Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran star wanted by two Saudi Arabian giants, claims FIFA agent
Karim Benzema’s departure earlier this summer took the streets of Madrid by surprise. The French striker appeared set to renew with Real Madrid but could not hold off the financial muscle the middle-east based club offered.
That, however, might not be the only big shock for Carlo Ancelotti’s side from Saudi Arabia. According to information from Marco Kirdemir, a FIFA agent, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad are eyeing Toni Kroos.
He further assures that there will be a big departure from La Liga in the closing days of the transfer window. If not Toni Kroos from Real Madrid, the clubs could snatch Robert Lewandowski from arch-rivals Barcelona.
“Al Hilal and Al Ittihad want Kroos for this same season. They will also go for Lewandowski; the Saudis like him a lot. There will be a bomb,” Kirdemir said on Radio MARCA.
Ancelotti quizzed on late departures
Incidentally, Carlo Ancelotti was quizzed specifically about the possibility of players making a late move to Saudi Arabia. After all, the high wages that the Middle Eastern-based league offers are difficult to resist, especially for players in the twilight of their careers.
Ancelotti, however, was confident that his players were only focused on the club.
“I think our squad is closed and our players are thinking about our season. Someone may change his mind but I am not afraid of that.”
Kroos openly disses La Liga star’s move to Saudi
While the interest in the German midfielder from Saudi Arabia may be genuine, one would expect Kroos to be the last player to make a move to the Asian league.
The World Cup winner has always been of the idea that he will retire at the highest level, and Real Madrid.
Earlier this week, Kroos publicly commented on Gabri Veiga’s move to Saudi Arabia, calling it ’embarrassing’, making a huge statement of his two cents on players moving to the Middle East.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
