If the dramatic injury of Eder Militao ended up confirming a youth player like Raúl Asencio, it seems that this weekend against Valencia, in the lead-up to the Champions League match against Arsenal, it will be another debutant’s turn following the dramatic situation that has affected the goalkeeper position at Real Madrid. Without Courtois or Lunin, both out due to injury, it’s time for the unknown Fran González to put on the gloves for the first time in front of the Santiago Bernabéu.

The goalkeeper with the most potential in the Real Madrid academy

For the 2022-23 season, at just 17 years old, Fran González packed his bags to join Real Madrid, where he quickly became the goalkeeper with the most potential in the academy, largely due to his impressive height, which reminds people of Thibaut Courtois. "In the air, he has the level to play in La Liga. He’s very brave, comes out with a lot of confidence, and when he does, he catches or clears the ball decisively," those who know him best in Valdebebas have said in statements to ‘Diario AS’.

A champion of the Under-19 European Championship with Spain against France last summer, the truth is that Fran González already feels like a veteran in Real Madrid’s first team at 19 years old… even though he hasn’t debuted in an official match yet. So much so that, after Courtois’ injury last season, he became a regular in Real Madrid’s training sessions, and since then, Carlo Ancelotti has included him in 58 matchday squads.

He will play against Valencia… and maybe also against Arsenal in the Champions League?

Present in the celebrations of the La Liga and Champions League titles won last season, Fran González is now fully integrated into the dynamics of Real Madrid. However, now it’s his turn, the moment he has been waiting for his entire life, and unless Lunin or Courtois recover miraculously, he will debut against Valencia in a crucial match where Real Madrid cannot afford to fail if they want to keep pace with Barcelona.

The situation, however, might not end there, as if Real Madrid fails to recover Lunin or Courtois in the coming days, Fran González will have to take on the enormous responsibility of standing in goal at the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals. We’ll see if, after almost 60 matches waiting for his debut, he’s up to the challenge of being Real Madrid’s goalkeeper. One thing is for sure: all eyes will be on him this weekend.