1 hour ago
21
Carlos Espi needed exactly two pre-season appearances to do what every new Real Madrid signing dreams about: find the net. The 21-year-old striker scored his first goal for the club on August 8, 2026, helping Los Blancos cruise to a 2-0 victory over Ferencvaros at Groupama Arena in Budapest.
From Levante to the Bernabeu in one summer
Espi’s transfer to Real Madrid was finalized at the end of July 2026. He signed a five-year contract that runs through June 30, 2031, tying him to the Spanish giants through the prime years of his career.
At Levante, Espi compiled a record of 20 goals in 66 appearances. He had garnered attention for his outstanding performances in Spain’s second tier, where he was awarded the best under-23 player in La Liga last season.
His pre-season journey started with a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina, where Espi made his unofficial debut in a Madrid shirt. He didn’t score in that one, but he evidently showed enough to earn another start in Budapest.
The second goal came from Carlos Alonso, who also notched his first for the club in the same match.
Espi’s path forward under Ancelotti
At 21, Espi has time on his side. His five-year contract signals that Real Madrid views him as a long-term investment rather than a quick fix. The club’s recent transfer strategy has increasingly focused on acquiring younger talent and developing them within the system.
What’s clear is that Ancelotti is giving Espi meaningful minutes in these warm-up fixtures. Two appearances in two friendlies suggests the manager wants to evaluate the striker in match conditions rather than just on the training ground.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
English (US) ·