Overview
- Alexis Ciria, 18, scored in Real Madrid’s pre-season friendly with Fiorentina and drew strong praise for his technical quality and attitude.
- Sources close to José Mourinho say the coach is open to keeping Ciria with the first-team group and plans to give him some senior minutes this season.
- The club’s working plan is for Ciria to play a leading role with Castilla while being called up to the senior squad from time to time.
- Ciria’s transfer from Sevilla includes an appearance clause that obliges Real Madrid to pay €120,000 if he plays one official match of at least 45 minutes and €1.2m after ten such matches.
- Signed in January after rapid progress through Madrid’s youth teams and a UEFA Youth League win, Ciria’s rise could push the club to manage his official minutes carefully to balance development and contract costs.