Marvin Park: Things to know about the Real Madrid youngster
Back in September, as Real Madrid's 2020/21 La Liga opener against Real Sociedad ticked over into the 70th minute, still goalless, the number 28 lit up on fourth official's board.
Zinedine Zidane sent on 20-year-old Marvin Park for his senior debut, who caught the eye in his 20 minutes on the pitch. In a career which has taken him from Mallorca to Madrid, via Merseyside, the fleet-footed right winger has impressed for the club's youth sides but is a relative unknown outside of Valdebebas.
After he made his first senior start for Real Madrid in the 2-0 win over Getafe, here is everything you need to know about the youngster.
Time at Tranmere Rovers
After his family moved to England from Mallorca, Park spent three years rapidly ascending through the youth sides of Tranmere Rovers. Aged nine, Park was first moved to the Under-10s, then swiftly bumped up another age bracket. Even with children two years his senior, his youth team coaches admitted 'he still found it easy'.
However, as mysteriously as he had arrived at Prenton Park, the Spanish-born starlet disappeared back to the Balearic Islands without a goodbye.
International Commitments
Born in Mallorca's capital, Palma, to a Nigerian father and South Korean mother, Park had three nations competing for his services. In January 2019, he accepted the invitation to play for Spain's Under-19 side, making a cameo appearance in a 3-0 loss to Italy.
However, Park was left out of the squad which went to the Under-19 European Championships six months later and is still eligible for all three senior sides who will inevitably rekindle their interest if more La Liga outings are to follow.
Youth Team Success
Having returned to Spain after his spell with Tranmere Rovers in 2012, Park was snapped up by Real Madrid's youth system four years later aged 16. After working his way through the various age brackets, Park was a regular in the Under-19s last season as they won the prestigious UEFA Youth League in August.
Under the stewardship of Real Madrid legend Raúl, Park grabbed the opener in the semi-finals against Inter before laying on both goals in the club's semi-final victory over RB Salzburg. Park provided another assist in the final as Madrid overcame Benfica.
Selected Ahead of €60m Signing
With 20 minutes to play, Real Madrid needed a goal to avoid dropped points in their first match of the season. Yet, instead of turning to striker Luka Jovic - who cost the club €60m last summer - Zidane sent on the promising, but inexperienced, Park.
After the match Zidane insisted that Jovic was overlooked so Madrid could keep the same system - Park was a like-for-like replacement on the flanks for Rodrygo - but the Serbia international has been afforded just four league starts in stuttering Real Madrid career. If Park continues his ascend, Jovic may yet see even fewer opportunities off the bench.
Rare Academy Graduate Under Zidane
Throughout his trophy-laden time as Real Madrid manager, Zidane has been unerringly loyal to the experienced members of the squad, and in recent years, rarely strayed away from the key players which claimed that trio of Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018.
However, Park's talent couldn't be overlooked and he became the first youth team player to be given a debut by Zidane since the 2017/18 season when the legendary French figure promoted his son Luca.
In fact, across his two spells at the helm of Madrid, Zidane has only handed out debuts to 14 players from the club's fabled academy La Fabrica.