Julio Baptista, Real Madrid's 'Ballack'

By Alberto Bravo Aug 10, 2007, 16:37 GMT

Madrid - Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster said recently that his team needed 'a Michael Ballack.' That is, an attacking midfielder who creates chances on goal and scores.

By then, he still did not have at his disposal the Brazilian Julio Baptista, a footballer who plays in that position and who is showing his wish to stay at Real Madrid after a season on loan at Arsenal. It may well be that Schuster has unexpectedly found his 'Ballack.'

The proof came on Thursday in the final of the summer tournament Teresa Herrera, which Real Madrid lost by 2-1 to Deportivo La Coruna. Baptista was one of the few 'white' players who showed up well, and scored a great goal from a distance of 25 metres to mark his good performance.

'When I came back (to Real Madrid) I did so to stay, because I saw the coach had confidence in me. He has given me matches and for now I am still here. I am going to try to return that confidence playing as well as possible,' the Brazilian told the club website.

Now all analysts are praising Baptista, and seriously questioning Real Madrid's insistence on selling him off.

The club's argument is based on the player's high market price, which Real Madrid officials estimate at around 20 million euros (27.3 million dollars) that could be devoted to more ambitious investments.

But Baptista is defending his right to be successful at Real Madrid.

This summer, the midfielder played a great Copa America with Brazil, despite starting the tournament as a substitute, and even scored a goal in the final that Brazil won by 3-0 against regional arch-rival Argentina.

Following a short holiday, he joined Real Madrid and Schuster made it clear to him that he did not have a place in the team's starting lineup, although he encouraged him to work hard for a spot. Baptista accepted the challenge.

Meanwhile, Ballack's name is still flying over the Real Madrid offices, even though the German is close to turning 31 and Baptista is only 25.

Both Schuster and sports director Pedja Mijatovic like the Chelsea midfielder, but maybe Baptista's performance can mitigate their longing.

'I have spoken to Schuster and he wants to use me as an attacking midfielder. There are many players with similar characteristics and he will have to choose, also because each one brings something different. But it is important for me to have his confidence,' the player said.

The truth is that Baptista has never had a chance to shine at Real Madrid.

The club bought him off Sevilla two years ago for 25 million euros (34.1 million dollars) and in his first season he had trouble to play in the team coached by fellow-Brazilian Vanderlei Luxemburgo. Luxemburgo could not find a place for the midfielder, who still showed he has a gift, goalscoring, and ended as the team's second- highest scorer with eight goals.

Real Madrid then chose to loan him to the Premiership's Arsenal in exchange for Jose Antonio Reyes.

The Brazilian never got used to his new team or to London, and decided he did not want to leave Madrid on loan again.

The Spanish giant is not making things easy for Baptista, but the Brazilian is showing an incredible stubbornness and a huge confidence in his own ability.

His performance is earning him minutes on the pitch, although perhaps not enough to start games on the pitch, and he is becoming both a problem and a possible solution for Schuster.

Beyond the fight for a place at Real Madrid, Saturday's Spanish Supercup game is likely to be emotionally charged for Baptista, since the rival is no less than Sevilla, the club where he rose to prominence.