Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar a doubt for his national team’s World Cup opener
Amidst all the furore surrounding Karim Benzema and his injury situation, a report from RMC Sport is reporting that the striker is still not 100% and could miss France’s World Cup opener against Australia.
Benzema has been battling with muscle injury problems for almost a month now and had missed several games for Real Madrid in the lead-up to the World Cup.
It led to allegations towards the Frenchman that he was sitting out of games to avoid the risk of an injury ahead of the World Cup. The 34-year-old superstar, manager Carlo Ancelotti and several of his teammates have dismissed those claims, stating that he was not at 100% to participate.
Heading into the tournament in Qatar, Benzema’s fitness has been a major concern for France, who are already without three of their key players in N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Presnel Kimpembe.
On Thursday, Benzema trained with the rest of the team, which brought hope that he could be ready in time for France’s game against Australia next week.
However, RMC Sport is now claiming that the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner is still not 100% fit and is a doubt for the contest against the Socceroos, which is to take place on November 22.
It will certainly be a headache for France manager Didier Deschamps even though he has a plethora of attacking options in the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud among several others.
Benzema has had a terrific 2022 for club and country and France will be hoping that he recovers in time to participate against Australia as they look to defend the World Cup.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
