Gonzalo García, a 21-year-old forward, made his debut for Real Madrid’s first team in the Club World Cup against Al Hilal. Coach Xabi Alonso chose him as the main striker, replacing the injured Kylian Mbappé. García didn’t waste time, scoring the first goal of the match at 34 minutes and becoming the first player to score under Alonso’s management.
This young player, formed in Real Madrid’s academy, La Fábrica, is already a Spanish champion, despite limited playing time last season. He only played four games for Carlo Ancelotti, scoring one goal that helped the team reach the King’s Cup semifinals, and making one assist. García’s performance in the main team was not extensive, but his numbers in the secondary team, Real Madrid Castilla, are impressive.
In the 2022-2023 season, García scored five goals in 27 games for Castilla. This season, he improved significantly, scoring 25 goals in 36 games, making him the top scorer for Real Madrid Castilla and the entire Spanish third division. García’s rapid rise from the third division to playing alongside Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo in the first team is a remarkable story. His debut goal under Alonso’s management marked a new beginning for the young player.
García’s journey is a testament to the effectiveness of Real Madrid’s youth academy, La Fábrica, in producing talented players. His success story will likely inspire other young players in the academy to work hard and strive for a spot in the main team. With his impressive goal-scoring record and debut goal for the first team, Gonzalo García is definitely a player to watch in the future.
Key statistics
- 25 goals in 36 games for Real Madrid Castilla this season
- 5 goals in 27 games for Castilla in the 2022-2023 season
- 1 goal and 1 assist in 4 games for the main team last season
García’s future in the main team remains to be seen, but his current form and debut goal are promising signs for the young player. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the first team and whether he can maintain his goal-scoring form.