The internationals will be back today, in an afternoon training session! It’s only been a week and a half since we last saw them, but it feels like forever, no? Here’s our five boys after the beach football game last night. What a perfect picture, no? In addition to the Four Musketeers plus Iker, the La Roja player in the background is a canterano!
And at least now we know there will be football this weekend! Madrid will take on Sporting at the unusual (for us) hour of 18h on Saturday at the Bernabéu.
ONE. In yesterday’s session, Sergio Canales was the novedad, rejoining the group after playing with Spain’s U-21 team. MSFC Juan Carlos and his Castilla teammate Álex also joined in the fun with the available members first team, which was composed of the aforementioned Sergio C., Higuaín, Granero, Adebayor, Lass, Peter Lion, Dudek and Adán.
Meanwhile, Cristiano trained alone as he continues to recover from the injury to his left leg, running for 15 minutes. Fernando Gago also ran alone. Marcelo and Kaká also worked out in the gym, along with Cris. Seeing how seriously Cris takes his recovery work, I’m sure they didn’t joke around too much, just a little. In other injury news, Karim Benzema had to be substituted out of France’s friendly against Croatia last night due to problems in his left thigh. He was taped up on the bench before heading into the locker room surrounded by France’s doctors. He’ll undergo tests today in Madrid. Uh-oh… I would hate to see him injured especially when he’s finally gained confidence in himself, and that of his coach and the fans. Well, the good news is that Pipita apparently feels ready to play. And that it appears that rest of our internationals emerged unscathed from the international week.
I’m sure Cris was disappointed that the wrap around his leg meant that he couldn’t hike his shorts up.
TWO. Sergio C. spoke to the press after the session, telling them that his personal situation is “complicated, but I’m learning a lot, and they’re making me more of a footballer. I think with time, I will see the positive points of this year.” When asked if he’s thinking about a change of scenery for next year, the well-trained Sergio replied, “there’s a lot of this season left and it would be egotistical to be thinking about next year. Right now I’m thinking about Sporting.” And when asked if there are any reasons for him to stay, he responded, “not only Mou, but also teammates, the coaching staff. It hasn’t been an easy year, but I know the training sessions and the minutes I play in games will help me a lot. The important thing is to give it my all in each game and try and earn more minutes.”
THREE. Meanwhile, David Beckham will not take sides in the upcoming Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Tottenham. Becks of course played for Madrid for four years, and trained with Tottenham last winter in the MLS offseason. Thus, he said, “I played for Real Madrid for four years and I always said that I would support them in all their games. But I was also with the Spurs, so there are mixed feelings, and in addition, my grandfather followed Tottenham. So, I think I will limit myself to just enjoying the game.”
FOUR. File this one under adorable. On Monday, Álex Fernández had the day off (Castilla’s day off is Monday), which he used to go pay a visit to the benjamines! He chatted with the B team before their training session about his experience and dreams, and answered all their questions about the first team players (very nice), Mou (súper simpático), what color the locker room is (blue)…
Álex told them, “when I debuted with the first team, one of the dreams I had since I was a kid came true… Mourinho told me to be calm, noting that if I were with them, it was because I had worked hard since I was small and that everything would go well.” He also handed out some advice: “at the age that you all are now, you have to learn a lot and enjoy playing. And you shouldn’t leave your studies behind because they’re very important. And you should listen to your families because they’re your principal support.” Álex said he had a great time with the kids, because they reminded him of himself, and that he hopes to do this again. Plus, they treated him as if he were a big star already!
I spot Theo (he looks just like his papá) and Marvelous! Who can forget that name? And I love the inordinate amount of bowl haircuts!
FIVE. And a lovely gesture from Madrid! This is how canteranos should be treated. Hércules player Tote was discharged yesterday after having his right knee operated (he tore his ACL) on in Barcelona last Thursday. He will begin his recovery work in Madrid, and the club has put their installations and medical team at his disposal to help him do that.