Lamine Yamal is currently regarded as one of Barcelona’s standout players. Most of the team’s attacking plays are orchestrated through him, as his combination of height and speed poses a constant threat to opposition defenses.
However, according to the Spanish newspaper ‘‘Defensa Central‘‘, despite all the attention surrounding stars like Kylian Mbappé and Luka Modrić, it was Real Madrid left-back Fran García who caught Yamal’s eye. García, originally named on the bench, was called into action within the first 10 minutes of the Copa del Rey final due to an injury to Ferland Mendy.
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His performance earned praise, especially considering he was tasked with defending one of the most exciting young attackers in world football. Despite the daunting challenge, García handled the responsibility impressively. In fact, Yamal reportedly told some of his teammates, “He’s very fast and defended better than I expected,” expressing his genuine admiration for the Madrid full-back. The young Spaniard also shared his thoughts with Hansi Flick’s coaching staff.
García’s solid display may have played a role in influencing Carlo Ancelotti’s later decision to start him over David Alaba in the match against Arsenal, despite Alaba not being fully fit.
Still, despite García’s strong showing in the Copa del Rey final, Real Madrid remains keen on reinforcing the left-back position. According to Defensa Central, club president Florentino Pérez is open to offers and is expected to pursue reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window. Alphonso Davies had been a top target for the club, but he has since renewed his contract with Bayern Munich.
Nonetheless, Real Madrid’s sporting directors continue to explore alternatives. Among the leading candidates are Miguel Gutiérrez and Theo Hernández two players who are well-acquainted with the club’s style and expectations.
