Álvaro Leiva's mad weekend: Three Real Madrid teams in just 30 hours
The Real Madrid academy player made history by featuring in squads for the first team, Castilla and Real Madrid C all in one weekend - a true Bernabéu triple threat.
A Real Madrid youngster has pulled off the footballing equivalent of a London bus route, appearing for three different club teams across just 30 hours in a remarkable display of stamina and versatility.
Álvaro Leiva, a 21-year-old winger, made history for La Fábrica by being named in the matchday squads for Real Madrid’s first team, Castilla (B team) and Real Madrid C in a single weekend – something never before achieved at the club.
The triple-team marathon
Leiva’s incredible journey began on Friday when he received his first-ever call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s senior squad for the La Liga clash with Levante. This was particularly significant given his career trajectory – last summer he nearly left the club altogether before being demoted to Madrid C after Álvaro Arbeloa decided not to keep him with Castilla following his arrival from Algeciras.
But what followed was proper madness:
- Saturday, 2pm: Sat on the bench at the Santiago Bernabéu with the first team (wearing #46)
- Saturday, 5:30pm: After not playing for the seniors, raced to Valdebebas to join Real Madrid C against Orihuela (wearing #18), playing the entire second half
- Sunday evening: Turned out for Castilla at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium against Mérida (wearing #39), coming on for the final 15 minutes
Three teams, three categories, three everything
The youngster’s whirlwind weekend saw him experience:
- Three different teams (Real Madrid, Madrid C, and Castilla)
- Three different divisions (La Liga, Segunda RFEF, and Primera RFEF)
- Three different opponents (Levante, Orihuela, and Mérida)
- Three different stadiums (Bernabéu, Training Field 3, and Di Stéfano)
- Three different coaches (Arbeloa, Víctor Cea, and López de Lerma)
- Three different squad numbers, dressing rooms and benches
While academy players doubling up on weekend commitments isn’t uncommon in Spanish football, Leiva took it to another level entirely. What makes it even more remarkable is that he went from nearly being shown the door last summer to featuring across all three top teams in Madrid’s structure.
For a player who had his bags half-packed just months ago, it’s a proper Bobby Dazzler of a comeback story.