Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s letter to France Football about non-participation in Olympics named only two players
It is a matter of pride for players across the globe to don the crest for their National Team and play at the highest level. After all, the World Cup is considered the pinnacle of football, with the Euros and Copa America closely behind.
The Olympics, however, has never been considered one of the big international tournaments when it comes to football.
To avoid it clashing with the World Cup’s prominence, the quadrennial event is only allowed to field players under the age of 23, with three players above the bracket allowed to be included.
Real Madrid’s firm stance
The Euro 2024 in June is expected to be a grand spectacle and will run for a month until the beginning of July. The Olympic games start just ten days after the final, and it is clear why Real Madrid are unhappy about the same.
Earlier this week, it came to light that Los Blancos had written a letter to the French Federation that they would not release their players for the event in Paris. Le Parisien, however, brings to the fore a strange fact.
According to the French outlet, Real Madrid’s letter only includes the names of Eduardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy and thus restricts their participation in the event.
There is no mention of Aurelien Tchouameni or the possibility of a future signing like Kylian Mbappe. In that sense, Thierry Henry is free to call up both players to his squad as it stands.
A slight chance
With the event occurring outside FIFA’s dates for the international break, it is very difficult for National Team managers to get permission from clubs to utilise their players. After all, the event clashes with the start of the new season.
Henry thus began with a list of 100 players whom he wished to call up, all of whom have been informed of the manager’s choice. The list will be reduced to 50 in May, and Camavinga and Mendy may not be included in that after Real Madrid’s refusal.
With Mbappe, there is still pessimism over his participation in the Olympics given his speculated move to Real Madrid and the pressure that will lie on his shoulders.
Two consecutive international tournaments will suck the fitness out of his body and potentially impact his first season with Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hope captain will resume group training tomorrow and be ready for Villarreal
Real Madrid received a major boost in training today as Kylian Mbappe participated in the group session, indicating his readiness for the upcoming game against Villarreal.
The French superstar had returned from international duty with a knee injury, but seems to have left it behind and appears ready to start at the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday.
What about Federico Valverde?
Now, according to AS, Federico Valverde was not part of the group training session today at Valdebebas. Instead, he was involved in an individual session away from his teammates.
However, Real Madrid hope that their club captain will be able to resume working with the rest of the squad on Thursday, putting him in the fray to return in time for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.
Valverde is currently recovering from an ankle sprain that he sustained in Real Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid prior to the international break.
The Uruguayan midfielder was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Kang-In Lee, which left him injured, ruling him out of action for the national team.
The 28-year-old stayed behind in Madrid and has worked hard on his recovery, with things progressing in the right direction.
What now remains to be seen is whether he can jump back into group training session on Thursday, which would put him on the path to return to action against Villarreal.
A key player for Mourinho
So far this season, Valverde has emerged as a permanent fixture in the team under new manager Jose Mourinho.
The Real Madrid captain has started all of the team’s eight matches in all competitions this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
His potential availability for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal will come as a major boost for Mourinho & co. Everything will depend on how things progress in tomorrow’s training session at Valdebebas.
With Ibrahima Konate also recovering from his knee sprain, Real Madrid have only three players sidelined currently: Raul Asencio, who recently underwent surgery, Rodrygo Goes, who is a long-term absentee, and Ferland Mendy, who has resumed work with the ball.
