Turrientes, from the fringes to a possible senior debut | OneFootball

Beñat Turrientes could make his Spain senior debut on Thursday, a turnaround forged by a resurgent second half of the season with La Real.

On 20 December last year he watched all 90 minutes from the bench as La Real drew at Levante in the Ciutat de València, days after Sergio Francisco was dismissed and Jon Ansotegi took interim charge, according to Diario Vasco.

Frozen out in the first half of the campaign and considering a winter move, his fortunes shifted when Pellegrino Matarazzo arrived. In 2026 the American started him against Atlético de Madrid due to Gorrotxategi’s suspension, his display persuaded the coach and he became a mainstay thereafter.

Before Matarazzo, Turrientes had logged 454 minutes, 25% of the total, across 10 of 20 matches in league and cup, with only five starts. Under the new coach he played 60% of the minutes, missed only two of 26 games, one through a yellow-card ban, and his starts rose to 19. He also began the Copa final against Atlético, the stand-out moment of the season.

His rise earned a place in Luis de la Fuente’s support group alongside Sergio Gómez and Jon Martín to help Spain prepare for the World Cup. After patient progress through the youth ranks and Olympic gold at Paris 2024, he now has a senior chance. He will not be at this summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but the next four years could bring more.

Source: Diario Vasco