´I return as a man´ – Carreras ready to make his mark after Madrid homecoming

Alvaro Carreras is hoping to make his mark during his second stint with Real Madrid after returning to the Spanish capital from Benfica.

Carreras spent three years in Madrid’s academy before departing for Manchester United in 2020, but he never made a senior appearance for the Red Devils.

He spent time on loan with Preston North End, Granada and Benfica, joining the latter on a permanent deal at the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

And an impressive season under Bruno Lage has seen him complete a move back to the LaLiga giants, who have reportedly paid €50m for his services.

The 22-year-old attempted the fourth-most dribbles of any defender (69) in the Primeira Liga last season, completing 34 of those, while also contributing to 11 clean sheets.

Having been unveiled as Madrid’s latest arrival on Tuesday, Carreras insisted he had fulfilled a dream with his homecoming at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Everything, fulfilling a dream, coming home. I’m eager to take on the challenge and get started. I’m living a dream,” Carreras said.

“I left as a child and I return as a man. My mother was thrilled, and that’s normal.”

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— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) July 15, 2025

Carreras also mentioned that he does not look at the finances attached to the deal, saying: “I don’t care about that.

“I’m confident in who I am and what I can give. I don’t get involved in numbers.”

The Spaniard became Madrid’s fourth signing so far this summer, with the club already completing deals for Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Franco Mastantuono.