You’re not retired bro. You work for yourself, with your main business being overseeing your investments. It’s a great place to be, and my compliments to you for achieving it.
The team were doing fine going with James playing the Modric role. Then James got injured and we got screwed. Beat Atletico playing Ramos as the DM. He was great against the thugs, not so good against Juventus though. One of the most frustrating seasons in memory. Barca was scary though. Would have been hard to beat them in the final.
The match against Sociedad was atrocious at the early weeks of the season. Got ahead 0-2 and lost the match 4-2. Fukcing pink jersey. lol
🚨 BREAKING: Arda Güler, Endrick, Brahim is set to be Real Madrid's front three vs Milan. @diarioas pic.twitter.com/DO5NHFIGAS— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 21, 2024 🚨🗣️ Karim Benzema: "Real Madrid is always the best team in the world. Players come, others leave, but Real Madrid will always remain at the top. They are the best and they will continue to prove that.” pic.twitter.com/O8JaU2RClt— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 21, 2024 🗣️ Karim Benzema: "I don't see a team that can be better than Real Madrid." pic.twitter.com/IxLphtwGk4— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 21, 2024 🚨Karim Benzema: “Vini Jr. deserves the Ballon d’Or for his season and not only for what he has done this year, but also the previous one, for what he does with the ball. He's a complete footballer.” pic.twitter.com/9wlXl7cBSo— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 21, 2024 🗣️ Karim Benzema: "Viní Jr. can win you a match alone, of course with the help of his teammates, but he is very good when Real Madrid needs him and that is why I think he deserves the Ballon d’Or. He is always there, so he is the best candidate for me.” pic.twitter.com/Wq0ZMrTmZr— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 21, 2024
Karim Benzema: "Do I regret leaving Real Madrid? Some come and others leave. It's like this and it will always happen. Of course when I look back I feel happy. Last season, they felt strong and played good football and that's why they won the Champions League. Today I don't see… pic.twitter.com/DZORPmgUkN— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) July 21, 2024 🗣️ Karim Benzema: “UCL final at Wembley? Joy. Real Madrid is my team and I'll always be next to Real Madrid and my teammates. It's logical. Real Madrid is Real Madrid, something unique.” pic.twitter.com/uRNQT30EMO— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) July 21, 2024
It's funny how out of all stars we signed that summer it was Benzema who grew the most attached to the team and the club. Especially considering how in the beginning it all got off to a very rocky start. I truly believe he could have gone elsewhere multiple times during his career.
I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly, but weren't there rumors that we initially tried to sign David Villa? When that didn't work out, we opted to get Benz.
Right, Benzema was linked to Barca initially, they even had a meeting but they didn't click, found him too shy and quiet. We couldn't do business with Valencia on the other hand, it was like trying to catch fish bare handed.
I am sure that from where Benzema grew up loyalty is key. We stood by him through some pretty huge storms both on and off the pitch. Never even entertained a replacement despite everyone booing him. And he went on to breath Real Madrid even during his sleep. Glad he repaid Perez' faith in the end because Perez got alot of flack for ignoring cries for a replacement.
Perez personally approached Lewandowski (to replace him) and Mario Gomez (to as Gomez said put the pressure on him) while we had Benzema on the roster. It's like a relationship like any other with ups and downs but I think Benzema had a different view of his career than others.
We also tried to sign Pogba despite KCM which also never materialised. Don't think Perez had in mind that Lewa would replace Benzema but for them to work together. It's well known that Benz was one of Perez' favourite players and he went through alot of heat ignoring the voices around the club demanding he be replaced. Vini is also one of Perez' favourite ones out of the current crop and he was tracking Mbappe for multiple years despite them playing in the same position. They are now both here. I think Benz saw Perez' backing and wanted to return the favour. Benz could've left multiple times but didn't even consider playing for another club until he became crippled. He played through a finger injury to the point it became deformed. Benz has repaid the faith put in him several times over and is now backing everyone at the club publicly whenever he gets a chance, unlike a certain someone.
Mou was never really into Benzema. Higuain's problems in big games meant Benz got to start Clasicos and CL KOs in 2011-12, but he again was a sub in those games next season. Florentino got rid of Higuain as soon as Mou left and with Morata as back up, Carlo completely trusted Benz. Then having Carlo - ZZ rotation at the club who are Benzema fans avoided tense situations like Mou era. Benz for his part took the leadership of attack after Ron left in perfect manner.
Mou publicly asked club to sign Aguero in 2011 and player started flirting too that summer, but Flo had no interest. 60 ME buyout wasn't out of reach given what we paid for Kaka. Then Cavani's dad also made several public statements that he'd like to see Cavani at RM in 2013, but Flo didn't want a big name after selling Higuain. Lewa was approached right after he scored 4 goals while even Ron was struggling to make that sort of impact in semi finals of Mou era. Thankfully Lewa rejected as he was keen on joining treble winners Bayern. Dortmund refused to sell and he joined as free agent in 2014. Lewa looked pretty normal in CL KOs after the 4 goals game for rest of his career while Ronaldo went on crazy run in CL knockouts from 2013-18.
Perez also tried to get Falcao while we had Benzema. It's interesting looking back how many things could have been different for Benzema's time here. I think being a father made a dramatic change to his career.
Falcao flirted with the possibility but I don't think Perez seriously went for that move. He went to Atlético for 45 ME buyout clause and then 60 ME buyout to Monaco. Those were affordable fees but maybe Flo wasn't keen on hostile signings from Atlético. Then Falcao had bad injury at Monaco and even did a Twitter stunt of announcing RM move on loan and deleting it few seconds later. We got Chicharito on loan instead.
There definitely was friction there, I think behind the scenes everybody kind of got together and figured this will only look bad in the long run.
I was one of those who backed Benz when it was unpopular and everyone including his own manager was having a go at him. Once Higuain left I felt like Benz was next and TBH I would have like to see peak CR7 paired up with someone like Falcao, Cavani, etc. There were some really good CF/9's at that time. I'm glad that he never soured on the club despite the rocky start and attempts to replace him because I really enjoyed his BdO season.
Love Benz, one of my all time fave RM players. The loyalty thing is very true, Perez showed Karim a lot of loyalty as well, everyone wanted Karim replaced after his nightmare of a season where he scored like 4 5 goals something like that. Media was going wild (you cannot be a RM CF only scoring 4 goals) blah blah. Yet after that he was consistent 15+ goal a season forward. Man made some insane misses though, while funny now, he would make me fume sometimes. He changed his style of play as well, he was fast and like to dribble at Lyon as he developed he became a more complete player.
Real Madrid will play a friendly against Albacete this Wednesday afternoon in Valdebebas. On Saturday, more friendlies: Castilla against Illescas and Real Madrid C against Juvenil A. There will be many homegrown players on the list to travel to the US. El Real Madrid jugará un amistoso contra el Albacete este miércoles por la tarde en Valdebebas. El sábado, más amistosos: el Castilla contra el Illescas y el Real Madrid C contra el Juvenil A. En la lista para viajar a EEUU habrá muchos canteranoshttps://t.co/6Um4LDz564— Rodra (@Rodra10_97) July 22, 2024 Despite playing only 123 minutes, Pol Fortuny is the Euro U-19 player with:🅰️joint most assists - 3🎯most big chances created - 3🔑joint 2nd most key passes - 8Excellent flamboyant winger with a left foot made of gold. 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/U99tWSElL3— Football Talent Scout - Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) July 22, 2024