Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Real Madrid are widely regarded as one of the most feared teams in Europe and the kings of the Champions League.
Even in seasons when Los Blancos have not been at their best, they have proven to be a thorn in the side of top European teams.
Last season, for example, Madrid annihilated Manchester City in the Champions League despite having a very poor season otherwise.
City star Jeremy Doku has paid Real Madrid a significant compliment, naming the Santiago Bernabeu as his favourite stadium.
He has also named Los Blancos as the best team he has faced during his career.
Doku singles out Madrid and the Bernabeu
As reported by Defensa Central, the Manchester City winger made the comments during a personal quick-fire interview with Sports Direct.
“The Bernabeu is my favourite stadium and Madrid are the best opponent I’ve played against,” Doku said.
The answer is significant considering the level of opposition Doku has frequently encountered in the Premier League and with his national team.
Thiago Pitarch, Real Madrid player
Jeremy Doku has faced Real Madrid on multiple occasions with Manchester City. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
However, Doku has also experienced Madrid on the biggest European stage several times since moving to Manchester in 2023.
Madrid and City have developed a compelling Champions League rivalry during that period, meeting seven times since Doku arrived in England.
Madrid have enjoyed the better record across those encounters, recording four victories and two draws, with City winning once.
Bernabeu encounters have left an impression
Madrid supporters would be happy to see the recognition their stadium is receiving from other top players in Europe.
The renovated Bernabeu was designed to give Madrid another significant advantage on major European nights, but its reputation had always been built on more than infrastructure.
Players arriving there in the Champions League understand the history attached to the stadium and the possibility of a match changing dramatically within minutes.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City has developed into a rivalry in recent years. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Doku has now experienced that atmosphere as an opponent and, evidently, it has stayed with him.
There is always something meaningful about admiration coming from somebody who has actually faced Madrid rather than simply watched them.
His comments should not be interpreted as anything more than an observation about the club and the stadium.
Madrid have not won the Champions League in the last couple of seasons, which is quite unusual by their standards over the past decade.
Mourinho will be keen to bring the coveted trophy back to the Bernabeu, and it remains to be seen whether Madrid face City yet again this season at some stage.
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos reacts to praise from former assistant manager
Toni Kroos
Photo by Patricia J. Garcinuno/Getty Images for Laureus
Toni Kroos may have hung up his boots, but the German remains a revered figure at Real Madrid, where he left an indelible mark during a glittering career.
Indeed, Kroos commands immense respect at Real Madrid and he was even linked with a potential return to the Bernabeu earlier in the summer, in a mentor role.
Nevertheless, Kroos was recently the subject of glowing praise from a familiar face. And the former midfielder was quick to show his appreciation.
Davide Ancelotti hails Kroos
Davide Ancelotti, Lille manager
Davide Ancelotti is a huge admirer of Kroos. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)
In an interview with Diario AS, Davide Ancelotti, son of former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, lavished praise on Kroos, describing him as the master of the game.
“He was the master of the game. He controlled the rhythm of the game, it was played the way he wanted. He was fundamental, and then he ran. Toni covered 11 kilometres per game, and he defended,” Davide said.
He went on to highlight Kroos’s tactical versatility and intelligence.
“I loved him when he played as a defensive midfielder. Although he preferred to play as an attacking midfielder, that way he left the dirty work to the defensive midfielder, whoever it was, Camavinga or Casemiro,” he added.
Davide, who worked alongside his father at Real Madrid, also acknowledged just how difficult it has been to replace the German.
“For Real Madrid’s dynamics, losing him has been very difficult,” he concluded.
Kroos responds
Toni Kroos, Real Madrid legend
Real Madrid have been feeling the absence of Kroos for a while now. (Photo by Patricia J. Garcinuno/Getty Images for Laureus)
The video quickly went viral, and they soon reached Kroos himself, who was clearly touched by the tribute.
The German took to his Instagram account hours after the interview was published, sharing Davide’s words along with a heart emoji.
Kroos’s departure has left a void in the Real Madrid midfield that the club are still striving to fill. The current struggles in that area, with the Valverde-Tchouameni pairing yet to convince, have only underlined just how influential the German was.
Meanwhile, Kroos has recently backed Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe for the Ballon d’Or, with the ceremony to take place later this month.