Real Madrid News
How Real Madrid worked behind the scenes to stop Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami
In a massive win for Real Madrid, La Liga on Tuesday announced that the match between Barcelona and Villarreal, which was supposed to take place in Miami in December, will not happen.
The league put out a statement that acknowledged the recent chaos and uncertainty within the Spanish footballing ecosystem, over its decision to hold a league match outside of Spain.
In cognisance of that, La Liga decided to cancel their project, which the league said would have been a major step towards internationalising the Spanish top-flight.
Real Madrid, to that end, were a key factor in La Liga yielding under pressure, as Los Blancos were one of the main clubs opposed to the project.
How Real Madrid made it happen
As reported by OK Diario (h/t Mundo Deportivo), it took a lot of behind-the-scenes effort for Real Madrid to ensure that La Liga faces enough backlash for the project.
At first, officials at Valdebebas moved quickly after La Liga’s Miami plan was made public. The club sent formal letters of protest to every relevant authority, including the CSD, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), UEFA, and even FIFA, voicing their disapproval of the move.
While most institutions remained silent, Real Madrid found support from the Spanish Players’ Association (AFE), which coordinated protests over the weekend.
Players across the Spanish top flight stood still for 15 seconds before kickoff as a sign of protest against the move, thus adding more pressure on La Liga.
Led internally by Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid also reached beyond Spain, contacting CONCACAF and U.S. Soccer to express their objections.
The club even engaged in discussions with NFL owners, including Stephen Ross, whose company Relevent had partnered with La Liga to host the game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
In the end, these persistent efforts paid off, with La Liga eventually being forced to put out a statement cancelling the project.
Real Madrid News
19-year-old Argentine starlet reflects on difficult Real Madrid spell: ‘It wasn’t easy’
When Real Madrid signed Franco Mastantuono from River Plate last summer, he was widely regarded as one of, if not the biggest, South American talents coming through.
Los Blancos fast-tracked him straight into the first team under Xabi Alonso, but the teenager struggled to adapt to life in Madrid.
Mastantuono left on loan to Fiorentina in the summer in a bid to get regular game time away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Argentine winger experienced a turbulent campaign at Madrid, working under three different coaches: Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and, very briefly, Jose Mourinho.
A difficult season
Speaking to DSports, Mastantuono admitted his year in Madrid had been challenging but believes the experience ultimately helped his development.
“We all had a difficult season in Madrid. It wasn’t easy,” Mastantuono said.
“These things always help you improve and learn. Fiorentina isn’t about revenge, but an opportunity to show the player I am and help Fiorentina become great again,” he explained.
Rather than viewing this move to Italy as an opportunity to move away from Madrid, he seems keen on using the experience he gained there to succeed in Italy.
Mastantuono embraces the pressure
The Argentine also discussed the demands of representing Real Madrid, something he had already experienced in a different form while playing for River Plate.
“I had the privilege of playing for River and Real Madrid, incredible teams,” he said.
“There is pressure, but it is part of the sport. I like it. For me, it is a game as well as a job, of course,” Mastantuono revealed.
That attitude perhaps explains why Mastantuono has gone searching for game time this season rather than staying at Madrid.
No bad blood over Real Madrid exit
Importantly, Mastantuono dismissed any suggestion that his departure from Real Madrid came following a breakdown in his relationship with the club.
Earlier in the summer, it had emerged that the Argentinian wanted to return to River Plate, which Los Blancos did not agree to.
However, even if that situation actually transpired, it looks like it was sorted out amicably.
“When I spoke with Real Madrid, it was a cordial and friendly conversation,” he explained.
“I decided to leave the club. I had many options, and I thank everyone who showed interest,” he concluded.
Mastantuono’s departure puts a pause on a short and complicated chapter for a player who arrived with a lot of expectations.
The good thing for him is that he is only on loan at Fiorentina and could return to Madrid, where the book is still open.
The first chapter may have been difficult, but there is no necessity for the trend to continue through the rest of the chapters.
Mastantuono’s priority now is to have a good season at Fiorentina, and it remains to be seen whether he has a future in the Spanish capital in the coming seasons.
