Height hurdle: Atleti's 1.85m rule could block wonderkid keeper Asorey's path

Atlético Madrid’s 12-year-old goalkeeping sensation Iñigo Asorey is turning heads with his heroics at LaLiga FC Futures, but an arbitrary height requirement could see the club lose their brightest young talent between the sticks.

Tournament standout

If there was ever a player who deserved the MVP award at the 29th edition of LaLiga FC Futures, it’s young Asorey. The lad was absolutely massive throughout the tournament:

• Scored a historic goal from his own box in the quarter-final against Juventus
• Became the penalty shootout hero against Real Madrid, saving spot kicks from their two most dangerous players
• Stood tall in the final against Villarreal, making crucial saves both early and late

His coaches are proper buzzing about him too. Javi Rodríguez, assistant coach of Atlético’s Infantil B team, told Marca that what we’re seeing is “only 10% of Iñigo’s ability” - high praise indeed for the young shot-stopper.

The height problem

Here’s where it gets a bit dicey. Atlético Madrid have this rather odd rule that goalkeepers must reach a minimum height of 1.85m (just over 6ft) to progress through the youth ranks before reaching the Juvenil level.

Asorey currently stands at around 1.65m, which puts him a full 20cm short of the club’s arbitrary requirement. While he’s only 12 and has time to grow, this policy creates unnecessary uncertainty around a player showing exceptional talent.

Family support

For now, Asorey is living his best life as LaLiga FC Futures champion. His proud family - mum, dad and little sister Vega - were spotted in the stands at the Gran Canaria Stadium sporting Atlético colours while cheering on their boy.

The young keeper may not measure up to Atleti’s height chart just yet, but his performances between the sticks have been nothing short of massive. Sometimes the best things come in smaller packages, and Atlético would be proper mugs to let this talent slip through their fingers over a few centimetres.