Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar ‘ultra motivated’, seeking ‘revenge’ ahead of season restart
Real Madrid will return to action this Friday after the World Cup break when they travel to Estadio Jose Zorrilla to take on Real Valladolid.
And, ahead of the game, AS is reporting that superstar striker and club captain Karim Benzema is ‘ultra motivated’ to get back on the pitch as he ‘wants revenge’ following his treatment by the France camp.
Benzema has struggled with injuries this season and has missed close to half of Real Madrid’s 21 matches across all competitions in 2022/23 so far.
Having recovered from his muscular discomfort, the 35-year-old had been included by Didier Deschamps in the France squad for the FIFA World Cup 2022.
However, a minor thigh injury he sustained in training prompted the Les Bleus manager to send him back home from the camp in Qatar. Even though Benzema had recovered in time for France’s Round of 16 tie, Deschamps never considered the prospect of recalling him.
It has sparked a lot of controversy, with Benzema even announcing his international retirement soon after France’s final defeat against Argentina.
Having suffered through injury problems and the harsh treatment from the France camp, Benzema is now said to be extra motivated to get back on the field for Real Madrid and seek revenge by scoring a lot of goals.
Benzema enjoyed a stunning 2021/22 season during which he scored 44 goals in 46 matches across all competitions. However, this season, he has netted six goals in 12 matches, with injuries hampering his form.
The report indicates that the 35-year-old is no longer feeling any discomfort and has been fully fit for some time. The striker has been working hard in the gym to regain strength while he is also working on getting into match rhythm by participating in the friendly matches Los Blancos have organised.
All things point towards Benzema starting when Real Madrid take on Valladolid in a couple of days. And, the veteran striker is raring to get back on the pitch and score goals.
Real Madrid News
51-year-old manager the ‘clear favourite’ to succeed Ancelotti at Real Madrid – report
With there being uncertainty surrounding the future of Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, it seems like Los Blancos have identified the ideal candidate to succeed the Italian if he leaves.
Indeed, according to TyC Sports in Argentina, former PSG and Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino is the clear favourite to replace Ancelotti once he moves on from Real Madrid.
The 51-year-old tactician is currently unattached after having been let go of by PSG last summer. And, he could now make a sensational return to management with Real Madrid.
Ancelotti has a contract with the Merengues until the summer of 2024. But, his future is not entirely secure at this point as the current champions of Spain and Europe are losing the La Liga title race to Barcelona while they are also hanging by a thread in Copa del Rey.
Unless the 63-year-old leads Real Madrid to a major trophy this term, an exit could be on the cards. And, the Brazilian national team are lying in wait to swoop him away if such a scenario materialises.
Several names such as Raul Gonzalez, Zinedine Zidane, Julian Nagelsmann, and Xabi Alonso have been linked with the Real Madrid job if Ancelotti leaves.
But, now it is being claimed that Pochettino has emerged as the frontrunner to take over from the Italian tactician. The 51-year-old is understood to be president Florentino Perez’s most favourite candidate and is seen as a perfect fit at Real Madrid.
Pochettino had the chance of taking over at Real Madrid in the past but could not secure a release from Tottenham. Now, though, he is unattached and has reportedly even rejected a chance to rejoin Spurs as he is ready to wait until the summer for Real Madrid.
The report also suggests that Pochettino has previously rejected the likes of Ajax, Chelsea, Belgium national team and Brazil as well as he continues to wait for an approach from Los Blancos at the end of the season.
