Report – How Real Madrid president was left impressed Rayo Vallecano defender on debut | OneFootball

Andrei Ratiu has emerged as one of the most promising full-backs in La Liga, even though his name has only started gaining attention recently.

However, it was back in 2023 when he first caught the eye of Real Madrid’s decision-makers with his impressive performances.

The Romanian defender made the switch to Rayo Vallecano from Huesca in the summer of 2023. A few months later, in November, he made his debut in La Liga, putting in a strong display that immediately made an impact.

His standout moment came when he faced Real Madrid, successfully limiting the influence of Vinicius Jr., one of the most dangerous wingers in the league.

Impressing Florentino Perez

According to AS, his performance did not go unnoticed by Florentino Perez. The Real Madrid president was so impressed that he inquired about the player’s background, stating, “And this boy?”

Ratiu’s speed was particularly remarkable, as he was one of the fastest players on the pitch that day.

Andrei Ratiu impressed Florentino Perez. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

According to statistics, Vinicius Jr. reached a top speed of 36 km/h, while Ratiu was just behind at 35.6 km/h.

The Romanian even made headlines with a lighthearted comment about his pace, which gained widespread attention. “Vini can’t catch me,” joked the Romanian.

In spotlight

As Ratiu prepares to return to the Santiago Bernabéu this weekend, there will be plenty of eyes on him.

Clubs from the Premier League and Serie A are closely monitoring his progress, while some of Spain’s biggest teams, including Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, are also showing interest. Despite this, Rayo Vallecano remains keen to hold onto him.

Currently, his economic rights are split between Rayo and Villarreal, with each club owning 50%.

His release clause is set at €25 million, making him an attractive prospect for teams looking to strengthen their defence.