Gonzalo García opened his LaLiga tally with a perfect hat-trick to kickstart the new year for Real Madrid. Deputising for the league’s top scorer, Kylian Mbappé, Gonzalo arrived at the game against Real Betis with enthusiasm and surpassed expectations.

Gonzalo was a record-breaking goalscorer for Castilla before being promoted to the first team. He showed what he can do at the Club World Cup. Enigmatically, he then went missing from Xabi Alonso’s plans. Endrick’s loan deal to Lyon and Mbappé’s untimely but inevitable injury opened a door and presented an opportunity to Gonzalo. He grabbed it with his left foot, right foot, and his head.

Advertisement

At the heart of this supremely talented young man’s approach is simplicity. The little details he has incorporated into his game create the biggest differences. His first goal against Betis was a typical center-forward’s header. Perfectly weighted, perfectly directed. However, the way he created the space around him, even before Rodrygo had touched the ball, made sure he would have all the time to put the ball exactly where he wanted.

For his third goal, with his anticipation, he created the space around him with subtle movement, leaving the defender stranded. Then he pulls off the most nonchalant backheel finish with his weaker foot, because the hard work has already been done, he could do whatever he wanted in the space he had created.

This was a statement hat-trick from the Spaniard. When Mbappé returns, he will return to the starting line-up immediately. But Gonzalo doesn’t need to be forgotten like he was after the Club World Cup.