According to a report by Madrid Universal on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Real Madrid summer recruit Carlos Espi could make his first start of the season in either of the club’s upcoming fixtures against Racing Santander or AEK Athens.

Reports indicate that manager Jose Mourinho is considering giving the 21-year-old striker a starting opportunity as he looks to manage his squad’s workload following Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico.

Espi joined Los Blancos from Levante for €25 million during the summer transfer window and has impressed with his performances despite receiving limited minutes on the pitch.

The Spanish forward has already scored three goals in competitive matches for Real Madrid, with all three coming as a substitute. His late goals against Espanyol and Elche helped the team collect crucial La Liga points, while his strike against AS Roma played a role in an important comeback.

Despite his impressive contributions, Espi has yet to feature in the starting line-up for a competitive match, largely because of Kylian Mbappe’s established position in the team’s attack.

Real Madrid are scheduled to host Racing Santander on November 1 before travelling to Greece to face AEK Athens in the Champions League on November 4.

Mourinho could take advantage of either fixture to hand Espi his first start, especially as the club’s demanding schedule makes squad rotation increasingly necessary.

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

One potential tactical option would involve deploying Espi as the central striker while allowing Mbappe to operate from a wider attacking position. This setup could provide Real Madrid with a different offensive approach, as Espi’s aerial ability and presence inside the penalty area would offer a natural focal point for the attack.

However, Mourinho will also need to consider Endrick, who is another contender for playing time as he seeks to establish himself in the club’s forward line.

Espi’s impressive performances as a substitute have strengthened his argument for a more prominent role. Starting a match would give him the chance to prove that he can maintain his scoring threat and overall effectiveness from the opening whistle.

Although Real Madrid have not officially confirmed whether Espi will start against Racing Santander or AEK Athens, either fixture could mark a significant milestone in his development at the Santiago Bernabeu.