Friday’s Real Links: One for the pinky

Friday’s edition of ‘The Real Links’ features a recap of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or triumph, crazy Russian fans at Real Sociedad, and the possibilities of who Real Madrid could play in the Champions League round of 16. Let’s jump in!

Goal of the Day

I felt it was appropriate to honor Cristiano Ronaldo not only for his Ballon d’Or today, but to also look back at his incredible goal he scored in the Champions League Wednesday against Dortmund.

Ronaldo became the first man in the history of the Champions League to score a goal in every match of the group stage and this is the goal that did it. What an incredible shot from the GOAT.

Real Madrid Links

Why Cristiano deserved to win the Ballon d’Or

Although I didn’t see the need to debate Ronaldo winning his fifth Golden Ball of his career, the Messi lovers and media members tried to make an argument for why CR7 wouldn’t win it.

If you were one of the skeptics, take a look at this and try to rethink things.

Fan reactions to Ronaldo winning the trophy

Real Madrid fans were incredibly happy to hear the news yesterday of the golden boy getting another prestigious award. Here’s a full recap of Ronaldo’s winning award.

Below are the best tweets from the night.

Should Real Madrid sign David Luiz from Chelsea?

Real Madrid are thin at the center back position for this weekend’s huge game against Sevilla. Los Blancos will be without Raphael Varane who picked up a thigh tweak in the win over Borussia Dortmund, plus, Casemiro and Dani Carvajal are suspended due to yellow card accumulation in the league.

Just wait there’s more. Jesus Vallejo is not an option either as he out with another injury. So, who could play center back with Sergio Ramos?

Maybe Marcos Llorente? Maybe an academy player? It is unknown at this time.

However, in the future, Real Madrid could use another option like David Luiz. Here’s why.

Gareth Bale out against Sevilla, questionable for the Club World Cup

This just hurts to see. No Bale yet again.

La Liga Links

Zenit fans set off flairs in stands at Real Sociedad

Zenit St. Petersberg got a big 3-1 win over Sociedad yesterday helped the Russian side top the group in the Europa League group over the favorites.

More from The Real Champs

• The Xabi Factor: What Alonso could bring to Real Madrid as manager
• Manchester City hold talks over Real Madrid target
• Real Madrid player confirms he is playing with a fracture
• Real Madrid superstar rejected Premier League clubs confirmed
• Spaniard ready to join Real Madrid instead of Liverpool

The fans got too into the game and began lighting flairs in the stadium, causing the police to intervene. At least the fans love their team.

The pictures are crazy.

Sevilla sign Brazilian left-back Guilherme Arana

Sevilla has signed 20-year-old up and coming left-back Guilherme Arana from Brazilian league champions Corinthians to a four and half year deal. Arana will not join the team ahead of their match this weekend against Real Madrid.

He will join in January once he receives his working permit.

Malaga sign former Arsenal and Barcelona player Ignasi Miquel

It seems that several La Liga teams are adding defensive depth in the January transfer window. Malaga has signed ex-Arsenal and Barcelona center back Ignasi Miquel from Spanish second division side Lugo.

Miquel will be with Malaga until 2020 and will join the team in the January window.

Champions League Links

Who each team could face in the Champions League round of 16

From what I can tell from the probability chart, the only thing I can tell for sure is that Real Madrid won’t play Tottenham or Barcelona, and have about the same odds to play every team that won their group.

Otherwise, it’s a toss-up. The best odds of a matchup are Barcelona playing Chelsea. Which would be an incredible tie.

Record five English teams reach the knockout stage

This is probably the strongest Premier League teams have been in the Champions League ever. Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham are all set to compete for the coveted European title while battling it out domestically as well.

While they can’t play each other in the round of 16, there is a good chance that if more than one team can get through the first knockout round, they will face each other.

Next: Real Madrid players dominate list of top 30 finalists for the Ballon d’Or

Tune in Sunday for another edition of The Real Links!

Tune in Sunday for another edition of The Real Links!