Former Real Madrid defender Rafa Obrador opens up on decision to leave: ‘Didn’t think twice’ | OneFootball

During the summer of 2025, Real Madrid parted ways with one of their young academy talents in Rafa Obrador, selling him to SL Benfica.

The deal came as a part of the operation that saw the Los Blancos sign a former academy propsect, Alvaro Carreras, to strengthen the left-back position.

Obrador talks Real Madrid

Obrador joined the Real Madrid youth academy in the summer of 2020, signing from RCD Mallorca, a decision that he explained in a recent interview, was far from easy.

“It was a very difficult decision, because Mallorca had made me an offer that I did not like. After speaking with my agent and my family, we thought the best thing for my development was to go to Real Madrid,” he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“Going from an island to a city like Madrid was a very big change, especially because I went alone and was still a minor. I spent two years living at the Madrid residence. At first it was difficult, but over time I adapted.”

Obrador left Real Madrid for Benfica. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Obrador never made a senior appearance for Real Madrid but was a regular for Castilla, having featured 68 times for the reserve team, in which he even registered six assists.

However, the chance of joining a club like Benfica, where he could get an opportunity to play first-team football was too difficult to turn down for the 22-year-old left-back.

“When Benfica called me, I did not think twice. It was a great opportunity. Every player’s dream is to play in the Champions League, and Benfica always compete in Europe. It is a giant club,” he said.

The move, however, did not pan out as expected for Obrador as he made only one senior appearance for the Portuguese giants, before being loaned out to Torino in January earlier this year.

Obrador during his time at Torino. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Upon returning to the club in the summer, he was once again farmed out on loan, this time to Sassuolo.

Adapting to Italian football

Obrador discussed his experience in Serie A and what he expects from his time at Sassuolo.

“Serie A has a very important history and I think I can adapt well here. Italian football is very physical and demanding, but I really like the idea Sassuolo have: keeping the ball, playing calmly and finding spaces,” he said.

“For me, as a full-back, it also asks me to play a little more inside, not just like the typical full-back who stays close to the touchline. They want us to be versatile and able to offer different options to the team,” Obrador concluded.