Real Madrid News
18-year-old Real Madrid academy prodigy has caught Ancelotti’s eye – report
The rise of Nico Paz over the past year has been astronomical. The youngster is one of the biggest talking points from the club’s academy and is considered the crown jewel of a special crop of talents coming through La Fabrica.
Many in the club administration believe that he is the best young talent at Real Madrid. Considering his red-hot performances for the U-19s and Castilla, many consider him to be ready to take the step up to the first team.
According to reports from Mario Cortegana, the officials higher up have taken notice of young Nico. He has caught Carlo Ancelotti’s eye, particularly for his power and technique on the field. Moreover, the manager likes the youth prodigy’s physical resilience in individual battles and close control in tight spaces.
Nico has played 17 times in the league for Castilla this season, scoring two goals and setting up three more. He also netted five times in seven appearances for the U-19s in the UEFA Youth League.
Paz is an attacking midfielder by trade and is seen as one who can add a new dimension to the first team’s already stacked midfield. The only obstacle on that front is seemingly the severe competition for minutes.
The conditions are not amicable for the Argentine prodigy to make the step up to the first team, for regular playing time is a must in the early years of his career.
However, one can expect him to receive the occasional call-up to the senior side throughout next season and feature as a regular member in training sessions.
With the futures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric uncertain beyond the next season, the doors to the first team for Nico Paz could well open in just over a year’s time. Going by the little he has shown in his stint at the club so far, he will be more than ready to pounce on his chance.
Real Madrid News
Mbappe hits out at claims on his unhappiness at Real Madrid: ‘Angry at my great aunt too’
Kylian Mbappe has been in the news for a plethora of reasons in recent weeks, starting with his injury and surprise vacation. Beyond that, the Ballon d’Or saga has kept him in the spotlight for a reasonable while now.
The Frenchman, after all, has not held back in speaking out about why he deserves to win the prestigious individual award, and while it is perfectly okay to campaign for the award, it is something that has not usually been done in the past.
In terms of his goalscoring numbers, there is no doubt that Mbappe should be a frontrunner for the award. His lack of a single trophy for both club and country, however, works against his chances.
Mbappe’s sarcastic reply to baseless rumours
Earlier today, there were reports of Kylian Mbappe being angry with Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid for not campaigning for him to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
The rumours, needless to say, portrayed the player in a very bad light and made it seem like the club not making public gestures to acknowledge and back his campaign affected him personally.
Now, the player has himself come out to lash out at the journalists, albeit in a sarcastic manner. Commenting directly below the post making the claim via Fabrizio Romano, the player wrote,
“Yes, yes, I even got angry with my great aunt too.”
Mbappe’s ability to deal with such reports with a tinge of humour, needless to say, is impressive and it can only be good for his image that he spoke out and cut off the news at its roots.
Set to return
There has been significant concern around Mbappe’s fitness in recent weeks after the player left the French national team with an injury after their first game.
The initial diagnosis appeared worrying, but it soon came to light that the player had avoided a major setback by a hair’s breadth.
Now, there is increasing hope that the Frenchman will be back for Real Madrid’s first game after the break against Villarreal, possibly even as a starter.
Needless to say, that comes as a massive positive for Jose Mourinho’s plans ahead of a crucial stretch of the season.
