An up-and-coming member of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Real Madrid could be afforded the opportunity to prove his talents at senior level over the weeks ahead.

That’s according to Diario AS, who highlight Mario Rivas as the player in question.

Rivas, for those not familiar with his name, is a 19-year-old defender, who chiefly lines out in a central role. The starlet played a prominent role in pre-season with Real Madrid, making a positive impression on new manager José Mourinho and his staff.

Such efforts have since culminated in several first-team call-ups across the early weeks of the new campaign. And as alluded to above, Rivas’ competitive senior debut may not be at all long in following…

Real Madrid are currently alarmingly short on central defenders. After Ibrahima Konaté returned from international duty with France with a fitness problem, Raúl Asencio was then forced under the knife this week.

Long-term absentee Éder Militão is still working his way back towards full fitness, whilst Dean Huijsen is suspended for his side’s post-international break return against Villarreal.

As per a report from Diario AS, it is therefore not out of the question that Rivas could be called upon to slot into the heart of Los Blancos’ defence as early as next week.