Real Madrid News
Real Madrid reject all offers for midfielder, player aspires to be club captain
It goes without saying that Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde is a fundamental part of the team, be it in good times or in bad.
The Uruguayan, who has admittedly struggled for form since the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, is committed to the club to an extent that he dreams of becoming the future captain of Real Madrid, writes Jose Felix Diaz for MARCA.
Valverde, 24, has been self-critical of late, having acknowledged that he has not been at his usual best post the World Cup.
“When you go on the pitch you try to escape, to enjoy yourself. My family supports me, which is what I need, and of course, when you don’t get the results you have to give your best. It generates frustration and anger.
“Against Atlético I was sad because I was substituted. I like to finish games and I like to win. And neither of these two things happened. And the same thing happened in Mallorca. I have to keep learning and improving. You have to be prepared for the bumps,” he said.
Valverde’s persistence has been commendable, to say the very least. This time around, however, things are pretty much different. This time, he looks fatigued due to the World Cup and it evidently shows.
Despite the hardships, though, the player has the full confidence of manager Carlo Ancelotti. The manager understands that if not today, Valverde will return to his usual best and this is why everyone who approached with an offer for the Uruguayan has received no for an answer.
For now, the 10-goal challenge the manager had instilled stands and to achieve the milestone, Ancelotti has spoken with Valverde to reduce the tension and the pressure.
Valverde’s character is something that keeps him on top and this is what his plan is for the future. “I must continue with the attitude prior to the World Cup, talk to those people who help me, and follow the path to end up being captain, which is what I want,” he adds.
Real Madrid News
Key Real Madrid star will be fit for Valladolid clash despite national team withdrawal
Real Madrid have been greeted with some positive news on the injury front as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to be fit and ready for the upcoming La Liga clash against Real Valladolid.
The 30-year-old custodian had flown away for national team duty with Belgium and played the full game against Sweden last week. However, the Real Madrid ace was sent back to the club over the weekend due to a minor adductor strain.
This raised concerns over the former Chelsea star’s condition, especially with a busy period lying ahead for the Merengues.
However, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic has eased any nerves surrounding his situation, reporting that Courtois was subjected to tests upon returning to Spain and there is no reason for worry.
The report states that Real Madrid expect their No. 1 to be fit and available for their next game which will be against Real Valladolid in La Liga on April 2, Sunday.
It is further stated that the knock Courtois sustained was not a new one and that the 30-year-old had felt discomfort in the same area during Los Blancos’ UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg tie against Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this month.
Courtois has featured 32 times across all competitions this term, having missed a few matches due to fitness issues. He has managed just ten clean sheets and will be hoping to add to that against Valladolid, now that is reportedly fit to feature at the weekend.
In another boost, reports earlier today indicated that Toni Kroos does not have any injury after concerns were raised due to the midfielder doing individual training sessions over the past week.
