Real Madrid UEFA Youth Cup hero to be included in squad list for Alaves clash | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s match against Deportivo Alaves will carry an extra storyline, as a new name is stepping into the spotlight.

Interestingly, it is the one name that the club already holds in very high regard – Javi Navarro.

According to AS, the young goalkeeper has been included in Alvaro Arbeloa’s squad and will be on the bench for the La Liga clash. 

It is an unexpected opportunity, but one that feels earned rather than gifted.

A UEFA Youth League hero

As per the outlet, an injury to Fran Gonzalez has opened the door, while Thibaut Courtois remains unavailable. 

That leaves the goalkeeping unit downsized, with Andriy Lunin, Sergio Mestre, and now Navarro stepping into the picture.

But this call-up is not just about filling numbers, it is about recognising form.

Navarro has just come off a remarkable UEFA Youth League campaign, one that has put him on the map within the club. 

In the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, he produced a stunning display by saving three penalties. 

As if that wasn’t enough, he followed it up in the final against Club Brugge with two more decisive saves. That’s five penalties stopped across two high-pressure matches.

That run has changed things for him.

Originally set to celebrate the Youth League title with his teammates at the Santiago Bernabeu, Navarro now finds himself staying behind for a different reason – to be part of the first-team squad on matchday. 

Inside Real Madrid, there is already a clear pathway being mapped out for him. 

Over the coming months, Navarro is expected to rotate between Juvenil A, Real Madrid C, Real Madrid Castilla, and occasional involvement with the senior squad.

This is because he is seen as the natural successor to Fran Gonzalez once the latter fully transitions upwards.