Real Madrid News
Official: Two Real Madrid and Atletico stars included in Belgium’s World Cup squad
With the FIFA World Cup almost upon us, teams are starting to name their squads for the tournament in Qatar. And last edition’s semi-finalists, Belgium, have also released their official 26-man roster that will fly to Doha for the tournament, with two Real Madrid players featuring on it.
Indeed, Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has, unsurprisingly, named Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and attacker Eden Hazard in the squad for the Qatar World Cup.
Neither selection comes as a surprise, considering that Courtois is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Belgium and has been performing at the top of his game for Real Madrid for the past year or so.
As for Hazard, the former Chelsea wing-wizard has hardly seen game-time at the club level this season. Despite that, Martinez continues to place immense faith in the 31-year-old, who is the captain of the Belgium national team.
The Real Madrid misfit will lead the team in Qatar and hope to fare better than he has been doing at the club level.
Along with the Real Madrid stars, the Atletico Madrid duo of Axel Witsel and Yannick Carrasco also make the cut for the Belgian national team.
11,59 million Belgians. 26 Devils. 1 goal. 🏆 #DEVILTIME pic.twitter.com/wwCAMvlU6k
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) November 10, 2022
Carrasco has been enduring a poor season for Diego Simeone’s side, but his versatility remains immensely valued by the national team boss. As for Witsel, he is one of Belgium’s most experienced stars and will have a role to play in Qatar.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
