A huge day for Real Madrid’s academy

Saturday was a good day for Real Madrid’s first team and a great one, the kind remembered for years, for the club’s academy.

The work done every day at Valdebebas was on full display on the biggest stage of all: the Santiago Bernabéu.

Álvaro Arbeloa again started Thiago Pitarch in the lineup. Only the returns of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé may threaten the midfielder’s place now. Beyond his football, Pitarch has quickly formed a connection with the Bernabéu crowd.

Youngsters turn out at the Bernabéu

The highlight came in the second half when the coach introduced Manuel Ángel, Palacios, Yáñez and Diego Aguado. To comply with squad registration rules, which allow no more than four players outside the registered roster, Thiago had to leave the field.

The youngsters joined a team already riding a positive wave and played with confidence, even despite Manuel Ángel’s unfortunate own goal, which was completely accidental.

Madrid finished the match with seven academy graduates on the field: Dani Carvajal, Diego Aguado, Fran García, Manuel Ángel, Palacios, Yáñez and Gonzalo.

The five Castilla players then spent time signing autographs and taking photos with fans before posing together for a picture that may one day be remembered as the start of something bigger.

Arbeloa delighted at statement win over Elche

Arbeloa was emotional after the win over Elche, a match that also delivered on the scoreboard and in performance with a 4–1 victory.

The coach said that after a night like that he could die in peace. For someone who came through the academy himself and spent years progressing through the youth ranks before reaching the first team, he described the feeling as indescribable. Arbeloa added that he was proud not only to give the players the opportunity but also of how they performed, praising their talent, quality and personality.

And it was not the only piece of good news for Real Madrid’s academy.

Castilla, the flagship side of Madrid’s development system, secured an impressive away victory against Lugo, one of the strongest teams in their Primera RFEF group.

Despite numerous absences caused by players being called up to the first team, Castilla delivered a dominant performance. Coach Julián López de Lerma relied on youth players to fill the gaps and the gamble paid off perfectly as Madrid won 4–0.

Jacobo scored twice, while Alexis Ciria and Pol Fortuny added the other goals.

The success did not stop there.

Juvenil A also recorded a commanding 6–0 win over La Cruz Villanovense at Valdebebas. Cadete B defeated Getafe C 6–1, Infantil B beat México Paracuellos 5–1 and Alevín B thrashed Rayo Majadahonda 5–0 away from home.

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