Makelele back in Real Madrid squad for Super Cup clash
Claude Makelele was named in Real Madrid's Super Cup squad on Saturday but coach Carlos Queiroz gave no indication as to whether the Frenchman would be back in the side for Sunday's game against Real Mallorca.
Claude Makelele was named in Real Madrid's Super Cup squad on Saturday but coach Carlos Queiroz gave no indication as to whether the Frenchman would be back in the side for Sunday's game against Real Mallorca.
Makelele, one of the lowest paid Real players, boycotted training for several days following the squad's return from their Asian tour, in protest at the club's unwillingness to offer him a new contract.
He resumed training on Thursday, though, and he could now play a part in Real's first competitive match of the season in Palma de Mallorca on Sunday.
"There are no instructions from the club saying Makelele should not play," Queiroz told reporters after training on Saturday.
"At the moment he's a Real Madrid player and tomorrow we'll have to see if he starts."
"At this level a professional has to be ready to play -- that's his obligation."
Argentine midfielder Santiago Solari and Spanish striker Fernando Morientes were both surprise omissions from the squad for the first leg of the Super Cup.
The pair will stay behind to train on Sunday with the likes of England midfielder Steve McManaman, Spanish winger Pedro Munitis and Brazilian centre-back Julio Cesar, who have all been deemed as surplus to requirements for the new season.