DANI CARVAJAL CLAIMS Isco was merely honouring a promise when passing up the Real Madrid captaincy against CSKA Moscow, not snubbing a chance to take the armband.
When Marcelo was replaced in the 74th minute of a Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabeu, the role of Blancos skipper came up for grabs.
As the longest-serving Madrid player still left on the field, the honour was expected to be bestowed upon Isco.
He had, however, been jeered by certain sections of a disgruntled fanbase during a shock 3-0 defeat and opted against donning the armband when Marcelo tried to pass it to him.
The Brazilian defender told reporters afterwards: “He told me I had to give it to Carvajal.
I don’t know what the reason for that was.”
Marcelo had been captaining Madrid in the absence of Sergio Ramos.
Isco was next in line, but he happily passed duties on to Carvajal.
The Spanish international claims that decision had already been agreed prior to kick-off, rather than it being a public showing of petulance from a man who had skippered the side against Melilla in the Copa del Rey.
Carvajal told Real Madrid TV: “I feel very proud and honoured to have worn the armband in a competitive match.
“I’d like to thank Isco, because by rights he should have had it, as he signed for the club a few days before me.
He wore it against Melilla, and he said to me then that next time, if the circumstance came about again, he would let me have it. I’m grateful to him for that, because it was a really nice gesture.”
Carvajal added to La Sexta: “He [Marcelo] didn’t know about it, that’s all there was to it.”
Real will be hoping to avoid causing more controversy when they return to action on Saturday against Rayo Vallecano.
It remains to be seen whether Isco will play any part in that contest, with the 26-year-old having struggled for game time under Santiago Solari.
His future in the Spanish capital has become a subject of much uncertainty, with the player seemingly unsettled and the Blancos board reluctant to persevere with potentially disruptive influences.
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If he gets back into the Irish setup without others getting injured I’d be very surprised. Saying that if he does merit a recall then he’ll be playing fantastic rugby so for Ireland sake I hope he does.
@Chris Mc: It’s all about him I reckon cause he’s definitely got the talent/ability. As someone else pointed out here he looked in bad shape for a lot of his time at Wasps, if he really focuses on that he could challenge for a place on the squad no problem.
@The Irish Pain: wasps wanted him heavier, to be a different prop than the mobile less effective scrumager cooper wolley
Ireland now have 5 reliable TH props available . Furlong , Porter , Bealham , Ryan and Moore : all under 30 . That’s an incredible turnaround .
@Limón Madrugada: Maybe you could include Archer on that list as he seems to be first choice in Munster.
@Tom Reilly: but reliable for Ireland ?? I’m not convinced , he is capped though for sure ..
Someone on here yesterday said that Leinster made a ‘poor decision’ letting Marty Moore go.
I think the opposite, Marty Moore made a poor decision to leave Leinster.
When he left he was in the Irish 23, primed to replace Ross. He moved to Wasps and ended up not even starting for them. He also looked unfit.
In that time Leinster developed Furlong and Porter, Ireland brought in Bealham and Ryan and a few years later he’s back fighting for 3rd/4th in the Irish pecking order.
A shame because he is some prop on his day. Possibly a better scrummager than any of the above.
@Oval Digest: The word was that Moore was excited to play under Dai Young, a well capped Welsh and Lions prop. Maybe it was the 2 year deal offered by Leinster vs the 3 year Wasps deal (undoubtedly for more money) that was the real reason. Or maybe he saw Tadgh Furlong coming through and thought now’s the time to cash in. Or perhaps he thought Leinster are not gonna be challenging any more. If it was the Young factor that helped him go, the renowned Young had no impact on him other than gaining weight. The move might have been good for his bank balance but it was a disaster for his career. Thus far. Still, a big season and he could play his way in.
@grandslamkbo The word was also that Moore signed a contract without realising that he couldn’t get out of it in an effort to bargain with the IRFU, and then got stuck.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/leinster-admit-defeat-in-bid-to-retain-marty-moore-s-services-1.2510136
Marty is good on his day when fit, the problem is there just isn’t enough of those days.
He will have to buck up his ideas if he is to have a sniff of being anywhere near the Irish squad.
Yes squad not team
His whole career and how people will view his achievements relies on his application for the next two years
Be interesting to see how Nathan Hughes goes this season, he should be pushing for a place in the English team.
@Ruairi O’Bric: He is a super club player but I’m not sure about his workrate apart from ball carrying. If Billy V stays fits there’s no comparison…
Looked very unfit at Wasps as when he was playing previously for Leinster he had great mobility/work-rate and could force a few turnovers too.
He was overweight when he last played for Leinster and Ireland and things have only gotten worse since, needs to go on a serious shred if he is to make Ireland contention again.