ES
Young full-back David Jiménez, a third-year student of the Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences at Camilo José Cela University and a member of the Athlete Programme of SEK International Sports Academy, along with midfielder Jorge Cestero, an alumnus of SEK-Ciudalcampo, enjoyed a historic night as they made their debuts with Real Madrid’s first team in the Round of 32 match of the Copa del Rey against CF Talavera de la Reina. The match, played at El Prado Stadium, also marked the official competitive debut of both academy players with the club.
With a line-up featuring several rotations for the cup tie, the Real Madrid coach opted to give playing time to young academy talents, introducing Jiménez at right-back and bringing Cestero on as one of the substitutes during the 2–3 victory that secured the team’s progression to the next round.
David Jiménez, a talent developed through the club’s academy and at UCJC, expressed his delight after the match, stating that “a dream we’ve had since childhood has come true,” referring to his debut in a first-team shirt—an experience he described as one of the happiest moments of his career.
For his part, Jorge Cestero, a midfielder from Zaragoza, also celebrated his appearance in an official match with Real Madrid and highlighted what it meant to reach the first team after progressing through Real Madrid Castilla, where his strong performances have earned him the trust of the coaching staff.
Real Madrid confirmed their place in the next stage of the Copa del Rey in a competitive encounter against the Talavera side, in which both Jiménez and Cestero recorded their first official minutes with the first team in a highly demanding competitive setting.
The involvement of these two academy players underlines Real Madrid’s commitment to the promotion of young talent, as well as the role of initiatives such as the Athlete Programme of SEK International Sports Academy, which supports the combination of academic excellence and high-performance sport for its students.
