Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward hits back at Flamengo veteran over FIFA Club World Cup comments
Arturo Vidal made headlines recently with his comments on Real Madrid. Shortly after winning the Copa Libertadores title with his new club Flamengo, the former Barcelona midfielder warned the Whites ahead of a potential matchup in the FIFA Club World Cup.
“Real Madrid, we are going to kick your a**,” Vidal said, issuing a strong message to Real Madrid.
However, in response to Vidal’s comments, Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo did not hold back. The Brazilian suggested that the midfielder might be heartbroken and urged fans not to care much about his words.
“I think he’s heartbroken, but we don’t talk much about him. We only saw a few videos there. Leave him alone,” Rodrygo said told TNT Sports (h/t AS).
One would expect the Brazilian forward to play a key role for Real Madrid in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, where the European champions could come up against Vidal’s Flamengo.
Talking about the competition, Rodrygo added: “We watched the game [the final of the Libertadores], we talked about it. But it is not something that matters for now, as we have many things ahead of us. When it gets closer, we’ll talk about it.”
Other than these two sides, the Club World Cup will also feature Seattle Sounders from the United States, Wydad Casablanca from Morocco, and Auckland City from New Zealand. Japanese giants Urawa are also in contention, though they are yet to find out their opponent in the AFC Champions League final.
The Club World Cup itself, though, will be delayed due to the FIFA World Cup that is set to take place later this month. Reports say the competition will be shifted to February.
Real Madrid News
51-year-old manager the ‘clear favourite’ to succeed Ancelotti at Real Madrid – report
With there being uncertainty surrounding the future of Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, it seems like Los Blancos have identified the ideal candidate to succeed the Italian if he leaves.
Indeed, according to TyC Sports in Argentina, former PSG and Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino is the clear favourite to replace Ancelotti once he moves on from Real Madrid.
The 51-year-old tactician is currently unattached after having been let go of by PSG last summer. And, he could now make a sensational return to management with Real Madrid.
Ancelotti has a contract with the Merengues until the summer of 2024. But, his future is not entirely secure at this point as the current champions of Spain and Europe are losing the La Liga title race to Barcelona while they are also hanging by a thread in Copa del Rey.
Unless the 63-year-old leads Real Madrid to a major trophy this term, an exit could be on the cards. And, the Brazilian national team are lying in wait to swoop him away if such a scenario materialises.
Several names such as Raul Gonzalez, Zinedine Zidane, Julian Nagelsmann, and Xabi Alonso have been linked with the Real Madrid job if Ancelotti leaves.
But, now it is being claimed that Pochettino has emerged as the frontrunner to take over from the Italian tactician. The 51-year-old is understood to be president Florentino Perez’s most favourite candidate and is seen as a perfect fit at Real Madrid.
Pochettino had the chance of taking over at Real Madrid in the past but could not secure a release from Tottenham. Now, though, he is unattached and has reportedly even rejected a chance to rejoin Spurs as he is ready to wait until the summer for Real Madrid.
The report also suggests that Pochettino has previously rejected the likes of Ajax, Chelsea, Belgium national team and Brazil as well as he continues to wait for an approach from Los Blancos at the end of the season.
