A few years ago, it was common place to see a little boy run around the pitch wearing a Marcelo shirt when Real Madrid's players came to games with their families.

Now, Enzo Alves is beginning to write his own story with Los Blancos, having watched his father do so for many years with great success.

The 17-year-old Real Madrid striker, son of former left-back Marcelo, is attracting attention for his performances in the UEFA Youth League and goalscoring record in the academy.

AS reports that Enzo's progress has brought him closer to the first-team conversation, although he still has to establish himself at senior level.

Enzo Alves' rise through Real Madrid's academy

Carrying the name of a club legend can weigh heavily on a young player, but Enzo Alves is responding by letting his performances do the talking.

Unlike his father Marcelo, who mastered the left-back position with flair and attacking brilliance, Enzo has carved out a distinct identity as a striker at youth level.

His physical maturity, penalty-box instincts, and prolific goalscoring record across Madrid's youth tiers have turned heads across Europe, establishing him as one of the crown jewels of Valdebebas, with AS reporting that he has scored over 150 goals across his youth career at Madrid.

He has represented Spain at youth level and captained the country's Under-17s. He could also feature at the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.

During Alvaro Arbeloa's time in charge of Real Madrid Castilla, Enzo was invited to train with the reserve side, giving him experience alongside older players.

Enzo made his UEFA Youth League debut in November 2025 and signed his first professional contract in January 2026, as Real Madrid moved to secure his future.

Enzo Alves' UEFA Youth League progress and Real Madrid ambitions

After making his UEFA Youth League debut in November 2025, Enzo scored his first goal in the competition against RB Leipzig.

The teenager opened the scoring in Real Madrid's 5-2 UEFA Youth League win over RB Leipzig, making a run between two defenders to meet Daniel Yanez's cross.

His progress through Real Madrid's youth teams has strengthened his prospects, although a first-team promotion remains a future possibility.

With the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Carlos Espi, and Endrick still very much in the picture, Enzo will have to be very patient with respect to his chances of playing first-team football at the Bernabeu.

The young striker will continue his development in the academy and aim to maintain his progress as he works towards a possible first-team opportunity.

What young players can learn from Enzo Alves

Young players with famous parents need to build their own identities on the pitch rather than be defined by their parents' achievements. Enzo has managed to forge his own path at club and international levels.

Young players must also learn to manage the expectations and attention that can come with early recognition. Keeping external hype in perspective and maintaining consistent training habits can help them stay focused on their development.

Young players should remain patient as they progress through the age groups rather than try to skip steps in their development. Enzo's progression to Juvenil A highlights his advancement through Real Madrid's academy, but a first-team breakthrough remains a separate challenge.