Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Mbappe, Bale, Modric, and UCL final ahead of Real Betis clash
Club football is about to draw curtains on the season in the coming weeks. The Europa League final was contested between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers yesterday, and the Conference League final and the Champions League final are set to go ahead on 25th and 28th May, respectively.
However, before we can move to the cup finals, Real Madrid will host Real Betis in the final gameweek of La Liga. The result of this game has no consequences for Madrid, something as little as a draw could fifth place and Europa League football for Betis.
Ahead of this encounter, Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media as part of the pre-game press conference.
On the game: “Good feelings ahead of tomorrow’s game. It will be the last game at Santiago Bernabeu and we want to thank our fans for this season. We want to win.”
On Gareth Bale: “Gareth Bale trained today and he will be in the squad for tomorrow’s game. We will see if he will seat on the bench.”
“Ths whole world knows Gareth Bale is leaving Real Madrid and will say goodbye. But we have to remember he’s part of this club’s history and he’s been very important.”
On the team selection: “Modric and Marcelo will play tomorrow. Alaba will return to training on Monday.”
“Same XI of the final tomorrow? No, I’m not thinking about that. I want to give minutes to the players who have played less.”
“We want to play a competitive game tomorrow. The players who didn’t play against Cadiz will have more minutes tomorrow.”
On the contracts: “The players whose contracts end this year are not thinking about it. They are focused on these last two games.”
On the UCL final: “We have not thought about the UCL final yet. We will start working on it on Monday. But everything is ready.”
“Doubts on the starting XI against Liverpool? No. It’s all clear for me.”
On the guard of honour: “A double guard of honour between Madrid and Betis? I don’t know (laughs). It will be a great game. I would give Betis a guard of honour because they won Copa del Rey, an important trophy.”
On Kylian Mbappe: “If fans ask me about Mbappe? No. I think all our fans are focused on the UCL final.”
“I am not thinking about Kylian Mbappé at all. Our only focus is the Champions League final. And stop.”
“Mbappe or winning the Champions League? I think we all are thinking about winning our 14th Champions League.”
“Mbappe’s final decision? Look, I’m only concerned about the UCL final right now.”
Source: Real Madrid Twitter
According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Gabriel Rajkovic, a 15-year-old winger whose rapid development at Valerenga has already attracted attention from several of Europe’s leading sides.
The Merengues are known for keeping an eye on exciting young talent across the globe and it seems that Rajkovic’s exploits in Norway, with the first team, have alerted them.
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Rajkovic
As per the report, Real Madrid are among a host of clubs closely following the progress of the young forward.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
His development has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also understood to be monitoring him.
However, at this point, it is Arsenal and Chelsea, who are understood to be leading the charge for Rajkovic, having compiled a detailed dossier on the teenage prodigy after extensive scouting.
On top of that, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched Rajkovic in recent weeks.
Real Madrid could therefore face significant competition if they decide to step up their interest in a player who has already made an impression at senior level.
Making an impact at just 15
Rajkovic was handed a promotion to the Valerenga first-team squad in January earlier this year, when he was only 14 years old.
Following that, he signed a new contract with the club in March, when he turned 15, committing to the club until 2028.
Despite being only 15, the winger has already begun gaining experience in first-team football. In all, he has made 14 senior appearances for the Norwegian outfit, scoring three and assisting one goal.
Rajkovic has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates.
Those numbers become more impressive when his age and stage of development are taken into account.
Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent well before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
But given the number of clubs in the race, signing the teenage wonderkid will not be easy.
