Lucas-Rayane, from Elche youth to Valencia v Atlético at Mestalla | OneFootball

Rayane Belaid (Orihuela, 2005) and Lucas Núñez (Alicante, 2006) will be at Mestalla today, both named in the squads by Cholo Simeone and Carlos Corberán respectively for Valencia v Atlético. The former Elche team-mates are on the brink of a special reunion.

As reported by AS, both came through the Atlético and Valencia academies, Atlético paying €10,000 for Rayane aged 11. Before that they shared a dressing room at Elche, where football meant fun, friends and birthdays.

That Elche alevín side swept through their league programme, losing only a couple of matches across four seasons. Coach Enrique Navarro recalls promoting the younger Lucas early and says they even beat Barcelona and Real Madrid at national tournaments.

Elche academy coordinator Rubens Hernández, who signed both at seven and also recruited Rodrigo Mendoza for Atlético, viewed them as pure talent. Navarro felt Rayane looked like a man among boys, while Lucas was disciplined and eager to learn.

Rayane has already debuted under Cholo Simeone, while Lucas has been included several times although Corberán has not yet used him. They even moved up early before transitioning to 11-a-side, a sign of their promise.

Beltrán’s injury could open a route to minutes for Lucas today. Navarro takes pride in seeing them there and uses it with his current youth players, and Hernández believes both can thrive in Primera and with the national team.

Source: AS