Real Madrid were crowned the champions of Europe for the 15th time earlier this year after defeating Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley.
Los Blancos did not have it easy that night as the German opposition put up tough resistance especially in the first half. Eventually, however, the experience in Carlo Ancelotti’s side helped pull the team through.
While the manager had almost a full-strength squad at his disposal on the night, one name stood out and even raised a few eyebrows.
Jeremy de Leon, one of the Castilla’s starlets, after all travelled with the team to Wembley and was said to be the Merengues’ ‘lucky charm.’
De Leon’s entourage deny superstition theory
While the youngster’s inclusion in the squad for Real Madrid’s most difficult game of the season was partly explained by the superstition theory, his entourage refuses to back it.
As revealed by The Athletic, De Leon’s representatives and the coaching staff insist that the player’s presence on the bench at Wembley had nothing to do with his being a lucky charm but with merit.
The 20-year-old right-winger has now been called up to participate in the team’s pre-season tour in the USA and his entourage once again insists that his participation is because Carlo Ancelotti saw enough in training to warrant him a place.
The road ahead
While De Leon is indeed a talented winger and has been called up multiple times to travel with the senior setup, he is still sizeably away from a place in the first team.
The outlet thus furthers that the youngster will likely stay with Real Madrid Castilla for another season with regular call-ups to the first team once more.
In addition to improved in-game experience, the management also feels that the prodigy must bulk up before earning a place at the highest level.
It thus remains to be seen how the 20-year-old performs if given minutes in the coming week. Whether he is indeed a lucky charm, however, will remain an unsolved mystery.