Real Madrid Eyes Jersey Numbers for Rising Star Alvaro Carreras
Real Madrid have been actively pursuing Álvaro Carreras from Benfica throughout the summer transfer window, and a deal has finally been secured.
The Spanish giants were keen to bring the left-back into their squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup but couldn't complete the transaction in time. Although they had to be patient to land their target, they have successfully negotiated a €50 million ($58.5 million) transfer fee with Benfica for the Spanish defender.
Carreras joins Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold as part of Madrid's defensive overhaul, with the 23-year-old expected to battle for position alongside Ferland Mendy and Fran García at the Santiago Bernabéu.
However, which jersey number will the defender choose when he arrives in the Spanish capital?
Álvaro Carreras Shirt Number History
Carreras represents a missed opportunity for Manchester United. The left-back developed through the English club's youth system but never featured in a senior match for the Red Devils, despite being assigned squad numbers 74 and 42 at Old Trafford.
During the 2022–23 season, he was loaned to Preston North End, where a successful temporary stint at Deepdale saw him sport the number 2. He then spent half of the subsequent campaign with Granada CF, wearing number 33, before completing the season on loan at Benfica.
Carreras adopted the number 3 during his temporary spell with the Portuguese club and retained it when he made his permanent move last summer.
Real Madrid Available Shirt Numbers
Given La Liga's regulation that first-team players must wear numbers 1-25, Carreras' options are limited. Alexander-Arnold has claimed number 12 and Huijsen has taken number 24, further narrowing his choices.
Currently, four numbers remain available for Carreras. The number 18, previously worn by Jesús Vallejo, is one option, while number 25 is also free following Kepa Arrizabalaga's loan expiration at the end of the 2023–24 season. The latter is typically favored by goalkeepers.
Naturally, Carreras could claim the number 10 recently left vacant by Madrid icon Luka Modrić, though this seems highly improbable for a left-back. More realistic is the number 17 shirt, which became available after Lucas Vázquez's exit.
Naturally, if additional first-team players depart before the season begins, Carreras could adopt their vacated number.