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Real Madrid have just two fixtures remaining in a shortened preseason, with competitive play kicking off away at Espanyol on Aug. 22.
Time is running short for José Mourinho to evaluate the squad at his disposal before the new season gets underway.
It has been an unconventional summer for the new boss to step into in several respects. The World Cup held in North America pushed back the return of many of the club's key players, and also meant there was no preseason tour of the United States this year—the first time since the COVID-impacted summer of 2021.
Instead, Mourinho's squad faced Alcorcón and Leganés in closed-door friendlies at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, before embarking on a mini-tour of central Europe, meeting Fiorentina in Austria and Ferencváros in Hungary.
Neither Kylian Mbappé nor Jude Bellingham, nor new arrivals Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande, have featured for even a single minute.
While Mourinho would undoubtedly have preferred a lengthier preseason with all his marquee names available, this particular summer setup has given several up-and-coming talents the chance to step into the spotlight and demonstrate their ability with impressive showings.
Ciria Headlines Youngsters Shining in Preseason
✨ Come for the assist... stay for the goal! pic.twitter.com/OXR28YGdgJ
The standout revelation of the summer has been 18-year-old winger Alexis Ciria, who earned a surprise spot in the starting lineup against Fiorentina, before turning heads further with a composed goal after 24 minutes.
A week on, retaining his place on the flank for the victory over Ferencváros, Ciria delivered a pinpoint cross to set up the game's opening goal for fellow teenager Mario Rivas.
A technically gifted right-footed player who favors the left wing, Ciria only arrived at Real Madrid from Sevilla in January, swiftly progressing to Castilla after catching the eye with the C team. He wrapped up last season as part of the club's Youth League-winning squad and is now regarded as one of Madrid's brightest prospects, having drawn the attention of Mourinho.
The absences of Vinícius Júnior and Diomande throughout the summer have given the youngster valuable first-team exposure and an opportunity to impress the new coaching staff.
🤝 @lafabricacrm pic.twitter.com/UlNOylZAsh
He is far from alone. Defensive injury concerns among Madrid's more experienced players have led the club to field a regular center back partnership of Rivas, 19, and Joan Martínez, 18, throughout the summer.
The former, who headed home against Ferencváros, has previously drawn flattering comparisons to Virgil van Dijk for his positional awareness and commanding physical presence. A member of Madrid's academy since 2021, he was named in the Team of the Tournament after netting in the final at this summer's UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
His defensive partner, Valencia-born Martínez, has been labeled the "new Ramos"—due in part to a striking physical resemblance. Following the 2–2 draw with Fiorentina, Mourinho praised both center backs for putting in a "fantastic game."
The other young talent drawing attention this summer is energetic 19-year-old winger Daniel Yáñez, who converted a penalty in the win over Alcorcón. Another member of Spain's UEFA European Under-19 Championship squad this summer, he is a name already familiar to many Real Madrid supporters, having made four first-team appearances across the previous two seasons.
Could Any Make an Impact This Season?
Impressing in preseason is one thing. Converting that form into a competitive setting is an entirely different challenge, where opportunities will be limited and the quality and intensity of the game will be significantly greater.
That said, there is genuine optimism surrounding Ciria in particular, with AS reporting that "appearances with the first team are increasingly expected" for the teenage sensation.
Copa del Rey outings may be more realistic than regular La Liga starts, given the stiff competition he faces for his preferred left wing berth—unless serious injuries befall either Vinícius Jr or Diomande.
Much the same applies to Yáñez, though he has been linked with a departure this season, whether on loan or through a partial rights sale.
At the back, the situation is somewhat different. Despite reports that Mourinho had been keen to bring in another center back, there is a growing sense that Madrid's transfer activity this window is now wrapped up. Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konaté, Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio represent the club's senior center back options, though serious questions remain over whether several of those players can remain fit throughout an entire campaign.
Either Rivas or Martínez could therefore take on a more significant role within the first-team setup this season as part of the matchday squad, with an eye toward a competitive debut. That said, Mourinho has typically favored experience in his defensive line.
Despite commending the pair following the draw with Fiorentina, the manager offered a pointed caveat after his side squandered a two-goal advantage in the second half. "Physically, they're not yet at the level to compete with a beast like Moise [Kean], who is a fantastic player," Mourinho said.