With Real Madrid needing goals to salvage the game against SL Benfica on Wednesday night, logic would have suggested that manager Alvaro Arbeloa would bring on another striker as a substitute, with Gonzalo Garcia waiting on the bench.
However, the Real Madrid academy graduate did not get an opportunity against the Portuguese club, with the manager instead using the five substitutions to throw on Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Brahim Diaz and Jorge Cestero.
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Knee discomfort or Arbeloa’s preference?
Providing an update on why Gonzalo was not called on by the manager despite the game-situation demanding it, AS reports that the striker’s entourage indicated that the attacker had minor discomfort in his knee.
It might have played a part in the young centre-forward not receiving any minutes, although he was deemed fit to be named in the matchday squad.
At the same time, it might very well have to do with manager Arbeloa’s preference, as Gonzalo has seen his minutes reduce drastically over the past couple of weeks.
Since Arbeloa gave Gonzalo 90 minutes in his debut match as Real Madrid coach in the heavy defeat against Albacete, in which the academy graduate scored, the striker has gradually faded from prominence.
Losing prominence under Arbeloa. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
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Gonzalo was one of the few players spared from the whistles against Levante, yet he was substituted at half-time in a very poor team performance. Against Monaco, his involvement was reduced to 19 minutes, and last week against Villarreal it dropped further to 16 minutes.
Five goals in 2026, but minutes decreasing
The most striking aspect of the situation is that 2026 has been a very productive year for Gonzalo.
He began it with a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu for his hat-trick against Real Betis, followed it with a goal against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, and found the back of the net vs Albacete in Copa del Rey.
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Arbeloa has been consolidating a starting XI in which Franco Mastantuono has repeatedly been given opportunities as the third starting attacker alongside Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.
He has also wanted to test Brahim and Rodrygo is back to full fitness, leaving little room for rotation. This has created a paradox. Despite scoring goals and now lacking direct competition from Endrick, Gonzalo’s minutes continue to decrease.
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