Real Madrid’s academy is buzzing with excitement over 17-year-old prodigy Cesar Palacios after the attacking midfielder’s dazzling display against city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Palacios bagged a brace in Real’s comprehensive 5-0 drubbing of Atletico’s under-19s, virtually guaranteeing Los Blancos the league title with a three-point lead and just two games remaining.
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Palacios has emerged as one of the standout players in manager Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, convincing Madridistas that the former Real defender could become a top-notch coach.
The teen sensation started all seven of Real’s UEFA Youth League matches earlier this campaign, scoring five goals and providing two assists, according to Marca.
This season, Palacios has found the net 15 times in 27 appearances under Arbeloa, cementing his status as one of Real’s most promising academy prospects.
Overall, the prodigy has accumulated an impressive 21 goals and six assists across all competitions. Palacios joined Real from Numancia, where his father played professionally, and has been rattling in goals at every level from Juvenil C to Juvenil A.
A sign of how highly Real rate the starlet, they awarded him a five-year contract in December that ties him to the club until 2027. Palacios recently made his debut for Spain’s under-19 side and scored against Denmark.
Prodigious Cesar Palacios: Real Madrid’s Future Midfield Maestro
Stylistically, Palacios is a box-to-box central midfielder with an exceptional work rate. While adept defensively, he excels at finding pockets of space between the lines and playing vertical passes or driving forward himself.
As his stats prove, Palacios also possesses a keen eye for goal, frequently making well-timed runs into the box, though he could perhaps exercise a bit more control on the ball. Gifted technically, Palacios can pass, dribble and shoot with aplomb—all of which he does regularly.
While the path to Real’s senior side is treacherous, there is genuine enthusiasm about Palacios’ potential. And with Arbeloa tipped to eventually take charge of the first team, that could play into Palacios’ hands. The future certainly looks bright for Real’s newest wonderboy.
