Former Real Madrid, Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Morientes spoke to BoyleSports about his illustrious career across Europe as well as discussing some of the biggest talking points in football as the season draws to a close.
The forward, who won the Champions League three times in his illustrious career, also managed to score 27 goals in just 47 appearances for the Spanish national team in a glittering nine-year period. Los Blancos preparing for yet another European final, Morientes revealed all in this enthralling conversation.
Real Madrid Not Favourites
I see, and I hope, but I don’t think Real Madrid are particular favourites for this final. But you always have that doubt not because the final of the Champions League is just 90 minutes, but the finals are decided for me personally in the small details.
I think for many people Real Madrid are the clear favourite, and apart from having a better team and their history in the competition, in football you can never truly say you’re going to get something 100%.
We’ll have to wait and see if Real Madrid’s level is the same as it was against Bayern Munich and Manchester City to actually win the Champions League again.
Working With Beckham
It’s such a pity I wasn’t with him there for long, but for the time I was with him at Real Madrid I enjoyed it so much. I always enjoyed working with such talented players, but B was a special player for me because I was a great receiver in the box at that time.
Roberto Carlos was another player of high attacking calibre, and playing with him was awesome, but David Beckham is still special because of his incredibly measured passes and his impeccable placement of the ball, it was the dream for a forward.
Zidane vs Gerrard
Well, I think each in his own way were two great players. And I have to say that when I arrived at Liverpool I was very surprised by the hierarchy of Steven Gerrard’s leadership capacity within the dressing room.
He was such a vital figure in what was already such an amazing team at that time, full of great players.
Vini Jr Tipped For The Ballon d’Or
I think they’re both the clear candidates because they’ve both had excellent seasons, but I have the feeling that Vinicius is more decisive in his play and more striking in the eyes of the viewer.
He’s absolutely electric, he has such a fast edge and has such enormous potential, so for me, he’s the more exceptional player. He’s incorporated goals into his play as well, so for me of either Real Madrid player, he’s the clearer candidate to win the Ballon d’Or.
Mbappe’s Role At Real Madrid?
I think Mbappe is as welcome as any other player that’s as spectacular of a striker as he is, and it’s true that coming to Real Madrid, there’s competition and it’s going to be set up 4-3-3. So it’s probably going to be Vinicius, Mbappe and Rodrigo up front, then in the centre of the field there’ll be Valverde and so many other possibilities.
There’s never a problem-free solution when it comes to competition for playing time, but in the left lane at least there’s a more relaxed situation for Vinicius. He’s played several games up front and has made a great impact.
France Are Euro 2024 Favourites
Obviously, my personal favourite are Spain because I like the way they play and I like the team itself, but objectively the main favourite for me today is France.
However, after France there are definitely many great selections, England has a very good team too, and there are certainly several countries that could be champions at the Euros this year.
Spain’s Chances
In this kind of tournament, there’s usually always a clear candidate to win. But since the last international competition, many teams have undergone changes in recent years, and similarly, Spain have improved with this new young squad that can certainly prove themselves in the future.
But right now I think they’re doing well and have a good chance to be strong candidates as Champions, but of course, I don’t want to say it too loud!
Kane And Foden Walk Into Spain 11
There are several I like, but above all obviously, I’m looking very much at the front of the team to the attackers. I think Harry Kane is spectacular, I like him a lot.
But then another player I especially like is Foden from Manchester City. I think the way he plays is particularly special.
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