Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale 'touching new heights'

The domestic leagues in Spain and Germany start this weekend, with plenty of teams having a point to prove.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have both recruited expensively as they look to topple shock La Liga champions Atletico Madrid. In the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund have brought in some prolific strikers as they bid to close the gap on Bayern Munich.

In France we have already had two games with plenty of talking points, while Juventus and AC Milan start Serie A next weekend with new managers.

This is my take on what has happened in continental Europe's big four leagues this summer.

Spain

                                         

                                             Atletico Madrid won the league but lost the Champions League final in six days

La Liga's key summer signings
Luis Suarez (Liverpool - Barcelona)
Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich - Real Madrid)
James Rodriguez (Monaco - Real Madrid)
Mario Mandzukic (Bayern - Atletico Madrid)
Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad - Atletico Madrid)

La Liga looked a picture of health last season, with Real Madrid and Sevilla winning the Champions League and Europa League respectively, while Atletico Madrid sealed a shock title win.

Real Madrid's formidable display against Sevilla in the Uefa Super Cupsuggested they are ready to re-impose the established domestic order.

Toni Kroos will add real control to their midfield, and the partnership between Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale is touching new heights - without even mentioning World Cup star James Rodriguez.

                                      

                                           Real have three of the four most expensive players of all time