Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward hails veteran teammate: “The best I’ve played with”
Brazil are set to kickstart their FIFA World Cup campaign later this evening as they take on Serbia at the Lusail Stadium.
One of the players expected to play a crucial role in this game is Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who has recently published his story in the Players’ Tribune.
Among other things, the youngster talked about Luka Modric, offering key insights into his dressing-room interaction with the Croatian international. He also hailed the midfielder for his quality and longevity, even at the age of 37.
“Luka began calling me ‘hijo’. Sometimes I call him ‘padre’. Like my actual dad, he can be a pain in the as*. He is on us, all the time. But that’s what it’s like at Madrid. You have to work. You never stop,” Rodrygo said.
The Brazilian went on to describe one incident, adding, “We keep joking with Modric that he’s old. Casemiro once said that my dad was soon turning 36 then Luka was like, ‘Really? Then you have to respect me because I could have been your father’.”
Rodrygo has been playing with Modric for over three years now, having joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2019. The attacker hailed the ageing Croatian, claiming he is the “best I’ve played with.”
Rodrygo’s story on the Players’ Tribune comes just a day after Croatia’s opening day draw with Morocco in the World Cup, where Modric was unable to steer his side to all three points.
Many will expect Rodrygo’s Brazil to avoid that scoreline when they take on Serbia later tonight. However, whether or not Rodrygo will be given a start by head coach Tite remains to be seen, although his Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior is almost destined to start this crucial encounter.
Real Madrid News
Opponent watch: Chelsea defender injured during international break, doubt for Real Madrid clash
In less than 20 days, Real Madrid will square off against Chelsea in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu. And ahead of the game, the Premier League club might have been dealt an injury setback.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea right-back Reece James has sustained an injury while away on national team duty with England and could now be a doubt for the match against Real Madrid.
James is a key member of the Chelsea squad but has had multiple injury problems in the recent past. Indeed, the 23-year-old has played just 12 Premier League matches this term, having had to deal with two knee injuries and a hamstring problem.
James played just five minutes for England during their 2-1 win over Italy earlier this week but has seemingly picked up some discomfort in his thigh during that game.
As a result, he was released from the national team camp earlier today and the young right-back is already on his way back to London.
The official report from the England national team indicated that the Chelsea ace had sustained a minor hamstring injury and was returning to his club as a precaution. However, Mundo Deportivo is stating that his availability for the game against Real Madrid is unclear at this point.
Los Blancos drew Chelsea for the quarter-finals and will host the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 12 before playing the second leg at Stamford Bridge a week later.
