Real Madrid dominate Spain’s Under-19 squad as six academy stars reach European final | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s academy continues to justify its reputation as one of the finest talent factories in European football after five of its youngsters played a significant role in Spain’s run to the UEFA Under-19 European Championship final.

On July 11, Spain will take on Germany with the continental title at stake, and Real Madrid’s academy players once again form the backbone of the national team. 

As such, the likes of Thiago Pitarch, Daniel Yanez, Mario Rivas, Diego Aguado and Jesus Fortea have all been regular starters throughout the tournament, while Javi Navarro has also made his contribution after keeping a clean sheet when called upon.

Real Madrid youngsters are the backbone of Spain’s U19 team

Spain’s journey to the final has been built around a core of Real Madrid youth players, with several academy graduates emerging as standout performers throughout the competition.

Thiago Pitarch has arguably attracted the most attention. After spending time around the senior squad last season, the attacking midfielder has produced five assists during the tournament, making him one of its most influential players and a leading contender for the MVP award.

Daniel Yanez has established himself as Spain’s first-choice right-back, contributing an assist while providing consistency on the flank in every match.

At the heart of the defence, Mario Rivas has helped Spain reach the final without conceding a single goal. 

Alongside him, full-backs Jesus Fortea and Diego Aguado have combined defensive discipline with attacking support, further enhancing their reputations as two of the brightest prospects to emerge from Madrid’s youth system.

Lastly, although Javi Navarro has featured less frequently, the young goalkeeper made the most of his opportunity by keeping a clean sheet in Spain’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Germany earlier in the tournament.

La Fabrica continues to produce top players

Spain’s success at the Under-19 European Championship has once again highlighted the strength of Real Madrid’s youth academy.

Providing six players to a squad of just 20 means almost one-third of the national team has developed at Valdebebas, a remarkable statistic that shows the quality of coaching and player development.

Several members of this group have already been linked with the first team, while others continue to impress in the UEFA Youth League and youth international competitions. 

While winning the European title would be a fitting reward for Spain, the bigger picture is that the tournament has already been a major success for Real Madrid.