Real Madrid already has Courtois's successor and it's not Lunin, starter in 2 years

One of the decisions made by the Madrid sporting management during the summer transfer window of 2025 is the extension of a veteran footballer's contract. The renewal of Thibaut Courtois until mid-2027, given that his contract was set to expire at the end of the current season, is a true statement of intent.

Specifically, the club doesn't intend to part ways with the Belgian number "1"'s contributions until his time at the top of European soccer has come to an end. The great trust placed in the footballer from Bree doesn't prevent, meanwhile, the Madrid leaders from searching for his replacement and heir in multiple soccer settings.

The most notable right now is the club itself. Not only because of the presence of Andriy Lunin, who, having renewed until the summer of 2030, is patiently waiting for Thibaut Courtois's contract to run its full course. Indeed, everything suggests that the Ukrainian will be the one to take over as starter when Courtois leaves Santiago Bernabéu locker room.

The only competitor Andriy Lunin may have is a name that is frequently repeated, every week, at Ciudad Deportiva Real Madrid: Fran González. The soccer abilities of this Spanish goalkeeper are not unknown to the first team: Carlo Ancelotti, during last season, included him as the thirdgoalkeeper in the squad list.

Starts to prepare

He even made his debut in LaLiga with the first team, due to injuries to both Courtois and Lunin: it was the Real Madrid-Valencia match played at Santiago Bernabéu. Xabi Alonso has also had the option to implement a measure identical to the one taken by the Reggiolo coach last season, but ultimately chose not to do so.

The explanation for this surprising move lies not only in the friendship he keeps with Álvaro Arbeloa, the new coach of Real Madrid Castilla. It is also in the key role that "the Spartan" would have given to Fran González himself. Indeed, he is the undisputed starting goalkeeper for Real Madrid Castilla, given the departure of other players such as Mario de Luis.

Xabi Alonso knows that Fran González has soccer abilities similar to Thibaut Courtois. That's why he has decided that the young goalkeeper should continue progressing in matches for the first reserve team. This is the best way for him to gain minutes and valuable experience with a view to his potential future entry into Santiago Bernabéu locker room.

Apart from that decision to stay with Real Madrid Castilla, Fran González will also travel with the first team. To keep him involved, the Tolosa coach has decided to call him up for midweek matches, in the Champions League or in the Copa del Rey.