Young Stars Rise as Real Madrid Stars Miss Preseason

The summer preseason for Real Madrid has been unconventional, with many key players returning late from the World Cup and no tour in the United States. This has created an unexpected opportunity for emerging talents. Eighteen-year-old winger Alexis Ciria has been a standout, scoring a goal against Fiorentina and assisting another against Ferencváros. He joined from Sevilla in January and has rapidly progressed through the ranks. His first-team experience is attributed to the absences of Vinícius Júnior and Diomande.

At center back, 19-year-old Mario Rivas and 18-year-old Joan Martínez have formed a regular pairing due to injuries among senior defenders. Rivas, who scored a header against Ferencváros, has drawn comparisons to Virgil van Dijk and was part of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship. Martínez, dubbed the "new Ramos," also impressed Mourinho. Winger Daniel Yáñez, 19, scored a penalty in a friendly and has prior first-team experience.

While these youngsters have shown promise, translating preseason form to competitive matches remains a challenge. There is speculation that Ciria could feature more for the first team, particularly in the Copa del Rey. Yáñez has been linked with a potential loan or transfer. For the defense, despite potential fitness issues with senior players, manager Mourinho typically favors experience, though Rivas or Martínez could see more involvement. Mourinho acknowledged the young defenders' potential but noted their current physical limitations compared to seasoned forwards like Moise Kean.