By Tim Stannard

1) Ronaldo destroys football media business model

Lay down your arms, oh trolling types of the internet!

Keep calm, keyboard warriors!

Delete those angry, antagonistic comments!

Stop pretending you have adored Real Madrid / Barcelona for more than two years, and hiding the fact you were Manchester United / Chelsea / Norwich City fans before. Peace has broken out.

Cristiano Ronaldo himself has spoken to say that there is no need for further hostilities. The Portuguese player has nothing against Leo Messi, likes him and enjoys watching him play. "We have a cordial relationship, one of mutual respect.”

Of course, nothing will change despite Ronaldo’s comments and the football feud will continue as long as the sun in still burning. Especially with a Champions League final around the corner and the chance for the imperious CR7 to win three European Cup trophies to announce himself as superior to Leo Messi in every single aspect. Every. One. You heard us.

"[Our supposed rivalry] is a thing of the media, who have to do and sell their business,” declared Ronaldo.

Caught. Red. Handed.
 

2) Valverde arrives for a bout of book-keeping at Barca

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a new accountant?

Nope, it’s new Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde being formally unveiled by the Camp Nou club as their new boss before going mad after three years like a number of his predecessors. Of course, the Spaniard has a solid-as-a-rock coaching resume at the likes of Athletic Bilbao, but Valverde’s appointment has not really got the pulses running of the Barcelona faithful. In a speech in Barca’s stadium, Valverde revealed the plan to make Barcelona “greater still” avoiding a trip into Trump-speak.

Tune into the XTRA from 7PM ET / 4PM for a full breakdown of Valverde’s big day and what it means for a club that only won the Copa del Rey this year. Because of the inferior-to-Cristiano-Ronaldo Leo Messi. Gosh, darn it. Done it again.

3) Atletico’s transfer plans up in smoke after CAS catastrophe

One rule for one, and one for another it seems. As was ever the case in La Liga.

While Real Madrid successfully had a transfer ban imposed by FIFA overturned by a higher power, Atletico Madrid have lost own their case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Both related to irregularities over the transfers of minors. A ruling on Thursday means that the Rojiblancos will not be able to recruit players until January 1st 2018, a huge blow to future plans and also for keeping Antoine Griezmann, a footballer who might well leave seeing little future at the capital city club.

"This resolution is unfair and will do irreparable damage to our club,” fumed a statement soon after the news broke. Possible moves for the likes of Diego Costa, and Alexandre Lacazette have now had to be shelved by the La Liga outfit. Along with a whole bunch of fun transfer rumors.

4) Benfica clear way for Ederson move to Man City

TRANSFER TRACKER TIME! Let’s kick things off with a DONE DEAL. Can Sports Burst get a whoop, whoop? No? Ok. Pep Guardiola now has his cornerstone between the sticks. A bid of $44m has been accepted by Benfica for their 23-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper, Ederson.

Manchester United are reportedly no longer interested in Antoine Griezmann, despite today’s news from the Atletico camp. Motor mouth super-agent, Mino Raiola, is not quite rich enough so has been touting his wares on the transfer market again. Gianluigi Donnarumma is the latest target of his tittle tattle with Raiola saying that 11 clubs are interested in the young goalkeeper’s signature, although the Italian might still stay on at Milan. Or not.

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. SB is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.