Cristiano Ronaldo want to leave Real Madrid

Los Blancos would have a difficult time replacing the superstar but would be able to field a strong lineup without him

How might Real Madrid line up without Cristiano Ronaldo?

A week ago that seemed like a question that would not be asked for some time. But now with rumours of the Portugal star demanding his exit from the Bernabeu, it’s something that has to be considered.

While replacing a player like Ronaldo, who alongside Lionel Messi has an argument to be considered the best in the world, would be near impossible, you would be hard-pressed to find a side more capable of it than Real Madrid.

The team’s base would likely remain intact, with the midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro providing indispensable support for the attacking trio.

Up top, Karim Benzema would likely retain his place. Despite questions about his role on the side, he continued to perform well as the centre-forward this season.

Meanwhile, Isco, who came into the side for an injured Gareth Bale toward the end of the year, impressed with his ability to drive play for Benzema and Ronaldo. At the same time, Ronaldo, whose role involved him playing further inside rather than on the wings, could see his spot taken by Bale.

At the very least, that would help solve the issue of what to do with Isco, who proved himself worthy of a place in the lineup with his performance at the end of the year for Madrid.

As for who from outside the club could step in for Ronaldo, the possibilities are endless. The money Madrid would bring in from the transfer itself — his release clause reportedly stands at €1 billion — and freeing up Ronaldo’s wages would be astronomical, and could probably entice most players into joining if the club so chose.

But one intriguing option could be French teenage prodigy Kylian Mbappe. Could he slot into Ronaldo's old position, forcing either Bale or Isco back to the bench? Here is one possibility:

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Cheick Tiote dies after collapsing during training

The former Newcastle United player was rushed to hospital in Beijing, but emergency services failed to revive him, his agent confirmed

Former Newcastle United player Cheick Tiote has died after collapsing during a training session on Monday. 

The Ivorian was training with second-tier Chinese side Beijing Enterprises, who he joined in February, when he passed out and was rushed to hospital. 

But emergency treatment failed to revive him, and it was later confirmed that he had passed away.

Tiote's representative Emanuele Palladino said: "It is with deep sadness that I confirm that my client Cheick Tiote sadly passed away earlier today after collapsing in training with his club Beijing Enterprises.

"We cannot say any more at the moment and we request that his family's privacy be respected at this difficult time.

"We ask for all your prayers."

A statement from Beijing Enterprises also confirmed the news of Tiote’s death.

It read: “At 6pm on June 5th, Mr Cheick Tiote fell unconscious to the ground during training.

“He was immediately taken to hospital, but unfortunately died at 7pm on June 5th. We have informed his relatives of his death.

“After joining Beijing Enterprises Group FC on February 5th 2017, Mr Tiote has made a great contribution to the club and has received plaudits from the coaching staff and team-mates for his superb ability and professionalism.

“We hereby express our sincere condolences following Mr Tiote’s unfortunate death.” 

Tiote had been a mainstay for Beijing Enterprises, starting all 11 matches to date this season.

On Saturday, the 30-year-old helped his team secure a 4-2 victory against Baoding Ronda. 

The midfielder started his career in Belgium with Anderlecht and also represented Twente and Roda JC in the Netherlands, as well as making 52 international appearances for Ivory Coast. 

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Ronaldo fires Real to CL final win

Real Madrid won a record 12th Champions League/European Cup trophy courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's double against Juventus.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid defeated 10-man Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff to retain their Champions League crown.

Madrid became the first team in the Champions League era to successfully defend the trophy with their sixth triumph in the competition - and 12th when you include it in its former guise of the European Cup - three of those victories coming in the last four years.

A thrilling first half saw Ronaldo put Madrid ahead, becoming the first player to score in three different Champions League finals in the process.

Mario Mandzukic equalised for Juventus with a spectacular overhead kick that will live long in the memory.

But Madrid dominated the second half as Juve collapsed, Casemiro scoring with the help of a huge deflection before Ronaldo made sure of the victory from close-range, ensuring he finishes above Lionel Messi as the competition's top scorer this season.

Any hopes of a Juventus comeback were ended when substitute Juan Cuadrado was sent off 18 minutes after coming on, the winger receiving a second yellow card for a clash with Sergio Ramos, before Madrid substitute Marco Asensio put the icing on the cake in the last minute.

Having also secured LaLiga glory, the win seals a famous double for Zinedine Zidane in his first full season at the helm, with Madrid the first side since AC Milan in 1990 to win back-to-back European crowns.

Juventus, who had been seeking a treble after winning Serie A and the Coppa Italia, have now lost five straight finals since last tasting continental success back in 1996, including two of the last three, having also lost to Barcelona in Berlin two years ago.

Former Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain tested Keylor Navas early on with a 25-yard drive, before the goalkeeper had to make a terrific one-handed save to keep out a powerful Miralem Pjanic strike from a similar distance.

It was Madrid, though, who opened the scoring after 20 minutes, Ronaldo capping a slick passing move.

Karim Benzema and Ronaldo were both involved in the build-up before Dani Carvajal's cut-back led to the Portugal international producing an impressive first-time finish, finding the far corner from the edge of the area with the help of a slight deflection off Leonardo Bonucci.

The lead lasted just seven minutes before Juve hit back in magnificent fashion.

Bonucci's pass from defence was helped on by both Alex Sandro and Higuain – the ball not leaving the ground throughout – to set up Mandzukic and the Croatia international took one touch and unleashed a magnificent overhead kick into the top corner, with Navas not close to it

Ronaldo had a chance to hit back, but he misjudged an attempted diving header from Isco's cross as an entertaining first half ended level.

Luka Modric tested Gianluigi Buffon with a left-footed strike from outside the box as Madrid made a faster start to the second half.

And Zidane's men retook the lead just after the hour mark when Toni Kroos had a shot blocked and Casemiro latched on to the loose ball 35 yards out, firing in a shot which took a huge deflection off Sami Khedira to deceive Buffon.

With Juve shell-shocked, Madrid struck again just three minutes later. Modric played a one-two with Carvajal, latching on to the full-back's return pass down the right and digging out a superb cross, allowing Ronaldo to nip ahead of a stationary Bonucci and prod in from inside the six-yard box.

Juve brought on Cuadrado, Mario Lemina and Claudio Marchisio as they attempted to reverse the momentum, wThe Italian champions needed a superb intervention from Bonucci to stop Bale from tapping in a Ronaldo cross, before coming close themselves when Alex Sandro's glancing header fell just wide from Dani Alves' free-kick.

A miserable night for Juve got worse with six minutes to go when Cuadrado, already booked for a late challenge on Ronaldo, saw red after Ramos went down dramatically, the Colombia international having lightly pushed him and made minimal contact with his foot.

Madrid wrapped up a famous triumph in the final minute when Asensio – eight minutes after coming on - slotted in left-footed from eight yards after superb work from Marcelo down the left in an emphatic triumph for Zidane.

Key Opta stats:

- Real Madrid have won their last six European Cup finals, last losing one in 1981 versus Liverpool.

- Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich, Juventus) became the third player to score in a European Cup/Champions League final for two different teams after Velibor Vasovic (Partizan Belgrade, Ajax) & Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd, Real Madrid).

- Ronaldo has now scored at least twice as many Champions League goals as any other player in the quarter-final stage (20), semi-final stage (13) and final of the competition (4).

- Ronaldo made his fifth European Cup/Champions League final appearance - only Paolo Maldini, Paco Gento (8) and Alfredo Di Stefano (7) have played in more.

- Juan Cuadrado became the third player to be sent off in a Champions League final, after Jens Lehmann (2006) and Didier Drogba (2008).

- Gianluigi Buffon was the third oldest player to feature in a European Cup final (39y 126d) after Dino Zoff and Edwin van der Sar.

- Juventus (4) conceded more goals in this game as they had in the rest of the campaign (3).hile Gareth Bale was introduced for Madrid in his home city.

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Champions League final team news: Isco starts ahead of Bale as Real take on Juventus

The Spaniard has been given the nod over the Wales star in Cardiff, while James Rodriguez has not been included for the showpiece event

Isco has been named in the starting lineup ahead of Gareth Bale as Real Madrid take on Juventus in the 2017 Champions League final

The Spaniard played a key role in helping the Blancos see off rivals Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, scoring in the second leg at the Vicente Calderon.

However, with Bale returning to fitness ahead of the showdown, there was uncertainty over who Real boss Zinedine Zidane would opt for out of the two men.

But Zidane has decided to put his faith in Isco from the start with Wales ace Bale named amongst the substitutes in his home city Cardiff.

James Rodriguez, however, has not been included for the showpiece event.

Real Madrid starting XI: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Real Madrid substitutes: Casilla, Nacho, Bale, Kovacic, Asensio, Morata, Danilo.

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ARSENAL JOIN MBAPPE CHASE

Arsenal are in the race to sign Monaco star Kylian Mbappé, according to L'Equipe. 

The young forward has drawn interest from several sides, with Real Madrid and Manchester City the clubs with the strongest links to the player so far. 

But with Arsene Wenger under contract again, it seems the Gunners are willing to offer up €100 million to bring the youngster to Emirates Stadium. 

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MAN UTD MAKE LACAZETTE MOVE

Manchester United have made an approach for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, according to L'Equipe.

The France international was all set to join Atletico Madrid, but the Liga outfit's failure to overturn their transfer ban has seen that move fall apart.

And now United have moved ahead of Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal in the race for the 26-year-old.

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REAL MADRID TARGET £100M HAZARD

Real Madrid are prepared to break the transfer world record to sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea, according to the Sun .

The Liga side have already met Hazard's entourage three times as they look to bring the Belgium international to Santiago Bernabeu for a record £100 million fee. Madrid believe that Zinedine Zidane's presence can help entice Hazard to leave Chelsea, but Antonio Conte does not want to sell his star player.

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