Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar no longer feeling any discomfort, will feature against Valladolid
Thursday saw Real Madrid play a 60-minute friendly encounter against Leganes at their training ground. While the match ended in a 1-1 draw, the big positive for Los Blancos was that superstar striker and club captain Karim Benzema made his return to the pitch.
The 34-year-old has endured a tough time with injuries this season. Indeed, Benzema missed a stretch of matches for Real Madrid prior to the World Cup break due to muscular discomfort.
Just when he looked set to return and play a big role for France at the World Cup, a thigh injury ruled him out of the tournament.
Having returned to the Spanish capital recently, the veteran centre-forward has returned to full fitness and has completed several training sessions already.
And following his involvement in the friendly against Leganes, Sergio Quirante is reporting that Benzema is no longer feeling any discomfort and the sensations after the game very largely positive.
So, as things stand, in case nothing goes wrong, the Real Madrid captain should feature for the team when they resume their La Liga campaign against Real Valladolid on December 30.
Los Blancos will travel to Estadio Jose Zorrilla to lock horns with Valladolid. Considering that a number of World Cup returnees will likely be unavailable, Benzema’s availability will come as a huge boost for Carlo Ancelotti & co.
Having won the Ballon d’Or award this year, Benzema has been unable to build on his success because of the niggling fitness issues. As a result, he has played just 12 of the Merengues’ 21 matches across all competitions this term, scoring six goals in the process.
Real Madrid will play another friendly against Getafe on December 23, and Benzema should receive more minutes in that contest, helping him get match-fit for the resumption of the season.
The reigning champions are currently trailing arch-rivals Barcelona in the La Liga table and will need to make a winning start when the campaign resumes.
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.
