When the Galácticos vanished, these unexpected soldiers appeared

Saved by the soldiers. By the unexpected ones. By the pawns – those pieces that seem to have little value at the start of the game, but let them advance. Let them play, let them live. And suddenly comes the transformation. The evolution. When things have looked bleakest, Real Madrid’s academy – La Fábrica – has responded. When Madrid traveled to Balaídos with only 14 first-team players and the orchestra aboard the ship was just beginning to tune up, it felt like a bad omen. Then came the glow. The tremor. The kids. Thiago is leading a litter of young talents that has been dazzling. Carrying the load. Convincing Álvaro Arbeloa, who has been backing them. And now, decisively so. With the Galácticos in short supply, they have become the lifeline.

The stance is unmistakable, and one statistic says it all: in only one of Arbeloa’s 13 squads has there been no academy player. Just one – against Rayo Vallecano, the first game after the disaster at Da Luz. In the other 12, the presence of young gems has been non-negotiable. And it started from day one: five traveled to Albacete, two of them starters (David Jiménez and Cestero). Walkers who made their path by walking it, along a road now led by the brightest diamond of all: Thiago.

A star is born

A dazzling breakthrough. His nerve did not waver in his first start, against Getafe. In fact, when he was substituted, the Bernabéu whistled – unmistakable proof that the crowd was on the side of their apprentice. They wanted him on the field longer. And the will of the people won out: he started in Balaídos, where he delivered another outstanding performance. He completed 85% of his passes (30% of them in the final third), took two shots – the team’s third-highest total behind Aurélien Tchouaméni and Vinícius Júnior – and made two recoveries. Outstanding across the full 90 minutes he spent on the field. In fact, Arda Güler left the game before he did.

“Personality, effort…”

“We have to give enormous credit for what he has done, and again today Thiago. The personality he has, the effort, that ability to press once, twice, three times in a row; how he wants the ball, how he keeps it even when he’s under pressure, how he always tries to find the best option… he’s a player who passes and moves, who makes himself available. We need players as dynamic as him to attack this type of defense. Players capable of making one, two, three, ten runs, even if they don’t receive the ball,” Arbeloa said in the news conference.

He continued: “Thiago is earning his minutes by himself. It’s not really about my trust – it’s about his soccer. And I think it fits perfectly with what a Real Madrid player is. The way he plays, all that work he puts in, all that effort… I think he’s a ‘Real Madrid-brand’ player.”

It’s an open secret that he is not just knocking on the door – he’s kicking it down. And that is the only way it works at Real Madrid, where to play you must do so ahead of some of the best players in the world. But the raw material is there.

Real Madrid’s academy six... so far

Because he is far from alone. In terms of appearances, Cestero matches him (four games played). Behind them are Palacios (three), David Jiménez (two), Manuel Ángel (two) and Mesonero (one). Those are the academy players who have featured in the Arbeloa era – across his first 13 games in charge. It seems only a matter of time before names such as Fortea, Joan Martínez, Yáñez or Rachad join that list. More diamonds in a reserve side that is loudly demanding its chance.

“We have an academy that we need to value more. Obviously the best players in the world come here, but we have academy players of enormous quality, and it’s great news to see the game they all played today,” Arbeloa added in Balaídos.

Then came one final line. One that still echoes – and likely will until the end of the season: “It’s been a long time since an academy player has come up from Castilla and truly established himself.”

That is the real question. Establishing themselves. Proving their flashes are not just sparks – not something that lasts a second, a blink of the eye – but a constant light. For now, they are making a compelling case. Without Kylian Mbappé. Without Jude Bellingham and Éder Militão. Without Dean Huijsen and Miguel Gutiérrez Carreras. Without Eduardo Camavinga, without Rodrygo. With Madrid bruised and chewing on pessimism… they appeared.

The academy players. The unexpected ones in whom, unfairly, trust is rarely placed. Yet give them even a little, and they give back the world. In the end, it all comes down to the rule of the pawns: trust them, let them advance, let them evolve. Arbeloa has placed his bet on them. And they have answered. For now, saved by the soldiers.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.