Trained at Valdebebas, Álvaro Carreras shines today at Benfica, leaving Real Madrid with regrets.
At just 21 years old, Álvaro Carreras is establishing himself as one of the most promising left-backs in Europe. Today the centerpiece of Benfica, the young Ferrolano shone despite his team’s cruel defeat against FC Barcelona (4-5) in the Champions League, conceded in the last moments.
A start to progress, Carreras’ winning bet
Trained in the academies of Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid, Carreras left the Spanish capital in 2020, at the age of 17, to join Manchester United. A choice that he justifies by his desire to progress: “I wanted to progress defensively and become a complete player. Training against Cristiano, Mata or Rashford, it’s impossible not to progress,” he revealed in the columns of Marca.
This audacious bet paid off: elected best player in Manchester’s reserve team in 2022, he joined Benfica in 2024, where he quickly established himself as a starter. During the clash against Barça, Carreras fully demonstrated his potential. Tireless on the left flank, he undermined the Catalan defense and provided an assist for Pavlidis’ first goal, confirming his role as a key player.
Carreras, a talent who could have shined at Real Madrid
Seeing Carreras’ meteoric rise, Real Madrid may have some regrets. Trained at Valdebebas between 2017 and 2020, he never had the opportunity to permanently integrate the club’s major teams. His brilliant performances in the Benfica jersey are a reminder of what the Merengues could have developed internally.
-With a release clause set at 50 million euros, Carreras is now one of the most highly rated players in his position, underlines Marca. An admirer of Marcelo, whom he considers his model, he embodies a new generation of full-backs capable of combining defensive solidity and offensive influence.
Although some are talking about a possible return to Spain, Carreras remains faithful to Benfica for the moment, the club which gave him the chance to shine at the highest level. But with performances like those delivered in the Champions League, there is no doubt that the biggest European clubs, including Real Madrid, will keep a close eye on his development.
TB.
