Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid squad list to face Atletico Madrid
The second Madrid derby is upon us as Real Madrid travel to Atletico Madrid for gameweek 35 of La Liga. Real Madrid ran out 2-0 winners in the reverse fixture, with Thibaut Courtois making six saves.
The Belgian will not, however, start tomorrow, as confirmed by Carlo Ancelotti in his pre-game press conference. Lunin is set to take his spot in goal, and is joined by Daniel Carvajal, Eder Militao, Jesus Vallejo, Nacho Fernandez, and Ferland Mendy in defence.
Dani Ceballos picked up an injury during training and joins David Alaba, Isco, Gareth Bale, and Eden Hazard on the sidelines.
Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr are in the squad list for the game, but are not expected to be a part of the starting lineup. Comeback hero Rodrygo will be travelling as well.
For the first time in a while, it seems Carlo Ancelotti has more moving parts in the team compared to injured ones.
📋✅ Our squad for our match vs @atletienglish!#AtletiRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/pYFURHNApu
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 7, 2022
Real Madrid News
U-turn? Benzema hints at Real Madrid stay during ceremony: “Reality is not the internet”
There has been a lot of talk around Karim Benzema’s situation over the course of the last week or so, with reports claiming that the Frenchman was on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it was reported that Benzema was joining Al Ittihad as part of an incredible deal worth nearly €200 million. The striker was also offered 100% of his image rights and advertising deals by the Saudi government.
Over the last day or so, it has been reported that the move is all but official at the moment, as Benzema has accepted the offer, and will soon inform Real Madrid about it.
Benzema was awarded the MARCA Leyenda awards for contribution to sports today, and speaking during it, he dropped a rather cryptic message about his future – one that says quite the opposite to what has been in the news recently.
“Speak to the fans? Speak about what? Why should I speak of the future if I’m in Madrid?”, Benzema said.
“It’s the internet speaking, and reality is not the internet,” he added.
This certainly falls away from the departure line for Benzema, who was reportedly already contemplating his life away from Madrid.
At first, though, he was hesitant about speaking about his future, saying, “Staying or leaving Real Madrid? At the moment, I’m here…we have a game on Saturday.”
He repeatedly talked about the fans, calling them the best in world football. He also said, “I know how much Real Madrid fans love me. I feel that when I’m on the pitch, I give my best for them, always.”
“I always say that we play with 11 on the pitch but also with a crucial factor, Real Madrid fans,” Benzema concluded.
