Hala Madrid

juanseden:

In no particular order, Real Madrid’s best moments of the 2012-13 season.

So since this season hasn’t been the best, I thought it’d be nice to look back at this season and see when things weren’t all doom and gloom. These are just some of those moments but are probably the best.

1. Sergio Ramos. And his madridismo.

This season is the season when nobody could doubt or deny Sergio Ramos’ love for Real Madrid. He took up the post as captain after Iker Casillas was injured and he has been a brilliant captain, motivational and an inspiration to all players. He’s the reason why many Madridistas still smiled because despite the position that Real Madrid were in, Real Madrid’s home game against Borussia Dortmund is a great example, because he didn’t give up and still hoped for things to get better. His heart and soul went into this team this past year and I salute him for everything that he’s done. And also he scored the winning goal against FC Barcelona in March.

2. Winning the Supercopa.

It was a great way to start the season, winning the first cup which was up for grabs against long time rivals FC Barcelona. Just the fact that FC Barcelona were only able to beat Real Madrid once out of six times that they’ve played each other six season (which one time Real Madrid won 1-3 away) was already great. If there’s anything that makes this season worthwhile is knowing that FC Barcelona get shown up whenever Real Madrid is too on the pitch.

3. Winning against Valencia 0-5 away.

All the goals were scored in the first half, it was a rush of goals, when Gonzalo Higuaín kicked off the goal fest which then Cristiano Ronaldo and Ángel di María completed by scoring two goals each. Ronaldo gave ‘la manita’ just to rub it in your faces even more. This was played after Real Madrid had already won them 2-0 for the Copa del Rey quarter finals and Real Madrid had to then play them again three days later which was filled with drama (which comparing to other games, was pretty tame). Three times in a row, goodness me.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 90th minute goal against Manchester City.

This was probably my favourite moment. It was the very first match of the Champions League and it was against Manchester City. Things were pretty bleak when Manchester City began to lead but then Marcelo retaliated with a brilliant goal. However, on the 85th minute, City scores again and we thought it was all over and that the disastrous start of the season wasn’t going to end. Damn, were we wrong. Karim Benzema came back two minutes later to score which made the scoreline equal. Madridistas became anxious because there was only three minutes left. Ronaldo attempted to score himself but Joe Hart saved it and I remember saying after I saw his reaction to him missing ‘Don’t give up, try again!’. And he did. And when did (and scored), I did two cartwheels and back, shouted from the top of my lungs ‘Ronaldo!’ and ran around the city of London. The happiness that I felt when we won cannot be explained other than the fact that my cheeks and throat were hurting after all the smiling and screaming.

5. Winning the Santiago Bernabéu trophy.

That was the biggest win of the season, scoring 8 goals and allowing Millonarios to score none. Kaká scored a hattrick, José Callejón and Álvaro Morata scored two goals each and Karim Benzema finished it off by scoring a goal himself. This was also when the armband was being passed around and it was a nice gesture by all, the Madridismo was immense. The trophy is awfully large though, don’t you think? Well the trophy is not as big as my Madridista heart. That was cheesy, I know.

6. A star is born and it’s called Raphaël Varane.

This season, the world world was talking about a young defender who played in a white shirt who changed the whole game. Raphaël Varane made a great impact this season and what makes him even more amazing is that he’s 20-fucking-years old. That’s just incredible. To have this much talent at such a young age, players would fear to be on the same pitch as him. His best contributions to Real Madrid were when he scored two great headers, both against FC Barcelona and when they mattered most. His first header reassured an equal scoreline in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi finals and then again scored in the second leg, the final score being 1-3. He is young and he has a lot to learn, but when Varane reaches his optimum, he will be unstoppable.

7. When Mesut Özil saved Real Madrid’s ass against Valladolid. And everything else that he did.

Before this happened, Mesut Özil had already scored a sickening free kick at the last minute during the Champions League group stages when Real Madrid played Borussia Dortmund which allowed Real Madrid to draw 2-2. And when Real Madrid was already losing 2-1, Özil scored a goal right on top of the 45th minute before half time. The game was 2-2 until the 72nd minute when Mesut scored one of his left-footed free kicks, Real Madrid becoming victorious. He continued to be Real Madrid’s key play-maker, scoring ten goals, assisting double the amount of goals he scored himself. He continues to improve each season and he will only get better. Plus, his hair cut was pretty damn dramatic.

8. (In my opinion) The best goal this season — Gonzalo Higuaín v Levante. And Gonzalo.

That volley was just so beautiful. It was positioned so precisely by Xabi Alonso who long crossed it in to Higuaín when he then precisely times it to perfection to side bicycle kick the ball into the back of the net. Nobody was looking or paying attention to him but his eyes were solely on the ball and when he scored that goal, the football angels sang. It was just so brilliant and perfect and amazing and everything else that is good. Higuaín’s blessed. The drama that was caused this season affected him too but despite that, he still continued to be the great footballer and person that he is. He is quickly becoming one of my favourites of all time. Let me say this again, ‘Quédate, Pipita!’

9. Ladies and gentleman, Cristiano Ronaldo.

What else can I say? He has a 100% goal rate (55 apps, 55 goals), his contribution has been incredible and his presence only grows to be more and more valued. With rumours that Ronaldo may leave to Manchester United, he continued to deny it and would say ‘I’m staying here.’ He’s a Madridista at heart more and more each day. I’d like to think that he will stay until his contract ends or maybe even extend it. With him not winning the Ballon D’or, again, that just made him even more determined to become an ever better player but at the same time, help improve Real Madrid as a team, reminding people that Real Madrid is 11 as 1 and not only him as 1. He’s a brilliant team player, kind to fans and he deserves every bit of respect that he deserves as he respects Real Madrid. Whatever bad thing you may say about him, there was always be something that can be thrown back at you to prove you wrong.

10. (Another) star is born. And his name his name is Álvaro Morata.

Well, well, well. If it isn’t our saviour for a day? Just a little back story, it was an away game against Levante on a pitch which could be classified as a swimming pool and Ronaldo got injured pretty badly at the beginning of the game which left him half blind (but he still scores with one eye). Morata came in at 83 minutes after a substitution and it was still 1-1. Madridistas were losing hope but still prayed that there could be a turn around. This guy scored one minute into his game play, his first touch and we all went insane. He already plays sickeningly in Castilla but whenever he’s needed in the first team, he delivers. He then continued to excel in the first team when he provided an assist for Karim Benzema at home against FC Barcelona. This guy has a promising future and I’m looking forward to it.

, Sergio Ramos , Iker Casillas , Pepe , Cristiano Ronaldo , Gonzalo Higuain , Marcelo Vieira , Mesut Ozil , Karim Benzema , Alvaro Morata , Real Madrid