Real Madrid News
Ronaldo backs Benzema to be MVP against Barcelona, says Real Madrid have advantage
Speaking at the premiere of his documentary ‘El Fenomeno’, former Real Madrid and Barcelona striker and footballing legend Ronaldo has claimed Karim Benzema will be the most important player on the pitch during Sunday’s El Clasico.
Real Madrid play hosts to Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon with the top spot in the La Liga table on the line.
And Ronaldo, who had been on both sides of this rivalry during his illustrious career, has claimed that Real Madrid superstar Benzema will be the difference-maker on Sunday afternoon.
“I dare to say that the most important player in the game is going to be Benzema and he will celebrate it the day after with the Ballon d’Or,” Ronaldo said (h/t SPORT).
The Brazilian great then went on to add that while both teams are playing well, it will be Real Madrid who have an advantage given that they will be playing at home.
“I think Madrid, playing at home, have an advantage, but both teams are playing very, very good football,” he added.
One of the very few players to have been on either side of the Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry, Ronaldo also spoke about what an El Clasico means to fans and players.
“It is the biggest game in world football. I have played several and the atmosphere is incredible, from the arrival of the players to the stadium. And then the quality of the players… It’s a unique match,” he said in an interview with MARCA.
Real Madrid are currently second in the table, level on points with leaders Barcelona but behind on goal difference. Both teams go into the game on the back of draws in the UEFA Champions League in midweek and will be gunning to get all three points.
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.
