MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid hopes a team-bonding dinner reportedly paid for by the team’s biggest stars will help them win La Liga and Champions League trophies at the end of the season.
Midfielder Dani Ceballos told reporters at a restaurant in Madrid on Tuesday that Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé had paid the bill. According to Spanish media reports, the tab cost more than 1,000 euros ($1,100).
Vinicius posted a photo of the entire team during a dinner at a trendy venue featuring the Art Dining Club near the city center.
After dinner, fans waited outside the restaurant to talk with the players, and the dinner party continued well past midnight.
According to Spanish media, coach Alvaro Arbeloa and his assistants were not present at the dinner.
The show of unity came a week before Madrid faced Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League knockout stage. The team lost 4-2 to fellow club Benfica in the final round of the league, dropping them out of the top eight, which automatically qualified them for the round of 16.
Defender Raul Asensio told the media after dinner that the team was “very united”.
Madrid experienced turmoil at the end of last year, with some players reportedly at odds with manager Xabi Alonso, who replaced Arbeloa last month.
Madrid improved, but under Arbeloa they were eliminated in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey by second-tier Albacete, and lost to Benfica in the game that relegated the team to the first knockout stage of the Champions League.
In La Liga, Madrid have won seven games in a row and are now one point behind leaders Barcelona. A win against Real Sociedad on Saturday would move Madrid into the top spot by the time Barcelona play Girona on Monday.
Eighth-placed Sociedad defeated Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
major matches
Barcelona will aim for a fourth straight league win against 12th place Girona, which has not won in their last three games.
Barcelona visit Atletico Madrid on Thursday in the first leg of the Copa del Rey and will arrive having won 17 of their last 18 games in all competitions. Their last setback came when they lost 2-1 to Sociedad in a league match last month.
Third-placed Atlético are scheduled to face bottom side Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, while fourth-placed Villarreal will play mid-table Getafe.
Activity suspended
Mbappe trained separately from the team on Thursday due to a knee problem and is doubtful for Saturday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. He had already been made to work at the gym on Wednesday. The club did not immediately provide details about his condition.
Vinicius was due to return to Madrid after missing the previous league match due to a yellow card suspension, but Jude Bellingham will remain sidelined with a hamstring injury.
It remained unclear whether forward Rafinha would fully recover from his muscle problem in time for Barcelona’s game against Girona. Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford is doubtful after taking a hit to his knee.
Featured players
Mbappe’s presence will be a big boost for Madrid, as the French star has scored nine goals in his last nine games. He has scored 23 goals in 22 league games.
off the field
The match between Rayo and Atlético may be postponed due to poor field conditions at Vallecas Stadium.
The field was replaced last week, but was not in suitable condition for last weekend’s game against Oviedo, which was postponed at short notice.
It has been raining in Madrid this week, making it difficult for new grass to establish properly.
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