Real Madrid News
Benzema, Vazquez still not back in group training – report
While most of the players from Real Madrid away on international duties, the select few who have remained at the club trained with the Castilla squad at the Valdebebas training ground today.
However, as Mundo Deportivo reports club captain Karim Benzema and versatile star Lucas Vazquez did not train with the rest of the group and still continued their recovery in the indoor facilities.
Benzema picked up an injury in the UEFA Champions League outing against Celtic two weeks ago and has since missed three matches for Los Blancos, including the Madrid derby against Atletico this past weekend.
As for Vazquez, he got injured in the La Liga clash versus RCD Mallorca around ten days back and has not played since either.
While Benzema made a push to try and return for the derby, the French striker and the coaching staff ultimately decided not to rush things with his recovery considering that he is the only recognised senior striker on the club’s books at the moment.
Both Benzema and Vazquez are yet to fully recover from their ailments but are still expected to be available for Real Madrid’s next game against Osasuna on October 2.
In the absence of their club captain, Real Madrid have coped fairly well, with Rodrygo Goes stepping in and taking up the mantle of operating as the No. 9.
The Brazilian has formed a fine partnership with compatriot Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde, and the trio was key to Real Madrid’s 2-1 win against Atletico, which ensured that they remained at the top of the La Liga standings.
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.
