Real Madrid News
Real Madrid youngster in Spain squad list for friendly vs Iraq
When the Spain national team squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was announced, it came as a huge shock to see that not a single Real Madrid player had made the cut.
It was the first time in history that a player from the Spanish capital club was not included in the national team squad for a World Cup.
However, young striker Gonzalo Garcia was called up by manager Luis de la Fuente to help with preparations for the tournament in the training camp before the squad flew to North America.
Gonzalo in the squad for Iraq friendly
Now, Gonzalo has been named in the Spain squad for tonight’s friendly against Iraq at Riazor.
The Real Madrid academy product will wear the No. 8 shirt and could have a chance to make his debut for the La Roja senior team.
It is a squad missing several key names, including Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, David Raya, Víctor Munoz, Marc Cucurella, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal.
As a precaution, several young players have been called up as reinforcements. Alongside Gonzalo, Leo Roman, Jon Martin, Marc Bernal, Javi Guerra, Jesus Rodriguez and Benat Turrientes have all been assigned squad numbers.
Some reward after a frustrating campaign
After finishing as the top scorer at the Club World Cup with four goals and one assist, Gonzalo endured a frustrating season at Real Madrid, with game-time coming sparingly, both under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
The 22-year-old ended the campaign with eight goals and three assists from 39 matches in all competitions.
Amidst all this, Spain’s coaching staff still felt that his development would be best served with the Under-21 side first.
The call-ups from Under-21 coach David Gordo have provided a welcome boost during a season in which Gonzalo’s opportunities at Real Madrid have been inconsistent.
Across four call-ups and seven matches, Gonzalo delivered six goals. That has now brought him to the doorstep of the senior squad.
Source: AS
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.
