This year's Ballon d'Or was one of the most tense I can remember. Yamal, Mbappé, Rodri, Olise and a few others all had real cases, and nobody knew how it would go until the end.

It made me think about the last time everyone just agreed. No CR7 fans or Messi fans arguing, no "robbed" threads. Benzema's 2022 is the only one I can think of where the debate barely existed.

44 goals and 15 assists across all competitions, La Liga's top scorer, Champions League's top scorer, consecutive hat tricks against PSG and Chelsea, 3 goals against Pep’s Manchester city, winning La Liga and Champions league.

But what people tend to miss is everything around the stats. His football IQ, the key passes, the movement off the ball that made the players around him better. And the partnership with Vinicius was something special. Those two were a nightmare for defenders and kept finding each other. I think that’s the version of Vinicius I’ve liked the most. Always smiling and dancing around the pitch.

I don't know if we'll see a winner that clear again anytime soon. Lewandowski's 2020 season where he didn't get it is the only other one I can think of. Other than that, there's always been some debate.

Hopefully ballon dor comes back home next year!

All against the rigging and corruption btw!

f_ck off china

Only facts, no lie. FUCK CHINA

It's a luxury to have him as our second choice gk 😋

¡Que te jodan, hijo de puta! Sabía que querías aprovechar esta oportunidad para atacar al Real Madrid. Lo tenías todo planeado: hacer que el maldito equipo del programa retocara esa maldita imagen mientras Mbappé y varios jugadores del Madrid no daban abasto entre los partidos y el Balón de Oro, para presionarlo antes de que se pronunciara. Vas a destruir La Liga. Eres el presidente más corrupto de la historia. ¡Cómete una mierda!

Real Madrid did an excellent job addressing almost every weakness in their squad during the summer. They brought in an experienced CB in Konate; Bernardo Silva to provide control and composure in midfield; Diomande, a versatile winger capable of playing on both the left and right; Cucurella, a world class left-back; and Espi as a reliable backup striker.

However, the biggest mistake of the summer was failing to sell a declining Vinicius while his market value was still high. His status as a superstar now creates a selection headache for Mourinho. Does he start Vini over Diomande on the left wing simply because of his name and what he has achieved in the past? Or does he have the courage to do what is best for the team? And if Mourinho insists on keeping Vini in the starting XI, what happens to Diomande? Does he move him to the right wing at the expense of Arda, who is arguably the best playmaker in football? Keeping everyone happy could become a serious challenge.

Madrid have assembled a squad capable of competing for everything, but having all the right players is only half the battle. Mourinho now has to make difficult decisions to establish the starting XI he will use in big games.

As Nico does plays rw or rm sometimes

I purchased four tickets to the 1/3/27 Real Madrid v Getafe match for my family, but unfortunately we are not going to be able to make the trip from the US to use them. I bought them from Champions Travel and they confirmed that I can transfer them if I provide new names and emails for the recipients. The seats are East Stand Lower Tier Block 127, Rows 1-2 and come with hospitality catering at Bernabéu Market 1.5 hours before kick-off, during half-time & for 30 minutes after the match. I paid $2200 for all four, but I will sell them for $1,200 if someone is interested. I am happy to do whatever you'd like to protect the buyer - cc you on the emails to Champions, do a FaceTime call, take payment on PayPal Goods & Services and pay the fee so that you can get a refund if the tickets aren't delivered, etc. If anyone is interested please let me know by sending me a message, we can transfer them as four or as two pairs if you only want two. Thanks!!

In el classico Valverde was the player with the second highest long balls after Lunin with good success rate. As much as I love Valverde, I genuinely believe Trent couldve done the same or perhaps even better. Iam genuinely curious why he has not been given any minutes what are your thoughts? I love the idea of Trent and Mbappe working together.

I havent heard anything about courtois, when is he expected to return. Is he coming next match?