The most important stretch of the European season kicks off now as the Champions League knockout stage begins with the first leg of the play-off rounds. Real Madrid, the “eternal favorites” of the competition, find themselves in the unusual position of fighting for a spot in the Round of 16 after a dramatic group stage exit. Their mission this week is nothing short of revenge against Benfica and their former manager, José Mourinho.
In their last encounter, a chaotic 4-2 victory for the Portuguese side, capped off by a literal “miracle” 98th-minute goal from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, denied Madrid direct qualification. Now, Álvaro Arbeloa’s men travel to Lisbon with a three-game winning streak and a point to prove against a Benfica side that has won five on the trot.
Vinicius Jr. Reveals Surprising Bond During Ibai Stream
While the tactical battle looms, Vinicius Jr. has quietly set the transfer rumor mill on fire. During a high-profile stream with Spanish icon Ibai Llanos, which featured a tour of the Brazilian’s house and trophy room, Vini opened up about his life outside the pitch.
When Ibai asked who his closest friends are outside of the Bernabéu, Vini bypassed the usual suspects to name Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai as his first choice. “I talk to Szoboszlai a lot; we’ve known each other since we were young,” Vini admitted.
The two have been frequently seen interacting on social media, but this public acknowledgment of their close bond suggests something deeper.
With Real Madrid currently seeking more consistency in a midfield that has seen Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler struggle to lock down permanent roles, Szoboszlai’s arrival this summer would make perfect sense. Given that the Hungarian captain has often spoken of Real Madrid as his ultimate career dream, “Agent Vini” might be doing the legwork to bring another elite talent to the Spanish capital.
The Liverpool-Madrid Pipeline: Could the Hungarian Follow Trent’s Path?
If a deal for Szoboszlai materializes, it would be another chapter in a long-standing tradition of business between these two European giants. The “pipeline” between Anfield and the Bernabéu is currently wide open, following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s high-profile move from Liverpool to Real Madrid last summer.
History shows that players who make this specific jump tend to leave a mark. From Steve McManaman and Michael Owen to club legends like Xabi Alonso, the connection is deep. Even Arbeloa himself is a veteran of both clubs.
With Vinicius Jr. actively nurturing this friendship and Szoboszlai’s technical profile fitting the Madrid mold perfectly, the summer window could see the Reds losing another key piece to the reigning kings of Europe. For now, Madrid fans will be watching the Hungarian’s performances as closely as they watch their own Champions League play-off.
Read the full article here
