Real Madrid News
Ex-Real Madrid star thanks club after deadline day exit: “Grateful to have had a happy time”
Alvaro Odriozola was the only Real Madrid player who saw some action on transfer deadline day.
The right-back sealed a return to his former club Real Sociedad for a fee of €1.5 million plus add-ons. The player desperately wanted to return to his old club after a difficult spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Odriozola thanks Real Madrid and Florentino Perez
Odriozola was recently unveiled as an official Real Sociedad once again, five years after he had left the club for a fee of €32 million.
Speaking at his presentation, Odriozola did not miss a moment to thank Real Madrid and club president Florentino Perez for enabling him to return to his old club.
“Real Madrid is a magnificent club, and today I want to thank President Florentino and José Ángel Sánchez because they allowed me to realize a dream, that of returning home to Sociedad,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
Odriozola’s time at Madrid
During his initial spell at Sociedad, Odriozola had featured in 57 competitive matches for the Txuri-Urdin, establishing himself as one of the most promising right-backs in Europe.
It prompted Real Madrid to sign him in 2018, but he never got going. Looking back at his stint at the Santiago Bernabeu, he acknowledged:
“Madrid is a very competitive club, the competition is tough, I can only speak highly of my teammates and coaches like Zidane, Ancelotti, Lopetegui… I’m grateful to have had a happy time, and I’m now returning home with all the humility in the world.”
While the Spaniard has not been able to realise his potential, he remains a reliable option with years of experience at the highest level of football.
As for Real Madrid, they are unlikely to be fazed by the departure of Odriozola, who had no future at the Bernabeu despite the club’s lack of options in the right-back position.
The Spanish giants, though, are expected to make a big-money signing in the position next summer, with Perez particularly keen on roping in Chelsea captain Reece James in the future.
However, with Real Madrid also keen on signing a new striker, it remains to be seen whether or not the club are able to sign the Englishman next summer.
Real Madrid News
Carlos Espi reacts after scoring match-winning goal in Elche 2-3 Real Madrid: ‘Starting like this is a dream’
Carlos Espi is becoming Real Madrid’s unlikely late-game specialist.
The 21-year-old once again came off the bench to rescue Jose Mourinho’s side, this time scoring the 91st-minute winner in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Elche.
It was his second goal for the club, and both have arrived at crucial moments.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the match, Espi could barely contain his excitement.
“I’m so happy—the happiest man in the world. I try to help the team any way I can, and every time I step onto the field, I give it my all and come away feeling great.
“Starting like this has been a dream. This isn’t over yet; we’re going to keep going because we have Sunday’s match coming up.
Carlos Espi winning goal in Elche vs Real Madrid game. Mbappe assist. pic.twitter.com/STJBV3ikQL
— Daily Foot Vibes (@dailyfootvibes) September 16, 2026
“This is a team effort. All of us who take the field make the most of our opportunities and give it our all,” he began.
Espi keeps making his minutes count
There is a growing pattern to Espi’s involvement. Even though he has yet to start a match for the first team, that has not stopped him from making an impact.
His first goal arrived against Espanyol in Real Madrid’s opening game, when another late strike helped secure the result.
Against Elche, he was required again after Real Madrid surrendered a two-goal lead and suddenly found themselves in serious trouble.
Espi eventually appeared at the back post in the 91st minute and finished the move to give Mourinho’s team all three points.
The youngster shared the credit with his teammates, but he also had special praise for the player who supplied his decisive moment.
That assist came from Kylian Mbappe, whose presence has made Espi’s route into the starting XI particularly difficult.
“It’s unbelievable—it’s crazy to watch him train and play. In this case, he set me up for the goal, and I’m very happy for him, too.”
First Madrid derby already has Espi excited
The timing of Espi’s latest contribution could hardly be more interesting, as Real Madrid now face Atletico Madrid on Sunday, giving the forward an opportunity to experience his first Madrid derby.
“I’m really looking forward to it—I’m so excited. It’s my first derby here, and we’re going to go for it.”
For Mourinho, Espi is a useful option when matches become chaotic. He may not yet be a regular starter, but his two appearances on the scoresheet have carried considerably more weight than the minutes he has played.
Mandla
September 4, 2023 at 8:45 pm
We need to be calm cool and collected when we dò business. Emotions aside we need to use our minds well.thinking with our heads not our blood.