It seems like Real Madrid Femenino are set to lose the services of their best player since the 2019-20 season, Kosovare Asllani. The Swedish superstar, who was termed the first Gálactica of Las Blancas upon her signing, might seek pastures new at the end of the season. This would be terrible news since I have watched the women’s team make great strides with Kosovare Asllani playing a major role.
In an interview with Swedish website Fotbollskanalen, Kosovare Asllani touched down upon a lot of things, such as the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, UEFA Women’s Champions League, and the stadiums of the men’s team being opened to host women’s games.
However, she also talked about her future at the club. Kosovare Asllani’s current contract with Real Madrid Femenino expires at the end of the season, and there hasn’t been any movement in terms of renewing her contract.
"“My job is to play football and the other must follow. But we have a European Championship this summer so personally I feel that I need to make a decision early this year, right now I am only focusing on football. We have an incredibly packed schedule with the club and the national team – it’s incredibly intense so I have to be here and now and just focus on football. “"
“Making a decision early” might mean one of two things: she could either sit down with Real Madrid Femenino to negotiate terms for an extension, or she could enter conversations with other clubs across Europe. Kosovare Asllani is one of the best players in women’s football on her day, although it must also be considered that injuries have hampered her Real Madrid career of late.
However, there was another interesting bit from the same interview, where Asllani shed light on the situation of players that suffer injuries. The 32-year old suffered a ligament injury due to a very reckless challenge from an opposition player in September that kept her out till December.
Following her injury, she vented harsh criticism towards Primera Iberdrola. She called out for “more protection for players on the pitch in order to avoid serious injuries as a result of dangerous tackles.” Asllani certainly doesn’t think that the league does enough to protect its players from rash challenges. And the same reason could lead her to “making a decision early” regarding the future.
What could be Real Madrid Femenino’s stance on the Kosovare Asllani situation?
At 32, Asllani can still play at the top level for a few more years. However, injuries have really played the antagonist as she’s not had consistency. She hasn’t been offered many minutes and has also been left out of the squad several times this season. It doesn’t look positive for the Swede as far as her future with Las Blancas is concerned.
With Esther González producing goals at will, and rumours of Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Jennifer Hermoso being targeted by Real Madrid Femenino, it seems in the best of interests for the club to offload Asllani, who herself might be having doubts about continuing in Spain.
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Kosovare Asllani has been a brilliant servant for Las Blancas. She was extremely pivotal in Real Madrid Femenino finishing 2nd in the Primera Iberdrola table last season, helping the team to a UEFA Women’s Champions League spot for this season. Asllani has played 61 games for Real Madrid Femenino, scoring 26 goals. Let’s hope she can help the team to a strong finish to the season and leave the club on a high.