Real Madrid News
Barcelona icon hails Real Madrid midfielder: “Reminded me of Steven Gerrard”
For the better half of the last decade, Luis Suarez tormented Real Madrid’s defence in every El Clasico. The Uruguayan, aptly nicknamed El Pistolero, was known for his killer instinct in front of goal and etched his name into football history as the only player to outscore Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a season at their peaks.
After a short stint at Atletico Madrid, Suarez closed the curtains on his career in Europe earlier this year and moved to Nacional. He remains a key member of Uruguay’s National team where he shares the dressing room with Federico Valverde.
The Barcelona legend spoke to MARCA recently where he shared his thoughts on Valverde’s growth as a footballer. Speaking about the midfielder’s debut for the National team, he said,
“When Fede Valverde made his debut with the National Team in 2017, I said that he reminded me of Steven Gerrard.”
Having the right environment is crucial for any player to develop his game. Suarez stressed the benefits of being surrounded by the best players in the world and said that Valverde’s astronomical growth was influenced by that factor too.
“Fede Valverde has made great progress, surrounded by big stars. It did him a lot of good.”
In just eight games this season, the 24-year-old has scored four goals and provided two assists. Though traditionally a midfielder, Carlo Ancelotti has found a way to deploy Valverde as a winger this season as the results are a testament to the setup’s success.
Both players are expected to represent La Celeste in the upcoming FIFA World Cup and will look to justify their nation’s perennial tag of being giant killers.
Real Madrid News
Two Real Madrid stars train at club facilities on day off after beating Inter Milan
According to reports on El Chiringuito TV (h/t Bernabeu Digital), two Real Madrid stars, Yan Diomande and Brahim Diaz, trained at the club’s Valdebebas facilities today despite the players being given the day off by manager Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid were in action late on Tuesday night as they defeated Inter Milan 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu in their first UEFA Champions League match of the season.
Following that, Mourinho decided to give his players a rest day before starting preparations for the weekend La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano.
Despite that, both Diomande and Diaz, who compete for the right-wing spot in the team, showed up at the club facilities and trained by themselves.
Diomande yet to get going
Diomande has not made the ideal start to life at Real Madrid. As the most expensive signing in the club’s history, the €140 million price tag inevitably brings enormous expectations, even if that pressure is arguably unfair on such a young player.
Mourinho has deliberately avoided throwing the Ivorian straight into the spotlight, instead introducing him gradually and giving him minutes from the bench.
However, the patience surrounding his adaptation is beginning to be tested as supporters expect more from a player who cost such a huge fee.
Aware that his first performances in white have not been his best, Diomande travelled to Valdebebas on Wednesday morning to train, despite Mourinho giving the entire squad a day off.
Brahim also gives up his day off
Diomande was not the only Madrid player to make that decision. Brahim Diaz also reported to the Ciudad Real Madrid, choosing to train individually despite being given the day off after the Champions League victory over Inter Milan.
The Moroccan attacker started against Inter and played until the 80th minute, producing an impressive performance on both sides of the ball.
Neither Brahim nor Diomande currently has a guaranteed starting role, but both are responding to Mourinho’s demands by putting in additional work.
For Real Madrid, those gestures are an encouraging sign. The Merengues are seeing a squad that appears increasingly disciplined and committed, while the extra effort from players competing for places can help create a healthy level of competition.
It is also precisely the type of attitude Mourinho values. For Diomande in particular, the extra session represents an opportunity to work away from the spotlight and begin closing the gap between his current performances and the very high expectations that came with his record transfer.
