Real Madrid have one of the best academies in world football. As one of the richest clubs in the world, their young and developing players benefit from the best resources.
However, it isn't always a golden ticket into the Real Madrid first team. While Carlo Ancelotti has always prioritised the production of youth talent into the first-team, the current Real Madrid team is stacked with world-class talent, setting back the progress of youth players.
So, Real Madrid fans are not too disheartened to learn about the mass academy exits currently. They are understandable given the nature of the first-team.
Besides, regardless how many young players leave Real Madrid, Los Blancos will continue to produce and develop the best young players in the world.
Real Madrid star once likened to Lamine Yamal leaves prematurely
Over the international break, Paulo Iago secured his anticipated move away from the Real Madrid academy and he joined Sporting CP. Needless to say, Sporting has also produced some of the best talents in the world, not least Cristiano Ronaldo.
🟢🦁 Paulo Iago leaves Real Madrid academy and joins Sporting, deal signed. pic.twitter.com/xVWU1xa5Xa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 11, 2024
So, while Real Madrid fans are not disheartened to see young players leave the club, the departure of Paulo Iago will certainly hurt.
Paulo Iago never made a senior appearance for Real Madrid but he was tipped for big things. In fact, MARCA even likened the Spanish midfielder to Lamine Yamal.
Speaking on his move to Portugal, Iago said: "I'm very happy to sign for Sporting CP because it's a club that has already produced great players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo. The club invests a lot in training and young people, that motivates me."
Sporting CP play in the Champions League this season. They face some difficult fixtures, including the likes of Arsenal and Man City. It remains to be seen to what extent Iago will play in the first-team for Sporting but he is certainly ready for the step-up, whenever it happens.
Paulo Iago is represented by the super-agent Jorge Mendes. As a Portuguese agent who is known for representing Cristiano Ronaldo, it wouldn't come as a surprise if he played a major part in this deal.
Still, for Real Madrid, it serves no purpose to ponder what-ifs or could-have-beens. There is every likelihood in the world that Iago will become a world-beater. However, it will not be with Real Madrid; this is the harsh reality which Carlo Ancelotti must now move on from.