"They don't deserve respect" "Meme lineup" - Real Madrid fans react hilariously as much-changed squad features 2 forgotten stars

Neither player has featured seriously for Madrid this season, and their names have been consistently left out by Carlo Ancelotti. Seeing them feature again has many Madrid fans taking to Twitter to react hilariously with tweets such as these:

So far this season, Vallejo has managed just one league start for Real Madrid, alongside one appearance as a substitute. He has played a combined 105 minutes for the Madridistas, which is barely over a full match.

Mariano has seen slightly more participation at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, having started two league games for Madrid. While it isn't much more, Mariano has played a combined 242 minutes in the league and Champions League.

Los Blancos have already won the La Liga title, which is likely why Carlo Ancelotti has chosen to play these 'forgotten' stars. With the Champions League final against Liverpool on the horizon, Don Carlo will want to keep his key players well-rested, while giving other stars a chance to make the starting lineup.

Manchester City ahead of Real Madrid in Erling Haaland race

Real Madrid and Manchester City are set to compete for the signature of Borussia Dortmund’s super striker Erling Haaland. However, according to reports circulated by Express, the English giants might have the advantage in the race to sign the highly coveted striker.

Manchester City are reportedly favorites, with Real Madrid looking set to miss out on the Norwegian's signature this summer. Reports suggest the player would prefer a move to England, where his father Alfe Inge Haaland played.

The possible desire to follow in his father’s footsteps will also see the striker favor a move to City, with his father also featuring for the Cityzens at the start of the millennium. Madrid, like any other big European club, would be disappointed to miss out on the phenomenal striker if he does opt to join City in the summer.

A move for the player has yet to be confirmed, but it is likely that he will join one of the European footballing juggernauts, where he can be assured of Champions League football. Both teams are domestically brilliant, with the Madridistas already picking up the La Liga title and Manchester City on the verge of the Premier League title.

If the report is to be believed, the possibility of playing under Pep Guardiola and featuring for the same team his father starred for could persuade the young striker.

About the author

Nnanna is a European and international football journalist who has been covering news and transfer rumors at Sportskeeda for around 5 years. A keen interest in reading and football since an early age, watching games at local stadiums with family paved the way for him to take up the sport professionally.

Nnanna’s favorite club is English team Bolton Wanderers because he witnessed Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha's play for them between 2002 and 2006. His favorite footballer is Ronaldinho due to the Brazilian's love for the sport and admires Pep Guardiola for redefining football tactics. As a former literature student, Nnanna reckons that the best way of connecting with the readers is to add a bit of empathy in his writing, and relies on trusted websites like Transfermarkt and WhoScored for his articles.

Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup trophy in 2022 is Nnanna’s favorite FIFA World Cup moment, and also follows Major League Soccer due to the diminutive Argentine. He strongly believes that Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland could be the next two superstars in the same light as legendary pair Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

When not writing, he likes to play Football Manager and other simulation games.

Know More