Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid midfielder lashes out at Benfica stars for altercations with Vinicius: ‘Say it without covering your mouth’
Real Madrid’s clash against Benfica in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs was a heated affair in Lisbon on multiple levels, so much so that the non-football matters trumped the actual game and stole the spotlight.
From Vinicius Jr.’s celebration to the on-field racial abuse and the clashes between players and even staff members of both sides, tensions ran high throughout the game.
Eventually, however, Real Madrid did take home a 1-0 lead made sweeter by the fact that it was Vinicius who scored. After all, the winger was the centre of all the attention and controversy on the night.
Inter Milan legend weighs in
Speaking to the media after the game, former Real Madrid attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder opened up about the incident between Vinicius Jr. and Gianluca Prestianni and how the Benfica player’s actions are simply unacceptable.
“Prestianni should be a man, and not cover his mouth while saying that to Vinicius. If you are going to say it, at least say it without covering your mouth.”
He then made it very clear how racism has no place in football and how poorly it reflects on the sport to still have individuals call darker coloured athletes names.
“It’s a scandal that people still keep calling black people ‘Monkey’!
“Oh, and something else. Prestianni literally has black teammates! What on earth will they be thinking?” he added.
Sneijder then spoke on the incident between Nicolas Otamendi and Vinicius Jr., where after a brief altercation, the former showed the Real Madrid star his tattoo of the FIFA World Cup, his Copa America titles and Finalissima.
“What Otamendi did was super childish. Is he alright in the head? He was literally 1-0 down as well,” he began.
“If I were Vinícius, I would have responded with ‘Messi won that World Cup for you, you had nothing to do with it’,” he added.
Speaking on how Otamendi’s reaction was very immature, the Dutch legend said,
“Why is he doing this to a Real Madrid player? Does he have any idea how many CL titles Vinícius has won? & he is showing him trophies?”
Source: The Touchline
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.
