Carlos Espi, Real Madrid player
Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images
Carlos Espi is living the life most young players would dream of. He secured a move to Real Madrid from Levante in the summer.
He scored on his La Liga debut for his new team against Espanyol, helping them secure all three points, and has made the most of the limited minutes he has been given.
His good form earned him a call-up to the Spain Under-21 side, where he scored five and assisted two on his first start against San Marino Under-21s.
This performance has now put him in contention to make his senior Spain debut tomorrow, replacing the injured Ferran Torres.
Sometimes, when the stars align, they align too perfectly to be believable. In Espi’s case, it has been a fairytale.
Espi admits his life has changed
Speaking to El Chiringuito after his sudden promotion, the Real Madrid youngster admitted the speed of his rise has been difficult to process.
“My life has completely changed,” Espi said.
Carlos Espi, Real Madrid player
Carlos Espi has done really well for Madrid in limited opportunities so far. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
It is easy to understand why. Less than 24 hours after describing that Under-21 performance as a “special night,” Espi finds himself potentially one appearance away from becoming a senior Spain international.
The opposition, San Marino, naturally has to be considered, but Espi has repeatedly made the most of extremely limited opportunities this season.
Jose Mourinho has used him for only 26 minutes across Real Madrid’s opening eight matches, yet the striker has already scored twice.
His late goals against Espanyol and Elche directly helped Madrid collect four points. The pattern is becoming difficult to ignore.
A pattern is beginning to emerge
Espi does not need many touches or extended spells of possession to influence matches. His penalty-box movement and instinct for scoring goals have made him an effective option from the bench.
Carlos Espi, Real Madrid player
Espi is in the running for a senior Spain cap. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
A senior Spain debut would represent an extraordinary rise to fame for a player who entered this international break with only one Under-21 appearance.
It would also provide Mourinho with another reason to consider giving Espi greater responsibility at Madrid.
The presence of Kylian Mbappe means Espi is unlikely to be a starter for Los Blancos. What he can do, however, is make every performance count.
Whether they come with Los Blancos, Spain Under-21s or the senior La Roja team, that is exactly what he is doing, and it remains to be seen how Espi fares for Luis de la Fuente’s team.
Zidane addresses impact of Real Madrid star’s absence after France vs Italy: ‘We cannot say’
Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images
Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has taken over the France national team from Didier Deschamps and looks set to lead Les Bleus into their new era.
His team drew 1-1 with Italy last night, but Zidane refused to use Kylian Mbappe’s absence as an explanation for France’s 1-1 Nations League draw against Italy.
The Real Madrid forward missed Friday’s match at the Stade de France after suffering a left-knee hyperextension against Turkey last week.
Zidane refuses to make excuses
Speaking after the Italy draw, Zidane was asked whether Mbappe’s absence had affected his team.
As quoted by AS, he refused to get drawn into that narrative.
“Did Kylian Mbappe’s absence affect the team? We cannot say. He is not here; he is injured,” Zidane said.
It was a clear-cut response from the former Real Madrid coach, who understandably preferred to focus on the players available to him.
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid superstar
Kylian Mbappe injured himself scoring a goal against Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
France certainly created opportunities without Mbappe. Michael Olise put them ahead against Italy, but Alessandro Bastoni equalised as Zidane’s side were held to a draw.
The France coach felt his team deserved more from the match and pointed towards their failure to capitalise on opportunities.
Madrid waiting for their superstar
For Real Madrid, however, the important issue is not how France cope without Mbappe. It is when he will be available again.
It was a freak injury for the Los Blancos star, who injured his knee while scoring the goal that gave France all three points.
It was initially feared that Mbappe had suffered a significant injury, but subsequent tests showed that he had managed to escape one.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
Real Madrid will want Kylian Mbappe back as soon as possible. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
Despite this, the Frenchman is still not back in training and was spotted in Paris, with no clarity on a potential return date.
Mbappe has become the focal point of Madrid’s attack, and with Villarreal awaiting immediately after the international break, there is little reason for either club or country to rush his recovery.
Even if he is not available for the game against the Yellow Submarine, it should not be long before Mbappe returns to action for Mourinho.
France and Zidane are discovering how to function without their captain. Madrid would rather not have to do the same without their talisman for long.
It remains to be seen how Mbappe’s recovery pans out and whether he is ready to go for Los Blancos after the international break.