Such hard work: Iker posted this photo of him at Soccer City today, saying, “Hope you like this photo. Do not know the place? I give you a hint: this field Spain was proclaimed World Champion! A hug for everyone! What feelings come back to me …”  I like it Iker, especially since your purse is not in it, since we all saw you stroll through Barajas with it attached to your shoulder.

Start planning: the 2011-12 season of the Liga will start on Aug. 21, and end on May 13, with four jornadas (Sept. 21, Oct. 26, March 21, April 11) to take place on Wednesdays.  This is the proposal of the LFP, and the RFEF has to approve the dates, though they usually go with whatever the LFP suggests.  The final of the Copa del Rey is scheduled for May 25, although there is the possibility that it will be moved to May 20, if no team qualifies for the Champions League final on May 19 in Munich.  The winter break is between Dec. 19 and Jan. 8, although Copa del Rey games are scheduled for Dec. 21 and Jan. 4.

That’s a lot of jerseys sold: according to a report from sporting intelligence, Real Madrid has the second highest average salary amongst all professional sports teams (American teams included): the average salary is US$7,356,632.  Number one is Barcelona.

Golden boys: yesterday at the Bernabéu, a handful of our players were honored at the sixth Fútbol Draft awards, which honors Spanish canteranos.  Seven of our canteranos won awards, as did Real Madrid as an entity.  Sergio Canales won the “best teammate” award, and was named to the Golden Team, while Nacho and MSFC Juan Carlos made the Silver Team, and Álex, Jesé, Pablo Sarabia and MFC Álvaro Borja Morata Martín were on the Bronze Team.  Dani Carvajal was included on the team chosen by fans.  Meanwhile, Madrid won the Estella Galicia 0.0% (named after a non-alcoholic beer) award for having the best cantera, which was shared with Espanyol.

The boys looked adorable in their suits, no?  And since almost the entirety of the U-19 team won an award, the whole team attended the ceremony in their Spanish national team clothing!

Pobrecito: at the event, Sergio C. spoke about his future: “Next week, I’ll meet with the club to speak about my future.  Being here is incredible for me, but I need to and I want to play.  It’s been a very complicated year, but there have been very many positive things.  It hasn’t been a lost year, because I’ve learned a lot.  My teammates helped me a lot during those moments when I played and I can tell I’ve learned a lot.  I haven’t left yet.  But if I leave and Madrid wants me to return, I would like to.  But first I have to know what I’m going to do.”