Real Madrid News
Karim Benzema eyeing a return to Europe, but Real Madrid doors closed
Karim Benzema was Real Madrid’s poster boy last season and the reason behind so many of their successes. The Frenchman’s 2022-23 season may have been injury-riddled, but he was up there in the discussion as one of the best players in the world.
His decision to leave Europe for Saudi Arabia last summer, thus, left fans across the world shocked. After all, he still had a lot to contribute at top-level football with the financial perks being the only factor in favour of the middle-east based league.
Full of regret
According to reports from MARCA, six months is all it took for Benzema to realise that he blundered.
He now feels that the Saudi Pro League, at the moment, is not the best place to nurture his football or mentality. He wants a change in scenery and a return to Europe.
The veteran’s entourage is already working hard to secure an exit less than a year after he joined Al-Ittihad.
But at this point the doors for a potential return to Real Madrid are closed for the former French international.
Benzema is not opposed to a massive pay cut to make it possible, and it goes without saying that his current employers are worried by his stance.
Al-Ittihad will not make it easy for their star man to leave soon, but a sizeable transfer fee could change everything.
What is clear through the situation, however, is that Real Madrid are not interested in pairing up with the player again and have closed the doors to his return.
Looking to the future
Benzema will go down as one of Real Madrid’s greatest-ever players, however, a football administration cannot run on emotions.
Already 36 years of age, signing the player again would be an absurd decision for the club’s long-term plans.
Los Blancos have found an able make-shift solution in Joselu and are still eyeing the signing of a world-class number 9 in the coming summer.
.Both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have been linked with a move to Real Madrid and it remains to be seen which one comes to fruition.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
