Real Madrid News
Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema wins the UNFP Best Foreign Player award
The Trophees UNFP du Football are a set of awards handed out every year by the National Union of Professional Football Players in France. The awards look to recognise the best player, goalkeeper, manager and young talent in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
As part of the formalities, the committee also elect and name the best French player playing outside the Ligue 1. Karim Benzema has snapped up the top spot on the list. It is now his fourth successive season winning the award.
There was no shortage of contenders for the first place this season with several French players excelling in their respective teams. Eduardo Camavinga, Randal Kolo Muani, Theo Hernandez, and Mike Maignan were the other competitors well placed.
For Benzema to win such recognition in a season where he has been far from his best is truly sensational. The Frenchman struggled for fitness for a good chunk of the season, missing quite a few matches across all competitions.
4️⃣rim Benzema 🙏
— la chaine L'Équipe (@lachainelequipe) May 28, 2023
Pour la 4️⃣ème saison consécutive, il remporte le Trophée UNFP du Meilleur Joueur Français à l'étranger 🏆
Félicitations KB9️⃣ #TropheesUNFP pic.twitter.com/0WgoRmNtb1
Despite his layoffs this season, Benzema has scored 18 goals and provided three assists in 23 La Liga games this season. He also averages a whopping 2.1 key passes per game and has created 14 big chances in the league alone.
Across all competitions, the 35-year-old has racked up a return of 30 goals from 42 games.
While the veteran may not have been as consistent as he was last year, he still managed to come good for the team when they needed him the most. His hat trick at Spotify Camp Nou to complete the comeback over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-finals will go down in the history books as one of the most clutch performances of recent times.
Benzema’s current contract with Real Madrid ends in June. He will, however, continue at the Santiago Bernabeu next season and has reached an agreement with the club over his renewal.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
