Without a doubt, Gonzalo García has been the breakout star of the Club World Cup. Few expected the kind of impact the Real Madrid academy product has had during the tournament, now entering its final stages in the United States.
Xabi Alonso, one of his biggest supporters, gave the young forward a surprise start in Real Madrid’s opening match as a replacement for Kylian Mbappé, who was sidelined with health issues. Since then, Gonzalo’s rise has been meteoric.
He scored in the opener against Al Hilal, recorded an assist versus Pachuca, and found the net again against Salzburg, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund. He has either scored or assisted in every match of the Club World Cup so far and currently leads the Golden Boot race with four goals—tied with Ángel Di María, Serhou Guirassy, and Marcos Leonardo, all of whom have already been eliminated. That makes Gonzalo the frontrunner to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.
10 offers and rising stock
Gonzalo’s performances have not gone unnoticed. Given the fierce competition for attacking spots at Real Madrid, clubs across Europe have expressed interest in landing the 19-year-old.
According to journalist Edu Aguirre on El Chiringuito, “Gonzalo has received 10 offers,” including from teams in the Premier League, Serie A, and across Spain.
And it’s not just about goals. His back-to-goal play, movement inside the box, and off-ball pressing have impressed coaches and scouts alike. He’s shown a maturity beyond his years—and may be forcing Real Madrid to rethink their long-term attacking plan.
A decision between Gonzalo and Endrick?
Much of Gonzalo’s future hinges on what Real Madrid decides to do with Endrick, the Brazilian prodigy who also plays up front and needs regular minutes to continue developing. With Mbappé locked in as the team’s main striker, one of the two youngsters will likely need to leave on loan.
So far, Gonzalo has gained favor with Alonso, even playing out wide at times when Mbappé comes on. That leaves Endrick in a tough spot. The former Palmeiras forward turns 19 in just a few days and, after a year of limited minutes, may benefit from a loan spell that guarantees regular playing time to support his growth.
As Gonzalo’s stock rises, Real Madrid faces a key decision that could shape the future of both promising attackers.
