Real Madrid’s next star? Everything you need to know about striker Gonzalo García
Youngster Gonzalo was the hero for Real Madrid against Leganés, scoring the winning goal to send his team into the Copa del Rey semifinals.
In the absences of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, a new name was the hero for Real Madrid as they left it late to defeat Leganés in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey: Gonzalo García.
Gonzalo García: Real Madrid’s newest hero
Carlo Ancelotti’s team looked to be cruising into the semifinals after going 2-0 up inside 25 minutes through Luka Modric and Endrick. However, Leganés levelled the clash thanks to two Juan Cruz goals either side of halftime.
Just when it looked as if the contest was going to extra time, youngster Gonzalo, who came on for Endrick with only eight minutes left to play, headed in Brahim Díaz’s right-wing cross with one of the last touches of the game three minutes into injury time.
Gonzalo García wins it at the death to send Real Madrid to the Copa del Rey semifinals 😱
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 5, 2025
Perfect time for the 20-year-old to grab his first goal for Los Blancos pic.twitter.com/rNIdwVAtHA
What kind of player is Gonzalo?
20-year-old Gonzalo García is a Madrid-born forward who is equally comfortable playing with his “weaker” left foot as he is with his right. A skilful, versatile attacker with an eye for goal, there has been little fanfare about the teenager, perhaps precisely because he himself has attempted to stay out of the limelight and be the model professional.
Real Madrid legend Raúl, who now coaches the Castilla reserve team, has claimed Gonzalo is “more ready than others to play for the first team right now,” a view he hasn’t shared about many. An excitement is building among supporters, staff and club management, which the youngster will have to learn to manage.
Two previous Real Madrid appearances
Scoring 25 goals in 27 league appearances for Real Madrid Castilla in 2023/24 convinced Ancelotti to given Gonzalo a sprinkling a first-team experience last season, which included two LaLiga appearances.
The young striker played a total of 17 minutes as a substitute in games away to Cádiz and at home to Granada towards the end of 2023, but hadn’t appeared again until Leganés.
Gonzalo becomes Madrid’s great academy hope
Gonazlo has continued his excellent goalscoring form this season, with 21 goals in 21 appearances for Real Madrid Castilla in Primera Federación, the Spanish third tier. In his time playing for the reserve team, he has played mostly on the left wing and done a lot of his best work outside the penalty area.
With games continuing to come thick and fast as Real Madrid compete on a number of different fronts, there may well be more chances for him to shine as Ancelotti tries to keep his squad as fresh as possible.
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