Talk about a strange twist of fate. Imagine spending years dreaming of playing at the Santiago Bernabéu, wearing that iconic white kit. Now, imagine that dream finally coming true, but you're wearing the other team's jersey. That's the bizarre and emotional reality facing 22-year-old Víctor Muñoz as he prepares to step onto the Bernabéu pitch for the very first time, not as a Madridista, but as the new star signing for CA Osasuna.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Víctor Muñoz, an ex-Real Madrid player, is set to make his Bernabéu debut playing for his new club, Osasuna.
- ✓ His debut for Real Madrid's first team was a traumatic experience in a Clásico against Barcelona on May 11th.
- ✓ Osasuna paid €5 million for 50% of his rights, but Real Madrid holds a buy-back option until 2028.
- ✓ After being released by Barcelona's La Masia, he rebuilt his career and became a star for Real Madrid's Castilla team.
- ✓ He played four official matches for Real Madrid's senior team but never on the hallowed turf of the Santiago Bernabéu.
A Dream Debut Turned Nightmare
To really understand the weight of this upcoming match, we have to rewind to May 11th. It was El Clásico, and Viti, as he's known, finally got the call. With just minutes left on the clock, he came on in the 88th minute to make his official debut for Real Madrid. What should have been the happiest moment of his life quickly soured into something traumatic.
With the score at 4-3 to Barcelona, Viti found himself with a golden opportunity to become an instant hero. A pass from Mbappé put him one-on-one with the keeper, with a chance to level the score at 4-4. He took the shot, but it sailed high. The final whistle blew, and the young debutant was seen in tears, being consoled by his teammates. But the worst was yet to come.
In the minutes that followed, the darkest side of football fandom revealed itself. Viti was hit with a tidal wave of insults and hateful messages on social media, forcing him to block comments. It was a brutal welcome to the big leagues for a 21-year-old just trying to live his dream. Despite the pain, he remained proud, later posting on Instagram: "Proud to debut with Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world. I feel very happy and grateful to everyone who has accompanied me to get here. Let's go for more."
Forged in Fire: From La Masia Reject to La Fábrica Gem
Viti’s journey has been anything but easy. He actually started his youth career at Barcelona's famed La Masia academy back in 2014. But after three seasons, his time as an azulgrana came to an end. It was a setback that could have derailed his career, but for Viti, it was fuel for the fire. He landed at Damm, a smaller club, and channeled all his frustration into work.
His motto became "Más, más y más"—more, more, and more. He doubled down on his efforts, transforming his body and his game. Despite his relatively short stature at 1.73m, he developed an extraordinary physique and became known for his explosive speed. As an electric left winger with a powerful right foot, he became a nightmare for defenders. When he accelerates, he's simply unstoppable.
It wasn't long before his old rival came knocking. In 2021, Real Madrid saw his potential and brought him into their academy, La Fábrica, to join the Juvenil A squad. He immediately became a key player, scoring eight goals in 30 games and earning a promotion to Real Madrid C. There, he reunited with a mentor, Luis García, and flourished, bagging ten goals and an assist in 31 matches.
The Castilla Breakout Season
His natural progression led him to Real Madrid Castilla, the club's B team. After an initial season of finding his feet, the 2024-25 campaign was his true coming-out party. The legendary Raúl González Blanco, Castilla's coach, put his full faith in Viti, and the winger repaid him in spectacular fashion.
He terrorized defenses with his blistering runs and lethal finishing, ending the season with an incredible 11 goals and 7 assists. He formed a deadly partnership with Gonzalo García, and the stats backed up what everyone was seeing on the pitch. In the Primera Federación, he ranked second in accelerations, second in total distance covered at high intensity, and third in total dribbles. He wasn't just a goalscorer; he was an engine, constantly attacking space and driving at defenders.
A New Chapter in Pamplona
After such a standout season and a taste of first-team action, many assumed Viti was on the fast track at Real Madrid. But football has its own plans. This summer, a move to Osasuna materialized. The Pamplona-based club made a significant bet on him, paying five million euros plus another one million in variables for 50% of his playing rights.
Here’s the catch: Real Madrid, true to its policy with promising academy graduates, retained the other 50% and included a buy-back clause that they can activate anytime until 2028. So, while Viti posted a heartfelt message saying it was an "incredible journey," his departure feels more like a "see you later" than a final goodbye. Madrid will be watching his progress very, very closely.
Now, he arrives at El Sadar as Osasuna's star signing for the summer, tasked with filling the void left by Bryan Zaragoza and becoming the "great agitator" on the left flank that coach Alessio Lisci is looking for. The stage is set for him to get consistent top-flight minutes and truly explode.
A Date with Destiny
And so, we arrive at today. The opening day of the LaLiga 2025/2026 season. The fixture list, with its sense of poetic irony, has pitted Real Madrid against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu. It's an intimidating venue for any visiting team, especially for one that hasn't won there since the 2003-2004 season. For Viti, though, it's more than just a tough away game.
It’s the day he finally steps onto the grass he dreamed of playing on, but as an opponent. He'll be facing his former teammates, his former coaches, and the club that still co-owns his future. You can bet no one on that pitch will be more motivated than him. Coach Alessio Lisci knows the challenge ahead, calling it a "beautiful challenge" and emphasizing the need to understand and react to the patterns of Xabi Alonso's Madrid side.
Conclusion
The story of Víctor Muñoz is a compelling reminder of the wild, unpredictable, and often emotional journey of a professional footballer. From the rejection at Barcelona to the relentless hard work that got him to Real Madrid, and from the trauma of his debut to this poetic return, his career has already been a rollercoaster. This match at the Bernabéu isn't just about three points; it's a personal milestone, a test of character, and a chance for Viti to show everyone—especially his former club—exactly what he's made of.
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