Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar keen to take over penalty duties following Benzema’s exit – report
Given his success and growing confidence over the last two seasons, it is no surprise Vinicius Jr wants to assume a significant role at Real Madrid, especially after the departure of Karim Benzema.
As reported before, he is more than ready to step up and take over the leadership role and if reports from Diario AS are to be believed, the young Brazilian now wants to be the proprietor of penalty-taking duties as well.
The Spanish publication adds that the 23-year-old has been staying late on the pitch to practise penalties. The player willingly wants to take more responsibilities on his shoulders and he is doing everything he can to make it happen.
Vinicius Jr has been at Real Madrid since 2018, and while his initial years were rather difficult, the young forward has hit the ground running in the last couple of campaigns, scoring 22 goals in the 2021-22 season and 23 in the season that just finished.
As a result, the 23-year-old has become the face of the team and it can be understood by the fact that the management has handed him iconic the No. 7 shirt heading into the 2023/24 campaign.
As far as penalty-taking duty is concerned, former captain and striker Karim Benzema was tasked to care for the job. Over the years, players such as Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo have done the job. The aforementioned media outlet claims that Vinicius wants to follow in the footsteps of these legends.
We have reported before that ever since Benzema’s exit, the likes of Rodrygo Goes and Luka Modric were handed penalty duties, but if Vinicius can keep his head down and keep working, he can convince his manager that he is the right man as well. Until then, all he can do is keep working on his abilities and enhance those.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
