Real Madrid: Eder Militao didn’t fail his audition to be the future

Real Madrid center back Eder Militao had a highly successful first season at the Santiago Bernabeu, in spite of what the rumor mill seems to suggest.

Expect to see more rumors than usual heading into the summer transfer window, as a lack of football leaves us nothing else to write about. But while rumors can be exciting to discuss, they can also lead to the perpetuation of false narratives, such as the negative ones concentrated on Real Madrid center back Eder Militao.

The young Brazil international was purchased for 50 million euros from FC Porto last summer as a potential successor to Sergio Ramos next to Raphael Varane. Whenever Militao started across from Varane in La Liga, their partnership was a success, as Real didn’t notice any drop-off in defensive quality with the young signing in the lineup.

Yet transfer rumors are running wild about Militao’s future in Madrid. They seem to call into question the 21-year-old’s place in the club.

Last month, an article referred to him as a “forgotten man”, and Tomas Roncero of AS recently reported that Zinedine Zidane has requested the team attempt to sign RB Leipzig center back Dayot Upamecano due to being “unimpressed” with Militao.

If Real Madrid have the funds and want one more young center back who can be a future superstar starter, then, by all means, go for Upamecano. But to give up on Militao after one season would be ridiculous.

Los Blancos want to sign the best young players in the world, and they do a great job of attracting top talent. After all, who wouldn’t want to play for Zidane at a club as prestigious as Los Merengues? Who doesn’t want to become a Galactico?

The problem is that this strategy only works if young players feel they will be valued and get playing time. As FC Barcelona’s recent incompetence with giving young players a chance shows, their image will fade if young players see their peers not getting opportunities. They’ll think, why sign there? Real Madrid can’t forget why they have beaten Barça to so many top young players recently, such as Takefusa Kubo and Rodrygo Goes.

Militao joined Los Blancos with the expectations of a high price tag, and while he didn’t start, nobody would expect him to receive significant playing time behind literally two of the best defenders of this generation in Ramos and Varane.

But when Militao did play, he was more composed than your average 21-year-old in his debut season at the Bernabeu. A quality passer with strength in the air, covering speed, and above-average reading of the game, Militao can develop into a top-quality center back. Madridistas know that he’s a hidden gem in La Liga who can truly break out in a couple of years.

If Militao’s first season at the Bernabeu was an audition to see if he has what it takes to eventually be a high-quality starting center back, then the young Brazilian absolutely passed the audition. Rumors be damned.