Gonzalo García will officially become a first-team player at Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso had already hinted at the decision during the Club World Cup in the United States, where the young striker, then part of Castilla, proved to be a perfect fit for his tactical system. Seizing the opportunity presented by the absences of Kylian Mbappé and Endrick, Gonzalo even benched Rodrygo and returned from the tournament not only with the Golden Boot but also with widespread praise for his all-around footballing ability.

With his promotion now confirmed, Gonzalo faces a daunting challenge—one that has seemed nearly impossible for decades: becoming a key striker for Real Madrid after rising through the youth ranks. Álvaro Morata came closest in recent years, showing flashes of promise but ultimately falling short. In fact, to find the last homegrown striker who truly established himself at the club, you’d have to go back to 1994.

That striker was Raúl, the legendary forward who broke into Valdano’s Madrid during the twilight of the Quinta del Buitre era. In just a matter of weeks, Raúl surged from Madrid C to Castilla and then into the senior squad, ousting none other than Emilio Butragueño—the very symbol of the previous generation.

Since then, several forwards have emerged from La Fábrica, but none have managed to replicate Raúl’s meteoric rise. Real Madrid’s strategy of signing the world’s top attacking talent has made it nearly impossible for academy players to break through. Many have been forced to prove their worth at other clubs.

There were glimpses of hope in the past. Javier Portillo arrived with huge expectations but was blocked by a star-studded lineup that included Raúl, Ronaldo Nazário, and Fernando Morientes. Álvaro Negredo and Roberto Soldado were prolific for Castilla, but couldn’t overcome the same steep climb into the first team.

Morata was the last to leave a genuine mark. After a productive stint at Juventus, he returned to Madrid for the 2016-17 campaign and played an important role in Zidane’s legendary double-winning squad, scoring 19 goals. However, he ultimately realized that consistent minutes would be hard to come by, and he left the club once more—this time for good.

Now, it's Gonzalo García’s turn. The number 9 shirt is his, and with it comes both legacy and expectation. Whether he can become the next great striker to emerge from the academy remains to be seen, but unlike many before him, his journey has already started with a bang.

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