Real Madrid

When José Rodríguez was in Juvenil A (Youth division A) a year ago, he didn’t imagine his sports career would take such an important leap in such a short time as it has in recent months. In the summer, he became part of Castilla in the Second Division and, at 17 years old, he has fulfilled his dream of making his debut in an official game with the first team. He did so in the first leg game of the round of thirty-two for the Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) against Alcoyano and, what’s more, he made the third goal for Real Madrid.

José Mourinho sent José Rodríguez in at the beginning of the second half. The midfielder, hailing from Villajoyosa (Alicante), replaced Álex and started in the best possible way. Minute 67 of the game was running when there was a loose ball in the area after an action by Benzema and, at the first contact, he shot the ball into the net with a calculated kick. A dream opening for a football player who just this season was promoted to Castilla, where he has already fought seven games in the Second division.

José Rodríguez joins a list of academy players who have made their start in an official game with Mourinho on the bench. Juan Carlos was the first, while Mateos, Adán, Sarabia, Morata, Álex, Nacho, Mejías, Jesús, and Joselu also enjoyed minutes of play in the 2010/2011 season. They were joined the previous season by Mendes, Jesé, Casado, and Pachecho. All together, there are now 15 players from La Fábrica ("the Factory" academy) who have opened with the first team in an official game since the Portuguese coach's arrival.