21st Century Cracks: Carrillo

Álvaro Carillo (Murcia, 2002) is one of the great promises that Real Madrid currently has in his academy. He is a central defender, plays for Juvenil B and played in the last U-17 World Cup with Spain. He is a modern defender, who adapts to the conditions that Real Madrid usually requires: He is quick to cross and is measured in the race with almost any striker. Some fundamental virtues in a style of play like Real Madrid, with the defense always very advanced.

To these conditions he adds a magnificent ball handling and good game vision. He likes to go out with the ball under control, either long, short or even cheering with conductions to overcome pressure lines and join the attack. Its good long displacement makes it unpredictable, because it has the capacity to make measured game changes. Furthermore, it is powerful in aerial play.

Carrillo took his first football steps at Barnes, a team from his native Murcia. Before, his brother (seven years older) had given him his first lessons with the ball, even putting him as a goalkeeper in the free time that both brothers spent playing ball. He entered the Barnes with only five years (2007) and was until 2014, when Murcia's interest awoke. It only lasted one season (2014-15). It was enough for Real Madrid to notice him and incorporate him into his academy. His competitive nature (he always comments that as a child he cried every time he lost to any sport) made him fit perfectly into the white philosophy. Also, He is driven by the desire to fulfill a dream, to follow in the footsteps of Sergio Ramos, his great childhood idol.

When he was just six years old, an Argentine coach assured him that one day, in the distant future, he would become a professional soccer player. That prediction of that technician is getting closer to becoming reality. That future no longer seems so distant …