman was not able to put the ball on the net and unfortunately for the Blaugrana it ended in a 1-1 draw.

The results make the rest of the season more interesting  in La Liga as neither Real Madrid, Atletico and Barca can afford to drop points in their next matches.  This means that from now on every match will be given the respect it deserves and it will be played as if it were the championship match.

It is exciting to see that it is not a two horse race anymore!

Real Madrid looks really good lately; they are becoming favorites to take the prize home. CR7 looks so inspired after winning his second Ballon D’Ore and that only means trouble for their opponents ahead. However, every dog has its day, and it is not written in stone that Los Blancos could win every match for the rest of the season. 

Ronaldo Should Win Ballon D' Ore

Ronaldo has the edge to win Ballon d’ ore

The Portuguese soccer star has been fantastic in 2013 and the award is given to the player of great performance.  Since coaches and captains of international teams as well as journalists vote for the best player that should take home the individual award then there is no doubt that Ronaldo has the edge.

Ronaldo Stats for 2013

66 goals in 55 games. Yep! More goals than games. However far behind the 86 gaols Messi scored in 2012.

Six hat tricks for Real Madrid in 2013

2 hat tricks for Portugal

9 gaols in Champions League

Though Messi is back as a strong contender for the individual award but he has not been fit in 2013 and his injury cost him to get behind Ronaldo.

Frank Rivery of Bayern Munich won everything in 2013 and for that reason is a strong contender as well but his individual creativity and talent has not been as bright as that of the Portuguese.

There is no doubt that the favorite to take the Ballon d’ Ore home is Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2013 he was very consistent with club and country, and his individual skills and brilliance were an important factor for Portugal’s qualification to the World Cup in Brazil 2014.