Real Madrid round-up: Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting, Zidane, international break
All the latest Real Madrid news from in and around the Santiago Bernabeu.</br><a title="Real Madrid-Deportivo live online: LaLiga matchday 20" href="https://en.as.com/en/2018/01/21/football/1516541637_376766.html">Real Madrid-Deportivo: LaLiga matchday 20</a>
7 years of goals for the number 7
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Today, 29 August 2016, marks the seventh anniversary of Cristiano Ronaldo's first Real Madrid goal. Deportivo were the victims on that day in 2009 as he scored from the penalty spot and the Portugal man then went on to do what no other Madrid player had done - score in his first four league games. Back then, Cristiano was wearing the number nine shirt as club legend Raúl wore the number seven until he left for Germany at which point it was handed over.
Ronaldo return
As has already been indicated, the expected competitive return date for Cristiano is set for Saturday, September 10, for the home game against Osasuna and yesterday the player was working hard in the gym. With the international break now with us - one in which he will not be involved for Portugal - Madrid fans can look forward to seeing their number seven feature in the next league game.
More than a Sporting chance
As Madrid's first opponent in the Champions League group stage, Sporting Lisbon appear to have been somewhat weakened ahead of the September 14 meeting. Their star Joao Mario yesterday finalised a move to Italian side Inter for 45 million euros (plus a potential further five target-based). Also likely to leave the team that finished second to Benfica in last season's Primeira Liga is their Algerian striker Islam Slimani who looks set to join English champions Leicester. Can they use these funds to strengthen as the transfer window draws near?
Fifa demands 14 Madridistas
The international break affects most top clubs who are jam-packed with stars who represent their home nations and Real Madrid are no different. Zidane is going to lose 14 of his squad for the coming week or so, namely: Morata, Ramos, Carvajal, Vazquez, Asensio, Marcelo, Casemiro, James, Varane, Kroos, Pepe, Bale, Modric and Kovacic. The manager will have ten players remaining with whom to work with ahead of the next league game against Osasuna and will be hoping that the "Fifa virus" doesn't impact on his side this early in the season.