In a surprising move, Xabi Alonso, the new coach of Real Madrid, decided to give the rising talent Thiago Petarch, 18 years old, the opportunity to fill the gap in midfield following the departure of German Toni Kroos and the impending end of Croatian Luka Modric's career.

Petarch, born in the famous 'La Fabrica' academy, has caught attention with his exceptional skills and unique vision of the game, with the Spanish newspaper Marca describing him as the 'next playmaker'.

He shone last season under the guidance of Álvaro Arbeloa with the youth team 'Juvenil A', which prompted Alonso to call him up for training with the first team this summer.

The player of Moroccan descent received a call-up from the Moroccan U-18 national team last March to participate in two friendly matches against Norway and the United States, but Real Madrid refused to release him due to the call-up arriving after the legal deadlines.

Petarch is contracted with the royal club until the summer of 2027, and with plans to gradually integrate him through the 'Castilla' team, many see him as a strong candidate to be one of the successors to the midfield legends at Real Madrid, with a great ambition to represent the 'Atlas Lions' in the future.