Three Real Madrid academy players who can follow Asencio and Gonzalo into the first team

Over the last few seasons, Real Madrid have reshaped their sporting identity. 

While the club continue to compete at the highest level and sign established stars when needed, there has been a clear and growing commitment to youth. 

The idea is to build from within, trust young players, and create a sustainable foundation rather than relying only on expensive transfers.

This approach has not just involved scouting young talent from around the world. It has also brought renewed attention to La Fabrica, Real Madrid’s academy, which has started to play a more visible role in the club’s short and long-term plans. 

Some argue that academy players only get opportunities due to injuries or squad shortages rather than pure intent. 

However, whatever the reason, the outcome has been positive for several young players.

Raul Asencio and Gonzalo Garcia are the clearest examples. Both players stepped up when chances appeared, and Gonzalo’s recent hat-trick against Real Betis has pushed him firmly into the spotlight. 

Performances like that send a message that when trusted, youth players can deliver at the highest level. 

With that in mind, here are three La Fabrica players who look well placed to follow the same path into the first team.

Fran Gonzalez

Real Madrid have complete faith in Fran Gonzalez. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Fran Gonzalez is a goalkeeper, and on paper, his path looks almost blocked. 

Ahead of him stands Thibaut Courtois, one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and a key leader in the dressing room. 

Behind Courtois is Andriy Lunin, who has proved his worth. That alone makes breaking through extremely difficult.

Yet Gonzalez continues to push. Since his senior team debut against Valencia last year, his development has been clear to see. 

He has grown in confidence, improved his command of the area, and shown strong reflexes in high-pressure moments. 

Throughout the season, he has produced performances that closely resemble Courtois in style and composure, something that has not gone unnoticed within the club.

His reputation goes beyond domestic football. Fran was widely regarded as the best goalkeeper at the U-20 World Cup. 

Inside Valdebebas, there is growing belief that he has what it takes to become a first-team goalkeeper in the future, even if patience will be required.

Joan Martinez

Joan Martinez is rated very highly by Xabi Alonso. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Joan Martinez’s story is one of resilience and progress. Although he has only been with Castilla for a short period, that time has been enough to see his quality and potential. 

His talent was already recognised earlier, and under former manager Carlo Ancelotti, he had positioned himself as a serious option before an unfortunate injury brought everything to a halt.

That setback could have derailed his momentum, but instead, Joan responded with maturity. 

Now fully fit, he has become an undisputed starter under Alvaro Arbeloa at Castilla. 

Importantly, Joan is highly rated by Xabi Alonso, who sees him as the top academy option should the first team need a centre-back. 

During the worst phase of the injury crisis, Joan was even called up, though he did not make his debut. 

Rather than being frustrated, he accepted the situation calmly, using it as a learning experience and that attitude may prove just as important as his footballing ability.

Thiago Pitarch

Thiago Pitarch’s moment could be around the corner. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Thiago Pitarch is perhaps the closest to making the final jump, as he is the academy player who has spent the most time working under Xabi Alonso. 

He was the first to be promoted, the first to stay around the squad consistently, and one of the familiar faces within the group heading from 2025 into 2026.

Despite nine call-ups, his official debut remains just out of reach. That missing step is frustrating, but it has not slowed his progress. 

He is strong when carrying the ball out from the back, aggressive in pressing, and brave in decision-making.

In many ways, he fits into the same category as Gonzalo Garcia did before his breakthrough. 

When his moment will arrive, there is little doubt that Thiago will be ready to seize it. 

At Real Madrid, patience often pays off, and Pitarch looks like another academy story waiting for its defining chapter.