Real Madrid News
Real Madrid could turn to Castilla starlet to replace injured Vinicius Jr
The 2023-24 season has been dealing cruel hands to teams around Europe, with players dropping like flies due to extensive injury issues in volumes never seen before.
Real Madrid have been dealing with one of the worst injury spells they have endured in a while – and it seems like the bad news never stops coming.
After losing centre-back Eder Militao and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to serious knee injuries at the beginning of the season, Los Blancos have since seen more of their key squad members succumb to injuries.
The latest of the blows Madrid have suffered have come in the form of serious knee injuries to Eduardo Camavinga and Vinicius Jr while both were on international duties for their respective nations.
As such, Carlo Ancelotti now has the tough task of selecting the cream of the crop from Real Madrid’s youth team to make the all-important step up and fill in the shoes of these two stars who are among the very best in the world in their position.
Enter: Gonzalo Garcia
Earlier today, there were reports that Nico Paz and Mario Martin could enter the fray, with the former already tipped to be a future star for the Merengues.
According to recent reports from Cadena SER, however, another name to especially replace Vini Jr that stands out, is Gonzalo Garcia.
The 19-year-old is a wonderful talent with incredible speed and dribbling ability, with an intensity that is beyond his years.
Madrid fans have also been crying out on social media asking for the Spaniard to be given minutes in the first team.
Last season, Garcia scored 35 goals with the Real Madrid youth team, which ended up winning everything at the national level, and that brought forward a group of players who now shine at Castilla.
And even this season, the winger has already scored six goals and looks like the perfect candidate to start making his mark in the first team.
According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Gabriel Rajkovic, a 15-year-old winger whose rapid development at Valerenga has already attracted attention from several of Europe’s leading sides.
The Merengues are known for keeping an eye on exciting young talent across the globe and it seems that Rajkovic’s exploits in Norway, with the first team, have alerted them.
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Rajkovic
As per the report, Real Madrid are among a host of clubs closely following the progress of the young forward.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
His development has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also understood to be monitoring him.
However, at this point, it is Arsenal and Chelsea, who are understood to be leading the charge for Rajkovic, having compiled a detailed dossier on the teenage prodigy after extensive scouting.
On top of that, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched Rajkovic in recent weeks.
Real Madrid could therefore face significant competition if they decide to step up their interest in a player who has already made an impression at senior level.
Making an impact at just 15
Rajkovic was handed a promotion to the Valerenga first-team squad in January earlier this year, when he was only 14 years old.
Following that, he signed a new contract with the club in March, when he turned 15, committing to the club until 2028.
Despite being only 15, the winger has already begun gaining experience in first-team football. In all, he has made 14 senior appearances for the Norwegian outfit, scoring three and assisting one goal.
Rajkovic has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates.
Those numbers become more impressive when his age and stage of development are taken into account.
Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent well before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
But given the number of clubs in the race, signing the teenage wonderkid will not be easy.
M.E Leboko
November 21, 2023 at 4:24 am
The problem with R.Madrid management is to undermine players in Castilla,it could have been long time some of these players displayed what they are made of.Sometimes you hear that such player from castilla is chosen to play for senior team but never get to play until the season close.
Laseno M Thomas
November 23, 2023 at 12:37 am
Dan Carlo I beg you, all Madrid fans worldwide beg you to show some trust in youth and give them opportunity to represent the club…Camavinga, vinie, these guys should get the chance those were given…