The dream of every Atlético fan | OneFootball

The season is proving very special for La Academia. Atlético Madrileño are in the thick of the fight for promotion to LaLiga Hypermotion, Atlético de Madrid C are top of Group 7 in the Tercera Federación, and the other levels, with their ups and downs—in some cases perhaps a little too pronounced—are promoting young talent and speeding up development processes. But allow me to focus on several specific dates, and above all the latest one.

On January 31, Jano Monserrate made his debut for the first team in the goalless draw away to Levante UD. On February 28, Julio Díaz got his long-awaited chance, starting in the win in Oviedo, playing every minute of the match and playing a key role in Julián Álvarez’s goal. On April 4, just over a week ago, Javier Morcillo and Taufik Seidu got their first minutes in the second half against FC Barcelona at the Metropolitano. The mere fact that there had already been 4 debuts this season was good news, at least compared with previous campaigns.

Yesterday, April 11, 2026, exactly one week after the league match against Barça, came the big news of the season: Javier Boñar, Dani Martínez, Julio Díaz and Rayane Belaid started the match against Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán. Four La Academia players, in the starting lineup. As much as the circumstances of the first team were what we all know they were, you still need courage, initiative and boldness to give them a golden opportunity in the First Division. And they certainly gave people something to talk about.

Dani Martínez gave away a penalty, yes, although those kinds of plays should really be reviewed carefully once the season is over. And by the way, there was a foul on Sørloth beforehand in that move, but for whatever reason they didn’t want to show it on VAR. From that point on, the man from Zaragoza didn’t shrink for a second and showed personality on the ball, in the air defensively, and by taking risks with his passing. In short, exactly what we’ve seen him do every weekend with Madrileño in past years. Clearly improved as the match went on, and he has the tools to earn more chances. Underrated.

Rayane Belaid was perhaps the one who shone the least. He played as an attacking midfielder, as he usually does in the youth ranks, although his passing wasn’t quite sharp, but at least he had one dangerous moment. And that’s no small thing. He played in more positions too, and I don’t think that really helped him, but the context wasn’t easy and patience is needed. He’ll be in professional football sooner rather than later.

Julio Díaz. Brutal. No words to describe the absolutely outstanding game from the left-back, who looks every bit capable of staying at the elite level of Spanish football. He dribbled past half of Sevilla’s defense, made good decisions in his passing, knew how to control his own rhythm in the match when it came to identifying the right moment to slow things down, speed up, and attack space… And the cross he provided for Boñar, absolutely wonderful. In part, it’s a trademark of his, because we’ve already spoken at length both here and on my social media about his crossing ability, whether from a standstill or while carrying the ball. Perhaps people are a bit unfair about his height, but it hasn’t been an obstacle for him. The debate about his future is now open because—in my opinion—a loan move in the First Division may not even be necessary and he could stay with the team.

And the jewel in the crown. The moment that he, his family, his circle, and all the red-and-white supporters had been waiting for for years. For his good work, versatility, late runs into the box, goal threat, hard work, humility, constant desire to improve, and pure Atlético de Madrid. Don Javier Boñar. He can’t be called anything else. A dream debut for the Parla native who, with a classic Atlético Madrileño move, scored the temporary equalizer. Julio crossed to the back post, and he arrived like a diesel locomotive attacking it with a header. A defender with a striker’s soul, although it’s important to stress again that he is a midfielder by training despite having played various roles and positions in the 12 years he has spent as an Atlético player.

His tears during the celebration said it all, but even more moving were the words he shared in the various interviews he gave shortly after the final whistle. “I’ve been working for many years, you go through difficult moments and I think I deserve this. Thanks to the people who support me, this is for all of them. Atlético de Madrid is the team of my heart. Everyone believed in me. I want to thank the club for the opportunity, and the coach for putting me in,” the defender said. And the truth is, it’s almost impossible to be objective about a player-fan who defends the rogue stripes with his life if necessary. By the way, he is the youngest defender in Atleti’s history to score on his league debut. No small feat.

Javier Boñar showed us and reminded us once again how proud we should be to belong to this family, in every sense of the word. Pure Atlético de Madrid, pure courage and heart, pure Cholo-style rebellion, as I titled the piece analyzing him almost three years ago. The red-and-white values reincarnated in a 20-year-old lad from Parla whose dream was to play for the team he loves. Now, for both Boñar and the other starters, those who came off the bench—Jano and Morcillo—those who have not yet had the chance to play for the first team, and those who work day after day to achieve their dream, the most important thing is this: patience, hard work, humility, and representing to the fullest the badge and colors that we love and defend so much.

And to those upstairs, because I know one or two of you usually read us: real opportunities. Debuts for players based on meritocracy and/or qualities in a profile that suits the needs of the first team or as potential complements to the squad. But when I say real, I mean the same thing I said about Morcillo and Taufik against Barcelona. Meaningful minutes, plenty of matches, increasingly important roles, real long-term bets on the lads who are trying to prove—and are proving—that they can carve out a place for themselves at Atlético de Madrid.

The best is always yet to come.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.