Real Madrid News
Arsenal superstar makes honest admission about Real Madrid veteran: ‘Best in the world’
Few goalkeepers in world football boast of the aura and impact that Thibaut Courtois has for Real Madrid.
The Belgian goalkeeper, over the years, has established himself as not only a mainstay and leader but a regular difference maker on the field for Real Madrid.
Game after game, his saves and actions keep Los Blancos alive and fighting and it is safe to say that his contributions are nothing less than the goals scored by the forwards at the other end of the field.
His recent injury, needless to say, comes as a massive blow.
Arsenal goalkeeper speaks
Speaking to Sky Sports in a recent interview, Arsenal and Spanish national team goalkeeper David Raya praised the Real Madrid shotstopper and explained why he is the best in the business.
“Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world,” he began.
“The things he does for Madrid, he always shows up, like the other day against City. He’s so reliable,” he added on Courtois’ unreal consistency.
Now injured, the Belgian star is expected to be out for close to six weeks and will miss crucial games at a critical stage in the season for Real Madrid.
In the immediate future, he will miss the team’s game against Real Madrid in La Liga, but he will also miss the international break, the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich, and possibly the semifinals should Los Blancos make it through.
Courtois’ impact on the field is difficult to recreate, and Andriy Lunin will have serious responsibility on his shoulders as he steps on the field to fill in his shoes.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid starlet played for Castilla hours after learning about his grandmother’s death
According to AS, Real Madrid youngster Joan Martinez played for Castilla on Friday night with a heavy heart after learning the news of his grandmother’s passing.
Before Real Madrid Castilla’s match against Ibiza yesterday, the young centre-back received devastating news: his grandmother, Matilde, had passed away.
The Merengues’ academy product, however, chose not to share the news publicly, keeping his grief to himself and taking to the pitch without speaking about his loss.
Instead, he played through the grief in what was the toughest match of his life so far, in an act of love, strength and respect for someone who meant so much throughout his life.
A private tribute to his grandmother
As per the report, Martinez wanted the match to serve as an intimate tribute to the person who had been by his side since he first began playing football in his hometown of Alginet, where his family home is based.
Born on 20 August 2007, he had grown up with her support from his earliest days in the game.
Rather than look for excuses or comfort, he chose commitment. Not simply out of a sense of duty to the club, which would have understood his absence, but also out of a personal desire to honour his grandmother and make her proud once more.
The match ended 1-1, earning Castilla a valuable point against one of the division’s leading sides.
It was a difficult game against a difficult opponent in the most difficult of circumstances but Martinez chose to keep fighting.
Martínez continues to work despite an inconsistent season
The young defender has been doing exactly that throughout the campaign, despite experiencing an unusual situation of his own.
After being an undisputed starter last season and regularly featuring under Jose Mourinho with the first team during pre-season, including starting in friendlies against Fiorentina and Ferencvaros, Martinez has endured a more intermittent campaign with Castilla.
The issue has not been his performances, but his playing time. He has become the third-choice centre-back in terms of minutes played, behind Oscar Naasei and Mario Rivas.
But this has not caused Martinez to lower his standards. If anything, he has continued to produce impressive numbers.
He leads the team in several defensive and passing metrics, averaging 1.77 defensive duels won per 90 minutes, 6.2 interceptions, 10.33 recoveries and 53.41 successful passes.
