Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend lashes out at Lionel Messi over Champions League comments
Real Madrid legend Guti took a jibe at former Barcelona and current Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi, saying that the evaluation of being the best is done on the basis of wins and nothing else.
The former Real Madrid midfielder, who made more than 500 appearances for the Spanish capital club while winning five La Liga and three UEFA Champions League titles, responded to Messi’s comments where the Argentine had said how PSG were the better team than Madrid in the last season’s Champions League knockout stages.
“Last year’s elimination was very difficult to digest because of how it happened, we had played two great games against Real Madrid and in small details we missed it,” the legendary forward had said.
“Champions League is a difficult competition to win because the best team does not always win and it is decided by small details, any mistake leaves you out of a tie, but we are preparing for those hard times now,” he had added.
Responding to these comments, Guti questioned Messi’s claims by asking how does someone evaluate being the best. He said that PSG got two fair chances and that should have been enough to assert the claim.
“What is it to be the best? How do you evaluate being the best? When? In one match, in one knockout round, in three knockout rounds…?” Guti responded on El Chiringuito, quoted by MARCA.
The first leg of the Round of 16 tie of last season’s UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid and PSG saw Kylian Mbappe’s only goal being the difference. The second leg at Santiago Bernabeu, however, saw Madrid turning the tide, with Karim Benzema scoring a 17-minute hat-trick.
The Merengues went on to beat Chelsea and Manchester City in a similar fashion before getting the better of Liverpool in the final to lift their 14th European crown.
As the summer transfer window enters its critical final phase, Real Madrid’s La Fabrica is once again the subject of intense scrutiny from clubs across the Spanish football pyramid.
The latest prospect to draw significant attention is 22-year-old right-back David Jimenez, who has emerged as a concrete target for both UD Almeria and Real Oviedo.
Indeed, according to journalist Angel Garcia, both Almeria and Oviedo have formally enquired about the defender’s situation, viewing him as an ideal reinforcement for their respective backlines.
While Cadiz also made an initial approach to gauge the player’s availability, the journalist suggests that Jimenez is not currently considered a priority option for the Andalusian club, who are focusing their efforts on other alternatives.
A proven academy talent
Jimenez, a tenacious and attack-minded full-back, has long been regarded as one of the most consistent performers at Real Madrid Castilla.
His senior breakthrough finally arrived during the 2025/26 campaign, as he made his official first-team debut on 17 December 2025 in a Copa del Rey fixture against CF Talavera de la Reina.
Handed a start by then-manager Xabi Alonso, Jimenez played the full 90 minutes in a hard-fought 3-2 victory, impressing with his defensive work rate and maturity.
He followed this milestone with his La Liga bow just days later, appearing as a substitute against Sevilla in late December. In total, Jiménez has racked up four senior appearances for Los Blancos – two in the league and two in the cup.
Notably, he was handed his first league start on 8 February 2026 against Valencia by Alvaro Arbeloa, where he delivered a disciplined 76-minute performance in a 2-0 win, helping his side keep a clean sheet at the Mestalla.
The search for regular football
Despite his successful integration into the first-team dynamic, the pathway to a regular starting spot remains obstructed by established heavyweights in the Real Madrid squad.
After all, Trent Alexander-Arnold was already ahead of him in the pecking order and the Merengues roped in Denzel Dumfries this summer.
With his contract running until 2027 and over 70 appearances for Castilla under his belt, the consensus is that Jimenez has outgrown youth football and requires consistent minutes in a competitive senior environment.
As such, he has been tipped to leave the club, along with fellow Castilla teammate Manuel Angel before the window closes.
Real Madrid are expected to weigh their options carefully, likely preferring a loan deal or a sale with a buy-back clause to retain control over the youngster’s promising future.
