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Gonzalo Garcia is surprising everyone. |
However, the person who is really shining in America is a name that few people think of: Gonzalo Garcia.
maturity
The 21-year-old Castilla forward is playing football that is a perfect counter to the stereotype that Real Madrid's academy graduates cannot succeed in the first team. While Mbappe has only just returned from a hospital stay with enteritis, Garcia has already scored 4 goals and provided 1 assist in 5 games, becoming one of the most prominent names in the tournament.
Mbappe may have stolen the show with his stunning overhead kick in the 3-2 quarter-final win over Dortmund, but it was Garcia who laid the groundwork for the win with a determined, intelligent and effective first-half display. And it wasn't just that game - he was Real's bright spot throughout the group stage. If he can maintain his current form, García could well be crowned the tournament's top scorer - something that was unthinkable early last month.
Real Madrid is a land of stars, but is notorious for ignoring homegrown talent - especially in attack. With the exception of Raul and Butragueno, most of the strikers who grew up in Castilla, such as Soldado, Negredo, Callejon and Jese, had to pack up and leave after being blocked by international superstars.
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Gonzalo Garcia scored as Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2. |
In that situation, Garcia - who scored 30 goals in 73 matches for Castilla - unexpectedly had the opportunity to prove himself at the Club World Cup due to... special circumstances: Mbappe was absent. And he didn't miss it.
Not only scoring goals, Garcia also showed the qualities of a modern striker: intelligent movement without the ball, tactical acumen, and non-stop activity. He is not just a "substitute" but a key factor in Xabi Alonso's system.
New coach Xabi Alonso seems to understand better than anyone what Garcia brings. The fact that he gave the youngster more than 370 minutes of playing time was not simply because Mbappe was absent, but also a tactical message: whoever works hard and fits the team's style of play will be given a chance, regardless of reputation.
Alonso has even repeatedly expressed his desire for stars like Mbappe to improve their off-ball play – something García does extremely well. In essence, the youngster's favor is not just a reward for his performance, but also a test for the big stars: see how the youngster fights for this shirt.
What future for Garcia at Bernabeu?
The big question now is: can Garcia hold his own when Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo and the "wonder child" Endrick all return? Clearly, with the depth of Real's attacking force, competition will be fierce. And history shows that Real Madrid are often impatient with young talent, despite their explosive performances in the summer tournaments.
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Gonzalo Garcia is exploding. |
However, the arrival of Alonso - who did not hesitated to change the system - could be García's best chance of breaking the Castilla "curse". If he continues to maintain his form, he will not only be a useful name for Real, but also become a new model for the club's internal development policy.
While his future remains uncertain, one thing is certain: García has caught the attention of Europe. Whether he stays at the Bernabeu or leaves on loan, his value has increased significantly - both professionally and financially.
The Club World Cup may be just a summer playground, but for Gonzalo Garcia, it is the perfect stepping stone. Without much fanfare or fanfare, this young man is writing a special chapter in his journey to find a place at the world's most prestigious club.
And who knows, it is from this underrated tournament that Real Madrid will find for themselves a "new Raul" - someone who not only scores goals, but also inspires a future built from the very talents they once forgot.
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Source: https://znews.vn/tien-dao-vo-danh-thach-thuc-dan-sao-real-madrid-post1566462.html
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