Real Madrid News
Real Madrid full-back out for six weeks, will miss UCL clash vs Liverpool – report
In yet another injury blow for Real Madrid, Lucas Vazquez is set to be sidelined for a month and a half due to the ankle injury he sustained on Wednesday against Valencia.
This claim comes from journalist Jorge C Picon who states that the 31-year-old will, in all likelihood, miss the Merengues’ UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg contest against Liverpool in February.
Vazquez started for Real Madrid in their Spanish Super Cup tie against Valencia last night in Riyadh. With Dani Carvajal only recently returning from an injury, manager Carlo Ancelotti opted to start with the winger-turned-right-back against Los Che.
However, Vazquez was forced off the pitch just before the 70th-minute mark with an ankle sprain. The Spaniard was subjected to medical tests today and the prognosis is not positive as he is now set to be out of action for six weeks due to the injury.
Vazquez has served as an able deputy to Carvajal at right-back and has played 15 times this season, scoring two goals and registering one assist. His absence will come as a blow for Real Madrid, who are already dealing with injuries to some other players.
David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni are out for three weeks and have not even travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup. Meanwhile, Ferland Mendy had been dealing with some muscle overload but did feature against Valencia, coming on as a substitute.
Eder Militao took a blow to the head last night and left the field feeling dizzy. However, he is expected to be fit and ready for the Super Cup final later this week.
But the same cannot be said of Eduardo Camavinga, who hurt his knee on Wednesday and is a serious doubt for the final, which will see Real Madrid face either Barcelona or Real Betis.
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.
