Real Madrid News
Spain star reveals admiration for Real Madrid veteran: “Another level”
The story of Luis Enrique’s Spain side is truly inspiring. The manager came under severe criticism for omitting some of La Roja’s most in-form players from the World Cup Squad, but yet has produced the most dominant result in the first round in Qatar.
The centre of the new Spanish national team is indeed its rich mine of young talents. While the likes of Gavi and Pedri are already well in Spain through their club performances, Dani Olmo is a member of the team who has been largely out of the spotlight as he plays in the Bundesliga.
The versatile attacking midfielder was interviewed recently by AS, where he spoke about his career so far, the Spanish national team, the World Cup and several other topics.
The former Barcelona academy ace was asked about which team he liked the most after Spain. In response, Olmo named Croatia as one of his favourite teams because of Luka Modric, who is a reference for him.
“After Spain, I really like Croatia. Modric seems to me to be another level of player. How he interprets the game, his ball control…. He’s one of the players I look at now that I play as a midfielder, in more central positions. Modric is one of the references,” Olmo said.
Though the RB Leipzig star is a graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia, it is no surprise that he chose Real Madrid’s veteran star as his inspiration. After all, the Croat’s sheer quality and class supersedes all boundaries and serves as an inspiration to all fans of the sport.
Modric is currently in Qatar, leading the Croatian National Team’s campaign. His side drew their opening match against Morocco and face a tough test against Canada tomorrow.
The 37-year-old was the man of the match in his side’s curtain raiser and will look to dish out a similar performance against the North American side.
Meanwhile, Olmo scored in Spain’s 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica and is expected to start when Luis Enrique’s men take on Germany tomorrow.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
