Xabi Alonso to take two Real Madrid youth prospects to the FIFA Club World Cup | OneFootball

The Xabi Alonso era is set to kick off soon at Real Madrid with the Spanish tactician being announced as the new manager earlier this week, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti.

Alonso’s first assignment with Real Madrid will be to lead the team at the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer where he will get a good look at the players at his disposal before starting the next season.

Apart from assessing the first-team players, Alonso is expected to involve some youngsters from the Castilla and youth ranks in the tournament in the USA.

Jesus Fortea and Diego Aguado to be called up

As such, MARCA reports that two of Real Madrid’s most promising youth players – Jesus Fortea and Diego Aguado – are already preparing to travel to the United States for the Club World Cup.

The two teenage prospects had been named in the Spain preliminary squad for the Under-19 European Championships this summer.

However, it appears that will miss the Under-19 Euros, opting instead for a much bigger opportunity – joining the first team for one of the club’s most important events this season.

FIFA has made provisions that allow young players to withdraw from youth tournaments, provided that it is due to their involvement in the Club World Cup.

Jesus Fortea will be involved at the Club World Cup. (Photo by Ricardo Nascimento/Getty Images for DFB)

It is true that both Aguado and Fortea could still feature in next season’s Under-19 Euros due to their age – they are both still Under-18.

But the chance to debut with the first team, in Fortea’s case, and to gain further experience at that level, in Aguado’s case, is the kind of dream and opportunity too good to turn down.

Aguado has already made his debut under Carlo Ancelotti in the Copa del Rey and is considered one of the key players in Real Madrid’s youth system with both present impact and strong future prospects.

Fortea’s case is especially notable, as he is making the jump directly from the youth team without first playing for Castilla.

It should also be noted that the Club World Cup, and more precisely, the training days in the United States, will serve as a proving ground for a number of youth players.

Both Fortea and Aguado have been selected by Xabi Alonso for this opportunity. The scouting reports from Alvaro Arbeloa have played a crucial role in their inclusion.