Real Madrid News
Morocco hope to include Real Madrid star in squad for AFCON in January – reports
As the world of football heads into the first international break of the season, Europe’s top teams are set to face off in a bid to qualify for the EUROS.
Various National federations have thus called on their best stars to do the business in the two weeks that lie ahead.
Spain are no different, as they boast a star-studded lineup including Barcelona breakout prospect Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid stars Kepa Arrizabalaga, Joselu and Dani Carvajal.
One of the notable absentees from Luis de La Fuente’s list is Brahim Diaz. The Real Madrid youngster is in a difficult spot where he is to choose between either the Spanish or Moroccan National teams and a decision is impending.
Advantage Morocco?
Diaz dreams of representing the country of his birth, Spain and has been waiting for a call-up for a long time now. He has, however, played only one game for La Roja in his career.
According to reports from MARCA, the Moroccan National Team are keenly maintaining an eye on Diaz’s situation.
They have wanted to rope him in for many years now and they see his exclusion from the latest La Roja roster to be the final nail in the coffin.
The African Nation are thus pressuring the player to represent their flag and join the ranks for the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024. Needless to say, Diaz would be the poster boy of the team if he opted to don their colours.
A worthy crest
Morocco are not the minnows that many see them to be in the world of football. The recent FIFA World Cup stands testament to the same.
The African side knocked out Spain and Portugal en route to their historic run to the semifinal of the World Cup. They could not cross the hurdle of France, but that takes nothing away from the star team.
With Diaz in their ranks, they will only soar to greater heights.
Real Madrid were sent in a state of worry last night as their defensive options appeared to have fully diminished.
With Eder Militao already out on the sidelines, Los Blancos lost David Alaba to an injury in the first half of their game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It left Carlo Ancelotti with just two frontline senior centre-backs in Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez.
And by the end of the match, Rudiger was seen limping even though he played the entire 90 minutes.
Rudiger’s knock not serious
The sight of the German being in discomfort raised some concerns. But now, journalist Melchor Ruiz of COPE has provided a positive update on Rudiger’s situation which will come as a relief for Real Madrid fans.
As per the update, Rudiger was put through tests today and the results show that his condition is nothing to be concerned about.
All signs point towards the former Chelsea ace being available to play against La Liga leaders Girona on Saturday away at Montilivi.
This comes as a big relief for Los Blancos who would have been left with Nacho as the last man standing in the centre-back department if Rudiger too was injured.
What did Ancelotti say?
Speaking after the 2-0 win over Las Palmas last night, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti had indicated that Rudiger’s injury was not something to worry about, saying:
“Rüdiger is touched, it’s a blow, but we think it’s going to be fine for the next game. The Alaba thing is a problem with the abductor and I don’t think he’ll be there on Saturday.”
And that is how it has panned out with Rudiger’s knock not serious and the German is now expected to be ready for the Girona clash.
As for Alaba, he will undergo MRI scans tomorrow to determine the extent of his injury.
