Real Madrid News
Karim Benzema wins the Alfredo Di Stefano award for the Best Player in La Liga
After enjoying a stunning past year, the accolades continue to come Karim Benzema’s way as he has now won the Alfredo Di Stefano Award for the Best Player in La Liga at the MARCA Awards Gala for 2021/22.
Benzema enjoyed a spectacular 2021/22 campaign that saw him plunder 44 goals across all competitions, leading the charge for Real Madrid’s triumphs in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
The 34-year-old striker had already won the UEFA Best Player of the Year Award already and is the favourite to lift the Ballon d’Or in the coming month.
Now, he has also added the Alfredo Di Stefano Award to his cabinet, while also winning the Hyundai MVP Award as well as the Pichichi Trophy for being the top scorer in La Liga last season.
Talking after accepting the honours, Benzema said: “It’s a very important trophy for me. I want to thank my teammates. Every year it’s more difficult to win, but we’re strong.”
The French international also went on tip teammates Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes as possible contenders for the Pichichi award in the future, saying: “I see Vinicius and Rodrygo as Real Madrid’s next top scorers.”
Having been out injured over the past three weeks, Benzema returned to normal training earlier today and is now raring to get back on the field when Real Madrid face Osasuna at the weekend.
“I’m ready to play, I’m lucky to be able to play for the best club in the world,” he said. “Di Stefano always told me to believe in my dreams and to enjoy every moment at Real Madrid.”
On his most memorable goal from last season, Benzema said: “If it’s La Liga, I think the one from Sevilla was at the last minute and in the Champions League the ones from PSG, which was a magical night.”
On the objectives for the ongoing campaign, he added: “I feel very proud of my work. I think this year is going to be a difficult year, but with great enthusiasm, I always want to do more. I’m going to try to do more. Win LaLiga, score a lot of goals and most importantly for me, enjoy field”.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
