Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward targeted with racist insults during Valladolid encounter – report
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was once again the centre of attention when his side took on Valladolid away from home.
In what was a hard-fought 2-0 win for the team for the Spanish capital city, the Brazilian forward became a target of racial slurs and insults once more this season, reports Mundo Deportivo.
The 22-year-old, who was substituted in the 86th minute, was told to get off the field through the nearest touchline by referee Munuera Montero and that, in fact, was far away from the bench.
Hence, the Brazilian had to go around the entire field and Valladolid fans made sure the walk was as uncomfortable as anything.
The tensest moment came when Karim Benzema scored the second goal of the night in the 89th minute. Vinicius, who was walking past Thibaut Courtois’ goal, celebrated the Frenchman’s goal in style only to provoke the Valladolid fans who were present right at the back of the Belgian’s goal.
As it turned out, Vinicius became a victim of racial abuse and an object was hurled at the footballer. Not only that but even monkey chants were heard from the stand.
This is not the first time that Vinicius has been at the receiving end of such kind of behaviour. Back in September when Real took on Atletico Madrid, vile racial slurs were shouted at the forward.
A few days before that match, football agent Pedro Bravo told Vinicius Jr to ‘stop acting like a monkey.’
Bravo was eventually forced to apologise for his words, while fans who were involved in the unsavoury incidents at the Civitas Metropolitano were sanctioned. Whether any investigation is launched into the happenings at Jose Zorrilla on Friday night remains to be seen.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
