Carlos Espí’s first weeks at Real Madrid have been measured in bursts rather than starts, but the 26 minutes he has played have already changed the conversation around the young striker. Goals against Espanyol and Elche have made him an immediate option from the bench, while a marginal offside denied him what would have been a late equaliser against Betis. Now, during his first Spain Under-21 camp at Las Rozas, Espí is balancing the demands of Madrid’s season with an international opportunity he hopes will be another step towards the senior side.
Key takeaways
- Espí has scored twice in only 26 minutes for Real Madrid, finding the net against Espanyol and Elche.
- The 20-year-old has received his first Spain Under-21 call-up after leaving Levante on 30 July.
- He says José Mourinho has asked him to give everything in short appearances and combine with Kylian Mbappé in attack.
- Espí left Levante after 66 first-team games and 20 goals, describing the club’s dressing room and supporters as a family.
- His long-term aims are to win trophies with Madrid and reach Spain’s senior national team.
A rapid Madrid adjustment
Madrid moved swiftly for Espí once Gonzalo’s departure became a realistic prospect. The striker said there was no hesitation when the club made contact, viewing the transfer as a major chance to develop alongside elite players.
Keeping the move quiet was, he admitted, difficult. With speculation linking him elsewhere, including to the Premier League, Espí had to avoid telling even close friends before the deal was complete. He said he was desperate to share the news but had been asked to remain silent until the announcement.
Since arriving, he has trained with Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois, a daily standard he believes is accelerating his progress. He named all four among the players who have impressed him, highlighting the intensity and competitiveness that remain despite their success.
Courtois has described Espí as a “beast” and a profile Madrid did not previously have in their squad. The youngster said such backing from established team-mates gives him confidence. Comparisons with former Madrid forward Joselu have also followed, although Espí insists he wants to establish his own identity while sharing the same instinct to seize chances in the penalty area.
He has also felt supported inside the dressing room, singling out Federico Valverde, Brahim Díaz, Álvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen among those who helped him settle. Mourinho’s welcome has been especially significant, Espí said, because the manager’s demanding approach has also made him feel secure.
The instructions have been direct: make every minute count, whether the appearance lasts five, 10 or 15 minutes; stay close to Mbappé; offer support to the French forward; and be present in the area when an opportunity arrives. Against Espanyol and Elche, it did. Against Betis, it almost did for a third time.
Spain Under-21 duty and the response to the derby
Espí’s first Under-21 selection reunites him with players he knows from Spain’s youth teams, including Chema, Jacobo and Fer López. He said they have made his integration easy and that he is focused on giving everything to help the group rather than looking too far ahead.
A place in the senior Spain squad remains a childhood ambition, and national-team coach Luis de la Fuente is monitoring his progress, but Espí will first work under Under-21 manager David Gordo. He said he must be ready if further opportunities arrive.
The international break comes after Madrid’s defeat in the derby at Atlético, their first significant setback of the campaign. Espí acknowledged the frustration of losing such a match away from home, but argued that the squad must remain united, trust its work and use the pause in club football to reset for the fixtures ahead.
He said Mourinho’s message has been for Madrid to remain true to their game, work at maximum level and rely on collective effort to turn results around. Espí believes the season still contains too many matches for the derby loss to define it.
His route to Madrid began with Levante, where he made 66 first-team appearances and scored 20 times. He said the hardest part of the move was leaving without properly saying goodbye to the coaches, kit staff and colleagues who had formed a close group during difficult periods at the club.
At Under-21 level he is also alongside Gonzalo, the player whose Madrid place he effectively filled. Espí described him as a very good person who helped him immediately, and said the pair can play together if required. Whether they are used in tandem or separately, he sees both as forwards capable of changing a match.
For now, Espí’s priorities are clear: a productive international break, trophies with Real Madrid and, eventually, a call to Spain’s senior side. Asked for his Ballon d’Or choice, he gave an immediate answer: Mbappé.
