Real Madrid News
Real Madrid star likely to miss out from the France squad for the FIFA World Cup 2022
With just weeks left before the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off, a host of nations across the world have already started listing out their final squads.
Many Real Madrid players have already been selected for their respective nations, including the Brazilian trifecta of Eder Militao, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. More are expected to follow, including Luka Modric of Croatia and Federico Valverde of Uruguay.
However, according to L’Equipe, one Real Madrid player that is likely to miss out on the World Cup is Ferland Mendy. The Real Madrid full-back is unlikely to be selected by Didier Deschamps for the French team, which is filled with competitions.
This could serve as a massive blow for Mendy, who has become a crucial member of the Real Madrid backline since joining the club in 2019. The full-back has already featured in over 120 competitive matches for Los Blancos, racking up five goals and 15 assists.
Mendy’s exclusion from the French squad, therefore, will greatly disappoint the former Lyon starlet. In his stead, coach Deschamps is likely to opt for alternatives such as Theo Hernandez and Lucas Digne.
Deschamps’ decision will not come as a surprise, though, as Mendy has never had a fulfilling international career. Since making his debut in 2018, the defender has only won nine caps for Les Bleus, which is quite low for a player of his calibre.
And with the French squad having no shortage of competition, the exclusion of Mendy will not surprise many as the world champions look to retain their crown in the coveted competition.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder trained away from the group last week, but has no injury – report
With the international break underway, several Real Madrid players have been called up for national team assignments. The stars who have not travelled for international duty have continued to work at the club’s Valdebebas training facility to prepare for the restart.
Toni Kroos is one such player who has remained in Madrid, having retired from international football back in 2021.
However, there had been concerns growing around the 33-year-old’s physical condition as he regularly did indoor work last week and was not spotted in group training with his teammates.
Now, Sergio Quirante has come up with an update on Kroos’ situation, stating that even though the midfielder largely did individual work inside the facilities over the last week, he is fine and has no injuries.
Taking advantage of the international break, the former Bayern Munich superstar is understood to have gone through an individual program to prepare for the final, decisive stretch of the 2022/23 season.
Kroos not being injured comes as a big positive for Real Madrid, ahead of important games against Real Valladolid and Barcelona within the first five days of April.
The rest of the Real Madrid midfield contingent – Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Dani Ceballos – are all away on international duties and could return with some fatigue from the travel.
So, it is important that Kroos is fully fit and ready to go as Real Madrid look to cut down the gap to the top of the table in La Liga and also make it to the finals of the Copa del Rey by overturning a first-leg deficit against Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Kroos has played 37 matches this season, chipping in with two goals and five assists in the process. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it is still unclear whether he will renew or hang up his boots.
Hosi Gungunhana
November 9, 2022 at 8:57 pm
I really don’t understand why Mendy is regarded as “best left in the world”…
Honestly speaking, I’ve watched most of the games where he featured. He never impressed me. He is sloppy, slow thinking, cannot move with the ball for more than 2 meters, he’s static, doesn’t stop opposing attackers, stays away from potential one on one…the list is endless. Lucas Vaskez is far superior…
Segun Oguntade
November 10, 2022 at 4:37 pm
He is far from being the best left back in the world. He is only good defensively. He offers nothing going forward. Hardly puts a cross in to the opposition box. Imagine a prime Marcelo and present day Vinitius jnr on the left for RM