Hat-trick Number 14 for Ronaldo too much for Levante

So another day's work it seems for the managerial maestro Jose Mourinho, but the Portuguese boss will have Osasuna and his fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid's TEN point lead at the top of La Liga this weekend, after Barcelona slipped up and the Madrilenos took full advantage, La Liga could well be finally returning to the Spanish capital for the 2011-12 season.

And, it is not surprising. Mourinho has managed to create a balance this season of fresh blood across the field, but more importantly has given his side a strength in depth in defensive positions. The additions of Fabio Coentrao, Raphael Varane and Hamit Altintop have added the extra cover Madrid needed, and they needed it desperately. Too many times they were left short from the injures to Carvalho and the suspensions for the ill-disciplined Sergio Ramos and Pepe.

Nuri Sahin in the midfield has proven to be a fine acquisition, and the signature of Jose Callejon from Espanyol surprised many in the summer, but many more have been surprised by the step he has made into such an advanced and highly expectant club.

Ronaldo's contribution is the pinnacle of Madrid's success, and his FOURTEETH, yes, and in numbers that is 14th, hat-trick for Real Madrid is the reason why they are flying high in Spain. Madrid saw off a stubborn and gritty Levante side at the Santiago Bernabeu last night with a 4-2 victory. Ronaldo's hat-trick and the fourth from Karim Benzema seeing Madrid through, despite the scores being level at one apiece at the interval.
This result will come as an added boost after champions Barcelona suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Osasuna on Saturday night.

Goals from Alexis Sanchez and youngster Cristian Tello were not enough for a weakened Barcelona, with Osasuna scoring three in front of their home fans. A double from Lekic, and the third from on-loan Athletico Madrid midfielder Raul Garcia. Pep Guardiola left Fabregas, Xavi and Iniesta on the bench with one eye on midweek's Champions' League tie against Bayer Leverkusen on the horizon. But, his naivity in the league has been Barcelona's downfall this season. Guardiola has moreorless admitted defeat in the race to defend his La Liga crown, and claims the focus is on another Champions' League trophy. But Madrid attacker Ronaldo still feels Barca are strong enough to bite back with a late charge.

16 games to go, and it's safe to say that La Liga is well set! Plenty of time for Barcelona to fight for what is currently theirs, but that time is also wasting away, and Guardiola must act quickly if his side are to compete for their championship. Madrid on the other have been playing superbly all season, and in complete Mourinho fashion. "The Special One" will want to end his career at Madrid on a high with serious talks of him leaving the capital in the summer. Ronaldo has been unstoppable this season and his 34 goals in 33 appearances prove that, but Madrid will need him better than ever if they are to continue their road to that first La Liga title in four years.

Gareth Messenger's Top 10 Footballers in Europe to watch in 2012

Forget the names of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney for just a moment, because in this blog I will be listing my personal top ten players for you to look out for in 2012!
The footballing world is a central base for the production and development of youth players from grassroots, to the very top of the game, and this blog will be naming just a few of the best young talents in the world. Of course, the difference in opinions on these stars may shift between the many numbers of you, but for me, this is the current list set in stone by yours truly!

And in order, starting with one of Europe's most sought after young talents in the game this very moment.....

1. Eden Hazard

....And here he is. 21-year-old Belgian Eden Hazard (left in picture) has been recently linked with Europe's top clubs, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and more, including a very close link with French club PSG. The Lille winger has been in outstanding form the last two years for the French champions with 21 goals and 16 assists since the start of last season. It would take BIG money to see Hazard move clubs, but the departure of Lille's talisman striker Moussa Sow to Fenerbache may force Hazard to look to the future.

2. Jose Callejon

Despite being in the game for a little while now, 24-year-old striker Jose Callejon has really made his mark at Real Madrid since his move from Espanyol in the summer. Despite Mourinho favouring Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain up front, Callejon has made a real impression on the Bernabeu faithful with 11 goals in just 21 cameo appearances in all competitions. How long before we see Callejon used more than just a piggyback by Jose Mourinho? If his reputation is anything to go by? Not long.

3. Xherdan Shaqiri

One of my personal favourites, and a player I regard as arguably the most versatile and exciting youngster on the planet. I first caught wind of Shaqiri after seeing his cracking strike for Switzerland against England in a 3-1 defeat on home soil. The 20-year-old can play on the wing, at left-back, at right-back, you name it. His speed, agility and skill are a mirror image of Lionel Messi, but Shaqiri versatility and positive influence are what have made FC Basel a strong force over recent months. His contribution in the game which knocked Manchester United out of the Champions' League was crucial. Check out this goal aye?

4. Mario Gotze

Another exciting talent, and another fantastic attacking footballer. Mario Gotze currently plies his trade with German champions Borussia Dortmund but his reputation across Europe grows day by day. Previously mentioned in one of my past blog posts here at - (http://garethmessenger.blogspot.com/2011/03/borussia-dortmund-young-mans-journey.html)- Gotze has been with Dortmund since 2001, and made his debut for the club in November 2009, aged 17. 360 days later he made his first international appearance for Germany emphasising the impact he made on the Bundesliga. This season so far (2011-12), Gotze has been involved in 10 Borussia league goals in just 14 appearances. At the age of 19, will Dortmund be able to keep hold of "one of the best talents that we've ever had", as described by German FA technical director Matthias Sammer.

5. Thibaut Courtois

Chelsea's on-loan Belgian keeper Courtois was relatively unheard of when Andre Villas-Boas signed him from Genk in the summer. But a two-year loan move to Athletico Madrid in the summer, (an Athletico looking to replace the departed David De Gea), seems to have paid extra dividends for Thibaut. Courtois has been in exceptional form for Athletico in La Liga and is being widely tipped to make his mark at Chelsea sooner than expected. At 6ft 8, Courtois height is one Petr Cech would fear, but his goalkeeping ability is another that Cech should be wary of with Courtois already heaping the pressure on his under-fire pre-decessor.

6. Iker Muniain

A relatively unheard of footballer outside of Spain, but Iker Muniain's value to the Athletic Bilbao side has not gone unnoticed in La Liga. The 19-year-old made his true mark on the side last season but is again stamping his mark on the ground with the kind of form that has seen him linked with Manchester United and Chelsea. Muniain's creativity and speed him Bilbao that extra spice in matches and have made them one of the trickier matches now in La Liga. With his contract running out in 2015, will Bilbao choose to cash in now? Or will they use Muniain whilst he is at their disposal?  

7. Julian Draxler

Yet another creative midfielder, and yet another European. FC Schalke 04's German playmaker Julian Draxler has found himself heavily involved in the Schalke side the past two years. Despite competition from Jefferson Farfan, Jurado, Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for an attacking/playmaker role, 18-year-old Draxler has found his services in the Bundesliga much more useful than some were predicting. His Champions' League appearance against Man United last season was when the English contingency began noticing him widely, and with a call-up to the U21 squad and already 33 league appearances since his debut in January 2011, could we see Draxler being targetted by one of Europe's bigger sides?

8. Juan Iturbe

Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno was our next port of call. That was until FC Porto snapped him up in the summer. Despite having Paraguayan parents, and playing for Paraguay at youth level, Iturbe has recently declared his desire to play for Argentina and has already been called up to the Argentina youth squads on more than one occasion. Iturbe's similarity to Messi is almost scary, but he has a very similar technique to Sergio Aguero. Small, creative, but a fierce player to have in your squad so Porto will be relishing in his ability. Despite only making three appearances so far since his summer move, Juan Iturbe's 2012 will be the season defining his long-term future at the very top.

9. Erik Lamela

Another Argentinian midfielder in the shape of 19-year-old Erik Lamela. A regular starter for River Plate, but their relegation and his sudden rise to world football made him an instant hit in Europe linked with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool and Lyon. But it was Italian side Roma who picked him up for a fee which could rise to a whopping 19million euros. Has already made 12 appearances for Roma and a call-up to the Argentina national side for a friendly match versus Paraguay. Big future. Exciting prospect.

10. Luc Castaignos

15 goals in 34 games is what sealed Castaignos' move from Feyenoord to Italian giants Inter in the summer. The 19-year-old striker was certainly a hit in Holland, and his prowess in front of goal also made him a hit with the Internazionale boardroom. The Dutchman is already being tipped for a call-up to the Holland national side already, and despite limited opportunities so far at Inter competing with Diego Forlan, Giampaolo Pazzini, Diego Milito and Mauro Zarate, he has already scored his first goal in just four games, starting just one of them.