WHY XABI ALONSO IS KEEPING KYLIAN MBAPPE’S ACTUAL RETURN DATE A COMPLETE MYSTERY
Kylian Mbappe and Dean Huijsen are major doubts for Real Madrid vs Real Betis. Get the latest injury news from Xabi Alonso’s camp.
Xabi Alonso didn’t want to pin down exactly when Kylian Mbappe will be back on the pitch. Mbappe twisted his knee in training this week, and now nobody’s sure when he’ll return. To make matters worse, Dean Huijsen, who’s already been dealing with knee problems, is a doubt for the Real Betis match at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.
Mbappe had to stop during Real Madrid’s traditional end-of-year open training. It looks like he’ll miss the Spanish Supercup semi-final against Atletico Madrid, and probably the final too, if they get there.
Alonso kept it vague when asked for updates. “We’re going to take it down to the deadline,” he said. “It’s about how he feels. We want him back as soon as possible. When is that? Good question. I don’t know. The Super Cup? We’ll see…”
Someone asked if Mbappe’s injury was just bad luck or something they could’ve prevented, especially since he also missed the Manchester City game a few weeks back. Alonso replied, “After each match, we assess the situation and make decisions. Now we’ll see. We need to monitor his progress and do everything we can to get him back soon.”
As for Dean Huijsen, the big news from Valdebebas on Saturday was his absence from training. He’s been struggling with knee troubles for a while, in and out of the lineup. Alonso didn’t rule him out for Betis, but it looks more likely that Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio will start at center-back. “He felt some discomfort, and we wanted to be a little cautious. We’ll decide tomorrow.”
On a brighter note, there’s hope that Captain Dani Carvajal will return soon. Earlier reports said he probably wouldn’t play against Betis, but he’s pushing to be fit for the Supercup. Alonso couldn’t help but praise him. “He was able to train the whole session. We’ll decide on the squad tomorrow morning. Every club needs players who carry weight, not just for what they do on the pitch but for how they handle tough times. Carva is one of those guys.”
“His personality and influence are huge. We really missed him these last two months, and now we want to help him get back to top form. Honestly, just having him back already makes a difference.”
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK
Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.
Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.
Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.
People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.
This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.
Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.
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