Real Madrid News
Fran Garcia talks Mourinho, Bellingham, Vinicius, Carreras, Cucurella, Real Madrid exit
Fran Garcia will face Real Madrid as an opponent when Real Betis host Los Blancos, just months after leaving the club he supported as a boy.
The Spanish left-back joined Betis this summer after deciding that his career needed a different direction despite being under contract at Madrid.
Now, in an interview with AS, Garcia has opened up about his departure, Jose Mourinho’s return and several of his former teammates.
Leaving Real Madrid was not an easy decision, but it was one Garcia had already made before the summer.
“It’s the best club in the world, but the decision itself had been made since last season.
“I was happy there, I played, I won titles you dream of as a kid… But I needed something else.
“I had a contract and could have stayed at Real Madrid, but Betis was ideal for continuing my career.”
Garcia saw the writing on the wall at left-back
Garcia’s decision was also influenced by the competition for his position.
Real Madrid have continued investing heavily in the left-back position, with Alvaro Carreras arriving after Garcia had finished the previous campaign playing important matches.
“That’s right. I’ve had some really good spells of competing, playing at a high level, and feeling good.
“They signed Alvaro (Carreras), and I even finished the season playing important matches, but that’s the feeling.”
For Garcia, moving to Betis offered a clearer path and the opportunity to continue developing rather than remaining in an increasingly crowded position.
“And then this year, when the Cucurella thing comes up, I think to myself: we have four full-backs, I don’t know if I’ll be up to the task.
“Because Ferland (Mendy) is injured, but he’ll be back at the end of the year. And besides, they’ve spent fifty million on one and sixty on the other.
“I understand that those players are going to be the priority.”
Garcia backs Mourinho to revive Madrid
Although Garcia left before Mourinho began his second spell in charge, the former Madrid defender has welcomed the appointment.
“I don’t think there could have been a better replacement; he’s ideal. Last season was unusual – there was far too much commotion.
“If anyone can get Real Madrid back on track – the dressing room, the relationship with the fans and, above all, by delivering results – it’s Mourinho.”
Garcia also believes Jude Bellingham, with whom he shares a great friendship, has rediscovered his best level after what he described as an unusual season at Madrid.
“It’s just that last year was a bit of a strange one at Real Madrid. I think Jude really came into his own at the World Cup and realised that he can now rediscover that best version of himself.
“For me, in fact, he’s at his best at Madrid right now – even better than in his first season.
“He’s really coming into his own this season. I’m absolutely delighted for him. For me, at this level, he’s the best in the world in his position.”
Facing Real Madrid rather than playing alongside them will also give Garcia a different perspective on Vinicius Junior.
“He always is as an opponent. Vini is a player who makes a real difference.
“He never hides away; he makes 20 million runs per match, and he keeps at it even when things aren’t going his way.
“But of course, the moment things start to go his way… He’s been like that since his first year with Castilla – a lad who keeps at it until he gets it right.
“And it’s the same now: he might be on form or off form, but he never fades into the background.”
Reunion with Ceballos
There will be another familiar reunion for Garcia when Dani Ceballos joins him at Betis.
The former Madrid midfielder has returned to his boyhood club, and Garcia believes his arrival can make a difference in Europe.
“It’s a huge joy, because he’s going to take our quality to the next level. I’m delighted to be reunited with a teammate who’s here to achieve some truly wonderful and great things.
“Dani is returning to the club he’s always played for, and that’s going to give him the strength to deliver that extra edge we need in the Champions League,” he concluded.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid believe recent events vs Villarreal and Roma were necessary to unite dressing room
As is the case always, there is a lot of noise surrounding Real Madrid. The Merengues continue to wage war against FC Barcelona over the Negreira case while continuing to battle the refereeing system in La Liga.
Performances on the pitch have not met the level of expectations and there is constant scrutiny on the team and the club as a whole.
Not a coincidence
Now, according to Jose Felix Diaz of AS, Real Madrid do not view recent events as isolated incidents. At Valdebebas, the club’s leadership believes that what has happened since the start of La Liga points to something more than a series of coincidences.
In their view, the events suggest a deliberate pattern, with the four-match suspension handed to Vinícius Jr. on Wednesday representing the culmination of what they perceive as a series of provocations.
Relations between Real Madrid and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have been strained for some time, but club officials believe the latest developments go further than previous disagreements.
Their view is that what has happened “has not been accidental”, although this is a reflection of the club’s position rather than an established fact.
Vinicius suspension intensifies the dispute
Real Madrid see the four-match ban imposed on Vinicius as a provocation, both because of its length and, above all, because of the timing of its announcement. The decision was communicated less than two hours before kick-off against Roma.
The RFEF’s disciplinary decisions are usually published in the early afternoon. However, the complexity of the Vinicius case coupled with some other events delayed the publication of all the rulings, not just the one concerning the Brazilian’s red card.
Nevertheless, the timing has reinforced Real Madrid’s existing concerns about their relationship with the governing body.
Mourinho becomes the club’s public voice
The latest disagreement comes after tentative efforts to open a dialogue, which have so far failed to produce meaningful progress. Relations between the two sides appear more distant than ever.
One significant difference this time is that Jose Mourinho has become the principal spokesperson for Real Madrid’s position. The Portuguese coach is prepared to communicate the club’s views directly and without diplomatic restraint.
Mourinho represents the club’s thinking and shares its concerns. His personality and direct communication style align with the message Real Madrid want to convey.
Comeback in Rome could prove a turning point
Despite the growing tension off the pitch, Real Madrid believe their recent performances could have a positive impact within the squad.
The club consider the events of Saturday and the comeback against Roma on Wednesday to have been particularly important.
There is a strong belief at Valdebebas that the team needed moments of adversity and a comeback of that magnitude to achieve greater unity within the dressing room.
The Champions League battle in Rome is therefore viewed as more than just another result. Internally, the conviction is that the experience could help strengthen the team’s collective spirit and bring the players together at a crucial stage of the season.
