After being knocked out of the FIFA Club World cup ruthlessly by the 2025 UEFA Champions League winners, PSG, Real Madrid players are now calling for their La Liga season opener against Osasuna to be rescheduled to a more comfortable date.
Softfootball had got intel that the Los Blancos, Osasuna and the La Liga had earlier agreed that the opening fixture be postponed to a week where both teams were free in October as both teams are drawn bye in the first round fixtures of the Copa del Rey.
Madrid players celebrate after Kylian Mbappe scores his team’s third goal (Photo Credit: Getty)
Thibaut Courtois reacting to La Liga chief Tebas’ comment on having no agreement with Real Madrid to reschedule their fixture in apost match interview in New York, was not surprised. The Belgian said:
“With La Liga it’s always the same. For me, listening to the comments of a president… I haven’t seen it in Italy, in England, or in the NBA or the NFL. We played the World Cup, which is part of the FIFA calendar.
“Nobody has any problems with the matches, the problem is the rest. Only having three weeks… that’s the difficulty.
“We’re the only sport with so many months of competition. I hope LaLiga can move the match because a player’s health is at stake.”
Thibaut Courtois (Photo Credit: Getty)
Courtois criticised the decision, stressing the importance of player welfare and rest, especially after a grueling tournament schedule that has seen teams including Real Madrid play lots of fixtures between May (actual end of a season) and July and will see players get only three weeks off.
The former Chelsea star suggested that Tebas is only trying to punish Madrid because he is not a fan of the FIFA Club World Cup, saying:
“It may be that he doesn’t want the Club World Cup, but that goes with our rest and our preparation.
Real Madrid’s proposed to delay their La Liga opener against Osasuna from August 19 to October 29, a date both teams are free on as neither will be involved in the Copa del Rey first round taking place that week.
The proposal followed an earlier agreement, confirmed via email and phone call, between Madrid, Osasuna, AFE and the RFEF. The matter now lies with the Competition Committee’s sole judge, although pressure is mounting on the league to reconsider.
Madrid led by new boss, former player Xabi Alonso were stunned and startled by a 4-0 humiliation from PSG in the semis of the FIFA Club World Cup as reported by Soffootball. Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid were ruthlessly beaten 4-0 to PSG in the semifinals of the FIFA Club World Cup in New York.
The Los Blancos were totally outclassed and nothing could have saved them from the embarrassment. Kylian Mbappe was the most disappointed player on the pitch as he endured an ugly reunion with his former team.
Mbappe left PSG to win European trophies but now PSG have won the UEFA Champions League and knocked him out of the FIFA Club World Cup.
About the Author: Chris Emenyonu
Chris Emenyonu is a CAF/FIFA/UEFA accredited broadcast journalist who has reported multi international tournaments in his career. He is also an award winning podcaster.
