Is Carreras a scam or a bargain for Real Madrid?

Real Madrid have their eye on Alvaro Carreras, but after Benfica's draw against Boca Juniors, the question arises: is this left-back really worth his €52 million release clause?

Three red cards in one match at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. On the morning of June 17th, Benfica struggled to secure a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors in Group C.

A 2-2 draw between Benfica and Boca Juniors at the Club World Cup wasn't the most talked-about event in Miami on the morning of June 17th, at least not for Real Madrid fans. The focus for them was on Alvaro Carreras – the left-back who is reportedly the next transfer target for the Spanish giants.

And after 90 minutes of closely observing this player's every move, what remains is not conviction, but a collection of questions.

A lackluster and overwhelming start.

Carreras has reportedly reached a personal agreement with Real Madrid. However, the biggest obstacle lies with Benfica, who are unwilling to release him unless they receive the full €52 million release clause. Real are expected to finalize the deal after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, but Carreras' performance against Boca Juniors has likely made many in Madrid reconsider.

Carreras was selected to start on the left flank, wearing a white shirt – quite coincidentally the traditional color of Real Madrid. This was a rare occasion for "Los Blancos" fans to witness this player competing at the highest level, against an opponent from South America with plenty of passion and battlefield experience. And Carreras did not leave a strong enough impression.

From the very first minutes, the 21-year-old defender showed effort and initiative, constantly moving between the wing and the center. He actively demanded the ball, trying to create breakthroughs in one-on-one situations.

However, his plays often lacked the necessary precision and effectiveness. Against a veteran like Advincula, Carreras was almost completely neutralized, and his attempts to attack down the wing often ended in failure.

Benfica were 2-0 down after less than 30 minutes, but fortunately for Carreras, he wasn't directly at fault for either goal. However, his contribution to the attack was far less than expected.

In the play that led to Di Maria's penalty goal, Carreras also made no significant contribution, showing that he is not yet a player who can make a difference at crucial moments.

In the 2-2 draw between Benfica and Boca Juniors, Alvaro Carreras didn't get to show much.

After the break, Benfica tried to push forward. But when Belotti received a direct red card in the 72nd minute, the prospect of a complete defeat seemed imminent.

Surprisingly, Otamendi – who still owed a debt of gratitude to River Plate – unexpectedly equalized with a superb header in the 83rd minute. And it was from this point that Carreras began to have his moments of brilliance.

In the final 10 minutes, he played with more confidence, bolder touches, and even came close to scoring the winning goal to make it 3-2 with a skillful dribble and a dangerous right-footed shot. That play, along with Figal's red card for Boca in the 88th minute, helped Benfica mount a strong comeback.

But all of that wasn't enough for Carreras to overshadow his lackluster performance for most of the match.

52 million euros: an offer or a scam?

Real Madrid is undergoing a generational transition, and the left-back position is one of the areas that needs long-term strengthening. Carreras, with his training at the Castilla academy and professional playing experience in England and Portugal, possesses the potential.

But potential doesn't equate to immediate value. And after 90 minutes against Boca, it's difficult to justify Carreras's €52 million transfer fee – a considerable sum for a player whose role at the highest level is still unclear.

Will Real Madrid continue to pursue Carreras to the very end?

Bruno Lage, Benfica's coach, once stated: "First, there must be an agreement with Benfica, then Carreras can succeed anywhere." But the question is: can Carreras succeed at Real Madrid – where the competition is fierce and the pressure far exceeds that of Benfica?

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ is a showcase tournament, but for big clubs, it's also an opportunity to "test the waters" before making major investment decisions. In Carreras' case, his performance against Boca Juniors could be considered a "test" that he didn't fully pass.

Ultimately, the final decision rests with president Florentino Perez. Will he continue to pursue Carreras to the end? Or will he wait for more clear, pragmatic performances, instead of gambling on late moments of brilliance?

In a market where 52 million euros can bring in a star player of that caliber, Real Madrid needs to think carefully. After all, there's little room for error – especially at Santiago Bernabeu.

Source: https://znews.vn/carreras-la-cu-lua-hay-mon-hoi-voi-real-madrid-post1561465.html