Real Madrid News
Benzema posts cryptic message on social media ahead of World Cup final
Real Madrid and France forward Karim Benzema has hinted that he might not be attending the 2022 World Cup final where his side takes on Argentina at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday, December 18.
Benzema was ruled out of the world event even before it started due to a muscular ailment. And now that the forward has now recovered from the injury, there were rumours that he would return to the national team fold but as it turns out, it is not the case.
France coach Didier Deschamps avoided answering the question about calling up Benzema for the final, following their semi-final win over Morocco.
“I don’t want to answer,” said the head coach. “Next question.”
It must be noted that Benzeman’s personal relationship with Deschamps is not really good. As reported before, the Les Bleus boss was left frustrated with the fact that the Real Madrid forward did not thank him during his Ballon d’Or acceptance speech earlier this year.
Meanwhile, France president Emmanuel Macron has invited all the first-team players who could not be a part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This includes Benzema, Paul Pogba and Christopher Nkunku, among others.
But with a post across his social media platforms, Benzema has dropped a huge hint that he might not be travelling to the venue, simply writing, “I’m not interested.”
This comes after reports emerged that France legend and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, who is close with Benzema, had also turned down the invitation to attend the World Cup final in Qatar.
Benzema has been struggling with injuries since the beginning of the 2022/23 season, but he made his return when Madrid took part in a 60-minute friendly encounter against Leganes on Thursday.
And now that he has enough minutes in his tank, it is understood that he is no longer feeling any discomfort and should ideally feature against Real Valladolid on December 30 when Madrid resume their La Liga action.
Before that, however, the team from the capital city will also a friendly against Getafe on December 23.
Real Madrid News
€85 million-rated Serie A winger ‘dreams’ of playing for Real Madrid, claims father:
Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dreams of playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid, the winger’s father has revealed following the UEFA Champions League clash between the two teams last night.
Kvaratskhelia, 22, exploded upon arriving at Napoli last year, leading them to the Serie A title on the back of his explosive performances.
The Georgian winger has been impressing in the ongoing campaign as well, although he failed to score or assist in either of Napoli’s meetings with Real Madrid in the Champions League group stages.
Kvaratskhelia has previously spoken about how he has always been a lifelong supporter of Real Madrid and grew up idolising some of the club’s legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Guti, among others.
Now, the 22-year-old winger’s father has revealed that his son has always dreamt of and continues to dream of playing for Real Madrid.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Kvaratskhelia’s father said: “Khvicha always dreamed and still dreams of playing for Real Madrid. I am sure about it.”
Talking about the fact that the winger got to play against Real Madrid, Kvaratskhelia’s father added: “For Khvicha, playing vs Real Madrid was special. In my family, everyone is a Real Madrid supporter, except me.”
Real Madrid are in the market for attacking reinforcements, but they are looking for a centre-forward next summer and have Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as their main targets.
As for Kvaratskhelia, whose market value stands at €85 million, it seems quite apparent that he harbours dreams of playing for Real Madrid. But it remains to be seen if there is some interest from Los Blancos in signing the winger.
