Real Madrid News
Real Madrid to play three friendlies before the season resumes – report
We are heading to the final phase of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with just a handful number of games remaining until we witness the final later this month.
With the return of club football just around the corner, clubs such as Real Madrid have started their preparation, beginning with the organisation of at least three friendlies ahead of their game against Real Valladolid on December 30.
This was revealed by Real Madrid superstar Toni Kroos (h/t Mundo Deportivo), in his podcast. He suggested that the reigning Spanish champions are set to face three opponents in friendlies in an attempt to get their players up and running before the season restarts.
The first of the friendlies will be played against Castilla, the subsidiary squad of Real Madrid. This game will be comprised of players who have been working at the Valdebebas since the start of December.
Players such as Kroos, who did not take part in the World Cup, will be present, along with a mix of first-team and youth players who will be handpicked by Carlo Ancelotti himself, coming up against some of the stars of the RM Castilla unit that has produced a few gifted players in recent years.
The next two friendlies are considered to be ‘small games’ from Real Madrid’s perspective. The second friendly will be against Leganes while the third match will be played against Getafe, shortly before Real Madrid resume their campaign versus Valladolid.
The Spanish champions are expected to have many players back at their disposal by the time they face Getafe in the third friendly.
Although it is unlikely that all of the returning players will take part in the match, a majority of them could be fit to feature, including the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard, who has recently announced his return from international football.
Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dreams of playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid, the winger’s father has revealed following the UEFA Champions League clash between the two teams last night.
Kvaratskhelia, 22, exploded upon arriving at Napoli last year, leading them to the Serie A title on the back of his explosive performances.
The Georgian winger has been impressing in the ongoing campaign as well, although he failed to score or assist in either of Napoli’s meetings with Real Madrid in the Champions League group stages.
Kvaratskhelia has previously spoken about how he has always been a lifelong supporter of Real Madrid and grew up idolising some of the club’s legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Guti, among others.
Now, the 22-year-old winger’s father has revealed that his son has always dreamt of and continues to dream of playing for Real Madrid.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Kvaratskhelia’s father said: “Khvicha always dreamed and still dreams of playing for Real Madrid. I am sure about it.”
Talking about the fact that the winger got to play against Real Madrid, Kvaratskhelia’s father added: “For Khvicha, playing vs Real Madrid was special. In my family, everyone is a Real Madrid supporter, except me.”
Real Madrid are in the market for attacking reinforcements, but they are looking for a centre-forward next summer and have Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as their main targets.
As for Kvaratskhelia, whose market value stands at €85 million, it seems quite apparent that he harbours dreams of playing for Real Madrid. But it remains to be seen if there is some interest from Los Blancos in signing the winger.
