Karim Benzema leads Madrid against Barcelona in Super Cup final

Karim Benzema is ready to put his World Cup disappointment behind him by winning yet another trophy with Real MadridThe Ballon dOr holder who was kept from playing for France at the World Cup in Qatar due to injury will lead Madrid against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on SundayWhat happened at the World Cup is in the past The most important thing is tomorrows game Benzema said on Saturday Im ready and I feel good in my mind and body Im focused solely on tomorrows gameLast year was a huge year for me This time around Ive had several injuries but Im back on track now and Im in good form I feel greatBenzema reached the peak of his long and successful career last season when he proved critical to leading Madrid to a Champions LeagueSpanish league double But leg injuries have limited his availability since thenThe striker who turned 35 in December is aiming for title No 24 with MadridAlso readKarim Benzema quits international football after missing World CupThe admittedly minor title has been charged with extra significance after Spains most storied clubs and fiercest rivals reached the final in Riyadh Both needed penalty shootouts to edge their opponents in the semifinals Madrid beat Valencia and Barcelona topped Real BetisCristiano Ronaldo who scored a Madrid club record 450 goals visited his old team to show them his support on Friday following his move to Saudi Arabian soccerIf Carlo Ancelottis side wins it will be their second title of the season after winning the UEFA Super Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt They could also equal Barcelonas record 13 Spanish Super Cup trophiesXavi Hernaacutendezs Barcelona is under more pressure to bring the Super Cup back to Spain It would be its first title since the 2021 Copa del Rey under former coach Ronald Koeman That was Lionel Messis 35th and final title with Barcelona before leaving for Paris SaintGermainXavis is still building his reputation as a coach The team has yet to perform to the level of the talent the club mortgaged its future for last summer to upgrade with Robert Lewandowski and othersIn clasicos against Madrid coach Xavi has a record of one win and two losses including a 32 loss in last seasons Spanish Super Cup semifinalsWe have to win this final Xavi said When I was a player I felt the same pressure as now because we are Barccedila and that never changesI can see a strong Real Madrid side and they have a psychological advantage as they have more experience in finals We have to show our ambition and our desire at last to win a trophyThe Super Cup used to be between the Spanish league champion and the Copa del Rey winner Now the runnersup in both competitions also participate in a Final Four tournament that was taken to Saudi Arabia in a lucrative deal for the Spanish federation Madrid is participating as the league champion and Barcelona as the league runnerupThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever