As Real Madrid prepares for another Club World Cup knockout clash, the headlines are no longer dominated solely by their global stars or big-money signings. Instead, a rising academy product has emerged, complicating matters for Xabi Alonso and possibly even Kylian Mbappe, whose return from illness coincides with the rise of an in-house prodigy.
The name hasn’t been carved into history books just yet—but judging by recent form, that could soon change.
Los Blancos’ decision to integrate a little-known forward into the first team was born out of necessity, but it may become a masterstroke. Injuries and illness during the 2024-25 campaign left the club shorthanded, and the solution came from within. The player in question: Gonzalo Garcia, a youth product who’s been at the club since age 10.
The 21-year-old’s performances in the Club World Cup have stunned supporters and coaching staff alike. Three goals in four matches, including a decisive winner against Juventus in the Round of 16, have made him one of the most effective performers in the tournament.
It was under new manager Xabi Alonso, in the high-stakes setting of the FIFA Club World Cup, that Garcia truly exploded onto the scene. He started all four matches and emerged as Real Madrid’s top scorer in the tournament, outperforming senior figures like Rodrygo and Joselu.
Problem for Mbappe?
Kylian Mbappe, the club’s marquee summer arrival, was expected to lead the line at the Club World Cup. But a bout of acute gastroenteritis sidelined him just as Real Madrid entered the tournament. In his absence, Gonzalo Garcia stepped up—and now Alonso faces a delicate decision.
“Logic suggested that once the French striker was available, he would reclaim the starting role as the team’s reference forward, but that hasn’t been the case,” writes Diario AS.
Mbappe has returned to training, but Alonso has shown no signs of rushing him back into the XI. With Garcia thriving, it becomes a question of whether form outweighs reputation in the short term.
“For the upcoming Club World Cup quarterfinal match, all eyes will be on the starting lineup, where the decision on the starting forward will send a clear message,” noted El Pais.
Should Garcia retain his place, it won’t necessarily spell trouble for Mbappe—who is clearly the long-term centerpiece of Real Madrid’s attack. But it does suggest that competition for places is alive and well, even at the highest level, and that Alonso is willing to reward merit, not just marquee names.
