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Thursday’s Real Links: 32 teams, 1 trophy

By Ben Sundock

ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - NOVEMBER 14, 2017: A Spanish flag seen ahead of an international friendly football match between Russia and Spain at Saint Petersburg Stadium. The game ended in a 3-3 draw. Alexander Demianchuk/TASS (Photo by Alexander Demianchuk\TASS via Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - NOVEMBER 14, 2017: A Spanish flag seen ahead of an international friendly football match between Russia and Spain at Saint Petersburg Stadium. The game ended in a 3-3 draw. Alexander Demianchuk/TASS (Photo by Alexander Demianchuk\TASS via Getty Images) /
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Thursday’s edition of ‘The Real Links’ features Real Madrid training news, Antoine Griezmann trying to return to form in the Derby Saturday, and a closer look at the 32 teams that have qualified for the World Cup. Let’s jump in!

(Photo credit JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)
(Photo credit JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) /

Goal of the Day

In honor of Sweden qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 2006, I decided to throw it back to the savage, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring this unreal bicycle kick against England in a friendly in 2012.

Here’s to hoping Zlatan will come out of retirement to play in his third World Cup ever, and the first in 12 years.

Congrats to Sweden!

Real Madrid Links

(Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images) /

Luka Modric trains alone inside prior to Madrid Derby

Zinedine Zidane had his full team back in training Thursday following the last international break of 2017. While almost all the players who played for their respective national team’s were in good condition upon return, Luka Modric was noticeably absent from training on the field.

Luka was feeling some discomfort which prevented him from completing the full session. His status for the match at Atletico Madrid Saturday is now in doubt as the severity of the problem is unknown and his fitness level is also unknown.

Although Luka was unable to complete training, both Dani Carvajal and Mateo Kovacic were both able to go through the entire session for the first time in a couple months without problem and could appear on the bench Saturday.

Should Real Madrid retire Ronaldo’s No. 7 jersey when he’s done playing?

This is a very interesting talking point and one I hadn’t considered since I read this article.

Through 389 appearances with Madrid, scoring more than 400 goals, Ronaldo has been a key piece in Real Madrid’s incredible success over the last six years.

He’s won three Champions League titles and has been racking up the individual awards as well. So is he deserving of having his number retired in the Santiago Bernabéu? I think there’s a very good chance it will happen.

Could tough stretch of games jump-start Real Madrid’s season?

From now until the end of the year, Real Madrid will be taking part in four different competitions (La Liga, Champions League, Copa Del Rey, and the FIFA World Cup) while also playing their rivals Atletico and FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid has been a team that enjoys tough matches and high-pressure matches, so will they find their form from last season in this tough stretch of matches to close out a memorable 2017?

I sure hope so. If not, Los Blancos could be out of the race for the La Liga title by January.

Will Arsenal try to sign Gareth Bale?

This seems too unrealistic.

Everyone seems set to give up on Gareth in Spain, and reports have indicated that his return to England is imminent. From what I’ve been reading, I just don’t think Real are going to give up on this expensive player that quickly.

I know the injuries have been unimaginably horrible (his most recent injury is his 19th since he joined Real Madrid in 2013) but this guy is a force when he is healthy. I still have faith in Bale’s abilities and would hate to see him leave the club.

Also, who’s saying that Alexis Sanchez is going to leave Arsenal?

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