Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ace opens up on national team ambitions: “Would like to be the leader”
Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has slowly become an integral member of the team this season. Thanks to his consistent displays, the 26-year-old was called up by Luis de la Fuente for national team duty with Spain, and the midfielder says that this call was simply inevitable.
“I was doing things very well at my club, getting minutes, and I knew I had the confidence of the coach,” said the 26-year-old as quoted by MARCA.
It must be remembered that the relationship between Ceballos and De la Fuente dates back to their tenure with the Spain Under-19 team.
De la Fuente was in charge of La Roja’s youth team between 2013 and 2018 and Ceballos was called up for the U-19 squad team for the first time in 2014.
“With him, I have lived some of the best moments of my sports career such as the European U-19 and U-21,” added the midfielder.
The 26-year-old added that playing for Spain is a symbol of immense pride and listening to the country’s national anthem on the field makes him very emotional.
“Listening to the anthem before a game is very emotional and I really like the atmosphere between teammates from different clubs that exist in the national team.”
Lastly, he also admitted that he would want to become the leader of the national team.
“Luis de la Fuente knows youngsters very well and is the ideal coach to promote a group with as much quality as this one. I would like to be one of the benchmarks in this team, being the leader of a team is one of the most beautiful things in football,” he concluded.
Away beyond his international career, Ceballos’ future with Real Madrid continues to hang in the air. His ongoing deal with the team ends at the end of the season and there is no update as to whether or not Madrid will extend his stay.
Real Madrid set out on a mission to change the minds of Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio and Nacho Fernandez earlier this week. After all, all three players were contemplating a departure from the club for a gross lack of minutes.
Los Blancos’ latest approach seems to have impacted Ceballos’ position in a positive fashion. However, Fabrizio Romano reveals that it has not changed Marco Asensio’s mind.
According to the Italian journalist, the Spaniard will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season as a free agent.
Of the numerous options on his table, he sees Aston Villa and PSG to be the best bets. In fact, Villa have already submitted their opening bid for the player as revealed by Fabrizio Romano once again.
After a dramatic final day of action in the Premier League, Aston Villa finished in the European spots and will participate in the UEFA Conference League next season. While a move to the English club would be a steep step down, it will see Asensio receive regular playing time.
Paris-Saint Germain, on that front, appears the more probable destination. The French club are close to losing both Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr ahead of the new season, and Asensio would thus fit in as a starting quality winger. Moreover, they offer Champions League football.
The Spaniard’s role at Real Madrid this season has not been minor by any means considering his contributions. In 30 La Liga appearances, the 27-year-old has scored nine goals and provided six assists in addition to creating nine big chances and averaging 1.4 key passes per game.
However, that does not satisfy the winger who wishes to be a starter week in and week out. His departure in June appears to be now written in stone, and the club should feel hard done to not make a penny of his move.
Many in Los Blancos’ administration see Brahim Diaz as a direct replacement for the Spanish international if he leaves. Needless to say, the AC Milan star’s future will closely depend on Asensio’s situation.
