Andreas Christensen, Barcelona star, returned to the field on Sunday against Atletico Madrid, where he participated in the last 30 minutes of the match that was held in the Spanish Football League.
This participation was a return for the Danish player after recovering from a muscle injury in the left rectus muscle, which kept him out of the field for more than a month and a half.
Christensen (30 years old) refused to rush his return to the field, especially after he suffered in recent seasons from recurring injuries that reduced his participation time in matches. What prompted him to decide not to join his country’s national team during the current international break, a decision he did not want to make, according to the Danish national team coach.
In statements reported by the Danish newspaper “Tipsbladet” during the past hours, Brian Remer, coach of the Danish national team, said: “Christensen realized that he was not ready, and he was forced to apologize for not joining. “Given his current physical condition, he does not feel ready to play international matches.”
Remer confirmed that the decision came from Christensen alone, noting that the player made it with a heavy heart. The coach explained, saying: “He loves the Danish national team very much.” When I spoke to him on the phone yesterday evening, his voice suggested that he was about to cry, as he felt very frustrated and very upset because of this situation.”
Although the decision came from the Catalan team's defender, Remer completely understands it, as he sees the need for Christensen to return gradually to maintain his physical health.
Remer said in this regard: “Even if he can sit on the bench and participate for 5 minutes, he still has a long way to go before he is able to play a full 90-minute match and compete at the highest levels.”
Reimer still hopes to use Christensen's services in the upcoming matches, stressing that his long record with injuries does not mean closing the door for him, as he explained: “We are very keen for him to be ready by next March.”
Christensen had signed a new two-year contract just a few months ago with Barcelona, but he has already missed 7 matches this season due to injuries.
Last season was more difficult for him, as Christensen missed 36 matches with his club and country, due to a series of injuries and physical problems, including a tear in the cruciate ligament of the knee.
As for the 2024-2025 season, the situation seems even bleaker. Problems with the Achilles tendon and a chronic muscle injury caused the player to miss 50 matches.
The Danish national team will meet its host, Portugal, next Saturday, before hosting the Norwegian national team, next Tuesday, in the last two rounds of the fourth group in the first level of the European Nations League.
The Danish national team is in second place in the group standings with 6 points, while the Portuguese national team is at the top with 12 points, achieving the full mark so far, ensuring its early qualification for the knockout rounds of the tournament, which will be held next March, while the Wales and Norwegian national teams occupy third and fourth places respectively with 3 points.
Spanish club Real Madrid is close to signing JJ Gabriel, the young talent of Manchester United, according to a news report on Tuesday.
The negotiations were not without some concerns within the Spanish club, as officials expressed their reservations regarding the family circle of the 16-year-old player and the method of managing his professional football career.
Journalist Samuel Luckhurst revealed, in a report for the British newspaper The Sun, that some figures in Real Madrid view with concern the influence of Joe O'Kerwell, the father of the rising player, describing him as a figure who imposes very high demands regarding decisions regarding his son's future.
According to the newspaper, Gabriel's father entered into disputes on social media about his son's sporting career, as this behavior did not go unnoticed at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, and officials were also surprised by the ambitious statements made by the English player himself.
Gabriel publicly stated that his biggest dream was to win the Ballon d'Or, a statement that raised eyebrows within Real Madrid, especially in light of the intense media interest already surrounding a player who is only sixteen years old.
For its part, Manchester United did its best to convince Gabriel to stay at Old Trafford, as the English club offered the player’s family a special cabin for them in the new stadium that the club plans to build, in addition to giving him the No. 77 shirt, as part of a plan to market him as a personal brand.
The prestigious English club also promised to include Gabriel in the team’s roster to face Brighton, but the player informed the club of his desire to leave before playing that match.
It is expected that the deal will be settled by paying compensation to Manchester United not exceeding 350,000 pounds sterling, which is a very small amount for a player who is classified as one of the most promising talents of his generation.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid continues its efforts to complete the deal, awaiting the completion of some remaining procedures, while Manchester United is studying the possibility of taking legal measures regarding the player’s departure.
