The “International Break” has always been a chaotic and hectic time for Clubs as their star players have to travel to their respective countries to perform their national duties by playing International Friendlies, World Cup qualifiers, and other nationwide tournaments.
Amidst the widespread COVID-19 virus, it has been further challenging for clubs to maintain their players’ fitness while undergoing such long and tiring journeys back to their home countries.
The Madrid Giants are one of the clubs that are heavily suffering from this issue as many of their star young players including Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Casemiro, Eder Militao, and Fede Valverde have been called by their National teams for the upcoming South American World Cup qualifiers.
This has put Carlo Ancelloti, the Los Blancos manager in a situation of turmoil as he tries his best to put up an 18-man squad list for their Copa Del Rey quarter-final fixture against the Basque Giants, Athletic Bilbao which will be held on February 3, 2022.
Ancelloti’s hope to put up a strong squad for their upcoming match was boosted with the arrival of Brazilian Center-Back, Eder Militao who conceded a cheeky yellow card in Brazil’s clash against Ecuador. Due to this card, Militao was suspended from Brazil’s upcoming games and can easily return to Madrid.
“Cheeky” Militao
Real Madrid’s constant requests to the Brazil Football Federation to allow their players to return was denied. This was discomforting for Militao as he wanted his club side to win their QF match against Bilbao.
Already being on four yellow cards, Militao decided to get himself a fifth one which will get him a two-match suspension from the Brazil squad based on the CONEMBOL regulations. As Brazil has already qualified for the FIFA world cup 2022 and is top of the table, Militao thought it would be safe for him to not play the upcoming matches.
Hence to get the fifth yellow card, Militao committed a cheeky foul at the 45+2 minute mark which resulted in a suspension from Brazil’s game against Paraguay.
Fans Reaction
Militao’s cheekiness is widely appreciated by Real Madrid fans as they welcome their star CB for an important clash against Athletic Bilbao. With several players already out on the international break and out injured, the return of Militao is like a blessing in disguise.
Brazilian Fans, however, don’t completely agree with this decision as they want their side to be tabletop for the entire World Cup Qualifying campaign and the presence of Eder Militao at the back is crucial for this to happen.
YELLOW CARD FOR MILITAO AND RED CARD FOR BARELLA
MODRIC CLAPS
— Managing Madrid (@managingmadrid) December 7, 2021
⚪️ Edér Militão will return to training with Real Madrid on Monday because of an accumulation of yellow cards with Brazil 🟨
He will miss the match against Paraguay and this means he could be ready to face Athletic in Copa del Rey on Thursday 🏆#LLL
🧡🇪🇸⚽️ pic.twitter.com/JltLrNKYkc— La Liga Lowdown 🧡🇪🇸⚽️ (@LaLigaLowdown) January 28, 2022
According to sources, Militao is already on his way back to Madrid and will begin his preparations for the upcoming Quarter-Final clash.
