Real Madrid News
Pochettino talks on Kylian Mbappe: “I think he will stay 100%”
Speaking to the media ahead of PSG’s Ligue 1 game against RC Strasbourg on Friday night, manager Mauricio Pochettino has opened up on the future of superstar Kylian Mbappe.
The 23-year-old has only two months left on his contract with Les Parisiens and talks over a renewal have not gone well, with the forward believed to be keen on a transfer to Real Madrid in the summer.
Los Blancos tried to sign him last summer but were rebuffed on multiple occasions by PSG. The newly-crowned Ligue 1 champions have been desperately trying to get Mbappe to sign an extension, but have been unsuccessful in their endeavours thus far.
Despite that, Pochettino, who himself is staring at an uncertain future in Paris, has claimed that he expects Mbappe to stay put at Parc des Princes this summer without a doubt.
As quoted by Hadrien Grenier, he said: “From how I feel and perceive it, and also because I cannot wish for anything else, I think Mbappé will stay 100% next season.”
However, the PSG manager insisted that nothing is certain in football and things might change. “But you never know in football, you can expect a lot of things,” Pochettino said.
Mbappe has enjoyed another fine season on a personal level, even though the team have been unable to perform at the level expected. In 42 games across all competitions, the French international has netted 33 goals and assisted 22 more.
Despite PSG’s continued insistence that Mbappe could stay, Real Madrid are confident about their chances of signing the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner on a Bosman deal at the end of the season.
At 23, the forward has his best years well ahead of him and can prove to be an excellent acquisition for Real Madrid for a long time.
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.
