LaLiga: Ronaldo dominating the headlines once more as Messi gives rare insight into his psyche

As is the case in England right now, all talk is about the golden boot rather than the title race. Primarily because the first one is still ongoing while the latter was over a long time ago.

And while the comparisons between Mohammed Salah and Lionel Messi are ridiculous, both are in pole position to lift the the shoe-inspired trophy at the end of the season. But they have competition..

New year, new me. Cristiano can’t stop scoring in 2018

At the back end of 2017 – despite winning the Balon d’Or – Cristiano Ronaldo’s performances were repeatedly called into question. In Europe, he was the fearless killer we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing. However, domestically, something was off. The mannerisms, the frustration and an unusual wastefulness in front of goal were all on show. And without their talisman firing them to victory, Real Madrid’s title defence was over before it truly got started.

It’s funny to think that at the winter break stage Cristiano was stuck on four league goals. Last night, he hit four past Girona. This made it 18 league goals in 2018 for the Portuguese hitman, a return unparalleled in European football across the same period. He’s scored 14 in his last 6 matches!

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Zinedine Zidane says the transformation of Real Madrid is down to an increase of confidence, especially in front of their home fans, something which was lacking at the start of the season. “And then there’s Cristiano. When Cristiano is playing well, the team play well.” And while this metamorphosis is good news now, you wonder where Madrid would be if Cristiano had started the season just as strongly.

And, is it a problem that Cristiano is still so key at Madrid despite being 33-years-old?

Messi opens up on winning, eating badly and changing the way he plays

For someone largely recognised as one of the best players to ever grace the game, Messi doesn’t like giving interviews. There’s a shyness to him, one which goes completely against how he plays the game. On the pitch you can’t help but notice him but off it? Messi is hidden away, often only appearing in training photos. The man doesn’t even use social media.

I believe he might be preserved in ice between games but I’ve yet to gather any definitive proof.

Speaking to ‘La Cornisa‘ Messi, like many of us, wasn’t a great eater in his early years. “I don’t know what I ate but I had a horrible diet for many years. When I was 22. 23. Chocolate, alfajores (South American cakes), fizzy drinks. Now I’m eating properly: meat, fish and vegetables.” And Messi attributes his change in diet as the reason why he is no longer throwing up on the pitch.

Messi is aware the world is seemingly waiting for him to win the World Cup with Argentina but he isn’t putting too much pressure on himself. “There are more important things than the result. In the end, it’s a game. We all want to win, to be champions and become the best. But football is full of surprises and the best don’t always win. I learnt you can’t always win.”

In regards to how he’s playing now, Messi also admits to adapting to fit the team. “Before I used to take the ball and play my way. Now I try to play more as a team. I want the ball to pass through me and not be so definitive, or ‘selfish’.” How many people are going to use this quote as if he’s taking shots at Cristiano?

Sevilla’s hangover after knocking out Manchester United

Following Sevilla’s victory at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho was quick to claim it wasn’t a disaster. He rightly praised the Spanish side’s phenomenal record in Europe in recent years and that they were deserving of more respect. Do you hear that, Ray Wilkins?

However Mourinho’s comments that many of Sevilla’s team would get into his starting XI raised a few eyebrows over in Spain too. While there’s a lot of talent in Vincenzo Montella’s side, it’s hard to see anyone other than maybe Steven N’Zonzi getting a game at United. Yet if Sevilla’s squad could challenge their more expensive counterparts in Manchester, what about Leganes?

A poor start from Montella’s team saw them slip to defeat at the weekend. Leganes, who had only beaten bottom side Malaga since February, were worthy winners and took full advantage of Sevilla’s European hangover. I wonder if Mourinho thinks there’s one or two players from Leganes who might add something to his United team.

From boo-boy to fan favourite, Rodrigo Moreno is finally enjoying his time at Valencia

From the initial flurry of investments when Peter Lim took over, Rodrigo Moreno is one of only two that remain at the club this season. Alvaro Negredo, Aymen Abdennour, Andre Gomes and Joao Cancelo were the other big money arrivals. All have either been sold or are out on loan with views to moving on in the summer. Aderllan Santos, Zakaria Bakkali and Mathew Ryan were less expensive signings but once again, aren’t presently at the club.

The season before that it was Shkodran Mustafi, Nicolas Otamendi and Enzo Perez who were the marquee signings. All three are now at different clubs as well. Everyone has left because they were either ‘too good’ for a poor Valencia or simply not good enough at to succeed at this level. Alongside Santi Mina, who cost a considerable amount less, Rodrigo is the only shining light from that era of expensive signings. And perhaps being a slow-burner has helped keep him from the clutches of other teams.

Speaking to MARCA, Rodrigo admitted: “I can’t say I haven’t been applauded off at the Mestalla before but there were a lot of times when I was whistled off the pitch.” It was a tough start for Rodrigo as he was played in various positions, in unusual systems but none were to his strengths. Under Marcelino he’s playing in a front two, just behind another striker, and is enjoying his best season to date.

In fact, Marcelino’s assembled squad of cast-offs is proving how important confidence can be in the modern game. “Kondogbia wasn’t playing, Murillo either. Gabriel a little but similar to the others. Guedes wasn’t playing at PSG. There’s been a resurgence in all of us and we’re showing our best level now.”

Eusebio leaves Real Sociedad

Just last summer Eusebio was one of the names in the hat for the Barcelona job. His previous time at the club was crucial to this but the coach committed his future to Real Sociedad instead. Yet here we are in March and Eusebio is out of a job after a horrible run of form. And, if we’re being honest, a horrible season in general.

There’s a clear problem in San Sebastian and the team isn’t performing. Eusebio was given the time to change things around but it soon became clear that while he wasn’t the only problem, he was the easiest to get rid of. Expect to see pressure mount on the current director of football, Loren, as fans continue to question the ambition of the club going forward.

Stuani is a-head of the rest

Former Middlesbrough winger, Cristhian Stuani, is once again in the LaLiga spotlight. Against Real Madrid the now Girona frontman scored two headers to give his side hope of a comeback. Unfortunately for his team they walked away empty handed but for Stuani, he did come away with an impressive record.

Stuani’s nine headed goals is more than anyone else in Europe’s top five leagues.