Miguel Gutiérrez is set to return to his hometown this weekend in order to face his former team, Real Madrid, who will host Girona FC on Saturday in Matchday 24.
The upcoming duel between LALIGA EA SPORTS leaders Los Blancos and second-placed Los Blanquivermells will feature several outstanding players, but Girona FC's rising star is one the players who has stolen the spotlight with his sublime performances so far this season.
Miguel Gutiérrez's first steps
Born and raised in the suburbs of Madrid on July 27th, 2001, Miguel Gutiérrez took his first footballing steps in the Getafe CF academy, before joining the famous La Fábrica at the age of 10. The prodigious full-back showcased his talent and stood out at Real Madrid's academy, climbing up the ranks to reach Raúl's Castilla side. That was when he caught Zinedine Zidane's eye, with the then-Real Madrid boss calling up the young left-back to participate in the Audi Cup that took place in the summer of 2019. Miguel featured in a 5-3 friendly victory over Fenerbahçe to become the first Real Madrid academy player born in the 21st century to debut with the first team.
The prodigious left-back was also part of the Real Madrid side that won the UEFA Youth League title in 2019/20, even captaining the team in five games and starting in nine of their 10 matches in the competition. He netted four goals along the way, including the third in their 3-2 win against Benfica in the final in August 2020. By then, he was already training regularly with the first team, waiting patiently for the chance to make his official debut.
An eagerly awaited opportunity
Miguel did make his official debut on April 21st, 2021, when he came off the bench in Real Madrid's 3-0 win against Cádiz CF. Benefitting from the absences of both Marcelo and Ferland Mendy, the Spaniard went on to make his first start a month later, with Los Blancos beating Granada 4-1 on the road.
Yet, congestion in his position meant that he didn't enjoy much playing time for the seniors in the 2021/22 season and, in August 2022, he departed to join Girona FC. There, he debuted with the Catalan side off the bench in their 2022/23 season opener against Valencia CF and went on to feature in as many as 34 games, including 27 starts for a newly-promoted Girona FC side that impressed with their displays. Last term may have been his breakthrough season in LALIGA EA SPORTS, but this year he has managed to establish himself as one of the finest full-backs in Spain.
Miguel Gutiérrez's role in Girona FC's title charge
Hailed by his coach Míchel for his versatility, Miguel can feature either at left-back or wing-back depending on the preferred formation for each game. “When I came to Girona FC I didn't know much about the city, the team or the coaching staff, yet it couldn't have gone better," he told MARCA in November. “I am delighted with the day-to-day work. Being happy, coming to train to prepare for the game with great enthusiasm, is an important aspect. I tell people that Girona is a place where you have to come. It is a family and everyone welcomes you very well. I was playing in Primera RFEF with Castilla not long ago. Making the leap to the top flight is not easy and getting minutes, playing a lot of games, is complicated. It couldn't have gone better. I've landed on my feet in a place where the team has supported me and the coaching staff understand my characteristics and of play."
Miguel is happy at the Estadi Montilivi and it shows, especially this season, when he has started in 22 of Girona FC's 23 league games. In fact, none of his teammates has recorded more minutes on the pitch across all competitions than the 22-year-old full-back, who has managed 2,293 minutes this season. Not only has he played a lot, but he has played intensely, as Míchel asks Miguel to contribute in attack at the same time as he is expected to fulfil his defensive duties. That was most obvious during Girona FC's incredible 4-2 victory away at FC Barcelona, in which the left-back confidently scored one of his side's goals.
“The confidence I have this year is very high and I enjoy playing, which is one of the keys," he added. “I think the 11 of us are all on the same page, while the teammates who come off the bench add a lot and that has made us stronger at the beginning of the season."
Miguel has yet to debut for the Spanish national team, but this moment is expected to come very soon. The Real Madrid academy product has showed significant improvement under Míchel at Girona FC and the future looks bright for one of LALIGA EA SPORTS' rising stars.
