Alexis Ciria has emerged as one of the revelations of the short pre-season at Real Madrid under new manager Jose Mourinho this summer.
The 18-year-old winger from Badajoz has enjoyed one of the fastest rises seen in Real Madrid’s academy in recent years.
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Signed from Sevilla’s youth system in January as one of La Fábrica’s marquee additions, Ciria has gone from playing for the Juvenil A side to scoring for the first team in just seven months.
His goal against Fiorentina came in only his second start under Mourinho, marking another milestone in a remarkable ascent.
Reflecting on the moment, Ciria admitted the emotions nearly got the better of him.
“At first, I was a little nervous, but once I stepped onto the field, the nerves went away because I was doing what I love. When the ball came to me, everything else disappeared, and once I saw it go in, it was such a relief,”he said.
Alexis Ciria joined Madrid only in January. (Picture credit: Instagram/@alexisciria11_)
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A meteoric rise through the academy
Ciria announced himself almost immediately after arriving in Madrid.
He made his debut for the Juvenil A on 28 January against Mallorca in the Copa del Rey round of 16 and scored the extra-time winner.
From there, his progress accelerated at astonishing speed. He became a starter in key UEFA Youth League knockout ties, forming a dangerous wing partnership with Dani Yanez that repeatedly troubled opposition defences.
Soon after, he earned starts for Real Madrid C before receiving his first call-up to Castilla. The entire climb took just 38 days, a journey that typically requires several seasons.
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Success at every level
Ciria’s momentum never slowed. He marked his Castilla debut with an assist before quickly opening his scoring account for the reserve side.
His outstanding first half-season culminated in UEFA Youth League glory, where he played a key role in Alvaro Lopez’s Juvenil A team as they defeated Club Brugge on penalties in the final in Lausanne.
Winning Europe’s top youth competition confirmed his emergence as one of Real Madrid’s brightest young talents.
International recognition
Ciria’s performances also earned recognition with Spain’s Under-18 national team.
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During the European Championship qualifying round in March, Ciria scored twice and established himself as an important player in David Tenorio’s squad.
His rapid development had already caught the attention of Alvaro Arbeloa, who had planned to invite him to train with the first team during the international break.
Instead, Spain’s Under-18 call-up prevented that opportunity, delaying his first experience with the senior squad.
With another composed performance against Fiorentina and his first senior goal now behind him, Ciria’s remarkable rise is no longer just an academy story. It has officially reached Real Madrid’s first team.
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