Thibaut Courtois has given Real Madrid newcomer Carlos Espi a nickname after the 21-year-old forward scored a late winner against Espanyol.
“I call him Joselu Jr,” Courtois said, drawing an immediate comparison with the former Real Madrid striker whose ability to make an impact from the substitutes’ bench became one of his defining qualities.
Espi delivered exactly that kind of decisive contribution in the match against Espanyol. With the score level at 1-1, the young forward was introduced in the 80th minute. Ten minutes later, he scored Real Madrid’s second goal to secure victory for his side.
The goal came in Espi’s first appearance for the club, making his introduction especially memorable. He had been sent on with the match still undecided, but needed only a short time on the pitch to settle the contest.
Courtois’ comparison reflects the circumstances of Espi’s breakthrough. Joselu became widely recognised for scoring after being brought on late in matches, particularly when Real Madrid needed a substitute to change the outcome. Espi’s performance against Espanyol followed a similar pattern, with the debutant coming off the bench and finding the decisive goal before full-time.
That late intervention earned Espi the nickname from Courtois and placed the youngster alongside Joselu in discussions about Real Madrid players capable of making an immediate impact as substitutes.
Joselu is a former Real Madrid forward who built a reputation for his goals in the closing stages of games after entering from the bench. His style of contribution has made him a natural reference point for a player who can influence a match despite being introduced late.
Jose Mourinho also sees Espi in a similar role, according to the comparison made after the forward’s display. The 21-year-old’s goal against Espanyol has therefore become the basis for the early description of him as a potential “Joselu Jr”.
For Real Madrid, the result was secured by a player who had been on the field for just 10 minutes. Espi entered while the score stood at 1-1 and left his mark with the winning goal in the 90th minute.
The timing of the strike, together with his status as a debutant, made the moment particularly significant. Rather than simply helping Real Madrid maintain pressure late in the game, Espi produced the action that decided it.
Courtois’ words underline how quickly the youngster’s first appearance has shaped his reputation within the team. After one substitute appearance and one decisive goal, Carlos Espi has already been linked with Joselu, a player remembered at Real Madrid for delivering in the final stages of matches.
