According to a report by Madrid Universal on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Real Madrid forward Carlos Espi could be handed his first starting opportunity of the season in either of the club’s next two fixtures against Racing Santander or AEK Athens.

Manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly considering changes to his starting line-up following Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico. The Portuguese coach may use the upcoming matches to rotate his squad and give some players more opportunities, with 21-year-old Espi among those being considered.

Espi joined Real Madrid from Levante for €25 million during the summer transfer window and has made a promising start despite limited appearances. The Spanish striker has scored three competitive goals for Los Blancos, all coming after being introduced as a substitute.

His late goals against Espanyol and Elche proved valuable in helping Real Madrid secure important La Liga points, while his strike against AS Roma contributed to a significant comeback. These performances have strengthened his case for a more prominent role in the team.

However, Espi is yet to start a competitive game for the Spanish giants, largely because of the competition for places in attack, particularly with Kylian Mbappe occupying a regular position in the starting line-up.

Real Madrid are scheduled to host Racing Santander on November 1 before travelling to Greece for their Champions League encounter against AEK Athens on November 4. Either fixture could provide Mourinho with an opportunity to assess Espi from the opening whistle.

Vinicius Jr.’s suspension for the Racing Santander match could further influence the manager’s selection decisions, potentially allowing him to explore different attacking combinations.

One option would involve deploying Espi as the central striker while moving Mbappe into a wider attacking position. Such a tactical adjustment could give Real Madrid additional strength in the penalty area, with Espi offering an aerial threat and the ability to occupy opposing defenders.

Nevertheless, Mourinho will also need to consider Endrick, who is competing for opportunities in the forward line and could also benefit from changes to the team.

Espi’s impressive contributions from the bench have increased expectations surrounding his development. Starting a match would allow him to demonstrate whether he can maintain his scoring influence over a longer period.

Although Real Madrid have not officially confirmed his selection for either fixture, the upcoming games could present an important opportunity for the young forward to establish himself further at the Santiago Bernabeu.