Real Madrid players slammed for carrying €500 toiletry bags
FT Desk
- Updated: 11 Nov 2021 03:22 CST
- 3 min read
Former Real Madrid defender Philipp Lienhart has slammed some of his former teammates, saying that he saw under-17 players carrying €500 toiletry bags.
Lienhart spent four years at Madrid from 2014 to 2017, playing for the Real Madrid C and Real Madrid B teams before eventually making one appearance for the senior side.
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The centre back left Madrid for Freiburg in 2017, initially on loan, before making the transfer permanent for €2 million and add-ons.
Lienhart has since become an established player in the Bundesliga, as well as breaking into the Austria national team setup.
Looking back at his time at Real Madrid, Lienhart painted a picture of a group of primadonnas.
What did Lienhart say about Real Madrid?
"I was surprised to see under-17 players walking around with 500 euro toiletry bags," Lienhart told Transfermarkt.
"I don't think that's necessary... I think it's not good when a young player earns so much money, he can lose sight of what's really important in his career. That's how you lose a lot of young talents.
🇦🇹🗣️ Ex-Madrid player Philipp Lienhart: "I was surprised to see RM's U-17 players walking around with €500 toiletry bags. I don't think that's necessary - I think it's not good when a young player earns so much, he can lose sight of what's really important in his career." @marca pic.twitter.com/uxPfpFPnJ0
— Infinite Madrid (@InfiniteMadrid) November 10, 2021
"Freiburg are more of a family club and that makes it special. It's different at Real Madrid.”
Despite his criticism, Lienhart said that he would be open to return to Real Madrid in the future if he can prove himself to be good enough.
"It's a very big jump. I would have to progress more for it to be possible," he explained.
"It would be good to have the opportunity to return. It was a great experience and I wouldn't say no to a possible return."
Lienhart turned 25 this past summer and he has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring two goals.
Freiburg are currently having an impressive season and are third in the Bundesliga, having lost only one of their 11 league matches.
Partly thanks to Lienhart, they have the best defensive record in the league, having conceded only nine times.
