Fresh concern in Real Madrid’s midfield has opened the door for a bold move: Xabi Alonso has pulled in a wave of academy talent, with 2008-born defensive midfielder Diego Lacosta stepping into first-team training at Valdebebas.
Why the call-ups happened
Eduardo Camavinga appears to have aggravated the ankle problem carried from last season, ruling him out of the friendly in Tirol and putting his availability for the La Liga opener against Osasuna later this month in doubt.
With Jude Bellingham also absent, Alonso widened the training group to keep numbers and balance in midfield during a key stretch of preseason work. The timing matters, as staff aim to protect senior players while sharpening the collective structure.
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Many youth players joined Sunday’s first-team session, and Lacosta was the youngest among them. The choice directly addresses the need to cover minutes in midfield drills and tactical rehearsals while the senior options recover. It also allows the coaches to sustain intensity in training blocks, which is essential as plans for the opening fixtures are finalized.
Who trained with the seniors
The youngsters called up include Jesús Fortea, Enrique (Kike) Ribes, Víctor Valdepeñas, and José Reyes, alongside Lacosta. Their overlapping profiles—full-back, center-back, wide player, and central midfielder help keep positional coverage intact and sessions competitive while injuries ease. This mix supports realistic game scenarios without forcing extra load onto the remaining first-team regulars.
Lacosta’s presence stands out because of his age and position, aligning with the area most affected by Camavinga’s setback. His invitation offers short-term cover for training and gives Alonso a closer look at a player whose age-group performances have drawn attention.
What it means next
For Alonso’s staff, the immediate gain is flexibility so they can run full-contact midfield drills without overtaxing the healthy seniors, while testing academy players in roles that mirror first-team duties.
With Camavinga sidelined for the friendly and uncertain for Osasuna, each session carries extra value, and promoting youth ensures continuity in the tactical program.
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For Lacosta, the week offers a clear window to learn and impress within elite standards. Even if immediate match minutes do not follow, training alongside the first team can accelerate his development and keep him in consideration should injuries linger or rotation be needed early in the season.
