Real Madrid News
Injury update: Karim Benzema ruled out of Barcelona clash this weekend
In a shocking revelation for Real Madrid fans, Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the El Clasico on the weekend due to injury, reports Sergio Quirante. The Frenchman did not train with the group today, and therefore his presence on Sunday night is too risky to pull off.
After picking up an injury vs Mallorca, there have been several updates on his situation, with reports stating that he could be fit in time for the game. However, after missing training completely yesterday, and only training alone today, he will have to watch the game from the stands.
Benzema has been head and shoulders above most players this season, scoring 22 goals and assisting 11 in the league. His 45 goal contributions across the season are only matched by Robert Lewandowski this season, while Mohamed Salah comes close with 41, while Kylian Mbappe has 40.
Without him, it is likely that Carlo Ancelotti starts with one of Luka Jovic or Gareth Bale as the striker. Marco Asensio has been used there in the past, and could be deployed again with Rodrygo on the right-wing.
Ferland Mendy has been ruled out of the game as well, which puts a host of trouble on Ancelotti’s shoulders, especially during such a crucial part of the season. A stumble here could cost them dearly.
Arda Guler’s Real Madrid stint has not gotten off to the start he would have hoped to have given the expectation that preceded the transfer.
Having joined in the summer after Real Madrid outbid their competition to win him over from Fenerbahce for a 20-million-euro fee, buzz was high as the winger was expected to slot into the team quite seamlessly, albeit on a rotational basis.
Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, he has been constantly marred by injuries since completing the move.
Reports have stated that after Guler picked up his third injury since his move, Real Madrid have been concerned and want to take things slow with the player to ensure he is fit as soon as possible after an injury to his quadriceps this time.
The Turk is yet to make his competitive debut for the club, and Real Madrid even sacked their medical chief in November, in light of their injury crises since the beginning of the season.
No loan deal for Guler
However, according to Fabrizio Romano in a recent YouTube video, he states that Madrid maintain full trust and patience in the youngster.
Despite his bad luck with injuries, the latest of which he is scheduled to return from after Christmas, the Galacticos have no intention of loaning out Guler to Turkish clubs despite lots of speculation of them doing so of late.
Romano states that Madrid remain firm on not shaking things up too much with the squad, and they want to keep their roster stable, including Arda Guler.
They want to extend their full support and protection to the player as he aims to return to full fitness and finally make his bow for Madrid either by the end of this month or in 2024.
