After a shaky ending to the pre-season friendly matches, the 14-times Champions League winners, Real Madrid have had a downward movement in their confidence level; especially after a humiliating 3-0 defeat to their arch-rivals FC Barcelona.
However, amidst this anxious situation before the start of the new season and after the lanky pre-season spree, Real Madrid’s star goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois has expressed his level of confidence in the Madrid squad.
Courtois on Benzema exit from Real Madrid
This confidence, especially after the emotional exit and departure of Real Madrid veteran Karim Benzema who has now joined his fellow ex-squadmate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, was much needed for the younger strata of players in the Spanish capital.
The former captain of Real Madrid and French icon, Benzema had accepted an offer to leave the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the 2022/23 season after a successful and star-studded spree with the club, which lasted a long time.
The club icon had decided to officially complete a move to the newly created center of world football, the Saudi Pro League and currently is playing for the Saudi champions, Al Ittihad.
The decision, however, it appears that had not been taken after negotiations with the Real Madrid executives because the official at the Bernabeu were apparently expecting the French international to sign a deal for extending his contract for another year with Real Madrid.
Courtois wants Real Madrid teammates to step up after Benzema
The departure of Karim Benzema has now left a huge gap and hole in the Madrid squad, with their hugely experienced veteran figure and goal scorer, the talismanic leader who had been holding the team of mostly young minds together gone.
Being pragmatic over the ongoing situation, experienced player Thibaut Courtois has now come forward insisting that the team is now fully prepared to step up their game and that their upcoming campaign is in no way derailed by the void of Karim Benzema from the squad.
Courtois has stated that others now must take steps forward after the departure of Karim and that they already had great forwards like Rodrygo, Vinicius and now Joselu who brought something different to the team. He also stated that they needed to solve it together as a team.
