Real Madrid have reportedly signed the next great Spanish goalkeeper
By Parshva Shah
Iker Casillas is Spain’s greatest-ever goalkeeper. He was their first-choice keeper during their UEFA Euro 2008, FIFA World Cup 2010, and UEFA Euro 2012 triumphs. Casillas was the last Spanish international goalkeeper to have made his name at Real Madrid. The hunt for the next Iker Casillas is still on.
Well, it seems like Real Madrid’s quest to unearth the next big Spanish goalkeeping sensation has finally come to an end. According to Spanish journalist Àlvar Moreno, Los Blancos already have agreement in place with teenage Mallorca goalkeeper Ferrán Quetglas.
Ferrán Quetglas is a 16-year old goalkeeper who plays for Mallorca’s U19 team. He has been called up to the first team on a few occasions this season, but he’s yet to make his debut for the senior team. He has earned four caps for the Spanish U-17 national team.
The goalkeeper has decided against renewing his contract with Mallorca, which expires on June 30, 2022. Hence, Real Madrid would be signing the player on a free transfer.
Those who have watched the player closely have touted him to become “the best Spanish goalkeeper of the next decade.” Although it is easy in today’s time to label any young talent who makes a breakthrough to be the ‘next big thing’ in football, Ferran Quetglas seems to have convinced Real Madrid of his talent.
What does this mean for Andriy Lunin’s future at Real Madrid?
Andriy Lunin was signed by Real Madrid in 2018, the same window in which Thibaut Courtois left Chelsea to join the current La Liga leaders. Lunin has featured in only 32 competitive games since landing in Spain – 29 while on loan to three different teams and just 3 games for Real Madrid. What’s more shocking is that he is yet to play a La Liga or UEFA Champions League game for Los Blancos.
While it is very likely that Ferrán Quetglas will either play for the Castilla team or go out on loan where he is guaranteed to be a starter, Real Madrid could also choose for the 16-year old to be the second-choice goalkeeper behind Courtois, eventually.
One way or other, it seems like Andriy Lunin doesn’t have much of a future at Real Madrid. Courtois will be turning 30 in May. And he definitely has at least 3-4 more seasons of being among the top 3 goalkeepers in the world in him. Lunin won’t even get a sniff at that starting spot.
Lunin needs minutes to develop. He is already 23 and he hasn’t even played 100 competitive games in club football. It looks like his future probably lies away from Madrid, although things can change very quickly in football.
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All things said, Real Madrid seem to have signed a very talented goalkeeper in Ferrán Quetglas, and hopefully he’ll be the next first-choice Spanish and Real Madrid goalkeeper, just like San Iker.