Real Madrid Confidencial Pack your bags: the only first-team player Xabi left without playing time
Ceballos did not play any minutes in the debut against Al-Hilal, which was a message from the coach, who did include Modric
Dani Ceballos has started the Club World Cup with a bitter feeling. The midfielder from Utrera was the only available first-team player from Real Madrid who didn't play a single minute in the draw against Al-Hilal (1-1).
His absence didn't go unnoticed. Even more so considering that both Luka Modric and Lucas Vázquez, who have already announced their departure from the club after the tournament, did get minutes. A tough blow for Ceballos.
The message that Xabi Alonso is sending with this decision is clear. He doesn't count on him. It hurts especially because just three days ago, Ceballos had stated: “I hope we talk soon to find out what Xabi wants from me and, from there, decide what's best for everyone.”
Well, it seems the answer has arrived, but in the form of a benching.
Minutes for everyone, except Ceballos
The Basque coach made changes from the bench in his debut, but Ceballos, who was warming up, didn't get any playing time. Modric, in his last tournament wearing the white jersey, came onto the field in the 84th minute of the second half. Lucas Vázquez came on in the 65th to take the right flank.
Both will finish their contracts after the Club World Cup. Even so, they had a role. Ceballos, who does have a contract, didn't.
The gesture has set off all the alarms. Internally, the club is already considering a departure in this transfer window. If Xabi isn't giving him a chance now, he will do so even less when Camavinga is fully fit and Franco Mastantuono is available.
In addition, Tchouaméni played as a center back in the second half, leaving another vacancy in midfield that Valverde filled in the holding role with Bellingham and Güler ahead of him.
Frustrating draw in the opener
The match was anything but comfortable. Gonzalo García, a striker from La Fábrica, opened the scoring with a mis-hit shot that resulted in a subtle chip over Bono. A stunning goal.
But the joy didn't last long. In the 41st minute, a naive penalty by Raúl Asencio and Rúben Neves made no mistake from the spot.
In stoppage time, Fede Valverde had the win at his feet with a poorly taken penalty that Bono guessed.
Xabi Alonso couldn't celebrate his debut on the Real Madrid bench with a win. Ceballos experienced it all from the bench... with no minutes and no clear future.
The club has already opened the exit door for him. If he doesn't play even with an alternative starting eleven and substitutes on the verge of leaving, the logical thing is to pack his bags.
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