Real Madrid have a history of having some of the best shot-stoppers in goal including Iker Casillas, Keylor Navas, and now, Thibaut Courtois. Another goalkeeper who is having a good season in Courtois’ absence is the Ukrainian, Andriy Lunin.
However, there are question marks regarding his future with the club and it also remains to be known whether Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan at the club will be made permanent.
Lunin has received offers from many top-level European clubs, and given the situation, the Los Blancos scouts went to South America to search for an up-and-coming goalkeeping talent.
It is not the first time – and certainly not the last – that Los Blancos have gone to South America in search of talent.
The Merengues have discovered players like Fede Valverde from this part of the world, and now, according to Diario AS, another of Valverde’s compatriots is being linked with the Madrid side i.e., Randall Rodríguez.
The Uruguayan is currently a substitute at Peñarol, the same club where Valverde used to play, and was promoted from the U19 side. Randall’s progress has been monitored closely. Initially, the plan is for the goalkeeper to start out at Real Madrid Castilla.
Multiple South American players have played for Castilla and slowly rose through the ranks, the best example being of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo spending time with Castilla in the 3rd division
Talking about Randall Rodríguez, he is the reigning U20 world champion who generated global attention after keeping 6 out of 7 clean sheets – 85.71% – and conceded only 3 goals in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. His impressive performances have also earned him an international call-up for the senior team.
Despite the fact that he has started for the Uruguayan club from the bench, since his promotion, he has been a clear starter for the Uruguay U20 team and he may also start as Uruguay’s goalkeeper in the Paris Olympics – in case of their qualification.
The season has gone well so far for Ancelotti’s men in Courtois’ absence but he will be an undisputed starter once he returns. With Lunin and Kepa’s future uncertain, Randall can emerge as the candidate to reinforce the goalkeeper position.
