The meteoric rise of Gonzalo García has caught the football world’s attention, especially after his standout performances at the Club World Cup with Real Madrid. However, Spain’s national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, has opted to temper the growing excitement surrounding the young Madrid forward.

A breakthrough that hasn’t gone unnoticed

At just 21 years old, Gonzalo García has gone from an unknown figure to one of the tournament’s biggest revelations. Taking advantage of Kylian Mbappé’s absence during the group stage, the academy graduate scored four goals and provided one assist in five matches, playing a key role in Real Madrid’s journey to the semifinals.

His outstanding performances have sparked speculation about a potential call-up to the national team. But Luis de la Fuente has reminded everyone that progress must be made step by step.

De la Fuente: “Not even a single start in LaLiga”

“He’s earning the right to become an international, but the important thing is not to rush or get carried away. He hasn’t even started a single match in the First Division. In our country, we usually say that you need to do military service before earning your place among the best,” said the coach during the presentation of Aitor Karanka as the new technical director of the Spanish Football Federation.

While his comments advocate for patience, there’s one detail de la Fuente overlooked: Gonzalo García has already made appearances in LaLiga. He played a total of 53 minutes last season across three matches against Mallorca, Sevilla, and Real Sociedad. Still, these cameos may not yet be enough to count in the coach’s eyes.

A bright future… in due time

Despite his caution, Luis de la Fuente expressed satisfaction with the emergence of young talents like Gonzalo, Dean Huijsen, and Lamine Yamal, whom he considers essential for the present and future of the national team.

The young Real Madrid striker will have another opportunity to prove himself this Wednesday against Paris Saint-Germain, in what will be a challenging test against the reigning European champions. It’s a golden chance to further solidify his case for a place in “La Roja.”