Who is Gonzalo García? The guy who replaced Mbappe and score a Hat-Trick against Betis

Gonzalo García’s name is already well known within Real Madrid’s ranks. The academy graduate first broke into the spotlight under Carlo Ancelotti during the 2024/25 season, playing a decisive role in a Copa del Rey match against Leganés, where the 21-year-old provided the winning goal. Now, the Madrid-born forward has become one of the main talking points in Spanish football after scoring a hat-trick in his first start of the season, stepping in for the injured Kylian Mbappé against Real Betis. His performance has once again highlighted his ability to deliver whenever Xabi Alonso grants him even the smallest opportunity on the pitch — a scenario that has occurred before and is far from unfamiliar to the Real Madrid fanbase.

The newly appointed Real Madrid manager made headlines with his squad selection for the FIFA Club World Cup held in the United States, where Alonso called up a young Gonzalo García who had made just four first-team appearances at the time. Despite his limited experience at senior level, García was the standout figure for Castilla, Real Madrid’s reserve team, scoring 25 goals in 36 matches. Tasked with the responsibility of replacing the team’s main goalscorer, Kylian Mbappé — sidelined for much of the tournament due to intestinal complications — García seized the opportunity of a lifetime. He finished the competition as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, earning the manager’s trust and positioning himself as a serious option for the upcoming season.

Despite his outstanding Club World Cup campaign — which even overshadowed Kylian Mbappé’s performances — the academy product spent much of the early part of the season on the sidelines under Xabi Alonso. García featured in just 17 matches across LaLiga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, failing to score during that span. His lack of minutes and goals sparked speculation about a possible departure from the club for the remainder of the campaign. Ultimately, that narrative would change in Gonzalo García’s favor.

With Kylian Mbappé unavailable for the clash against the Seville-based side, Xabi Alonso once again placed his trust in the 21-year-old academy graduate, hoping for a performance reminiscent of his Club World Cup displays. It was also García’s first start of the season without the French forward in the lineup. Backed by the manager’s confidence, García delivered a hat-trick at the Santiago Bernabéu, earning widespread praise from teammates and the Spanish press alike.

The opening goal came from a set-piece situation, as the striker rose to head home a free kick delivered by Rodrygo from the left flank, catching Betis’ right-back off guard after losing his mark.

The second goal was a moment of brilliance from García, who brought down a lofted pass from Federico Valverde with his chest before firing a volley into the far corner, producing one of the most stunning goals of the match.

He completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute after receiving a pass from Arda Güler down the left flank, leaving García one-on-one before finishing with a backheel past the Betis goalkeeper, sealing a perfect night with three goals and making Kylian Mbappé’s absence completely forgotten.

García’s performances could prove crucial for Real Madrid amid the absences the squad may face throughout the season. Thanks to his consistent impact, his market value has risen to €15 million, prompting the club to secure his future with a contract extension until June 2030, positioning him as a key figure in the squad for the medium and long term.