Real Madrid News
Key Real Madrid midfielder is likely to miss two or three matches due to injury – report
At the age of 37, Luka Modric will lead the charge for the Croatian National Team in the FIFA World Cup later this year.
The midfielder is understandably the centre-piece in Zlatko Dalic’s side and participated in every minute of Croatia’s two UEFA Nations League encounters in the recently concluded international break.
He returned to Real Madrid with a minor injury and the club confirmed the same via an official announcement on Wednesday. While this does come as a blow to Carlo Ancelotti’s plans, Modric’s fitness is of top priority given his age.
According to reports from Mario Cortegana, the midfield maestro will miss two or three games in light of his fitness setback. The exact period of his absence will be determined by how he recovers.
For the games against Osasuna and Shakhtar Donetsk, Dani Ceballos is best placed to replace Modric in the middle of the park. The Spaniard is expected to start alongside Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni though Eduardo Camavinga makes a strong case to start as well.
In the best-case scenario, the Ballon d’Or winner will make his return against Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Yet, it is likely that he will not be rushed and may make his next appearance only prior to El Clasico.
Many expect this to be the 37-year-old’s final season at the top level. Yet, Modric continues to defy all odds and deliver top-notch performances week in and week out for both club and country.
This season, he already has two goals and one assist for Los Blancos in nine appearances.
Eden Hazard is one of the Real Madrid players who have vowed to stay at Santiago Bernabeu until the end of his contract. His current deal at the club expires in 2024.
Even though the Real Madrid star has been courted by several MLS and even the Saudi Arabian clubs, the forward has shown no desire to leave Bernabeu just yet. He wants to stay at the club even though Los Blancos are ready to sanction his sale this summer.
In the midst of this drama, a fresh report from Alfredo Matilla suggests Real Madrid are now considering terminating the contract of Eden Hazard.
This comes shortly after a report which claimed that a Real Madrid player who is not out of contract this summer, may shockingly leave the club this summer. Ferland Mendy was a potential candidate, but it appears Hazard has not been ruled out either.
The Belgian international has offered very little since joining from Chelsea in 2019 for a record-breaking €115 million fee. His spell at the Bernabeu has been marred by injuries, while the player has also struggled to impress when given the opportunities.
Inside the Real Madrid dressing room, there is both grief and resentment towards Belgian, who has remained steadfast in his decision to stay at the club. He has a good standing in the team due to his professionalism, but the Real Madrid bosses are determined to get rid of him this summer.
Hazard, after all, is the highest-paid player in the squad and his departure could open up a chunk of the space in the salary mass. But it must be noted that Real Madrid would have to spend a fortune to terminate Hazard’s contract.
Hence, it will be interesting to see whether or not Los Blancos end up splashing the cash in order to get Hazard out of their books this coming summer.
