Real Madrid forward Carlos Espí was presented alongside club president Florentino Pérez at the club's Valdebebas training complex on the outskirts of Madrid, a day after scoring the winning goal in Real Madrid's victory over RCD Espanyol.
The forward has been on cloud nine since the final whistle, still riding the high of a celebration that both he and head coach José Mourinho described in vivid detail in the days that followed.
When the final whistle went, Mourinho set off around the pitch congratulating his players and members of staff. He did not see Espí coming and was almost bowled over by him, as the forward wrapped his manager in a powerful hug. For a player who stands 196 centimetres tall, that embrace carried real force.
Speaking to reporters in the press room at the Catalan club's stadium, Mourinho said Espí was a very entertaining lad. He explained that the two of them lived together at Valdebebas, sharing breakfast, lunch and dinner as part of a small group that also included his coaching staff and a player called Cucurella. He described it as a fun group.
Mourinho said the goal was obviously what decided the match, but he singled out another moment from Espí's performance too: a blind pass played with the back of his foot that set up Kylian Mbappé. He called Espí an excellent player.
Night of celebration
The celebrations after the final whistle stretched deep into the night. By the time Espí arrived at his official unveiling the following day, alongside Pérez, he was still running on adrenaline.
He told Real Madrid's media that the squad did not get home until three in the morning, and that between the stream of messages he received and the euphoria still coursing through him, he barely slept. He said it had been a very special moment, that the whole squad had been eager for the win and swept up in the euphoria, and that it was incredible to see every one of his team-mates gathered in the corner of the pitch celebrating his goal, happy for him. He called it a matter of pride.
From Levante to the Bernabéu
Espí's arrival was the most unexpected signing of Real Madrid's summer. He had been a key player at Levante, the Valencia-based club he joined from, but arrived at the Spanish giants with limited experience at the highest level. As soon as Real Madrid made their interest known, he turned down interest from clubs in England's Premier League and signed a contract running until 2031.
He said signing for Real Madrid was a matter of pride, adding that he was very happy for himself and for his family and that he intended to give everything for the club. Speaking after visiting the room where Real Madrid keeps its fifteen European Cups, more than any other club has won, he said the collection was deeply impressive.
Describing his new surroundings, he said the club was impressive and that it took care of every detail. On the football side, he said, he was now training and playing alongside some of the best players in the world.
How the deal came together
After the match, team-mate Joselu Junior gave Espí a new nickname: Courtois. Mourinho explained how the move had come together. When the possibility arose of Gonzalo leaving for Fulham, Juni Calafa put forward several candidates to fill the gap, and the coaching staff studied their profiles before settling on Espí.
Mourinho said he was fully satisfied with how the signing had turned out, describing Espí as a very young player with exactly the profile the squad needed.
