Jude Bellingham: The most hated player in the world

Jude Bellingham: The most hated player in the world

Jude Bellingham: The most hated player in the world
By: PGS | July 1, 2024 1:30 pm
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Jude Bellingham’s debut campaign at Real Madrid has been one of the best debut campaigns in football history. Winning the league and Champions League double, the Supercopa de España, Golden Boy and Kopa awards, being named the LaLiga Player of the Season and UCL Young Player of the Year and scoring 23 while assisting 13, Jude Bellingham has had a truly world class season. These contributions have come in key moments as well, such as 3 goals in league El Clasico’s, with 2 of them being 90+ minute winners, while also producing an assist against Barcelona in the Supercopa final. He produced the assist for Viní’s goal in the UCL final, while also scoring 4 more goals past the 90th minute mark. His overall play has been magnificient, his production for a midfielder has been truly unbelievable, and he is a consummate professional and role model. Yet, despite these achievements, his reputation has gone the opposite way from what would normally be expected. Before Madrid, he was seen as one of the brightest prospects in football, and a player that was generally loved by the public. Now, he is arguably the most hated player in world football, and all for purely stupid reasons.

After his successes this season, instead of being seen as a prospect who delivered on his promises, he is now seen as an “overrated” player who is simply hyped because of his “PR”. His goals are labelled as easy goals that mask poor performances, while his overall play is completely disregarded. Disingenuous conversations about his role in the team, his supposed “PR” that makes him seem better than he really is, have dominated the discourse around him. Any sub-par performances are seen as being indicators of his lack of talent, while good performances are just dismissed as being “overhyped” because of “PR”. The context around his bad performances is completely ignored, while his good performances are often credited as being due to having world class teammates for Real Madrid. Stemming from what is most likely jealousy, rival fans, especially on social media, are now more obsessed with Jude’s failures than their own teams’ successes.

At Dortmund Jude was one of the most praised footballers in the world. Seen as a special talent with a good head on his shoulders, Jude was often praised for his maturity, professionalism and talent. His decision to go to Germany to continue his development was praised as being a mature decision, and his well-spoken manner and lack of off-field drama (rare for a teenage English talent), were touted as indicators of his professionalism, maturity and intelligence. Yet now, the same maturity and well-spoken attitude are labelled as good “PR” training. Before Madrid, he was seen as a versatile midfielder who excelled in multiple roles, and now he is seen as a purely attacking midfielder because that is the role he plays in at Madrid.

The context around his performances and his demeanor are not given any thought whatsoever. Jude’s father, a former Police Sergeant, and mother (former job undisclosed), have been constant presences in his life and career, with his mother even moving with him to both Germany and Spain. Coming from such a background, it is logical to assume that Jude’s well spoken-ness, and manner are down to his upbringing, rather than good “PR”, yet these factors are ignored. On the footballing side of things, the current Euros have been when Jude has received most criticism, and this criticism also comes devoid of any critical thinking. Jude scored the goal that gave England their sole win in the group stages, and got them through to the knockouts, and in the round of 16 Jude scored a last-minute bicycle kick to equalize against Slovakia and keep England from getting knocked out. These moments, which have literally guaranteed England’s progression in the tournament, are dismissed as “moments” that covered up poor overall performances. Yet, no England player has so-far produced good, consistent performances. Jude too has been below his standards, yet he has been able to come up with the goods that none of his teammates have been able to. Furthermore, if not a single player from a team as star studded as England, a team with Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, and Phil Foden, haven’t been able to play well, then the blame has to fall on the man leading the team; Gareth Southgate. Yet, expecting even the simplest level of analysis from fans who look to do nothing but hate, is expecting too much.

Regardless of what the narratives around him may be, reality stays the same. Jude has had one of the most impressive seasons of any player in recent memory, and is a certified world class superstar. He is one of the most complete midfielders in the world, who can do everything a classic 8 does at an elite level, while also producing goals and assists at a rate very few midfielders manage. At just 21 years old, Jude is a top 3 candidate for the Ballon d’Or, and a pillar of the most successful team in football history. His naysayers will not accept it, but it doesn’t matter. They’ll keep spewing their baseless criticisms, while Jude will keep lifting trophies.

Euro 2024 preview: Real Madrid’s stars, and their chances.

Euro 2024 preview: Real Madrid’s stars, and their chances.
By: PGS | June 12, 2024 6:02 am
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Euro 2024 is almost here. Kicking off on June 14th, the 17th edition of premier international tournament for European Nations is set to be a cracker. While France are seen as the favourites, the disparity between them and the other big teams is not enough to make the tournament a forgone conclusion. With a number of Real Madrid’s stars participating in the tournament, here we take a look at the Madridistas who will be playing, and how well their nations could perform.

France: The clear favourites of the tournament are France, winners of the 2018 World Cup and runner-up for the 2022 one. Four Madridistas, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, and now, Kylian Mbappé, will be representing Les Bleus, and their star-studded team will be expected to win the tournament. While Tchouaméni is still recovering from his injury and has not yet played a pre-tournament friendly, the other 3 can be expected to feature prominently. France’s talisman is, obviously, Real Madrid’s newest Galatico Kylian Mbappé, and his performance will likely dictate how deep France go. An attack comprising of him, Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, Kingsley Coman and Randal Kolo Muani is clearly the best of any nation in the tournament, and their offense is will be a nightmare for any team to come up against. If Tchouaméni does return to fitness in-time, we can expect to see an all-Real Madrid pivot, with Tchouaméni and Camavinga being the starting duo. Ferland Mendy on the other hand will likely be on the bench, as national team regular Theo Hernandez will be slated to start. Overall, France have a very solid team with depth that no other nation can match, and their blend of technical quality and athleticism will be hard for teams to deal with. Combine that with their previous experience of going very deep into international tournaments, and it’s clear to see why they are the favourites going into the tournament.

Author prediction: Winners.

Spain: The Spanish National Team boasts three Madridistas: Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal and Joselu, and with two back-to-back 5 goal wins, Spain are looking dangerous ahead of the tournament. Unlike France however, the Madridistas are not fully guaranteed to start. Joselu will certainly be a bench option, as captain Alvaro Morata is guaranteed to start. Nacho will probably start given his recent form. Carvajal, based on his performances this season, should be one of the first names on the sheet, yet it is not a lock that he will start. Luis de la Fuente has started Jesus Navas at the right-back position, and that could be the case in some games as well. Overall, Spain have a good team with some interesting profile blends, but their team and experience does not stack up well against the other big hitters in the tournament. Spain could very well make a dark-horse run in the tournament, but their chances of winning it outright look slim.

Author prediction: Quarter-finals.

England: England only have one Real Madrid player, but we all know how good he is. The Champions League and LaLiga winner, the Kopa award winner, LaLiga Player of the Year, Real Madrid fans Player of the Year, UEFA Young Player of the Year, 19 goals in the league from midfield and an assist in the Champions League final, Jude Bellingham is one of the best players in the world right now. And around him will be a plethora of superstar talent who make England a formidable foe for any team in the world. Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Kyle Walker, Declan Rice, and Ollie Watkins alongside Jude make England easily the second-best team on paper. Their squad is well rounded, with superstar talent in almost every area of the pitch. While historically England have had massive failures on the international stage, their quality right now cannot be ignored. Jude, Kane and Saka will be the key men, and their performances will dictate how well England do. For England, Jude can be expected to play as a classic-8, a role he will more than excel at. Being the main source of creativity from deep, Bellingham will have a huge role to play for the Three Lions. If he and his attacking teammates can replicate their club form, then England have a very good shot at winning their first ever Euros.

Author prediction: Runners-up.

Germany: One of the best national teams of the 2010s, Germany have recently suffered a fall from grace. Their results have been disappointing to say the least, while the overall quality of their team has fallen as well. Yet, they still possess the best midfielder and the best defender in the world: Toni Kroos, and Antonio Rudiger respectively. Kroos, who just this year announced he was coming back from international retirement, has reminded everyone just what Germany were missing. In his three games since coming back, he has easily been Germany’s best player. Dictating play at the heart of midfield, and creating from deep, Kroos is the perfect veteran midfielder to provide the base that talented youngsters such as Wirtz and Musiala need. His ability to unlock defenses from deep and deliver balls to pacy attackers such as Sane, or find the heads of tall target men like Füllkrug or Havertz, Kroos will add an attacking edge that many are overlooking. The midfield duo of him and Gundogan is also one of the best in the tournament, if not the outright best. Behind him, Antonio Rüdiger will be the key man for what has been a shaky defense in recent years. While he has the imperious Manuel Neuer in goal and Kimmich as RB, Rüdiger will have to replicate his club form if Germany are to make a deep run in the tournament. Having been the best defender in the world this season, Rüdiger should be expected to be the best defender at the tournament. An aerial threat as well, a Rüdiger goal from a Kroos set-piece is also a very real possibility.

Author prediction: Semi-finals.

Ukraine: Andriy Lunin’s Ukraine, while not being star-studded, are not a bad team by any means. Possessing Premier League talent such as Mudryk and Zinchenko, and LaLiga top scorer Dovbyk, Ukraine have a lot of quality in their squad. Lunin will be a safe pair of hands in goal, and his ability to pull out amazing performances can keep Ukraine hanging against even the best. Yet, their overall squad is not all that good, and the team has historically been mediocre. Expectations around them should not be that high.

Author prediction: Group-stage exit.

 

Turkey: Another one of the “weaker” sides possessing a Real Madrid player, Turkey too are a nation that do not have a lot of expectations attached to them. While recent reports have said that Arda Güler will start, it is not a guarantee. Regardless, Güler is still just 18 and expecting him to be a talismanic figure that leads a mediocre squad would be unfair. He does have the likes of Çalhanoglu, Demiral and Yilmaz around him, but overall, the team is quite uninspiring.

Author prediction: Round of 16.

Croatia: The final team possessing a Madridista is Luka Modrić’s Croatia. Possessing easily the 3rd weakest team from the 7 listed here, behind only Ukraine and Turkey, Croatia are not anyone’s pick to win the tournament. However, Luka Modric’s Croatia can never be counted out. Finalists of the 2018 World Cup and 3rd place at the 2022 World Cup, Croatia have proven time and time again that they are always a team to be taken seriously. Even recently, they beat a far a stronger Portugal team. Yet, this Croatia team is not the force it used to be. Modrić is older and age has taken its toll on him, although he still remains a world-class player. Brozovic, Peresic, Budimir, and Kramarić are all not the players they used to be, and Modrić’s two best teammates will be Man City duo Kovacic and Gvardiol. Croatia’s usual style of slow, compact football, combined with Modrić always going Super-Saiyan mode and producing has worked before, and could work again. However, it would be smart to temper expectations.

Author prediction: Quarter-finals.

Note: David Alaba will miss the tournament with injuries, while Thibaut Courtois has not been selected.

The modern Galacticos & the perfect coach behind them.

The modern Galacticos & the perfect coach behind them.
By: PGS | June 6, 2024 4:58 pm
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Real Madrid have a new set of Galacticos. That is clear to see. From the moment Florentino Perez took power as club President in 2000, the club has had a clear idea of what it should look like – a team of Galacticos. Yet over the course of Florentino Perez’s 21 years as President over his two tenures, the definition of what a Galactico is has shifted considerably, and the Galacticos now are nothing like the Galacticos of the early 2000s, or even the 2010s. While the team is packed to the brim with stars such as Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes, Fede Valverde, Luka Modrić etc., and now Kylian Mbappé, the majority of these Galacticos were developed after being signed at a young age. From the current squad, only Jude Bellingham and Tchouaméni were signed for blockbuster fees, and both of them were signed at young ages and their statuses took a massive leap after their signings. Compare this to the likes of Zidane, Ronaldo or Bale, and the difference is clear. Yet, the fact doesn’t change that these players are Galacticos, and they have performed as such. 2 LaLiga titles and 2 Champions League triumphs in the last 3 years. Vinícius and Jude are now both seen as frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or, while Kylian Mbappé will surely be one of the favourites next season. The consensus best team in the world, one of the most stacked squads ever, Real Madrid are a team of superstars, and as we have learned, the man leading the squad is just as important as the players who make up the squad. So, the question arises, is Carlo Ancelotti the right coach for such a budding team of superstars, especially now with the addition of Kylian Mbappé?

The answer, is a resounding yes.

Arguably Real Madrid’s greatest modern coach (between him and Zidane), Carlo Ancelotti is also easily one of the greatest coaches of all time. With 5 UCL wins to his name as a coach (7 as a coach and player), Ancelotti is the most successful Champions League coach and individual ever. His resumé includes the legendary Milan teams with Kaka, Seedorf and Pirlo, a Chelsea team that set multiple records in the Premier League, the La Decima Real Madrid side which also set a plethora of records the following year including a 22-match win-streak, and successful stints at Bayern and PSG. His CV is there for everyone to see. And now, in his second stint at Madrid, he has won 2 league and UCL doubles, a feat very few coaches ever manage just once. In short, Carlo Ancelotti is a winner. And he makes his players winners. He instills a winning mentality in all his players, and his connection with them is so strong that they buy into his ideas with every ounce of their being. To win, they are ready to suffer. To win, they are ready to sacrifice. Players will play out of position (Camavinga LB, Tchouaméni CB), superstars will put in workhorse esque shifts, and even a team like Real Madrid will sit back and suffer for 90 minutes, because Carlo Ancelotti tells them to. A legend of the game with unmatched aura, Carlo Ancelotti is a leader through and through, a coach even the most seasoned of veteran’s respect and see as a father figure. For youngsters, he is a calm and friendly guiding hand. For legends, he is someone to respect and listen to. His personality, his demeanor, all are perfect for handling a dressing room like Real Madrid’s and to handle the immense pressure that comes with being the coach of the greatest sporting franchise in the world.

The connections he develops with players, old and young, are also truly special. When it became widely known in 2015 that he was about to be sacked, almost every player came out in support and expressed their desire to continue with him, including Cristiano Ronaldo. Over his 2 stints, everyone, including players who rarely play, players who are forced to play out of position, youngsters and veteran’s, all have nothing but praise for him. He has no “bust-ups” he doesn’t divide the dressing room, he plays no mind games in the media. All he does is lead, and lead well. When the team loses, when his players play bad, he redirects all blame to himself. He never publicly shames his players, nor does he ostracize them from the team when they perform badly. He gives players the leeway to make mistakes, and learn from them. These qualities are invaluable when leading a team as young as Real Madrid’s. And combine them with the experience he brings, it is clear that there is no coach better suited for this squad.

On the tactical side of things, Ancelotti has been on the receiving end of heavy criticism at times. Often seen as outdated for this era, Carlo has made tactical missteps that have hurt the team, and he has been criticized for these mistakes. Yet, people overlook a huge aspect of Carlo’s coaching, and aspect that he may very well be the very best at. Carlo Ancelotti has a magical touch with attackers. At getting the very best out of his attackers, Carlo Ancelotti might be the greatest coach ever, better than even Pep Guardiola. And unlike Guardiola, Carlo gets the best out of his players while letting them express themselves fully. The following players all had their best statistical seasons under Ancelotti: Andriy Shevchenko, Kaka, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel di Maria, Karim Benzema, Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo Goes, Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Brahim Diaz, Joselu, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison. From multiple Ballon d’Or winners, from the greatest player ever, to young budding superstars, to fringe players and bench options, to mid-table attackers, that list has it all. Goal poachers, electrifying wingers, box crashing midfielders, silky playmakers, target men, classic 9s, false-9’s, hybrid winger/midfielders, box-to-box midfielders, and the most complete attacker ever, all had their best statistical season under Carlo. The ability he has to take his players to that next step and just unlock their full potential is second to none. Handing him a team with such young, mold-able attackers, the potential is limitless. And now, Carlo Ancelotti will get his hands on Kylian Mbappé and Endrick.

There are younger managers, there are more tactical managers, but there are no better managers for this Real Madrid squad. A legend of the game, and a coach whose ideas, demeanor and personality are tailor-made for a team like Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti is as good as it gets. He has his flaws, but his strengths more than outweigh these issues. And, let’s not forget, a squad like Real Madrid’s, under the guidance of a man like Carlo Ancelotti, will always cover-up such flaws. The players, the club culture, the ideas and the mentality, all align perfectly with Carlo Ancelotti. A Galactico coach to lead a Galacitco team. The future under Carlo Ancelotti is going to be truly special.

Kylian Mbappé: Unbelievable pressure for an unbelievable player.

Kylian Mbappé: Unbelievable pressure for an unbelievable player.
By: PGS | June 4, 2024 11:47 am
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Kylian Mbappé is finally a Real Madrid player. Let me say that one more time. Kylian Mbappé is finally a Real Madrid player. After what may be the longest saga ever, stretching back to 2017 from his Monaco days, Kylian Mbappé has finally officially joined the greatest club in the world. Arguably the best player in the world, Kylian Mbappé has joined the club of his dreams, and forms one of the scariest super teams the sport has ever seen. Naturally, the pressure on him to deliver will be high, but given the context of Real Madrid’s past 3 years, the pressure is now greater than ever before.

In 2021, when Mbappé was closer than ever before to Real Madrid, the situation for the club was completely different from what it is now. Back then, the club was still reeling from the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. The club had just lost LaLiga and crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of Chelsea. The last Champions League title came in 2018, when Ronaldo was still at the club. Zidane had just announced his decision to leave the club, and the attack looked to be in dire condition. Benzema was the best striker in the world, but his supporting cast was not what it should have been. Viní and Rodrygo were still just talents for the future, with severe output and consistency issues. Hazard was a shell of himself and couldn’t stay fit to save his life, while Bale was no longer a starting level attacker, not even close. Mbappé was seen as the savior, the player to come in and fill the Ronaldo shaped hole in the club. Fast forward 3 years, and the situation couldn’t be any more different. In the past 3 years, Real Madrid have won the league and Champions League double twice, a feat they only managed once in their last 7 Champions League wins before 2022. Karim Benzema won a Ballon d’Or and left, and now, Vinícius Jr is the frontrunner for this year’s Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t win, then second in line is his (and now Mbappé’s) teammate, Jude Bellingham. The club is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best team in the world. Viní and Rodrygo are both bonafide superstars, and the team has won 2 Champions League titles without Mbappé.

Now, as Mbappé finally comes, he does not come as a savior. He does not come as a player who was absolutely necessary to take the team to the top of the footballing world, because the team is already there. He doesn’t come like Ronaldo did, to make the team competitive again and challenge one of the greatest sides of all time in Pep’s Barcelona. Right now, Real Madrid are the team in football. There is no all-time great team to compete with, there are no humiliations to take revenge for. Unlike when Ronaldo arrived, there is no team on the level of Pep’s Barcelona, and no player like Messi. Unlike during the Bale, Benzema and Cristiano era, there is no rival like the Messi, Suarez, Neymar Barcelona. Manchester City are the only side that are seen as genuine challengers, and even they were vanquished twice in the last 3 years. Real Madrid are the kings of Europe, and there are no clear challengers anymore. Mbappé comes not to take the team to the top, but to take the team to heights never seen before. He is not needed to win the Champions League; the team has managed that without him. He comes to help the team retain it. He comes to help the team retain the double, then retain it again, and again, and again. He comes to help Madrid finally capture the elusive treble, and to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldo and retain the Champions League again. And, he has no excuses. Unlike when Ronaldo joined, the team is no longer in a rebuild. He is joining a super young core of players who have won 2 Champions Leagues and 2 LaLigas in the last 3 years. The present and future belongs to Real Madrid, and the pressure on Mbappé, who will be the center-piece for this team, will be unbelievable.

On twitter, a frequent comparison being made is with Kevin Durant’s decision to join the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in 2016. Yet, even this comparison is not accurate. At least the Warriors lost in 2016, and they added Kevin Durant to help them challenge Lebron James. Real Madrid won, and won in stunning fashion. Mbappé is joining a winning side, and there is no Lebron-esque figure in football right now that he has to help the team defeat. Another comparison can be Pep joining the treble winning Bayern side. However, even that comparison has its flaws. Pep’s Bayern still had to challenge the BBC Real Madrid side and MSN Barcelona. And, just like Pep was seen to have failed by failing to emulate the treble, even the slightest difference from last season, and Mbappé will be seen to have failed. The expectations for him are to lead the team not to just a league title, or just the UCL, or just the double, but to win everything, all 6 trophies that Real Madrid are competing in, and then repeat it. The pressure is unbelievable.

However, Mbappé too, is unbelievable. The first teenager to score in the World Cup final since Pele. The first player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final since Pele. The joint 5th highest scorer in World Cup history with 12 goals, alongside Pele. A World Cup winner, a runner-up another time, and a World Cup Golden Boot winner. 7-time Ligue-1 champion, 4-time Coupe de France winner, 3 Trophee des Champions and 1 Nations League title. PSG’s all-time top scorer, 6-time Ligue 1 top scorer, 5-time Ligue 1 Player of the Year, 3-time Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, Golden Boy award winner, joint 9th all-time top scorer in the UCL. All before the age of 26. Kylian Mbappé is a truly player. Had he made smarter career decisions, his resumé would most likely include a couple of Champions League titles and Ballon d’Or’s as well. In the eyes of many, Kylian Mbappé is the best player in the world. The pressure on him is unreal, but there is no player better suited to meet such lofty expectations. His skill, his goalscoring instinct, his speed, finishing ability, combined with the level of teammates he will have at Madrid, put him in the perfect position to meet these expectations. A player who produced 484 G/A in 445 games at PSG, Mbappé has everything needed on an individual and team basis to help make this Real Madrid side the most dominant football team in history.

 

Mbappé is finally here, and while some fans may still hold grudges over his past decisions, it is time for forgive him and let him write his story as a Real Madrid player. Regardless of what may have happened till now, Mbappé is still a truly generational player, and having a player like him is nothing but good. Real Madrid now have the chance to have the most dominant dynasty in football history, a team that dominates both Spain and Europe like none before them, and Mbappé will be the focal point of this team. A tumultuous relationship with the team’s fans is the last thing he needs. The pressure on his shoulders is already unbelievable, but the talent at his feet is too, and for the team’s success and his, the full support of the fanbase is needed. An all-time great player facing all-time great expectations, a new era has started. A new era for him, for the team, and for the sport as a whole. Whether these expectations are met, only time will tell, but there is no player, and no team, better suited to make history like this.

The unfortunate case of Andriy Lunin

The unfortunate case of Andriy Lunin
By: PGS | May 30, 2024 12:40 pm
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This season was undoubtedly Andriy Lunin’s breakout season. Thibaut Courtois’ ACL injury early on in the season presented Lunin with an opportunity that he had not received before: a clear, consistent path to the first XI. The loan signing of Kepa seemed to ruin this opportunity, but luckily for Lunin, Carlo Ancelotti allowed the two keepers to fight for the starting spot, and Andriy Lunin was able to cement himself as the starting goalkeeper for Real Madrid.

What followed was a stunning season, a season in which Real Madrid won LaLiga (with the fewest goals conceded), won the Spanish Super cup, and have reached the UEFA Champions League final. In LaLiga, Lunin proved to be truly incredible. Conceding the least goals per game of any keeper (0.8 p90), keeping 10 clean sheets in 21 appearances, and having the 3rd best save percentage of all keepers (73.8%), Andriy Lunin proved to be worthy of the title of Real Madrid’s starting goalkeeper. The story in the Champions League was similar, with his performances in the quarter and semi-finals garnering him widespread praise from the footballing world. Playing the majority of games for Real Madrid this season, it was widely assumed that regardless of Thibaut Courtois’ status, Lunin would start the UCL final against Borussia Dortmund. However, this has not proven to be the case. After Courtois came back from his injury in early May against Cadiz, the Belgian has played 4 of the subsequent 5 games, and with Lunin picking up an unfortunate illness in the last few days, there is no doubt on who will start the final. Courtois’ performances in his 5 appearances have also not been good for Lunin’s case to start. Despite suffering a horrific ACL injury, and then reopening an old meniscus injury on his other knee, Courtois does not look any different. He has been as imperious as he was, and his performance against Alaves showed everyone that he hasn’t lost anything. 10 saves in total, and 5 against shots from inside the box, Courtois reminded everyone who the best goalkeeper in the world in the last 4 or so seasons was. Despite all his hard work and stunning performances this season, it is now more than obvious that the starting goalkeeper against Dortmund will be Courtois.

 

This is the nature of football, and this is the nature of football at Real Madrid. Courtois is the starting goalkeeper, and he prior to this season, Courtois was undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in the world, and he still could be, the only thing stopping him from reclaiming that title is a small sample. Courtois is Courtois. As good as Lunin has been, his season was not flawless. He made the occasional mistake, and this can be attributed to his age and lack of experience. At 25, Lunin is not a youngster, but it must be remembered that goalkeepers hit their peaks later, and as he was the back-up to Courtois, Lunin does not have the same level of experience that a 25-year-old outfielder would have. In fact, over the past 3 seasons, Lunin only made 17 appearances for Real Madrid. However, it must also not be ignored that Lunin was one of the best goalkeepers in the world this season. He did make mistakes, but there are no clear weaknesses in his game. A great shot stopper and dominant in the box (proved by how well he handled Manchester City and Bayern’s barrage of set-pieces directly aimed at him), Lunin has the fundamentals down. With the ball at his feet, and at distributing it, Lunin is already better than Courtois, and considerably so. Yet, despite all this, Courtois is going to start, and the logic behind the decision is also sound. Courtois has more experience, he has had a good run of games to get into rhythm, and the confidence he transmits to the rest of the team is also a factor that cannot be ignored. If the signs are true, and Courtois hasn’t lost a step due to his injuries, then Courtois should still be seen as the best goalkeeper in the world, and his place in the starting XI is somewhat warranted.

It is unfortunate, but it is reality. Lunin has worked tirelessly and performed incredibly, yet this work will seemingly go unrewarded. On top of this, it is also obvious that regardless of what happens on Saturday, the starting goalkeeper for next season will be Courtois. Courtois could have an amazing game, a quiet game, or make a horrible mistake and cost Madrid the final, and he will still be the starter next season. And, as said before, if he has not lost any ability, then it is unlikely that Lunin will displace him from that spot. This is the unfortunate reality that Lunin is facing, and no one would blame him for choosing to avoid it. Up for a renewal, Lunin is now at a crossroads. His performances this season would guarantee a move to a good team, and a guaranteed starting spot. However, there is no team greater than Real Madrid, and staying to fight for his spot could work out as well. Courtois is 32, and in recent years, Real Madrid has been a meritocratic team. There is no better example of this than Viní Jr. Despite performing better than the injury riddled Eden Hazard, Viní was infamously dropped by Zidane against Manchester City in the UCL a few seasons ago, and Eden Hazard failed to perform. Vinícius was also moved to right wing-back by Zidane to accommodate Hazard against Chelsea, and the result was the same once again. When Carlo Ancelotti took over the following season, it was made clear that his starting attackers were Hazard and Bale, both of whom were far past their prime and injury riddled. Yet, Vinícius persevered, and is now the team’s leading attacker. While Lunin’s situation does not have exact parallels to this, it still shows that a meritocratic path to the starting XI is there.

Regardless of what Lunin decides, his decision must be respected. The situation he is in is difficult, and the choice to leave or stay will be even harder. Whatever he decides, his contributions to Real Madrid must not be forgotten, and his role as the keeper who helped us win a league title and potentially a UCL will be cemented in history.

Lucas Vazquez extends with Real Madrid

Lucas Vazquez extends with Real Madrid
By: Stephane Eloundou | May 17, 2024 3:49 pm
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Lucas Vazquez will continue with Real Madrid at least one more season.

The Spanish player is considered one of the best squad players at Real Madrid, and over the years his services have helped the club in a lot of different occasions.

The 32-year old Spanish player came back from loan to Real Madrid in 2015/16 and next season will be 10th with the club.

In this period, aside of other trophies – Vazquez has won 4 La Liga’s and 4 UEFA Champions League’s with Real Madrid.

This season – Vazquez has shown again that he is a perfect squad player and has answered perfectly everytime he was called up to replace Dani Carvajal this season, and to be mentioned is his amazing performance in the league deciding El Clasico.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid & Lucas Vazquez have reached full agreement over a renewal.

At Real Madrid, Lucas is seen as the perfect back-up to Carvajal and they will continue together for at least one more year. Lucas is really happy at Real Madrid and they reached an agreement to extend very fast.

Official communication expected soon.

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