Real Madrid close to landing Benfica’s Álvaro Carreras – The Tycoon Scouts

While many know Álvaro Carreras for his influential performances at Benfica this season, few are aware that his journey began at the esteemed Carrington training complex — the headquarters of Manchester United’s academy.

Having progressed through the various youth ranks at United, Carreras experienced multiple loan spells abroad in the Championship and La Liga. It wasn’t until the end of the second half of the 2023/24 season, during a promising loan stint with Benfica, that the Portuguese club decided to secure his services on a permanent basis.

Since making the move permanent, Carreras has become an irreplaceable figure in Benfica’s backline. His dynamic displays in Liga Portugal and consistency in the Champions League have cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders — especially after overcoming a challenging start to his professional career.

Carreras operates as a tenacious wing-back — an aggressive ball-winner from wide areas. His defensive athleticism seamlessly translates into his attacking attributes, particularly in ball progression, precise passing, ball control and pinpoint crossing.

Following widespread recognition across Europe this season, Carreras is now poised to take the next big step — a dream move to Real Madrid is reportedly on the horizon for the talented Spaniard.

Player Profile – In Possession and Out of Possession

Primarily deployed as a LWB/LB for Benfica, Carreras is a left-footed technician who is also adept at slotting into a LCB role, depending on the team’s in-game rotational dynamics. One of his standout traits in build-up play is his ability to execute long passes from wide areas, often finding attackers in space with impressive accuracy.

Credits: FBREF

He exhibits refined technique, particularly in the weight of pass — ensuring the target can control the ball easily and continue the attacking sequence. These passes aren’t limited to the LHS; he frequently finds central/RHS teammates with equal proficiency. His short to medium-range passes also highlight his ability to thread balls through lines, aiding runners from both central and wide channels.

Statistically, Carreras ranks among the best in leagues outside the traditional top six:
– 46.0 successful passes per 90 (96th percentile)
– 3.15 accurate long balls per 90 (96th percentile)
-1.08 chances created per 90 (76th percentile)

Carreras is the kind of player who thrives with the ball at his feet, often taking extra touches to influence play. His composure across different zones and ability to control tempo make him a confident, fearless presence in the defensive third — a trait highly valued by managers

His understanding of space in attacking transitions is particularly impressive. He excels at identifying gaps > creating separation in 1v1 situations > exploiting them with pace before delivering the next action — often a cross.

Crossing is one of his standout attributes — whether it’s switching play during the build-up or delivering from the final third. The swerve and accuracy he generates make him one of the top crossers among U23 full-backs across the top seven European leagues, leading the charts in crosses per 90.

Credits: DATAMB

That said, his ball-carrying ability from deep into advanced areas is a genuine game-changer. Where others may rely solely on passing to progress the ball, Carreras often drives forward with control, using his pace and close dribbling to great effect — a trait shared with some of the best full-backs in the world.

Despite his attacking prowess, Carreras maintains impressive positional discipline. He doesn’t recklessly charge forward but rather chooses his moments intelligently. When his marker drops deep, he closes the space aggressively, applying pressure with precision.

Defensively, he stays close to his man – cuts off passing lanes and forces errors by putting opponents in uncomfortable positions. His athleticism makes him a formidable presence in 1v1s — he’s essentially a lockdown defender in wide areas.

This physical capability allows him to shift his body into awkward positions, showcasing excellent agility and the ability to change direction quickly under pressure. For a player so young, his range of progressive tools is remarkable.

The awareness in pressing, positional intelligence, recovery speed, and leadership qualities are clear. Although he can be prone to committing fouls occasionally, it’s often a result of his aggressive defensive mindset.

One of his most notable achievements this season was his performance against Lamine Yamal. Across two matches, Yamal failed to register a single goal or assist, completed just 1/22 dribbles, and was dispossessed by Carreras 10 times. With a potential move to Real Madrid, Carreras may soon face Yamal more regularly

Conclusion:

Álvaro Carreras is a multidimensional footballer on the brink of joining the biggest club in the world — a fitting reward for a breakout campaign with Benfica. He fits perfectly into the positional play and rotational systems expected under Xabi Alonso and is projected to lock down his role for years to come. A bold, mature, and technically gifted defender — Carreras is ready for the next chapter.

Don’t be surprised if Carreras earns his first call-up to the Spanish national team in the near future. With established names like Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Balde, and Miguel Gutiérrez already in the mix, his emergence adds even more depth and fierce competition to an already talented pool of left-backs.