Rumour of the Day: Bernd Schneider to Real Madrid

By: Jan | June 21st, 2007

Schnix Overjoyed Today’s rumour was kicked off by Bernd Schuster. It’s not even decided yet whether the FC Getafe coach will take over Fabio Capello’s job in Madrid or not, but he has an opinion about what the squad is lacking nonetheless. Yup, they need his namesake Bernd Schneider. The German international midfielder enjoyed a great Bundesliga season and played/plays a key role in Germany’s successful World Cup and Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. “Real Madrid are missing a player like him at the moment”, is what Schuster supposedly said according to the Spanish newspaper ABC. Enough for the German tabloid Express to turn this quote into a story and collect some statements. Leverkusen’s sporting director Rudi Völler praised Schneider, but at the same time pointed out that Schneider received a lot of offers from foreign clubs in the past and always decided to stay with Leverkusen. Most prominently he must have referred to FC Barcelona. When Louis van Gaal returned to the club back in 2002 he was keen to bring Schneider with him. Express quoted Schneider with the following words “I haven’t received a call yet, but if Madrid is interested then I would have to listen.”

Interesting constellation and that’s as much information as is available. So what else can be thrown into this speculative mix? Bernd Schneider turns 34 this year. As mentioned his age didn’t stop him from outperforming most younger players in the league and he looks like he could go on like this forever. At least two good years are definitely still in him. Real Madrid lose Beckham to LA Galaxy and Schneider could take over Beckham’s role on the pitch. Schneider is a rather reclusive and private player who doesn’t like the limelight too much. He doesn’t appear in a lot of ads nor does he give a lot of interviews. So the big stage in Madrid would be quite a new or even unwanted experience. Yet, he doesn’t have a realistic chance to win any big titles with Leverkusen (Neverkusen) in his remaining years with the club (his contract ends 2009). Even playing in the Champions League is very unlikely with the current balance of power in the Bundesliga. He didn’t seem to care too much about it though. His only big career goal left was supposedly the European Championship in 2008. But I guess he didn’t anticipate a realistic interest from a club like Real Madrid when he said that. It would be his last chance to join a big club, cash in some good money and even win some silverware.