Real Madrid continue with their constant plague of injuries, a problem that seems far from being resolved, and that now affects the Real Madrid goal. Thibaut Courtois continues to recover from problems affecting his meniscus, and Lunin is suffering discomfort after the Real Sociedad game, so Fran González could make his debut in the white shirt.
Problems in the Real Madrid goal
Real Madrid continues to accumulate players in the infirmary, and now the problems have reached the Real Madrid goal. Everything seems to indicate that Thibaut Courtois, who has been suffering from knee problems since returning with the Belgian national team, will be unable to play next Saturday in the league match that Real Madrid plays at the Santiago Bernabéu against Valencia.
But what Real Madrid could not count on is that Lunin would also be injured after the match against Real Sociedad in the return leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final last Tuesday. This absence opens the door wide open for Fran González, goalkeeper of Castilla and third goalkeeper of the first team, who has the dream opportunity to make his debut with the first team.
An opportunity to change history
Football is full of stories that change the life of a footballer, and especially that of a goalkeeper. It is very difficult for these players to have opportunities like the one Fran González may have this weekend, especially as a Real Madrid goalkeeper. He has the opportunity of a lifetime, it may be the only chance he has to show if he is made to defend a goal of such responsibility as that of Real Madrid.
The last great Real Madrid goalkeeper to come out of the youth academy was Iker Casillas, who made his debut for the Whites at the age of 17 and went on to become one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the club and the world. He is certainly a good example to look up to, Iker Casillas won everything with the white shirt and with the Spanish national team, the footballer in charge of raising the 2010 World Cup.
Who in Fran González
Fran González is one of the white hopes for the future of the Real Madrid goal. Born in León, he is now 19 years old and measures 1.99, a goalkeeper with great wingspan and those who know him compare him to Courtois. He joined Real Madrid’s youth teams in the summer of 2023, in the under-19s, and has had a meteoric rise to become the goalkeeper of Real Madrid Castilla, coached by Raúl, and the third goalkeeper of Real Madrid. So far this season he has conceded 19 goals and saved 3 penalties in the 16 games he has played.
His performance between the sticks has led to his selection for the Spanish under-21 team and it seems that he will be a goalkeeper with a future in Spanish football, but it remains to be seen where that future will be.
The footballer certainly has a unique opportunity to make a name for himself against a rising rival who has always given him a hard time, a Real Madrid team forced to take all three points if they don’t want to lose ground in the league championship. We will see if finally the ailments of Lunin and Courtois are important enough for us to see this promising youngster from Castilla make his debut with the first team.