Raul Gonzalez, a Real Madrid legend and the current coach of Castilla in the First Federation, has expressed his admiration for the progress being made at 'La Fabrica', the club's renowned youth academy.
As a former captain of the first team and now a mentor to aspiring players, Raul's insights carry significant weight.
He highlighted the impressive development of young talents and the academy's readiness to produce players capable of succeeding at the highest levels of football.
Raul specifically pointed to Raul Asencio's emergence in the first team as a testament to the quality of work being done at La Fabrica.
Asencio's inclusion in the senior squad has not only showcased his individual talent but also served as an inspiration for other youth players aiming to follow in his footsteps.
"With Asensio's arrival it is clear that the boys are prepared, like others who have been here and are successful in other leagues or in other teams," said the youth team coach as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
It demonstrates that Real Madrid's academy players are well-prepared to transition to the first team, a sentiment Raul emphasised while comparing La Fabrica's output to that of Barcelona's youth system.
"Asencio's incursion has given a plus to the youth academy players, it has given them hope of reaching the first team and also how it looks compared to the discourse that was compared to the Barcelona youth academy."
The Castilla coach acknowledged the challenges that come with meeting the high expectations of Real Madrid's first team. However, he confidently stated that the club's youth academy consistently proves its ability to deliver top-tier talent.
"The demands of the first team are not easy, but I think that the Real Madrid youth academy is ready and that has been demonstrated," he noted.
Over the years, many graduates from La Fabrica have found success, not only within Real Madrid but also across various leagues and clubs worldwide. This reflects the academy's excellence in nurturing players for professional football.
Raul also subtly addressed Carlo Ancelotti, highlighting the need for opportunities to integrate academy players into the senior squad.
While such chances often arise due to unforeseen circumstances at other clubs, he implied that Real Madrid should look to make more room for their homegrown talents.
"We just need to wait for those opportunities that arise due to circumstances and that perhaps have come to other clubs due to other situations."
In a subtle dig at Barcelona, Raul suggested that Madrid's academy stands out as the best in the world, despite the financial challenges faced by their rivals. "What is clear is that the best youth academy in the world is Madrid's," he said.