Real Madrid News
Injured €40 million-rated Real Madrid ace could return in time to face Barcelona
Brahim Diaz had been in good nick when he suffered an adductor injury last month, dealing yet another blow for Real Madrid.
Initial reports suggested that the 25-year-old Moroccan international would be out for as long as three months, which was a crushing blow considering that the versatile attacker had been influencing proceedings every time he took the field.
As such, when Brahim was spotted training on the pitch earlier this week, it was seen as a huge boost.
Reports soon suggested that the former Manchester City man was set to shorten his recovery deadline and make a comeback much sooner than anticipated earlier.
El Clasico comeback not ruled out
Building on that, AS now reports that Brahim Diaz could be back in action for Real Madrid as early as the Clasico against FC Barcelona later this month.
Real Madrid will return to action on October 19 after the international break with a game against Celta Vigo, and it will come too soon for Brahim.
However, it is not ruled out that the Moroccan ace will be back a week later when the Merengues lock horns with their arch-rivals Barça in a top-of-the-table encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26.
In fact, the report even states that there may even be a possibility that Brahim gets some minutes in the UEFA Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund (October 22) to gain some rhythm heading into El Clasico.
If so, it will be a handy boost for Carlo Ancelotti & co. considering that the Real Madrid attack has not been firing on all cylinders so far this season.
*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar’s summer contract renewal saga compared to a romantic movie: ‘We know how the movie will end’
Vinicius Junior’s contract renewal with Real Madrid was one of the club’s biggest stories of the summer.
Months of uncertainty eventually ended in a long-term agreement that keeps the Brazilian at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2032.
At one point, it looked like the prospect of the Brazilian leaving the Santiago Bernabeu this summer was a realistic possibility.
However, as quoted by MARCA, Thiago Freitas, operations director at Roc Nation, has compared the entire saga to a romantic film with a happy ending.
Vinicius renewal was far from straightforward
Freitas explained that the negotiations were handled by Roc Nation executive Federico Pena and admitted that reaching the final agreement required patience from everyone involved.
“This operation between Vini and Real Madrid was like a trilogy of romance movies,” Freitas said.
“Throughout the movies there are conflicts, there are issues, there are some obstacles. But we all know how the movie will end: with a big kiss and everyone happy,” he added.
There was plenty of speculation around Vinicius while negotiations continued, particularly as the process stretched across the summer.
However, Freitas made it clear that the Brazilian’s preference was always to continue at Real Madrid rather than look for an exit.
“You only have to remember the history of all the players who have passed through Madrid in the last 20 or 30 years. None of them wanted to leave,” he said.
That is an important point for Madrid supporters. The difficulty appears to have been reaching an agreement that satisfied both sides, rather than convincing Vinicius that his future belonged at the club.
Jose Mourinho now has certainty
For Jose Mourinho, the first few weeks were spent in uncertainty over whether Vinicius would be part of his project at the club.
The Portuguese tactician has always been a vocal advocate of keeping the Brazilian and was said to have been a driving factor in the contract negotiations.
Ultimately, as Freitas put it, everything ended in a big hug and a kiss between Vinicius and Real Madrid. It meant that everyone, except Arsenal were happy.
It remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old can now repay the club and Mourinho’s faith in him, and return to his best level this season and beyond.
