(Football news) Real Madrid had an incredible start to the season as they began their UCL and La Liga defense. Los Blancos won their first 9 games of the season after which they had 5 wins and 2 draws in the next 7 games. Out of the last 5 games Real Madrid has won 2, lost 2 and drawn 1 which has resulted in them dropping to 2nd in the La Liga table. The players energy levels dropped significantly after a great start which could have also been because of the World Cup. A total of 13 Real Madrid players are going to Qatar to represent their respective countries at the World Cup. There were various reports of the players preserving their energy for the World Cup. 

Benzema has been injured for the majority of the season and even his former teammate Guti called him out for not having his club's back. It is a very serious allegation on the players but it is highly likely that it is happening unconsciously. Playing the World Cup for your country is what every young aspiring footballer dreams of. The World Cup comes once every 4 years which makes it an even bigger occasion for a footballer. Getting injured right before a tournament is definitely something which no player wants to happen which is why it is completely understandable if he avoids certain things. 

All this comes down to the fact that the World Cup is being arranged mid-season. The worst part is that after the tournament is over, the players have to come back to their clubs immediately as there is no break. Real Madrid don't have a lot of depth as they only have 10 first team players who are not going to Qatar. Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that his players come back without any serious problems and are ready to go. The Italian manager has already said that the players going to the World Cup will be getting a 10-day break after they return which means that the Real Madrid players who reach the final may not be available for Real Madrid's match against Real Valladolid.

Also read: Why did Enrique drop Thiago and Sergio Ramos from the World Cup squad?