Real Madrid News
Barcelona vice president issues apology to Vinicius Jr. over board member’s distasteful post
Vinicius Jr. has endured a difficult week so far. After being subjected to racial slurs in the game against Sevilla, the Real Madrid attacker found himself on the crosshair of Mikel Camps, the deputy spokesperson on Barcelona’s board of members.
During the game against Braga, Camps made a crass tweet on Vinicius after being left unimpressed by his showboating against the opposition defenders.
In the tweet, Camps criticized Vinicius for his showboating, but at the start, he invalidated the attacker’s past experiences with racial intolerance.
“It’s not racism, he deserves a slap for being a clown and a joker. What do these unnecessary and meaningless bicycles represent in the centre of the field?” Camps wrote in a tweet.
Rafa Yuste issues an apology
In light of these recent events that have unfolded, Rafa Yuste, the Barcelona vice president has issued an apology to Vinicius Jr. over Camps’ tweet.
“Even if it was a mistake, it did not have to be done. It is an unfortunate tweet. If you are listening to me Vini, it will not be repeated,” Yuste said (h/t AS).
Yuste’s apology is the first real response from Barcelona following the incident. But whether or not Real Madrid see it just as an olive branch or something more remains to be seen.
The aftermath
Yuste’s comments, after all, come after a series of events that unfolded, shortly after Camps’ tweet against Vinicius Jr.
Camps deleted the tweet moments after making it, but there was enough time for various media publications across Spain to take a screenshot.
After his tweet came to light in the press, criticism followed, with Real Madrid fans and players livid with the crass nature of the tweet.
Vinicius’ compatriot and close teammate Rodrygo called the tweet an ‘embarrassment‘.
In addition, it appears Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will not attend the upcoming El Clasico, in what is a fresh sign of growing animosity between the two clubs.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hope captain will resume group training tomorrow and be ready for Villarreal
Real Madrid received a major boost in training today as Kylian Mbappe participated in the group session, indicating his readiness for the upcoming game against Villarreal.
The French superstar had returned from international duty with a knee injury, but seems to have left it behind and appears ready to start at the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday.
What about Federico Valverde?
Now, according to AS, Federico Valverde was not part of the group training session today at Valdebebas. Instead, he was involved in an individual session away from his teammates.
However, Real Madrid hope that their club captain will be able to resume working with the rest of the squad on Thursday, putting him in the fray to return in time for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.
Valverde is currently recovering from an ankle sprain that he sustained in Real Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid prior to the international break.
The Uruguayan midfielder was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Kang-In Lee, which left him injured, ruling him out of action for the national team.
The 28-year-old stayed behind in Madrid and has worked hard on his recovery, with things progressing in the right direction.
What now remains to be seen is whether he can jump back into group training session on Thursday, which would put him on the path to return to action against Villarreal.
A key player for Mourinho
So far this season, Valverde has emerged as a permanent fixture in the team under new manager Jose Mourinho.
The Real Madrid captain has started all of the team’s eight matches in all competitions this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
His potential availability for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal will come as a major boost for Mourinho & co. Everything will depend on how things progress in tomorrow’s training session at Valdebebas.
With Ibrahima Konate also recovering from his knee sprain, Real Madrid have only three players sidelined currently: Raul Asencio, who recently underwent surgery, Rodrygo Goes, who is a long-term absentee, and Ferland Mendy, who has resumed work with the ball.
