Real Madrid News
Former La Liga goalkeeper hails Real Madrid superstar as the best ever in his position
In a recent interaction, former La Liga goalkeeper Santiago Canizares has offered his two cents on all things Real Madrid, including the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona.
Canizares also offered his thoughts on the Ballon d’Or ceremony, which is going to be held next week.
Canizares on Courtois
Canizares was an international goalkeeper during his time, who played for Real Madrid’s first team between 1994 to 1998. He made 55 competitive matches for Los Blancos during his time at the Bernabeu.
Speaking of goalkeepers, though, Canizares heaped praise on Thibaut Courtois while also lauding his coach Luis Llopis.
“Courtois is the best goalkeeper I have ever seen. He is very good, he has a lot of talent and he has grown a lot in recent years under Luis Llopis. He has gone from being a great goalkeeper to the best in the world,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
“Lunin, from the doubts he generated, has made him one of the best in the Champions League. His work must be valued. Courtois is capable of handling one-on-one situations and blocking the goal,” he said.
Canizares on Ballon d’Or
Although Vinicius Jr. is emerging as the clear favourite, Canizares has backed two other stars to win the coveted trophy.
Indeed, Canizares believes the Ballon d’Or title should go to Spaniards such as Dani Carvajal or Rodri, though he acknowledged that Vinicius is the clear favourite.
“The fact that Vinicius is on the list and there are two Spanish candidates who split the vote makes it difficult. Carvajal and Rodri deserve it for the titles they have won and because they are in the most successful teams,” he said.
“They have not had a Ballon d’Or. They are neither that media-friendly nor do they have the affection of the voters, that is why the bet is on Vinicius,” he added.
Canizares on El Clasico
Finally, Canizares offered his thoughts on the upcoming Clasico, backing Real Madrid to secure a victory owing to their home advantage.
“After this week it’s clear that both teams are in good form. Real Madrid are winning but they’re not playing well and they’re winning games, and Barcelona have a new energy thanks to their coach,” he said.
Canizares added that a win for Barcelona cannot be guaranteed despite their solid form and a recent 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich.
“They’re playing better but that doesn’t guarantee a favourable result. If we’re talking about favourites, we’re going for the one that’s playing at home,” he concluded.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
M.E Leboko
October 24, 2024 at 6:22 pm
I think some of greats in football don’t know what to win Ballon d’or needs as they always mentioned teams that won too many trophies do think the players from it should win this trophy.
No,it is not like they seem to think,to win i think is through an individual performance which may have resulted in giving his team to have won silverware.
Player like Vini has in many occasions performed individually in scoring goals or assisting others scoring goals which put the team to win.
Even the Ballon d’or won by Benzema Vini played a very crucial role in Benzema having won that cup.Vinicius in most games Madrid won has been the mastermind for every win for taking defenders on thus creating space for others to score.
So let us just give what is right to where it is suitable.