Real Madrid News
Real Madrid could lose one of three club legends in the summer – report
Real Madrid are facing a crucial period right now, with several of their star players having their contracts expiring at the end of the season.
The long list of players includes stars such as Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, along with Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz and Nacho Fernandez.
The senior trifecta of Kroos, Modric, and Benzema has been in focus largely, as all three of them are still considered essential to the Real Madrid first team even though each one of the stars is currently in the final phase of their career.
Given the fact all three of the seniors have been serving the club for a long time, one would expect them to continue for at least another before seeking another adventure or hanging up their boots entirely.
However, according to Josep Pedrerol of El Chiringuito, Real Madrid are expected to lose at least one of the three players in the coming summer.
This could put immediate focus on Benzema, who has struggled with fitness this season. The club have also made efforts to find a long-term replacement for the Frenchman in the market and there could be fears that the veteran forward may face fierce competition for a place in the first-team next season.
As for Modric, the midfielder has shown the desire to continue at Santiago Bernabeu. Even though the Croatian has received a lucrative offer from Al Nassr, he is determined to play at the highest level of football and is not expected to decide his future until 2024.
Kroos, meanwhile, appears to be the likeliest to leave. The German does not necessarily want to move elsewhere, but there are fears that he may announce an early retirement.
Therefore, it will be interesting to see how things transpire over the coming months, as Real Madrid step up their efforts to keep hold of their senior stars.
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.
