Real Madrid News
Real Madrid yet to contact veteran superstar over a new contract
Real Madrid have some pressing contract issues to take care of in the coming months as they have several of their stars on deals expiring at the end of the season.
One such Real Madrid player who could become a free agent in the summer is veteran midfielder and club legend Luka Modric.
The 37-year-old Croatian international has been an absolute top player for Los Blancos over the years and has been integral to the success that they have achieved over the good part of the last decade or so.
Despite his advancing age, Modric continues to be a key component of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans at the Santiago Bernabeu. But his future at the club continues to be uncertain.
And, according to The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana, Real Madrid are yet to contact Modric over a new contract offer. The Merengues believe that this is not the ideal time to hold negotiations over a contract especially when the team is battling for titles on multiple fronts.
The report sheds light on the veteran midfielder’s professionalism, claiming that he is often one of the first to arrive at the Valdebebas training facilities and always gives his 100% in sessions.
He is also among the last ones to leave the training ground as he stays behind to work in the gym or have sessions with physios to aid his recovery and injury prevention. It is said to be one of the main reasons behind his longevity.
Real Madrid value him a great deal and Ancelotti has previously stated that he would like club legends like him to retire at the club. However, talks over a new deal are yet to take place and a decision over his future is still to be taken.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
