At Christmas: my real wish list for 2023

CommentAfter such a galactic 2022 with four titles, what more could you want from Santa Claus? Other titles? no Santa Claus will get from me four very specific points that he would like to see in 2023 from Real Madrid. My wish list: from the Bernabéu to a contract extension.

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My wish list for Real Madrid in 2023

To be in shape for my son Louis who will soon be one year old, I can practice: writing a wish list. Gifts in Spain won’t be available until January 6, but my wishes for Real Madrid in 2023 are clear. And break it down into four points:

1. Stage ready

Actually, the conversion was supposed to be completed in winter 2022, but well, for free. Crown and the like. But since there is still so much to do, both above and below the pitch, all I can do is wish: make sure that the Bernabéu is really ready in the summer of 2023 as announced by Florentino Pérez. And not only to avoid further extra costs and finally to satisfy my curiosity and nostalgia for what is guaranteed to be the best stadium in the world, but also for some players. Because I’m sure: To be able to play in the new Bernabéu from 2023/24, this will be one more reason for legends like Luka Modric, Karim Benzema – okay, they will definitely continue anyway – especially Toni Kroos and Nacho Fernández. So please: While others are just starting with gigantic conversion measures, Real Madrid would already be in the future in terms of building technology.

Defend the second league

It’s clear, every title is important and Real Madrid always fight for every bla. But “even more impossible” than restarting the Copa del Rey is probably: to defend the championship. And not because Barcelona are currently two points clear of Madrid – the cards will be reshuffled after the World Cup – but because Blancos last defended the championship 14 (!) years ago! 2006/07 was an outstanding season with equal points, 2007/08 was more confident. Will 2021/22 and 2022/23 be reversed? Hopefully! And to be honest: four years none Boat– Championship, that would be a holiday show too! Anyway, the main title for me next year is the championship. If the premier class falls off the truck again, I won’t react either, but not another 24 hour stream bet.

3. No Mbappé, but a new offensive star

There is no doubt: Kylian Mbappé is and remains – pardon – the hottest footballer on the planet. And that for the next five to ten years! We must not delude ourselves: Real Madrid could certainly use someone like him from a sporting and marketing point of view. But I’ll stick with this: one or the other this I don’t want Mbappé – greedy not only for titles, but also for money and power, who doesn’t keep his word, makes ego shows and so on. Under very special conditions (let’s say: on a free transfer, 3,000 net, don’t dabble so much with image rights, and the boos stop only after the 100th goal – Please sign here, Kylian!) I could of course forgive him. But the way he treated Real Madrid – you can’t treat a real club like that – it has to have consequences, you have to be consistent. And if the biggest club in the world can’t top it, who can? Then look elsewhere: however, one of the other two “biggest kickers on earth” probably won’t be available until 2024 or later. Haaland is not available yet, we have Vinícius. So what ahead? Maybe a Dzeko, a Giroud or a Cavani as Benzema’s reserve after all? Something outside is also welcome. Gnabri? Church? Pine tree? Why not? There are some possibilities, but Pérez and company must gradually recognize the need – this is my real desire – and move away from the sheikh’s property.

4. Extension with Modrić, Kroos, Nacho, Benzema

I know there are some “missing”. Sorry Asensio, Ceballos and Mariano. Under certain conditions, I could have imagined more at least for the first two, but Real Madrid have missed the moment of parting with too many players in recent years. The other four must still have priority: Luca Modric (now the midfield goat?) has more than earned the end of his Madrid career and still has at least a year left in the tank, Tony Kros he’d have even more in the tank, but he doesn’t want to play forever with his near-turning 33 and needs convincing not to “throw away” this current super form and stop too soon as Zidane once did. Nacho Fernández is and will remain a matter of the heart, even if he is now only the fourth central defender, he “must” become the first man in a team after Manolo Sanchís (retired in 2001). In Karim Benzema’s case, I don’t see yet that he will retire in Madrid like his three colleagues – the “striker problem”, see Raúl, Ruud, Alfredo, Butragueño, Hugo and teammates – but it is also important for present and future players growing. I’d be happy to donate pens. And if not only Santa Claus is reading this: Please guys, not only the new Bernabéu hopes and awaits you!