Real Madrid News
Eduardo Camavinga talks Zidane, Mbappe, World Cup disappointment and rough start to the season: ‘Affected me a lot’
The ongoing season has not been an easy one for Eduardo Camavinga, but the player has also not been completely stripped of his prominence.
He is, indeed, far from a starter under Jose Mourinho, especially with the manager having options like Bernardo Silva, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni at his disposal.
Yet, he has been a player the new coach has trusted off the bench, and has relatively repaid that faith decently. Now, he has earned a call-up with France for the international break after missing the World Cup – a clear sign that he is on the right track.
Camavinga’s pre-game thoughts
The Real Madrid midfielder spoke to the media ahead of France’s game against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League earlier today and explained his situation with club and country in detail.
First, he was asked how it felt to be called up by Zinedine Zidane at a low point in his professional career.
“It’s something very important to me, and it’s a personal victory. This proves that I didn’t give up, and that I knew how to come back stronger.”
“Now I have to repay Zidane’s trust in me,” he added.
Thibaut Courtois is not playing for Belgium in the Nations League owing to a personal decision, and Camavinga remarked on how he was relieved he would not be up against the veteran goalkeeper on the night.
“I’m so happy that Courtois won’t play with Belgium tomorrow (laughs).”
Zidane appears to have decided that Kylian Mbappe’s best place on the field with France is on the wing, and Camavinga was asked how he saw the decision to be from the player’s standpoint.
“I think Kylian has already played on the left side before, and in 2022 he delivered an outstanding performance in that position. I’m sure he will succeed in this position under Zidane’s leadership.”
When asked if Mbappe can put in the defensive work rate expected of him, the midfielder said,
“Yes, absolutely, I wouldn’t tell you otherwise.”
Towards the end of his interview, Camavinga was asked what he is lacking in order to be a starter for Real Madrid, to which he said,
“Consistency has delivered good levels before, but the most important thing is maintaining consistency. You have to stay focused on the pitch and make fewer mistakes.”
Finally, he opened up on how difficult it was for him to miss out on the FIFA World Cup.
“Not participating in the World Cup affected me a lot. Everything in my life happened quickly, and this disappointment is new to me.”
“The most important thing now is to come back and recover, because everything needs its time,” he added.
Source: L’Equipe
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
