Real Madrid launched a staunch defence of star forward Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday, demanding respect for the three-time World Player of the Year amid allegations he hid millions of euros earned from image rights in tax havens.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos rescued a draw and maintained the European champions' six-point lead at the top of La Liga in a 1-1 draw at Barcelona on Saturday.

Real Madrid can open a nine-point lead over bitter rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga by winning Saturday's 'Clasico' at the Nou Camp.

Despite being former midfield heroes for the clubs they now manage, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique and his Real Madrid counterpart Zinedine Zidane are afforded little credit for their achievements in management.

A plane that crashed in the mountains of Colombia, killing 71 people, including members of a Brazilian football team, may have run out of fuel, a Colombian military source told AFP.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Real Madrid were thankful to a late missed penalty from Duje Cop to open up a seven-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon.

A goal scored with a scorpion kick in the Swedish league was included on the shortlist for FIFA's goal of the year award on Monday along with efforts from Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insisted he has no doubt Cristiano Ronaldo will be the deserving winner of a fourth Ballon d'Or come January, but his hat-trick in a 3-0 defeat of Atletico Madrid on Saturday may convince others.

Cristiano Ronaldo converts one penalty, misses another and also scores from open play as Portugal beat Latvia 4-1 in their World Cup qualifier.

A day after signing a bumper fresh contract with Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo boosts his mind-boggling earnings with a new deal with Nike.

Cristiano Ronaldo signalled his intention to keep playing for 10 more years after rounding off a "dream year" by signing a bumper new five-year contract with Real Madrid on Monday.

Olympic sprint king Usain Bolt said Sunday that if he ever realised his long-held ambition of becoming a professional footballer, he'd like to have the skills of both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has called on Cristiano Ronaldo to follow in his footsteps by retiring at the Santiago Bernabeu with the Portuguese the latest Real star set to sign a new contract.

Three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo will sign a new five-year contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid on Monday, the club confirmed on Sunday.

Gareth Bale has replaced Cristiano Ronaldo as Real Madrid's best paid player.

Gareth Bale scores his first European goal in almost two years as holders Real Madrid move into a commanding position in Champions League Group F after cruising to a 5-1 victory over Legia Warsaw.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane praises his side's attitude after they put a four-game winless run behind them by thrashing Real Betis 6-1 in a relentless display away from home.

Argentina's pain is Barcelona's gain as Lionel Messi returns for the Spanish champions when Deportivo la Coruna visit the Camp Nou on Saturday after being sidelined for three weeks with a groin injury.

The Catalans host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on December 3 and while they may not be ahead of their fiercest rivals in La Liga at the moment, they hold the advantage in economic terms.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique makes no excuses after they lost 4-3 at Celta Vigo and missed the chance to top La Liga.