Real Madrid News
Real Madrid refuse to sign another striker in January following Benzema’s international retirement
The timing and spontaneousness of Karim Benzema’s international retirement raised eyebrows throughout Spain. After all, it included the remote possibility of a similar decision at the club level in what would be a big blow to Real Madrid.
According to reports from Rodra, Benzema’s decision to retire from the French National Team will have no impact on his commitment to Real Madrid.
On the contrary, his newfound freedom pushes him to play better and prove his mettle for Los Blancos in the second half of the season.
The report also states that following Benzema’s return to the team and a complete rehabilitation, Real Madrid have informed Carlo Ancelotti that no new centre-forward will be signed during the January transfer window.
The Real Madrid ace was one of the only players in the World to get the better of both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi at the club level last season.
The World Cup final highlighted the clash between the two PSG stars as the centre of attraction, but the man who single-handedly defeated both stars sat at home watching the game reluctantly.
It is clear that the striker feels hard done by the decisions of Didier Deschamps and undoubtedly feels cheated upon. After all, his injury was never as serious as mentioned by the medical staff and the manager’s decision to send him home was premature.
Nevertheless, Benzema is now completely recovered from his muscular issues and will be ready for Los Blancos’ game against Real Valladolid next week. After an injury-ridden start to his new season, it will be his top priority to return to his usual fitness and form.
Dani Ceballos is one of the players who has Real Madrid on the fence after his recent resurgence. The club appeared certain to part ways with the player during the commencement of the 2022/23 season but no longer find the decision as straightforward.
According to reports from MARCA, Real Madrid are in no hurry to renew Ceballos’ contract. Though his deal runs out in the summer, the Merengues prefer to focus fully on the competitions they are alive in instead of entering auctions for his renewal.
Ceballos has given Los Blancos the signal that his priority is to stay and is waiting for an offer from the board. However, nobody from the administration has contacted him yet.
Sniffing a moment of opportunity, Atletico Madrid have entered the scene and conveyed their interest in signing the midfield star. Los Rojiblancos have already called his entourage twice in recent weeks and a move away from the Bernabeu cannot be ruled out.
At 26 years of age, the Spaniard wishes for regular starts and playing time. It would be difficult for such demands to be met in Real Madrid owing to the sheer number of young prodigies rising in the middle of Los Blancos.
Come next season, Ceballos could be lost in the mix of Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and veterans like Toni Kroos, while Jude Bellingham could also arrive.
Ceballos has made 19 appearances for the defending champions in La Liga this season, providing one assist in that duration. At just 10 starts and 44 minutes averaged per game, however, his role is clearly centred around the bench.
Moving to Atletico Madrid could thus work well in his favour for he is almost guaranteed playing time in Simeone’s system which is in dire need of a quality attacking midfielder.
The player is currently on international duty with La Roja for the Euro qualifiers. In the team’s opener against Norway, he came on at the hour mark and made a strong cameo with three key passes and a big chance created.
