For a young footballer coming through the ranks at Valdebebas, some moments change everything, and for Jorge Cestero, those moments arrived almost all at once.
In the space of just three days, the 19-year-old midfielder experienced a whirlwind that few academy players could even dream of.
According to AS, Cestero has now officially extended his contract with Real Madrid, securing his immediate future at the club.
The agreement itself had already been settled, but the final signing and handshake came shortly after the most important night of his young career so far, which was his first-team debut.
That debut came on Wednesday against Talavera, where Cestero finally pulled on the senior shirt in a competitive setting.
For any youth player, stepping onto the pitch with the first team is a milestone. For Cestero, it also became the perfect reward for a season that has steadily pushed him into the spotlight.
A player with a bright future
As such, Cestero’s performances with Real Madrid Castilla have been impossible to ignore.
The midfielder has become a key figure in the reserve side under Alvaro Arbeloa, who sees him as far more than just another squad player.
Arbeloa considers Cestero one of his most trusted options, valuing his intelligence, work rate, and ability to arrive late into the box.
He is a midfielder who looks forward rather than sideways, and that profile has made him stand out.
Inspired by figures like Casemiro and Toni Kroos, Cestero has worked to find a balance between discipline and creativity.
That balance is precisely what caught the eye of Xabi Alonso. Training sessions with the first team only reinforced the impression that Cestero could handle the jump.
After squad call-ups against Manchester City and Alaves, his long-awaited debut finally arrived against Talavera.
Now, Cestero is expected to be included in the squad again for the upcoming clash against Sevilla.
All this means his contract renewal feels less like a formality and more like a clear statement that Real Madrid believe they have something special on their hands.