Real Madrid striker Carlos Espi could be handed his first starting opportunity of the season in either of the club’s next two fixtures against Racing Santander or AEK Athens.

The 21-year-old forward has impressed whenever called upon this campaign, but his opportunities have been limited by the presence of Kylian Mbappe in the starting lineup.

According to a report by Madrid Universal on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, manager Jose Mourinho is considering including Espi from the beginning as he prepares to rotate his squad following Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico.

Espi arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from Levante during the summer transfer window in a deal worth €25 million. Although he has struggled to secure regular playing time, the Spanish youngster has already demonstrated his ability to make an impact.

He has scored three competitive goals for Los Blancos, with all three coming after entering matches as a substitute. His late contributions against Espanyol and Elche helped Madrid collect important La Liga points, while his strike against AS Roma played a role in an impressive comeback.

Despite those encouraging performances, Espi is yet to make his first competitive start for the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid’s upcoming schedule could provide the youngster with an opportunity to change that situation. Mourinho’s side will host Racing Santander on November 1 before travelling to Greece for their Champions League meeting with AEK Athens on November 4.

The absence of Vinicius Junior, who is suspended for the Racing Santander encounter, could also influence Mourinho’s selection and create room for adjustments in attack.

One option would be to deploy Espi as the central striker while allowing Mbappe to operate from a wider attacking position. Such a combination could offer Madrid a different dimension, particularly because the young forward provides an aerial threat and a natural presence inside the opposition penalty area.

However, Mourinho will also have to consider Endrick, who is another attacking option hoping to earn more opportunities in the first team.

Espi’s ability to produce goals despite limited minutes has strengthened his case for greater involvement. Starting either of the next two matches would give him an opportunity to prove that he can maintain his impressive performances over a longer period.

Although Mourinho has not officially confirmed his selection plans, the upcoming fixtures could provide an important opportunity for the former Levante forward to establish himself further at Real Madrid.