Rafa Marín, a former Real Madrid player, is preparing to return to the Spanish League, but he won't do so wearing the white jersey. The young defender, who began his career in the merengue reserve team, seems to be on the verge of signing with Villarreal. This transfer will be crucial in the coming months, as the Yellow Submarine will face Real Madrid in March, and Marín will be one of those tasked with stopping Kylian Mbappé.
Ancelotti's Request and His Move to Napoli
Rafa Marín's return to Spanish football was on the table for January, with Carlo Ancelotti showing interest in bringing back the center-back. However, Marín ended up at Napoli instead of returning to Real Madrid.
The young defender left the Spanish capital last summer heading to Serie A, where he was expected to have more playing opportunities. Nevertheless, the situation in Italy hasn't been as expected. He has barely played 180 minutes in two cup matches, an insufficient amount of playing time for a player of his quality.
Villarreal's Decision: a Key Opportunity
With his future uncertain in Italy, Marín has decided to return to Spain. Villarreal, a team in need of defensive reinforcements, has emerged as the best option for the player. At the Yellow Submarine, Marín would have the chance to play more minutes and gain experience in La Liga.
This transfer is a key move for Villarreal, which knows that in March, it will face Real Madrid and will need to stop a Mbappé in great form. Marín's presence in that match could be decisive.
March: the Challenge against Real Madrid
In March, Villarreal will host Real Madrid at La Cerámica, and the task of stopping Kylian Mbappé will fall on Rafa Marín. The Frenchman, with his speed and finishing, is a challenge for any defender. Marín, with his great potential, will be key to preventing Mbappé from leaving his mark on the match.
Ancelotti's Lament: a Signing That Slips Away
Rafa Marín's arrival at Villarreal also means a missed opportunity for Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid. The Italian coach had requested Marín's return to the first team, as the defender could have been useful to cover some injury absences in the Madrid defense.
However, with his move to Villarreal, Ancelotti will have to look for other options to strengthen his defense in the near future.