Real Madrid News
Rodrigo de Paul hails Real Madrid star as the best midfielder in the world
With three wins in six matches, Atletico Madrid have not had the best of starts to the new season, with the 2020 La Liga champions currently dawdling in the seventh position in the league table.
They recently lost to their cross-town rivals Real Madrid, who have maintained a 100% winning record so far. One of the protagonists behind the 2-1 win at Wanda Metropolitano was Luka Modric.
The veteran midfielder provided a solid creative outlet for Real Madrid on two-thirds of the pitch. His experience and leadership were crucial in helping Los Blancos navigate through the Atleti press.
In light of Real Madrid’s victory, Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo de Paul has hailed Luka Modric as the best midfielder in the world. During a Q&A session on Tiktok, the Argentine international said: “Best midfielder in the world? Modrić.”
Modric has indeed emerged as one of the most consistent performers for Real Madrid over the past five years. Even at the age of 37, the Croatian has shown no rapid sign of deterioration, leaving even opposition players such as de Paul mesmerised.
In addition to praising Modric, Rodrigo de Paul also hailed Diego Simeone as the best coach in the world as well, even after Atletico Madrid’s poor start to the campaign and the layer of uncertainty that has been spiralling around the club for the past two years.
The story of Marco Asensio’s last twelve months at Real Madrid has been one of pitiable timing.
The Spanish winger was prepared to renew his deal with the club last summer and asked for improved terms in exchange for his loyalty. Real Madrid, at the time, felt his demands were ludicrous and broke down talks with the player.
Asensio was subsequently pushed down the pecking order and labelled a ‘contract rebel.’ The player was deeply affected by his situation as he played virtually no part in the team’s opening spell of the season.
Despite being pushed down, the Spaniard did not concede. Through his consistent performances when given the odd chance, he won Ancelotti’s trust back and finished the season with 30 league appearances under his belt.
Los Blancos now want to renew the star as his contract runs out in June. The manager sees him as an integral part of the setup, especially for his ability to come up clutch in front of goal. Ironically, Asensio does not wish to renew his contract this time around and appears set to leave.
According to reports from Fabrice Hawkins, Asensio is already in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a move in the summer. His transfer will be on a Bosman move given his contractual situation, and Real Madrid will have nothing to gain from the operation.
Asensio’s reluctance to sign a new deal in Madrid is not a consequence of the events of last summer. The Spaniard only wishes for a regular starting place in the lineup, something Real Madrid cannot guarantee at the moment while PSG can.
The Merengues have identified Brahim Diaz as a possible replacement for the departing 27-year-old and are already in the process of renewing the on-loan player’s deal. However, reports also state that Diaz wishes to continue at AC Milan and that Los Blancos will not force him to stay.
