Maiden call-up for Javier Gil Puche | OneFootball

Wednesday, 30 October 2024, will live long in the mind of youngster Javier Gil Puche.

It's the day the 18-year-old Spanish defender, currently in the Bianconeri's Primavera team, received his first call-up to the senior Juventus team.

It's an achievement he earned through hard work on the field, training after training, and following impressive performances in Primavera 1, UEFA Youth League and Serie C matches. In addition to playing several matches with Francesco Magnanelli's Under-20 team, Javier has already had the opportunity to make his professional debut with Paolo Montero's Next Gen side, having been guided by the very same coach in his first season in Italy last year.

WHO IS JAVIER GIL PUCHE?

Gil Puche, known to most as Gil, is a central defender with an excellent build, and at 1.92m tall, he loves aerial duels, in which he often comes out on top.

The Spaniard arrived at Juventus in the summer of 2023 from Alaves, the team with which he continued his growth in the youth sector after his previous experience at Murcia, also in Spain.

This past season - the 2023/2024 season - was his first year in Bianconero, a year that Javier finished with over 30 appearances to his name, taking into account all competitions. Not a bad haul for a young man in his first experience away from his home country.

At the beginning of this season, Gil made his European debut in the UEFA Youth League, making two appearances in the first three matches played by the Bianconeri, while also being given the opportunity to make his first appearance in the professional ranks by playing three times - two of which were as a starter - in Serie C with Juventus Next Gen.

Now, however, his first call-up to the first team has arrived, having been included in Coach Thiago Motta's squad to face Parma at the Allianz Stadium.

Congratulations, Javier!