Real Madrid News
Nacho Fernandez talks Mbappe, Vinicius, Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ballon d’Or: ‘From another planet’
Real Madrid’s difficult start to the season has been marked by several concurrent issues, including Vinicius Jr.’s lack of form, the team’s lack of identity, and possibly even Kylian Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or-focused mindset.
With all the internal turmoil, Los Blancos are simply not able to perform to their level on the field and have already lost six points in La Liga alone.
Several pundits have attempted to break down the single-biggest reason for Real Madrid’s poor start to the season, for there should be no viable excuse given the names in the dressing room and the revolutionary transfer window they pulled off.
Nacho’s detailed talk
Real Madrid legend and former captain Nacho Fernandez spoke at length with El Larguero in a recent interview, where he touched on the club’s current struggles, his departure from Real Madrid, and his former teammates.
The defender first opened up about his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and how the Portuguese star was redefining standards by performing at an exceptional level at his age.
“What Cristiano is doing is from another planet.”
“Reaching that age and still competing like this is crazy,” he added.
Remembering his final days at Real Madrid and how he left the club as a UEFA Champions League winner, just before the team’s slump began, Nacho said,
“It was impossible for it to end better.”
“Captain, La Liga, Super Cup, Champions League, Cibeles, and my last game was a Champions League final,” he adder.
The former player also stated that he was not surprised by Jose Mourinho returning to the club and praised the coach for his ability to lead the team.
“He is a winner and knows how to get teams back on track.”
“After two difficult years, I was not surprised Real Madrid brought him back,” he added.
Nacho was also asked who his pick for the Ballon d’Or would be, to which he said,
“If I had to vote, I would choose Mbappe.”
“Every year he is faster, scores more goals and is a physical beast,” he added.
Finally, he was asked about Vinicius Jr. and how the player is now facing serious wrath at the hands of fans.
“Vinicius is being treated in a way he doesn’t deserve.”
“I know him personally. He is the one who works the most,” he concluded.
One of the biggest positives for Real Madrid from the last season was the breakthrough of young midfielder Thiago Pitarch.
The 19-year-old La Fabrica prospect had been in the first-team dynamics since pre-season under Xabi Alonso, but finally got his senior debut under Alvaro Arbeloa at the turn of the year.
From that moment on, Pitarch did not look back at all, gaining prominence in the team and even starting important matches ahead of established players like Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos.
However, things have not gone as per plans for the teenager this season as he has yet to play a single minute of first-team football.
January loan no longer ruled out
As such, Diario AS now reports that Pitarch would consider leaving Real Madrid on loan during the January transfer window if his situation does not improve.
The teenage midfielder suffered an injury in pre-season which kept him sidelined for a few weeks, denying him an opportunity to start the season under Jose Mourinho.
By the time he returned, the Portuguese tactician had already identified his preferred hierarchy in midfield, with the likes of Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Aurelien Tchouameni and Camavinga firmly ahead in the pecking order.
A stark difference from his debut season
In his debut season, Pitarch ended with 16 first-team appearances for Real Madrid with two assists to his name.
In contrast, this term, the academy graduate has been called up to the matchday squad for five games by Mourinho this term, but has yet to play a single minute of football.
Given the situation, he used the international break to jump down to Castilla and play close to 250 minutes across three games, during which he also registered an assist.
The situation is far from ideal for a young talent who needs regular minutes to continue his development and build on his impressive breakthrough campaign.
As such, the possibility of a departure on loan in January could be considered, after Pitarch turned down offers in the summer to stay at Real Madrid.
A lot will depend on how things evolve in the next couple of months, but a temporary exit cannot be ruled out.
