Xabi Alonso Elevates Gonzalo Garcia to Real Madrid’s First Team with Legendary No. 9 Jersey

Real Madrid’s rising star Gonzalo Garcia is set to play a key role in the first team for the 2025-26 season. The young forward, who emerged from the club’s famed academy La Fábrica, impressed greatly during his time with the Castilla team and stood out at the Club World Cup by becoming the top scorer with six goals. His breakthrough performances have earned him the trust and admiration of head coach Xabi Alonso.
Alonso plans to make Garcia the main striker in his preferred formation, which emphasizes a pure striker role. This tactical move would allow star winger Kylian Mbappé to operate more freely on the left flank, maximizing his attacking threat. The coach’s confidence in Garcia is further highlighted by his decision to award the young talent the iconic number 9 jersey.
The number 9 shirt at Real Madrid carries a rich history, having been worn by legendary players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Ronaldo Nazário. It was recently vacated by Mbappé when he switched to number 10, making Garcia’s new jersey a symbol of both honor and high expectations. This number signals that the club sees Garcia as a future centerpiece of their attack.
Despite this significant promotion, Garcia will face strong competition for the starting striker position, especially from fellow young sensation Endrick. The battle for the striker role promises to be intense as both players strive to establish themselves in one of football’s most prestigious clubs.
From:News
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