Real Madrid News
Real Madrid target set to attend Ballon d’Or ceremony to support Karim Benzema
As the Ballon d’Or 2022 ceremony is set to be staged on Monday night, Karim Benzema is the favourite to win the award.
With a staggering 44 goals and 15 assists to his name in all competitions last season, the Frenchman was the protagonist behind Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League triumphs.
While Madridistas would be looking forward to their club captain finally getting his dues at the grandest stage, they may also have to keep their sights set on his fellow countryman and transfer target, Kylian Mbappe, at the event.
After all, Le Parisien (h/t Madrid Xtra) have revealed that the Paris Saint-Germain forward will attend the ceremony due to his close relationship with Karim Benzema.
Kylian Mbappe is believed to be accompanied by Nuno Mendes, and not Lionel Messi.
The 23-year-old is understood to be aware of the fact that Benzema will be the winner of the Ballon d’Or.
As several credible sources have suggested that Mbappe is eyeing a switch to Real Madrid as soon as in January, his appearance in support of his close compatriot will only accelerate the speculation about his future.
Karim Benzema himself has openly admitted that he dreams of playing alongside Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid, which seemed inevitable this season before the latter decided to unexpectedly pen a contract extension with the Ligue 1 giants.
With the speculation stating that the relationship between both clubs is fractured, a move to the Spanish capital has been deemed impossible by several reports.
Only time will tell whether Los Blancos themselves decide to sign the World Cup winner, who could elevate their already elite side to the next level.
For the time being, seeing Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema is likely to generate more headlines about a potential blockbuster transfer.
Although Antonio Rudiger has had success since joining Real Madrid last summer, the club are in need of more depth and players that can form the backbone of the defensive unit in the years to come.
As part of their plans, Real Madrid are prioritising a move for Josko Gvardiol in the coming summer, reports 90 Min.
The outlet suggests Gvardiol will be one of the most wanted prospects in the market, with both Real Madrid and Manchester City eyeing a move for the Croatian international come the end of the season.
Formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol has enjoyed immense success since his move to the Bundesliga in 2021. He has impressed onlookers with his skill, organisation and discipline, which, coupled with his versatility, make him an appealing target for any European giant.
Gvardiol was also one of the top performers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping Croatia finish third in the competition. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the clubs who have been keeping an eye on the defender for a while now.
However, signing Gvardiol will be a tricky task for Los Blancos. The player still has a long-term contract at Leipzig and could cost up to €85 million, as reported by 90 Min. Not to mention, the competition from Man City could be significant.
Real Madrid have no shortage of alternatives, though, with the club notably closely monitoring Portuguese defensive whizkid Antonio Silva, among others. So it will be interesting to see how the Spanish giants approach the market in this coming summer.
