Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has provided a fresh update on Karim Benzema's involvement in pre-season prior to the new season.
The French forward did not participate in the friendly El Clasico against Barcelona in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 23. Real Madrid suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to their arch-rivals following a first-half goal from Raphinha.
Ancelotti has confirmed that the 34-year-old forward will take part in their next pre-season friendly. Los Blancos are scheduled to take on Mexican outfit Club America in San Francisco, United States in three days time.
Speaking after their 1-0 defeat to Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti was quoted as saying the following (via Managing Madrid):
"When we face Club América, he;ll play 45 minutes and then he'll play more against Juventus. In that game, I'll try out the team that will probably start the UEFA Super Cup."
Judging by the comments made by Carlo Ancelotti, it is safe to assume that the Italian tactician will gradually bring Benzema back into the first-team. Real Madrid have an early start to their 2022-23 season due to their involvement in the UEFA Super Cup.
Being the UEFA Champions League holders, Los Blancos will take on the Europa League holders Eintracht Frankfurt in the showpiece game on August 10 in Finland.
Karim Benzema was one of Real Madrid's best performers during a successful 2021-22 season. The French international scored 44 goals and provided 15 assists from 46 appearances across all competitions as Los Blancos secured a league and Champions League double.
Karim Benzema could be Real Madrid's first Ballon d'Or recipient since Cristiano Ronaldo
Based on the Ballon d'Or rankings for the month of July, Karim Benzema is the favorite to win the prestigious individual award this year. The 34-year-old forward is in line to become the first Real Madrid player since Cristiano Ronaldo (2017) to lift the Ballon d'Or.
The former Lyon forward finished fourth in the standings last time around, finishing behind Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho.
The Frenchman had a complete season last time around. Not only did Benzema score a plethora of goals, he even guided his club to two trophies.
It is worth mentioning that fellow Los Blancos forward Vinicius Junior is also in the running for the 2022 Ballon d'Or. The Brazilian international notably netted the winning goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool in Paris.
Other contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or include Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe and Sadio Mane.
bashfmcngu
0
Carlo please we need at least two more strikers.
Benabdeikl
0
so wasn't or isn't Modric a real Madrid player when he won Ballon d'Or
_ZIK_ko
0
At least we are finally going to see an African blood win the balance d'Or
George weah
Lusbnosu
1
At least we are finally going to see an African blood win the balance d'Or
SserunjojiJohnjovan
0
Nonsense. Which year did modric win the Ballon dor? Please find out before you write
Visitor [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
sandeepratnakar
0
point of correction modric won after cr7
correct
Imposible
0
I’m beginning to think, ancellotti didn’t play benzo so the team can learn how to compete without him
Benzema didn’t train in Valdebebas that’s why he didn’t play
ficdiklnr
0
bring back Ronaldo simple
Gunners4ever❤
0
Nonsense. Which year did modric win the Ballon dor? Please find out before you write
2018. Visitors are so dumb[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Yuzbdlnpu
1
Wait Modric won it too right
Exactly, Journalist is a Ronaldo fan. I was going to say Morris was the last Madrid player to win it
Jotacdik
0
Everton 3v was good for your job good good for good job job for your job great day great great time great 👍 was your job good for good good day for your job job great job job for your job great 👍 is the time job for your job job right right for right right time for your job good day day job for your job job good for your job job great great 👍 is your job good job for right job right for your job job good really job job great great job great time job for job job great job eteven I was just right for right time job good for job good job 👍 is your day job good job for your great great time great great job job good great job job good for good job job great great job great time great great rttuuyr
♦️HereWeGo♦️
0
Fk you old man! You are Xavi’s slave while it comes to facing Barca! Tf Hazard played at central striker?
did u read the article before?
Subhomadridista
1
Yah, oh well
yes
haaabcmosu
0
could have gone for lacazette or nkunku if possible
Yah, oh well
BigBoss999
0
I’m beginning to think, ancellotti didn’t play benzo so the team can learn how to compete without him
Repeatedly! Second time in a row against Barca. Without Benzema, Real is doom [Crylaugh]
BigBoss999
1
Fk you old man! You are Xavi’s slave while it comes to facing Barca! Tf Hazard played at central striker?
Subhomadridista
1
I don’t think there’s any young top striker in the market right now , except maybe victor osimihen
could have gone for lacazette or nkunku if possible
haaabcmosu
0
then he should have brought a backup striker
I don’t think there’s any young top striker in the market right now , except maybe victor osimihen
Subhomadridista
2
I’m beginning to think, ancellotti didn’t play benzo so the team can learn how to compete without him
then he should have brought a backup striker
hamzasaleh
2
remove Money buy benzema backup
Wacdirstuz
6
point of correction modric won after cr7
BinuAdawe
0
I’m beginning to think, ancellotti didn’t play benzo so the team can learn how to compete without him
Agree with you.
CollinsEfosaEhioro
0
I’m beginning to think, ancellotti didn’t play benzo so the team can learn how to compete without him
u can as well be right
haaabcmosu
0
I’m beginning to think, ancellotti didn’t play benzo so the team can learn how to compete without him
Ansubaba10
0
Ansubaba10
0
MkonoJr
3
Wait Modric won it too right
Alba1
1
Hmmm are you a Madrid fan ?
I think he miss some episodes
Yiubiprtu
1
The writer missed on this one (modric)
Mimcdklmt
7
Your history, regarding the ballon d'or is not correct, pls re-do your research.Because when CR7 left realmadrid, Modric won the ballon d'or.
suhacdiosu
2
Of cause Madrid need a right back and right wing
jetcilrstz
4
we need to buy attacker trust
Lawahid64
2
Basically, I don't like approach of real madrid towards a game
muffioz
7
Madrid needs a striker , RW and RB
Ivancorlos
1
Nonsense. Which year did modric win the Ballon dor? Please find out before you write
Hmmm are you a Madrid fan ?
ruccklnotz
5
Nonsense. Which year did modric win the Ballon dor? Please find out before you write
Wewdeiopz
5
we want more strikers
Aladdin13
1
Really? Who are you? You don’t know history! When and which club did modric received his ballon d’Or award?
Benzema is certainly the second not the first!
Aladdin13
5
Really? Who are you? You don’t know history! When and which club did modric received his ballon d’Or award?
pamacenru
6
I will not comment on this