Real Madrid News
La Liga manager backs Real Madrid superstar for Ballon d’Or: “Player who does everything”
The start of the new season has been all roses for Real Madrid as the team extended their unbeaten streak to eleven games with their win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
While Barcelona lead the La Liga standings, the defending champions are only behind on goal difference. Further, they are well placed to finish top of their group in the UEFA Champions League.
However, the new season has not been as easy for Karim Benzema. The Frenchman has excelled in Ancelotti’s setup as a playmaker but has struggled to recreate his clinical finishing in front of the goal so far this term.
The veteran is tipped to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or later this month ahead of the likes of Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Kevin de Bruyne. Heading into the weekend’s clash against Real Madrid, Getafe coach Quique Sanchez Flores spoke to the press.
During his media interaction, he took a stance on the Ballon d’Or debate too, backing Benzema to win the coveted award.
“Benzema will be the next Ballon d’Or winner, and if it is not, we will have to doubt those decisions. He is a player who does everything. We are not specifically going to plan against him, but logically he is a player who influences the game a lot,” he said (h/t MARCA).
Last season, the French striker scored 42 goals for Real Madrid across the La Liga and UCL campaigns, while adding two more in the Spanish Super Cup. He single-handedly carried the men in white on several nights. It is not surprising that he is expected to win the award by a record margin.
Benzema’s contract extension with the club is already agreed upon and will be activated the instant he wins the Golden Ball. Needless to say, the manager will hope that he returns to his imperious best in the games to come.
Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dreams of playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid, the winger’s father has revealed following the UEFA Champions League clash between the two teams last night.
Kvaratskhelia, 22, exploded upon arriving at Napoli last year, leading them to the Serie A title on the back of his explosive performances.
The Georgian winger has been impressing in the ongoing campaign as well, although he failed to score or assist in either of Napoli’s meetings with Real Madrid in the Champions League group stages.
Kvaratskhelia has previously spoken about how he has always been a lifelong supporter of Real Madrid and grew up idolising some of the club’s legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Guti, among others.
Now, the 22-year-old winger’s father has revealed that his son has always dreamt of and continues to dream of playing for Real Madrid.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Kvaratskhelia’s father said: “Khvicha always dreamed and still dreams of playing for Real Madrid. I am sure about it.”
Talking about the fact that the winger got to play against Real Madrid, Kvaratskhelia’s father added: “For Khvicha, playing vs Real Madrid was special. In my family, everyone is a Real Madrid supporter, except me.”
Real Madrid are in the market for attacking reinforcements, but they are looking for a centre-forward next summer and have Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as their main targets.
As for Kvaratskhelia, whose market value stands at €85 million, it seems quite apparent that he harbours dreams of playing for Real Madrid. But it remains to be seen if there is some interest from Los Blancos in signing the winger.
