Former Real Madrid academy ace names club veteran as his role model

Alex Jimenez has been a topic of conversation at Real Madrid lately, with the club reportedly seeing him as a long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal.

Currently on loan at Bournemouth, the former Real Madrid academy prodigy has been a first-team regular for the Cherries, impressing onlookers with his abilities on the flank.

However, what makes things even more interesting is that Jimenez himself has recently admitted Carvajal is one of his role models.

Alex Jimenez reveals his role models

In a recent interaction with MARCA, Jimenez was asked about his role models, and he didn’t hesitate to name two big Real Madrid stars.

“My role models? Mainly Dani Carvajal. He’s always been a role model for me because I spent many years at Real Madrid’s academy,” he said.

The Bournemouth ace, who will return to AC Milan at the end of the season, added that he was also monitoring Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies.

“I also paid close attention to Trent when he was at Liverpool. I also really like Alphonso Davies,” he added.

Will Alex Jimenez eventually return to Real Madrid? (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Jimenez also discussed other things during the interview, including his reason for leaving Real Madrid permanently in 2023.

“I’d been at Real Madrid for many years, and my last season didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. I received a very good offer from AC Milan, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ And it actually worked out well for me,” he explained.

The fullback most notably admitted it would be a dream for him to return to Real Madrid, who still hold a buyback clause in his AC Milan contract.

“We’d have to see, but yes. I spent 12 years there and it would also be a dream to play for Real Madrid in the future, why not?” he said.

The Spaniard offered his thoughts on the new Real Madrid manager, Arbeloa, as well, backing him to succeed at Santiago Bernabeu.

“He’s very good. I was very surprised by him because he had only been a coach for a short time when I had him, and he understood football very well. I think he’s going to do quite well.

“I see him as very well prepared. When I was with him, he wanted to press and he liked to have the ball. He was very good,” he concluded.