Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid prodigy ‘not thinking about’ a future return to the Bernabeu
Speaking in an interview with MARCA, Real Sociedad and Japan forward Takefusa Kubo has claimed that he is not thinking about returning to his former club Real Madrid at this point.
The 21-year-old, who had previously spent time at Barcelona’s La Masia academy, signed for Real Madrid in 2019, arriving from Tokyo FC.
However, Kubo was shipped off on loan year after year, as he had stints with RCD Mallorca (twice), Villarreal and Getafe before joining Real Sociedad permanently in the summer earlier this year.
But, Los Blancos inserted a future buyback clause for the Japanese international in their agreement with La Real. And recent reports indicate that the Spanish and European champions will be closely following Kubo at the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022.
While Real Madrid may be monitoring the 21-year-old, the winger himself is not thinking about returning to the Santiago Bernabeu at this point.
Furthermore, Kubo claimed that he is very grateful to Real Sociedad for taking a chance with him as that made it possible for him to be at the World Cup.
“Right now I’m a Real Sociedad player and I don’t think about anything else. The coach looks after me very well, and so do my teammates,” Kubo said.
“If it wasn’t for Real [Sociedad], I would have lost my ticket for the World Cup. Now I’m lucky to be called up among the 26 and I thank the Real family. I don’t think about anything else,” he added.
Since joining Sociedad from Real Madrid, Kubo has been a regular for Imanol Alguacil’s side, managing to score two goals and assist four more from 17 matches in all competitions.
Representing Japan at the World Cup, Kubo will come face to face with some of his former Barcelona and Real Madrid teammates as the Asian nation has been drawn in the same group as Spain.
When he asked if he had many friends in the Spanish national team, Kubo replied: “Yes, I do, but I haven’t spoken to anyone so far.”
And when probed to name his favourite players from La Roja, the Japanese opted for Barcelona duo Ansu Fati and Eric Garcia, saying: “I would choose Eric or Ansu because they are my friends.”
Kubo will begin his World Cup campaign today when Japan face Germany. And Real Madrid will likely be keeping a close watch on how the 21-year-old fares.
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.
