Real Madrid Under-19 Coach Santi Solari believes Borja Mayoral will get his chance in time amid talk the youngster will feature in the derby.
It has been suggested that 18-year-old Mayoral could fill in for the injured Karim Benzema in Saturday’s game against Atletico Madrid and, having worked with him up close, former Madrid midfielder Solari believes Mayoral is full of potential.
“The goal he scored against Manchester City [earlier in the week in the UEFA Youth League] lives up to the best goals of the professionals,” Marca quotes Solari as saying.
“He’s a very focused boy. He lives and loves football and is attentive and he listens. He wants to learn and he’s talented.
“That expands his possibilities, with his focus. If he keeps pushing like this, he’ll get his chance at Santiago Bernabeu.”
Solari added that Mayoral’s goals against City – for he scored a brace in the 3-1 win – is a sign that the Madrid cantera is thriving.
“It was an enjoyable game, very nice. City have invested a lot financially and in human capital,” he noted.
“It was a big step for us and we passed it. The entire club can be happy.”
Mayoral isn’t the only Madrid starlet catching the eye, with a youngster carrying a familiar surname also impressing.
“Luca Zidane made a very serious game. I’m very happy because he’s in a complicated position,” Solari said of the first team Coach’s son.
“The surname is sometimes a burden. I lived in Argentina with the last name of my father. Sometimes it hurts you.
“But his father is Zinedine Zidane, my case isn’t comparable.”
