The versatile Galician has played in 13 of Real Madrid’s 16 games so far this season, despite not being seen as a guaranteed starter either at right-back or as a right-winger.
Vazquez always finds a way of breaking into the team
Carlo Ancelotti is beginning to work out which players in his Real Madrid squad can be trusted, with the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema, David Alaba, Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao and Casemiro at the front of the queue. Still, one surprise name that could be added to this group is Lucas Vazquez. The versatile Galician has played in 13 of Real Madrid’s 16 games so far this season, despite not being seen as a guaranteed starter either at right-back or as a right-winger. Lucas may have Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo Goes, Marco Asensio and even Eden Hazard all ahead of him in the pecking order in the two previous positions. Still, he always finds a way of breaking into the team. In fact, the 30-year-old has played the eighth-most minutes in Ancelotti’s squad this season, with eight starts and five appearances from the bench.
Lucas’ 20/21 campaign saw him rewarded with a new deal at Madrid
Ever since Lucas returned to Real Madrid in 2015 following a successful season-long loan spell at Espanyol, he has had an essential role for the coach, whether that is Rafa Benitez, Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, Julen Lopetegui or Santiago Solari. Lucas has lifted 11 trophies since rejoining Real Madrid, including three Champions Leagues, two LaLiga titles and two European Super Cups. He has made a total of 253 appearances for the club in that time. The 2017/18 season saw Lucas reach his peak in the Real Madrid first team, making an impressive 53 appearances, in which he scored eight goals and provided 16 assists.
Then, last season, there were calls for him to be included in Luis Enrique’s Spain squad for Euro 2020 after being impressed at right-back in the absence of the injured Carvajal. Still, an injury in the second Clasico of the season brought his campaign to a premature end.
Nevertheless, Lucas’ performances in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign saw him rewarded with a new contract at Real Madrid until 2024, despite his future seeming unclear at times last season, and he has once again found himself firmly in the first-team picture under Ancelotti in 2021/22.