Supporters of European champions Real Madrid have flooded to social media on Thursday evening, to send a message to the club’s board regarding the future of midfielder Dani Ceballos.
Los Blancos, of course, marked their return to action a short time ago.
After returning to winning ways on the La Liga front courtesy of a hard-fought downing of Villarreal this day last week, Carlo Ancelotti’s troops turned their attentions towards matters in the Copa del Rey, in a highly-anticipated derby showdown with Atletico Madrid.
And, when all was said and done at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real went on to get the better of their city rivals, to book a spot in the competition’s semi-finals.
It was actually Atleti who opened the scoring in the clash, when Alvaro Morata slotted home from close range inside the 20-minute mark.
The unrivalled recovery abilities of the evening’s hosts, however, soon proved decisive once more.
RODRYGO OUT OF THIS WORLD! 😱 pic.twitter.com/wTGaXF6ZvV
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 26, 2023
After proceedings were sent to extra time, Karim Benzema then put the Spanish champions in front, before Vinicius Jr. put the finishing touches on a trademark Real turnaround with a full 120 minutes on the clock.
As alluded to above, though, on the back of the full-time whistle in Madrid, it wasn’t the difference-makers when it came to the scoresheet who saw their names take centre stage amongst the post-match chatter of many of a Real persuasion.
Instead, this honour was reserved for midfielder Dani Ceballos.
Owing to a first-half injury suffered by Ferland Mendy, former Arsenal man Ceballos was introduced off the bench against Atletico, going on to play a starring role in the middle of the park.
With tonight’s having marked just the latest in a string of stellar performances on the part of the Spanish international, Los Blancos’ fans, in turn, have moved to send an unwavering message to the powers that be at the Bernabeu.
Ahead of the expiration of his contract in the summer, calls have mounted once more for Ceballos to be afforded an extension to his terms at the earliest possible opportunity:
Give ceballos a new contract please!!!!!!
— ANDRE (@AEOdion_A) January 26, 2023
We need ceballos. Give him the contract.
— BloØdegaard³⁵ (@madrid_deity) January 26, 2023
Ceballos has done enough to warrant a contract extension and regular playing time
— Baamofin Lu’Jesha (@O_Nifesq) January 26, 2023
Ceballos working hard for that new contract and he deserves it ☺️
— jamaica0nedon 🐊 (@J0D876) January 26, 2023
Give Asensio Contract to Ceballos , he can be the closest we can go to find replacement for Modric
— Luka Bhau (@kunalbhau_) January 26, 2023
We’ve played awful every game but Ceballos comes on and changes the game every time . Give the man his new contract Perez pic.twitter.com/aF8V6PtAsT
— The Honest Madridista (@IscoGoat22) January 26, 2023
Give Ceballos a new contract ASAP. Gives everything for the shirt.
— Ahead of the Curve (@mediocentr0) January 26, 2023
So do they need someone to trek to ceballos’s house with contract cos I’m ready
— The Art Director (@TheArtDirector2) January 26, 2023
GIVE CEBALLOS A NEW CONTRACT RIGHT NOW.
— Croesus (@__debtanu__) January 26, 2023
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