Real Madrid: A young player to know on each La Liga team in 2020-21
FW Rodrygo Goes, Real Madrid
Real Madrid have a number of great young players, including those on loan like Takefusa Kubo. Fede Valverde and Ferland Mendy have accomplished the most among them on the first team, but Rodrygo Goes is my pick.
Currently injured, Rodrygo has been one of Real’s most productive creators this season with five assists in all competitions. The 20-year-old is an incredible attacking talent who can take defenders on, finish with either foot, and accurately pass. Rodrygo can shine on either side of the attack, but he is most comfortable on the left, especially as a goal-scoring threat.
FW Ansu Fati, Barcelona
Ansu Fati’s injury issues are the only thing holding back, otherwise he is quite comfortably right there with Joao Felix and Jules Kounde as the three most prolific young talents in all of La Liga.
Just 18, Fati scored seven goals in his debut season for La Blaugrana last season, and he quickly scored four goals in 437 league minutes this season before going down with an injury. His intelligence off the ball, incisiveness on it, and clinical finishing already make him one of Barcelona’s most consistent attacking threats. He and Lionel Messi have built quite the partnership up top.
FW Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid
After a necessary adjustment period in 2019-2020, Joao Felix has taken off in his second season under Diego Simeone as Atletico Madrid’s new star man. Los Rojiblancos’ decision to replace Antoine Griezmann with the Portuguese forward will pay off handsomely, as the former Benfica man has been key to Atleti’s rise in 2020-2021. They are the clear title favorites, as the new partnership of Felix and Luis Suarez has taken Real Madrid’s crosstown rivals to the next level.
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The 21-year-old could still afford to be more consistent, but his six goals and four assists also don’t tell the full story about how his skills and movement open up the attack for Suarez and others. Felix’s quickness makes him a nightmare for defenders.