Fansided

Morelia inks Medina, former Real Madrid academy player

By Jahir M. Martinez

SEIXAL, PORTUGAL - DECEMBER 5: SL Benfica defender Paolo Medina Etienne from Italy in action during the UEFA Youth League match between SL Benfica and FC Basel at Caixa Futebol Campus on December 5, 2017 in Seixal, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
SEIXAL, PORTUGAL - DECEMBER 5: SL Benfica defender Paolo Medina Etienne from Italy in action during the UEFA Youth League match between SL Benfica and FC Basel at Caixa Futebol Campus on December 5, 2017 in Seixal, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Veracruz native Paolo Medina spent a decade in Spain, and now the young defender has signed with Monarcas Morelia.

You are probably wondering who Paolo Medina is since not has been heard of him here in Mexico. So we’ll let you know that he is exactly the type of young, talented player the Liga MX yearns to promote. A true hidden gem.

The 20-year-old defender was presented by Monarcas Morelia earlier this week and is eager to see playing time in the Liga MX in the Apertura 2019.

After spending nearly 10 years in Spain, Medina signed with Monterrey in July 2018 and the Rayados assigned him to their Under-20 team. The Veracruz native is hoping that he’ll be able to win starting spot with Morelia, though it is unlikely that he’ll do so from the outset since the season begins next weekend. The Monarcas visit the Tigres on Saturday, July 20, to start the Apertura 2019.

More from Viva Liga MX

Medina’s career path to the Liga MX is extremely unusual for Mexican players. He started with Deportivo Alcobendas in 2007 at the age of 8. Alcobendas is a lower division soccer club based in the suburbs of Madrid. When he turned 10, Real Madrid came calling and the youngster moved across town to “The Factory,” the nickname of the world-famous academy.

Medina showed promise from the outset and he stood out as a promising player in each age division, spending eight years with “Los Merengues.” Medina made the club’s roster for the prestigious UEFA Youth League and was named captain of Madrid’s Junior B team, while playing with the likes of Luca Zidane. He was even a nominee for the Golden Boy Prize along with stars like Kylian Mbappe and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

During the summer of 2017, Medina was transferred to Portugal’s Benefica but he spent the majority of his majority with their B team. A year ago, the Rayados de Monterrey signed Medina to a contract and assigned him to their U-20 team.

Medina’s journey has now led him to Morelia. The Monarcas are not considered a playoff-caliber team, but being on an average time might provide the youngster with the opportunity to play in Liga MX. And Medina’s experience playing for Real Madrid – even if only on the junior squad – should prove sufficient to prepare him for first division games in Mexico.

Home/Apertura 2019