Real Madrid

Vinicius Junior has said he had "three days" to decide between a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona in 2017 when both La Liga giants came in for his signature.

The forward spoke to FourFourTwo about his decision to make the move to the Santiago Bernabeu from Brazilian side Flamengo.

"It was right after I came back from the 2017 South American U17 Championship in Chile. There were already rumours in the press, but I never believed them.

"Eventually it happened: both Real Madrid and Barcelona put offers on the table and I had only three days to make my decision. I always wanted to play for the greatest club, so that's why I chose Real.

"My parents visited both clubs and liked them more. It matched with what I already wanted, and I felt their project was better for me.

"They give a lot of minutes to the younger players, like me, and were going through an outstanding period of success in the Champions League back then."

Vinicius was just 16 when Real Madrid paid €46 million to secure his signature. He was officially unveiled at the club in July 2018 and made history on his Real Madrid debut against Atletico Madrid two months later:

1 - Vinícius Júnior has become the first ever player born in 2000 to play a competitive game for Real Madrid. Future. pic.twitter.com/yCdTG1fxoc

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 29, 2018

The teenager scored four goals in 31 appearances in his first season in the Spanish capital but did seem to struggle at times with the pressure and expectation that accompanies a big price tag at a young age.

He has also had his critics this season and has frustrated supporters because of a lack of end product, per football writer Dermot Corrigan:

Vinicius regularly bringing groans from Bernabeu and his end product not great etc. But would also add that he usually has few options / most of his team at least 30 yards down the pitch.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) March 1, 2020

Vinicius has only managed four goals in 2019-20, and while there's no doubting his dribbling ability and skill on the ball, his finishing has let him down.

Yet he has scored important goals this season, notably in the 2-0 Clasico win over Barcelona at the start of March:

Vinícius Júnior has become the youngest LaLiga goal-scorer in El Clásico in the 21st century, ahead of Lionel Messi.

19 years, 7 months and 18 days old. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/LamnpaZshs

— Squawka (@Squawka) March 1, 2020

Vinicius has had a growing influence on Real Madrid this season and has the talent to develop into a potent attacker for Los Blancos if he can add goals to his game.

Real Madrid have confirmed their football squad is in quarantine after one of the club's basketball players tested positive for the coronavirus.

The club announced the decision in a statement on Thursday on their official Twitter account, noting the basketball and football teams share the same training facilities:

Official Announcement.#RealMadrid

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 12, 2020

Rodrigo Faez of ESPN provided more details on the situation:

"Sources have told ESPN that Real Madrid took the decision following the recommendations of the Spanish Ministry of Health, and activity at Valdebebas will cease for a minimum of 15 days. The club have also advised family members and partners of first team staff to return home to reduce the risk of further infection."

Following Real Madrid's announcement, La Liga confirmed the competition was being suspended for two weeks:

"Given the circumstances that are coming to light this morning, referring to the quarantine established in Real Madrid and the possible cases in players from other clubs, La Liga considers it appropriate to continue to the next phase of the protocol of action against COVID-19."

Real had confirmed on Twitter earlier in the day that they were postponing tours of the Santiago Bernabeu as a result of the spread of COVID-19: 

🏟 #RealMadrid has decided to temporarily close the Tour Bernabéu.

The decision has been taken in line with measures by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Health and the Regional and City governments of Madrid in light of the coronavirus crisis. pic.twitter.com/AtmUbvXSwS

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 12, 2020

Agence France-Presse's Kieran Canning provided his assessment of the developing situation: 

Real Madrid now in quarantine too so Man City game must be off next week. Time all football took a break to be honest. Mental it hasn't already

— Kieran Canning (@KieranCanning) March 12, 2020

Per Spanish football journalist Rik Sharma, Marca has reported UEFA is set to suspend matches from its two major competitions, including UEFA Europa League games on Thursday: 

Marca say Champions League and Europa League about to be suspended too

— Rik Sharma (@riksharma_) March 12, 2020

Los Blancos were scheduled to be in action in La Liga on Friday against Eibar and take on Manchester City in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. 

Coronavirus is having a major impact on the football calendar, with two of this week's Champions League clashes being played behind closed doors—Valencia's home game against Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain's match against Borussia Dortmund in France.

Per CNN, as of March 12. more than 124,500 people around the world have been infected by COVID-19, with over 4,600 dead. 

Real Madrid have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of next week's UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg against Manchester City after they confirmed fitness problems for both Thibaut Courtois and Marcelo. 

Per Real's official website, Courtois has suffered an injury to his left adductor muscle, and Marcelo has been diagnosed with a left hamstring issue.

For next Tuesday's visit to the Etihad Stadium, with Real trailing 2-1 to City, Ferland Mendy and Alphonse Areola would be the likely replacements, according to journalist Dermot Corrigan:

Courtois adductor muscle injury confirmed - Areola to play second leg at City next week https://t.co/NNI3Imn5zf

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) March 10, 2020

Marcelo hamstring injury confirmed - so Mendy to play second leg at City https://t.co/aFPZT5TMcE

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) March 10, 2020

Marcelo and Courtois will be big losses for Real, particularly for the City game, as they both have experience of playing in high-profile European matches.

Los Blancos will need to put in one of their best performances of the season in Manchester if they are to turn the tie around and advance to the quarter-finals, and that will be a much tougher task without two of their key defensive players.

Before the second leg against the Sky Blues, Real host Eibar in La Liga on Friday.

Zinedine Zidane's side have won just one of their last four games in the Spanish top flight. Fortunately for the Madrid giants, that came against Barcelona in El Clasico, but Real still trail their rivals in the title race:

With 11 matches remaining...

Can @FCBarcelona defend their #LaLigaSantander title? 💙👑❤️ pic.twitter.com/hQ8E0Za2CI

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) March 8, 2020

Zidane will now have to manage his squad astutely to ensure they can both bounce back against Eibar and get a positive result against City, otherwise their season could collapse in the space of a week.

That is a more challenging proposition without Courtois and Marcelo to call upon, but Areola and Mendy are both adequate back-ups. 

Borussia Dortmund's Achraf Hakimi said he'll return to Real Madrid when his loan spell ends this summer if the Spanish side want him. 

The Morocco international is coming to the end of a two-year loan with the German side at the conclusion of the season.

Hakimi told Telefoot (h/t Goal's Sacha Pisani):

"Real Madrid are the club I call home. I've really enjoyed myself there and played lots of games there.

"If Madrid want me to go back, I'll go back. And if not, I'll have to write the next chapter at another great club."

He also revealed his admiration for Real boss Zinedine Zidane:

"Zidane is the man who gave me my chance and the confidence to be able to play professional football. 

"I'm grateful to him for his faith in me and the way he has treated me. I'll always be grateful to him."

Hakimi came through the ranks at the Santiago Bernabeu as a youngster. He has made 17 first-team appearances for Los Blancos, which came under the Frenchman in the 2017-18 season before his loan move to Dortmund.

The 21-year-old said joining the Bundesliga club was "the best decision I could have made" because the regular first-team football has helped him develop his game.

He made 28 appearances for BVB last season and likely would have made more if not for suffering a broken metatarsal that kept him out of action in April and May.

This season, he's become an even more important player for Dortmund with 36 games under his belt.

The wing-back scored on Saturday to help his side record a 2-1 win at Borussia Monchengladbach (U.S. only):

Sancho ➡️ Hakimi@BlackYellow retake the lead at Gladbach! pic.twitter.com/flCH8motcd

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 7, 2020

He has enjoyed a productive campaign:

Achraf Hakimi has been directly involved in 13 goals this season in Bundesliga.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only defender in Europe's top five leagues to be involved in more (14). pic.twitter.com/oJ9hNFYgrz

— Squawka (@Squawka) March 7, 2020

In all competitions, he has racked up seven goals and 10 assists.

Given his age, Hakimi likely hasn't reached his ceiling yet and could get even better.

He's helping Dortmund compete near the top of the Bundesliga—they're second, four points back on Bayern Munich—and in the UEFA Champions League, so he could be ready to do the same for Real in La Liga.

Unseating Dani Carvajal at the Santiago Bernabeu would be no mean feat, but Hakimi can also operate further forward on the right flank or provide cover on the left if necessary, so he'd be a useful presence in the squad.

Should Real opt to sell him—perhaps to raise funds for a marquee signing—the calibre of his Dortmund performances will have significantly increased his value and should also mean there will be no shortage of suitors.

Zinedine Zidane has said he is to blame for Real Madrid's 2-1 loss against Real Betis on Sunday which saw them lose the initiative to Barcelona in the title race just a week on from beating them in El Clasico.

Real needed to win at the Estadio Benito Villamarin to return to the top of the table after Barca scraped a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday. 

Karim Benzema cancelled out Sidnei's opener just before half-time, but Cristian Tello netted the hosts' second eight minutes from time to secure all three points:

💙🔝❤

Real Madrid's loss means that @FCBarcelona end Matchday 27 as #LaLigaSantander leaders! pic.twitter.com/fQ6gS0gGBe

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) March 8, 2020

Last weekend: Real Madrid win El Clasico, go top of La Liga

This weekend: Real Madrid lose to Betis, fall behind Barcelona again 😬 pic.twitter.com/VeOLpdPUO4

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 8, 2020

Real have now lost three of their last four games in all competitions.

Zidane took full responsibility for the defeat at Betis and pulled no punches in his assessment of his side's performance, per Dejan Kalinic of Goal:

"We didn't get anything today, and I'm to blame for it. I have to look at what happened; we're going to fight the league to the end. I am with my players till the death. I am responsible here. We will analyse what happened and move on.

"We played badly. Many mistakes. We lacked everything, play, possession, aggression, our worst game of season. Didn't deserve to win. We can't be happy. We started badly, and could not correct it. I've no explanation at moment, we just lacked a bit of everything.

"I am to blame as motivation, This is my responsibility. We didn't generate anything today. We've lacked everything, especially ball possession, we never lose so many balls, that's been our main problem tonight."

Real are in danger of letting the 2019-20 campaign slip away from them if they do not turn their form around quickly.

Friday's clash with Eibar in La Liga is now a must-win fixture in order to put pressure on Barca before their visit to Mallorca on Saturday.

Then Los Blancos have the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City.

The Sky Blues won the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu 2-1, so Real will need to produce one of their best performances of the season at the Etihad Stadium if they are to avoid being eliminated from the Champions League in the first knockout round for the second season running.

In Zidane's first spell in charge of Real between 2016 and 2018, the Madrid giants won three Champions League titles in a row to take their all-time tally to 13.

City have never reached the final in Europe's elite club competition, but in Pep Guardiola they do have a manager who previously won the famous trophy twice in three seasons with Barcelona. 

The Champions League is City's top priority this season as they are all but guaranteed to lose their Premier League crown to Liverpool.

Real Madrid's La Liga title chances took a massive blow on Sunday, with Los Blancos slumping to a 2-1 defeat away to Real Betis.  

The hosts dominated the contest and took the lead via Sidnei, but Karim Benzema converted a penalty shortly before half-time to tie things up. The pattern of play continued after the break, and former Barcelona man Cristian Tello deservedly restored the lead inside the final 10 minutes. 

Los Blancos started the weekend in the lead, but Barcelona's narrow win over Real Sociedad on Saturday saw them move two points ahead of their rivals.

The visitors may have started the match as title contenders, but Real Betis were by far the better team in the first half, pressing forward and putting together several good chances. Nabil Fekir was at the heart of most of their attacking moves, while Loren Moron was a constant menace.

The striker was trouble for both friend and foe, putting his boot into a team-mate at one point:

Que Moron!

— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) March 8, 2020

Vinicius Jr. fired an early chance wide for Los Blancos, and Marc Bartra somehow failed to hand his side the lead, missing the target completely with an unmarked header.

Thibaut Courtois showed all of his talent with a wonder save to deny Fekir, but with five minutes left to play, the Belgian was beaten. Sergio Ramos brought down Fekir, and just as everyone anticipated a whistle for a penalty, Sidnei blasted the ball home.

It was an impressive strike:

What a hit Sidnei! Where’s that come from? 😂

— Jack Collins (@jackjcollins) March 8, 2020

The defender's celebrations were short-lived, however. After a half spent mostly on the back foot, Los Blancos finally ventured forward, resulting in a silly challenge from Sidnei on Marcelo. The official pointed to the spot, and Benzema converted.

It was his team's first effort on target of the half:

1-1 Benzema equalises from spot in first half added time, with Madrid's first shot on target of the game.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) March 8, 2020

Despite the setback, Betis came out for the second half with the same mindset, attacking Los Blancos early and often. 

It led to a massive chance after 10 minutes, with Joaquin rounding Courtois before opting not to shoot himself:

HOW HAVE BETIS NOT SCORED?!? Joaquín did EVERYTHING right, went round Courtois and then looked for the pass instead of shooting!! Wow.

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) March 8, 2020

Los Blancos barely got out of their own half, and Zinedine Zidane soon decided to shake things up, taking off Toni Kroos for an extra forward in Mariano Diaz. The tactical change worked almost immediately, with Joel Robles making a great save before Ferland Mendy hit the cross bar on the follow-up.

Diaz's introduction shook things up for the hosts, who struggled to deal with the renewed energy and suddenly had to defend far more. 

They still threatened, however, and Andres Guardado came agonisingly close to restoring the lead with a volley that flew wide by inches.

A mistake between Ramos and Benzema eventually gave the lead back to the Andalusians, with the ball ending up in the feet of Guardado after a poor pass. He played in Tello, who calmly converted the one-on-one. 

Benzema pass to Ramos a bit short, and suddenly Madrid have nobody at home at all. Pass was excellent from [?] and Tello kept his cool impressively to finish.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) March 8, 2020

With time running out, Madrid suddenly woke up and started to attack with intensity. Robles had a hard time controlling his box against the many players Los Blancos threw forward, and Lucas Vazquez found plenty of success out wide, firing in cross after cross.

The Andalusians held on, however, booking their biggest win of the season and greatly damaging Real's title bid in the process.

   

What's Next?

Madrid will host Eibar on Friday. Betis face local rivals Sevilla in the derby on Sunday.

Segunda Division B club Coruxo have hit out at Real Madrid's reserve team, Castilla, over Los Blancos' use of their big-money signings on a regular basis.

Per AS, Coruxo took to Twitter after Reinier, who cost Real €30 million in January, scored a brace in a 4-0 win on Saturday.

Responding to a highlight package of the youngster, they said: "All [the rest] of the 80 clubs in our division [of four, 20-team groups] don't have that much money between us. And let's not forget that two weeks ago, Rodrygo, who cost 54 million [sic], got Castilla out of a tight spot late on against the bottom team in the table."

The Segunda Division B is the third level of Spanish domestic football, after La Liga and the Segunda Division. It's made up of a mix of small clubs and reserve teams across four groups. Castilla currently sit outside of the play-off spots in Group 1, in seventh place.

Coruxo are fifth, so there were plenty of promotion hopes riding on Saturday's clash. Los Blancos shared the full match replay on YouTube:

Real frequently use their reserve team to play their high-profile signings from South America, giving them the chance to adapt to their new surroundings away from the bright lights of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Rodrygo, a €40 million signing, helped the team to a win over San Sebastian de los Reyes two weeks ago, and €45 million Vinicius Jr. has also played plenty of minutes for the side.

Martin Odegaard and Federico Valverde also took their first senior steps with the team. The former is now starring on loan at Real Sociedad, while the latter is in the midst of a breakout campaign with Los Blancos.

Real's hopes for Reinier are just as high, and the Brazilian has made a bright start for Castilla:

Reinier for Real Madrid Castilla so far:

✅3 games
⚽️2 goals
🅰️1 assist

Beginning of something very special. pic.twitter.com/YK6J9QbCvO

— Football Talent Scout - Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) March 7, 2020

Per AS, the 18-year-old will spend the rest of the season with Castilla, and his great form is bad news for the rest of the division. Rodrygo has also mostly featured for the reserves and seems likely to see out the 2019-20 campaign in the Segunda Division B.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has denied speculation he has been approached by Juventus or could link up with the French national team soon, but there are no guarantees he stays with Los Blancos in the long run.

Per Goal's Chris Burton, he was asked whether it was true the Bianconeri had been in touch: "No, no ... No one has contacted me, and I don't know anything. You know what it's like—people say a lot of things."

On his long-term future in the Spanish capital, he said: "It's not like that. Knowing what comes next doesn't exist. I feel supported by the club, yes, that's clear. The people that work here—we're all pulling in the same direction. But after all that, I know how this works. I'm coach of Real Madrid today, but tomorrow that could change."

Zidane became a world-class midfielder in Turin before moving to Real in 2001, starting his lengthy association with the Spanish giants. He ended his playing career in 2006 and has spent his entire coaching career in the capital, as an adviser, assistant and eventually three-time UEFA Champions League-winning manager.

He was linked with former club Juventus after stepping away from the Real job in 2018, before returning in March 2019.

Maurizio Sarri took over from Massimiliano Allegri in Turin, but his first season has not been a major success so far, and rumours he could be replaced in the summer have started to crop up.

Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola has also been linked to the team, and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has admitted the Bianconeri have considered him:

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli says that the Old Lady have considered Pep Guardiola:

"It is heresy to say that you don't think of Guardiola, but you have to evaluate the moment you are in, like any professional.

"If someone is happy where he is, it is difficult to move."

👀 pic.twitter.com/M95GR2IswB

— GOAL (@goal) February 24, 2020

Zidane's appeal comes from his ability to get the most out of Cristiano Ronaldo―the two had a great working relationship in Madrid―and his European pedigree. Juventus are desperate for Champions League glory, last winning Europe's top club competition in 1996.

The 47-year-old seems unlikely to leave Real anytime soon, however. He only returned to the post a year ago and has Los Blancos leading La Liga after their Clasico win over Barcelona. He has won the Spanish top division only once as a coach, in the 2016-17 campaign, and won it just once as a player as well.

Despite his struggles, Sarri still has Juventus in a great position to win Serie A―they trail AS Roma by two points and have a match in hand―and qualified for the Champions League knockout stages. They lost 1-0 to Lyon in the first leg of their tie.

Real Madrid visit Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday following a potentially huge result in the title race.

Los Blancos' 2-0 Clasico win over Barcelona put them back on top of the table, but the two Spanish giants are separated by just one point and the Blaugrana could return to the summit with a win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.

Betis' form has collapsed in recent weeks, with no victories in their last seven in all competitions.

            

Date: Sunday, March 8

Time: 9 p.m. local, 8 p.m. GMT, 4 p.m ET

TV: beIN Sports (USA)

Stream: Premier Player, LaLigaTV, beIN Connect

Odds: Betis: 61-20, Madrid: 4-5, draw: 61-20 (via Caesars Palace)

            

Preview

Zinedine Zidane's men arrive in Seville after their latest Clasico success. Madrid's victory over Barca could be the difference between La Liga's top two at the end of the campaign, but Los Blancos must re-establish the impressive form they displayed against all-comers earlier this season.

February turned out to be a bad month for Madrid, as they lost 4-3 to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey quarter-final and then played out a surprise 2-2 La Liga draw with Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

A 1-0 loss followed at Levante as the wheels appeared to come off Real's season, and a 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to Manchester City in the round-of-16 first-leg compounded Zidane's agony.

However, as February passed into March, Real completed a professional job against Barca, once again providing them control at the top of the league.

Madrid's remaining fixtures allow them a relatively agreeable path to the title, but only if they don't slip against inferior opponents.

Betis are a team who are unlikely to offer significant resistance after watching their campaign crumble after Christmas.

The Andalusia club had started this season poorly, but just one defeat during a seven-match spell in the winter hinted Betis might finish the campaign flexing their muscles.

However, results have once again hit a brick wall. Betis are eight points above the relegation zone, and staying away from the drop will be their only ambition.

Rubi's men last won a game on January 19 after an impressive 3-0 victory over Real Sociedad, but Betis don't have the confidence to match Madrid if the visitors turn the screw at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Real Madrid have confirmed Eden Hazard has undergone successful surgery on his right ankle injury. 

A statement on the club's official website read:

"Eden Hazard has successfully undergone surgery today in Dallas on a fracture in the fibula of his right foot. The operation was supervised by Real Madrid Medical Services. Hazard will now remain under observation until he gets the all clear to being his rehabilitation process."

According to Marca, the Belgian will now be sidelined for the next two or three months. As a result, he may not play again for Los Blancos this season. Real's final La Liga game of the season is scheduled for the weekend of May 23 against Leganes. If they manage to advance to the UEFA Champions League final, their season will end on May 30.

Hazard, 29, could face a race to be fit for UEFA Euro 2020 in the summer. The tournament kicks off on June 12, and Belgium's first Group B game is against Russia in Saint Petersburg on June 13.

Hazard has endured a frustrating debut season with Real after joining the Madrid giants from Chelsea in June for an initial £89 million fee:

Breaking: Eden Hazard has officially joined Real Madrid on a deal until 2024

(via @brfootball) https://t.co/8EVFpjpbns

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 7, 2019

He missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury and was then sidelined again for December and January with an ankle problem. Having started two games in succession, Hazard limped out of Real's 1-0 loss to Levante on Feb. 22.

If he does not return to fitness before the end of the season, he will finish the campaign with a disappointing return of one goal and one assist in 10 La Liga appearances.

In Hazard's absence, Zinedine Zidane will have to rely on the likes of Vinicius Junior, Isco and Rodrygo to fill the gap on the left flank.