The 2025-26 season was a successful one for Real Madrid's youth team, who won the UEFA Youth League for the second time in their history.
One of the team's stars, Javi Navarro, is being considered as a potential future first-team goalkeeper for Los Blancos.
The 19-year-old is considered as the long-term heir to Thibaut Courtois at the Bernabeu.
The board has maintained a patient goalkeeper pathway to allow the youngster the time to develop without pressure.
Why Real Madrid See Javi Navarro as Thibaut Courtois' Successor
In Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid have undoubtedly one of the world's best goalkeepers of the last decade.
With Andriy Lunin also at the club, Real Madrid have one of Europe's strongest goalkeeper groups.
The Belgian has spoken in the past about his intention to retire at Real Madrid, having been at the club for eight years.
At 34, however, the club must also consider its long-term succession planning.
The club is thinking about a possible replacement, and the name of Javi Navarro has come up.
According to reports from AS and Madrid Universal, the youngster is deemed to have the composure and physical profile to be the club's long-term number one.
How Javi Navarro Became a UEFA Youth League Hero
Javi Navarro's stock sky-rocketed in the aftermath of the 2025-26 season, where his heroics helped Real Madrid to win the UEFA Youth League.
The 19-year-old proved decisive in the knockout rounds for the Juvenil A team, becoming a wall between the sticks.
In the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, he produced six saves during the game and three in the penalty shootout as his team won 5-4.
In the final against Club Brugge, it was more of the same, as he pulled off a number of saves during the game before saving two penalties in the shootout.
Navarro's performance in the competition indicated to the club that he has the right temperament and psychological strength required to play for the first-team.
Read More: Real Madrid’s Long-Term Goalkeeper Plan After Thibaut Courtois Revealed
Real Madrid's Plan for Javi Navarro's Development
Madrid are in no hurry to promote Javi Navarro, who was with the Juvenil A (U-19) team last season.
He is now likely to be promoted to play for Castilla, following the departure of Fran Gonzalez to Sevilla this summer.
Navarro played thrice for Castilla while Gonzalez was away at the U-20 World Cup last season, and has experienced what it feels like to play at that level.
Los Blancos' blueprint involves him staying with Castilla and gaining experience against older, more physical opposition than what he will face at youth level.
This will enable him to build a rhythm in the lower division while he also develops his skills as a goalkeeper without needing to head out on loan.
He can continue developing at Castilla while Courtois remains the first-choice goalkeeper, giving Madrid time to determine when Navarro is ready for the next step.
There is a strong belief at Valdebebas that with the right timing and patience, Navarro will be the club's first homegrown starting goalkeeper since Iker Casillas.
