The latest footballer to have become a Madrid man, Eduardo Camavinga, made his debut in the very first game for the club since his signing. Real Madrid won the race for the 18-year-old’s signature on the deadline day of the summer transfer window and the move created quite the hype. Something that the young man had to live up to and in the opinion of many pundits, Camavinga had what one would call the perfect debut, a perfect start to his Real Madrid career.
Camavinga stepped on the pitch in the 66th minute when he was subbed on for Eden Hazard, who couldn’t get on the scoresheet but played with all positivity and offered plenty going forward. Replacing Hazard is no mere task for a debutant and Camavinga is known more for his defensive attributes. Carlo Ancelotti’s roll on the dice surely went in favor of his men but this cautious approach surely must’ve been due to the upcoming clash against Inter Milan in the Champions League, a competition that the club and its fans hold very close to the heart. As MARCA reports, there is a chance that Camavinga makes his UCL debut for the club against Inter.
Camavinga adapted to the changing role perfectly. Fede Valverde shifted to a more forward role while Camavinga knew he had to venture forward per need. He walked into the pitch to massive applause and it took him just under six minutes to make the Bernabeu applaud again. He was at the right place at the right time to convert a Luka Modric rebound without any mistake and help Real Madrid extend their lead to 4-2 in the 72nd minute.
It wasn’t just about his goal. To be honest, his goal wasn’t spectacular it was an easy tap-in. But to do that, he had to be there and follow his instincts. Ball watching and reacting to it at your very first instinct is a must-have quality for a box-to-box midfielder like Camavinga and the way he scored his debut goal on the very first appearance for the club spoke volumes about the man’s composure and maturity in play.
Eduardo Camavinga was a fast-riser before joining Real Madrid
It’s always difficult for a player to adjust to fast-acquired stardom and Camavinga has been someone who tasted success at a very young age. As I previously wrote, Camavinga already has a handful of records for a player at his age. And, the way he has matured to adjust to the hype he is surrounded by is commendable. It goes without saying that players as such belong to one place alone, the Royal White club.
There is more to it. The fact that Camavinga chose Real over clubs like PSG and Manchester United who probably would have allured him with a higher paycheck again proves what this club means to him. It was his dream to play for Real Madrid and commitments as such are what has kept this club as the very pinnacle of club football. Real very recently has profited from players like Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde who carry a similar attitude and Camavinga surely is the next to join the list.
And finally, it is not all about gestures and goodwill. Camavinga helps this club in many ways. Firstly, Carlos Casemiro can finally say that he has a quality first-team partner in defensive midfield. And secondly, he was targeted by Florentino Perez as a cornerstone of Real’s future midfield and Camavinga slips in perfectly. He is someone who can be nurtured to fill any role. He is creative, has pace, and loves to chip in with his primary defensive duties. With two aging veterans, he probably is the best signing Real could’ve made in midfield.
Just one mere look at his stats from the 24 minutes that he played in his debut speaks a lot about his quality. His show wasn’t all about that dream debut goal. In his 34 touches, he maintained an 89% passing accuracy, completed one long ball, one dribble, won two ground duels and, won a freekick for his side, per SofaScore. And, if you were looking for a sign from the stars that he was the chosen one, he completed a move that Modric started, if that’s not the sign for you, I don’t know what is!